Solicitation Questions and Answers.pdf

1.

CNC Machines Per page 3, section 3.6:

a. Number of CNC Machines The solicitation references integrating multiple CNC machines with the WinCC control system, but the exact number of machines is not specified. This lack of clarity could lead to varying interpretations—ranging from a proof of concept involving just two machines to a full-scale project involving 100 CNC machines. Each scenario carries significantly different scope and cost implications. Although Section 4.5 mentions 10 IPEs, it is unclear if this refers to CNC machines or other plant equipment.

To eliminate ambiguity, please specify the exact number of CNC machines intended for integration in this proof of concept and, potentially, additional industrial plant equipment.

A: The ten (10) machines include:

HAAS LATHE (5)

CNC LATHE

TURNING CENTER,CNC HO

CNC HORIZ TURNING CTR

MACHINING CENTER, CNC

LATHE, PROPULSION SHAFT

b. CNC Machine or other plant equipment Information

CNC machines vary widely in their characteristics, capabilities, and levels of automation— ranging from manual to fully computerized systems. Each level of automation will require a different data acquisition methodology and different material requirements.

The solicitation's current wording allows for multiple interpretations, making it difficult to assess accurately the scope of material and labor required for integration.

To clarify, please provide the make, model, manufacturing year, and serial number of each CNC machine to be integrated. This information will help ensure that we articulate the project requirements accurately and with the necessary comprehension. It would be helpful if the information provided in response to this section was aligned with the machine quantity specified in section a.

c. Machine Data

Section 3.6 of the solicitation requires data collection from CNC machines to be logged into a remote SQL Database through the WinCC, a SCADA system. The current wording suggests a flexible approach, where the number of parameters to be collected could vary significantly—from a few, 10 as an example at the project's outset to potentially thousands during implementation. This creates a variable requirement for a fixed-price quote, leading to uncertainty in pricing and potential misinterpretation of the project’s scope.

To ensure clarity and alignment on project deliverables, please provide a detailed and precise list of the fields and variables you wish to log through WinCC. This will help establish clear acceptance criteria for both proposal evaluation and project completion.

WinCC is priced per the number of tags processed at this SCADA system; knowing how many tags the variables are monitored by the SCADA system is essential to providing you with a quote that will be adequate for the proof-of-concept needs.

NA

2.MS SQL Server Please specify the number of CPUs, cores, and operating systems running on your server.

These parameters will determine the SQL Server licensing.

We recommend starting with the SQL Server Express edition, a free Microsoft SQL Server limited to 4 GB of data storage. Since this is a proof of concept, you can easily migrate to a fully licensed SQL Server edition in the future, depending on your data usage patterns, but begin the proof of concept with cost savings.

3.WINCC OA License To provide you with a quote for the WinCC license, please identify:

B:

4215810057 HWACHEON MACHINERY AMERICA CNC LATHE HI-TECH 230CL

YSMC

4215809932 HWACHEON TURNING CENTER,CNC HO HI TECH 450CL

4215809001 SAMSUNG CNC HORIZ TURNING CTR SL35-1500

4215806799 TOYODA MACHINING CENTER, CNC FH550R

4215807687 CNC CLAUSING LATHE LATHE, PROPULSION SHA CNC4000/80XS

NNSY reserve the right to select HAAS Lathe machine at discretion.

Contractor must provide own server with appropriate license to talk to Siemens and Fanuc controllers. NNSY will provide laptop with monitor.

1. Total number of Tags: (15-30)

2. Total number of PLCs, CNC machines, and other plant equipment. License to connect will be on server

3. Total number of servers: 1 provided by contractor

4. Any server redundancy requirements: N/A

5. Number of viewing workstations / HMI monitors: N/A NNSY will provide workstation with Laptop and monitor

4. Information to be Collected Could you please specify the type of information you intend to acquire from these manufacturing devices? Knowing the specifics will allow us to confirm that WinCC is the most suitable solution for your needs or explore if another solution might be more cost-effective.

WinCC has worked on a recent project and it was cost effective. After review of other set-ups like this and after our research it has been determined this is what suits the needs of Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

5. SQL Server For the SQL Server installation, could you confirm the number of CPU cores on the desktop or server allocated for this purpose? Understanding the hardware specifications will help us provide accurate cost estimates and ensure optimal performance. Additionally, do you plan to install both WinCC and SQL Server on the same desktop or server?

One server that can accommodate up to 100 machines if needed to receive data from each machine simultaneously.

6. Laptops We understand you intend to have laptops connected to the system. Could you clarify whether there will be a single laptop serving as a viewing station for WinCC, or if there are plans for multiple laptops to be used in this pilot.

The number of viewing stations has a licensing implications for both the SQL server and WinCC

One laptop with a monitor to visually see and analyze the data coming from the server.

7. Hardware Specifications Please identify the number of CPUs and CPU cores designated for the hardware on which the SQL Server will be installed.

We will use a laptop as the computer to access over a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), depending on its location. This connection allows the computer to access resources such as files, databases, applications, and other software, which are stored and maintained on the server.

8. Potential Hardware Modifications for IPE The solicitation on page 3, section 3.4, indicates that NNSY "shall be responsible for ensuring Industrial Plant Equipment (IPE) has the proper updated software to communicate with WinCC OA V3.19." We assume that, in addition to software modifications, the agency will also be responsible for hardware and configuration changes in the machines. Could the agency confirm if section 3.4 also pertains to IPE hardware?

The IPE that will be access has the hardware and software. The machines with HAAS and Fanuc controllers has the software. The server will require the license to communicate with the IPE machines.