RFQ_No_446821_Specification.pdf

PART 1 – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

Schedule of Items

Item

No.

Description Estimated

Quantity

Unit of

Issue

Unit Price Amount

1.

Cup Holder Spring Clips

Each

PART 1 – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

It is the intent of this solicitation to secure a Fixed Priced for Cup Holder Spring Clips.

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION

/WORK STATEMENT

INTRODUCTION:

The US Forest Service has been testing the ground patterns for airtanker for over 35 years. The process of measuring the ground deposition pattern requires the installation of a grid of approximately 2500 T-post stakes in a rectangular array. The spacing of the stakes varies based on the aircraft being tested.

Figure 1, Grid

Various methods have been used to hold the sample cups onto the stakes. Prior to the use of T-post stakes, a custom stake was used that had a flat metal landing was welded to the top of the post and a holder cup was attached using a nylon bolt. Figure 2 shows a series of photos of the stake, the stake with the holder cup, and then the sample cup added.

Figure 2, Stake, Holder Cup, and Sample Cup

The process of determining the airtanker’s ground pattern begins with the array of stakes with their holder cups and sample cups in place. The aircraft flies over and releases its load of retardant. The sample cups are capped, their location in the grid identified, and collected for weighing. Figure 1 shows the capping and marking process. Eventually a ground pattern as shown below is developed from the collected data.

Figure 3, Sample Aircraft Deposition Pattern

As mentioned, various methods of attaching the holder cup to the stake have been tried, some with better success than others. The most recent method used a PVC cap concept, as shown Figure 4.

Figure 4, PVC Plastic T-post Top

These PVC caps proved only useful for a single test series because the PVC became brittle and the jam screw (used to secure the cap to the T-post) would strip out, and the jam screw become corroded from the retardant chemicals.

The Forest Service has been exploring other concepts and the one that shows the most promise is a stainless steel spring clip. The following series of sketches depict one that is thought to meet our needs.

Figure 5, Holder Cup Spring Clip Oblique View

Flat area for holder cup

Legs

Holder cup attachment hole

Figure 6, Holder Cup Spring Clip Side and Back Views

Figure 7, Holder Cup Spring Clip Front View

Figure 8, Holder Cup

Figure 8, Holder Cup Spring Clip Sheet Metal Pattern

C-1 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

1. The Holder Cup Clip shall meet all of the following requirements:

1.1. Performance – The Holder Cup Spring Clip shall:

1.1.1. Retain the clear holder cup (shown in figure 5) by means of a ¼ inch nylon bolt (the bolt is not part of this procurement).

1.1.2. Securely grip the T-post (in all three axes) through the shape (bends and cut-outs) of the spring clip. (To insure gripping the post securely, the force required to separate the spring should be 1.5 lbs. or greater, but not greater than 3 lbs.) The dimensions shown in figures 9 through 11 define the three sizes of T-posts within the inventory of the Forest Service. (Note the dimension shown in figures 9 to 11 have a tolerance of 0.005 inches.

Additionally, all of the dimensions shown in figures 10 and 11 are typical for their repeated features (i.e. successive studs down the length of the T-post.)

The Holder Cup Spring Clips shall be compatible with all three sizes through a single design implementation while meeting this requirement (securely gripping the T-post).

1.1.3. Result in the flat area for the holder cup being perpendicular to the T-post when attached.

1.1.4. Be made of a suitable material thickness and temper that the resultant clip will retain its spring force (hold to the T-post) through multiple uses (install and un-install on a T-post). The anticipated number of installations and removals is 3000.

1.2. Specific Requirements: The Holder Cup Spring Clip shall:

1.2.1. Be made of stainless spring steel.

1.2.2. Have a 9/32 inch cup attachment hole.

1.2.3. Have the cup attachment hole off-center in the flat cup area. The hole shall be located approximately 3/8 inch toward the back and 3/8 inch toward the right from the center of the flat cup area. See figure 8.

1.2.4. Have 1.5 inch distance from the underside of the flat area for the holder cup to where the legs of the come together.

Figure 9, T-post Dimensions 1

Figure 10, T-post Dimensions 2

Figure 11, T-post Dimensions 3

SECTION L--INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

OR RESPONDENTS

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.212-1 is incorporated into this solicitation. See below for supplemental instructions.

Submission of Offers/Preparation of Proposals

The offeror shall submit either a sample of their offered product that meets the requirements identified in Section C of this solicitation or a technical description (i.e.

drawings, sketches, etc.) of sufficient quality and detail to allow for a complete understanding of the offered item and how it achieves the requirements of Section C of this solicitation.

The offeror shall also submit a list of customers (minimum 5) from within the last three years who have received the offeror’s spring products. This list shall include the company name, contact name, a current phone number, and address.

SECTION M—EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

52.212-2 -- Evaluation -- Commercial Items.

As prescribed in 12.301(c), the Contracting Officer may insert a provision substantially as follows:

Evaluation -- Commercial Items (Jan 1999)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

1. technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement

2. past performance

3. price

Technical and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than price.

The offeror’s proposals (sample or drawing/specification package) will be evaluated for their adherence to the instruction in Section L of this solicitation and achieving the requirements of Section C of this solicitation. Paper design submittals should be as specific as practical to allow for accurate evaluation. Contract award will be based on the offeror’s response (product or paper design) to meeting the evaluation factors. The

Government reserves the right to award to the contractor(s) that provide(s) the highest value. Hence, award will not necessarily be made on a lowest bid basis.

EVALUATION FACTORS:

Technical description or sample product and meeting requirements. Samples will be installed on representative T-posts and evaluated for the requirements of this solicitation.

Past Performance. Customers will be contacted regarding, at a minimum, delivery and quality satisfaction.