AUDIO INTERCOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FOR NOAA AOC P-3 AIRCRAFT

This is Amendment No.01 issued to Solicitation No.WC133M-10-RP-0049 which is an attachment to the posted synopsis. The closing date is extended from March 2, 2010 to March 10, 2010. Closing time remains at 1:00PM central time. Offerors will need to acknowledge receipt of amendment 01 in their proposal. The following contractor questions and Government responses are provided. 1.Which operators require stereo capability? What are the signal types that need the stereo capability (receivers, radios, and intercom)? RES: All stations would benefit from stereo capability, however, at a minimum, key flight station locations (Pilot, Copilot, and Navigator) require the stereo capability. Note: this response adds to and changes the specification Statement of Work. All contractors proposed ACS system shall be required to provide stereo capability at the pilot, co-pilot, and navigator locations, at a minimum. 2. Please provide the pricing validity requirements or the anticipated contract award date for items 0001 and 0002. RES: If this is asking when we would like to award this or how long the quote should be valid; award should be made by the last week of April therefore the quote should be valid for 60 days. 3. In the Statement of Work, Figure 1 of Section 1 shows four (4) Flight Crew Station Control boxes, whereas Table 1 of Section 2.1 shows six (6) positions with Radio Transmit capability. Should we assume there are 6 "Full Capability" and 15 "Limited Capability" control stations? RES: Yes, there shall be at least 6 "Full capability" control boxes. "Reduced capability Crew Station Control boxes are identified above for cost savings or system simplification purposes only. If the proposed system does not benefit from utilizing reduced capability interface boxes, then only full capability boxes should be proposed." 4. Other than the Final Design Review, Preliminary and Final Reports listed in item 0001, and the Maintenance and Repair manuals/documentation listed in item 0007, are there any additional data items required? Are there CDRL format requirements? RES: No, there are no specified additional data items required. The format of the CDRL requirements is not specified. This acquisition is for a complete Audio Control System, including "all electronic components, connectors, software, systems, and documentation necessary for system integration and full operation including a block diagram of major components and their interconnections." The submitted proposals will be evaluated for completeness and details necessary to meet the requirements of the solicitation in accordance with the Evaluation Criteria. 5. Item 0002 identifies delivery of a "Complete Audio Control System" less nine identified control boxes. Please explain this partial system requirement and why the Government has identified the remaining control boxes separately in line item 0003. As these types of systems generally require different configuration software for different compliment of control boxes, this sequential delivery may add cost. RES: The partial system requirement is intended to allow acquisition of a partial system in the event sufficient funding for the entire system is not immediately available. This partial system as per Item 0002 allows for a minimum capability system which still meets minimum requirements for performance of a limited number of scientific missions. As per the statement of work, the configuration software tools and required documentation are to be included as part of the proposed system. 6. Is the switch between headset and speaker external or internal to ACS system? RES: Per the statement of work, "Capability to switch Pilot, Copilot, Navigator and Aft Galley audio to a local speaker is required", and it is identified as a desired capability for all other crew stations. NOAA is open to various implementation methods as proposed by vendors. The system currently installed on our P-3 aircraft has this feature implemented via a switch on the audio control box. 7. Is the binaural audio with programmable azimuth a requirement for Directional affect for audio inputs (spatial affect)? RES: Per the statement of work, "Stereo headset capability, and Software configurable to route the various audio sources to the left, right, or both headset speakers shall be provided." This is a minimum capability which assists the user in prioritizing audio traffic. Advancing this capability further to effectively provide programmable Azimuth capability is an advanced capability beyond the minimum requirements, and is identified in the statement of work as a desired feature. 8. Can two reduced capability crew stations share the same audio or should they be independent? RES: "Dual station reduced capability Crew Station Control boxes are identified above for cost savings or system simplification purposes only." Independent audio is an advanced capability over shared audio, but either is open for consideration for stations with side by side positions. The vendor may identify various optional features such as this separately to assist NOAA in selecting the best, cost effective solution. 9. How many recorder outputs are required? RES: A minimum of one output. No further contractor questions will be responded to by the Government unless they are mere clarifications of the existing solicitation and amendment 01. Contractors will need to make their business decisions based on the solicitation and amendment 01. Offerors will need to acknowledge receipt of amendment 01 in their proposal. This is amendment No. 0002 issued to Change closing date from March 10, 2010 to March 17, 2010. Time of closing remains at 1:00PM Central. No further extensions will be considered.