16 January 2013 Request for Information (RFI) Synopsis: Energy Efficient Tent Systems 1. INTRODUCTION: This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) notice for planning purposes. This RFI does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the PM FSS will take procurement action in this matter. This RFI notice is being issued for the purpose of assessing industries' current capabilities in providing energy efficient tent systems for use by military services in various theaters of operations. Any information provided does not constitute a proposal, but will be considered an exchange of capabilities and ideas. Neither Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems (PM FSS) nor the Government will be responsible for any cost incurred in furnishing this information. 2. BACKGROUND: The remote locations of base camps create significant challenges for logistics support of combat operations. These base camps are heavily dependent on large, long-distance truck convoys whose cargo is dominated by water and bulk fuel. Convoy routes through unsecured areas are frequently hazardous, and transport is always expensive. 3. PURPOSE: PM FSS is interested in learning what commercial tent systems are available today that enhance the operational energy efficiency and logistics sustainability of expeditionary soft wall tent systems. This RFI focuses on technologies and equipment that addresses operational energy efficiency in soft wall tents. Information received and any product assessment made from this RFI will be used to identify technical solutions suitable for rapidly enhancing energy-related base camp operations. The current concepts of use for these Energy Efficient Tent Systems will be to support expeditionary type missions. Primary functional uses of these tents will be as billeting, dining, office configurations, and personnel hygiene facilities. Soft wall tent systems of interest are those that would most effectively reduce the operational energy demand of a base camp supporting 150 personnel and smaller. These same technologies will be considered for base camps supporting 600 personnel and greater. 4. DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCTS SOUGHT: Alternative tent system solutions with improved operational energy efficiency are sought to improve/replace the current unit organic and service provided tent systems. For this evaluation the baseline tent system will be the PM FSS Force Provider Standard Tent System which is the 20'x 32' TY XXXI Tent, Extendable, Modular, Personnel (TEMPER) Air-Supported tent with Insulated Liner; Rigid Personnel Door; Shade Fly; Power Distribution Box, Convenience Outlets; Fluorescent Lights; F-100 (HVAC) and MTH-150 Heater. a. A complete tent system is desired. As a minimum a company's offering shall include a: Tent (fabric and support system), Liner, Floor, Door, Shade System, Lighting, Power Distribution System and HVAC. b. Mature technologies, products and equipment that can provide the following capabilities are of interest: 1) Expeditionary soft wall tents providing thermal efficiency thus reducing operational energy. 2) Technologies demonstrating energy conservation. Interested in complete tent systems which include technologies providing alternative power generation systems, energy efficient heating and/or cooling systems and energy efficient lighting incorporated into tent system. 3) Provide a tent system capable of providing a minimum interior height of seven feet providing a minimum of 600 sq ft of useable floor space. 4) Each tent shall have a minimum of two personnel doors. Each door shall provide the means of being opened and closed. Alternative solutions to zippers are encouraged. 5) Complete tent system needs to be powered with one 60 amp power cable. (i.e. supply power for lights, convenience outlets and HVAC) Electric components should meet NEC electrical standards. 6) Electrical system capable of accepting commercial power or from a standard military generator set. (Class L connector preferred) 7) These tent systems must be able to withstand the durability and structural load demands of military tents to include extreme environmental conditions and rough handling. 8) All components of the tent system shall be configured to allow for storage and transportation in a TRICON. The current modular base camp system is packed in TRICON's. Each TRICON's outside dimensions are 8ft by 8ft by 6.5 ft weighing less than 10,000 lbs (Gross). 