Armory Storage Lift Q and A - 02 July 2024.docx

QUESTION 01: Vertical Photos Eyes are called out on this requirement. From my understanding, please validate that Vertical Photo Eyes are required and serve as a safety feature on Vertical Lifts units ensuring that the trays are properly seated in the storage location thereby preventing the extractor from accidentally hitting the tray. If the tray is not fully seated the extractor will not move any tray until the Vertical Safety Eye is cleared. This is a safety feature that protects the tray and its contents from being damaged in case the tray did not seat properly. Is this an accurate statement and requirement?

RESPONSE: Yes

QUESTION 02: As this is a turn-key project are all electric costs for power runs to be included in the installation?

RESPONSE: Yes, electrical costs should be included in the installation

QUESTION 03: Please validate that power requirements are 480/3 phase?

QUESTION 04: Please verify that weapon cradles will be required and to set the individual weapons into the tray. The cradles will be made from hard plastic or similar extruded materials and are to be included into the cost of the system to position and hold the weapons in the trays?

RESPONSE: Yes the cradles are required

QUESTION 05: “I was reviewing the standards for the 3 VLMs for Building 777 and had a question regarding the width. Our VLMs are American made in Ohio, but I did have a question regarding the width of the units. Our width is a little wider, but we can store 53 weapons in each tray increasing the total capacity of the 3 VLMs to 2,703. Please review the following comments in green.

Would our option 2 for the MLD model be acceptable to the end user?”

RESPONSE 06: Based on current warehouse configuration VLM maximum width must be less than 158.69”

QUESTION: Maximum Unit Width: 156.69” (+/-) 2” – we have two options for width

Option one: our MXD Model vertical lift is 138.46” wide Option two: our MLD Model vertical lift is 177.83” wide Please confirm which lift width is acceptable for submitting

RESPONSE 07: Option MXD is acceptable width, not MLD

QUESTION 08: Maximum Unit Depth: 120.98” (+/-) 2”- we have a unit depth of 124.61”.

Confirm the difference of 3.63” is ok. We can install four (4) Vertical Lifts within the 760” room dimension. So, this shouldn’t be an issue.

RESPONSE: This difference in depth is not an issue

QUESTION 09: Optimal Tray Size: 143.7” Width x 34” Depth –The bid specification is calling out a vertical lift tray that is 143.7” x 34” which provides 33.929 square feet of tray.

Our vertical lift Model: ML50D has a tray size of: 161.41” x 33.74” = 37.81 square feet per tray (+3.89 square feet more per tray)

Is this ok since it our tray is slightly larger?

Please know that we can install the three (3) vertical lifts within the 760” room dimension and we can add a four lift as projected for the future, with in the 760”.

RESPONSE: The MLD model is too wide for current warehouse configuration

QUESTION 10: Maximum Unit Capacity: 22,617 lbs. – our vertical lift provides a unit capacity of 18,739 lbs.

Example: Each firearm is 3.01 kg which is 6.61 lbs. each. We can store 53 firearms in one tray x 6.61 lbs. for a total of weight of 350.33 lbs. in each tray. 350.33 lbs. of firearms minus 1,102 lbs. tray capacity = 751.67 lbs. added weight capacity.

So, even though our overall capacity is less the firearms do not exceed our structural unit capacity, in fact there is 751.67 lbs. extra per tray!

RESPONSE: Those specifications are acceptable

QUESTION 11: Maximum Lifting Speed: 157.50 ft/min- our vertical lift speed and exceeds this specification.

QUESTION 12: Maximum Access Time: 39 second- our maximum speed for tray delivery is 28 seconds.

QUESTION 13: Usable Cubic Feet of Storage per Storage Unit: 344 -We offer 680 cubic feet of storage per Unit. 336 more square feet per vertical lift unit.

QUESTION 14: Automatic Security Shutter Door -We offer an automatic power closing door, so we meet this requirement.

QUESTION 15: Combat Weapon Storage Systems had another question, “will there be any pistols or other weapons required to be stored with the M4s?”

RESPONSE: Potentially in the future, M18s may be stored

QUESTION 16: “On the Requirement information, it shows a quantity of 1 VLM. In the SOW, it shows a quantity of 3 VLMs.

Is your plan to do one VLM now and two more latter, or would you like us include an option of 3 VLMs now where I could reduce the installation cost with the team doing everything at the same time?

