Attachment 3 - 89233121RNA000098_QandA_Amd_0003.pdf

Request for Proposal (RFP) # 89233121RNA000098, Rotary Wing Aircraft

04/09/2021

Questions and Answers

Questions #1 - #2: Released on 03/05/2021 via Amendment No. 01.

1. Question: On the SF 1449 the Solicitation is marked Unrestricted, yet in the Flow Downs under DOE-L-2021 (pg. 112) it says “This procurement has been set aside for small business….), can NNSA confirm this procurement is set-aside for small business?

Answer: The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) Office of Nuclear Incident Response (NA-84) is soliciting proposals from both small and large businesses for the acquisition of two (2) each Rotary Wing Aircraft.

The reference to clause DOE-L-2021 has been removed from RFP No.

89233120RNA000098 as a result of Amendment No. 01.

2. Question: Is the NNSA willing to consider extending the current deadline to 05/14/2021?

Answer: The proposal due date has been extended to 04/26/2021 and is incorporated into Amendment No. 01.

Questions #3- #4: Released on 03/17/2021 via Amendment No. 02.

3. Question: If we are having trouble accessing FedConnect should we send our questions directly to you?

Answer: Yes, you may submit your questions directly to the CO and CS via email.

Please submit questions to the following individuals: CO ShaKiesha Donley, shakiesha.donley@nnsa.doe.gov; CS David Vazquez, david.vazquez@nnsa.doe.gov; and, CS Ernesto Jayme, ernesto.jayme@nnsa.doe.gov.

4. Question: Are the clauses FAR 52.222-41, -43, -44, and -48, which implement the requirements of the Service Contract Act, applicable to this RFP?

Answer: FAR 52.222-41, 52.222-43, 52.222-44, and 52.222-48 are not applicable to RFP 89233121RNA000098 and are hereby removed as a result of Amendment No. 02.

Questions #5- #70: Released on 04/06/2021 via Amendment No. 03.

5. Question: Solicitation, Page 98, Part II Technical Submission, Tab 1, states “(Page Limit: 2 pages per contract)”. This appears to be the only page limited section in the offeror’s response, is this a correct assumption or are there other page limits that exist with regard to the response?

mailto:shakiesha.donley@nnsa.doe.gov mailto:david.vazquez@nnsa.doe.gov mailto:ernesto.jayme@nnsa.doe.gov

Answer: Correct, Part II Technical Submission is the only area of the ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items that identifies a page limitation.

6. Question: Can we exceed the page limitation to respond to the 105 aircraft requirement items?

Answer: The Page Limit for Part II Technical Submission, Tab 1 is changed from “2 pages per contract” to “10 pages” and is incorporated in Amendment No. 03. Excess pages will not be evaluated and shall be removed from the proposal.

7. Question: Solicitation, Page 95, 12.1, What is the email address of Ernesto V. Jayme or do we only submit through FedConnect?

Answer: Offerors are instructed to submit your proposal through FedConnect and beta.SAM.gov; however, if you experience technical difficulties, you may email your proposal to the CO and CS at the following email addresses:

CO ShaKiesha Donley, shakiesha.donley@nnsa.doe.gov CS David Vazquez, david.vazquez@nnsa.doe.gov CS Ernesto Jayme, ernesto.jayme@nnsa.doe.gov

8. Question: Solicitation, Page 118, 13.8 CLIN 001 MANDATORY SPECIFICATIONS

Number 59, States “Helicopter shall be capable of supplying avionics output to mission equipment” Can NNSA define the data package and format required for the mission equipment?

Answer: NNSA prefers the aircraft parametric data such as heading, altitude, pitch, roll and yaw, lat/long, and airspeed be updated at least once per second and should be in the ARINC 429 format. The ARINC 429 data stream should be compatible with a commercially available ARINC 429 to USB interface for display and verification of the data availability on the laptop computer. The ARINC 429 to USB interface should have the performance capability of an Astronics Ballard UA2000 ARINC 429/717 USB Avionics Interface, or a Shadin Avionics Aircraft Interface Module, or equivalent.

9. Question: Attachment 1, Page 1, 3.1 Background, provides the number of Flight Hours but does not provide information related to the Number of Landings and Number of Engine Cycles. These two pieces of information (# of Landings and # of Engine Cycles) are crucial pieces of information required to calculating the cost/price of Manufacture Maintenance Plans (reference Attachment 2, Option 5 Tab, SLN 0006AG). Can NNSA provide the # of Landings and # of Engine Cycles per flight hour?

Answer: NNSA helicopter operations average 1.17 Landings per Flight Hour and .829 Engine Cycles per Flight Hour.

mailto:shakiesha.donley@nnsa.doe.gov mailto:david.vazquez@nnsa.doe.gov mailto:ernesto.jayme@nnsa.doe.gov

10. Question: Attachment 2, Option 6 Tab. The Solicitation refers to Ground Support Equipment but it makes no reference to tools yet there is not any provision made to price tools into the matrix. Does NNSA also want an IPL that covers aircraft specialized tools that the maintainers may require or desire to have?

Answer: NNSA will consider an IPL for aircraft specialized tools that may be required to perform (routine) Operational-level maintenance. No tools for Intermediate and Depot-level maintenance are required.

11. Question: In CLIN 00002 to 00007 the Solicitation. Any SLIN that is included in CLIN 00001, Rotary Wing Aircraft Base Configuration, should be noted.” Specifically, how would the NNSA like this to be noted in Attachment 2 the Pricing Matrix?

Answer: The Offeror is instructed to indicate whether any SLIN is included in the base configuration by noting it in the unit price column of Attachment 2 the Pricing Matrix. The items shall then be included in the applicable section(s) of the technical volume and pricing volume narrative as appropriate.

12. Question: CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications 56) Helicopter shall be capable of carrying a minimum of six (6) crew members: two (2) pilots, two (2) technicians, two (2) mission personnel, and detectors and mission equipment. Total mission configuration pay load is approximately 2,400 lbs. Please clarify the number of cabin ICS plugs and their characteristics (ICS only, ICS+RADIO TX/RX, ICS+RADIO RX etc).

Answer: Intercom System to accommodate multiple Comms (minimum dual VHF, single UHF, police, fire, rescue 900Mhz, SatCom), TX/RX on all radios, & Cabin Call in at least 4 locations. Each position will have selectable TX/RX options. Foot switches for at least 2 workstation positions in cabin. Additional seating positions require ICS-only capability.

13. Question: What is the requirement for the seat(s) layout for the crew members in cabin?

Answer: Minimum cabin seat layout is two (2) seats abreast for the two (2) technicians and the workstations. The two (2) mission personnel can be abreast of the technicians (four (4) abreast), directly behind the technicians, or behind and outboard of the technician’s seats. It is desirable that the mission personnel seats allow those occupants to view what is on the technicians monitors.

14. Question: CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications 59)

Helicopter shall be capable of supplying avionics output to mission equipment of: a) Radar Altimeter b) Heading and speed c) 3-D Orientation NNSA will provide specifications for output format, or output format acceptability.

Answer: NNSA prefers the aircraft parametric data such as heading, altitude, pitch, roll and yaw, lat/long, and airspeed be updated at least once per second and should be in the ARINC

429 format. The ARINC 429 data stream should be compatible with a commercially available ARINC 429 to USB interface for display and verification of the data availability on the laptop computer. The ARINC 429 to USB interface should have the performance

15. Question: CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications 73) Helicopter shall have at least twelve (12) 120 VAC outlet receptacles (NEMA 5-15) in the cabin capable of delivering fifteen (15) amps maximum, in total, for mission equipment.

Receptacle locations to be determined by NNSA. Can the outlet receptacles be located by group? (e.g. two or three outlets for each location)

Answer: Power outlet receptacles can be grouped (e.g., two (2) outlets in each of six (6) locations). The outlet location will be determined, in part, by the proposed detector and AVID laptop computer layout.

16. Question: Solicitation CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications 74) Helicopter shall have two (2) USB charge panels in the cockpit and six (6) USB Charge panels in the cabin. Each USB charge panel shall have one (1) USB-C port rated at 100 watts, and one (1) USB3.0 Type-A port rated at 4.5 watts. Locations to be determined by NNSA. Can the outlet receptacles be located by group? (e.g. two or three outlets for each location)

Answer: The USB charge panels may be grouped. The USB charge panels with two (2) USB ports per panel located in the cockpit can be grouped providing it supports the needs of the pilots to keep their hand-held electronic devices charged. The similar USB charge panels in the cabin will need to be located to best support the two technicians and the two mission personnel while seated. The cabin seating arrangement may, or may not, support grouping the USB charge panels.

17. Question: CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications.

75) Helicopter shall have at least twelve (12) 28 VDC (7.5-amp max) mil-spec circular 3-pin power outlets in cabin capable of delivering 50 amps maximum, in total, for mission equipment. The third pin will be a positive chassis ground. Power outlet locations to be determined by NNSA. Can the outlet receptacles be located by group? (e.g. two or three outlets for each location)

Answer: The mil-spec circular 3-pin power outlets in the cabin may be located by group, e.g., 3 outlet receptacles in a group. As these are used mainly to power mission equipment detectors, the placement of the detectors will in part determine the grouping and location.

18. Question: CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications. 78) Helicopter shall have one (1) XM Satellite Weather Information system, or equivalent, interfaced with the EFIS. Could a FIS-B weather system be installed in lieu of XM Weather?

Answer: FSI-B is acceptable, but XM is preferred due to increased capabilities.

19. Question: CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications. 78)

Helicopter shall have one (1) XM Satellite Weather Information system, or equivalent, interfaced with the EFIS. Would a standalone solution for the FIS-B Weather system not integrated with the avionic be accepted?

Answer: The helicopter shall have both an airborne weather radar system and a satellite based weather system. XM Satellite Weather Information system is preferred due to its increased capabilities. FIS-B is acceptable only if it is an Integrated display. It is preferred that all weather systems are integrated, but separate displays are acceptable.

20. Question: CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications. 79)

Helicopter shall have a Radar Altimeter which displays on both pilot and co-pilot stations, with provisions for output to mission equipment. The Radar Altimeter shall have the capability to output both analog voltages and ARINC 429 digital format to the mission equipment. Please clarify if the requirement CLIN001 – 59 includes the requirement about radar altimeter ARINC 429. i.e. Since the AW139 is able to supply rad alt information via A429, is it really required to have a dedicated RAD ALT ARINC 429 output?

Answer: The ARINC 429 data transfer standard is required to output RAD ALT data to the mission equipment.

21. Question: CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications. 82) Helicopter shall have one (1) GPS antenna and GPS receiver dedicated to the mission equipment in the cabin. The GPS antenna cable will be "home run" to a splitter/patch panel in the cabin. The GPS receiver will have performance equivalent to a NovAtel PwrPak7D receiver. The GPS Antenna will have performance equivalent to a NovAtel antenna Part No.

GNSS-303L or an AeroAntenna Technology, Inc. AT1675-180APW-TNCF-000-RG-38- NM. GPS antenna to receiver cable specifications and performance will be equivalent to a PIC Wire and Cable UH22089. Standard polarity THC type connectors will be used. Panel location will be determined by NNSA. Please clarify if the radar GPS received described in this bullet and the Trimble GPS 132 receiver listed in bullet 104 are the same.

Answer: The GPS receiver described in this requirement is not the same GPS receiver listed in bullet 104.

22. Question: CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications. 82) Helicopter shall have one (1) GPS antenna and GPS receiver dedicated to the mission equipment in the cabin. The GPS antenna cable will be "home run" to a splitter/patch panel in the cabin. The GPS receiver will have performance equivalent to a NovAtel PwrPak7D receiver. The GPS Antenna will have performance equivalent to a NovAtel antenna Part No.

GNSS-303L or an AeroAntenna Technology, Inc. AT1675-180APW-TNCF-000-RG-38- NM. GPS antenna to receiver cable specifications and performance will be equivalent to a PIC Wire and Cable UH22089. Standard polarity THC type connectors will be used. Panel location will be determined by NNSA. Is the GPS receiver a government furnished mission equipment?

Answer: The respondent awarded the contract will furnish the GPS antenna, GPS antenna cable, and the GPS receiver.

23. Question: CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications. 102) Helicopter shall be capable of securing (via floor rails, tracks, consoles, or equivalent), the following customer furnished detector equipment listed in Section C, Table 1 on the aircraft.

The Government Furnished Detector Equipment will not become part of the aircraft. In order to verify the installation of the CF detectors the following documents are required:

LRU drawings

Installation drawings

Interconnection schematics

System technical specification.

Answer: For schematics, technical specifications, drawings, and interconnection information on RSI detectors and equipment, please contact:

Radiation Solutions Inc 5875 Whittle Rd.

Mississauga, ON, Canada, L4Z 2H4 Attn:

Honray Cai mobile: +1 416 568 8462 caih@radiationsolutions.ca

Fax: +1 905 890 1964 Corporate office: +1 905 890 1111

The HPGe detector is an ORTEC brand model IDM-200-V High Purity Germanium Detector. It currently is secured within a base that is attached to the seat tracks.

Dimensions: Maximum overall dimensions including handle, Ge detector endcap, neutron detector and shock absorbers: 41.3 cm L × 34.0 cm W × 21.2 cm H (16.3 in. × 13.4 in. × 8.3 in.)

Weight 17.7 kg (39 lb) without tungsten back-shield option.

Input Power 10 to 17 V dc from battery or dc power supply Power Usage <100 W during cooldown, 72 W nominal during battery recharge, <28.8 W cold with fully charged battery.

mailto:caih@radiationsolutions.ca

ORTEC IDM-200-V

The neutron detector consists of a number of six (6) foot long 3He tubes fastened inside a modular HDPE enclosure mounted on a frame. The frame is currently attached to the helicopter’s seat tracks with approved fasteners. The mount consists of four (4) inner vibration isolation springs and four (4) outer vibration isolation springs connecting the mounting frame and the seat tracs. Pneumatic cylinder needle valves are used in conjunction with these mounts for damping. High voltage power for the 3He tubes, power distribution, signal processing and counting is performed and the output is sent to an AVID laptop computer.

Spring mounts, pneumatic cylinder needle valves, and the neutron detector.

Schematic of neutron detector.

Helicopter Mission Equipment and Detector schematic

24. Question: CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications. 102) Helicopter shall be capable of securing (via floor rails, tracks, consoles, or equivalent), the following customer furnished detector equipment listed in Section C, Table 1 on the aircraft.

The Government Furnished Detector Equipment will not become part of the aircraft. Please confirm the numbers of detectors to be installed.

Answer: A total of six (6) RSX-3 Detector units will be secured on the aircraft.

One (1) neutron (N0) detector will be secured on the aircraft. One (1) HPGe detector will be secured on the aircraft. Detectors may be secured internally or externally to the aircraft fuselage.

25. Question: CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications.

103) Detector equipment mounting restrictions are:

a) Equipment is not stacked.

b) Equipment has minimal aircraft structure beneath it and the ground.

c) RSX-3 and HPGe equipment are not mounted over a variable volume fuel tank

d) Detectors shall have an unobstructed field of view, if possible. The bottom faces of all crystals must have a field of view with opening half-angle at least 70 degrees that is unobstructed by fuel tanks or significant shielding. Detector placement unable to attain this field of view will be evaluated by NNSA to determine suitability.

e) N0 Detector preferably not mounted over variable volume fuel tank.

In order to verify the installation of the CF detectors the following documents are required:

LRU drawings

Installation drawings

Interconnection schematics

System technical specifications.

In addition, please confirm the numbers of detectors to be installed

Answer: See answer to question #22 and #23.

26. Question: CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications.

104) Helicopter shall be capable of securing (via floor rails, tracks, consoles, or equivalent), government furnished mission equipment listed in Section C Table 2, in addition to the detector equipment, on the aircraft. The Government Furnished Mission Equipment will not become part of the aircraft. In order to verify the installation of the GFME, technical specifications are required. Please provide drawings and brochures. In addition, please confirm quantity of the detectors equipment.

Answer: See answer to question #22 and #23.

27. Question: CLIN 0003 – Mission Capability Enhancements. 2) 0003AB Two (2) equipment workstations/consoles located in the cabin capable of mounting one (1) or more monitors, keyboard, audio panel, laptop, docking station, RS-701/705, and a Cradlepoint Router. Vendor proposed solution conceptual design and final design will be approved by NNSA post contract award.

Could you clarify if the Cradlepoint Router is a CF of GF system?

In order to carry out the feasibility study for the mission consoles installation could you provide us with the final configuration (including brochures, picture and drawings) of the mission systems to be installed in the mission consoles?

Answer: The Cradlepoint Router is Government Furnished Equipment.

The preferred configuration for the mission consoles is a small writing surface, stowable key board, computer monitor, Dell Precision 7520 Laptop (AVID computer), docking station, Cradlepoint IBR1700-1200M-B router, ICS station, intercom foot switch, equipment power, USB charging ports, and a RS-501, positioned so the operator can observe the LEDs. No pictures or drawings of this console are available. Note the current configuration is the laptop mounted on a pedestal.

28. Question: CLIN 0003 – Mission Capability Enhancements. 3) 0003AC. The aerial survey work requires uniform coverage throughout the search area at a constant AGL altitude, constant ground speed, precise survey lines, and uniform line spacing. A "Search" navigation capability to aid the aerial survey pilot would provide the pilot an indicator with plus or minus one foot (or as technologically feasible) horizontal and vertical guidance while terrain following at altitudes as low as 50 feet AGL. May or may not be integrated with FMS.

Indicator must be positioned at eye level or above the fuselage/wind shield intersection for the pilot flying, for example a heads-up display (HUD), or head-wearable display (HWD).

Presentation to have the ground speed and altitude displayed. (Current system is a non-integrated Trimble Agricultural light-bar display).

Please clarify who is the source of the information to be provided to pilot.

i.e. if the information source is the Trimble field computer then the technical spec of the computer is required. In order to evaluate and define the installation of the mission equipment, a schematic showing the interconnection in the different LRUs is required.

Answer: With the current system the survey lines, as determined by the technicians, are manually programed into the Trimble field computer. The Trimble field computer then drives the Trimble Agricultural light-bar display, viewed by the pilot flying. Additional survey line flight instructions from the technicians are also verbally provided to the pilot. As the current system is no longer manufactured by Trimble, other precise navigation systems are being evaluated to replace the Trimble light-bar system.

For technical specifications on the Trimble equipment, please refer to:

https://agriculture.trimble.com/training-and-support/

For schematics, please see answer to question #22.

29. Question: CLIN 0003 – Mission Capability Enhancements. 13) 0003AN Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) IN and OUT. Would a standalone solution for the ADS-B IN not integrate with the avionic be accepted?

Answer: A non-integrated ADS-B IN standalone solution will not be accepted.

30. Question: CLIN 0005 – Operational Equipment Enhancements. 1) 0005AA Laser Altimeter with output only to operator mission equipment. (For example, a Riegl® LD90- 3800VHS-FLP, or equivalent.) Please clarify the intended function of LRF and if it must be integrated with the customer or government furnished equipment. In order to evaluate and define the installation of the mission equipment, a schematic showing the interconnection in the different LRUs is required.

https://agriculture.trimble.com/training-and-support/

Answer: The intended function of the Laser Altimeter is to provide an altitude measurement integrated over a smaller ground aerial extent than one produced by a Radar Altimeter. See the answer to question #22 for a schematic showing the interconnection of LRUs.

31. Question: CLIN 0003 – Operational Equipment Enhancements. 1) 0005AA Laser Altimeter with output only to operator mission equipment. (For example, a Riegl® LD90- 3800VHS-FLP, or equivalent.) Please clarify the intended function of LRF and if it must be integrated with the customer or government furnished equipment. In order to evaluate and define the installation of the mission equipment, a schematic showing the interconnection in the different LRUs is required.

Answer: The intended function of the Laser Altimeter is to provide an altitude measurement integrated over a smaller ground aerial extent than one produced by a Radar Altimeter. See the answer to question #22 and for a schematic showing the interconnection of LRUs.

32. Question: Industry Day Questions. Do you confirm that the same PODS of 412 NNSA helicopters shall be installed on the helicopter bid by the respondent? What are the PODS used for and what do they contain? Could you share with us an installation schematics or any additional information (including structural support for PODs)?

Answer: The pods on the NNSA Bell 412 helicopters, may, or may not, be installed on helicopters bid by the respondent. Each pod currently holds two (2) RSX-3 detectors positioned end-to-end on tracks allowing for detector access when the pod endcaps are removed. This solution kept the detectors from being mounted over variable-volume fuel tanks for this particular helicopter. Every aircraft has characteristics that influence where detectors are placed. For example, over time detectors have been placed in baggage compartments, main cabins, belly pods, tail booms, external side pods, external stores provisions, or some combination of these locations. A main cabin/internal fuselage layout provides an advantage where technicians have access to some, or all, of the detectors in flight for troubleshooting and/or repair, if necessary. Additionally, there is no aerodynamic performance degradation. However, belly pods have an advantage of minimizing detector shielding and improving detector system response with minimal degradation of aircraft aerodynamics.

NNSA has provided dimensions, weights, quantities and data quality restrictions for securing our detectors on a respondent proposed aircraft. An evaluation of the respondent proposed technical solutions to accommodate detectors and mission equipment will be a factor in determining the best value to the government for an aircraft to conduct this mission in the foreseeable future. Should a respondent wish to propose a solution that uses these external side pods NNSA will provide the technical data of the pods.

The structural supports for the pods are two (2) each pylon mounting fixtures made up from one (1) each per assembly of the following BELL Fixtures; BELL P/N 206K68550-1, P/N 204-061-620-1, P/N 204-071-515-15, P/N 205-070-503-1, P/N 205-070-504-1 (assembly on left side of fuselage) and BELL P/N 206K68550-1, P/N 204-061-620-1, P/N 204-071-515-

15, P/N 205-070-503-5, P/N 205-070-504-5 (assembly on right side of fuselage) installed onto existing airframe 'hard points' at fuselage stations 155.06 and 129.

Note that mission developments now require a total of six (6) RSX-3s be carried on the aircraft, while the existing external side pods are designed for four (4),

33. Question: Industry Day Questions. Is it required a detector to be fitted on the floor of helicopter bid by the respondent to support the new fleet of NNSA helicopters? As far as we know the dimension are 79.5inches x 19.25es

What is it used for? Could you share with us an installation schematic or any additional information?

Answer: The mission requires a neutron detector (N0) be carried on the aircraft. It is not required to be fitted on the floor of a helicopter bid by the respondent. See the answer to question #22 for additional information on the neutron detector.

34. Question: Industry Day Questions. In order to mount the detectors in the cabin, and comply with requirement 103 d)

d) Detectors shall have an unobstructed field of view, if possible. The bottom faces of all crystals must have a field of view with opening half-angle at least 70 degrees that is unobstructed by fuel tanks or significant shielding. Detector placement unable to attain this field of view will be evaluated by NNSA to determine suitability.

To ensure that respondents conduct a proper engineering design proposal, respondents need to have, as requested, the installation drawings, but first and foremost the size of the detectors’ windows/crystals and their location with respect to the equipment shape. Please provide this information to the extent possible.

Answer: For schematics, technical specifications, drawings, and interconnection information on RSI detectors and equipment, please contact:

Radiation Solutions Inc 5875 Whittle Rd.

Mississauga, ON, Canada, L4Z 2H4 Attn:

Honray Cai mobile: +1 416 568 8462 caih@radiationsolutions.ca

Fax: +1 905 890 1964 Corporate office: +1 905 890 1111

35. Question: Due to the complexity of the design requirements associated with the Pods/Detectors can the NNSA provide an additional 20 Day extension after the release of the mailto:caih@radiationsolutions.ca responses to all the questions posed to enable the best possible response to the NNSA in terms of proposed Engineering design and location of Pods/Detectors?

Is an extension beyond the current 04/26/2021 response deadline possible?

Answer: As consideration for the question and answer period, NNSA has extended the Proposal Due Date by two weeks. The Proposal Due Date is changed from 04/26/2021 to 05/10/2021 and is incorporated in Amendment No. 03.

36. Question: In the Table Below it references a grand total of twelve (12) pilot simulator courses (e.g. 4 pilot simulator courses per helicopter = a total of 8) and then it asks for an additional four (4) pilot simulator courses (e.g. 8 Courses + 4 Course = 12) this makes sense. The table does not make sense unless the Unit Price** is for two (2) additional courses. Can you please confirm if this is the correct interpretation?

Answer: The Unit of Measure for SLIN 0006AA is “Lot”. As such, one (1) Lot of 12 pilot simulator courses is required per Aircraft (i.e. two (2) Lots total).

37. Question: Section 3- Description/Specifications, Item # 59. Please specify the output format or output format acceptability for the Radar Altimeter, Heading and speed, and 3D Orientation.

Answer: NNSA prefers the aircraft parametric data such as heading, altitude, pitch, roll and yaw, lat/long, and airspeed be updated at least once per second and should be in the ARINC 429 format. The ARINC 429 data stream should be compatible with a commercially available ARINC 429 to USB interface for display and verification of the data availability on the laptop computer. The ARINC 429 to USB interface should have the performance

38. Question: Section 3- Description/Specifications, Item # 60. Does this mean providing a system that is capable of interfacing with the GFE Cradlepoint Router, or is the requirement for a separate Wi-Fi system, in addition to the furnished GFE Cradlepoint Router?

Answer: The requirement is for a separate aircraft WiFi system. This allows two independent data communications systems for the aerial survey data.

39. Question: Section 3- Description/Specifications, Item #74. Can you specify the manufacturer/model of the desired USB vendor as we are not able to identify a suitable USB port to meet this wattage requirement?

Answer: USB specifications are rapidly evolving, and USB Power Delivery (PD) ports conforming to the USB-C PD specification (v1.0 or greater) would be preferable.

Commercially available USB products can be found at companies such as:

o Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, True Blue division, https://www.truebluepowerusa.com/products/aviation/usb-charging-ports/ta360/ o Dallas Avionics, Inc., http://www.dallasavionics.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?master=avionics&category=inverters&man=trueblue&url=6430360.html o Guardian Avionics smartPower USB power supplies o Garmin o PS Engineering

40. Question: Section 3- Description/Specifications, Item #75. Can you specify the exact model of the 3- pin power outlets?

Answer: A 3-pin power outlet equivalent to an Amphenol MS3122E12-3S panel-mount socket is acceptable. Numerous commercial suppliers provide this type of equipment.

41. Question: Section 3- Description/Specifications, Item #83. In order to provide suitable audio panels, please specify the total number of frequencies/communications required for both the pilots and for the crews in cabin. Specifically, VHF, UHF, police, fire, rescue 900 MHz, Sat Comm, etc. Is there a requirement for all 6 crew members to transmit/receive on all the desired radio/communications bands?

Answer: Intercom System to accommodate multiple Comms (minimum dual VHF, single UHF, police, fire, rescue 900Mhz, SatCom), TX/RX on all radios, & Cabin Call in at least 4 locations. Each position will have selectable TX/RX options. Foot switches for at least 2 workstation positions in cabin. Additional seating positions require ICS-only capability.

42. Question: Section 3- Description/Specifications, Item #71 and #73. Is the requirement for one (1) separate inverter for mission equipment AC power system that meets the https://www.truebluepowerusa.com/products/aviation/usb-charging-ports/ta360/ http://www.dallasavionics.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?master=avionics&category=inverters&man=trueblue&url=6430360.html http://www.dallasavionics.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?master=avionics&category=inverters&man=trueblue&url=6430360.html requirements of Item #73, or is the requirement for two (2) inverters? If so, what is the hertz, voltage and amperage requirement of the second inverter?

Answer: The requirement is for one (1) separate inverter that meets the requirements of Item #73.

43. Question: Section 3- Description/Specifications, Item #44. Do we need to supply over and above 4 ICS capable stations in the cabin, or do we need to supply/furnish the maximum number of ICS stations based on the passenger carrying capability of the aircraft?

Answer: These aircraft will not be carrying passengers, so there is no need to supply the maximum number if ICS stations based on the passenger carrying capability of the aircraft.

However, beyond the four (4) audio communications capability panels in the cabin associated with the two (2) technicians and the two (2) mission personnel, four (4) additional ICS only stations are required.

44. Question: Section 3- Description/Specifications, Item #26. Is this requirement for a stand-alone radar system, or will integrated satellite radar imagery/overlay suffice for this requirement?

Answer: See question #18..

