AMENDMENT_001-_HSCG40-13-R-51013.pdf

AMENDMENT 001

HSCG40-13-R-51013

New and Used Oil Laboratory testing

There were a few questions posed that have been addressed below regarding this solicitation.

Inquiry #1

In reference to: Direct Reading Ferrography ‐ Particle size index shall be reported in microns using industry accepted test methods. ‐ Testing Range 0‐1000 microns

Can this be more clearly defined, possibly with a given specification # for testing? Do you know what methods are being used currently and possibly what machine is being used to generate the results?

Is there a preference to this particular method vs. others? Would it be acceptable to provide an alternative method so long as it provides similarly accurate information?

Response

The DR Ferrography quantitatively measures the concentration of ferrous wear particles in lubricating or hydraulic oil. The DR Ferrography provides for analysis of a fluid sample by precipitating particles onto the bottom of a glass tube that is subjected to a strong magnetic field. Fiber optic bundles direct light through the glass tube at two locations where large and small particles are deposited by the permanent magnet. At the onset of the test, before particles begin to precipitate the instrument is automatically “zeroed” with a microprocessor chip as the light passes through the oil to adjust for its opacity. The light is reduced in relation to the number of particles deposited in the glass tube, and this reduction is monitored and displayed on a LCD panel. Two sets of readings are obtained: one for Direct Large >5 microns (DL) and one for Direct Small <5 microns (DS) particles. Wear Particle Concentration is derived by adding DL + DS divided by the volume of sample, establishing a machine wear trend baseline. DL, DS and WPC are reported. Test equipment is DR Ferrograph 5 or DR Ferrograph 6.

There is no substitute for DR Ferrography testing.

Inquiry #2

1) Is it OK to run TAN in Accordance with ASTM ‐ D974

2) Is it OK to use a Ferrous Debris Monitor instead of Direct Read Ferrography ( We do run Analytical Ferrography)

3) Are Barcoded Labels mandatory? Are you using them now?

4) IS this contract only available for Small Business 5)Could you please clarify the bottles and shipping? Who is paying for shipping back to the lab? Do bottles have to be double wrapped? What if boxes are slotted to hold 12 or 30 samples without double wrap? Is the US Mail the required shipping carrier?

Response

There will be no substitute testing methods for TAN and DR Ferrography.

Please read paragragh 2.4 for specifics on sample bottle kits. The carrier should be able to accept samples shipment from outside CONUS.