Questions and answers ver2.docx

LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE

SOLAR SECURITY LIGHTING

ACJP-062051

Second Round of Questions and Answers from Job Walk On April 21, 2009 at 0900 Second Response Dated 5 May 5, 2009

Q: Is there a map showing the area in which the fence needs to be repaired?

A: The Attachment ‘Appendix A’ shows the base perimeter fence that is incorporated in the project.

Q: There is mention of light fixtures, solar panels etc supplied by Solar Outdoor Lighting Inc., but there is a detail of a Masonry Solar Pilaster. Is this a stand alone Solar Poles job or Masonry Pilasters with remote PV?

A: The PV panels will be mounted to the fence either on the wrought iron portion or on the block pilasters. The detail is to help the bidders see the existing pilasters so as to formulate a method of attachment to the pilasters and their bid process.

Q: The Scope of Work Document section 3.2 states, “Light fixtures, batteries, LED controllers cabinets, mounting arms/poles and PV panels shall be by Solar Outdoor Lighting, Inc. or approved equal. “ What is the approval process for items not provided by Solar Outdoor lighting?

A: Other manufactures products must meet or exceed the performance of Solar Outdoor Lighting.

Q: How many yards or feet of perimeter fence for this application?

A: The measured perimeter distance around the Main Base at El Segundo, CA: 6,673.63 feet.

Q: What kind of light output are you looking for in terms of foot-candles/distribution?

A: Foot-candle levels must not be less than 0.20 at maximum spacing between fixtures along fence line after one year of operation. Light beam shall be focused to aim along fence line. Bidders must submit fixture performance along with cost proposal for Air Force evaluation.

Q: What are the requirements for lights to operate at full power (hours per night)?

A: The lights are required to illuminate from sunset to sunrise at full power.

Q: Are there height requirements?

A: Lights are to be mounted at the height of the provided junction boxes on the pilasters or at 8’ on the pilasters/fence. Lights on the chain link fence can and should be mounted along the fence top rail for added support.

Q: Are there concerns about the solar panels – i.e. wind-loading, dirt/bird waste buildup, etc?

A: No, wind load is accounted for by the installer and manufacture. As far as dirt and bird waste go, the panels are oversized to account for some degradation due to outside conditions. Stainless steel bird spikes to be attached to the upper edge of solar panel.

Q: What product certifications or listings will be required?

A: UL listing first. Also, NEC standards along with local building codes must be adhered to.

Q: At this point in time – what do you consider key performance criteria?

A: Lights must remain operational without the addition of sunlight charging for at least 5 days.

Foot-candle levels must not be less than 0.20 at maximum spacing between fixtures along fence line after one year of operation. The battery shall be of a sealed valve, regulated gel type, requiring no maintenance, 12 volts, air shippable, capable of 1300 minimum cycles to 30% depth of discharge, and rated at 99 amp hours at the 100 hour rate. The battery shall be designed for all night dusk to dawn operation and provide 5 continuous nights of operation with no solar input. The wire harness shall include a weather resistant ATO fuse holder and plug to eliminate system failure due to corrosion and accommodate quick installation. The battery enclosure shall be aluminum, vented, and located on the mounting bracket, pilaster or pole. 5 year manufacturer warranty required. Solar panel rated at 17+ peak power 4.55 amps 80 watts/ 9.56 amps 170 watts - warranty period 25 years. Aluminum panel backing, aluminum arm, aluminum bracket, aluminum pole, battery box warranty period 20 years. Luminarie, lens and reflector warranty 10 years. Controller, ballast, CCF tubes and LED lamps warranty period 5 years. Belden or approved sunlight resistant cable warranty period 10 years.

Q: What lighting technology (i.e. high pressure sodium, metal halide, et.al.) and wattage of fixture has traditionally been deployed on the Los Angeles, AFB.

A: LED lamps are to be used. Typical wattages are 2 watts per lamp. Number of lamps per fixture is to be determined by the total fixture efficiency and the capability to meet the required foot candles.

Q: Do you have a guide with regards to the Performance Price Trade-off techniques that you will employ during the evaluation phase of this RFP?

A: Please refer to Section M of the solicitation which accurately describes our evaluation process.

Q: What are your reliability requirements?

A: See previous question and answer.

Q: We could not find any information regarding lighting specifications including: light levels, color rendition, color temperature or uniformity of lighting. Please provide these details or make reference to the appropriate IES standard?

A: See attachments 1 and 2 for lighting performance specification and example light fixture.

Q: We could not find any information on performance of systems including: hours of operation per night, days of battery storage (how many days of no sun), “array to load” ratio for worst case sun conditions. Please provide details of what the AF is expecting in terms of reliability.

A: Hours of operation shall be from sunset to sunrise. Lights must remain operational without the addition of sunlight charging for at least 5 days.

Foot-candle levels must not be less than 0.20 at maximum spacing between fixtures along fence line after one year of operation.

Q: No definition of which SOL Lighting equipment is offered. May we please have a copy of the specs of the approved “Solar Outdoor Lighting Inc” product as well as their photometry in order to make sure that we bid on equal or better equipment?

A: Copy of the SOL specification is attached (Attachment 1 and 2).

Q: How does “equal” get evaluated and approved?

A: The criteria for evaluation will be based on overall system performance. Lighting level, physical appearance, reliability, and panel/battery efficiency uniformity of lighting coverage will all be used to determine if other systems are equal.

Q: How do these systems related or “interface” with solar perimeter fence lighting project that was previously awarded?

A: Not sure if I understand the question, but the new system will not interface with the existing LED powered systems located at Fort MacArthur or the Housing Annexes.

Q: Can we bring a camera to the site visit?

A: Yes.

Q: Are there any considerations for existing sources of light?

A: No, this system is independent of any other lighting source for illumination along the fence line.

Q: Are there periods during the night when the lights can dim to save energy and cost?

A: No.

Q: We could not find anything in the specification that deals with LED failures or rifle shot or other form of vandalism.

A: See previous question and answer.

Q: Are there Dark Sky or Light trespass requirements?

A: No, Lights are to be aimed no more than 90 degrees from nadir. Lights are to be aimed parallel to the fence line so as to minimize light trespass from the base.

Q: Where do they expect to locate the batteries for each system?

A: Batteries are to be located at the site of the PV panels along with the controllers.

Q: What kind of diagnostic capabilities are they looking for in the system (e.g. ability to check battery voltage without having to get into?)

A: Provide your own submission for review with your proposal.

Q: Who will determine the location of the lamps and power systems?

A: For the most part, that determination is shall be made by the contractor and submitted for approval by the Air Force. Remember this is a design build project.

Q: Are there any restrictions in terms of locating lamps or power systems?

A: No, as addressed before, the lamps are to be spaced with uniformity and height should be as noted by the existing junction boxes or along the top support of the chain link fence. Power systems (PV and battery units should be located together. Battery boxes should be mounted so as to take advantage of the existing conduits built into the pilasters for this purpose.

Q: Are there AutoCAD or similar drawings of the site that will be made available?

A: Yes, for the most part. The chain link fence along the North side of the base is not detailed with as-builds.

Q: Are there specific product material and material finish requirements?

A: Battery/control boxes are to be gray to match wall finish coloration. Fixtures are to be earth tone to black in color. Exposed piping shall also match surface mounted to.

Q: Are there specific requirements around grounding?

A: Systems are to be grounded as per NEC requirements.

Q: For any pole installation, are embedded poles vs. foundation based poles permitted.

A: No, some locations are not suited for embedded installation. We cannot generalize the pole installation.

See LED Solar Lighting Specs.pdf