S06 Questions and Responses - Solicitation 36C26326B0.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- 36C26326B0033
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This document contains responses to questions, requests for information, and clarifications for Solicitation Number 36C26326B0033, Project Number 568A4-24-202, titled "Update Electrical Equipment on Campus."
The project involves updating electrical infrastructure at a VA campus facility, including medium-voltage switchgear, emergency power components, and related electrical systems, but excluding transformers. Work scope includes phased outages during construction, with the majority of work during normal business hours supplemented by some night and weekend work. Key responsibilities are defined as follows: Black Hills Energy (BHE) will provide primary metering, primary wire, terminations, and all connections to their equipment; the contractor is responsible for excavation, temporary wiring for generator backup during system swaps, and commissioning. The contractor must maintain a dedicated superintendent and site safety and health officer (SSHO) on-site at all times—a non-waivable requirement. Specific equipment requirements include Eaton DSL draw-out breakers with Digitrip RMS 510 trip units for existing Westinghouse switchboard replacements. The new prefabricated walk-in electrical enclosure building will include HVAC and a 100-amp single-phase panel per specification 261313. No maximum downtime limits exist for outages; all timing must be coordinated with VA staff. The project requires adherence to Construction Wage Rate Requirements per FAR 52.222-6, with wage determination documentation provided. Additional clarifications address grounding requirements (5 ohms or less per specification 260526), lateral deflection limits (0.75-inch for service loads), directional boring allowance for primary electrical ducts, and ICRA Level I requirements. No asbestos, lead paint, or fire suppression systems are associated with the project. The VA will provide designated parking and staging areas but no office space; the contractor may arrange temporary utility connections with metered usage. Johnson Controls is the existing fire alarm/security service provider requiring coordination. A geotechnical report (39 pages) has been provided for pier design reference.
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Solicitation Number: 36C26326B0033 Project Number: 568A4-24-202, Update Electrical Equipment on Campus
Responses to Questions/RFI/Clarifications
Q: Will the project include medium-voltage infrastructure, switchgear, transformer, or emergency power components?
A: Yes, all components are included but transformers. See plans and specifications.
Q: Is the Government anticipating phased outages or temporary power requirements during construction?
A: There will be phased outages.
Q: Who will be responsible for providing the Primary metering section BHE or the contractor?
A: Primary metering section will be included with switchgear with CTs, PTs, and other components as required by BHE per specifications.
Q: Who will be responsible for primary wire and terminations on the line side feed coming from the Black Hills Energy substation to the vault the power company or the contractor?
A: Primary wire and terminations on line side by BHE.
Q: Would it be possible to get the information from the existing normal power switchboard that is remaining in place in building 12. The Brand and Model number to assist with acquiring pricing for the replacement draw out breakers.
A: See the following nameplate attachments.
1. Bldg12 EM SWBD - 1 page
2. Bldg12 Norm SWBD - 1 page
Q: Would it be possible to get the make and model number of the existing normal power switchboard and 1600A emergency power switchboard to assist with pricing the correct new draw out breakers.
A: See the following nameplate attachments.
1. Bldg12 EM SWBD - 1 page
2. Bldg12 Norm SWBD - 1 page
3. Bldg10 Drawout Breaker - 1 page
4. Bldg10SWBD - 1 page
Q: Sheet C100 site call out #2, shows remove phone line & reroute as necessary. What type of cabling is this phone line or what would need to be relocated?
A: Exact type of cabling is unknown, utilities will be located by the VA.
Q: How long can the phone line on Sheet C100 be disconnected during the relocate?
A: There is no set maximum time.
Q: Sheet C100 site call out #8, states to pothole & relocate as necessary. Are we to assume that these need to be relocated for bidding purposes? If so, is it known where these utilities start & end? Also what is being relocated (Pipe & wire size)?
A: Utilities will be located by the VA.
Q: If relocation of utilities are required for the new buildings, will hand holes for the telephone be acceptable?
A: Yes
Q: Sheet E103 is showing a manual transfer switch & pull box on the outside of building 12. There is no room on the outside of the building where this is shown on the sheet. Please advise.
A: There is adequate space and clearance for the equipment as shown on E103.
Q: Depending on the location of the Pull box & manual transfer switch it may be necessary to have some shutdowns without generator power. How long would the contractor have for these shutdowns? Is the VA ok without a backup power source while this is getting changed?
