Sources Sought Synopsis for LRU-36/A Life Raft

Notice: LRU-36/A 25-Man Life Raft Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) #ROUK-26-0007

General Introduction:

This announcement constitutes a Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) only. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Human Systems Program Office (AFLCMC/ROU) is conducting a market assessment to identify potential sources, and companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to respond to the requirements listed in this document. AFLCMC/ROU is issuing this SSS to explore cost effective options to provide this capability and to obtain valuable feedback regarding the requirements for the LRU-36/A life raft listed within this SSS. This SSS is issued solely for information and planning purposes and will be considered to determine the acquisition strategy for the Survival & Flotation program as well as potential future solicitations.

This is not a request for competitive proposals. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this SSS. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All costs associated with responding to this SSS will be solely at the responding party’s expense.

Not responding to this SSS does not preclude participation in any future Request for Quote (RFQ), if any is issued. Small Businesses are encouraged to provide responses to this SSS in order to assist the Program Office in determining potential levels of competition available in the industry, as well as helping to establish a basis for developing any subsequent subcontracting goals. The acquisition strategy is proposed to determine several qualified manufactures to produce the LRU-36/A life raft. Intention to qualify the facility and product on the Qualified Product List (QPL) is desired for future procurement strategy coverage. Market research results will assist the Air Force in determining whether this requirement will be a full and open competition, a small business set aside, or utilization of a DLA contract.

Companies may be contacted if additional information is needed to fully understand the marketplace and/or comments to the requirements presented below.

Purpose:

The purpose of this SSS is to gather information on the current state and availability of vendors, capable of completing the qualification requirements needed to certify the production capabilities of LRU-36/A life rafts in accordance with the qualification requirements listed in the MIL-PRF-DRAFT. 

LRU-36/A Requirements:

General:

The life Raft Assembly Should consist of: A life raft, inflation assembly, self-erecting canopy, an attached survival kit accessory container, canopy support rods, below pump, knife, and a carrying case. Specifically, the life rafts are required to activate after application of no more than 30 lbs of pulls force. The life raft shall achieve its design shape in no more than 30 seconds after activation. The life rafts will be used for emergency deployment and survivability in water egress for aircrew and passengers for E-3, E-4, C-130H, KC-135, CV-22 and C-5 and shall have the capacity to accommodate 25 aircrew members of the male 95th percentile or larger outfitted with standard aviation life support equipment.

LRU-36/A Requirements:

Respondents can find LRU-36/A requirements and response instructions in the attached SSS documents labled ROUK-26-0007 (LRU36A SSS).

For a complete requirements and components list, including the draft Technical Data package (TDP)/MIL-PRF-DRAFT, please request access to the appropriate documents through the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist.

RFI Responses:

Please provide your Sources Sought Synopsis responses to Lauren Love-Edwards, lauren.love-edwards@us.af.mil, and Andrew Layton, andrew.layton.2@us.af.mil, by 4:00 pm EST on 25 September 2026.

Title e-mail responses in the subject line of the e-mail as follows: “Response to LRU-36/A Sources Sought Synopsis #ROUK-26-0007.”

Responses to this SSS should include the following:

• Describe your company's primary business product line.
• Describe your firm’s ability to meet each of the requirements.  Please provide current product specifications and capabilities, to include size, weight, and performance.
• Does your company have the capability to RF weld this product?  If so, please provide your existing or planned processes.
• Does the company currently outsource inflation assemblies?  If so, please provide your existing or planned production schedule.
• Does the company currently inspect and maintain cylinders used for raft inspections prior to final delivery packaging and shipment?  If so, please explain the processes of inspecting and maintaining these cylinders.
• Does your proposed product require any modifications to meet the government requirement?  If so, please describe the scope of proposed modifications. Describe your existing or planned production capability.
• What are some of the typical tests that your company performs during First Article Testing (FAT) or Production Lot Testing (PLT)?
• Does the company have any experience with Government packaging and shipping i.e. MILSTD-129 and MIL-STD-130?  If so, please describe the packaging and shipping process from the manufacturer to the source.
• What is the expected cost to build and deliver one (1) life raft for testing and qualification?
• Please describe your proposed production and delivery schedule for one (1) life raft for qualification and testing.
• Does your company have a Quality Management System in place?  If so, please briefly describe this process and how it impacts First Article Testing (FAT), Production Lot Testing (PLT), and qualifying new products.
• Does your company provide/support training of manufactured products?  If so, please give a brief description of the level of support that is provided, how long this training is offered, if anything is included i.e. training instructions or video, and if this comes at an additional cost.

Contractor Capability Assessment:

Responses shall include the following information:

1. Company/Institute name
2. Address
3. Point of Contact
4. Cage Code
5. UEI Number
6. Phone Number
7. E-mail Address
8. Web page URL

All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement, if applicable to the company’s capabilities, should be included in the company’s NAICS code listing in SAM.

The NAICS Code for this action is 336612. Based on the NAICS Code, state whether your company qualifies as a:
a. Small Business (Yes/No)
b. Women-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)
c. Economically Disadvantaged Small Business Women-Owned Small Business (Yes/No) d. 8(a) Certified (Yes/No)
a. Date certified: ____________________
d. HUB Zone certified (Yes/No)
e. Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)
f. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)
g. Statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign owned, please indicate country of ownership).
h. Statement as to whether your company is the manufacturer of the item or the reseller.

Please limit your responses to no more than 10 pages, to include product sheets, test data, graphs, charts and answers to the questions above. Marketing materials are considered an insufficient response to this Request for Information.

If your company is capable of some, but not the entire requirement stated within this SSS, please provide a response that explains the requirements for which you are capable.

Identify a representative to support further Government inquiries and requests for clarification of the information provided, if needed.
Respondents should indicate which portions of their responses are proprietary and mark accordingly. All information received in response to this SSS that is properly marked as “proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Proprietary information must be clearly marked on the outside container and on the materials inside. The Government shall not be liable for, or suffer any consequential damages, for any proprietary information not properly identified.

Questions:

Responses to questions from interested parties will be promptly answered via email, unless some release of proprietary information is involved, or the answer addresses a question specific to a company or that company’s response. Post submittal, one-on-one information sessions with respondents are not contemplated; however, they may be offered to responders to clarify the government’s understanding of their submittal, the capability ramifications, or to discuss their business approach. Information feedback sessions may be offered to respondents after the SSS assessments are completed.

Points of Contact (POCs) for this SSS:

Lauren Love-Edwards, Contracting Officer
lauren.love-edwards@us.af.mil

AND

Andrew Layton, Contract Specialist
andrew.layton.2@us.af.mil

Contracting Office Address:
1981 Monahan Way, Bldg. 12
Wright-Paterson AFB, Ohio 45433

Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. All questions will be answered via email; except as provided above. Additionally, questions must NOT contain trade secrets or classified information. The Government reserves the right to not address questions received after 4:00 pm EST on 25 September 2026.