Backflow Assembly Repair Questions and Answers.pdf
PDF 146 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Backflow Valve Assembly Repair Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 20180PR260000071
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document for a backflow assembly repair contract opportunity at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The primary work requirement is the replacement of a failed 8-inch Watts 909 RPDA (Reduced-Pressure Detector Assembly) backflow device serving combined domestic and fire suppression water service for an entire facility unit. The 4-inch backflow assembly serving strictly fire suppression may be repaired or replaced at the contractor's discretion. The government will accept any backflow assembly compliant with State and Federal regulations and local San Mateo County standards; the Wilkins 475ST brand/model is not mandatory, and equivalent lead-free assemblies with straight-body or N-pattern configurations are acceptable. The contractor must conduct backflow testing to San Mateo County standards, with contractor-conducted testing sufficient for acceptance; no separate municipal or utility inspection is required. Pipe supports and bracing must comply with the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and be accepted by SFO Building and Code Enforcement (BICE), with no separate engineered submittal required if these standards are met. The government will coordinate all water service isolation and restoration with the Water Department and USCG at no cost to the contractor. Water service interruption is permitted up to sixteen hours with 24 hours advance notice, or up to two weeks with two weeks advance notice. Work may be performed outside standard business hours with prior government approval. The government will provide substantial open space near both valve locations for equipment staging, with covered or indoor storage available 50-75 yards away if required. No failed backflow assembly test report is available for reference.
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Other files for this federal contract opportunity
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Test Report.pdf | ||
| Combined Synopsis Solicitation.pdf | ||
| SOW Backflow Repair.pdf | ||
| BASE ACCESS LIST.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet |
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Text version
Backflow Assembly Repair Questions and Answers
1. Provide a copy of the failed backflow assembly test report.
Answer: The information is not available..
2. Clarify the required replacement scope. Specifically, confirm whether both the 8-inch and 4-inch backflow assemblies are to be replaced, or whether replacement is required only for the 8-inch assembly.
Answer: The eight-inch assembly shall be replaced. The four-inch assembly may be replaced or repaired.
3. The SOW references replacing an existing 8-inch Watts 909 RPDA with an 8-inch Wilkins 475ST; however, another section appears to reference a 4-inch Wilkins 475ST. Could you please clarify the required backflow assembly size so we may prepare an accurate proposal?
Answer: The 8-inch Watts 909 RPDA has failed and shall be replaced. The smaller 4-inch assembly may be repaired or replaced.
4. Can the contractor install an approved backflow equivalent to the existing or does it require exact like for like?
Answer: Provided the equivalent is compliant with State and Federal regulations, an equivalent may be installed.
5. This work will require a water shut down and alarm system to put on test during repair, is the contractor responsible for coordinating this?
Answer: The government will be responsible for securing and notifying required departments.
6. Please confirm whether meter #251022372 serves (a) a dedicated fire-suppression line, (b) a domestic-water line, or (c) a combined fire/domestic service. Based on the confirmed service, should the replacement be a reduced-pressure detector assembly (RPDA) or a standard reduced-pressure (RP) backflow assembly?
Answer: The main 8” backflow is water for the entire unit (Domestic & fire suppression). The smaller backflow is strictly fire suppression.
7. Are structural engineering calculations or signed/stamped drawings required for the new pipe supports and bracing, or may field-fabricated supports that comply with the UPC and are accepted by SFO BICE be used without a separate engineered submittal?
Answer: The government will accept SFO BICE compliant supports if needed.
8. Please confirm the allowable days and hours for a total water-service interruption and the minimum advance notice required to schedule isolation and restoration with the Water Department and USCG.
Answer: The government can facilitate up to a sixteen-hour block of time for water service interruption as long as the contractor provides notification 24 hours prior. For anything extending beyond a sixteen-hour time block, a two-week notice is required.
9. May installation work be performed during standard business hours, or must the cutover and tie-in be completed after hours or on weekends? If restricted, please provide the permitted work and outage windows.
Answer: Work may be performed outside stated work hours with prior approval by the government. As stated, the government can facilitate a substantial interruption of utilities with prior notice. Work schedules shall be approved by the government before being executed.
10. Are there municipal or utility fees for the Water Department to isolate and restore the main-line service? If so, must the contractor include those fees in its price, or will the Government coordinate and pay them directly?
Answer: There shouldn’t be any fee to secure or re-energize water for the facilities.
11. Please confirm the required acceptance path and responsible agencies. Will testing and certification performed by the contractor's qualified backflow tester and submitted to San Mateo Environmental Health Department and SFO BICE to satisfy the requirement, or is a separate municipal or utility inspection required before final acceptance? If a separate inspection is required, please identify the authority and required sequence.
Answer: The backflow device shall be tested to San Mateo County standards.
Contractor-conducted testing will suƯice.
12. Will the Government provide a secure laydown or staging area near the work site for materials and equipment? If so, please identify the available location and any size, access, or storage restrictions.
Answer: We have substantial open space near both valves that can be used to stage equipment. If covered space or indoor storage space is required it may be provided, but the location is 50-75 yards away from the valves themselves.
13. SOW Section 6, Specifications/Requirements, page 2: the first bullet specifies replacement with one 8-inch Wilkins 475ST, while the fourth bullet specifies installation of one 4-inch Wilkins 475ST RP assembly; the existing assembly is identified as an 8-inch Watts 909 RPDA. Please resolve the conflicting size references and confirm the required nominal size, assembly type, model, and configuration. Is the Wilkins 475ST brand/model mandatory, or may the contractor propose an equal lead-free assembly? Specifically, may a comparable straight-body configuration be used in place of an N-pattern configuration if it meets the confirmed service, size, code, testing, and agency-approval requirements?
Answer: The attached test report lists the main backflow assembly as an 8-inch Watts 909 RPDA. The smaller line is a 4-inch line and looks similar to the 909 RPDA assembly. There is no requirement for a specific type of valve. Our only requirement is compliance with local and state regulations.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .