Description
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: PURSUANT TO FAR 15.201(e) BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aviator ready room chair currently placed onboard US Navy Aircraft Carriers is a specially designed seat that meets the unique requirements and functions of aviation personnel conducting operations aboard aircraft carriers. The legacy version of this chair met the needs of aviators at the time of its design, however the design and functionality of an updated ready room chair must accommodate the frequent use of laptop computers, provide an ergonomic and comfortable design for the seated aviator dressed in full flight gear ensemble, and be constructed of high-strength, lighter weight materials to accommodate the reconfiguration of ready room seating to support varying space functions and to minimize the effort and time necessary to maintain the deck. TECHNICAL DISCUSSION: The goal of this RFI is to explore the technical aspects of the components of this requirement. The Government is seeking industry input to assist in identifying features and approaches to meet the general requirements described below. Please note that the Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties responding to this RFI. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. 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. Current Configuration The legacy aviator ready room chair can be referenced by Hull Type Drawing Number: 805-1646563, https://90machinery.navsses.navy.mil/habitability/furniture/productDetail.asp?prodId=108 Desired information If the exisiting chair were replaced, an ideal solution would be with a commerical item already developed. Alternatively companies may identify themselves as interested in meeting this potential requirement. If a commercial item is recommended, please provide a complete description of the chair and address the following quesitons. • What techniques may be implemented in the design and construction of a replacement chair to ensure long-term comfort to users? • What techniques have been implemented in the design and construction of this chair to minimize the weight and physical footprint of the chair while maintaining stability of the chair during high sea states? Is there a method to attach each chair to the ship's deck (assume the deck is configured for flexible infrastructure)? • The design and construction of this chair should allow the occupant to use a laptop computer on the working surface? What are the working surface dimensions and method to extend/ stow the working surface? • Does the design and construction of this chair incorporate a storage compartment? What are the compartment dimensions? Does it lock in the closed position? • Does the design and construction of this chair support the requirement for easily reconfigurable seating arrangements in the Ready Room to enable the necessary different squadron functions (e.g., Flight mission planning, AOMs, Department Head meetings, Captain's Mast, etc.)? What is the weight of each chair? How does one ensure the ship's deck will not be marred by the feet of this chair? • Does the design and construction of this chair allow each chair to stand / function independently from the other chairs? • How long is the manufacturer's warranty on this product? • In the event of a chair component failure, is it possible for the end user to easily replace the component and return the chair to service? • Does the design and construction of this chair allow it to be moved throughout the ship without disassembly of either the chair or the limiting structure aboard the ship? For statisical research puporses only, companies may identify themselves as interested in potential design and development efforts by providing (please note, if an RFP is released, qualifed companies will be directly notified of the RFP in addition to a general posting on the NAVAIR Solicitations page) • Company name • Socio-economic business categories (Small Business, Women Owned Small Business, Disabled Veteran Owned , etc) • Short description of experience in related manufacturing. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION In response to this RFI, respondents shall submit written responses, not-to-exceed ten (10) pages in length via electronic mail. Product specification, sketches, or listings of authorized distributors are not to count as part of the page count. The Government is interested in receiving vendors' commercial published price lists for items they believe meet the need in this RFI, as well as, identification of long lead item(s), sub-systems(s), or systems(s). Supplying price data does not imply a contractual obligation and must be provided as a separate document, marked as PRICE DATA, and sent only to the contracts points of contact identified below. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. While the Government intends to use this information for future acquisition planning purposes, it will not release any information about your approach that might in any way compromise your competitive posture or proprietary information. The Government will not use any information provided to level your approach relative to another competitor. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked PROPRIETARY will be handled accordingly. The Government will not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Respondents will not be notified of the result of the review. **PLEASE NOTE: The Government intends to use contracted support contractors from Science Applications Iinternational Corporation (SAIC) to assist with review and analysis of responses to this RFI. Each contractor will be responsible for obtaining Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) from each respondent to this RFI. Failure to respond to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future associated RFP/RFQ that may be issued. Information provided in no way binds the Government to solicit or award a contract. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the NAVAIR Open Solicitations (Primary) page, http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.display&key=OpenSolicitations. It is the potential vendor's responsibility to monitor this site for the release of any follow-on information.