1305M323RNRMA0015 - Attachment 7 - Solicitation Questions and Answers.pdf

1305M323RNRMA0015 Attachment 7 - Solicitation Questions and Answers

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH

PHASED ARRAY RADAR (PAR) TEST ARTICLE

SOLICITATION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

SOLICITATION # 1305M323RNRMA0015

ATTACHMENT 7

**Redundant questions were submitted; where appropriate, questions were consolidated to the extent possible.

Technical Questions:

Q1. (PWS, P15): Is the 5 years of minimum experience for the program manager and the construction project manager projects strictly required?

A1. Yes, see PWS sections 8.1 and 8.2.

Q2. (PWS, P5, Section 5.1.4): It is listed that the required frequency is from 2.7 to 3.1 GHz, however, Section

5.1.7 states the antenna will only be tested "for the entire range of 3.0 to 3.1 GHz”. Is the RTA expected to also operate with other characteristics, such as system sensitivity, within 2.7 to 3.0 GHz (outside 3.0 to 3.1 GHz)?

A2. Yes, see revised PWS sections 5.1.4 and 5.1.7.

Q3. (PWS, P9, Section 5.2.7): It is indicated that the RTF shall be constructed to survive severe / damaging weather events (e.g., 3-inch hailstones) without critical damage. Can you describe what “critical damage” means? It is unlikely that traditional radome materials would be rated to withstand these conditions. A custom-made inflatable radome may be able to do so, however, these are not traditional for weather radar applications.

Would an inflatable radome be acceptable?

A3. See revised PWS section 5.2.7, which defines “critical damage.” Any radome design that allows all requirements in the PWS to be satisfied would be acceptable.

Q4. (PWS, P4): It is listed that the RTA shall provide “rapid volume update times (~1.5 minutes) through a combination of electronic and mechanical scanning...”.

a. Can you define what a volume scan is? How many azimuth and elevation angles should be scanned?

A4a. See revised PWS sections 2 and 5.1.11. This proof-of-concept rotating PAR test article shall be modifiable and configurable in order to evaluate a variety of scan strategies (including using at least three multiple simultaneous beams) to determine how feasible the rotating PAR concept is for operations.

b. Up to what height AGL?

A4b. See revised PWS section 5.1.16.

c. What is the expected data quality (i.e., standard deviation of radar variable estimates?) or the pulse-repetition times and number of samples per beam position?

A4c. See revised PWS section 5.1.16.

Q5. (PWS, P7, Section 5.1.14): Regarding the pulse-to-pulse phase coding, what is the expected precision for the transmit pulse phases?

A5. See revised PWS section 5.1.14.

Q6. (PWS, P7, Section 5.1.16): What is the expected data quality (bias/standard deviation of estimates) for the radar variables in the real time display? Do the display data have to be quality controlled using weather signal processing algorithms?

A6. See revised PWS section 5.1.16. It is expected that the data quality will be determined by the configurable volume scan strategy.

Site Visit Questions:

Q1. The radar has to be as far SW as the lease site as possible. What about the buildings that go with it?

A1. The RTA, within the RTF, shall be in the southwest corner of the lease area to minimize obstructions with other research equipment in the area (specifically the Oklahoma Mesonet site). Any other facilities associated with the RTF (if proposed) shall also minimize obstructions to other instrumentation. See PWS Section 5.2 and Appendix B.

Acquisition Questions:

Q1. (RFP, P31): What is the difference between items covered under Section 1.3 versus 1.4? Section 1.3 has an exemption on the delay penalties, but Section 1.4 does not.

A1. Section 1.3, as identified by the & symbol, is applicable to task one (1) Radar Test Article. Section 1.4, as identified by the % symbol, is applicable to task two (2) Radar Test Facility and is specific to construction.

Q2. (RFP, P16): Two (2) years is an extremely aggressive timeline. Would a proposed timeline greater than 2 years be considered non-compliant?

A2. See revised Request for Proposal (RFP) 1305M323RNRMA0015. The base period of performance is revised to allow up to 36 months for delivery.

Q3. If proposals are due 24 August 2023, and the work is expected to commence 21 June 2024 with a 24-month PoP (20 June 2026), what is the timeline for an award announcement?

A3. Reference revised Section F.4, note 1. Award of the contract can occur any time after the proposal due date, but is expected to occur no later than July 23, 2024.

Q4. Will the Government consider holding a second site visit for vendors unable to attend the first site visit?

A4. See revised RFP Section L.7. A second site visit will be held.

Q5. Can the Government extend the proposal due date by at least 30 days?

A5. See revised RFP 1305M323RNRMA0015. The proposal due date has been extended.

Q6. Given current industry supply chain issues, would the Government consider extending the base period of performance?

A6. See revised RFP 1305M323RNRMA0015. The base period of performance is revised to allow up to 36 months for delivery.