Commander and Director, U. S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, ATTN: CEWESCT-C, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd., Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199

17 -- AIRCRAFT LAUNCHING, LANDING, AND GROUND HANDLING EQUIPMENT SOL NA DUE 112295 POC Emma M. Cessna, 601-634-4013 The U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES) is soliciting proposals to provide a lightweight expedient surfacing. The general purpose expedient surfacing shall provide a bearing surface on subgrades for airfields and heliports; over-the-beach operations; material handling areas at ports, airfields and logistics bases; parking areas; roads; etc. The surfacing may be fabricated from lightweight metal, plastic, composite, etc., or combination of materials to meet the specified requirements. Connectors shall be provided on the edges of each panel so an area may be continuously surfaced. Surfacing shall be capable of withstanding 1000 coverages of a single-wheel loaded to 30,000 lbs with a 100-psi tire pressure when placed on a 6-CBR subgrade. The surfacing shall weigh no more than 3 lb per square foot, and the panels shall be installed at a placement rate of not less than 400 sq ft per man-hour. Laboratory tests will be conducted on product specimens to determine the flexural strength of panels and the strength of panel joints. Analyzed laboratory results will be used to determine which product(s) to select for further evaluations. Field evaluations will be conducted at WES in FY96. Based on FY95 laboratory evaluations, the most qualified product(s) will be selected, and a quantity of material(s) may be procured for further evaluation. All evaluation results and recommendations will be reported to the military in FY97 for possible future large-scale procurements. Offerors are invited to submit proposals for a limited number of panels (approximately 80 sq ft). A solicitation will open on or about 22 Nov 95. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered.(0279)

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