UPS Maintenance Questions and answers.pdf

Questions and answers for UPS Maintenance - NWI- 36C26326Q0162

1. Site Visits: Will be conducted on Monday, December 15, 2025 from 10am to 1pm Central Standard time. No other time is available. To schedule a site visit please contact Paul Karnish at 402-201-3756. Email is Paul.Karnish@va.gov.

2. P5: Qualifications: The contractor will be a certified dealer with qualified personnel to service UPSs and rectifiers. The contractor will be an experienced organization that has had ample experience in performing checks and maintenance on the mentioned systems per the manufacturers’ recommendation. Contractors shall be knowledgeable in NFPA 70B, NETA MTS, and NECA 411 with evidence of at least 5 years of experience working similar size/scope of this PWS. Please clarify "certified dealer".

Vendor can be a certified provider of the Vertiv/Liebert UPS units – certified dealer is not a requirement.

3. The RFQ specifies semi-annual (twice/year) PM for each unit. There is also a reference to replacing batteries every 4 years. Two questions about this:

a. What is the vintage of the current batteries for each unit? 9/2022

b. Is the VA expecting quotes to include cost of batteries? Or would this be approved as a separate PO? Yes, your cost of the batteries should be in your bid.

4. 3.PP8-10: KVa sizes - is it possible to include this on the unit list? The Vertiv model number includes the KVa size of the unit. For example - GXT5-3KL630RT2UXL is a 3KVa unit, L6 30A.

5. Can a qualified subcontractor who holds the required dealer certification and NFPA 70B, NETA MTS, and NECA 411 credentials perform the on-site UPS work under our company as the prime contractor, provided we submit all certificates?

Or must the prime contractor itself hold these certifications? Contractor can be a ‘certified provider’ for the UPS units.

mailto:Paul.Karnish@va.gov

6. Can the VA provide a battery count per UPS unit, or confirm the total number of batteries per facility? Yes

7. Are OEM-specific batteries required, or are UL-listed equivalents acceptable?

UL-Listed Equivalents are acceptable

8. The SOW states all batteries are replaced every 4 years — does this apply to every model, including small APC units? No on small APC units.

9. Can the VA provide a list of UPS units installed in 2025 (to confirm which units are excluded from PM for 2 years)? We did not replace an entire UPS in 2025 – only batteries.

10. Should these 2025-installed units be excluded from battery replacement, or included in the 4-year replacement cycle? Yes

11. Does “battery capability testing” require a load bank test, or will a runtime test be acceptable? Runtime tests are acceptable.

12. Will the VA allow brief controlled outages during testing, or must all testing be performed with zero downtime? Zero downtime is preferable. Because we have dual sourced power supplies on Network Gear, that should not be a problem.

13. For generator interface testing, can the VA clarify which UPS units are generator-supported? All IT Closets/TRs include generator-supported power. All UPS are connected to generator-supported outlets.

14. Do these UPS units include any remote monitoring systems that must be checked as part of the PM? No

15. The SOW requires the contractor to maintain spare parts. Will the VA provide a minimum spare parts list, or should the contractor propose one? Contractor should propose a spare parts list.

16. Who is responsible for purchasing and replenishing these spare parts — the contractor or the VA? Contractor

17. The SOW requires two weeks’ notice for server room access. Does this notice period also apply to emergency service calls, or only scheduled PM? OIT requires 24 hours notice for non-emergency escort. No lead time required for emergencies.

18. Can the VA confirm the hours during which escorts are available, and whether escorts are required for all locations or server rooms only? Until the contractor is vetted and has a PIV card, they will need to be escorted by someone on the Access Control Letter.