Bidder's_conference_notes_-_Q A.pdf

Bidder Conference:

Discussion items:

Conference commenced at 1000 on April 20, 2016 in the classroom aboard the vessel.

Items addressed at conference

Bid evaluation factors discussed. Solicitation requirement for past performance and experience in upgrade of electric drive systems (per Item 001, Section 1.1) and future support capabilities (per Item 002, Section 1.5) are to be submitted with bid. It was discussed that award will be made based on lowest price, technically acceptable.

Progress payments would be allowed. Prior to submission, COR’s concurrence with percentages of completion is to be obtained. Invoicing instructions are contained in the solicitation.

Insurance requirements, types of coverage and coverage amounts are detailed in the solicitation.

Existing primary and redundant Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) installed for the monitoring system upgrade are GE model 90/30 which are no longer supportable. Solicitation is being amended to include replacement of these with GE RX3i PLC’s or equal.

Engineer’s alarm and watch call system – solicitation will be amended to include installation of this system. Drawings of existing “WATCH CALL SYSTEM ELEMENTARY WIRING DIAGRAM” and “WATCH CALL SYSTEM ISOMETRIC WIRING DIAGRAM” have been located and are being posted with solicitation amendment.

Schedule – Bidders were made aware that vessel is to depart for annual training cruise on May 19th and complete training cruise on August 18th. However, the vessel will operate only in the Gulf and be returning to Galveston four additional times during the cruise should additional ship visits be required. A copy of the planned cruise itinerary will be posted along with the solicitation amendment. Should a visit to the vessel be required it should be arranged through the COR as the itinerary is subject to change. Following the cruise, the vessel will be going to a drydock shipyard period sometime in September. The shipyard and timer period is yet to be determined. The drydock period is expected to last no longer than one month. The vessel is then expected to return to the Texas A&M facility in Galveston.

Contractor’s schedule – bidders were reminded that a proposed schedule is to be provided with the bid per item 001, section 5.15 of the solicitation.

Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) – Bidders were made known that a VDR is being installed prior to this year’s training cruise. The solicitation requires the contractor to interface the propulsion control and monitoring system with the VDR. Solicitation will be amended to include the VDR installation contractor contact information and requirement to furnish the services of the VDR contractor to interface the VDR with the contractor’s equipment.

SCR’s – Solicitation is being amended to include renewal of all but one of the SCR pucks for the main motors and bow thruster. Requirement for furnishing 6 spares is being reduced to one spare.

Switches and indicator lights – solicitation is being amended to require IDEC brand or equal.

Questions:

Q What is to be the exact location of the bridge wing bow thruster controls?

A They are to be installed on the forward side of the outsets for the sidelights on each side of the vessel.

Q Is there an existing monitor installed in the Chief Engineer’s office or elsewhere?

A Yes, there is one remote monitor in the Chief Engineer’s office and one on the wheelhouse.

These monitors do not have any control capability, they are monitoring only. Solicitation is to be amended to include this information and requirement for the new system to maintain this connectivity and capability.

Q Are the drawings of the existing drive system available?

A A copy of the Propulsion and Bow Thruster Control system will be posted with the amendment.

Q Are compartment access drawings showing existing wireways available?

A Drawings for “PROPULSION CONTROL SYSTEM ELEMENTARY WIRING DIAGRAM” and

“PROPULSION CONTROL SYSTEM ISOMETRIC WIRING DIAGRAM” which details wireway routing has been located and will be posted with the amendment.

Q Is an electronic copy of the monitoring system programming available?

A No, however a hard copy is aboard the vessel. This will be scanned and posted in a later amendment.

Q Are existing monitors touch screen?

A No, the monitors are mouse control only.

Q What is the SURTAS and winch room?

A These are items that have been removed from the vessel, no interface or connection is required.

Q What is expected to be furnished for “manufacturer’s recommended spares”?

A The solicitation will be amended to remove this requirement and to furnish listing of recommended spares and pricing. Spares will be procured separately.

Q What are the available working hours aboard the vessel?

A Monday through Friday 8 to 5 only per Item 001, section 5.7 of the solicitation. Holidays to be encountered during the performance period when the vessel will be unavailable are as follows:

Thanksgiving November 24th – 25th, Winter Break December 24th through January 1st and MLK January 16th.