RESPONSE: We require 3 VLM’s.

QUESTION 17: “What is the exact length of the M4s being stored? This is important to note for how the weapons are stored in the trays.

RESPONSE: 33”

QUESTION 18: Are you able to provide pictures of the ceiling space above where the machines will go?

QUESTION 19: In addition to the lights, are there any pipes that are in the way above the designated storage areas?

RESPONSE: Yes there are, but not within the specified height requirements outlined

QUESTION 20: What is the sprinkler height from floor to sprinkler?

RESPONSE: The sprinkler is located higher than the maximum height outlined

QUESTION 21: The Army is currently in the process of transitioning from the M4 to the XM7 battle rifle. Should the Air Force do the same, this weapon may not fit inside of the trays in the same manner. Does the unit want to space to allow for modification to store XM7s in the future? XM is the Next Generation Battle Rifle.

RESPONSE: Negative

QUESTION 22:

2.2 Standards

***All units must be modular construction, built up from the inside to allow for easy height upgrades This specification is manufacturer specific and does not impact height upgrades. Built from the inside is unnecessary, but possible. It has nothing to do with how easy it is for height upgrades.

QUESTION 23:** We uses a Chain driven system and our competitors use a belted tooth drive system. This language of “Chain driven systems are not acceptable” appears to be language directly from our competitors with the only intent to be to exclude us from competition on this project, rather than provide extra value to the end user. Belt systems will typically be cheaper on front end cost; however, they will require additional service/replacements at fixed intervals which will add unplanned costs and maintenance throughout the life of the machine. As mentioned we use a chain system which is designed to last the lifetime of the machine with no adjustments necessary. Chains are pre-stressed and permanently lubricated with a dry wax lubricant.

RESPONSE: Chains or belts are acceptable

QUESTION 24: There is no additional value to requiring a central extractor guidance system other than to exclude us from competition because we use a 4-chain driven system. The 4-chain drive system and supports the vertical extractor on all 4 corners vs. others who only support the extractor on a center rail on each side.The 2-point center rail system can lead to tilting or skewing of the extractor and shelf, especially when loads are not evenly distributed.

RESPONSE: Either system is fine

QUESTION 25:*** Automatic Security Shutter Door This is not a required feature for our System because we do not use the toothed belt drive system. This feature is in place on the belt drive system to mitigate damage to the belt drive system if the light curtains are tripped inadvertently while the extractor is moving. This feature adds approximately 6 seconds to each storage or retrieval access. Since we use a chain, even if the safety light curtains are tripped moving at full speed, there is no fear of damage because the chains are more robust. We do provide a sliding door at the front access point that con be closed and locked when the machine is not in use.

RESPONSE: This feature is not a necessity

QUESTION 26: ***An operator station shall be provided that is easy to use, to store/retrieve stored parts. This can be a pendant or other easy to use keyboard/operator station. The system shall have soft starts and stops. The operator work surface height shall be approximately 33 inches and have the ability to accommodate maximum media storage of 28.75” The end user is storing M4s that are larger than this dimension. As the weapons will be stored laid down and not vertically this dimension requirement for access opening is unnecessary.

RESPONSE: There are no specific dimension requirements for the access opening

QUESTION 27: ***The VLM must be equipped with 143.7” W x 34” D Trays The size of the tray should be dependent on the capacity of the weapons being stored and not a manufacturer specific size.

RESPONSE: Those specific dimensions are not required but were suited to meet the storage capacity of ~2.3K M4s within 3 VLMs

QUESTION 28: ***Vertical Lift trays should be held in the access opening by means of the extractor chain hold system. The hold system must lock the tray in the workstation so that it does not move during product loading or unloading.

This is another proprietary specification. We secure the trays in the access opening for operator safety.

RESPONSE: As long as the trays are secured, those specifications are acceptable

QUESTION 29: ***The contactor must ensure the equipment complies with “Power-operated mobile racking and shelving, carousels and storage lifts” and has been tested and certified by TÜV (Technical Observation & Control), a USA NRTL.

This specification is proprietary to a specific manufacturer. Any International NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) should be acceptable.

RESPONSE: Yes, any International NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) should be acceptable

QUESTION 30: ***Unit must have a built-in service ladder.

This is an unnecessary requirement. Our units have all appropriate safety features for service inside the units.”

RESPONSE: End-user must have manual override/access capabilities. The built in service ladder was required in this regard.