RFIs.pdf

Requests for Information Solicitation 1232SA26Q0614

Question 1: In executing this project, can one superintendent fulfill the supervision, safety, and QAQC roles?

Answer 1: Yes.

Question 2: Are contractors required to issue a contract specific QA/QC Plan?

Answer 2: Per Statement of Work, “Provide quality control to ensure that all components of project work meet the requirements of the contract specifications. Ensure that all work not acceptable or compliant with the specifications is corrected prior to inspection or review by the COR. Quality control is the exclusive responsibility of the Contractor.”

Question 3: Is this project tax exempt?

Answer 3: Subject to the 3.5% Mississippi Contractor’s Tax.

Question 4: Can the sign-in sheet from the site visit be provided?

Answer 4: Added as an attachment on sam.gov.

Question 5: The chilled water piping and pump are not arranged per the drawing provided in the statement of work. It appears the piping and pump may have been replaced and reconfigured. Are any as-built drawings or diagrams of the current chilled water piping available?

Answer 5: No.

Question 6: Are contractors to use the conditions listed in the mechanical schedule for the existing chilled water pump CHWP-1 to purchase the new chilled water pump? If not, what are head and flow requirements for the new chilled water pump.

Answer 6: Use listed from mechanical schedule. Install a Bell & Gossett Series e-90 close-coupled in-line centrifugal chilled water pump immediately adjacent to the existing chilled water pump, a variable frequency drive to operate both chilled water pumps, together will all requisite plumbing and electrical work to provide a fully functional chilled water system.

Question 7: The scope of work refers to the chillers being installed to operate in a lead-lag fashion. Lead-lag operation is typically intended to have both units run when the conditions exceed the duty of one unit. The scope also mentions installing the chillers in a manner which ensures only one chiller will run at a time if electrical power is a limited. These two statements are at odds. Is the intent to install two 100% chillers with one serving as lead and the other as a spare, but have the chillers alternate on a schedule for maintenance reasons (i.e. lead-standby or alternating spare operation)?

Answer 7: The current electrical panel can accommodate another chiller circuit after moving breakers and circuits. Researchers want two chillers ready. Each with their own separate circuit and pump. Chiller A run for two hours (or two days) chiller B run the next two hours (or two days).

Question 8: Same question for chilled water pumps. Will two chilled water pumps be operated in lead-lag or lead-standby operation?

Answer 8: Pumps set like the chillers.

Question 9: Are there existing one-line diagrams and electrical drawings available for the building?

Answer 9: No.

Question 10: Can building structural and Architectural plans be provided?

Answer 10: No.

Question 11: What material is to be used for electrical conduit, RGS EMT or PVC?

Answer 11: PVC outside, EMT inside.

Question 12: What are the piping materials of construction for chilled water piping indoors and outdoors?

Answer 12: Schedule 40 iron.

Question 13: What insulation material and thickness is required for the outdoor pipe insulation?

Indoor pipe insulation?

Answer 13: Closed cell rubber R-3ish.

Question 14: After new chillers are installed, will rental company demolish temporary chilled water piping and electrical circuit to the temporary chiller or will the contractor be responsible for this work?

Answer 14: Contractor.

Question 15: The temporary chiller is being powered using the existing disconnect enclosure attached to the existing out of service chiller. This disconnect will have to be detached and temporarily supported so the existing chiller can be demolished and the temporary chiller remains in operation. Will this be done by the rental company or will contractor be responsible for this work?

Answer 15: Contractor.

Question 16: How long can building be without chilled water while new chillers are being installed?

Answer 16: Whatever is required to complete the task. No research animals are in the building at this time.

Question 17: Are contractors required to submit shop drawings for proposed equipment locations and piping layout before construction?

Answer 17: Per Statement of Work, Submittals - Submittals on all material incorporated into the work, including shop drawings and specifications used on this project must be submitted to the EPM, COR, and Contracting Specialist. Electronic submittals are acceptable, otherwise three (3) written submittals are required.

1.1. Project Schedule within fourteen (14) calendar days of award (see Section 3.2).

1.2. Safety Plan within fourteen (14) days of award (see Section 4.2).

1.3. Any additional material, including shop drawings and specifications, used on this project.

Question 18: It is assumed all options installed on the existing chiller, i.e. hail guards, low ambient temperature kit, etc, will be required on the new chiller, please confirm.

Answer 18: Yes, hail guards, low ambient, BAC NET

Question 19: Can the period of performance be extended after award once the material/equipment lead times are confirmed due to current market conditions for the equipment for this project?

Answer 19: Yes

Question 20: Are there any temporary heating/cooling requirements?

Answer 20: No.

Question 21: Please provide as-builts.

Answer 21: None available.

Question 22: Please confirm whether asbestos or lead is present on this project, and if so, provide the relevant documentation.

Answer 22: Per Statement of Work, “Building 13 is not suspected to contain asbestos containing materials or lead based paint that would be involved in the work of this project. Existing conditions are reflected correctly to the best of USDA’s knowledge. The USDA makes no representation, warranty, or guaranty that the conditions indicated either are representative of those conditions existing throughout the area, or that unforeseen developments may not occur, or that materials other than, or proportions different from those indicated may not exist.

If hazardous materials are found to be present, it must be reported to the CO & COR for further action.”

Question 23: Will the Government accept references from a subcontractor performing the installation work to satisfy the Company Experience evaluation factor?

Answer 23: The prime contractor will have to provide reference projects for themselves regardless of who performs the work. If a subcontractor is going to perform the work on this project, the prime contractor must supply reference projects for the subcontractor as well.