Solicitation Questions and Answers_FINAL.pdf

Solicitation # 36C24926R0077

Questions & Answers_FINAL

1. Factor 3 Standard of Proof (sheet 30 of solicitation) requires PPQ’s to be submitted for 2 similar projects. It is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain Past Performance Questionnaires from Federal Contracting Officers on a project-by-project basis when they have already completed a CPARS evaluation for us. Considering this, will Government consider allowing us to submit completed CPARS evaluation forms with our proposals in lieu of having our references send the provided PPQ? Several Contracting Officers declining to fill these out have cited From FAR 42.1501 General: (b) Agencies shall monitor their compliance with the past performance evaluation requirements (see 42.1502) and use the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) metric tools to measure the quality and timely reporting of past performance information. CPARS is the official source for past performance information on federal projects.

Answer: CPARS are acceptable in place of PPQ’s if PPQ’s cannot be obtained.

2. If CPARS are acceptable, may they be emailed directly to the Contracting Officer by the due date of the proposal or to be included as an addendum that does not count against the page requirement in the final proposal.

Answer: CPARS are acceptable and can be included as addendum that does not count against the page requirements.

3. Page 9 of the solicitation lists testing procedures. One items states the following “Occupancy Adjustments: When requested within 12 months of date of Substantial Completion, provide on-site assistance in adjusting system to suit actual occupied conditions. Provide up to two visits to Project during other than normal occupancy hours for this purpose”. This line says to account for two after hours site visits within the 12 month period after substantial completion but does not provide ethe number of regular hour visits.

Please provide the total number of visits to include for regular hour onsite assistance with adjustments during the 12 month period after substantial completion.

Answer: There is no known number of visits or calls. Would only need someone able to respond on site if we are unable to get boilers working properly and a phone call fails to assist.

4. Is any asbestos containing materials on any pipe or components associated with this project?

Answer: There is no asbestos that we are currently aware of.

5. If there is asbestos abatement, please identify the rooms in which it is present and the qty of abatement.

Answer: There is no asbestos that we are currently aware of.

6. Please confirm the total quantity of boilers in each building.

Answer: 2 per building

7. It was observed at the site visits that each mechanical room included in the sow has two boilers. It is our understanding that only 1 boiler is active at any given time. Given this, is it acceptable to perform work any time during the year if we only replace one boiler at a time and do not take the second offline until the first is fully operational?

Answer: Yes, if N+1 back-up boiler is supplied by the contractor between September 1 and May 1.

8. The new boilers are expected to be smaller than the existing. Is it acceptable to extend the existing concrete pads to fit the new boiler layout/placement rather than demoing and replacing the entire pad?

Answer: Existing pad can be extended or reused.

9. Requirement 2 of the Technical Proposal, as stated on Sheet 29 of 77 of the solicitation, requires offerors to demonstrate successful completion of at least one project involving dual fuel condensing boilers using natural gas with propane backup, including design coordination, fuel train integration, controls, and commissioning.

However, based on the site visit, only four relatively small boilers, two in Building 201 and two in Building 202, are dual fuel. Furthermore, neither mechanical room currently has natural gas service, and the four replacement boilers will not be connected to natural gas as part of this project. Therefore, the dual fuel portion represents a very small part of the overall scope, and it does not appear the boilers will actually operate as dual fuel systems under this contract.

Requiring this specific past experience may unnecessarily limit competition for a qualification that is not representative of the project as a whole. We respectfully request that Requirement 2 be removed or revised to make dual fuel boiler experience optional. At a minimum, offerors should be permitted to demonstrate similar experience with condensing boiler replacement, fuel system coordination, controls, and commissioning.

Answer: Solicitation requirements will not change at this point.

10. The solicitation does not list the quantity of boilers, basis of design, design heating load, required system redundancy, operating temperatures, system flow rates, required boiler turndown for each building, or other design/performance criteria. During the site visit it was said that an “asset list” or list of equipment required for this project would be provided.

Please provide this asset list.

Answer: Provided, see “Boiler Room Summary” at the end of this Question & Answer document.

11. There do not appear to be electrical requirements written into the sow for this project.

Please confirm that all boiler locations only require power to be disconnected and reconnected.

Answer: Boilers should match existing facility electrical, be disconnected and reconnected by the contractor. It is the responsibility of the contractor if necessary to adjust the length of electrical whip to terminate at boilers.

12. If any of the new boilers require different electrical requirements from the existing boilers, please clearly identify the boilers in question and the existing and new electrical requirements.

Answer: New boilers should be matched to existing electrical requirements OR replace existing electrical to meet requirements of new boilers.

