RFIs.pdf

Requests for Information Solicitation 12505B21R0014

Question 1: The Building Numbers spreadsheet “approx. number of points”. Is this the estimated label count for each building?

Answer 1: Yes

Question 2: Buildings 20 and 24 are shown in the 2007 study; however, there are no drawings in the report for these two buildings. Please provide a copy of the single-line drawings for buildings 20 and 24.

Answer 2: One lines will be provided.

Question 3: What is the difference between south campus and north campus?

Answer 3: North campus is fed from 13.2kV and south campus is fed from 13.8kV.

Question 4: Who owns the medium voltage system on campus?

Answer 4: USDA owns all medium voltage equipment on campus. Alliant Energy owns the substation and power entering the site.

Question 5: Does the person performing the work on site need to be a P.E. in Iowa?

Answer 5: No.

Question 6: Will the existing SKM model files be provided to the winning bidder? Without the previous model, time will need to be included to create a new model.

Answer 6: The project files and drawings included on the website are the ones that will be available to the winning bidder. This is all the info we have on the previous studies.

Question 7: If the previous model is not available, it is assumed that any modeling software can be used. Please confirm.

Answer 7: Previous studies were performed in SKM. All available reports will be available.

Question 8: What site support will be provided? Escort knowledgeable of the electrical system? Maintenance staff to assist in data collection.

Answer 8: Contractor will be escorted always while inside any of the buildings. Escorts may or may not always be knowledgeable of the electrical systems. Escorts will vary based on onsite personnel workload. Maintenance will be able to assist on a case by case basis. Any questions can be answered at any time by COR.

Question 9: It is our understanding, that based on the following items, the entire electrical system will need to be walked down and new labels will be required throughout the facility. Please confirm.

Answer 9: This is correct. Contractor should be able to utilize the existing past arc flash assessments/reports to collect data.

Question 10: The primary distribution for the site has changed from 4160V to 13200V. Please confirm.

Answer 10: No, just a section of the system. There used to be a 4160V circuit that fed some of the north campus buildings. Those buildings have been upgraded to 13.2kV last year. SOW explains what buildings that are on this circuit.

Question 11: The previous studies stopped at 100A loads and the new studies are requested to extend to 50A. Please confirm.

Answer 11: The new assessment can stop at 100A. I was informed during my research that any load over 50A can change the assessment. The list named “Changes since last Arc Flash Study” shows equipment that have been added to existing panelboards. These new additions will affect the new label calculations for their respective panelboards they are fed from.

Question 12: The previous studies are around 10 years old and used exceptions that no longer exist in the current standards (IEEE-1584-2018 and NFPA 70E-2021). What is the USDA guidance for this?

Answer 12: Please use the most recent and updated standards and exceptions.

Question 13: The latest version of IEEE-1584-2018 has been released since the previous study and will require data such as electrode configuration and enclosure dimensions to be added to the existing model. Please confirm.

Answer 13: Yes, if this is what the new standard is requiring.

Question 14: Does a desired label template or guideline exist?

Answer 14: Label templates will be submitted for approval. The labeling currently in use in

Building 20 can be used as a template to winning bidder.

Question 15: Will the latest version of NFPA 70E and IEEE-1584 be used or will a specific previous version be applied?

Answer 15: Latest version of both.

Question 16: Buildings 153, 154, 155, 156, 401MB, 402, 447(H5), 448(H6), and 423(Z3) are included on the excel spreadsheet but are not included in the Statement of Work.

Will they require an analysis?

Answer 16: Yes, SOW corrected to reflect this.

Question 17: Building 125 is listed in the Statement of Work as requiring an analysis but does not appear on the excel spreadsheet. Will need the estimated number of points to be analyzed for this building.

Answer 17: Building 125 has approximately 5 points.

Question 18: The last entry on the excel spreadsheet, “New North Campus Upgrade” does not contain much data. Please clarify the scope for this item.

Answer 18: Last year, we upgraded buildings 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 125, 157, 174, 191-226 and 230-234 from 4160V to 13.2kV. This was added to existing 13.2kV feeder A3/B3.

Question 19: Will the contract provider open the panels for inspection, or will the USDA provide personnel for this function?

Answer 19: Contractor will be responsible for opening panels.

Question 20: Are there any clearance requirements for access to the site while taking data or attending any planned meetings?

Answer 20: Contractor will be escorted into every building on site. Site badges will be issued at the main gate. Conference rooms will be available for use.

Question 21: Will the contract provider have access to all building on our proposed schedule or will the government have constraints for access that will affect our schedule?

Answer 21: Yes, all buildings will be able to be accessed.

Question 22: Confirm that Analysis/Report requirements for “North Campus” and Building 7 are the same as those of the rest of the campus.

Answer 22: Yes

Question 23: A “mitigation study” is not a typical arc flash hazard analysis deliverable. Please confirm that this terminology is being used for the general arc flash hazard report similar to examples provided or provide an example of a “mitigation study” and/or “mitigation study” requirements for what is to be included.

Answer 23: Yes, this “mitigation” study is what is already covered in a typical arc flash study.

Question 24: Is Medium Voltage (15kV nominal) distribution system owned by USDA? If owned by USDA is system currently modeled or is that to be included in scope?

If already modeled, what software was used, and will model be provided? Are accurate system configuration drawings available of the 15kV Distribution System? If not to be included in the scope, is system fault current information available for use in building level studies?

Answer 24: Medium voltage system is owned by USDA. New model to be included. 15kV drawings are “somewhat” accurate. Contractor shall use existing analysis reports for system fault current information.

Question 25: Do you require the Arc Flash Hazard Analysis to be signed/sealed by a P.E.

licensed in the State of Iowa?

Answer 25: No. Final analysis to be delivered to USDA contact person on site.

Question 26: Are Contractor vehicles allowed on site?

Answer 26: Yes, they will need to make sure that the placard issued to them at the gate is visible to the security staff at all times.

Question 27: We do not see a deadline for completion of the analysis. Can you provide a targeted substantial completion for this project?

Answer 27: Period of performance is noted on the SF-1449 as 08/23/2021-08/22/2022.

Question 28: Will progress payments be allowed or will there just be one payment at the end of the project?

Answer 28: Monthly progress payments will be allowed based on percentage of work complete as agreed to by the Contracting Officer’s Representative.