S05 Pre-Bid RFIs 9.15.25.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 17 KB Posted
- Attached to
- 578-25-013 Joliet VFD Replacement Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 36C25225B0023
About this file
This document is a Pre-Bid Request for Information (RFI) spreadsheet for the VA Joliet CBOC (Community-Based Outpatient Clinic) VFD Replacement project (Solicitation 36C25225B0023). The project involves replacing variable frequency drives (VFDs), condensate return lines, and steam system components in the facility's mechanical rooms. Key project details include a planned award in FY 2025, with a second site visit scheduled for September 17, 2025, at 10am. The scope encompasses installing new VFDs (one 25 HP, one 20 HP, three 10 HP), replacing condensate pumps for Air Handling Units 5, 6, and 7, and modifying the domestic water make-up feed system. The project requires tracing existing utilities, ensuring no impact to patient care, and coordinating with existing building systems including the Johnson Controls Facility Explorer BAS system and fire alarm system. Contractors are responsible for investigating utility termination points, developing lock-out/tag-out plans, and ensuring compliance with VA design manuals and specifications.
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Sheet1
| 578-25-013 (CON) Joliet VFD Replacement | ||||
| Solicitation:36C25225B0023 | ||||
| RFI# | Question/Comment | Response (AE/COR) | Response Posted in Amendment # | |
| 1 | I was just looking at this project that came out today and want to confirm that the pre-bid site visit is at Hines and not at the Joliet CBOC? If the site visit is at Hines, will there be an opportunity to see the work areas where the work will be performed? | Pre-Bid Site Visit Location has changed to: Joliet CBOC, 1201 Eagle Street, Joliet, IL 60432 in the Main Entrance Lobby. | 1 | |
| 2 | ______ is interested in this opportunity and intends on submitting a proposal for your consideration. We kindly ask that you consider allowing the submission of emailed bids as this would allow additional time for any adjustments or finalizations to be made to bid submissions that would otherwise have to be mailed out the night before. Additionally, it eliminates the possibility for any complications or delays that may occur during the mailing process and cause otherwise competitive bids to be ineligible for your consideration. | As stated in the the Solicitation on Page 4: NOTE: Electronic email submittals will not be accepted for this solicitation, only US. Mail and in person bids will be considered. | 2 | |
| 3 | Please verify that EMT conduit is allowed for installation in both mechanical rooms. (There is currently a mix of EMT and threaded conduit installed.) | Yes | 2 | |
| 4 | Please verify 120V power source for the condensate pumps. Can the (3) pumps share a circuit, or do they need to be on separate circuits? | Power is available in the electrical closet in the mechanical room. The three pumps should be on three separate circuits. | 2 | |
| 5 | Please verify that the condensate pump disconnects can be a Garvin cover toggle switch. | Yes | 2 | |
| 6 | Please verify the 120V and 480V power requirements for the Domestic Water Make-up Feed System. Please identify the connection points by items: Control panel, quad receptacle, (3) pump motors…? | Because this building was acquired from Silver Cross hospital, and the government has limited drawings. It is the bidding contractor’s responsibility to trace all utilities and termination points. The bidding contractor shall include costs and time to perform the investigation and ensure all utilities are properly identified prior to disconnecting the existing equipment. The contractors means and methods shall include their LOTO plan which requires them to LOTO and verify they have isolated the equipment correctly. See Attachement: M2.3 PART SCND FLR NEW WRK PLN-DUCTWRK | 2 | |
| 7 | Please verify that the mechanical contractor is providing the new VFD’s. If not, please provide complete part numbers for each size so we can get a quote. | This is the responsibility of the bidding contractor | 2 | |
| 8 | Please verify that fire alarm shutdown does not exist for the VFD’s. If not, please provide a fire alarm design for the shutdown of the VFD’s. Does it need to be a direct tie to each VFD, or can this be accomplished through a single input into the BAS system? | Fire alarm shutdown does not exist for the VFD's. Fire alarm shutdown is by a duct detector controlled by Johnson Controls Facility Explorer. The tie in is done from the BAS system, not the VFD's individually. | 2 | |
| 9 | Please provide the contractor or vendor that maintains the current fire alarm system so we can integrate the additional work if required. | Azimuth Contracting | 2 | |
| 10 | Please verify voltage and ampacity for the VAV boxes. | VAV boxes traditionlly run off of 24 volt controls, this would be determined by bidding contractor. | 2 | |
| 11 | Can the existing feed for the removed VAV feed the new VAV in its place and the other two VAV’s? If not, please provide circuiting and panel information to include location. | The existing feed is capable of feeding all 3 VAV boxes. | 2 | |
| 12 | What tasks can be performed concurrently? | Concurrent tasks require prior approval from the COR following the approval of the schedule. | 2 | |
| 13 | Can the sign in sheet for the pre-bid visit be provided for all bidders. | Yes, it is included in this amendment (A002) | 2 | |
| 14 | Please specify if there is any testing and balancing required before or after work on the air distribution system. | The rooms are required to meet 4 air exchanges per hour so a test and balance report would be necessary. | 2 | |
| 15 | Confirm there is no third-party commissioning requirement or coordination for installed equipment. (What are the requirements?) | No commissioning requirements | 2 | |
| 16 | Confirm this is a maintenance project, not an upgrade for improved operation or compliance, replacing failed existing system components with like to restore normal operation. | Repairing/replacing the existing components in accordance with the SOW to restore the system to normal operation. | 2 | |
| 17 | Are bidders required to provide anything specific as qualifications for installation of specific systems as part of their bid submission? | No, the awardee will be required to provide qualifications at submittal phase. | 2 | |
| 18 | How will the VA be determining a bidder as responsible? | See FAR 9.104-1 | 2 | |
| 19 | Will this award be made in FY 2025? | The VA is planning to award in FY 2025. | 2 | |
| 20 | Can the overall period of performance be extended to align with work in the shoulder months, when these systems can be taken offline without an impact to patient care. | Not at this time | 2 | |
| 21 | What is the function of the basement spaces B013, B014, B015? Are these occupied spaces? Will the spaces be vacated during the performance of work? | These spaces are offices for Joliet CBOC staff. These areas are currently vacated for another VA project and will remain vacant for this project. | 2 | |
| 22 | “Reintegrate to BAS system.” What is the current BAS System. Who maintains programming for this system? | Johnson Controls Facility Explorer and TL Services. | 2 | |
| 23 | What is the fire alarm system? | Johnson Controls Based | 2 | |
| 24 | a.) Is the current system VFDs for Air Handling Units tied into fire shutdown, even during bypass operation and must shut down with Fire/Smoke alarm? | Is tied in by a duct detector and must shut down on signal from detector. | 2 | |
| 25 | b.) Or is this going to require new wiring, as well as programming? | Not part of scope. | 2 | |
| 26 | c.) What vendor will the VA accept for this integration into the fire alarm system? | Not part of scope. | 2 | |
| 27 | Is there any long lead items or equipment? | Long lead times and equipment are the responsibility of the bidding contractor | 2 | |
| Task 1: | ||||
| 28 | "a.1. Demo the existing condensate return lines on AHU 5, 6, & 7." Please define the starting and termination point of the condensate return demolition. | Because this building was acquired from Silver Cross hospital, and the government has limited drawings. It is the bidding contractor’s responsibility to trace all utilities and termination points. The bidding contractor shall include costs and time to perform the investigation and ensure all utilities are properly identified prior to disconnecting the existing equipment. | ||
| The contractors means and methods shall include their LOTO plan which requires them to LOTO and verify they have isolated the equipment correctly. See Attachement: M2.3 PART SCND FLR NEW WRK PLN-DUCTWRK | 2 | |||
| 29 | "a.3. Cut out the condensate line and weld in the proper fittings." Please clarify scope regarding the proper fittings. | Provide necessary fittings to install new condensate pumps by mean and methods | 2 | |
| 30 | "b.1. The contractor shall furnish and install new high temperature condensate pumps at AHU 5, 6, & 7." Confirm that condensate pumps rated for 212 F is acceptable for condensate at atmospheric pressure. | Acceptable. Reference VA HVAC Design Manual | 2 | |
