Contractor Questions and Government Answers (Amendment 0001).pdf

Contractor Questions & Government Answers MPLD Pintle Casting Supply

W912P924Q3429 (Amendment 0001)

1. The pintle socket and pintle call out casting, is there any record of a casting company that would still have the pattern on file?

ANSWER: No, there is no pattern on file.

2. I see at 2.2.2.1 of 05 50 14 a requirement that the outside surfaces of the Pintle Sockets are to be machined all over to a 250 finish. This is a highly unusual requirement and I believe it is in error. Usually an as-cast finish that approaches 250 is sufficient for non-mating surfaces.

Not only would this unnecessary requirement add immense cost and time to the job but many of the surfaces of the Socket casting are inaccessible for machining. However, the base and the surfaces intended for the seating of the mounting bolts should be machined to 125 finish. Not sure about the quoin pocket.

ANSWER: Plans and specifications updated to specify locations where an as-cast finish approaching 250 finish is acceptable for the fabrication of the pintle socket (see Amendment 0001 General Notes on Plan Sheet G-001 and Specification Section 05 50 14, paragraph 2.2.2.1).

3. The assembly view D-1 on S-502 shows the head of the bolt A8 to be inside the keeper late

502-4. This is impossible as the keeper plate is only 5/16" thick. The detail drawing of the keeper plate 502-4 does not show a counterbore for the screw, but references a countersunk hole. It would seem that the bolt A8 is incorrect and the call out should be for a 1/2-13 flat head socket screw 1-1/2 long (overall.).

ANSWER: Plans and specifications updated to reflect change in the socket screw and corresponding holes in the pintle bushing and bushing keeper plate (see Amendment 0001 Plan Sheet S-502 and Specification Section 05 50 14, paragraph 2.2.2.6).

4. Will either or both options, if elected, be awarded at the same time and in addition to the base?

ANSWER: See Combined Synopsis and Solicitation, FAR Clause: 52.217-7 Option For Increased Quantity – Separately Priced Line Item and DELIVERY INFORMATION for the CLINs. The period of performance for any option exercised will be 365 days after it has been exercised.

5. If either or both options are awarded, the benefit to the Corps would be reduced pricing, but this would double or triple the amount of labor and casting supply needed. Will the performance time be appropriately extended, or the delivery of the option items be sequenced?

ANSWER: Period of Performance is 365 days after date of contract. See Combined Synopsis and Solicitation, FAR Clause: 52.217-7 Option For Increased Quantity – Separately Priced Line Item and DELIVERY INFORMATION for the CLINs. The period of performance for any option exercised will be 365 days after it has been exercised.

6. The specification at 2.1.2.2.3 calls for both ultrasonic and radiographic inspection. The cost of radiographic far exceeds that of ultrasonic and also significantly extends the time needed for performance. May we suggest that the wording be “radiographic or ultrasonic”? In a similar job involving pintles and bushings (W912ES24P0034) this was allowed.

ANSWER: No changes made to the specifications. Please follow the guidance in Specification Section 05 50 14, paragraph 2.1.2.2 and all corresponding sub-paragraphs (2.1.2.2.1, 2.1.2.2.2, 2.1.2.2.3, and 2.1.2.2.4) for non-destructive testing requirements.

7. Is it intended that the castings be RT’d before machining and the UT be performed after?

ANSWER: Please follow the guidance in Specification Section 05 50 14, paragraph

2.1.2.2 and all corresponding sub-paragraphs (2.1.2.2.1, 2.1.2.2.2, 2.1.2.2.3, and 2.1.2.2.4) for non-destructive testing requirements. Sequencing and scheduling of testing shall be left to the Contractor as means and methods to complete the work required in this project.

8. Since the equipment for RT is extensive and generally constructed and installed in the testing company’s lab, and since it is doubtful that either the steel or the bronze foundry has this in-house capability, can the RT (if not available through a third-party on-site contractor) be performed at the testing company lab instead of at the foundry?

ANSWER: Yes, the Contractor may utilize any sub-contractor to complete the requirements in the contract plans and specifications. The Contractor must ensure compliance with the Combined Synopsis and Solicitation including FAR Clauses:

52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment, 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns, 512.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting, and 52.219-16 Liquidated Damages – Subcontracting Plan.

9. Since the individual components of the job and of any added option may be presented for

NDT inspection in less than full job batches, will notice of and CO presence at each event be required?

