12505B23Q0009_Questions and Answers dated 1.4.23.pdf

12505B23Q0009 – Boiler/Chiller Chemical Water Treatment, Ames, IA

Questions and Answers through 1/4/2023

1) Can the team provide the current boiler chemical pump manufacturer and output (gal/day) of the pumps?

All pumps are controlled by 4‐20ma signal to ramp up and down from the chemical controller, rather than on/off.

For pressures under 100 psi.

Cole Parmer MasterFlex L/S Model 07528‐30 Flow rate of 0.06 to 3400 ml/min depending on drive rpm, pump head and tubing size.

For pressures over 125 psi.

Prominent GMXA 1602 232 psi

0.61 gph

2.3 Lph

2) Can the team provide the current tower and chilled loop chemical pump manufacturer and output (gal/day) of the pumps?

All pumps are controlled by 4‐20ma signal to ramp up and down from the chemical controller, rather than on/off.

For pressures under 100 psi.

Cole Parmer MasterFlex L/S Model 07528‐30 Flow rate of 0.06 to 3400 ml/min depending on drive rpm, pump head and tubing size.

3) Can we request to add a site visit?

Yes.

Organized site visits are scheduled for December 13, 2022 at 1:00 PM Central Time (CT) and December 14, 2022 at 10:00AM CT. COVID‐19 requirements in place at the time of the site visit shall be followed by all those in attendance. The site visit will be held at the project location. The same information will be provided at all site visits, so offerors only need to attend one. In order to attend the site visit, you MUST pre‐register by 12:00 PM CT on December 12, 2022. Pre‐register by emailing melissa.grice@usda.gov with your company name, the name(s) of the representatives who will attend, and which site visit you are registering for. An email response will be sent confirming your registration.

The site visit will be held for the purpose of providing contractors with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the site which may be helpful in the preparation of offers. Attendance at this site visit is not mandatory for offer submission; however, failure to visit the site will not relieve or mitigate the successful contractor's responsibility and obligation to fully comply with the terms, conditions, and specifications contained and/or referenced in this document.

4) What is the incumbent contract #?

Unknown

5) What are the proposal requirements for past performance?

Offerors shall submit three to five projects that are within the last 5 years with similar scope and magnitude similar to the requirements in this solicitation to show the offeror has experience the performing the work as outlined in the Statement of Work.

6) There are various technical requirements that need to be addressed in the proposal that are identified throughout the proposal. Will the contracting office be willing to provide an “Instructions to Offerors” page?

This is a streamlined solicitation so no “Instruction to Offerors” page will be issued. Offerors should address the technical requirements in the proposal package they submit.

7) We could not find a price schedule. Respectfully requesting a price schedule or advise how you would like us to price the CLINS. We’re anticipating the facility might want the cost of the controllers or any other costs to be broken out from the service and chemicals costs.

This is a Firm Fixed Price contract. The pricing should be broken out based on the contract line item structure listed in the solicitation on SAM.gov.

8) What is required to show proof of “certified personnel” for delivery of chemicals?

Current certification of the contractors own training program for chemical delivery would sufficient.

9) Can the weekly service requirement be reduced once the VA staff is trained?

No. We want better control and accountability of our chemicals with weekly visits.

10) What is the average condensate return percentage?

40 to 60 percent

11) We request to feed any remaining chemicals from the incumbent directly out of their tanks rather than mixing the chemicals in the new tanks.

Yes. This is the plan. And then the previous contractor’s tanks will be returned to them.

12) How many spill containment/response kits are required to be onsite?

We have our own spill containment and response kits. None are required to be provided by the incoming contractor.

13) Please confirm that the tanks will remain property of the successful offeror and will be returned after completion of the contract if not found successful on the next recompete.

Yes. This is the plan. And then the previous contractor’s tanks will be returned to them.

14) Is any of the current chemistry out of range?

From time‐to‐time chemistry goes out of range but it would have to be spot checked to see what the current situation is.

15) Would the facility be willing to provide the service reports for the last year?

We can on request

16) What does the facility expect for the transition period? Such as a certain amount of time or specific tasks that needed to be completed.

We need to use all existing chemicals from the previous contractor so the transition for some chemicals could be months. I don’t know what specific tasks they would be talking about other than transitioning to the new chemicals and different testing procedures.

17) After installation of controls and equipment, if the facility wants to reconfigure the chemical feed layout, will the contractor be able to submit a labor and materials quote to be authorized on a separate purchase order?

Yes.

18) It is stated that service reports should be emailed within 24 hours, but they are also required to be available in the online portal. Is there an expected timeline of when documentation should be in the online portal?

24 hours to the portal would work. I’m not sure why they are asking this. If you have it in a report already, I don’t think it would be too hard to copy it to the portal.

19) Can you provide a copy of last years’ service report as offered in question 15 of the Q&A dated 12/8/22?

Yes. Please see the attached files.

20) What are the water volumes of the cooling tower systems either individually or combined?

It is all in one and 75,000 gallons.

21) What is the water volume of the chilled water system?

200,000 gallons as it says in the SOW.

22) Are all cooling towers on a combined sump or condenser water system or are they separate (1 tower per chiller)?

All combined in the same sump.

23) Based on answer to question 3 – how many cooling tower controllers exist?

One.

24) Is there a cooling tower makeup water (city or well) analysis available?

Yes please see the attached files.

25) What is the cycle count in the cooling towers?

4 cycles.

26) How many boiler controllers are in place? And will all need leased replacements?

Two. We only need enough controllers to handle the number of boilers and other devices that need to be controlled. Our current system did not have enough inputs and outputs to control everything with one controller, so another had to be added. If the system being installed can control all points properly with one controller, that is all that will be required.

27) Please confirm that chilled water inhibitor is nitrite based with azole component?

Please see the attached SDS file.

28) For basis of bidding is there an expected biocide regiment for chilled water treatment. Monthly, quarterly etc. – using Iso? And at what rate?

As needed depending on what needs to be done.

END