The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting market research to find firms capable of providing extended-duration respiratory protection systems in hazardous environments without changing respirator filters, canisters, or oxygen tanks.
The system sought would provide the wearer with breathable air for four hours or longer while operating in an environment which is deficient of oxygen or contains chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) hazardous materials.
Proposed use will include, but is not limited to the following:
- Unknown toxic environments
- Chemically toxic environments
- Biologically toxic environments
- Low-level radiation environments
- Oxygen deficient atmospheres
- Oxygen enriched atmospheres when the danger of explosions and fires have been mitigated
- Extreme cold weather/Arctic environments
- Extreme hot weather environments
- Remote and logistically isolated environments
- Post-disaster environments
- National Special Security Events
- Military unique environments
Responses to the Request for Information (RFI) may be utilized by the US Coast Guard in developing its acquisition strategy. Further details are available via Solicitation Number: HSCG23-16-I-OXYGEN. The response deadline is Jan. 29, 2016.
Editor’s Note: A March 2 update to the RFI extended the response deadline to March 11, 2016.