RFI_Responses_0003.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- 140FC326Q0033
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) document addressing contractor inquiries regarding a new federal contract for above-ground storage tank (AST) removal, replacement, and related infrastructure work at three National Wildlife Refuge locations in Washington State: Hanford Reach AST, Columbia NWR, and Conboy NWR.
The contract is a new engagement with no incumbent contractor. All sites require contractors to obtain permits, approvals, and inspections at their own cost, which must be included in lump-sum base bids for each activity. Fuel and tanks must be recycled to permitted facilities or burn for energy recovery at the most cost-effective option, with documentation provided to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). Minimum three business days' advance notice with COR-approved bills of lading is required before site access. Contractors are responsible for all electrical disconnections, emergency fuel shutoff setup, and labor. The preferred work schedule is March through November, with weather-dependent considerations for snow accumulation. No camping is permitted on the refuges; however, contractors may rent one RV pad at Conboy Lake for $7.90 daily. All new tanks must meet UL 2085 Fireguard standards and be round horizontal cylindrical steel; rectangular tanks are not accepted. Bollard placement must comply with NFPA 30 standards—steel painted with concrete fill, 4 inches in diameter, spaced no more than 4 feet apart, set at least 3 feet from ASTs. At Conboy NWR, contractors must provide engineered metal structures with single-slope roofs (minimum 6:12 pitch, 8-foot upper-eave height, 12-gauge panels) to cover propane and fuel ASTs. No erosion control beyond basic Washington Stormwater Regulations for East of Cascades is required. As-built drawings and utility plans have been provided for reference where available.
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All Sites
Q: We would like to know if this is a brand new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services.
A: New contract
Q: If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?
A: n/a
Q: Regarding the base bid requirements, it is the contractor who is responsible for obtaining, maintaining, and paying for permits, approvals, and inspections required for all work performed under this contract, in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes. Do we estimate this figure into our proposal, or can we write a change order proposal (COP) once all of the costs have been determined after the award? The costs for permitting and each of the sites will vary as they all are all within separate AHJs. If Pacific Environmental Services is the contractor designated to perform the project, we will ensure approved permits are sent to the COR.
A: Each site base bid is a lump sum activity, please include all base bid requirements for each activity proposal.
Q: For each of the sites, if there are literature or data that is readily available for the steel tanks and the concrete-encased tanks, feel free to pass them along. It is projected that the weight of the concrete-encased tank on Conboy NWR is approximately 14,000 lbs.
A: A 1,000-gallon ConVault tank dimension and approximate weight pdf is attached for reference. The UL2085 double wall steel Fireguard product sheets with basic diagrams are attached for reference with approximate size and weights.
Hanford Reach AST
Q: Are we removing and discarding the bollards that are next to the tanks?
A: No
Q: We would have to bring our own portable bathroom, correct?
A: Yes, there are no restroom facilities or rinse water available at Hanford Reach site.
Q: We are to recycle the fuel in the tanks currently, as well as the tanks, correct?
A: Yes, per the base bid requirements and to reduce disposal costs, fuel and tanks are to be recycled, to a permitted fuels blended facility, and/or a fuel burn for energy recovery whichever is most cost effective least expensive option. Contractor shall provide the COR receipts, bills of lading and any manifests for proof of proper recycling and disposal.
Q: Since there is limited access to this jobsite, what kind of advanced notice is needed to give to the COR in order to work on this site?
A: Minimum 3 business days with COR approved bill of lading or manifest in advance from the contractor with receiving facility acceptance approval. The COR will review and approve the bill of lading or manifest for accuracy prior to shipment and access to site.
Q: Will Client provide electrical disconnect for emergency fuel shut off and dispensers?
A: No, it is the responsibility of the Contractor to provide all labor, personnel, material and services to remove and disconnect existing electrical service associated with the emergency shutoff and fuel dispensing equipment as necessary to complete the work.
Q: Are there schedule conflicts for this facility? What are the working windows?
A: There are no conflicts. The preferred work schedule shall be March through November.
Work performed outside the preferred window is dependent on weather conditions. Snow accumulation can cause delays and access limitations.
