SUPPLY DEPT, INDIAN HEAD DIVISION, NAVAL SURFACE WAREFARE CENTER 101 STRAUSS AVE INDIAN HEAD MD 20640-5035

A -- SEEKING POTENTIAL SOURCES FOR COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE INFLATABLE LIFT DEVICES FOR USE DURING UNDERWATER RECOVERY OPERATIONS POC Renee DePalma, Contract Specialist, (301) 743-6635 Bob Kauffeld, Technical Representative, (301) 743-6858. The Navy is interested in evaluating commercially available inflatable lift devices for use during underwater recovery operations. The product capability requirements are as follows: (1) Lift capacity: The device must be able to raise a 2000 pound (in water weight) payload from 190 feet of sea water. Some additional lift capacity is desirable to break any suction between the payload and the bottom. (2) Deployability: The system must be two man portable and fit into a small rubber boat such as a Zodiac along with four personnel and diving gear. (3) Towing and Beaching: The lift device and payload must be able to withstand towing/beaching. This could include towing payload up to 10 miles per use through sea water with large swells, kelp beds and other debris. After the payload is as close as possible via boat tow, the lift device and payload must be dragged up on the beach by land vehicle or winch. Towing and beaching evolutions require a very rugged design. (4) Initiation: The lift device must be capable or easily adaptable for remote inflation initiation. Ideally, initiation could be done via the Navy's remote cable connector/explosive valve and acoustic firing device. (5) Gas control: Once inflated, excess and expanding gas must be relieved at a rate that will insure that the lift device will not rupture due to excess pressure during ascent. Also, a check valve or other similar feature should be used to insure that the device does not deflate or lose buoyancy during the towing phase. This announcement does not guarantee that the government will issue an RFP for this item. Potential offerors should submit technical data (brochures, literature, specifications, etc) sufficient enough to enable government evaluation of the product offered. All information provided to the government related to this announcement shall be considered government property. All correspondence should be mailed to Indian Head Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Attn: Renee DePalma, Code 1143E, 101 Strauss Avenue, Indian Head, Md 20640-5035 by 21 April 1995. Any technical questions may be addressed to Mr. Bob Kauffeld, (301) 743-6858. (0079)

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