SOURCES SOUGHT
28 -- Propane Fueled Solid Oxide Fuel Cells - Request for Information Regarding Commerical Applications and Availability
- Notice Date
- 2/25/2011
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 335999
— All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard (USCG), USCG Rescue 21 Project Resident Office (AK), 100 Savikko Road, Douglas, Alaska, 99824, United States
- ZIP Code
- 99824
- Solicitation Number
- SOFC-RFI-R21
- Archive Date
- 4/15/2011
- Point of Contact
- Mari K. Meiners, Phone: 907-463-2965
- E-Mail Address
-
mari.k.meiners@uscg.mil
(mari.k.meiners@uscg.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The U.S. Coast Guard Rescue 21 (R21) Project Resident Office (PRO), Alaska located at Douglas Alaska is performing market research on propane fueled Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). The purpose of this market research is to gather information on commercially available systems capable of functioning as the primary power source for possible use at remote communication sites on Alaska mountaintops. Rescue 21 is an advanced Coast Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) communications system for maritime safety. The majority of existing and proposed remote communication sites are located on mountain tops along coastal areas of Alaska. These sites currently use propane fueled generators to cycle charge a battery bank to power the sites. Very few of the remote sites have commercial power or road access of any type. Transportation for all support, maintenance, and refueling is by helicopter when weather allows. For this reason, reliability, ease of maintenance, fuel efficiency and system redundancy are of primary importance. R21 Alaska is specifically interested in exploring the potential to use propane fueled SOFC's that operate in conjunction with solar power, wind power, and reserve batteries. Existing Coast Guard remote communications equipment in Alaska are powered by a large battery banks with a nominal voltage of 24 or 48 VDC (positive ground). R21 Alaska envisions that the complete power system will be a hybrid power system that includes solar and wind power in addition to the battery bank and either propane generators or possibly propane SOFC's. Fuel System Requirements: * Must operate with varying output power to maintain battery voltage. * Must use nominal 24 VDC or 48 VDC positive ground systems. * Must use propane fuel only. * Must efficiently and easily integrate with alternate power sources such as solar panels and wind generators to be provided separately by USCG. (Examples and recommendations may be included) * Must be able to power communication site equipment with loads of: ~ 500 watt average load ~ 1000 watt average load * Must have scheduled maintenance intervals of 12 months or greater. Responses related to existing systems should provide the following information if possible: ~ Mean Time Between Failures ~ Typical scheduled maintenance technician hours ~ Typical scheduled maintenance material requirements (Examples and recommendations may be included) * Must provide control, alarm, and monitoring including: ~ Control of power systems at remote sites ~ Remote monitoring capability of system and alarms * Must include external housing (shelter). Composition of system and requirements include: ~ System must be self contained to provide protection from external temperatures ranging between -30 degrees F to + 80 degrees F ~ System must be transportable to remote mountain tops by available helicopters ~System must be protected to maintain integrity of operation from winds of 120 mph along with heavy rain, ice, and snow. The Coast Guard is specifically interested in Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) equipment currently in use. The Coast Guard is not particularly interested in unfielded/untested developmental or research projects. When responding to this RFI, please include information such as sufficient product literature and information to indicate the products satisfy the system parameters identified above as well as routine maintenance schedules, remote connectivity requirements and type, and related information pertaining to total cost of ownership over the designed life cycle of the equipment. Additionally, please provide information such as the number of units produced to date and installation/application information including point of contract/reference, location, and year installed. Pricing information is optional. If possible provide catalog price information, GSA contract number and schedule pricing, and small business/8a/HUBZone certified resellers, etc. This Request For Information (RFI) is part of an overall strategy to identify potential equipment to support Rescue 21 planning initiatives for Alaska. The information obtained by this RFI may be included in a market study that may be coupled with a hands-on evaluation to identify which equipment, system, or systems may be considered by the USCG for potential fielding. This notice is for informational and market research purposes only; it is not a solicitation, and no purchases will be made as a direct result of this RFI. The USCG will not reimburse for the information submitted. There is no guarantee that any solicitations will result from this notice but if your firm is interested in providing information please send no later than 31 March 2011 to: Contracting Officer: Mari Meiners USCG Rescue 21 PRO Alaska (CG9127) 100 Savikko Road Douglas, AK 99824 USA Email: mari.k.meiners@uscg.mil Tel: (907) 463-2965 Fax: (907) 463-2959
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/77351c07a0687bd43f8b096016eb6715)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Project is statewide and not limited to a specific address, Douglas, Alaska, 99824, United States
- Zip Code: 99824
- Zip Code: 99824
- Record
- SN02388024-W 20110227/110225234450-77351c07a0687bd43f8b096016eb6715 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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