Above 25,000 feet (A25K) Ram Air Parachute

Request for Information (RFI):  Above 25,000 feet (A25K) Ram Air Parachute THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION; IT IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. In accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10, responses to this notice are not proposals and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Please respond by 28 February 2020 at 3:00 pm EST.FAR 52.215-3 - Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes, applies herein.Description Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM SCIE) is seeking information on potential improvements to the Army’s RA-1 Advanced Ram Air Parachute System from ram air parachute developers, manufacturers and/or suppliers.  The current RA-1 system cannot be deployed above 25K feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) at current threshold weights. The Above 25K (A25K) effort shall support the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations communities with ram air main and reserve canopies that are deployable above 25,000ft MSL,

thus providing them a safe and reliable system for use during high-altitude standoff personnel parachute operations.The Army is interested in canopies that can be deployed at a minimum jumper weight of 360 pounds at increased exit speed and altitudes not to exceed 35,000ft MSL. The A25K canopies must be deployable from the current RA-1 container system with a hand deployed pilot chute from the Bottom of Container pocket; using an Over the Shoulder (OTS) ripcord activated from the chest pocket, and in double bag static line (DBSL) configuration.  The altitude loss of any canopy cannot be so significant that it cannot be deployed for standard military free fall (MFF) and DBSL operations at or below 25,000ft MSL. Minimum deployment altitude for the RA-1 is 4,500ft Above Ground Level (AGL).PM SCIE is seeking information on mature canopy designs that are currently at a Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or higher. The Government anticipates purchasing test assets through future solicitations based on the market research provided by this RFI.   Responses should include the following:Information on ram air main and reserve parachutes which are compatible with and can be easily integrated into the existing RA-1 parachute systemSupporting information (product performance information, test reports, photos, etc.) indicating the level of technical maturity of the systemPrice(s) and lead time(s) for the procurement of test assetsDesirable Attributes / Technical RequirementsMust be capable of being deployed from the current RA-1 Harness container in all configurations. Threshold=Objective (T=O)Must be deployable from altitudes of up to 35,000ft MSL at increased airspeed at an exit weight of 360 lbs. (T) an exit weight of 450 lbs. (O)Altitude loss shall not limit the system’s use in standard MFF and DBSL profiles below 25,000ft MSL. (T=O)Shall not require any additional maintainer and parachute packer requirements over the current RA-1 system. (T=O)Shall be deployable from all aircraft currently used during MFF and DBSL operations. (T=O)Shall provide a lift to drag ratio of 3 to 1 with zero user interface (T) a lift to drag ration greater than 3 to 1 with zero user interface. (O)Shall be deployable in Bottom of Container and Over the Shoulder ripcord grip configurations (T) in Bottom of Container and Over the Shoulder ripcord grip configurations as well as Double Bag Static Line configurations. (O)Should provide capability for jumper input to modulate glide down to 2 to 1 lift to drag ratio (T) to modulate glide down to 1 to 1 lift to drag ration. (O)Administrative The Government is conducting this market research to identify potential manufacturers/vendors, and acquire information on the types and sizes of businesses that will be able to compete on future contracting actions, potential costs, and delivery capabilities. Any relevant company background/experience, business category, costs, and other information that the company believes demonstrates their value/ability to meet the aforementioned requirements, should be included.  All information and evaluation results will be controlled and used for Government purposes only.Responses to this notice are to be sent to Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment, Attn: Mr. Al Lamb and Mr. Jeff Campbell, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, 15 General Greene Avenue, Natick, MA 01760, or e-mail: alfred.j.lamb.civ@mail.mil and jeffrey.m.campbell18.civ@mail.mil. E-mail submittals preferred. This notice is for information only.  THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION. No solicitation document exists for this action.The points of contact for questions concerning this RFI are Mr. Al Lamb at alfred.j.lamb.civ@mail.mil and Mr. Jeff Campbell at jeffrey.m.campbell18.civ@mail.mil. *RequiredPlease identify:Company Name *Company Size *DUNS NumberContact Person’s First & Last Name *Contact Person’s Email *Contact Person’s Telephone *