Site_Visit_Q_A's_Updates_8-13-18.pdf

Questions & Answers for FA301618R0068 Replace Chiller Pumps & Piping Bldg 4196

1. Div 1 Spec 01 91 00.15 Total Building Commissioning has been included in the RFP. Please confirm that Total Building Commissioning is not required and commissioning efforts are limited to the Chiller replacement only.

Response: Contractor will be expected to read and comply with the portions of the total Building Commissioning Specifications contained in the tailored specifications provided with the solicitation. Contractor is not expected to repair any items not specifically called out in the scope of work for repair/replacement, but may need to adjust components to achieve proper testing and balancing of the system.

2. RFP Section 3.12, ATFP, requires enclosure of any object within 33 feet of the building. Any enclosure will need to accommodate the manufacturer clearances which will cause the enclosure to encroach on the sidewalk and the road. Please advise if this enclosure is required.

If this requirement cannot be waived, what are the requirements for the sidewalk and road.

Response: It is anticipated that the side facing the sidewalk will be comprised of gated fencing spaced appropriately to allow access to and removal of critical components. Use commercially available chillers with sizing and service areas sufficient to fit within the area proposed without modifications to sidewalk routing. A conceptual sketch and As-Builts for existing CMU at this building are provided with this response for further information. Contractors should further note that it will be necessary to re-route the 8” water main (see included photos with utility markings) from the area underneath the new equipment pad to a point under the street at least 4’ off the existing curb [see included sketch and photos Water Main Routing 1 of 2 and 2 of 2}]

3. RFP Section 4.3.2.1 requires the installation of a CMU screen wall that needs to be approved by

SHPO. Does the CMU screen wall need to be enclosed on the top to meet ATFP requirements.

Response: An Open mesh netting is sufficient covering to prevent objects from being thrown over the top.

4. The RFP did not mention any chemical feed control for the new Chiller. Does the government require chemical feed?

Response: a Chemical feed (Shot feed) system should be provided with installation and located in the Mechanical Room. SOW para 4.5.2 will be updated to include contractor provision of a chemical Feed system.

5. The RFP did not discuss the need for any chilled water filtration. In older facilities, the government has been specifying a filtration system (Lakos or equal) system for long term removal of suspended particles that can create deposits, scale, corrosion, fouling, etc. Does the government require a filtration system?

Response: Bidders will note on provided removal/installation sketches, there is currently an air/dirt eliminator shown and existing in the system and noted on the installation sketch.

Contractor shall furnish new air/dirt eliminator. SOW para 4.5.2 will be updated to clarify contractor provision of a new air/dirt eliminator.

6. The RFP did not mention VFD controls for the new chilled water pumps. Does the government require VFD on the chilled water pumps?

Response: The government does not require VFD controls on the chilled water pumps. Existing loop is constant flow design.

7. RFP Section 4.6.1.6(a) requires performance of an electrical analysis to include “Estimated total connected load (kVA) and the resulting demand load (kVA), breakdown by category (lighting, convenience outlet, mechanical equipment, special operating equipment, user equipment, and miscellaneous load categories);”. Given the fact that the breakers and conductors to the new chiller and pumps are being replaced, is this type of load analysis for the complete building necessary?

Response: The panel that will feed the new cooler and pumps is fed from the MDP for the building. The new equipment is expected to place a larger load on the system. Such analysis is needed to ensure and document that 1) the current panel will not be overloaded and 2) the increased load will not result in an imbalance in loading on the MDP.

8. The RFP did not mention any need for a buffer tank for the new Chiller., even though the design will require a buffer tank. Please confirm that the new chiller will require a buffer tank for proper operation of the system.

Response: System will require a buffer tank and should be included in the pricing to provide and install approximate 500 gal buffer tank. Detailed design work by contractor will confirm appropriate sizing. SOW para 4.5.2 will be updated to include contractor provision of a buffer tank.

9. Provided that responses to Q&A are not provided a minimum of 10 business days prior to the proposal due date of August 20 we request an extension that provides a minimum of 10 business days to submit our proposals from when questions are posted. As this is a Design Build project that is still needing details confirmed in order to determine cooling loads necessary to bid the job we will need adequate time to prepare design pricing documents, obtain proposals, and prepare our proposal submission.

Response: The Government will make necessary proposal extensions as needed to allow contractors adequate time to submit proposals.