A: Temporary wiring, from the existing generator or another temporary backup source, to existing transfer switches will be required during installation of the MTS and replacement of the generator switchboard.
Q: Will the contractor be required to provide temporary power for any of the shutdowns required to complete this project?
A: The emergency backup generation in Building 10 must be operational during any extended outages or shutdowns. The life safety system backup generation must be operational at all times.
Q: Replacing the existing draw out breakers will require shutdowns. How long can these be off at one time? This will affect the amount of trips needed to complete these replacements.
A: There is no maximum time limit. Outages will be coordinated with VA staff.
Q: Will there be any fees from any of the utility companies? If so, will the government pay these or will the contractor be required to pay these fees?
A: No fees are anticipated.
Q: With the nature of this work mostly being electrical, is it necessary to have 2 (one Superintendent and one SSSHO) onsite at all times from the Prime Contractor? This of course adds cost to the overall project.
A: Yes, this requirement cannot be waived.
Q: Please identify the point of contact for Black Hills Energy (BHE) for cost and coordination purposes.
A: Kelsey Peterson, BHE Job Planner, 605-415-2751, Kelsey.Peterson@blackhillscorp.com.
Q: Please identify which party is responsible for providing the primary wire between BHE and the VA.
A: BHE including terminations.
Q: Will directional boring be allowed for the primary electrical ducts incoming from BHE?
A: Yes.
Q: Specification Section 26 13 13, page 16, paragraph 3.7, states that relay settings shall be as indicated in the approved Overcurrent Protective Device Coordination Study. The specification does not state whether this study currently exists or whether a new coordination study is required. Please clarify.
A: This is an existing coordination study. A copy will be available once project is awarded.
Q: Drawing Sheet E-002 shows only one grounding detail for the new M-V Switchgear. Typically, a grounding counterpoise with multiple ground rods is installed completely around a switchgear of this size. Please provide additional grounding detail, if required.
A: Ground resistance for main grounding system should be 5 ohms or less per Specification 260526.
Provide grounding electrodes to meet this requirement.
Q: While swapping out the existing generator switchboard for the new one, will temporary generator power need to be supplied to the three ATS units?
A: Yes.
Q: What is the maximum duration of power outage that will be allowed for Building 12 and Building 10?
A: There is no maximum duration. Outages will be coordinated with VA staff.
Q: Are the lateral loads (parallel and perpendicular) acting concurrently?
A: Load combinations per ASCE7-16 as stated in structural notes. In effect lateral loads not concurrently will control.
Q: Is the 0.33-inch vertical deflection a steel deflection only value? Total pile deflection is typically estimated as soil deflection plus elastic (steel) deformation.
A: 0.33 inch is total. Steel deflection will be inconsequential for items this short.
Q: What is the maximum allowable lateral deflection per pile?
A: 0.75-inch for service level loads.
Q: Will this project require prevailing wage or Davis Bacon wages?
A: As per FAR 52.222-6 Construction Wage Rate Requirements apply and must be adhered to. “S02 Atch D Wage Determination SD20260022 5-18-26 - 5 pages” was provided as an attachment to the solicitation. Any Wage Determination updates will be provided via amendment.
Q: The SOW documents call for HVAC to be installed in the new switchgear building (Building 64), but the bid set drawings do not show mechanical drawings nor do they show electrical that may be required for any HVAC system.
A: HVAC will be provided with walk-in enclosure prefabricated building per specification 261313.
Q: What percentage of work will need to be conducted at night or on weekends due to cutover, or can the cutover be scheduled during normal business hours?
A: The majority of work will done during normal working hours however some outages will be required at nights or on weekends.
Q: Specifications indicate 100% CD’s with a date of April 2026, but the drawings are dated 5-09-2025.
Are these drawings still current and finalized for bid or will there be an addendum with current drawings?
A: Stamped drawings dated 5-09-25 are current.
Q: Drawing C100 Note 8 states that underground utilities have not been marked. Due to this being so close to BHE’s substation yard, will the contractor be responsible for excavation or will this be the responsibility of BHE?
A: The contractor will be responsible for excavation.
Q: Is Eaton the preferred manufacturer for the drawout breakers, switchboards, and panelboards?
A: Eaton DSL draw out type with Digitrip RMS 510 trip units are required for breaker replacements in existing Westinghouse switchboards. New equipment must meet specifications.
