THIRD_SET_Q As_Solicitation_W56HZV-16-R-0111.pdf

19 SEPTEMBER 2016

LAMS SOLICITATION

THIRD SET

RESPONSES TO SOLICITATION W56HZV-16-R-0011

LARGE AREA MAINTENANCE SHELTERS (LAMS)

QUESTION 1:

We have received and reviewed the responses to the LAMS solicitation questions and remain concerned with the responses to questions 8 and 9 regarding structural design of the LAMS shelter. The answers state that no safety factor need to be built into the design as is typically required by the model building codes. This means that the structure can be designed for failure at a sustained wind load of just 90.1 mph and/or a roof live load of just 8.1 psf.

In our experience, these load requirements (especially the roof live load design) are well below the threshold of good design practice. This is especially true for occupied structures that will hold people and high value assets. In our experience and testing, structures destruction tested to approximately 15 psf live roof loads have suffered failures due to ice/snow load in real world use.

We would like to clarify whether the government will indemnify and hold the building supplier harmless should such failure and resulting injury/property occur so long as the structures are designed per the specification requirements?

RESPONSE: The LAMS design specifications in this solicitation comply with the Department of Defense minimum operational requirements. These specifications are in line with those of commercial vendors and with the Large Area Maintenance Shelters already in the Army supply system. Existing LAMS built to these specifications have performed safely in accordance with

Department of Defense requirements.

QUESTION 2:

Will the government consider changing the LAMS design specifications to code minimum design standards for wind load and snow load with appropriate code required safety factors?

RESPONSE: The LAMS design specifications comply with the Department of Defense minimum operational requirements and have performed safely in accordance with Department of

Defense requirements.

QUESTION 3:

It is well known that the US Government has experienced a number of LAMS failures putting people and assets at risk and causing mission failure. The National Institute of Standards and

Technology (NIST) completed an extensive study and report on fabric-covered steel frame facilities and many of their recommendations would benefit the US Government LAMS. Final

19 SEPTEMBER 2016

LAMS SOLICITATION

Report on the Collapse of the Dallas Cowboys Indoor Practice Facility, May 2, 2009 (NIST IR

7661). If a vendor provides a LAMS design that exceeds the RFQ structural design specification by following the NIST report recommendations will that provide any benefit in deciding the vendor award?

RESPONSE: The LAMS specification is satisfactory for the reasons stated in responses 1 and

2. The NIST report referenced above describes an event with a commercial facility which has different specifications and safety requirements than does the LAMS required from this solicitation. The requirements and selection criteria for award are listed in sections L & M of the solicitation.

QUESTION 4:

To protect the government should not the RFQ require PE stamped drawings to verify design to wind loads?

RESPONSE: Technical requirements are outlined in section L of the solicitation and the

Technical Information Questionnaire (TIQ) Attachment 0007 of the solicitation. The TIQ requires a Certified Professional Engineering Analysis regarding wind load requirements.