10. We would like to request a 2nd site visit in order to expedite the process of determining the cooling load required to properly bid the project. During the first site visit the only spaces observed where the central plan and exterior mechanical room. In order to accurately understand the connected loads associated with the existing chillers a site visit incorporating an exploration of the connected spaces would be important. Please advise if a 2nd site visit can be scheduled to verify these elements as required by Section 8.1.

Response: A second site visit will not be scheduled. Contractor should note, per provided sketch “B4196 Mechanical Rm Install.pdf” that a 300 Ton Chiller should be assumed for bidding purposes. If load calculations show a different sized chiller to be appropriate, it can be addressed during the design phase.

11. Section B – Supplies or Services and Prices, ITEM NO 0001, 0002, 0003, and 0004 all indicate required design package issuance dates based on NTP “plus” a certain amount of days for each design package. This is again listed in Section F “Clauses Incorporated by Full Text.” Is the “days after issuance of NTP” verbiage correct or was this supposed to be “days after Government Review Period ends?” We presume the DESIGN duration is intended to be 140 calendar days and the CONSTRUCTION duration is intended to be 120 calendar days.

Response: The total amount of design time is 140 days. The government will issue an NTP at each design phase, example an NTP will be issued for 65% design for 42 days (designs are due at the end of the 42 day to the government) the government will have 14 days for review. Once the 65% design is approved we will issue an NTP for 95% design…

12. Section F “Clauses Incorporated by Full Text” indicates $336.00/day liquidated damages for design review packages. This is highly unusual for a Design-Build project. Did the Government intend to apply liquidated damages for design packages in this Design-Build project?

Response: 502d CES- We are okay with LDs applying to the whole vs separate LD’s for the design phase.

13. Section F “Clauses Incorporated by Full Text” indicates $336.00/day liquidated damages “if the Contractor fails to complete the work within the time specified in the contract” and “the Contractor shall pay liquidated damages to the Government in the amount shown below for each calendar day of delay until the work is completed or accepted.” In our experience, the definition of design “complete” is subjective to the Government reviewers, and the Contractor is at the mercy of the Government’s subjectivity to “accept” a design package. This is an unusual risk for a Design-Build contractor to accept. Will the Government eliminate the liquidated damage requirements of this contract as they apply to design packages? It would seem that the Government’s primary concern is to have the project complete by the end of the project POP and not need to micromanage the design schedule.

Response: 502d CES- We are okay with LDs applying to the whole vs separate LD’s for the design phase.

14. Section J “List of Documents” indicates an Appendix D “As-Built Drawings;” however, this Appendix has not been provided. Will the Government provide Appendix D?

Response: Appendix D show these items will be provided as requested. We handed out CD’s with the As-Builds on them at the site visit and are avaliable for pick up at our office.

15. In the solicitation document, Tab 3-Technical Sub-Factor 3 is requesting a Quality Control Plan be provided as part of the proposal. Typically, a Quality Control Plan would not be a proposal requirement but a Work Plan requirement after award of a project. Per the Statement of Work

Paragraph 8.2.1 the Quality Control Plan is to be submitted 7 days after 95% Design Completion.

Please whether a Quality Control Plan is required to be prepared and submitted as part of our proposal document prior to award. We recommend removal of the Tab 3-Techanical Sub-Factor 3 requirement.

Response: In this acquistion we are utilizing the QC Plan as an evaluation factor and needs to be submitted with your proposal. This same plan would then be used during contract performance.

16. There is not enough space to accommodate the required chiller, screen wall, and necessary clearances at the new chiller location indicated in RFP document “Appendix C – Project Conceptual Drawings.” This drawing indicates placing the new chiller immediately west of the B4196 and slightly north of the mechanical room doors. During our site walk we measured 15’-6” between the face of the building and the inside edge of sidewalk. The width of the chiller is expected to be a minimum 8 feet. Regardless of the manufacturer, the chiller will likely require a minimum 6 feet clear from the solid wall of the building and a minimum 6 feet clear from a 50% open screen wall thus requiring a total width of 20’-8” from face of building to outside of 8” screen wall. Will the Government provide an alternative location for this chiller, perhaps at the north end of the building adjacent to the AHU mechanical yard?

Response: Contractor to note the response to question 32 and the more detailed sketch of proposed location, positioning, and sidewalk facing fencing for pad, CMU and unit. No alternate location is provided at this time.

