Sources Sought Notice Porton Man DPG 10-21-2024.docx

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

THIS IS A Sources Sought Notice ONLY. The U.S. Government currently intends to award a contract for a Robotic Test System to support Army Acquisition Whole Ensemble Testing. on a SOLE SOURCE basis but is seeking vendors that may be able to perform this requirement in order to support a competitive procurement. Accordingly, the U.S. Government highly encourages all interested businesses (large and small) to respond to this sources sought notice. In addition, small businesses, in all socioeconomic categories (including, 8(a) Business Development Program, Small Disadvantage Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Women-Owned Small Business concerns), must describe their identifying capabilities in meeting the requirements at a fair market price, i.e., information which may help support a set-aside.

The proposed sole source Firm Fixed Price contract to purchase a Porton Man Robotic system. The statutory authority for the sole source procurement is FAR Part 13.501(a)(2)(ii), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

Attached is the draft Statement of Work (SOW).

This notice does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this sources sought notice. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. However, if a competitive solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Governmentwide Point of Entry. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the Governmentwide Point of Entry for additional information pertaining to this requirement. The NAICS code is: 334516

In response to this sources sought, please provide:

1. Identify any condition or action that may be having the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition with respect to this acquisition and identify alternatives or solutions. Also contact the MICC Alternate Advocate for Competition, Scott Kukes, at scott.d.kukes.civ@army.mil or 210-466-3015, if you believe that this action is unreasonably restricting competition. Include the subject of the acquisition, this announcement, and the MICC POC information from the Sources Sought Notice. Provide the specific aspects that unreasonably restrict competition and the rationale for such conclusion.

2. Name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, DUNS number, CAGE code, identify business size (large business or a small business), and if applicable, a statement regarding small business status (including small business type(s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) and the corresponding NAICS code.

3. Identify whether your firm is interested in competing for this requirement as a prime contractor or not. Identify subcontracting, joint ventures or teaming arrangement that will be pursued, if any.

4. Information in sufficient detail regarding previous experience (indicate whether as a prime contractor or subcontractor) on similar requirements (include size, scope, complexity, timeframe, government or commercial), pertinent certifications, etc., that will facilitate making a capability determination.

5. Information to help determine if the requirement (item or service) is commercially available, including pricing information, basis for the pricing information (e.g., market pricing, catalog pricing), delivery schedules, customary terms and conditions, warranties, etc.

6. Identify how the Army can best structure these contract requirements to facilitate competition, including competition among small business concerns.

7. Recommendations to improve the Army's approach/specifications/draft SOW to acquiring the identified items/services.

Statement of Work Requirements:

a. The system consists of a lightweight passively jointed mannequin that is supported within a Mechanical Drive Frame which in turn is mounted on a turntable. There is also a Transport Trolley on which the mannequin can be dressed and then moved to and from the Drive Frame.

b. The system will be supplied with a computer and software that will enable the user to configure mannequin movement protocols over chosen time periods. The movements will include running and walking at different speeds, stationary, sitting, kneeling, and using the turntable to change the position of the mannequin relative to the wind direction.

c. All materials used are of washdown specification. Materials used in the mannequin, Drive Frame and Transport Trolley will consist of Epoxy carbon composite, 316 stainless-steel. Aluminum, Viton and Butyl rubber seals, PVDF and PTFE polymers. All Aluminum parts will be hard-anodized, or nickel plated as required.

d. The realistic looking mannequin has passive joints and will be made from a lightweight carbon epoxy composite, (weight approximately 22kg). The surface of the mannequin has ports for approximately 100 passive dosimeters, short versions. The ports consist of 316 stainless steel cups that hold a modified dosimeter cap in place with an ‘O’ ring. There will capacity within the mannequin to hold a small number of Near Real Time sensors. Size and available space TBC.

e. The mannequin will be fixed to the Drive Frame with a connector at the base of the neck, this connector will channel any power requirements into the mannequin. The mannequin will also be held in position with a physical quick release mechanism in the back of the hands, (the gloves will need to be perforated at this point), and the feet will be strapped into footplates. The shape of the hands have been designed to ease donning and doffing of gloves and there is the added convenience of removable thumbs. The feet are also supplied in two parts, with a separate toe section that can be inserted into the boots first to ease donning and doffing of footwear. The mannequin body is made of carbon composite onto which PADs can be applied.

f. The mannequin will have a moving head, three DoF (degrees of Freedom) at the shoulders, 2 DoF at the upper arm/elbow, 1 DoF at the wrist. 1 DoF at the hips, 1 DoF at the knee, 1 DoF at the ankle. Donning and Doffing of clothing should take no more than 30 minutes by two competent personnel.

g. The current dimensions of the Drive Frame system are Height 2000 millimeters, Width 1460mm, Depth 810mm. The Drive Frame will have an umbilical of Viton coated cables going from the turntable to a gland plate on the chamber wall and from the other side of the chamber wall to the electrical cabinet. The electrical cabinet will be UL approved and designed to accommodate US power sources at a 60-cycle power, 208v or, 440volt systems.

h. During the design phase particular attention will be taken to ensure that the movements at the joints of the mannequin do not damage the PPE, for example at the backs of the knees, hips, and elbows.

i. A selection of tools for in-house maintenance will be supplied as well as a quantity of spare parts and key components will be supplied with the system. These will include motors, gear boxes and servo drives.

j. Training will be provided to Dugway staff in the use of the system as well as routine maintenance tasks.

k. A verification assessment will be performed before shipping in case changes are required in terms of motion, software requirements, etc.

l. Provide remote assistance – telephone and email communication to allow for updates and discussions.

m. Provide diagnosis of obsolescence of equipment and materials that are routinely changed out throughout the year.

n. Provide annual service and maintenance of the robotic system at DPG.

o. Provide an initial 2-year warranty