MARKET RESEARCH BACKUP GENERATORS
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
NEXRAD-ROC-WSR-88D EMERGENCY STANDBY GENERATORS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1. The National Weather Service (NWS) is conducting market research seeking information regarding the replacement of the Emergency Standby Generators currently being used within its fleet of WSR-88D NEXRAD Doppler Weather Radars. The purpose of this request is for the NWS to learn which vendors would be available in the marketplace that would be willing to offer and provide removal and installation of key components associated with the currently installed backup generators.
1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP). This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. The Government does not intend either to award a contract based on this RFI or to pay for the information that is submitted. This RFI is intended solely for informational and planning purposes as a part of NWS market research. No solicitation, statement of work, specification, or requirements package exists at this time. Issuance of this notice does not constitute any obligation on the part of the Government to procure removal and installation of any backup generator or to issue a solicitation. Responses to this notice cannot be accepted as offers. Vendors are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or pay administrative costs vendors may incur in responding to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be borne solely by the interested party. Respondents are advised that the NWS is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of information received, or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Any information that the vendor considers proprietary should be clearly marked as such. Clearly marked responses to this RFI indicating that information therein is proprietary or represents confidential business information will be received and held in confidence for U.S. Government use only.
2.0 BACKGROUND
2.1 The National Weather Service (NWS) NEXRAD program has up to 148 WSR-88D NEXRAD Doppler radars located at both the Department of Commerce (DOC), National Weather Service (NWS) and Department of Defense (DOD), Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) that require replacement of their backup generators. The majority of the emergency standby generators are installed within the contiguous United States, however some are located in Okinawa, and South Korea. The current generators consist of three models; Kohler 80kW ROJZ with a 400 amp M340 automatic transfer switch, Kohler 100kW REOJZ with a 400 amp M340 automatic transfer switch, and the ONAN 80DGDA with a 400 amp OTCU 400C transfer switch. Because these generators have been in service for an average of over twenty years there is a concern that they have reached a point to where failures will be more frequent with cost prohibitive repairs.
2.2 The NEXRAD Program is becoming aware that these generators may not meet stringent current EPA requirements. This effort will have the goal to keep commonality throughout the network based on current EPA requirements associated within the state where the radar is installed. Presently all generators utilize diesel fuel. With the exception of the DOD, alternative fuel sources may be considered as long as all applicable up to date EPA standards are met. In order to ensure all EPA standards will be met a discussion of Tier 3 and 4 options will be required for diesel generators.
3.0 REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Emergency Standby Generator Requirements.
3.1.1 Each backup generator shall support a minimum power load requirement of 200 amps per phase. The minimum standards associated with the NEXRAD electrical systems are provided in the NEXRAD Electrical Systems drawing (attached). The generator shall be capable of providing the following outputs:
1. Pre Alarm Low Oil Pressure
2. Pre-Alarm High Engine Temperature
3. Low Oil Pressure
4. High Engine Temperature
5. Overspeed
6. Overcrank
7. Low Water Level
8. Emergency Stop
9. Low Water Temperature
10. Not in Auto
For outputs 1, 2, and 9 the generator shall generate a signal for “Generator Maintenance Required”. The remaining outputs shall generate a signal for “Generator Malfunction”.
3.1.2 The generator shall interface with the existing Automatic Transfer Switch identified in the generator shelter drawings (attached). If a new transfer switch is proposed, it must meet the interface requirements identified in the Interface Control Document for the WSR-88D Generator Shelter and Transition Power System to the Radar Data Acquisition Shelter, ICD WSR-88D Gen Shelter and TPS (2620062A) and NEXRAD Electrical Diagram Gen Shelter, attached.
3.1.3 With the exception of the DOD, any fuel sources being offered must ensure that each generator will operate for duration of 72 hours at full load. It should be noted that the generator’s “steady state” full load will be approximately 200 amps per phase. The “steady state” will vary based on weather conditions and the use of extraneous equipment such as air conditioner or heaters. It should be noted that there are high transient loads that may occur due to the antenna drive system employed by the WSR-88D radar. The generators are used for emergency back-up power (only used in case of a utility failure) and are tested for approximately 30 minutes per week to insure proper operation.
3.1.4 The generator shall provide a steady state voltage of 120/208 VAC +/- 10 percent (three phase four wire) with a steady state frequency of 60 Hz +/1 5 percent.
3.1.5 The generator shall provide the ability to be operated remotely and upon loss of primary power be on line within 25 seconds.
3.1.6 The generator shall be able to connect to and support a Powerware 9315 Model 50 uninterruptible power supply unit installed at each site.
3.1.7 Each generator must fit within the existing generator shelter located at each radar site per Radar Operation Center (ROC) NEXRAD drawing, Generator Shelter Depiction (attached).
3.1.8 The goal of this effort is to have all of the generators be the same configuration. However, each generator must meet the highest stringent EPA standards of the state for which the generator is located.
3.1.9 In addition to the specifications listed in the NEXRAD electrical systems drawings, any product proposed to support this requirement may not have proprietary limitations that may restrict the future repair of the generator to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards. Sole Source repair of the generators is not in the best interest of the Government.
4.0 ADMINISTRATION
Interested parties are requested to provide an information package addressing their approach to meeting the requirements listed in section 3. The following applies:
4.1 Responses to this RFI, Sources Sought market survey should only include items that support all stated requirements in a current commercially available configuration, or a configuration that could be made fully compliant through minor modifications.
4.2 Responses must include the proposed product part number, a product description with performance parameters, a statement regarding current lead time for delivery after award, and a statement describing monthly production rate. There is a critical need for replacement backup generators. Delivery lead time and production rate will likely be considered in the selection process along with price.
4.3 For part numbers other than those listed by the OEM, the offeror shall provide a description of any required modifications and the estimated cost of the product including those modifications. For these items, the offeror shall also include a list of customers that have purchased the proposed product along with the date purchased and in what quantities the part number was purchased.
4.4 All information submitted in support of this announcement is voluntary; the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate respondents for any costs incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government. The response date for this RFI is 03 February 2017. No phone calls or collect calls will be accepted. All responses to this RFI may be sent to Mr. Daniel Hoffman, email daniel.t.hoffman@noaa.gov.
4.5 Proprietary information is discouraged. Should responses contain proprietary information, it must be clearly marked. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information.
4.6 Responses must include your company name, mailing address, phone number, fax number, company website, CAGE code, DUNS number, and contact information for designated points of contact.
4.7 Responses must identify your business type and any socioeconomic categories such as Large Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled-Veteran Owned Small Business, Woman-owned Small Business, HubZone Small Business, and/or 8(a) company. The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 811310 Commercial Industrial Machinery and Equipment Repair and Maintenance Providers, with the corresponding size standard of $7.5M. The RFI is requesting responses, to the following criteria only, from all sources that can provide the services under this NAICS code. The Government will consider recommendations for alternative NAICS codes. If such a recommendation is provided, please provide clear and concise rationale for any code applicable to the planned acquisition other than the NAICS code identified above
4.8 NOTE: Ensure that all responses have “NEXRAD-ROC-WSR-88D BACKUP GENERATORS” in the title of the email. Avoid providing proprietary information in your questions as our intent is to post all questions and answers to the Federal Business Opportunities website. Submission of questions will be deemed permission to post the question with a response at https://www.fbo.gov/.
DANIEL T HOFFMAN, FD, Phone 405-573-3308, Email DANIEL.T.HOFFMAN@NOAA.GOV - Daniel Hoffman, Phone 4055733308, Email daniel.t.hoffman@noaa.gov
