Q As_Solicitation_W56HZV-16-R-0011_LAMS.pdf

RESPONSES TO SOLICITATION W56HZV-16-R-0011

LARGE AREA MAINTENANCE SHELTERS (LAMS)

QUESTION 1:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.1.3.2 End Doors. M-LAMS Type A Specific:

a) “The FWD fabric should be installed between the end door arches”

Does this mean that the fabric should attach to those arches or simply that the door fabric must be inside of these arches?

ANSWER 1: We require that the fabric be attached and guided by the arch structural members during installation. The intent of this wording was to ensure that during the installation of the fabric during end door construction the fabric would be restrained such that it would not shift around during the installation process.

QUESTION 2:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.1.3.2 End Doors. M-LAMS Type A Specific:

b) “Any shelter which utilizes a single end door fabric panel which spans between multiple arches or across the entire end door will not be considered.”

i) This would appear to preclude both “Clamshell” type doors that utilize multiple panels attached to pivoting arches that are inclined at different (non-perpendicular) angles to the ground and which are drawn to a near vertical position to create a full door opening. Is this correct?

ANSWER 2: No, this interpretation is not correct. Use of the word “single” was intended to restrict the use of one large fabric panel to cover the width of the functioning full width door. Multiple arch assemblies with multiple fabric panels are not excluded.

QUESTION 3:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.1.3.2 End Doors. M-LAMS Type A Specific:

ii) This would also appear to preclude single sheet fabric panels that attach to vertical tracks along each sidewall and are pulled up vertically with cables/straps. Is this correct? (These type systems impose huge vertical reaction loads on the leg/wall columns when high winds occur).

ANSWER 3: If the end door fabric panel was one complete piece of fabric, it would be rejected due to our personnel weight lift limitation and fabric weight specification. If this end door construction was to be fabricated out of multiple panels and properly supported and met the wind load specifications we would consider the design as part of our evaluation process.

QUESTION 4:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.1.3.2 End Doors. M-LAMS Type A Specific:

c) Our interpretation of this paragraph would be that a door which provides sufficient width across the gable end of the hangar to provide clearance for all the aircraft specified plus a suitable extra margin for rotor/win clearance would meet the definition of a FWD. Is this correct?

ANSWER 4: Yes, it is correct.

QUESTION 5:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.1.3.2 End Doors. M-LAMS Type A Specific:

d) Our interpretation of this paragraph would also be that a FWD door which utilizes steel, aluminum, or carbon fiber horizontal structural elements spaced at +/- 1.5m centers with multiple fabric panels attached to those elements and which lifts vertically to provide a clear opening would be acceptable. Is this correct?

ANSWER 5: Yes, if the components meet the lifting restrictions and the wind load specifications, along with certification/test results.

QUESTION 6:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.1.5.1 Shelter Fabric Specifications

a) Can you explain what is desired for the Top Coat Composition as a “High Performance Film, 0.0001 inch min, dull finish”?

Do you mean 0.001 inch (1 mil) thick? Is this to be a separate film laminated to the fabric, a liquid top finish or ???

ANSWER 6: Yes, we do mean 1 mil thickness as a coating thickness as a minimum. We will correct the MIL-PRF to state 0.001 inch. The coating application technique is not specified as manufacturing processes are constantly evolving. If a material meets the fabric specifications through testing it will be considered.

QUESTION 7:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.1.5.1 Shelter Fabric Specifications

b) Can you explain what is required for the Back Coat Composition as a “Polymeric Film, 0.004 inch”?

ANSWER 7: A polymer based material which has color retention, provides a continuous, durable surface, extends the life of the fabric and is a good carrier for mildew reduction agents. 0.004 inch is a common application thickness for back coats which with we have had good experience with over the course of 15 years.

QUESTION 8:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.2.1 Wind

a) Wind load requirement for sustained wind capability of 90 mph from any direction. If calculations are used to verify the design should this be calculated (per 4.6.1.2) using ASCE 7 methodology based on ultimate design capacity of 90 mph or should there be any safety factor in the design? In other words, do we design such that the structure theoretically survives a 90 mph sustained wind but theoretically the cladding and/or frame system fail at 91 mph?

ANSWER 8: Paragraph 4.6.1.2 does not require a safety factor to be built into the design.

QUESTION 9:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.2.4 Snow

b) For snow load, the design requirement for the structure to hold only an 8 psf live load seems very low (less than 40% of our typical minimum design capacity). The specification mentions an objective of “20 psf ground snow load with complete unimpeded interior access”. Typically when designing to the US minimum code requirements this would mean a design for a 12 psf live roof load plus a safety factor of at least 1.6 to give +/- 19 psf live load at failure of the structure. 19/8 = 2.4 times the load specified.

ANSWER 9: Paragraph 3.2.4 of the MIL-PRF, Snow and sleet is correct. It states a minimum acceptable standard and an objective performance level.

QUESTION 10:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.2.4 Snow

c) Can you confirm that you want this structure to be only 40% of the lowest roof live load capacity typically allowed under US building codes? In other words, if the structure collapses under an 8.1 psf live load is this acceptable?

