HP-SGNSC_QA _10_Oct_12.pdf

Questions and Answers Request For Proposal (RFP) FA8533-12-R-30143

High Purity-Self Generating Nitrogen Service Cart (HP-SGNSC) Program

10 October 2012

The following questions have been received in the AFLCMC/WNKBBB, Major Programs Contracting Office on the above High Purity-Self Generating Nitrogen Servicing Carts (HP- SGNSC) requirement. The questions as well as the applicable answers are provided below for assistance to all potential offerors for the greater understanding of the Government’s requirement.

Question 1: 3.8.1.1.1 – “…The HPSGNSC shall operate at altitudes up to and including 6,000 feet above sea level without de‐rating.” Please confirm that the HPSGNSC shall continuously produce from the N2 generator a minimum of 30 scfm 99.5% Nitrogen at altitudes up to and including 6000 ft altitude. The assumption is that the receiver pressures cannot drop at all once this test has commenced? If the receiver pressure is drooping, during this low pressure (altitude) test, with the flow out of the HPSGNSC measured at 30 scfm, then the flow out of the Nitrogen generator is less than the minimum of 30 scfm. Recommend that the phrase “ the pressure in any of the high pressure receivers cannot decrease during the test as described in 4.8.4.1”.

Please confirm that the pressure in any of the Nitrogen receivers cannot drop during the elevated altitude test as specified in section 4.8.4.1. It is assumed that decreasing pressure in the receivers will constitute a nonconformance to the requirements.

Government Response: The Purchase Description is clear and unambiguous in requirements involving operating temperatures in paragraph 3.8.1. Note that the Purchase Description does not state that the pressure in the nitrogen receivers cannot drop during elevated altitude. Rather, the Purchase Description states that the unit shall operate at altitudes up to and including 6,000 feet above sea level without de-rating. Purchase Description paragraph 4.8.4.1 states that upon completion of the low pressure (altitude) test, the HP-SGNSC unit shall be examined and operated as specified in paragraph 4.8.3. One of the observations will be to confirm that the unit does not have any leaks (referenced in paragraph 4.8.3, also referenced in 4.8.4.1).

Question 2: At what max ambient temperature is the HPSGNSC expected to operate at 6000 ft elevation and be able to produce 30 scfm of 99.5% Nitrogen? Please advise if the maximum ambient temperature of 104 °F is the requirement for the low pressure (altitude test) that will be used in 4.8.4.1.

Government Response: The maximum ambient temperature of 104 °F is not the requirement for the low pressure (altitude test). There is not a maximum ambient temperature for this specific test.

Question 3: Considering that the type 2 HPSGNSC is a currently a commercial off the shelf item, and the type 1 is currently not a commercial off the shelf item, Is the intent of this solicitation that the Type 1 and Type 2 generators are provided by the same vendor?

Government Response: This RFP will result in a single contract award. The one successful offeror shall provide both Type I and Type II HP-SGNSC units. Offerors may or may not propose a commercial-off-the-shelf unit; it is within the offerors’ discretion as to how the HPSGNSC types will be designed and produced. The proposed Type I and Type II unit shall comply with the Purchase Description.

Question 4: A standard commercial off the shelf PSA system meets the performance requirements of this Purchase Description (PD). For purity’s of this PD requirement, typically, PSA’s use less power (10 – 15% less) than other nitrogen generation systems such as membrane systems. Can a PSA system be offered for the type 2 HPSGNSC and a membrane system be offered for the type 1 HPSGNSC, or do both type 1 and type 2 need to be the same type of nitrogen generator?

Government Response: While the nitrogen generators do not have to be the same for both HP- SGNSC types, the Type I and Type II units shall comply with the Purchase Description.

Question 5: Is the type 2 HPSGNSC system intended to be moved from location to location or is it expected to be installed in one location, and left at that location.

Government Response: Both HP-SGNSC types are intended to be moved from location to location. See the description in paragraph 3.1 of the Purchase Description.

