Questions and Answers
Supply of equipment for the RIS and Voice VHF systems on the Sava River
Republic of Croatia
1.
Publication reference
EuropeAid/134551/D/SUP/HR
2.
Procedure
Open
3.
Programme
IPA
4.
Financing
IPA 2007 HR 16 I PO 002 Transport Operational Programme 2007-2013 for Community
Assistance under the IPA Regional Development Component in Croatia
5.
Contracting Authority
Central Finance and Contracting Agency
QUESTION
ANSWER
Q1:
In "ANNEX II + III: TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER"
you have specified a VHF base station in item
No. 22. According to this specification base
station should work with 10.8 do 15.6 VDC
power supply. In the same document you defined
Base station UPS (item No. 11) working at
230VAC input / 230 VAC output. It is clear that
you cannot connect equipment that needs 12
VDC power supply to UPS that has 230VAC
output. Since there is no any rectifier system
specified and obviously there is need for this
kind of device, should we offer a rectifier
system? If yes, are there any special
requirements?
A1:
YES.
It is necessary to deliver a SMPS (230 VAC to 12
VDC) of appropriate strength.
Q2:
In "ANNEX II + III: TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER"
you have specified two Base station radios on
each site (Item No. 22). In item No. 29 you
specified one duplexer (two-port, rx and tx) per a
site. The coax relay (Item No. 34) in the tender
A2:
The duplexer is used to enable independent AIS
and Voice VHF operation.
In total there are three VHF transceivers; one is
intended to work exclusively as a transmitter and
the other two as receivers (one on the 16th channel
and the other on the working channel).
Contracting Authority intends to remedy this
omission in the Technical Specifications by means
of Corrigendum No. 2 which will be published on
the CFCA web site
(http://www.safu.hr/hr/natjecaji/pregled/389/nabava
-opreme-za-ris-i-glasovni-vhf-sustav-na-rijeci-savi)
and on EuropeAid website
(https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/onlineservices/index.cfm?do=publi.welcome&nbPubliLis
t=15&orderby=upd&orderbyad=Desc&searchtype=
RS&aofr=134551).
suggests that only one Base station may be used The coax relay is used to connect the transmitter to
at a time. Please clarify if these base stations the antenna when it is necessary.
should work as backup or there is some other None of the devices serve as a backup.
configuration that you wanted to achieve?
Q3:
In "ANNEX II + III: TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER"
you have specified two Base station radios on
each site (Item No. 22.) and according to
specification every base station has one RSSI
output. In Item No. 23. you specified that there is
also one VHF Monitor receiver at each site and
that this device should also have RSSI output.
This would mean that three RSSI outputs must
be connected to A/D converter on Base station
controller (Item no 9.). Since Base station
controller has specification with A/D converter
with only two inputs, please consider that that
there is one input missing if we want to connect
and monitor three RSSI outputs on every site.
Please comment and suggest what to offer
because for sure there is one input missing on
A/D converter.
A3:
Only two RSSI outputs need to be connected to the
AD converter (the ones connected to radio units
which act as receivers). One radio unit is only a
transmitter therefore it is not necessary to connect
its RSSI output to the AD converter. However, it is
required that all radio units have RSSI.
Q4:
In "ANNEX II + III: TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER"
you have specified that Base station radios (Item
No. 22.) shall work with frequency modulation
(FM). According to ETSI EN 301 929-1
(European
standard
for
Electromagnetic
compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters
(ERM); VHF transmitters and receivers as Coast
Stations for GMDSS) this modulation is not
what mobile radio should use for communication
with ships in Europe. Final result could be that
you have terminal equipment (ETSI EN 301
929-1 compliant) and base stations (ETSI EN
301 929-1 non compliant) working on different
modulations
which
will
result
with
communication problems. Furthermore, there is
requirement to comply intermittent duty cycle
which is usual for standard (terminal) radio
communication equipment. Please note that for
Base stations it would be more appropriate to
choose continuous duty cycle because this kind
of equipment is designed to be used more
frequently. We suggest that you change these
two requirements according to European
standards and common engineering practice.
A4:
Technically and legally FM modulation F3EJN and
phase modulation G3EJN are equivalent so any
device which has either of these modulation types
is acceptable.
Contracting Authority intends to amend this
requirement in the Technical Specifications by
means of Corrigendum No. 2 which will be
published on the CFCA web site
(http://www.safu.hr/hr/natjecaji/pregled/389/nabava
-opreme-za-ris-i-glasovni-vhf-sustav-na-rijeci-savi)
and on EuropeAid website
(https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/onlineservices/index.cfm?do=publi.welcome&nbPubliLis
t=15&orderby=upd&orderbyad=Desc&searchtype=
RS&aofr=134551).
Q5:
In "ANNEX II + III: TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER"
you have specified a separate base station
Controller (Item No. 9.). It is the common
practice today among all suppliers and brands
that Base station solution features an integrated
base station controller in the Base station. In this
case one Ethernet connection per radio would
carry everything including voice, PTT, remote
control. This is more professional configuration
(industrial standard), instead of connecting
"standard communication radios" that should
perform as Base stations connected to different
interface cards installed on industrial PC. Please
comment if it is allowed to offer controllers
integrated into base stations that have all
required functionalities available over integrated
Ethernet port?
A5:
The controller must be a separate industrial PC
according to the specification, because it must be
AIS base station independent in order to enable the
service provider to install custom software that is
required to interconnect to the existing Croatian
AIS central segment. The controller must also
handle interconnection to the VHF radios and
enable possible future expansions of the system
with additional subsystems.
Q6:
A6:
In "ANNEX II + III: TECHNICAL One set serves as a backup.
SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER"
you have specified an 8 sets of radio site
equipment with only 7 racks. Please check if this
is mistake or you specified necessary spare
parts?
Q7:
Item 2 Server Rack and Item 10 Equipment Rack
- We don’t understand the requirement for
aluminum side panels, front and back doors.
Racks for stated purposes are typically made of
steel sheet protected using powder coating
process. Is it possible to offer racks build of steel
sheets and meeting all other requirements?
A7:
YES.
Powder coated steel is acceptable.
Q8:
Item 12. AIS TRANSPONDER (BASE
STSTION), para 12.2, 19” rack mountable (1U
height).
- Is it possible to deliver AIS Base Station with
3U height?
A8:
NO.
3U height is not acceptable due to the limited space
in racks. 1U height presents maximum height.
Contracting Authority intends to amend this
requirement in the Technical Specifications by
means of Corrigendum No. 2 which will be
published on the CFCA web site
(http://www.safu.hr/hr/natjecaji/pregled/389/nabava
-opreme-za-ris-i-glasovni-vhf-sustav-na-rijeci-savi)
and on EuropeAid website
(https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/onlineservices/index.cfm?do=publi.welcome&nbPubliLis
t=15&orderby=upd&orderbyad=Desc&searchtype=
RS&aofr=134551).
Contracting Authority intends to remedy this
omission in the Technical Specifications by means
of Corrigendum No. 2 which will be published on
the CFCA web site
(http://www.safu.hr/hr/natjecaji/pregled/389/nabava
-opreme-za-ris-i-glasovni-vhf-sustav-na-rijeci-savi)
and on EuropeAid website
(https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/onlineservices/index.cfm?do=publi.welcome&nbPubliLis
t=15&orderby=upd&orderbyad=Desc&searchtype=
RS&aofr=134551).
Q9:
Item 12. AIS TRANSPONDER (BASE
STSTION), para 12.5, USB service port for easy
firmware upgrades and onsite maintenance
- Is it possible to deliver AIS Base Station with
RS232 port with RS232/USB converter? Our
Base Station solution includes LAN port and
RS232 ports above mentioned functions.
A9:
NO.
RS232/USB converter does not offer the same ease
of use and data transfer speed as USB-USB
connection.
Q10:
A10:
We can’t find any specifications for software, No software is required. Network will be designed
shall it not be delivered any network or and implemented through separate service contract.
monitoring software? If not, what shall the 6
servers and 12 computers be used for?
Q11:
Specification for base station is strange with
divided transponder and controller, this is old
fashion way of base stations. We build base
stations with integrated controller and
transponder in the same cabinet, is this
acceptable?
A11:
NO.
Controller must be a separate unit due to the fact
that it will handle various other subsystems and in
order to keep the system independent from a
specific AIS BS supplier.
Q12:
A12:
Is it one control center and is it located in There will be two regional centres, not directly at
connection with one of the AIS/VHF sites?
the AIS BS sites, but the connections a
configuration of those sites is part of a separate
service contract.
Q13:
ITEM 33 OF THE TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION (ANNEX II AND III)
TABLE – ITEM: INDUSTRIAL PC (FOR VHF
BASE STATION SITES)
33.8 FEATURE REQUESTED: 4x USB v2.0
port and PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports
Would it be acceptable to offer PC with 6 USB
ports instead 4 USB ports with PS/2 port, where
2 USB would be dedicated for keyboard and
mouse?
A13:
NO.
It’s the question of flexibility and reliability. It can
occur that at the given time on site only PS/2
keyboard is available for maintenance job, and the
port needs to be present. To our knowledge there
are multiple suppliers of industrial PCs that provide
PS/2 interface as a standard interface due to its
robust
architecture
and
“non
polling”
communication protocol that is used with USB
peripherals. PS/2 keyboard also allows access to
BIOS in case of hardware problems with USB on-
Explanation: PS/2 port are used only for
keyboard and mouse Keyboard and mouse in
today’s technology mostly use USB connection
which makes PS/2 port obsolete. Although it
could be delivered, it limits the offer to old
technology.
Q14:
ITEM 33 OF THE TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION (ANNEX II AND III)
TABLE – ITEM: INDUSTRIAL PC (FOR VHF
BASE STATION SITES)
33.10 FEATURE REQUESTED: Analog-digital
converter for RSSI signal PC card with at least 2
channels 0-5 V and 8-bit resolution
Would it be acceptable to exclude this module as
it is obsolete? Today’s digital technology does
not require external analog-digital converter for
RSSI signal because it is already integrated in
VHF base station. However it fully supports
distribution of RSSI signal from VHF IP radio
and VoIP terminal through IP network to LUWS.
Q15:
ITEM 33 OF THE TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION (ANNEX II AND III)
TABLE – ITEM: INDUSTRIAL PC (FOR VHF
BASE STATION SITES)
33.12 FEATURE REQUESTED: Parallel port or
parallel card with min 8 outputs
board controllers.
A14:
NO.
Required solution allows use of COTS radios and
non-proprietary
(industrial
standard)
radio
interfaces. Required A/D converter is easy to find
on many industrial PC types. The required solution
enables cheap and easy maintenance (replacement
of parts) of the system, because no proprietary
solutions are required and standard technical
equipment can be used for maintenance. In addition
to the above, there is a serious risk that digital radio
requires proprietary software in order to work,
which would completely limit implementation
options of the service provider.
A15:
NO.
Required solution allows use of COTS radios and
non-proprietary
(industrial
standard)
radio
interfaces. Required parallel interface is easy to
find on many industrial PC types. The required
solution enables cheap and easy maintenance
(replacement of parts) of the system, because no
Would it be acceptable to exclude this option
proprietary solutions are required and standard
since digital technology does not require
technical equipment can be used for maintenance.
PARALLEL PORTS for any communication
In addition to the above, there is a serious risk that
within the system or outside the system however digital radio requires proprietary software in order
provides the same functionality using modern IP to work, which would completely limit
technology? Although it could be provided this
implementation options of the service provider.
requirement limits the solution to old
technology.
Explanation: Normally parallel port is used with
some systems for moving of PTT modern
systems use IP control of PTT which is more
reliable, simpler and up to date.