ANSWER 10: Paragraph 3.2.4 of the MIL-PRF, Snow and sleet is correct. It states a minimum acceptable standard and an objective performance level.

QUESTION 11:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.2.4 Snow

d) Do you require any additional load capacity built into the design for collateral loads such as cranes, fall protection devices, other mechanical equipment that might be required to be supported by the structure in the future?

ANSWER 11: No.

QUESTION 12:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.2.7 Sunlight

a) This section references an “insulation liner fabric” but there is no specification section related to this liner and the desired thermal efficiency of the envelope with this liner fabric present. Can you provide more information on what is desired for this?

Note that this is referenced as an “optional insulating liner kit” (if applicable” in section 3.1.

ANSWER 12: The requirement is for the candidate shelter to have the capability to be fitted with an insulation liner in compliance with the requirements stated in paragraph 3.1 of the MIL-PRF, ‘The shelter shall allow for all fabric shell panels and optional inner liner fabric panels to be replaced or removed individually with the structure erected without the need to deconstruct the shelter or completely unrestrain the arch base plates. The fabric panels for the main bays of the structure shall be designed so the installation and removal can be accomplished with all personnel on the ground.’ The actual 'optional insulating liner kit' is not a requirement for the standard Army LAMS. The examination of the optional liner construction and materials will not be part of the evaluation process.

QUESTION 13:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.2.7 Sunlight

b) If a liner kit is required, should we assume that the structure should be able to withstand the desired wind and snow loads with the liner kit installed?

ANSWER 13: Yes, The shelter must adhere to the specified wind and snow loads in all possible configurations.

QUESTION 14:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.2.7 Sunlight

c) Should we assume that the erection/strike time hour requirements include or exclude the time to install this liner?

ANSWER 14: No, The specified erection and strike times do not include the installation of the optional insulation liner system.

QUESTION 15:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 4.3.2 First Article Definition

a) States "one five Bay MLAMS-Vehicle shelter”. 5 bays = 12.5' Bays Is 12.5' Bays a requirement?

ANSWER 15: The First Article Test sample shall consist of a five bay shelter designed to comply with the LAMS V dimensions specified in Section 3, Table I. Dimension ranges are offered to allow for vendor design offerings. Dimensions for bay spacing are not specified however vendor offerings must comply with structural requirements and soldier lift requirements.

QUESTION 16:

MIL-PRF-32504B - 3.1.7.3 Power Connecting Cables

a) Cable management at a maximum of 6 foot intervals. What does this mean?

ANSWER 16: Electrical power cabling must be secured to the shelter in order to avoid large loops of cables which would place unsupported loads on electrical fittings and terminals.

QUESTION 17:

MIL-PRF-32504B – 3.1.7.6 Lighting MIL-PRF-32504B – 4.5.7.7 Lighting

a) Provide between 540 lux (50 foot candles). What is the verification process for the 50 foot candles?

ANSWER 17a: The intent is to use a calibrated hand held photometer held approximately 30” above the interior floor of the shelter.

Offeror is allowed to suggest alternate means of testing.

b) Visually inspect that the lights supplied with the shelter system provide general illumination and are energy efficient. What is the verification process for determining Energy Efficiency?

ANSWER 17b: Power consumption versus lighting fixture output.

c) Is Energy Efficiency more important than price?

ANSWER 17c: No.

QUESTION 18:

MIL-PRF-32504B – 3.1.7.6 Lighting

a) “Each light fixture shall be operated from switches located along the side wall of the shelter….” Does each fixture need to have its own dedicated switch, or may multiple fixtures operate from the same switch?

ANSWER 18: Multiple fixtures may be operated from the same switch.

QUESTION 19:

Solicitation C.3.1 FAT (page 55 of 98)

a) "....use commercial products ....to reduce ...costs". Please clarify that the entire FAT unit is to be made out of commercial grade material to reduce costs except where specifically noted in the MIL-PRF32504B, Section 4.3.2 First Article Definition (Attachment 0001)?

ANSWER 19: All components included with the offeror’s design must meet or exceed the performance requirements, specifications, standards, codes, criteria and any other requirements outlined in the MIL-PRF. Design details are left to the vendor’s discretion.

QUESTION 20:

Solicitation (page 60 of 98)

a) Is an anodized coating for aluminum components an acceptable finish treatment?

ANSWER 20a: Yes

b) Is anodizing required for all aluminum components?

ANSWER 20b: Yes.

QUESTION 21:

Solicitation (page 71 of 98)

a) What is required to be issued the waiver to waive the requirements of the first article test?

ANSWER 21: Paragraph ‘h’ on page 72 of the solicitation states, ‘The Government may waive the requirement for first article approval test where supplies identical or similar to those called for in the schedule have been previously furnished by the offeror/contractor and have been accepted by the Government. The offeror/contractor may request a waiver.’ Solicitation W56HZV- 16-R-0011 will be amended to include the FAT Waiver Worksheet as Attachment 0009.