FA830725RB023 ARMECH_Q and A.pdf

ARMECH FA830725RB023

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1st Vendor Questions

1. The SOO (Attachment 2) notes the PoP is 18 months, however the Solicitation states that “The Contractor shall deliver250 unit(s) of Lot/Item ARMECH within 365 calendar days from the date of this contract to the Government at See section F of the contract.” Do we need to propose a 12-month schedule or 18-month schedule? Will we need to be available to support the contract and follow-up questions six months after the delivery of all units?

TAP ANTICIPATES 18 MONTHS BUT DEFERS TO HNCK.

2. Section F - Deliveries or Performance notes that the requested delivery date is 03 March 2025 – was this meant to read 03 March 2026?

Yes March 2026

3. The SOO states in Section 7.3 states “ARMECH design … equal to or less than ... 110 lbs.”.

Section 7.6 states “ARMECH solution must not exceed 110 lbs” Section 10, Bullet list item 2.1.1 states “ARMECH solution is no greater that 110 lbs.” However, in the Requirements Matrix, Unique ID number 2.1.1 lists 100 lbs as the Threshold Objective. Please clarify the maximum weight of the ARMECH solution.

Clarification: Threshold objective should be 110 lbs., two SVCs plus rack interface components, with the two single vessel cases containing COPVs pressurized to 3000psi of atmosphere.

4. Is it the government’s intention that an SVC holds a single COPV and that is integrated into the GCS as a threshold requirement? And is it the government’s intention that 2 SVCs be integrated into the GCS as an objective requirement?

A Single Vessel Case (SVC) contains one (1) COPV. Two (2) SVCs must be integrated with/interfaced to each “bay” of the GCS rack. The rack must also be able to fly with no COPVs installed, partially loaded, or fully loaded. Any components meant to remain in the rack without SVC must be retained using existing GCS features per the SOO. Storage outside the rack is not approved for use by the SVC or RCI.

5. Is the government interested in a dual vessel case solution that is a single case which holds 1 or 2 COPVs in a single GCS bay?

No. Each COPV must be contained in an individual case.

6. Who owns the responsibility of pneumatic plumbing? The current spheres are top-mounted and the replacement cylinders are horizontal, so if there is a deficiency, who is responsible for that deficiency?

The government owns the responsibility of pneumatic plumbing/lengthening of the pneumatic lines from the existing GCS assembly to the valve position of the ARMECH solution.

2nd Vendor Questions

1.

Will a viable option presented by a Large Business (NOT small business) be considered for award?

No, we cannot consider a LB quote.

2.

Will a detailed dimensional drawing of the COPV (or a physical unit) including label location be available to the awardee to ensure a proper fit?

Yes. A detailed dimensional drawing of the COPV will be made available upon award.

3.

Can the GOV provide additional dimensional requirements for the space needed to access the valve while stored in the ARMECH. It appears the container used for the legacy 'sphere' cylinder allowed for the sphere to be rotated while in the container so the valve could be stowed away for shipment but also protrude when needed for deployment making access to the valve easier. The new shape doesn't allow that same dual orientation. Is a 5-inch diameter around the valve sufficient for the operator (possibly with a gloved hand) to operate the valve while in the GCS rack located on the aircraft?

A detailed dimensional drawing of the COPV and hand valve assembly will be provided upon award. The contractor will work with the Government to define the dimensional requirement for in-mission ergonomics.

4.

Will the GOV be able to open (separate the two halves of the container) of ARMECH to access the valve? Or is access needed in the closed orientation?

Access to the hand valve, the ID tag, and the quick disconnect must be available during the flight mission, as the COPV is constrained to the GCS by the SVC and SVC-to-GCS rack interface.

5.

What is the max allowable length of the ARMECH that will not cause interference in the aisle of the aircraft. Can the ARMECH extend beyond the GCS bay? If the COPV with valve is 29.163, plus ARMECH and space for access to the valve while in the ARMECH, is 35 to 40 inches in length allowable?

The maximum allowable volume for the ARMECH solution is defined by the provided Mechanical Interference Control Document (MICD). Reference the .STEP file attached to the MICD pdf drawing.

6.

Is there space in the GCS rack system for the COPV to be stored vertically like the legacy 'sphere' cylinder?

No.

7.

The previous containers for the legacy sphere cylinder appear to use nylon straps or similar for closure. Would quarter turn latches be acceptable on the ARMECH instead of nylon straps?

Quarter turn latches are an acceptable solution.

8.

Will additional dimensional data be available for the GCS racks after the award? Specifically, the total depth.

Further dimensional data may be made available upon request, although the geometric limits of the ARMECH solution are defined by the MICD. The awardee will have access to a physical GCS assembly at JBSA Lackland.

9.

Is the requirement on Page 4 of the solicitation states 'single person carrying case' current and accurate? The weight of two COPV (empty or loaded) plus ARMECH is expected to exceed the recommended carry limit for a single person.

The single person carrying case is for one (1) SVC + COPV. The intent is that an interface, if a separate construct, would remain in the GCS rack. The SVC IS the carrying and shipping case.

3rd Vendor Questions

1. What is considered “operate” in the SOO for the environmental testing?

Operational environments are referenced in the SOO as those climatic conditions defined in MIL-STD-810. “Operate” is intended to communicate that the choices of materials should be capable of withstanding environmental conditions without degradation. The operational environment of the ARMECH includes shipping, material handling, storage (indoor/outdoor), and installed in the aircraft mission system.

2. The testing requirements 1.4.1-1.4.7 discuss the performance requirements of the case in regards to DOT-CFFC-10. The DOT-CFFC-10 specification outlines the testing requirements for the COPV cylinders not the case. Is the intention of the requirements to test the Single Vessel Case (SVC) to these test specifications as stated in Section 6.1.2 in the SOO?

The intent of the SVC is to provide a carrying/handling case for the COPV. Thus, the SVC cannot DEGRADE the DOT CFFC test performance of the COPV.

3. Is the crash loading analysis and Ul-94 material rating the only AWR requirements?

Material strength and flame performance are the primary AWR requirements. GCS rack interface as constrained by the MICD can also be considered an AWR requirement.

4. Will a GCS rack be provided to us to aid in the design and environmental testing?

Access to a GCS assembly will be available upon award. The GCS is located at JBSA Lackland AFB. The GCS must remain at JBSA Lackland AFB.

4th Vendor Questions

CLIN0006 pricing for ARMECH LRIP appears to either 1) assume only Single Vessel Cases will be produced and a GCS Interface is unnecessary, or 2) overestimates the quantity of GCS Interfaces at QTY 250 versus the RFP-identified QTY 125. Will the Government kindly consider:

1) Revising CLIN0006 title to ARMECH SVC LRIP at QTY 250

2) Adding a new Optional CLIN, CLIN 0007 ARMECH GCS Interface LRIP at QTY 125 (some vendors may not propose a GCS interface, hence our question on making this an Optional CLIN)

The required LRIP quantities are 250 SVC units and 125 RCI units (if it is determined that an RCI is necessary). This is a mistake in the wording of the solicitation. The technical team understands the challenge presented because a significant portion of this effort will be determining the most effective method for interfacing with the GCS rack. A separate CLIN for the 125 RCIs would be acceptable to the technical team.