RESPONSE_TO_BIDDER_QUESTIONS_5-30-18.docx

80KSC018R0016

QUESTION & ANSWERS 5/30/18

RESPONSE TO BIDDER QUESTIONS:

1. REFERENCE: Specification 43 42 41.99 Sub section 2.1.3.2 (d)

QUESTION: Can the length of the additional required ¼ inch thickness for cryogenic line penetrations in the outer sphere be reduced to 2 times the nozzle outside diameter?

ANSWER: No, the reinforcement within 5 feet of the cryogenic line penetrations cannot be reduced. The requirement was established based upon experience at KSC with moisture and frost build-up on the exterior of carbon steel outer spheres of cryogenic storage vessels due to proximity to cryogenic temperatures at these penetrations.

1. REFERENCE: General QUESTION: We request a minimum of a five-week extension in order to support the required design effort, allow for accurate vendor pricing of numerous specialty components (which require long lead quoting time), and to receive detailed pricing from various support disciplines.

ANSWER: No, a 5-week extension will not be issued for the receipt of proposals.

1. REFERENCE: Specification 79K40362; Section 43 42 41.99 Para 2.1.3.1a

QUESTION: Para 2.1.3.1a states that the sphere will have 1/16-inch corrosion allowance, but that a 1/8-inch corrosion allowance is required at locations of attachments and weldment areas, fitting, and appurtenances. There are many attachments on the outer sphere, and it would add significant cost to include additional thickness for plates that have attachments. The fully vacuumed annular space would seem to be an area of low corrosion. Please confirm that only a 1/16-inch corrosion allowance is required on the outer sphere shell, and additional reinforcement will be included as necessary for all attachments.

ANSWER: Yes, the requirement is meant like the contractor has clarified it in these statements as applying to the exterior of the outer sphere because that is the specific component referred to in this subpart. The 1/16-inch corrosion allowance is for the entire exterior of the outer sphere, with the additional reinforcement of areas for attachment, etc., where noted. Added area of reinforcement shall be as required per ASME BPVC, unless otherwise noted (for example, around cryogenic line penetrations, where a larger area is required by NASA).

1. REFERENCE: Spec: 79K40362; Sec: 40 29 99; Par: 3.6.2.1 QUESTION: Please clarify/confirm that this specification essentially means that there will be no dye penetrant (PT) inspections on the VJ pipe (carrier pipe), as all welds will be in the vacuum annulus, and potential off-gassing of any penetrant residue would be prohibited. The dye penetrant requirement is strictly intended for carrier pipe ends emerging from the VJ boundary where it essentially becomes single walled pipe. All closures-cans will be visually inspected and vacuum drawn as the extent of their NDE & testing.

ANSWER: In terms of dye penetrant inspections, inner pipe and outer jacket pipe welds that are located in, or exposed to, the vacuum annulus, whether weld face or root, shall not be dye penetrant inspected. Separately, in regard to the last sentence, no, the extent of closure-can inspection and testing is not just visual inspection and vacuum testing. Refer to Specification 79K40362 Section 40 29 99 Subparts 3.2.2 and 3.8.

1. REFERENCE: Drawing 79K40361 (MC801)

QUESTION: There are no nozzle locations given on the inner sphere. The plan view shows the majority of the locations of the nozzles on the outer sphere. Can the nozzle locations be adjusted to allow for constructability requirements? Can the final nozzle locations and configuration be agreed upon between the customer and the contractor post award?

ANSWER: Yes, the nozzle (aka penetration) locations can be adjusted to allow for constructability requirements based upon the delegated engineering of the dewar and its penetrations to the construction contractor. However, the external nozzle locations were located relative to functionality, piping, and other equipment, which may have additional impacts beyond delegated engineering of the dewar. In that regard, the optimum functionality of the lines associated with the nozzles and remainder of design needs to be considered. More information using the Mark Number references from the drawing is given in Specification 79K40362 Section 43 42 41.99 Subparts 2.1.2.3.1 through 2.1.2.3.7. In regard to the second question, final nozzle locations will be reviewed for approval as part of the shop drawing submittals and coordination for re-submittal would be from such commentary.

1. REFERENCE: DWG: 79K40361; Sheet 9, 11, 25, & 26 (drawings C-101 / C-103 Detail 2 / ENV-100 / ENV-101) and Spec. 01 57 19 Par:3.5.1 and 02 41 00 Par. 3.3.1 QUESTION: Railroad cross-ties are shown to be demoed. There is no evaluation regarding these for hazardous materials. We have reason to believe they contain creosote and require special handling and disposal. Is there any special processing/documentation required for recycling/re-purposing these items? Will Schwartz Road be accepting these waste materials if we cannot re-purpose or recycle these materials? If not, will there be an alternative location on KSC for their disposal if they are deemed to be hazardous?

ANSWER: The construction contractor may transport the waste to the Brevard County Central Disposal Facility in Cocoa, FL. The contractor/transporter must notify the landfill scale house operator that the waste contains treated wood. The operator will direct the contractor to the correct disposal area. Florida law does not allow treated wood to be processed into mulch with other scrap woods.

1. REFERENCE: Spec: Solicitation Page 3 / Section C.2.a

QUESTION: Reference is made to the “98985 Cable Reference Dwgs and List.zip”. Can we get a copy of this prior to bid to estimate our cable assemblies?

ANSWER: 98985 Cable Reference Dwgs and List.zip was posted with the original posting of Solicitation 80KSC018R0016.

1. REFERENCE: BRPH Drawing 79K40361 (MC801) Details DN and DS

QUESTION: The referenced details note that the points are to be fixed by vessel vendor. No axial or lateral movement is allowed. It is unclear how this would be done without adding considerable thermal stress on any added bracing. Can you please provide details of the type of restraint that you would expect to see?

ANSWER: No, additional details will not be provided. This is delegated engineering that is part of the vessel design.

Detail DN - Looking at the fixed point, piping on the vessel side of this point will be located in the vessel's vacuum annulus and is expected to be configured to allow the necessary piping flexibility within the vacuum annulus. Details of supporting the piping within the vacuum annulus is part of the vessel designer's responsibility.

Detail DS - The three pipes exiting the vessel's annulus in this detail, are to be welded at the vacuum closeout plate located 3 inches to the left from the identified fixed point. Piping flexibility located inside the vacuum annulus is the vessel manufacturer's responsibility and the detail development of the piping layout/supporting system are part of the vessel designer's responsibility.

In both of these cases, the piping external to the vessel is designed based on the fixed connection location not moving (axially or laterally).

1. REFERENCE: BRPH Drawing 79K40361 (S-303), Note D

QUESTION: Are other methods of providing for the +/- 3.5” growth allowed other than providing slots?

ANSWER: Design alternatives are not accepted at the time of proposal. After contract award, the contractor may provide a deviation waiver including, but not limited to, detailed drawings and structural analysis, as well as any associated cost credit, for review of the acceptability by NASA and the A-E’s engineer of record. This does not guarantee acceptance of other methods to meet this requirement by NASA or the A-E’s engineer of record.

1. REFERENCE: Specification Section 43 42 41.99, Item 3.5.2 Cold Shock Test

QUESTION: Paragraph 3.5.2 states that LN2 be uniformly introduced into the top of the inner sphere through spray nozzles provided by vendor. Currently only 12” dia. and 0.5” dia. lines go to the top, neither of which is suitable for LN2 distribution. We will have no access to the inner sphere at the time of this test. Can the LN2 be introduced into the inner sphere through the liquid fill line?

ANSWER: No, LN2 cannot be introduced through the liquid fill line. It is expected that the contractor would use temporary piping, hoses, and spray nozzles suspended through the overhead manhole to accomplish this test. The means and methods are up to the contractor to coordinate. The test procedure must be submitted by the contractor for review and approval by NASA.

1. REFERENCE: Specification Section 43 42 41.99, Item 3.5 Acceptance Standards

QUESTION: Third paragraph states that all fabrication equipment is to be removed before the start of any testing. Scaffold in the annular space will need to remain in place for several tests prior to final cleaning. Is this acceptable?

ANSWER: Scaffolding can remain in the annular space so long as it is not physically attached to the dewar structure requiring cutting for removal (i.e. could potentially alter dewar materials after testing).

1. REFERENCE: Specification Div. 21, Fire Suppression

QUESTION: Please confirm that no fireproofing on the LH2 sphere columns is required.

ANSWER: Fireproofing is not required on the LH2 sphere columns.

1. REFERENCE: Spec: 43 42 41.99 Para: 3.2 Dewar- Government Examination QUESTION: There is no specific criterion provided for rejection of parts or materials within this section. The statement “Any part or component deemed unusable, for any reason, by the Government, shall be replaced by the vessel vendor at no cost to the Government” is far too broad. Can this statement be changed to statement “Any part or component identified as damaged or non-conforming to specification, by the Government, shall be replaced by the vessel vendor at no cost to the Government”? Please advise.

ANSWER: No, the alternative wording is not accepted. Refer to 80KSC018R0016 SF1442 Continuation Section E.1, which applies FAR 52.246-12 INSPECTION OF CONSTRUCTION (AUG 1996) contractually. The statement in the specification section is reasonable by comparison with the statement in the FAR clause, "The Contractor shall, without charge, replace or correct work found by the Government not to conform to contract requirements, unless in the public interest the Government consents to accept the work with an appropriate adjustment in contract price. The Contractor shall promptly segregate and remove rejected material from the premises." The government must provide the contractor a reasonable basis for rejection of materials or constructed assemblies, but it is not limited by other definitions.

1. REFERENCE: Spec section 3.2 Execution 3.2 BASIS FOR PAYMENT AND COST LOADING and Solicitation Page 24& 25 QUESTION: Based on this being a FFP contract, we want to confirm that the new NASA G.2 NFS 1852.232.0 Submission of vouchers/ invoices dated (March 2018) deviation is applicable only to invoices to and not vouchers on this contract per Spec section 3.2 Execution 3.2 (BASIS FOR PAYMENT AND COST LOADING The schedule and the schedule statement of values are the basis for determining contract earnings during each update period and therefore the amount of each progress payment).

ANSWER: Refer to the NFS CLAUSE 1852.232-80 Submission of Vouchers/Invoices for Payment. You are correct in that vouchers are not submitted as this is will be a firm-fixed price contract. You still are required to submit the required information as prescribed by the clause, unless the Administrative Contracting Officer, per the clause, allows for non-electronic payment. The method of payment will be receipt, review, and approval of invoices received with the schedule and schedule of value updates. This is in line with the statements in Specification 79K40362 Section 01 32 01.00 10.

1. REFERENCE: Section 40.29.98 Para. 3.4.2.1 Cold Shock Test QUESTION: Will the government provide the LN2 required to perform the field cold shock test of the piping system?

ANSWER: No, the government will not provide the LN2 required.

1. REFERENCE: Section 40.29.98 Para. 3.4.2.3 Mass Spectrometer Test QUESTION: Will the government provide the Helium for the field Mass Spectrometer Test?

ANSWER: No, the government will not provide the Helium.

1. REFERENCE: DWG: 79K40361; Sheet 60 & 65 (drawings M-403 &M-503) and Spec. 22 00 00 Par: 2.2.3 QUESTION: There are four emergency showers with emergency eye-wash as detailed on drawing M-503 without any insulation (for personnel protection- baking the aboveground pipe at the fixture). Specification 22 00 00, paragraph 2.2.3 has a general elastomeric insulation reference. Are these showers to be insulated? If so, we assume they would need to be coated for UV protection. Please confirm.

ANSWER: No, insulation is not required and was not specified. As a result, UV coating is also not required.

1. REFERENCE: DWG: 79K40361; Sheet 5 & 6 (drawings FP-002 & FP-101) QUESTION: Deluge protection is shown for the tanker unloading station and the sphere itself. No deluge coverage is shown for the vaporizer pad or any of the associated piping. Please confirm no deluge coverage is required for the 16 vaporizers or associated piping.

ANSWER: Water spray coverage of the vaporizers and associated piping is not required. This was determined as not required in consultation with the KSC AHJ prior to design.

1. REFERENCE: General QUESTION: Please identify the applicable sales taxes, local, county or any other taxes that the sphere vendor should include in their bid. Please advise ANSWER: Refer to Solicitation 80KSC018R0016 SF1442 Continuation Section I -- Contract Clauses, FAR 52.229-3 FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES (FEB 2013).

1. REFERENCE: Drawing Vol. 2 E=609 LH2 RIO Cable Schedule for LH2-03, -04, -08, and -09 vs KT02472 Drawing QUESTION: Which Drawing is correct the Cable Subassembly or KT02472?

ANSWER: Please use the cable schedule on Drawing 79K40361 Sheet E-609 for cable information, including the subassembly information. The information in KT02472 is incorrect and will not be updated in a timely manner.

1. REFERENCE: Drawing KT02472 QUESTION: Only shows cable 1 thru 9. Will the drawing be upgraded to reflect the same as schedule?

ANSWER: Yes, eventually KT02472 will be updated to reflect what is in the cable schedule (79K40361, E-609). Use the cable schedule on Drawing 79K40361 Sheet E-609 for cable information, including the subassembly.

1. REFERENCE: Drawing ES-102, ES-103 & ES-104.

QUESTION: Per Note K on drawing ES-102, receptacles are to be provided every 100’ on the cable tray. Drawings show several receptacles located throughout the cable tray system but located well beyond every 100’. Please confirm Note K is applicable to this project. If so, is it the contractors’ responsibility to design, layout and install these additional receptacles?

ANSWER: Yes, Note K is applicable to new cable tray to be installed along the cross-country rack. Yes, it is the contractor's responsibility to design, layout, and install the additional receptacles. There is approximately 900' of new cable tray. Five (5) pairs of receptacles are shown; an additional four (4) pairs will be needed.

1. REFERENCE: 01 57 19, paragraph 3.6.1, and 43 42 41.99, 3.3.4 -4th paragraph, last sentence QUESTION: Please confirm all waste effluents generated from the cleaning processes for tubing, piping and sphere will be disposed of by the government after proper identification, containerizing, and analysis?

ANSWER: The effluent waste stream shall be characterized in coordination with the environmental point of contact (EPOC) significantly prior to its generation. Some effluent can be discharged to sanitary sewer. Other effluent is required to be containerized. Containers will be provided by the government through coordination with the EPOC. The government will transport and dispose of the containerized waste.

1. REFERENCE: Specification 43 42 41.99 Sub section 2.2.5.1

QUESTION: According to our engineers, the 3M K-1 Glass Microsphere will not achieve desired thermal performance, but there is a product that can.

“Cryolite 200” perlite is a 32kg/m3 product which offers 15-20% improvements compared with denser perlite products and glass microspheres. It also provides excellent fill characteristics since it flows more readily (like water) compared with other options. In summary, the thermal conductivity of Cryolite 200 perlite @ 100K (0.017W/mK) offers superior insulating characteristics capable of meeting the 600 gallon / 24hr boil off rate and we believe it is the best options for the application.”

This product is used extensively in cryogenic storage applications and as a Dewar manufacturer, we are seeking approval to quote this tried and true product in our proposal.

ANSWER: Deviations or alternatives are not accepted at the time of bid. The use of 3M K-1 Glass Microspheres as insulation is noted as Construction Bid Option 1 in Specification 79K40362 Section 43 42 41.99 Subpart 2.2.5.1. It is Line Item 0002 in Solicitation 80KSC018R0016 SF1442 Continuation Clause B.1, which is an option to have this type of insulation separately priced. Line Item 0001 for the base bid scope must include the cost of the insulation identified in Specification 79K40362 Section 43 42 41.99 Subpart 2.2.5, not the bid option insulation. Line Item 0002 must represent the cost difference to install the 3M K-1 Glass Bubbles, or equal. An equal product must still be a borosilicate glass microsphere with all of the same salient characteristics and demonstrating equality as established in Solicitation 80KSC018R0016 SF1442 Continuation Clause C.2 Part (b) Item 12.

1. REFERENCE: J-B-79 Special Access Constraints to the LC39B Work Sites QUESTION: The indicated performance period is 974 calendar days with contractor access at a minimum of 884 calendar days, but after conversations with 3 different prime contractors there is worry this will not be sufficient time to complete our tasks. We are respectfully requesting this requirement be changed to 1130 calendar days with a minimum contractor access of 1040 calendar days.

ANSWER: The period of performance (PoP) remains 974 calendar days. Because of this expected concern from contractors in addressing an aggressive schedule, NASA has allowed a daily performance period of 7AM to 5PM Monday through Friday, per 80KSC018R0016 SF1442 Continuation Clause F.2. The PoP is driven by a need date identified by the Program Customer.