RFI BA-X Bailout 21 May 2024.pdf

Human Systems Division Back Automatic Parachute (BA-X) – Bailout

Request for Information (RFI) #WNUK-24-003

General Introduction:

1. This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) only. Air Force Life Cycle

Management Center (AFLCMC) Human Systems Program Office (AFLCMC/WNU) is conducting a market assessment to identify potential sources, and companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to respond to the requirements listed in this document. AFLCMC/WNU is issuing this RFI to explore cost effective options to provide this capability and to obtain valuable feedback regarding the requirements for the B-52H High Speed Bailout Back Automatic Parachute (BA-X) listed within this RFI. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and will be considered to determine the acquisition strategy for the BA-X as well as potential future solicitations.

2. This is not a request for competitive proposals. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this RFI. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party’s expense.

3. AFLCMC is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals.

4. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.

Small Businesses are encouraged to provide responses to this RFI in order to assist the Program Office in determining potential levels of competition available in the industry, as well as helping to establish a basis for developing any subsequent subcontracting goals. The acquisition strategy is still being determined. Market research results will assist the Air Force in determining whether this requirement will be a full and open competition, a small business set aside, a sole source acquisition, or utilization of an already existing contract.

5. Companies may be contacted if additional information is needed to fully understand the marketplace and/or comments to the requirements presented below.

Purpose:

The purpose of this RFI is to gather information on the current state and availability of vendors capable of providing a complete emergency bailout and ejection parachute system, in accordance with the requirements in the attached Performance Specification (P-Spec), for the B-52H airframe.

The Back Automatic Parachute (BA-X) will replace the BA-18 parachutes currently utilized by B-

Commented [CMACUAA1]: This statement true?

52 aircrew. The system will be utilized in bailout, constant wear, and static line parachute applications for B-52 aircrew during flight in war and peacetime.

Back Automatic Parachute (BA-X) Requirements:

BA-X system requirements are listed in the attached P-Spec. Testing and verification that the Government determines is necessary to validate that the proposed system is adequate for aircrew use is identified in Section 3 of the P-Spec. The Government may also consider test data based on alternate test methods; however, respondents must provide details of alternative test methods.

Although the Government may perform testing on systems, respondents should provide all available data (test, analysis, etc.) to verify ability of the system to meet the requirements of the P-Spec.

Instructions to Potential RFI Respondents:

Please provide your Request for Information responses to Mr. Alex Fryman (alex.fryman@us.af.mil) and Ms. Kelsey Moran (kelsey.moran@us.af.mil) by 5:00pm EST on 24 June 2024. Title e-mail responses in the subject line of the e-mail as follows: “Response to BA-X Request for Information #WNUK-24-003.”

Responses to this RFI should include the following:

Describe your firm’s ability to meet each of the P-Spec requirements. Please provide current product specifications and capabilities, to include: size, weight, and performance; Explain how you will comply with 10 U.S.C. 2533a (“The Berry Amendment”) as it pertains to textiles utilized in your design.

Describe your firm’s solution(s) and its existing capability. Provide a description of each principal component of your system (e.g. physical properties, performance, packaging required).

Provide the following (or similar) technical information:

o Drag coefficient of full open (or reefed) parachute (pilot chute and main).

o Canopy surface area (pilot chute and main) o Type of parachute (Flat circular, conical, biconical, extended skirt, etc) o Weight of parachute o Number of gores of canopy o Any test data that includes:

Peak force Gross weight of parachute and user

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Air density Velocity at deployment

Describe your existing or planned production capability.

The Government is also requesting feedback on the requirements contained in Attachment 1 (BA-X Performance Specification) and is seeking to gain an understanding of the capabilities of existing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions, solutions that would require development, and emerging technologies in industry. The feedback received will be used to refine and assess the achievability of the requirements.

Sustainability: The Government is seeking to establish a program/process to sustain the fielded BA-X parachute system. This includes providing/updating technical manuals and maintenance manuals, maintaining/furnishing spare parts inventory, providing training, technical support and product recall notification, etc. Please describe how your firm’s proposed solution will incorporate the sustainment elements necessary to accomplish these processes.

Data Rights: The Government is seeking unlimited technical data rights to the BA-X parachute system. The intent of these rights is to assure configuration control over the chosen system. Please indicate your willingness to provide these rights and the restrictions that would be required if the parties entered into such an agreement.

Cost Data: Please provide the following (or similar) cost information:

o Pricing: Provide estimated total cost per unit, including, as appropriate, any volume price breaks.

o Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM): Page length should be no more than 1-2 pages independent of technical information. This section should provide estimated costs per unit for production. Specifically for production, provide individual unit costs for full-up end items to include costs for any auxiliary equipment needed to constitute a full-up end item. Include the cost of any additional equipment required to swap configurations. Also include volume price breaks for large quantity purchases up to maximum monthly capacity. Respondents should also include a description of the company’s background, experience, and any other information that demonstrates value, performance, and capabilities. If teaming is being considered, please provide a description and the impact on production.

Contractor Capability Assessment:

Responses shall include the following information:

1. Company/Institute Name:

2. Address:

3. Point of Contact (to include phone number and email address):

4. CAGE Code:

5. Unique Entity ID

6. Web Page URL:

7. State whether the company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, indicate the country of ownership).

8. State whether the company is interested in being a prime contractor or subcontractor for this requirement.

All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement, if applicable to the company’s capabilities, should be included in the company’s NAICS code listing in SAM. To learn more about this SAM requirement and how to register, please visit the SAM website at https://www.sam.gov/

The NAICS Code for this action is 314999 – All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills with a size standard of 500 employees. Based on this NAICS Code, indicate whether your company qualifies as a:

a. Small Business (Yes/No)

b. Women-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

c. Economically Disadvantaged Small Business Women-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

d. 8(a) Certified (Yes/No)

a. Date certified: ____________________

e. HUB Zone Certified (Yes/No)

f. Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

g. Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

h. Statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign owned, please indicate country of ownership).

i. Statement as to whether your company is the manufacturer of the item or the reseller.

Please limit your responses to no more than 30 pages, to include product sheets, test data, graphs, charts and answers to the questions above. Marketing materials are considered an insufficient response to this Request for Information.

Identify a representative to support further Government inquiries and requests for clarification of the information provided, if needed.

Respondents should indicate which portions of their responses are proprietary and mark accordingly. All information received in response to this RFI that is properly marked as “proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Proprietary information must be clearly marked on the outside container and on the materials inside. The Government shall not be liable for, or suffer any consequential damages, for any proprietary information not properly identified.

Questions:

Responses to questions from interested parties will be promptly answered via email, unless some release of proprietary information is involved, or the answer addresses a question specific to a company or that company’s response. Post submittal, one-on-one information sessions with respondents are not contemplated; however, they may be offered to responders to clarify the government’s understanding of their submittal, the capability ramifications, or to discuss their business approach. Information feedback sessions may be offered to respondents after the RFI assessments are completed.

Points of Contact (POC) for this RFI:

Alex Fryman, Contracting Officer alex.fryman@us.af.mil

Kelsey Moran, Contracting Specialist kelsey.moran@us.af.mil

Contracting Office Address:

Bldg. 12 1981 Monahan Way Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433

Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. All questions will be answered via posting answers to this FBO website; except as provided above. Additionally, questions must NOT contain trade secrets or classified information. The Government reserves the right to not address questions received after 48 Hours from the postings closed.

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Commented [KF2]: Just marking so we don’t forget to come back. My recommendation would be within 48 hours of the time the posting closes.