| 31 | "b.3 Supply new 120 VAC power in conduit to condensate pumps at AHU 5, 6, & 7" Confirm that the circuits serving the existing condensate pumps can be utilized with new feeders and breakers. | There are no existing condensate pumps at AHU 5,6, & 7 | 2 | |
| 32 | "b.8 Furnish and install the piping installation for the new piping." Confirm which grade copper pipe shall be used throughout the condensate return piping system. | Reference VA HVAC Design Manual and the TIL | 2 | |
| Task 2: | ||||
| 33 | Given the project timeline and defined scope, domestic water make-up feed system would be offline during peak heating season when boilers are expected to be operating. Is the intent to install a new domestic water feed system that ties into the existing system prior to demolishing the existing feed water system? | It's up the awardees schedule and means and methods. | 2 | |
| 34 | a.) If so, is this work that should be assumed as premium time for the new system tie in? | Any utility shutdowns shall be planned without any impact to patient care. See G.8 and G.9 in the SOW | 2 | |
| 35 | "b.7 The VA’s basis of design was Fabtek’s high temp feedwater pumps or COR approved equivalent. Contractor shall meet or exceed the manufacturers’ materials specifications per COR approval." What size tank is the basis of design for the project? | Reference VA PG 18-10 – PLUMBING DESIGN MANUAL | 2 | |
| 36 | 1.) For the pump configuration is there a specific type of pump that is preferred? | Reference VA PG 18-10 – PLUMBING DESIGN MANUAL | 2 | |
| 37 | 2.) Simplex or duplex? | Reference VA PG 18-10 – PLUMBING DESIGN MANUAL | 2 | |
| Task 3: | ||||
| 38 | "b.1 Contractor shall supply and install new VFDs located in basement mechanical room B026: One (1) 25 HP VFD w/bypass; One (1) 20 HP VFD w/bypass; Three (3) 10 HP VFD w/bypass." Confirm that the bypass specified refers to the integral bypass within the VFD and not an external bypass for maintenance. | Internal bypass, no external bypass. | 2 | |
| 39 | "b.2. Contractor shall furnish and install new electrical wiring from VFDs back to circuit breakers. b.3. Furnish and install all new wiring that is necessary" These two statements appear to be contradictory. Are new feeders required for all VFD back to the breaker, or only as necessary? Please identify the location and path for any new wiring. | New electrical wiring is only necessary if the existing electrical wiring installed does not comply with the NEC. This is the responsibility of the bidding contractor and their electrical contractor. | 2 | |
| Task 4: | ||||
| 40 | "b.4. Create a connection piped into existing steam supply and condensate return. b.5. Prior to installation all steam and condensate connection locations must be approved by Operations Chief, Jason Espinosa." Verify all steam and condensate locations are existing to remain per note b.4. If so, the connection point of the piping system will be termination point of the previous VAV box being demolished. Confirm reuse of existing supply and condensate return fittings is the intent. | Because this building was acquired from Silver Cross hospital, and the government has limited drawings. It is the bidding contractor’s responsibility to trace all utilities and termination points. The bidding contractor shall include costs and time to perform the investigation and ensure all utilities are properly identified prior to disconnecting the existing equipment. | ||
| The contractors means and methods shall include their LOTO plan which requires them to LOTO and verify they have isolated the equipment correctly. See Attachement: M2.3 PART SCND FLR NEW WRK PLN-DUCTWRK | 2 | |||
| 41 | A second field verification site visit is requested to support the Joliet VFD Replacement project. The current plans and specifications do not provide critical details regarding the manufacturer, model, size, or type of existing equipment slated for replacement, including the condensate pumps at AHUs 5, 6, and 7, boiler feedwater system components, VFDs serving supply and return fans in mechanical room B026, and VAV boxes with steam reheat in rooms B013, B014, and B015. | |||
| Conducting this onsite verification is needed to accurately document all equipment attributes, enabling informed submittals, streamlined procurement, and maintaining compliance with VA Master Specifications and warranty requirements. Please note that this request is solely for a second verification visit; no additional procurement time is required. | Yes. The second site visit will be held on September 17, 2025 at 10am at the Joliet CBOC. | 2 | ||
| 42 |
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