10kg_Chamber_Industry_Day_Q&As.pdf

Industry Day Questions

10 kg Detonation Chamber Acquisition

FA2487-17-R-0131

Below is the complete list of all relevant questions with the corresponding answers that arose during the industry day discussions for the 10 kg contained detonation chamber acquisition held on 25 April 2017. The questions were compiled, revised for anonymity, and categorized as seen below.

PM/Contract related Questions:

1. When will the BIRSST facility that will house the 10 kg chamber be completed?

- Estimated BIRSST construction completion is fall of 2020 but is subject to change.

2. Elaborate on the efforts that will be required for the vendor constructing the

BIRSST facility, the BIRSST A&E company, and the 10 kg detonation chamber vendor.

- The design specifications for the BIRSST facility will require coordination between the selected construction firm and the 10 kg detonation chamber vendor, through the US Army Corps of Engineers contracting officer representative

(COR), for the sizing and locations of the chamber's required anchors or inbed plates and the joint occupancy period that will be required during chamber installation. Communication throughout the life of the project is considered an important aspect for success of the 10 kg detonation chamber acquisition as stated in the SOW.

3. How will the chamber be inserted into the BIRSST facility? And is there a contractor in mind for the construction of the BIRSST facility?

- The chamber will be inserted into the BIRSST facility through a 24’ (height) x

24’ (width) opening in the exterior side wall of the constructed BIRSST facility with a pit that extends from the chamber area out to beyond the wall opening (see updated draft BIRSST facility drawing posted with these questions/answers). The

BIRST MILCON contractor has not yet been identified but this information will be provided to the chamber vendor after award of both contracts. Coordination will occur between the CORs for both projects.

4. What is the review cycle for the PDR/CDR design reviews in terms of how many days the government needs to review the material beforehand?

- The review cycle is left to the discretion of the vendor and based on industry standards.

5. What is the required number of meetings for PDR/CDR/other required meetings?

- PDR and a pre-installation site visit will be held at the Government facility (Eglin

AFB/local area), CDR will be hosted at the vendor's facility, and any other required meetings should utilize teleconferencing and video conferencing as much as possible/practicable.

6. The 2007 ASME Code referenced appears to be outdated. Should the newer 2015 version be incorporated instead?

- The 2007 version was referenced in currently approved DDESB guidance.

However, if the newer ASME version is adopted by DDESB guidance, the reference will be updated by the Government.

7. Will the LANL chamber design mentioned in the SOW be provided to the vendors?

- No, the LANL chamber design will not be provided to the vendors for this effort since it is proprietary information and is not needed since the chamber design requirements are specified in the SOW.

8. Will a vendor site visit to LANL be supported by the Government?

- The government will not host or facilitate a site visit to the LANL facility. Please note that if a site visit by the vendor is arranged and held (independent of the

Government), the Government will not cover any travel costs or any other associated costs with that site visit.

9. Is the vendor responsible for the installation of the chamber? Is the vendor also responsible for providing all equipment involved in the delivery and installation effort?

- The contractor is fully responsible for all chamber installation/delivery/integration efforts as required and stated by the SOW.

10. Does the Government envision one or multiple training sessions for the 10 kg detonation chamber?

- The number of training sessions depends on the vendor's technical solution but extensive training is not envisioned. The Government anticipates that all required government personnel who will be trained on the chamber will be available for the planned training session(s) (multiple repeated training sessions will not be required).

11. What format do the manuals need to be in?

- The manuals need to be in the format required by the DDESB certification standards. The format should enable the Government to use and follow with ease.

12. When will the RFP be released and when will the contract award be made?

- The tentative time frame for RFP release is early summer 2017 and the tentative time frame for the contract award is early fall 2017.

13. Section L mentioned oral presentations will be conducted. Please explain.

- This is a typographical error. No oral presentations will be made, only written proposals will be accepted.

14. Section L mentions paragraph 10 which provides information on early proposal submissions. However, Attachment 1 does not have a paragraph 10.

- This is a typographical error. The early proposal information is contained in

Attachment 1 and will be corrected in the final RFP.

15. Can vendors submit early past performance information?

- Yes, vendors may submit early past performance information.

16. Is there a program budget for this effort?

- Yes, there is a program budget for this effort.

17. If the vendor submits early past performance information will the vendor be able to get feedback (early)?

- No, vendors will not get early feedback on early past performance information submissions.

18. Will there be different weights given for more recent vs. later past performance instances? Will a past performance effort that is from 2 years ago be weighed higher than a past performance instance 29 years ago?

- No, there will not be more or less weight given based on recency of the past performance instance. The past performance will either meet or not meet the recency requirement as stated in Section L.

19. Will time and materials be considered for the onsite support CLIN?

- Time and materials will not likely be considered for the onsite support CLIN.

Technical questions:

1. Is the building/chamber test cell exhaust system a requirement under the 10 kg detonation chamber effort?

- No, the design for the exhaust system already exists and will already be installed for the chamber to integrate into. The chamber contractor is responsible for providing the blast-rated exhaust valve and plumbing that connects to the building exhaust system. Similarly, sensors used to monitor the status of the exhaust valve/system must be provided by the contractor and connected to the building’s interlock/logic controller.

2. Is a manifold inlet/outlet required for the exhaust?

- The use of a manifold is the vendor’s discretion (if applicable to the vendor’s approach). Note that there is a requirement for maximum flow noise in the SOW.

3. Where will the controls be for the 10 kg detonation chamber?

- The vendor will be responsible for providing controls for the door to the chamber

(may be hydraulic, electrohydraulic) and also for the sensors that provide information to the system (inputs/outputs) as stated in the SOW.

4. Explain the anticipated loading/unloading process of the 10 kg detonation chamber via a ramp and whether a sub-floor will be needed for the aforementioned process.

- It is currently anticipated that a fill-in pit will be available for the loading/unloading of the chamber. However, the amount of filling needed is not specified at this time as it will depend on the threshold of the door.

5. Will vacuum pumps be included in the requirement?

- No, it will be a separate system and the BIRSST’s vacuum piping is already included in the design of the building. Connecting the chamber to the building vacuum system is the responsibility of the contractor. (For an updated design of the facility, submit a request to 1Lt Turner Walton at turner.walton.1@us.af.mil, and a copy will be provided via the AMRDEC SAFE site).

6. How many penetrations are for visual purposes, for illumination purposes, and for diagnostic purposes?

- There will be six (6) optical ports for experimental diagnostics, four (4) optical ports for illumination purposes, and 6 ports for diagnostic (e.g., cables) purposes

(these requirements are stated in the SOW). The number of optical ports will not increase in numbers beyond what is required in the SOW and there is some flexibility on the illumination optical port locations.

7. Does the Government require the visual and illumination ports (penetrations) be covered from the inside?

The optical ports (visual and illumination) coverings utilization is left to the vendor's discretion. However, there is a requirement for metal blanks that can be installed in place of the windows.

8. Is there some leeway on the 4 man hours with handheld power tools (SOW paragraph 3.2.1.6.2) for the individual fragment shields?

- The requirement for 4 man hours per fragment shield is firm. However, lifting equipment may be used (this requirement will be clarified in the SOW). Vendors shall note that the proposed approach shall be tested, proven, and approved by the

Government. Furthermore, the vendor shall train the Government on how to employ the proposed approach.

9. Are there any surplus (sparing) requirements for fragment shields or optical windows?

- Currently, the Government intends on requiring fragment shields and optical windows that are necessary for the design, test, validation, and completion of the vessel (delivery). Any sparing requirements for fragment shields will be clarified by the Government if needed at finalization of the SOW.

mailto:turner.walton.1@us.af.mil

10. Where will the testing be conducted?

- DDESB testing/validation/provision of data is the vendor's responsibility which needs to be completed prior to delivery of chamber to Eglin AFB. Testing includes fragmentation, blasts, and thermal as required by referenced DDESB guidance in the SOW.

11. Will the chamber foundation/support structure be provided by the BIRSST

MILCON contractor?

- Yes, the MILON contractor will provide the chamber foundation but any supporting structure specific to the chamber (such as a saddle) is the responsibility of the chamber vendor.

12. Are the chamber to building interface connections required to be provided by the vendor?

- Although the BIRSST facility will have building systems and resident piping to accommodate chamber exhaust, vacuum, and drainage, the chamber vendor will need to connect to each of these systems as stated in the SOW.