13. Please confirm the new dual-fuel boilers in B201 and B202 will be installed with natural gas only since propane service is not available.

Answer: Yes, only natural gas connections need to be made.

14. Since the boilers are getting replaced in kind, will the BAS controllers wiring simply be disconnected from old and reconnect for new boilers or will additional programming, cabling, etc be required?

Answer: All controls work needed to maintain existing functionality must be completed by the contractor.

15. Page 10 of the solicitation states “Install CO and combustible gas detectors with audible alarm and BAS reporting on emergency power circuit.”. Please identify the quantity of CO and combustible gas detectors needed in each building.

Answer: 1 detector per mechanical room.

16. Are the CO and combustible gas detectors with audible alarm and BAS reporting on emergency power circuits existing to be replaced or new at all locations?

Answer: New equipment must be installed in all locations to include necessary controls and electrical work.

17. The existing boiler system appears to be redundant with only 1 of the 2 boilers in each building active at any given time. Is there a limitation on the total number of buildings that can be worked on at one time?

Answer: No limitations on number of buildings worked on at one time.

18. Please clarify the requirements for draining, flushing, cleaning, chemical treatment, glycol, water quality testing, and system refilling in each building. Please provide the required water treatment standards and confirm whether the existing hydronic systems contain glycol or chemical inhibitors?

Answer: Existing boilers are chemically treated with corrosion inhibitor 13110 by Momar to a conductivity target of 1000 µS

1. Pre-Cleaning Inspection

Visually inspect piping and equipment for debris, construction materials (such as welding slag or pipe dope), and other contaminants.

2. Initial Flush

Perform a high-velocity water flush of the entire system.

Typical velocity: Minimum of 3 feet per second (fps) is recommended to mobilize debris, according to ASHRAE and ASME.

3. Cleaning Solution Circulation circulate an appropriate cleaning chemical Examples: Detergents, degreasers, or scale removers.

4.Secondary Flush

After chemical cleaning, thoroughly flush the system with clean water until water is free of chemical.

5. Water Quality Testing

Collect samples to test for turbidity, pH (typically 7.5–9.0), TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), and absence of visible contaminants.

6. Passivation

Circulate a passivating solution— corrosion inhibitor Momar 13110 currently being used in all buildings—to protect pipework targeting 1000 µS

7. Documentation

Record flow rates, velocities achieved, cleaning agents used, and water test results.

19. The scope requires the manufacturer’s standard boiler warranty but does not identify a minimum duration or coverage. Please confirm the required warranty period for the boilers, heat exchangers, burners, controls, BAS work.

Answer: 1 year from project completion

20. Please identify whether the warranty begins at individual boiler startup, substantial completion.

Answer: Contractor responsible for maintaining new boiler operation through completion of project, warranty period begins at project completion.

21. The Bid Schedule on page 5 of the solicitation states that POP begins 9/25/26 and POP ends 10/05/27 for a total of 375 calendar days. However, the period of performance is stated as 365 days on Block 11 of page 1 of the solicitation. Please confirm which is correct.

Answer: 365 was discussed with CO but 375 is acceptable.

22. Is the GC or the Government responsible for hiring a third-party commissioning agent?

Answer: GC has commissioning completed and provides a completion report

23. If the boilers have recirculating pumps, do these get replaced? If so, does the VA want a status added to the BAS?

Answer: New circulating pumps will need to be installed to include electrical and controls, circulators will need status with BAS alarm added and graphics updated.

24. Please define what separators get replaced on this project as well as sizes and capacities.

Answer: New separators must be installed in all buildings excluding 201 and 202.

Contractor to determine appropriate size and capacity based on the maximum flow rate (GPM) of either the primary (source) loop or the secondary (load) loop—whichever flow rate is higher. On a building-by-building basis.

25. If work is performed after May, how long can the boilers be down for?

Answer: Until September 1 unless an emergency backup boiler is supplied.

26. Will a laydown area be provided in the back contractor lot?

Answer: Yes.

27. Does the VA want new graphics to be provided by the DDC controls contractor Johnson Controls?

Answer: Existing graphics may be used as long as no functionality is lost, new graphics must be added for circulating pumps to include status and alarm.

28. If the new equipment fits the dimensions of the existing concrete pad, can it be re-used?

Answer: Yes

29. Please provide the model numbers of the current boilers.

document.

30. Will the VA accept the use of Procore software as the primary submittal platform?

Answer: Yes

31. Please clarify whether the same projects may be used to satisfy multiple Requirements 1–5 under Factor 1. As currently written, the requirements appear to require prior completion of projects containing nearly the exact combination of systems included in this solicitation.

Please confirm whether the Government will instead accept three (3) projects of similar size, scope, and complexity that collectively demonstrate the experience required under Factor 1.

Answer: Follow the solicitation requirements as clearly written.

32. Please provide the existing boiler capacities and required replacement boiler capacities/MBH for each building.

document.

33. Provide the design flows, entering water temperature, and leaving water temperature for the new boilers so they can be priced.

Answer: Should be based off existing boilers, reference “Boiler Room Summary” provided.

34. What is the efficacy required for the new boilers? We need this listed by boiler.

Answer: Efficacy is the capacity for producing a desired result or effect; effectiveness. All boilers should be 100% efficacious in managing heating demands of the building it serves.

35. Please clarify the required propane scope for Buildings 201 and 202, including whether existing propane storage and distribution are available or whether tanks, regulators, piping, and associated equipment are to be provided by the Contractor.

Answer: Propane supplies nor hook ups are not available and not in the scope of this project. Boilers must be dual fuel however permanent propane connections are not available. Gas trains should be piped out to the exterior of the building with a main regulator to be provided by contractor.

36. Please provide the required quantities and locations of CO/combustible gas detectors and automatic gas shutoff valves for each building and identify whether existing emergency-power circuits are available.

Answer: Emergency circuits are available. CO/combustible gas detectors and automatic gas shut-off valves are not currently installed and will have to be added to existing utilities.

37. Please provide the sizes of the automatic gas shutoff valves you want installed by building.

Answer: BLDG 1- 4” BLDG 2-3” BLDG 3-3” BLDG 4-2” BLDG16-4” BLDG 25-4” BLDG 28-4”.

37.5. Please clarify whether hazardous-material or mechanical abatement is included in the Contractor's scope and provide applicable surveys, locations, and quantities.

Answer: If abatement is required, contractors are responsible for any abatements

Records from safety dept below

B1 Room 12 – Flooring- Negative for ACM Insulated Piping- Positive for ACM- Caveat mechanical room has been re-piped since last survey ACM removed

B2 Room 7 – Flooring- Negative for ACM Insulated Piping- Negative for ACM

B3 Mech Room – Flooring- Negative for ACM

Pipe Insulation- Negative for ACM

B4 Room 105- Flooring – Negative for ACM Pipe Insulation – Negative for ACM

B16 Room 13K - Flooring- Negative for ACM Pipe Insulation- Negative for ACM

B25 Room 40 – Flooring- Negative for ACM Pipe Insulation- Negative for ACM

B28 Mech Room– Flooring -Negative for ACM Pipe Insulation- Negative for ACM

38. The solicitation states, “All solicitation materials (drawings, specifications, contract forms, Amendments, and other documents) will be posted to the Contract Opportunities Government website at https://sam.gov/. Enter “36C24926R0077” into the search box to access the materials. This is the only official location where documents and updates are posted. No hard-copy solicitation materials are available.” Please provide the drawings and specifications that are referenced in the solicitation document.

Answer: This requirement does not contain drawings and specifications. Everything has been provided.

39. Please identify all materials, equipment, and supplies identified by the Government in any drawing or specification as the basis of design in any drawing or specification that require a Buy American Act waiver.

Answer: This requirement does not contain drawings and specifications. Everything has been provided.

40. How many parking spaces will be provided for on-site contractor parking?

Answer: Parking provided in laydown area-assume equivalent of 10 standard spaces

41. Please provide any available existing mechanical and electrical drawings for the affected boiler rooms and associated systems.

Answer: All documents have been provided.

42. Please provide a complete existing boiler schedule for each affected building identifying manufacturer, model number, quantity, input MBH, output MBH, design supply/return temperatures, design flow rate, operating pressure, fuel type, electrical characteristics, and any other available equipment data required to properly size and price the replacement boilers.

Answer: See boiler “Boiler Room Summary” provided at end of document.

43. Please confirm that all experience, qualifications, past performance, and other requirements identified under Factor 1 and Factor 3 must be demonstrated exclusively by the Prime Offeror, and that experience, qualifications, or past performance possessed by subcontractors or teaming partners of the proposed contractor team will not be considered or credited in any manner for purposes of satisfying these factors.

Answer: Follow the solicitation requirements as written.

44. Please confirm whether a single individual may be proposed to serve concurrently as both the Project Manager and Site Superintendent for this project, provided that individual meets all applicable Factor 2 – Key Personnel Experience requirements and all project supervision requirements.

Answer: The PM and Site Superintendent MUST be two different individuals.

45. Factor 2 – Key Personnel Experience: Please confirm that the requirements under Factor 2 may be satisfied collectively by the proposed Project Manager and/or Site Superintendent, and that both individuals are not required to independently satisfy Requirements 1–4.

Answer: Correct, collectively as stated in the solicitation “offeror must provide documentation showing that the Project Manager and/or Site Superintendent”.

46. Laydown Area and Material Storage: Please confirm whether the VA will provide a designated contractor laydown area and/or on-site material storage and parking area for the duration of the project, or whether the contractor should include the cost of off-site material storage and associated requirements in its proposal.

Answer: Laydown area will be provided.

46.5. Asbestos-Containing Materials: During the site walkthrough, placards were observed indicating the presence of asbestos beneath the boiler floors; please clarify the extent of known or suspected asbestos-containing materials within the boiler rooms, including whether asbestos is present on the existing hot water piping or piping insulation. If ACM's are present and must be disturbed by mechanical scope of work, does the VA intend for the contractor to perform abatement or shall the VA provide abatement by a third-party.

Answer: If abatement is required, contractors are responsible for any abatements

Records from safety dept below

B1 Room 12 – Flooring- Negative for ACM Insulated Piping- Positive for ACM- Caveat mechanical room has been re-piped since last survey ACM removed

B2 Room 7 – Flooring- Negative for ACM Insulated Piping- Negative for ACM

B3 Mech Room – Flooring- Negative for ACM

Pipe Insulation- Negative for ACM

B4 Room 105- Flooring – Negative for ACM Pipe Insulation – Negative for ACM

B16 Room 13K - Flooring- Negative for ACM Pipe Insulation- Negative for ACM

B25 Room 40 – Flooring- Negative for ACM Pipe Insulation- Negative for ACM

B28 Mech Room– Flooring -Negative for ACM Pipe Insulation- Negative for ACM

47. Boiler Service Clearances: In Building 1, the existing boilers appear to have insufficient clearance from the existing electrical switchgear to accommodate the required service clearances for the replacement boilers or the existing switchgears; please clarify whether the replacement boilers are required to remain within the existing boiler footprint or should be relocated as necessary to meet manufacturer-required clearances.

Answer: Relocation is allowed but boilers and ancillaries must have service clearances.

We do not require them to be relocated, but we need enough space around them to disassemble and work inside the units if they are relocated. We will also need enough clearance to work on anything tying into the units.

48. Boiler Staging and Redundancy Controls: Please confirm whether the replacement boilers are required to operate under coordinated lead/lag staging within each building, and if so, whether that staging is to be accomplished through the boiler manufacturer’s onboard/cascade controls or programmed through the existing Johnson Controls Metasys system.

Answer: Lead Lag not required.

49. Boiler Pumps – New or Existing: Please confirm whether new boiler pumps are required as part of the replacement work or whether the existing boiler pumps are to be reused.

Answer: Existing building pumps can be reused circulating pumps must be added new on boiler side of hydraulic separator.

50. Boiler Pump Configuration: Please clarify whether the replacement boiler pumps are required to be externally mounted within the boiler piping or integral to the boilers and contained within the boiler housings.

Answer: Building pumps are not to be replaced. Boiler circulating pumps should be mounted external to the boiler housing.

50a. Are boiler circulating pumps to be replaced on all boilers?

Answer: There are no circulating pumps currently.

50b. Are there existing circulating pumps on all boilers with power that can be reused on new pumps or do they require new power?

Answer: The pumps should be able to be tied into the boilers and then programmed to turn on when the boiler fires. New power should not be needed, but this is unknown until we receive the specs for the pumps.

50c. If circulating pumps are new with new power to be pulled, please provide information on electrical requirements needed such as length from panel to pump, new breaker size, amp, etc.

Answer: The pumps should be able to be tied into the boilers and then programmed to turn on when the boiler fires. New power should not be needed, but this is unknown until we receive the specs for the pumps.

50d. If new power is needed, are circulating pumps powered from boiler or with dedicated power to a panel?

Answer: New power should not be needed, but this is unknown until we receive the specs for the pumps

50e. If dedicated power is needed, please provide approximate location and length of conductor from panel to pump.

Answer: New power should not be needed, but this is unknown until we receive the specs for the pumps. The pumps should be able to be tied into the boilers and then programmed to turn on when the boiler fires.

51. Gas Supply Adequacy: Please confirm whether there are any known natural gas supply or gas-starving issues at any building under current operation, and whether each existing boiler is fully satisfied at its rated input under present conditions. The contractor intends to select replacement boilers with equal input, equal or greater output, and equal or lower gas pressure (in. w.c.) requirements.

Answer: No known issues

52. Propane System Scope (Buildings 201 & 202): For the dual-fuel requirement at Buildings 201 and 202, please clarify the full extent of the propane scope, including who furnishes the propane storage tank(s), tank sizing and setting, propane regulators, automatic fuel-transfer controls, and yard piping from the tank to the building.

Answer: Propane supplies nor hook ups are not available and not in the scope of this project. Boilers must be dual fuel however permanent propane connections are not available. Gas trains should be piped out to the exterior of the building with a main regulator to be provided by contractor.

53. Existing Venting Reuse vs. New: Please confirm whether the existing boiler venting may be reused for the replacement boilers, or whether all-new venting is required. The Statement of Work appears to require new venting throughout; please confirm this is the VA's intent.

Answer: New venting throughout using existing wall penetrations.

53a. Do any of these vents run through occupied space in the hospital where replacement of ceilings and walls are required. If so, please clearly identify.

Answer: All venting runs directly outside the buildings from the mechanical space, none go through occupied spaces.

54. Maxon Safety Valves: Please confirm whether Maxon is the only acceptable manufacturer for the boiler safety valves or whether equivalent products from other manufacturers will be permitted.

Answer: Equivalent products are acceptable must be capable of shutting down on existing Estop and manual reset with BAS alarm.

55. Safety Valve Strainers/Filters: The specified Maxon safety valves require upstream strainers or filters; please confirm whether the contractor is required to provide and install these upstream strainers/filters as part of the project scope.

Answer: Contractor is required to provide and install.

56. Hydraulic Separation Method: Please clarify whether the VA requires a dedicated hydraulic separator device or whether hydraulic separation may be achieved through an alternative acceptable method, such as closely spaced tees, a low-loss header, or another suitable hydronic decoupling arrangement.

Answer: Closely spaced tees should be used for hydraulic separation

57. Hydraulic Separator Manufacturer: If a dedicated hydraulic separator is required, please confirm whether the VA has a preferred manufacturer or whether equivalent products from multiple manufacturers will be acceptable.

Answer: Closely spaced tees should be used for hydraulic separation

58. Hydraulic Separation Quantity: Please clarify whether hydraulic separation is required for all boilers included in the project or only at specific boiler plants/locations.

Answer: A primary/secondary loop configuration is to be installed with circulation pumps for each boiler and hydraulic separation between primary loop 2 boilers and pumps and secondary loop the rest of the building.

59. Prohibited Boiler Manufacturers: During the site walkthrough, the VA indicated that at least one boiler model (Areco’s Modulex) was prohibited from use on this project; please identify if there are more prohibited manufacturers or models. Is Aerco permissible at all or is only Modulex models prohibited?

Answer: Modulex models are prohibited and any other aluminum boiler.

60. Magnetic Separation and Water Quality: Please provide the required hydronic water-quality criteria or available water-quality testing results and clarify whether magnetic dirt/particle separators are required as part of the boiler replacement scope.

Answer: Existing water quality is good. Follow these requirements at start up pH: 7.0 to

10.0 (consult manufacturer for exact specification)

Total Hardness: < 50 mg/L (as CaCO₃)

Chloride: < 50 mg/L

Sulphate: < 50 mg/L

Conductivity: 500 μS/cm or less

Total Iron: < 0.1 mg/L

Total Suspended Solids: < 10 mg/L

61. Expansion Tank, Air Separator, and Make-Up Water: Please clarify whether the existing expansion tanks, air separators, and make-up water assemblies are to be reused or replaced, and whether a hydraulic separator with integral air/dirt separation is intended to replace the existing standalone air separator.

Answer: Existing expansion tanks, air separators, and make-up water assemblies are to be reused.

62. Existing Piping Scope: Please clarify the required limits of demolition and replacement of the existing boiler piping, including whether the contractor is to make only the connections necessary to the replacement boilers or extend piping modifications back to the existing isolation valves or other upstream/downstream points.

Answer: A primary/secondary loop configuration is to be installed with circulation pumps for each boiler and hydraulic separation between primary loop 2 boilers and pumps and secondary loop the rest of the building. Scope includes installation of primary loop piping and circulating pumps and replacement of boilers and tying in primary loop to existing secondary loop. In 2 pipe buildings 4 and 25 the ability to valve over from heating to cooling must be maintained, valves to isolate the primary loop must be installed all other valves affected will be on the secondary loop and should not interfere with the scope of this contract. In all buildings isolation valves must be installed at the supply and return of each boiler.

63. System Cleaning and Flushing: Please clarify whether the VA has any requirements regarding cleaning or flushing of the existing hydronic system prior to placing the new boilers in service, to help protect the new boiler heat exchangers.

Answer: Existing boilers are chemically treated with corrosion inhibitor 13110 by Momar to a conductivity target of 1000 µS

1. Pre-Cleaning Inspection

Visually inspect piping and equipment for debris, construction materials (such as welding slag or pipe dope), and other contaminants.

2. Initial Flush

Perform a high-velocity water flush of the entire system.

Typical velocity: Minimum of 3 feet per second (fps) is recommended to mobilize debris, according to ASHRAE and ASME.

3. Cleaning Solution Circulation circulate an appropriate cleaning chemical Examples: Detergents, degreasers, or scale removers.

4.Secondary Flush

After chemical cleaning, thoroughly flush the system with clean water until water is free of chemical.

5. Water Quality Testing

Collect samples to test for turbidity, pH (typically 7.5–9.0), TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), and absence of visible contaminants.

6. Passivation

Circulate a passivating solution— corrosion inhibitor Momar 13110 currently being used in all buildings—to protect pipework targeting 1000 µS

7. Documentation

Record flow rates, velocities achieved, cleaning agents used, and water test results.

64. Boiler Controls and Johnson Controls Integration: Please provide the required control points for the replacement boilers. This will impact the number of sensors and I/Os.

Answer: 16 inputs 16 outputs

65. SSHO: Does the VA require the Contractor provide a Site Safety and Health Officer(SSHO) for this project. If so, please indicate if this person can be dual-hat by the Site Superintendent and whether it is required that this individual be on site at all times work occurs.

Answer: Yes, can be dual-hat. PM and Superintendent must be two separate individuals but Superintendent can also act as SSHO.

66. Exhaust Flue and Combustion Air Routing: If new flues and combustion air intakes are required, is it the Contractor's discretion on the routing? For example, as long as it meets the manufacturer's requirements and code, may the Contractor use new penetration locations or run through a different wall than what exists today, with VA approval?

Answer: Existing penetrations should be used

67. Warranty: We understand the standard one-year construction warranty (FAR 52.246-21) covers labor and materials. Beyond that, does the VA require any extended manufacturer warranty on the boilers or their components (for example, the heat exchanger), and if so, for how many years? Please also confirm whether the standard manufacturer’s warranty is acceptable.

Answer: No other warranty requirements.

68. Low NOx Requirement: Some of the existing boilers being replaced are low NOx units.

Please confirm whether the replacement boilers are required to be low NOx, and if so, specify the applicable NOx emissions limit or standard the new boilers must meet.

Answer: ≤10 ppm Nox per 1000MBH input.

69. Condensate Neutralization: The Statement of Work does not specifically call for condensate neutralization kits. Existing neutralization kits are present at the boilers today.

Please confirm whether the Contractor is required to provide new condensate neutralization kits for the replacement boilers, or whether the existing kits are to be reused.

Answer: Reuse existing.

70. Sequence of Work: Please clarify whether the VA has a required sequence or phasing plan for the boiler replacements, including any restrictions on the number of boilers or buildings that may be taken out of service concurrently.

Answer: No restrictions on working in multiple buildings concurrently.

71. Boiler Mounting: The existing boilers in Buildings 201 and 202 are wall-mounted. Please confirm whether the replacement boilers in these buildings are required to be wall-mounted, or whether floor-mounted units are acceptable.

Answer: Wall mount or floor mount is acceptable however footprint of equipment must allow for all equipment in ALL buildings mechanical rooms to be easily accessible and serviceable.

72. Due to limited space in the existing boiler rooms and difference in layout room by room, will all boilers be required to be procured from the same manufacturer? Please clarify as utilizing different manufacturers would allow for better solutions to be proposed.

Answer: All boilers should be from the same manufacturer.

73. Existing Equipment List: Please provide the existing boiler schedule, models, and output MBH capacities for Buildings 1, 2, 3, 4, 16, 25, 28, 201, and 202.

Answer: See provided “Boiler Room Summary”.

74. Propane Backup (B201 & B202): Please confirm the design MBH and pressure requirements for the propane backup systems serving Buildings 201 and 202.

Answer: Pressure requirements will be determined by equipment to be installed.

75. Please confirm whether a combustion air intake filter without a pressure switch, or a filter with a control-based replacement reminder, will satisfy this requirement. If the Government requires a factory installed air pressure switch annunciated on the boiler display, please identify a manufacturer and model that provides it.

Answer: A combustion air switch that will disable boiler with alarm on panel and BAS will suffice when combustion air switch not satisfied in the event of a clogged filter.

76. Please confirm the NOx limit — is “≤10 ppm” a limit of 10 ppm corrected to 3% oxygen, and at what firing rate or rates must it be met? Please confirm whether 439 stainless heat exchangers are acceptable, consistent with the Amendment 0001 response above, or whether 316L is a firm requirement. As written these two requirements appear to select different manufacturers, with no product satisfying both. Please confirm which governs, or revise one of them.

Answer: Amend PPM Nox requirement to less than 20 ppm at 3% O2. 439 stainless heat exchangers are acceptable.

77. Page 7 requires a fully welded 316L stainless steel interior “with a carbon steel shell.” Among the 316L fire tube condensing boilers we identified in this capacity range, the published shell materials are: Raypak XVers KOR, 304L stainless; Laars MagnaTherm FT, 304L stainless; Camus Avenger, 304 stainless; Weil-McLain SVF, 316 stainless. We did not identify a competing product published with a carbon steel shell.

Question: Please confirm whether a stainless steel outer shell is acceptable.

Answer: Stainless steel shell permissible.

78. Page 7 requires: “The burner shall be high temperature stainless steel with a woven Fecralloy outer covering to provide modulating firing rates … The burner shall be removable from the boiler without removing the gas/air manifold.”

The phrase “woven Fecralloy outer covering” appears in the publicly available Typical Specification for Lochinvar FTXL Heating Boiler, which reads: “The burner shall be a premix design constructed of high temperature stainless steel with a woven Fecralloy outer covering to provide smooth operation at all modulating firing rates.” We were unable to identify any other manufacturer that publishes a Fecralloy burner covering.

Question: Please confirm whether a premix burner of equivalent construction, turndown and combustion performance will be accepted regardless of the burner mesh alloy, and whether the manifold-removal provision is a performance requirement or a preference.

Answer: Any equivalent stainless burner with metal fiber mesh covering is acceptable.

79. Page 8 twice references specific model designations: “Exhaust flue for the FCB/OCB 1000 – 4000 …” and “Exhaust flue for the FCB/OCB 5000 – 6000 …” FCB is the model prefix of the Lochinvar CREST series (models FCB1000 through FCB6000). In addition, the boiler summary furnished with Amendment 0001 identifies no boiler on this project larger than 3 million BTU, so the FCB/OCB 5000 – 6000 paragraph appears to have no application to this work.

Question: Please confirm whether the Government intends a brand name or equal procurement. If so, please identify the salient characteristics an “or equal” product must meet, in accordance with FAR 11.104. If not, please revise these paragraphs to state performance requirements rather than model designations.

Answer: Amend SOW section B1 bullets 16 and 17 to Exhaust flue for the boiler must be

Category IV approved PVC, CPVC, PP or stainless steel sealed vent material in accordance with, manufacturer installation manual federal state and local codes, Boiler Safety Device

Testing Manual (most current edition) and VA Directive 1810.

80. Bldg. 201 and 202 – no product satisfies the stated requirements. The boiler summary furnished with Amendment 0001 identifies Buildings 201 and 202 as each having two Weil- McLain EVG 220 boilers at 206,000 BTU. For these two buildings the solicitation requires, simultaneously: boilers from the same manufacturer as the 3,000 MBH units (Amendment 0001); fire tube construction with a fully welded 316L stainless interior and carbon steel shell (page 7); an ASME “H” stamp for 160 psi working pressure (page 7); boilers that “match or slightly exceed output MBH of current boilers in service” (page 7); propane dual fuel capability (Offer Item 0001); and ≤10 ppm NOx (Amendment 0001).

We were unable to identify any product meeting these conditions together:

• Lochinvar's smallest CREST model is the FBN0751 at 750 MBH input. Lochinvar's smaller lines do not publish a stainless grade — the FTXL submittal and Lochinvar's own typical specification state only “stainless steel” — and the KNIGHT wall mount is furnished with a 30 psi relief valve.

• AERCO's smallest Benchmark is 750 MBH, roughly 3.6 times the existing output; the smaller Modulex line is prohibited by Amendment 0001.

• The Fulton EXE-399 technical data sheet states the unit is “factory configured with either a natural gas or propane burner; the burner is not field convertible,” and publishes NOx at < 20 ppm.

• Products that do serve this capacity in a fire tube condensing design — for example Navien NFB-301C at 255 MBH net output, Laars FT-301, HTP Elite FT and IBC SL — are manufactured by companies that do not produce 3,000 MBH boilers, and most are rated well below 160 psi.

