Winch and Track System Draft RFP Q_A 3_18_26.docx

Winch and Track System Q&A Equipment Design

1. Is the government open to other technologies in lieu of a hydraulic winching system. Would an electric system suffice to the government?

Response: Yes, we are open to any winch system, whether hydraulic or electric, so long as it meets our listed requirements.

1. Does the government have an expected number of full design cycles for the test track Response: No, this will be at the discretion of the contractor.

1. Does the government have a requirement for the winch to be able to free-spool (manually) Response: The winch should be able to free spool without power to assist personnel in test setup. We will often need to adjust ARS hose position (which interfaces with the winch) manually without power, and the winch should be able to accommodate that need.

1. What/where is the available 480V power. Is a known amperage provided and/or connection (e.g. disconnect and plug) Response: 480V power will be supplied via overhead drop to hardwire into winch design. The winch is currently on an 80 Amp breaker.

1. Will the government provide a suitable connection interface (connector fitting) between the ARS and the FTS at the trolley?

Response: The government will provide interface drawings/information to assist the contractor in developing an interface connector between the ARS hose/ trolley/ and FTS. Representative fleet hardware (i.e. aerial refueling coupling) that typically interfaces with the ARS hose can also be provided upon request.

1. Has the government established a design code and corresponding basis for the safety factor for design. Given its uniqueness, and load application this could be designed as a Below the Hook Lifting Device with corresponding factors of safety ranging from 3 to 5 in accordance with the governing failure mechanisms (bending/shear etc).

Response: No design code established or required. Design with safety factors consistent with normal commercial designs, minimum safety factor of 2. The winch is not designated as a Below the Hook Lifting Device, and thus does not need to meet the requirements of NAVFAC P-307.

1. What is the expected frequency of travel reversals be during a 30 minute test window

6. Frequent changes in direction (pay fully out before returning) or;

Response: Given that the winch is meant to facilitate ARS hose travel, and that the ARS hose is not long enough to fully play out the winch cable length when fully retracted, we expect the winch will rarely pay fully out. At our lab, we need to test what we call Hose Reel Response on the ARS, which assesses the ability of the ARS hose reel to respond to changes in tension on the hose. To accurately assess Hose Reel Response, frequent direction changes are required. Frequency is test dependent, but we could see around 20 reversals at varying speeds within a 15 minute window.

6. Short/frequent reversals in travel direction Response: See above response. Travel reversals can often be quick in order to assess the ARS ability to respond to quick tension changes.

1. Are there any cybersecurity/interface requirements for the HMI and existing network infrastructure?

Response: No cyber requirements. The winch system will be non-networked.

1. Regarding cable height and trolley height

8. Are these acceptable windows of cable height or must the winch/trolley height be adjustable relative to the ATS Response: These are acceptable windows for cable height. The provided footprints for the winch, cable height, and the refueling store test stand were determined to (1) provide adequate clearance to the ARS and (2) ensure the cable height is as close to in-line with the ARS hose as possible. The ability to adjust either winch height or ARS height on the refueling store test stand is not required, but would be a preferred feature.

Personnel Safety

1. Is there a need for local control of the winch system?

Response: We run most of our lab test equipment from our enclosed data booth at our test pad. The winch must be controllable from the data booth as well. If the question is asking if there is a need to operate the winch directly using controls on the winch itself, the answer is no.

1. How close do personnel get to the ATS during testing? Is there a need to provide a cage or plexiglass enclosure to protect personnel from the tensioned assembly and pressurized fluid.

Response: Most personnel will be located within the enclosed databooth during winch operation. If the test requires personnel to be located closer to the test rack, we have safety procedures that require all personnel to be a minimum safe distance from the tensioned cable. No safety enclosure is required.

1. Is there a consideration for protective measures (lockable key switch) to prevent inadvertent actuation of the system while personnel are working on it.

Response: Any maintenance would be completed with winch power secured. There is value added in including a safety brake that can be engaged by the winch operator to ensure there is no winch spool motion, but it is not a requirement.

1. Consideration for a ‘break away’ clip to shut down test track tension, should the winch/coupling become disconnected from the ARS [Potentially shutting down fuel flow] Response: That feature would provide added value but is not a requirement.

Fuel Transfer System

1. Does the fuel of the FTS require heating/temperature modulation? Should heating be included on the Fuel Transfer System Response: No, temperature modulation is not required.

1. Are fuel flow and pressure required to be measured during the testing. If so do these outputs require logging or just manual instrumentation.

Response: Instrumentation for fuel flow and pressure are not required for FTS integration, but would be value added if included. At a minimum, we would like provisions to add that instrumentation later. Measuring flow and pressure as close to the ARS interface as possible would provide the greatest benefit. Manual instrumentation would be sufficient if included.

1. Does the Fuel Handling System deliver pressurized fuel to the store or is the store an unpressurized reservoir.

Response: There is a fuel pump within the ARS that pumps fuel through the ARS hose, but the wet section of the store is not pressurized during transfer.

1. Is there a limit on the amount of backpressure the FTS can have at the end of the ATS hose.

Response: There is no defined limit, but we would like to minimize backpressure as much as possible.

Factory Acceptance Testing

1. Does the government have requirements for performing/witnessing a Factory Acceptance Test before delivery. Are there ‘dummy’ fuel store devices that can be made available to verify form/fitup before shipping Response: No requirement to witness testing at the factory site. GFE hardware can be provided to the contractor on request. If we are unable to provide the necessary equipment, our lab is open for site visits to provide the contractor with the means to take measurements, conduct fit checks, etc.

1. Will an FTS evolution be required for the FAT.

Response: No.

On-Site Installation

1. Is demolition/disposal of the existing test track part of scope of work Response: No, the government shall be responsible for disposal of existing equipment.

1. To what limits will the government supply power (e.g. will the government furnish a 480V disconnect for connection to the system or will 480V panel/switchboard work be required) Response: See response to question 4 above.

1. Development of an Instructions and Operations Manual for use and upkeep of the testing equipment. Potentially a flow chart or procedure for the use of the equipment, and a listing of all spare parts, consumables required.

Response: A procedure for operation would be preferable.

-Regarding the Fuel Transfer System. The specification describes the FTS as ‘recirculating pumped fluid’, then describes the FTS designed to accommodate flow rates of the 400GPM.

1. Is the FTS and pump envisioned to provide a constant recirculating flow from the ARS, collected by the FTS and collection tank and pumped back to the ARS at a constant flow rate of 400 gpm.

Response: The ARS fuel pump will provide the fluid pressure for fuel recirculation. The ARS internal pump is capable of 220GPM, but we would like the system to accommodate higher flow rates for allow testing of higher flow pumps or other refueling stores.

1. Or is the purpose of the FTS to collect a ‘slug’ of 300 gallons from each test THEN reload the 300 gallons from the collection tank back into the ARS over the course of 15 minutes.

Response: To elaborate further on the FTS, the use of the collection tank would be test specific. Usually we only need recirculation similar to what is described in the previous question, so we would like the capability to bypass the collection tank completely if needed. However, sometimes we need to pump individual quantities to verify accuracy of the ARS fuel transfer monitoring, and would use the collection tank to house and verify that fuel quantity. Once that fuel transfer iteration is complete, the collection tank would need the capability to return the stored fuel quantity back into the ARS within 15 minutes.

1. For the final solicitation, can you confirm that the trolley speeds provided are in feet per second, not feet per minute. Looking for a confirmation, as my sub-suppliers are questioning this

Response: Trolley/winch speed requirements are feet per second.

1. Being that this is a replacement piece of hardware can your final solicitation indicate the performance specifications/speeds of the existing machine. Are your proposed new test speeds in excess of the existing machine’s capabilities, by how much?

Response: The required winch/cable speeds listed in this solicitation are within the current systems capability. The requirements for tension adjustment resolution and ability to maintain desired input tension are the primary capabilities where the current system fall short.

1. Would the government be able to share existing information/design of the existing test track as a solicitation attachment

Response: Existing track design details/pictures can be included as an attachment.

Contract Award

1. What vehicle will the government use for award: LPTA?

Response: Best Value

1. Will the government consider progress payment Response: The government does not intend on using progress payments.

1. Given the tight timeline, what is the expected solicitation and award date for this project.

Response: Please monitor the PIEE system for release of the RFP.