Digital controller and supporting equipment

Closing Date for this Solicitation is 22 September 2015 Digital controller and supporting equipment - FA7000-15-T-0124 Salient characteristics: Brand Name Unrestricted The U.S. Air Force Academy has a requirement for a vendor to provide a complete digital controller system capable of integrating (without modification) and running existing MTS components of a force generation system for static testing system. This system replaces an existing MTS FlexTestGT controller run using MTS Series 793 software. USAFA academic departments currently operate a large number of MTS-brand testing systems, and thus faculty and laboratory personnel have extensive knowledge of the maintenance and operation of MTS components and its interfacing software. Because of this in-house capacity for long-term maintenance and support of these proprietary systems, solutions utilizing MTS-brand components and software are essential. Any offerors believing they can provide an equal product that meets all of the features and functionality of the MTS digital controller and its requisite supporting equipment or can provide the brand name product may provide evidence for consideration. Evidence must support the offeror's claim they can either provide an equal product or they are an authorized distributor/wholesaler for MTS. It is the offeror's responsibility to prove their product is an equal by demonstrating their product, at a minimum, has the same features and functionality of the brand name product. Providing brochures, specifications and/or quotes alone is not enough for the Government to make a decision. The offeror should provide an understandable comparison between the two products. The Government is not responsible for developing the comparison from insufficient information provided. All qualified sources may submit a response, which if timely received, will be considered by this agency. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a brand name or equal procurement, and/or a competitive procurement can be conducted. A determination that equal products exist or a determination to compete this proposed procurement based on response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses must be received 1:00 pm MDT on 22 September 2015. Responses received after this will be considered late IAW FAR 52.212-1(f) and will not be evaluated. The existing MTS-brand components are to be integrated by this purchase includes a hydraulic power unit (pump), a hydraulic service manifold, and two hydraulic actuators. The system must include: 1) two-station digital controller with handset, 2) computer system loaded with the appropriate controller software to run the system, 3) cabling to interconnect all components. On-site integration of the system at the USAF Academy in Colorado must include: 1) installation and commissioning of the integrated system 2) calibration of each of the two existing actuator's axial force and LVDT displacement transducers 3) basic operator training for the system 4) Travel expenses that are in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations: (http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/travelreg.cfm) Post-installation support must include: 1) Software maintenance, enhancement, and support agreement that includes access to all software updates (maintenance) and software upgrades (enhancement) that become available during the initial 12 months after product purchase as well as access to technical support during that same period 2) Service agreement that includes one routine maintenance service visit during the initial 12 months after product purchase System shall be equal to or better than following specifications: - Controller shall control the actions of two 55-kip MTS Model 201.30T actuators via a two-station MTS Model 293.11A-02 hydraulic service manifold (HSM) and an MTS Model 510.30A hydraulic power unit (HPU). Each MTS Model 201.30T actuator includes an MTS 662.22C-01 force transducer and temposonic LVDT displacement transducer. - Controller shall be capable of controlling the two actuators independently (i.e. able to generate different levels of force in each actuator at any given time) under either force-control or displacement-control. - Controller shall provide dedicated Station Interlock Digital I/O for each actuator. - Controller shall interface seamlessly with existing actuators (including the appropriate signal conditioning for each of the two actuator's force and displacement transducers), HSM, and HPU without modification to existing components or additional modification to the new controller - Controller shall support two modes of operation: one mode operating an actuator with a two-stage servo-valve and conditioning an AC or DC transducer, and the other mode operating an actuator with a three-stage servo-valve. The user shall be able to select the desired mode of operation for this module and also change from one mode to the other via software. - Controller shall be capable of conditioning two additional AC or DC transducers. The two do not need to be the same type. - Controller shall allow for no fewer than four Digital-to-Analog output signals for interfacing each of the two MTS actuator's force and displacement transducers with a separate National Instruments data acquisition system - Controller must allow for any and all control channels to be assigned to any test station by the user without requiring re-arranging controller hardware. - Controller must allow for any and all inputs to be assigned to any control channel by the user without requiring re-arranging controller hardware. - Controller must allow for any and all output channels and input channels to be distributed in any manner desired by the user via software, without requiring any controller hardware to be re-arranged. - Control software shall have ability to automatically recognize added controller hardware. - Controller system shall include command generation and data acquisition capabilities as described below: - Controller system must integrate with RPC software for measured transducer time history reproduction in the laboratory. - Controller system shall include a function generator capable of generating