Site_visit_Questions_Answers_VerticalStorage_Final.pdf

493/494 FGS Vertical Storage Site Visit Questions

15 and 19 May 2025

Question Answer

1. Service & Maintenance: it currently states “must include same day response time maximum”, can we please have some clarification? For example, if we receive a call at 23:00 hrs, would an on-site response be expected that same day within the hour? Usually, we would specify service level agreements as follows:

- 8 working hours, (working hours = hours inside a non 24/7/365 contract agreement)

- 8 clock hours (for a 24/7/365 contract)

- 4 clock hours (for a 24/7/365 contract)

Please specify the response time required as above?

-Max 8 clock hours (for a 24/7/365 contract) as per the SOW would meet requirements.

2. Is a backup generator a fixed requirement, or moveable? The available options for generator allocation and socket distribution, and the technical and operational impact of using one shared generator versus separate generators for each machine.

The generator is a moveable requirement. This does not need to be provided by the vendor. A connection is required to allow the connection of a moveable generator to be plugged into each system unit. This could be 3 phase socket connections to each unit.

3. Is internet available for vendors to conduct diagnostics support?

Units should not be connected to the internet.

Please specify in quote if diagnostics support would be for localized maintenance or permanently connected.

4. Is the use of vertical chains mandatory, or can other belt systems be proposed, provided they meet or exceed load bearing and safety requirements?

Vertical chain system required as per SOW.

5. Is a localized system such as FireTrace acceptable in place of CO2 or sprinklers?

Yes acceptable.

6. Is a 3–4-week delivery/installation schedule acceptable within operational constraints?

Per the solicitation, delivery must be completed within 6 months. Please include in your quote an estimated lead time for supply, delivery and installation of shelving.

7. Can machines connect to the internal server for maintenance if needed?

No not possible

8. Are there specific ergonomic or manual handling standards that the equipment must comply with?

All items from the table should be distributed into the tray plan to be accessible to lift via two persons.

9. What is the floor surface material and are there specific requirements for castors or trolley wheels?

Concrete floor with power float finish. Flowcoat SK resin coating on top of concrete.

Castors to fully rotate. Rubber. Robust wheel not plastic.

10. Should trolleys accommodate a range of tray types, or is a single standard try model preferred?

Dependent on the vendor’s design proposal to accommodate the items from the table int o the trays. If a range of tray types is proposed, then the trolley would have to accommodate a range of tray types.

11. If needed can installation be continued on a Saturday?

No weekday installation only due to mission co-ordination.

12. Is the service time requested flexible or definitive? We use a tap in PLC system where we remote dial in to the machines to fix them to avoid sending an engineer unless necessary, is this acceptable?

No not acceptable. No remote access would be allowed to the system for security control.

Flexible within 8-hour max clock callout time frame for an engineer to visit site.

13. The back up circuitry requirement, is this a dealbreaker?

Yes. for continued operation in event of electrical failure as per the SOW.

14. Can trays be configured and mixed for different bin sizes?

Yes, mixed items configurations per tray is acceptable.

15. Will trolley systems be needed for full tray removal?

Yes, trolley systems are required.

16. Is external access (e.g. outdoor installation or side access doors) required?

No external access is not required.

17. Will the color and door configuration be customized?

Color options are not required to be customized.

Door configurations requirements as per SOW.

(Shutter door. )

18. What is the max acceptable tray height for largest stored items?

To be determined by the vendor based on the capability to hold the items stored in the tables whilst adhering to the spacing between items mentione din the SOW.

19. As the equipment stored would be mission critical and as the government has stipulated redundancy requirements in numerous areas of the specification – would the government be open to a vertical storage system that meets all elements of the SOW with redundancy’s also built into the hoisting mechanism system?

Yes open to built in redundancy to the hoisting mechanism system.

20. As each individual link in a chain drive hoist system is a potential point of failure, would the end user be open to a stronger, higher rated system which is rated at 11.5 times the required lift capacity and exceeds the specification of the SOW?

Please clarify what type of system you refer to in your quote. The chain system is preferred and is specified in the SOW to meet requirements. We may consider other options if they meet all SOW requirements.

21. As 90% of industry have moved away from chain technology due to the high maintenance and less reliability coupled with the risk of lubricant contamination onto parts stored within the system & multiple points of failure, can you advise if a more efficient, higher rated system which covers all the requirements specified in the SOW could be considered?

Please clarify what type of system you refer to in your quote. The chain system is preferred and is specified in the SOW to meet requirements. We may consider other options if they meet all SOW requirements.

22. Installation area dimensions – footprint:

is a +/- tolerance of approx. 200mm to allowed for different manufacturers dimensions?

Yes, tolerance of up to 250mm from the zone dimensions in the drawing would be acceptable.

23. Weight and Loading: Are spreader plates even necessary if the 40000 kg limit indicated is adhered to?

Required. This is a precautionary measure as the exact figures will only be finalized once the engineer’s feasibility report is obtained during the design development phase with vendor.

24. Weight and Loading: Anchoring of floor is required, can you confirm this is permissible?

Not permissible. As stated in the SOW.

25. Hoisting Mechanism: The chains indicated are not the norm for a lot of suppliers, is the supplier able to propose their own method of operation?

Vertical chain system required as per SOW.

26. Safety Features: It was discussed that a redundant secondary safety circuit was not the norm for this type of machine.

Clarification that it is ok to still quote for consideration?

Redundant secondary safety circuit is required for continued operation in the event of electrical failure as mentioned in the SOW.

27. Safety Features: Please clarify automatic doors that can be hand opened in the event of power failure, as there would be no point as trays cannot be accessed without power.

Not to access trays and items but to secure the front of the units. E.g pull down shutter door.

28. Breakdown cover: Whilst an 8-hour working-hour cover (9-5) is possible, we cannot provide complete 24hr/365 days cover. Clarification that it is ok to still quote for consideration.

Max 8 clock hour callout time covering a 24 hour period is required as per SOW due to this being a mission critical asset.

29. Emergency power supply: we recommend a single power source for each unit, with the capability for the USAF to switch between mains power and backup power in the event of power failure on the base. Please confirm if this is acceptable?

Power source not required just the capability for each unit to be connected to a power source is sufficient. This could be a 3 phase supply with plug accessible for each unit to individually be connected to a moveable power source such as a generator.

30. Emergency power supply: We can supply an isolator with each unit which would allow manual switching between power sources during a power outage.

However, it is important to note that this process must be carried out individually on each unit, which may be challenging in high-pressure or time-sensitive situations. Please confirm if this is acceptable option?

Yes, this is an acceptable option.