Answers_1.docx

SITE VISIT QUESTIONS FOR SOLICITATION W9124R-18-T-0002

1) Is there a dimensioned site drawing available showing the dimensions of the existing concrete pads relative to the WFC?

Answer: A drawing of the pad is being provided. For purposes of submitting quotations, Figure A -2 in the SMEE specifications document is available to estimate distances. The site will be made available to the selected Contractor after award to conduct an inspection and collect dimensional data.

2) Is there a dimensioned site drawing showing the existing conduit runs to and from the WFC and the control room?

Answer: A drawing of the pad is being provided. For purposes of submitting quotations, Figure A -2 in the SMEE specifications document is estimate distances. The site will be made available to the selected Contractor after award to conduct an inspection and collect dimensional data. Power conduits as described in the pad drawing.

3) Is there a dimensioned site drawing showing the existing conduit runs to and from the WFC and the existing conditioning equipment?

Answer: A drawing of the pad is being provided. For purposes of submitting quotations, Figure A -2 in the SMEE specifications document is estimate distances. The site will be made available to the selected Contractor after award to conduct an inspection and collect dimensional data. Power conduits as described in the pad drawing.

4) What are the diameters of the existing duct penetrations into the WFC for the supply and return ducts?

Answer: 30” Diameter corrugated steel pipe.

5) What is the diameter and length of the existing supply and return ducts?

Answer: Dimensioned drawings for the ducts are currently unavailable. For purposes of submitting quotations, Figure A -2 through A-6 in the SMEE specifications document is estimate distances. The site will be made available to the selected Contractor after award to conduct an inspection and collect dimensional data.

6) What is the current supply and return ductwork insulation type and thickness?

Answer: In round sections, ID is 24”. OD is ~35” – suggesting injected insulation thickness of about 5”.

7) Are the existing supply and return ducts inside the WFC to remain and be re-used? If so, what are the cross sections and length of the horizontal duct headers and the cross section and length of the supply outlet ducts and quantity? (I believe 5 outlets) Answer: The existing supply and return ducts inside the WFC can be reused. The contractor is responsible for replacing ducting outside of the chamber. Reference SMEE Specification Figure A-9.

The supply plenum is 29ft long x 28'' x 26 1/2'' x 3ft

The return plenum is 21' 2'' long x 24''x52''

8) What was the original inside diameter of the culvert used to form the WFC?

Answer:

9) Is the culvert as installed still circular or is it oval shaped?

Answer: See 8)

10) What is the current horizontal inside diameter of the culvert at its widest point?

Answer: See 8)

11) What is the current height from the dirt floor in the WFC to the highest point of the culvert in the center of the chamber?

Answer: See 8)

12) What is the current inside depth of the WFC from the main entrance door to the back of the chamber where the firing port is located?

Answer: Approximately 45’

13) Is any test data available to show the current conditioning equipment ramp rates from ambient to the extreme temperature and humidity conditions?

Answer: Anecdotally – On a 70F degree day with empty chamber the current chamber can go from ambient to -60F in 48 hours On a 70F degree day with 60,000 lbs. of steel in chamber the current chamber can go from ambient to -60F in 72 hours.

On a 115F degree day with empty chamber the current chamber can go from ambient to -60F in 60 hours.

On a 115F degree day with 60,000 lbs. of steel in chamber the current chamber can go from ambient to -60F in 84 hours.

14) If the existing equipment concrete pad space is not sufficient to install the new conditioning equipment who will be responsible for providing the additional concrete work?

Answer: The proposal should indicate and account for the cost. Note: Slab work will require coordination with YPG Department of Public Works.

15) Can condensate from the conditioning equipment be freely discharged to the environment or must it be collected?

Answer: Currently it is discharged. There is no requirement to collect.

16) What is the anticipated shockwave pressure in PSI that equipment installed inside the WFC should be designed to withstand?

Answer: Available data shows approximately 1 psi.

17) What is the anticipated shockwave pressure in PSI that equipment installed outside the WFC should be designed to withstand?

Answer: Limited data for the SMEE installation site is available. In short the best guidance we can provide is to ensure the system is designed in such a manner to dampen vibration and shocks as necessary for sensitive items mounted to the SMEE skids. Vibration and shock isolators should be used as necessary in addition to flexible sections and strain reliefs on lines and cables. Current equipment modules are emplaced as shown in the SMEE Specification. Proposed designs may include additional protections as determined by the contractor.

For proposals failing to account for and describe shock mitigation on critical or sensitive components; strain and flex on coolant lines, cables, or piping our conclusion would probably be that 3.1.4 is not met.

At the SE corner of the firing chamber: 2.0 psi At the SMEE Pad near the N. Cascade coil cabinet: 0.2psi Behind the chamber near the control room: 0.2psi

*Does not account for seismic shock – only the pressure wave.

18) Will the existing electrical conduits running underground from the WFC to the Control Room and the Equipment Pads be reused?

Answer: Anticipated. The Contractor is responsible for additional routing if necessary.

19) If additional electrical conduits need to be run between the existing control room, the WFC and the new conditioning equipment who will be responsible to install them?

Answer: The proposal should indicate and account for the cost. Note: This work may require coordination with YPG Department of Public Works depending how they are installed.

20) If additional electrical conduits need to be run between the existing control room, the WFC and the new conditioning equipment can they be run above ground?

Answer: Maybe depending on where and how – would require coordination. Vehicle ingress and egress paths to remain clear.

21) Will all new data acquisition hardware be located in the existing control room or is there space in the air lock for some hardware? If space is available does a dimensioned layout drawing of the airlock exist?

Answer: Airlock frequently has instrumentation and personnel supporting the item under test inside of it and needs to remain uncluttered for that purpose. Limited space could possibly be made available.

22) Is the airlock a temperature controlled space?

Answer: The Airlock has its own commercial A/C unit for comfort of personnel inside.

23) Must Type T thermocouples be used for temperature control or can we use 100 Ohm Platinum RTDs?

Answer: Use of high accuracy, (Special Limit of Error, type TT, etc) thermocouples (TC) is required to support on-site calibration and compatibility with existing instrumentation. Stainless steel probes, surface mount, and welded junction TCs are typically used as required.

24) Is there a document available that outlines the requirements for a control system to be compliant with the Army Cyber Security Requirements?

Answer: Primarily this involves use of the latest approved Windows baseline operating system – Army Gold Master version. Currently Windows 10 AGM. Secondly, the application being provided will need a Certificate of Networthiness. The vendor, YPG technical team, and the YPG Network Enterprise Center will work together to submit in the new, on-line CoN system. Note: and older example of a CoN application is included in the response to provide a reference regarding what types of information the Government is looking for in its CoN process. Example: The current system utilizes LabView software as its backbone - which has a CoN.

25) What is the supply pressure of the RO water onsite?

Answer:

Water to RO system is 35psi Water from RO system to tank is 15psi RO water from tank to boiler pump is gravity feed

26) What is the supply pressure of the compressed air on site?

Answer: Air pressure is 125psi

27) In section 3.2.2.6 the addition of “make up time” is required after a test interruption. Is this the ability to add time to a test segment in the middle of a test or add an additional segment in the middle of a test? Please provide a little more information on this requirement.

Answer: Make up time depends on the amount of time lost and how the test team determines the best path forward to address the problem. It could involve adding additional time to a test segment, or it could be the addition of a test segment.

28) Just confirming that the use of R-404a on the high side of the cascade refrigeration systems is acceptable if we deem it technically necessary.

Answer: BLUF – Proposals using 404A will not be automatically disqualified. Proposals not using 404A will not be automatically disqualified.

Our understanding of the new rules is that DoD and “low temperature” (≤-50°F) not directly impacted by the new rules (in the short-medium term). However, it is likely operating costs will go up as the supply of 404A is reduced in the market. Technically acceptable proposals using viable alternate refrigerants will be considered.

29) Section 3.2.4.3 discusses removal of vehicle exhaust fumes is the responsibility of the government. Besides the make-up air provided for combustion what is the heat load of the vehicle in the WFC during tests where the vehicle is running?

Answer: Typically automotive testing of test articles in the WFC are not run for prolonged periods. Usually testing only start up functionality and the like for short duration operation. The current equipment, as sized, has been utilized effectively to meet our test needs. No additional performance is required beyond what is currently installed (unless the option to install additional cooling capacity is exercised).

30) Section 3.2.6.3 requires a minimum of two identical modules be provided for the High Temperature Cooling capability. Should both units have the ability to provide make up air for vehicles operating in the chamber?

Answer: Proposals addressing 3.2.6.3 “identical” requirement would not be considered non-compliant on the sole basis of one of those modules containing additional equipment for the makeup air requirement 3.2.9. Equipment, refrigerants, etc utilized for High Temperature Cooling would need to remain common between them. However, the benefit of dividing the makeup air capacity between two identical modules is apparent. Proposals structured as such would also be considered with equal merit.

31) Paragraph 3.2.6.2 Combustion Make-Up and High Temperature Module Equipment states 35ºF as the low temperature limit; while paragraph 3.2.9 Make-Up Air asks for -25ºF. Since both systems are to be incorporated into a single module, does this set of 2 different temperature limits present a conflict?

Answer: The current make up air system is separate from the high temperature cooling equipment, and operates using its own compressor and refrigerant (ref. SMEE Specifications Appendix A). The proposed system is not required to be physically configured like the current equipment. However, the performance requirement is defined in 3.2.9 and is different than our current capability.

