Portable Filtration Q AND A-1_FINAL.pdf

MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND

N3220524R4006

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - 1

The following are answers to questions received from potential offeror. The answers provide clarification only and DO NOT constitute an amendment to the Solicitation.

Question 1: For the low viscosity carts, can you please verify the maximum expected viscosity for this category?

ANSWER 1: The Low viscosity carts will be used mainly for hydraulic oil and anything an ISO-150 and below. Please refer to section 2.1 in the SOW.

Question 2: Referring to requirement 2.5.4, does the hose without wand need to meet the 5’ minimum requirement or is that for the hose and wand together?

ANSWER 2: The hose without the wand needs to be a minimum of 5 feet.

Question 3: Referring to requirement 2.2.9 and elsewhere, Our understanding is that ASTM D7546-15 refers to testing of samples in a laboratory setting for determination of moisture in oil. Can the MSC clarify why this should apply to in process fluid handling equipment with a RH% sensor?

ANSWER 3: MSC utilizes laboratory analysis to assign maintenance actions for filtering shipboard with a filter cart. If the filter cart can analyze relative humidity, it should be comparable to the laboratory test.

Question 4: Referring to requirement section 2.5, is the handheld unit also required to be compatible with phosphate ester type fluids?

ANSWER 4: No, it is not.

Question 5: Are the phosphate ester fluids intended to be used only on the high viscosity equipment?

ANSWER 5: Phosphate ester fluid are for hydraulic systems and are NOT for high viscosity fluid. The only phosphate ester that we currently use is from the stock system. It is Fyrquel 220 and the ISO VG 46.

Question 6: Are the high viscosity specifications for the high vis filter cart and handheld only going to be used for phosphate ester fluids?

ANSWER 6: High viscosity filter carts are going to be used for high viscosity oils. Handheld units are going to be used for all oils.

Question 7: Is dual stage filtration a requirement for the handheld device? It is specified for all of the other categories.

ANSWER 7: The handheld device is written for single stage filtration.

Question 8: Is filter head bypass truly needed in this case? Prior units supplied did not have this feature.

ANSWER 8: Per SOW 2.1.7, 2.2.7, 2.3.7, and 2.4.7, filter head bypass is required for the filter carts.

Question 9: Does MSC have a frame color requirement?

ANSWER 9: There is no color requirement.

Question 10: Regarding the country of origin for components, we plan on only using components that are made in the US or in countries that are our allies. Will the Navy be considering systems that have components that are made in China? We ask because a lot of electric motors, pumps, hand trucks, filter housings and other major components that will be parts of these systems can be sourced in China for much lower cost than domestic made components.

ANSWER 10: FAR 52.225-1 Buy American-Supplies

(A) The cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States exceeds 60 percent of the cost of all its components, except that the percentage will be 65 percent for items delivered in calendar years 2024 through 2028 and 75 percent for items delivered starting in calendar year 2029. Components of foreign origin of the same class or kind as those that the agency determines are not mined, produced, or manufactured in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities of a satisfactory quality are treated as domestic. Components of unknown origin are treated as foreign. China is not listed as a qualifying country.

Question 11: We see that some of these systems will be used to filter and transfer phosphate ester fluids.

Viton seal material is rated as OK for contact with PE fluids but EPDM or EPR is the seal material of choice for systems that will be processing PE fluids. Will certain systems be dedicated for this service or will any or all of the systems be used to process these fluids? Are Viton seals OK for all systems? Also, PE Fluids can be very aggressive towards enamel metal paint. When we build systems for this service or for any extreme duty, we coat the system with a two part epoxy that is designed to stand up to corrosive fluids and salt water. Should any bidder be planning to coat these systems with a two part epoxy and should all of the fittings associated with all of these systems be stainless steel or bronze instead of plated carbon steel?

ANSWER 11: MSC uses Fyrquel 220 as our phosphate ester oil. A dedicated portable filtration unit will be used for this application. All other units will service a mineral base oil or synthetic base oil for applications such as but not limited to internal combustion engine oils, gear oils, hydraulic fluids, and compressors.

Question 12: All of the systems specifications call for the ability to pump and filter fluids in environments with a temp down to 25 degrees F. We hope that the engineering team understands that some of the heavier viscosity fluids like ISO VG 680 gear oil will barely pour at 25 degrees F and will not get drawn through a 1” suction hose at these temps. It is not really a pump issue it is more of a suction hose issue. We have a lot of experience with this with systems we have built for severe weather.

ANSWER 12: No response; there is no question presented.

Question 13: In the specifications for each of the five types of systems there is this language “Self-diagnostic software shall be available in accordance with latest version of ISO 4406 Standard and ASTM D7546-15.” Would your team please clarify what is meant by this? It seems from the specs that the only systems that will have an on-board particle counter/sensor is the hand held barrel top unit. We incorporate the MP Filtri ICM 2.0 on nearly everything we build these days and we would plan on using this unit for the projected 540ea hand held drum top units. This unit includes “Self-diagnostic software shall be available in accordance with latest version of ISO 4406 Standard and ASTM D7546-15” its also displays and can transmit real time ISO Cleanliness Codes per ISO 4406. Is this what your team had in mind for these hand held drum top systems?

ANSWER 13: MSC requires diagnostic software to report particle count for 4/6/14 microns per ISO 4406 as well as water in % RH per ASTM D7546-15. MSC utilizes laboratory analysis to assign maintenance actions for filtering shipboard with a filter cart. If the filter cart can analyze relative humidity, it should be comparable to the laboratory test.

Question 14: The period of performance shown on page 15 of the solicitation for delivery against CLIN 0001 begins on 8-28-2024 and runs through 8-27-2029. Is that firm or will it shift a little due to the proposal extension?

ANSWER 14: It is firm.