REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) # 1

COMPOSITE OVERWRAPPED PRESSURE VESSELS

1.  This Request for Information (RFI) is issued in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.215-3 (Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes - Oct 1997) and is published to obtain information for use by the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division (CCSD), Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, Texas, for market research and planning purposes only.

2.  THIS RFI IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, INVITATION FOR BID, OR AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A SOLICITATION; IT IS ONLY INTENDED FOR INFORMATION OR PLANNING PURPOSES. There is no bid package or solicitation document associated with this announcement. Response to this RFI is strictly voluntary and will not affect any potential offeror’s ability to submit an offer if a solicitation is released. Any requests for a solicitation package will be disregarded. The government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the government will arise as a result of preparing submissions in response to this RFI and the government's use of such information. Submittals will not be returned to the sender. Respondents to this RFI may be asked to provide additional information/details based on their initial submittals.

3.  This RFI is being conducted to determine if there are contractors capable of performing the following service. 

This is a procurement effort to purchase composition overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) of a specific size and volume.  The vessels must be no longer than 28”, with a max diameter of 8.125”.  Vessel must have a 900 cubic inch volume capability.  The vessels will be designed to hold at least 3000 psig of pressurized gas.  One end of the vessel must have a threaded boss of diameter 1.313, machined threaded to M533649-16 UN3B.  The bottom of the COPV must include a threaded boss 1.3125-in UN-3B thru min full threads – 10.  COPV must be designed and tested in accordance with DoT-CFFC; this spec includes over pressure burst testing, ballistic testing, drop testing, repeat pressure/vacuum testing, wind testing, hydrotesting and temperature extreme testing. 

This is a straight commodity purchase.  Dedicated COPV cases have already been designed/prototyped and with contracting for this specific sized vessel.  The vessels will be replace aging stainless-steel spheres previously used to support the air collection mission.

4.  Anticipated Period of Performance: 2 years after contract award

5.  All vendors are requested to respond to the requirement by submitting a capability statement (no more than 5 pages) that includes the following items:

a. Interested offerors should provide the following information:

•  Company name

•  Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Codes

•  Security points of contact including address, e-mail address, telephone, and fax numbers

•  CAGE Code location and security officer point of contact information

b. Proof of Current Airworthiness Certification

c. Provide a high-level ROM for the effort.

d. Seeking feedback on the Statement of Objectives (SOO).

6.  As indicated above, this is market research. Your responses will be used for planning purposes. Please address any comments and/or questions you may have regarding this RFI in writing by e-mail directly to the Contracting Officer, Ms. Jennifer M. Villarreal, Email: [email protected],  and Mr. Cuong Chau, Email: [email protected].  Response due date: 24 July 2023, 4:00 PM CST. Please annotate the subject line of e-mail responses as: “Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPV), RFI #1 Response.” Responses may be emailed to the addresses listed above.