Questions_and_Answers_2.docx

Questions and Answers (2) 75D301-19-Q-70948

1. In the Technical Requirements section of the SOW, 900Mhz Zigbee IEEE 802.15.4 Wireless Transmitters is listed as a requirement for the sensors. 2. The Offeror’s sensors use 900Mhz LoRa IEEE 802.15.4g based Wireless Transmitter technology. The reason for this is that LoRa transmitters/receivers are lower power than Zigbee, and have a coverage distance (2-5Km) much greater than Zigbee. This results in a cost savings to the end customer due to the fact that the LoRa system requires fewer routers than are required for a Zigbee system. Also the LoRa system does not require a Coordinator as does Zigbee. This being said, Does The System That You Purchase Have To Be Zigbee?

900 Mhz LoRa technology is a relatively new protocol, with potential security vulnerabilities that have yet to be determined. LoRa (Log Range) was specifically designed to work out-of-doors in the open (such as farms, parks, oil fields), rather than indoors in an industrial or scientific lab environment, with equipment, partitions, etc. LoRa utilizes a low-bandwidth, asymmetric polling technology, which means the server cannot send unsolicited traffic to the devices. The devices can only send unsolicited traffic to the server. It also does not support a mesh configuration, so upon any single failure of a node, devices connected to that node cannot self-heal by passing traffic to another node. Z-Wave (sometimes known as 900 Mhz Zigbee) is already in use in many of our electrically noisy labs, and has already proven itself effective in our environment.

2. The Offeror’s LoRa Sensors use AC Power With A Battery backup. Are AC Powered Sensors with a battery backup acceptable?

AC powered sensors would work, but they add another layer of complexity to the installation and maintenance of the deployment, requiring the use of triple-plugs (to tap fridge power, since there is almost always a shortage of AC outlets), AC adapters (to power the sensors) and frequently cable extenders (depending on the distance to the outlet). Our freezer assets move around quite frequently, so battery powered devices on the fridge that are “unattached” to anything and simply “move with the fridge” are preferred.

3. The Offeror’s System uses a Cloud Based Server Within the Amazon AWS Domain. A local Server and SQL instance that supports virtualization using VMWare and ESC Hypervisor is not required. Is a Local Server and SQL Instance a fixed requirement for the system?

A local server configuration is not necessarily a “requirement”, but having the server on our own business network reduces network latency and potential system downtime due to service outages beyond our control. We have also found that cloud-based solutions, while convenient, tend to have slower response times, leading to a poorer user experience. In addition, our security people tend to frown on scores of devices connected to the business network constantly streaming traffic out to the public network. The security concerns associated with this type of system could potentially delay or even put a halt its implementation. Thus, an on-site server option is preferred.

4. Could we possibly get a floor plan and possibly the room number added to the equipment list ? Floor plans are considered sensitive and cannot be shared unless we have an agreement in place that restricts the use. All of the equipment are in the same building, covering several floors and the building has 2 wings.

5. Is there an existing system already that you are replacing and/or updating or will this be the first time installing a monitoring system at this location ?

This is a new requirement.

6. The excel clearly lists out items to be monitored with temperature, humidity, CO2 where applicable. These are typically monitored with a data logger having an external probe that measure temperature/humidity or CO2. This provides monitoring and measurement with an independent sensor that will provide accurate information even when the refrigerator/incubator/freezer has failed which could make the difference of saving the product stored in this environment However your RFP states “Door status sensor and 2 analog sensor inputs on each transmitter. ” Can you please elaborate or define what the 2-analog sensor input is. I am assuming this is grabbing output signals for temperature/humidity/CO2 from the controllers of equipment being monitored. Is it necessary if we have “independent probes” that provide a more fail-safe monitoring solution?

Analog sensors can be used to pull data from instrument or to attached to a probe to capture temperature or humidity readings and such. CO2 incubators tap into the instrument, when possible. Independent probes would be more expensive vs. a single transmitter with multiple probes and takes up less space.

7. Is door status a requirement on every location to be monitored? We find customers prefer to no longer use door contacts. They find the Vaisala system provides a reliable alarming solution without the added cost for door monitoring.

CDC requires real time notifications when instruments are out of range. Standalone dataloggers are not acceptable. The door sensors are critical to CDC because then CDC can see when these out of range events are caused by doors left open for long periods of time either intentionally or inadvertently. Not required for room temp, but yes for all equipment doors.

8. Is it possible to get an extension beyond today if necessary.

The proposal deadline is extended until August 23, 2019.

9. Is it possible to have an opportunity to discuss and present Vaisala’s offering to the end users and decision makers?

No, due to time constraints presentations will not be acceptable. Please be sure to follow the quote submittal instructions provided in the solicitation.