Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources (BEAR) Environmental Control Unit (ECU)

The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Lifecycle Management Center at Robins Air Force Base is seeking to procure Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources (BEAR) Environmental Control Units (ECUs), which are 60,000 BTU/hour heat pump systems designed to provide both cooling and heating for enclosed living areas in expeditionary settings. The ECUs must be 5-ton heat pump systems capable of operating in extreme ambient temperatures ranging from -25°F to +125°F, with a maximum gross weight of 650 pounds and powered by 208VAC three-phase power. The procurement encompasses comprehensive requirements including program management, systems engineering, logistics, testing, configuration management, and cybersecurity compliance, with contractors required to conduct preliminary and critical design reviews, perform first article testing, develop technical manuals, and create training materials. The units must meet rigorous military standards for transportability, maintainability, and safety, including the ability to withstand storage temperatures from -65°F to +160°F and operate in challenging environmental conditions such as salt fog and sand/dust exposure. Potential contractors must respond to a detailed Contractor Capability Survey by October 9, 2025, demonstrating their manufacturing capabilities, production capacity, and experience with similar government or commercial contracts.

This opportunity has no set-aside designation, meaning both small and large businesses are encouraged to participate in the competition. The government plans to implement a ten-year contract beginning in fiscal year 2027, with an estimated total quantity of 5,000 units to be delivered across fiscal years 2027 through 2037. The contract falls under NAICS code 333415 for Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing. Responses to the market research inquiry must be submitted via email with attachments not exceeding 10 MB per email, and the government emphasizes that comprehensive documentation must be provided to demonstrate the ability to meet all technical and production requirements. The procurement represents a significant long-term opportunity for manufacturers capable of producing military-grade environmental control equipment that can operate reliably in harsh expeditionary environments.