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Solicitation 15BFA022B00000011 – Replace Chiller and Cooling Tower at FDC Houston

Questions and Answers -

1. Can the drawings be provided in CAD or Visio format? The provided PDF drawings do not allow us to zoom into the picture to allow us to read the notes.

ANSWER: Drawing can be provided in .dwg format.

2. We noticed the As-Built drawing on M201 shows they have installed two cooling towers (BAC).

Please confirm if this project includes their replacement as it is not mentioned in the SOW.

ANSWER: The cooling tower will not be replaced, however, cooling tower should be inspected for any issues that may cause damage or unnecessary delays in the project. In-house maintenance staff will address any issues identified in the inspection.

3. Demolish and remove exiting chillers. Does the current system have installed block valves to isolate both units? Is there any plan or requirement to install temporary chillers during this job?

ANSWER: Block valves exist. A temporary chiller is already on site and in use and operating on the

Chiller #2 connections. Order of replacement is to replace Chiller #2 first with Chiller #1 and

Temporary Chiller operating. Once Chiller #2 is operational, move Temporary Chiller connections to

Chiller #1 position until Chiller #1 is operational.

4. Drain the existing chilled water system, clean strainers, make minor repairs as necessary, purge with clean water, then provide and install appropriate amount of treatment chemicals in system loop. Is there any idea of their current condition? What if the strainers need to be replaced?

ANSWER: Strainers are good and only the cap, clamp, and elbow should be replaced.

5. Label all new and existing piping to identify its use. Could you provide TAG/Label specifications?

ANSWER: Labeling should indicate contents and color identifiable with lettering large enough to be read from ground level.

6. Provide as-built documentation. Could you provide details of your as-built drawings expectations?

ANSWER: As-built drawings must be standard to current drawings. Contractor is expected to provide an electronic copy (AutoCAD DWG) and one (1) 30”x42” large format paper copies and two

(2) 15”x21” medium format paper copies.

7. Provide Facilities staff with operator-level training on new BAS control system. Could you provide details of your training expectations?

ANSWER: At the conclusion of the training, the staff members must have at least a general knowledge of how to read, operate, identify components, conduct basic troubleshooting analysis, print reports, and conduct tests.

8. It is the contractor’s responsibility to obtain permitting, should it be required. Copies of all permits must be submitted to the COR upon receipt from local agency. Could you provide a list of the required city permits needed for this project?

ANSWER: The Contractor must be able to self-identify what its needs are for permitting (i.e.

sidewalk closures, street blockages, etc).

9. For water treatment, what are the closed loop specifications and desired baseline readings?

ANSWER: Inhibitor levels should measure 600-800ppm.

10. Will the facility provide specifications for each trade and stage for this project?

ANSWER: Trades are to be managed by the Contractor ensuring each trade should be specific to work being performed.

11. Will the facility require as-built drawings at the end of the project?

ANSWER: Red line As-build drawings will be required once project is complete and prior to submission of final payment. Institution COR will review and approve or provide any required drawing modifications within 7 working days of receipt. Once drawings are approved by COR then contractor shall provide final corrected as-built drawings. Once contractor provides final drawings and other contract closing documents then final payment can be submitted.

12. What is the basis of evaluation?

ANSWER: Contract is a Firm Fixed Price, Invitation for Bid. Evaluation factor is Lowest Price

Technically acceptable.

13. The drawings provided with the solicitation are illegible. Can the drawings be reissued? There are questions regarding the scope or work which cannot be formulated due to the lack of clarity on the drawings. Can the period for questions be extended to allow time to review the drawings once provided?

ANSWER: No the question period will not be extended.

14. What is the wall construction where the wall needs to be removed for the chiller replacement?

Can architectural and structural drawings be provided which detail the construction of the existing walls required to be demolished and then repaired to match the existing construction and security specifications?

ANSWER: An interior doorway will be allowed to be enlarged. Steel framing and CMU block construction is currently in place. Reclaimed materials may be used unless damaged beyond use.

15. Do the chilled/condenser water systems have to remain in operation during the chiller replacement (one chiller and set of pumps in operation while another set is replaced)?

