Att 28Questions an Answers.pdf

Q&A - Section A

No. Category Request for Information Government Response

1 Operations pp 25 of RFP, 52.237-3 Continuity of Services requires the new contractor to provide 90 day phase out plan, does the current contract provide this length of phase out support?

Yes

2 Operations

On pp-C4 of SBIWTP PWS (C.2.8)states that the current contractor must allow current staff to transition to the successor. With such a transition, there are likely elements of the staff fringe benefits that must be transferred to the new contractor. Please provide a summary of expected benefits and value of these benefits at the time of transition

We cannot provide the requested information. As noted in Contract Clause 52.237-3 (d), the

Contractor shall be reimbursed for all reasonable phase-in, phase-out costs and a fee (profit).

3 Financial

On pp-C17 of SBIWTP PWS (9) states the Contractor shall be responsible for the first $100,000 for each item for such work. It states that major repairs, refurbishments, etc "considered" outside the scope of the scope of the O&M contract. The next paragraph states the Contractor shall not be used to perform such work outside the scope of the O&M contract. It it confusing to have the

O&M contractor pay the first $100,000 for each item > $100,000 and not have the O&M

Contractor perform the work if it is outside the scope of the O&M contract. Please clarify the

Contractor responsibility for projects > $100,000.

For projects exeeding $100,000, the Government reserves the right to contract work to the

O&M Contractor under modification or under a separate contract, or execute such work through a mechanism other than the O&M Contractor.

4 Technical

On pp-C15 of SBIWTP PWS (c. 2) States the Contractor shall perform a physical inventory and submit inventory within 90 days of the contract award. Is this activity anticipated to be done earlier than the 30 day transition period? When is the anticipated award date? In addition one of the bullets states inventory should contain "As-builts," do these already exist or is the Contractor expected to provide new "As-builts?"

No, the physical inventory is not anticipated to be done earlier than the 30 day transition period.

The anticipated award date is 29 August 2020.

As-built drawings already exist. For subsequent annual inventories in future years, the inventory shall include "as-builts" for any modifications made at the plant by the Contractor.

5 Maintenance Equipment Condition assesstment - Most recent Doc The most recent equipment condition assessment is now provided as Attachment 23.

6 Maintenance

Please provide detailed information on the current SCADA System - Control Logic - Doc +

Narrative. There is also the mention of a third party evaluation. That document would be useful as well to better understand the necessary upgrades from the SCADA related documents already uploaded.

A schematic of the SCADA system network topology is provided as Attachment 27. The list of items to upgrade included in the PWS is pretty much a complete list of the SCADA components that the Contractor will need to maintain. It covers 99% of the SCADA system not including the

HMI servers that will be in the network topology.

The third party evaluation is what produced the scope for the needed field equipment upgrades, the long table of itemized equipment and the brief narrative description at the beginning of it.

7 Maintenance Documented PM Plans and performance metrics The information is not available.

8 Maintenance Existing CMMS System - Type and Version The existing CMMS is Oracle Utilities Work and Asset Management

9 Maintenance Detailed Equipment/Assets List This was provided as Attachment 13

10 Technical What's the current aeration control strategy in activated sludge treatment process? Any sensor implementation? Any PID loops?

Oxygen sensors with PID loops

11 Financial

Please explain the instructions to fill out the Pricing Form on pages 6-10 of the RFP. For example, Line Item 008 says "No Cost receiving lines for CLIN 007." Does this mean we should not add pricing to CLIN 007?

No pricing data is needed for the No Cost Receiving Lines. These CLINs are for internal use only.

12 Financial

Please explain the instructions for Pricing Form Line Item 009 Option Base Year Capital

Improvemetns in excess of $100,000. Is this price intended to cover the cost for the Contractor to provide a Five Year Capital Plan? Or is this price intended to cover the cost to cover the first

$100,000 for each non-routine, one-time repair, refurbishment, replacement or upgrade?

Line Items 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 will be removed. These line items were intended to cover project costs for those projects in excess of $100,000.

IBWC Request for Information Log

14 Technical

In Regards to Issue B, Pg 23 of the Waste Discharge Admendement, "Sharing Transboundary

Wastewater Flow Information with Mexico". Could you please clarify when this order when into effect and provide any reports or meeting minutes associated with the 2019-2020 Binational

Technical Commitee Meetings.

The date when this new requirement took effect is unknown.

There are no meeting minutes for the Binational Technical Committee Meetings. Minute 320 and any documents produced from that minute can be found at https://ibwc.gov/Organization/Environmental/Minute320.html

15 Technical

When did monitoring for Performance Goal parameters begin (Ref: Pg. 6 #2, Waste Discharge

Adm.)? Was it taken up in addition to the adoption of Addendum 1 of Order No. 96-50 in 1997?

Do these parameters have requirements for increased monitoring for any threshold exceedance?

The Performance Goals do not have requirements for increased monitoring.

16 Technical Would the facility be able to provide an estimate for its 2019 sampling, testing, and analysis costs for influent and effluent monitoring?

The information is not available.

17 Operations Please provide the plant monthly operating reports from 2017 to 2019 These monthly reports are provided as Attachment 24.

18 Technical Please provide line item costs for 5-year capital improvement plan A revised 5-year capital improvement plan with the line item costs is provided as Attachment

16.

19 Operations Please provide the disposal cost summary of 2017-2019 of the debris collected from collectors The disposal cost summary is not available.

20 Technical Please explain any impact of current permit exceedances of influent parameters on plant effluent quality

Upsets to the treatment system may occur based on influent loading. The influent limitations are intended to minimize impacts to the treatment system.

21 Operations

The Sequence of Operations provided has no information for secondary treatment process, i.e.

biological treatment process and secondary clarifiers. Please provide complete plant O&M manuals referred on Page C-12 in SBIWTP PWS.

As noted in C.2.6, copies of the O&M Manuals are available for review at the USIBWC San

Diego Field Office.

22 Operations Please clarify who is responsible for disposing the screens and grits generated at the plant

Stabilzed sludge, screenings, and grit will be trucked to Mexico by a Mexican Contractor for dedicated landfill disposal. The Contractor shall be required to coordinate with the Mexican

Contractor.

23 Operations Please provide the SOPs and procedures for communicating with Mexico counterparts for facilitating the influent pumping and solids disposal transportation.

This information is not available at this time.

24 Technical Please provide any facility planning reports if available There are no facility planning reports.

25 Technical Are the two canyon collector pumping stations integrated in the plant's SCADA system? Yes.

26 Technical Please specify the lenght of the gravity and force main influent lines described in (2) C-19 of the

PWS.

As-built drawings can be viewed at the San Diego field office by appointment. Contact Nicolas

Chapa at Nicolas.Chapa@ibwc.gov and carbon copy Philip Johnson at

Philip.Johnson@ibwc.gov.

27 Maintenance Will the contractor be required to implement a new CMMS or use the existing one? The Contractor is required to implement their own CMMS.

28 Operations Can you please specify the amounts spent on chemicals in 2018 and 2019? This information is provided in the revised Attachment 11.

29 Operations Can you please specify the number of full time employees currently employed for the operation and maintenance of the system?

There are 23 full time employees.

30 Maintenance Can you please specify the amounts spent on each non routine, one time repairs, refurbishments, replacements, or upgrades less than $100,000 in 2018 and 2019 (as described on page C-17)?

The information is not available.

31 Legal

Considering the number of questions and due diligence required to provide a firm fixed price for the scope outlined in the RFP, we respectfully request a 30 day extension for submission of the proposals

The solicitation closed date was extended to 11 June 2020 on amendment 002. We do not intend to extend again.

IBWC Request for Information Log

32 Operations In page 5 of 2020-2024 Five Year Capital Plan Report, what is the difference between Veolia

Funded Project and Proposed IBWC Funded Capital Project?

The Veolia Funded Projects are those projects that the Contractor is responsible for which are considered routine maintenance and repairs. The IBWC Funded Capital Projects are those non-routine, one-time major repairs, refurbishments, replacements, and upgrades.

33 Operations In the price table, please clarify if Line Item 009, Option Base Year Improvements in excess of

$100,000, only refers to the captial projects having a single project cost over $100,000.

Line Items 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 will be removed. These line items were intended to cover project costs for those projects in excess of $100,000.

35 Operations Who operates the pump stations on the Mexican side The State Public Utility Company (CESPT - Comision Estatal de Servicios Publicos Tijuana).

36 Legal Please provide a copy of the current contract for operations and maintenance of the South Bay

International Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Redacted copy of the current contract can be requested by emailing philip.johnson@ibwc.gov

37 Legal Would the Government agree to a mutual indeminification provision in the Contract?

No - the Government cannot indemnify other entities. Doing so constitutes an open-ended obligation which is a violation fo the Anti-Deficiency Act.

38 Legal Would the Government agree to a mutual waiver of consequential damages? No.

39 Legal Would the Government grant the Contractor a right to terminate the Contract for convenience? No.

40 Legal Would the Government agree to a contractual provision to adjust Contract prices equitably following a change in applicable law?

No.

41 Legal Would the Government agree to allow performance relief for force majeure events? Refer to FAR clause 52.249-8

42 Legal Would the Government agree to require both parties to the Contract to attempt to resolve any disputes through arbitration prior to filing any lawsuits?

No, 33.214(f) (1) A solicitation shall not require arbitration as a condition of award, unless arbitration is otherwise required by law. Contracting officers should have flexibility to select the appropriate ADR procedure to resolve the issues in controversy as they arise.

43 Legal Will the Government negotiate some or all of the substantive terms and conditions of the

Contract? If some, which are the mandatory terms that are not subject to negotiation?

The Government anticipates that discussions will not be conducted during this procurement

(except clarifications as described in FAR 15.306(a)). However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if the CO later determines them to be necessary.

44 Legal Will the Government agree to limit the Contractor’s liability to the amount of the annual service fee?

No.

45 Legal

Will the Government agree to indemnify, defend and hold the Contractor harmless from and against litigation brought against both the Government and the Contractor when the Contractor is in compliance with the scope of services under the Contract and/or the cause of action is unrelated to any act or omission by the Contractor?

No- the Government cannot indemnify other entities. Doing so constitutes an open-ended obligation which is a violation fo the Anti-Deficiency Act.

46 Maintenance

FY 19 Unplanned Corrective Repairs file is supposed to list unplanned maintenance. Under the column Work Class it states the type of work and lists both "unplanned" and "planned." Why is there a category for planned as these items should be included in the Maintenance Expenses file.

Is there any duplication of maintenance between the files? Also, there is very little detail regarding the repair work for the Unplanned Corrective Repairs file as it seems to be a tracking of unplanned events and a record of the problem. Please provide more detail on the actual repairs and please provide the costs associated with each repair

The Unplanned Corrective Repairs file shows repairs for both planned activities/inspections and unplanned events. There is no duplication of information between the 2 files. We are unable to provide additional details on the corrective repairs and costs.

47 Operations Please provide information on the average gallons per delivery for the Sodium Hypochlorite and the Caustic Soda. In addition, what is the strength of the Caustic Soda (i.e. 25%, 50%?)

Response still pending.

48 Operations Please confirm that the lime is quicklime and not hydrated lime. The lime is quicklime.

Q&A Section B

1) We request a 30-day extension so time is allowed to fully investigate and price the Maintenance requirement for all maintenance activity under 100K and the SCADA upgrade.

The solicitation close date was extended to 11 June 2020 on amendment 002. We do not intend to extend again.

2) Is it possible to have another plant visit to prepare quotations for the required maintenance activity and SCADA upgrade?

A second site visit can be done by appointment. A request can be made by contacting Nicolas Chapa at Nicolas.Chapa@ibwc.gov and carbon copying Philip Johnson at Philip.Johnson@ibwc.gov.

3) Please provide as-built drawings and specifications for the existing SCADA system A schematic of the SCADA system network topology is provided as Attachment 27. The list of items to upgrade included in the PWS is pretty much a complete list of the SCADA components that the Contractor will need to maintain. It covers 99% of the SCADA system not including the HMI servers that will be in the network topology.

As-built drawings can be viewed at the San Diego office by appointment. A request can be made by contacting Nicolas Chapa at Nicolas.Chapa@ibwc.gov and carbon copy Philip Johnson at Philip.Johnson@ibwc.gov.

4) Is the SCADA system currently running on the Ignition/Inductive Automation platform?

Yes, Version 7.9.

5) Please provide copies or are copies available to the next Contractor of the PLC programs? Are these PLC Program copies, “commented” programs?

Most of the PLC programs are not “commented”. We cannot provide PLC program information until the award is completed and the Contractor has passed all needed background and security clearance checks. Once the award happens, copies of PLC programs will be provided.

6) The Chemicals that are currently used in the Plant Process appears to have changed. Please provide where chemicals are now used in the plant process and the feed rate.

The information provided in Attachment 10 has the current chemical dosage.

7) Please provide the 2017 and 2018 Maintenance spend. Similar to what was provided for 2019.