following command types: segments, cycles, block-cycles, dwells, profiles, sweeps, RPC time history files, and RPC road surface files. - Controller system shall be capable of acquiring and storing to disc the following data types: peak/valley, timed, max/min, level crossing, high-speed timed, cyclic, fatigue, RPC time history, and trend. - Controller system shall be capable of monitoring test signals and issuing event signals when conditions specified by the user are met. Such events include: data limit levels, digital inputs, operator actions, peak/valley level changes, periodic time durations, and specified changes in specimen response. - Controller system shall be capable of sending signals to external controllers and logic devices, including digital outputs which can be set to low, set to high, toggled, or pulsed. - Controller system shall be capable of providing temperature setpoint programming via two-way serial communications to external temperature controllers. - Controller system shall support a variety of program control processes, including the ability to generate messages and perform other actions specified by the user. This capability can include prompting the test operator to provide specific information at a particular point within the test procedure. (Such information might be: operator ID, specimen ID, batch number, workstation number, etc.) - Controller system shall support options for Trend monitoring, in which trend data can be plotted and displayed in real time. - Controller system shall support options for Fatigue monitoring, in which fatigue data can be plotted and displayed in real time. - Controller system shall support options for Profile Editing application software, providing user with tools to create and edit files to specify custom and/or arbitrary waveforms. - Controller system shall support various control modes as described below: - Controller shall support Proportional, Integral, Derivative, and Feed-forward (PIDF) control. - Controller shall support Channel Limited Channel (CLC) control with the second feedback signal providing means for limiting the actuator. - Controller shall support Dual Mode control with two feedback signals to provide better control stability. - Controller shall provide option for Cascade control which provides two sets of PIDF controls, which is useful to accommodate for changes in stiffness on non-linear specimens. - Controller shall provide option for Three Variable Control (TVC) which provides simultaneous control of displacement, velocity, and acceleration. TVC control shall combine the command and feedback signals of all three control variables to provide optimal system performance across a broad spectrum of frequencies, emphasizing: Displacement at low frequencies; Velocity at middle frequencies; and Acceleration at high frequencies. - Controller system shall provide various compensation techniques as described below: - Controller shall provide Null Pacing compensation to ensure desired end-levels are reached on the first cycle. Control shall provide means for the user to adjust parameters to maximize performance for static null pacing, or for dynamic null pacing, or any combination of these two. - Controller shall provide Peak Valley Control compensation, to ensure peaks and valleys are achieved for cyclic waveforms of any shape, in linear systems. - Controller shall provide option for Amplitude Phase Control compensation, to correct the peak-to-peak amplitudes and phasing for cyclic sinusoidal waveforms, in linear systems. - Controller shall provide option for Adaptive Inverse Control compensation that can work with RPC Time History drive files, block-cycle, or random profiles, in linear systems, and which senses the frequency content of the drive, automatically generates an inverse filter, and adaptively filters the command to achieve the desired responses. - Controller shall provide option for Arbitrary Level Control compensation that can work with block-cycle files or random profiles, to improve the tracking accuracy of spectrum profiles, and that works effectively with both linear and non-linear specimens. - Controller shall provide option for Peak Valley Phase Control compensation that combines Peak Valley Control (to ensure peaks and valleys are achieved, including mean level) and Amplitude Phase Control (to correct for phasing) for cyclic waveforms. This is useful for waveforms that are not truly sinusoidal in shape, possibly due to distortions in the feedback signal. - Controller shall provide option for Adaptive Harmonic Cancellation (AHC) for Multi-Axial Simulation Table (MAST) applications - Controller shall include a handset enabling remote operation and convenient reconfiguration of test set-up. Controller handset shall include the features and provide the functions as described below: - Controller handset features: - Exclusive Control to prevent initiation of actuator movement from any other source - Speed-sensitive thumbwheel for precise control of actuator movement - Multi-line text display for easy viewing of system information - Dedicated Display Pages for Manual Command, Auto Offset, and Hydraulic Control - Dedicated Run/Stop/Hold keys - Dedicated Manual Command key and LED - Controller handset functions: - Temporarily override and reset interlocks - Energize and de-energize hydraulic pump and hydraulic manifold - Easily view multiple signals for one or more control channels - Conveniently move actuators to install and replace test specimens - Auto-offset selected transducer signals - Start, pause, and stop the test application program - Controller system PC shall operate using Windows 7 or better and must enable all stations to be operable through one PC and shall come complete with all software to: - Interface with the controller to reconfigure the controller - Interface with the actuators, HSM, and HPU - Controller software shall have the following capabilities/features: - Software must be supported on Windows 7. - Software must enable the user to focus 85% or more of the PC monitor viewing area on one station at a time. While in this mode, controller software must enable a small portion (5-15%) of the screen to be reserved for displaying basic status information of the other stations. - Software must enable the user to switch the monitor view from one station to another, as the user simply clicks on the desired station identifier on the status information area. - Software shall have the ability to indicate the following information for two stations, using no more than between 5 and 15% of the total screen area: Station Name, Active Application, Test Status (Running, Holding, Stopped), Power Status (Off, Low, High), and Interlock status. - Software shall include a message log where controller status information and status changes are automatically written and logged. There shall be one message log per station. The user shall have the ability to enter messages into the log, to delete messages, and to determine the severity of status changes that automatically get entered into the log. - Software's numeric display shall have ability to show up to at least 16 "DVMs" or "meters", with each meter being the user's choice of signal and mode (such as peak/valley or min/max levels of stroke feedback for any channel). - Software must enable the user to set size and arrangement of "DVM meters" on PC monitor as desired. - Software shall enable multiple "scopes" to be displayed on PC monitor, with each scope having ability to show traces of any four signals selected by the user. - Software "scopes" can be setup by the user for time-based or frequency-based displays. - Software must have an option for Signal Based Command - that is a look-up table function that defines the command to be a function of a measured feedback channel. - Software shall have options for trend monitoring and for fatigue monitoring functions, with ability to graphically display plots of the various corresponding trend and fatigue values. - Software shall allow user to perform graphical drag-and-drop test flow design and create test templates - Software shall allow user to export data to ASCII - Software shall allow user to generate reports while test is running - Software shall allow user to generate reports that require no post-processing and support text, charts, and calculations - All cabling and interfaces necessary to integrate the computer, controller, handset, actuators, HSM, and HPU shall be supplied. The test space and test frame are highly modular, and thus there are no fixed distances between components. It is estimated that 50' cables are adequate to run between all the components to accommodate a wide variety of test configurations. - An IUID label shall be supplied for the controller The following MTS-brand components and software meet the requirements of this purchase: MTS FlexTest 40 Controller configured for two-channel control and including all cables for above-listed MTS component integration) MTS Model 494.47 2-channel UART/Encoder MTS Model 494.45 8-channel D/A output module MTS Model 494.05 Handset for the MTS FlexTest 40 controller MTS Series 793 Software without MPT MTS TestSuite Multipurpose Elite software MTS TestSuite Reporter Add-in The anticipated award is firm fixed price - Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is FA7000-15-T-0104 issued as a Request for Quotations (RFQ) and is conducted as a commercial item procurement using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (FAR Part 13). This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-83, 02 Jul 15. This RFQ has one line item: Digital Controller and Components, Software, Installation, Calibration, Maintenance, Training, and Support. Quotes must contain the following: - Price - Technical information on equipment offered and integration strategy - A point of contact with the phone number and email - Evidence of completed Representations and Certifications - Buy American Certification - Business size status - Cage code, DUNS numbers - Anticipated delivery date. Delivery is FOB Destination to USAF Academy, CO 80840 Quotations shall be accompanied by a completed FAR 52.212-3, Representations and Certifications (Mar 2015) and 52.225-2, Buy American Certificate (May 2014) attachment 1, and adhere to FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial (Apr 2014). The Government's preferred method is electronic Representations and Certifications. This can be accomplished by registering in System for Award Management (SAM) website accessed through http://www.acquisition.gov and completing the on-line Representations and Certifications. Quotations MUST contain a complete description of product and/or service offered to clearly show item meets the requirements. A general overview, general comparison, or statement such as "able to provide the requirements" or "meets minimum requirements" is unacceptable and will not be considered for potential acceptance. Any cost associated with preparation of a quote will not be reimbursed by the government. Contract financing is NOT provided for this acquisition. Quotations must identify payment terms as Net 30. The Government intends to award one firm fixed price (FFP) purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror(s) whose quote is conforming to the solicitation and will be most advantageous to the Government. The Government intends to award without discussions and the Government reserves the right not to make an award at all. IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS: All prospective awardees are required to register at the System for Award Management (SAM) website accessed through http://www.sam.gov. Any award resulting from this solicitation will include DFARS Clause 252.237-7003, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests. Section 1008 of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2001 requires any claims for payment (invoices) under DoD contract to be submitted in electronic form. Wide area Workflow- Receipt and Acceptance (WAWF-RA) is the DoD system of choice for implementing this statutory requirement. Use of the basic system is at no cost to the contractor. Contractors must complete vendor training, which is also available at no cost at http://www.wawftraining.com. Prior to submitting invoices in the production system, contractors must register for an account at http://wawf.eb.mil/. The following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provisions