THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS, IT IS STRICTLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NEITHER UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS NOR ANY OTHER KINDS OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED PUR SUANT TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. 1.0 SUBJECT: The Air Force Medical Evaluation Support Activity (AFMESA) is conducting market research on light-weight, portable, autonomous spinal immobilization devices. Systems must be currently commercially available. Responses are due to this RFI by 4:00 PM on April 13, 2007. 2.0 DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kind of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice are no t offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. At this time, questions concerning the composition and requirements for a future RFP, as well as those regarding the nature of the services to be performed under any future spinal immobiliz ation device initiative will not be entertained. 3.0 DESCRIPTION: Device must be commercially available with FDA approval at time of purchase. The system must be light weight, self-contained, rapidly deployable, and capable of providing cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal immobilization. Device must be usable across the range of military medical treatment environments. 4.0 REQUIREMENTS: The system must be ruggedized, vibration-resistant, and capable of operation in a wide range of environmental conditions. Size limitations need to be considered since the device must have the capability of providing spinal immobilization throughout the aeromedical evacuation (A/E) continuum of care including ambulance, ambulance bus (AMBUS), and rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft. Device must be compatible with AE operations on-board all military and Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) aircraft. Device must be capable of receiving military airworthiness certification. Device must not cause pressure ulcers during 8-14 hours of continuous use. Product will be easily cleaned and reusable. A patient warming device is desired. Product will need t o support up to 300 lbs and be man portable by two to four persons. Products designed for integration with the NATO-litter must be compatible with the SMEED (Special Medical Emergency Evacuation Device). The device must provide for easy transfer of the p atient to a hospital spinal immobilization bed and capable of rapid assembly and tear-down. The Government encourages creativity and innovation in responses to this RFI. The purpose of this RFI is to gather information about commercially available products that meet the requirements discussed above. 5.0 CONTACT INFORMATION: The Point of Contact for this RFI is Maj. Thomas Walker, (301) 619-8600, [email protected].

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