9067 - Questions and Answers - Revisions.pdf

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Procurement Office

605 Suwannee Street, MS 20 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450

Phone: (850) 414-4100

“REVISED” QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS rev. 04/11/25

DATE: April 11, 2025

BID NO.: DOT-ITB-25-9067-CA

BID TITLE: Electromechanical Materials Testing System

OPENING DATE/TIME: April 15, 2025 at 10:00 am (LOCAL TIME)

Notice is hereby given of the following changes to the above-referenced SOLICITATION:

• Questions and Answers provided below:

QUESTION 1

Use of strain gages

a) When strain gages are used, how many are typically used at one time (i.e. How many channels?)

b) Does the Department use 120 or 350 Ohm strain gages?

c) Does the Department already use an HBM Quantum X or similar strain gage connection box, or would they connect directly with a potentiometer? If interested, we have the possibility to integrate the HBM with automatic synchronization of the strain gage readings within the software & test results.

ANSWER 1

The system shall include a compatible extensometer meeting ASTM Practice E83 Class B-2." We do not have the infrastructure to use strain gauges.

QUESTION 2

Specimen grips

a) The ideal grip type for the #2 FRP bars and similar round specimens where the alignment of the axis is critical are body over wedge type grips, ex We can offer mechanical type, and optionally hydraulic type, but not pneumatic as stated in the bid document. Would the Department consider these as alternatives or rather 50 kN parallel closing pneumatic grips without the wedge action, which are not recommended for the application due to the potential for parasitic forces?

ANSWER 2

The #2 composite bars will likely have to be potted in a steel tube with expansion grout as is customary with round composite bars. Mechanical or hydraulic grips are acceptable as long as they are machine actuated. We would like the setup to be easy/convenient for our technicians.

QUESTION 3

Installation site:

a) Preference for tabletop or floor standing (with profile legs for adjustable height)?

b) Voltage access: the stated voltage is not possible (machine takes 230 V); we would include a transformer with the order but cannot use a step-up transformer from 120 V as the current requirement is too high. Does the laboratory have access to a 208 V or 480 V power?

ANSWER 3

a) Slight preference to tabletop, but either is fine.

b) Laboratory has access to 208V 3-phase power

QUESTION 4

Test Frame Physical Dimensions (maximum):

o 45-inch length x 25-inch width (tabletop) o 45-inch length x 30-inch width (floor)

Is this regarding the footprint? Our measurements for this type of machine are listed as Width x Depth x Height, so I am hoping this is regarding length as width and width as depth, but please clarify if you can.

ANSWER 4

These are strictly horizontal dimensions. We have limited space on the table and floor on which to place this equipment. The table is 3 feet high and the ceiling in the room is about 11 feet high, so a floor or table mounted model should have plenty of vertical space.

QUESTION 5

Test Frame Weight:

o Maximum 250 lbs (113 kg) (tabletop)

If I do quote one of our tabletop systems but with a table that we offer which can host a higher weight, is this acceptable? I would be very surprised if there was a 50kN capacity test frame that weighed so little, ours are quite robust but if a tabletop is preferred I can offer a table that can accommodate the weight. I can also quote a floor model as an alternative, it will be quite large though.

ANSWER 5

250 lbs is an estimate based on the approximate weight of other equipment currently seated on the table. It is a standard epoxy countertop supported by a ~16-18 gauge steel frame. We do not know the actual weight capacity of the table but to be safe we do not want to go that much heavier than 250 lbs. Our plans for the room recently changed so we might have space for another table if you want to offer one that you know can carry the weight of the test frame.

QUESTION 6

Electrical:

o Voltage: 120V

Our tabletop 50kN systems are Single Phase, 200-220V and our floor model 50kN systems require Three Phase, 200-220V power. Can this be accommodated?

ANSWER 6 Yes, we can accommodate up to 208 V single or 3-phase.