Questions and Answers.docx

RFP 1305M225R0003, Visibility and Present Weather Sensor Questions and Answers

Q1. RFP_Attachment A - Specification Sheet – Metric-3 states sensor must meet the siting requirement specified in the FCM-S4-2019, however that PDF is very general and pertains to many different sensors. Would you be able to narrow down which siting requirements needs to be met?

A1. Paragraph 2.4 Visibility sensor. Paragraph 2.8 Precipitation Type Discrimination Sensor. Paragraph 2.9 Precipitation Occurrence (Yes/No) Sensor.

Q2. RFP_Attachment A - Specification Sheet – Metric-21 states sensor must be capable of interfacing with a datalogger, however it does not specify a datalogger. In order to ensure the sensor can be interfaced with a datalogger, would you be able to provide specification on the datalogger?

A2. Campbell Scientific CR1000X data logger. https://www.campbellsci.com/cr1000x

Q3. Volume 4, Price Information (page 40) in the RFP 1305M225R0003 PDF states: ” Price: The contractor shall submit complete and reasonable pricing utilizing the template and format of Attachment D, Price. All prices shall be in U.S. dollar(s). All unit price(s) proposed shall be in whole dollar(s), i.e., no cents. Shipping will not be priced separately. The price of shipping shall be included in the overall unit price(s) of the proposed Visibility and Present Weather Sensor and documented as one price when proposed. The unit price(s) shall include all contractor costs and shall not be broken down in any form.”

In order to calculate freight costs properly, can you confirm that below address is the only ship to address?

NATIONAL LOGISTICS SUPPORT CENTER

14200 MERRITT ROAD

GRANDVIEW MO 64030

A3. Confirmed. This above address is FOB destination and will not vary for the place of formal government acceptance of delivery.

Q4. Could you describe system placements? Will they be all in similar areas or different? For example, onshore, airports, offshore? FPSO, platforms etc.?

A4. The placement of the visibility and present weather sensor will be at the locations where current ASOS systems exist. A list of ASOS sites is available here. The TAB labelled Visibility contains the listing of the sites where these Visibility and Present Weather are planned to be installed.

Q5. Would any of the sensors mounted in hazardous areas? (i.e. require explosion proof certification?)

A5. No, these sensors will be installed at Airports and other locations where explosion are not planned or expected.

Q6. Can we extend RFP till January 31st?

A6. The RFQ closing is extended till January 31st in Amendment 1.

Q7. Regarding [METRIC-26] "The visibility present weather sensor must have a life cycle supportability of at least 20 years," could you please clarify the following:

Does this requirement imply that the design and components of the sensor must remain unchanged for the entire 20-year period, effectively locking in the design from the outset? If so, please specify any constraints or standards that must be adhered to over this period.

OR

is the expectation that the manufacturer ensures each unit is supported for 20 years, providing data output backward compatibility but allowing for any hardware and/or firmware necessary design changes and improvements?

A7. The government does not want to purchase all new sensors and then no manufacture support be provided, i.e., the manufacture no longer provides spares, spare parts, etc. The National Weather Service ASOS Program will needs spare parts, firmware upgrades etc. during the expected service life (20 years) of replacement sensors, of which the government wants the manufacture to give reasonable assurance that support of the sensor will be available. The government will not restrict design innovation needed to support the sensor during its manufacturers life cycle paradigm.