(Att- 8 2019 Maintenance Expenses)

Monthly maintenance reports are provided as Attachment 24. The maintenance expenses are included in the monthly maintenance reports.

8) Has SBIWTP Capital Plan Report 2020, been approved and accepted by the IBWC?

The 2020 report is currently under review.

mailto:Nicolas.Chapa@ibwc.gov mailto:Philip.Johnson@ibwc.gov mailto:Nicolas.Chapa@ibwc.gov mailto:Philip.Johnson@ibwc.gov

9) Will Veolia be required to complete the 2020 list of Projects on the SBIWTP Capital Plan Report 2020?

The 2020 report is currently under review. Discussions with the current Contractor are required.

10) In the SBIWTP Capital Plan Report 2020, project such as Asphalt Repair, HVAC Replacement and Odor Control System Refurbishment, must have some detail behind them to develop the total 2020 cost of $3,673,000. Please provide the project detail and project costing that was used for the SBIWP Capital Plan Repot 2020.

A revised Attachment 16 includes the detailed costs of the Capital Plan Report.

11) Section C in C.2.5 paragraph 3 “ The Contractor shall not allow any field instruments to remain in production in the field beyond their established End of Life cycle or if identified to no longer be compatible with SCADA system components replaced by USIBWC maintenance requirements.

Please provide the established End of Life cycle or established maintenance requirements so we can predict when the I&C needs to be replaced.

The PWS indicates that the selected Contractor will need to conduct a survey of all field equipment to create a list of what equipment is present and determine if it is at or near its EOL. All SCADA components provided in the PWS and identified as needing upgrading have already been identified as being at or past their EOL and should be reflected in their bid. Generally, the manufacturer of SCADA components will determine the EOL in their documentation or when parts are no longer manufactured, the manufacturer will call out the product as being at EOL or no longer supported.

12) Please provide the name of the laboratory that is currently doing the NPDES testing, bio assay and ocean monitoring for the NPDES Permit.

a) Sierra Analytical, 26052 Merit Circle, Suite 105, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, Ph: 949 348 9389

b) Bio-Analytical Laboratories, P.O. Box 527, Doyline, LA 71023-0527

13) Is any NPDES permit testing currently done inhouse at the IBWC SBWTP laboratory?

All NPDES testing is done by outside labs.

14) There are 4 trucks asset ID 1888,1889,1905,1906 on the IBWC South Bay IWTP Equipment Inventory as of 2/26/2020. Are these trucks and all of the electric carts available for the contractors use?

Yes, they are available for the Contractor’s use.

15) Please provide the Daily Monitoring Reports (DMR) for 2020 to date, and 2019 This information is available for review at the San Diego field office by appointment. A request can be made by contacting Nicolas Chapa at Nicolas.Chapa@ibwc.gov and carbon copying Philip Johnson at Philip.Johnson@ibwc.gov.

16) The NPDES permit expired in 2019. What is the status of the new NPDES Permit? How will the cost of additional or reduced monitoring requirements be accounted for?

The NPDES application is with the Regional Board; however, they are currently conducting a TMDL study and will not issue a new permit until the study in concluded. Any changes to the current permit will have to be addressed upon receipt of final permit.

mailto:Nicolas.Chapa@ibwc.gov

Q&A Section C

1. After review of the documents, Jacobs is requesting a 3-week extension. Please confirm that the IBWC will offer this extension.

The solicitation close date was extended to 11 June 2020 on amendment 002. We do not intend to extend again.

2. Will a second site visit be offered?

A second site visit can be done by appointment. A request can be made by contacting Nicolas Chapa at Nicolas.Chapa@ibwc.gov and carbon copying Philip Johnson at Philip.Johnson@ibwc.gov.

3. When can we expect a response to questions? We would appreciate an early response to this question for planning and resource scheduling purposes in developing our proposal.

The Government anticipates responses will be posted by May 15.

4. Please provide a copy of the existing contract including:

a. All pertinent addendums

b. CO's/COR's Performance Evaluations

c. Contract Completion Statements

d. Contract Modifications.

Performance evaluation will be entered into CPAR after contract completion. https://www.cpars.gov/

The Contract Completion Statement is done during Contract Closeout and is not currently available.

Addendums are included in modifications to the Contract that will be provided along with the current contract can be requested by emailing Philip.Johnson@ibwc.gov.

5. Re: Factor 1, the RFP requests five 1-page summaries of relevant contracts. Subsection 1 also requests ALL contracts for the past 3 years for same size and larger plants. Is this in addition to the five 1-page summaries? If yes, is there a page limit for subsection 1, in addition to the five 1-page summaries?

The intent was to limit the number of project examples to a maximum of 5 and to have a maximum 1-page response for each example. This is inclusive of subitem 1.

To be consistent with Factor 2 (maximum 10-page response), the maximum number of pages for Factor 1, Item 1 will be revised to a maximum 10-page response. The following text has been deleted and replaced as follows:

Submit a maximum of one (1) page response per contract provided with a maximum of five (5) project examples for a total of five (5), one (1) page responses.

Submit a maximum ten (10) page response for Item 1).

6. May we provide an electronic link to the Jacobs annual reports? Each annual report is about 180 pages long.

mailto:Nicolas.Chapa@ibwc.gov mailto:Philip.Johnson@ibwc.gov https://www.cpars.gov/

Yes, a link to the annual report is acceptable.

Operations

7. Who is the responsible party for a spill in the event the Border Patrol does not open the gates to the remote collection junction boxes on a timely basis in wet weather flows? What is the protocol for communication with Border Patrol when gates to the remote collection junction boxes are opened and closed?

The Contractor is responsible for accessing the remote collection boxes for the Canyon Collector system on a timely basis. During wet weather flows, the Contractor notifies the Border Patrol that the gates on the upstream side of the Canyon Collectors may need to be opened to allow runoff to pass through so as not to damage the gates and create flooding impacts in Mexico. The gates are owned and operated by the Border Patrol.

8. Please describe current security measures that are the responsibility of the Contractor.

Refer to Section C.4.14 of the PWS.

9. Are the existing emergency generators capable of running the entire plant?

Yes.

10. Please describe daily operations in wet season with respect to chemical use, power use, staffing, and daily tasks.

Contractor shall manage the system to comply with the requirements of the PWS.

11. Please describe daily operations in dry season with respect to chemical use, power use, staffing, and daily tasks.

Contractor shall manage the system to comply with the requirements of the PWS.

12. Please provide photos of the canyon collector gates, detention basins.

Photos of the canyon collectors are provided as Attachment 25.

13. Is the current CMMS system owned by IBWC and to be made available for Contractor use? Please identify this system.

The current CMMS is not owned by IBWC and is not available for Contractor use. The existing system is Oracle Utilities Work and Asset Management.

14. Will the Hach WIMS operational data database and the associated SCADA Historian Interface and the associated LIMS Interface owned by IBWC be made available for Contractor use?

The HACH WIMS database is owned by Veolia. IBWC will allow access to the SCADA historian, but we would need to reach out to Veolia on their willingness to leave that behind or share the data with an incoming contractor.

15. Is the existing laboratory equipment IBWC-owned and to be made available for Contractor use?

The existing laboratory equipment is not owned by IBWC and is not available for Contractor use.

16. Will the contractor be responsible for any software licenses for programs already installed at the facility? If yes, please verify what (if any) software licenses are required for the facilities Data Managements programs, (CMMS, LIMS, SCADA or PLCs).

Currently the Contractor will need to have and maintain a Rockwell Tech connect license with Rockwell to ensure they have the proper licenses for the field equipment. Various RSLogix, FactoryTalk Machine edition, Factory Talk Site edition SE, RSLinx versions are used in the operations of the facility. The IBWC will maintain and is responsible for OS licensing and applications that currently exist on SCADA network servers, network appliances (switches, routers, firewalls) workstations, thin clients and Ignition software.

17. If the plant programming has been written in accordance with standards, please provide the control system programming standards document.

Plant programming does not follow a certain standard. Multiple vendors over many years have implemented in various methods. There is no standards document to provide.

18. Please provide the model YEAR for the government equipment listed in the RFP that will be available for Contractor use.

Equipment Tag Number Year

Caterpillar 963B Track Loader 80038 1998

Caterpillar 430 Backhoe Loader 80174 2012

John Deere 6400 Tractor 80042 1998

Kalyn Seibert Gooseneck Trailer S-841T 1998

Sterling LT9513 Truck Tractor S-842 1998

Bobcat 763H Skid Steer Loader 80039 1998

Clark CDP-100 11 Ton Forklift 80041 2001

Vac-Con 7000 Combination Vacuum S-056 2013

Freightliner 10 CY 6x4 Dump Truck S-770 2004

Freightliner 10 CY 6x4 Dump Truck R21630 2012

Club Car Tourall Golf Cart 80032 2008

Club Car Tourall Golf Cart 80146 2008

Luftness Riding Lawn Mower 80321 2011

19. Is there a remote telemetry connection between lift stations located west of the plant and the plant control system?

Currently there is only a phone line that is not reliable. This was part of the equipment that is end of life and will need to be upgraded.

