MODIFICATION
84 -- Development of Alternate Anti-G Suit Technology
- Notice Date
- 4/26/2004
- Notice Type
- Modification
- NAICS
- 339999
— All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Navy, Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Pax River, Building 441 21983 Bundy Road Unit 7, Patuxent River, MD, 20670
- ZIP Code
- 20670
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-251327-AIR4141
- Response Due
- 5/3/2004
- Archive Date
- 5/18/2004
- Point of Contact
- Jessica McGee, Contract Specialist, Phone 301-757-8941, Fax 301-757-8959,
- E-Mail Address
-
jessica.mcgee@navy.mil
- Description
- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Patuxent River, MD is seeking information for potential sources regarding industry technologies applicable to reduce heat stress associated with current anti-G suit and limit anti-G bladder expansion away from the pilot. This request is for INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. CURRENT TECHNOLOGY: Current anti-G suits employ 1.7 oz polyurethane-coated nylon bladders, welded flat that inflate to round shapes. These bladders are encased in a sewn and bound 4.3oz aramid shell that is cut slightly smaller than the bladder shape to offload the bladder welds. The mechanism of protection is that of direct compression on the vascular tissue below the bladder as well as hoop compression around the body as the surrounding fabric casing tightens to in response to bladder inflation. The anti-G suit is currently worn over the top of a flight coverall, dry suit, and undergarments. In the past, the anti-G suit was worn over undergarments but underneath the dry suit and flight coverall. However, its inflation height (thus level of protection) was hampered by the size of the outer garments. Rather than increase the bulk of the outer garments to accommodate the anti-G suit, the anti-G suit was made flame resistant and moved to the outermost layer, and designed to reduce the bulk of the outer garments. DEFICIENCIES OF CURRENT BLADDER TECHNOLOGY: 1) The anti-G suit bladders cover most of the surface area below the waist with impermeable bladders, which also increase thermal load. 2) The anti-G suit bladders are made of flammable, meltable materials, and must be encased within a flame resistant shell. 3) The ?football? shape of anti-G suit bladders seem to apply inefficient point compression to tissue, and thus requires large inflated diameters to effect venous return. 4) The anti-G suit weighs up to 6 lbs, and impacts the overall aircrew physical workload. 5) The polyurethane coated nylon fabric is sticky on its coated face, and requires a spacer fabric to prevent kinking. 6) In the current anti-G suit design, if the bladder is damaged the entire suit must be disposed of because access to the bladders is very difficult and attempts to repair the bladder may result in additional damage. 7) The skill level to repair anti-G suits is high ? inexperienced sewing machine operators can inadvertently ?run over? the bladder, and ruin the asset. Thus no bladder repairs are allowed. 8) The bladder design requires die cutting and die-welding which have expensive initial set-up tooling costs. 9) The polyurethane coated nylon is relatively stiff for its weight, and restricts wearer mobility. 10) The polyurethane coated nylon is noisy when it is moved ? a deficiency in a survival/evasion situation. 11) The compression of the coverall, dry suit, and undergarments underneath the anti-G suit restricts mobility, but also creates pressure points from folds The applicant must demonstrate the capability to: 1) Reduce the weight, thickness, and stiffness of bladder layer 2) Employ a channel bladder system rather than the current football to distribute pressure more evenly around body, and to reduce the inflated profile overall 3) Incorporate traditional capstan in conjunction with bladder channels 4) Incorporate holes between bladders where possible to allow heat to escape and any external ventilation air to pass through the suit towards the skin PROGRAM GOALS: 1) Demonstrate that new bladders can exert necessary vascular compression 2) Demonstrate that inflated profile is reduced 3) Demonstrate that bladder inflation/deflation occurs as rapidly as current 4) Demonstrate that an anti-G suit with new bladders is lighter and less bulky 5) Demonstrate that an anti-G suit with new bladders is more ?breathable? ? allows more ventilation 6) Demonstrate that the anti-G suit with new bladders provides commensurate G-protection in centrifuge 7) Demonstrate that the anti-G suit with new bladders reduces skin temperature and body core temperature of wearer compared to current Note that demonstrations in centrifuge and on human subjects will be performed by NAWCAD. Note that demonstrations 1-3 shall include testing on human volunteers. Interested parties will be evaluated as they are received to determine the following merit criteria; (a) technical and scientific merit; (b) offer?s ability to demonstrate/execute feasibility; (c) offer?s existing capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations of the above that will enable the vendor to achieve the intended objective; (d) ability to demonstrate and execute cost savings alternatives. The government is interested in written submittals of concepts and rough-order-of-magnitude cost estimates for the above. Companies responding to this request should provide detailed information on their capabilities and experience to DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, AIRCRAFT SUPPORT CONTRACTS DEPARTMENT (Air 2.5.1.3), ATTN: Jessica McGee, Code 2.5.1.3.2.7, 21983 Bundy Road Unit 7 Bldg 441, Patuxent River, MD 20670-1127. Written responses should be submitted by 19 April 2004 and reference this synopsis number on both the mailing envelope as well as on all enclosed documents. Interested companies should indicate whether or not they are a small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), or large business. Respondents must clarify if their firm can provide commercial or non-developmental items that could be modified, or the technology and expertise for development, to meet NAWCAD?s needs. Please address all technical questions to Dr. Barry Shender, Code 4.1.4.1, (301) 342-8881. Samples and 3-D models are encouraged. Proprietary information MUST be marked as such, on a page-by-page basis. This announcement is NOT a Request For Proposal nor does the Government intend to pay for any information/items submitted in response to this synopsis. Data, samples and 3-D models WILL NOT be returned. This synopsis does not commit the Government to award a contract. This synopsis is for market research only and any procurement resulting from this announcement will be published separately on the Federal Bunisess Opportunities website.
- Place of Performance
- Address: N/A
- Record
- SN00573057-W 20040428/040426214444 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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