42--M18A1 Gas Filter Market Survey - Sources Sought

UNCLAS: Dist A Approved for public release Market Survey Questionnaire for M18A1 - Gas Filter GENERAL INFORMATION: The U.S. Government appreciates the time and effort taken to respond to this survey. The U.S. Government acknowledges its obligations under 18 U.S.C. 1905 to protect information qualifying as "confidential" under this statute. [To avoid possible confusion with the meaning of the term "confidential" in the context of Classified Information," we will use the term "PROPRIETARY."] Pursuant to this statute, the U.S. Government is willing to accept any trade secret or PROPRIETARY restrictions placed on qualifying data forwarded in response to the survey questions and to protect it from unauthorized disclosure subject to the following: 1. Clearly and conspicuously mark qualifying data with the restrictive legend (all caps) "PROPRIETARY" with any explanatory text, so that the U.S. Government is clearly notified of what data needs to be appropriately protected. 2. In marking such data, please take care to mark only those portions of the data or materials that are truly confidential (over breadth in marking inappropriate data as "PROPRIETARY" may diminish or eliminate the usefulness of your response - see item 6 below). Use circling, underscoring, highlighting or any other appropriate means to indicate those portions of a single page which are to be protected. 3. The U.S. Government is not obligated to protect unmarked data. Additionally, marked data that is already in the public domain or in the possession of the U.S. Government or third parties, or is afterward placed into the public domain by the owner or another party through no fault of the U.S. Government will not be protected once in the public domain. Data already in the possession of the U.S. Government will be protected in accordance with the U.S. Government's rights in the data. 4. Confidential data transmitted electronically, whether by physical media or not, whether by the respondent or by the U.S. Government, shall contain the "PROPRIETARY" legend, with any explanatory text, on both the cover of the transmittal e-mail and at the beginning of the file itself. Where appropriate for only portions of an electronic file, use the restrictive legends 'PROPRIETARY PORTION BEGINS:" and "PROPRIETARY PORTION ENDS." 5. In any reproductions of technical data or any portions thereof subject to asserted restrictions, the U.S. Government shall also reproduce the asserted restriction legend and any explanatory text. 6. The U.S. Government sometimes uses support contractors in evaluating responses. Consequently, responses that contain confidential information may receive only limited or no consideration since the Respondent's marking of data as "PROPRIETARY" will preclude disclosure of same outside the U.S. Government and therefore will preclude disclosure to these support contractors assisting the evaluation effort. The U.S. Government will use its best efforts to evaluate those responses that contain confidential information without using support contractors consistent with the resources available. DESCRIPTION OF INTENT: THIS IS A MARKET SURVEY REQUESTING INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT: No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation. Also, it is not a request seeking contractors interested in being placed on a solicitation mailing list. Response to this questionnaire is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to the market survey and any follow-on information requests. Data submitted in response to this market survey will not be returned. No solicitation document exists at this time, and calls requesting a solicitation will not be answered. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT: The purpose of this questionnaire is to obtain information on commercial industry capability to satisfy U.S. Army requirements for a Gas Filter. The requirement will be achieved in a single step versus an evolutionary series or steps. 1. Description: The M18A1 Gas Filter removes toxic chemical agents in vapor or gaseous forms. Used in conjunction with the M19 HEPA (particulate) filter and M1A1-19 blower system (M13A1), this filter canister is an ideal choice for meeting collective protection or individual distribution needs. This filter is commonly used as part of the M13A1 Gas Particulate Filter Unit (GPFU) and can be found in virtually all classes of combat and tactical vehicles. The M18A1 gas filter utilizes ASZM-TEDA activated carbon to remove gaseous toxic agents from the air. 2. Mission: The M18A1 Gas Filter provides 10 CFM (cubic feet per minute) of clean air in a large vehicle for protection against warfare agents. 3. Users: Department of Defense 4. Capabilities: * Removes chemical and biological agents from up to 10 CFM (cubic feet per minute) of air flowing through the specific system. * Uses ASZM-TEDA carbon that can be disposed of as non-hazardous waste, reduces potential health hazards to the end user if the filter is ruptured and carbon is released. * Effective filtration at temperatures ranging from -60 F to + 160 F. * Five-year shelf life. INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRE: 1. Number each response with the appropriate question number. 2. You do not have to repeat the question in your response. 3. If you cannot answer the question, please indicate "No Response." 