Q&A_FBO_Notice_20170309.docx

Abrams Engine Diagnostic and Troubleshooting Trainer (ED/TT) - W900KK-17-R-0044

Question and Answers (Q&A)

Question 1:

Can the Government clarify if the turret is expected to be functional? Reference is made to WP0043 block 4; "Disconnect 2W702-7/P6 from J3 on digital electronic control unit (Vol 2, WP 0249, Figure 4)" a specific position of the turret. This does not appear to be in the same position as the driver entry. And may be different than the position defined in WP0043 block 1; "Traverse turret until main gun is over left side of tank, and then lock turret. Refer to TM 9-2350-388-10" to open the grille doors.

Answer: No Tank turret structure is expected to be included in the ED/TT. The question references a TM Work Package that has a task to rotate the turret. The government understand that without a turret in the ED/TT design some steps will not be able to be specifically performed and that is acceptable since they are ancillary to the core tasks which are the focus of this trainer. In designing the trainer, the location of tank components from the sub turret and turret which are part of this trainer (identified in the SRD), the contractor will have to find a suitable location which does not impinge on the troubleshooting tasks.

Question 2:

The Abrams ED/TT SRD 3.1.2.b states "The ED/TT shall make use of the instructor station functionality in the existing M1A2 SEP V2 Diagnostic/Troubleshooting software baseline." This software is not part of the existing Engine Trainers being updated for the solicitation but is associated with other fielded Abrams maintenance training devices. Since all bidders are required to propose a design that incorporates this software, do you intend to provide a Technical Data Package (TDP) as part of the Abrams ED/TT solicitation that provides the required portions of the M1A2 SEP V2 Diagnostics/Troubleshooting software and/or a Software Design Document (SDD)? If so, when will the TDP be available to bidders?

Answer: The Government plans to make the TDP available to only the winning bidder. However, upon request of a potential bidder, the Government will provide the software restore media for review of the current baseline operation of the software and the D/T Instructor Operator Maintenance (IOM) Manual.

Question 3:

Please clarify if this opportunity is a three year or five year program. The pre-solicitation synopsis posting of Jan 11, 2017 states in the first sentence: "Program Manager Training Devices (PM TRADE), Product Manager for Ground Combat Tactical Trainers (PM GCTT) is contemplating a new full and open acquisition for an upgrade of the existing Abrams M1A1 ED/TTs at Ft. Benning, GA., Ft. Lee, VA., and Gowen Field, ID., to the M1A2 SEPv2 configuration over a three year period." Further into the synopsis, it is stated "All items are anticipated to be delivered within 60 months after contract award on a Firm Fixed Price basis."

Answer: The total period of performance of the contract is five years. All options CLINs are expected to be exercised within the first three years.

Question 4:

Will the appropriate version of the Abrams Common Software Library ACSL software be provided as GFI?

Answer: Yes, SEP V2 ACSL Version 4.6 release 2 is scheduled to be released 10 July 2017.

Question 5:

In the 20151118 Government QAs with Comments document – comment #2 states:

Contractors will have the option to work the M1A2 Engine at the Government Facility in Ft Benning, or bring the engine to their own facilities at their own cost. Contractor must consider the logistics related to the transportation of the engine to/from Government facilities. Contractors must also consider room space limitations, size of access doors, ventilation, and power requirements at each of the locations where the LET will be operating. Government does not intend to make any alteration to real property in order to make accommodations to support the design and the operation of the upgraded LET.

Is it still the intent of the government to provide contractors the option to work the M1A2 engine at the Ft Benning facility?

Answer: No. Contractors will only be allowed to work at the Government facility during the delivery and installation of the trainer. Tools or equipment such as lifts, cranes, forklifts to handle the Engine, or the trainer, will not be provided by the Government. In addition, the Government is not considering any Public Private Partnership for this procurement.

Question 6:

The SRD states:

The training device software shall be designed to allow for ease of update throughout the life of the training device. The contractor shall produce all software code necessary to operate the engine and trainer functionality without relying on Tactical GFE tank software.

Specific to “without relying on Tactical GFE tank software,” will the engine control software and hardware be GFE?

Answer: The SRD has been modified to account for use of tactical engine control software. The engine control software on the DECU will be made available to the winning bidder in executable form only, not source. Or the software will be loaded on the DECU provided as GFE

Question 7:

The SRD states that the government will provide LRU and Cable drawings in PDF format. Are those drawings available now if we request them?

Answer: The Government’s plan was to provide the LRU and Cable fabrication level drawings only to the winning bidder. High level drawings are available in the TMs and will show the level of complexity for each cable.

Question 8:

Will the government make available the current Abrams engine diagnostic Program of Instruction documents for the 91A, 913A and 915A students?

Answer: Yes, they can be made available, however, they may not be very useful. They are written at a high level.