Questions_and_Answers_25_April_2013.docx

FA8533-12-R-35653

R-11 Refueler Request For Proposal (RFP) Questions and Answers 25 April 2013

1. Question: EMI: What locations are to be focused on during RE102 and RS103 testing?

Answer: The entire truck is to be EMI tested in accordance with the requirements as outlined in para 3.3.4.5 of MIL-PRF-32080E.

2. Question: EMI - We can perform electrostatic discharge, bonds and grounds, and static electricity testing. Would you be interested in this testing?

Answer: The Government is not interested in any additional requirements or testing other than those listed in MIL-PRF-32080E for the above topics.

3. Question: High Temp: - Is solar loading required?

Answer: Solar Loading is not required.

4. Question: High Temp - Certain humidity level?

Answer: Certain humidity levels during High Temperature testing shall not be required.

5. Question: High Temp - For the storage portion of testing, does it need to be in the chamber for a certain amount of time in a storage configuration? If yes, will this be a cyclic or constant storage test?

Answer: The length of time the truck is in the chamber for High Temperature operational testing shall be considered acceptable for length of storage time.

6. Question: High Temp - MIL-STD-810G, Method 501.5 explains this.

- Instrumentation and locations required? Number of sensors and their location determine the duration of the instrumentation period.

Answer: The OEM shall be responsible for picking the number and locations of the sensors.

7. Question: Low Temp: - For the storage portion of testing, does it need to be in the chamber for a certain amount of time in a storage configuration?

Answer: The length of time the truck is in the chamber for Low Temperature operational testing shall be considered acceptable for length of storage time.

8. Question: Low Temp - Instrumentation and locations required? Number of sensors and their location determine the duration of the instrumentation period.

Answer: The OEM shall be responsible for picking the number and locations of the sensors.

9. Question: Low Temp - Will ATC be preparing the vehicle for the testing?

Answer: Yes. As a minimum, in preparation for the testing, the offeror will need to change ALL fluids and filters (multiple times) to ones that can operate at -40F. Rubber hoses, hose clamps, fittings, belts, seals, etc, need to be adequate to withstand the temperature.

10. Question: Humidity: - Should this be conducted in tandem with high temp testing?

Answer: No. All environmental tests are to be conducted independently.

11. Question: Humidity - Procedure I for storage, there are many different methods describe in MIL-STD-810G. Please specify.

Answer: See Table 507.5-I. High humidity diurnal categories, Natural, Hot Humid (Cycle B3) for testing requirements.

12. Question: Humidity - Time in humidity?

Answer: 24 hour duration

13. Question: Humidity %?

Answer: RH value is stated for each hour of the duration time.

14. Question: Humidity - Instrumentation and locations required? Number of sensors and their location determine the duration of the instrumentation period.

Answer: The OEM shall be responsible for picking the number and locations of the sensors.

15. Question: Salt fog: - There are 2 different duration options. Which is desired for this test item?

Answer: The duration shall be as follows: Alternating 24-hour periods of salt fog exposure and drying conditions for a minimum of four 24-hour periods (two wet and two dry). See MIL-STD-810G, paragraph 2.2.3, Duration.

16. Question: Salt fog: - The only way to meet the temperature recommendation in MIL-STD-810G (95 F +/-4 deg F) is to put it in a chamber during the drying period. Is this required?

Answer: Yes.

17. Question: Salt fog: - This could be performed in tandem with Roadability. Thoughts?

Answer: No. All environmental tests are to be conducted independently.

18. Question: Salt fog: - Would it be best to do this test at the very end?

Answer: No. This test shall be performed prior to the user operational test and inspection at Seymour Johnson AFB.

19. Question: Sand and Dust: - For dust, is there a specific area that the dust should be concentrated on?

Answer: No.

20. Question: Sand and Dust: - Is the 12 hours the total for one area, or is it 6 hours left and 6 hours right sides, or 12 hours for both sides?

Answer: The test for Procedure I shall be 12 hours total, 6 hours for the left side and 6 hours for the right side.

21. Question: Sand and Dust: - MIL-STD-810G has options for the orientation and times, but I leave that decision to the customer. Do you want to operate the test item at all during the test?

Answer: No.

22. Question: Sand and Dust: - For sand, do you want to operate the test item at all during the test?

Answer: No.

23. Question: Sand and Dust: - Please note, sand and dust testing are performed outside, so weather conditions must be ideal for testing. Please let me know if you have a preference as to what order you want this test performed with respect to the others.

Answer: It is strongly recommended that the sand and dust test be conducted last in the series of environmental tests.

