Responses to questions.pdf

Questions and Answers

Answers highlighted in yellow

Contractor 1 Questions

To develop an accurate firm-fixed-price quote and properly size the Allen-Bradley CompactLogix replacement system, could you please clarify the following:

1. Can you provide the existing GE Fanuc 90-30 PLC hardware configuration, including the CPU and all I/O module catalog numbers and quantities?

See attachments

2. Can you provide the existing electrical drawings, PLC panel drawings, I/O list, and control schematics for Engine Test Cell #4?

3. Can you provide a copy of the existing GE Fanuc PLC program/ladder logic that is to be converted to Studio 5000?

4. Is the existing Panel and IO available to utilize to simplify the upgrade to soley the PLC if the Power Supply and networking are similar?

Not clear what this question is asking. We are wanting to limit the changes to the PLC and the existing things it interfaces are basic inputs and outputs. This is an older test cell and everything is basic analog signals.

5. Please identify any communications interfaces between the existing PLC and external equipment, such as Ethernet, serial, Modbus, remote I/O, HMI, data acquisition systems, or other controllers.

See attachments. Basic inputs and outputs – no direct communication to peripheral equipment.

6. Is the existing HMI/operator interface intended to remain in service, or is any HMI modification, programming, or replacement included in the scope?

Operator panel will remain (physical buttons). New PLC will need to be programmed to match the original PLC. We do not have the hardware to communicate with the old PLC.

7. Has a specific Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 1769 controller, rack, and I/O configuration already been selected by CCAD?

Match original PLC as closely as possible

8. If certain CompactLogix 1769 components are obsolete or unavailable, will the Government accept current Rockwell Automation equivalents that provide the same required functionality?

Yes

9. Please confirm whether the Government has an estimated I/O count or point list for the existing system that may be provided to prospective offerors.

The PWS requires the contractor to furnish the complete replacement PLC system, migrate the existing logic, reuse existing wiring where possible, provide additional panel materials as required, create updated wiring drawings, and complete onsite integration and functional testing.

The solicitation also identifies the Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 1769 Series main rack and expansion rack as physical deliverables within 40 days of award, so the existing hardware and I/O information will be important for accurate equipment selection and lead-time confirmation.

See attachments

Contractor 2 Questions

To establish an appropriate technical and pricing baseline for the firm-fixed-price work, we would appreciate the following clarifications and available existing-system information. We believe sufficient photographs and technical documentation should allow us to prepare our quotation without requiring a site visit.

1. Existing System Documentation and Photographs

Please provide, to the extent available:

• clear photographs of the existing PLC/control cabinet showing the GE Fanuc PLC and I/O racks, terminal strips, power distribution, interface components, and overall cabinet arrangement;

• the current PLC program/backup;

• existing I/O lists and hardware configuration;

• electrical/control drawings and available as-built documentation;

• test-cell operating or controls manuals; and

• available sequence-of-operation, interlock, permissive, alarm, or functional documentation.

2. Existing PLC Program Accessibility

Please confirm whether the complete GE Fanuc Series 90-30 application presently operating Engine Test Cell #4 is accessible and available for migration.

Please identify whether CCAD possesses the current editable project/source file and whether it represents the application presently executing in the PLC, including field modifications. If the current project file is not available, please advise whether the running application can be uploaded from the controller and whether any password, software, licensing, or other access limitation is known.

The program is working and attached. We do not have the hardware to communicate with the GE Fanuc.

3. Current Operational Condition

Please confirm whether, as of the Government's response, the functions presently controlled or monitored by the existing PLC are active, operational, and performing in accordance with the Government's intended current functionality.

If there are known failed, disabled, bypassed, unavailable, or otherwise non-operational functions or equipment that could affect the PLC migration or functional testing, please identify those conditions.

Please also clarify whether correction of such pre-existing deficiencies is included within the contractor's firm-fixed-price PLC upgrade scope.

There are no known deficiencies. Any unused functionality is not expected to be fixed by the contractor.

4. Existing Interfaces and Related Systems

Please identify the principal equipment and systems that communicate with or are controlled by the existing PLC, including HMI/operator interfaces, SCADA or supervisory systems, test-cell computers or data-acquisition systems, drives, remote I/O, serial/Ethernet devices, and third-party controllers.

Please provide available communication/interface documentation and, where applicable, the PLC registers, tags, data points, or other variables accessed by external systems.

If modification of an existing HMI, SCADA system, test-cell computer, data-acquisition system, or other external system is required as part of the PLC migration, please identify that requirement and provide the applicable source/configuration information.

See attachments

5. Allen-Bradley System Configuration

The PWS identifies an Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 1769 Series PLC and references a Main Rack and Expansion Rack.

Please provide the Government-required configuration, if established, including the controller and required I/O/communication architecture.

Alternatively, please confirm that selection and sizing of the Allen-Bradley controller, I/O modules, communications modules, power supplies, and rack/expansion configuration are the contractor's responsibility based upon the existing system requirements.

Current setup shown in attachments. We would like to match this as closely as possible.

6. Network and Communications Scope

Please identify whether the new PLC or associated control equipment will connect to an existing test-cell network, CCAD/DoD network, or standalone control network.

If network connectivity is required, please clarify whether the contractor's scope includes furnishing or modifying network infrastructure or Government-managed network equipment, or whether the contractor's responsibility is limited to providing and configuring the PLC/control-system side of the interface.

Please also identify any Government cybersecurity or network-connection approval that must be completed before commissioning.

Stand alone device.

7. Access, Outage, and Production Constraints

The PWS identifies Engine Test Cell #4 as an active test cell. Please provide the anticipated access and outage availability for removal, installation, commissioning, and functional testing.

Please identify any known production schedules, shutdown restrictions, or other Government-controlled constraints that should be considered in developing the contractor's schedule and firm-fixed price.

Engine test cell 4 will be made available as needed. Need communication to schedule down time.

8. Functional Testing and Acceptance

The PWS requires the upgraded system to mimic the current operational functionality and requires verification of PLC-related controls.

Please provide the Government's anticipated commissioning/functional test process and objective acceptance criteria.

Please also clarify whether acceptance will be based upon comparison with the presently operating GE Fanuc system, an existing functional specification, test-cell manuals, an approved test procedure, or another Government-defined baseline.

If final operational testing requires operation of an engine or other test article, please confirm that the Government will provide the necessary test cell, test article, operators, utilities, and other Government-controlled resources required to complete acceptance testing.

Every button on the control panel should perform its function. An engine can be provided but is not anticipated to be needed.

9. Period of Performance

PWS paragraph 1.4 states a period of performance of sixty (60) calendar days, while Section F identifies performance from September 21, 2026 through December 31, 2026.

Please clarify the applicable period of performance.

60 calendar days after award

10. Technical Information / CUI and Secure File Transfer

Please advise whether the PLC program, test-cell drawings, manuals, I/O documentation, or other technical information furnished for this effort will be designated Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and whether any cybersecurity or CMMC requirement beyond the provisions presently included in the solicitation will apply to handling those files.

Contractor 2 routinely receives Government technical information through DoD SAFE and would be pleased to receive the requested files through DoD SAFE or another Government-approved secure transfer method. If CCAD requires execution of a CUI acknowledgment, access agreement, or other handling documentation before release, contractor 2 will promptly execute and return the required documentation.

Additionally, regarding PWS Section 7.9, please confirm that the Government's rights in software/source code produced under this contract do not transfer ownership of pre-existing contractor software tools, libraries, templates, or other background intellectual property that may be used in performing the work.

The requested information will allow contractor 2 to establish the existing-system baseline, appropriately price the migration and integration effort, and understand the Government's required acceptance condition.

If any requested technical information cannot be provided prior to quotation, please identify the assumptions offerors should use for pricing purposes.

CCAD will need everything to require to program and update the PLC.