FINALIZED Automatic Baler Questions.docx

Fully Automatic Baler Questions and Answers. Updated on 26 NOV 2024

1. May we have photos pertaining to the appearance of the Baler for the purpose of drafting a plan to dismantling it?

A: Pictures won’t be provided directly on the site, but they can be provided upon request. Email the contracting POC for pictures:

· shannon.adkins@us.af.mil

· claire.switzer.gb@us.af.mil

2. What are the measurements of the current baler?

A: The current baler sits in an L shape and is approximately 5.2 meters (17 feet) and 13 meters (42 Feet) in Length.

3. What are the measurements of the facility entrance? Also, any concern for base entry for adequate space in delivering the baler.

A: The opening to the facility is 3.8 meters (12.5 feet) wide and 4.14 Meter (13.6 Feet) high. There is also a yard entrance that is 5.2 meters (17.3 Feet) wide.

There are occasions when large machinery comes onto base on articulated lorry through gate [REDACTED] and the security barns and I do know if there was an item too wide there are a few other gates that can be opened on base to gain access.

4. May we conduct a pre-solicitation site visit for our teams to examine the site?

A: As of the time of writing this, a pre-solicitation site visit has already been conducted. Those who were unable to make it are not disqualified from selection and can still be selected for an award. Missing this site visit is also not grounds for protesting award selection to another contractor who might have went. We have no plans to conduct another site visit due to restrictions of scheduling for our office as well as the customer’s schedule.

5. Can we have schematics/drawings/detail layouts of the building that the baler will be placed in?

A: At this time we are not providing these plans due to the potential security risks this may have. We may provide them after award selection with permission of the customer.

6. What is the application of the baler going to be used for?

A: The baler will be used for the baling of waste in the form of cardboard, plastics with varying densities or types, and shredded paper. Additional information can be found on the Statement of Work.

7. What is the expected performance of the new baler/ how much material will be processed in the new baler?

A: The new baler is expected to bale the following material within an average time of a week:

· 1 bale of shredded paper weighing about 300kg.

· 2 bales of plastic weighing about 300kg (weight is for each bale).

· 15 bales of cardboard weighing about 500kg a bale.

8. I am aware that this baler may have to go through Defense Reutilization and Marketing Offices (DRMO; a place to repurpose or destroy old equipment). Can you advise what to do with the old baler when we attempt to remove it? Will it remain on base for DRMO, have us take it to another facility, or will we need to remove it from the site and dispose of it?

A: This question’s answer is determined by the selected offeror’s baler. The customer has stated that the current baler has features that they may wish to keep in order to make the baling process more efficient for the recycling team. Contractors should be prepared for the event that the baler may need to be taken off base in the event of a long transportation process being the chosen decision of the customer.

9. Can you use a channel press baler?

A: Yes, as long as it is fully automatic.

10. The bale table section of my baler might come out further than the one currently installed (example given had it increased by two meters). Is the additional space being taken up going to be okay?

A: Yes, the additional space is fine as long as it can fit in the warehouse and doesn’t hinder work production.

11. Where does the disassembled baler go?

A: We would like to keep the tipping bucket and baler table. The main Baler component we would like to scrap and remove from the facility.

12. Can we buy the old baler that is being scrapped?

A: Technically we are not selling the baler, but the main baler is getting rid of. If you wish to sell the baler on your own than that is fine.

13. Are contractors responsible with fixing the floor which has been deformed due to the weight of the old baler?

A: They won’t need to make the floor good unless there is some damage caused when unbolting the old bolts and removing them. Any protruding bolts would need to be cut and not left sticking out causing issues with new Baler’s instillation.

14. Do you want an open gap to check the bales?

A: Yes, so we can check for contaminations and find loose materials.

15. Do contractors need to use cranes and equipment to secure the new baler? Do they need to bring their own equipment?

A: Yes, to both.

16. Will their be enough sufficient power for the new baler?

A: Yes, the new electrician there is currently modifying the electrical system to handle a new baler.

17. How many people work on the old baler during the work day?

A: Around 6-7 employees.

18. Are all the bales roughly the same size?

A: On average, yes. Sometimes half bales are made.

19. Are liquids going through the baler?

A: We try to avoid liquids in the baler so no.

20. Are contractors responsible for draining fluids/oils from the new baler?

A: If the contractors can drain all old fluids out, we can supply containers and the means of its correct disposal.

21. Does the new baler need a band system?

A: Yes.

22. The old baler has a strapping system installed separately. Does the new baler need this system installed?

A: Yes.

23. Do contractors supply spools for tying the bands on the bales?

A: If the contractors can supply enough wire to test the Baler once it has been installed, then we can get our own stock moving forward.

24. Specification of machine?

A: The machine can be double ram or press. It just needs to complete its tasks in accordance with the SOW.

25. What is the core power supply?

A: I have spoken to Electric Shop on base and once they are given the information regarding the new Baler and all its specifications they can plan ahead and ensure everything is prepped ready for once the machine turns up.

26. Internal height of the building?

A: The inside section of the roof is broken up into two sections. The first section where the baler goes is 11 feet and 7 inches (3.5306 meters). The second, and lower section, is 7 feet and 3 inches (2.2098 meters). Floor plans may be provided, but only to the awarded contract and permitted by the customer.

27. Can contractors use and operate the forklift on base?

A: Due to security and safety concerns the contractor will need to secure their own forklift if it is needed for the job.

28. Can you submit 2 tenders/quotes?

A: Yes, they just need to be on separate quote sheets.

29. Is there flexibility in accomplishing the task due to the upcoming holidays?

A: To an extent, yes. Provide the time needed for your company needed to complete the task accurately within the time of being awarded.

30. You currently have a Twin Ram (Two Ram) Baler on the site and want to replace it with a like-for-like model that can be scaled in the future. However, you have specified a channel press baler in the tender document, which is a different type of baler. Could you please clarify which type of baler you require?

A: See question 9.

31. What weight are you getting on the trailer when bales are being picked up?

A: At the moment, when the contracted collects the bales from the Recycling Center they collect around 40/44 bales of cardboard each weighting approx 500kg. Total roughly 20,000kg. See also question 7.

32. How many bales are you loading on each trailer?

A: 40-44 bales of cardboard each collection. See question 31.

33. Please provide the specifications of the bins, so that we can design the tipping device.

A: The two types of bins we are currently using are a 600 liter and 1000-liter bin. The size of the 660 liter is 2 feet in depth x 4 feet 6 inches in width and 4 feet high, the 1000-liter bin is 3 feet in depth x 4 feet 6 inches wide and 4 feet 3 inches high. They are from a German company I believe called Nenninhalt. Pictures can be provided upon request to shannon.adkins@us.af.mil

34. What kind of restrictions are there in the offload?

A: Once we agree for the particular Baler we would ask for RAMS to be sent over to explain the safe unloading of the baler and how it will be installed in place, as we are near the flightpath here on base we may need permission to lift the baler off of a lorry so we would need to agree how it would be lifted off and what height clearance would be needed to carry out this task.

35. Are there specified crane companies that are allowed to operate on the RAF base?

A: I am not sure but as mentioned in previous answer we would need to know how the baler is to be unloaded, and we can then decide on its safe unloading.

36. Please confirm that the RAF electricians will connect the baler to the main isolator.

A: Please see questions 16 and 25.

37. Who will be expected to service the baler and loading system?

A: I think we can arrange for a separate contract to have this covered as long as it does not affect any warranty agreement with the baler supplier.

38. Will multiple bids or bids that list multiple MFG’s as options be accepted?

A: For multiple bids, if they are separate machines with different prices than you can submit separate quote sheets that have those different prices. I.E. If you want to submit two separate conveyor belts than you would put them on different quote sheets.