Q: Are there any erosion control requirements beyond basic Washington Stormwater Regs for East of Cascades?
A: No, all of the sites are located in areas with flat topography likely with little to no precipitation.
Q: Are there camping or overnight facilities available on the refuge for worker use? Dry camping? Use of campground?
A: No camping will be allowed on Hanford Reach National Monuments or Columbia. There are hotels in Othello and Moses Lake for Columbia and Tri Cities for Hanford, as well as state/municipal camping at both locations.
Columbia NWR
Q: What as-builts exist of the existing slab that houses the above ground storage tanks?
The bollards may have inadequate placement from the edge of the current tank.
We may need to double check if the current slab would be structurally sound and will be up to code for the new tanks. The local Fire Marshall may not sign off the current bollard set up if they are too close to the new tanks.
A: The COR could not locate the as-built drawings for the concrete pad at Columbia;
however, there is knowledge the ConVault tanks were relocated to their current location after the construction of the new shop/office in 2001 where the main and sub electric panel are located. Additionally, the concrete pad is assumed to have been poured during the time of the shop/office construction. The existing 3 tanks will be reduced to 1 new tank installation per Task Four. Yes, standard Service checklist requirement for bollard placement is steel painted with concrete fill 4" in diameter, spaced not more than 4 ft.
apart, and set at least 3 ft from the AST. Contractor shall comply with all applicable current federal, state, and local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements, including applicable provisions of NFPA 30, IFC, and the tank manufacturer’s installation requirements.
Q: What is the estimated weight of the waste oil tank inside the shop? This will help us determine how to get it out of the shop and getting it cleaned and disposed of.
A: Best guess is 400lbs.
Q: Double checking that any existing fuel here will need to be stored in a tote on-site, then hauled off for recycling, just like the existing tanks.
A: Yes, the fuel remaining in the tanks at Columbia are suitable for future use by the refuge and should be preserved for staff use. This is captured under 2.1.5.1 Task Six base bid task.
The refuge staff will use as much fuel prior to tank removal to reduce storage need. Clear communication between the Contractor and the COR regarding the project schedule and key milestones is essential. This will allow refuge staff to effectively plan fuel usage and procurement before the existing tanks are removed, ensuring uninterrupted operations throughout the transition.
Q: Requesting of cylindrical tanks is a safety hazard and we request to quote rectangular ASTs – is this a problem
A: The tanks must meet UL 2085 Fireguard or equivalent round horizontal cylindrical steel and sections 2.3 and 2.3.2 of the scope. Round tanks are preferred to shed water and snow off. Rectangle flat top AST will not be accepted.
Conboy NWR
Q: What as-builts exist of the existing slab that houses the above ground storage tanks?
The bollards may have inadequate placement from the edge of the current tank.
We may need to double check if the current slab would be structurally sound and will be up to code for the new tanks. The local Fire Marshall may not sign off the current bollard set up if they are too close to the new tanks.
What is the estimated weight of the waste oil tank inside the shop? This will help us determine how to get it out of the shop and getting it cleaned and disposed of.
Double checking that any existing fuel here will need to be stored in a tote on-site, then hauled off for recycling, just like the existing tanks.
A: As-built for the entire Conboy Lake NWR administrative site is attached, see Sheet 9 of 14 for the concrete pad specifications. There is no waste oil tank located at Conboy Lake.
Yes, the fuel remaining in the tank at Conboy Lake is suitable for future use by the refuge and should be preserved for staff use. This is captured under 2.1.5.1 Task Six base bid task.
Q: If it is determined that the propane tank needs to stay on the slab, and that there would need to be adequate separation per a code. To meet the separation requirements between existing AST, the propane tank, and Hazmat/Chem storage structure, is the owner open to expanding upon the existing slab towards the building to the south?
A: It is preferred to retain assets on the current slab by either repositioning the propane tank, Hazmat/Chem storage structure and new fuel tank to meet AST separation distances and code compliance or by extending the slab to the south. Whichever is most cost effective and code compliant.
Q: On the site, we have discussed possible relocation of the propane tank. Is the client open to moving the tank closer to each of the buildings? Based on a google search, it is recommended that a 500-gallon propane tank needs to be 10' away from any building structure. Because of the snowfall the area gets, we would have to factor in how to protect the propane tank. I have seen some National Parks protect fuel dispensers by building a removable steel enclosed structure that prevents the snow load from damaging anything.
A: The refuge would prefer to keep the propane tank on the current concrete slab.
Q: What wiring diagrams are available for the building structure that houses the main electrical panels that make their way to the tank area?
A: See attached Admin HQ as-builts page 13 of 14 for electrical site plan.
Q: Are there available lodging and RV hookups on the jobsite, or should we have our workers stay nearby in Goldendale, WA or Hood River, Oregon.
A: Conboy Lake, Contractor may rent one RV pad space at the standard rate (currently $7.90 daily, cost subject to change for inflation) and dependent on availability. Water, sewer and electrical are available on the RV pad. Alternate lodging and food can be found in Goldendale, Wa and Hood River, Or. Hood River is closer to the refuge, has more hotels and a variety of restaurants to choose from. Know, crossing the Hood River bridge will cost a toll fee for each crossing.
Q: The vents from the tank will have to extend through the canopy, correct?
A: Yes, tank vents must terminate in a location that prevents flammable vapor accumulation and provides safe vapor dispersion above the canopy roofline and comply with state, federal, local AHJ and tank manufacture’s installation requirements.
Q: There is a water line that runs adjacent to the slab that will need to be located via GPR. Are there any as-builts showing its current location? That may help.
A: Yes, please see attached Admin HQ As-builts page 6 of 14 Site Utility Plan and 3 of 14 Yard Hydrant Locations.
Q: Will Client provide electrical disconnect for emergency fuel shut off and dispensers?
A: No, this shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to perform this task.
Q: Will electrical feeds for historic tanks be re-used for new tanks? Will new electrical conduits and feeds be required?
A: If functioning properly, to code, and in the correct location, it is not required to be replaced. All electrical was installed around 2009.
Q: Are there schedule conflicts for this facility? What are the working windows?
A: There are no conflicts. The preferred work schedule shall be March through November.
Work performed outside the preferred window is dependent on weather conditions. Snow accumulation can cause delays and access limitations.
Q: Are there any erosion control requirements beyond basic Washington Stormwater Regs for East of Cascades?
A: No, all of the sites are located in areas with flat topography likely with little to no precipitation.
Q: Are there camping or overnight facilities available on the refuge for worker use? Dry camping? Use of campground?
A: Conboy Lake, Contractor may rent one RV pad space at the standard rate (currently $7.90 daily, cost subject to change for inflation) and dependent on availability. Water, sewer and electrical are available on the RV pad. There is no dispersed camping allowed on the refuge. There are nearby campgrounds in Trout Lake.
Q: Is Client planning on utilizing existing concrete pad(s) for tank replacement?
A: Yes
Q: Can Propane AST be relocated to alternate area to make room for canopy?
Will Propane AST require separate emergency shutoff?
Will Propane AST require to be beneath canopy?
Can Client provide schematic of preferred layout of HazMat Building, Propane AST and Diesel Tank?
A: The propane AST can be repositioned on the concrete pad; however, the refuge prefers the propane AST, Fuel AST and Hazmat/Chemical Storage remain on the existing pad. The Propane AST is used to heat one building only and is not used for bulk transfer, so there is no current emergency shutoff. The refuge would prefer the propane tank to be beneath the prefabricated engineered freestanding metal structure with a single slope roof with open walls to withstand site specific wind and snow loads and to shed snow accumulation to the east, back of the tanks, away from operational areas. For proposal and submittals, the contractor shall submit plans showing structure size, roof slope, anchoring, tank(s) layout, clearances and ventilation, snow load/wind load design and warranty. It is the responsibility of the contractor to provide recommended layout and verify that all required separation distances comply with current applicable codes. Contractor can propose rearranging the tanks and hazmat/chemical storage to meet separation distances.
Q: Can Client provide preferred canopy layout and orientation (size, height and direction to face)?
