66 -- LEASE/PURCHASE A CLAM-SHELL, CO-ROTATING, TWIN SCREW EXTRUDER SYSTEM AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT

Notice Date

September 6, 2000

Contracting Office

USDA, ARS, North Atlantic Area, Contracting Office, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038

ZIP Code

19038

Solicitation Number

16-3615-00

Response Due

September 13, 2000

Point of Contact

Lisa M. Botella, Point of Contact, (215) 233-6551, fax (215) 233-6558, Eileen LeGates, Contracting Officer

Description

This solicitation was initially published on August 9, 2000 and is amended as follows: 1) Answers to questions received in response to the subject solicitation: Question 1: Spec calls for barrel liners of "wear-resistant, through-hardened steel or SS", and also calls for Bimetallic barrel liners. Which design is preferred? We can provide either design, although there is a significant cost increase for the bimetallic option. ANSWER: Stainless steel is typical in Dairy processes because it is a sanitary material and stands up nicely to cleaning solutions used in their operations. The requirement is to provided a barrel material of a sufficiently hardenable grade to achieve the required durability for extremely hard duty, good heat transfer, is suitable for food products and sanitary conditions. The Contractor shall provide a written statement to substantiate the Food Service use and durability of materials, i.e., hardness, food contact suitability; chloratergents and other dairy processing cleaners. The Contractor is also required to provide pricing and information on all available types of materials available from the manufacturer. Also see response to Question 8. Question 2: Die and cutter designs-Any information available about the specific process/products would help in specifying the correct equipment. Material viscosity, final temperature, characteristics, form/length to be cut, etc.? We will offer our standard at this point. ANSWER: Standard equipment is acceptable. Question 3: Feed System- there is very limited information provided about the powder feeder and liquid feeder. Additional definition (feed materials, viscosity of liquid(s), bulk density and particle size of solid(s) throughput rates for each, corrosivity, temperature requirements, handling concerns etc. Is the liquid feeder to be a volumetric" feeder? ANSWER: Feed materials include: grains, proteins, non food materials, etc. Viscosity: slurries, gummy foods, and expandable solids. Bulk densities: typical 0.8 to 2.5 g/cm3. Throughput: 25 to 45 kg/hr. Corrosivity: Extruder is reserved for food use. Liquid feeder: Could be volumetric, but must be controllable and monitored to obtain exact dosing; must be capable of pumping viscous liquids up to 10,000 cps. Question 4: Is it required that the "assembled system to be no larger than 15' length x 6' width x 10' height". What are the extents of the scope of supply defined by these dimensions (i.e. is the 10' height a requirement to the top of the feeder, or is this the height to the ceiling?) ANSWER: The 10 feet is the maximum height of the extruder including the feeder and any other appurtenances. The Contractor is required to provide all diagrams and schematics which will be used for installation in accordance with Section A.14, Documentation. Question 5: Installation: Additional information about the scope of supply is required. Will this system go into an existing building? What utility connections are available and where? What equipment is available for use (forklifts, tools, etc.)? ANSWER: The system will be installed in existing facility space and is to be connected to existing utility services such as electric, water, and steam (as required). The Government typically installs the equipment and connects it to utility services. The Contractor provides checkout and lightoff services as well as any complex machine specific assembly as stated in Section A.12, Installation and Training. Question 6: Installation design engineering -- is this to be included in the quoted scope of supply? ANSWER: No. The Contractor shall provide the equipments utility service requirements. Question 7: Is it possible for the RFP to be re-issued? Also, could we please have an extension of the bid deadline to around September 11th, assuming a prompt resolution of these questions? ANSWER: No. However, Amendment No. 01 was issued on August 25, 2000 to extend the hour and date for receipt of offers to 4:00 p.m. (Local Time) on September 11, 2000. Amendment No.2 has further extended the due date to 4:00 p.m. (Local Time) on September 13, 2000. Question 8: Item A.5.A.1- "Barrel shall be constructed... with liners in wear resistant, through-hardened steel alloy or stainless steel. Bi-metallic liners shall be provided for optimum wear". Please note that while wear-resistant, through-hardened steel alloy is a recognized standard material of construction for barrel liners, stainless steel is not a recognized standard as it is soft and has very poor heat conduction, therefore it would represent a significantly lower specification Also, bi-metallic liners are generally considered an option at significantly higher cost and typically employed only in larger machines for production duty. ANSWER: See response to Question 1. From a sanitation standpoint, stainless steel offers advantages, but must be of a sufficiently hardenable grade could be used to achieve the required durability. Our experience has been that although we are not running production hours, we do subject the equipment to very hard use. We have had a number of hot lock-ups. Question 9: "Barrel...cooling jackets and heaters capable of simultaneously or independently maintaining set point temperatures from -20 to 170 degrees Celsius in continuous operation." This is outside the normal range of operation which is typically 80 to 250 degrees Celsius. Low temperatures, e.g. 10-15 C, could possibly be achieved for short periods, subject to the availability of a suitable cooling medium and the design of a process with very low mechanical wok input where there is no significant heat generated through shear. The extruder is certainly suited to the use of very low temperature cooling mediums, e.g. glycol at sub zero, but please note that it is not practical for the zones to operate completely independently of one another as there is heat transfer between zones, through the barrel and screws, and product itself. Also, in a 10-zone machine the feed zone is typically unheated, so there are only nine (9) zones of both heating and cooling. ANSWER: We do in fact often operate outside 80-250 C typical operating range. As long as the temperature controllers and materials of construction are suitable for the desired range, the requirements will be met. We will provide whatever cooling medium is necessary to effect the process. We do understand that in practice the zones are not independent. The portion of the specification referred to is asking that the controller set-points be independently adjustable. Question 10: Item A.5.A.5 -"Two (2) sets..." of screw components are specified, however the quantities as listed for one (1) set actually represent a complete configuration for the machine, sufficient to fill both screw shafts. Are two sets really required? ANSWER: Two full sets are desired. The Contractor shall provide one full set as part of the base proposal and a option pricing for the second set. Question 11: Item A.5.A.6 -- "System shall be designed for cleaning by washdown with hoses." Hosedown is impractical for this type of equipment, which is typically designed for wet wipe-down only. ANSWER: This unit will be operated in a Dairy Pilot plant where the entire plant is subject to washdown. At least the processing portion of the extruder should be cleanable by washdown. Even if we exercise extreme care in cleaning this unit, it will still be subject to incidental splashing from the operations going on adjacent to it. Question 12: Item A.5.A.8 -- "Control panel and equipment wiring shall meet or exceed the NEMA 4 standard" Again, this is impractical for this type of equipment, which is designed for wet wipe-down only. ANSWER: The controllers should be installed to NEMA 4 standards. The Contractor shall have the higher voltage electric equipment packaged in cabinetry for washdown. This includes power distribution, motor controllers, and all voltages above 24V. The add-on computer need not meet these requirements. Question 13: Item A.5.A.9.C -- "Temperature controlled die assembly..." Please note that die assemblies are typically only temperature monitored. A temperature controlled die would be a special design, representing significant additional cost. ANSWER: This requirement is revised to "monitor only" die assembly in the base proposal. The Contractor shall provide option pricing for a temperature controlled assembly. Question 14: Items A.5.A.9.E and A.5.A.9.G -- There is some overlap between these two items. A.5.A.9.E specifies "The Control Panel -- Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) with PC-based Operator Interface Terminal (OIT) running applications software..." which is fine. However, item A.5.A.9.G specifies a "...touch screen control panel upgrade", which is actually included in the base specification, so it would be redundant to quote this as an option. We could of course simply state that this is included. ANSWER: The Contractor is required to provide pricing for the Option to Upgrade to a touch screen control panel. If this included in your basic item, then no optional pricing would be provide. Question 15: Please clarify your delivery requirements on the subject RFP. You have specified "FOB Destination, within Consignee's Premises..." Could this be revised to "Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU), tho Consignee's premises..."