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SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC) in identifying potential sources to provide an Arctic Heater (AH) to replace the legacy Space Heater Arctic used with 5-man and 10-man Arctic Shelters (AS).

The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to jean.m.trumpis.civ@army.mil and brian.p.bagdonovich.civ@army.mil by 8 May 2023 by 5:00 p.m. EDT.

Background: The Government (DEVCOM Soldier Center) is seeking information on non/self-powered heaters capable of providing heat for 5-man and 10-man AS. The AH shall provide a minimum of 15,000-28,000 BTU/hr. while burning a maximum of 1/3 gallon/hour (5-gallon can = 15 hours). The AH will assist soldiers performing a multitude of mission supporting tasks while increasing their safety. The AH shall maintain the AS internal ambient temperature of 40ºF. An AH external to the AS would be desired to eliminate the fire guard, however, the ability to melt snow/boil water inside the AS is also desired.

Description: DEVCOM SC seeks potential solutions with the following characteristics:

• It is desired the AH can bring the interior ambient temperature of the Arctic Shelters (AS) from

-65 ºF to 40ºF.

• AH size options:
  
  
  
  1. One AH heats a 5-man AS, two AHs are necessary to heat a 10-man AS.
  
  
  2. One AH heats a 5-man AS, a different higher capacity AH is used to heat a 10-man AS.
  
  
  3. One AH can heat both a 5-man AS and a 10-man AS.
  
  
  
  


• The AH packed cube should be minimized, and ideally not exceed 17” x 17-1/2” x 9” or (2,600 cubic inches) (If 2 AH are required for the 10-man AS, the combined AH cube of 2 AH shall not exceed 2,600 cubic inches).


• The AH weight should not exceed 50 lbs. (If 2 AH are required for the 10-man AS, the combined AH weight of 2 AH should not exceed 50 lbs.).


• The AH shall maximize the use of standard military equipment.


• THE AH should operate with standard battlefield fuel (JP8) or other innovative sustainable power sources.


• The AH fuel burn rate should not exceed 1/3 gallon/hour (5-gallon can = 15 hours).


• Ideally the AH will have the ability to burn solid fuel (wood, coal, etc.…) In event of an emergency.


• The AH shall be designed so it cannot be assembled incorrectly, and can be setup/disassembled quickly at -65, when the soldiers are wearing their artic gear.


• The AH should be able to dry clothing and boots while providing warmth in the AS.


• Ideally the AH will be able to melt snow/ice for cooking/drinking water.


• The AH shall not generate emissions/noxious gas concerns for breathable air in the AS i.e., air must be clean.


• A CO monitoring/alarm to ensure the AS doesn’t get above 35 PPM is a desired.


• The AH shall be designed to prevent accidental burn or ‘melting’ into the snow resulting in destabilization / tipping of the AH.


• The AH should be designed to integrate into the 5-man AS, and 10-man AS without modifying the AS.


• The AH should have system diagnostics and auto-shutdown features to reduce fire hazards.


• The AH should not excessively increase Internal moisture levels of the AS


• The ability to generate electricity for alternative uses from the AH is desired.


• The ability to directly cook food with the AH is desired.

Deliverables: All documentation submitted shall be submitted as MS Word, Adobe PDF, MS PowerPoint, Visio, or MS Excel files.

1. Respondents: The White Paper should be written in respondent format, double spaced, and minimum font size of 10 pt. Paper should not exceed 12 pages, including cover.

1. 
   
   
   
   1. This paper should cover company information (company name, CAGE code, mailing address, and primary point of contact information (to include telephone number and email address).
   
   
   2. The paper should cover the 5 Ws, as applicable. (e.g., What, Where, When, Why and Who. Example focus areas:
      
      
      
      1. Please discuss any/all relevant current products and services that currently meet or will be able to meet the enclosed requirements.
      
      
      2. Vendors are encouraged to propose alternative products that may be able to meet or exceed the requirements.
      
      
      3. As applicable, please discuss how your product(s) was implemented within industry/Government.
      
      
      
      
   
   
   3. Please discuss, as applicable, proposed hardware used as part of the solution.
   
   
   4. Please discuss your quality control (QMS, SOPs, CAR management, six sigma/lean programs, etc.), project management framework (SCRUM, AGILE, etc.).
   
   
   5. For Foreign companies: Discuss how the proposer will be able to work with the US Government in the future (i.e., US subsidiary or partner) if required.
   
   
   6. Additional documentation accepted (and not included in the page count for the White Paper) includes, but is not limited to, the following: PowerPoint presentations, Training documentation, product specification sheets, user handbook/guides, pictures, link to demonstrations, test data, etc.
   
   
   
   

1. Test, Certification and Accreditation (C&A) Documentation:

Vendors are requested to provide any supporting documentation illustrating safety certification, government approval, test data, etc.

1. Cost: Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) costs for development and/or fabrication of a prototype heater for testing is desired. Development may include non-recurring engineering, test support at locations such as Natick, MA, and Fairbanks AK, and delivery of items for testing.

Delivery Date: Please identify any timeframe required for delivery.

Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY

This Sources Sought Announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This Sources Sought does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available currently. The United States Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and the release of this Sources Sought Announcement should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur a cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this Sources Sought Announcement is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject.

RESPONSES:

Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending responses regarding this requirement to DEVCOM Soldier Center via e-mail ONLY to jean.m.trumpis.civ@army.mil, and brian.p.bagdonovich.civ@army.mil no later than 8 May 2023 by 5:00 p.m. EDT. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Notice. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the expense of the interested party.

Please provide business size (indicate your socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code. If you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, please identify your contract number.

QUESTIONS:

Any questions for clarification may be emailed to jean.m.trumpis.civ@army.mil, and brian.p.bagdonovich.civ@army.mil no later than 24 April 2023 by 5:00 p.m. EDT. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be published at the same web location of this Sources Sought Announcement.

Contracting Office Address:

BLDG 1

1 General Greene Ave.

Natick, Massachusetts 01760-5011

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