17. Appendix C-Project Conceptual Drawings indicates a “new air-cooled 300T chiller.” Please confirm if the Government requires this 300T capacity as indicated.

Response: See item 10 above. Government estimates that detailed calculations will show a 300 ton unit to be appropriate and shall be used for bidding purposes. If the required detailed analysis yield a different size, it will be addressed at that time.

18. Item 3.12 Antiterrorism Force Protection (ATFP) There is a statement to “provide a cutoff switch inside the building to shut down the HVAC System”. The 2009 As Builts indicate that there already is a shut off switch to shut down the three air handlers on the north end of the building. Which other air handlers do not have a cut off signal? The 1997 drawings only indicate a schedule of air handlers and it is not clear if these air handlers were replaced in 2009 or are currently operational or connected to the chilled water system. Provide more information on the air handlers connected to the current chilled water system.

Response: In addition to the air handlers shown in the 2009 As-Builts, the air cooled chiller serves (2 ea.) York Model AP-120 Air Handlers located in the Mech Room in the US Army Corp of Engineer Offices located in the section of Bldg 4196 immediately south of the section outlined in 2009 As-Builts. All existing air handlers have shut off switches inside the buildings.

19. Item 4.5 1)a. The requirements are for a load analysis to be performed on the “two sections of Building 4196 served for the chiller”. The 2009 as builts indicates one section of the building served by the chiller, the north end. Provide drawings or indicate on a floor plan where the second portion is so that a calculation can be made of that area. The partial drawings on the 1997 as builts indicate a schedule of air handlers. However, there was not a floor plan associated with these drawings. Provide the rest of the set if available as the current documents do not provide sufficient information to perform a load calculation required for bidding purposes as required by Section 4.5.1.a

Response: The (2 ea.) additional air handlers above serve an office space of approx. 31,247 sq ft.

The area served by the (3 ea) air handlers shown on 2009 As-Builts is approx. 29,236 sq ft. Load calculations are not required to support bid. A sizing of 300 tons for air cooled chiller is given FOR BIDDING PURPOSES only. Actual sizing will be based of calculations performed by the successful bidder during design phase.

20. If no more drawings are forthcoming or a floor plan cannot be indicated whether the active areas of the building is, a second site meeting will be required to tour mechanical rooms to determine which air handlers are on and active and which are not and to make field measurements for the load calculation used to size the chiller for bidding purposes.

Response: Additional drawings are not available at this time. Bids should be made based on the assumptions of a 300 Ton Chiller serving the air handlers listed. The second section served is the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Offices adjacent to the section shown. It is served by two AHU’s as detailed in response to question #17

21. It was observed at the site visit that there were two sets of chilled water lines leaving/returning from/to the mechanical equipment room. Only one set of 4” chilled water lines show up on the provided as-builts drawings which serve the north end of the building. Please provide complete information to the use, purpose and connected load for these additional chilled water lines so the cooling load being served by these additional lines can be added to the load calculation that has to be performed per the Statement of Work.

Response: The contractor will note the annotations on 2009 As-Built drawing M1.3, Note 7 which indicates these pipes supply the air handlers in the US ACE offices adjacent to the section shown in the provided As-Builts. Additional drawings are not available at this time and are not anticipated. The contractor is advised that the space is served by the two airhandlers identified in Item 20 above and the square foot of this area is approx.. 29,236 sq ft. this is in additional to the three 93) air handlers shown on 2009 as-built drawings and areas shown in these drawings.

22. The Statement of Work asks the contractor to recover the R-123 refrigerant from the existing water chiller prior to demolition. Please confirm whether the contractor is responsible for providing the refrigerant containers and disposing of the R-123 refrigerant contained in the existing chiller, or whether the Government plans to provide containers to the contractor for the refrigerant recovery, then turn the recovered refrigerant and containers over to the Government.

Response: Statement of work para 4.5.1.1 a) indicates contractor is to provide containers.

Requirements for disposal/recycling to be in accordance with section 02 41 00 . requirements of AFMAN 32-7089 for disposal/recycling are to be adhered to.

23. Paragraph 2.1.1 of the SOW requires that the new chiller be "properly sized". It is not possible to survey the existing facility to determine actual HVAC heat gains and to perform a comprehensive HVAC load analysis prior to the proposal due date. Should we bid a 170-ton air cooled chiller as the response basis and then follow-up after the HVAC calculations can be completed and reviewed by the Government for the properly sized chiller and pumps?