20. Please provide details on required signage required, including size, type, logos or other requirements.

As-built drawings contain information on the IBWC standard details. The drawings can be viewed at the San Diego field office by appointment.

21. Please provide the locations of the required Bi-National meeting and will travel to Mexico be required?

The meeting locations are typically at the San Diego Field Office or the slough. Travel to Mexico for the meetings will not be required.

22. Will we have access to existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for equipment operation and maintenance?

Yes.

23. Please describe the sludge dewatering operations and clarify the Contractor’s responsibility.

Sludge dewatering operations is the Contractor’s responsibility. The Contractor shall be required to coordinate the collection and disposal of solids with representatives of the Mexican Government.

24. Please provide the current organizational chart for the operations and maintenance of the Facility.

Spill plan The organizational chart is provided as Attachment 27.

25. Please provide the current Shift schedules for the operations and maintenance staff at the facility.

The shift schedule is shown in the monthly summary report which is provided as Attachment 24.

26. If the workforce is unionized, please provide any Contract Bargaining Agreements that are in effect for the current plant staff.

There are no Contract Bargaining Agreements.

27. Please provide the current plant P&ID and one-line electrical drawing for the facility.

The information is available for viewing at the San Diego office by appointment.

28. Please provide tank storage volumes for each of the chemicals utilized on site The information is available for viewing at the San Diego office by appointment.

Maintenance

29. Is the list of assets included with the solicitation up to date and complete?

Yes.

30. Please clarify the $100,000 maintenance deductible C.3.2 c (9). It is our understanding that the first $100,000 will be paid by the Contractor for all maintenance items refurbished or repaired. Does this also include project identified on the Capital Improvement Plan?

The Contractor shall be responsible for the first $100,000 for each item in which a single major repair, refurbishment, or upgrade is $100,000 or more. This also includes the projects identified on the Capital Improvement Plan.

31. Please provide a spare parts inventory that would stay at the facility.

There is no spare parts inventory.

32. Please provide repair and replacement history for:

a. Barscreens

b. grit piping system

c. belt press

d. external pump stations

e. influent pumps

Response pending.

33. What are the issues with the first storm drainage system that require a diesel-driven pump to be used?

The diesel-driven pump is for contingency purposes to prevent overflow.

34. What is the frequency for cleaning of two sludge holding tanks, transfer tanks, and aeration basins?

Response pending.

35. Please provide a list of all equipment out of service / not operational.

Two items requiring repair include the gate valves at the influent vault and the 72-inch influent gate at Junction Box #1.

36. Please provide a list of outstanding repairs on Client-owned fleet and heavy equipment.

nothing None identified at this time.

37. Please provide copies of the most recent Criticality assessment and Condition assessment.

This is provided as Attachment 23.

38. How will the IBWC evaluate and approve recommended CIP projects? How is the Contractor protected from performance risk if recommended projects are not approved?

IBWC evaluates and recommends CIP projects based on factors such as risk, maintenance costs, and available funding. IBWC works in partnership with the Contractor to evaluate and prioritize projects.

39. Who determines end-of-life requirements for field instruments and components, and on what basis?

The manufacturer will determine end of life. This occurs when parts are no longer manufactured and the manufacturer has called out the product as end of life or no longer supported.

40. Section C.6.1 Optional Sandbags at Canyon Collectors Weir Crests indicates the contractor must prepare the site by removing all dirt, rocks and debris. Please provide an annual quantity estimate requiring disposal. Are there any contaminants in the debris that would limit the disposal of the debris? If so, please provide additional information on these contaminants. Where is the current disposal location?

As described in Section 3.2.b (7), the estimated quantity of materials to be removed and disposed from the Canyon Collector structures is approximately 2,000 cubic yards annually. Prior to placing the sandbags, the site will be prepared by removing the dirt, rocks, and debris. The Contractor is responsible for identifying if there are contaminants in the debris, and for proper disposal of the debris.

41. Will the current spares inventory be transferred? If spares are purchased under the $100k cap, who owns these? Are critical spares exempt from the $100K cap?