? This would be a more precise definition for equipment being imported from overseas. ANSWER: No. However, the following Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) clauses are included: 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (July 2000)(by reference) and 52.225-8, Duty Free Entry (Feb 2000) is included in full text as item B.13, pages 27a-b-c. Note: Evaluation of Foreign Offers will be in accordance with FAR 25.5. Question 16: Page 4 of 44, In the second paragraph there is a reference to "ancillary equipment including but not limited to ...die heaters." Please clarify as A.5 9C specifies "temperature controlled die assembly." Does the specification request an electrically-heated die or a jacketed die assembly? ANSWER: See response to Question 13. Question 17: Set point temperatures and die operating temperatures of -20 to 170 degrees Celsius are stated. Who will supply the chiller and/or temperature control unit? ANSWER: See response to Question 9. Question 18: Page 7 of 44: The following questions regard the barrel design: a) How many injection ports are required and where are they located? The pumps in A.5 9B will need a place to pump to. b) Is barrel venting required? c) It would be helpful for USDA to provide information re: barrel configurations, including the number of feed ports, plugs, etc. ANSWER: a) A minimum of two injection ports are required. The locations shall be determined by the Contractor. b) Yes with plugs provided. c) Standard feed port configuration is required. See response to Questions 2 & 3. Question 19: Page 7 of 44: Please clarify the components that are to be mounted on a singular frame. ANSWER: The drive, gearbox, barrels/screws, and barrel piping/heater wiring shall all be on the singular frame by the Contractor. Controls may be separate at the contractors discretion. Question 20: Page 9 of 44, 9A: Please clarify the hopper volume, bulk density, rate, capacity, etc. ANSWER: See response to Question 3. Question 21: Page 9 of 44, 9B: Please clarify the reservoir capabilities, rates, specific gravities, viscosities, corrosivity, handling characteristics (heating, cooling required?), etc. ANSWER: See response to Question 3. Question 22: Page 9 of 44, 9C: Please clarify the specification: Should we include one (1) die configuration with a quantity of four ordered? Same question for the die plate. Please clarify the die plate profile or do you want us to supply "blank" dies. ANSWER: No. See Specification requirements. The Contractor shall provide a list and pricing for the available types of dies (shapes). Selection will be made when placing the order with the selected Contractor. Question 23: Page 9 of 44, 9D: Please provide the process/product details for the cutter. ANSWER: The cutter shall be used with many products, ranging from puffed to soft gummy products. See response to Question 3. Question 24: Page 9 of 44, 9F: Please clarify if the operator's panel is a stand alone unit separate from the control panel. Clarification is also required as to what the statement "software upgrades" means. ANSWER: Separate panels are not required. This shall be determined by the Contractor's design. Upgrades to the software program operating the equipment shall be provided by the Contractor at no cost to the Government. Question 25: Page 10 of 44, 9G: Please clarify the last sentence "include a list of available options and pricing." In this paragraph, what options should be quoted? ANSWER: We required a list and pricing for all options for this system available from the manufacturer. Question 26: Page 10 of 44, 9H: Please provide details of the video camera system required. Will this be provided by others? What interface capabilities would be required with control system? ANSWER: The Contractor's system is required to have the capability for video monitoring of the entire process. The specifications shall be determined by the Contractor, ( i.e., the Contractor shall provide either a touch screen terminal or an option for a larger screen.) See response to Question 14. 2)Revises Item 11 on page 1 from B.11 to A.11. 3) Revises item A.2 Schedule of Items (Lease Portion) as follows: Item No. 01: Deletes Quantity, Unit, Unit Price and Amount. The pricing for this line item is to be identified in Item No. 01A. Item No. 01A: Corrects the down payment from 20% to 25% to match Item A.3. Quantity (1), Unit (LOT), Unit Price and Amount are added. DELETE Item No. 01B: The set up charges (if any) are deleted from line Item No. 01 and are added to line Item No. 02 as equipment will be delivered during the first option period. ADD: Item No. 02A: Set-up Charges (if any), Quantity (1), Unit (LOT), Unit Price and Amount. 4) Item D.7(1) Technical Capability is revised to include: Provide a written statement which describes the following to show technical capability information to substantiate applicability of equipment for Food Service use, durability of materials and suitability to chloratergents and other dairy processing cleaners. 5) THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 4:00 P.M. (LOCAL TIME) ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2000.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20000908/66SOL002.HTM (W-250 SN493837)