66--Test Chamber

AMENDMENT W91ZLK-09-T-0403-0004 IS ISSUED TO PROVIDE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AND ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS. THE CLOSING DATE OF THE SOLICITATION HAS CHANGED TO JUNE 24, 2009 @ 10:00 AM EASTERN STANDARD TIME. Quotations must be signed, dated, and received by the closing date and time, via fax at +1 (555) 000-0000 or email at contact@example.gov at the US Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Aberdeen Installation Contracting Division Attention: CCRD-AI-IC, 4118 Susquehanna Avenue, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-3013. Please provide any questions no later than June 22, 2009 at 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time. For questions concerning this Request for Quotations contact Susan Sowa Contracting Specialist @ contact@example.gov . NO TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL BE HONORED. Please SUBMIT YOUR QUOTATIONS to Ms. Sowa via email to: contact@example.gov or Fax +1 (555) 000-0000. Additional requirements and specifications are needed for the Test Chambers, CLIN 0001, CLIN 0002 and CLIN 0003 as per Amendment W91ZLK-09-T-0403-0001, specifications are no longer considered CSZ Temperature and humidity test chamber model number ZPH-32-2-2-H/AC brand name or equal. Temperature and humidity test chambers being offered for CLIN 0001, CLIN 0002 and CLIN 0003, must meet all the specifications listed 1 through 29 which includes clarifications and added specifications in Amendment W91ZLK-09-T-0403-0004. Specifications 1 through 25 have been restated in this Amendment with the Questions and Answers for easy reference. Also the additional specifications/requirements 26 through 29 have been added below. Specifications 1. Required Temperature Test Ranges: -100 deg F to +350 deg F. Question 1: Will a minimum temperature of -90F be acceptable for this piece of equipment? Answer: -100F is preferred but -90F is acceptable. 2. Minimum Humidity Test Range Requirement: 10% to 98% relative humidity. Question 2: Will 95% be acceptable for a maximum humidity level? Answer: Yes 3. Humidity Water Requirement: Chamber shall use de-ionized (DI) water. 4. Electric Service Minimum Requirement: 208 volt (5%), 60 hertz, single phase. Question 3: Do you have 230v 3 phase 60 Hz power, or 208v 3 phase 60 Hz power available? Answer: No. Only 208 volt single phase power is available where we are using these chambers. 5. Chamber shall control temperature and humidity using a Micristar controller (Model number 828-D11-403-901-020-00). Use the following events in the Micristar to control the chamber mechanical systems: 1-Enable humidity system, 6-Enable heating/cooling systems, 8-Enable low humidity systems (if required). Question 12: Controller spells our Ministar Model number 828.D11-403-901-020-00 We prefer it to say or Versitenn V (there will be no degradation in performance) Answer: Regarding the controller, ATC requires a Micristar controller. No exceptions. 6. Chamber shall use electronic solid-state humidity sensor that shall be easily removable for cold testing and calibration. The sensor shall be able to withstand the extreme cold temperatures in the chamber. 7. Warranty: Contractor shall include one (1) year labor and parts warranty for chamber(s). 8. Chamber Compartment Dimensions: 32 Cubic Ft 3 ft 2 in wide x 3 ft 2 in deep x 3 ft 2 in height. Question 10: The specification calls for a 32 cubit foot interior chamber. Would a 30 cubic foot interior chamber be considered acceptable? Or must it be 32 cubic foot interior or larger. Answer: 32 cubic foot interior or larger (see Question 11 - Answer, Chamber Compartment Dimensions). Question 11: The above request has features that are unique to CSZ Model ZPH-32-2-2-H/AC Eg. Size 3ft.2in in all 3 dimensions for the interior: we would prefer the width and height to read 3ft or more. Answer: Regarding the chamber interior dimensions, requirements to read: Chamber Compartment Dimensions: At least 32 Cubic Ft at least 3 ft 2 in wide x at least 3 ft 2 in deep x at least 3 ft 2 in height. 9. Minimum Cooling Capacity: +75 deg F (standard ambient) to -65 deg F in 30 minutes. Question 4: (Regarding the heating and cooling capacity) Is this with a load inside the chamber or not? If so, how much weight, of what material, and how much heat dissipation, if any? Answer: No. However, design the chamber with the following live load capacities: 1,500 watts at -40C (-40F), 1,100 watts at -54C (-65F), 600 watts at -68C (-90F). The chambers will be used to condition helmets, jackets and other soldier protective equipment/clothing. 10. Minimum Heating Capacity: -65 deg F to +75 deg F (standard ambient) in 20 minutes. Question 4: (Regarding the heating and cooling capacity) Is this with a load inside the chamber or not? If so, how much weight, of what material, and how much heat dissipation, if any? Answer: No. However, design the chamber with the following live load capacities: 1,500 watts at -40C (-40F), 1,100 watts at -54C (-65F), 600 watts at -68C (-90F). The chambers will be used to condition helmets, jackets and other soldier protective equipment/clothing. 