CLARIFICATION_SET_ONE_INSTAL_COMP_WATER_SOFT_FCC_FOX.pdf

U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Prisons Administrative Division

Field Acquisition Office Grand Prairie, Texas 75051

February 22, 2018

ATTN: ALL BIDDERS

RE: Clarification Set Number One

Solicitation 15B50818B00000001 FCC Forrest City, Arkansas Install Complex Water Softeners

Dear Bidders, In reference to the above solicitation, enclosed are clarifications. These clarifications are for informational purposes only.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at (972) 352-4641 or e-mail at dpatton@bop.gov

Sincerely, Douglas V. Patton Contracting Officer Federal Bureau of Prisons Field Acquisition Office U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Complex 346 Marine Forces Drive Grand Prairie, Texas 75051

Enclosure cc: File

SCS, FCC Forrest City COR, FCC Forrest City Facility Manager, FCC Forrest City Regional Facilities Administrator, SCRO

CLARIFICATION SET NUMBER ONE

SOLICITATION NUMBER 15B50818B00000001

INSTALL COMPLEX WATER SOFTENERS

FCC FORREST CITY, ARKANSAS

1. The specifications, section 13 34 19 (Metal Building Systems), 1.1G calls for a screw down metal roof. However, section 2.2A calls for a standing seam roof system, and 2.2B states that screw down panels are not used. Can you clarify which system we are to submit for.

Answer: The contractor shall provide a standing seam roof system as indicated in Section

2.2A. The terminology that allowed a screw down metal roof has been deleted.

Refer to Amendment #2.

2. Section 13 34 19-4 states that gutters and downspouts are not to be used. Confirm that this is the case? It is unusual to not have gutters and downspouts but not out of the question I suppose. One consideration on the gutters and downspouts is the foundation erosion that will occur without them. You’ll have problems in just a few years.

Answer: Initial thinking was the building’s size and location didn’t necessitate the need for gutters, however, we agree that soil washout could occur after some amount of time without them. Therefore, the specifications have been modified to require gutters and downspouts. Refer to Amendment #2.

3. The specifications page 13 34 19-1 para 1.3 state: (Pre-engineered buildings shall be designed, engineered and fabricated by a single entity, including structural design by a structural engineer licensed in the state where project is located. Structural design shall include subgrade, foundation, and floor slab designs based on recommendations of a licensed Geotechnical Engineer.)

It is not common for a fabricator to also provide the engineering, in this case the structural engineering. Will you please address this and consider splitting this requirement. Your end product will still be the same, but the design/build portion will come from an A/E firm which is almost always separate from a fabricator.

Answer: It shall be acceptable to provide a structural foundation design from an A/E firm sourced independently from the PEMB supplier. The single-entity requirement, in regards to structural foundation engineering, has been removed. Refer to Amendment #2.

4. Section 22 31 00 Water Softeners, 1.1 calls for factory assembled vertical pressure tanks shipped with manifold piping attached and 6.0 calls for it to be skid mounted.

While at site visit we were informed that it was not to be skid mounted and pre-piped.

Please clarify?

Answer: The triplex softening system shall be skid-mounted and pre-piped, as indicated in the specification section you reference. Clarification

5. Section 22 31 02 Water Filters, 1.1 calls for factory assembled vertical pressure tanks shipped with manifold piping attached and 8.0 calls for it to be skid mounted. While at site visit we were informed that it was not to be skid mounted and pre-piped.

Please clarifiy?

Answer: The triplex filter system shall be skid-mounted and pre-piped, as indicated in the specification section you reference. Clarification

6. On underground piping (water), there is no requirement for thrust blocking of 90 degree or 45 degree turns. It is suggested that it be required.

Answer: Thrust blocking of underground water piping has been added as a requirement for this project. Refer to Amendment #2.

7. On the supplied prints page M-2 (Pump Section), the detail has no valving to support isolation of each pump to allow maintenance while remaining pumps are operable.

The way that it is drawn the entire plant would be bypassed to allow maintenance.

We strongly suggest adding butterfly valves and a bypass around pump (P-1) to allow for individual isolation for maintenance purposed, allowing the plant to stay in operation while servicing.

Answer: The diagram you reference was not intended to depict all fittings, valves, etc.

The specified Technoforce E-MT pump station comes standard with pump isolation valves, so any alternate but equal product submitted for approval shall have the same. Clarification

8. Is there any existing geotechnical data?

Answer : We were not able to acquire a geotechnical report, however, the 2004 structural as-built drawings for the Medium institution indicate soil bearing pressures for conventional spread and continuous footings were assumed to be 2500 PSF and 2000 PSF, respectively, at that time. Clarification

9. Section 13 34 19-1 1.0 talks about interior linear panels. Is there any requirements for interior panels?

Answer: Interior liner panels are not required. Glass-fiber blanket insulation with washable, reinforced polypropylene facing shall be provided. Clarification

10. Section 13 34 19-3 2.2a 9(1) shall have 2” high major ribs at 12” o.c. Can it be 16” o.c.?

Answer: Roof panels spaced at 16” on center shall be acceptable. The roofing specifications have been modified. Refer to Amendment #2.

11. Section 13 34 19-3 2.2 a 9(1) Panels shall incorporate a snap lock design. Can it be mechanically seamed?

Answer: Mechanical seaming shall be acceptable. The roofing specifications have been modified. Refer to Amendment #2.

12. The water coming into the softner system is very hard and contains a high volume of contaminants and minerals, making copper a bad choice for a pipe system. The copper will not take long to begin to corrode and the joints will eventually break down and will leak over time. To mitigate this, we suggest using Uponor Wirsbo ProPex pipe with brass fittings. Will the government consider authorizing this for above and below ground piping and in the softener building?

Answer: We do not wish to change our piping specification. Please note, copper is not the only allowable piping material. Clarification

13. Pipe size 1/2"-6", Sch 80 glued joints; above grade in water softener building

Answer: See above.

14. Will you please provide the as built drawings on water and electrical utilities for the site area

Answer: As-built civil and electrical drawings indicate no water or electrical utilities exist in the work area other than what’s shown/identified on the contract drawings, however, the contractor is required to complete a survey prior to commencement of digging or excavation activities. Clarification

15. Can filter/softener equipment be supplied in/on modular units and bolted and anchored down as one. Trying to accomplish as it is written in the spec (pre-installed on a skid) will be difficult with a 10' x 10' door. Bringing them in one at a time then bolting them together once in the building will help keep the cost down with shipping, manufacturing, installation, and in the building design characteristics.

Answer: It has been determined that the utility building specified eave height of 12 feet does not quite provide the filter tank manufacturer’s clearance recommendation for changing media, therefore the eave height has been increased to 14 feet to accommodate, and consequently, the roll-up door has been increased to 12 feet tall to facilitate installation and maintenance. Refer to Amendment #2.

16. Will the government issue a bid due date extension of two weeks to allow more time for the design build A/E team to support us? The market is very busy right now, and we are finding that some A/E firms are less interested in the government work and those that are may be backed up two maybe three weeks.

Answer: Refer to amendment #2 for the new bid opening date.

17. Will the government provide a vendor name that has done business with the facility or a potentially specify a product or manufacturer for the detention grade door and hardware.

Answer: The basis of design for the detention grade door and hardware is a W. Lewis

Frame and Door model, or equal, with Foldger Adams, or equal, hardware.

Clarification

18. The brine system shows a bulk brine maker feeding the softeners directly, typically we feed bulk brine to a day tank which is then drawing out to the water softeners. Can you please confirm this.

Marlo recommends a PLC and HMI on this system. Can you confirm Allen Bradley PLC would be approved in place of MX III controllers

Answer: The design is meant to use gravity to simplify the installation and eliminate brine transfer pumps. Regarding softener/filter controls, we have decided to require Allen Bradley PLCs and HMIs or equal for the softeners and filters as suggested. Refer to Amendment #2.

19. Can you provide a spec on a manufacturer for the detention grade door and door hardware going into the prefabricated metal building.

Answer: The basis of design for the detention grade door and hardware is a W. Lewis

Frame and Door model, or equal, with Foldger Adams, or equal, hardware.

Clarification