The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, NJ intends to procure two (2) Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) pads of Helipad 3D from Heusker Inc. in support of Operation Iraq Freedom (OIF) and the ramp up of efforts in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The dry and dusty environments create havoc for a helicopter pilot during landings and takeoffs. Pilots easily lose visual reference as the sand and dirt are kicked up and engulf the aircraft. This occurrence, which often results in aircraft and crewmember loss, is referred to as a brownout. Brownouts are commonplace for pilots landing to a Landing Zone (LZ) site without lightweight mat pad. It is the lightweight mat that suppresses the dirt and dust while still allowing the pilot to operate in a safe condition. An RFI was synopsized on 23 June 2009 under N68335-09-RFI-7101. Five responses were received. Heusker Inc. was the only firm who supplied a sample mat that passed the testing. Small product samples were submitted with the RFI. Now a larger VTOL pad is needed to conduct further testing. The Government intends to procure these items under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (3) or 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(3), as implemented by FAR 6.302-3.

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