Amendment_1-QA_R1.pdf

CONTINUATION SHEET FOR:

STANDARD FORM 30

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HSCG84-14-R-BHQ044 Amendment 1

Solicitation# HSCG84-14-R-BHQ044 Amendment 1

Continuation of SF-30 Block 14: Description of Amendment/Modification

Questions received as of COB December 4, 2013 and Answers:

1) The Daily energy production calculations for the Self Contained Lanterns will only provide correct results for systems with the solar panel directly connected to the battery and regulated with PWM or an

LDO. This calculation will provide incorrect results for systems using Maximum Power Point Tracking

(MPPT) chargers. If a system has a boost MPPT charger where the battery voltage is higher than the panel voltage, this math will overestimate the current provided to the battery. If a system has a buck

MPPT charger where the battery voltage is lower than the panel voltage, this math will underestimate the current provided to the battery. We propose that you add the following math for the case where the charger is MPPT.

Answer: If a vendor provides complete information about their MPPT system to allow the Coast Guard to model that system then we will do so. Input would include MPPT techniques and an analysis of various system efficiencies (efficiency losses associated with using MPPT will have to be thoroughly addressed). Enough information would need to be provided to ensure that the model does not overestimate current into the battery. During charging, the actual battery voltage will typically be greater than the nominal battery voltage. Because the nominal voltage is less than the typical battery voltage while charging, a vendor could OVER ESTIMATE the charge current, which will result in an inflated energy production calculation (Ein). Vendors whose products use the MPPT system or any system are welcome to provide the math as part of their proposal for Coast Guard to review and evaluate. Vendors are reminded that their proposal must fully support the charging technique of their product whether it be

MPPT or any other method.

2) “Data Sheet 3 - High-Intensity Self-Contained LED Lantern” asks for lanterns that can be programmed for up to 290 candela, while they are required to be sustainable at only 66 candela. The outcome of this requirement is that bidders will likely need to bid a larger and more expensive lantern than if the programming ceiling was set much closer to the required performance.

Answer: Regarding the High-Intensity Self-Contained LED Lanterns, the 290 cd (for white & yellow) and 240 cd (for red and green) effective intensities ARE requirements, even though spec 506 calls for sustained operation at 66 cd effective intensity in Portland, ME, at a 30% duty cycle rhythm for the Large

Solar Power System, and 43 cd effective intensity in Portland, ME, at a 10% duty cycle rhythm for the

Small Solar Power System. In reality, although Coast Guard-wide demand for self-contained lanterns will be primarily for the standard Self-Contained LED Lanterns, a small number of High-Intensity Self-

Contained LED Lanterns will be shipped to and operated at locations that will indeed require intensities at or approaching 240 or 290 cd (obviously not in Portland, ME, but in regions that can support it). The

High Intensity Self-Contained LED Lantern is capable of much higher intensities (up to 290 cd) because it is capable of producing much more power than the standard Self-Contained LED Lantern.

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3) If a bidder has a single-tier fixture that meets the photometric and power requirements of the multi-tier requirements, can they bid it without prejudicing their compliance to the “multitier” requirement?

Answer: Yes. Although we require up to four possible tiers (1-Tier, Multi-Tier A, Multi-Tier B, and

Multi-Tier C), we won't deny a product if it can do the same with fewer tiers.

4) Regarding the Trade Agreement Act, my take on this is that end products from countries not signatory to the WTO GPA agreement or party to a FTA agreement cannot be considered for a contract award.

Answer: All contractors are qualified to bid on this solicitation. FAR Subpart 25.5 - Evaluating Foreign

Offers - Supply Contracts is applicable to this solicitation.

5) Can a single tier lantern, that satisfies all the technical requirements such as electrical, mechanical and photometric characteristics of Data Sheet 4, Multi-tier type A,B,C (2.5deg) be considered as an alternative to a multi-tier lantern?

Answer: Yes. If the single-tier lantern satisfies all the technical requirements (electrical, mechanical, and photometric characteristics) of the multi-tier lantern of the same vertical divergence (e.g., 2.5-degree).

6) Is an individual response document allowed per variant, which may be 40 pages each, or must the complete technical response for all variants be contained within 40 pages ?

Answer: The complete technical response should be limited to 40 pages.

7) There are contradictory statements for warranty : 12months (page 11,“Attachment 1 Specification” ) or 36months (page 25, Solicitation document, “1449-BHQ044”)?

Answer: 12 months. Please see attached the corrected Page 25 of the Solicitation.

8) Part 3.2.1.1 describes a sync input of +5V to +13V, then mentions a capability of driving a one milliamp load, i.e. in implies an electrical output as well as the electrical input. Can we assume the sync output must also generate a +5V to +13V sync pulse? Is this required to be two separate electrical signals, or is it necessary to combine into one signal with the appropriate configuration option for sync master or slave?

Answer: The intention of the sync requirement in 3.2.1.1 is for the ability of the proposed LED lanterns to be synced to an outside timed input signal of +5 to +13VDC, which is typical of Coast Guard's older legacy equipment, as well as to another LED lantern covered by spec 506. In other words, any standalone

LED lantern covered by spec 506 (i.e., excluding the self-contained lanterns) must be able to: (1) act as a

"slave" lantern by accepting any outside timed input signal of +5 to +13VDC and flash under that outside signal's flash rhythm, AND (2) act as the "master" lantern that provides this timed signal to another LED

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lantern specified under this spec so that both lanterns will flash under the "master's" rhythm (but in this case, the "master" lantern is the one that triggers first...so theoretically either one could become the

"master" or the "slave" lantern at any time); usually both synced lanterns are programmed to operate under the same required flash rhythm so that if one of the lanterns fails, the aid will not go completely dark. So yes, the sync line must also serve as an output.

An add-on signal-inverting sync module may be necessary to invert the signal to make it compatible with all LED Lanterns covered by spec 506. If a sync module is necessary, it shall be easily installed inside the lantern. This is an acceptable feature.

9) Does the lantern specified in Data Sheet 1 require a sync output control? It’s a little ambiguous as part

3.2.1.1 (for all but self-contained) states there shall be sync control capable of driving a one milliamp load, i.e. it implies an electrical output, as well as the electrical input. In data sheet 1, the description of sync ability implies only a sync input is required.

Answer: Please see our answer to Question # 8.

10) Are there any issues with delivering the tender response in person?

Answer: A proposal may be submitted in person, however contractors are reminded that access to the base is controlled and not guaranteed.

11) What is the warranty period for the items to be supplied. Page 25 FAR 52.246-17 Warranty of

Supplies of a non complex Nature (b) (1) Contractors obligations states warranty to be 36 months. This seems to differ from the warranty stated in the Specification 506 Clause 4 where the warranty period is one year.

Answer: 12 months. Please see attached the corrected Page 25 of the Solicitation.

12) The details of the small solar power system in data sheet 2 is exactly the same as the small solar power system in data sheet 3. This will result in the same item being offered in both cases. Can you please confirm that the requirements for the small solar power system in data sheet is correct.

Answer: Although the verification requirements are the same for both lanterns (i.e., sustained operation in Portland, ME, at 43 cd effective intensity under 10% duty cycle), the High-Intensity Self-Contained

Lantern (Small Solar Power System, Data Sheet 3) has a requirement for 24 to 290 cd min effective intensity adjustability range (for white & yellow) and 24 to 240 cd min effective intensity adjustability range (for red and green) while the Self-Contained Lantern (Small Solar Power System, Data Sheet 2) has a requirement for 10 to 77 cd min effective intensity adjustability range (for white, red, and green) and 10 to 54 cd min effective intensity adjustability range (for yellow).

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13) The Spec calls for a minimum of three PPQ submissions as well as 3 customer references per product as part of the technical section. There is a template for the PPQ. Is there a template for the product references?

Answer: No.

14) The Data Sheet Two calls for a tall and a short version of the same product - does the spec require 3 references for each version for a total of 6 or is it one product and only needs three?

Answer: Please provide 3 references for each version.

15) Section 1 (B) calls for unit price . Can you explain the difference of Section 5-'price and any discount terms'? Are these payment terms? Additional incentives pricing incentives etc?

Answer: Please follow the instructions contained in Section 1 (B) on page 36 when you fill in the

“Schedule of Supplies/Services” on Page 6-15. Please clearly indicate any price discount terms your want to offer in your proposal, example of discount terms include fast payment discount, quantity discount and etc..

16) Section 4 - Terms of any express warranty. The spec calls for a one year warranty. Again, is this section meant to simply call out our product warranty, whether it is one year or greater?

Answer: This Solicitation requires a minimum warranty period of 12 months. Please clearly indicate your warranty terms and conditions in your proposal.

17) Data Sheet Two has a small and a large unit. These are represented as separate Contract Line Items

(with separate CLINs). Are we to provide a separate proposal per CLIN or per DATA SHEET?

Answer: Please provide a separate proposal per CLIN.

18) It is noted that no cable lengths have been stated for the Externally Powered lights covered by Data sheets 1, 4, 5, and 6. It is expected that the requirement may differ by product and mounting base.

Answer: We did not provide a requirement for cable lengths because it's implied that the cables provided will be whatever the standard COTS product normally comes with.

19) It is noted that no programmers for the lights are included in the pricing schedules. Does this mean that programmers will be purchased outside the contract?

Answer: Yes.

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20) Could you advise if the stack mounting as mentioned in Data sheet 4 and listed on pricing item

00015 etc is for mounting two lanterns? Pricing is likely to vary depending on the number of lanterns to be stacked.

Answer: Yes. The requirement is for mounting two lanterns only. I don't foresee ever having to stack more than two "High-Intensity Multi-Tier Externally-Powered Standalone LED Lanterns."

21) There are various options mentioned in the data sheets but are not listed in the pricing schedule. Will these be purchased outside of the contract. Refer specification 506: Clause 3.3.1.2, sync inverter Data sheet 1, charge port Data sheet 2 and 3, sighting options in Data sheet 5 and 6, mounting kit for passing light Data sheet 5.

Answer: Regarding the various options, they will be purchased outside the contract if necessary (unless, of course, it comes standard on a product) EXCEPT for the "Mounting Kit for optional Externally-

Powered Standalone LED Lantern (passing light) for use with Externally-Powered Standalone LED

Range Lantern," which is a contract line item; therefore, this mounting kit is a contract requirement, not an option.

22) Do we download a new/blank SF-1449 or do we use the one provided in the Notice to Offerors?

Answer: Please use the SF 1449 we provide. To make it easier for interested vendors to fill in some of the required forms, we are attaching the Word Document for the SF-1449 and the Schedule of

Supplies/Services (pages 6-15 of the Solicitation). DO NOT ALTER OR CHANGE WORDING.

23) On page 35 (1) (C) complete paragraph (f) of HSAR Provision - (pages 22-23)...this is just a check box, do we simply check the appropriate box? Or is there more to completing the paragraph?

Answer: Please check the appropriate box. If you have an approved waiver, please attach it to your proposal.

24) On page 35 (1) (D) complete paragraph (b) of FAR Provision - (page 39). This is just a check box.

Do we simply check the appropriate box? Or is there more to completing the paragraph?

Answer: Please check the appropriate box and complete the other applicable steps described in FAR

52.209-7 on page 39.

25) Formatting question - in all of the above, as well as (1) (A), (B) (E) are we to use the provided Notice to Offerors document? Simply filling in this document?

Answer: Yes.

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26) With respect to the 'product references' per product (page 35) - we are required to have three per product - but are unclear on what constitutes a reasonable, passing product reference. These references are part of the technical spec - which is clearly laid out. The HSCG84-14-R-BHQ044 simply says

"evidence must show that the product offered has previously been sold and sued by actual customer in the commercial marketplace". Can this just be a list of clients that have purchased the products? Do you need their contact information? Does this come from the actual customers? Are they required to provide some commentary as to their levels of satisfaction etc?

Answer: The product references must be from your actual customers. The evidence your customers provide in the product references must be factual and specific. Please include your customers’ contact information in the product references.

27) Could you please confirm that the measurements specified in clauses 3.5.2 and 3.5.3 of Specification

506 are to be taken from the top of the lantern mounting base. It would be more common to specify these dimensions from the bottom to the mounting base or from the mounting surface.

Answer: Yes. The measurements specified in clauses 3.5.2 and 3.5.3 of Specification 506 are to be taken from the top of the lantern mounting base. Even though it may be more common to specify these dimensions from the bottom of the mounting base or from the mounting surface, going from the TOP

SURFACE eliminates concerns surrounding the thickness of the mounting base flange.