Questions and Answers 20230314.docx

The Apel product descriptions reference compliance with ANSI Z87.1-2010, but MCEP performance specification MIL-PRF-32432A 11 September 2018 references ANSI Z87.1-2015. Which ANSI standard is correct for this solicitation? Or would the most recent ANSi Z87 standard apply, currently Z87.1-2020?

Answer: All APEL items are current in compliance with ANSI Z87.1-2020. When the Z87.1 - 2020 update was released the government reviewed and determined the difference between 2015 and 2020 did not affect MCEP APEL requirements. MIL-PRF-32432A was not updated to reflect the change but has an Engineering Change associated with it that reflects the 2020 requirements.

If lens tooling used for LEP production has not been subject to APEL production certifications in the past three years, are there additional requirements to use that tooling to meet the deliveries of orders resulting from this solicitation?

Answer: Normally if the tooling hasn’t been used within the past 2 years for APEL production, the government would have additional tests conducted under the qualification/2-year recertification column of Table VI of MIL-PRF-32432A. However, for this contract, the testing conducted on LEP covers the 2-year requirements. Additional testing will not be required at this time.

Could a performance improvement in Laser protection of 0.5 OD above one or more of the specification requirements be considered advantageous to the Government and provide for a stronger Technical proposal?

Answer: The performance requirement sets a threshold of a particular OD or greater. Please reference the evaluation section of the solicitation.

Are LEP eyewear required to meet solar radiation specifications provided in 3.9.5.2 of 32432A, and if so would a luminous transmission value less than the specification after completion of this test activity be considered a failure of the eyewear?

Answer: For this solicitation, LEP is tested for LT% and OD after solar radiation exposure of 60hrs and 200hrs. The test procedure follows that of Paragraph 4.13.2 of MIL-PRF-32432A The thresholds set are outlined in supplemental data that requires the NDA. If the eyewear meets the requirement at 60 hours, it is considered satisfactory. The testing after 200 hours is for Government Reference only.

For ballistic fragmentation requirements, is the LEP lens required to include the UPLC for this testing activity?

Answer: The UPLC is not required to be sent with the lenses for testing, but the UPLC will be provided by the government for testing at ATC.

For the chemical testing evaluation, is the LEP lens required to be tested on both the inner and outer lens surfaces when evaluating chemical resistance including DEET? If testing only one surface is required, does the Government have a preference for which surface should be tested?

Answer: The chemical testing is conducted in accordance with 4.7.3 Chemical resistance of MIL-PRF-32432A. This paragraph indicates the front surface of the lens shall be exposed.

For LEP lenses, what Ultraviolet absorption specification will satisfy paragraph 3.8.5.9, a range of 290 to 380 nm OR 280 to 400 nm? If the requirement is 290 to 380 nm, would the broader range be considered advantageous to the Government and provide for a stronger Technical proposal?

Answer: The lenses are tested using the 290-380nm range for UV absorption. This test is for Government Reference only, so the results will not influence technical performance.