Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF JANUARY 20, 2007 FBO #1881
MODIFICATION

A -- QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR JOINT MATERIAL DECONTAMINATION SYSTEM (JMDS) DRAFT RFP (PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION ONLY)

Notice Date

1/18/2007
 

Notice Type

Modification
 

NAICS

541710 — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
 

Contracting Office

RDECOM Acquisition Center - Edgewood, ATTN: AMSSB-ACC-E, 5183 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5424
 

ZIP Code

21010-5424
 

Solicitation Number

W911SR07R0002
 

Response Due

1/26/2007
 

Archive Date

3/27/2007
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ARE PROVIDED FOR THE JMDS DRAFT RFP PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION-----QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR THE STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) ARE INCLUDED IN A SEPARATE POSTING----- OFFERORS ARE REMINDED THAT THE DRAFT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) DOCUMENTS CONSISTING OF THE STATEMENT OF WORK AND PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION FOR THE JMDS WERE PROVIDED SOLELY FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES. THEY MAY BE REVISED AND OFFERORS ARE CAUTIONED TO ENSURE THEY UTILIZE THE FINAL VERSION OF THESE DOCUMENTS WHICH WILL BE POSTED WHEN THE FINAL RFP IS ISSUED. THE FINAL RFP WILL BE THE CONTROLLING DOCUMENT FOR PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS. IT WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THOSE RESPONDENTS TO OBTAIN ALL AMENDMENTS AND APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. QUESTION 1.-Para. 1.2: Are multiple or multi-component decontaminants permissible? --ANSWER--Yes. QUESTION 2.-Para. 1.4: Please indicate where the Capability Development Documents (CDD) for both the Joint Service Sensitive Equipment Decontamination (JSSED) and the Joint Platform Interior Decontamination (JPID) can be obtained. --ANSWER--No, they will not be provided. All references to the CDDs will be removed from the performance specifications. QUESTION 3. Para. 3.1: Over what range of environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) do the KPPs listed in this section apply in order to be judged successful at the completion of Phase I? --ANSWER--Please reference MIL-STD-810F and Performance Spec paragraphs 3.3.8 thru 3.3.10 QUESTION 4.Para. 3.1.2: Is there no decontamination level required for immediate- operational decontamination of biological agents? --ANSWER--No, there are no immediate and operational decontamination requirements for biological agents. QUESTION 5. Para 3.1.6: What is the significance of this requirement not being identified as a KPP? The wording of 3.1.7 suggests that the radioactive contamination is particulate. Are we to assume that the threat is an RDD and that the radioactivity will be in particulate form only or will it also be liquid? --ANSWER--Requirements not identified as KPP are desired capabilities. You may assume that radioactive contaminants are in particulate form. QUESTION 6. Para 3.1.8: This seems to conflict with 1.2, which states that NTAs are part of Increment II. Please clarify. --ANSWER--NTA is the threshold for Increment II. TIC/TIM is objective for Increment II QUESTION 7. Para 3.3.2. Why has the application coverage target been set so low? A rough calculation shows the interior surface area (including floor, ceiling, doors, and seats) of a HMMWV to be in excess of 300 ft2. The HMMWV interior certainly presents one of the smaller surface areas among the items listed in Paragraph 1.2. Mobile maintenance facilities, aircraft (C-130, C-17, etc.), ships, and fixed site facilities will certainly have significantly greater surface area. From the standpoint of efficiency, it would be better to maximize the surface area to be treated before refilling. --ANSWER--The 300 ft2 area is a minimum space desired for interior decontamination such as the interior of a cockpit. It is expected that space inside large cargo aircraft will be significantly greater. QUESTION 8.Para 3.3.5: All of these detectors are chemical or radiological, yet JMDS is also directed at biological threats. Should the decontaminants also be non-interfering with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based biological detectors? --ANSWER--The PCR based biological detectors is not a requirement. QUESTION 9. Para. 3.3.6: Define standard decontamination procedures. Are they those of FM 3-11.5? If not, please cite or provide the procedure(s). What decontaminants would be used? --ANSWER--Yes, please refer to existing decontamination guidance (FM 3-11.5). QUESTION 10. Para 3.3.8: Most decontaminants will not be gaseous at the low temperatures . Therefore, does this requirement pertain to a system which will control the temperature of these sensitive interiors for the decontamination process? --ANSWER--The offeror will present its solution to this requirement. The Government will not dictate the design of the system. QUESTION 11. Para 3.3.10: Is it expected that the decon chamber and other decon modes will be operated simultaneously? --ANSWER--This question needs to be clarified. No response can be provided at this time. QUESTION 12. Para 3.3.10: (c) Humidity: There is no Procedure II under Method 507.4 of MIL-STD-810F. Please