TPS Testing

On August 12, 2015 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a combined synopsis/solicitation for Tank and Pump Systems (TPS) which are a component of the Residential Fire Sprinkler System (RFSS) which are becoming standard equipment in FEMA's Manufactured Housing Units (MHUs). Contracts were award in later September to three manufacturers who have delivered TPS to FEMA. FEMA is treating the TPS received from the August 2015 solicitation as limited production units and is carrying out a series of field operations and controlled performance tests.
FEMA anticipates conducting a controlled freeze test sometime in mid-June 2016 or later. The test facility is configured to house between three and six TPS. FEMA will test one TPS from each of the current manufacturers. As there is additional capability to test additional TPS, FEMA will accept proposals from vendors who have alternatives to the current TPS. FEMA will not incur any cost for either the construction of the TPS or any vendor's participation in this testing. FEMA will accept alternative proposals for TPS solutions that meet the spirit of the requirements set forth in the original solicitation which can be found at:

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/FEMA/OAM/HSFE80-15-R-0010/listing.html


FEMA is looking at TPS solutions that include the TPS envelop, electrical connection and the heated water hose assembly. The test protocol is to install the TPS in an environmental chamber that is cooled to the design temperature of negative 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the TPS and hoses reach a steady-state temperature, water flow will be tested simulating an activation to provide water to the sprinkler component of the RFSS in a MHU.

Proposals for participation will be reviewed by FEMA and the agency reserves the exclusive right to accept or reject proposed solutions based on agency need and requirements.

Proposals are due to FEMA no later than 12 noon eastern time on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. Proposals are to be submitted electronically to:

Matthew Rabkin, Program Manager at matthew.rabkin@fema.dhs.gov
Erik Young, Contract Specialist at erik.young@fema.dhs.gov

Questions will not be accepted via telephone and FEMA reserves the right to answer questions at the agency's discretion that are received via email.

The start date of the test will be announced in advance and vendors will have to ensure that their product is at FEMA' storage yard in Cumberland, MD prior to being dispatched to the test center. Vendors with TPS being tested are welcome to participate in the test process.  Tests will conducted at a Federal facility and all entering need to provide at a minimum a "Real ID." For questions about "Real ID" please go to the following Department of Homeland Security web site

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs