Q_A_Document_2.docx

Responses to questions received for the draft RFP 140E0125R0003 Please note this document is not an official part of the solicitation and is only to assist in acquisition planning. Please see the final solicitation with full terms and conditions once it is released.

1. C.3, will the contractor be responsible for picking up the burner prototype prior to the evaluation testing, and if so, where is it?

Yes, the contractor will coordinate with BSEE to move the BSEE Burner to the contractor's facility prior to evaluation testing. The BSEE Burner is currently located at the Naval Research Laboratory Chesapeake Bay Detachment in Chesapeake Beach, MD, but BSEE is exploring options to transfer the prototype to the Ohmsett Facility in Leonardo, NJ.

2. C.3.1, Task 1/Phase 1, Is the evaluation testing to be conducted at the contractor’s area of choice, or an area chosen by BSEE?

The evaluation testing may occur at a site agreed upon by BSEE and the contractor. If the site is operated by a third party, BSEE will contract with the third party for use of the facility. If the site is operated by the contractor, the contractor must have any necessary permissions or permits to perform burns at this site. The site must have all appropriate safety precaution available.

3. C.3.1, how long does BSEE prefer for the evaluation testing, and under what conditions (e.g. 2 hours each at 50%, 70%, and 90% of total max gallon/hr feed rate, with and without entrained water), or does BSEE want the contractor to provide those details in its bid?

The contractor should provide details in the bid. Due to the burn rate of the system, BSEE anticipates that the evaluation testing will measured in terms of volume of oil rather than burn time. The burn rate of the BSEE Burner has been estimated previously at 1100 gallons per hour.

4. C.3.1, who will provide the oil for evaluation testing?

BSEE can provide oil to the contractor. The contractor will require personnel with the appropriate HAZMAT training to allow for delivery and storage of any oil during the contract. Oil will be provided after BSEE approval of evaluation testing experimental plan.

5. C.3.1 and C.3.3, as part of both the evaluation testing and field testing, we would normally conduct stack testing (even in this open design) to include particulate, CO2, O2, VOCs and stack effluent characterization (temperature, air flow, etc.), instead of just burn rate, heat content, temperature, et al. to determine efficiency as suggested by the draft RFP. Does BSEE desire more detailed effluent characterization during these test phases? Does BSEE wish the contractor to price it as an option?

Please price out the detailed effluent characterization as an option.

6. C.3.3, Task 3/Phase 3, how long does BSEE prefer for the field testing, and under what conditions (e.g. 8 hours each at 50%, 70%, and 90% of total max gallon/hr feed rate, with and without entrained water), or does BSEE want the contractor to provide those details in its bid?

BSEE would like the field trials to represent deployment at a real spill scenario as closely as possible. It is possible that the oil used will be material collected from a spill and is slated for disposal, so the field tests will be performed with the oil as is. To this end, BSEE does not have any predetermined criteria regarding burn time and feed rate that need to be met, and would rather tests be conducted with the goal of complete disposal of oil. If field trials have access to an excess of oil, BSEE and the contractor will coordinate regarding the test parameters prior to the test event.

7. C.3.3, will the contractor or BSEE provide the oil for field testing?

BSEE can provide the contractor with oil, or will coordinate with the contractor and third parties to provide adequate oil for testing.

8. C..3.3, Arctic Testing, will the contractor or BSEE be responsible for choosing the Arctic test site?

The Arctic testing may occur at a site agreed upon by BSEE and the contractor. If the site is operated by a third party, BSEE will contract with the third party for use of the facility. If the site is operated by the contractor, the contractor must have any necessary permissions or permits to perform burns at this site. The site must have all appropriate safety precaution available.

9. C.3.3, If the contractor is determining the Arctic test site, does BSEE require true Arctic testing (the North Slope of Alaska), or is another area with sub-zero (< 0 F) conditions acceptable?

BSEE does not require true Arctic testing. A field test in simulated Arctic conditions (sub-zero temperatures) is sufficient.

10. Who selects the location of marine environment testing?

The location and logistics of the marine environment testing can be proposed by the contractor in their bid.