RFI for the PMA-260 Virtual Industry Day May 2022

N68335-22-RFI-0216

SUMMARY  

This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) notice for planning purposes only.  This RFI is issued for determining potential technologies and capabilities to consider for the future of Naval Aviation Common Support Equipment from industry and does not constitute an Invitation for Bid (IFB), a Request for Proposal (RFP), a Request for Quote (RFQ) or an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services identified in response to this notice.  No solicitation documents exist at this time.  Participation in this RFI is neither mandatory nor is it requisite to future participation by a Contractor in any potential future solicitations/contracts.  

NAVAIR's Common Aviation Support Equipment program office (PMA-260) manages the procurement, development and fielding of Common Support Equipment (CSE) and Automatic Test Systems (ATS) that support every Type/Model/Series aircraft within the Naval Aviation Enterprise.  PMA-260 is planning to host a Virtual Industry day in order to provide opportunities for industry to learn about  the need for portable particle counting equipment from PMA-260 with the potential for follow-on one-on-one meetings regarding technologies that industry has developed that may address this need.  This opportunity is open to all companies that have products that provide the ability to count particles in hydraulic fluids as outlined in the Technology Focus Areas below. 

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS AREAS

PMA-260 seeks commercial, off-the-shelf, portable Particle Counters that can meet, or be modified to meet, the following requirements:

Operating Specifications

Fluid types tested: used petroleum-based and synthetic equivalent hydraulic fluids (MIL-PRF-83282, MIL-PRF-5606), phosphate ester hydraulic fluid (SAE AS 1241), Lubrication Oils (DOD-PRF-85734, MIL-PRF-17331 (2190 TEP)), coolants (MIL-PRF-87252, PAO), etc.

Fluid Temperature Range: 32°F to 120°F 

Minimum Fluid Viscosity Range:  10 to 150 cst

Minimum Fluid Pressure Range (on-line operation): 40 psig to 3000 psig 

Facility Power:  115 VAC, 60 Hz, single phase.

Ambient Operating Conditions:   32°F to 120 °F, 0 to 95% humidity  

Storage Conditions:  -20°F to 165°F, 0 to 95% humidity

Technical Requirements

• The Particle Counter is intended for indoor and outdoor use, on both ships and land-based sites, and can test and display the cleanliness level of various types of fluids (hydraulic fluids, coolants, lubrication oils, etc…).  
• The Particle Counter shall be able to draw fluid from both sample bottles and by directly connecting on-line to an external fluid system requiring testing. 
• For bottle sampling, test will be performed indoors on a workshop benchtop or in a lab and use facility electricity for power.  Facilities will have neither compressed air nor a vacuum pump available for Particle Counter to use for processing and deaerating samples.  Analyzed fluid should be directed to flow into either an on-board waste container or a facility supplied waste container.
• For on-line operation, the Particle Counter must be portable, durable (ruggedized), and easy to handle/transport, as on-line operation of the Particle Counter will occur on-site wherever fluid system to be tested is located. Testing done out in the field will need an onboard rechargeable battery for power. For on-line tests, the Particle Counter can use the fluid pressure of the system that it is testing to cause fluid to flow into and thru the Particle Counter sensors for analysis.  Operator shall have the option for fluid analyzed on-line to be collected into the Particle Counter’s fluid waste container or returned back on-line to the system that it is connected to. 
• All items required for bottle and on-line sampling should be supplied with the Particle Counter.  
• Test results shall be able to be displayed, printed and stored (for later retrieval) by the Particle Counter. 
• Contamination Classification Standards:  ISO 4406, NAS 1638, SAE AS4059, NAVAIR 01-1A-17 Navy Standard for Particulate Contamination

Request for Information

Please provide the following information about Particle Counters via hard copies or digital format (i.e. PDF, MS-Word, MS-Excel):

1. General description of Particle Counter in brief write-up, brochures and/or literature that address above technical requirements. 
2. Operation and Use of Particle Counter: Provide operation/ maintenance manual(s) or similar documentation on use and maintenance of Particle Counter..      
3. Features of Particle Counter: Provide additional detail or information on following capabilities of the Particle Counter.
   1. Fluid Sample size:  Minimum volume of fluid required for bottle sampling.
   2. Battery:  Rechargeable battery type (e.g. Lithium Ion, NiMH, NiCad)
4. Fluid Compatibility: List of fluids or fluid types that Particle Counter is compatible with.  (e.g. solvents, water and glycol, jet fuel, isopropyl alcohol,  lubricant and hydraulic fluids).  Provide procedure, if any, that is required to consecutively test between two different fluid types (e.g. phosphate ester fluid sample followed by a petroleum based hydraulic fluid sample.)
5. Provide any feedback or questions regarding the draft Statement of Work (SOW) and Performance Specification (SPEC) on this capability need, which can be made available upon request to Robert Battaglia at [email protected].  Include your company’s DD 2345 with your request.

Responses shall be submitted by email to Bill Smykowski, PMA260 Hydraulics IPT Lead, at [email protected] and George Lehaf, PMA260 S&T Lead, at [email protected] with the subject line "PMA-260 Virtual Industry Day May 2022 RFI”.  NO LATER THAN 3:00 pm EST on Day, 16 May 2022.  Include Robert Battaglia with all submissions.  Responses shall be reviewed to determine the firm’s ability to meet the Technology Focus Areas described above.

VIRTUAL INDUSTRY DAY ACTIVITIES 

PMA-260’s Virtual Industry Day will occur 18 May 2022.  William Smykowski, Integrated Program Team (IPT) Leader, Lakehurst, will provide an overview of the program’s needs and challenges.  During the event, a live question and answer session with the Lakehurst Hydraulics Team is available.  Following the industry day event there will be opportunities for industry to speak with Navy representatives via scheduled meetings.  One-on-one meetings will take place on 18 May and on 19 May 2022 as required.  Additional dates may be added depending on the number of interested/qualified attendees.  Additional details as well as a complete agenda are available via the registration website.  

PMA-260 Virtual Industry Day May 2022 will be UNCLASSIFIED.  In order to participate in Virtual Industry Week, please register on the Eventbrite website at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/particle-counter-industry-day-tickets-322771948587

Registrations must be completed no later than 16 May 2022.  Registrations are best accomplished via a non-NMCI (non-Government) computer.

The Government will not provide opportunities for in-person attendance.  Attendance at PMA-260 Virtual Industry Day May 2022 and any discussions/release of information is strictly voluntary.  The Government will not pay for any information provided or associated costs. 

Questions for PMA-260 Program Manager/Technologists may be submitted in advance or real-time during the event.  Details on how to submit questions for the live event will be provided once registration is confirmed.

Questions regarding this event shall be submitted in writing by emailing

George Lehaf, PMA260 S&T Lead, at [email protected] with the subject line "PMA-260 Virtual Industry Day May 2022 Question”.  Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information.  Verbal questions will NOT be accepted.  The Government will accept questions concerning this event until 16 May 2022.  Questions received after this date may not be answered.  Depending on the nature of the question, the Government may post the question and its answer on the SAM.gov Contract Opportunities website or may answer the question during the PMA-260 Virtual Industry Day May 2022 live question and answer session on 18 May 2022.  The Government reserves the right not to answer questions received.

Responses to this RFI will not be returned.  The Government is only seeking possible sources and potential capabilities for informational purposes.  No reimbursement will be made to respondents for any costs incurred in developing information for, participating in meetings with, or engaging in discussion with the Government in response to this announcement or any follow-up information requests.

Information contained herein is based on the best information available at the time of publication, is subject to revision, and is not binding upon the Government.  Availability of any formal solicitation will be announced under a separate SAM.gov Contract Opportunities announcement.