EOD NexGen UBAs

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
FOR
EOD Diving Next Generation Underwater Breathing Apparatus
Purpose The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), on behalf of US Navy EOD Diving, is performing a market survey on a closed-circuit underwater breathing apparatus (UBA) to meet Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Diving requirements and needs. The requisition system must have, at minimum, the primary characteristics/capabilities up front, as well as be capable of reaching the secondary capabilities within a series of pre-planned product improvements funded by the U.S. Government. This market survey is intended to:
a)Assess the availability of current commercial product lines and capabilities within the scope of EODDiving priorities and capabilities.
b)Assess industries’ capabilities to work within the product improvement construct to take a current UBA,that is certified and fielded and improve to meet all threshold requirements.
By supporting this effort, you will be enabling the Navy to better define current technical capabilities and establish requirements for future acquisition decisions. Information provided to NSWC PCD, and the Navy will not be shared or distributed beyond other U.S Government agencies without express written consent.
Note: Vendors are encouraged to submit a response to this RFI, regardless of whether they currently possess the desired specifications or capabilities.
Description
•Capable of
oPrimary: Closed-circuit, mixed-gas diving system that provides capability to a variety of militarydiving operations in both deep and shallow water. The system requires the capability to operatewith both N2O2 (air) and HeO2 (88/12) diluents from depths 0 to 328 feet of seawater (fsw)
oSecondary: Currently has a certification by NAVSEA 00C, Ocean Engineering Supervisor ofSalvage and Diving, is within the pipeline with another program office for NAVSEA 00Ccertification, or has been certified for diving with a partnered Foreign Military
•Resistive Effort
oPrimary: Resistive Effort (WOB/L or KPa) using HeO2 (88/12) as diluent, 1.3 partial pressure ofoxygen (PPO2) to 300 fsw shall not exceed 2.41 Kpa at 40 RMV; Resistive Effort (WOB/L orKPa) using HeO2 (88/12) as diluent, 1.3 partial pressure of oxygen (PPO2) to 300 fsw should notexceed 2.41 KPa at 62.5 RMV. Resistive Effort (WOB/L or KPa) using N2O2 (79/21) and HeO2(88/12) as diluent 1.3 PPO2 to 150 fsw (on N2O2) shall not exceed 2.04 KPa at 40 RMV;Resistive Effort (WOB/L or KPa) using N2O2 (79/21) and HeO2 (88/12) as diluent 1.3 PPO2 to150 fsw (on N2O2) should not exceed 2.04 KPa at 62.5 RMV.

*Please see attachment for additional specifications*

• Control of Partial Pressure of Oxygen
o Primary: The UBA shall automatically maintain the oxygen level, measured as the average PPO2 at the nominal levels listed below. The average PPO2 shall not exceed ± 0.15 atmospheres absolute (ATA) from the required set point at 22.5 and 62.5 RMV at 29F through 95F at a constant depth from 0-328FSW
• Magnetic Signature Requirements
o Primary: STANAG 2897/Class A referencing STANAG AEODP-7/AMP-15 for signature certification.
• Interoperability
o Primary #1: Provide within the same manufacturing structure or reasonable alternative that has a robust and stable manufacturing base, a full-face mask that meets the magnetic signature requirements of STANAG 2897/Class A as well as can meet all ANU and 00C requirements for use.
o Secondary #2: Integration of current buoyancy compensator in development with new UBA (interoperability with Dive Rite MILPAC design).
• Integration of a Dive Computer/Controller with HUD
o Primary: Compute and guide diving in accordance with current dive tables and schedule on a real time algorithmic approach. A heads-up display relays current rig status to the diver real time. All components must still meet the signature requirements above.
o NOTE: The Heads-Up Display (HUD) is defined as a visual component integrated with or attached to the diver's face mask, positioned at eye level. The primary purpose of the HUD is to provide crucial operational and safety alerts. The system's complexity may vary, ranging from an advanced display providing real-time data to a simplified interface using a sequence of lights. Regardless of the method, the HUD must, at a minimum, deliver continuous updates on the UBA status and provide clear, immediate warnings to the diver about emergent conditions.
o Secondary: Compute and guide diving in a modern, adaptive decompression while remaining safe for divers, providing a HUD that allows diver situational awareness with critical parameters displayed in the HUD or on a wrist worn device that is visible in turbid water. All components must still meet the signature requirements above.
• Environmental Considerations
o Primary: The dive rig shall be fully operational in extreme maritime environments, including water temperatures 34°F and greater, and withstand operations in high-particulate water, zero-visibility conditions, and currents up to 1 knot. Capable of being stored, transported and operated IAW relevant guidance MIL-STD 810.
o Secondary: The system should be fully operational in extreme maritime environments, including water temperatures from 29°F to 99°F, and withstand operations in high-particulate water, zero-visibility conditions, and currents up to 1 knot. Capable of being stored, transported and operated IAW relevant guidance MIL-STD 810.
Responses:
The Navy invites both large and small businesses to address the RFI above to better define current technical capabilities and industry constraints and to better information any future solicitations.
Responses should be submitted electronically, in Portable Document File (PDF) or Microsoft Word format. If the submission exceeds 10MB or contains proprietary information, a request for a DoD SAFE Drop off for secure transfer can be requested from NSWC PCD to safely and conveniently transfer all data.
Specific information describing how the proposed solution meets the primary requirements is requested, with additional information on meeting or potential of meeting any secondary is requested.
If a potential solution meets some of the requirements, respondents are asked to highlight what can be met and what cannot, and if there is a constraint or limitation the reasoning behind this constraint.
Responses are also requested to include:
• Domestic Manufacturing Company’s name, POC & POC information, address, CAGE code (if applicable) and business size, to include names of authorized resellers with a CAGE code.
If not, a U.S-based manufacturer of American-made devices, please list any partner companies that reside in the U.S. and CAGE code, any U.S. entities of the same company and CAGE code, or reseller’s of products within the US (and Cage code if known).
• Technical literature with complete description and specifications illustrating the ability of the apparatus to meet the above characteristics in this request for information. Test information is requested but not required. Additional information requested: weight, reliability (mean time between failures), maintenance information (including required preventative maintenance), cyber hardening, dive duration/cannister duration, and diving data recording capabilities.
Manufacturing capabilities:
• Estimated unit cost and timeframe needed to produce quantities of 5, 50, and 200 each.
• Estimated quantity of units currently fielded. Location and Other Navies using equipment. If used also commercially sold for technical diving, numbers currently in use and sustained.
All information shall be provided free of charge to the Government. NSWC PCD may request further information regarding the capabilities of respondents to meet the requirements and may request a presentation and/or a site visit as deemed necessary. “The Government reserves the right to use results obtained from this notice to explore the feasibility of a commercial solutions opening, other transaction authority, or traditional acquisition methods based on product’s maturity and capabilities.”
NOTE: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. THIS RFI IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES CONSISTENT WITH FAR PART 10.002(B)(III). IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ) OR A PROMISE TO ISSUE AN RFQ IN THE FUTURE. THIS RFI DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTRACT FOR ANY SUPPLY OR SERVICE. RESPONDERS ARE ADVISED THAT ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH RESPONDING TO THIS RFI WILL BE SOLELY AT THE INTERESTED PARTY’S EXPENSE. NOT RESPONDING TO THIS RFI DOES NOT PRECLUDE PARTICIPATION IN ANY FUTURE RFQ, IF ANY IS ISSUED.