45. Question: Section 3- Description/Specifications, 3.9- Government Furnished Equipment.

Is the vendor responsible for the certification of all installed GFE equipment, or just for the certification of the installation of the provisions, mounting, wiring, including disconnects, of the GFE equipment?

46. Answer: A respondent will be responsible only for the certification of the installation of the provisions, mounting, wiring, including disconnects, of the GFE equipment, not the GFE equipment.

47. Question: Section 3- Description/Specifications, Item #82. Please clarify the meaning the “home run” GPS antenna cable.

Answer: The requirement is for the GPS antenna cable to be continuous, without breaks or connections, from the GPS antenna to the GPS splitter.

48. Question: Section 3- Description/Specifications, Item #61. Can you specify the manufacturer/model of the desired system to meet this requirement?

Answer: Numerous commercial systems are capable of meeting this requirement. For example, these systems are produced by Iridium Aviation Rotorcraft, Flightcell, Cobham’s SB Helo X-Stream, Mitsubishi Electric Helicopter Satellite Communication System, among others.

49. Question: Section 3- Description/Specifications, 3.7 CLIN 0006 – Spares, Sustainment, and Training, Item #0006AH. Can you please expand and define further the request for Desktop maintenance trainer hardware and software?

Answer: Desktop training (also known as computer-based training, virtual training, etc.), as opposed to formal classroom training, benefits operations by reducing travel-for-training for maintenance personnel when suitable training topics are identified.

50. Question: Section 6.4.3 / Section 6.4.4. Section 6.4.3 requires 10 years of revision service for the maintenance manuals. Section 6.4.4 requires 5 years of revision service for the maintenance manuals. Which is correct?

Answer: Ten (10) years of revision service is desired.

51. Question: Section 3- Descriptions/Specifications, 3.7 CLIN 0006 – Spares, Sustainment, and Training, Item #0006AG. Please clarify the required elements for the Manufacturer Maintenance Plan such as time frame, components, maintenance type, etc.

Answer: Provide the respondents available maintenance service programs for engines, avionics, and airframe that establishes compliance with instructions for continuing airworthiness issued by type certificate or supplementary type certificate holders.

52. Question: Section 3- 13 Helicopter shall have a temperature operating range from -40° Celsius to +50° Celsius at sea level. Will an aircraft with a -30° Celsius minimum temperature operating range be acceptable? The lower end of this requirement seems to limit many modern airframes, would NNSA consider altering this requirement to -30C to +50C at sea level?

Answer: Aircraft with an operating range of from -30° Celsius to +50° Celsius at sea level are acceptable.

53. Question: 14. Helicopter shall meet FAA certification requirements for Day Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Single Pilot Operations. Please clarify this requirement as helicopters which meet the performance requirements will be larger aircraft requiring two pilots for type certificated operation.

Answer: Helicopter shall meet FAA certification requirement for Day or Night Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Day or Night Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations. Preference for additional certification of Single Pilot “Day Visual Flight Rules” operations.

54. Question: 78. Helicopter shall have one (1) XM Satellite Weather Information system, or equivalent, interfaced with the EFIS. Please confirm that an airborne weather radar system is an acceptable equivalent and/or that a separate Multi-Function Display (MFD) is acceptable to display the XM Satellite Weather Information.

Answer: See Question #18.

55. Question: It is understood that the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA under the Department of Energy (DOE) will be operating the aircraft described in Solicitation Number 89233121RNA000098 Attachment 1, Section 3 as an FAA Public Use platform reference FAA Advisory Circular 001.1A. The aircraft and systems on the aircraft will use the FAA or military requirements for determining airworthiness. Please confirm this understanding.

Answer: The NNSA use of the aircraft is a declared public mission. The aircraft and systems on the aircraft specified herein and shall meet or exceed FAA certification, and/or meet US Government equivalent requirements, upon possession by NNSA.

56. Question: 3.9 Government Furnished Equipment: The electrical power requirements for the Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) needs to be provided.

Answer: The supplied power requirements for the GFE is 15A at 120 VAC and 50A at 28 VDC. With the current equipment, the normal anticipated power consumption is approximately 1290 Watts at 120 VAC and 870 Watts at 28 VDC.

57. Question: What kind of thermal load does the Government Furnished Equipment produce?

Answer: There is no measured thermal load for the GFE equipment, but it can be calculated from the electrical power consumption.

58. Question: Can the scoring framework be provided?

Answer: Selection of the best value to the Government will be achieved through a process of evaluating and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each Offeror's proposal against the evaluation criteria described below, which are listed in descending order of relative importance: Criterion 1 –Technical Capability/Experience; Criterion 2 – Past Performance;

Criterion 3 – Price.

When combined, Technical Capability/Experience and Past Performance, are significantly more important than price; however, price will contribute substantially to the selection decision.

59. Question: Will Fire Fight mission be conducted with the Government Furnished Detector Equipment installed and operating on the aircraft at the same time?

Answer: The Government Furnished Detector Equipment will be removed from the helicopter when conducting the wildland firefighting mission.

60. Question: What are the power requirements for the TFO station and monitors?

Answer: The power requirements for equipment potentially installed on one console to include a laptop, docking station, monitor, keyboard, router, and RS-501 is approximately 560 W at 28VDC and 570 W at 120 VAC.

61. Question: Section K – should be section 11 on starting on page 72? Seems like a copy and paste gone bad. Can you please confirm?

Answer: You are correct. The reference to “Section K” is a typographical error . The correct reference to “Section 11” is incorporated in Amendment No. 03.

62. Question: Can you provide the specifications for the thermal imager?

Answer: The current aircraft has a MEEKER Aviation mount and cable feed-through used for various optical sensors. Provisions for upgrading to a commercial system with capabilities equivalent to a L3Harris WESCAM MX® -10 EO/IR is desired.

63. Question: Section 3, line 21: Define in more detail search patterns: parallel line, creeping line, and return to point capability.

Answer: A Creeping Line Search is accomplished by first determining a true course between the beginning and end point of an area of interest. The desired track for the left offset of the creeping line is the true course - 90° and the right offset of the creeping line is the true course + 90°. Approach the beginning point from the right side of the search course so the aircraft is established on the left offset creeping line track (true course - 90°) prior to crossing the search course. When the aircraft reaches the desired offset from the true course, perform a turn to intercept the reciprocal track (true course + 90°). Continue this process until the search of the area is completed.

The Parallel Line Search Pattern is a rectangular pattern that traverses a defined path over an area of interest on the ground in a systematic manner with a defined number of parallel legs of equal length. The Parallel Line Search Pattern may begin at any designated waypoint to anchor the corner of the search pattern, and will continue through the route based upon pre-determined parameters to include Initial Waypoint, Number of Legs, Track Spacing, Leg Length, and Initial Leg Track.

A Return to Point, or Sector Search Pattern, is used to search a circular area centered at the datum, or known position of a search object. It is used when the search area is relatively small. The Commence Search Point (CSP), is used as the reference point. An initial search leg of predetermined length is flown outbound from the CSP, followed by a second equal length leg at 120° (usually a right turn) from the initial leg, followed again by an equal length leg at 120° from the second leg, returning to the CSP point. This same pattern is repeated until the circular area has been covered, with each sector returning to the CSP point.

64. Question: Will there be another opportunity to submit additional questions prior to the bid submission? Is it possible to have the question period extended in accordance with the extended response deadline?

Answer: The Questions Due Date of March 17, 2021 remains unchanged. There will not be an additional Question and Answer period for this requirement.

65. Question: General. It would not appear that this procurement would require DCMA participation, is this correct?

Answer: NNSA intends to waive the audit requirements for this procurement.

66. Question: Section 3.2. Will any non-compliances to Mandatory Specifications result in disqualification?

Answer: The Mandatory Specifications will be evaluated to determine the best value for the government. A proposal will be eliminated from further consideration if the proposal is so grossly and obviously deficient as to be totally unacceptable on its face. For example, a proposal will be deemed unacceptable if it does not represent a reasonable initial effort to address itself to the essential requirements of the RFP, or if it clearly demonstrates that the Offeror does not understand the requirements of the RFP. An overall rating of unsatisfactory in one evaluation criterion may also result in elimination of the proposal from further consideration regardless of the rating of the other criteria.

67. Question: 3.3, 0002AA. Is it possible to get a better understanding as to the value of this capability, or how this capability would be helpful to NNSA? Any additional insight would be beneficial.

Answer: This is an extension of the capability of the existing aircraft. It is rarely used by NNSA, which is why it is included as an enhancement, and not a requirement.

68. Question: 3.3, 0002AU. Pilot and Co-pilot seats incorporating direct heating/cooling. This is a unique option that seems like it is brand specific. Is it brand-specific?

Answer: NNSA agrees this is a unique request. This is not a brand-specific option.

69. Question: 3.9. Is the GFE supplied sensor equipment expected to be integrated by the Contractor, or does NNSA intend to do the installation integration separately?

Answer: NNSA will perform the installation integration separately from this procurement.

70. Question: 6.1. Is it an acceptable compromise for one, or both of the aircraft to be delivered beyond the specified 730 day (after receipt of order) stated requirement?

Answer: It is preferred to have both helicopters be delivered within the 730-day requirement. A delivery date beyond the 730-day period for the second helicopter might be negotiated with terms favorable to NNSA.

71. Question: Section 3, CLIN 0001 - Helicopter Base Configuration – Mandatory Specifications Item 96 specifies the helicopter final exterior paint scheme colors. Is there a conceptual drawing for the proposed final exterior paint scheme that will be determined by

NNSA?

Answer: There is not a conceptual drawing for the final paint scheme. However, it is anticipated the helicopter paint scheme will be similar to that used by NNSA on the fixed wing aircraft. A rendering of the NNSA fixed wing paint scheme is provided for reference.