S02 Question from RFI.pdf

Solicitation questions for Replace Building 1 Emergency Generator

Project # 658-19-109

1. Please provide a drawing that accurately depicts the temporary generator that has to be relocated. The pre-bid was not mandatory, and this is a very complex and expensive portion of the job that’s not shown on the drawings at all.

Response: Refer to Drawing E-101, Detail 1 for location of the portable temporary generator to be removed.

2. Will it be possible to relocate the police dispatch for the work that is to be done in the confined office. Yes, it will be possible to relocate the police dispatch.

3. In Spec Sec 26 32 13 2.8.C: Are Ni-Cad batteries required or will standard lead-acid batteries be acceptable?

a. The same specification section also states: “Batteries shall fit inside enclosure and alongside the engine generator. Batteries under the generator are not acceptable” Our trade contractors state that Ni-CAD batteries will not fit inside a 125 KW generator enclosure, however, industry standard lead-acid batteries will fit inside generator enclosure. In addition to not fitting in the enclosure correctly, there’s a substantial cost difference for Ni-CAD batteries that will be disproportionate on this small sized generator.

Can this spec section be modified to reflect these conditions?

Response: Lead-acid batteries are an acceptable replacement.

Change 2.8 C. to:

C. Batteries shall be nickel-cadmium or lead-acid high discharge rate type.

1. Each battery cell shall have minimum and maximum electrolyte level indicators and a flip-top flame arrestor vent cap.

2. Batteries shall have connector covers for protection against external short circuits.

3. With the charger disconnected, the batteries shall have sufficient capacity so that the total system voltage does not fall below 85% of the nominal system voltage with the following demands:

Five consecutive starting attempts of 10 seconds cranking at

10 second intervals for a total of 50 seconds of actual cranking (the fifth starting attempt will be manually initiated upon failure of a complete engine cranking cycle).

4. Battery racks shall be metal with an alkali-resistant finish, thermal insulation, and secured to the floor.

4. Please clarify intent of installing a 75kW “temporary” generator. Will there be any docking station involved with BOM to bring in a roll-up generator? Or is the temporary unit only expected to be present during construction period?

Response: See phasing notes on E-601 for temporary generator intent. Temporary generator will serve building load while work is done upstream to utility transformer.

5. Can NEMA-3R enclosures be used in lieu of providing drip pans over equipment in the electrical closet?

Response: Drip pans are preferred to shed any water infiltration off the top of the equipment.

6. What is the location of the 1000 amp enclosed circuit breaker listed in the one line diagram? Could it be the 1200 amp fusible safety switch that is mounted to the right of the stairs going up to the courtyard area where the temporary generator is located? If so, would the contractor need to install fuse reducers and 400 amp fuses?

Response: 1000-amp enclosed circuit breaker is shown on existing conditions drawings. The enclosed circuit breaker is likely in (E) electrical box shown in courtyard adjacent to 300-kVA transformer on E-101.

7. Can the existing portable generator be utilized as a temporary generator for the shutdown or does the contractor need to provide a temporary generator in their proposal?

Response: The design drawings call for a separate temporary generator. It is believed that the existing portable generator is not a reliable source of power. VA to confirm if contractor is allowed to utilize the existing generator in courtyard as a temporary generator during construction.

The contractor shall supply a separate temporary generator.

8. Can the owner provide more information about the PIV valve and water line that is being relocated? Such as water line size, type of pipe, length of allowable shutdown, will a fire watch be necessary while shut down?

Response: Per available existing documents the existing fire water supply line to Building 1 is a 4” line. Salem VAMC to answer remaining questions.

Type of pipe shall be ductile iron.

Length of allowable shutdown: The shutdown would be for the amount of time necessary to complete the work.

Fire watch: If the sprinklers in the building are planned to be or are going to be out of service for 10 hours, then a fire watch is required.

9. Could the new generator be placed in the location of the existing portable generator to eliminate the cost of moving the pole light, the PIV valve, and installing the privacy fence, as well as shortening the feeder cable length?

Response: Generator shall be installed where shown on the contract documents. The courtyard does not meet VA standards

10. Will the security office be relocated temporarily while the project takes place? See question number 2.

11. Can the contractor work in the hallway and the ladies locker room during normal business hours? Yes, the hallway and ladies locker room will be made available to the contractor during normal business hours.

12. Section 26 32 13 2.4F – Is oil heater necessary? Generator will already be equipped with a jacket water heater and a space heater. This seems like overkill.

Response: Oil heater shall be provided as required by specification and is a VA standard.

13. Section 26 32 13 2.5A – Spec calls for 96 hours run time @ 45% load. Would the following 400G tank be acceptable? Provides for 36 hours runtime @ 100% load, 45 hours @ 75%, and 62 hours at 50%.

Response: The VA standard is a 96-hour run time. A smaller tank is not acceptable.

14. Section 26 32 13 2.16B – Are enclosure lights really necessary on a generator this small?

Response: Light fixtures shall be installed as shown on the contract documents.

15. Section 26 36 23 – Can we provide a standard open transition transfer switch in lieu of By-Pass Isolation? By-Pass Isolation adds a tremendous amount of cost and typically only see this requirement in a true medical setting of a hospital not the police station.

Response: Bypass isolation is a VA requirement for their ATS’s and must be installed.

16. Section 26 36 23 2.4 – Is the ATS remote annunciator necessary? You only have one ATS and 99% of the time that I see this in the specification of a project it has never been used or installed.

Response: Remote annunciator shall be installed per spec section per VA standard.