Q and A For Nitrogne Generator 17 Sep (Amendment 3).docx

Q&A

FA466126A0078

Containerized Nitrogen Generator System

1. The requirement is described as a “containerized” system, while Item 0001.1 permits a skid-mounted or trailer-mounted system. Will the Government accept any of these configurations, or must the skid or trailer be housed within a weather-resistant enclosure?-

a. Any of the options will be considered acceptable

2. Item 0001 / 0001.1: Must the unit be totally containerized (i.e. fully enclosed)? Or is an open design allowed, such as a skeletonized container or a skid with no sides/roof?—

a. Fully enclosed

3. For the maximum dimensions of 156 inches long by 78 inches wide by 74 inches high:-

a. we would prefer skid, but if its trailer it would not be including the hitch, the axle must be able to support the proposed equipment, normal clearance for trailers

4. Salient Characteristics 0001.6 identifies a maximum system footprint of 156" L x 78"W x 74" H. Please confirm whether these dimensions are mandatory pass/fail requirements or represent the Governments preferred installation envelope.-

a. This is considered a maximum, it is ok to be a smaller size, but larger sizes will need to be evaluated. Anything larger you must provide exact specs on quote the unit as a whole because it must be able to fit area in which the older unit’s was removed from

5. Salient Characteristics 0001.6 identifies a maximum system footprint of 156" L x 78"W x 74" H. Please confirm whether these dimensions are mandatory pass/fail requirements or represent the Governments preferred installation envelope.-

a. This is considered a maximum, it is ok to be a smaller size, but larger sizes will need to be evaluated. Anything larger you must provide exact specs on quote the unit as a whole because it must be able to fit area in which the older unit’s was removed from

6. Are these overall dimensions, including the trailer tongue, wheels, fenders, accessories, and exhaust components?

a. This will be as a whole assembly. Variances are small but will be acceptable if it will fit within the limits of the pad.?

b. if its trailer it would not be including the hitch or other components.

7. If a trailer-mounted system is proposed, must it be highway towable and DOT compliant?

a. No, the trailer will be parked and kept in one spot.

8. Are there maximum axle-load or ground-clearance requirements?

a. Axle load must be able to support the Full compressor weight// must have the traditional cargo trailer being no less than 12 in.

9. Please confirm whether the minimum output requirement is 26 SCFM at 95.5% nitrogen purity and identify what is required to be adjustable: nitrogen purity, flow rate, discharge pressure or all three.

a. This must be the minimum and or adjusted to this pressure and nitrogen purity.

10. What process value must be adjustable: flow rate or purity? What is the required adjustment range?-

a. Flow rate not purity- no required range just the requested pressure

11. Must the system continuously produce at least 26 SCFM for the complete 24-hour uninterrupted operating period or is the 24-hour requirement based on an identified operating or fill cycle?-

a. Yes with 24 hrs of full spec operation.

12. Please clarify the 900 SCF onboard storage requirement:-

a. This must be the minimum on board storage do to the constant use.

13. Is 900 SCF the minimum total storage capacity measured at standard conditions?

a. Yes, min

14. What storage-vessel pressure and pressure rating are required?

a. Full OSHA rating

15. Is there a required number or configuration of storage vessels?

a. We need it in one vessel

16. Must the storage vessels be ASME coded and stamped?-

a. yes

17. Item 0001.7: Please confirm the overall 5000lb weight limit; a typical 13' container alone weighs 3500+ lbs.

a. Correction 15000LB total

18. Salient Characteristics 0001.7 states the system shall not exceed 5,000 lbs. Please confirm whether this limitation applies to the Nitrogen Generator only, or to the complete installed system to include storage cylinders & storage racks.

a. correction 15000LB total

19. The requirements specify a minimum storage pressure of 500 PSIG and minimum discharge pressure of 400 PSIG. Please confirm the required operating-pressure ranges and whether the system must maintain the minimum discharge pressure while delivering the full 26 SCFM output.-

a. Yes, storage can be 400 PSI, must maintain the pressure while delivering 26 SCFM

20. Item 0001.8: Is the 900 SCF requirement for total storage volume, or usable storage volume above 400 PSIG?

a. Total volume

21. Will Government representatives witness the test?

a. Not at facility-at delivery location will be at the companies dime for transport

22. What written test procedure, instrumentation, calibration requirements and acceptance criteria will apply?

a. A written statement or record of results documented? The test will include-Constant running for 8 hrs, min of 26 SCFM at 95.5% nitrogen purity, no leaks of hoses or storage tank

23. 5.) Please clarify the acceptance criteria associated with the requirement for uninterrupted operation over a 24 hour period. Is operations at full production rate and specified purity required during this test?

a. Just for the first 8 hrs

24. Salient Characteristics 0002 states that unit acceptance testing will be operated for 8 hours, meeting all production specifications at Simpro's facility. Please confirm that this acceptance Testing location shall be acceptable at the OEM location prior to shipment to Dyess AFB for final install, commissioning, and training and unit acceptance. Is Simpro an intended manufacturer or a Government-designated testing facility? Is use of Simpro’s facility mandatory for all offerors? Where is the facility located? Will Government representatives witness the test?

a. Salient characteristics have been updated to remove the RED LINED: testing will be operated for 8 hours meeting all production specifications without issue. Preliminary testing will be required for system adjustments and tuning. Testing will be at Simpro’s facility.

b. Preliminary testing should be completed by the manufacture prior to arrival, this is required for system adjustments and fine tuning, prior to delivery. Testing and acceptance by the unit will be conducted at the unit after setup and before training

25. Who is responsible for testing-related transportation and travel costs?

a. Travel cost can be included into the training Clin 0004.

26. Please provide any available site or interface drawings identifying:-

a. No photos will be provided, but this is an open concrete slab, the spot we have set aside is wide open, the asset needs to fit in the spot we designated we can accept a smaller dimension.

· Equipment placement area Open concrete pad – indoors

· Electrical connection location it will be placed adjacent to the wall, but Government will accept 8-12 feet of cord.

· Required electrical disconnect and connector – electrical is direct connect and there is a breaker on the wall

· Grounding requirements -No grounding requirement

· Nitrogen discharge connection – 480 VAC, 3-phase, 60 Hz electrical connection- we have a box- they will have to connect to the box. It need to be 26 scfm continuously

· Anchoring points – No

· Required clearances – None that we think are applicable

· Site access and offloading limitations – None that we know of, but you will be escorted and have to have a base pass, Site is available to access from a vehicle.

27. For the specified 480 VAC, three-phase, 60 Hz service, please provide the available amperage, connector/receptacle specification and whether the contractor must furnish the power cable, disconnect, transformer or other electrical-interface equipment.-

a. current Air compressor will be removed with 480VAC power available.

28. Salient Characteristics 0001.2 states the system shall provide 26 SCFM @95.5% nitrogen and be adjustable. Please clarify whether adjustable refers to the nitrogen purity, production rate, discharge pressure, or all of the above

a. discharge of 26 SCFM

29. Please identify the required environmental operating and storage conditions, including temperature range, humidity, altitude, rain, wind, dust and corrosion exposure. Please also confirm whether the system will be operated or stored outdoors.

a. Stored in doors, in an Aircraft hanger out of the elements b.

30. 3.) Install location: Will the nitrogen generation system be installed indoors or outdoors

a. Indoors in a hanger

31. Please identify all applicable safety and certification requirements, including ASME pressure-vessel certification, UL or NRTL electrical certification, NFPA requirements, OSHA requirements and DOT requirements for a trailer-mounted configuration.-

a. Must meet all specs and OSHA standards for a compress in a hanger.

32. Please clarify the scope of “onsite installation.” Specifically, is the contractor responsible for:

· Offloading and rigging- yes

· Foundation or concrete-pad preparation- no

· Anchoring no

· Electrical work Yes- just connection

· Piping and hose connections Yes- just connection

· Startup and commissioning- yes of the device

· Site-acceptance testing- just of the unit

· Removal and disposal of packing materials- yes

33. Please confirm the number of personnel to be trained, hours of training required per day, required curriculum and whether the contractor must provide printed or electronic student materials and completion certificates.-

a. Training Three members for One 8-hr day

34. The RFQ pricing schedule contains CLINs 0001 through 0005, while Attachment 1 contains Items 0001 through 0006 and identifies training as Item 0005 and warranty as Item 0006. Should offerors provide six separately priced line items, or include training and warranty within the five RFQ line items?

a. 5 line item total

b. The RFQ has been updated to include “Delivery, Onsite, installation, and testing, and Training (IAW salient Characteristics)”

35. Please confirm whether the desired 120-calendar-day schedule includes equipment delivery, installation, startup, site-acceptance testing and completion of the three-day training. –

a. Physical delivery within 120 is what the Government Desires but is negotiable based on market demands. Please provide a clear estimation of the delivery date and training.

b. Onsite installation testing and training need to be started within 14 days after delivery.

c. Acceptance after testing is complete

36. If the manufacturer cannot complete all activities within 120 calendar days, the RFQ states that the schedule is negotiable. Please confirm that an offer proposing a longer, clearly stated delivery schedule will remain eligible for award.- yes the schedule is adjustable on the initial quote,

37. Would the Government consider an alternative manufacturing/delivery schedule of approximately 6–8 months ADC if the proposed system otherwise meets all technical requirements? Yes.

