MOD | A | DGPS Site battery and analysis study

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF MARCH 12, 2005 FBO #1202
MODIFICATION

A -- DGPS Site battery and analysis study

Notice Date: 3/10/2005
Notice Type: Modification
NAICS: 541710 — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Contracting Office: DHS - Direct Reports, United States Coast Guard (USCG), Commanding Officer (C2EC), USCG Command and Control Engineering Center 4000 Coast Guard Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA, 23703-2199
ZIP Code: 23703-2199
Solicitation Number: HSCG44-05-Q-00DPGS057
Response Due: 3/28/2005
Archive Date: 4/12/2005
Point of Contact: Carrie Houck, Contracting Officer, Phone 757-686-4215, Fax 757-686-4018,
E-Mail Address: CHouck@C2Cen.uscg.mil
Description: This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. HSCG44-05-Q- 00DGPS057 is issued as a Request for Information (RFI)/Quotation (RFQ). The incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 01-27. The applicable NAICS number is 541710 and the small business size standard is 500 employees. This is an unrestricted procurement. The FOB Destination delivery is USCG Command and Control Engineering Center C2CEN Portsmouth, VA. Offers/Price quotes to conduct the study are due at: C2CEN, by the Close of Business on 28 March 2005. Direct questions to Donna Urban (757) 686-2149. DUrban@C2CEN.USCG.MIL COAST GUARD BACK-UP BATTERY STUDY 1 GENERAL. 1.1 Background: The United States Coast Guard (USCG) operates 51 ground based Maritime Differential Global Positioning (DGPS) broadcast sites throughout the Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. These DGPS broadcast sites operate from commercial power, with a battery back-up system comprised of 12 Valve-Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA), Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) size 8G8D 12 Voltage Direct Current (VDC) Gel-Cell batteries connected in series to provide over 20 hours of back-up power to USCG DGPS broadcast equipment during a commercial power outage. While Gel-Cell batteries have always been the standard back-up battery for the USCG’s DGPS system, the USCG is interested in newer battery technologies, such as the Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery technology, and with researching any other battery technologies that will enhance or improve the existing standard back-up battery performance, longevity, and deep-cycling capabilities. 1.2 Typical USCG Maritime DGPS(V)1 Site Configuration: 1.2.1 The standard USCG DGPS site equipment shelter climate control is facilitated by two heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems working either singularly or in tandem to maintain a constant 68 degrees Fahrenheit continuously for 365 days a year. Some DGPS site equipment shelters are configured with a separate, but attached back-up battery compartment which is not climate controlled, other than by a simple electric exhaust fan facilitating the flow of air through the battery compartment which helps prevent condensation and mold growth, and helps exhaust heat from inside the battery compartment. DGPS sites without a separate attached battery compartment house the batteries inside the HVAC climate controlled space with DGPS electronic equipment. Most Maritime DGPS(V)1 sites are located near the East and West Coasts of the United States (US), or along the Coasts of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf of Mexico. Some Maritime DGPS(V)1 sites are located near the Great Lakes, Mississippi River and Inter-Coastal Waterways of the Mid-West (refer to the GFP list of DGPS sites, ref. 8.h, and 8.i). Most DGPS sites are located in remote un-manned areas of the US, often suffering from erratic commercial power fluctuations and occasional power outages. 1.3 Personnel. 1.3.1 Citizenship: All contractor employees used on this contract shall be citizens of the United States, or if aliens, shall be legal residents of the United States 1.3.2 Employee Identification: In the event a contractor employee is working on-site at any government facility, appropriate identification shall be provided in accordance with government security procedures. 