Question 6: 3.5 Weight – “The HPSGNSC maximum weight shall not exceed 4,500 lbs.” A standard commercial off the shelf PSA Nitrogen generator system meets the purity and flow requirements of this solicitation. Does the type 2 HPSGNSC need to meet the weight requirements specified in section 3.5?

Government Response: The Type II HP-SGNSC shall comply with the weight requirements specified in section 3.5

Question 7: 3.6 Size – “The HPSGNSC shall not exceed the usable dimensional area of one 463 L pallet system. The usable dimensions of the 463L pallet are 84 W X 104 L X 96 H inches per MIL ‐HDBK‐1791 paragraph 30.1.7.4.1.” Does the type 2 HPSGNSC need to meet the size requirements specified in section 3.6?

Government Response: Type I and Type II HP-SGNSC units shall meet the size requirements specified in section 3.6. Type I and Type II HP-SGNSC units shall meet the weight requirement in paragraph 3.5 of the PD.

Question 8: 4.8.3 Operational test. The HPSGNSC shall be started and operated at standard day conditions (as a minimum) for a period of 1 hr. The HPSGNSC shall produce a minimum flowrate of 30 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) of 99.5% pure nitrogen at 5,000 psig and provide a total storage capacity of a minimum of 850 scf of nitrogen within the time specified in

3.11. All gauges, switches, and controls shall be checked to insure proper operation. A sample of nitrogen shall be taken after filling of the cylinders for analysis as specified in 3.9 and subparagraphs. Failure to operate as prescribed herein; evidence of any deficiency, malfunction, or leakage, or the need for service of any component; or loose, disassembled, or broken items that reduce the required sufficiency of the unit shall constitute failure of this test.

This paragraph in section 4.8.3 requires a 30 scfm flow rate from the HPSGNSC. The way this is written, a HPSGNSC can be started with the 850 scf storage capacity full of Nitrogen, and allow the Nitrogen receivers to be depleted in pressure during this test. Ignoring the compressibility of Nitrogen for this discussion, this means that for this one hour test, 1800 SCF of nitrogen will be required. (30 scfm for one hour or 30 scfm x 60 minutes) if the receivers are full at 850 psig, there is roughly 28 minutes of capacity stored in the receivers (850 scf/ 30 min), so during the 1 hour test the HPSGNSC actually only needs to produce 950 scf of nitrogen during the one hour, or produce 16 scfm of Nitrogen from the Nitrogen generator portion of the HPSGNSC. Suggest that the following phrase be added to section 4.8.3. “ the pressure in any of the high pressure receivers cannot decrease during any of the tests as described in 4.8.3 or 4.8.4”. If the intent of this solicitation is for a HPSGNSC to produce 16 scfm vs 30 scfm, the equipment is substantially smaller for a 16 scfm unit vs a 30 scfm unit. Please confirm that whatever process is used to separate Nitrogen from Air, this Nitrogen separation process must separate 30 scfm of 99.5 nitrogen vs the HPSGNSC must produce 30 scfm of 99.5% nitrogen from the combined storage, and the nitrogen separation process for 1 hour.

Government Response: Based on the requirements of paragraph 3.11 in the Purchase Description, the HP-SGNSC shall fill a completely empty receiver within 60 minutes. Paragraph 4.8.3, Operational test, mandates that the HP-SGNSC produce 30 scfm of 99.5% pure nitrogen at 5,000 psig and fill an empty receiver with 850 scf of nitrogen within 1 hour.

Question 9: Section 4.8.21 is referenced three documents, but the section is not provided in the PD11WRGRVEA06. Please clarify.

