12405B23R0019 -QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS- Replace Existing Irrigation System.pdf

12405B23R0019 – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS-Replacement of Exis�ng Irriga�on System

1 Is the entire site to be surveyed or just the area associated with this project? All areas associated with the project will have to be surveyed to lay in the irrigation pipe and get the proper flow to all areas.

2 Does the topo need to be ground run or is Lidar acceptable? Contractor is responsible for successful installation and testing of the system. It is up to the Contractor to choose the survey method that has the accuracy required to design and install the system to a fully functioning capability.

3 Is there an existing topo of the property or as built with the pipe routing and well locations?

No. New pipe routing will mirror the existing layout to some extent (except for pipe routed down the middle of the roads – new pipe will be alongside the road). When it comes to valve locations, manifold locations, etc. some will be installed in existing locations and additional throughout the property. Majority of the existing system shall be abandoned in place and not disturbed. Any debris generated during the course of this project is the sole responsibility of the Contractor to properly dispose of. The well locations may be detailed in the drilling permit, but this is not known so all existing wells and the new third well will of course be part of the overall survey operation.

4 Is the existing piping to be included since it is to be abandoned? Don’t completely understand the question. However, as stated above the majority of the existing piping is to be abandoned in place and not disturbed per the SoW. The new piping will follow the same layout to some extent. Two of the main objectives for this requirement is to reroute the main piping that currently runs down the middle of the roads to run alongside the roads (outside ditch line), and to extend out to plots not currently irrigated.

5 The 2" GENERAL MANIFOLD DRAWING does not show any terminal devices for the irrigation system.

a. What is the terminal device, sprinkler or drip system? The terminal end varies but the project ends with the installation of the manifold system and hooking it into the existing plot irrigation system if installed. Most often it will be a micro sprinkler or drip system.

b. What is the flow rate through the manifold? The individual manifold flow rate depends on the scientists’ requirements and can be discussed during the pre-con meetings as necessary. A peak estimated need of ~3600-4000 gallons per acre per day within a 12 hour period (https://site.extension.uga.edu/pecan/2015/06/irrigation-schedule-for-pecan-production/) is a generalization. There are ~240 acres of pecan, but not all will need to be irrigated simultaneously, and orchard size varies from ~1 to 32 acres (and not all will need irrigation). The overall GPM requirement for the capacity of the irrigation system as a whole is the amount that the three loops should individually be able to deliver to every part of the laboratory grounds should the other two wells on the other two loops be shut down. The https://site.extension.uga.edu/pecan/2015/06/irrigation-schedule-for-pecan-production/ https://site.extension.uga.edu/pecan/2015/06/irrigation-schedule-for-pecan-production/ manifolds will be constructed identically to the greatest extent possible. The Contractor will hook the new manifolds up to the existing plot irrigation systems or plug the plot side of the manifold if the plot is not currently being utilized.

c. What is the typical depth of bury for the mains and the manifold piping. Since the frost depth is not sufficient to protect the pipe from the heavy agricultural equipment being driven over it, the depth should be 18” to 24”. If further research determines depth should be deeper, that will be provided prior to proposal due date

6 Will the USDA consider extending the due date for proposals? YES.

7 Is there a specific pressure rating that we need to quote on the PVC pipe? Pipe must be able to handle output well pressure and hydraulic pressure at all points on the irrigation system. Design your proposed system to meet that requirement as the pipe integrity will be part of the warranty should it fail.

8 Where will the power for the timers come from? From the electric system you are installing per the SoW.

9 What type of structure do you want the timers mounted on? They will be a part of the manifold per the SoW.

10 Is a third pump house required? No, should be set up similar to Well 2.

11 Does all of the mainline pipe have to be 3” like it was specified in original design? No

12 If the pipe size on the RFP is not adequate to operate the system properly, are we to size it Yes 13 according to the new design? This is part of the above question.

14 Do we need to have survey points on the draft design? No. Your survey points will need to be included in your final design and redline drawings submitted before project is accepted.

Survey points must be adequate to ensure the system elevations are laid out properly.

15 Is trace tape required in all ditches? If the electric line is run on top of the irrigation line, then that would serve as a trace tape. Otherwise, the irrigation system will require its own trace tape.

16 What kinds of erosion control are required? (i.e., silk fence, snow fence, seeding) You must comply with all state and local erosion control regulations and ensure that the final landscape is flush with the surrounding grounds so plan to keep any excavated dirt by the trenches to backfill and level accordingly.

17 Does the design need to be able to accommodate all manifolds to run at one time? It is very likely that all manifolds will need to be run at the same time - at most 2/3rds of 75% of irrigation to be running simultaneously.

18 What are the specifications/requirements on the timers requested? See SoW. One 24 hr. pin timer and one 30 day pin timer.

19 Do we need to include in the design starting at all 3 well points and tying them into the water tower? Well 3 will be run independently of the other two wells supplying the water tower so when we are working on the water tower, the third well will supply irrigation for the entire acreage. The design will encompass from the water tower and the third well to all points on the Lab allowing either the tower or the third well to supply all plots.

20 Do we need to get survey points after the installation is finished based on pipelines? Yes

21 How deep does pipe and wire need to be? Minimum 48” before ground level at all points until rising to connect to new manifolds. Valve from the main line to the manifold will be buried (with access sleeve and cover) at main line depth to prevent potential freeze damage.

22 Are there any specifications when placing cutting wire and pipe in the same ditch? (i.e., certain distance between wire and pipe) Electrical codes covering installation of electrical wire and water pipes must be followed.

23 Are we required to fix any damage to old pipe on existing system? No, per the SoW, the existing system will be abandoned in place. The existing system shall be used until the new system is completed and accepted so at no time can the existing line be interrupted if it would interfere with irrigation operations. All construction shall be coordinated daily with the site personnel and be planned at least 7 business days in advance in order to give scientists time to prepare for any potential problems.

24 Does the irrigation design require a Stamped, Sealed, GA Licensed Engineer in addition to the Registered Surveyor? Not specifically as far as either discipline. However, if the system does not perform as required upon final testing, the system will not be accepted by ARS until it performs as required. Any draft design submitted in your proposal should take into consideration that the final design presented in your submittal to ARS for acceptance prior to purchase of any materials and beginning of construction activities should be verified to perform as ARS requires by experienced professionals. The surveyor does not necessarily have to provide a stamped layout however he must be licensed and therefor competent to provide a comprehensive and accurate survey that our ARS personnel can verify to be accurate before acceptance.

25 During the site visit, answers to previously submitted questions were distributed. Are these going to be incorporated into the Solicitation through the Sam Site? Yes, they are included with these Q & A’s

26 In addition, site maps were distributed, will these be incorporated into the Solicitation through the Sam Site? Yes- these site maps are included in the Sow.

27 What is the sequence of the well operation? Will all pumps run at the same time, will two run at one time? How are the wells sequenced to provide even run times? Are the controls of the tower water distribution part of this project? What starts and stops the well pumps? The new system, per the SoW, consists of irrigation piping from the tower to the manifolds and from the new, third well through the new system to all the manifolds. Therefore, the only two points feeding the new system are the water tower and the new well. The new well will not be running at the same time as the tower is feeding the system as the whole point of the third well is to supply irrigation to the whole Laboratory should the tower not be feeding the system as per the SoW. The current control system has one well operating at a time to keep the water tower filled. Right now, it is set to run well 1 for a specified amount of time (unknown) and then switch to well two. There are also sensors in place to tell the system if well 1 or 2 is not operating properly, etc. the system will switch wells. The addition of well 3 can be integrated into the existing control system - per System Integrator (EMICC). Only the pipeline from the two wells to the water tower and the pipeline from the tower to the manifolds need to be new as well as the line from the new 3rd well to the main irrigation pipeline connection which is NOT to be connected to the tower and feed lines from Well 1 &

2. The water level in the tower controls the pumps. Only one pump operates at a time otherwise excess pressure develops in the water tower supply pipes.

28 Is well No 3 piping to be tied into the well No 2 piping going to the tower. If so, what is the existing pipe material? Is it transite, steel, ductile iron, etc? Are the 3 wells to be tied together to supply water to the tower? NO! The third well, per the SoW, is an independent supply to all of the plots on the Laboratory that uses the new irrigation system pipelines that feed all new manifolds. The existing system shall be abandoned in place so the new pipeline will connect into the water tower at the base, completely replacing the existing pipe and into the third well at the installation point.

29 Is the piping to the tower to be isolated from each well? Well - 1 and 2 are to be connected to the tower with the new system and the existing system will be abandoned in place. Well - 3 will not be connected to the tower. Replace pipeline from each well and connect to tower (well 1 & 2). Hook the tower up to the two existing wells exactly the way they are now with new line (& new valves in the same location as existing valves) and abandon the old line in place. In other words, just replace the existing pipelines from well 1 & 2 with exactly the same valving schedule and locations so that Well 1 & 2 can be operated the same as now, except with new pipeline and valves.

30 Where is the power to the pump at well No 3 coming from? Is the power source on the USDA property or is it coming from off-site? If off site, will USDA coordinate with Georgia Power to obtain service? Please define what power will be available to connect to, MCC, Panel, Breakers, Disconnect, etc? The power supply to the third well is expected to come from the nearest economical point on the commercial transmission line along the adjacent road or from the existing transformer on the ARS lab that supplies the existing two wells, whichever is more economical. We have no way of identifying all the electrical parts so that information will have to be discovered by onsite inspections.

31 Where does power come from for the Manifold Timers? Are there distribution panels near the manifolds? Is there a single power source for the manifold The power will come from the new power line being laid per the SoW and the Lab can identify the power source.

32 Please explain the 24 hour and 14-day function and sequence for the manifold controllers?

The two timers are to be installed as specified and hood to power as specified in the SoW.

The function is to control the irrigation of the plots. Scientists set the timers per their requirements.

33 Please provide flow rates for the manifolds. A 2 in PVC pipe can supply 80GPM? 80 gpm is acceptable as existing manifolds are all 2”. Flow rates from 2” Schedule 80 PVC is what the plot irrigation systems are already designed for.

How many Manifold locations will operate at one time? Impossible to know how many will be operating at any one time as there are multiple scientists who have their own schedules.

Suggest you provide for all operating at one time at a maximum.

34 What piping material is the new well to be run in? The new well will be constructed to all applicable State and Local design requirements and permitted accordingly. The Contractor is responsible for obtaining the permit, submitting an acceptable design to the State and ARS for approval. I would suggest that the third well be constructed the same as the other two wells unless codes and requirements have been changed by the regulatory bodies.

35 It was indicated during the site visit that the irrigation system is also used for domestic water.

Is this system to be designed as a domestic water system? No Is it chlorinated? No Do you presently have backflow preventers for the buildings using water for domestic purposes? The only building that has a backflow preventer is the chemical storage building.

36 Will any new pipe tie into the existing Transite Pipe? NO! A completely new system will be installed, and the existing system will be abandoned in place per the SoW.

37 Do you have any drawings, sketches, information of the location of underground utilities that will be affected by trenching? Conduit, fiber optic cable, or other utilities?

The Google maps were provided in the SoW and during the site visit. All Lines are general locations and survey will have to be accomplished when designing the final location of all parts of the system. All existing utilities will have to be located at time of construction activities beginning by the Contractor and the Contractor will be responsible for repairing any existing utilities that are damaged or destroyed during the project.

38 Is the estimated size of the project correct as listed in the SF-1442? NO; The estimated price range for this project is between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000.

39 In executing this project Is it acceptable to have the field superintendent cover supervision, QA/QC, and safety duties? Or do we need 1 person for each responsibility?

40 It its acceptable for the Superintendent to cover these duties as long as that person is specifically named and has the requisite qualifications.

41 Are contractors required to issue a contract specific QA/QC Plan? Yes

42 Are contractors required to issue a contract specific Safety Plan? Yes

43 Is this project tax exempt? The Federal Government is TAX exempt-contractors are responsible for paying taxes.

44 Please confirm that scope does not include replacement of irrigation piping beyond the above ground manifold going to the tree areas. Confirm scope is only for main supply piping from water tower/pumps through the 2” manifold branch piping which includes the timer, sand filter, and drain, terminating at the tie in to existing irrigation piping. The SoW is extremely clear as to the scope of the project when it comes to what is required for the successful completion of the irrigation piping.

