Pantograph Contractor Questions and Answers.pdf

FA558726Q0028 – 100 LRS – Pantographs Q&A Question: Can you confirm the material specification to follow for the two pantograph types?

The Attachment 0001 “Salient Characteristics” document mentions the following related to the moveable Pantographs:

Integral flanged swivel joints made of stainless steel (Grade TP304L, IAW UFGS 33 52 43.12 2.1.1)

Designed in accordance with STS-M 145…

For the High Reach Pantograph the following is mentioned:

…designed to USAFE-Standard Spec. STS-M144B

Constructed with 3” (DN 80) stainless steel (304L) pipework and high-performance, maintenance-free flanged stainless steel (316L) swivel joints

The STS-M specs mentions reference the following for material:

STS-M 144B:

- Pipes - stainless steel, mat. no. 1.4571, as per STS-M 19

- Pipe bends - stainless steel, mat. no. 1.4571, as per STS-M 20

- Flanges - stainless steel, mat. no. 1.4571 to DIN 17 440

- Flanged swivel joints - stainless steel, material no. 1.4401

STS-M 145:

- Pipes - stainless steel, mat. no. 1.4571, as per STS-M 19

- Elbows - stainless steel, mat. no. 1.4571, as per STS-M 20

- Flanges - stainless steel, mat. no. 1.4571 or 1.4404

- Flanged swivel joints - completely made of stainless steel, material no. 1.4404

Material grade 1.4401 equivalent grade is ASTM Grade 316.

Material grade 1.4404 equivalent grade is ASTM Grade 316L.

Material grade 1.4571 equivalent grade is ASTM Grade 316Ti.

Pantographs as supplied to RAF Mildenhall in past projects comprise stainless steel grade 316Ti pipework and stainless steel grade 316L swivel joints.

Answer: The new equipment must meet the requirements in the applicable STS. For the pantographs they must follow STS-M 145 and for the High Reach Extension they must follow STS-M 144B.

Question: Can you clarify the material specification to follow because there is a big cost difference between stainless grade 304L and grade 316Ti?

Answer: Equipment needs to be 316Ti.

Question: Can you clarify if offloading can be done at the delivery location, or if transport should include offloading. It’s more expensive to have transport with dedicated offloading.

Answer: If the pantographs come in a crate, RAF Mildenhall will be able to offload the crates utilizing the forklift capabilities on the installation. If they DO NOT come in a crate, then the company/transport will need to provide offloading.

Question: The specification document mentions that the moveable pantograph should “Includes provision for a pre-existing Cla-Val refueling control valve with venturi control to STS-M 165.” Can you clarify if this requirement is required that the Cla-Val refuelling control valve will be free-issued for installation, or if we should provide a cost to supply the Cla-Val refuelling control valve?

Answer: The new pantographs must be able to fully integrate with the installed hydrant system at RAF Mildenhall.

RAF Mildenhall currently utilizes the 4” 355AF-7 CLA-VAL Hydrant Adapter (ANSI 150 FF) on all hydrants refueling pits.

Question: Could you please confirm whether you require an optional price to supply a new Cla-Val refuelling control valve? If a new valve is not required and we must integrate with a pre-existing valve on site, could you please provide the exact specifications (model, size, and flange type) of the existing valve to ensure the new pantograph assembly is fully compatible?

Answer: The new pantographs must be able to fully integrate with the installed hydrant system at RAF Mildenhall.

RAF Mildenhall currently utilizes the 4” 355AF-7 CLA-VAL Hydrant Adapter (ANSI 150 FF) on all hydrants refueling pits.

Question: Thank you for providing the specifications for the 4” 355AF-7 CLA-VAL Hydrant Adapter. We have shared this with our manufacturing partner to ensure our pantograph assembly includes the correct mating coupler to integrate with your pits.

However, after reviewing the Government's response, the manufacturer has asked for further clarification because the hydrant adapter and the refueling control valve are two entirely separate components.

To quote our original question: "Could you please confirm whether you require an optional price to supply a new Cla-Val refueling control valve?"

While the hydrant adapter specifications you provided are very helpful, our original question regarding the control valve remains unaddressed. The Salient Characteristics document states that the pantograph must include "provision for a pre-existing Cla-Val refueling control valve".

Therefore, does the Government require us to provide an optional price to supply a brand-new Control Valve, or will the Government strictly be reusing its pre-existing Control Valves for this requirement?

Thank you again for your time and assistance in ensuring our quote is perfectly aligned with the base's needs.”

Answer: We would ideally prefer to not get a control valve on the pantographs as we already have them in all our hydrant systems. However, recommend that the vendor provide a pantograph quote with their own control valve and then a quote without a control valve on the pantograph. The control valves here on RAF Mildenhall are in all of our hydrant pits.