Att15_Solicitation Questions and Answers 15OCT2024.xlsx

Questions

The Software Support Environment will exist inside the room that the trainers are in during development and verification, using the trainer network for distribution of software, as required in section 3.1.14.12 (or the appropriate paragraph describing the SSE). The SSE can be placed on any available workbench/desk/etc. temporarily for this function.

After acceptance, the SSE will be kept with the NAWCTSD In-Service Engineer on-site at CNATT Pensacola but separate from actual trainer to allow offline software management and/or development to not interfere with trainer usage. Provisions will be made to transfer files after this point via removable hard drive caddies, portable USB hard drives, or a having the SSE be a portable computer (a laptop, for example) to transport and reattach to the network.

5 ABEST PRF 230052 53 3.1.14.12 What are the required SSE user interfaces or workstation equipment? The SSE should be comprised of, at a minimum, a computer, a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse with an Ethernet connection necessary to connect to the trainer network for uploading software changes based on the contractor's design selections.

Any additional equipment needed to run the student station software or the instructor station software in a basic testing mode shall also be included. For example, if an input/output (I/O) card is required in the system to compile the software, or if the software is written so that the I/O routines cannot be disabled by a software switch for testing purposes while running the student station executable(s) on the SSE, then this I/O card would be a required part of the system. The computer architecture should be compatible with all required Student Station sub-components.

The ability to edit software offline, separate from the training device network after delivery, is desired.

6 SOW Does each trainer require a separate SSE or can one SSE be used for all trainers to satisfy the requirements? Assumption: This question is referencing PRF 230050, PRF 230051, PRF 230052, and PRF 230053.

The contractor can provide one to four SSE's depending on the contractor's design of each training device. If all four devices are built using a common framework (operating system, compilation environment, etc.), then it is acceptable to provide one common SSE.

7 ABEST PRF 230052 12 3.1.3.1.2.1 Are individual wires required to be marked with wire number shown in Figure 2? Wires are generally inside a cable assembly and will not be accessible to be marked. Any wiring inside P20, J20, P22, J22, P24, J24, P26, J26, P34, and J34 are part of a solid cable and will not be labeled (other than the P number cable labeling). The pin-out for the plug and jack pins on the connectors provides the reference for the students to know which wire he is examining.

The backs of the simulated circuit breakers have fake terminals that represent the terminals of the circuit breakers. Wires are removable from these terminals for troubleshooting and should be labeled with both the wire number (e.g. G102A20) and a from-to label (e.g. CB5-2 to P20-U).

2) Or to be povided with the System?

3) If GFE please provide ICD,

4) If Supplier Hardware, does the Govt require four sets?

5) Which CLIN? (1) The Maintenance Equipment (read: monitor, mouse, or keyboard) will not be provided as GFE.

(2) (4) and (5) The Maintenance Equipment will not be provided as part of this contract as part of the system. All referenced maintenance monitors, maintenance keyboards, or maintenance mice will be used from generic devices that CNATT/NAWCTSD has on-hand.

(3) CNATT/NAWCTSD has an abundance of maintenance equipment monitors that accept HDMI video inputs. The mice and keyboards on-hand all use USB-A interfaces.

All circuit breakers that would never be tripped from the listed faults in TABLE V or TABLE VIII do not have to be trippable, and instead can just be standard higher amperage circuit breakers that will act as simple switches seen by the simulation digital inputs in order to get their in/out state from the physical trainer.

While not meant as an exhaustive list (which should be done by careful analysis of each circuit breaker in the system and each possible fault capable of being inserted into the system), as examples, note that TABLE IV calls for the LANDING GEAR WARNING LIGHT CB and the LANDING GEAR CB to be tripped during specified actions. TABLE VII calls for the FLAPS CB (FLAPS CONTROL CB) and the FLAPS POSITION INDICATOR CB to be tripped during specified actions.

The contractor can provide one to four SMS's depending on the contractor's design of each training device. If all four devices are built using a common framework (operating system, compilation environment, etc.), then it is acceptable to provide one common SMS.

