Questions_and_Answers.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question 1: In the Bid Schedule, please define the meaning of the “cancel” column?

Answer 1: Dis-regard this column, this was an error.

Question 2: The price adders for the seismic requirements are stated as “Qualified” for a unit without a structure and “Seismically Tested” for a unit with a structure. What type of analysis or testing is necessary to meet the requirement?

Answer 2: The seismic testing should be as required by IEEE 693 and a seismic report is required for every type of instrument transformer. If a structure is required, the instrument transformer must be tested with the exact size structure to be supplied for that instrument transformer. Shake table tests, conducted previously, using identical units, and if required, identical support structures are acceptable. If heights of supplied units and structures differ from those shown in the previously conducted shaker table tests than a comparative dynamic analysis is acceptable.

The thinking behind having an adder for different seismic qualification levels was that maybe the instrument transformer would be constructed differently for different seismic qualification levels such as with thicker insulator with more creep or with the use of a polymer insulator. These design differences might affect the pricing of the units. The same thinking is applied to the structures. A structure for low seismic may not need as much material as a structure qualified for high seismic and therefore would cost less. If an instrument transformer has been qualified for high seismic and is the only unit being offered than no price adder would apply. The price would be the same for low, moderate and high seismic. The same would apply for the support structure. If an instrument transformer with an accompanying support structure qualifies for high seismic and is the only unit being offered than there would be no price adder.

Question 3: Will a 240kV CVT tested on a structure for High Seismic qualify by comparison all the lower rated CVTs with and without a structure for low, moderate and high seismic utilizing the same structure? Would any additional information be required to meet the requirement for qualification?

Answer 3: Yes, it would qualify for all seismic ratings, and if the CCVT was qualified and certified high seismic no other documentation is needed for the other seismic qualification levels.

Question 4: Assuming units will be qualified by comparison, how does this affect completing the price table. For example, does the cost for qualifying the 240kV CVT at High Seismic get spread over all the other units that would be qualified by comparison or be applied to that particular unit and category (row)? How does either method affect the evaluation?

Answer 4: If a 240-kV CCVT were qualified as high seismic and is the only unit being offered at every seismic level then yes the cost would be spread out (or would be the same) at each qualification level. However, if 240-kV CCVTs and accompanying structures are manufactured differently for each seismic qualification level then there would be a base price for the low seismic unit and an adder for the moderate and high seismic units. In comparing pricing between offers, we would definitely take into consideration the convenience of only having one type of CCVT. If all the CCVTs (for example) were rated as high seismic then they could be installed anywhere.

Question 5: For the VTs, only Line 125 is identified as OIL TYPE in the table, while 125-160 is OIL TYPE in the specification?

Answer 5: The voltage transformers should be dry type for units rated 69-kV and below and oil type for units rated 115-kV and above.

Question 6: Is it required to propose the quantities specified in the table?

Answer 6: No, the quantities are estimates, remember this is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantities contract.

Question 7: How is freight to be quoted? Is freight to be included in the unit price as FOB Destination or separate as Freight Prepaid and Add?

Answer 7: Freight should be FOB Destination and included in the unit price.

Question 8: Is Flatbed delivery Allowed?

Answer 8: Yes.

Question 9: Clause 52.212-3 (f) Buy American Certificate applies only if 52.225-1 Buy American Act-Supplies is included in the solicitation right?

Answer 9: Yes, this applies, because 52.225-1 Buy American Act-Supplies is included. You can include Foreign made products, but you must specify on your proposal that they are foreign made.

Question 10: Some Products will originate from Western Europe; will 12% state tax be applied?

Answer 10: The Federal Government is exempt from all taxes except excise taxes.

Question 11: What is the proposed delivery schedule or is there a schedule? For each release, will there be multiple shipping addresses or will each release go to one address.

Answer 11: This is an indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantities contract, delivery schedules will be based at the Task Order/Delivery Order stage. Please read the Technical Specifications and the Solicitation it states that these items will be delivered to multiple states. The items will be delivered to multiple addresses, but only one address per Task Order/Delivery Order.

Question 12: What does Column M &N POP start and Pop End date mean?

Answer 12: These are the estimated performance dates of the base year and each option year for the IDIQ.

Question 13: Is there any type of bid bond required? Is there any type of Performance Bonds required?

Answer 13: No bid bonds are not required, because this solicitation is a Request for Proposal and No performance bonds are not required, because they are usually only required for construction.

Question 14: Is the bid all or none?

Answer 14: Please submit your proposals with what you can provide.

Question 15: The specification references: Refer to drawing 31 1075 “Substation Standards – Switch Operating and Equipment Platforms – Electrical Design and Details for support structure grounding pads details,” in several places, will drawings be made available?

Answer 15: No please disregard this reference, this is an error. The Government does not have drawings to provide.

Question 16: Specifications call out oil filled type Station Service Voltage Transformers (Power VT-Bid Item no 180 through 198. Would SF6 gas-insulated Power VT be acceptable?

Answer 16: Yes, SF 6 units are acceptable but they will still be compared in price to the oil filled units.

Question 17: We do not supply support structure for our instrument transformers typically. Is there consideration or possibility that WAPA or the contractor for each project will design, do the analysis and supply the support structure rather than supplier?

Answer 17: That is a possibility; however, the units must be seismically qualified with the exact support structure used for the installation of the units. That means Western must be supplied with the design and drawings of the support structures used in the seismic qualification tests of these units.

Question 18: Canadian Products-Equal treatment to US-made?

Answer 18: No, Canadian Products are considered foreign made.

Question 19: Section E (page 22/34) Clarification of “equipped to aid in loading and unloading heavy equipment”?

Answer 19: All vendors should expect the unloading of equipment. Unloading will be determined at time of Task Order/Delivery Order stage.

Question 20: Section H – 10 Year Warranty, is 10 year warranty required?

Answer 20: Please propose what the industry standard is for the equipment.

Question 21: Single Award to Single SBE?

Answer 21: This has been changed in Amendment 2. The government would like to issue a single award, but we reserve the right at time of award to issue a multiple award contract if necessary.