Questions from Industry - REV 1 - Final_Response.pdf

PDF 101 KB Posted

Attached to
Construct Underground Duct Bank Federal contract opportunity
Solicitation number
12805B23R0018
Issued by
Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Field Research Implementation and Information Delivery Plains Area

About this file

This document provides responses to questions from industry regarding solicitation number 12805B23R0018 to construct an underground duct bank. The solicitation is from the Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Field Research Implementation and Information Delivery Plains Area and involves knowledge of all aspects pertaining to the statement of work. The statement of work and specifications cover all three phases of a greenhouse demolition project, however this contract is only for Phase I and II, which includes constructing a new electrical service from Building 6 to Building 54 and switching power over from the new duct bank to Building 54. Responses clarify requirements for conduits under hard surfaces, grounding conductors, drawings, outage boundaries, materials, site restoration, concrete mixes, fiber optic and fire alarm specifications, shutdown schedules, and additional pull boxes. An extension of one week to evaluate the responses was approved.

View the file

Other files for this federal contract opportunity

Show all 13

On GovTribe

Work with this file on GovTribe

  • Download the original file
  • Contacts named in this file
  • Similar government files
  • Ask GovTribe AI about this file

Text version

Questions from Industry 12805B23R0018 As of 26 April 2023

1. Is the environmental specification 01 57 50 applicable to phase 1 and phase 2 of this contract?

Govt Response: Yes

2. Can the referenced “Earth Moving” specification be provided?

Govt Response: Specification provided on sheet with addendum 1 set.

3. There seems to be a conflict between the specifications and drawings. Drawing ES101 General Note 11 states “Where underground wiring crosses existing sidewalk or roadway, bore/missile below without disturbing or damaging surface above. Provide schedule 40 PVC sleeve in bored hole for conduit to route through.”

Specification 26 05 43 paragraph 3.2.C states “Underground Ducts Crossing Driveways and Roads: Type EPC-40 PVC RNC, encased in reinforced concrete.” Can you provide direction on which application is to be provided? If it is reinforced concrete, we will need to know the desired rebar size.

Govt Response: For conduits under hard surfaces, provide type EPC-40 PVC RNC routed through sleeves.

Sleeves may be schedule 40 PVC or HDPE. Concrete-encasing is not required for bored sections under hard surfaces.

4. The drawings don’t seem to be calling for a ground to be provided encased in the concrete, is one required?

Govt Response: Provide equipment grounding conductor with feeders. A separate concrete-encased ground in duct bank is not required.

5. Will a tracer wire need to be installed in the duct bank trench in addition to the warning tape and concrete warning planks?

Govt Response: No, warning tape should be aluminum-backed to be detectable above ground.

6. The drawings call for a #3 ground however per NEC 250.102 (C) (1) it should be at least 1/0.

Govt Response: Size was based on existing conditions. But after reviewing with NEC, provide #2/0 equipment grounding conductor for the 2-set feeder and #3/0 equipment grounding conductor for the 3-set feeder. Refer to updated drawings in addendum 1 set.

7. Can a one line of the panel schematics be provided, so that the outage clearance boundaries can be identified?

Govt Response: One-line riser diagram added on addendum 1 set.

8. In a cost saving effort, can fiberglass elbows be used in place of PVC coated?

Govt Response: No, adhere to original specifications which require the stronger material.

9. To perform the work in Detail 3 of drawing ES102 it would require the demolition and replacement of the existing sidewalk at building 6. The specifications mention sections on “Concrete Placement” and “Cast-in- Place”, can they be provided?

Govt Response: Specification provided on sheet with addendum 1 set.

10. Is the site restoration i.e. Sod installation part of this contract or will it be in Phase 3?

Govt Response: Sod will be part of each phase. We do not know how long until future phases and we want to maintain cosmetic acceptable conditions. ‘Grading Note #5: All Disturbed Areas Shall Be Sodded. Contractor Shall Be Responsible for Sodded Areas Until Growth Is Established.’ under sheet C1.0 stands.

11. The specification call for the Concrete Warning Planks to be red dyed. Does the new Duct Bank need to be red as well?

Govt Response: Duct bank concrete is not required to be dyed.

12. Can you provide a concrete mix design for the duct bank? What PSI?

Govt Response: Duct bank to be made with 3000 psi concrete. Specification for cast-in-place concrete provided on sheet with addendum 1 set.

13. The drawings call for the installation of multimodal fiber optics and fire alarm, but no specifications where provided.

Govt Response: Specification for fiber optic cables and installation notes provided on sheet with addendum 1 set.

Spec section 260513 updated with fire alarm cable specifications.

ADDED on 23 May 2023- Fiber Specification – 12-STRAND LC/LC SINGLEMODE INDOOR/OUTDOOR NON-ARMOR PLENUM, 24IN 900um

BREAKOUT

14. Will innerduct be required for the fiber optic installation?

Govt Response: Specification for fiber optic cables and installation notes provided on sheet with addendum 1 set.

15. Can an extension of one week be provided to allow time to evaluate the response provided to the above inquires?

Govt Response: TBD

16. On sheet ES102 detail 3. The location of the MDP and the SDP that they are calling out to be existing. It appears in the pictures you took that they are not in the locations they are showing on the drawings?

Govt Response: Drawings show correct locations. It is unclear which pictures are being referred to.

17. The Duct bank is a very large run. There are also lots of bends in the run. It does not show any type of junction point or hand hole anywhere in the run. Where would they prefer a handhole to be installed?

Govt Response: Lack of junction points is a request from the owner. Updated duct bank routing showing additional pull box shown on addendum 1 set.

18. What kind of shut down schedule are we allowed? does any of it have to stay on with a generator?

Govt Response: As per documents, no shutdown is to occur in phase 1. In phase 2, contractor is expected to complete as much work as possible before connecting new conductors which would require shutdown of the existing feeders. The exact schedule for shutdown should be coordinated with USDA.

Provide temporary generator for phase 2 shutdown work.

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .