Questions and Answers for 1232SA25Q0948.docx

Questions and Answers for 1232SA25Q0948

· By alarm notifications, do they require them to be via email?

· Email notification not required, visible and audible alarms on the chamber/ controller are required.

· There is an added far-red spectrum to this lighting. Does the end user need blue as well to round out the spectrum, making these – white, red, blue, and far-red? Or just far-red only?

· Yes, we need white/ blue as well, as per our specifications we require LEDs optimized for plant growth, but also including enhanced/ added far red, “Lighting requirements: LEDs optimized for plant growth with enhanced/ added red and far-red intensity of at least 1450 µmoles/m2/s 6 inches from LEDs, dimmable to at least 10-100% of output, programmable and integrated with/ controlled by the unit’s control system.”

· Is a full spectrum light sensor needed?

· Yes, as per our specifications, “Full spectrum light meter for measuring light output.”

· Specifications now call our dehumidification only. Do they require a dehumidifier only?

· Yes, as per the specifications, dehumidification only, “Dehumidification requirements: dehumidification down to at least 45% relative humidity ±10% between 15 – 30 °C with lights on or off, with electronic relative humidity sensor, programmable and integrated with/ controlled by the unit’s control system.”

· Is a dry contact for remote alarm needed?

· Yes, as per the specifications “Remote alarm contacts for building automation system monitoring.”

· Is the 130-day delivery after receipt of PO a drop-dead date? Is there a certain target date they wish to have the chamber by?

· The delivery time is 30 days after award. This is negotiable.

· Are real-time sensors within an advanced troubleshooting system a mandatory requirement for the chambers in order to minimize diagnostic downtime and proactively prevent potential failures?

Per our specifications, “Precise control of at least 7 environmental parameters simultaneously. Display of chamber programs and parameters with charting/ graphing of data. Alarm notifications.”, “temperature range at least 4 – 35°C with lights off and 10 – 35 °C with lights on, ±0.5 °C within the work area as measured on a horizontal plane with lights on, programmable and integrated with/ controlled by the unit’s control system.”, “Lighting requirements: LEDs optimized for plant growth with enhanced/ added red and far-red intensity of at least 1450 µmoles/m2/s 6 inches from LEDs, dimmable to at least 10-100% of output, programmable and integrated with/ controlled by the unit’s control system. Full spectrum light meter for measuring light output.”, “Dehumidification requirements: dehumidification down to at least 45% relative humidity ±10% between 15 – 30 °C with lights on or off, with electronic relative humidity sensor, programmable and integrated with/ controlled by the unit’s control system.”

· Apart from the required 2-year warranty, is multi-point remote service support for troubleshooting and diagnostics required for a minimum of five years to ensure quicker turnaround times?

Per our specifications, a “Manufacturer Warranty of at least 2 years is required for the Plant Growth Chamber.”

· Kindly clarify whether a pre-shipment performance test is required to ensure all specified limits are met. If so, please confirm that the test results (e.g., lights, temperature, humidity, airflow, etc.) need to be provided to USDA before shipping.

This was not a requirement in the solicitation.

· According to the specifications, the tier dimensions must be at least 72”W × 31.5”D, with a minimum growth height of 56”. Based on these dimensions, the minimum calculated growth capacity is 73.5 ft³. Please confirm whether a minimum growth capacity of 73.5 ft³ is acceptable.

Per our specifications, “at least 16 ft2 work area. Tier dimensions: at least 72 inches wide, 31.5 inches deep.”, “Maximum growing height: at least 56 inches, preferably greater”. Yes, a minimum growth capacity of 73.5 cubic feet is acceptable.

· Kindly confirm whether the full-spectrum light meter is required to measure, display, and log PPFD and Far-Red PFD light through the controller.

Per our specifications, we require a “Full spectrum light meter for measuring light output.”

· Kindly confirm whether a counter-balanced light canopy is required to enable easy height adjustment between the lamp canopy and the plants Per our specifications, we require a “Height-adjustable (vertically adjustable) lighting lamp bank.”

· Please confirm that the available electrical utility is 120/208V, 3-phase, 60Hz, 4-wire + ground, consisting of three phase conductors (hot wires), one neutral wire, and a separate ground.

Yes, the available electrical utility is 120/208V, 3-phase, 60Hz, 4-wire + ground, consisting of three phase conductors (hot wires), one neutral wire, and a separate ground.

· Please confirm whether a loading dock is available at the site.

No, we have a garage area and access to a forklift.

· Please clarify whether the USDA is responsible for offloading the chamber upon delivery.

Solicitation requires FOB Destination and should include delivery and installation.

· Please clarify whether USDA will receive the chamber and provide proper storage until the installers arrive.

USDA can receive the chamber and provide storage until installers arrive.

· Please clarify whether if USDA is responsible for uncrating the chamber.

Solicitation states, ““Must include delivery, installation, and training.”

· Please clarify whether if USDA is responsible for moving the chamber to its final location.

Solicitation states, ““Must include delivery, installation, and training.”

· Could you please clarify whether the vendor is responsible for the commissioning of the chamber?

Solicitation states, ““Must include delivery, installation, and training.”

· Kindly confirm that USDA is responsible for all final utility connections to the new chambers. E.g.:

Electrical Service including disconnects switches.

Cooling water supply and return connections.

Ethernet connections.

Piping from purified water source (e.g. Reverse Osmosis or De-ionized water) to additive humidity connection point.

Piping from the chamber drain to building floor drain.

Yes, USDA is responsible for this.