RFI Notice N4523A27RFI0801 Q_A Updatedv2.pdf

1. Existing High-PAC Booster: The specification states that the high-pressure booster compressor shall match the make and model of the command’s existing High-PAC fleet.

Can you provide the manufacturer and model number of the existing High-PAC booster equipment?

Answer: The Make is American Compressors Model# 55H75 Model Name: Universal High PAC

2. Bottle Bank Configuration: The specification calls for approximately 36,000 SCF of high-pressure storage. Does PSNS have a preferred bottle size, quantity, rack configuration, or number of independent banks, or would you prefer that we propose the optimal configuration?

Answer: Like the container the solution proposed needs to be able to be safely moved with cranes and forklifts. The goal with the external bank configuration was to alleviate the design constraints of the main systems footprint/volume (20’ ISO Containier) by making the storage system more open to a COTS bottle bank solutions that could meet our supply needs.

3. 100 SCFM Requirement: Can you confirm whether the 100 SCFM continuous delivery requirement at 350 psig is intended to be supplied from the high-pressure storage banks during the 40-minute draw cycles, with the nitrogen generation/compression system replenishing the banks between/during draws? Or is the generation/compression equipment itself expected to continuously produce 100 SCFM?

Answer: The peak demand on the supply is 100 SCFM in 40min cycles. The bank capacity will provide supply for a full shift. 350 PSI is the solely final supply pressure and does not control SCF capacity.

4. Grade D Feed Air: For the shipyard-provided Grade D breathing-air connection at 90– 125 psig, can you provide the available flow capacity (SCFM) at the intended connection point?

Answer: The commands Grade D supply air capacity can meet the systems demand.

5. 20-ft Container Configuration: The specification indicates that the complete system should preferably be contained within a single 20-ft ISO 668 Type 1C container. Is the 20-ft configuration expected to be a firm requirement for the eventual solicitation, or would PSNS consider an alternate configuration if necessary to optimize performance, maintenance access, or safety?

Answer: The intent with the 20ft container is the need for a common and easily transported system within our command. The main concerns are a mature storage/transportation system that is well suited for safe system storage and operation in an outdoor marine environment while being transportable via crane, forklifts, and trucks.

6. Country of origin. Manufactured nitrogen generation equipment in Turkey. The container package would be integrated in the United States. Would the eventual solicitation include DFARS 252.225-7001 (Buy American and Balance of Payments Program) or 252.225-7021 (Trade Agreements)? Will there be any domestic-only restriction beyond those clauses that would prevent us from offering qualifying country end products?

Answer: The final clause selection will depend on the approved acquisition strategy.

Because the estimated value exceeds the Trade Agreements threshold ($174,000), if the solicitation is issued on an unrestricted basis, it is anticipated to include DFARS 252.225- 7021 (Trade Agreements). If the procurement is set aside for small business, DFARS 252.225-7001 (Buy American and Balance of Payments Program) and FAR 52.219-14 / FAR 52.219-33 (Nonmanufacturer Rule) will apply. The Government does not anticipate additional domestic-only statutory restrictions beyond standard DFARS Part 225 clauses for this equipment, though offerors are responsible for certifying compliance with all solicitation terms upon final RFP release.

7. Booster compressor. Section 3.3 requires the booster to match the command's High PAC fleet, and the Q&A identified the American Compressor 55H75 Universal High PAC. Is that model a firm requirement for the solicitation? Or would PSNS consider an equivalent booster rated above 4,500 psig with the same connections and controls integration?

Answer: Not a firm requirement, but a preference due to minimal training of existing work force to maintain the equipment.

8. Onboard feed air compressor. We understand that the shipyard Grade D breathing air connection in Section 3.2 is only a feed source, and that the onboard compressor (Mode

2) only needs to supply the nitrogen generator, not any other shipyard use. Please confirm. Also, must the onboard feed compressor itself be oil-free? Or is a lubricated compressor acceptable, provided the delivered nitrogen meets the 100% oil-free requirement in Section 2.1 through filtration and verified testing?

Answer: Does not need to supply any feed air other than that required to operate the high purity nitrogen generator system. Must output 100% oil free compressed air. Oil free air compressors are preferred over other options and final spec will be determined upon final release of solicitation.

9. Ambient oxygen monitoring. Section 8.1 calls for an independent ambient oxygen monitoring system inside the container. Does "independent" mean a standalone monitor with its own controller and alarms that also signals the master PLC for shutdown? Or may it be integrated into the master PLC, as long as it is separate from the product gas purity analyzer?

Answer: Independent means Stand-alone, not tied in any way to the on-board controller for the nitrogen generator system. Oxygen monitoring system does not necessarily need to be PLC controlled.

10. Hydrocarbon (Gas) Content: < 50 ppm as Methane by volume. What is the expected methane content in the ambient air near the intake of the compressors? Are we expected to provide methane-removal equipment with our proposal?

Answer: Expected methane content in the ambient air on site may be slightly elevated due to the system being located outside, and in a controlled industrial area. The main issue is that Methane behaves similarly to nitrogen within a Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) Bed. It passes through the sieve any nitrogen. Downstream systems will likely compress the output gas from the nitrogen generation system, potentially creating an explosive condition if not accounted for.

- As for providing methane-removal equipment, that decision is left up to the vendor.

As long as the methane limit requirement is met, and the unit complies with all other requirements in the ultimate solicitation, how the methane concentration is controlled is open-ended intentionally.

11. Manufacturer: The high-pressure booster compressor shall match the make and model of command high-PAC fleet. At this time we are only able to provide our standard choice of booster compressor make and model. Please confirm if this will be acceptable.

Answer: High-pressure booster compressors that match current models used will be preferred. Others can be considered, pending RFI results and acquisition strategy used.

- The basis for this is the current skill of the deckplate workers, and the availability of replacement parts and technical expertise, and experience operating and maintaining the compressors.

12. Controller: Industrial Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programmed in an open, non-proprietary, standard IEC 61131-3 environment. Does the end user have a preferred make/model of PLC that we should use (e.g. Allen Bradley ControlLogix)?

Answer: End users have experience and training with Allen Bradley ControlLogix and GuardLogix controllers, but this is not a requirement. However, Allen Bradley controllers may be considered pending RFI results and acquisition strategy used, due to the training and previous experience that the user-base has with their products, and due to Allen Bradley’s robust industry history and safety records.

13. Service Rating: The complete containerized system shall operate from a single shipyard utility connection: 480 VAC (±10%), 3-phase, 60 Hz, 200 A maximum service. This is not possible for the flow, pressure, and purity required. On a 480V/3Ph supply, this system will require approximately 300 amps for the low pressure compressors and 100 amps for the high pressure nitrogen boosters. Total amperage using the standalone compressed air supply would be approximately 400 amps.

Are you able to confirm the maximum draw time and minimum time between draws? It may be possible to reduce the system size if there is sufficient time to recharge between draws.

Answer: 200 A maximum is what a single electrical system cannot exceed. If more than one electrical system is needed to power the unit (e.g. two 480 VAC, 200 A max electrical distribution systems within a single unit, one for the feed-air compressor and nitrogen generator, and another for the nitrogen booster and safety systems), then this still meets the technical requirements. The electrical ratings stated are what the typical temporary electrical supply system is designed for, but more than one electrical supply can be aligned/connected to the nitrogen generator system if needed.