clarify. --ANSWER--The paragraph will be revised to state procedures as listed. QUESTION 13. Para 3.3.10: (d) Fungus: The Fungus test method in MIL-STD- 810F is numbered 508.5, not 508.4. There is just one procedure (the terminology Procedure I does not apply). --ANSWER--The paragraph will be revised to state procedures as listed. QUESTION 14. Para 3.3.10: (e) Salt Fog: The Salt Fog test method in MIL-STD- 810F is numbered 509.4, not 509.3. There is just one procedure (the terminology Procedure I does not apply). --ANSWER--The paragraph will be revised to state procedures as listed. QUESTION 15. Para 3.3.10: (h) Vibration: The Vibration test method in MIL- STD-810F is numbered 514.5, not 514.4. Please provide further specification of the desired vibration environment(s). --ANSWER--The correct test method number is 514.5. The desired vibration environment will be identified in the final RFP. QUESTION 16. Para 3.3.10: (i) Shipboard Vibration: MIL-STD-167-1 has been replaced by MIL-STD-167-1 and MIL-STD-167-2. MIL-STD-167-1A is available, while MIL-STD-167-2A is restricted. Please provide clarification of the requirement and further specification of the desired vibration environment. --ANSWER--The correct reference for Shipboard Vibration is MIL-STD-167-1A. QUESTION 17. Para 3.3.10: (k) Shipboard Shock: The test specification called out (MIL-STD-901) is titled Provisions for Evaluating Quality of Caps, Garrison, Mens and doesnt appear to be applicable. Perhaps the correct specification is MIL-S-901 (currently in Rev D). Please provide further specification on the desired shock test environment. --ANSWER--MIL-S-901D is the correct reference for Shipboard Shock. QUESTION 18. Para 3.3.10: (l) Rail Impact: The Rail Impact test method in MIL- STD-810F is numbered 516.5, not 516.4. This test requires an actual locomotive, a crew, several rail cars, and a considerable length of track. This seems an excessive requirement, particularly for a technology development program. Also, this test is more appropriate to an item larger than that envisioned for the JMDS. Is there a suitable replacement shock test? --ANSWER--The correct reference for Rail Impact test method is 516.5. Test requirements (train, crew, etc) will be identified in the final RFP. QUESTION 19. Para 3.3.10: (m) Drop: procedure IV of Method 516.5 in MIL0STD-810F is intended for materiel that is to be packaged in a transit or combination case. Since the packaging offers some level of protection, the drop heights are considerable higher than those for unpackaged materiel. Is it envisioned that the JMDS modules be packaged in protective transport containers for shipping and storage? Does this requirement apply if the JMDS is not packaged in protective shipping containers? --ANSWER--The JMDS shall not be damaged during or after transport. The offeror may propose any solution to meet this requirement. QUESTION 20. Para. 3.3.12: The JMDS configured for shipboard use will have wheels and/or casters to be rolled across the floor by one person. Is the intent that the JMDS compatible for shipboard use be lifted through bulkheads in its fully assembled form by one person, or may the JMDS be partially (and quickly) disassembled in to component modules and then reassembled (quickly) in the next room to be decontaminated? Or, may two personnel be used to lift the JMDS through bulkheads? The MIL-STD-1472F Table XVII weight limit is 44 lbs (male/female) or 87 lbs (male only) for objects 18x18x12. This size is appropriate for some JMDS modules but not the system as a whole. The sensitive equipment decontamination chamber alone will be larger than this in order to achieve capacity (interior volume) and operational environment requirements. --ANSWER--The configuration/hardware design shall comply with the MIL-STD. The offeror may propose any number of scalable systems, configurations, or hardware in order to meet the Performance Specification. However, fewer configurations would equate to lower logistics and cost burden to the Government. QUESTION 21. Para. 3.3.13: Reference to Shipboard Configuration. How many different configurations of JMDS are envisioned? --ANSWER--The offeror may propose any number of scalable systems, configurations, or hardware in order to meet the Performance Specification. However, fewer configurations would equate to lower logistics and cost burden to the Government. QUESTION 22. Para 3.5.2: Please provide the Service Annex noted or indicate where it may be obtained. --ANSWER--The JMDS program will not provide the Service Annexes. References to the Service Annexes will be removed from the Performance Specification. QUESTION 23. Para 3.5.8 and 3.5.9: These preparation and replenishment standards are quite low. This means that for every 300 square feet, one would add 15 minutes of decontaminant preparation to 3his means that for every 300 square feet, one would add 15 minutes of decontaminant preparation to 30 minutes of replenishment. When combined with 15 minutes contact time and assuming 15 minutes application time, the result is that is would take 1 hour and 15 minutes to decontaminate every 300 square feet of surface. --ANSWER--This requirement is the desired capability threshold for set up time. It is not related to the decontamination process. The offeror may provide a capability that uses less time than stated in the threshold requirement. QUESTION 24. Para 3.5.9: How is the terminology resupply/replenish to be interpreted? If it means simply to refill decontaminant reservoirs, then the 30 minute and 15 minute times appear excessive. What operational steps are envisioned to be performed in this timeframe? Does resupply/replenish mean instead to replace one JMDS with another? --ANSWER--The term resupply/replenish refers to the process of refilling the decontaminant reservoirs and also includes minor maintenance actions such as oil change or filter change. The offeror may provide capability that uses less time than stated in the threshold requirement. QUESTION 25. Para 3.5.10: This paragraph states that the JMDS applicators shall have a ten-year shelf life. What do they mean by applicators? This is the only time that this word appears in the performance spec and is not listed in the definitions. --ANSWER--The JMDS system less the decontaminant is the definition of the applicator in this paragraph. QUESTION 26. Para 3.5.14 and 3.5.18: As above, 30 minutes for each of these processes seems too long. --ANSWER--The 30 minutes requirement is as stated. QUESTION 27. Using the same basic technology, is it acceptable in this Program to offer two or more different forms of hardware to satisfy different requirements? Example: Small piece part through decontamination may best be accomplished with a closed environment. Aircraft cockpit and interiors decontamination may be best accomplished with a spray gun projection system. --ANSWER--Yes, the offeror may propose more than one hardware, configuration, or scalable systems to meet different operational scenarios. However, fewer configuration s would equate to lower logistics and cost burden to the Government. QUESTION 28. Paragraph 3.1.2. - Your Thorough Decontamination Efficacy is well stated. However, your Immediate-Operational Decontamination Efficacy is confusing to us.You ask for vapors levels mg/m3 to be reduced to below M8 Chemical Agent detector paper from a starting legend challenge of 10 gm/m2. M8 paper is a litmus contact paper which when exposed to liquid agent changes color to indicate the presence of either a V-, H- or G-series agent. The manufacturer says that it must absorb a minimum of 0.02 ml or 0.02 gm of agent to fully change color. This paper does not indicate vapor level. For it to quantitatively indicate a reduction in surface decontamination it must carefully be blotted over a known surface area such as 1 m2. This is very inexact and can allow much subjectivity. We recommend you describe the Immediate-Operational Decontamination Efficacy requirement in the same fashion as the Thorough Decontamination Efficacy  possible at one order of magnitude (1 log) less for the threshold and at full decontamination level as Objective T-II. --ANSWER--The Performance Specification will be revised to delete reference to vapor level for immediate and operational efficacy. QUESTION 29. 1.2 System Overview: The requirement exists for the JMDS to have the ability to decontaminate sensitive equipment, and interiors of vehicles, aircraft, ships, and fixed site facilities that have been exposed to Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) warfare agents/contamination and/or Toxic Industrial Materials/Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TIMs/TICs) and (Non-Traditional Agents) NTAs. Clarification Request: Please provide a list of proposed CBRNs, TIMs, TICs, and NTAs. --ANSWER--The final RFP will provide a list of releasable CBRNs, TIMs, TICs, and NTAs. QUESTION 30. 3.1.8 Non-Traditional Agents (NTAs) and Toxins Decontamination: Decontaminate NTAs and toxins to tactically non-detectable levels [T- I]. Decontaminate persistent contamination producing TICs [O-II]. Clarification Request: Please define tactically non-detectable levels. --ANSWER--Tactically non-detectable levels refers to not presenting health risks to unprotected military personnel or DoD essential civilians or contractors (ref: MCM-0026- 02 dated 29 Apr 02). Chemical and Biological Warfare Capstone Threat Assessment (U). This paragraph will be modified. QUESTION 31. 3.3.1 Pot Life: Decontaminant shall remain effective for 6 hours [T-I] (12 hours [O-I/T-II]] after having been made ready for use. Clarification Request: (A) Are there any environmental limitations (temperature, humidity, etc.) different from those of the JMDS for the decontaminant during this period? (B) Are there limitations for decontaminant storage (stored pressure, temperature, etc.)? --ANSWER--For question part A, the answer is no, for part B, the decontaminant is unknown; therefore, no answer can be provided. QUESTION 32. 3.3.5 Detection Functional Degradation: JMDS shall not interfere with the standard tactical detectors used to evaluate decontamination effectiveness in a field environment to include, but not limited to: M8 Chemical Agent Detector Paper, M9 Detector Paper, the M256A1 Chemical Agent Detector Kit, Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM), ICAM, M22 Automatic Chemical Agent Detector Alarm (ACADA), Chemical Biological Mass Spectrometer (CBMS) 2, Hazardous Material Identification (HAZMAT- ID) infrared (IR) system, Shipboard ACADA, gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) devices, Hand-held Assays (HHA), radiation detectors and near term detection systems under development [T-I/T-II]. Clarification Request: Can these standard tactical detectors be GFE in order to properly demonstrate this capability? --ANSWER--The offeror is responsible for designing the system to meet the requirements. It is the Governments responsibility to test and verify. Tactical detectors will not be provided as GFE. --QUESTION 33. 