ANSWER: A temporary chiller is already on site and in use on the Chiller #2 connections. Order of replacement is to replace Chiller #2 first with Chiller #1 and Temporary Chiller operating. Once Chiller #2 is operational, move Temporary Chiller connections to Chiller #1 position until Chiller #1 is operational.

a. If so, the scope mentions replacement of motorized isolation valves. Are there manual shut off valves available to completely isolate one chiller and associated pumps OR is a brief shut down and system drain/refill required to replace valves?

ANSWER: Yes.

16. The scope of work indicates to provide a refrigerant detection monitoring system. Does this include fans and louvers to exhaust the chiller room when/if a refrigerant leak occurs? Or are fans and louvers existing and operational and we are only to connect new system to this equipment?

ANSWER: Current refrigerant detection monitoring system is inoperative. Fans and louvers exist and are operational. New system should be installed, connected, and integrated.

17. The scope of work mentions to remove, reconfigure and insulate any broken, damaged or excessively corroded pipes. How much corroded pipe is anticipated for replacement? Is the contractor to remove all the insulation on the chilled water pipe to determine if the pipe is corroded? Is there a fixed amount of pipe by size all bidders should budget for these repairs?

ANSWER: Only piping in the Chiller Room are subject to these repairs. Contractor must be able to evaluate and determine how much piping and insulation needs to be replaced.

18. Scope of work mentions the system airflow set points with original design CFM values, then adjusting based on necessary changes. Has the building been modified from the original design that would require changes to the airflow? Is the contractor responsible for running HVAC load calculations to determine the required airflow of spaces? If so, does the owner have AutoCAD drawings of the facility to provide the contractor?

ANSWER: No modifications have been made. The Contractor is not responsible for running HVAC load calculations for airflow of spaces.

19 What type of terminal units are existing (pressure dependent or pressure independent)? Should the entire terminal unit be replaced for connection to the BAS in lieu of trying to only replace the pneumatic actuator?

ANSWER: No pneumatic actuators exist on site.

20. Can the owner provide a list of all items connected to the existing BAS and what is monitored/controlled for each piece of existing equipment?

a. Particularly the boiler and cooling tower. The desired monitoring/control will determine the devices that need to be replaced for interface to the new BAS.

ANSWER: A list will be provided upon request.

21. The solicitation is for a design-build project; however, it does not appear from the documents any front-end or preliminary engineering has been performed. Is there any engineering report or study available which forms the basis of the scope of work which can be provided?

ANSWER: No engineering report or study has been conducted.

22. Statement of work calls for demolition of pneumatic controls and installation of new DDC actuators. Does this pertain to the new equipment and ancillaries (existing or new) related to the new chillers and pumps being installed, or does this apply to all controlled devices in the mechanical/hvac system for the entire facility?

ANSWER: No pneumatic controls exist. Expect to replace all actuators. List available upon request.

23. Are any existing, manually controlled devices to be automated? If so, can a list of devices be provided?

ANSWER: All devices are currently automated. Any manually controlled devices discovered will be addressed at that time.

24. Have there been any upgrades/additions/renovations performed in the facility beyond what can be found in the as-built drawings?

ANSWER: No.

25. Are there any electrical drawings available detailing the current panel schedules and locations?

Are one-line diagrams available?

ANSWER: Yes. Available upon request.

26. Scope of work mentions to label all new and existing piping to identify its use? Does the existing piping include all hot water piping, chilled water piping routed to all AHU and condenser water piping?

ANSWER: Yes.

27. Scope of work mentions to replace failed AHU damper actuators; Can you provide a quantity on how many actuators have failed and would need to be replaced?

ANSWER: No pneumatic controls exist. Expect to replace all actuators. List available upon request.

28. Does the existing electrical panels have excess capacity to handle twice the electrical load of the existing chillers to accommodate the amount of new modular chillers?

ANSWER: Each chiller is connected to a 600-amp circuit breaker at 480VAC landing on a circuit panel inside the Chiller Room. The panel is routed to the Switch Gear Room and connected to an IR-800 amp transfer switch.

29. Scope of work mentions to make minor repairs as necessary after draining chilled water system.

Can you clarify the scope and quantity minor repairs which could be necessary?

ANSWER: Minor repairs may include, but are not limited to, general maintenance such as replacing seals, fittings, couplings, valves, hoses, connectors, patching holes, cleaning debris, removing or mitigating corrosion.