High Wind Alert System Refresh Q and A 20260910.pdf

High Wind Alert System Refresh

FA700026Q0106

Questions and Answers

ID Question & Government Response

Q1 Question: We respectfully request a two-week extension of the proposal due date. The current response period, particularly given the intervening holiday weekend, does not provide sufficient time to adequately assess the requirement, engage suppliers and subcontractors, obtain and validate competitive quotations, and develop a complete and reasonably priced proposal. A two-week extension is necessary to allow offerors to perform the appropriate due diligence and provide the Government with a responsive, well-supported, and competitively priced proposal.

Answer: The solicitation is extended until 16 Sep 2026 at 12:00 p.m. MDT.

Q2 Question: Will the Government provide if the HWAS Computer can be connected to the USAFA LAN or WiFi or would it require is own Hotspot?

Answer: Cannot be connected to the LAN or WiFi.

Q3 Question: What is the expected installation timeline?

Answer: 12 months from date of award.

Q4 [No Question 4 submitted]

Q5 Question: Regarding the sensors, what is the operating range needed for each of the sensors?

Answer: Temp: -50C to +50C, Wind: up to 113 knots, Pressure: 17.5 to 32.5 inches of mercury (inHg).

Q6 Question: For the Camera, do the images need to be stored on the camera, the datalogger, or an associated computer (ftp or http server, cloud server, or local computer directory)?

Answer: At least 72 hours of storage for retrieval from webpage.

Q7 Question: Regarding the sensors, what is the operating range and accuracy for the Air Quality sensor?

Answer: Particulate Matter (PM2.5\PM10): Typical optical/laser particle counters measure mass concentrations from 0 up to 1,000 μg/m³ with precision thresholds around ± 10 μg/m³.

Q8 Question: Regarding the sensors, how frequent do the particulate monitor sensors need to be monitored/queried?

Answer: Raw data readings: Every 60 seconds, Platform Refresh: Every 10 minutes, Averaging period: Hourly rolling averages.

Q9 Question: Regarding the sensors, can we assume the battery resides in its own existing enclosure/battery box and that will be able to be re-used. If this is not the case, will the Government please indicate that new battery enclosures need to be provided.

Answer: Existing battery boxes will be re-used for refreshed units, while new battery boxes are only needed for the 2 new units.

High Wind Alert System Refresh (FA700026Q0106) | Q&A

ID Question & Government Response

Q10 Question: Regarding communication, can the Government confirm the LoRA been tested at all of the existing locations back to the desired base?

Answer: All sites are currently operational with LoRa connectivity. One site remains severely degraded due to construction of new facilities affecting transmission capability and will likely require additional rework to restore full functionality.

Q11 Question: Recognizing the LoRa and most forms of radio communication are lower bandwidths, can we assume images/video would not be a requirement over that method of communication?

Answer: See Solicitation

Q12 Question: Would the Government consider using spread spectrum radios (e.g., Ethernet-based Freewave radios or serial based Freewave radios) with a security layer being included via the datalogger communication protocol?

Answer: If it accomplishes what is being asked in the Solicitation.

Q13 Question: Does the data need to reside on a private server or can it be a public cloud server?

Answer: Needs to be Public-Facing

Q14 Question: Are there specific levels of security the web site and computer(s) hosting the data must contain?

Answer: Standard Public-Facing Security features

Q15 Question: What kind of audible alerts are needed ( is this on the computer/cloud, a separate computer, etc.)?

Answer: The webpage along with the server display shall provide an audible alert whenever monitored weather parameters meet or exceed predefined threshold criteria

The webpage shall compare incoming weather data against user-defined alert thresholds.

When a threshold is met or exceeded, the webpage shall:

• Generate an audible alert within 5 seconds of receipt of the triggering data.

• Display a visual notification identifying the parameter(s) exceeded.

The audible alert shall continue until: A user acknowledges the alert

Users shall be able to enable, disable, or adjust alert thresholds based on permissions.

