Posted E-6 Brakes RFP Questions as of 27Apr2010.docx

E-6 Brakes RFP Questions

1. Question: RFP Paragraph 2.0 states, “This volume shall not contain any reference to cost or price aspects of the offer.” However, RFP Subparagraph 2.1.3.2.1 states, “The offeror shall define and describe the total ownership cost of their proposed solution. This will include providing the technical and cost data for the proposed solution.” These two paragraphs appear to be inconsistent. Please clarify.

Answer: The technical volume shall not contain any reference to cost or price aspects of the offer. The RFP has been amended to remove RFP Paragraph 2.1.3.2.1 and add Paragraph 3.2.3 (d).

2. Question: Could Naval Air Systems Command provide the weight of the current brake assembly and wheel assembly and tire to be used as the established baseline for calculation of weight savings?

Answer: The baseline weight of the current brakes, wheels, and tires that are on the E-6B aircraft are as follows:

Answer: The RFP has been amended to revise the Annex lettering as follows:

4. Question: Please indicate whether cost plus fixed-fee type pricing is acceptable to the Government for CLINs 0007 Materials, 0113 Materials, 0213 Materials, 0313 Materials, in which the contract type is listed only as “COST”. If not, please provide a definition of “COST”.

Answer: CLINs 0007, 0113, 0213, and 0313 are COST CLINs. Please see the definition at FAR 16.302, Cost Contracts.

5. Question: What are the P/N's of the wheels, brakes and radial tire referenced in the conversion kits (CLINs and SOW)?

Answer: Offerors may decide what manufacturer (and hence P/Ns) of wheel, brake, and tire components to propose to put onto the E-6 that best meets the requirements based on the evaluation and technical criteria.

6. Question: Can you provide the interface dimensions between the wheels, brake, axle & collar?

Answer: The Government owns a limited amount of data in regards to the landing gear system. Please specify the exact dimensions needed.

7. Question: Does the E-6 currently use a 46"X17" radial tire?

Answer: The bias ply tire that is currently on the aircraft is a P/N 204-31831-7, and is a 46”X16” bias-ply tire. It is a Type VII tubeless, 28-ply tire.

8. Question: What is the current wheel well / tire clearance requirements?

Answer: Unfortunately, due to the limited amount of data and limited number of drawings the Government owns, the Government does not know this information.

9. Question: What is the P/N of the current de-boost valve?

Answer: The part number (P/N) is 238200-1007.

10. Question: What are the energy performance requirements for the brake?

Answer: The emergency brake energy limited landing weight chart is based on determining a landing weight that results in brake energy not exceeding the maximum demonstrated brake energy of 42.0 million foot-pounds per brake with speedbrakes extended. Landing at weights that produce more than 28 million foot-pounds of energy per brake requires replacement of tires, wheels, and brakes currently on the E-6 aircraft. The eutectic fuse plugs blow at 24 million foot-pounds of energy. The actual heat energy expended on the stock E-6 brakes depends upon a variety of factors, among them landing pressure altitude, local static temperature, landing weight, landing speed, number of engines reversed, runway slope (uphill or downhill), and whether there is a tailwind or headwind.

11. Question: Is it possible to get the original performance specification for the wheel & brake?

Answer: See the answer to Question #10 above. The E-6 steel brakes comprise of brake collar with 12 pistons, pressure plate, six (6) rotors and stators, and an end plate. The above comprises a typical heat stack for the E-6. Each heat stack gets about 485 full stop landings per overhaul based on flight operations.

12. Question: Will you consider granting a 30 day extension for proposals?

Answer: The Government will grant a 15 day extension for proposals. The proposal due date is extended to 21 May 2010.

13. Question: Are all EA-6B aircraft equipped with the Hydro-Aire Mark III Anti-Skid Brake Control Units or do some operate with the Mark II version?

Answer: All E-6B aircraft (not to be confused with the EA-6B aircraft) have the Mark II antiskid system installed.

14. Question: If not all Mark III version, what is the break-out in number of aircraft with Mark III and Mark II versions?

Answer: All (16) E-6B aircraft (not to be confused with the EA-6B aircraft) have the Mark II antiskid system installed.