DES Fire Diving Equipment

Purchase Description (PD) Project Title: Public Safety Dive Team Equipment Acquisition Document Type: Technical Specifications & Purchase Description Procurement Method: Performance and Salient Specification (Compliant with Revolutionary FAR Overhaul - RFO) 1. Scope of Work & Mission Background This Purchase Description outlines the minimum technical, physical, and operational specifications required to outfit a Public Safety Dive Team. The equipment specified herein is critical for executing high-stress underwater search, rescue, recovery, and inspection operations. These missions frequently occur in extremely challenging conditions, including: • Zero-to-low visibility environments (such as blackwater, harbors, and rivers). • Rapidly flowing currents or confined spaces. • Chemically, biologically, or radiologically compromised waters (requiring full encapsulation and contaminated water operational capabilities). • Extreme cold-water climates. All provided equipment must be brand new, robust, and capable of seamless, integrated operation. System-wide compatibility is mandatory—particularly between breathing systems, protective suits, and underwater communication modules—to ensure the safety, thermal protection, and constant contact of the dive team with surface support personnel. 2. Applicable Documents & Industry Standards Where applicable, all equipment must conform to, be certified by, or meet the regulations of the following governing bodies and standards: • OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T – Commercial Diving Operations. -- 1 of 11 -- • Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) – Consensus Standards for Commercial Diving and Underwater Operations. • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006 / 1670 – Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications (Public Safety Diver). • United States Navy (USN) Diving Manual – Operational standards for breathing gas purity and decompression management. • CE / EN Certification – European standards for personal protective equipment (PPE) and underwater breathing apparatus, where domestic equivalents do not exist. 3. Salient Technical and Operational Characteristics To ensure a competitive procurement environment while meeting strict mission safety parameters, all key system components must meet or exceed the following physical, functional, and performance salient characteristics. Specifications are listed generically to comply with RFO standards. 3.1 Full Face Mask (FFM) Systems • Double-Seal Design: Must feature a double-feathered face seal molded in high- grade, chemical-resistant silicone or rubber to ensure a secure, watertight seal across varying facial profiles and maintain seal integrity during active jaw movement. • Ambient Breathing Valve (ABV): Must include an integrated, low-profile ambient breathing valve allowing the diver to breathe atmospheric air while on the surface to conserve scuba cylinder air without removing the mask. • Reduced Dead Space: Internal mask volume must be physically minimized to prevent the dangerous accumulation of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) within the mask cavity. • Communications Integration: Must feature a pre-configured communications port and hardware compatibility for direct, plug-and-play integration with professional diver-to-diver and diver-to-surface communication modules. • Included Accessories: Must package an integrated low-pressure (LP) hose and a dedicated, ventilated, heavy-duty protective mask transport bag. -- 2 of 11 -- 3.2 Underwater Communication Modules • Microphone Technology: Must feature a high-fidelity, fully waterproof, pressure-compensated dynamic microphone optimized for underwater vocal clarity and active ambient noise cancellation. • Earphone Configuration: Must feature dual earphone transducers with secure mounting brackets designed to integrate directly with full-face mask strap configurations without causing discomfort. • Push-to-Talk (PTT) Control: Must feature a tactical underwater PTT module easily operated with heavy neoprene or dry suit gloves. • System Compatibility: Module must offer seamless, noise-free synchronization with diver-to-diver wireless channels, hardwire umbilical systems, and surface communication stations. 3.3 Dry Suit Hoods (Exposure Protection Accessories) • Material & Thickness: Constructed from a minimum of 7mm high-grade, superior-stretch neoprene to provide thermal protection in extreme cold-water environments. • Self-Venting Seal: Must feature an integrated self-venting design allowing trapped regulator exhaust air to escape automatically from the crown of the hood without allowing cold water to enter. • Neck Collar & Fit: Must utilize a tapered rear cut for an anatomically close fit that reduces water flow, with a minimum 4mm warm neck skirt designed for tucking into standard dry suit warm neck collars. • Comfort Construction: Seam-free chin design and flat-lock stitched interior seams to prevent chafing and maximize durability during prolonged dive operations. 3.4 Heavy-Duty Propulsion Fins with Tactical Protective Covers • Vented-Blade Design: Must feature a heavy-duty vented blade design that decreases drag on the upstroke and increases thrust on the downstroke, optimized for swimming with heavy public safety gear. • Spring Straps: Must utilize durable, rust-resistant stainless steel tension spring straps with rubber pull-tabs for rapid, hands-free donning and doffing with dry suit boots. -- 3 of 11 -- -- 4 of 11 -- -- 5 of 11 -- -- 6 of 11 -- -- 7 of 11 -- -- 8 of 11 -- -- 9 of 11 -- -- 10 of 11 -- 6. Quality Assurance & Testing • Pre-Delivery Inspection: The contractor must perform standard factory diagnostic tests on all breathing systems (Regulators and Full Face Masks) and electronics (Dive Computers, Underwater Cameras, and Communication Stations) prior to shipment. • Acceptance Testing: The Government reserves the right to inspect and test all components…