39. Can we get the Model/serial information for the current equipment? Existing is currently a 2-ram baler but the bid is specifically asking for a horizontal auto-tie channel baler.

A: The current Baler is an EXCEL BALER TWIN RAM and the only numbers I can see on it are 2R63/2R6018

40. Are there any CAD files available that show the building and existing?

A: No.

41. Can we get dimensions of building and/or the equipment area? Will need to include door(s) width/height, ceiling clearance(s), apex and fire suppression systems lowest points.

A: Please see question 3 and 26. Height measurements in these questions have the measurements of systems like the fire suppression accounted for. Contractors should be okay in not hitting any of these systems.

42. Clarification for equipment lead times. Solicitation states ‘Delivery Schedule from date of lead time event to delivery 90 Calendar Days Date of Award.’

-is this meaning from the lead time given? lets say lead time is 10 weeks, that we have 90 days to deliver/install equipment after that 10 weeks?

-or is this meaning from date of award, we only have 90 days to deliver/install?

A: For delivery schedule it would be the second option you listed. If you were awarded on 28 November 2024 than you will have 26 February 2025 to finish. A 90-day time limit. More time maybe allowed, but that will have to allowed by the contractor officer and the customer. Just submit the time you think you and your team need to complete the project.

43. What electrical power is available in the baler area?

A: I have spoken with the Electric Shop on base and they have confirmed they will ensure the correct power supply is in place before the Baler arrives, this will be achieved once the bid is successful and we see the baler that is coming the Electric Shop can look at all the specifications they need to support the install.

44. Currently OCC is the main material, is the base interested in also being able to use the equipment to process, PET, clothing and shredded paper?

A: The largest piece of cardboard that goes on the conveyor belt is about the size of a UK blue chep pallet 1000mm x 1200mm.

45. What is the estimated total volume of recyclables on a daily / weekly basis? If no current data. Can we get an estimated number of bales produced on daily/weekly basis?

A: See question 2.

46. Is the current equipment position/orientation able to be modified (rotated) for new equipment space/efficiencies?

A: Yes, the New Baler can be located in a different position as long as it does not affect its safe use or hinder any emergency exits.

47. Looking at the images of your current baling machine set up it appears the bin lift tips the contents of the 1100 (actually 1000) litre wheelie bins on to a conveyor.

A: It currently tips the two size bins.

48. The conveyor then feeds the materials into the baler hopper?

A: Correct.

49. I’m assuming the materials are loaded by hand into the 1100 lite wheelie bins prior to the bins being moved into the safety cage.

A: The materials are loaded by hand but this is done from various locations on RAFL and RAFF and we cant see what is in the bins until they are tipped onto a conveyor.

50. Is a conveyer an absolute must?

A: Yes.

51. What if the bin lift was at the side of the baler and tipped the contents of the bins directly into the baler hopper without the need for a conveyor?

A: The purpose of the conveyor is so the Materials Handler can view and sort through the materials before they go into a hopper, unfortunately as these bins are placed in several locations across the two bases quiet often they are contaminated by mixed items, sometimes including food. Therefore we need to be able to sort through and view everything on a conveyor before it goes through the process further.

52. In question 7 it say’s you’ll be producing 18 bales per week.

A: This can vary slightly depending on the time of year.

53. You’ve specified you need a fully auto baler capable of 2.6 tonnes per hour throughput.

A: I don’t think it needs this output per hour but per day perhaps.

54. If say you produce 20 bales per week at an average of 450kg that’s a weekly throughput of 9 tonnes per week (1.8 tonnes per day).

A: This is rough estimate and varies through out the year.

55. Why do you need an automatic tying system and instead do it by hand?

A: We would want to steer away from a manual handling suggestion and rather pay to have these bales tied automatically.

56. Would you be able to accept a much cheaper baler that is semi-automatic and not pay out so much for a fully-automatic one?

A: The above are fair comments however we feel the way forward is to purchase a baler that will do the same as the model we have and the money has already been set aside for this to go ahead.