Audible alerts shall remain functional when the webpage is active in a background browser tab.

The system shall support multiple simultaneous alert conditions and identify each triggering criterion.

Q16 Question: What kind of visual alerts are needed ( is this on the computer/cloud, a separate computer, physical LEDs or lights, other)?

Answer: The webpage shall provide visual alerts whenever monitored weather parameters meet or exceed predefined threshold criteria.

ID Question & Government Response

The webpage shall compare incoming weather data against user-defined alert thresholds

When a threshold is met or exceeded, the webpage shall:

• Display a visual alert within 5 seconds of receipt of the triggering data.

• Clearly identify the parameter(s) that triggered the alert.

Display the observed value and associated threshold value.

Visual alerts shall remain active until:

• A user acknowledges the alert Users shall be able to enable, disable, or modify alert thresholds based on permissions.

The webpage shall support multiple simultaneous alert conditions and clearly identify all active alerts.

Visual alerts shall be displayed regardless of browser tab activity or page focus status, where browser security settings permit.

The webpage shall retain alert status during data refreshes and browser sessions until cleared or acknowledged.

Q17 Question: What is meant by a flag for Wet Bulb Globe temperature (e.g., is this color coding the value, is it color coding a visual indicator, or does it need to be a physical representation of a flag)?

Answer: See Solicitation

Q18 Question: Is the USAFA HWAS web page (cloud) access intended to be local use only or will it be available to external users?

Answer: Publicly accessible web portal for weather and air quality.

If there are OPSEC concerns about having cameras, recommend that access to cameras (both live and archived) be restricted using either CAC or username/password access. If access is restricted, a log of who accessed would be recommended.

Q19 Question: Can additional capabilities like cloud video storage be added upon vendor availability or is the expectation to have it installed by the end of the installation window?

Answer: Only the capabilities explicitly detailed within the solicitation's Salient Characteristics are required to be operational by the end of the installation window.

Q20 Question: How tall are the associated tripods, towers, masts, etc. at each of the respective locations?

Answer: Varies by site, depending on ground station or roof top station, with one station (Rampart) mounted on a city tower

Q21 Question: At what heights are the sensors installed?

Answer: Ground Stations

Standard Sensor Heights by type

Temperature and Humidity: 3 to 6 Feet

ID Question & Government Response

Wind (anemometer and vane): 33 feet

Precipitation Gauge: 3 to 6 feet

Air Quality Sensor: 10 to 33 feet

Camera: 10 to 33 feet

Rooftop Stations

Standard Sensor Heights by type

Temperature and Humidity: 5 feet above surface

Wind (anemometer and vane): 10 feet

Precipitation Gauge: 5 feet

Air Quality Sensor: 10 feet

Camera: 10 feet

Rampart Sensor

Mounted on City of Colorado Springs Tower Currently (Same configuration requested)

Q22 Question: Are all sites less than 100 ft from vehicle access? If no, please indicate associated distance for each station and the associated terrain.

Answer: Sites less than 100ft from vehicle access

• Aardvark

• Lewis Palmar

• Pine Creek High School

• Pine Valley High School

• Drop Zone

• Airfield

Sites greater than 100ft

• Cadet Area: No, Parking lot, and through a building to access the roof

• Community Center: ~200ft, hike up hill over open grasslands and areas of scrub oak

• North Ridge: ~700ft; hike up hill over open grasslands and areas of scrub oak

• Rampart: Unpaved gravel and dirt mountain road; sensor is on a ~100 feet tower

• South Ridge: ~500ft; high; slight up hill over open grasslands and areas of scrub oak

• Stadium: Hike up a ravine with open grasslands and areas of scrub oak

Q23 Question: Are there specific safety requirements that must be met? If so, please explain.

Answer: The Contractor shall comply with all applicable industry safety standards and OSHA regulations.

Q24 Question: Are there any required certifications related to working on the stations?

Answer: Yes. Personnel must hold all applicable industry-standard and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certifications required to perform work on the stations.

ID Question & Government Response

Q25 Question: Are there specific requirements with regards to the dismantling and removal of replacement items (e.g. must be recycled, sent to specific disposal location, documentation of disposal, etc.)?

Answer: The contractor is responsible for full dismantling, removal, complete haul-away, proper disposal, and site clean-up across twelve (12) active sites.

Q26 Question: For the new stations, what is being used for the mast/fixture to attach the sensors to?

Answer: New stations should use same mounting standards as existing stations (i.e. Guyed aluminum meteorological mast mounted on a portable tripod/tower base, with sensors attached using standard sensor mounting brackets and booms. The mast supports wind instrumentation at the top and other weather sensors at designated mounting heights)

Q27 Question: What is the expectation for securing this fixture (concrete, guy wires, other)?

Answer: The meteorological mast shall be secured using a guyed-mast configuration with ground anchors and/or concrete footings as required by site-specific wind loading and soil conditions.

The support structure shall provide sufficient stability to safely support all sensors, communications equipment, solar-power components, and associated cabling throughout the expected environmental conditions.

Q28 Question: At what height would the sensors need to be installed?

Answer: Same as question 21

Q29 Question: Has cellular signal or line of site to the existing RF base station been confirmed?

Answer: Cellular coverage and line-of-sight to the existing RF base station have not yet been confirmed. A site survey or communications assessment will be required to verify connectivity and determine the appropriate communications solution for the station location.

Q30 Question: Has the government identified the locations of the two additional towers that are listed in the solicitation? If so, can those be provided?

Answer: Specific location sites for the up to two (2) additional/new locations are currently To Be Determined (TBD) and will be exercised at the Government's discretion.

Q31 Question: Are the additional tower locations on property owned by USAFA or property controlled by other entities?

Answer: Proposed sites for additional sensors have not been finalized. Government would be responsible for determining final site locations and obtaining required approvals prior to installation.

Q32 Question: Can the Government provide the new tower height dimension requirements?

Answer: See answer for question 21, new site locations have not been determined yet.

Q33 Question: Would the old stations need to be fully or partially functional while the upgrades are being implemented?

Answer: Existing stations are expected to remain fully or partially operational during the upgrade and installation process to the maximum extent practicable. The contractor shall coordinate

ID Question & Government Response installation activities to minimize data outages and operational impacts. Any required service interruptions shall be coordinated in advance and kept to the shortest duration necessary to complete the upgrade.

Q34 Question: What is process & criteria for accepting the network upgrades?

Answer: The acceptance process and specific criteria for network upgrades have not yet been finalized. Acceptance is anticipated to be based on successful installation, end-to-end communications testing, operational performance verification, cybersecurity compliance, and validation that all system requirements have been met. Additionally, delivery of required documentation, configuration information, and as-built network diagrams.

Q35 Question: What would the handoff process be? Would there be any training for USAFA personnel?

Answer: Acceptance of upgraded and new stations would be completed by the 306th OSS/CC or designated member following a 30-day testing period verifying data transmission reliability, data accuracy, and web site accessibility.

Training for USAFA personnel who will be responsible for operating the system is expected as part of the system turnover process. Training shall be sufficient to enable personnel to operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and perform basic maintenance on equipment, communications components, power systems, and associated software interfaces to keep the system operational 24/7 from the weather station. Training should also include procedures for data access, fault identification, routine maintenance, and system recovery actions.

Q36 Question: Which party would be responsible for ongoing maintenance and servicing?

Answer: The Contractor is responsible for installation, operational validation, deployment, and any applicable standard warranty provisions as specified in the solicitation.

Q37 Question: Will the Government provide the specific testing, calibration, communications reliability, cybersecurity/network integration, and operational acceptance criteria that must be met before the Government considers the new HWAS fully operational?

Answer: The operational and technical criteria are outlined in the Salient Characteristics. The Contractor must demonstrate and document that the system meets all listed requirements to achieve fully operational status.