140R4021R0004 Q and A - 1_0003.pdf

140R4021R0004 – NIIP Power Factor Capacitors, Block 4 Questions and Answers #1

BLACK – Contractor questions RED – BOR response

1. Specification 03 30 00 for Cast-in-Place Concrete references” drawing 809-D-5180 in the Partial Plan-Pumping Plant C2.7L” as well as “drawing 40-D-6263” for rebar placement. I do not find those drawings within the provided drawing file Attachment 2. Can you please provide?

The 40-D-6263 drawing and the 809-D-5180 drawing will be attached in the Q&A amendment.

2. Is it acceptable to produce the concrete pads at a pre-cast concrete yard off site to the project location and deliver them for setting as pre-cured, pre-cast products presuming of course we follow the requirements of specification 03 30 00?

For the size and weight, pre-cast is fine. The pre-cast pad shall meet the requirements of the section 03 30 00 and the drawings for size and dimensions for concrete psi. The pad must also have a ground cable nearby to which the capacitor stand can be hooked to and not be mounted such that it violates the NEC code for clearance in front of any equipment that has a door.

3. Are progress payments beyond those allowed for mobilization charges and bond fees acceptable. As the government schedule dictates connection times as being possibly different than equipment placement times is the contractor able to invoice for the concrete pads and capacitors when placed as a progress payment rather than after connection and a final project acceptance.

Yes.

4. The instructions identify that the Volume II Technical should be no more than 10 pages of narrative (not counting the schedule). Are there any more specific items excluded from the ten pages such as:

a) The cross-reference matrix

b) List of Enclosures

c) Resumes

d) Past Project References

e) Other?

No, as long as narrative is used to address the “Minimum Acceptability Standards”.

The number of pages for narrative has been increased from 10 pages to 15 pages.

5. The Price Schedule contained in the “140R021R0004 NIIP PFC Blk 4 Solicitation Final.PDF” identifies the price/unit descriptor as 7 Slabs at .722 cubic yard (yd3) each. The similar Price Schedule shown in the “Attachment 1- Consolidated Block 4 specifications.PDF) states this descriptor as XXXXyd³. Also, in the specification document, table 26 35 33A which lists the number of sites where Pads are required as 8 sites with the size or quantity of pads being determined by the number of PFCC’s required (from 1 to 8). Please Confirm that the price/unit on which the concrete pads are to be calculated should be as determined by the contractor to fit the total number of PFCC’s requiring pads and not 7 slabs at .722 cubic yards per pad.

Schedule B, CLIN 3, Section 03 30 00, Description: Cast-In-Place Concrete will be revised to read: “____ cubic yard (yd3)” under the Quantity and Unit Price section. This will rather be calculated and determined by the contractor to fit the total number of Power Factor Correction Capacitors’ requiring pads. See below reference.

“Specification 03 30 00 Cast-in-place, it references drawing 809-D- 5180. Based on that drawing, it is verified the following:

Concrete Pads Dimensions:

Length - 13.5 ft Width - 3 ft Thickness - 0.5 ft

Total = Width x Length x Thickness = 13.5 x 3 x 0.5 = 20.25 ft3 Convert to yd3 - 0.75 yd3 for each slab A total for 8 slabs - 8 x 0.75 yd3 = 6 yd3

Specification 26 35 33 Power Factor Corrections Capacitors, the table shows we have 8 slabs that need to be constructed at the following locations:

1. MC33.1L

2. MC39.3L

3. MC41.6LC

4. MC43.8L

5. MC36.3L

6. MC41.6LA

7. MC47.7LA

8. MC45.7LB”

6. On our 480-volt units, normal phase indicator are “On Lights” Is this acceptable for the project? We can reconfigure to “Lights Off” during normal operation. These units have “Lights On” only in case of a fault condition on the respective phase.

Section 26 35 33, Part 2, Item 2.01-H states “H. Provide fuses with blown fuse indicators”. This requires a visual indication of when the fuse has opened and needs to be replaced. In the case of a lighted indicator, the light needs to light up when the fuse has blown. In the case of a “pop-up” type indicator, the plunger needs to pop up to indicate a blown fuse.

7. We notice at the location we visited on January 28, 2021, there was no obvious fault indicator lamps on the larger capacitor units. We can design these fault lamps indicators into the capacitor if needed?

The specifications require a blown fuse indicator (lights, pop-up plunger, etc) on all capacitors regardless of voltage. See the response to Question 6 above.

8. How many pumps will be addressed on the Block 4 install? For clarity, how many 2300 volt and 480-volt units are for this particular project?

