Restoration of Main Base Electrical Infrastructure Industry RFIs 5 - 05132021.pdf

Restoration of Main Base Electrical Infrastructure Response to Industry Questions #5

5/13/21

*Please see Question #24 for important information regarding submission of bid packages*

1. Drawings E701 & 702 A number of the specific switch schedules i.e., G/S 1W4 require

18” base extender. Is the purpose of the extender to increase the width and depth 18”, the height 18” or both?

The base shall be 18” in height. The width and depth shall match the switch width and depth.

2. Drawing E609, 701, & 702 Confirm rating of switchgear is 12.5KA Sym. as indicated on E609 and the individual switch schedules.

Switchgear shall be 16KA SYM as indicated on the Padmount Style Switchgear Schedule and to match existing switchgear onsite.

3. As arresters are not “indicated” on switched ways are they saying that arresters are required only on the spare ways only? What if spares are not switched ways?

Arresters are required on all spare ways of loop fed transformers and spare load switch ways of switches as indicated on the transformer and padmount style switchgear schedule and individual switch schedules as shown on drawings E-701 and E-702. In addition, see single drawings for spare ways indicated for switches.

4. Drawing ES-124- TR-F168 calls out to be demoed. Drawing E-501 show TR-F168 ETR.

Please confirm.

TR F-168 is to be demolished and replaced as indicated by the hatched lines. Ignore the ETR nomenclature.

5. Drawing ES-125. Feeder from G/S 1W9 to G/S 1W1 there is note to abandon feeder and remove 10’ of cable and conduit from all equipment. Are the manholes that are in this run considered equipment.

Feeder from G/S 1W9 to G/S 1W1 does not indicate to abandon feeder and remove 10’ of cable. Notes on drawings ES-124 and ES-125 pointing to feeder between G/S 1W9 and G/S 1W1 indicate “Disconnect and remove existing feeder, conduit shall remain and re-use under new work.” Manholes and conduit shall remain as noted and needed for re-use.

6. Spec Section 33 71 02-20 Subsection 3.6.1 indicates provide number 4/0 AWG bare copper grounding conductor in medium-voltage duct banks and conduit systems. Bond bare copper grounding conductor to ground rings (loops) in all manholes and to ground rings (loops) at all equipment slabs (pads). Route grounding conductor into manholes with the duct bank (sleeving is not required). Duct bank details on E-601 or E-605 don’t show 4/0 bare copper grounding conductor. Please confirm if the 4/0 grounding conductor is necessary. Most of the underground conduit is directional bored.

4/0 AWG bare copper grounding conductor is required to be run in all duct or conduits regardless of if they’re in a ductbank, directionally bored or direct burial.

7. Drawing ES-231/ES-406/E-506 – MH3011 shown between G/S 1W2 and TR’s N157, and 159C. Drawing ES-235/E-507 - MH3011 shown adjacent to MH21

Which one is MH3011? What will the other be?

Manhole MH3011 shown on drawings, ES-231, ES-406, and E-506 shall be referred to as MH3014. Manhole MH3011 shown on drawings ES-235 and E-507 will remain MH3011. Regardless of naming new manholes are to be provided as indicated.

8. New manhole detail calls out new racks and grounding. Please confirm if existing manhole, that we are tying into have existing racks and grounding. Please confirm if existing racks are present that they can be re-used.

Contractor to provide racks in all new and existing manholes they are performing work in as part of this project. If existing racks are present they can be reused if they are of the non-metallic, arm type and in satisfactory condition.

9. Please provide an outage schedule or sequence of outages.

The contractor is expected to formulate the outage schedule or sequence of outages with input and coordination from the Government. Schedule work to minimize outages. For utility outages and connections required during the execution of work that affect existing systems, schedule outside the regular working hours or on weekends, as approved by the Contracting Officer. Schedule utility outages and connections to minimize disruptions to the Government. No additional payment will be provided for utility outages and connections required to be performed outside the regular work hours. Submit requests for utility outages and connections in writing to the Contracting Officer for approval at least 14 calendar days in advance of the time required. In each request, state the system involved, area involved, approximate duration of outage, and the nature of work involved. Contractor should plan outages accordingly to complete work diligently and efficiently as best as possible.

10. When only swapping out switches and not replacing cables, please confirm if we are to extend the cables to fit the new termination points or replace the cable in between switches.

This questions was answered in RFIs 4 – 05102021 posted to the beta.SAM.gov website.

Contractors are expected to keep current with all responses to industry questions and amendments posted to the beta.SAM.gov website during the bidding process and shall incorporate all necessary changes in their bids.

11. Provide clarification on the utility locating process and whether ground penetrating radar is required for locating underground utilities.

NASA has a contracted full time utility locator on center to locate all utilities on NASA property. The Contractor shall submit a formal request to the NASA Inspector and NASA Project Manager a minimum of 48 hours in advance of any excavation or underground work.

See Spec Section 01 35 26 GOVERNMENTAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, Sub Section 3.7 EXCAVATIONS for requirements related to utility locating as well. When utilities are within and under concrete, bituminous Asphalt, and other impervious surfaces a third party, independent, private locating company must locate utility depth by use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), X-ray, bore scope, or ultrasound prior to the start of demolition and construction.

When utilities are within and under impervious surfaces the contractor shall also physically verify underground utility locations, including utility depth, by hand digging using wood or fiberglass handled tools when any adjacent construction work is expected to come within 3 feet of the underground system.

