Linear Irrigation System

Added: March 10, 2008 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number RFQ-08-4389-01 is issued as a request for quotations and incorporates provisions and clauses that are in effect through FAC 2005-24. FAR 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside is applicable to this acquisition. The NAICS code is 333111. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code is 4971. The small business size standard is 500 employees. Item description : GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK:





Contractor will furnish, install and place in satisfactory operating condition a hose drag electric drive multi-tower irrigation system and all required equipment in accordance with the plans and specifications. The dealer/manufacturer must be able to fully complete all contruction by 15-May-2008.



Structural



A. The four legged cart structure will be erected with 5/16" x 3" x 4" angle. The diagonal braces will be 1.66" x 12 gauge tube and the horizontal braces will be .125" x 1" x 2" channel. One side inlet swivel port will be provided to accommodate the attaching and detaching of the water delivery hose.



B. The main structural water supply pipe will be constructed from 0.105" (12 ga.), 6 5/8" O.D. steel tubing. Individual pipe assemblies will be connected by inserting molded urethane seals (gaskets) between 8 hole 3/8? thick flanges and using 1/2? plated capscrews and hex lock nuts to secure the pipe sections. Drive unit weight, including water, will be approximately 5616 lbs. for 140.0? spans.



C. The pipe support structure of the linear unit will be a bow string, undertruss design. V positioned truss angles will be .163 x 2" x 2" and attached to the pipe line and additionally supported with a spreader gusset. Truss rods will be minimum 3/4" diameter carbon steel and rod will have hot forged head ends.



D. The pipe will have an external ball and socket flex joint unit, which allows for span to span flexibility, and does not transmit bending or torsion stresses into the pipe. The pipeline flex hose will be replaceable without disengaging the structural components of the flex joint and without any lifting equipment. The flex joint will not obstruct the flow inside the pipeline. The flex hose is attached to ends of the swivel and fixed pipes with plated adjustable clamps. The flex hose is rated at 150 PSI working pressure.



E. The drive unit tower structure will consist of four support legs designed to withstand the forces induced when traversing the field. The drive unit legs will fabricated from 1/4" x 3" x 3" angle. Two diagonal and six horizontal braces will provide rigidity and strength for the drive unit. The horizontal base beam at the lower end of the structure will be constructed of 6 5/8" O.D. pipe and will provide a wheel base of 13.3 feet..



F. All critical structural members, including the pipe, will be hot dip galvanized per ASTM Specification 123 on all surfaces, with the exception of the various small components, including the tower box alignment bar, which will be painted. The alignment bar will be constructed with a stainless steel threaded rod and stainless nut to ensure positive tower alignment adjustment can be accomplished.



G. The swivel and fixed pipe of each span will be constructed of one piece tubing to reduce the flange connection when compared to using stub pipes. No stub pipe assemblies will be used. Drive unit legs will be attached to the one piece fixed or last pipe assembly to minimize the number of flanged connections on each span.



H. All cap screws will be Grade 5 minimum. Locknuts must be used in all structural assemblies. All fasteners will be commercially zinc plated.



I. Tubular tower supports (2.875? x 14 gauge) will be attached between the drive unit legs and the fixed pipe attachment ears. The tower supports will also be tied into the truss rods with ?U?-bolts and a cross channel member. This provides a unitized support structure to handle tension and compression forces imposed on the drive units as they move across the field.



Drive Train



A. Centerdrive Gear Motor



The intermediate drive units will utilize helical gear centerdrive electric motors. These will be totally enclosed irrigation duty, and capable of operating under extreme environmental conditions. The centerdrive motors will be 1.2 Hp with a thermal sensitive device to protect the motor against excessive current or heat. One (1) motor at each drive unit provides input power to the two wheel gearboxes and will operate at 3600 (2-pole) RPM for high speed operation. The motors will be rated at 1100 in.-lb. continuos torque and at 7000in.-lb. starting torque. Nameplate amp draw will be 1.8 (1.2 Hp) for the motors with a 1.3 service factor. The ribbed aluminum motor housing will be fastened to the gear reducer with external stainless steel stator bolts.



The cart and the last drive unit will utilize worm drive centerdrive electric motors. These will be totally enclosed irrigation duty, and capable of operating under extreme environmental conditions. The centerdrive motors will be 1.5 Hp with a thermal sensitive device to protect the motor against excessive current or heat. One (1) motor at each drive unit and two(2) 1.5 Hp motor at the cart provides input power to the two wheel gearboxes. The nameplate amp draw will be 2.55 amps.



B. The wheel drive gearboxes will be a self-locking worm gear design to provide positive braking. The cast iron worm wheel and integral ductile worm input shaft uses a 25 degree pressure angle design for full recessed action and proper lubrication. The worm and bearings will operate in a submerged oil bath. The system will be equipped with heavy duty gearboxes (52:1 gear ratios) with a rating of 30,000 in.-lbs. continuous output torque for a minimum of 1000 operating hours, and capable of withstanding 150,000 in.-lbs. instantaneous output torque without failure. The output shaft of the wheel gearbox will be a minimum 2 1/4" diameter, stress relieved, cold drawn steel. The seals for the input and the output shafts will be patented proprietary seven (7) lip design. The drive shaft will be adequately shielded to meet OSHA safety standards. All gear reducers will be properly filled with lubricant by the manufacturer. Visual inspection of the lubricant will be provided by removal of the access cover.



