Vendor Questions and Answers.pdf
PDF 148 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- FA9401-25-Q-0022b
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document for a federal contract opportunity involving battery system replacement at Kirtland Air Force Base. The project requires replacing existing lead-acid batteries with sodium nickel batteries in two buildings (B20449 and B498), along with necessary electrical installation work that cannot be separated from the battery procurement.
The government specifies 48V, 200Ah sodium nickel batteries (preferred over the originally requested 120Ah units) to maintain 4,800Ah total capacity, with the contractor required to provide 6-shelf racking systems due to space constraints. Existing batteries to be replaced are Absolyte models (100A33 and 100G33) with quantities of 2x and 6x units in B20449, and 3x units each in B498. Current inverters are LaMarche origin (LMP2000A with 1400A capacity in B20449, LMP1000A with 600A capacity in B498) operating at estimated 92% efficiency. The systems are single-phase with 120V AC, 20amp output and 48V DC input. Battery sizing calculations were based on existing lead-acid system capabilities with consideration for legacy equipment decommissioning. The government notes that similar Absolyte replacements with sodium nickel batteries have been successful at other sites, though compatibility with high ripple current systems remains uncertain and outside their scope of knowledge.
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Base Access and Building Locations.pdf | ||
| SOW Battery Installation Redacted.pdf | ||
| bldg 498 2nd solicitation.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
1. Would you consider separating the battery purchase from the electrical installation requirements?
- No, the electrical installation requirements are as necessary as the battery purchasing/installation requirement.
2. Please confirm the Sodium Nickel battery required is 48V, 120Ah, 4,800Ah total capacity for (40) units, is this correct?
- Recently installed sodium nickel batteries for buildings on the base are 200Ah, these would be the preferred option.
3. Would you consider going with (24) 48V, 200Ah to achieve the same 4,800Ah total capacity if this were a more cost eƯective solution?
- See answer #2
4. Is the contractor required to provide racking for the (40) 48V Sodium Nickel Batteries?
- Yes, contractor is to provide racking for the Sodium Nickel Batteries for both buildings. Base Comm would recommend the usage of 6-shelf racks due to space concerns for both buildings if 2 or 4-shelf racks were to be used. Use of 6-shelf racks may allow contractor to perform installation while removal takes place (ex:
remove existing lead-acid rack, install new sodium nickel rack w/batteries, repeat process until complete).
a. If yes, does Kirkland AFB have a preference to use 2, 4, or 6-shelf racks, see attached?
See answer #4
5. Can you confirm battery manufacture, make and model along with the quantity of existing batteries? A few pictures would be extremely helpful to evaluate the scope of the removal.
- Attached to this email are slides that contain building locations and battery environment for building 498 that can be used as reference. All lead-acid batteries present in both buildings, that are to be replaced, are Absolyte. 100A33 models – 2x B20449, 3x B498. 100G33 models – 6x B20449, 3x B498.
- ** see Base Access and Building Locations pdf.
6. Can you provide calculations on how the requested Sodium Nickel batteries were established or is this system just being sized based on the capacity of the existing battery system?
- Calculation for the requested Sodium Nickel Batteries were performed based on existing capabilities/capacity of the lead-acid battery systems for both buildings with the decommissioning of legacy equipment in both cases (reduction in required capacity).
7. Inverter/Charger specifications, what is the inverter eƯiciency?
- Estimated 92% eƯiciency.
8. What chargers/inverters do they have currently?
- Existing inverters are of LaMarche origin: LMP2000A populated with 1400A current capacity in B20449, and LMP1000A populated with 600A capacity in B498.
9. SMC batteries don’t work with high ripple current, they may need a new system?
- Unknown, outside scope of knowledge. Other sites which had Absolyte lead-acid batteries of the same models listed in answer #5 were replaced with sodium nickel with no issues.
10. Is this a single or three phase system?
- Both buildings make use of a single phase system.
11. What is the output and input?
- Output – 120V single phase AC, 20amp. Input – 48V DC.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .