Attachment 02 - QA from Sources Sought - 5 Jun 2023.pdf

Q: We’re reviewing the specs within the RFP for this project, and I have a quick question. We have standard speaker arrays with wattages including 800, 1600, 2400 and 3200. I am curious why you guys have so many different levels of wattage on your current giant voice and if this has to be specifically replicated, or are we able to acoustically map this out utilizing the existing locations and our siren lineup to provide coverages as requested?

Secondly, I want to be sure, you’re planning to utilize UHF radio frequencies with Encrypted communications correct, not IP?

A: The system design in the past called for the different wattages to provide coverage and intelligible messages. 1 SOCS want coverage of the base with intelligible messages. We are not concerned with the wattages of individual arrays.

This question has been answered previously in an email. There are different wattages because each Giant voice stack is engineered depending on how many speaker stacks there are. If they, the vendor, can do this by acoustically mapping it out then that is fine. They are the system SME/engineers that should provide the best proposal. In regard to the radio frequencies, it is UHF communications and encrypted via the system and not separate keys. We are not using ROIP.

Q: 1.0 SCOPE. The Contractor shall utilize the existing GV system equipment to the maximum extent possible for the required upgrade defined in this SOW.

The highlighted statement appears in conflict to the statement highlighted in section 1.01 below.

A. Updated statement of work

Q: 1.0.1 The new wall-mounted Indoor Controller Unit (ICU) at FAMCAMP is also an important part of this requirement but should be considered an option to this requirement and should not stop the focus of the main effort which is to replace systems on the main Hurlburt installation.

The highlighted statement appears in conflict to the statement highlighted in section 1.0 above.

Should the contractor’s main objective be to utilize existing GV systems or replace the existing systems on the main Hurlburt installation?

A: Table 1 is the key to the project although in every case the pole will be reused and is not specifically called out in table 1 but referred to in 1.0.9. The statement is made to ensure that the project on Hurlburt Field is not stopped due to the inability of the contractor to complete the installation at the Fam Camp.

Q: 1.0.1 The Contractor shall upgrade the Giant Voice System, install new central control communications equipment.

Section 5 of the SOW seems to reference the use of existing Whelen System. Please explain.

A: Table 1 is the key to the project requirements reference on page 8 New Central Communication Unit Equipment and page 9 although I see the reference to the GFE in paragraph 5.0 which is showing what is currently installed at Hurlburt field.

Q: 1.0.2 The Contractor shall provide the upgraded GV system with the reliable, redundant resilient communications over the existing UHF radio frequency repeater communication infrastructure.

What change is there in the requirement for communication over the repeater if successful communication for the Giant Voice System can be provided without a repeater?

A: No change is required. The contractor is to provide a solution to provide Giant Voice announcement coverage as described in the SOO. The contractor must integrate the existing repeater into their design solution.

Q: 1.0.3 The Contractor shall install the fifteen (15) new Siren Control Units (SCUs) and the 15 new APX4500 UHF R1 Enhanced (M22QSS9PW1BN) radios – OR EQUAL- in the upgraded GV system. Throughout this document any reference to APX4500 UHF RI Enhanced radio can be substituted with an “Or Equal”. The existing Government LMR Trunk system is solely based on Motorola brand; however, if a substitute brand will be determined acceptable if compatible with the existing system.

The highlighted statement appears in conflict to information in Table 1 which indicates requirements for ten (10) “New Siren Control Unit” and five (5) “Existing Siren Control Unit”.

Does the customer require 15 new Siren Control Units or 10 New Siren Control Units and five (5) Existing Siren Control Units?

A: Statement of work has been updated to reflect 15 new SCUs.

Q: 1.0.5 The Contractor shall use the existing repeater GTR8000 UHF communication infrastructure to transport voice announcements to the entire base populace including as an option the FAMCAMP area.

Could you clarify the area for voice announcements at Hurlburt Field because it’s expected that a state of the art Giant Voice System could deliver intelligible voice communication without the necessity of a repeater?

A: The repeater is used today as the transport for messaging to the giant voice nodes on Hurlburt Field. 1 SOCS is not aware of any other way of delivering the messaging across the base to the giant voice nodes. The repeater will be integrated into the design solution. See Figure 1: Hurlburt Fields GV System Audible Sound Coverage Requirement for area coverage.

Q: 1.0.6 Are two 60 watt horns required if analysis indicates another solution can be offered?

A: Statement of work has been updated.

Q: 1.0.7 Are 200 watt speakers required if analysis indicates another solution can be offered?

A: Statement of work has been updated.

Q: 1.0.9 The Contractor shall install the new fifteen (15) speaker arrays on the existing 15 wood poles IAW Table 1.

Table 1 references 10 New Siren Control Unit & 5 Existing Control Unit.

A: All speaker arrays will be new on the poles.

Q: 1.0.12 The upgraded GV system shall provide intelligible audible pre-recorded and live voice messages, and electronic communications.

What are the stipulated electronic communications required? Would this be the example broadcasting messages (paragraph 3.2.9.1)?