Reference Docs:

Statement of Work (SOW) For The HIGH PURITY SELF GENERATING NITROGEN SERVICING CART(HPSGNSC) Date July 23, 20

3.6.8 Production acceptance procedure and report. The contractor shall test each production item in accordance with 4.8.3, 4.8.7 and 4.8.21 of the PD11WRGRVEA06 utilizing a subset of the pre-production test procedures. The contractor shall enclose an acceptance certificate for each production item indicating successful completion of production testing and certifying the production equipment has passed hydrostatic testing. (DI-NDTI-80809B, Test/Inspection Report).

CDRL A003: PRODUCTION REPORTS

BLOCK 16: Blocks 10, 11, 12 and 13: Production reports to cover Production Test/Inspection.

The reports to be in 4.8.3, 4.8.6 (including subsequent paragraphs) and 4.8.21 of

PD11WRGRVEA06.

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION HIGH PURITY SELF GENERATING NITROGEN SERVICING

CART (HPSGNSC)

4.3 Conformance inspection. Conformance inspection shall include the examination indicated in 4.6 and the tests specified in 4.8.3, 4.8.6 (including subsequent paragraphs) and 4.8.21.

Nonconformance to any specified requirement, the failure of any test, or the presence of one or more defects shall be cause for disapproval of first article.

Government Response: The reference to paragraph 4.8.21 in these instances was a typographical error. The correct reference should be paragraph 4.8.20 of the Purchase Description. The SOW and PD will be revised to reflect 4.8.20 instead of 4.8.21. The CDRL will defer to the PD wherein the paragraph will be revised.

Question 10: Reference Purchase Description 3.30. Gas specifications vs. compression method: The specification alternatively calls for the product gas to be clean to a particular standard (CGA G10.1 – Purchase Description, page 4) and for the method of compression to be of a non-lubricated design (Purchase Description Section 3.30, page 15). While you can achieve this gas quality with a non-lubricated compressor, guidance must be delivered as to which of these specifications takes precedence. Said another way: is it more important to achieve a specific gas quality, or to use a specific compressor type? Our compressors have passed many independent laboratory tests that support the clean gas standard even if presented as a lubricated design.

Government Response: Both requirements are mandatory. One requirement is not more mandatory than the other.

Question 11: Reference Purchase Description 3.8.1. The use of an external auxiliary heater system to assist startup at -26 to -40 degrees is permissible; is the auxiliary unit required to be part of the dimensional envelope of the 463L pallet and is it calculated as part of the maximum weight limits of the system?

Government Response: The entire HP-SGNSC unit, which includes any auxiliary components and parts, shall comply with the dimension and weight requirements in the PD.

Question 12: Reference Purchase Description 3.8.1.1. The environmental paragraphs call for full system performance at altitudes of 6,000 feet above sea level and very specific maximum temperatures. In order to maintain these requirements we would need to apportion expediently the CFM of feed air to overcome the inevitable declines in performance at these conditions. It would be impossible to manufacture a system to meet these conditions and still retain the required dimensions of 84”W X 104”L X 96”H per paragraph 3.6. Please clarify if the Environmental conditions are for general operation regardless of derate or operation at full specification (30 CFM @ 5,000 PSIG & 99.5% purity).

Government Response: The units shall operate at full specification (30 CFM @ 5,000 PSIG & 99.5% purity) for each environmental condition.

Question 13: Reference Purchase Description 3.9. Requirement states that the nitrogen gas is to Type I (gaseous), Grade A (99.5%), Class I (oil free); however, Mil Standard A-A-59503A, dated 2006 (attached) reflects Grade A nitrogen as 99.95% and Grade B nitrogen as 99.5% purity. Can we receive clarification as to desired nitrogen Grade A or B, the difference greatly drives system design and cost?

Government Response: The Purchase Description will be revised for clarification purposes to reflect Grade B (99.5%) in all references.

Question 15: Reference SOW 3.5.1 Technical Order. Are separate Technical Manuals required for each type (Internal Combustion & Electric Motor) or can we provide one manual with both types covered?

Government Response: Separate Technical Manuals are required for each type (Internal Combustion & Electric Motor). See the DD1423, ELIN D001.