A: The single slope open sided metal structure/shed/canopy. The roof can have a 6:12 pitch minimum with an upper-eave height of 8’ and 12-gauge panels. Here is a link to help Roof Only Steel Buildings For Sale | Buy Roof Only Buildings. Contractor shall meet federal, state, and local county building code including site specific snow load, wind, etc. The https://www.vikingsteelstructures.com/roof-only-buildings structure highest point shall face west allowing for snow to shed to the back of the tanks toward the east. The idea is to have the structure cover both propane and fuel ASTs;
however, the reconfiguration and separation distance of the propane and fuel AST to meet code may determine 2 separate structures.
Q: Will Client provide electrical contractor to connect electrical feeds for new tank?
A: No, this is the responsibility of the contractor to provide all labor, personnel, material, and services to complete the task.
Q: Did Client want salvaged fuel transferred to new tank or to a temporary storage vessel for use until new tank can be used?
A: Yes, the fuel remaining in the tank at Conboy Lake is suitable for future use by the refuge, preserved for staff use and transferred into the new tank. This is captured under 2.1.5.1 Task Six base bid task.
Q: Is there a blueprint of the existing concrete pad?
A: Please see the attached Admin HQ As-Built pdf for the concrete pad.
Q: What degree of pitch are you looking for the Canopy requested over the fuel system?
A: The single slope open sided metal structure/shed. The roof can have a 6:12 pitch minimum with an upper eave height of 8’ and 12 gauge panels. Here is a link to help Roof Only Steel Buildings For Sale | Buy Roof Only Buildings. Contractor shall meet federal, state, and local county building code including snow load, wind, etc.
Q: Are their existing seismic calculations of the current concrete pad?
A: See attached Admin HQ-As-builts drawings for concrete pad. There may or may not be seismic calculations listed.
Q: Do you have an existing GPR Survey results of the existing water line that lives in front of the existing concrete pad?
A: No, but there is an attached Admin HQ As-Built drawings for utility site plan providing water line approximate location.
Columbia NWR
Q: Will Client provide electrical disconnect for emergency fuel shut off and dispensers?
A: No, this is the responsibility of the contractor to provide all labor, personnel, material, and services to complete the task.
Q: Will electrical feeds for historic tanks be re-used for new tanks? Will new electrical conduits and feeds be required?
A: The facility housing the electrical panels was constructed in 2001. If the electrical feeds are functioning properly, to code, and in the correct location, it is not required to be replaced.
Q: Are there schedule conflicts for this facility? What are the working windows?
A: There are no conflicts. The preferred work schedule shall be March through November.
Work performed outside the preferred window is dependent on weather conditions. Snow accumulation can cause delays and access limitations.
Q: Are there any erosion control requirements beyond basic Washington Stormwater Regs for East of Cascades?
A: No, all of the sites are located in areas with flat topography likely with little to no precipitation.
Q: Are there camping or overnight facilities available on the refuge for worker use? Dry camping? Use of campground?
A: No camping will be allowed on Columbia NWR. There are hotels in Othello and Moses Lake, as well as state/municipal camping nearby.
Q: Is Client planning on utilizing existing concrete pad(s) for tank replacement?
A: yes
Q: Bollards are more than 4’ on center apart – matter of fact they are 7.5 to 7’ apart. We need to install bollards per code at 4’ on center – should we plan to remove the existing bollards and replace per code?
A: Yes, standard Service AST checklist requirement for bollard placement is steel painted with concrete fill 4" in diameter, spaced not more than 4 ft. apart, and set at least 3 ft from the AST. Contractor shall comply with all applicable current federal, state, and local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements, including applicable provisions of NFPA 30, IFC, and the tank manufacturer’s installation requirements.
Q: Is the current concrete pad seismically engineered?
A: At this time, the as-builts could not be located. Considering the pad was poured around the same time as the new maintenance shop/office 2001 with seismic compliance specific to the site location with reinforced concrete, I would assume the AST pad is similar.
Q: Can you share the blue print of the existing concrete pad?
A: No as-builts could be located; however staff have stated the pad is 5-6” thick.
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