Portable Patient Transport System (PPTS)

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to vendor questions regarding the PPTS (Portable Patient Transfer System) and general requirements for a SAM.gov opportunity.

• Glove Port Specifications: The distance between glove ports should be between 33 cm and 43 cm center-to-center, based on SOO Table 2. A total of fourteen ports are required, arranged in pairs at the head, sides near the head, sides near the torso, and feet.
• Transport Pouch vs. Pass-Through Port: A transport pouch maintains negative pressure for item transfer, while a pass-through port is for cabling or other transfers.
• Berry Amendment Compliance: This is a statutory requirement (10 U.S.C. § 4862). While initial non-compliance with a promise of final compliance is not explicitly forbidden, it is discouraged due to the cost of re-testing. Prototypes should ideally be Berry Compliant.
• Data Rights: The government strongly prefers Unlimited Rights. Proposals with less than Government Purpose Rights (GPR) may be evaluated negatively.
• Filter Location: For desired filtration, the intake and exhaust filters should be located outside the containment enclosure (SOO, Table 2).
• Filter Certification: HEPA-equivalent filtration (99.97% at 0.3 microns) is required. NIOSH P-100 is a threshold requirement, but other certifications meeting NIOSH criteria are acceptable.
• Pass-Through Port Functionality: Alternative interface designs achieving equivalent clinical functionality are considered. Examples include vent tubes, IV lines, patient care devices, and EKG wires.
• Stanchion System Specifications: While no specific NSN is provided, relevant specifications can be found at: https://www.coemed.org/files/stanags/03_AMEDP/AMedP-2.1_EDA_V1_E_2040.pdf
• Affordability: Will be considered at all phases of the OTA.
• FDA Clearance: Solution briefs for FDA marketing authorization and airworthiness are required by the end of Phase III. Offerors must demonstrate a credible approach to meeting core objectives, including a draft ICD and status on FDA 510(k) clearance.

These clarifications provide specific details on technical requirements, compliance, and evaluation preferences, which bidders should incorporate into their proposals.

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

This Statement of Objectives (SOO) outlines the goals for a multi-phased prototype project to develop a Portable Patient Transport System (PPTS). The system is intended for single, non-ambulatory patients to support Biocontainment, Isolation, and Quarantine (BIQ) programs, preventing the spread of biological threats during transport via air, rail, ground, or sea. The desired solution is a man-portable system with a patient containment enclosure and an integrated, battery-powered air filtration system generating negative pressure and filtering exhaust air.

The program is divided into two segments: Segment I (one phase) and Segment II (two phases: Phase II and III). Up to five Other Transaction Agreements may be awarded for Segment I. Down-selections will occur, with up to two performers potentially advancing to Segment II based on prototype affordability, availability of funds, and ability to meet threshold requirements and user feedback from Segment I testing. Successful completion for a follow-on production award requires meeting specific criteria detailed in Table 1, including leak containment, force protection (negative pressure, airflow), power (12-hour operation, hot-swap), regulatory compliance (FDA authorization), patient/crew interface, air filtration, weight compliance (MIL-STD-1472), interoperability, airworthiness (MIL-HDBK-516), patient restraint, transfer pouch functionality, exterior disinfection compatibility, NATO litter compatibility, and ambulance integration (SAE J3027).

• Segment I: Up to 30 prototype systems, evidence of TRL 5, and support for government testing.
• Segment II (Phases II & III): 10 additional prototypes, demonstration of TRL 6 (Phase II), and TRL 8 (Phase III), support for platform integration, environmental, reliability, availability, maintainability (RAM), and airworthiness testing.
• Final: All prototypes must achieve Airworthiness certification and FDA marketing authorization by the end of Phase III.
• Data Deliverables: Include a draft SOW, Regulatory Strategy, Master Delivery Schedule, total firm-fixed-price, projected unit cost for full rate production, Bill of Materials, data rights assertions, supporting documentation for performance claims, unique test method disclosures, and logistical requirements.

Successful completion of the project may lead to a non-competitive follow-on production agreement for up to 476 units over four years, per 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f).

Proposals must address all project segments and phases, including maturity level (TRL), production lead time, total cost, a draft SOW, regulatory strategy, delivery schedule, firm-fixed-price for prototypes, projected unit cost and production rate for FRP, Bill of Materials, data rights assertions, supporting documentation for performance claims, disclosure of unique test methods, and details on special logistical requirements.

System development at performer facilities; demonstrations and testing at CONUS Government facilities.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Call for Solutions (CFS) seeks innovative solutions for a Portable Patient Transport System (PPTS) under Other Transaction (OT) Agreement authority. The U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), Natick Contracting Division (NCD) is procuring this system to support the Biocontainment, Isolation, and Quarantine (BIQ) PPTS program. The PPTS is intended for the safe, contained, and regulated transport of a single, non-ambulatory infectious patient via air, rail, ground, or sea, protecting personnel and platforms from biological threats while enabling medical care.

• System Functionality: Must provide a single, man-portable system for transporting infectious patients, controlling the spread of biological threats, and maintaining a high standard of medical care.

• Operational Capabilities: Certified for flight on military airframes, transportable in select ambulances, and operable in austere environments.

• Technical Thresholds: Must meet specific requirements for negative pressure differential, airflow, air exchanges, filtration efficiency, liquid containment, power, patient/crew interface, airworthiness, and patient restraint.

• Regulatory Compliance: Must align with FDA marketing authorization pathways (e.g., ISO 13485:2016) and achieve military airworthiness certification.

• Deliverables: Initial "Solution Brief" and supporting data package, followed by a potential Request for Solution Proposal (RSP) including a draft SOW, delivery schedule, firm-fixed-price, production rates, Bill of Materials (BOM), and Life-Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE).

• Agreement Type: Prototype Other Transaction (OT) Agreements.

• Phased Effort: Multi-phased acquisition strategy (Segments I, II, and potentially III) with down-selects at each stage.

• Follow-on Production: Potential for a non-competitive follow-on production award of up to 476 units over four years upon successful completion.

• Initial Submission: "Solution Brief" (15-page limit) and "Supporting Data Package" (no page limit).

• Deadline: June 17, 2026, at 1600 EST.

• Submission Method: Email to christine.m.halamoutis.civ@army.mil and dan.l.adams2.civ@army.mil.

• Evaluation Criteria: Solution Briefs will be evaluated on Technical Merit, Innovation & IP, and Affordability. Up to five offerors may be invited to submit an RSP.

• Authority: 10 U.S.C. § 4022.

• Focus: Emphasis on significant participation from non-traditional defense contractors and/or small businesses is required.

• Intellectual Property: Government strongly prefers Unlimited Rights. IP strategies facilitating rapid certification and affordable sustainment are favored.

• Data Rights: Proposals hindering future competition for sustainment may be evaluated negatively.

• AI Use: AI tools may be used to assist in proposal evaluation, but final decisions rest with government personnel.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the Department of the Army following the cancellation of a previous Call for Solutions (CFS) for the Portable Patient Transport System (PPTS). The government is seeking information regarding specific requirements or standards from the previous Statement of Objectives (SOO) that may have presented absolute barriers to participation.

• The government's technical requirements and Statement of Objectives (SOO) remain unchanged.

• The SOO requirements have been revised to clearly distinguish between absolute minimum requirements (Thresholds) and desired capabilities (Objectives).

• The Phase 1 prototype acquisition strategy is being modified. The quantity of prototypes is shifting from a fixed number of thirty (30) to "up to thirty (30) prototypes," with the final quantity dependent on available funding at the time of award.

• The government is NOT seeking general design recommendations or vendor-specific product enhancements.

• The focus is on identifying any specific requirements or standards from the previous SOO that acted as absolute barriers to participation.

• Questions or feedback must be submitted by 17 June 2026.

• Solution brief instructions are provided in the Call for Solution (CFS).