Ballistic Range Equipment

See attached Solicitation

Questions from the Question and Answer period listed below. Solicitation extended until 16 September 2024 0900 EST

                                                   Questions and Answers Ballistic Range

For Item #1 you list that the item must be NATO Codified.   Can you please explain the NATO Codified and what that actually means? 

ANSWER: Contains equipment designed to meet NATO testing standards; for example, NATO AEP97.  Intent is to ensure equipment is regulated and safe to use.

For Item #1 I have a very reliable unit that is Pneumatically fired.  Will this be acceptable? 

ANSWER: A pneumatically triggered system is ok.  A pneumatically propelled system is not acceptable.

For Item #13 and #14 you list a very specific size window.  Why is that?  You list a window of 360mm x640MM  Are other similar sizes acceptable? 

ANSWER: Intent is to provide compatibility with existing equipment as well as space restrictions.  Other sizes would be considered and their functional capabilities assessed.

For Item #13 you list that the screen must detect the nose vs the base of the projectile.   Do you mean a specific setting?  Most screens of this type measure the time that the projectile breaks the actual screen.

ANSWER: This capability is needed to support our research. Yes, our intent was a user specified setting.

For Item #13 you mention a remote trigger. Most items of this type are triggered automatically by the projectile.  Can you be more specific about the "remote trigger" for this item?

ANSWER: The intent is that the trigger does not require a manual trigger by person.

For Item #13 you mention a specific power source, 10 -30 VDC, 1A, and 24VDC   Which is it?   Is this critical?  Most US based equipment is 110V AC?

ANSWER: The power requirement was for the light source, specifically.  110V AC meets the overall requirement.

For #18 you mention software that is capable of measuring accuracy.  Is the this group size or accuracy of the shot?   This is usually measured with the use of a target Can you describe more what accuracy capability you actually need?

ANSWER: This isn’t shooting at a classic target.  This MEC is for a system to be used in a research setting evaluating protective capabilities and injury potential.  Min spec states “Ability to record and report pressure, velocity, action time, and accuracy”.  The software must have the capability to calculate and report accuracy, including comparing actual/reported data to reference data.

For item #28 you mention a BTTR Scanner.  Can you describe this further?  Specifically its purpose?

ANSWER:  This device is an alternate to classic clay measurement of backface displacement.  Its purpose is to mimic the human chest response, using sensors to measure the dynamic deformation, and an algorithm to relate the deformation back to known injury risks.

Reading this solicitation it seems very specific.   Much of this equipment must be sourced from companies outside the USA.  They are not made in the USA.  Is it ok to provide equipment and items that are not manufactured in the USA?   Are there specifics about this?

Our vendors can provide products that are made outside the U.S..  The prohibited countries that we cannot do business with are listed in the DFARS 225.772-1.  See below.  The countries are called ‘prohibited sources’. 

225.772-1  Definitions.

As used in this section—

      “Covered foreign country” means—

              (1)  The People’s Republic of China;

              (2)  North Korea;

              (3)  The Russian Federation; or

              (4)  Any country that is a state sponsor of terrorism. (10 U.S.C. 2279)