NASA/John F. Kennedy Space Center, Procurement, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899

59 -- VME CHASSIS ASSEMBLY SOL RFO10-98-0024 DUE 022498 POC David D. Reeves, Contracting Officer, Phone (407) 867-3999, Fax (407) 867-1029, Email David.Reeves-1@ksc.nasa.gov -- Susan J. Wall, Contracting Officer, Phone (407) 867-4408, Fax (407) 867-1029, Email Susan.Wall-1@ksc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/KSC/date.html#RFO10-98-0024. E-MAIL: David D. Reeves, David.Reeves-1@ksc.nasa.gov. THIS NOTICE CONSTITUTES AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE RFO FOR VME CHASSIS ASSEMBLY SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NOTICE. Companies shall acknowledge all amendment(s) in their offer. This notice serves as the official amendment to the subject solicitation and a written amendment will not be issued. The purpose of this amendment is to change the delivery required of Item No.'s 1 and 2 and to answer questions received regarding the VME Chassis Assembly Specification. The due date for receipt of offers is not extended. This Amendment to the Solicitation is to make changes in the Delivery Schedule of two items and to answer questions that were received in response to the Solicitation. The Delivery Schedule for Line Item No. s 1 and 2 of the RFO are changed from 30 days after contract award to 30 business days after contract award. All the following questions reference the Specification for the VME Chassis Assembly. Sections and Page Numbers of the Specification are indicated after the Question Number. QUESTION 1: Reference Section 3.3.16, Page 10 AC fans are specified. Are DC fans an acceptable alternative if we provide the additional AMPs required on the 12V output? ANSWER: No, AC Fans are required by the Government. QUESTION 2: Reference Section 3.4.1, Page 6 An eight layer VMEbus backplane is specified. Is a 5 layer backplane an acceptable alternative if we provide detailed backup information regarding 5 layer backplane design that outperforms 8 layer designs? (also historical data on many systems in use within NASA which utilize this 5 layer design backplane could be provided) ANSWER: No, an eight layer VMEbus backplane is required by the Government. QUESTION 3: Reference Section 3.5.2, Page 8 Does the -5VDC power supply output want to be -5.0 VDC or -5.2 VDC? ANSWER: Reference ANSI/VITA 1994 VME 64 QUESTION 4: Reference Section 3.3.1, Page 6 Is this 0.08 inch thick material requirement applicable to all sheet metal components in the VME chassis or is it intended to apply only to the chassis structural components? ANSWER: Yes, it is applicable to all sheet metal components. QUESTION 5: Reference Section 3.3.2, Page 6 Will additional technical merit be given for solutions that offer a chassis depth less than the 25 inches allowed? ANSWER: No. QUESTION 6: Reference Section 3.3.4, Page 6 Will additional technical merit be given for solutions that fully utilize the benefit of a DPST type switch, breaking both AC and neutral? ANSWER: No. QUESTION 7 Reference Section 3.3.9, Page 7 7A: Does this slot bypass card perform any function other than to daisy-chain BG and IAK? ANSWER: Yes, the slot bypass card restricts airflow through unused slots. 7B: Would these Slot bypass cards be required if a backplane offering auto BG and IAK daisy-chaining were proposed? (see Question #11) ANSWER: Yes. QUESTION 8 Reference Section 3.3.10, Page 7 8A: What will the card guides be supporting? Is there a form factor associated with the components/cards that you intend to install in the transition area? ANSWER: Several 6U transition modules similar to Motorola MVME 712. 8B: At what point should the card guides begin? ANSWER: Refer to the conceptual drawing. 8C: How deep are you expecting the card guides to extend? ANSWER: 100 mm. 8D: When will NASA inform potential bidders of their final determination on filler panel requirements? ANSWER: Submit offers for the 16 HP that is the Government s requirement at this time. The determination of which combination of filler panels will be used will be done after award. QUESTION 9: Reference Section 3.3.15, Page 7 Comment -- The conceptual drawing in Section 8 shows a chassis that has no form of air baffling or damning and air is not directed over the potential hot spots of your conceptual design. Is there a need for positive cooling pressure in the chassis? ANSWER: Refer to the conceptual drawing underneath the card cage. Question 10: Reference Section 3.3.18, Page 7 Will manufactures with an air filter other than 15 x 15 inch be penalized during evaluation? ANSWER: Yes, the Government s minimum requirement is for the 15 X 15 inch air filter. QUESTION 11 Reference Section 3.4.1, Page 8 11A: Does NASA have a preference for back planes with auto daisy-chaining of BG and IAK or the manual version of daisy-chaining these two control signals? ANSWER: No preference. 11B: Would a six layer back plane that meets all of your other specifications for Termination, Cross-talk, Connectors, Ejector Tabs, Durability, Ground Shift and DC Power Connection be acceptable? ANSWER: NO. 11C: The most common pitch (distance centerline of board to centerline of board) for VME cards is 4HP (or 4 x .2 inch = .8 inch). However, some boards require 3, 5, 6, 7 or 8HP. Are the cards that NASA intends to install in these VME chassis of the 4HP pitch? ANSWER: There will be boards that will be 4 HP, 8 HP, or 12 HP. QUESTION 12: Reference Section 3.5.2, Page 9 How does NASA intend to use the -5VDC voltage and how would you like it terminated? ANSWER: -5V should be provided to backplane per VME Specification. (0049)

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