Q A_2.docx

Question: Is it required that the engine dynamometer be manufactured in the United States of America?

Answer: Yes, the source of the requirement is FAR clause 52.219-6 which states that the small business offeror "shall furnish, in performing the contract, only end items manufactured or produced by small business concerns in the United States." Vendors may also refer to the Small Business Size Regulations for more information, particularly the Nonmanufacturer Rule set forth in 13 CFR § 121.406(b).

Question: Must the engine and transmission dynamometers be manufactured by the same company?

Answer: The Commercial Item Description does not require a specific brand name for the engine dynamometer or the transmission dynamometer; therefore, engine dynamometers and transmission dynamometers manufactured by either the same company or by different companies will be considered.

Question: If multiple companies are allowed, must the control systems for both of the dynamometers be the same software platform and operator interface for consistency?

Answer: The commercial item description does not have a requirement for commonality of software platform and operator interface between engine and transmission dynamometers. Vendors should quote solutions which will meet the Government’s stated requirements at the lowest cost.

Question: 1.2.5 Engine starting, requires an air compressor to be supplied. Please indicate the volume of air to be stored and the minimum performance of the compressor.

Answer: Paragraph 1.2.5 requires that an air compressor to activate the air starter needs to be supplied. Therefore, the air compressor needs to be sized to supply air to the starter for no less than 5 seconds of starting per each minute, and the starter needs to be sized to start any engine in the list. The Government has amended the Commercial Item Description to reflect this change.

Question: 1.2.6 The description is incomplete. Please clarify. Are the engine control modules to be provided by the dynamometer supplier or will they be furnished by the Marines?

Answer: Paragraph 1.2.6 states that the Vendor shall provide all engine control modules to test the engines in Table 1 on the engine dynamometer. This means that the engine control modules need to be supplied by the dynamometer supplier.

Question: 1.2.12 Fuel connection. What size fuel tank is required? Will the tank be located within the test cell? Will the tank be connected to an automated refilling system?

Answer: In addition to the requirements found in 1.2.12, the fuel tank shall exhibit a capacity of no less than 50 gallons. The fuel tank shall roll for operation in various areas of the test cell. The pumps in the fuel tank shall self-prime. The fuel tank shall exhibit a filling interface that allows the tank to be filled manually through the use of cans or filling nozzles. All interface connections that connect the fuel tank to the engine and the dynamometer are required as stated in paragraph 1.2.4. The fuel tank shall include a gauge that shows the fuel level in the tank. The Government has amended the Commercial Item Description to reflect this change.

Question: 1.2.13 Is the dynamometer supplier to provide the final engine exhaust connections to the garrison provided exhaust system? Is dimensional information available for each of these engines?

Answer: Paragraph 1.2.13 requires that each engine’s exhaust be routed to the existing garrison exhaust system by the contractor. No additional information about each engine beyond the information supplied in Table 1 will be supplied.

Question: 1.3.6.4 Stall torque. Is this to be a manual lock bar style or must it be an automated version?

Answer: Stall torque testing is required in paragraph 1.3.6.4. This requirement does not specify how the stall torque testing is to be accomplished, so a manual lock bar style, an automated version, or other methods that accomplish stall torque testing are acceptable. Because the Government seeks the Lowest-Priced Technically Acceptable solution, the quotation should address the Government’s requirements at the lowest cost.

Question: 1.3.6.5 Height Adjustment. Is the height adjustment of the load absorber to be motorized or manual?

Answer: Paragraph 1.3.6.5 requires that the power absorbers be height adjustable to allow for transmissions with different heights of centerlines. The requirement does not specify the height adjustment method, so a manual, motorized, or other height adjustment method would be acceptable.