Question_and_Answers_for_Proposal_-_Answers.pdf

Questions for Proposal FA3016-18-R-0020, JBSA Water Treatment Chemicals for HVAC

1. Question: Can we get confirmation that you want each condenser, chilled , hot water and hydronic loop tested once every two weeks - along with a published/posted service report?

Answer: Condenser and steam loops are to be tested weekly. Service reports for condenser loops and steam loops will be reviewed every two weeks. Closed loops with shot feeders are to be checked and charged quarterly. Closed loops with feed pumps are fed continuously through timesr and checked quarterly. Closed loops reports are reviewed quarterly.

2. Question: Can we get clarification on what services are required for all the water softeners. We understand salt and bi weekly hardness testing is required. If the cost to repair the softener is over $50 is that a time and material repair; are ALL included water softeners in good working order currently?

Answer: Any and all services as necessary to maintain water softeners in proper working order. All water sofeners are not in good working order.

3. Question: You have listed the softeners where salt is to be provided. Can you provide the amount of salt used each year and how many of the softeners use liquid brine and or pellet salt along with the quantity needed? If this information is not available can you provide the cu.ft. resin capacity of each softener.

Answer: Estimated annual salt usage across JBSA (FSH, LAK and RND): 15,000 50 LBS bags of pellet salt and 200 tons of bulk solar salt.

4. Question: We noticed that some facilities did not have chemicals in spill containments.

Will JBSA provide the needed spill containments for all other facilities?

Answer: Spill containment is required at all locations. Containment is to be provided by the contractor.

5. Question: At the Randolph building a Thermal Storage System was being used. Is the chemistry being used Nitrite as outlined with the other systems? Also what is the gallons volume of the Thermal Energy system and are their other TES systems on the base?

Answer: Yes, Nitrite, same as all other closed loops. Central plant 10056 at Lackland and central plant 991 at Randolph have thermal energy storage tanks.

Central Plant 991 is 1,031,137 gallons which ws taking off the tank nameplate.

Volume for Central Plant 10056 is similar.

6. Question: Can we make the assumption that all the closed loop systems are currently treated properly and are not losing water?

Answer: No. The following systems are known to have leaks:

Lackland 10056 hot and chilled water loops Lackland 7429 heating hot water loop

7. Question: Is the inventory on site owned by JBSA or the current water treatment supplier? Can this inventory be used by successor vendor

Answer: All water treatment equipment and chemicals currently in use is owned by the government. It can be used by the new contractor.

8. Question: Can we get confirmation that you want a Legionella Test done on each cooling tower system once per quarter?

Answer: Only ONE (1) random cooling tower is to be tested every quarter for legionella. Selection will be made by JBSA.

9. Question: What does it mean when you state, "There will be a total of 5 ordering periods?"

Answer: Base year plus 4 additional years. Contract length may be up to 5 years in total. Each year will have a task order to fund that year, there are no options.

10. Question: Lackland – ATC Bldg. has two softener systems with brine silos that purportedly are non-functional • Will softeners be repaired prior to awarding bid? • Will WT contractor be responsible for maintenance and repair of Brine Jokey pump from silo to brine tank?

Answer: Softeners will not be repaired prior to award. Contractor will be responsible for maintenance and repair of jockey pump.

11. Question: Randolph – The Exchange Bldg. (#1068) tower water program consisted of sulfuric acid for pH control, however SOW does not include this building/location and notes all condenser water loops are without pH control?

Answer: Sulfuric acid is not for pH control. Acid is there to periodically clean out the sample lines. Note feed pump is not plugged in. None of the systems on Randolph are pH control.

12. Question: Randolph – Bldg. #991 with Thermal Storage System lists a volume of 54k gallons, however mechanics disclosed tank alone was 1MM gallons. Is the volume of the loop 54k + 1MM tank? SOW does not specify TES System.

Answer: 991 tank has a volume of 1,031,137 gallons. Total closed loop volume is tank volume + system volume.

13. Question: Randolph – Bldg. #991 Thermal Storage; can you disclose the present corrosion inhibitor treatment of this system? • It is presumed the treatment is PO4 or SiO2 as they may be feeding a Coastline “Oxidizer Cleaner” to the CHW for biological control

Answer: Coastline CS200 closed loop treatment.

14. Question: Sam Houston – Bldg. #2000, according to SOW is a cooling water system

W/OUT sulfuric acid feed, pH control. However, presently there is a feed system consisting of pH control and sulfuric acid on premises - is this correct?

Answer: Yes, there is acid equipment for the open condenser loop. Will be pH control.

Chemical Storage and Delivery – Statement of Work Section 1.2 covers off base storage and the requirement that the contractor provide all transportation associated with chemical storage and delivery to point of use. Current service also includes the removal of all empties from each of the bases.

15. Question: Is the government going to require the removal of all empty chemical containers under the new contract?

Answer: Yes, contractor will be responsible for removal of containers

Replacement/Repair Parts - Statement of Work Section 1.3 states that “When corrective or preventative maintenance is required to restore government-owned chemical injection equipment to an operating condition and the parts/materials cost exceeds $50.00, the contractor shall furnish the respective CO and Technical Representative an itemized written quote and work order on a government provided work order report form”.

16. Question: Since the statement specifically refers to “chemical injection equipment”, can the government please confirm that any repairs to the softeners will also be covered under this section?

Answer: Yes – repairs to softeners are intended to be covered under this section.

Service/Reporting Frequency – Statement of Work Sections 1.4.1a, 1.4.1b and 1.4.1d lists the frequency as “Bi-Weekly”. Currently, in accordance with the BPA, service/testing of the cooling towers and steam boilers is being provided weekly, with bi-weekly reporting. Given the critical nature of pH control, which the majority of the cooling tower systems is on, we feel strongly that weekly service is justified; we also believe that this level of service has been instrumental in ensuring the systems remain clean from year to year. The same would hold true for the steam boilers.

17. Question: Can the government please clarify whether or not the service/testing is to remain weekly or if it is the intent with this solicitation to change it to bi-weekly?

Answer: Test weekly, report bi weekly.

Biocides - Statement of Work Sections 1.4.1a and 1.4.1b states “Provide Biocides”. The current biocide program on the cooling towers has included a dual biocide approach consisting of an oxidizing biocide and a non-oxidizer, as this is considered to be most effective in minimizing the risk of Legionella.

18. Question: Can the government please confirm the number of biocides to be utilized on each of the cooling towers and whether the use of both an oxidizing and a non-oxidizing biocide is the desired approach?

Answer: Provide oxidizing and non-oxidizing biocides.

Legionella Testing - Statement of Work Sections 1.4.1a and 1.4.1b states “Provide quarterly Legionella testing. Current requirements call for quarterly testing with one system per base per quarter.

19. Question: Can the government please clarify how many systems per quarter are to be tested for Legionella; current verbiage would lead us to believe every tower every quarter?

Answer: ONE (1) system per quarter is to be tested for legionella.

Hydronic Loops - Statement of Work Section 1.4.1c states “Provide Bi-Weekly written reports...”

Loops are currently being tested monthly.

20. Question: Can the government please clarify the frequency of testing/reporting of the loops?

Answer: See answer to question #1.

Page Limitations – Instructions to Offerors, Section 3.1 Page Limitations, pages 57 through 58, states that Volume II, Technical Proposal, is limited to no more than twenty (20) pages total.

21. Question: In order to ensure enough space for a detailed Management and Quality Control Plans, will the government consider increasing the Page Limitation of the Technical Volume to thirty (30) or thirty-five (35) pages?

Answer: Page limitation will be changed to 30 pages maximum for the Technical Volume. This will be annotated by a modification to the proposal in the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, paragraph 3.1.

22. Question: Who is currently supply salt to each base?

Answer: Multiple sources, bid as required.

23. Question: What is the estimated annual salt usage for each base?

Answer: Estimated annual salt usage across JBSA (FSH, LAK and RND): 15,000 50 LBS bags of pellet salt and 200 tons of bulk solar salt.

24. Question: What is the estimated annual closed loop chemical usage for each base?

Answer: Closed loop volumes were provided for bidding purposes.

25. Question: Do the steam boilers run year round?

Answer: Yes.

26. Question: Is storage of chemical 4-5 hours away acceptable? If utilizing standardized chemistry at all locations, will it be acceptable to transfer inventory that is at another facility in case of an immediate need or upset?

Answer: Chemicals must be stored locally. 4-5 hours away is not acceptable. Trasfer from one location to another is not desirable – allowable only in extreme emergency.

27. Question: How much salt is currently used per year in bulk? It is my assumption the bulk salt is extra course solar, please confirm.

Answer: See answer to question #23.

28. Question: How much salt is currently used in bags? Bag salt options include 40 or 50

lb. bags and extra course solar or pellet, which is preferred?

Answer: See answer to question # 23. There is no preference for 40 or 50 lb bags.