38. Are there required warranty-response times, on-site service requirements, preventive-maintenance visits or minimum spare parts and consumables that must be included in the firm-fixed price? No preventive maintenance or spare parts requirement

39. What is the intended application/end purpose of the high-pressure nitrogen generation system? service and build aircraft tires

40. Will the U.S. Military / U.S. Department of Defense be the ultimate end user and owner/operator of the equipment? USAF is the ultimate owner/operator of the equipment

Amendment 3:

Additional Q&A

1. Nitrogen Flow / Purity: Please confirm the required minimum production capacity of 26 SCFM @ 95.5% N₂. Is 95.5% the minimum purity, or is the purity required to be adjustable?

a. See answer # 9

2. Operating Pressure: Is the system required to continuously deliver 26 SCFM at 400 PSIG, or does the 400 PSIG requirement apply only to the booster discharge?

a. Needs to maintain a minimum of 26SCFM at 400 PSIG at at all times.

3. 900 SCF Storage: Must the full 900 SCF onboard storage be integrated into the same skid/trailer and included within the specified dimensions and weight?

a. See answer #17

4. Size / Weight: Are 156"L × 78"W × 74"H and 5,000 lb absolute limits for the complete package, including compressor, membranes, booster, storage, controls and skid/trailer?

a. See answer #3 and #5

5. 24-Hour Operation: Does the minimum 24-hour continuous operation requirement mean continuous nitrogen production at the specified flow and pressure for the full 24 hours?

a. See answer #11

6. Acceptance Test: Please clarify who Simpro is in the process, where the facility is located, and whether the supplier is responsible for transporting the completed unit there for the required 8-hour acceptance test.

a. See answer #24

7. Certifications: Are there any additional U.S./DoD codes or certifications required for the pressure vessels, electrical equipment, skid/trailer or other major components?

a. Must meet all ANSI and OSH standards

8. Country of Origin: Please confirm whether there are any specific country-of-origin restrictions applicable to the proposed equipment beyond the FAR/DFARS requirements contained in the solicitation.

a. None outside the FAR/DFAR

9. Installation Scope: Please clarify what is expected under onsite installation at Dyess AFB, including available electrical connection, site utilities/interfaces, and responsibility for final commissioning and acceptance. #16 and #32

10. Delivery Schedule: The RFQ indicates a desired delivery/installation within 120 days ADC, while also identifying the delivery schedule as negotiable. Our preliminary estimated manufacturing and delivery lead time would be approximately 6–8 months. Would this alternative delivery schedule be acceptable for Government consideration?

a. See answer #36

11. Operating Pressure / Flow: The requirement specifies a minimum flow rate of 26 SCFM @ 95.5% nitrogen, minimum storage pressure of 500 PSIG, and minimum discharge pressure of 400 PSIG. Is the system required to continuously deliver 26 SCFM at 400 PSIG, or does the 400 PSIG requirement apply specifically to the booster discharge?

a. See answer # 9

12. 24-Hour Continuous Operation: The requirement states that the self-generating nitrogen cart must operate without interruption for a minimum of 24 hours. Does this require continuous nitrogen production at the specified 26 SCFM flow and 400 PSIG discharge pressure for the full 24 hours?

a. See answer #11

13. Simpro Acceptance Testing: Please identify Simpro, provide the location of the facility where the required 8-hour acceptance testing will occur, and confirm whether the contractor is responsible for transporting the completed unit to/from the Simpro facility.

a. See answer #24

14. Codes / Certifications: Are there any specific ASME, DOT, UL/NRTL, NFPA, DoD, Air Force, pressure-vessel, electrical, or trailer/skid certifications required for the complete system or its major components beyond the requirements already incorporated into the solicitation?

a. See answer #16 Must meet all OSHA and ANSI standards with the ASME stamp

15. Onsite Installation / Utilities: Please clarify the expected onsite installation and commissioning scope at Dyess AFB. Will the Government provide the required 480 VAC, 3-phase, 60 Hz electrical connection and any other necessary site utilities/interfaces, or should these be included in the contractor's scope?

a. There is a power box on the wall with a shut-off switch, the contractor will connect to the box. Also, the attachment is a ¼ hose fitting with a copper crush washer.

16. 900 SCF Onboard Storage / Dimensions: Please confirm that the required 900 SCF onboard storage, compressor, nitrogen membranes, booster compressor, controls, and all other system components must collectively remain within the stated maximum dimensions of 156"L × 78"W × 74"H and maximum weight of 5,000 lb.

a. See answer #17