A: Updated statement of work to reflect “Electronic communications are communications between the central control units and the nodes that will provide status of the nodes (heartbeat, up, down, trouble report) and could provide selective use of the nodes. (one node, multiple, or a group of nodes).”

Q: 1.0.13 The Contractor shall utilize pre- and post- proposal walk through information to analyze the project requirements, sound propagation analysis, perform engineering design tasks, and develop the data deliverables. The design and sound propagation mapping software shall be used to determine and optimize the intelligible audible sound coverage for entire base populace and install enough and correct type of speakers, and horns. See the table 1 and Figure 1. The sound propagation mapping software shall be used to determine the sound travel, environmental attributes of the land, buildings, and the effect on sound travel. This software shall be used to determine the best hardware to utilize and the preferred optimal speakers and locations for the existing poles.

Is the wattage of new speakers listed in table 1 (1200, 1600, 2000, 2400 and 3600 Watts) required for each location?

Could you provide the manufacturer, make and model of the existing siren control units listed in Table 1?

A: Wattage is not a requirement as much as coverage in all situations and environmental conditions.

Whelen part number:

WPS2901 – one speaker, one amp WPS2902 – two speakers, two amps WPS2903 – three speakers, three amps WPS2904 – four speakers, four amps WPS-2905 – five speakers, five amps WPS-2906 – six speakers, six amps WPS-2907 – seven speakers, seven amps WPS-2908 – eight speakers, eight amps WPS2909 – nine speakers, nine amps WPS2910 – ten speakers, ten amps

WPS charger- BC10A – 10A charger

WPS Speaker

SD400

Logic Board

ESC2030

Power Amp 01-0485548-00

Q: 3.1 Outside Plant Requirements.

Is a solution design acceptable that does not require a repeater?

A: No, a design with the repeater is required.

Q: 3.1.7 The Contractor shall not use the existing copper cables (875, 876, 924 and 925) that run from CP B90208 to DCO B90215 to LMR B90365 and will use the existing fiber installed.

Could you clarify the requirement for using existing fiber?

A: Fiber optic cable is used to connect the existing Giant Voice System Central Communications Unit in 90208 ICC to the repeater location in B90365. Building 90365 is where the LMR repeater is located, and the repeater then sends the signals out to the nodes across Hurlburt Field.

Q: 3.1.9 The Contractor shall reuse the existing 5 solar power panels (listed in table 1, pg. 6-9).

Could you provide additional information for the existing solar panels listed in Table 1 including manufacturer, make, model and wattage?

A. Added to statement of work: Whelen SBC280A – WPS Solar Kit

Q: 3.1.18 The Contractor shall remove two existing the central control stations equipment in Primary ICC (B90208) and Emergency Readiness (EOC) (B90056). The existing Whelen Mobile Central Control Unit (MCCU) shall not be reutilized in the GV system upgrade. The Contractor shall remove MCCU and will be turned over to the Government.

Is a new mobile control station required to replace the existing MCCU?

A: No, The existing Whelen Mobile Central Control Unit (MCCU) shall not be reutilized in the GV system upgrade and a new MCCU is not required.

Q: 3.2.5.1 The Contractor shall install fifteen (15) upgraded outdoor SCU enclosures and one (1) ICU enclosures.

All upgraded enclosures shall be rated weatherproof and waterproof NEMA 4X rated.

Could you clarify the specification in Table 1 listing “Existing Siren Control Units”? Please explain the language to clarify the requirements of section 3.2.5.1 “The Contractor shall install fifteen (15) upgraded outdoor SCU enclosures and one (1) ICU enclosures”. The information appears to be in conflict.

A: The contractor will install 16 enclosures in all; 15 outdoor rated enclosures and one indoor rated enclosure. The 15 enclosures will be mounted on the poles. New enclosures are needed because the existing enclosures are not weatherproof. The SCUs are mounted in the enclosures on the poles. Only 10 of the 15 SCUs require replacement as indicated in table 1. Five of the SCUs are reusable in the govts opinion and could be used if the SCU is compatible with the new system. If the new SCUs are not compatible with the new system provided by the contractor, then all 15 would need to be replaced. The ICU is an indoor enclosure that would be installed at the Fam Camp. There is not Giant Voice node at the Fam Camp so this would be a new enclosure.

Q: 3.2.23 Legacy System Removal/Site Restoration/Debris Removal. All equipment and residuals from this project including wiring, conduits and cabling shall be disposed of or handed over to the Defense Realization and Marketing Office (DRMO) at Eglin AFB as directed by the contracting officer and 1 SOCS/BOSP.

Is debris required to be delivered to Eglin AFB as indicated in the highlighted statement of section 3.2.23 above?

A: Yes, they are the DRMO point of presence/POCs.

Q: Figure 1: Hurlburt Fields GV System Audible Sound Coverage Requirement Could you define the requirements for Audible Sound Coverage because the map indicates a perimeter line in red much larger than the circles for the siren locations and there is a text reference for Eglin Air Force Base?

Audible coverage is for the populated areas of Hurlburt Field. The north, northwest, west sides of base near the red perimeter line is range space, woodlands, or unpopulated areas. The circles represent the current configurations and the stack sound coverage.