Vertical Casualty Lift System RFI 1.pdf

VERTICAL CASUALTY LIFT SYSTEM

RFI #1

Q1) Is a 5:1 Safety factor required for the assumed 1200# intended maximum loading?

A1) Yes.

Q2) Is this device intended to allow the casualty stretchers to be moved from ground to the KC- 135 via the rectangular "cargo door" or through a troop door or either door (the crew door seems impossible due to vertical orientation access limitations). In other words will the requested device need to be able to rotate the litter 90 degrees and access the fuselage headfirst or through the larger hatch lengthwise?

A2) Given the attachment points in the aircraft only the side cargo door would do.

Q3) Are you anticipating the entire device be American made? Or are foreign manufactured base components acceptable so long as the final assembly is local/domestic? If they manufacture only specific components of the device and agree to make them, do you care whether they have Aviation Product Liability insurance?

A3a) The items to assemble these lifts have been determined to be commercially available in the domestic market.

A3b) As long as final assembly is local/domestic, yes. 52.225-1 Buy American-Supplies is included by reference with our clauses (within FAR 52.212-5).

A3c). We are not concerned about Aviation Product Liability insurance. This will be part of the technical acceptability evaluation.

Q4) Approximately how far away do you anticipate that this device will be stored on the KC- 135? Do you expect that it can be hand carried by one person? Or rolled over and set up?

A4) The units will be carried/moved and assembled by 1 person. At least one full system will be stored on the aircraft.

Q5) Do you have a format or template for our submittal?

A5) Please refer to FAR Subpart 52.212-1(b) Submission of offers (https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.212-1)

Q6) What areas around the cargo hatch & seals are to be protected or do not touch areas?

[Top threshold]? [flooring threshold and interior deck nearby]? [pounds of acceptable loading allowed?]

A6) The lower edge of the cargo hatch is protected by 3 means. One is the standoff of the device itself. The second if the placement of a plastic patient slider board on the floor hanging off the edge of the aircraft. The last is currently a foam piece the aircraft uses.

There is no contact otherwise.

Q7) Will the awarded funding be specific to the CLIN item or to the entire proposal? i.e. Could a step in the process to allow the end users and evaluator(s) to select a design from a description of "choices" and reimburse a small amount for preliminary work to provide the "choices" and then in the next step to take that information to build the prototype or For Field Service lift devices?

A7a) Funds will be applicable to the CLINs on the final contract.

A7b) No. This is not a research and development solicitation. Any quotes provided shall be for a VCL System that meets our stated requirements. In accordance with FAR Subpart 52.212-1(e) Multiple offers: Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions, including alternative line items (provided that the alternative line items are consistent with FAR subpart 4.10), or alternative commercial products or commercial services for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each offer submitted will be evaluated separately.

Q8) Are there to be any provisions for including a means for associated medical casualty support equipment, such as drip bag hangers?

A8) No, we have not provided for iv hangers or other accessories. We will use compression and other means.

Q9) Do you anticipate a need for additional Vertical Casualty Lift Systems as a future extension to the scope?

A9) At this time the current requirement is as stated.