RFP Q A Martix 3.pdf

HSCG23-11-R-ADB013 (CB-OTH-IV)

Question and Answer Matrix 3

# RFP Reference Question Response

Is utilizing the foam collars for seating of the eight additional passengers acceptable Yes, this is acceptable.

The volume one 70 page limit seems to be insufficient to address the required response categories. Is the sequential technical response meant to be incorporated in the compliance matrix? If not is it included in the page limit? Are the calculations for the Weight, Stability and Structural Design response included in the page limit? Is the required warranty and warranty plan?

The sequential technical response may be incorporated in the compliance matrix. Calculations and enclosures to warranty plan are not included in the page limit.

Questions have been submitted about the parts called out in the SOW. Are revised sections going to be released?

Questions not submitted to the Contracting Specialist are not being addressed. Other revisions are addressed herein.

085-3.2.7

086-2.2

Would you provide a list of the items that comprise the

C4ISR system?

No. The C4ISR system equipment is listed within the

400 section of the spec.

5 424-6 Integrated Crew Communication System:

what is Max number of crew members

Integrated crew comms stations must be provided for the five person crew (Spec 042-2.2 and 660-1.1) and for the gun mount location (spec 581-2.1).

6 670-1.2

Concerning the Pelican case mentioned on page 63 of the solicitation. Do you have an NSN or any more information to be more specific to what you are looking for? Is the case going to store a rifle, shotgun and the outfit items? There are many cases too pick from and I need size and what is going into it for the foam packing.

There is no NSN. The enclosure will store an M16 rifle (and 2 spare ammunition magazines) and

Remington 870 shotgun (and 10 rounds of shotgun ammunition).

7 200

The specification does not address the EPA requirements of the engine. Will the Coast Guard be willing to sign a waiver if they do not intend to use a

Tier II Engine? Furthermore, production of the boats is anticipated to run past the year 2013. Are Tier III

Engines going to be requested during this phase or will a waiver be considered?

The specification section 200-1.5 addresses the EPA requirements for the propulsion engine. Coast Guard intends to use Tier II engine as required by the current

40 CFR 94 regulations and will not sign a waiver. Tier

III engines may be requested when EPA (40 CFR 94) regulations for Tier III engines put into effect or a waiver may be requested. Proposals shall be priced based on Tier II.

8 200 Has USCG taken into consideration any performance reduction on Tier II Engines when converted to Tier III.

No. The propulsion performance calculations shall be based on Tier II engine rating.

9 200 What percentage of hours a year would the engines run on JP-5 fuel?

There is no data available to predict percentage time of operation on JP-5 fuel. This requirement will be driven by CG fuel availability.

Are the calculations in section 085-4 to be submitted as part of the proposal response? If so are they included in the 70 page limit?

No. Section 085-4 calculations are not required to be included in the Technical Proposal (Volume 1). Please see Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 "Instructions for proposal Content" (Attachment 8) for the calculations and drawings to be included in the proposal"

11 070-2.1.3 Is a boat with the beam specified in this requirement compliant with the width requirements of 084-1.6?

The method of compliance is up to the manufacturer.

It is possible that the operational beam of the boat is wider than the beam while transported.

070-3.1.1

Crew Space:

What are the specific duties for each of the three (3) crewmembers?

See the BOAT Manual, USCG Commandant

Instruction Manual 16114.32

13 084-1.6

What is the specific width at which special permits or allowances are required?

See US DOT regulations which encorporate state regulations. It is our understanding that the limit is generally 102 inches.

14 084-1.6

If there is a conflict with the overall beam as specified in

070-2.1.3, is removal of fendering to reduce beam an acceptable solution?

The fendering may be adjusted for the purposes of transportation but all other requirements of the spec must be met. See response to question 11 and 13 of

Matrix 3.

15 252-2.3

Does an alarm indication (e.g. alarm condition symbol and/or alarm condition text) shown on an engine display meet the "indicating light" requirement?

No, there must be a separate indicator light that doesn't require monitoring of the engine display. An indicatator light should be immediately noticable to the crew. Amplifying or supporting information may be provided by a textual description on the engine display.

16 252-2.3

"Alarm tones shall be distinct to indicate type of casualty and engine affected (objective)."

Do alarms that distinguish between Critical, and Non

Critical engine conditions meet this objective?

No. Loss of lube oil pressure, high engine temp, and alternator failure for the engine must have distinct audible alarms to meet the objective.

17 300-1.6

What are the specific pieces of equipment deemed necessary for safe operation/navigation, and percentage of operation if not constant?

A reasonable allowance for design will include 100% of navigation equipment and navigation lighting and at least 50% duty cycle for communications and task lighting.

18 331-5.1 Does this include to the IR strobe? No. This does not include the IR strobe

19 331-7.1 Please specify the specific boat lights that need to be

NVG compliant.

All lights specified in Spec section 311 and all displays as specified in section 410-1.1 must be dimmable to zero to facilitate NVG operations.

20 410-2.5 Please identify the specific electronic units that are affected by this requirement?

All electronics and console mounted displays must be protected from water intrusion yet allow for reading display. Specific electronic units affected depend on offeror design.

21 423-1.1

423-1.1 implies that separate displays are required for both Helm and Navigation stations. Attachment 3, RFI questions implies that a single display may meet he requirement, if Helm and Navigation stations are side by side. Can you please provide further clarification?

Displays may be shared by the helm and navigation stations if they are side by side.

22 423-1.1 Can you please identify the specific Furuno devices that are classified as displays?

MFD12. This shall display radar imagery, electronic charts, tracking data for Vessel-of-Interest (VOI) and

Infrared (IR) camera video imagery.

23 423-1.1.5.1

What data is to be displayed on the RD-30 display?

Which crewmember(s) need to be able to control this display? Which crewmember(s) need to be able to view this display?

The RD-30 shall display vessel depth, speed and heading. Viewable and controllable by the coxswain and the navigator.

24 424-6.3 Does this include the seats for all 5 crew? Yes.

25 410-1.1 Can you please provide the distinction between "night operations" and "NVG compatibility"?

Night operations includes activities occuring at nighttime with or without NVG equipment in place.

582-5 Lifting

Fittings and

Sling(s)

HSCG33-11-R-

ADB013_Atta ch_4

Will the Coast Guard provide further information, (preferably AutoCAD .dwg drawings) or sufficient details to allow proper integration of the CB-OTH-IV with the ships for the following systems?

NSC Single Point Davit System;

NSC Stern Ramp Launch and Recovery System, including details of the Gantry crane and stowage deck;

FRC Stern Ramp Launch and Recovery System;

Legacy Cutters Dual Point Side Davit.

No. All information available to the project is provided in attachment 4 to the RFP.

27 900-1.1

Please provide clarification as to what is meant by

"weight of the fully outfitted boat"? Section 050

WEIGHT AND LOAD CONDITIONS, does not list this condition.

Is there a maximum combined weight of the fully outfitted boat and trailer?

If so, what is that specific weight value?

If so, is the additional twenty percent (20%) included in that value?

The weight of the fully outfitted boat for this purpose is the Lightship Weight as defined in section 050-1.1.2 and includes the boat cover. The trailer shall have a minimum weight rating of at least twenty percent

(20%) more than the combined weight of the fully outfitted boat and trailer. There is no requirement on maximum allowable combined weight of the fully outfitted boat and trailer.

HSCG23-11-R-

ADB013_Atta ch_8

Are Calculations included or excluded in the page count for Volume 1?

Please see Amendment 000003. Calculations are excluded from the page count.

SOW

Deliverables

List

Please clarify what boat delivery? If Vendor is down selected in Phase I to build a Boat for physical testing and validation are the required items from the deliverable list #27 through #36 due with the delivery of this test and evaluation Boat?

Yes, Deliverables #27 through #36 are due at the delivery of the First Boat (test and evaluation boat).

Statement of

Work

Request the Statement of Work Document be provided to industry in Word format No.

31 080-5.1

Are initial spare parts required for the first 400 hours of operations for the test and evaluation boat if selected to build a boat as part of phase I??