Question: Please identify a specific boiler, from a single manufacturer also capable of supplying the 3,000 MBH units, that satisfies all of the above at Buildings 201 and 202. If no such product exists, please advise whether the Government will exempt these two buildings from the same-manufacturer requirement, or otherwise revise the requirements applicable to them.

Answer: Boilers in 201 & 202 may be of a different manufacturer. If dual fuel at 206,000 BTU is not available from any manufacturer install 2 propane only boilers equivalent to existing natural gas boilers on a common water header leaving existing NG boilers in place.

81. Definition of “dual fuel capable”. Offer Item 0001 requires Buildings 201 and 202 to be “propane dual fuel capable.” Amendment 0001 states that propane supply and connections are not available and are not in the scope of this project, and that gas trains are to be piped to the building exterior with a main regulator provided by the contractor.

In this capacity class, most products marketed as compatible with both fuels are furnished with a field conversion kit and operate on one fuel at a time. A boiler that can be connected to both fuels — for example the Lochinvar CREST FBD series, whose submittal shows separate natural gas and LP inlet connections — is available only from 750 MBH upward.

Question: Please confirm whether “dual fuel capable” requires a boiler that can be switched between fuels in service without conversion, a boiler that is field convertible between fuels, or a boiler for which a propane conversion kit is offered by the manufacturer.

Answer: Equipment must be able to run both fuels and have 2 separate gas trains without installing a conversion kit in the event back up fuel is needed. Operation should be similar not necessarily exact to dual fuel change over procedure of aerco benchmark as an example. If dual fuel at 206,000 BTU is not available from any manufacturer install 2 propane only boilers equivalent to existing natural gas boilers on a common water header leaving existing NG boilers in place and operational.

82. Match or slightly exceed output MBH – input versus output. Page 7 requires that “Boilers must match or slightly exceed output MBH of current boilers in service.” The boiler summary lists Buildings 1, 16, 25 and 28 as “3 million BTU,” Building 3 as “1.5 million BTU,” Building 2 as 651,000–696,000 BTU and Building 4 as 521,000–558,000 BTU, without stating whether those figures are input or output.

Question: Please confirm whether the capacities in the boiler summary are input or output ratings. Please state the acceptable tolerance for “slightly exceed,” including whether an upper limit applies and whether a unit rated slightly below the existing nameplate would be rejected.

Answer: Modulex are max output

Benchmarks are input. Out puts range as follows

1.5LN 1290-1409mbh

2.0LN1706-1860 mbh

3.0LN 2610-2883 mbh

New equipment tolerance for outputs as follows

Minimum output equal to or 5% lower than existing minimum output

Maximum output 0-5% above existing Maximum output

Boiler Room Summary

Located in each building are independent boiler rooms excluding locations equipped with geothermal or conventional heat. Buildings listed below are equipped with low pressure condensing boilers providing hydronic heating to a variety of end user equipment. Boilers also provide hydronic heating to water to glycol heat exchangers supplying heated glycol to Air Handler Units. All Boiler rooms are supplied with regulated make-up water inputs with bypass option.

• Building 1 is equipped with 2 – 3 million BTU Aerco BMK3.0LN Benchmark Low NOX, natural gas condensing boilers, 2 variable speed pumps, 1 feed water regulator.

• Building 2 is equipped with 2 – 651,000-696,000 BTU Aerco Modulex MLX 757H, natural gas condensing boilers, 2 variable speed pumps

• Building 3 is equipped with 2 – 1.5 million BTU Aerco BMK1.5LN Benchmark Low NOX, natural gas condensing boilers and 2 variable speed pumps.

• Building 4 is equipped with 2 – 521,000-558,000 BTU Aerco Modulex MLX 606H, natural gas condensing boilers and 2 variable speed pumps

• Building 16 is equipped with 2 – 3 million BTU Aerco BMK3.0LNBenchmark Low NOX, natural gas condensing boilers and 2 variable speed pumps.

• Building 25 is equipped with 2 – 3 million BTU Aerco BMK3.0LN Benchmark Low NOX, natural gas condensing boilers and 2 variable speed pumps.

• Building 28 is equipped with 2 – 3 million BTU Aerco BMK3.0LN Benchmark Low NOX, natural gas condensing boilers and 2 variable speed pumps.

• Building 201 is equipped with 2 –206,000 BTU Weil- McLain EVG 220, natural gas condensing boilers and 2 variable speed pumps.

• Building 202 is equipped with 2 –206,000 BTU Weil- McLain EVG 220, natural gas condensing boilers and 2 variable speed pumps.

END OF SOLICITATION QUESTIONS & ANSWERS