apply to this acquisition: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors (Apr 2014) [subparagraph (c) is changed to 60 days and subparagraph (e) is deleted and marked as reserved]; 52.212-2, Evaluation Factors (Oct 2014) [The evaluation factors for the fill-in portion of this provision will be handled in accordance with FAR 13.106-1 and 13.106-2. The two evaluation criteria listed below are equal in weight. - Price - Ability to comply with the requirements, as evidenced by providing a complete listing of the equipment to be provided and any other obligatory information The Contracting Officer will review quotations based on the factors listed in this solicitation and the information furnished by the offeror. Before price is considered, the proposal must meet the technical capabilities. The lowest price of the technically acceptable offer will be awarded the contract. THE CONTRACTING OFFICER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOCATING OR OBTAINING ANY INFORMATION NOT IDENTIFIED IN THE QUOTE. 52.212-3 Contractor Representations and Certifications (Mar 2015); 52.212-3 Alternate I (Oct 2014); 52.212-4(c) Changes 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011); 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011); and 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) (the fill in portion of this clause is: http://farsite.hill.af.mil or http://www.arnet.gov/far). The following Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses, either by reference or full text, apply to this acquisition: 52.204-7 System for Award Management (Jul 2013) 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Aug 2013); 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (May 2015); 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items (May 2015); 52.213-2 Invoices (Apr 1984); 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011) 52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Representation (Apr 2009); 52.222-3 Convict Labor (June 2003); 52.222-19 Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Jan 2014); 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015); 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (Apr 2015); 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers With Disabilities (Jul 2014); 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015); 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving (Aug 2011); (E.O. 13513); 52.225-2 Buy American Certificate (May 2014); 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Jan 2008); 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-- System for Award Management (Jul 2013); [end fill in for 52.212-5]; 52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations (Jun 2013); 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Dec 2013); 52.233-3 Protest after Award (Aug. 1996); 52.233-4 Applicable Law For Breach Of Contract Claim (OCT 2004); and 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) (the fill in portion of this clause is: http://farsite.hill.af.mil or http://www.arnet.gov/far). The following DFARS Clauses, either by reference or full text, apply to this acquisition: 252.203-7000 Requirements Relating to Compensation of Former DoD Officials (Sep 2011); 252.204-7003 Control of Government Personnel Work Product (Apr 1992); 252.204-7012 Safeguarding of Unclassified Controlled Technical Information (Nov 2013) 252.211-7003 Item Unique Identification and Valuation (Dec 2013); 252.225-7001 Buy American and Balance of Payments Program (Nov 2014); 252.225-7002 Qualifying Country Sources as Subcontractors (Dec 2012); 252.232-7003 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests and Receiving Reports (Jun 2012); 252.232-7006 Wide Area WorkFlow Payment Instructions (May 2013); 252.232-7010 Levies on Contract Payments (Dec 2006). The following AFFARS Clauses, either by reference or full text, apply to this acquisition: 5352.201-9101, Ombudsman (Aug 2005). Unit Ombudsmen: Ms. Kelly Snyder, 10 Contracting Squadron, 8110 Industrial Drive, Suite 200, USAF Academy, CO 80840-2315, Email: kelly.snyder@us.af.mil. 5352.223-9001 Health and Safety on Government Installations (Jun 1997); and 5352.242-9000 Contractor Access to Air Force Installations (Aug 2007) [end fill in for 5352.201-9201]. Copies of all provisions and clauses, including Representations and Certifications, are available at http://farsite.hill.af.mil/. Attachments to the announcement: 1. FAR 52.225-2 Buy American Certificate (May 2014) to be returned with quotation. Quotations, literature, and completed representations and certifications are due by 4:00 pm on Thursday, 17 September 2015, to: Brian Finerty, 10 CONS/LGCB E-mail: brian.finerty@us.af.mil Mailing Address: ATTN: Brian Finerty 10 CONS/LGCB 8110 Industrial Drive Suite 200 USAF Academy, CO 80840-2315 Questions should be directed to Brian Finerty at brian.finerty@us.af.mil or 719-333-2572. Attachment 1: 52.225-2 -- Buy American Certificate. As prescribed in 25.1101(a)(2), insert the following provision: Buy American Certificate (May 2014) (a) The offeror certifies that each end product, except those listed in paragraph (b) of this provision, is a domestic end product and that for other than COTS items, the offeror has considered components of unknown origin to have been mined, produced, or manufactured outside the United States. The offeror shall list as foreign end products those end products manufactured in the United States that do not qualify as domestic end products, i.e., an end product that is not a COTS item and does not meet the component test in paragraph (2) of the definition of "domestic end product." The terms "commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item," "component," "domestic end product," "end product," "foreign end product," and "United States" are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Buy American-Supplies." (b) Foreign End Products: Line Item No.: Country of Origin: [List as necessary] (c) The Government will evaluate offers in accordance with the policies and procedures of Part 25 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (End of Provision) Signed: ________________________________________ Title: __________________________________________