12 1305M322QNRMJ0052_Questions and Answers.pdf

Amendment ‐ 01

Mauna Loa 30M Tower Questions and Answers

1305M322QNRMJ0052

1. Is installation part of this contract?

a. If installation is by others, what is the maximum unit dimensions that can be transported to the site?

Answer: No, installation is not part of this contract. Only delivery to the Mauna Loa Observatory site.

(a) There is no maximum unit dimension identified. As noted in the RFP, the access road to the site is one lane and makes sharp turns and has rolling hills. It is the responsibility of the vendor to work with shipping contacts to verify trucking options and to ensure the tower sections can be delivered to the site.

2. Will the towers be installed on an existing foundation?

a. Is design or analysis of the foundation part of this contract?

b. Is site specific geotechnical information available?

Answer: (a) No, there is not a foundation design or an existing foundation to use for the tower.

Once the tower is delivered to the site, a separate contract will be issued to design the foundation needed for the specific tower that is procured under this contract and to then install that foundation and the tower.

(b) No, there is not site‐specific geotechnical information available. A geotechnical report for the opposite end of our 8‐acre land parcel from December, 1994 is available (by request), however the area studied in 1994 is a different lava flow from the planned location of the new tower and should not be used for this tower requirement.

3. Does NOAA have a preference of self‐supporting versus cable‐stayed anchorage to earth?

Answer: No preference for self‐supporting versus cable‐stayed anchored tower designs as long as the structure can meet current State and County building codes (wind and seismic requirements) as specified in the RFP.

4. The following questions relate to the work platforms:

a. What size do the work platforms need to be?

b. Do the work platform floors need to be solid material such as steel plate or can they be grating?

c. What sort of loading requirements do you have for the work platforms?

d. Is guardrail required around the work platforms or will users utilize some other form of fall protection while working on the platforms?

Answer: (a) The platform requirement will allow staff to step off the internal ladder or stair system to perform work at that height and will be ideally sized to allow space for two adults.

(b) The platform should be a grating material to allow water to drain.

(c) The platform should be able to hold the weight of two adults working together at the same location (500‐lbs).

(d) No, a guardrail specific to the platform is not required as the internal fall arrest system should be able to allow staff to work on the platform with lobster claws or other fall arrest devices (even if separate from what is used to ascend/descend the tower). If guardrails are provided at the platform levels for additional safety, this would be at the discretion of the vendor and is not a requirement identified in the RFP.

5. Is there a preferred material or finish for the tower such as stainless steel or galvanized or painted? Is corrosion a concern at this site?

Answer: The government requirement is for a durable tower material that will last as long as possible. Corrosion is a slight concern at the site, hence the preference for stainless steel hardware whenever possible. Stainless steel or galvanized tower sections would be preferred.

Powder‐coating and painting would also be acceptable as long as the manufacturer provides a standard warranty on the finish. For tower solutions that include powder‐coating or painting, the banned construction materials list (included in the RFP) must be followed to ensure the products used for this finish are not a conflict to the science conducted at the site.

6. Does NOAA prefer an internal‐climb (ladder) system to access the work platforms over a stair system?

Answer: No, there is not preference for an internal‐climb ladder over a stair system.

7. Can the 180‐day schedule be extended? We feel that may not be adequate time to design, fabricate and deliver these towers.

Answer: Yes, NOAA can work with the vendor that is awarded this contract to deliver the tower based on realistic timelines for design, fabrication, and shipping that also incorporate known supply‐chain delays.

8. The following are electrical questions:

a. The existing tower has power at the work platforms. Is power required at work platform elevations for the new towers?

b. Is grounding and bonding required?

c. Is FAA clearance lighting required?

d. Is area or platform lighting required?

Answer: (a) Correct, the existing tower does have power at each platform height and the new tower will also require power at each platform location. However, the electrical work will be included in the subsequent tower installation contract and is not included in this RFP.

(b) Yes, the tower will need to be grounded and this procurement should include a lightening dissipation system as listed in the RFP.

(c) An FAA‐approved light will be included with the electrical work on the subsequent tower installation contract.

(d) No, platform lighting is not required.

9. For the vertical cable management system can you confirm the (x12) refers to a system capable of handling twelve tubes and twelve cables?

Answer: Confirmed, the vertical cable management system must be able to accommodate both twelve tubes and twelve cables (tube and wire sizes specified in RFP).

10. Are there any features required to limit access or provide security to the tower?

Answer: Not required at this time. The future design for the tower foundation will include a fence around the base of the tower after the tower is installed.

11. Is signage required?

Answer: No, signage is not required.

12. Will any special connections or assembly restrictions be required?

Answer: No, there are no special connections or assembly restrictions known at this time. The RFP does include a banned construction materials list that applies to this tower procurement.

For the structural materials, the banned construction materials list should not be an issue. For tower solutions that include powder‐coating or painting, the banned construction materials list must be followed to ensure the products used for this finish are not a conflict to the science conducted at the site.