NASA Pilots Like Fresh Coffee
NASA DFRC Soliciation: Aircraft Coffee Brewer
“NASA/DFRC has a requirement for qty 1, Aircraft Coffee Brewer, P/N 400-1794-02, model 1603-AC3P-F, Pour Over, Bottled Water, Fixed Mount, 115VAC 3Ph 300-700Hz, 1000 Watts, Dimensions: 13.0″ x6.37″ x 10.0″. Unit must come with FAA 8130-3, comply with RTCA DO-160D and conform to NASA Quality assurance Document Q-1A (attached). The solicitation is due by 4:30pm local time on January 25, 2012.”
Specs
Isn’t there anything available off the shelf? The bid process alone inflates the price to be paid.
Off the shelf? That runs on 400Hz 3phase power? Complies with the environmental requirements in RTCA DO-160? That probably *is* off the shelf at your local commercial aircraft fixture company, which is who will bid and get the procurement. And it will have all the conformance and test paperwork that one would expect for something being installed into an aircraft.
It is the bid process. If the unit is over a specified amount $$$$, then they must advertise. I have gone through this many times when ordering equipment. There might be only one unit out there that fits the specifications and it is the one you want, but procurement rules specify that you must advertise. The unit is probably not available through a “Small Business”. The US Government keeps track of small business purchases and NASA (Procurement) stays out of trouble by following the rules.
Isn’t that only if it’s over $2,500 and the company you want to buy from is not on the GSA? How much does an aircraft coffee brewer cost?