SOURCES SOUGHT
99 -- Parachute Systems
- Notice Date
- 1/19/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 314999
— All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills
- Contracting Office
- Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Interagency Fire Center, 3833 S. Development Avenue, Jack F. Wilson Bldg., Boise, Idaho, 83705-5354
- ZIP Code
- 83705-5354
- Solicitation Number
- SN-2010-05
- Archive Date
- 3/3/2010
- Point of Contact
- Matthew D. Olson, Phone: 208-387-5835
- E-Mail Address
-
mdolson@fs.fed.us
(mdolson@fs.fed.us)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The U.S. Forest Service (FS) Smokejumper Program is requesting information on currently available parachute systems that meet all or some of the requirements outlined below. The FS Smokejumper Program is also requesting information on current or proposed development efforts that could develop a system that would meet all of the requirements. The intent of this request is to determine the current and near future state of the art of Ram-Air and non-Ram-Air parachute systems that will enhance Smokejumper performance and safety. U.S. Forest Service Smokejumper Program requirements for a new parachute system: System Performance Requirements: 1. Parachute system must have the capability to perform at a reliability and confidence level of not less than.995 at the 90% confidence level throughout FS testing. (Using binomial distribution chart) 2. Must operate at 15,000 ft MSL and below. 3. Must allow for an exit weight range from 190 pounds to 325 pounds with an objective of 400 pounds. 4. If a static line is used to deploy the main parachute it must use the U.S. military 15 ft universal static line and snap hook. 5. If it is a ram air system it must incorporate an AAD that is capable of being turned on at altitude and/or set for a specific pressure altitude. 6. System must be compatible with high and low tail aircraft when being used in side door exits. Main Parachute Requirements: 1. Main Parachute must have toggles that allow for turning the parachute left, right and applying brakes. 2. Descent rate at landing must be less than 14fps with an objective of less than 10fps. At opening altitudes the canopy must be able to produce higher rates of descent to allow for jumper separation. 3. Forward speed shall be at least 12 mph with an objective forward speed of 15 mph or higher in zero wind conditions. Forward speed upon landing will be controllable to less than 8 mph in order to reduce landing force while still meeting the descent rate requirement. 4. Canopy must be able to perform steep glide angle descent approaches (1:2 to 1:4 or 60-75 degrees in no wind) into timbered, steep mountainous terrain and remain stable through landing while meeting the above descent rate and forward speed landing requirement. 5. Braking capability will be enough to stop forward flight of canopy in zero wind conditions. Reverse flight is not required. 6. Canopy must be able to perform above criteria for the entire range of exit weights. 7. Normal opening shock G forces will be 8 G’s or less from a side door exit at 110 knot equivalent airspeed (KEAS). 8. Canopy must be able to withstand opening shock at max weight, 15,000 ft MSL and 130 KEAS without any damage to the canopy or subassemblies. Reserve Parachute Requirements: 1. Reserve parachute must be maneuverable. 2. Reserve canopy must meet TSO C-23d specifications or later revisions. 3. Reserve may be smaller than main canopy, but must have similar flight characteristics. The reserve must be compatible with minimum and maximum exit weights, speed and altitude as mentioned above. 4. If the main canopy has a cutaway system then a reserve static line must be incorporated. 5. Reserve will demonstrate reliability in high speed and low speed malfunctions. Harness Container Requirements: 1. The Harness container assembly must fit Smokejumpers in a range from 60” tall 120 pounds to 77” tall 225 pounds. 2. Maximum weight of the system must not exceed 50 pounds with an objective of weighing less than 40 pounds. 3. Optimally the system would be modular, meaning the main container and the reserve container are independent of one another, and both are independent of the harness. 4. System may be a piggy back configuration or the main parachute can be of a back type and reserve parachute can be of a chest type. Harness will have a quick attachment point for a personal gear bag that may range in weight from 5 to 30 pounds and lands with the jumper (no lowering line will be used). Deployment Requirements: 1. Must be deployable with side door and rear ramp exits from aircraft at 90 -130 KEAS with an exit altitude of up to 15,000 ft MSL. 2. May be deployed by static line or static line drogue with drogue release. Construction Materials and Hardware: 1. All materials and hardware will be of PIA or MIL specifications Operational and Logistical Requirements: 1. Must be capable of use in temperature range of -15 to 150 degrees F. 2. Both main and reserve will permit a repack cycle of 180 days. 3. Main parachute will have a minimum shelf storage life of 4.5 years with a minimum service life of 12 years. 4. Reserve parachute will have a minimum 1.5 year shelf storage life with a minimum 13.5 year service life. Respondents are requested to provide information on products that address the above requirements. Include the following information in your responses: 1). White papers or product literature describing proposed system or development solution. 2). Technical / performance specifications. 3). References and contact information of customers that currently utilize the parachute systems. Responses will be used to determine if the Forest Service will proceed with a Request for Proposal. Only written responses will be evaluated. Any questions must be submitted in writing or via e-mail. Voicemails and telephone calls will not be permitted and may not be answered.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USDA/FS/024B/SN-2010-05/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: N/A, N/A, United States
- Record
- SN02044292-W 20100121/100119234558-2ddab36dc7e9566a40ab6e9964ebc8c2 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |