140F0821R0004_Amendment_0005_Q_A_ResponsesV3_0005.pdf

Amendment 000X

Solicitation No. 140F0821R0004

Title: Site Work and Water Delivery Solar System

Answer to Questions:

Question Number 1: It appears there may have been some interaction or discussions with Rocky Mountain Power up to this point, between the KPFF design team and RMP. Can the contractor be given details as to what was discussed and possibly approved? The goal is to avoid asking questions that have already been answered and also to avoid the issue of private information being given to an outside construction contractor without the owner (USFWS) of the RMP account’s permission. Questions concerning the RMP grid interconnection are:

a. Will RMP allow this large of an array to be tied to the grid (In general, limits are 25k for residential and 100k for commercial)?

b. If allowed, will the net meter process require (3) 100 kw net meters or will RMP allow a single net meter for the array?

c. Are there any specific pieces of equipment or equipment ratings that RMP will require for their interconnection? Things like:

i. Specs on certain meters required – if the contractor is required to provide them

ii. Specs on the CT cans that RMP will require or approve

iii. Information on what RMP needs done with the wire and conduit ran to the interconnect pole

d. What interconnect fees does RMP have outside of providing the actual infrastructure?

e. Is there any chance RMP will allow the interconnect pole to be a pole closer to the array, rather than the pole 600’ – 700’ away across a canal and the County road?

f. Will RMP require more than one Knife Switch for the project other than at the disconnect location based upon the type of meter expected to be used?

g. Does the knife switch need to be fused?

h. What is the existing overhead voltage?

Responses to Question 1:

1a. Documents have been revised to include a 100kW solar array (Phase 1), and two incremental additions of 100kW (Phases 2 and 3). The bid form has been revised to include a base bid item for Utility Interconnect Application, Review and Approval; a base bid item for the Phase 1 100kW array; and Bid Options for the Phase 2 and Phase 3 100kW incremental additions. USFWS does not anticipate award the Bid Options unless the outcome of the RMP application and review process allows a system greater than 100kW to be tied to the grid.

1b. USFWS expects that a single net meter will be required, and that multiple meters will not be allowed by RMP.

1c. Project specific requirements for interconnection have not been provided by RMP.

1d. Project specific fees for interconnection have not been provided by RMP.

1e. Refer to revised site plan for solar array in closer proximity to RMP pole and existing metered USFWS electrical service.

1f. This has not been discussed with Rocky Mountain Power

1g. This has not been discussed with Rocky Mountain Power

1h. Existing overhead voltage is 12,470 V

Question Number 2: If the information above has not been discussed with RMP via the design team, can USFWS provide written documentation to allow the contractor to ask these questions in behalf of USFWS since RMP will not talk with someone about an account or property without the account owner’s permission?

Response to Question 2: Contractors are allowed to contact Rocky Mountain Power (RMP), USFWS will not provide a specific letter. Most information regarding RMP is available on their website.

Question Number 3: Please confirm that placing the panels in the ground mount such that the low side of the panel is 32” or more off the ground will be acceptable.

Response to Question 3: Confirmed, this will be acceptable.

Question Number 4: Please confirm that USFWS does not foresee issues with blowing dust or snow covering the panels that would require DC Optomizers, i.e. Optomizers or other intelligence at the panel will not be required.

Response to Question 4: Optimizers are not required for this project.

Question Number 5: Please confirm that there are no historic geotechnical reports available for the project area and that a Geotech report will be required to provide the uplift, overturning moment and other design characteristics required for the ground mount piers.

Response to Question 5: Confirmed.

Question Number 6: Please confirm that – should the Geotech report allow or provide for the use of – helical or driven piers will be acceptable to USFWS as an alternative to piers set in concrete.

Response to Question 6: Please see responses to question #12.

Question Number 7: would you allow us to come out to the property within the next week to drill a few test holes to see if there is lava rock and if so at what depth. This will allow us to know what method would be best and a more accurate bid.

Response to Question 7: USFWS can allow test hole drilling, however any data collected must be shared with the USFWS and would need to be provided to all potential bidders. Please provide details on the proposed plan for USFWS to review, include possible locations, depths, sizes, etc.

Question Number 8: I would like to get Rocky Mountain Power on site to go over install options for the 3 services. The reason is trenching costs will be very high to go to the transformer you referenced. There is also a second transformer closer to the proposed site just west of the site. It is on the north west corner of the refuge complex that we may be able to use or may be able to get services right next to the location.

Response to Question 8: Revised drawings indicate a new location for the solar array near an existing metered service with reduced trenching costs.

Question Number 9: What is the existing commercial power in the area?

Response to Question 9: According to Rocky Mountain Power, 7,200 V single phase is connected to the USFWS compound, but the lines currently have 12,470V 3-phase along the county roadway.

Question Number 10: Are power outages allowed during construction?

Response to Question 10: Yes, power outages will be allowed as part of the construction project. They shall be limited to 8 hours and no more than 4 shall be allowed during the project.

Question Number 11: Is there any additional GIS map information available in the area?

Response to Question 11: Yes, please see attached.

Question Number 12: Is there any geotechnical reports available for the proposed construction area?

Response to Question 12: There are no geotechnical reports available for the proposed project area and other existing reports were completed when the refuge area was flooding leading to the assumption that everything was wetland. The proposed project area has been heavily disturbed with farm equipment, but volcanic rock is common across the refuge.

Question Number 13: Can we submit multiple bids that provide alternate equipment?

Response to Question 13: No, this is performance-based contract, equipment selection is up to the contractor based on the performance of the equipment.

Question Number 14: Drawings, Sheet 4 of 6, General Note #5: This note talks about fence installation yet there is no mention of fence work in the SOW document. Is fence installation part of the scope under current solicitation?

Response to Question 14: Fence construction as indicated on the Drawings is included in the scope.

Question Number 15: SOW, page 2 of 7 under Task 1 item 4: Please clarify what is meant by “premium grade”. Solar industry typically references modules on Tier 1 (Bloomberg NEF) list as the best modules. Is that what is meant by “premium grade”?

Response to Question 15: Premium grade panels shall have an efficiency of 19% or higher.

Question Number 16: SOW, page 3 of 7 under Task 1 item 11: Please clarify what is meant by “Design shall allow for expandability for future PV array systems.” Particularly, what size of future PV array system is expected to be allowed? This has implications on sizes of PV panel and Disconnect as well as wiring and conduit between equipment.

Response to Question 16: Documents have been revised to include a 100kW solar array (Phase 1), and two incremental additions of 100kW. Incremental additions (Phases 2 and 3). Expansion of the PV array systems beyond 300kW is not expected.

Question Number 17: SOW, page 3 of 7 under Task 1 item 12: We are finding local AHJ wind load requirements to be 90 mph which is less than 110 mph. Should we still design to 110 mph or as per local AHJ’s requirement?

Response to Question 17: Design to 110 mph

Question Number 18: Drawings, Sheet 6 of 6, Construction Note #3: The note states to provide (2) 2” conduits. Can you clarify which runs require the spare conduits (i.e. inverter to PV panel, Disconnect to Utility POI, etc.)?

Response to Question 18: The note for spare conduits refers to (2) 2” conduits from the handhole to the panel.

Question Number 19: Drawings, Sheet 3 of 6: Can you clarify if “Rocky Mountain Power Grid Tie” is meant to indicate Point of Interconnection (POI) for solar array? Further, please clarify if “E” is used to denote Existing or Electrical underground power line? Lastly, if Rocky Mountain Power Grid Tie is the suggested POI, can you explain why that point is chosen as opposed to making interconnection close to the location of the array?

Response to Question 19: Revised drawings indicate a new location for the solar array. Rocky Mountain Power Grid Tie is meant to indicate the Point of Interconnection (POI) for the solar array. The line marked as “E” denotes electrical underground power line. The POI is an existing service meter on an existing pole, near the revised solar array location.

Question Number 20: What flexibility does the contractor have in regards to the final PV array location if a large amount of rock is located in the project site?

Response to Question 20: The project site is approximate based on the meter connection location. Based on Geotech results, the contractor will have the option to slide or move the arrays around or may propose a different foundation system that meets the utility and local building codes.