Make up (dry) air may be supplied to the chamber temperature test range (‐65°F to 165°F). The requirement is that makeup air be conditioned between -25F and +120F as required. Mixing of make-up air with the return air is acceptable to meet the make-up air temperatures of -25F to +120F. Make up air will not be demanded which is lower than the current chamber temperature when cold testing, nor higher when performing hot testing.

32) Can you confirm the worst case (lowest temperature and RH combination) when a vehicle engine will be running inside the chamber?

Answer: Reference SMEE Specifications Appendix B for hot&humid testing. Cold testing is performed in as dry a chamber as possible to prevent icing the coils. Transition from a hot-humid to a cold test phase is typically preceded by a “dry out” period where the chamber is operated hot & dry as needed to eliminate as much moisture from the air and soil as is reasonable. Whenever possible cold testing precedes a hot-humid test phase.

33) Section 3.2.5.4 requires a means to pre-cool the cascade modules. Is a more detailed explanation of this requirement available?

Answer: Air volume in the coil cabinet and cascade coils are precooled as a part of our standard operating procedure to prevent temperature spikes when bring that coil on-line. To perform this, the current system has a precool valve added to each coil allowing pulse temperature control to bring the coil to 10 degrees below the chamber set point prior to swapping to that coil.

34) Section 3.2.7 SMEE Heating and Defrost Equipment. Are alternative design solutions allowed that comply with the maximum surface temperature requirement.

Answer: Potential offerors are encouraged to submit proposals, and identify if a requirement is partially met or the requirement is met in a different way. Proposals will be evaluated based on technical merit and SMEE performance requirements. Bear in mind 3.2.4.3.

35) Does the ACC chamber require two separate modules, one for low temperature operation and one for high temperature or can it be a combined unit?

Answer: The ACC does not require two discreet modules for Low and high temperature operation.

36) Paragraph 3.4 refers to a “6000 lb static load in the WFC”. Should that say ACC instead of WFC?

Answer: Correct, should read:

“Design calculations and manufacture should assume a 6,000 pound static load of steel in the ACC, and a minimum uninterrupted test length no less than 30 days.”

37) Does the ACC have only the one door which is the full size of one of the sides? No smaller access door required? Can an alternative storage design be proposed?

Answer: The SMEE specification neglect to account for the provision of a smaller access door to the test volume of the chamber. Although desirable, this is not a firm requirement. Proposals with and without a small door for the ACC will be equally considered.

The ACC shall be a complete stand‐alone turn‐key unit, and provide the necessary cooling, heating, humidification, control and instrumentation of the conditions within an attached test cell. The inside dimensions of the test cell should be approximately 10’L x 7’W x 6’6”H. Proposals for ACCs with test cells of approximately these dimensions or larger will not be automatically disqualified on that basis alone.

38) Since the blast pressure levels are not indicated, can the Government recommend a model of blast proof lights that has been successfully used on this site?

39) Can the complete model number for the existing cascade system refrigeration compressors be provided?

Answer:

High stage north vmc 350 es serial# 76011 order# s196544 model# h17k356esd North low stage vmc320 serial# 76010 order# s196544 model# r508b17k326d High stage south vmc 350es serial# 75732 order# s095893 size e17k356esd Low stage south vmc340 serial# 12182 order#f78041-3 size d17k346d

40) Can the complete model number for the high temperature refrigeration system compressor be provided?

Answer:

Vilter Serial 75705 order no. s089626 size e17k326d

41) Can the complete model number for the existing desiccant dryer be provided?

Answer:

Cargocaire engineering corporation Model h-c-9000-ea serial 825 460/3/60

42) Can pictures of the existing cascade refrigeration cooling coil and heater interior duct section be provided?

Answer: Reference SMEE Specification Figure A-8 for an example of an existing coil.

Answer: Reference SMEE Specification Figure A-7 – The primary heaters are behind the door above the two coil cabinet doors.

43) Can pictures of the inside of the existing cascade refrigeration system housing be provided?

44) Can pictures of the inside of the existing high temperature refrigeration system housing be provided?

45) Can pictures of the supply and return ducts inside the WFC be provided?

46) Can pictures of the existing cascade refrigeration blowers and surrounding ductwork be provided?

47) Can pictures of the existing high temperature refrigeration blowers and surrounding ductwork be provided?

48) Can pictures of the existing desiccant dryer and surrounding ductwork be provided?

49) Can pictures of the top of the WFC be provided?

Answer 43) – 49): Not at this time – routing photographs through security would delay release of these responses. The Proposed system should differ significantly from the existing one. The site will be made available to the selected Contractor after award to conduct an inspection.

50) Where are the current steam supply headers located? Can pictures of the steam supply headers be provided?

Answer: Reference SMEE Specification Figure A-13. A Boiler is located in the West end of each Cascade Skid. See above answer regarding pictures.

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