3.3.6 System/Component Protection: JMDS shall be hardened to ensure that five exposures to CBRN (TIM [O-I/T-II]) contaminants, decontaminants, and standard decontaminating procedures over a 30-day period shall not cause JMDS to require corrective maintenance during that 30-day period [T-I/T-II] Clarification Request: Are the five exposures each at the challenge concentrations identified in section 3.1.1? --ANSWER--Yes. QUESTION 34. 3.3.12 Shipboard Use: The JMDS compatible for shipboard use must be small enough to be transported by one person per MIL-STD-1472F [T-I/T-II]. Clarification Request: What is meant by the phrase -small enough-? Are there specific measurements required for product to meet this standard? Clarification Request: Is there a trade space for JMDS maximum volume or dimensions? (This question applies to all variants (ship, aircraft, fixed facility, mobile facility, etc.).) --ANSWER--The words -small enough- will be deleted and replaced with -able-. QUESTION 35. 3.3.14 Nuclear Event: JMDS shall be able to perform critical functions and be returned to full operational capability within 20 minutes following a High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) event [T-I/T-II]. The system is not expected to operate through a HEMP event. Clarification Request: Is the HEMP at a standard intensity (power density)? --ANSWER--See MIL-STD-188-125. QUESTION 36. 3.3.16 IT/NSS/Intelligence Supportability: JMDS shall not receive or transmit information nor shall it produce, consume, process or handle intelligence data [T-I/T-II]. There is no KPP or requirement for interoperability for the JMDS. Clarification Request: Can it be assumed that, if JMDS cannot transmit or receive information, that it cant be controlled remotely with wireless technology? --ANSWER--The JMDS will not handle classified or secured data, which does not mean it cannot be controlled remotely. QUESTION 37. 3.3.17 Power: Clarification Request: (A) What self power generation methods (battery, propane, etc.) are allowed? (B) If an internal combustion engine is allowed, what are the emissions and noise limits? --ANSWER--The contractor may propose any power design that satisfies the performance specifications, and complies with safety and logistics considerations. QUESTION 38. 3.4.5 Life Cycle Safety and Health Hazard: JMDS shall not present uncontrolled safety hazards to personnel throughout its life cycle. Health hazards shall be eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels. JMDS shall not produce any of the following health hazards exceeding recognized standards: Acoustical energy, biological or chemical substances, oxygen deficiency, radiation energy, shock, temperature extremes and humidity, trauma or vibration [T-I]. Clarification Request: What are the references for the recognized standards for health Hazards? --ANSWER--Paragraph 3.4.5 Life Cycle Safety and Health Hazard will be revised. QUESTION 39. 3.4.7 Operational Area Usage: The JMDS shall be designed to operate safely in flightline and hangar (ground) environments as well as shipboard flight deck, well deck and engineering space environments [T-I/T-II].Clarification Request: What is engineering space environments? --ANSWER--Engineering Space Environment is the maintenance working area aboard a naval vessel. QUESTION 40. 3.5.2 System Capability/Configurations: The decontamination compartment capacity shall accommodate the sizes of the items listed as the three common standard test items. [T-I]. The items are a commercial laptop computer, AN/PVS 7 Night Vision Goggles, and the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). The decontamination compartment capacity must accommodate the sizes of all items identified in the Service Annex [O-I]. This requirement is applicable to sen sitive equipment decontamination only.Clarification Request: Please identify Service Annex --ANSWER--The Service Annexes will not be provided. Reference to the Service Annex in the Performance -Specification will be deleted. QUESTION 41. 3.5.7 Storage Temperature: JMDS shall be capable of being stored in the temperature range of Basic Cold (-28 F/-33 C) to Hot (160 F/71 C) [T-I/T-II]. Clarification Request: Does this storage temperature range apply to the decontaminant as well? --ANSWER--Yes. QUESTION 42.-3.5.18 Reliability-Availability-Maintenance (RAM): (l) The JMDS shall be designed so as to be capable of maximizing the usage of currently fielded Test, Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) [T-I/T-II].Clarification Request: In order to leverage fielded TMDE, please identify what the TMDE is. --ANSWER--This question cannot be answered at this time without additional design information.
 

Place of Performance

Address: RDECOM Acquisition Center - Edgewood ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-E, 5183 Blackhawk Road Aberdeen Proving Ground MD

Zip Code: 21010-5424

Country: US
 

Record

SN01214692-W 20070120/070119093300 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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