Electrical Assessment QA to Solicitation _ 29 Feb 2024.pdf

Number RFP Reference Section

Yes - GPO is welcome to collect any recommendations for settings adjustment of the switchgear.

Some testing reports related to MV relay settings are available.

Yes. New Arc flash labels are required. The contractor shall be responsible for printing and adhering to the labels.

GPO has requested the analysis be limited to code deficiencies within the electrical system as it relates to life safety.

NETA testing on the existing switchgear is not required. The investigation to be based on visual condition and age of the equipment only.

Yes - to be visual only.

Is the investigation to be based on visual condition and age of the equipment, or shall electrical testing be performed (such as insulation and breaker testing)? Is NETA testing to be performed on the existing switchgear?

Is inspection of the existing oil filled transformers and dry transformer to be visual only?

Will the site survey and inspection be able to be performed during normal business hours or will off-hour work be required? Will outages be required?

Site survey and inspection shall be performed during normal business hours.

Are the upper limits of the study to be the medium voltage switchgear? Should the study include recommendations for settings adjustment of the switchgear? If the study is to include analysis of the switchgear, are there testing reports available which illustrate the existing MV relay settings?

Responses to Question under Solicitation:

040ADV-24-R-0011

ResponseQuestion Can a copy of the existing system one-line diagram for each building be provided? Available PDF files will be provided to the contractor who will receive the award.

Are all existing panels to be provided with new arc flash labels? Shall the contractor be responsible for printing and adhering the labels?

Clarify the requirement for identifying life safety deficiencies from a licensed Fire Protection Engineer as noted in B- Evaluation Factors Detail - Paragraph 2. Is a life safety analysis to be included as part of the assessment? What is the extent of the life safety analysis? Is the analysis limited to code deficiencies within the electrical system as it relates to life safety?

Is existing architectural as-built documentation is available in PDF and/or CAD? Available PDF files will be provided to the contractor who will receive the award.

Will design documents will be made available for the recent switchgear upgrades within the building? Available PDF files will be provided to the contractor who will receive the award.

Arc flash study is limited to the branch panels only.

According to the GPO Statement of Service request, the assessment includes all branch panels within the building C only.

Will the assessment include all branch panels within buildings A, B, C and D?

Since Bldg C was not available for access during the site visit, please clarify “GPO will only pick electrical panels located in Basement, First and Second floor of Building C for the inspection / assessment request.” Is the scope for the panels in these Building C areas different from the overall Building A, B, C, D investigation?

GPO will only pick electrical panels located in the Basement, First and Second floor of Building C for the inspection/assessment request.

Is there any existing metering data available for the facility? Will load analysis and/or metering be required as part of the assessment?

Yes - existing metering data is available. Load analysis is required as part of the assessment.

Confirm the extents of the arc flash study to be performed.? Will the arc flash study be limited to the branch panels or will it include larger equipment such as switchgear, MCCs, etc. It was noted during the site walkthrough that the switchgear appeared to have arc flash labels dated for 2023.

15 C3

16 SOW Item C3, Paragraph 2)

17 SOW Item C3, Paragraph 2)

18 SOW Item C3, Paragraph 6a

19 SOW Item C3, Paragraph 6b

20 SOW Item C3, Paragraph 6c

21 SOW Item C3, Paragraph 6e

Can the solicitation due date on SF1449 be eextended to 3/15/24? Due date adjusted to 3/14/24 @ 11;00 AM EST

Provide the copy of sign-site for pre-bid attendees? No. Sharing potential contractor information is not allowed at this time.

Does the scope of work include panels in Buildings A, B, C and D? Section C3 states “GPO will only pick electrical panels located in Basement, First, and Second floor of building C for the inspection / assessment request.”

The Scpoe of work for Electrical Panels Inspection / Assessment is limited at Basement, First, and second floor / Bldg. C only.

Per Section C1 and C2 of the solicitation, and the price schedule for CLIN 0001, the scope of work includes Main Distribution Panels, Panels and Sub-Panels.

However, sections C3.2, C3.4, and C3.5 indicate inclusion of associated equipment, switchgear, and oil filled transformer are part of the scope. Are these items to be included in the scope as well or only the panels identified in sections C1 and C2?

Only the panels identified in sections C1 and C2

Please confirm the schedule requirements. There is conflicting information in the solicitation:

a. Section C4.c indicates an anticipated during of 90 calendar days max.

b. Section C5 indicates a schedule of 180 calendar days if including 90 calendar days for the first draft, 60 calendar days for the second draft and 30 calendar days for the final report.

c. Section F3 indicates an anticipated duration of 45 calendar days.

Correction: Section C5 ( 180 calendar days) is correct.

The assessment is required for the interim period report for GPO review, and then the final report is due 180 days after the contract awarded date.

Can the Past Performance Questionnaire due date be extended to align with the solicitation due date on SF1449? Yes - It's acceptable if contractor submit PPQ no later than SF1449 due date.

SOW Item C3, Paragraph 6)e states Provide Proposal to provide necessary information for the repair of the existing electrical panels or if needed for each part of the existing power distribution system. Define the scope clearly for this scope item as it is unclear and very confusing.

Yes - This scope item is included. It's related to the existing Electrical Panels.

Replace all old electrical panels should be recommended, but it is up to the Contractor's study.

SOW Item C3, Paragraph 2) states ‘The building floor plan indicating the panel locations shall be provided’. Who will be responsible for developing the CAD floors plans for the location of electrical panels?

Contractor.

SOW Item C3, Paragraph 6)a states that generate an ARC FLASH Study for each location. During site visit it was mentioned that arc flash study is not required in this contract. Define the scope clearly if arc flash study is required to be performed for the entire electrical system of all four buildings.

ARC FLASH study on the assessment report is required.

SOW Item C3, Paragraph 6)b states Study and Adjust Building Main Breaker Ground Fault Interrupters to proper load panel. During site visit it was mentioned that ground fault settings adjustment is not required in this project.

Define the scope clearly if ground fault settings adjustment are required.

Yes - any Study and Adjust Building Main Breaker Ground Fault Interrupters related to subjected 120 / 208V panels is required.

SOW Item C3, Paragraph 6)c states Study and Verify/design the proper Ground Fault Protection in all custodial closets and restroom. Define the scope clearly for this scope item as it is unclear and very confusing.

Yes - This scope item is included. It's related to the existing Electrical Panels.

SOW Item C3, Paragraph 2) states that there total 4 buildings has approximately 350 electrical panelboards. In this same paragraph, it states that ‘GPO will only pick electrical panels located in Basement, First, and Second floor of building C for the inspection/assessment request.’ Clarify that electrical panels to be included for the assessment for all panels in all four buildings or limited area in building C?

Technical Capabilities Volume II requires PPQs. Can CPARS be used in lieu of PPQ? Yes

GPO has requested the analysis be limited to code deficiencies within the electrical system as it relates to life safety.

Limited area in building C ( Basement, 1st and 2nd Floor Panels )

SOW Item C3, first paragraph states ‘ identify all life safety deficiencies’. Please explain the intent of this scope and which life safety system shall be included in this project.

28 C1

29 C2 page 5

33 C3

34 C3 Page 5

35 C3 Page 5

Are Switchgear, Switchboards, Motor Control Centers, Starters, VFDs, Oil-Filled Transformers, dry-type transformers, enclosed circuit breakers, enclosed switches, generators, UPSs, Transfer Switches included in the scope of the project? If so, which aspects of the project scope?

Same answer as the above #29.

Paragraph C3 on Page 5 of 20 of the Solicitation states “The potential firm shall provide all necessary services to identify all life safety deficiencies in all four GPO buildings.” Please clarify the scope of the project relating to life safety deficiencies. Alternatively, should this have said “electrical distribution system deficiencies”?

Yes - It was before as a general requirement, but now limited to Bldg. C old electrical panels.

Per Section C1, please confirm a Licensed Electrical Engineer is required and not a Licensed Fire Protection Engineer. Both licensed Electrical Engineer and Fire Protection Engineer are required.

Is this scope limited to just electrical panels or does it include switches, enclosed circuit breakers, substations, switchboards, switchgear, transformers, motor control centers, starters, variable frequency drives, UPSs, IT equipment, HVAC equipment?

The main scope is Old Electrical Panels Assessment; however, GPO is willing to collect any recommendations or study related to switches, enclosed circuit breakers, substations, switchboards, switchgear, transformers, motor control centers, starters, variable frequency drives, UPSs, IT equipment, HVAC equipment ...etc. from contractor.

Is the 4160V equipment part of this project? No. Most of the subjected electrical panels on this SOW is 120 / 208V.

When referencing “Distribution Panels”, is this intended to be the definition as defined by NEMA standard PB 1 for a piece of electrical distribution equipment rated 1200-Amps and less? Or is this terminology being loosely used in this solicitation to also include UL891 Switchboards, UL1558 Switchgear, and other electrical distribution equipment?

It's an optional, not mandatory on this Scope.

What is meant by “GPO will only pick electrical panels located on basement, 1st, and 2nd floor of building C for the inspection / assessment request”? The entire project scope seems to require inspecting and assessing electrical panels in all four buildings. Attachment 4 only shows basement, first, and second floors of Building A, B, and C but we understand there are 8 above grade floors plus a penthouse in building A, B, and C. Please clarify which floors of which buildings are included in the scope.

Since GPO had conducted an internal survey, and it seems most old electrical panels are identical or very similar is why there is no need for assessment or study on all 350 panels. The SOW is called for Basement, First, and second floor / Bldg. C electrical panels for inspection and having assessment report.

To identify conductors over 40 years old and to acquire all information necessary to properly perform an Arc Flash Study, electrical covers will need to be removed from every piece of electrical distribution equipment from the utility company service entrance down to every electrical panel in the building.

electrical outages be allowed? Can the work be performed unrestricted during normal working hours?

When a potential contractor obtains a contract award, an electrical outage will be allowed according to the contractor's request for inspection/ assessment purposes.

Please provide the available building drawings on “flash drives” as referenced in paragraph C3 on Page 5 of 20 of the Solicitation. This was not provided at the pre-proposal walk-through.

PDF drawings will be provided to the contractor who will receive the award.

Paragraph C3 on Page 5 of 20 of the Solicitation states “Investigation of Existing Conditions: provide a comprehensive field investigation of the existing electrical panels installed on GPO’s buildings (A, B, C, D) and associated equipment and significant electrical loads including motor control center of chillers, fire pumps, HVAC equipment, IT server rooms, and other sensitive electronic equipment/controllers, etc...”. Does the scope include assessment and infrared scanning of starters, variable speed drives, UPSs, etc. Please explain what scope is anticipated for HVAC equipment, IT server rooms, and other sensitive equipment. Can this work be quantified for the purpose of developing a price?

No. An assessment report for the old electrical panel is required. Others are optional.

Paragraph C3 on Page 5 of 20 of the Solicitation states “There are around 350 all kind electrical panels total in our four (4) buildings. GPO will only pick electrical panels located in Basement, First, and Second floor of building C for the inspection / assessment request.”

We often find there are many panels unaccounted for. What number of panels above 350 constitutes a change in scope?

Yes - GPO concurred with this comment. If it's a major concern, then change in scope will be reconsiderated.

39 Page 6 Para 3

40 Page 6 Para 6

41 Para 6 Para 6

Paragraph 3) on Page 6 of 20 of the Solicitation states “Inspect the existing oil filled transformers and dry transformer at Building A/B/C”.

Please disregard of inspect the existing transformers at building A/B/C.

Paragraph 6)e on Page 6 of 20 of the Solicitation requires “ Provide Proposal to provide the necessary information for the repair of the existing electrical panels”. Please clarify that the intent of this task is for the Electrical Engineer to provide a price proposal at the completion of this assessment/study to provide additional Engineering services to prepare a set of construction documents for contractor bids to implement the recommendations provided in the assessment/study.

No need to preparation for construction documents for contractor bids. This SOW is called for a cost estimate for electrical panel replacement, either panel located within the Basement, first, and second floor / Bldg. C or entire the buildings ( approximate 350 panels)

Please clarify what “occupancy data” is requested where mentioned in paragraph 7)d on Page 6 of 20 of the Solicitation.

Occupancy data means what is the current load on the subjected panels as the peak time.

Paragraph 7)d on Page 6 of 20 of the Solicitation requires “updated drawings in CAD and PDF formats”. Please confirm what the expectations for drawings entail.

a. Is this a complete one-line diagram from the utility company service entrance location down to every electrical panel in each building?

b. Should this include floor plans showing the location of all electrical distribution equipment noted on the one-line diagrams?

c. Please clarify what other drawing deliverables are expected. (Schedules? Elevations? Other?)

a) A sectional of online drawings from the substations streaming down to the subjected panels is required. Please indicate which panels from the contractor's created drawing are of concern after having an arc flash study / overall inspection and assessment report.

b) Yes it should include floor plans showing the location.

c) No other drawing deliverable is expected.

Paragraph 6) on Page 6 of 20 of the Solicitation requires an ARC FLASH study. Please confirm if the intent includes producing/printing Arc Flash Labels and installation of these labels?

Yes - ARC FLASH study is required on this SOW. The contractor shall responsible for producing/printing Arc Flash Labels and installation of these labels.

Paragraph 6) on Page 6 of 20 of the Solicitation requires an “infer-red study with digital picture by qualified electrician with level 3 Thermography certification”. Please clarify whether the intent is to scan all Switchgear, Switchboards, Panelboards, Oil-Filled Transformers, Dry-type Transformers, or other equipment?

Please disregard of inspect the existing transformers at building A/B/C.

Paragraph 6)c on Page 6 of 20 of the Solicitation requires “Study and verify/design proper Ground Fault Protection in all custodial closets and restroom. Design new GFI breakers in load panels and upgrade labeling as needed.”

Please clarify if the intent is to provide just a study and recommendations for this scope item, or if a full design including a set of construction documents ready for contractor bids is required?

Study and verify/design proper Ground Fault Protection in all custodial closets and restrooms which is related to subjected 120/208 panels is required.

Attachment 4 illustrates locations of electrical panel locations. Is the scope of equipment to be surveyed limited to just these highlighted yellow areas, or are there additional spaces/rooms within these buildings that are intended to be included in the scope of this Solicitation?

Additional spaces/rooms within these buildings that are related to the subjected electrical panels of this Solicitation is accountable.

Please confirm the only required cost estimate is to be provided at the Final Report submission as described in paragraph 7)e on page 6 of 20 of the Solicitation.

The cost estimate is a part of the final Assessment report.

- Assessment report of the subjected panels

- Construction cost estimate

- Engineering study recommendations for subjected panels or the entire distribution system as an optional

Please confirm if the Arc-Flash and Coordination Study can be submitted for the first time at the Second Draft submission. This is a time-consuming task that requires extensive survey and likely cannot be completed in conjunction with the first draft report submission.

Yes - the Arc-Flash and Coordination Study can be submitted for the first time at the Second Draft submission.

Section F paragraph F3 on page 8 of 20 of the Solicitation states “A timeline for testing and finish study/assessment is required. GPO anticipation for this performance in maximum 45 calendar days”. The previous page, page 7 of 20 stated a period of 90 days for the first draft, 60 days for the second draft, and 30 days for the final report. Please confirm that what is stated on page 8 of 20 is an error and that we should follow what is stated on page 7 of 20 instead.

Correction: Please regardless of unsynchronized information on the entire solicitation document.

Project performance time will be in total of 180 calendar days.

Factor #1 described on page 17 of 20 of the Solicitation states “Offeror must provide a two-page (maximum) narrative describing the company's corporate experience, providing Specialized experience and technical competence in the type of work required, including, where appropriate, experience in identifying life safety deficiencies on schools, offices, homes and public buildings as licensed Fire Protection Engineer.” Is the intent to focus on life safety deficiencies as a licensed Fire Protection Engineer, or should we focus on electrical power distribution system deficiencies as a licensed Electrical Engineer?

Both licensed Electrical Engineer and Fire Protection Engineer are required.ection: A licensed Electrical Engineer is required.

Evaluation Factors Detail #2 on page 20 of 20 of the Solicitation states “Specialized experience and technical competence in the type of work required, including, where appropriate, experience in identifying life safety deficiencies on government and public buildings as licensed Fire Protection Engineer” Is the intent to focus on life safety deficiencies as a licensed Fire Protection Engineer, or should we focus on electrical power distribution system deficiencies as a licensed Electrical Engineer?

Electrical power distribution system deficiencies as a licensed Electrical Engineer is required.

On Page 20 of 20 does “projects completed” refer to designed or designed and constructed? Are they to be within the past three years or the past five years?

The question is referring to this statement on page 20: The Government shall evaluate vendor’s experience in developing and executing design schedules within the available time frame are desired. Projects completed within the past three-five years should be included. The SF 330 should include all related projects worked on within the three-past five years and include the scope of the work; the value of the project; the schedule of the project (starting date, proposed completion date and actual completion status of the project). This listing should also contain any projects that were terminated for any reason and projects that are still in progress.

Can additional walk-throughs of project areas be scheduled after receipt of RFI responses? Additional walk-throughs of the project are not available for all contractors. It's only available to the contractor who received the contract award.

Can you please confirm that all the work must performed by domestic contractors including the Arc-Flash and Coordination studies?

Yes - All the work must performed by domestic contractors.

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