12. Provide clarification on whether contractor is required to provide temporary generators or other accommodations during scheduled outages.

Temporary generators or other accommodations will be provided by NASA for outage support. NASA will coordinate and contract out work to another contractor to provide temporary generators and required connections to include placement of generators, connections, disconnections, removal of generators, rental costs, fuel costs, and other related material and labor costs associated with the generator support.

13. Provide clarification on where key interlocks are required.

Provide key interlocks on all switched ways with a square with a K inside of it as indicated on drawings E-503, E-504, and E-505. See example from E-505 below.

Example: Kirk-key Interlock Indicated on Switch G/S 1W12

14. Does the project have any sustainability project requirements?

Yes, see Spec Section 01 74 19 CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL. Also, liquid filled transformers shall be provided with an insulating fluid that is a biodegradable electrical insulating and cooling liquid classified by UL and approved by FM as "less flammable" fluids. Ensure the fluid meets the following fluid properties:

(a) Pour point: ASTM D97, less than -15 degree C

(b) Aquatic biodegradation: EPA 712-C-98-075, 100 percent

(c) Trout toxicity: OECD Test 203, zero mortality of EPA 600/4-90/027F

15. Will lay down areas and job site trailer locations be provided?

Job site trailer will be located south of Bldg. N-161, Facilities Management Office Building.

16. Will the contractor encounter any wetland areas during the project?

As long as the contractor installs the conduit and equipment in the general areas as indicated on the drawings no work will be within wetland areas. Same is true for archeological and culturally sensitive areas. If routes that differ from the routes shown on the drawings are proposed, NASA will have to review and approve prior to the contractor commencing with the work.

17. Are there any limited access or restricted areas?

Yes, there are some areas where access is prohibited during certain hours or during certain operations. Contractors are expected to notice and obey all warning signs and procedures indicated in these areas. For example, work shown on drawings ES-137/ES- 237, ES-138/ES-238, ES-139/ES-239, ES-140/ES-240, and ES-141/ES-241 is a RFI controlled area with active radars and antennas. Work may be prohibited during certain periods of radar operation.

Also, work on and around the airfield will require the contractor to implement and practice a safe foreign object debris (FOD) management plan where regular and thorough cleaning of the construction site, including the construction haul routes, is expected.

Particular attention should be paid to construction vehicle routes that cross or are adjacent to active runways and taxiways. These provisions shall be coordinated with NASA’s Air Ops Office prior to accessing or engaging in work on or near the airfield.

NASA and the contractor will need to coordinate work in these areas as the project progresses.

18. Is G&W proprietary for the switches or can other manufacturers be used?

G&W is not proprietary. However, equipment provided by other manufacturers shall be of the same configuration, design parameters, and have the same capabilities as the equipment shown in the drawing set, specifications, and as clarified in the industry questions. In addition, all switches shall be from the same switch manufacturer. Multiple manufacturers on one job for the same type of equipment are not acceptable.

19. Do splices have to be made in manhole or can they be made in equipment enclosure?

Splices can be made in both manholes and equipment. Follow all code required spacing and cable bend radius rules.

20. Where existing switches are indicated to be taken off of existing concrete pads and new switch installed on the existing pad will the pad be required to be extended?

Yes, where existing concrete pads for switches are shown as existing under the mounting column as indicated on the Padmount Style Switchgear Schedule on drawing E-701 the existing pad dimensions are provided and the contractor is required to provide a concrete pad extension to accommodate the placement of the new switch.

21. Have the existing conduits shown to be reused been proofed to ensure they’re not obstructed or have collapsed?

No conduits and ducts have not been proofed, only visually verified that they’re there and available for re-use. Contractor shall proof empty conduit and ducts ahead of time and prior to conducting outages or pulling wire. Contractor shall bring to the Government’s attention any issues encountered.

22. Are conduits required to be bored and do they have to be bored in at 72” below grade?

Yes, conduits are required to be directionally bored except for where shown to be in concrete encased ductbank. The bore depth is required to be 72” below for the entire bore run except where the duct elevates to mate with a manhole or piece of equipment. In those cases the duct shall be concrete encased once it rises above 42” below grade. See details on the drawings and requirements in the specs for additional information.

23. Will there be any other site visit to allow the contractor access to the site prior to when bids are due?

No other site visits will be arranged.

24. Are there changes to the means for delivering bids? How will bids be accepted?

Please check Amendment #2 to the solicitation posted on the beta.sam.gov website. All bids MUST be submitted in electronic format as specified in that amendment.

**NOTE- As stated in the IFB Cover Letter:

In order to attend the Virtual Bid Opening, Prime Contractors MUST submit an e-mail request with a list containing the following information for each Bid Opening Attendee: First Name, Last Name, Company Name, Citizenship, Phone Number, and E-mail Address. Please submit the e-mail request to Aaron.M.Case@nasa.gov and cc’ Tammy.E.Seidel@nasa.gov and Stephen.A.Mariner@nasa.gov by 2:00 P.M.

EST, May 21st, 2021. Requests to attend Bid Opening after the deadline will be denied. A MS Team meeting link and call-in number will be provided via-e-mail to all confirmed attendees by close-of-business, May 24th, 2021. Viewers are advised they may need to download the Microsoft Teams app to their device in order to view the Bid Opening.