83 -- SHOCK ATTENUATION SYSTEMS FOR SURFACE CRAFT DECKING MATERIAL

Notice Date

October 3, 2001

Contracting Office

US Army Robert Morris Acquisition Center, ATTN: AMSSB-ACN-S, Natick Contracting Division (R&D and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011

ZIP Code

01760-5011

Solicitation Number

DAAD16-TBD

Response Due

November 16, 2001

Point of Contact

Thomas Bouchard, (508) 233-4026, FAX (508) 233-5286

E-Mail Address

US Army Robert Morris Acquisition Center (Thomas.Bouchard@natick.army.mil)

Description

Shock Attenuation Systems for Surface Craft Decking Material: The U.S. Department of Defense, Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, Natick Soldier Center is conducting market research for initial test and evaluation for surface craft deck matting materials, which provide shock attenuation for the human system. Dat a gathered during this market research for samples and technical data will aid in the development of a specification for the above deck matting system, and will substantiate the need for specific requirements outlined therein. This is not a request for pro posal and does not commit the government to award a contract now or in the future. No solicitation is available at this time. Samples submitted will not be returned. Do not submit samples that have a cost, as it will not be reimbursed. The following is pro vided as a general statement of the requirement. The Naval Special Warfare Command requires an improved deck matting system for their small surface craft. Navy SEAL operators are required to stand during transit on these craft in all sea states and weather conditions. During transit, the forces transferr ed to the individual operator can be large and cause acute and chronic injuries to the individual, which detract from mission performance. The decking material requested under this program will be optimized to attenuate the shock forces which cause this da mage, while maintaining or increasing the following performance characteristics of the current decking material: durability, slip resistance, weight, and others as outlined below. The deck matting material system shall optimize shock attenuation [peak g, Time to Peak g (TTP), etc.] while meeting the physical requirements outlined in this document. Forces of 8 g s for 25 milliseconds are routinely experienced by SEALs in transit, and forces of 17 g s for 30 milliseconds are not uncommon in high sea states (as measured through the following: IST accelerometers filtered at 200 hz, located at the LCG of the craft). The weight of the decking material system shall not exceed 2.1 lbs/ft.2, with an objective weight of less than 1.0 lbs/ft2. The thickness of the decking material system shall not exceed 2.0 inches, with an objective height of less than 1.0 inch. The material system shall minimally absorb water when exposed, and when damaged dur ing operations. Exposure to salt water shall not degrade the performance of the decking material system. The materials used in the deck matting system must be self extinguishing when exposed to flame, and must be extremely durable through all environmental temperature ranges (0 deg F through 120 deg F) and climatic conditions (rain, snow, UVA/UVB light exposure, etc). Materials used shall be resistant to puncture, ripping, and tearing. The decking material system shall be extremely slip resistance in dry, w et, and conditions of POL exposure. The deck matting systems must provide the users with sufficient ankle support in transit on all sea state conditions. The decking material system shall be readily repairable by untrained personnel. Materials used in the deck matting systems shall be readily available for procurement of end items and repair parts for 10 years. The Government requests the following in response to this request for market research, samples, and technical data (incomplete responses may not be assessed for the efficacy of its use); 1) 5 samples of proposed deck matting system (1.0 ft2 each), 2) cost data (per ft2), 3) any limitations in sizing production, 4) any other pertinent data that supports the sample deck matting in its ability to meet the above performance requirements (to include test methodology used in the evaluation), and 5) a technical da ta package to include the following tests: 1. Shock Attenuation Data IAW ASTM 1292-99: a. At 0 deg F, b. 40 deg F, c. 80 deg F, and d. 120 deg F. 2. Weight per 1.0 ft2 a.Dry b.Wet, after complete saltwater immersion for 1 hour. 3. Heig ht 4. Flammability data IAW Test Method E1317-97a Standard Test Method for Flammability of Marine Surface Finishes. 5. Durability of contact surface material IAW: a. ASTM D395-01, Standard Test Methods for Rubber Properties Compression Set. b. ASTM D518, Standard Test Methods for Rubber Deterioration- Surface Cracking. c. ASTM D624-00e1, Standard Test Methods for Tear Strength of Conventional Vulcanized Rubbers and Thermoplastic Elastomers. d. ASTM D750, Standard Test Methods for Rubber Deterioration in Carbon Arc Weathering Apparatus. e. ASTM 813-95 (2000), Standard Test Methods for Rubber Deterioration- Crack Growth. f. ASTM 1052-85, Standard Test Methods for Rubber Deterioration- Cut growth using Ross Flexing Apparatus (Standard Test, Ross Flex Oil #3, and Ross Flex Cold at 0 degrees F). g. ASTM D2240, Standard Test Methods for Rubber Properties- Durometer Hardness. h. ASTM D5963-97, Standard Test Methods for Rubber Properties Abrasion Resistance Rotary Drum Abrader. 6. Puncture Resistance IAW: a. ASTM D5602-98, Standard Test Method for Static Puncture Resistance of Roofing Membrane Specimens. Executed as a system, without the insulation substrate during testing. b. ASTM D5635-98, Standard Test Method for Dynamic Puncture Resistance of Roofing Membrane Specimens. Executed as a system, without the insulation substrate during testing. Companies may submit multiple deck matting sample types to meet the above requirements, but each sample type must be a complete response in and of itself (i.e. must have the number of samples as indicated above and included technical data specific to that sample). Technical Data Package, Sample Materials, and other pertinent information should be sent to the following address: SBCCOM-NSC, D218 SOF-Special Projects, ATTN: Chris Palmer, 15 Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760. Responses (Samples, TDPs, etc) are due NLT 16NOV01. Responses to this notice should include the following: name and address of firm, size of business and any additional pertinent information which demonstrates firms ability to meet the above requirement. R esponses should clearly mark proprietary information and information not to be released/disclosed to the general public. Questions may be directed to Chris Palmer, SBCCOM-NSC, SOF-Special Projects, 508-233-6389, Christopher.Palmer@natick.army.mil.

Web Link

Army Single Face to Industry (http://acquisition.army.mil)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20011005/83SOL004.HTM (D-276 SN50Z7O0)