Q A_for_W564KV-16-T-0001.pdf

Question and Answer for Solicitation

W564KV-16-T-0001

as of 19 November 2015

Please find below questions and answers that have been brought up by vendors and answered by the requiring activity.

Question 1: What are the emission requirements on the trucks?

Answer 1: Euro 3

Question 2: Can we substitute equivalent European (EU) standards, where applicable, for those of US and NFPA standards for the vehicle and superstructure?

Answer 2: Without further clarification by interested party, the requesting activity does not concur substituting U.S. or NFPA performance standards; i.e. rating methods and pump capacities IAW NFPA are more stringent then EU. The scope has already been written so that EU components are permissible; however, NFPA performance standards have been met.

Objective is to achieve the NFPA performance objectives. Examples are pump capacity and rating, or blue lights.

Proposed way ahead: If a vendor is uncertain about a specific requirement and feels a European standard is equivalent, then he/she should address the specific performance requirement or standard and identify the EU standard he/she feels is equivalent. The requesting activity will then validate in a short turn around.

Question 3: A specific question from a supplier; "They require a pump with NFPA-1901, but our pumps are all DIN EN 1028 and DIN 14420. For this, please send us an authorization issued by the US army, that they will also accept our standard. Then we can go on working on the pump offer."

Is compliance with DIN EN 1028 and DIN 14420 acceptable?

Answer 3: The requiring activity needs NFPA 1901 certified fire pumps and can provide documentation that they are commonly available on the European market as well.

Question 4: As per the PWS section 6.0 “Brakes,” front and rear axles must be equipped with disc brakes; please confirm if we are allowed to offer alternative solutions (i.e. drum brakes)

Answer 4: Alternative solutions are not allowed; Disk brakes provide highest braking performance and durability for on-road use; Drum brakes tend to overheat.

Question 5: As per the PWS section 6.9 “Engine,” displacement shall be max. 12 liters; please confirm if we are allowed to offer higher value.

Answer 5: No. Larger displacement sizes result in overall larger engines and higher maintenance cost; i.e. with given dimensions engine bay is either more filled up restraining access for maintenance and repair and/or impedes space in the cab. In recent purchases, similar performance could be achieved with a displacement of 9.5 liters. A cap at 12 liters is more than fair and reasonable to ensure fair and reasonable to allow competition.

Question 6: As per the PWS section 6.23 “cab,” in particular section 6.23.7 cab shall be equipped with 4 doors which is intended to be a double cab type; at section 6.23.8 it is specified that total number of seats will be 4 (1 for driver and 3 for passengers); please confirm that right requirement is for a 4-doors cab for only 4 seats;

Answer 6: Confirmed a crew cab with four doors and a total of four seats is required. An Army firefighting crew consists of four fire fighters. Remaining space in the crew cab is intended for storage of sensible and high value equipment such as thermal imager, detectors etc.

Question 7: As per the PWS section 7.1 “Superstructure,” bodywork shall be realized by means of bolting systems or welding technology and that no screw connections are allows; please clarify which is the difference between bolting systems and screw connections; moreover, please confirm if alternative systems can be offered.

Answer 7: A bolt is secured on the other end with a nut usually supported by washers. Loads are transferred solely as pressure or tension to the plane of the metal. A screw cuts with the thread into the metal and transfers loads solely through the thread with shearing forces.

Alternative systems are not desired.

Screw connections are less reliable. We have vehicles with such bodies in the inventory where the screw connections fatigued or completely failed over time. Once this happens a new thread has to be cut into the metal weakening the metal furthermore, while a bolt is just replaced and a bolt transfers loads more evenly limiting punctual stress on the metal connected. Similar rationale as for screws applies for other connections such as clamps.

Question 8: Please confirm if vehicles will be registered with military plate, civil plate or fire fighters plate.

Answer 8: The vehicles will receive a U.S. Army registration. Per the scope, the vendor has to provide the license plates with the vehicles. Detailed specifications on the license plates out of AR 58-1 are included in the scope.