Bidder Questions and Answer Responses.pdf

Black Start Questions and Answers

1. Was the virtual job walk recorded and available?

A1. Video site visit recorded May 4th can be provided if requested. It is an MP4 file that is approximately 2 GB and is about 15 minutes long.

2. We have determined the Davis/Bacon labor rates in the contract have not been updated to the current rates or fringes for several of the unions. The fringes for the Carpenters, Laborers and Pipe Fitters are at last year’s rate. The ironworkers and pipe fitters have two fringes that the contractor is required to pay left off of the Davis/Bacon rates. We have contacted the unions and been informed that we will be required to pay current CBA rates. Will the government be updating these rates prior to bid time?

3. What is the weight of the existing Genset?

A3. Generator = 23,000 lbs overall. Stator = 9,500 lbs, Rotor = 10,690 lbs. The engine = 43,000 lbs.

4. What is the length of outage that will be available to tie in the temporary generator/transformer?

A4. While there is no absolute maximum time limit allowed. The contractor should have everything ready to connect the temp generator before disabling the existing unit. Once the existing generator has been disabled, the contractor shall work as expeditiously as reasonable to complete the connection to the temporary unit in a minimum amount of time. The contractor shall coordinate his work with the plant superintendent to ensure a minimum disruption to plant operations. We anticipate a matter of hours, not days for this activity.

5. What is the length of outage that will be available to tie in the new generator?

A5. Similar to the previous answer, there is no absolute maximum time limit allowed.

The contractor should have everything ready to connect the new generator before disabling the temporary unit. Once the temporary generator has been disabled, the contractor shall work as expeditiously as reasonable to complete the connection to the new unit in a minimum amount of time. The contractor shall coordinate his work with the plant superintendent to ensure a minimum disruption to plant operations. We anticipate a matter of hours, not days for this activity.

6. One of our potential subs on the controls portion of this project came across this page in the specifications requiring 7 years of experience installing GE Proficy Machine Edition PLC Logic Developer. This specific PLC is rather obscure and we are having difficulty locating a subcontractor that meets this requirement, including the ones that we have used on Eielson Power projects in the past. Will not being able to meet this spec section 25 10 10 1.2-Qualifications disqualify us from bidding on this project? I have attached the page in question for your convenience.

A6. Replace the last sentence in spec section 25 10 10, para 1.2 with the following: “The installing contractor shall have completed factory approved training and have a minimum of 2 years of experience installing and integrating power systems with the current version of GE Proficy Machine Edition PLC Logic Developer and shall be familiar with GE RX3I PLCs or equivalent devices. Experience shall include work on systems with complexity similar to, or greater than, the system at Eielson’s power plant.

7. Eielson Specification Section 26 32 15.00 Paragraphs 2.10 and 2.10.3 cover the exhaust ducting for the GENSET. All of the materials that are specified are for exhaust temperatures up to 800F. The actual temperatures appear to be between 800F and 1000F.

Can the USAF identify the material specification that should be used for the higher temperatures?

A7. Exhaust duct materials A53 (schedule 10 or above), or A588/A606 (10ga or above) shall be used for typical operating temperatures up to 900F.

8. There’s a conflict with the piping materials specified for the GENSET fuel oil system.

Section 33 52 10 Paragraph 2.4.1 specifies A53 (carbon steel) piping and A182 (stainless steel) fittings. If this is accurate, there would be unusually high number of dissimilar welds. Can the USAF confirm the materials desired for this service?

A8. Avoid dissimilar welds. Replace the reference to A182 with A105.

9. There’s a conflict between the project specs and the IBC Section 17. The specs 01 45 35

1.3.5 required the contractor to direct hire a special inspector for all structural inspections. The IBC Chapter 17, section 1704.02 require the owner to carry this inspector. Can you please clarify this discrepancy?

A9. In this instance, the specification takes precedence over the IBC. The contractor shall sub-contract to an independent special inspector

10. 33 52 23.15, Ref (2.1) All field girth root pass welds must be made with non-covered electrodes or welding wire . All root pass’s must be made with shielding and backing gas.

Backing gas is typically only required for alloys is the intent to use a backing gas for carbon steel pipe?

