12. RFQ 480758 Amendment 1 Q&A.pdf

RFQ 480758, Amendment 1 Questions and Answers

RFQ 480758 – 100MHz RF Amplifier System

AMENDMENT 1

QUESTION & ANSWER

September 10, 2026

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS:

Question 1: Linearity Range: please confirm the dynamic range for the requested linearity of the Gain (+/-1.5dB). The specifications request that Gain (over 40dB dynamic range) < +/- 1.5dB. Because 40dB means from 350kW to 35W, are you going to operate at such low power?

Answer 1: Yes, a minimum of 40db of dynamic range is required. An input gating signal can be applied into the amplifier system which will blank and un-blank the RFPAs. By doing this the transistors will only be biased ‘ON’ when RF is present at the input of the amplifier.

Note: a gating signal is an independent signal input, not to be generated from the RF input signal. See illustration below:

Question 2: Regarding the phase error over pulse in Table 4, the maximum value is specified as 2.5°. Is this the phase variation over the pulse width at a 1.2% duty cycle? If the above understanding is correct, we would like to know the exact timing and interval used to measure the phase variation. For example, is the measurement interval defined by excluding 10% from each end of the pulse width as a margin? (e.g., for a 10 μs pulse width, the phase variation occurring between 1 μs and 9 μs)

Answer 2: If you correctly trigger the instrument that is measuring the phase error, it is possible to measure the phase error over 100% of the RF pulse. However, it is acceptable to measure the last 90% of the pulse (10% to 100%)

Question 3: There does not appear to be a separate specification for the overall dimensions of the amplifier system. Section 3.7 of the specification document specifies an installation floor space of 10 ft x 12 ft. Can the system be designed to occupy the full 10 ft x 12 ft area, or should we allow some margin or tolerance within this space? Does the 10 ft x 12 ft installation floor space apply when the cabinet doors are closed, or does it also include the space required when the doors are fully open?

Answer 3: Some margin of space should be considered for cabinet doors to be freely opened, or design with removable panels.

Question 4: Is the 70-week delivery schedule negotiable (e.g., an extension of the delivery schedule by a 6-month to 1-year period)?

Answer 4: No, the period of performance schedule is not negotiable.

Question 5: Point 3.1.13: “The water shall exit through a flow meter for each water-cooled rack.” Confirm whether you require one flowmeter per rack or one flowmeter per SSPA outlet?

Answer 5: One flow meter per amplifier is acceptable; a separate flow meter for each rack or each SSPA outlet is not required. However, each water-cooled rack shall have an individual water-flow interlock to provide protection in the event of insufficient or loss of cooling water flow within that rack.

Question 6: Does the upper-level system provide a gate (High/Low) signal to the SSPA that is synchronized with the RF pulse, i.e., goes "High" during the "RF On"? The SSPA interface specification includes a “Gating Connection” (BNC connector). Is this connection intended for that gate/pulse synchronization signal?

Answer 6: Yes. See illustration provided in Answer 1, above.

PRICING/EVALUATION QUESTIONS:

Question 7: The RFQ letter states that the requirement is subject to FAR Part 25, Buy American Act, and requires the Contractor to confirm whether the proposed item is a domestic end product. If an Offeror proposes a system that does not qualify as a domestic end product, could you please clarify what evaluation factor, if any, will be applied to the offered price for purposes of the Basis of Award? Additionally, please confirm whether any applicable trade agreement provisions will apply to this procurement.

Answer 7: For purposes of evaluation, BSA will apply the applicable Buy American price evaluation preference to nondomestic end products in accordance with FAR Part 25. The applicable factor is six percent (6%) (inclusive of duty) when the lowest acceptable domestic offer is from a large business concern and twelve percent (12%) (inclusive of duty) when the lowest acceptable domestic offer is from a small business concern. The evaluation preference is applied solely for purposes of evaluation quotations and does not change the Offeror’s quoted price or the amount of any resulting award.

This procurement is subject to the Buy American requirements of FAR Part 25 and FAR 52.225-1, Buy American—Supplies. Offerors shall identify whether the proposed system qualifiers as a domestic end product and, if a nondomestic end product is proposed, identify the country of manufacture.

Question 8: Regarding Sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 of the RFQ, would the relevant experience, past performance, and quality assurance program of our overseas manufacturing facility be acceptable in satisfying the requirements of Sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 if the proposed system will be manufactured at our U.S. facility?

Answer 8: BSA will consider only the relevant experience, past performance, and quality assurance program of the manufacturing facility proposed by the Offeror to perform the work under this contract. Experience, past performance, or quality assurance documentation associated with a different manufacturing facility will not be considered as satisfying the requirements of RFQ, Sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.2.

Note: Compliance with the RFQ Qualifiers does not, by itself, establish compliance with the Buy American requirements, which will be evaluated separately in accordance with the

RFQ.

Question 9: Could you please confirm whether this equipment qualifies for duty-free entry under HTSUS 9810.00.60 (Florence Agreement), given that it is a scientific instrument intended for use at Brookhaven National Laboratory? If applicable, could you also confirm whether Brookhaven will handle or obtain the required duty-free entry authorization and act as the Importer of Record?

Answer 9: BNL would be eligible for duty-free entry as a not-for-profit scientific organization. However, the equipment would only qualify under the Florence Agreement if no instrument or apparatus of equivalent scientific value for the intended purpose is manufactured in the United States. Market Research would have to support a determination that a U.S. manufacturer cannot meet the scientific/technical requirements.

If the market research supports such determination, then BNL would qualify for duty-free entry and would handle that process.

Question 10: If the duty-free entry does not apply, could you please confirm whether Brookhaven would act as the Importer of Record in any case?

Answer 10: If a nondomestic product is being provided, pursuant to the RFQ, BNL would be the importer of Record under DAP.

Question 11: How would any additional duties imposed between the time of quotation and the time of shipment be handled? For example, how would this be treated in the event of new tariffs being introduced, similar to the recent changes involving Chapter 99 reciprocal tariffs or Section 301 tariffs on EU products?

Answer 11: This is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract. Adjustments to the FFP will not be made after the contract is awarded.

(End of Amendment 1, Questions and Answers)