THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This Request for Information (RFI) is part of a market research effort to assess industry capabilities that will best address the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG's) need. This Request for Information (RFI) is part of a market research effort to assess technologies that support Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) at sea. MRO are Search and Rescue (SAR) operations characterized by the need to provide immediate assistance to large numbers of persons in distress in a situation that exceeds the capabilities normally available to SAR authorities. The Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) is conducting research to identify innovative, ultra-lightweight material(s) that could be used in the construction of a large capacity floating device that is deployable from air and surface assets during mass rescue operations. The desired large capacity floating devices are not required to meet standard Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements for lifesaving apparatus or domestic life saving apparatus requirements under 46 Code of Federal Regulation. The purpose of a large capacity floating device is to solely keep survivors out of the water during a mass rescue operation. Current USCG/SOLAS compliant 100-person inflatable rafts can weigh upwards of 800 pounds, which is far too heavy for a single individual to safely and easily deploy from a helicopter or a fixed wing aircraft without cargo ramps. The desired material(s) will differ from the material currently used in existing USCG/SOLAS compliant life-saving devices by its lighter weight and contribution to increased device portability. Examples of ultra-lightweight materials of interest to RDC include but are not limited to: • Laminated high-performance sailcloth • Polyester film (e.g. Mylar®) • Polyethylene • Polymer nanofiber or nanotechnology coating Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) of the large capacity floating device material(s) include: 1) Ability to maintain its material properties when submerged in saltwater 2) Ability to maintain its material properties when used in water temperatures between 35 - 85°F 3) Ability maintain its material properties when stored/used in air temperatures between 0 - 120°F 4) Ability to provide enough strength within a buoyant structure to hold up to 100 people. 5) Weight of materials should be lighter than common life raft materials 6) Ability to withstand the forces caused by a combination of rough sea conditions, high winds and survivor motions (e.g. changing positions, jostling, using extremities and limbs to move about). 7) Ability to withstand the forces without material tearing or damage when deployed from an aircraft or boat to the water. SPECIFIC TECHNICAL INFORMATION REQUESTED When responding to this RFI, please provide the following information: a) Overall description of material and traditional applications material is used for b) Characteristics of material(s) that make it ideal for a large capacity, lightweight floating device c) Manufacturing or fabricating techniques that enable the construct of a large capacity, lightweight floating device d) Key Physical Properties of the material a. Material Composition b. Standard available sizes (if applicable) c. Thickness d. Weight e. Strength f. Service Life g. Any special properties e) Pricing f) Identify whether you are a Small or Large Business using NAICS Code 326113 There is a related RFI Titled "Mass Rescue Life Saving Appliance" researching non-standard, innovative large capacity, ultra-lightweight floating devices. USCG intends to publish results of RFI in a public market research report. Please omit or mark any proprietary information that you don't wish to be published. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. There is no guarantee that the Government will pursue a solicitation for any of the requirements identified in the future. All information received in response to this RFI will NOT BE RETURNED. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. PHONE CALLS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, VOICE MAIL MESSAGES LEFT WILL NOT BE RETURNED AND EMAILS WILL NOT BE RESPONDED TO. Information submitted will be reviewed by Government personnel only at the USCG RDC. Responses to this RFI should be emailed to:
[email protected] Please direct any questions regarding the posting of this RFI to:
[email protected] Questions or requested clarifications regarding this RFI must be submitted no later than (NLT) November 29, 2019. The deadline for final responses to the RFI is 16 December 2019.