A10. Change sentence in 2.1 "All root passes must be made with shielding and back gas."

to "All root passes must be made with shielding gas."

11. 33 52 23.15, Ref (3.1) The root pass on Stainless steel, aluminum and carbon steel must be made with GTAW process. Is it acceptable to use a GMAW root for shop fabricated piping?

A11. GTAW or GMAW may be used for shop or field fabricated pipe. On 2.1 Table I, for entries AWS A5.9, A5.10, A5.18, and A5.32, where "GTAW" is shown, GTAW or GMAW are allowed.

12. I’m working on the above referenced project and see that the plans call for a 7200volt system. I just wanted to double check that you are needing the 3mW Blackstart Generator Set output to be 7200volts 3 phase since this not a standard configuration

A12. The generator voltage is 7200V as shown on the drawings. Eielson runs a 7200V system. Our generators are 7200V, our gen bus is 7200V, our load bus is 7200V, we step down GVEA to 7200V for import, we step up our Onan Gen Sets to 7200V.

13. If site visits for each company are conducted individually, how are you able to ensure that everyone is provided the same information?

A13. The work is contained in a relatively small room, which was recorded for all interested parties to see. The exterior area of work was also recorded.

14. Would you consider extending the deadline to submit RFIs until all potential bidders have conducted a site visit?

A14. The deadline was extended as well as the bid response date.

15. Can you quantify the fluids in the existing generator and system that will be required for disposal upon demolition?

A15. Fuel: Day Tank - 275 gallons. Assume approximately 20 additional gallons in fuel lines that are to be demolished.

Coolant System: Assume approximately 350 Engine Oil: Approximately 350 gallons

16. “Section 01 57 19 1.15.f: Testing shall include: “Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH), Total Organic Halogens (TOX), Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, and Xylene (BTEX), and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedures (TCLP RCRA metals).” [There is no mention of sampling for PAHs or PFOS/PFOA] 1.17.b: “All excavated soil shall be stockpiled, sampled and tested for benzo(a)pyrene, PFOS and PFOA contamination, regardless of PID readings… In addition to the testing required for all excavated soil, excavated soil that field screens at 20 ppm or greater for petroleum products shall be sampled and tested for BTEX, DRO, GRO and RRO.”

Section 02 61 13 3.5.1: “Samples shall be tested for gasoline range organics (GRO), diesel range organics (DRO), residual range organics (RRO), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS/PFOA) using methods prescribed in ADEC October 2019 FSG.”

[replaced BTEX with VOCs from 1.17.b]

Additionally, please confirm that the confirmation sampling at the limits of excavation should conform to the same list of analytes as the correct list from above. Also, a question as to whether an ERPIMS submittal is required for chemical data generated under this contract.

A16. Contaminants of Concern (COCs) for the soil excavated as part of this project are the following: Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene, GRO, DRO, RRO, benzo (a) pyrene and PFOS/PFOA. These COCs apply in all spec sections where testing for soil contamination is addressed, including 01 57 19 and 02 61 13, and anywhere else testing for soil contamination is mentioned. Testing for other contaminants is not required, unless the contractor excavates into the water table, which he is not supposed to do. Testing will be in accordance with ADEC guidance and the contractor’s approved SAP. The bottom and sides of excavation shall be sampled and tested for these same COCs. Since this is not a soil remediation project, the contractor will not be required to excavate beyond the limits necessary to complete the construction as shown in the drawings.

An ERPIMS submittal is required for this project.

17. Can the QP1 certification requirement be removed from the 09 90 00 paint section? This requirement is more so used when sand blasting and spraying of complex industrial and marine structures is the part of the project. The painting done on this project is more so architectural painting, such as GWB, conduits, pipes, cmu, pre-primed steel, etc. Also, I believe only 1 AK contractor has this cert., so with this in the spec it would eliminate all other contractors from bidding/performing this work

A17. As an alternative to the requirement to provide coating installation by a QP-1 certified coating installer, the contractor may provide and submit visual inspection documentation of surface prep, coating application, and final installed coating system by a NACE certified inspector. The certified inspector is required for structural metals and concrete.