S05 RFI Responses-Questions for Solicitation 36C24224B0013-Responses-02-29-2024.docx

RFI – 480V Switchgear Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance 36C24224B0013 Contractor questions and answers

QUESTION: Considering the 480v breakers tied to this work scope have been identified as “in the “OFF” position or “RACKED-OUT”, and there are NO SHUT-DOWNS anticipated for this work, is there any reason the awarded contractor would still need to schedule work during night-shift (off-peak) hours, or is it safe to anticipate project execution will happen during normal hours, as specified in the above paragraph?

ANSWER: Yes. The work can be done during normal VA Business hours 8am- 430pm M-F.

QUESTION: Is there a required timeframe that we submit any shutdown requests, if necessary? (SOW pg 3, Item 1) ANSWER: Since these circuit breakers are “out-of-service but are racked into their cubicles” there should be NO Shutdowns required, but all work must be coordinated with the VA COR, therefore the general schedule for when work is planned must be provided 2 weeks in advance to allow for VA review and approval.

QUESTION: What are the off peak hours of this hospital? Earlier in the Solicitation, it states all electrical service and testing must be between 8AM and 4:30PM. (SOW pg 4, Item 7) ANSWER: Item #7 is replaced with “All work must be completed between 8AM and 4:30PM. There should be NO planned worked during of-peak hours.

QUESTION: Is the contractor meant to “protect” existing sprinklers or prevent them from setting off? By what means? (SOW pg 4, Item 8) ANSWER: As stated, the contractor must not perform any work which could result in the existing sprinklers to be set-off, therefore no heat or flames should result from this work. If there is an expectation of high-dust resulting from this work, the contractor shall install temporary protective covers around existing sensing devices.

QUESTION: Is VA Directive 1028 dated 24 Feb 20 the most current version of those requirements? If not, please provide the current version. (SOW pg 4, Item 9) ANSWER: VA Directive 1028 dated 24 Feb 20 shall apply.

QUESTION: Does this item require contractors to provide generators (gas or diesel) or will standard non-sensitive outlets be available for use? (SOW pg 4, Item 11) ANSWER: Standard non-sensitive outlets will be available for general use, but the contractor must provide a stable power-source for their primary-injection high—current Test equipment.

QUESTION: Can you provide more clarification on SOW Requirement 14? This requirement may not be applicable due to the equipment already being de-energized and disconnected. In the event of a shutdown, the connection to the network is already open due to safety procedures (Lockout/Tagout). Is this what the requirement refers to? If the connection is already open there would be no possibility of backfeeding. Does this requirement refer to preventing the contractor-provided generator from backfeeding? (SOW pg 4, Item 14) ANSWER: If the Hospital shall experience an external power outage and the internal VA existing generators are engaged to provide general emergency power, then all work shall stop, and re-start after normal power is restored. There should be no interconnections with the VA power system during emergency generator operations.

QUESTION: Do all the breakers the contractor is to test have a trip unit? Is primary injection testing required for any of the breakers?

ANSWER: Yes, all breakers are currently equipped with Trip-Units and YES, primary injection testing is required for all circuit breakers. NOTE: The contractor shall supply the power requirements for the primary injection test-sets.

QUESTION: Is the contractor responsible for any inspection, testing, tightening, repair, inside the cabinets from which the breakers are pulled?

ANSWER: No, but if any issues are observed during the removal and re-installation of the circuit breakers, that could result in a future operational issue, these MUST be documented and included within the final report. Any immediate critical items with the racking-mechanisms, secondary contacts, insulating members, or other issues MUST be immediately brought to the attention of the VA-COR and recorded within the final report.

QUESTION: Since all of the work is on de-energized low voltage equipment, does this requirement apply? (SOW pg 6, Item 11) ANSWER: NOTE: The contractor shall supply the power requirements for the primary injection test-sets.

QUESTION: In reference to arc flash labeling, since the equipment on which we are to work has been completely de-energized for over 4 years and is currently non-operational, there is no way to calculate an arc flash. Can you clarify this requirement? The specific safety requirements state that we can’t work on a breaker unless there’s an arc flash warning label affixed. Can we verify that all breakers to be worked on are indeed labelled and are up to date? If not, what steps must be taken to still complete the work and adhere to requirements? (SOW pg 6, Item 12) ANSWER: The switchgear does contain an ARC FLASH Label and the indicated level of Incident Energy applies to all the circuit breakers within that Switchgear unit. The contractor is NOT expected to install ARC FLASH Labels. The contractor shall utilize the proper PPE when removing and installing the circuit breakers.

As shown below from the 9/15/2021 Arc Flash Study, the level of Incident Energy at these substations is considered very high. The Contractor shall indicate whether they can complete the work

QUESTION: Is there an existing arc flash study and short circuit study in place for the location where the equipment will be put in service? Is the amount of short circuit current to be interrupted, and the amount of load to which each breaker will be subjected available to us?

ANSWER: Yes, the Study was completed 9/15/2021 and is attached for reference.

QUESTION: We are currently not a NETA-accredited company. Is there an equivalent certification that would fulfill this requirement? We are a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and becoming NETA-accredited in time to complete this work is not feasible for us. If there is no acceptable equivalent certification, would the VA consider removing this requirement so it will not be a barrier to opportunity? Our technicians are NICET Certified, and all work will be completed to NETA standards. All technicians we supply will also have full NFPA 70E safety training.

ANSWER: NICET Certification, with all personnel to work on-site having a minimum of 3-years field experience with testing, racking-in and racking-out of similar Low Voltage Circuit Breakers is acceptable.

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