VLM Solicitation Questions 20250415.pdf

4/14/2025

Questions Vertical Lift Module

Solicitation: FA822725R3221

1) I can plum the fire extinguishing equipment into the unit, however the fire suppression system valve in the bldg is only rated for so many heads. I can leave a stub out at the machine. Will this be, ok?

ANSWER: Yes, and we will work to verify this with the proper people on our end.

*UPDATE*: Appendix A, section 3.2.15 Fire Suppression.

The last sentence has been updated:

WAS: “Contractor is responsible for installation of complete fire suppression system and connectivity.”

IS: “Contractor is responsible for installation of complete fire suppression system throughout VLM and shall provide a stub for facility connection.”

2) With wiring the machine. Will your existing panel handle the amp requirements of the new machine? Or will there be a necessity to wire in a whole new power supply to a new breaker box?

ANSWER: Per the Appendix A section 3.2.11.1 Motors: 480 VAC, 40 Amp, 3 phase electrical power. We have stations in the same bay with that same power and that can be made available.

3) The VLM machine I am o ering has small di erences in the width and depth of the storage shelves. This will lower the total storage capacity than what is spelled out in the SOL. Do I have to be exactly the same size?

ANSWER: Yes, the size needs to be what we called out. That is the space we are looking to fill and the material that is being stored was measured to fit in a particular way. Any deviation outside of our original measurements will create storage issues.

4) What type items are to be stored (small parts, hardware, electronics, tools/bench stock, large items, etc.)?

ANSWER: A mix of small to large parts. We have already worked out the footprint for each set of parts and the weight required. Please refer to our weights and dimensions requests.

5) What is the largest item (width x depth x height) to be stored?

ANSWER: I don’t feel comfortable giving specifics due to the classified nature of the material being stored. We have laid out all the material that is being stored to find a few optimal layouts for each separate set of parts. We weighed all parts to know what our limit per tray would be and we have included this in Appendix A.

6) What is the most common size of item to be stored?

ANSWER: ANSWER: I don’t feel comfortable giving specifics due to the classified nature of the material being stored. We have laid out all the material that is being stored to find a few optimal layouts for each separate set of parts. We weighed all parts to know what our limit per tray would be and we have included this in Appendix A.

7) What is the tallest item to be stored?

ANSWER: I don’t feel comfortable giving specifics due to the classified nature of the material being stored. Each tray has a variable height min of 10” and max of 14”.

8) Will items stored requiring two-person lifting or overhead cranes?

ANSWER: No.

9) Di erent manufacturers have varying sizes of VLM o erings. If one or more VLM’s provide an equal or greater total storage volume and equal or greater total storage surface and does so in an equal or smaller required space, will alternate sizes and quantities be acceptable?

Spec calls for:

- 15 trays at 192” x 40” x 12” high volume = 800 cubic feet storage volume

- 6 trays at 192” x 40” x 18” high volume = 480 cubic feet storage volume

Total storage volume = 1280 cubic feet storage volume.

21 trays at 192” x 40” tray dimension = 1120 square feet of total storage surface

162 x 210” external dimensions +/- 2” = 236.25 square feet to 241.44 square feet of required space

ANSWER: The 21 trays at 192” x 40” dimension is what we want. These dimensions were chosen because of our findings from mapping out how we would store each part on each tray. The weight of the items and the retrieval process was assed when looking at the depth. The height varies per tray with a max at 14” not 18”.

*UPDATE*: Appendix A, section 3.2.5.

WAS: “Spacing shall be 15 trays @ 12” clearance for each, and 6 trays @ 18” clearance for each.”

IS: “Spacing shall be 15 trays @ 12” clearance for each, and 6 trays @ 14” clearance for each.”

10) The specified tray has a capacity per square foot of storage surface of 37.5 pounds per square foot (2000 pounds/ 53.333 square feet). Is this the minimum allowable weight capacity?

ANSWER: Yes, 2000 lbs per tray is the minimum weight allowed.

11) In Appendix A 3.2.5.1, a protective coating over all surfaces to prevent metal to metal component storage contact is called for. Galvanized is more durable than other coatings that are subject to deterioration. Pan liners o er a quieter, more protective, more durable, and replaceable option when placed over galvanized trays. Are pan liners an acceptable option to meet this requirement?

ANSWER: Most parts will still be in the packaging they were shipped in. My main concern with pan liners is, will they interfere with the tray dividers that we will need to put in place to separate parts? If not, then yes pan liners would be acceptable.

12) Please clarify Appendix A 3.2.5.6 Tray crosswise dividers. It is unclear what is being requested.

ANSWER: The configuration listed gives us flexibility to lay out the trays as we need to and accommodate future workloads we will encounter. Unsure of what the confusion is in regard to the requirement.

13) Will this unit be installed in an explosive application?

ANSWER: No.

14) Where manufacturer specific descriptions are used in the specification, will alternatives be accepted if they meet the functional requirements and don’t require additional maintenance requirements?

ANSWER: Yes, if they meet our specs and are of a rack and pinion drive type.

15) Will other vertical drive methods that provide equal or enhanced performance be acceptable based on the following factors? Equal or better retrieval speeds, no required scheduled replacement intervals, no requirement for an automatic shutter door in the access point, and no need for a balanced load on the shelf because the extractor is fully supported on all four corners.

ANSWER: No. Rack and pinion has been designated as the requirement.

16) There is no reference to high seismic design in the specification. Should the VLM(s) be manufactured to meet Seismic design category “D”?

ANSWER: Yes, seismic design category “D” is required. IBC references the ASCE7 for the seismic design criteria, seismic design, and seismic detailing. Due to ground spectral accelerations local to this area, the amount of weight that the VLM’s carry up high, and building risk according to the ASCE7, the VLM’s should require seismic bracing.