4. If a response will satisfy another question, state: "See response to question XX." 5. Include relevant sales media and product manuals. If providing an ACROBAT formatted manual, annotate the manual to indicate which material is applicable to the questions. If preferred, include Internet Web links to locations where animations/videos may be viewed. 6. If your sales media and/or manuals contain a restricted distribution statement, issue a release statement indicating that the restricted material may be distributed to Army personnel involved with this Market Survey. 7. Spell out any acronyms in their first instance. 8. Clearly mark any confidential information. If applicable the front page of your response package should state "Confidential Information Contained." Provide a release statement indicating that the confidential information may distributed to Army personnel involved with this Market Survey. A. GENERAL 1. Manufacturer a. Name b. Mailing Address c. Cage Code (if any) d. Website 2. Personnel Responding to Questionnaire a. Name b. Title c. Company Responsibility/Position d. Telephone/Fax Numbers e. E-Mail Address 3. Please check YES or NO for each of the following (DO NOT SKIP ANY). Is your firm a: a. Small Business: YES____ NO____ b. Small Disadvantaged Business: YES____ NO____ c. Woman Owned Small Business: YES____ NO____ d. HUBZone Certified Small Business: YES____ NO____ e. Veteran-Owned Small business: YES____ NO____ f. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business: YES____ NO____ 4. Is your firm currently certified by SBA as an 8(a) concern? YES____ NO____ If Yes, please give us the name of your Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Specialist along with address information: MED Specialist: SBA District Office address: Graduation Date: B. PRODUCTION CONSIDERATION 1. Have you ever manufactured an M18A1 Gas Filter or a similar model; explain what filters you have produced and when was the last time you were in production? a) Part Description (List Information about related filters you have produced) i. Model number ii. Rated air flow iii. Air flow resistance b) Physical Characteristics i. Outside diameter ii. Filter length iii. Overall length iv. Inlet outside diameter v. Outlet outside diameter vi. Weight vii. Housing material c) Gas Filter Element i. Carbon media ii. Carbon weight iii. Carbon density, max iv. DMMP (dimethyl methylphosphonate) value v. CK (cyanogen chloride) value 2. When was the last time your M18A1 Gas Filter, or a similar model underwent a product upgrade? Is there a product upgrade planned in the next five years? Provide explanation. 3. Who has purchased your M18A1 Gas Filter, or similar filter? Provide explanation. a. In what quantities? b. Over what time period? c. How many units have been produced in the current configuration? 4. What is the production lead-time after receipt of an order (days)? 5. What is your production capability (e.g. how many filters are you capable of producing per week, per month?) 6. What is the approximate cost of your M18A1 Gas Filter? 7. If you have produced a carbon filter, what was the extent of first article and production testing required? C. PERFORMANCE CONSIDERATIONS 1. Describe the carbon fill equipment and design as it pertains to achieving a quality carbon bed in the filter. 2. Describe your manufacturing capability and capacity to produce the M18A1 Gas Filter. 3. Describe your process/procedures for new product realization (i.e. what you do to successfully manufacture a product that you have not made before). D. PACKAGING 1. Describe your company's experience with understanding and satisfying "military packaging" requirements such as MIL-STD-129, Revision P with the addition of special packaging requirements. E. ENVIRONMENTAL 1. Does your facility have the capability to provide the necessary environmental controls during the production process for: humidity, temperature, moisture, and air quality? Describe the facility and equipment in place. 2. If you do not already have controls in place, do you have plans and the capability to build a work area with the proper environmental controls? F. QUALITY 1. Does your plant and system meet all ISO 9001:2008 certifications and standards? Provide explanation. 2. How long have you been certified? When was your last certification audit? 3. How many units have been produced in the current configuration? Responses to this market investigation questionnaire should be sent via Email to MAJ Eric Heil - [email protected]. You are requested to put "M18A1 GAS FILTER MARKET SURVEY RESPONSE" in the subject line of the email. You may respond in total or to any part of this questionnaire. Any request for clarifications of the survey shall also be addressed to MAJ Eric Heil, and will be published with the appropriate answers at the same web location as this Questionnaire. Any product literature that cannot be emailed may be sent to: U.S. Army Contracting Command - Warren - DTA CCTA-ASM-C Mailstop: 322 ATTN: MAJ Eric Heil 6501 E. Eleven Mile Rd. Warren, MI 48397 - 5000 Replies to this questionnaire must be received by 02/21/2012. Please mark your information "Confidential" as you feel appropriate. Your input is voluntary and no compensation can be made for your participation in this survey. We appreciate your cooperation in answering these questions and thank you in advance for your participation. BE ADVISED that updates to the M18A1 Gas Filter or non-confidential questions from interested parties and responses by the U.S. Government will be posted as addenda to the questionnaire.