ANSWER: Notification and Contracting Officer presence is not required to complete the NDT inspections. However, inspection reports must be submitted in accordance with the contract specifications.

10. Clarification needed as to which Contractor or supplier personnel require security training and certification and in what job description as referenced on page 3 of the Performance Work Statement.

ANSWER: Security training is required only for personnel performing work on a Government facility. This is not applicable to performance of this contract since it is for a supply and delivery only.

11. FPCON pertains to military bases and installations so would not be relevant here. RAM deals either with security surrounding radioactive materials or pertains to an installation's force protection program and also does not appear to be relevant here. HCCON refers to security of personnel health and does not seem applicable to this Contract. The requirement needs to be more specific.

ANSWER: This information is provided for your information, so that you understand what could occur in case of an increase in security measures (FPCON, etc.) while attempting to deliver at the Government facility. Access could be denied for delivery; or if on the facility delivering, personnel could be required to stay in place. This is for your understanding, no action needed.

12. If security training is needed for this Contract, can the security training be conducted and certified by the Contractor or is this a third-party need?

ANSWER: Not required since this contract is for supply and delivery only; this contract requires no performance on Government facility.

13. The fit up and “scraping” of the bushings and the pintles (2.2.2.3 of Sec 5-50-14) Is an obsolete requirement, as is the mating in pairs. All components will be exactly to size and exactly alike using a CAD model created by the Contractor and the results verified by CMM measurement. Using today’s methods of creating and machining to a math or CAD model assures this. The random selection and demonstration of 80% or better contact of the surfaces can be performed.

ANSWER: Please follow the guidance in Specification Section 05 50 14, paragraphs

2.2.2.2 and 2.2.2.3 for fitting of pintles and pintle bushings. Proposed alternative utilizing CMM measurements to verify fit up of the pintles and pintle bushings will not be permitted for this project.

14. The drawing shows no holes in the sides of the bushing to accept the dog points of the setscrews MK-S-502-2. These holes would be installed in assembly with the socket, but a size is required.

ANSWER: Plans and specifications updated to specify size, depth, and locations of dog points in pintle bushing for set screws MK-S-502-2 (see Amendment 0001 Plan Sheet S- 501).

15. No hole is shown leading from the grease pickup groove in the bushing to the return line hole in the socket. This hole would be drilled at assembly, but a size is required.

ANSWER: Plans and specifications updated to specify location and size of grease pickup groove in pintle bushing (see Amendment 0001 Plan Sheet S-102).

16. The hole in the top center of the bushing requires a dimension.

ANSWER: Plans and specifications updated to include information for hole in the top center of the pintle bushing (see Amendment 0001 Plan Sheet S-501).

17. What would be the format of the Customer furnished CAD model from the Inventor software?

ANSWER: Specifications updated to include additional details (see Amendment 0001 Specification Section 05 50 14, paragraph 1.3.1.2). Upon request by the Contractor following award of the contract, the Government may furnish Autodesk Inventor files in their native format to the Contractor for fabrication. This may include 2021 Autodesk Inventor Part files (.ipt) and Assembly files (.iam).

18. The shop drawings (1.3.1.2 of Section 05 50 14) would in all likelihood be exactly the same as the Government provided drawings. The Contractor would prepare the required detail drawings by “lifting” them intact from those drawings. If this is the case, why would there be a need for the Registered Professional Engineer (with seal) ? as he would in effect be approving the Government’s drawings.

ANSWER: Specifications updated to include additional details and information on requirements for shop drawing submittals and the registered professional engineering seal (see Amendment 0001 Specification Section 05 50 14, paragraph 1.3.1.2).

19. 1.3.1 of Section 01 78 00 deals with revisions made to As Fabricated Drawings. If no revisions have been made, is the contractor still required to supply the drawings in various formats as enumerated in sub section (b)? If not, what format should be used? If needed would the Government furnish the Inventor drawings in their native format? Since the drawings will be electronic, what is the meaning of “three copies?”

ANSWER: Specifications updated to include additional details and information on requirements for final as-fabricated shop drawings and models (see Amendment 0001 Specification Section 01 78 00, paragraph 1.3.1b).

20. What is the meaning of “storage media” as used in 1.3.1(b) of Section 01 78 00?

ANSWER: The term “storage media” as used in Specification Section 01 78 00, paragraph 1.3.1b refers to the information (models, drawings, etc.) contained within the electronic submittals for the final as-fabricated shop drawings and models required in the contract specifications.

