Request for Information JSGPM Filter Media.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) Joint Service General Purpose Mask (JSGPM)

Alternative Particulate Filtration Media

W911SR-24-RFI-JSGPM

Disclaimer:

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. Solicitations are not available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. All information submitted in response to this RFI is voluntary; the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government.

All submissions become the property of the Government and will not be returned. Proprietary, confidential, privileged commercial or financial information submitted in the RFI response should be marked accordingly to ensure appropriate handling and disposition by the Government. No classified information shall be submitted in the RFI response. Only Government personnel will have access to information marked as proprietary.

The results of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement if a requirement materializes. Based on the responses to this RFI/market research, this requirement may be set-aside for small businesses (in full or in part) or procured through full and open competition.

Multiple awards may be made. All small business set-aside categories will be considered. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions.

1. Introduction:

This RFI is to assist the Joint Project Manager for Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Protection (JPM CBRN Protection) to identify the availability and adequacy of potential sources of supply for alternative Perfluroroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances-free (PFAS-free), High Efficiency Synthetic Particulate Air (HESPA) media.

Potential NAICS Code: 339113 Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing PSC Code: 4240 Safety and Rescue Equipment

2. Background:

The Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense and Joint Project Manager for CBRN Protection are seeking to obtain an updated understanding of industry capabilities and/or alternative HESPA medias that can be incorporated into DoD M61, GP, and C2A1 Canisters, Chemical-Biological Mask. See Appendix A for reference.

Current particulate filtration media contain PFAS compounds, and the Government is seeking alternative materials/solution that are PFAS-free with equivalent or improved performance characteristics detailed hereafter and Table 1 below.

Current challenges the Government is faced with include but is not limited to the following:

1. PFAS-free, non-toxic

2. Physical dimension/weight constraints (i.e. pleat height, interface, dimensional conformance). See Appendix A for canister cross sections.

3. The media needs to be secured (potted, glued, welded) in the filter without allowing any leakage after rough handling.

4. Withstand chemical and biological contamination.

5. Withstand rough handling, hot/cold temperature operating and long-term storage conditions.

6. Hydrophobic

7. Does not deteriorate from oil particulate loading.

3. Description of Performance Objectives:

The purpose of this RFI is to solicit information on the current availability, developmental solutions, production status of alternative PFAS-free, particulate filtration medias that have the potential to meet and/or exceed current Government performance specifications. Responses should also include production readiness or capabilities to integrate into JSGPM M61/GP, and C2A1 canisters. See Table 1 for minimum performance objectives.

Solutions will need to provide respiratory protection to military personnel against CBRN and Toxic Industrial Chemicals/Toxic Industrial Materials (TICs/TIMs) which can be present in liquid, vapor, or aerosol form and seamlessly integrate with current and developmental JSGPM respirators.

Table 1: The list of minimum performance objectives for the proposed solution media include:

Requirement Description Particulate Protection

Aerosol filtration shall not be greater than 0.010% when challenged with a concentration of 100 +/- 10 mg/m3, at various flow rates of 25

– 64 LPM, aerosol median diameter 0.185 +/- 0.02 µm.

Operating Environment

Long Term Storage

Operating temperature range from -25◦F to 120◦F.

One year out of package filter life requirement.

Not deteriorate from storage in packaged configuration for a period of not less than 10 years in all climatic types from -50◦F to 160◦F.

Humidity Not deteriorate in relative humidity range from 5% to 100%.

Other Conditions/ Contaminants

Not deteriorate in protection when exposed to salt fog, fungus, dust/sand, solar radiation/sunshine, rain, ozone, battlefield contaminants POLs (JP8, gasoline, diesel fuel DL2, small arms

Requirement Description lubricant), decontaminants (Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion, Equipment Wipe, HTH bleach), AFFF, aqueous potassium carbonate, purple potassium powder, 20% salt water, insect repellant, sodium hypochlorite.

Rough Handling Shall not deteriorate after rough handling (transport, altitude, shock).

Interface/Conformance Able to be machined to conform to current M61, GP, and C2A1 canisters, and future designed dimensions.

Sizing/Interoperability 1:1 conformal fit/replacement with current M61, GP, C2A1

HEPA/HESPA.

Flame Resistance Per ASTM F1358, after flame time of <2.0 seconds, must not melt or drip when exposed to heat or flame and must self-extinguish when heat or flame is removed.

Non-toxic/Non-allergenic Materials

Constructed of non-toxic and non-allergic materials and should not include nor produce hazardous waste.

Water Repellant Hydrophobic

4. Requested Information of Interest:

Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this RFI Announcement. All responses shall be unclassified and shall not exceed 10 pages in length. Provide a proposed solution for PFAS-free HESPA, describing the physical characteristics, behaviors, and attributes of the solution in sufficient detail for JPEO CBRN to assess the suitability. Production capability responses should discuss the ability to produce interface solution using Government owned technical data or designs.

JPEO CBRN is seeking to consider a wide range of solutions to this need through this request.

Respondents shall provide the following in response:

a. Company Description

• Brief company description, emphasizing experience developing similar products.

• Discuss any data rights assertions anticipated for the proposal.

b. Item Description

• Description, to include key components, and maturity levels of concepts for currently available or future filter media.

• Manufacturing details including any unique manufacturing techniques, location, and readiness levels.

• Test plans, reports and any other relevant documentation to support claimed performance objectives/requirements.

• If item is currently sold/produced, a list of current users and any government testing or evaluations performed.

c. Schedule

• Production lead time for materials, production volume capability.

5. Submission, Page Limitation and Due Dates:

The Government is requesting that responses to this RFI do not exceed ten (10) total pages. Your response to this RFI, including any capabilities statement, shall be electronically submitted to Contract Specialist, MinhChau Nguyen (minhchau.t.nguyen4.civ@army.mil) in Portable Document Format (PDF), via email no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on May 31, 2024 and reference “W911SR-24-RFI-JSGPM” in the subject line of the-email and on all enclosed documents. Information and materials submitted in response to this request will become property of the Government and WILL NOT be returned. DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED MATERIAL. No phone calls will be accepted.

All questions must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on May 13, 2024. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be posted at the same location of this RFI.

mailto:minchau.t.nguyen4.civ@army.mil

APPENDIX A:

Figure 1A: M61 Canister Body