45 Please provide the depth at which this piping is to be installed. 48”

46 The existing well pumps are currently controlled by a single control system, which utilizes a radio link to Well #2. Are we to expand the existing system to add the new well and provide the complete radio link to Well #3, or are we to only coordinate the new equipment specifications to allow the owner and their controls contractor to expand the existing control system? Expand the existing system to include the new Well #3. The current System Integrator (EMICC, Inc.) can be contacted for system upgrade, costing and installation.

Howard (478) 955-8868

47 Will all of the pumps be required to feed the main supply piping as well as the water tower? If not, please specify which pumps are to supply which components of the system.

The two existing wells will continue to supply the tower which, in turn, will continue to supply the existing system until the new system is completed and turned on at which time the existing system will be abandoned in place. The new, third well will be able to independently supply all plots in the research facility with their irrigation requirements.

48 It is noted in Statement of Work page #2 paragraph #4 out of the existing irrigation water tower a 3” irrigation system. The 3” irrigation system later in the paragraph notes that the 3” irrigation PVC pipe. In the same paragraph it states that the two existing irrigation wells and that was also reviewed at the site meeting are 1000 gallons per minute wells and the new third irrigation shall be 1000 gallon per minute. My concern and question is that Irrigation piping as USDA Code #430 page #2 paragraph #4….see below link: :

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022- 09/Irrigation_Pipeline_430_NHCP_CPS_2020.pdf. Irrigation piping shall not exceed 5 feet per second – Irrigation PVC pipe for 3” cannot exceed 120 gallons per minute and a looped mainline shall not exceed 240 gallons per minute and the same applies to 2” manifolds noted at the site review shall not exceed 55 gallons per minute. With 43 irrigation valve manifolds this equates to 2,365 gpm for all manifolds. The USDA Byron GA Nut and Fruit Lab has 1200 acres assuming 1100 acres are irrigated one inch of water per week equates to 29,869,400 and a per day use of 4,267,057 gallons To irrigate one inch of water for 12 hours irrigation cycle would be 5,926 gallons per minute. While the irrigation supplying the irrigation raised water take the minimum well flow would be 2,963 gpm. While the irrigation supplying the irrigation raised water tak the minimum well flow would be 2,963 gpm. This concludes that (3) 1000 gpm wells can supply that scenario. It also makes us aware that 10 inch piping will be required for 1000 gallons per minute with 6inch looped irrigation mainline to keep under the 5 feet per second maximum velocity flow for PVC pipe. Does the USDA want the bidders to reconsider the 3” irrigation system? The existing pipe size from the water tower has been sufficient to deliver all water requirements to date.

If the third well will require a larger size pipe to deliver the required water supply requirements, then use the minimum required pipe diameter in the new system from the water tower out to the plots and from the third well installation point to allow the third well alone to supply the necessary water. I.E. design the new system with the ability for the third well to supply all water required and that pipe size will become the defacto standard main irrigation pipe size per verified engineering calculations for the new irrigation system installation. The NRCS irrigation pipeline code is for the NRCS and not necessarily binding to ARS however the design guidelines are sound and may be considered when sizing your proposed system.

49 It is noted in Statement of Work page 2 paragraph 4 that manifold control valves/filters would be identified at the site review. We did notice more than one type of control valve and filter. Wich one would be preferred for bidders? The Lab personnel will identify filter and valve type requirements. 2” ¼ turn PVC valves and standard 2” sand filter that will use an 80 to 200 mesh changeable filter cartridge that the scientist will approve the final size when the submittal is presented for the valving and filters on the manifolds.

50 For cases when the pumps are pumping directly into the manifolds, is it acceptable to control pressure by releasing water into a swale? Yes. The Contractor shall coordinate the method and places of water release for pressure control purposes if necessary. The system shall be designed to minimize the amount of water that should need to be released for that purpose and the release in no way can endanger any research or other infrastructure.

51 What is the discharge pressure of the pumps? The Lab can identify the discharge pressure of the two existing pumps however the important issue is that the discharge pressure of the new well pump be designed by the Contractor to safely, efficiently, and optimally provide irrigation water to the furthest point in the system at the volume required by the scientists.

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