21. The Contractor and its casting supplier may wish to opt for CNC cut foam patterns. These patterns are left in the mold and vaporize when the metal is introduced. This is increasingly a more prevalent method. In that case there would exist no physical pattern to ship to the customer. Would this be a problem?

ANSWER: Specifications updated to include additional details on mold patterns (see Amendment 0001 Specification Section 01 78 00, paragraph 1.2.2 and Specification Section 05 50 14, paragraph 2.1.2.1). CNC cut foam patterns are an acceptable alternative for this project.

22. On drawing page S 501, note 3 refers to a “pintle base” to which the pintle is to be fit. No such component exists. Please clarify.

ANSWER: The pintle base is an existing part to remain in place. The pintle shall be fit to the pintle base using an LC 5 fit based on a 2’-2” diameter hole in the pintle base. Plans have been updated to include a reference drawing showing the existing pintle base part for clarification (see Amendment 0001 Plan Sheet R-001).

23. We seek clarification on whether there are any restrictions regarding the manufacturing origin of castings for this project, and if castings produced both onshore and offshore are permissible.

ANSWER: Please reference Combined Synopsis and Solicitation DFARS Clauses 252.225-7000, 252.225-7001, and 252.225-7002, which have all been made full text.

24. The drawings call for the Pintle Bushing (MK-S-501-2) to be ASTM B148 (Sand

Casting). The more common and better quality practice for these precision parts is ASTM B271 Centrifugally Cast which we have used on multiple USACE projects. Will centrifugally cast parts be acceptable for this RFQ?

ANSWER: Specifications updated to include additional details on the pintle bushing casting (see Amendment 0001 Specification Section 05 50 14, paragraph 2.2.2.3).

Centrifugal casting in accordance with ASTM B271 is an acceptable alternative for this project.

25. Spec section 05 50 14 refers to the uniform contact of the pintle and bushing by scraping. In lieu of scraping or bluing we would propose 3D coordinate mapping of the parts to both be more accurate and reduce damage to the mating parts. Will this be an acceptable alternative for this RFQ?

ANSWER: Please follow the guidance in Specification Section 05 50 14, paragraphs

2.2.2.2 and 2.2.2.3 for fitting of pintles and pintle bushings. Proposed alternative utilizing 3D coordinate mapping to verify fit up of the pintles and pintle bushings will not be permitted for this project.

26. For the Pintle Ball (MK-S-501-1) the drawings call for a stainless cast piece hardened and machined. Would it be acceptable to offer a stainless forging for this part that would meet the mechanical properties of ASTM A297 GR HF? A forging would be better suited for the required part manufacturing and likely be less expensive.

ANSWER: Specifications updated to include additional information regarding the material requirements for the pintle, pintle bushing, and pintle socket, allowing for forgings that meet the material requirements specified for the respective parts as acceptable alternatives to castings (see Amendment 0001 Specification Section 05 50 14, paragraphs 2.2.2.1, 2.2.2.2, and 2.2.2.3). Based on the updated specifications, a stainless forging meeting the material and mechanical properties of ASTM A297 GR HF is an acceptable alternative for this project.

27. On S-501 “Sheet Notes” there is a fit called out for the Pintle (MK-S-501-1) to the Pintle

Base (no mark or part shown) of LC-5. Will the Corps be providing dimensional surveys of the existing bases to assure the fit? The same sheet notes calls out the Bushing/Pintle Socket fit but does not give a fit for the Pintle to the Bushing. Can you please provide the required fit for these mating parts?

ANSWER: The pintle base is an existing part to remain in place. The pintle shall be fit to the pintle base using an LC 5 fit based on a 2’-2” diameter hole in the pintle base. Plans have been updated to include a reference drawing showing the existing pintle base part for clarification (see Amendment 0001 Plan Sheet R-001). Please follow the guidance in Specification Section 05 50 14, paragraphs 2.2.2.2 and 2.2.2.3 for fitting of pintles and pintle bushings.

28. Are 3D model drawings available for the pintle ball and housing? These would be most helpful in securing accurate pricing.

ANSWER: The Government will not provide 3D model drawings of pintle ball and housing prior to contract award. Specifications updated to include additional details (see Amendment 0001 Specification Section 05 50 14, paragraph 1.3.1.2). Upon request by the Contractor following award of the contract, the Government may furnish Autodesk Inventor files in their native format to the Contractor for fabrication.