B09 Solicitation Amendments - Questions and Answers - Complete_0001.pdf

Tour Boat – Voyageurs National Park Questions and Answers listed below:

QUESTIONS:

1. The spec and a pair of 150 HP outboard motors – clearly under powered. What is their performance spec and expectations? ANSWER: The Specifications have been adjusted to include wording that states each motor shall be a minimum of 150 HP but have the capability to power the vessel to achieve at a minimum of 25 knots.

2. We interpret that gasoline engines are intended from the power rating 150 HP for OBM’s called out in the specification. Can you please confirm. ANSWER: Yes. The outboard motors will need to have the ability to run on regular unleaded gasoline of a minimum octane rating of 87.

3. From the beam of 16’, it appears that the escort and overload permit is necessary per Minnesota DOT standards. But, trailer dimensions have not specified. Therefore, we interpret that the trailer dimensions shall be to suit the vessel. The trailer shall conform to all Minnesota DOT regulations with proper gross trailer weight rating to safely transport vessel on public roadways. Can you please confirm our interpretation? ANSWER: Yes. The trailer dimensions will need to be suited to fit the vessel. If needed, after the vessel has been received, NPS will obtain any oversized or overload permits if needed.

4. What is the intended use of the vessel? Will it be used for excursion only? Will it carry extra cargo?

Hikers and gear? ANSWER: The vessel will be used for giving visitors tours of a National Park that is mostly water based. No, it will not carry any other cargo than passengers, and any small carry-on bags that they may have with them for half day tours. No hikers with gear will need space on the vessel.

5. Is there a speed requirement for this vessel? Twin 150 hp engines seems under powered for a vessel of this size? The requirement calls for a planning hull, however it appears when fully loaded it will be difficult for the vessel to get on a plane with this horsepower. ANSWER: Yes, the speed requirements will be no less than 25 knots. The specs have been amended to state a “minimum of 150 HP”.

6. Is this vessel based on a current vessel in service that we could look at or see to gain a better understanding of what the customer is looking for? ANSWER: The vessel is based on one that is in service with a youth camp that is operated near Voyageurs National Park. NPS does not own the vessel. (Reference photo 2)

7. In the specification the vessel must be built to USCG Subchapter T rules….is the intent to have USCG Approved plans and the vessel be issued a Certificate of Inspection (COI)? Typically, it is the owner of the vessel that applies for the COI rather than the builder, as the COI is typically issued to the owner of the vessel by the USCG OCMI of the Geographical area the vessel will operate in. The builder would have to know the route the vessel was operation under and the Local Coast Guard office responsible for inspection during the build process to coordinate all inspections. ANSWER: The Vessel must be USCG approved and Certificate of Inspection issued prior to acceptance of vessel. The Park will work with the builder with routing as well as gather information for contacts of the local office if needed.

8. If the issue if a COI is not anticipated is the vessel to be required to be built to some or all of the T boat rules and not get issued the actual COI? ANSWER COI is required before acceptance of vessel.

9. Is there any air draft requirement? ANSWER: No

10. Are sliding screens on the windows required? ANSWER: No

11. Please provide further detail concerning the “angled front wall on both port and starboard side of pilot house” while the pilothouse also requires sliding side windows and sliding side doors? A sketch would helpful to understand how these requirements work together. ANSWER: Pictures have been added to this document of the boat that these specifications were intended to mimic. (reference Photo 2)

12. The HP is much lower than a typical vessel of this size. Is there a target speed for the vessel?

ANSWER: Minimum of 25 knots.

13. Considering the requirements placed on the foredeck and aft deck, the seating arrangement inside the cabin will need to consist of 5 passengers to a row. In combination with USCG aisle width, this seating arrangement does not permit the specified side walkway width (33”) to be met. Is a narrower, but still functional, side walkway width permissible? ANSWER: Yes, the Park must approve any deviation from the 33 inches that is specified. Deviations can also come from the Aft and Fore deck to accommodate spacing. The design should include an area where a person in a wheelchair can go outside and view what people without wheel chairs can see. They should not be confined to just inside the cabin. It is not a requirement to be able to have a wheelchair move around the outside of the entire vessel. An avenue for them to enter the cabin and be able to go outside and view on either side of vessel is adequate. (reference Photo 3)

14. The specification requires the pilothouse to be raised 15” with no aft facing windows in the pilothouse.

Can you please confirm that aft facing windows in the raised pilothouse are not required? ANSWER:

The specifications have been changed to incorporate an AFT window for navigational purposes.

(reference Photo 1)

15. The specification acknowledges that “Builder may make minor size adjustments to properly fit components.” Can the LOA of the vessel be adjusted based on this statement? ANSWER: The vessel LOA cannot be more than 42’ in length due to harbor size restraints. This number is very important not to exceed.

16. The Mercury outboards in the specification only come with mechanical cable controls. Mercury recommends no cables exceed 40’ in length. Their 200hp outboards come with fly by wire controls.

Can NPS confirm the mechanical requirement, or should we supply digital controls, as suggested by Mercury? ANSWER: The NPS would like digital controls

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3