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 conducting a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources Next Generation Environmental Control Unit (NGECU), with responses due by close of business September 18, 2026. No set-aside applies. The RFI follows revised requirements and seeks vendor capability information in three categories: hardware identification (unit name, part number, National Stock Number); required modifications if the proposed unit does not currently meet all specifications; and availability on active government contract vehicles such as GSA, SEWP, DLA, or CHESS with contract numbers, or planned addition to contract vehicles within four months.

The NGECU is a 60,000 BTU/hr heat pump–based environmental control system for expeditionary military field deployment. The unit must weigh no more than 650 pounds (600 pounds objective), operate across cooling temperatures of 50°F to 125°F and heating temperatures of −25°F to 75°F, provide minimum cooling output of 60,000 BTU/hr and minimum heating of 40,000 BTU/hr with supplemental resistance heating, consume maximum 13 kW in cooling mode (10.5 kW objective), and operate at 3-phase, 208/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz. Mandatory shipping configurations require 12 units per standard 463L pallet and 4 units per standard Tricon ISO container, stackable up to four units high. The unit must include retractable legs providing at least four inches ground clearance, washable filters, 25-foot tethered remote thermostat, sand matte thermal reflective coating per MIL-PRF-85285E, and support a 25-year service life. Noise must not exceed 80 dB(A) at two meters (75 dB(A) or less objective). All fastener retention must use threads cut directly into base material; thread inserts of any kind are prohibited. Responses should be directed to Contracting Officers Wesley Hardy and Douglas Lindsey and Contract Specialist Allison Haney at the contact addresses listed in the RFI attachments.