14 PRF 230050 37 3.1.13.1.10 Does each trainer require a separate Backup Management System (BMS) or can one BMS be used for all trainers to satisfy the requirements? Assumption: This question is referencing PRF 230050, PRF 230051, PRF 230052, and PRF 230053.

The contractor can provide one to four BMS's depending on the contractor's design of each training device. If all four devices are built using a common framework (operating system, compilation environment, etc.), then it is acceptable to provide one common BMS.

15 PRF 230051 9 3.1.3.1.2 To implement certain malfunctions, it may be necessary to insert trainer peculiar I/O controlled relays to open certain electrical circuits. This will require slight modififications to the provided system diagrams (such as Figure 1). Is this approach acceptable? Figure 1 is the schematic for the system that the student is troubleshooting. We are simulating faults in this system so yes; it is desired to use computer-controlled relays to open paths or short paths together. Reference the drawings used to wire the original system located within the GFI in folder GFI\6E04\Drawings 2003-09-02 in order to see what the actual wiring of the training device should resemble. The original device allowed for far more faults than the new trainers will be required to handle, so some of the relays on this schematic could be (and should be) omitted. See folder GFI\General\Fault List Summary Document for a summary document on original trainer faults vs. PC Sim faults vs. contract required faults.

Also reference the pictures of the original device in the GFI folder GFI\6E04\Pictures - Original Trainer. While most of the wiring seen on the front panel is the actual wiring that is carrying the current-limited voltages, at certain points there are blockings that allow the wiring to pass through the panel and into the back of the trainer where the relays are held, then the wiring is passed back to the front of the panel

The software description required by Section L Data Rights is anticipated to be in the form of a graphic or table that shows/lists the software that represents the Offeror's general software development plan for each trainer. The graphic or table should detail the corresponding data rights for the Offeror's software choices such as operating system, IOS software (whether common, custom, or based on a commercial LMS framework), plus the Offeror's specific software selections proposed for the Basic Electronics Trainer (as per PRF 230052 Section 3.1.14.3). The Government has limited its evaluation (and the Offeror's required response) to the Offeror's notional approach for the Basic Electronics Trainer for evaluation expediency and reasonably reflects the Offeror's capability to successfully execute the requirements of the other three devices and meet the Government's needs for long-term maintenance and sustainment. The Contractor is not expected to perform complete preliminary design of all four devices.

19 PRF 230052 33 3.1.3.1.9 Other than FREEZE and temperature sensing alarms, are any audible sounds required on the 4 trainer types? Shall there be any sounds associated with the video clips or animations shown on the video displays? Assumption: This question is referencing PRF 230050, PRF 230051, PRF 230052, and PRF 230053.

Other than Freeze and temperature sensing alarms, no other audible sounds are required. Any other audible sounds would be at the discretion of the contractor. For example, the Aircraft Jet Ignition System Trainer requires a visual indication for engine startup IAW PRF 230053 PARA 3.1.3.1.6 (g); however, a supplemental audio indication could be beneficial to the student.

The training device described by PRF 230051 does require any additional audio since no simulated engines starts or other events exist.

20 SOW 230054 1 1.1 Does any existing GFI, software binaries, or software source code still exist from the previous generation A-School training devices? If so, will this be provided? A master set of directories have already been provided as GFI.

The following directories contain various versions of source code. Typically, we prepared (1) originally delivered source code for the physical trainers (2) last edited source code for the physical trainers, and (3) the PC Simulation software source code for the training devices.

GFI\6E01\Software Source - PC Sim GFI\6E01\Software Source 1997-08-23 GFI\6E01\Software Source 2000-03-07

GFI\6E02\Software Source - PC Sim GFI\6E02\Software Source 1997-08-23 GFI\6E02\Software Source 2000-10-31

GFI\6E03\Software Source - PC Sim Version GFI\6E03\Software Source 1999-05-25 GFI\6E03\Software Source 2003-08-25

GFI\6E04\Software Source - Original 1999-10-08 GFI\6E04\Software Source - PC Sim

The PC Sims Installer for all four PC Sim executables was delivered in the following directory, so a testable simulation can be compared to the new trainers for testing of the math models running the software.

GFI\General\PC Sim Standalone Installer Original binaries were not supplied due to them being linked to an ancient operating system (Win95 DOS) and antiquated I/O circuit card assemblies running on an ISA bus.