All equipment, parts, and materials paid for by the Government are property of the Government.

Pricing Form

42. Are line items 011, 013, 015, 017 of the Price Form intended to capture the costs of developing the

“Five Year Capital Improvement Plan”? If not, please provide clarification.

Line items 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 will be removed from the solicitation.

The line items were intended to cover project costs for those projects in excess of $100,000.

Q&A Section D

1) Under Section C.3.2.d (1) b., Maintenance Management, there is a reference to the annual maintenance fund, can you please explain which CLIN that would fall under and the detail of how that works.

There is no CLIN for the maintenance fund referenced in C.3.2.d (1) b). Maintenance expenditures should be included as part of the firm fixed price for the operation and maintenance of the plant and facilities, with the exception of those items referenced in C.3.2.d (1) b).

2) Is there a cap on the number of unforeseen major repair items for the first fiscal year and if so would the amounts spent under this requirement be adjusted to reflect actual amount spent?

Line Items 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 will be removed from the solicitation. These line items were intended to cover project costs for those projects in excess of $100,000.

For those capital improvement projects in excess of $100,000, the Contractor is responsible for the first $100,000. The amount spent on the projects would be adjusted to reflect the Contractor’s responsibility for the first $100,000.

3) Is there a total annual dollar amount cap on repair items under $100,000?

There is no cap.

4) Is there a first right of refusal for existing employees working under this contract?

52.207 is not included in the solicitation.

5) Since the government has listed in the RFP a condition that key employees would qualify for that role by having existing experience on this specific facility, that we as interested vendors be given the current key employee names in order to have a balanced competition. Please provide the current key employees names and contact information.

The RFP does not specify the experience must be at this facility.

6) Due to the complexity of this project and the pricing requirements, we respectfully request a 30 day extension in order to perform proper due diligence.

The solicitation close date was extended to 11 June 2020 on amendment 002. We do not intend to extend again.

Q&E Section E

1. Under Section M- Evaluation Factors for Award of the Solicitation, please clarify the requirements and the pages allowed for responding to Factor 1, specifically:

• The first two sentences request:

o Past performance of secondary wastewater treatment plant operations and maintenance service contract (s).

o Submit a maximum of one (1) page response per contract provided with a maximum of five (5) project examples for a total of five (5), one (1) page responses.

• Sub-item 1) then requests the following with no similar page count specified:

1) Provide a list of all current and past contracts for the same or substantially similar (same size and larger and complexity) work for the last three (3) years.

• The assumption is that that information to be provided in sub-item 1) will be considered in addition to the five pages specified for the requested "Past Performance" five reference projects.

o If this is correct, what is the page limit for the response to be provided for sub-item 1)?

We would request that a minimum of 10 additional pages be allowed for this response.

The intent was to limit the number of project examples to a maximum of 5 and to have a maximum 1-page response for each example. This is inclusive of subitem 1.

To be consistent with Factor 2 (maximum 10-page response), the maximum number of pages for Factor 1, Item 1 will be revised to a maximum 10 page response. The following text has been deleted and replaced as follows:

Submit a maximum of one (1) page response per contract provided with a maximum of five (5)project examples for a total of five (5), one (1) page responses.

Submit a maximum ten (10) page response for Item 1).

With regard to the specified Font Type requirement specified under solicitation item L.04 - Proposal Composition Requirements and Instructions, would it be acceptable to use an equivalent type of font, such as Arial Narrow 12 Point, in place of Times New Roman for the response?

Yes.

2. With regard to Attachment 19, PLC Replacement Table:

a. This table does not include one of the Lift stations, Hollister Lift Station. Is the lift station exempt from the hardware end of life replacement requirements?

This was left out by mistake. See revised attachment 19.

b. The table does not include the Polymer PLC for Solids Processing (Dewatering Processes). Does this station need to be updated as well?

This was left out by mistake. See revised table.

c. The table lists a 1756-L72 in both of the PEB and PEFM Racks, is this correct or were they supposed to be 1756-EN2T communication modules like a majority of the other stations?

They were supposed to be 1756-EN2T as the others.

d. With regard to Supervisory Control and Data Acquistion (SCADA): Which version of Ignition is currently in production, and which version and modules are required when updating the HMI?

The current version of Ignition is 7.9 and it will need to be upgraded within 120 days of award to the latest version and migrate away from the current vision screens to perspective. This work needs to be performed by an Ignition Gold Certified integrator.

3. With regard to Section C.2.5 (near the top of Page C-4) that states:

The Contractor is responsible for establishing and maintaining an Admin network owned by the Contractor to achieve contractual duties and manage the operations of the SBIWTP in accordance with this PWS. [...] The Contractor will be responsible for providing the USIBWC with all Information Technology or CyberSecurity policies and directives currently in place by the Contractor to maintain the functionality, security and access control of the admin network for our review and approval. [...] The Admin Network will in no way (logically or physically) be connected or share any IT hardware or software licenses with the USIBWC SCADA System.

a. Is it IBWC's intention to require full disclosure and require their approval of the Contractor's IT and cybersecurity documentation and standards/configuration when (at the same time) clearly indicating the Admin Network is the responsibility (and ownership) of the Contractor?

Yes, the IBWC must have full disclosure of the Contractor’s IT and Cybersecurity documentation, standards and configuration in order to ensure the Contractor is operating a network that is protected from internal and external cybersecurity threats. Although the Contractor is fully responsible for the maintenance and protection of the network they establish within the SBIWTP, the overall plant and its operations is ultimately the responsibility of the IBWC. Therefore, the IBWC will require assurance through documentation and policies that the IT network established has at a minimum, the following basic and standard security controls in place to protect against today’s well known cybersecurity risks:

1. A Network firewall, where incoming and outgoing internet traffic is controlled, monitored and alerts are provided on identified dangerous activity. Public facing appliances or servers must be hardened to minimize their vectors of attack

2. Has an active vulnerability management and remediation program (patching) in place to address known vulnerabilities of all network endpoints to include workstations, servers and all network appliances. An established maintenance process or program must be in place to address vulnerabilities and address application flaws on a regular basis.

3. An IT Security training program that keeps employees up to date and trained on an annual basis, on established security protocols and recognizing and identifying potential threats to their IT environment

4. Protects against data loss: There must be a backup solution in place to preserve data and configurations within the network protected from data loss. Data should be backed up at minimum on a weekly basis and have tested recovery procedures to restore any data loss incidents that may occur during their tenure.

5. Access Controls: Not every employee should have full access to the network and its resources.

Employees are only to have access to network resources as required to complete their job.

Admin and user passwords should be established, as is standard in IT Security best practices.

The agency will require documentation within policies or otherwise on how access control is applied within their network and established administrative role privileges.

6. Anti-virus and antimalware software: The Contractor shall employ software on each endpoint to protect from malicious software to include viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware and spyware. The solution installed must be updated regularly to keep network end points protected.

7. VPN: the Contractor shall establish a secure VPN to enable any remote access to their SBIWTP network from corporate or other entities they employ, to conduct maintenance and/or IT support from a remote location.

b. If so, to what level of compliance is (or specific standards are) acceptable to IBWC for the Admin Network?

The response is provided in the response to item 3a above.

c. Will the Contractor's IT and cybersecurity documentation be subject to FOIA or is there a way to secure such information, so it is not subject to FOIA?

It is the Contractor’s responsibility to properly identify and mark any documents containing the contractor’s proprietary information. The Contract shall also identify and mark any information they believe is not subject to a FOIA request and why.

4. With regard to Section C.3.1.b Risk Assessment. A thorough review of OMB Circular A-123, “Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Controls” was conducted in response to your requirement conduct a risk assessment to identify major risks at the SBIWTP and implement controls to address those risks. The OMB guidance is focused on federal enterprise internal controls, and does not specify operational risk assessment metrics for such a risk assessment. To further refine the scope of this effort, what specific section defines the deliverable within OMB Circular A-123?

Section II of OMB Circular A-123 defines the elements of the risk management model and includes information that should be part of the risk assessment. Additional guidance on risk management is provided in “Playbook: Enterprise Risk Management for the U.S. Federal Government, July 2016”.

5. Please clarify what is required under the following Pricing Entries:

• 008 No Cost receiving lines for CLIN 007 15.00 E

• 010 No Cost receiving lines for CLIN 009 12.00 EA

• 012 No Cost receiving lines for CLIN 011 12.00 EA

• 014 No Cost receiving lines for CLIN 013 12.00 EA

• 016 No Cost receiving lines for CLIN 015 12.00 EA

• 018 No Cost receiving lines for CLIN 017 12.00 EA

The No Cost Receiving Lines are for internal purposes. No information is required on these lines.

Questions_Veolia_05112020.pdf