MODIFICATION
59 -- Wireless Crew Communications Systems
- Notice Date
- 4/28/2006
- Notice Type
- Modification
- NAICS
- 334220
— Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard (USCG), Commandant (G-ACS), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second St., SW, Washington, DC, 20593-0001
- ZIP Code
- 20593-0001
- Solicitation Number
- HSCG23-06-R-DNQ140B
- Response Due
- 6/6/2006
- Point of Contact
- Nina Douglas, Contract Specialist, Phone 202-475-3237, Fax 202-475-3905,
- E-Mail Address
-
ndouglas@comdt.uscg.mil
- Description
- Answers to questions posted to date are provided below: Questions and Answers on Solicitation HSCG23-06-R-DNQ140B Question: What is the total quantity of MLB platforms? The solicitation states the government will order at least half of the boat set for the MLB Answer: There are 117 Motor Lifeboats in our inventory. Question: In the Amendment on page 3 in the next to last paragraph it says "This control shall be combined into the same unit as that for 3.9.4. Please clarify what "3.9.4" is. Answer: The portable/remote unit shall be equipped with a momentary PTT switch to allow the operator to activate the microphone when the microphone mute function is activated. This control shall be readily accessible, such that there is no need for the operator to access the pocket of the survival vest to activate the PTT switch. “ Question: Please define "off the shelf product". Answer: Please see FAR Part 2.101 for the definition of a commercial item. Question: Is there a location on the internet where the appropriate paperwork can be downloaded or can it be faxed emailed or mailed? Answer: Please see the direction in the solicitation for submission of your proposal Question: Are all five crewmembers completely wireless or are any tethered with cables? Answer: The specified Crew Communication System (CCS) should be a completely wireless system. The tether connects the coxswain position to the VHF-FM radios at the steering stations. Question: Is the coxswain one of the five wireless or is this headset hard-wired (with break-away connectors) into the intercom? Answer: The coxswain shall have the same wireless crew communications system as the other four crew members but also have the capability to connect to the VHF-FM radios via a break free tether. Question: How is the radio select (between the 2 identified radios) accomplished? Location? Method? Answer: We expect the vendor to provide the solution. Question: Can you provide clarification for the Steering Station? What is the steering station? Answer: The 47FT MLB has four steering stations—two each on the open bridge and enclosed bridge. Steering Stations are the location on the MLB from which we steer the boat. Question: If the steering station needs a breakaway connector and length of the cable connection shall be sufficient to allow the operator to use either steering station on the open bridge, how is it wireless? Answer: The breakaway tether is only intended for VHF-FM radio connectivity. The crew communications system is wireless. Question: Are all references to the steering station in the open bridge? Answer: No. The 47ft MLB has two steering stations on the open bridge and two in the enclosed bridge Question: Are any handheld radios used in the configuration? Answer: No. Question: Is the 120VAC charger off the vessel? It seems to have no environmental constraints thus must not be on the vessel. Answer: The 120VAC charger is for off vessel use only. THE DEADLINE FOR ALL QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO THIS SOLICIATION IS COB 17 MAY 2006. END OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSarine Environmental Protection (MEP), Disaster Response, and Defense Operations. The CCS shall not inhibit the crew’s ability to perform any mission. It shall increase safety significantly, by improving internal crew communication. The CCS shall transmit in an unlicensed frequency band as defined in 47CFR15 that does not interfere with the radio systems already installed aboard the 47 foot MLB. The CCS shall operate in all areas of the 47 foot MLB. The CCS shall operate in a full duplex mode. Each portable unit shall be capable of being operated without interference from others. All units shall be capable of simultaneous transmission and reception. The portable/remote unit shall provide a side tone. The operator shall be able to hear his/her own transmission, to indicate that the transmission is being received by the base unit and being re-transmitted properly. The CCS shall operate with a hands free open microphone. A separate PTT button shall be provided on at least one of the five portable/remote units, to allow the operator using that portable/remote unit to key the attached radio. When activated the VHF-FM PTT switch shall isolate/mute the microphone audio from the wireless communications systems. One headset shall be configured to receive radio input to one ear and wireless communication system input to the other ear. The radio input shall be transmitted via the interface cable. The other headsets shall be configured for crew communications only. The CCS shall be delivered with the interface cable required to connect to the radios as installed on the boat. The interface to the radios shall be available at each steering station. The cable connection between the vessel’s radios and steering stations shall be equipped with a break free type of connector. This connector shall break free of the vessel when extreme force is applied to it. The length of the cable connection shall be sufficient to allow the operator to use either steering station on the open bridge. The headset used for the CCS shall be compatible with the Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH), Personal Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT), or Advance Combat Helmet (ACH) helmets. The headset shall be capable of being used with or without the helmet. The headset shall provide a minimum noise reduction rating (NRR) of 20 dBA. The headset shall provide the capability of hearing the outside environment via electronic amplification of outside sound. Audio at the operator’s ear shall not exceed 84 dBa. The connecting cable between the headset and the portable/remote unit shall incorporate a waterproof connector, allowing the headset to be disconnected from the portable/remote units while maintaining the waterproof integrity of both. All controls shall be capable of being manipulated with a gloved hand. The glove currently used in the field is similar to/or the same as the Tec-250 shell with the T5-40 liner as provided by: Manzella Products, Inc. of Buffalo, NY. The portable/remote units shall include an on/off switch, with a protective guard to prevent accidental activation. The portable/remote unit shall be equipped with a volume control. The control shall have sufficient resistance to prevent accidental activation due to shock and vibration. MIL-STD-167-1 shall be used as a guide for shipboard vibration data. The portable/remote unit shall be equipped with a microphone mute switch. The microphone mute switch shall disable the microphone on the headset. The portable/remote unit shall be equipped with a momentary PTT switch to allow the operator to activate the microphone when the microphone mute function is activated. This control shall be readily accessible, such that there is no need for the operator to access the pocket of the survival vest to activate the PTT switch. One portable/remote unit shall be equipped with a momentary PTT switch, which will activate the external radios as installed on the boat. This control shall be readily accessible, such that there is no need for the operator to access the pocket of the survival vest.. This control shall be combined into the same unit as that for 3.9.4. The portable/remote unit shall be sized to fit inside the large main pocket of the standard Coast Guard survival vest currently used/or similar to the model 217 as provided by: Lifesaving Systems Corporation of Apollo Beach, FL. The base unit shall be no larger than 17 x 13 x 7 inches. The weight of each portable/remote unit shall not exceed 2 pounds, including battery but excludes the headset. The weight of the base unit, excluding cables and antenna, shall not exceed 15 pounds. The portable/remote unit shall utilize an internal rechargeable battery pack. The battery shall provide a minimum of 8 hours of use on a single charge, with a 100% duty cycle. The remote unit shall provide a low battery audible warning at least one hour before the battery is about to be discharged to a level which will no longer power the unit. The battery shall be capable of being recharged without removal from the portable/remote unit. The charger(s) shall operate on standard 120 VAC 60 Hz power. The base unit shall be powered by 12 to 24 VDC with a tolerance of +/-10%. The base unit shall incorporate an internal rechargeable battery for stand alone operations. The internal battery shall provide a minimum of 8 hours of operation. The base unit shall automatically select the type of power available. External 12 VDC shall be the default if both internal and external power is available. The internal batteries shall be charged whenever the system is connected to external power. No external charger shall be used. The CCS shall be designed to meet the following environmental requirements. The CCS shall be fully operational in a 0 to +120 degrees F (-18 to +49 C) temperature range. The CCS shall be capable of being stored in a non-operating state in temperature range of -26 to +131 degrees F (–32 to +55 C) without damage. The Portable/Remote unit and headset, shall be waterproof to a depth of 20 feet; in saltwater; in an operational mode; without damage. The CCS shall not utilize waterproof bags or pouches to meet this requirement. The CCS shall withstand immersion for a minimum of 30 seconds and shall be held at a depth of 20 feet for 10 seconds. The CCS shall be capable of withstanding a minimum of three such immersions without degradation. MIL-STD-810F, method 512.4, procedure 1 shall be used as a guide for immersion. The base unit shall be designed to meet the requirements for rain and blowing rain as specified in MIL-STD-810F method 506.4, procedure 1. The CCS shall withstand the shock and vibration of the 47 foot MLB. MIL-STD-167-1 shall be used as a guide for shipboard vibration data. The CCS must be capable of being operated in a saltwater environment, including salt spray and salt fog. Salt fog requirement set forth in MIL-STD-810F, method 509.4 shall be used as a guide. The CCS shall be capable of being shipped via common carrier without special handling or packaging. The system, including the batteries, shall not need to be classified as hazardous material per 49 CFR Part 173. In accordance with the CCS Project Management Plan, the CCS will be initially prototyped on a maximum of 5 boats and then, assuming a successful prototype, full production will begin to install the CCS aboard all 47 foot MLBs within the Coast Guard. NOTE: THIS NOTICE MAY HAVE POSTED ON FEDBIZOPPS ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE ITSELF (28-APR-2006). IT ACTUALLY APPEARED OR REAPPEARED ON THE FEDBIZOPPS SYSTEM ON 03-OCT-2006, BUT REAPPEARED IN THE FTP FEED FOR THIS POSTING DATE. PLEASE CONTACT fbo.support@gsa.gov REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
- Web Link
-
Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/USCG/GACS/HSCG23-06-R-DNQ140B/listing.html)
- Record
- SN01160914-F 20061005/061003222246 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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