Questions and Answers for Sol 1232SA25Q0715.pdf

Questions and Answers for Sol# 1232SA25Q0715

Q: Are real-time sensors within an advanced troubleshooting system a mandatory requirement for the chambers in order to minimize diagnostic downtime and proactively prevent potential failures?

A: Please refer to the Specification Minimum Requirements

Q: Beyond the required warranty, is multi-point remote service support for troubleshooting and diagnostics expected throughout the product’s life to ensure quicker turnaround times?

A: Please refer to the Specification Warranty Requirements

Q: Can you confirm that the 2-year parts and 1-year labor warranty applies to all major components, including LED lights, controllers, and cooling system?

A: Yes

Q: The specification states “capable of racking, multilevel plants”. Should the multilevel racking be included in this quote, or will it be acquired separately in the future?

A: Requirement is for capability.

Q: The specification states “capable of racking, multilevel plants”. Could you please specify how many tiers are preferred/required?

A: Requirement is for capability.

Q: The specification states “Capable of at least 1500 micromoles at 1 meter from canopy”.

Could you please clarify if this requirement applies to all shelves and all tiers?

A: Specification is for 1 meter from canopy.

Q: The specification states “Capable of at least 1500 micromoles at 1 meter from canopy”. If the canopy height is adjustable, could you please confirm whether 1000 micromoles at 6 inches from the canopy would be acceptable?

A: Specification is for 1 meter from canopy.

Q: Is lighting needed over each tier or just ceiling mounted lighting?

A: Specification is for canopy lighting.

Q: Is uniform light distribution across all shelves required, or only at the canopy level?

A: Specification is for canopy lighting.

Q: The specifications call for “Tunable light spectrum”. Does this mean the customer prefers independently dimmable colored LED lighting (white, blue, red, far-red) OR just white LED lighting that is dimmable?

A: Specification is for dimming and tunable light spectrum.

Q: The specifications states “Tunable light spectrum”. Could you please confirm if a configuration with a Broad White/Red channel combined with a separate Far-Red channel would be acceptable, as follows: Channel 1 – White/Red, Channel 2 – Far-Red?

A: Tunable light spectrum that is able to be adjusted or adapted.

Q: Kindly confirm whether the full-spectrum light meter is required to measure, display, and log

PPFD and Far-Red PFD light through the controller.

A: Integrated metering is not a requirement.

Q: Is there value in us submitting a proposal for only the lighting portion of this RFQ?

A: Incomplete proposals will not be accepted.

Q: For the temperature range and precision requirements, can you confirm that these tolerances must be maintained for all tiers?

A: Requirements are for the general chamber area not specific to a rack or tier.

Q: Can you confirm the specifications below because they contradict each other.

• Relative humidity range: 40 - 70%, lights off and 40 - 60%, lights on between a temperature range of 15°C to 30°C.

• Additive Dehumidification/Humidification: 2% to 95% RH with +5% control, (subject to dew point restrictions)

The specifications need to be one or the other. My guess is the first one because the second one is impossible to achieve without a desiccant dryer and there isn’t one listed in the specifications.

A: The relative humidly range is for the unit’s performance without the additive feature of dehumidification and humidification. The Additive dehumidification and humidification requirements can be met through various methods. A desiccant dryer could be one method.

Q: Could you confirm the availability and pressure of the water supply for humidification?

A: 40 lbs of Domestic Water through a non-salt conditioning system.

Q: The specification states: “two existing 56-ton York chiller units external to the building.”

Could you please confirm if the existing chiller units have sufficient capacity to handle the cooling requirements of the additional walk-in growth chamber?

A: Chiller units were sized to accommodate the additional growth chamber.

Q: Could you please confirm that the USDA will be responsible for piping from the existing chiller units to the walk-in cooling system?

A: Chilled water supply/return is accessible in the mechanical space below the chamber room.

Contractor is responsible for providing/installing water cooled condensing unit and piping to chilled water line and to new growth chamber.

Q: The specification states: “Cooling: Water-cooled condensing unit to be in mechanical space one floor below room”. Could you confirm whether the USDA will provide piping from this unit to the new chamber?

A: Chilled water supply/return is accessible in the mechanical space below the chamber room.

Contractor is responsible for providing/installing water cooled condensing unit and piping to chilled water line and to new growth chamber.

Q: If the vendor is responsible for piping from the condensing unit to the walk-in chamber (above question), could you clarify:

• Required piping length, including deviations for obstructions (pipes, beams, walls, etc.).

• Whether the piping must go through any walls or beams.

• Whether a P-trap valve is needed.

A: Area where chamber is to be installed has been pre-plumbed from basement to chamber location, connections need to be from condensing unit to pre-plumbed pipes and from chamber to pre-plumbed pipes.

Q: Please clarify whether the USDA is responsible for all final utility connections to the new chambers. E.g.:

• Electrical Service including disconnects switches.

• Cooling water supply and return connections.

• Ethernet connections.

• Piping from purified water source (e.g. Reverse Osmosis or De-ionized water) to additive humidity connection point.

• Piping from the chamber drain to building floor drain.

A: Contractor is responsible for utility connections.

Q: Please clarify whether the USDA is responsible for offloading the chamber upon delivery.

A: Contractor is responsible for shipment/handling/delivery and installation of the chamber.

Staging areas can be provided as coordinated with the Location.

Q: Please clarify whether a genie lift is available on-site to assist with moving the chamber.

A: A genie lift is not available.

Q: Please clarify whether a forklift will be available on-site to assist with unloading and /or moving the chamber.

A: No. A loading dock is not available, nor is a forklift available. Pallet hand-trucks are available for the contractor to use.

Q: Please clarify whether the USDA will receive the chamber and if covered and secured storage will be provided until the installers arrive.

A: Contractor is responsible for a turnkey solution including shipment/handling/delivery/unpacking and installation of the chamber. Staging areas can be provided as coordinated with the Location.

Q: Please clarify whether the USDA is responsible for uncrating the chamber.

A: Contractor is responsible for shipment/handling/delivery and installation of the chamber.

Q: Please clarify whether the USDA is responsible for moving the parts to its final location.

A: Contractor is responsible for shipment/handling/delivery and installation of the chamber.

Q: Please provide the elevator dimensions required to accommodate the largest walk-in growth chamber components:

• Elevator internal dimensions.

• Elevator door dimensions.

A: Elevator internal dimensions. 61”x62”x87”. Elevator door dimensions. 84”x42”

Q: Please provide the stair dimensions required to calculate if the largest walk-in growth chamber can move around corners.

A: Stairs to basement/lower level, they are not suitable for moving equipment.

Q: Please provide the hallway dimensions required to calculate if the largest walk-in growth chamber can move around corners.

A: 72”w x 81”h

Q: Are there any constraints in the building that could impact installation (e.g., low ceilings, narrow corridors, stairs)?

A: Door openings are 54.5”w x 81”h

Q: The specifications state that the growth chamber must be delivered within 60 days after submittal approval, but it doesn’t give the overall lead time or must install by date. Can you provide this information?

A: Delivery is to be 60 Days After Submittal Approval by the Government. The specific date will be determined after award. Standard Government review period is 14 days or less.

Q: Please confirm if the required 60-day delivery timeline after submittal approval is in calendar days or business days.

A: Calendar days

Q: Is the delivery date flexible in case of unforeseen delays, or is it fixed?

A: The specific date will be determined after award.

Q: Are there any penalties or consequences for missing the stated delivery or installation timelines?

A: Failure to meet the delivery/installation timeline would constitute a breach of contract and could lead to termination for cause. The CO may consider acceptance of consideration (a reduction to the awarded price) as an alternative to termination.

Q: What level of training is required: basic operational training, advanced troubleshooting, or both?

A: Training to operate and maintain the growth chamber within the stated requirements.

Q: How many personnel are expected to be trained, and is training on-site only?

A: 2-3 personnel are expected to be trained. Training is to be at the place of delivery/installation per Section 3.0.

Q: Is there any extended warranty or service contract expected?

A: Annual Maintenance Service will be Procured separately per Section 1.7.

Q: Could you confirm what level of detail is required in the submittal? For example, do you need only cut-sheets and dimensions, or full technical specifications and drawings?

A: Requirement is for a Material Submittal with Dimensions and a cut-sheet.

Q: Are there any review or approval criteria that could affect the timeline?

A: Standard Government review period is 14 days or less.

Q: Are there any specific documentation or certifications required as part of the final inspection?

A: Any O&M documentation and User Manuals.