11. Chamber shall have at least one window, shelves, an interior light and two instrumentation ports. The chamber should have at least 2 each 4 inch diameter access ports with plugs to close the ports. Adjustable shelves should slide out of the chamber. Question 5: How many shelves are required, and how much weight are they to support? Answer: One adjustable shelf is sufficient. It should hold at least 35 pounds per square foot. 12. The chamber shall contain redundant Digital High/Low Temperature Limit Controllers and Audible Alarms to notify operators in event of equipment or system failure. At least two additional limit controllers shall be installed. Question 6: How many total digital high/low temperature limit controllers are required? Answer: In addition to the high/low limits in the Micristar, the chamber shall have at least two additional high/low temperature limit controllers. 13. Chamber Operational Sound Levels Not to exceed 80 dB. Chamber will be used in an occupied work space. 14. Refrigeration systems shall use environmentally safe refrigerants. 15. Calibration: Contractor shall offer and provide with chambers a NIST traceable calibration certificates. Contractor shall be able to provide A2LA Accredited calibration services. 16. Chamber test compartment should be fully pressure tested. Seams inside chamber shall be fully welded ports to eliminate potential leaks and prolong chamber life. Question 7: Chambers will be leak tested with a multiple day, die check procedure, ports will be flanged and hermetically sealed with silicone. Is this acceptable? Answer: Yes. 17. Chamber should have defrost or other design features to minimize coiling freezing. 18. Temperature Stability: 0.5C (2F); 3% relative humidity at steady state conditions after stabilization. Question 8: Temperature stability 0.5C does not = 2F. Is 1C acceptable? Answer: All instrumentation and readouts should display readings in Fahrenheit. However, regarding the stability temperature, 1 degree Celsius is acceptable. 19. Live Load Capacity: 1,500 watts at -40C (-40F) or 1,100 watts at -54C (-65F) or 600 watts at -68C (-90F) 20. The physical dimensions of the finished chamber shall be no larger than 5 ft wide by 6 ft deep by 8 ft tall. 21. Include Leveling Legs for the chamber. 22. Use finned, tubular stainless steel heater bank for chamber heating. Limit surface temperature of heating element using one of the digital high/low temperature limit controllers. Question 13: Regarding item number 22 - limit surface temperature of heaters. We need to know to what temperature. This is important information as it affects the amount of heaters required in order to meet the heating specification, and therefore it affects the price. ANSWER: Surface temperature of heaters is limited to 250 degrees Farenheit. MODIFY Specification 22 to read: 22. Use surface-temperature-limited sheath heaters with attached adjustable limit control using a high/low digital temperature limit controller. 23. Use Watlow Brand digital high/low temperature limit controllers. 24. Chamber door shall be designed to allow on-site installation of high-security padlock hasp and staple, to be provided by government. Contractor shall provide an 11x 4x thick plate to allow the government to weld their security hasp onto the chamber door. 25. This chamber shall be used to test hazardous/ explosive material and shall be rated in accordance with NEC Class II, Division E,G,F Group 2 requirements. Question 14: Please clarify Item 25: Does the unit have to comply with NEC Class II Division 2, Group E, G, & F, on both inside and outside, or just on the interior of the chamber? ANSWER: The unit has to comply with NEC Class I, Division II, Group C and D and Class II, Division II Group E,F, and G ONLY on the interior of the chamber. Question 15: Here are questions related to Items 21 through 25 that were added to the most recent amendment dated 5/21/09: (Amendment W91ZLK-09-T-0403-0001).( *Please also reference Amendments 0002 and 0003) Specification 22. Temperature Limited Sheath Heaters are required in the event of accidental exposure to combustible vapors. Based on the latest information on Specification 25, your EP requirement is Class I, Div. II, Group E,F,G which is related to the following: Group E - Metal Dust Group F - Coal or Coke Dust Group G - Grain or Wood Dust -Please indicate which materials could be present in the chamber and provide the appropriate MSDS sheets for the material. If in fact the material is any of the dust materials listed in each group, another type of heating source will need to be provided. Also please confirm that this hazardous material is not present all the time in the chamber but there is a potential for it to be in the chamber due to a breach of the container that the material is stored, etc. ANSWER: Hazardous material IS NOT present all the time but there is a potential for it to be in the chamber due to a breach of the container that the material is stored in. Ammunition is temperature cycled in these chambers. Additional Specification Requirements are added to the Solicitation: 26. There will be NO interior lights in chamber conditioned space. 27. Use non-sparking interior fans. 28. Chamber shall be on wheels for mobility. 29. Vendor will provide a shrouded security hasp similar to NSN # 5340-01-196-2547 (NAPEC 0957) welded to chamber door/conditioning space. Question 9: Is startup required for the units? This will include the first starting of the chamber(s) to ensure all systems are properly working, and training on the operation of the unit. Answer: Yes.