Other documents such as Software Design Documents, Operation and Maintenance Manuals, Test Procedures and Results Reports, and Trainer Drawings are also supplied where they exist. Check the folders for availability.

21 PRF 230052 22 Figure 4 Figure 4 Main Power Panel depicts an HDMI port for the "Monitor" connection. Is HDMI the required interface or can there be flexibility in our design? For example, is DisplayPort an acceptable alternative? From the question on Line 12: "(3) CNATT/NAWCTSD has an abundance of maintenance equipment monitors that accept HDMI video inputs. The mice and keyboards on-hand all use USB-A interfaces."

HDMI is preferred, as we know we can handle this with our current monitor standard. However, if DisplayPort is designed to for whatever reasoning, it may be possible we could adapt to this.

There are two front panels from the former device 6E27 Dual System Generator Maintenance Trainer (now 6E04) at NATTC AE School. While not containing the computer or relays, it does have all (or most) student visible components and wiring. Either panel will be available post-award on-site at NATTC Pensacola (although visiting hours may be evening only).

PC Simulations for all trainers have been supplied as part of GFI. This will provide an operational view of what the trainers will perform, as well as giving a possible design of what the physical trainers should present.

34 PRF 230052 53 3.1.14.12 c. Is the Government's intent that software development activities using the SSE can be performed simultaneously with trainer operation (student exercises)? Student station software and instruction station software will not be required to be patched live. The SSE should be able to compile software while connected to the training network while the student station software is running. However, any changes made would not be incorporated into a live student or instructor station run until the software is stopped, distributed to the station, and then restarted.

Live updates are allowed, however.

5002 and Section C - Descriptions and Specifications Sections B and C of the RFP reference the SOW listed below. However, there is not a section in the SOW with those corresponding numbers. Please advise which sections these should actually be.

3.2.9.2.6.1 3.2.9.2.6.2

and

As you might have inferred from multiple modifications made to the Flaps and Landing Gear Trainer (evidenced in the GFI provided), the mechanical sections that raised and lowered the landing gear were failure-prone and imperfect. Improvements to the mechanical sections of this trainer in particular are very welcomed.

Specifically for PRF 230053, the government envisions that a mounted Simulated DMM on the student station permits the student to easily see the readings while probing the following points:

* the plug and jack pins on the Connector Panel (Section 3.1.3.1.5.5)

* the simulated backs of the circuit breakers and their connecting wires on the Simulated Circuit Breaker Panel (Section 3.1.3.1.5.6)

* the Arresting Gear Warning Light Lamp Socket mounted on the Right Side Cockpit Panel (Section 3.1.3.1.5.1.2)

For PRF 230052 (AE ASchool Basic Electronic System Trainer), the DMM can also be mounted to the student station and still permit the student to probe and read all test points.

For PRF 230050 (AE ASchool Flaps & Landing Gear Trainer) a cabled connection is required as several test points will be located underneath the wing.

PRF 230051 uses a real DMM, so this question does not apply.

44 PRF 230050 41 3.1.15.2.3.1 We understand that each training device shall utilize 120 Volts (AC), 60 Hertz, single phase, 2-wire with ground. For each electrical circuit that a training device will be connected to, what is the circuit breaker amperage rating (in facility circuit breaker box)? There is one (1) training device consisting of one (1) instructor station and twelve (12) student stations. Each station (not each device) will be powered individually by a 120 Volt input.

The identified room for this device has under-floor wiring originally dedicated to power office cubicles. There are currently 24 circuits fed by 20 Amp circuit breakers. The breaker schedule has allocated three (3) of them having loads of 1200 VA, twelve (12) of them having loads of 800 VA, five (5) of them having loads of 600 VA, and four (4) having no allocated power load. There is currently no other plans for the room, so these allocations could be rearranged up to the capacity of the circuit breakers (20 A) and the room wiring size limitations.

All of this wiring was specified by construction drawings to be (20/3, 3#12, #10 NEUT., #12G, 1/2" C).

A final determination of trainer locations and required power loads will be decided by the Trainer Facilities Report, and any overages required by the final trainers will need to be identified.