No, see Deliverable List in SOW.

General

Comments

Please provide clear definition between what is called out as the first boat. Will the test and evaluation boat always be referred to as the first boat? Will the second boat be considered as the first boat produced after the end of phase II?

Yes, the "test and evaluation boat" as described is the first boat. The next boat ordered will be referred to as the second boat, etc.

33 080-5.1 Define what is considered as the production order?

All boats are considered production items, the boats will be First, Second, etc.

34 Attachment 8

As a SBA approved small business I am requesting an extension of two weeks to the current submission date of 02 February 2011 to a new submission date of 16

February 2011.

Please see Amendment 000003. Submission has been extended until February 16, 2010 at noon eastern time.

35 080 Logistics

Please provide a list of Logistics deliverables in section

080 of the specification for the phase 1 Test and

Evaluation boat if selected.

Please see Deliverable List in SOW.

36 333-1.1

Specification states that the search light needs to be operable by both the coxswain and a crew member while seated at their stations. Then in 331-1.3 it states within easy reach of the coxswain without moving away from the normal conning position. just to clarify, we are only installing one control for the search light to be operated by the coxswain and one crew member seated next to the coxswain. Controls don‟t need to be provided within reach of each crew member.

Yes you may have one control for the coxswain and another crewmember.

37 331-2.1

Would a single LED Law Enforcement light bar with traditional 360 degree lights integrated into the light bar and located to provide 360 degree visibility be acceptable? It is unclear if you are requesting a light bar with a minimum of two lights or two separate light bars.

The requirement calls for 2 NM visibility of LE light.

The standard rating for LE lights is Class I and Class II.

Most traditional light bars are rated as Class I which provides a minimum of 200 candela flashes per second.

Most rotating or flashing beacons are rated Class II which provides a minimum of 50 candela flashes per second. Please confirm if a particular Class rating is required of the LE light.

Two separate single LED LE light bars with the traditional 360 light integration are acceptable. No specific class rating is desired. A siren control unit with amplified speaker is not required.

38 331-2.1

Please confirm that you are not requiring a siren control unit with amplified speaker. Nothing is specified in the contract?

There is no requirement for a siren.

39 200-1.5

Will it be acceptable to provide an engine meeting 40

CFR 94 for the OT&E phase and initial year of full rate production and then provide an alternate engine (due to the discontinuation of existing marine Tier II engines) once the OEM‟s integrate the Tier III engines? This would require a TCTO and SCIR for the engine and associated spare parts. How does the CG intend to address this issue?

See response to question #7 of Matrix 3.

40 200-2.1

The engines we have researched for this project are all compliant with using JP-5, however, they will not warranty an engine after it has used JP-5 fuel. Will the

CG accept an engine for this project if JP-5 fuel usage voids the commercial warranty?

Yes. This will be revised in Amendment 00004 to make the objective that the warranty will not be affected by JP-5 fuel usage and the threshold will be the standard warranty.

41 252-1.3

Joystick control is typically associated with twin engine systems for use during close quarters maneuvering.

There would not be a significant advantage in using a joystick control for a single engine application. This will also be a costly option to add. How will the evaluating criteria be viewed for this option? Is it more important to meet the objective of this requirement or be competitive in price? Would it be possible to show this as an optional item that the CG can add if they choose or delete if they don‟t? Would a “mouse” type system

(Blue Arrow) be accepted as a joystick control?

Yes, a mouse system is acceptable.

42 410-1.1

Will “black-out” covers be an acceptable method to provide NVG compatible displays, etc? We have achieved NVG compatibility on previous boats by providing black-out Velcro covers that covers up the one light that is not dimmable.

“Black out” covers are acceptable.

43 410-2.5

NVIS material can be integrated into this box, but when opened the display would not be NVG compliant. Are the electronics required to be NVIS compatible when the lid of the waterproof box is raised?

Yes, the electronics must maintain NVIS compatibility by dimming, or filter material.

44 084-3.1

Will the contractor be required to hire an off load crane or do all delivery locations have the ability to off load the boat / trailer combination on site from a low boy or flat bed trailer?

Yes. The contractor is expected to remove the boat/trailer combination from any delivery vehicle used. All delivery locations do not have the ability to offload the boat/trailer combination.

45 092-4.1

Does this refer to the drive shaft connecting the reduction gear and jet or does this refer to the water jet main propulsion shaft? If this refers to the water jet main propulsion shaft, would they also require the housing with wear rings and impeller for inspection?

Please confirm what is expected.

Only shaft connecting the reduction gear and jet.

46 092-4.1 Does specification 092-4.1 also suggest that the USCG prefers an “Engine Forward” design?

No.

47 114-1.1

The requirement for this vessel is for the foam or foam/air fender to withstand collisions up to 9 knots.

Our assumption is that these collisions would generally be during stern launch and recovery, with emphasis on recovery. Are we to assume repeated collisions or merely occasional collisions? Will the majority of the collisions be with the capture net? Could you provide estimate on duration or quantity of collisions?

Fendering system to be capable of absorbing impact at any point and at any angle. These impacts are associated with launch and recovery and coming alongside other vessels for boarding. There are no collisions with capturing net.

48 114-1.1

It is also our understanding that the existing Long Range

Interceptor (which is a 9M boat and is heavier than the proposed vessel) was originally designed using

Ethefoam 220. Over time the repeated impact with the capture net caused the foam to fail and it was replaced with Ethefoam 400. Would you be able to provide” wear” data for the replacement foam on that vessel to use for past performance information on this particular bid?

No the project does not have that data.

49 505-2.2

Will Marelon valves be acceptable for this contract or does the CG require SS sea water valves. Pending they meet the ABYC requirements referenced.

The valves proposed must meet ABYC requirements at the time of the proposal.

Please confirm that no magnetic compass is required in addition to the Furuno PG500 digital compass.

This is confirmed.

When configuring seating arrangements for the (5) shock mitigating seats for the crew and boarding team, are there any specific requirements as to configuration of the multiple radios that are to be installed in the vessel. Do all radios need to be in close proximity of the coxswain and the navigator? Or are there preferences for radio use, e.g.: Std Horizon GX5500S accessible by

Coxswain only, etc.)

There are no specific requirements. See the BOAT

Manual, USCG Commandant Instruction Manual

16114.32 for crew descriptions.

While reviewing this vessel for stability and flotation requirements, it will be extremely difficult to meet all the specifications and have a boat that meets “level flotation” requirements. Request that contract be modified to meet “basic flotation” requirements per

ABYC.

CB-OTH-IV shall meet the stability requirements of specification section 079-1.

Due to the timing of Christmas holidays during the bid period and the importance of this Solicitation we respectfully request that the time for Questions be extended to include January 14 th and 21 st . Also the

Answers to Questions often require additional clarification.

Questions are extended until January 14th at noon eastern time. Please see Amendment 000003.

Based on some significant changes to the specification from the RFI Answers to Questions, that has changed the RFP, we also ask for a two week extension to the close date.

Please see Amendment 000003. Submission has been extended until February 16, 2010 at noon eastern time.

If any or all of the Boat 1 test boats are found to be non-compliant with the RFP requirements, will the IDIQ contracts for the non-compliant boats be terminated, and if all boats are non-compliant will the procurement be retendered with a revised specification?

The action taken will depend on the specific circumstances and USCG cannot make a predetermination.

Noting that this is a Small Business Set-aside and it is not the USCG‟s aim or objective to bankrupt or damage

US small businesses, will the USCG consider a price escalation clause if there are dramatic changes in the marketplace as has recently taken place, where raw materials could rise dramatically. An example of this would be the extreme price increase for holding over discontinued engines for a 5 year period or substituting

Tier III engines which are expected to be approx. 20-

25% additional cost. Small businesses cannot access any type of insurance for this type of calamity and yet we often read of large corporations getting this treatment in government contracts. This would be a huge benefit to small businesses and within the rules.

No, USCG does not have evidence of major price fluxuations.

57 3

The RFP states that the „stated performance and capabilities of the CB-OTH-IV are certified and warranted.‟, by whom?