13. Please clarify the SOW paragraph 3.3.7 requirement (ASME Boiler and Pressure

Vessel code)?

- The vendor is required to meet/comply with the applicable DDESB requirements and documents referenced in the SOW.

14. What is the DDESB reporting requirement?

- The Government's requirement is to have the vendor supply all necessary testing and resultant data to obtain DDESB approval. The Government will facilitate the approval process with the provided data from the vendor.

15. 3.1.3 Request site plan/information for delivery planning?

- The BIRSST design is 95% complete. Updated drawings of the BIRSST will be provided in the RFP to clarify the installation requirement. The chamber will need to be installed after the majority of the building construction is complete through an approximately 24’ x 24’ opening at the end of the test cell. The chamber will be installed in a pit similar to those shown in the draft RFP drawings with the notable exception that the updated/final pit design will extend all the way outside the building through the removable end wall of the test cell. The chamber would need to be rolled into the building using rigging provided by the contractor. The vendor is also responsible for anchoring the chamber to the floor. A site layout around the BIRSST will also be provided in the RFP to illustrate where semi-trucks and cranes may be located during installation.

16. 3.1.3 What building access is available to install chamber?

- See response to Question #15

17. 3.2.1.1 Define zone or point of location for 10 kg shot?

- Well-defined volumes where charges of specific mass may be located will be provided in the final RFP.

18. 3.2.1.2, Do each of the charge weights and positions for a safe detonation require similar analysis for 10,000 shot fatigue life? Are the fatigue life calculations only for the 10 kg charge, or should they account for the smaller charges as well?

- Fatigue calculations should be conducted at smaller charges as well as 10 kg charges unless an alternate analysis approach approved by DDESB can be defined. The number of charge weights that must be considered will be modified in the final RFP. The volumes where each charge weight may be located will be clearly defined.

19. 3.2.1.3, What level does the vacuum test start at (results will be different if starting from 99.99 mTorr or 0.01 mTorr)?

- The vacuum requirement should be satisfied by a test initialized at 50mTorr.

20. 3.2.1.5, How is the ramp removed? Is it hydraulic, automated, etc.?

- The ramp should be automated with hydraulic actuation if its weight exceeds

100lbs.

21. 3.2.1.6, How many tests does the shield need to last at this threat level?

- Fragment shields should defeat two worst-case, direct fragment impacts at the same location.

22. 3.2.1.6, In the appendix you have followed classical design guide hand calculations for the design fragment loading. However, a characteristic fragment shape associated with this design data is not specified. What is the specified fragment shape associated with the specified fragment shape parameters?

- The classical design calculations should not be used as the basis for design.

Rather, the fragment shape and mass for the worst-case threat identified in the appendix should be calculated by the vendor and used in the analysis.

23. 3.2.1.6, The “cylindrical expansion test” results in a predictable fragment spray pattern. Is there a requirement to provide equal fragment protection on all surfaces of the chamber (such as directly overhead)? This will affect paragraph 3.2.1.6.2 and the next question.

- Equal fragment protection should be provided on all surfaces of the chamber.

24. 3.2.1.6, Should we assume the redacted fragments from spreadsheet are not the control design load?

- The redacted fragments are not relevant to this chamber acquisition.

25. 3.2.1.6.2, Is there a weight limit on individual fragment shields? Can lifting equipment be used?

- If the weight limit exceeds 100lbs (50lbs per person), lifting equipment will be required and must be provided by the vendor. The vendor will also have to train the users to install shielding using the required equipment.

26. 3.2.2.1, SOW says 25.0 ft length, the drawing shows 19’ 8 5/16”

- SOW 3.2.2.1 defines the maximum allowable. The drawing shows a representative configuration that would satisfy the requirement. Note that the dimensions must also satisfy the spacing constraints for the room provided in

3.2.2.6 and 3.2.2.7

27. 3.2.2.5, How will the chamber be installed? Recent phone call from Eglin said building may be near completion, option of crane? Roll in pit? Etc.?

- Please see the answer to Question #15

28. 3.2.2.8, Clarify “securely anchored” how? What loads? What defines “secure”?

Seismic? Will studs be provide? Can we drill into floor?

- Secure implies that the chamber anchors satisfy DoD 6055.09 and MIL-STD-

398A. The chamber must not shift during operations, to include detonations and moving items into or out of the chamber with a forklift. Installation of anchors is the vendor’s responsibility and must be coordinated with the MilCon building contractor. With regard to seismic specifications, the chamber shall be designed to resist the seismic requirements from Chapter 13, American Society of Civil

Engineers Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-

10). Maximum considered earthquake spectral response accelerations are Ss=0.09 and S1=0.05. The soil site class is D. The component importance factor is 1.50.

29. 3.2.3.1, Are there surface finish (non-skid/trip hazard) requirements?

- The design should eliminate tripping hazards since it will be an explosive working area but there are no specific requirements for non-skid floors.

30. 3.2.3.2, Does “2 people” apply here as well? Does “handheld power tools” apply here as well? What weight limit? Can lifting equipment be used?

- Up to 4 people may be involved in floor replacement. Weight limit shall not exceed 50lbs per person. Lifting equipment may be utilized but must be provided by the vendor if required.

31. 3.2.4.4, How many tests does the shield need to last at this threat level?

- See the answer to question #21.

32. 3.2.4.4.1, What weight limit? Can lifting equipment be used?

- If weight limit exceeds 50lbs per person, lifting equipment should be provided by the contractor.

33. 3.2.4.5, 1000 shots at what TNT load?

- 1000 shots at the 10 kg design condition.

34. 3.2.5.2.1 – 3.2.5.2.4, Are these window materials/items vendor provided, or GFE? If

GFE, can vendor provide design requirements (dimensions, manufacturing processes, thermal/finish treatments, etc.)?

- Not GFE. Design requirements for optical port materials should be specified by the vendor. The materials outlined are defined based on user requirements. Each of the listed materials should be fully designed and tested for DDESB certification.

35. 3.2.5.3.1 – 3.2.5.3.2, Are these window blank materials/items vendor provided, or

GFE? If GFE, can vendor provide design requirements (dimensions, manufacturing processes, thermal/finish treatments, etc.)?

- Not GFE. Design requirements should be specified by the vendor.

36. 3.2.5.3.3, Is this custom flex cable window blank subject to vacuum test requirements with the flex cable installed?

- No. Details of the flex cable will be updated and provided to the vendors.

37. 3.2.7.1, Clearly define how many shots are represented by “repeated” (2?) and at what TNT load?

- In general, the inlet/exhaust ports are part of the chamber system and must function over the lifetime of the chamber. Major service for the inlet/exhaust ports should not be required more frequently than once every 500 shots or every 2 years. Major service is any operation that requires disassembling the valves or requires more than 8hrs to complete.

38. 3.2.8.1, How many drains? Is there a requirement for a blast resistant valve in the floor drain? Or can a removable cover be placed over the drains and screwed to the floor?

- We anticipate only a single drain but the vendor may recommend more if appropriate. A removable cover is acceptable. Note that the drains must be connected for gravity feed into the building sump system using open piping (no explosive residue in closed piping systems). This requirement will be clarified in the SOW.

39. 3.2.8.2, What size explosive particulate must be captured? What liquid flow rate is required?

- This requirement will be removed as it has been transferred to the facility filtration system.

40. 3.3.8.3, At what TNT loading?

- The full 10 kg load.

41. 3.3.9.2 and 3.3.10.1, How many tests are required, just a single proof test?

- Sufficient testing to satisfy the requirements of DoD 6055.09 and achieve DDESB certification.

42. 3.4.2, How will the chamber be installed (overhead crane, roll in pit, etc.)?

- See response to Question #15.

43. 3.4.2.3, For costing purposes, what construction activities will be performed after installation (how much protection is required)?

- The rear wall of the BIRSST will be installed, no chamber protection will be required after installation.

44. 3.4.4, Is this an optional cost or part of the bid?

- This should be bid as an option.

45. 3.4.6, How much notice will be provided for us to arrive “onsite”? Do we need someone stationed at Eglin? Will each visit be one week?

- At least two weeks notice will be provided and no one needs to be stationed at

Eglin. Each visit will not exceed 1 week in duration.

46. The appendix shows calculations requiring approximately 1-inch thick steel fragment plate. If the plate is to be lifted and installed by 2 people, it will limit the size of each plate, especially if overhead fragment protection is provided.

- This is correct. Lifting equipment may be utilized but must be provided by the contractor if required.