S05_Vendor Questions and Answers.pdf

36C26324R0074, PN: 438-23-350, Upgrade Water Tower (SF) Vendor Questions and Answers as of 05/13/2024

# Area of Concern Question Answer

1. Specifications Can the Superintendent and

Quality Control Manager be a dual hatted position held by one person?

Yes. The Site Safety and Health officer is the only position that cannot be duel hatted with any other tasks.

2. Drawings The drawings reference cathodic protection, but the SOW does not.

Please confirm that the existing cathodic protection is to be demolished.

The existing cathodic protection will be demolished with this project.

3. Scope of Work Confirm that the Contractor is not responsible for the installation of protection for the communications building under the tower.

The contractor is not responsible for the protection of the antennas. If the antennas are still there at start of construction, we will proceed as planned.

4. Scope of Work Confirm that the Government will be responsible for Isolating, draining the elevated tank, and closing the valves.

The Government will drain the tank and move valves to a blocking position, but it is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure the buried bypass valves are functioning and positioned correctly. Additionally, the contractor will be responsible for installing, maintaining, and removing the line stop required on sheet 10-CS-103 and all other pigs, flanges, or blocking devices required by the construction plans. The intent of the Government is that once the tower is drained and isolated the Prime Contractor will provide turnkey services for all necessary actions to provide the Government with a certified and operating water tower as the final product.

5. Scope of Work Confirm that the Government will be responsible for filling the tank once the project is completed.

The Government will fill the tank, but it is the Contractor’s responsibility to manage the entire return to service process to maintain compliance with all applicable regulations governing returning a public potable water tower into service. This will include, but not limited to chlorination, testing, reporting, documentation, certifying, or any other process or documentation required for the Government to maintain regulatory and safety requirements to put the tower back so as to be safe for all users of the public potable water system.

6. Scope of Work Confirm if thermal protection will be required on temporary water lines.

The contractor is required to provide continuous water flow to the facility at all times. How that is accomplished and whether thermal protection is needed is to be determined by the contractor.

7. Drawings What is the assumed depth of the buried by-pass valves?

Unknown. Suspect them to be standard water line depth.

8. Drawings Can additional information be provided regarding the 3 valves referenced in CLIN003? Size and type of valve.

There is little known about the valves. The old drawings indicate a 6” pipe. It is suspected the valves will be gate valves, but it is unknown. Additionally, as part of the valve repair, a curb stop assembly is to be included to provide access to the valves.

9. If the by-pass valves need to be replaced after evaluation, how is this to be approached since there will likely be a lead time associated with procuring these valves.

Bypass valves are anticipated to be standard valves that are readily accessible through a variety of suppliers. The contractor should expect to expedite shipping to keep project moving forward without delay.

10. 10-CU107 states “Remove Existing Cathodic Protection Panel and Install new tank mixing devise panel in its place and connect to same circuit as cathodic protection panel”. Is there any additional information that can be provided regarding this circuit. Is it confirmed to meet the load requirements of the mixing devise?

The mixer specifications call for a 20 Amp/120V circuit. The circuit breaker protecting the cathodic protection equipment should be verified.

11. 10-CU107 states “Use existing The conduit containing cathodic protection conduit for new tank mixing devise” has the conduit been evaluated the full length and determined to be in a reusable state?

cathodic protection circuitry was noted visibly to be intact and in good condition for the entire run from the panel at the bottom of the center riser, to the top of the tank.

12. The Solicitation document states the “Center line fall protection does not work” and to assume it to be “non-functional” Please confirm that any repair, modification, or replacement of the fall protection system is out of scope.

The center line fall protection must be assumed to be non-functional as it has not been inspected or exercised in many years. The contractors are required to provide their own fall protection devices such as double hooking. Any repairs, modifications, or replacements of the existing fall protection system is outside the scope of this project and will not be paid for by the Government.

13. Can we submit a superior paint system for both the interior and exterior coatings? They will not impact the overall cost of the project.

Yes. The recommended system in the drawings is a minimum. Paint systems that exceed in performance to the recommended system will be allowed if they do not increase overall cost or schedule, and they must be approved by the AE and the VA through the submittal process prior to purchasing and applying.

14. Can we submit a superior vault piping system? It will not impact the overall cost of the project.

Yes. The recommended system in the drawings is a minimum. Vault piping that exceeds in performance to the recommended system will be allowed if they do not increase overall cost or schedule, and they must be approved by the AE and the VA through the submittal process prior to purchasing and applying.

15. Will the site superintendent be required to be under Prime Contractor employment, or will any competent person suffice?

Yes. The superintendent must be an employee of the Prime Contractor per FAR 52.236-6 “… shall directly superintend…”