Q A_12_Dec.pdf

RFP FA8533‐13‐R‐00211

Question and Answer

12 December 2013

Question: “PD 3.3: Can you please confirm that the Zone 2, Atmospheric Explosive (ATEX) 94/9/EC Directive is not required for the ETU 8/E and ETU 9/E Lift Trailers?”

Answer: We are not aware of any reason that this trailer would require ATEX Zone 2 certification.

Question: “PD 3.6.4.1 Describes various Tow Speeds. Can you please identify the speeds required for loaded and unloaded trailers in both the fully extended and fully collapsed configuration? “

Answer: PD 3.6.4, Mobility, states, “The trailer with rated load in low position…” and further defines “low position.” Therefore, all of the speeds listed for 3.6.4.1.1, Paved Surfaces, through 3.6.4.1.3, Belgian Block, are for the trailer with rated load in the low position.

Question: “PD 3.11.2.3 & 3.11.3: Can the Tie Down and Winch Point Provisions be dual purpose? “

Answer: Yes.

Question: “PD 3.7.1 & 3.7.9: Is it the intent for the Mud Flaps to remain stationary when the wheels are positioned 90° from the forward position and locked for side movement? PD States, “The wheels shall turn 90º from the forward position and lock for side movement.” Must this be accomplished with the “two front wheels interconnected and steerable” or can this be accomplished by manually disconnecting the steering linkage and manually locking the wheels into the 90º position? “

Answer: The mudflap requirement has been deleted. The front wheels do not have to be “interconnected and steerable” when rotated 90 degrees for side movement; rather they may be manually disconnected from the steering linkage. See Amendment 0004 the RFP posted on FBO that incorporates a PD amendment to address these changes.

Question: “PD 3.7.4 Suspension: SAE AS8090 mentions “Springs and shock absorbers ….The degree of road shock mitigation may be determined to be critical for specific items of mounted equipment. If so, the limits should be specified by the procuring activity.” Can you please specify the maximum allowable limits? “

Answer: The degree of road shock mitigation is not critical for these trailers.

Question: “Section 3.6.4 of the PD specifies Type II mobility for both trailers however SAE AS8090 3.4.1.2 states the “Equipment design for type III mobility”. Are the Type III mobility provisions of 3.4.1.2 being required for these Type II mobility trailers?”

Answer: Yes, as specified in 3.7.4, Suspension, these trailers require a suspension system in accordance with 3.4.1.2 of SAE AS8090.

Question: “PD 3.5 Weight, dimensions, and capacities: A Turning Radius Analysis was performed on the ETU‐8/E and ETU‐9/E wheels using the stated wheelbases and dimensions. Using the stated requirements it will be a significant design challenge for the ETU‐8/E to meet the required turning radius without having component collision. Do we have any flexibility in making changes to the weights, dimensions and capacities that are listed on Table II to meet the required turning radius? “

Answer: See Amendment 0004 to the RFP that has been posted to FBO. Amendment 0001 to the PD deletes “curb‐to‐curb” from Table II, thereby increasing the turning radius to that of the existing ETU‐8/E and ETU‐9/E trailers. Four wheel steering is not permissible.

Question: “PD 3.7.5 Steering: Is it acceptable to utilize the towbar with a new four wheel mechanical system steering design for four wheel and two wheel steering operations? “

Answer: No, a four wheel steering system is not permissible.

Question: “PD 3.3.1.2: “Fasteners, handles, and fittings used in the assembly of the item shall also be primed and painted.” This is not practicable with all fasteners, fittings and other hardware components which will be used in the construction of the Lift Trailers. Is this really what was intended by this sub‐ section? Can provisions be added to the protective coatings to include acceptable forms of non‐painted and primed finishes such as bath or electro‐plated finishes?”

Answer: This requirement is for the assembled trailer, that is, after it is assembled, the trailer including fasteners, fittings, and other hardware components, shall be primed and painted. There is no requirement for fasteners to be primed and painted prior to assembly; of course this would not be feasible. See Amendment 0004 to the RFP that has been posted to FBO. Amendment 0001 to the PD adds clarification.

Question: “PD 3.3.2 Markings: “All external devices which require an operational or maintenance interface”, this requires definition. Also there are some controls markings which will be necessarily small precluding use of the prescribed minimum 1/2‐inch high letters. Can accommodation be added to this section to allow for smaller sized lettering in accordance with MIL‐STD‐130? A table of the type of marking and corresponding lettering height would provide useful guidance.”

Answer: Concur. See Amendment 0004 to the RFP that has been posted to FBO. Amendment 0001 to the PD provides a change to this paragraph.

Question: “PD 3.4.3.3 Ice: “An operator may use an ice scraper for five minutes during the start‐up process.” Can you please clarify what is involved in the start‐up process and/or confirm that this refers to only those areas of the engine Lift Trailers where ice removal is required prior to operation.”

Answer: The reference to an ice scraper does not apply to these engine trailers. See Amendment 0004 to the RFP that has been posted to FBO. Amendment 0001 to the PD provides a change to this paragraph.

Question: “PD 3.5: Weight, dimensions, and capacities Table II: Can you confirm that the Center of Gravity locations stipulated refer to an unloaded trailer that is in the “low position”. Refer to Section 3.6.4, Mobility.”

Answer: As this paragraph states, it is for “air transportable configuration” and does not correspond to the mobility requirements of 3.6.4. The trailers are not loaded in air transportable configuration.

Question: “PD 3.6.4.3 Minimum Curb‐to curb turning radius: The minimum turn radius stipulated in Table II for both Lift Trailers is not possible based on the requirements of Section 3.5.1.1 of SAE AS8090 without the need for four wheel steering. Is four wheel steering permissible?”

Answer: See Amendment 0004 to the RFP that has been posted to FBO. Amendment 0001 to the PD deletes “curb‐to‐curb” from Table II, thereby increasing the turning radius to that of the existing ETU‐8/E and ETU‐9/E trailers. Four wheel steering is not permissible.

Question: “PD 3.9 Rails: This section refers to Figure 2 where it should read Figure 6.”

Answer: Concur. See Amendment 0004 to the RFP that has been posted to FBO. Amendment 0001 to the PD provides a change to this paragraph.

Question: “PD 3.10 Winch: “RESERVED”. What does this mean? Our familiarity with both the ETU 8/E and ETU 9/E Lift Trailers is that they are equipped with a winch system for moving the load from one end of the rails to the other. Do these trailers not require the winch? If so more clarification and specification is required.”

Answer: RESERVED means that the requirement for a winch has been deleted.

Question: “PD 3.11.2.2 Tire pressure: Referencing Section 3.11.2 of the PD, do the tires require pressure relief devices?”

Answer: No.

Question: “PD 3.7.6.1 Parking brakes: Section 3.6.1 of SAE AS8090 requires the brakes be actuated “by means of a single manual control”. Does the parking brakes requirement only apply to the rear wheels or does it apply for all four wheels?”

Answer: 3.6.1 of SAE AS8090 states, “The number of brakes required shall be based on an analysis of the maximum gross load, speed, center of gravity, rolling radius, operating surface friction, and the performance requirements of the equipment specification.” There is no explicit requirement for parking brakes on all four wheels; however, based on the sentence quoted above, any particular trailer design created by a company may require parking brakes on all four wheels.

Question: “PD 3.7.8 Fenders: The fender will likely have to be affixed to the main trailer frame because of the required wheel lift cylinders travel, wheel turning movement and the requirement of Section 3.9 of SAE AS8090, which stipulates a 250 pound fender load rating. If this turns out to be the case then the fenders will likely exceed the maximum overall trailer width of 80 inches as stipulated in Table II of the PD. Is this acceptable?”

Answer: See Amendment 0004 to the RFP that has been posted to FBO. Amendment 0001 to the PD deletes the requirement for Fenders.

Question: “Paragraph 3.7.1 Does the 90 deg adjustment have a tolerance can it be less say 85 deg?”

Answer: The intent of the requirement is to be able to move the trailer perpendicular to its normal direction of travel; therefore a 5 degree tolerance would not be acceptable.

Question: “Paragraph 3.7.2 Wheel cylinders positive locks need to be "deadman" or can they installed after the lifting or lowering operation is complete?”

Answer: The locks are already installed, but manually activated prior to lifting and lowering the trailer;

deadman locks are not required.

Question: “Paragraph 3.9.1 Do the adjustments have to completed while the trailer is at the lowered and raised position? What about the case when spacers are installed? Center of gravity is of concern as the height increases.”

Answer: Yes, the adjustments are required at any lift position. Yes, the adjustments are required with spacers installed. See Amendment 0004 to the RFP that has been posted to FBO. Amendment 0001 to the PD provides a change to this paragraph.