The Prime Contractor is responsible for all aspects of design, integration, performance and quality. The intent is that the all warranties will go through the

Prime Contractor and USCG will not have to deal with the component manufacturer.

58 3.1.3 Does the USCG wish to have the bidders provide a proposal for VE with their bids?

The SOW requires a VE program but only for those areas mentioned in the SOW.

59 attachment 8

Advise whether the questionnaire for references be supplied by the deadline and not 7 days earlier as noted also. Both are stated on page 4.

Deadline for past performance questionnaires is seven business days prior to the closing date of this solicitation.

60 attachment 4

Can the ships bunks/guides be changed if it can be shown there is a significant benefit to the design change for the USCG and since these vessels have not been built?

No. National Security Cutters NSC-1 and NSC-2 have already been delivered to the Coast Guard. NSC-3 is under construction and NSC-4 is under contract.

There are no bunks in the Fast Response Cutter (FRC)

Can the Coast Guard supply accurate scaled drawings of the bunks/guides for both ships, to the bidders.

See Attachment 4 of the RFP.

62 042-2.3

PIW issue, can the USCG establish what is the safe height for PIW recovery as we can not find a standard that defines this.

USCG does not have a height requirement.

63 042-6.1 Will the CG provide the Contractor with the FMIS software or is this web based?

FMIS is a web-based program, run by a 3rd party under contract the CG. The CG will provide the boatbuilder with appropriate user names and password to enable use of FMIS.

64 070-4.1 If a bidder can substantiate a longer life span, would the

CG score a better evaluation for this extra longevity.

Increased longivity would be benificial to the Coast

Guard.

65 070-5.2

ABS structure & IACS calculations are based on a predetermined wave height (Significant Wave Height) and speed in that wave height. This has not been defined. Can you please provide the SWH and speed required for our ABS calculations? This ensures a substantial structure for the USCG

Specification will be amended to provide for a minimum of 5 kts in Sea State 5 (Amendment 00004).

Strucutual calculations shall be done for 40 knots in

Sea State 0 (0.5 ft) as per section 051-1.1 and a minimum of 5 knots in Sea State 5 (threshold - 11 ft), Sea State 6 (Objective - 13 ft) as per section 070-5.1.

The concept of half a boat designed to ABS, the forward half, does not readily compute with ABS or IACS rules and could result in structural deficiencies. We recommend a fully designed hull to these rules for

USCG security. Please advise.

The forward half bottom structural design needs to be compliant with regulatory standard to account for the impact load associated with launch and recovery.

Offeror may design and build the entire bottom structure with regulatory standard as long as section

070-2.1.2 requirements are met. The intent is to allow for weight reductions.

67 Will the CG accept ABS High Speed Naval Rules? No.

68 070-6.9

Your last sentence states that „No flooding or wash over the stern shall be evident in 2‟ waves.‟ Please confirm that this is not while in reverse at 1/3 throttle and is at best at rest. Otherwise you would need a 3‟ plus high transom

The following change will be made in Amendment

00004: "No flooding or wash over the stern shall be evident in two (2) foot seas while at idle speed in reverse".

69 092-3.6

Your Item 092-3.6.1 on Test & Trials for the same procedure does not note the 2‟ waves but states in calm water. Please advise.

Astern performance will be evaluated in Sea State 0.

70 073-1.1

In the RFI Answers to Questions you state that the 85

Db must be met at all speeds with no headsets. In the

RFP it states 28 knots. The previous Question suggested that this cannot be achieved by any builder. This is true.

We are currently building a USN project for small boats with a fully insulated wheelhouse, hull and engine room with similar power and the Db requirement is for 84 Db.

Even with a full wheelhouse with the close proximity of a high speed diesel this is hard to achieve. The OSHA requirement for a full 8 hours is 85 Db.

Please see Amendment 00001. No further changes required.

the crew will be wearing communication headsets. Can you please readdress this requirement, it could cause delays in your acquisition. Note; in your RBS RFP you asked for 85 Db in a fully enclosed wheelhouse, which is achievable.

