QnA Document - Request for Quote FA700025Q0040 Rev 2 -10 Mar 25.pdf

Request for Quote FA700025Q0040

USAFA High Wind Alert System

Questions and Answers

Revision 2 – 10 March 2025

Follow-up Questions and Answers are in blue font.

Q1: Is this a follow-on contract to an existing contract, or is it a brand-new acquisition?

A1: This requirement is a follow-on contract to the existing USAFA High Wind Alert System contract FA700020C0007. Information on the current contract can be found on FPDS-NG or USASpending.gov.

Q2: What are the part numbers for the RM Young 05103-L Anemometer bearings specified in paragraph 2.1.4.1 and the Wind Vane Potentiometer bearings specified in paragraph 2.1.5.1 of Attachment 1 – USAFA High Wind Alert System PWS 2-24-2025?

A2: The Anemometer bearings specified in paragraph 2.1.4.1 of the PWS are the vertical shaft bearings identified by RM Young Part Number 05124VG. The Wind Vane Potentiometer bearings specified in paragraph 2.1.5.1 of the PWS are the wind speed flange bearings identified by RM Young Part Number 05163PG. Further information on parts, part numbers, and part installation can be found in the 05103L RM Young Wind Monitor instruction manual specified in PWS paragraphs

2.1.4.1 and 2.1.5.1.

Q3: Are all the HWAS towers configured in the same way, i.e. do they all utilize the same sensors?

The HWAS website (https://hwas.usafa.edu/) shows eight sites reporting 0.00 for precipitation.

Does this indicate missing readings due to maintenance needs?

A3: The HWAS towers are not all configured in the same manner. Most towers have similar setup of a tippable mast on a stand. The Rampart sensor is unique in that it is on top of a tower.

Four of the sensor locations (North Ridge, Rampart, Community Center, and Airfield – See Appendix A of the PWS) are equipped with precipitation sensors that the other towers do not have. The locations without sensors show a blank under ‘Precipitation’ on the website, 0.00 indicates no active precipitation.

Q4: What is the current condition of each HWAS sensor location? Are they all fully functional?

A4: All HWAS sensor locations are currently fully functional.

Q5: Regarding HWAS server support, who is currently performing these actions, and when was the last update performed?

A5: The HWAS software resides on a laptop in the USAFA Weather Station located on the 306 FTG airfield. The HWAS maintenance contractor performs updates on the HWAS specific software as required on the laptop. Any software updates to this laptop for software not related to HWAS, along with updates to the HWAS web server, are performed by the 10th Communications Squadron as required. The last server update was in June-July of 2024 when the new HWAS laptop was configured.

Q6: What type of Pyranometer is used in the High Wind Alert System?

A6: No pyranometers are known at the sites.

Q7: How many RM Young anemometers have been replaced over the last contract period?

A7: The Airfield, South Ridge, and Rampart stations had the wind sensor completely replaced during the contracting period. Other stations, such as Pine Creek have had various parts replaced like the propeller, or vertical shaft bearings. North Ridge had the vertical shaft swapped.

Q8: How old is the HWAS, i.e. how many years have they been operational at USAFA?

A8: It is believed that they system was installed sometime between the mid 1990’s and 2003.

Q9: The PWS calls for an annual HMP45C calibration. Assuming this refers to a factory-level calibration, factory calibrations take time and could result in each site being without temperature and RH readings for up to a month. Due to the HMP45C is obsolete and no longer available for purchase, how does the Government plan to address this, given that a one-month downtime may not be acceptable?

A9: For the previous contract all equipment was field calibrated annually. Replacement of obsolete parts will be handled directly with the COR and Contracting Officer as necessary during the contract period.

Follow-up to Q9: The answer to Q9 states that the HMP45C was field calibrated, in our Aviation Weather experience Temperature and Humidity calibration should be done in a controlled environment to maximize accuracy. To this point the Campbell Scientific, Inc. Model HMP45C Temperature and Relative Humidity Probe instruction manual dated October 2010 states “Recalibrate the HMP45C annually. Obtain an RMA number before returning the HMP45C to Campbell Scientific for recalibration.” However, based on the government’s response it sounds as though a field calibration is acceptable. Please confirm.

Follow-up A9: Field calibration is acceptable.

Q10: When was the last annual HMP45 calibration and RM Young wind potentiometer and bearing replacements performed at each site?

All calibrations were performed on 19-21 Aug 2024, except for the Cadet Area station. The bearings are replaced each interval unless they show no sign of wear during the calibration audit. All bearings passed the audit or were replaced as of 19-21 Aug 2024.

Q12: During the last contract period, how many of each component listed in Section 2.2.1 (Unscheduled Maintenance) were repaired or replaced in full?

Several parts have been repaired and replaced to include the Airfield barometric pressure, North Ridge Temperature/RH, and the RM Young anemometers outlined in A7.

Q13: The CS105 Air Pressure Sensor has various configurations. What configuration is used for the

HWAS?

The CS105 is setup to read kpa once every interval in the CR10x as outlined in the CS105/CS105MD BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR Campbell Scientific, Inc manual.

Follow-up to Q13: This question pertained to the manufacturer’s configuration code for the specified sensor, rather than how the sensor is programed to output its data. Could you clarify whether this configuration code will be provided?

Follow-up A13: At this time, the CS105 manufacturer’s configuration code is unknown.