CECP Responses to Ktr Questions Sep 09.doc

F.E. Warren AFB

Solicitation FA 4613-09-R-0016

Responses to Technical Questions NOTE: Please add an additional street light to the “C” Circuit project at the intersection of Old Glory Road and Commissary Road.

All Circuits

1. Is metal or foil backing required on the underground marking tape? Item 1.27 specifies 4 inch tape and item 2.1.9 specifies 6 inch with metal tracer.

Response: Metal foil or tracer will not be required. Four inch tape will suffice.

2. From the discussion on August 31 it was stated that concrete would not be required at the locations where boring was indicated to be used, please verify.

Response: Bored locations do not require concrete. Refer to the drawings and referenced Engineering Technical Letter (ETL) 07-1: “Design Criteria for Underground Electrical Distribution Systems Using Directional Boring (DB) Installation Methods for Installing High Density Polyethylene Electrical (HDPE) Conduit”.

3. Has the HDPE pipe in the bore been changed from 5” to 4” since 5” is non standard?

Response: The minimum size per the ETL is 5”. 6” may be used if the cost is lower.

4. Where it is either less expensive or less disruptive to the surface use, will directional boring be allowed at locations other than those shown on the specifications.

Response: Directional boring may be allowed at other locations, please indicate where the additional boring is proposed.

Circuit “C”

1. Demo Circuit “C” drawing shows removal of poles C40A through C40E, but there are no replacement items to feed the 37.5kVA transformer at the water tower on the New Construction drawing. Are these poles to be removed?

Response: The plan is to remove the poles and not replace the circuit.

2. The New Construction drawing shows a new sectionalizing cabinet with Flag Note 15. The 1-line Diagram does not show this new sectionalizing cabinet. We assigned the un-numbered cabinets as JP-C-11 and JP-C-12. We assigned the missing cabinet as JP-C-13. Does the 1-line Diagram need corrected to include the new cabinet as well as to label the 2 new cabinets shown after JP-C-10? The cable size between these two cabinets is shown as 4/0 while it is #2 on both sides. Please clarify the desired cable size.

Response: Yes, the 1 line diagram will be corrected. #2 conductor should be specified between the two un-labeled cabinets described.

3. The 1-line Diagram shows transformer T-C-945 feeding out of the un-numbered cabinet that we assigned JP-C-12. The New Construction drawing shows transformer T-C-945 feeding out of the cabinet not shown on the 1-line Diagram that we assigned JP-C-13. Is this the correct feed?

Response: An additional cabinet needs to be shown as discussed in comment 2.

4. The 1-line Diagram has 2 cabinets with the same label JP-C-7. That cabinet is labeled JP-C-1 on the New Construction drawing. Should the existing cabinet that feeds out of JC-C-9 be labeled JP-C-14?

Response: Yes.

5. Are Flag Notes #8 and #25 referring to the same CATV amplifier transformer?

Response: Yes. Flag note 8 should be shown adjacent to flag note 25.

6. The transformer at Flag Note #8, T-C-SL4, is listed as 30kVA on the 1-line Diagram and 45kVA on the New Construction drawing. What is the correct size? The standard size for single phase would be a 37.5 kVA.

Response: Use 37.5 kVA.

7. The conductor size from SG-C-1 to JP-C-7 is not specified. What size should be installed?

Response: Use 4/0.

8. Please give clarification as to the location of the new underground along Commissary Road. We are assuming that it would be on the easterly side to the new sectionalizing cabinet along Artillery such that the tails from the existing riser pole may be used to feed into the cabinet. From the cabinet the route would diagonally cross the intersection to the westerly side of Commissary and remain on that side all of the way past Old Glory.

Response: The new underground will be located on the west side of Commissary Road from Artillery Road south as described. Note that this will require trenching near the existing overhead distribution lines while they are energized.

Circuit “F”

1. The 1-line Diagram or the New Construction drawing does not show the sectionalizing cabinet or the transformer for the Gate sign as specified by Flag Note #11 and #12.

Response: The one-line diagram will be corrected.

2. The sectionalizing cabinet on the New Construction drawing feeding T-H-485 is not on the 1-line Diagram Response: The one-line diagram will be corrected.

3. The cable specified for the lights on Circuit “C” was #4 CU THWN (Flag Note #10). What size cable will be specified for the lights for Circuit “F”?

Response: Please use #4 Cu THWN.

4. Flag note 6 states a three phase 30 kVA transformer is to be installed and the one line says 10 kVA. Since the 10 is nonstandard it is assumed that the 30 is the correct size.

Response: Please use 37.5 kVA for the subject transformer rating.

Parking Lot

1. Will the light in the center of the parking lot be installed?

Response: Yes, please plan on installing the center light.