Q: Drawings state "PEB" by others. Please confirm if the supply and installation of the new PEB is in scope for this project under this proposal.
A: Prefabricated walk-in enclosure building to be provided per specification 261313.
Q: Please confirm if the new PEB will be sprinkled and require a fire suppression system.
A: No.
Q: Sheet E002, notes E011 and E016 calls our Black Hills energy connection. Please confirm limits of black hills energy installation scope. Will they be covering all trenching and conductors from the substation yard to the new MV SWGR building or should this be provisioned by the Contractor?
A: TBD with Kelsey Peterson from BHE.
Q: Reference E103: Designated location for new Manual Transfer Switch. The Gen Exhaust louvers are pointed right at this location. Please confirm this is the desired location for the MTS or if an alternative should be considered?
A: Those are intake louvers for the generator. Location is fine.
Q: Reference DEMO E-001: Please confirm that only the cables are to be removed and the underground conduits can remain in place. OR are underground conduits to be dug up and removed entirely?
A: Conduit can remain in place.
Q: Please confirm BHE Utility will make connections to their equipment.
A: Yes, BHE will make all connections to their equipment.
Q: Please confirm termination pts to BHE equipment and distance along with who is responsible for terminations. Lines on plan set page E002 seem to stop mid run.
A: TBD with Kelsey Peterson from BHE.
Q: Will Back up Gen Power be required to swap Breakers in BLDG 10?
A: No.
Q: Please confirm the Max down time of any one feeder when swapping out Breakers.
A: There is no maximum downtime. We request that breakers be swapped out as quickly as possible but we have no defined maximum time.
Q: E501 Panel Schedule does not show the 100A, sngl phase panel required in the new electrical enclosure. Can this be added?
A: Will be included with walk-in enclosure prefabricated building per specification 261313.
Q: Is there a designated laydown area for the contractor on this project?
A: Yes, this is to be coordinated with VA staff.
Q: Can the superintendent on this project also act as the SSHO and QC Manager? Or are 3 separate individuals required A: The superintendent and QC manager can be the same. The SSHO has to be a separate person.
Q: Was there a basis of design used for the pre-engineered switch gear building?
A: Joaquin Manufacturing, Commerce City, CO; joaquinb@joaquinmc.com; Joaquin Bargas 303-286- 7060.
Q: Will the contractor be required to provide a site office/trailer, or will space within the facility be made available?
A: It is the contractor’s decision whether or not to provide a site office/trailer. The VA does not have space available to provide the contractor an office space.
Q: Will the VA allow temporary connection to existing utility infrastructure, with the contractor responsible for metered usage?
A: Yes
Q: Will designated parking and staging areas be provided for contractor personnel and deliveries? Will the VA provide laydown space or containers, or must these be arranged off-site?
A: Designated parking will be provided. There will be a designated staging area.
Q: Will the VA provide and hire the commissioning agent, or is the contractor responsible?
A: Commissioning is the responsibility of the contractor.
Q: What ICRA level is required for the project?
A: I
Q: Will the VA provide recent asbestos and lead survey reports?
A: There is no asbestos or lead paint associated with this project.
Q: If abatement is required, will the VA identify known ACM/LCM locations?
A: No abatement
Q: Does the existing roof have an active warranty? If so, who holds it and who is the manufacturer?
A: There is no active warranty mailto:joaquinb@joaquinmc.com
Q: Does the VA have an existing fire alarm/security service provider? If so, please provide contact information for required coordination.
A: Johnson Controls.
Q: Will the facility remain occupied during construction, or will temporary relocation of staff/equipment be required?
A: Facility will remain occupied during construction.
Q: Will demolition of major systems (e.g., AHUs, utilities) require after-hours or phased work to minimize disruption?
A: There will be after hours and phased work associated with this project.
Q: Will the VA provide temporary cooling/heating during system cutovers? If not, should the contractor include them?
A: There are no requirements for temporary cooling/heating.
Q: Is American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) certification required for fabrication and/or erection of structural steel?
A: Please refer to specification requirements.
Q: There are multiple references to a geotechnical report, I can’t find one in the provided documents.
Is there one that can be provided from where the new building goes? If there is not one should we include performing one for the design of the piers?
A: Please see attachment titled, “Geotechnical Report - 39 pages”.
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