CDDAR_Questions_and_Answers.docx

CDDAR: Solicitation FA4686-16-T-0009 Questions and Answers Q1: Can you tell me about the design flaws with your current CDDAR Trailer? Is your contemplated new trailer a box type trailer to be outfitted according to your literature or does it have some particular design features that you require?

A1: Everything that we need is going to be in the literature, as far as specifics go I do know that we will need the following. The original issue with the trailer is that the CG (center of gravity) is off, and the overall weight is exceeding the mfg max weight, creating a possible safety hazard. We will be creating a 3 dimensional walk through illustrating the items as well as the dimensions of these items soon. We need a trailer designed and built around these items, and organized in such a way to not present a safety issue with regards to the weight distribution.

Q2: On reading the spec it is confusing as to what type of trailer your customer wants. In one place it speaks of a 30,000 lb capacity and moved with 5th wheel. That would lead me to build an 18 wheeler type dry freight van. In another section, you mention ramp doors and low ground clearance. That would lead me to think of a large gooseneck.

A2: We need a 5th wheel trailer that has a towing capacity of 30K pounds.

Q3: I have a question regarding the interior dimensions. You are requesting at minimum a 40ft long trailer with interior floor to ceiling height of 121" and 22" of ground clearance. I could meet the ground clearance with a 53ft long trailer which has a kick in front. It would give you an area 41ft long with 126" floor to ceiling and 11ft long section up front of floor to ceiling height of 108" - would this be acceptable?

A3: Please verify what you mean by the statement "....53ft long trailer which has a kick in front". What does "kick" mean?

Q3a: I can get you 40ft continuous floor to ceiling height of 126" but the only way to do that is with a drop deck trailer, which means the front section of 10 feet would have a ceiling height of 108". That is the area below the 5th wheel of the trailer. We would wall that off and place the generator and fuel tank in that area. The base frame would look similar to the attached picture. It allows the trailer to be towed by a standard tractor and gives you the interior ceiling height you want - minimum 121". Without a drop deck frame you can only get 108"ceiling height. Drop deck frames come in 2 choices - 12" drop which would give you 120" of floor to ceiling over 40 feet or 18" drop which would give you 126" floor to ceiling height over 40ft. Also, you are asking for a preferred ground clearance of 22'. Your current unit only has 13". Are you referring to the clearance from the underbody of the main trailer box to the ground? Please remember per DOT we have to install a run-under safety bar at the rear of the trailer which will not meet the 22" ground clearance. The run-under protection is required so we have to install that.

A3a: The floor to ceiling height of 126” is the desired height, with the 18” drop deck trailer, with the 40ft in length is good. The current unit only has 13". Yes, we are referring to the clearance from the underbody of the main trailer box to the ground, lowest point. For the run-under protection for DOT requirement that is fine, it is the law. What will the lowest point be after the safety bar is installed? Is the safety bar welded or bolted on?

Q4: On the CDDAR FA 4686-16-T-0009 you are requesting 10 ply all terrain tires. Is there a specific size or can we select the size as long as it's 10 ply all terrain? Standard 10 ply all terrain would be 215/ R75 / 17.5 is this acceptable?

A4: You can select the size as appropriate to the weight requirements and off road capability.

Q5: In all of the documentation I'm not seeing any requirements for Air Conditioning or Heat. Is this correct?

Also, there is no spec for interior lighting. I would assume you'd want interior lights since there are exterior lights. Is there a certain requirement or can I just go with an interior LED Lighting system for optimum lighting and low power consumption?

Lastly - it looks like this unit is to be run on generator power only - which would make sense since it is a field recovery unit. I just want to make certain they do not intend to plug this unit in to an external power source.

A5: Air Conditioning is a yes to have, no heater required. Yes on interior lights and LED lights are great. We want to be able to plug the trailer into an outlet for internal lighting when not out in the field. Also have battery power on board to operate internal lighting without usage of generator or outlet power. Much like a fifth wheel RV would be.

Q6: 1. is interior lighting within the trailer required? 2. The statement of need also calls for an onboard gasoline generator. I did not see this on the preliminary layout. Is the intent for this to be permanently mounted outside of the trailer or for it to be portable for movement in and out through the access doors?

A6: The interior lighting is a requirement. The onboard gasoline generator is intended to be permanently mounted outside of the trailer in its own enclosed sealed container to run the power onboard.

Q7: I note there is an Amendment but no amendment form to sign. Just want to be sure since is usually required that we sign the form and return it with the bid indicating we received and understand it. Also, I am not able to determine what the amendment is for. Are we changing or adding something?

A7: We are preparing an amendment to this solicitation to include a list of questions from other vendors.

Q8: I’m sorry to bother you but I did not receive a response to this email. Can you please tell me what was amended on the paperwork for the amendment that was issued AND is there a notice that we are supposed to sign (confirming receipt of the amendment) and return to you? There is usually one and I just do not see it.

A8: There was language in the solicitation that had to do with another requirement (i.e. laser etching system versus crash trailer) the language concerning the laser etching system was replaced with the CDDAR trailer. None of the specification were changed. There was no need for vendors to sign a receipt confirming that change. We are preparing a new amendment this amendment will require signed receipt from vendors.

Q9: Is there any specification on a tipping point for this vehicle? If going off road what may be the limitations as to how rugged terrain they can navigate without tipping the trailer over?

A9: The plan is to have heavy equipment as low to the floor as possible to aid and help with tipping concerns. If we go off road we would expect the road would be old logging trails with ruts and pots holes. It could be a trail that would be made for us to get to the crash site. If we need to travel off road around the mountains, it will be limited with a 40 foot trailer. So we would park the trailer and move our equipment in another way. No other special specification on a tipping point for this vehicle. Plan like you would for a Toy Hauler that people us to sleep in and travel with their ATVs.