This is a SOURCES SOUGHT REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). This is not a request for proposals and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) is conducting an end-user functionality and efficacy assessment of Class 3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ensembles when used by first responders in weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or other hazardous environments. The CDP is inviting manufacturers to provide information on Class 3 PPE ensembles meeting NFPA 1994 standards and NIOSH certification as of 15 March 2007. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Authorized Equipment List (AEL) item number for this equipment is 1.2.3.1. The requested information will be included in the Class 3 PPE market research, will provide available product information, and will provide support information for the CDP PPE focus group and assessment. By providing information in response to this RFI, you agree that the System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) Program may use both the equipment information and any provided images in SAVER outreach. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security established the System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) Program to assist emergency responders making procurement decisions. The SAVER Program conducts unbiased operational tests on commercial equipment and systems, and provides those results along with other relevant equipment information to the community in an operationally useful form. SAVER provides information on equipment that falls within the categories listed in the DHS AEL. Information related to the SAVER Program may be viewed at https://www.dhs-saver.Info/Default.aspx The intent of the user assessment program will be to provide the emergency response community with feedback on equipment based on utilization in scenarios that replicate, to the maximum extent possible, conditions that will be experienced in incident response. The results of the assessment will not yield a determination of what product is best, nor shall the CDP endorse any product or manufacturer. The assessment will be performed at the CDP by evaluators from the emergency response population, representative of all disciplines of agencies and jurisdictions across the US. These evaluators will be actual users of the equipment in the field. The evaluators will be presented with specific scenarios and tasks to be carried out while wearing the ensembles. The scenarios will be tailored so that evaluated criteria can be objectively and subjectively assessed by each evaluator. Some of the criteria could include capability, usability, affordability, deployability, and maintainability. If you wish to provide information about your particular brand/product, please provide, in electronic (MS Word) format, your company name; whether you are a manufacturer or a distributor; address; point of contact; telephone number; fax number; web address; and e-mail address. Additionally, please provide any information available such as the adaptability of the equipment in hazardous environments, reliability, maintainability, durability, environmental limits, safety reports, latest research, and new developments. Finally, please include cost information such as initial costs, replacement parts, accessory options, and available warranties. Do not send your piece of equipment. Selected equipment will be purchased from distributors/suppliers as the equipment is selected for the assessment. Respond by 4:00 p.m. CDST, Friday, April 13, 2007 by e-mail to
[email protected]; by fax to 256-847-2323; or by mail to Charlotte Laughlin, Contract Specialist, Center for Domestic Preparedness, P. O. Box 5100, Anniston, AL 36205.