Addendum III Third Rail Heaters.pdf
PDF 83 KB Posted
- Attached to
- IFB 153-20 THIRD RAIL HEATERS
- Solicitation number
- BD-21-1206-40000-40000-56101
- Issued by
- Suffolk County, Massachusetts
About this file
This document is an Addendum to an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for Third Rail Heaters issued by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). The IFB, identified as IFB 153-20, seeks vendors to provide third rail heaters to the MBTA. The addendum clarifies and provides additional details related to the heater specifications, including the desired heater construction, applicable codes and standards, and testing requirements. Specifically, it addresses questions related to the heater elements, insulation resistance testing per IEEE standards, connection methods, and spring clip materials. The IFB response is due on November 19, 2020 at 2:00 PM.
The document also provides details on the related state and local contract opportunity, which is for the procurement of the third rail heaters for the MBTA in the state of Massachusetts. No additional pricing terms, set asides, incumbent information, funding sources, or other salient details are provided in the materials.
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MBTA Logo, Charles D. Baker, Governor, Karyn E. Polito, Lieutenant Governor, Stephanie Pollack, MassDOT Secretary & CEO, Luis Manuel Ramírez, General Manager & CEO, MassDOT logo
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Ten Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116 www.mbta.com
November 20, 2020
Addendum III IFB: 153-20 Third Rail Heaters
Commbuys #BD-21-1206-40000-40000-56101
Questions and Answers:
Question 1. On page 2 of Third Rail Heater Specification dated 10.5.2019, Section 1.01.B, bullet point #2 requires heater elements to be metal/alloy fiber composite type. This conflicts with section 2.01A.2 on page 3 which requires a Nichrome resistance wire spirally wrapped around the PFA core. Please advise the desired heater construction.
Answer: The desired heater construction is per section 2.01A.1 thru
.2.01A.3 (1.01B bullet point #2 was meant to be an upper level overview, this is a typo – please remove)
Question 2: On page 3 of Third Rail Heater Specification dated 10.5.2019, Section 1.03 Codes and Standards, bullet point 3 requires heaters to meet standards as defined by IEEE 16. Please specify applicable requirements and tests within IEEE 16.
Answer: Section 5.9.3 Insulation Resistance Test
Question 3: On page 3 of Third Rail Heater Specification dated 10.5.2019, Section 1.03 Codes and Standards, bullet point 4 requires heaters to meet standards as defined by IEEE 515. Please specify applicable requirements and tests within IEEE 515.
Answer: Section 4.2.4 Integral Resistance to Water Test
Question 4: Third Rail Heater Specification dated 10.5.2019, page 3, section 2.01 A.2 states that silicone outer sheathing will not be acceptable. Bidder will take exception to this requirement. Proposed product will utilize a thermally conductive silicone outer sheath.
Answer: It is common knowledge, most notably in the gutter heating market not to use silicon as an exposed material since it will provide a fertile ground for fungus growth when wet/damp. This fungus is eaten by birds, and other pests. The silicon sheath is subject to damage and failure as a result.
Question 5. Third Rail Heater Specification dated 10.5.2019, page 3, section 2.01 A.2 states that skive must use a solder connection. Bidder will take exception to this requirement. Proposed product will utilize a mechanical connection.
Answer: A soldered connection insures the best possible stead placement of the wire to the conductor without any possibility of movement. Without this soldered connection the wire is subject to movement under vibration and can create an instant hotspot and render the entire skive cold and failed. This is a reliability issue most prevalent in environments subject to vibration. A mechanical connection is nothing more than the wire being placed as part of the construction (friction based) – no additional measure is taken to prevent movement.
Question 6. Please clarify spring clip material requirements in Third Rail Heater Specification dated 10.5.2019, page 4, section 2.01E.1. Spring steel or stainless steel?
Answer: The clip is made from stainless steel spring steel.
Question 7. Third Rail Heater Specification dated 10.5.2019, page 4, section 2.01 E.2 states that spring clips shall be available for 85-pound composite contact rail. Please clarify whether Atlantic Track or LB-Foster version.
Answer: The clip is designed around the LB-Foster version, it is assumed that the Atlantic Track version will follow the same construct.
Question 8. Please provide acceptance criteria for Function Test described in Third Rail Heater Specification dated 10.5.2019, page 5, section 3.01.B.1
Answer: An infrared scan will be performed to measure the temperature of the heater.
Question 9: For the Water Resistance Test described in section 3.01.E.1 on page 5 of Third Rail Heater Specification dated 10.5.2019, bidder/manufacturer recommendation for immersion time is 4- 5 hours.
Answer: Test is per IEEE 515.1 section 4.2.4
Please acknowledge this addendum in your bid package.
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