No, it will not be readdressed. Please see Amendment

00001. No further changes required.

72 Can we get the test data from the test boats? There are no plans to furnish this data.

73 079- You have not addressed damaged stability in the

Specification, is this required?

Damage Stability is addressed in section 079-1.2.

74 080-3.2.1 Can you confirm is the spares list for 400 hours required with the bidder‟s proposal?

No, not with the proposal.

092-1.2 &

092-1.3 are these tests required for each and every boat. Yes

76 084- Can the collar be removed to facilitate road transport?

Yes as long as is easily transportable and there is no damage resulting. See Specification Section 114-2.1.

77 200 Please verify that only a single engine design can be proposed as per Q&A to the RFI.

Yes.

How will the CG handle the upcoming changes to EPA requirements in this contract when engine manufacturers do not have any pricing available for their new 2013

EPA Tier III models?

See response to question #7 and 8 of this matrix.

79 200-1.13 Please verify that tools required are not to lift the engine and jet?

Correct. Overhead lifting equipment is not required of the offeror. The tools for component removal should include any special tools required for the job that are not in a common mechanics toolbox.

80 252-1.3 Please clarify that the joystick helm control is for steering only and not for bucket control?

For steering only.

81 252-2.2 Please note Typo on the word can, should be can‟t.

Noted. Change will be reflected in a Amendment

000004.

82 582-2.3 There is no mention of tow lights being required or necessary mast height. Can you please confirm.

No additional tow lights are required other than what is specified. See specfication 583-3.2

83 811-4 Please confirm engraving depth for tags

Information stamped into the label may be any depth provided this information is legible and does not

"punch through", ripping the material. Note the information maybe embossed or reverse embossed.

RFI responses Item 200, USCG will not allow intermittent duty cycle. All the engine suppliers will require special ratings to meet your requirement, please clarify your previous statement or if you are asking for a

Heavy Duty rating to be supplied with the engine by the

OEM?

CG is not asking for a heavy duty rating for the propulsion engine.

[ The question relates to the propulsion engine but the description contained in the original question is deleted because it may contain propriatary information.]

Would the USCG see this as a performance benefit if test results were supplied once the official results were completed and approved

Noted. It is not clear from the question alone if the proposal would demonstrate a clear benefit to USCG.

Please can you provide me with a list of the Interested

Vendors?"

Interested Vendor list is open for viewing on Federal

Business Opporunties

87 200-1.5

EPA Tier 3 goes into effect on 1 January 2013. The solicitation does not specify if the engines should meet

Tier 2 or Tier 3. Few if any engines that are currently sold as EPA Tier 2 certified will meet EPA Tier 3, so new engines are being developed but are not yet released for production. This will make it difficult to provide 2 years of proven commercial or government service.

Certification cannot be acquired more than one year in advance of the new regulation going into effect. The options facing us are:

1. Offer a Tier 2 engine for the duration of the project, depending on the Coast Guard to get a National

Security Exemption from the EPA for engines delivered after 1 January 2013.

2. Offer a Tier 2 engine for the competition phase of the project, and replace with new Tier 3 replacement engine when released in 2012.

3. Offer a pre-production non certified engine for the competition phase to be replaced with the new production engine in 2012.

Please advise which of these options would be acceptable.

See response to question #7 & 8 of matrix 3.

88 200-2.1

Based on our testing, using F-44 or other alternative fuels such as biodiesel, JP8 or kerosene may degrade performance by 2-5 below that of No 2 Diesel; this is a factor of the fuel quality and is not a reflection on the engine capability. Please delete the statement " The use of alternative fuels shall not degrade engine performance..."

Amendment 00004 will delete this statement. See the response to question #40 of matrix 3.

There was no data given in the solicitation on duty cycle, annual operating hours or expected service life of the engine. Please provide following data:

A. Percent of time at WOT

B. Percent of time at Cruise (Defined as 70-90% of

WOT)

C. Percent of time at Idle

D. Annual operating hours

E. Type of Lube Oil that will be used (this will determine filter change out intervals)

See page 27 of RFP. The type of lube oil will be specified by engine manufacturer.