1.3.3 Employee Conduct: The contractor’s employees shall observe and comply with all applicable local and higher regulations, policies and procedures, e.g., fire, safety, sanitation, security, wearing of parts of military uniforms, and possession of firearms. The contractor shall ensure that all its employees present a professional appearance at all times and that their conduct shall not reflect discredit on the United States (US), the Department Of Homeland Security (DHS), or the USCG. 1.3.3.1 Removing Employees from Installation for Misconduct or Security: In the event a contractor employee is working at a government site, the Government may, at its sole discretion, direct the contractor to remove any employee from the installation for misconduct or security reasons. Such removal does not relieve the contractor of the responsibility to provide sufficient qualified personnel required for adequate and timely services. 1.3.4 Conflict of Interest: The contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the United States Government if that employment would, or would appear to, cause a conflict of interest. The contractor shall not employ on a part or full time basis an employee of the USCG, uniformed or civilian, unless the USCG has officially approved that employment. 1.3.5 Program Manager: The Contractor shall designate a Program Manager (PM) as a single point of contact for all technical matters on the contract. The name of this person shall be submitted within 10 business days of contract award. This individual will be designated as key personnel in the performance of work under this contract. During any absence of the PM, only one alternate shall serve as the government contact point. The PM, and any designated alternate(s), shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters of this contract. The PM and all designated alternates shall be able to read, write, speak and understand English, fluently. 1.3.6 Contractor Prerequisites and Core Competencies: The contractor shall be considered an expert in VRLA - SLA Gel-Cell and AGM battery technology, including the installation, maintenance, charging, weather and climate related long-term effects of, and disposal of SLA Gel-Cell and AGM batteries, as demonstrated by their longevity in the VRLA - SLA battery industry. The contractor shall: have no less than 15 consecutive years experience providing VRLA - SLA battery installation, maintenance, analysis, training, and recommendation services to public and government organizations; the contractor shall be fully cognizant of and considered an expert on all Battery Council International (BCI), Society of Automotive Engineers (S.A.E.), and other VRLA - SLA battery relevant and current battery standards. The contractor shall have demonstrated compliance with these required core competencies by providing to the government at least five customer satisfaction letters, dated no later than February 2003, of which at least one must be from a government or military customer. All five customer satisfaction letters shall include customer feedback relating to the contractor’s proficiency and competency at providing battery, survey, and analysis services. 1.4 Government Quality Assurance: The government will evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract using the task requirements and quality standards in this performance work statement. The contractor’s performance will be evaluated by a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). 1.5 Security Clearances: No special security clearances are required to perform the work under this contract. Contracting Officer (KO): The C2CEN government KO for this SOW is Mrs. Carrie Houck. 1.6 Technical Advisor (TA): The C2CEN government TA for this SOW is CWO3 Eric Shofner. The Alternate C2CEN government TA is LT Chris Treib. 2 SCOPE OF WORK. 2.1 Overview: The purpose of this SOW is to compare and contrast the VRLA – SLA Gel-Cell and AGM battery types with each other and with any others of equivalent specifications and characteristics, to identify the best battery type for use as the ideal USCG DGPS(V)1 back-up battery providing more than 20 hours continuous back-up voltage and current to DGPS broadcast equipment. This study will identify the best battery type regarding battery longevity, deep-cycling characteristics, cost, and ability to operate in harsh hot and cold climates over time. 2.1.1 Battery Types Considered in Analysis. 2.1.1.1 BCI TYPE 8G8D VRLA - SLA Gel-Cell BATTERY SPECIFICATIONS The contractor shall provide analysis of Gel-Cell batteries that meet or exceed the government back-up battery type requirements, conforming to BCI VRLA – SLA Gel-Cell type battery standards. The existing government back-up BCI Type 8G8D VRLA - SLA Gel-Cell battery has the following physical characteristics: Length is no more than 20.75 inches; Width is no more than 11.125 inches; Height is no more than 10.6 inches; Weight is no more than 165 lbs. The battery is a dry sealed lead acid maintenance free battery, capable of air shipment via FedEx or UPS, or any other reputable shipping vendor, without special restrictions. The battery terminals are of the S.A.E. Post standard used with automobile storage batteries. The battery terminals are mounted to the top of the battery near one end of the narrowest width of the battery, which is considered the front of the battery, with the negative terminal to the left front corner, and the positive terminal to the right front corner. The negative battery terminal is 5/8 inch in diameter. The positive terminal is 11/16 inch in diameter. Both terminals taper with the following ratio of 1:9, and are 5/8 of an inch tall. The negative and positive battery terminals are no more than 5 inches from center to center of each terminal. The battery has a nominal Ampere hour Capacity at 20 hours of no less than 225. The battery has a Cold Cranking Amp rating, at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, of no less than 1265. The battery has a Cranking Amp rating, at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, of no less than 1615. The battery has a “minutes of discharge at 25 amps” rating of no less than 500 at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The battery has a Reserve Capacity rating, at 80 degrees Fahrenheit, of no less than 475. The battery is a 2 volt direct current (VDC) per cell, six cell battery; the battery provides 12VDC measured between the negative and positive terminals. The minimum and maximum charging voltage characteristics complies with BCI standards for a 12VDC BCI Type 8G8D VRLA - SLA Gel-Cell battery: between 13.8 and 14.1 VDC at 68 degrees Fahrenheit. 2.2.1.2 BCI TYPE 8A8D VRLA - SLA AGM BATTERY SPECIFICATIONS. The contractor shall provide analysis of AGM batteries that meet or exceed the government back-up battery type requirements, presently conforming to BCI VRLA – SLA Gel-Cell type battery standards. The BCI Type 8A8D VRLA - SLA AGM battery shall conform to or exceed BCI standards regarding Valve-Regulated lead-Acid (VRLA) SLA batteries. The AGM battery shall have the following physical characteristics: Length shall be no more than 20.75 inches; Width shall be no more than 11.125 inches; Height shall be no more than 10.6 inches; Weight shall be no more than 165 lbs. The battery shall be a dry sealed lead acid maintenance free battery, capable of air shipment via FedEx or UPS, or any other reputable shipping vendor, without special restrictions. The battery terminals shall be of the S.A.E. Post standard used with automobile storage batteries. The battery terminals shall be mounted to the top of the battery near one end of the narrowest width of the battery, which shall be considered the front of the battery, with the negative terminal to the left front corner, and the positive terminal to the right front corner. The negative battery terminal shall be 5/8 inch in diameter. The positive terminal shall be 11/16 inch in diameter. Both terminals shall taper with the following ratio of 1:9, and shall be 5/8 of an inch tall. The negative and positive battery terminals shall be no more than 5 inches from center to center of each terminal. The battery shall have a nominal Ampere hour Capacity at 20 hours of no less than 245. The battery shall have a Cold Cranking Amp rating, at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, of no less than 1350. The battery shall have a Cranking Amp rating, at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, of no less than 1725. The battery shall have a “minutes of discharge at 25 amps” rating of no less than 517 at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The battery shall have a Reserve Capacity rating, at 80 degrees Fahrenheit, of no less than 480. The battery shall be a 2 volt direct current (VDC) per cell, six cell battery; the battery shall provide 12VDC measured between the negative and positive terminals. The minimum and maximum charging voltage characteristics shall comply with BCI standards for a 12VDC BCI Type 8A8D SLA AGM battery: between 14.4 and 14.6 VDC at 68 degrees Fahrenheit. 2.2 Technical Changes: None. 2.3 Documentation 2.3.1 Style and Format: The contractor shall provide two paper copies, and one electronic copy of all documents, study analysis, and recommendations as required here-in. All documents shall be in Microsoft Word version 2000 or later. Electronic copies shall be delivered via Compact Disc (CD) media. All CD media shall be clearly marked/labeled and stored in a standard CD jewel case. If spreadsheets or electronic slideshows are provided, they shall be developed using Microsoft applications, version 2000 or later, which includes Microsoft Excel 2000, Microsoft Power Point 2000, Microsoft Word 2000, etc. 2.3.2 The contractor shall provide all paper reports as required by para. 5.2.1.1, 5.2.1.2, 5.2.1.3, and, 5.2.2, in standard three ring binders. 2.3.3 All data and other contractor furnished items (CFI) developed for this contract shall not be released for public review except by the express written consent of the TA, or KO. All CFI, recommendations, final reports, and all other contractor required delivery items are and shall remain the perpetual sole property of the government. 3 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY (GFP). The government shall provide a list of all USCG Maritime DGPS(V)1 site locations (ref. 8.h, and 8.i). 4 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS (CFI). 4.1 The contractor shall furnish any item, software or hardware, required to perform this contract except as specified as GFP listed in para. 3. The contractor shall provide five customer satisfaction letters as specified in para. 1.3.6. 4.1.2 The contractor shall provide all documents as required herein in accordance with para. 2.3.1, and 2.3.2. 5 SPECIFIC TASKS. 5.1 TASKS. 5.1.1 SOW MANAGEMENT. The contractor shall be responsible for coordinating all associated SOW tasks with the COTR, or their alternate. 5.2 DELIVERABLES. 5.2.1 VRLA - SLA Battery Analysis and Recommendations. 5.2.1.1 The contractor shall evaluate, compare, and contrast COTS VRLA – SLA Gel-Cell, AGM, and any other COTS battery types equivalent to the Gel-Cell and AGM VRLA - SLA properties as referenced in para. 2.2.1.1, and 2.2.1.2, and shall provide documented analysis, complying with para. 2.3.1, and 2.3.2 for style and format, and recommendations identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each battery as beneficial or not beneficial for use as a back-up battery system meeting government USCG Maritime DGPS(V)1 back-up battery standard configuration requirements as specified in para. 1.1, 1.2.1, and 2.2.1.1. The contractor’s analysis and recommendations shall identify the best battery type(s) regarding battery longevity, deep-cycling characteristics, cost, and ability to operate in harsh hot and cold climates over time as detailed in para. 5.2.1.2. 5.2.1.2 The contractor shall include in their recommendation report: a description of strengths and weaknesses of each battery type analyzed as to its suitability for use as a USCG Maritime DGPS(V)1 back-up battery; a recommendation for the use or non-use of each type battery by the government as a DGPS(V)1 back-up battery; reasons for and against the use of each battery type; and, a cost-benefit analysis showing averaged savings gained, or expenses lost over a 20 year period, in 5 year increments, for each type of battery which reflects purchase, long-term maintenance, and disposal costs over the 20 year period. Maintenance costs shall consider labor costs associated with one USCG E-4 and one USCG E-5 Electronic Technician performing routine maintenance together to the batteries, and while replacing the batteries during recommended hourly, quarterly, semi-annual, and or annual intervals as per BCI standards for each battery type during the 20 year period in 5 year increments. The contractor shall also include recommendations regarding the suitability and relevance of using all Gel-Cell, or AGM, or other type batteries in specific geographical areas as appropriate. For example, the contractor shall provide recommendations that highlight the best battery type for each geographic climate, that may include one type of battery for use in hot desert like climates, a different battery type for use in severe cold climates, and another battery type for use in average moderate climates. Regardless of the battery type, the contractor shall recommend the best battery type for use in each of these three climates, while considering that the USCG provides HVAC climate control for its DGPS(V)1 electronic equipment shelters as per para. 1.2.1, that results in the best investment and functional benefit throughout the entire DGPS(V)1 system for the government over a 20 year period. 5.2.1.2 The contractor shall also provide a detailed and simplified VRLA – SLA battery type recommended maintenance program as determined by BCI and S.A.E. standard recommendations. The battery maintenance program shall include recommended maintenance intervals and safety practices for handling VRLA – SLA battery types, citing the standards referenced, while performing maintenance or as used by USCG Electronic Technicians or other government authorized maintenance personnel. The contractor shall provide paper and electronic copies of all cited standards and references, complying with para. 2.3.1, and 2.3.2. 5.2.2 Final Report and Recommendations. The contractor shall provide a final report using document and electronic style and formatting specified in para. 2.3.1, and 2.3.2 to the government. The final report shall comply with all CFI and deliverable requirements specified in para. 4.1, 5.2.1.1, 5.2.1.2, and 5.2.2, and as required throughout this SOW. 6 DELIVERY SCHEDULE 6.2 Contract Award Kick-Off Meeting: The government KO, TA, and contractor PM representatives shall attend a formal contract award kick-off meeting no later than 14 calendar days after date of contract start date, at the USCG C2CEN Facilities in Portsmouth, Virginia (4000 Coast Guard Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23703). Specific date and time of the kick-off meeting to be determined (TBD), pending contractor selection and specific contract award date. 6.3 Final Report Delivery Deadline: The contractor shall deliver the final reports, complying with para. 2.3.1, and 2.3.2, to the government no later than 45 calendar days after contract start date, via traceable FedEx or equivalent shipping method. 7 DEFINITIONS. BCI: Battery Council International C2CEN: Command and Control Engineering Center CD: Compact Disc CFI: Contractor Furnished Items Contractor: The term “contractor” as used herein refers to the prime contractor and sub-contractors COTS: Commercial Off the Shelf DGPS: Differential Global Positioning System DHS: Department of Homeland Security GFP: Government Furnished Property Government: Any U.S. Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Coast Guard representative HVAC: Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning KO: Contracting Officer PM: Program Manager QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan S.A.E.: Society of Automotive Engineers SLA: Sealed Lead Acid SOW: Statement of Work TA: Technical Advisor TBD: To Be Determined US: United States (of America) USCG: United States Coast Guard VDC: Voltage Direct Current VRLA: Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid 8 REFERENCES. a. 2004 Source BCI Electronic Databook b. 12th Revised Edition Battery Service Manual (BCI) c. Failure Modes of Batteries Removed From Service (BCI 112th Convention San Francisco, California 19 April 2000) d. S.A.E Standard J537, Storage Batteries. Published September 2000 e. S.A.E. Standard J2185, Life Test for Heavy Duty Storage Batteries. Published September 1997 f. S.A.E. Standard J930, Storage Batteries for off-road Work Machines. Published June 1995 g. S.A.E. Standard J240, Life Test for Automotive Storage Batteries. Published October 2002 h. Navigation Center (NAVCEN) Alexandria Website: http://www.navcen.gov i. NAVCEN DGPS Site Status Website: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/ADO/DgpsSelectStatus.asp The following FAR provisions/clauses apply to this solicitation. Offerors may obtain full text versions of these clauses electronically at http://www.arnet.gov/far. FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (JULY 2003); there are no addenda to this provision. FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items-Pricing (JAN 1999) is not incorporated. FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (May 2004) with Alt 1 must be included with your offer. FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (Jan 2004); there are no addenda to this clause. FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders, Commercial Items (May 2004). NOTE: THIS NOTICE WAS NOT POSTED TO WWW.FEDBIZOPPS.GOV ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE ITSELF (10-MAR-2005); HOWEVER, IT DID APPEAR IN THE FEDBIZOPPS FTP FEED ON THIS DATE. PLEASE CONTACT fbo.support@gsa.gov REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
Web Link: Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.eps.gov/spg/DHS-DR/USCG/C2EC/HSCG44-05-Q-00DPGS057/listing.html)
Place of Performance: Address: USCG Command and Control Engineering Center C2CEN 4000 Coast Guard Blvd Portsmouth, VA 23703; Zip Code: 23703
Record: SN00766576-F 20050312/050310213812 (fbodaily.com)
Source: FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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A -- DGPS Site battery and analysis study