FA6712-16-R-0002 _Government_Response_to_RFI_question_-_16_Feb_16.pdf

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO RFI

16 February 2016

Solicitation/Project Number: FA6712-16-F-0002/DZAQ 15-0001A/B

Question: The response to Question 15 negates the response in Question 1. In question 1 it states that the range must meet the 1.5 seconds at the main firing line, yet in Question 15 they indicate "no new acoustic wall panels or other acoustic materials are intended for the walls between the firing line and the bullet trap."

Under NO circumstances will this range meet the 1.5 seconds outlined in the ETL or the ETL referenced AFOSH requirement of CFR noise exposure limits with the limitations in Questions 15. We have installed multiple USAF ranges and military ranges which are ETL acoustically compliant and AFOSH compliant ranges. In our vast experience, we have determined that the absolute minimum new acoustic coverage on the sidewall is at least 35 feet, as well as acoustic coverage on all the baffles using the Troy System, which is the highest rated acoustic material for use in a shooting range, as determined by the USACE in a major case study.

Please advise on how to proceed, and Thank You.

Government Response: This project is for the repair of an existing firing range that was built to Air Force criteria in effect at the time of its construction. As a result, this repair project is exempt from fully meeting all requirements, which indeed must be met under new construction, of the existing Air Force criteria contained in Engineering Technical Letter (ETL) 11-18: Small Arms Range Design and Construction. Primary purpose of the project is to make the range “fully contained” to reduce the Safety Danger Zone (SDZ) of the project due to planned Government construction within the current SDZ in the vicinity of the range. While doing this project we are also seeking to reduce noise level and improve acoustics within the range, but we are not seeking to fully meet the latest ETL noise and acoustic criteria due to budget constraints. Per Amendment 0002 and response to previous Question 1, the range is required to have a reverberation rate below 1.5 seconds only at the main firing line and all points behind the firing line. Reverberation rate for all points of the range forward of the firing line are not being specified and are not required to be below 1.5 seconds. Response to previous Question 15 is not considered to be negating response to Question 1. The reverberation rates forward of the firing line are expected to be above 1.5 seconds, and will be whatever results from using the materials and methods specified in the SOW and posted answers to questions for the baffles, side and center walls, and floor of the range. Since latest Question 1 contends that “Under NO circumstances will this range meet the 1.5 seconds outlined in the ETL”, we will seek to further improve noise reduction and improve acoustics by requiring ballistic material on baffles to also be acoustical material, even if we cannot fully meet the 1.5 second criteria. As a result, SOW paragraph 1.2.B.8.u is hereby revised by adding the word “Acoustic” before “Dura-Panels” in the sentence beginning on the 5th line of that paragraph to read as follows: “The only ballistic panels presently approved for use on Air Force ranges are the 2” thick Range Systems Acoustic Dura-Panels and the Troy Acoustics Troy System Panels.”