Technical Questions - 36C25725Q0033 - CTX Fuel Polishing Service.pdf

Technical Questions

36C25725Q0033

CTX Fuel Polishing Service

1) What type of additives are required for the fuel polishing?

1032 stabilizer inhibitor

2) The types and amounts for each tank and fuel type.

See PDF map with notes.

3) Is the 19 tanks, what is the number of gallons and type of fuel for each tank?

See image of tank schedule.

4) A list of tanks 1-16 in Waco, and 17-19 in Temple, and their approximate location on the campus would be helpful.

See PDF map with notes.

5) How many unleaded fuel tanks and what are their sizes?

See PDF map.

6) Does each tank have 2 access points within them?

Yes, each tank has two access ports and one has sensor in it

7) Does each tank have at least 40 feet of truck access?

Yes

8) Will there be any type of exemption for subcontractors given the uniqueness of the service requested on this RFQ? (page 23 limitations on Subcontracting)

Refer to VAAR 852.219-75

9) The centrifugal separator has a 5-micron filtration system, our filter system cleans down to 3 microns. Will a filter-based system be acceptable? (On page 4 under Project Requirements)

A filter-based system will not be acceptable (Centrifugal Only will be acceptable)

10) Are there two unobstructed points of entry into each tank for the suction and return hoses?

(On page 4 under Project Requirements)

No

11) Will there be access within 40’ of the tanks? (On page 4 under Project Requirements)

12) I would like to clarify that the only fuel needing to be polished is diesel and no other type of fuel.

(On page 4 item 1 under Project Requirements)

Yes

13) Is there information that can be provided as to the storage tank sizes, in gallons? (On page 4 under Requirements)

Yes, see attached.

14) Will there be any flexibility in scheduling of the polishing service? (i.e. certain days can be scheduled due to the number of tanks being polished as long as the service occurs before the generator testing each month) (On page 4 item3 under Project Requirements)

15) Requesting Equipment List.

Please let us know what equipment you will be providing for this work.

16) One of our subcontractors, Mr. Jonathan L. Drew with Drew Fuel, expressed concern about performing fuel filtration on a monthly basis, noting that after multiple filtrations (typically around seven cycles), fuel might be deemed “not fit for use.” This is in line with industry recommendations, which generally suggest that fuel should be polished once or twice a year unless there are signs of contamination or significant degradation. Frequent filtration can strip essential additives from the fuel, reducing its efficiency and potentially causing issues with engine performance. If you would like some citations for this, please let me know or if a phone call with all of us present would help then we can arrange that. Our partner Drew Fuel has done many jobs for the government and are a valuable source.

You may supply documentation for our review, however we have repeat issues with fuel contamination requiring frequent polishing.

Given this, we would like to confirm if monthly filtration is still required as per the solicitation, or if there’s any flexibility in adjusting the schedule to optimize fuel quality and performance. We believe a different approach may preserve fuel integrity and lower costs while still meeting operational needs.

Yes, Monthly is required.

17) The size of the equipment is necessary for our contractors to be able to quote an accurate price.

Please see attached.

18) Will vehicles have access within 40 feet of the tanks?

Yes.

19) What size are the tanks? How many gallons of fuel?

Please see attached.

20) Will the tanks be at least 3/4 fuel at the time of fuel polishing?

Yes, it is anticipated they will be ¾ full minimum.

21) Are the access ports at least 2 feet apart?

NO

22) Based on the Statement of Work (SOW) and CLIN, the SOW indicates there are 16 locations on the Waco campus and 3 on the Temple campus that require servicing. In order to provide the

Department of Veterans Affairs with an accurate fuel polishing quote, could you please provide the sizes of all 19 tanks?

Please see attachment.

23) It is challenging to generate a proper quote without knowing the size of each tank.

See attached.

24) What is the size of each of the tanks at each of the two locations and type of fuel stored in each tank?

See attached list.

25) No fuel sampling was noted in the scope of work; will any fuel sampling and/or laboratory analysis for fuel quality be required, and if so annually, or more often?

No fuel sampling is required however polishing reports should be required. Polishing report should contain water / debris quantities removed from each tank.

26) The scope of work indicates all 19 tanks are to be polished every month. This is certainly feasible yet the norm at all other VA Medical Centers in which I have provided a response to a fuel polishing/cleaning solicitation to date, has only required an annual service. I am only seeking clarification since this frequency (monthly fuel polishing/cleaning) is unusual based upon my experience with VA Medical Centers and Clinics.

This contract is for fuel polishing 19 tanks once a month at the Temple and Waco location.

27) Is there any way to schedule a quick site visit?

NO

28) Are the tanks above ground?

6 in Waco are above ground.

29) Are the tanks underground?

Majority are below grade, please see attached map.

30) What are the sizes of the tanks?

Please see attachment.

31) Does each tank have two 2-inch unobstructed ports of entry?

No

32) Can you please provide pictures of the tanks?

Unfortunately quotes submission date will not allow time for this.

33) What is the grade of fuel?

Diesel