Questions_and_Answers_Amendment_0002.pdf

Question 1: The Modular Maritime Communications Headset System Vendor XX would like to submit has multiple configurations. The various configurations include Headsets, PTTs, and cables to support communications as per the previous RFI (HSCG44-16-R- RFI0008) and current RFP (HSCG44-16-R-001052). The configurations are based off requirements such as Single Comm PTT for LVIS, Single Comm PTT for PRC 152A, Dual Comm PTT for Aviation/PRC 152A, and so on. The existing pricing chart provided

(p. 6, Continuation of SF-1449 Blocks 19-24: Schedule of Supplies/Services) does not allow a quote that describes these various configurations. Can the USCG confirm the configurations and quantities being requested?

Answer 1: The headsets shall be proposed and delivered as a kit containing the headset and all adapters, cables, PTT etc. necessary to meet all requirements listed in PART 2:

Performance Specification Statement, Section 6 Requirements.

Question 2: Please confirm the Performance Specification Standard (PSS) referenced in the RFP (HSCG44-16-R-001052) is in accordance with Section 2 (Mission Requirements) of the RFI (HSCG44-16-R-RFI0008)?

Answer 2: The PSS referenced in the RFP contains similar requirements, but not exactly the same as Section 2 of the RFI. The PSS in the RFP will be used to evaluate proposals, Section 2 of the reference RFI is not included in the RFP and will not be used to evaluate proposals.

Question 3: The RFP states Firm Fixed Pricing; however, the existing pricing chart provided (p. 6, Continuation of SF-1449 Blocks 19-24: Schedule of Supplies/Services) requests option year pricing. Can you confirm if the government requires Firm Fixed Pricing, or if increased pricing for option years is permissible?

Answer 3: The Offerors are required to provide unit price for all CLINs including Optional Line Items. All unit prices are Firm Fixed Price. It is the Offerors decision whether or not to escalate unit prices throughout the ordering period of the Contract.

Question 4: Please clarify if drawings may be submitted as an attachment to the Technical Proposal, which will not count towards the 15-page limitation.

Answer 4: Drawings may be submitted as attachments and will count towards the page limitation. Page limitations have been increased to 30 pages.

Question 5: What is the existing headset? (1.2 Background)

Answer 5: Television Equipment Associates, Inc. HI-THREAT TIER1 Headset (HTH) and Atlantic Signal LLC, Comms Kit

Question 6: Which systems are considered existing? (6.1.1.a. The headset shall connect to the Crew Connection Points (CCP) on existing systems via a wired connection)

Answer 6: Harris RF-7800I-CU100 ICS, Ultra Electronics GAS6295 Intercom System, and the GENTEX LVIS

Question 7: Please clarify if “off boat provided” means “independent of the vessel” or “drawing power from the vessel”. (6.1.1.b. The headset and Push-to-Talk (PTT) shall be able to operate off boat provided electrical power (12 VDC).)

Answer 7: In this statement, "off boat provided" means "drawing power from the vessel."

Question 8: Which circuits are being referred to? What is “be accessible” defined as?

What function(s) is expected? (6.1.1.d. Each circuit shall be accessible from any CCP that has been programmed for access.)

Answer 8: Various radio circuits that interfaces with the CCP and the boat crew intercom system. “Be accessible” for the headset refers to being able to communicate on those circuits. The functions expected are PTT, transmit audio, and receive audio.

Question 9: What function is expected? (6.1.1.e. The headset’s Push-to-Talk (PTT) shall be functional when transmitting on installed communications systems.)

Answer 9: PTT shall key the radio being used or provide transmit capability on a boat crew intercom system.

Question 10: Is the headset itself required to have a PTT?

Answer 10: No

Question 11: Is the headset itself to provide intercom function? (6.1.1.f. The system shall have PTT and Voice Activated (VOX) operation for circuit keying when used as an intercom.)

Answer 11: The headset shall provide VOX function for the boat crew intercom system.

Question 12: What function does this provide beyond PTT and VOX function of the intercom?

Answer 12: It does not provide any other function.

Question 13: What are the applicable environments? (6.1.1.g. The system shall provide a speech transmission index (STI) of 0.5 in all environments.)

Answer 13: At sea on a small boat, onboard a helicopter or aircraft, and operating onboard a vessel within engineering spaces.

Question 14: Onboard what platforms? (6.1.1.h. The system shall provide a STI of 0.6 in ambient noise environment onboard up to 103 dBA.)

Answer 14: Small boat craft, helicopters and aircraft, and ships.

Question 15: Is this function independent of the radio or intercom? Does this function override the feature of a radio or intercom to exceed 85 dBA. ? (6.1.1.i. The system shall limit the sound exposure to the crew from a radio or internal communications to a maximum of 85 dBA.)

Answer 15: Yes, this function is independent of the radio or intercom. Yes, this function overrides the feature of a radio of intercom to exceed 85 dBA.

Question 16: Which surface, marine and air platforms? (6.1.2.b. Headsets shall be useable in each craft to allow seamless transition between surface marine and airborne platforms.)

Answer 16: USCG Surface assets: 33 SPC-LEO, 33 SPC-LE, 32 TPSB, 23 CB-OTH, 26 CB-OTH-IV, and BTD. USCG Aviation: H-60, H-65, and C-130

Question 17: What are the functions to be useable? (6.1.2.b. Headsets shall be useable in each craft to allow seamless transition between surface marine and airborne platforms.)

Answer 17: PTT, transmit audio, and receive audio.

Question 18: What is the function of the transceiver? (6.1.2.c. The system shall include a crewmember transceiver unit that connects to the headset worn by the crewman as well as the 6-Pin connection of the PRC-152A and the AP-107BRS connection of a boat crew communication system.)

Answer 18: To communicate to other assets on the operation not connected to the boat crew communications system.

Question 19: Is this all of the connectors to be interfaced with? (6.1.2.c. The system shall include a crewmember transceiver unit that connects to the headset worn by the crewman as well as the 6-Pin connection of the PRC-152A and the AP-107BRS connection of a boat crew communication system.)

Answer 19: Yes

Question 20: COMDTINST 2450.1 appears to be an internal USCG policy document. Is there a specification? (6.1.2.d. The system shall not have any electromagnetic disturbances that interrupt, obstruct, or otherwise degrade or limit the effective performance of the electronics/electrical equipment. (IAW COMDTINST 2450.1))

Answer 20: COMDTINST 2450.1 references the following standards:

a. Grounding, Bonding and Shielding for Common Long Haul/Tactical Communication Systems Including Ground Based Communications-Electronics Facilities and Equipments, MIL-STD-188-124 (series)

b. Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics of Subsystems and Equipment, MIL-STD-461 (series)

c. Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Requirements for Systems, MIL-STD-464 (series)

d. Shipboard Bonding, Grounding, and Other Techniques for Electromagnetic Compatibility, Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Mitigation, and Safety, MIL-STD-1310 (series)

e. Procedures for Conducting a Shipboard Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Survey (Surface Ships), MIL-STD-1605 (series)

f. Standard Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Survey Procedures, NAVSEA-STD407-5291780 (series)

Question 21: What interaction is the headset expected to have with what appear to be data-specific waveforms? (6.1.2.h. Headsets shall be compatible with the following waveforms when used with the PRC-152A)

Answer 21: The headset will have no interaction with the HPW waveform. For the ANW2 waveform the headset and PTT will provide PTT, transmit audio, and receive audio.

Question 22: Is “radio” above referring to a crew radio or radio via ICS?

(6.1.2.i. The Push To Talk (PTT) shall be configurable to offer the following functions:

6.1.2.i.i. Single PTT: single PRC-152A (Operator)

6.1.2.i.ii. Single PTT MK4: LVIS (boat crew)

6.1.2.i.iii. Double Comm PTT: single radio/ICS (Boat/Aviation)

6.1.2.i.iv. Triple Comm PTT: dual radio/ICS (Boat/Aviation))

Answer 22: "Radio" is referring to both a crew radio and radio via ICS.

Question 23: Specifically, which connectors and ICS?

(6.1.2.j. The headset shall be compatible with the following connections:

6.1.2.j.v. USCG/DHS aviation 4-Pin ICS cable – for Double/Triple Comm PTTs

6.1.2.j.vi. DOD/USN aviation 5-Pin ICS cable – for Double/Triple Comm PTTs

6.1.2.j.vii. MK3 OTH ICS cable _ for Double/Triple Comm PTT (Boarding team)

6.1.2.j.viii. MK4 OTH ICS cable _ Double/triple Comm PTT (Boarding team))

Answer 23: Connectors: AP-107, U-329/U, U-174/U, and U-384/U type connectors.

ICS: Do not have specific models for aviation. For OTH, MK3 is the Ultra Electronics GAS6295 Intercom System and MK4 is GENTEX LVIS.

Question 24: Which air and surface assets? (6.1.3.a.ii. The system headset connector cables shall be compatible with mating jacks on hard-wired crew stations on all surface and air assets.)

Answer 24: USCG Surface assets: 33 SPC-LEO, 33 SPC-LE, 32 TPSB, 23 CB-OTH, 26 CB-OTH-IV, and BTD. USCG Aviation: H-60, H-65, and C-130

Question 25: Which configurations and models of helmets? (6.1.3.a.iii. The headset shall be compatible with the ACH and OPSCORE tactical operator helmets.)

Answer 25:

HELMET, ACH

NSN- 8470015296302 SM

NSN- 8470015296329 MD

NSN- 8470015296344 LG

NSN- 8470015296365 XL

HELMET, OPS CORE, SR-5231, 3 HOLE, KH,

NSN- 8470016290236 MD

NSN- 8470016290222 LG

NSN- 8470016290203 XL

Question 26: How is this expected to work with 6.1.3.a.iii above, requiring to be connected directly to the ARC rail?

(6.1.3.a.iv. The headset shall be able to connect directly to the ARC Rail mounts on an OPS-CORE helmet.

6.1.3.a.v. An upper headset assembly shall feature a stainless steel vertical headband frame with a padded outer sleeve and two point fastener connected to dual molded foam ear cups.)

Answer 26: The headset should have a design option to attach the ear cups to the ARC rail mount without the steel headband frame.

Question 27: Is the LRU Logistical Lead Time to be no greater than 60 or 90 days?

(6.1.3.b.ii. The LRU shall have a Logistical Lead Time of no greater than 60 days.)

Answer 27: 90 Days

Question 28: What standard is being applied? (6.1.3.g.ii. Headset and PTT shall be fully waterproof down to 2 meters (salt water) for up to 72 hours.)

Answer 28: This would be the IP68 standard.

Question 29: Is the system to be operable under water?

Answer 29: No, but it should be able to operate after being retrieved from the water.