C. The gearboxes as shipped will be filled with oil to its normal operating level and hermetically sealed with a rubber diaphragm and 15.86 cubic inch expansion chamber cap assembly. The original lubricant will meet SAE 85/140 class 5 oil specifications. Replacement lubricants must meet specification as noted in the Illustrated Parts Manual and Technical Service Handbook.



D. The drive shafts will be designed to withstand the maximum torque of the drive train with no permanent deformation and will be 7/8" square cold drawn steel. The drive shaft will be adequately shielded. Greaseless U-joints will be furnished with the system. U-joint will incorporate flexible urethane inserts to absorb shock from motor starts and reduce stress. Urethane inserts anchored between cast aluminum yokes, will be attached to drive shafts with four (4) 1/4" cap screws.



E. Wheels will have an R-1 agricultural traction tread tire. Traction lugs will be a minimum 1" deep and a minimum 1" wide. Each 14.9" x 24" x 4 ply agricultural tire will be mounted on a 12" x 24" rim. The rims will be hot dipped galvanized in accordance to ASTM 123.



Guidance



The guidance will be a furrow type guidance which has a control arm for each direction of travel that has a skid shoe that follows a 3-6 in straight furrow that run the length of the field. The control boxes will have 4 micro switches two (2) micro switches control the steering function and two (2) micro switches that provide a safety incase the control arm becomes out of line with the furrow.



Linear Control Module



A. An enclosed panel control system will be mounted on the cart assemble with the essential characteristics including:



1. Programmable capability for remote execution of commands:

1.1 Stop position according to time expected at position

1.2 Change speeds according to time and position

1.3 Change depth of water applied according to time

1.4 Start/stop end gun (if installed) according to position

1.5 Optional, can be linked to PC via radio telemetry

1.6 System shut-down in service road - (end of field stop)



2. Self diagnostics mode - indicator fault:

2.1 System power - low

2.2 System safety - break in system safety circuit

2.3 Pressure - loss of water pressure

2.4 Command - indicates commanded shut down

2.5 Stop in slot - indicates if system is in the stop in slot position



B. Numerical "key pad" controls and command selection keys to enter constants and programs steps.



C. Low voltage monitor, surge protection, lightning arrestor, hour meter, stop in slot and end gun control are standard features.



D. Back-up battery preserves programming time, date and constants.



E. Control for auxiliary function such as a chemigation pump.



Power Supply to the Linear Sprinkler Cart

Three phase 60 Hertz 440/480 AC power will be delivered to the linear cart unit via a four conductor (three power plus ground) 8 gauge, Type W, 600 Volt, 90 degree C Rating cable. A 30 amp UL listed plug will connect one end of the cable to a 30 amp receptacle mounted on the power pedestal and junction box assembly. The power pedestals and junction boxes will be strategically positioned according to the maximum allowable distance between the junction outlets and within the manufacture's recommendation for service in this application.



Service/Training



The dealer/manufacturer who will install the linear irrigation system provide warranty and other support for the system. Due to the sensitive nature of agricultural research, said dealer must have the capability and proximity to comply with requests for service within a 2 hr period. The manufacturer will conduct a course which will address system operations, maintenance and troubleshooting procedures in conjunction with orientation for the linear systems.

Vendor MUST send descriptive literature. Payment under this contract will be made by electronic funds transfer. Successful offeror must accept government purchase card or be set up with USDA vendor express program at the time invoice is submitted, vendor also MUST be registered in CCR before an order is placed. WWW.CCR.GOV . Delivery is FOB Destination to USDA, ARS, Dawson, GA, 39842. The government anticipates award or a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsive/responsible offeror whose offer conforms to the solicitation and is most price advantageous to the government. The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial items, applies to this acquisition. The contracting officer will make award based on price, price-related factors and Quality. FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items. The offeror MUST complete the annual representations and certifications electronically via the Business Partner Network (BPN) web site at http://orca.bpn.gov . FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial items, applies to this acquisition. The following FAR clauses cited in 52.212-5 are applicable to this acquisition: 52-203-3 Gratuities; 52.222-4 Overtime Compensation; 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity; 52.222-36 Affirmative Action; 52-222-37 Employment Reports; 52.225-9 Buy American Act; 52.232-34 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer; 52.236-7 Permits and Responsibilities; 52.236-12 Cleaning up; 52.246-12 Inspection; 52-249-1 Termination for Convenience. The contractor shall extend to the Government the full coverage of any standard commercial warranty normally offered in a similar commercial sale, provided such warranty is available at no additional cost to the Government. Acceptance of the standard commercial warranty does not waive the Government?s rights under the Inspection clause nor does it limit the Governments?s rights with regard to the other terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of a conflict, the terms and conditions of the contract shall take precedence over the standard commercial warranty. The contractor shall provide a copy of its standard commercial warranty (if applicable) with its response. Responses are 15 days from the date this notice is published in the FedBizOps by 4:00 PM local time, March 25, 2008 at USDA Agricultural Research Service, 2316 Rainwater Rd, Tifton, GA 31794 (or POB 748, Tifton, GA 31793). POC Tom Maze, Contract Specialist, 229-386-3496 or FAX 229-386-7225.