24. Question: 3.3.7 Welding AWS D1.1 & D1.2 - Are the Certifications required with the bid submittal or after award?

Answer: Certifications should be available; however, they are not required to be submitted with the proposal.

25. Question: 3.3.10 Service Life FEA Analysis - Are Calculations & IGS files due with bid submittal or after award?

Answer: The required due dates of all analyses including Service Life can be found in the Statement of Work (SOW) Paragraph 3.5.1.

26. Question: 3.6.2 Air transportability - The floor loads to high without Shoring when loading into C-5 & C-17 aircraft using a chassis with an air ride suspension as called for in chassis specification (3.9.1) Can you please provide an alternative specification?

Answer: An alternative specification is not available. The design criteria for Air transportability can be found in MIL-STD-1791. The Government is not clear on the offeror’s question. The truck, if designed correctly, can be air lifted without shoring on the C-5 and C-17 aircraft.

27. Question: 3.8.2 a & e Pumping system - Flow rates of 600 gpm @ 55 psi thru 2-1/2” hose is not possible? Can you please provide an alternative specification?

Answer: The requirement of 600 gpm +0/– 25 gpm with nozzle back pressures over the range of 0 psig to the operator selected maximum nozzle backpressure 50 ± 5 psig is obtainable with the length and diameter of hose specified. The R-11 refuelers have required this flow rate and pressure requirement since 1982.

28. Question: 3.13.2 Type III hydrant system - Can you provide a location on the West Coast or nearest base to Northern California, that we can go look at a Type III Hydrant system? Can you provide us with a location where we can look at a R-11 truck built on the last contract that is located in Northern California.

Answer: Due to schedule restraints, the Government is unable to accommodate these requests.

29. Question: Can you provide us with contract number from the last contract, award prices and name of successful contractor?

Answer: This information can be obtained through FOIA (Freedom of Information Act).

30. Question: Is the cost for the first article testing paid for by USAF?

Answer: All costs for testing shall be included in the offeror’s proposal.

31. Question: With a solicitation of this magnitude we would like to request an extension to allow for proper preparation including drawings, schematics, and extensive narrative required with Bid Package?

Answer: Request is hereby granted. Please see Amendment 0001 to subject solicitation. Solicitation is extended for 14 (fourteen) days.

32. Question: Is the government aware that there is only one fuel systems manufacturer that can legally provide the patented EACS methodology that utilizes the engine to control and adjust the fueling flow rate, and by requiring this methodology disqualifies all fair competition from the solicitation?

Answer: The Government is aware of a similar potential patent pending technology; however, it is not the Government's intent to limit the required engine automated control system, as specified in 3.8.2 of MIL-PRF-32080E, to one particular source. The Government has stated its requirements for an engine automated control system in order to maximize energy efficiency and minimize fuel consumption. Market research indicated that technology is available that will allow offerors to meet the Government's stated requirements.

33. Question: Given the EACS is a broadly patented methodology by a single manufacturer, will the government give equal consideration to alternative, proven, commercially available methods of monitoring and controlling flow rates. These methods having been proven equal or better in preventing the single-point nozzle pressure from exceeding the operator selected maximum nozzle pressure setting. Given that this would allow for more open and fair competition among the bidders for this solicitation?

Answer: In order to maximize energy efficiency and minimize fuel consumption, the Government will require the technological process necessary to successfully achieve the requirements as stated in MIL-PRF-32080E, Para 3.8.2.

34. Question: request an extension of the Offer Due Date for the subject Solicitation from 3 May 2013 to 17 May 2013. Although we have anticipated the release of the Solicitation for some time, the complexity of both the R-11s themselves and the required Offer make it difficult to provide an acceptable response in 30 days.

Answer: Request is hereby granted. Please see Amendment 0001 to subject solicitation. Solicitation is extended for 14 (fourteen) days.

35. Question: Is past performance being taken into consideration during the evaluation process? If a small business submits a proposal for this solicitation and does not have the fuel pumping system experience but plans on teaming with a Large Business for this part of the project, will the government allow the past performance of the large business to be considered in the evaluation process, or will only the past experience of the Small Business be allowed and evaluated?

Answer: In accordance with the “Evaluation Basis for Award” in subject solicitation, this acquisition will utilize the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) source selection procedure in accordance with FAR 15.101-2 and 15.3 as supplemented by the DoD Source Selection Procedures referenced in DFARS 215.300 to make an integrated assessment for a best-value award decision. The Government will make a determination of acceptability or unacceptability on offerors’ technical proposals. For those offerors whose proposals are determined to be technically acceptable, award will be made to the offeror having the lowest total evaluated price. The Government intends to award one contract as a result of this solicitation.

Present and Past Performance is not an evaluation factor for this acquisition.