2. Will the source be the new transformer (T-F-251) being installed at the bank?

Response: The source can be the new transformer or existing, whichever represents less cost to the government.

3. The cable specified for the lights on Circuit “C” was #4 CU THWN (Flag Note #10). What size cable will be specified for the lights for the Parking Lots?

Response: Please use #4 Cu THWN for the parking lot lights.

No Project Specified

1.

Due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, prior to or after award of this project to the successful bidder, title of the electrical system will most likely pass to High West Energy. All bidders need to be made aware that working arrangements, scheduling and other normal details and costs involved in this project will or may need to be coordinated with the new title holder. Retirement, for instance, is to be credited to the government contract, which at the time of removal may be owned by High West Energy and not the government. Be assured High West Energy is prepared to work for successful conclusion of these projects whether by us or others, but we too insist all facts be known to all bidders and there may be additional costs of coordination than what is stated in the solicitation.

Response: The bill of sale has been completed so High West Energy (HWE) now owns the external electrical system on FE Warren AFB. If a contractor other than High West Energy wins this award, a quality control representative from High West Energy will be working with that contractor to ensure the changes to their system are appropriate. In the event that HWE is needed to perform services to backfeed circuits or other services that are not part of the solicitation, HWE has the right to charge contractors at their normal time and equipment rates.

2.

Prior to or shortly after the site visit, can underground facilities be marked to determine the minimum amount of unknowns with conflicting utilities?

Response: The utilities will be marked as part of the dig permit process.

4. In lieu of recording tension pulling specifications in every instance, would the government allow substitution of ‘break away devices’, in other words setting a minimum standard device for use in every location where pulling is required. This removes substantial costs in record keeping and still provides the necessary ‘generally accepted industry practice’.

Response: The breakaway device would be acceptable.

5. It appears that some areas show 4/0 copper wire. Our prior discussions with your electrical department did not indicate any copper wire or equivalent greater that 2/0. Is this still correct? Due to extreme cost, we will propose an equivalent alternate of aluminum. At this time, no manufacturer will provide a current quote for copper until a purchase order is initiated and minimum delivery at this time appears to be at least 100 days.

Response: Since that is the case, please use a quote for aluminum and list as a condition of the bid.

6. Please discuss ‘generally accepted practices’ involving ducting, specifically with the use of concrete. The specification as written is extreme in costs as it is stated when compared to the aforementioned accepted practices in the industry and associated safety standards.

Response: Please indicate cost with concrete encasement, alternate method and cost for alternate method (direct buried duct or concrete capped).

7. Definitions regarding the ‘Reclamation Plan’ need to be more specific-i.e. does the trench width, work area or other apply to the 1 to 5 acre requirements in the solicitation. Further, is this determined by specific project or the overall solicitation?

Response: Work area should be used and applied to each project.

8. References to a Spill Prevention Plan (SPP) should be explained. Warren Air Force Base already has an SPP which we would assume would apply to all work on base. If that is not the case, please explain.

Response: The contractor needs to provide their own SPP which outlines how they will respond in the event of a spill for the base to review and approve.

9. We assume the winter suspension rules also suspend the 180 day contract period, though we found no specific language to that effect. Please explain.

Response: Winter exclusion does not apply towards the performance period.

10. The solicitation requires bonding. Is the full amount of the bid required at the date of the proposal or a percentage of the total?

Response: The full amount is required prior to notice-to-proceed, after contract award.

11. Due to a current executed contract with the government, is it satisfactory to reference requirements for insurance, SBA, wages, ORCA etc. as ‘on file with contracting office’?

Response: If it is a current contract that is allowable. If the previous contract has been completed, new submissions are required.

12. The due date shown on the solicitation is September 13, 2009. Could this be moved to a date later in the following week for all bidders since that day falls on a Sunday?

Response: The due date is now 14 Sep 09.

13. Specifications for “C” circuit do not show borings across Commissary Road. Is this correct? We didn’t think you would want that section opened up.

Response: All road crossing will be bored.

14. Section 1.27 shows a requirement of 4 inch color coded plastic, which is standard in the industry. There is however also in section 2.1.9 a specification for plastic with tracer. Which will be the required method? The plastic warning tape with tracer would be more commonly used with plastic water or gas pipe.

Response: 4” plastic without a tracer is sufficient.

15. Under section 1.23, Quality Control etc., will an inspector be available or on site at all times to inspect work prior to concealment? In other words, will it be a general practice to perform work on a stop and go basis or will personnel be available during active trenching, backfilling etc.?

Response: An inspector will be available daily and work will be coordinated such that it will not be necessary to proceed on a “stop-and-go” basis.