Refer to table: SCHEDULES Table 26 35 33A (Power Factor Capacitor Size). This table shows the number of pumps at each plant and the fifth column in the Table shows the Capacitor Voltages required for each pump.

9. On the lower voltage capacitor (480 voltage) units can we use deep strut to mount them on the side of the control cabinet area?

Section 26 35 33, Part 3, Item 3.01-C states “C. Mounted in heavy-duty sheet steel enclosure, which is installed on a pedestal or steel rack. Mounting capacitor enclosures directly on the floor is not acceptable.” Mounting on the side of the control cabinet is not acceptable per this requirement. Installing next to the cabinet is acceptable so long as the unit is on a standalone support with manufacturer recommended clearance from other equipment.

10. On the last site with the larger pumps, there is a concrete slap behind the switch panels, can that slab with used to support the larger capacitors?

If this question pertains to MC41.6LA, then it is referring to the pad behind the switchgear to the south. Specification paragraph Specification 26 35 33 requires cast in place pads. The existing slabs cannot be used.

11. I noticed that HVAC was not a part of this particular projected for ventilation unless it was overlooked, to make sure.

No HVAC

12. It is understood that the award with be appointed in March, but the installation is to begin in November due to the season. Can the installation of the lower voltage capacitor (480 voltage) begin sooner?

Irrigation season cannot be impacted; thus, the November date.

13. The solicitation states that the provided KVAR is an estimate and would need to be measured to get more accurate readings, will the readings take place after the award?

Section 26 35 33, Part 1.03 Design Requirements states, in part, “The values listed in Table 26 35 33A are estimates and the Contractor shall develop final values based on an inventory of all sites, individual motor nameplate data, and individual motor power factor field measurements.

Contractor shall perform his own calculations and use the closest lower standard KVAR value”.

This leaves the method of ascertaining the final value of the capacitors up to the offeror. Offeror should include in his proposal the method that he’ll use to determine the final values. If readings are to be done, the timing should be included in his proposed methodology.

14. Prior solicitation called for ventilation via HVAC, was that removed? Yes

15. Are prefabricated concrete slabs authorized? See response to Question 2 above.

16. Are testing for the KVAR possible prior to season starting?

If this question is of the same nature as Question 13, then refer to the response to Question 13 above. If this question pertains to Section 26 35 33, Part 3.02, then those tests are to be done as part of the commissioning.

17. If awarded can the contractor work a travel schedule of 11 straight work days (Monday through Wed) and four off site (Thu – Su)?

The FCCO office usually works to accommodate the contractor’s work schedule provided they understand the FAR labor/overtime hours regulations. This is usually discussed in further detail with all parties involved and agreed upon to at the Post-Award meeting. Project constraints and workability could change on a daily/weekly basis depending on progress.

18. Can the awarded contractor also work 10 hour shifts? See response to Question 17. Also, the days are shorter during the winter and the contractor must meet Reclamation Safety Health Standards (RSHS) for working outside of daylight hours.

19. Verify that existing concrete pad behind 2400V MCC’s at pumping plants MC 36.3L, MC41.6LA, MC 45.7LA and MC45.7LB could be used to mount the capacitors.

See response to Question 10.

20. Verify that pre-cast concrete mounting pads can be used, in place of a poured concrete mounting pad.

See response to Question 2.

21. In order to eliminate confusion on the proper response on Past Performance references can you please clarify the following:

Page 42 of the “Solicitation_final” Section L document states under Factor II (third sentence):

Provide in any format, one page limitation (per project, three page maximum total), three successful project descriptions, as well as Past Performance points of contact for government personnel inquiries (e-mail and/or phone number for contact).

These are therefore references that are to be included within the 10 pages allotted for the Volume II technical response.

However; the government has also enclosed with the RFP documents “Attachment 4 – Past Performance Questionnaire” which in its body suggest that the evaluator is to send the questionnaire directly to your office. Its use however is not referenced in either section L or section M of the “Solicitation_final” document other than by the statement on Page 47 (Section M) which states under Factor 2 past performance: “Past performance information will be gathered from offeror submissions, Government databases such as the Contractor Performance Assessment Reports System (CPARS) and/or through the use of Government and commercial customer interviews and questionnaires.”

My interpretation of the two statements, specifically has highlighted in red text is that the use of the questionnaire form (attachment 4) is discretionary and does not require it to be returned to your office separately in order to meet the requirement for addressing past performance references.

The pages allotted for narrative has been increased from 10 pages to 15 pages. In order to eliminate confusion on the past performance references and since it is not mentioned in either Section L or section M, the questionnaire form (attachment 4) is discretionary. Rather, the team will refer to Section M, Evaluation factors, Factor 2: Past Performance as outlined.