Questions and Answers.docx

Questions and Answers

1. Is there going to be a scheduled site visit for this project? Yes, See Amendment 0001

2. Do you know what the engineer's estimate is for this project? Not applicable to the solicitation.

3. Can you please confirm if this is for an air-cooled or water-cooled chiller? Air Cooled

4. Will the EMS control contractor work for integration of the new chiller need to be included in the contractor’s price?

The VA will have our contractor who services our BAS integrate the unit into our system

5. Will additional glycol need to be included in the bid and if so what quantity should be added in gallons and concentration?

There is no glycol. This is a back up chiller that switches over from the chiller plant which doesn’t run glycol.

6. Is there an estimated time of completion that you are looking at? The reason that I am asking is that manufactures have extensive build times for ordered equipment but it is sometimes possible to secure a machine that is scheduled for production but not yet sold.(Will an earlier lead time help to secure the bid) I cannot say whether that will help secure the bid. We would like to have the unit replaced as soon as possible.

7. Is there a target efficiency minimum required?

The same as the one being removed.

8. Is it required to drain the existing unit on site or can it be done off site?

Draining the residual chilled water can be done on site. Because it is a self-contained unit the refrigerant can be removed IAW regulations off site if that is easier.

9. Water conditions – Entering and Leaving water temperature requirements (54F / 44F?)

Our chiller plant provides 42F water so the Leaving water temp must be 42F or lower.

10. This is an air-cooled chiller that I assume will be required to run year-round (In the winter) and therefore will/probably requires Glycol in the water to prevent freezing during ambient conditions below 32F, What type (I would assume Propylene Glycol) and what concentration ( I would suggest 35-40% PG) is currently being used or will be used. I would not recommend using fresh water as it will freeze if you experience loss of power for an extended amount of time during freezing ambient conditions (Murphy’s Law).

Because this is a back up chiller that cross connects with our Chiller Plant there is no glycol. We will use a heat trace and sensor connected to our BAS in order to prevent freezing, as well as draining the unit in the winter when it will not be needed.

11. Is the chiller being replaced a Nominal 250-ton machine or are you looking for 250 actual tons of capacity based on the design operating conditions? High percentage Glycol solution will derate the chiller performance.

There is no glycol in the system. The unit being replaced is a back up to the chiller plant and is cross connected making the use of glycol impossible. Manufacturers calculate the nominal tonnage differently. 250 tons of capacity is what we are looking for.

12. What is expected in the bid package?

Quote, Signed SF1449, signed amendment, and signed 852.219-76

13. Can the Superintendent be shared across multiple projects, or should they only be dedicated full-time to this project? The superintendent can be shared, as long as both jobs meet requirements

14. Can the Superintendent fulfill multiple roles? yes

15. If so, can they also fulfill the Quality Control role? Yes, if they are qualified

16. Can they also fulfill the SSHO role? What is SSHO?

17. Can the chiller be disconnected, drained, and swapped during regular hours, or does it have to be done during off hours? The disconnection and draining of the chiller can be done during regular hours. When the unit gets lifted for change out, it would probably be better to do it off hours because the lift plane will involve making sure no one is in any of the rooms below, as well as the lifting location will not be as encumbered with other various entities while you are trying to swap out units.

18. Please confirm a temp chiller is not required. We will need another RFI question/answer period if required, as this opens many new questions. a temporary chiller is not required

19. Does the VA anticipate this project will require off-hours work? Not necessarily, but as stated previously, the actual swap would be better planned for off hours

20. If so, what trades or scopes will be required to perform off-hour work? Up to the contractor to determine

21. Can the VA provide a copy of the Site Visit Attendance Sheet? no

22. Please confirm the VA will handle all aspects of the controls integration. The VA will handle the control integration into our BAS system

23. If no to the above, please provide a responsibility matrix showing who is responsible for what.

24. Is temp power available for contractors to connect to? There is some power available at the unit. There are a few 120 v outlets that can be accessed

25. If yes, where are the locations where it is available? Next to the unit, inside the room from which the unit is accessed

26. If available, will contractors need to set a meter to monitor usage? The contractors do not need to monitor power usage

27. Is space available for an 8’ x 40’ temp/storage ground-level office near the temp power source? Not at this time, The VA currently has a project to build a tower on the south end of the campus and space is limited. We will work to find space for equipment and materials once awarded

28. Where will the laydown area be for the 8’ x 40’ temp office, tools, materials, and vehicles?

See question 17

29. Could the facility provide the model, serial, and pictures of the equipment and equipment tags? See below image6.jpeg image7.jpeg image8.jpeg image9.jpeg image10.jpeg image11.jpeg image12.jpeg image1.jpeg image2.jpeg image3.jpeg image4.jpeg image5.jpeg