Response: See items 17 & 20 above. A 300 Ton air cooled chiller is to be the basis for bid with follow-up after HVAC Calculations. Note the additional chiller requirements contained in para

4.5.2.1 of the Statement of Work.

24. Paragraph 3.10 of the SOW requires compliance with UFC 1-200-02 - High Performance and Sustainable Building Requirements as well as compliance with ASHRAE 90.1. This would mean that a full building energy model would be required to prove the efficiency of the new system.

This seems to be a moot point given that there are no interior envelope changes or changes to the rest of the HVAC systems required as part of the SOW. Thus, there can be no real compliance with either UFC 1-200-02 or ASHRAE 90.1 other than prescriptive efficiencies of the equipment. Please verify that a full building energy model is required.

Response: Contractor is advised to read the UFC and in particular the Table 1-1 Compliance Requirements/Thresholds and adhere to the applicable portions. Only portions of the building served by the air cooled chiller are to be modeled sufficiently to document and perform proper heat load calculations required by the Statement of Work.

25. Paragraph 4.2.2.1 of the SOW requires a full topographical survey of a small area around the existing mechanical room and cooling tower. This seems excessive for this small of an area.

Please confirm that this is required.

Response: Government confirms the requirements of para 4.2.2.1 are intentional and are expected to be carried out by the contractor.

26. Paragraph 4.2.2.2 of the SOW requires a full geotechnical report for the air cooled chiller foundation and screen wall. This seems excessive for a small air cooled chiller project. Please confirm that a full geotechnical report and recommendations is required.

Response: Government confirms the requirements of para 4.2.2.2 are intentional and are expected to be carried out by the contractor

27. Paragraph 3.11 of the SOW requires the "site be fully accessible to the physically disabled".

However, this is just an equipment replacement project. Is it the Government's intention to make the mechanical yard or the existing mechanical room ABA accessible? Are there other locations not addressed in the SOW that require ABA accessibility that should be included in this project?

Response: The paragraph is intended to ensure contractor does not introduce any elements to their design which will impact the existing sidewalk and/or access to the mechanical room.

28. Paragraph 3.12 requires compliance with UFC 4-01-01 and states that the "Construction therefore shall comply with UFC 4-010-01, Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), DOD Minimum Anti-terrorism Standards for Building shall be provided for the building and the site." This is a very broad statement. Since there is essentially no standoff distance for this facility, is the blast proximity supposed to be 1'-0"? does this mean that the project should include a standoff barrier around the entire building? To what extend is the building to be hardened for blast protection (i.e.: hardening of mechanical room walls and replacement of mechanical room doors)?

Response: Para 3.12 statement “Building must comply with all ATFP standards” should read “Design and construction of the work included in the statement of work shall comply with all ATFP standards”. This statement is then further clarified by the “significant requirements” listed thereafter.

29. Will the Government will remove the temporary chiller during construction and require that

Express needs to cover temporary cooling during construction phases, or will the temporary chiller stay in place?

Response: The existing 170 ton chiller is available to remain in use until the new , air cooled chiller is brought online. It must remain outside of the contractors fenced work site for maintenance access, but can be moved by 502d Operations personnel, within reasonable distance along the side street at least 14 calendars days notification. Alternatively, the contractor may propose to providing temporary cooling, which shall then be maintained by the contractor. Such a cooler would be maintained inside the contractors fenced area.

30. On page 11 of 23 of the Design Build Statement of Work, does:

3.11 (3.11. Accessibility Requirements The design and construction of Site shall be fully accessible to physically disabled persons and shall conform to the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities) and

3.12 (3.12. Anti-Terrorism Force Protection (ATFP) This building is classified as a primary gathering facility for the purpose of force protection requirements (ATFP). Construction therefore shall comply with UFC 4-010-01, Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), DOD Minimum Anti-terrorism Standards for Building shall be provided for the building and the site. Building must comply with all ATFP standards. Significant ATFP requirements are listed below. - Any object within 33 feet of building which has an accessible opening 6 inches or larger in size must be enclosed. - Provide a cut-off switch inside building to shut down the HVAC system)

Response: There does not seem to be a question here. See Question & response #28