9) Ideally these commercially available tent systems shall have the following: a. Ability to support the use of HVAC units and existing military ECUs with a minimum of two each sixteen inch diameter openings. b. Wall configurations that have doors, no doors, windows; vents; and means to support installation of power distribution systems. A minimum 5-inch diameter opening shall be available to allow passage of electrical cables within tent system. c. Collapsible to minimize transportation cube, allowing for assembly, disassembly, and re-assembly multiple times, with a minimum 3 years useful life and fifty-two (52) erect/strike cycles without degradation to functional use. d. Capable of withstanding rough handling and inclement weather conditions (including snow loading) encountered in all transportation and storage modes. The tent system must be able to withstand storage temperatures of minus sixty (60) degrees Fahrenheit (F) to plus one hundred forty (140) degrees F. e. Capability to be erected on semi-prepared surfaces (cleared and basically level). f. The base camp modular tent shall be interoperable with existing Military Standard tents by means of providing the ability to connect two tents together utilizing the existing the standard Tent, Extendable, Modular, Personnel (TEMPER) Vestibule. 5. CONTENT AND FORMAT OF PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS: The electronic copy of responses is to be in Microsoft Word 2003, Microsoft Word 2007 or Adobe Acrobat 9 compatible format using a size 12 font with one inch margins. Following a review of the responses received, PM FSS may elect to request additional information, or schedule one-on-one meetings with some respondents to gain additional information about their proposed solution(s). 6. SUBMISSION - should include: a. A cover page labeled with the heading Energy Efficient Tent System Product Description, Including product name, the manufacturer, and manufacturer address, technical point of contact, telephone number, email address and at least one photograph of the end item. b. An executive summary describing how the product could enhance energy efficiency of a small base camp. c. Submission must include: (1) Product technical description. Fully describe the product inclusive of all components. (i.e. fabric, tent sections, support system, flooring, shading, power distribution system, lighting, windows, doors, HVAC, and heating) (2) Narrative describing the operational energy efficiency of the product being demonstrated. (3) Identify heat transfer coefficient for demonstrated product. (4) Describe your HVAC system detailing minimum BTU/H requirement for heating/cooling tent. (5) Product specifications with particular emphasis on quantitative metrics of energy consumption or savings over alternative solutions. Other specifications would include parameters such as dimensions, weight, capacities, input requirements, salient output capabilities, or other quantitative characteristics as appropriate. (6) Commercial Level Operator Manual. (7) Commercial Level Maintenance Manual. (Can be combined with Operator Level Manual) (8) Manpower and time required to set up, take down and pack for transport. (9) Identify all tools and equipment required to set up and take down/pack. (10) Transportation requirements and limitations. (11) Relevant history of product (or similar product) utilization. (12) Relevant test data, test reports. (13) Catalog price or rough estimate of unit cost. (14) Identify color(s) product is available in. (15) Provide commercial specification for materials used in tent system. (16) Part Number - For Complete System and Part Numbers for each main component of system (i.e. HVAC, Lights, etc...) (17) Earliest availability for acquiring complete tent system. (Days after Receipt of Order) (18) Describe any long lead time items. (19) When the product is taken out of service what are the planned methods for disposal. Include any unique environmental or security requirements that must be considered for retiring or disposing of the product after its useful life. 7. PM FSS reserves the right to request additional clarifying information from each respondent. 8. SUBMISSION DATE AND ADDRESS: Electronic responses to this notice are requested to be emailed to
[email protected] no later than Friday, February 8, 2013, 5:00 PM EST. The subject line of the e-mail should contain the words Energy Efficient Tent System Product Description. Large files may be submitted on CD to the following address: US Army Soldier Systems Center, Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems, ATTN: SFAE-CSS-FP-F (Mr. Ryan Devine) 15 Kansas St. Natick, MA 01760 9. NOTE: This RFI is issued for the purpose of determining market capability of sources and does not constitute an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services contained in this notice. All information received in response to this notice that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses may not include classified material. Responses to this notice will not be returned. No reimbursement will be made for any costs to provide information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information requests. Information contained herein is based on the best information available at the time for publication, is subject to revision, and is not binding upon the Government. Availability of any formal solicitation will be announced under a separate Federal Business Opportunities announcement.