RFIs Pre-Bid Replace Chiller 25B0001(Final).docx

Solicitation: FA671225B0001 Project: JLSS 25-9991A Remove and Replace Chiller, AFRC Building 221

A total of twenty-seven (27) RFIs were received on this project.

Please note, if the submitted RFI was asking the same or similar question, as another submitted RFI, only one RFI was addressed on the topic.

RFI #1: Does this equipment need to meet BABA requirements? If so, what other brands would be allowed?

Government Response: The Buy American Act (BAA) is applicable to this project. The Carrier brand does not meet the Buy American requirement and is no longer required for this project.

RFI#2: What's your breaker (AMP) size for outdoor condensing unit in electrical breaker box?

Government Response: 175AMP, see below picture

RFI #3: Do we need to replace outdoor disconnect for this project? If so, do we need to use fusible or non-fusible disconnect?

Government Response: Yes, replace disconnect and fusible disconnect.

RFI #4: Do we need to change indoor AHU coil and keep existing Carrier AHU?

Government Response: Yes, and size coil properly with new DX system with updated refrigerant.

RFI #5: Do we need to provide temporary cooling?

Government Response: Only if the scheduling of the work creates a need for cooling in the space. CLIN 2001 has been added as an Option. If this work is needed, CLIN 2001 will be exercised by modification. (See Amendment 0001)

RFI #6: Can we get email and phone number for Siemens (controls)?

Government Response: Eric Kamus, eric.kamus@siemens.com

RFI #7: Do we need to provide any refrigerant leak detector in mechanical room, AHU and tied into Controls?

Government Response: Yes, refrigerant leak detector is required and needs to be tied into our Siemens Desigo system with updates made to graphics and programming.

RFI #8: Do we need to have bid bond for this project?

Government Response: No, a bid bond will not be required for this project.

RFI #9: We have been informed by a vendor that with the most recent refrigerant transition to R-454B the EPA requires a UL refrigerant detection sensor in the air handler. This would require coordination with the ATC. Please advise if you would like us to include this in our bid.

Government Response: Yes, refrigerant leak detector is required and needs to be tied into our Siemens Desigo system with updates made to graphics and programming.

RFI #10: It was mentioned at the site visit that this project is to be Build America Buy America and that Carrier could not meet those requirements. Assuming that is the case, will alternate manufactures such as AAON, Trane, Daikin be accepted?

Government Response: Buy American requirements are required. The Carrier brand is no longer required.

RFI #11: With the existing system containing R-22 refrigerant we are being told by vendors that a new evaporator coil will be necessary for the proper operation. Would you like us to include a new evaporator coil in our bid?

Government Response: Yes, and size coil properly with new DX system with updated refrigerant.

RFI #12: Section A. General Scope: I. Task l. Reconnect the existing BAS controls and monitoring. Update the BAS graphics to match the new Chiller. Demonstrate operation to COR at BAS front end. Provide connection and integration of all alarms to BAS.

a. Please clarify if this is something the awarded contractor will need to carry cost for your existing Siemens contractor to provide, or if you will be contacting them directly under your contract with them to perform work. Question: If the awarded contractor is to carry this cost and scope, in the interest of time can you provide your contact information with your current Siemens contractor so we can establish cost for this work. The controls are proprietary and will need to be performed by a Siemens authorized contractor.

Government Response: Yes, contractor will need to carry cost for and coordination for Siemens contractor to perform work. COR with engineering support will need to verify work performed and tested.

Siemens contract information is as following, Eric Kamus, Email: eric.kamus@siemens.com

RFI #13: Section A. General Scope: II. A. Performance Period: The performance period shall be 120 days from Notice to Proceed (NTP). The Contractor shall submit the schedule upon receipt of NTP. Expect the affected buildings to be occupied during the construction phase. In order to maintain the building environment, the Contractor will include alternate sources of cooling appropriate to the existing weather conditions expected during construction. No work is to be performed over a Unit Training Assembly (UTA) weekend unless required for emergency work as determined by the Government.

Question: Can you define performance period? Is this substantial completion or total completion?

Question: What happens if the performance period runs longer than 120 days for reasons out of the awarded contractor’s control? Example: Approval of submittal and manufacturer build timelines do not allow for enough time to successfully coordinate and install the equipment.

Question: What happens if the performance period runs longer than 120 days for reasons within the awarded contractor’s control?

Government Response (a-c)

a. Performance Period Defined. A performance period is the time from receipt of the notice to proceed thru the final (total) completion of the project.

b. Performance Period due to unforeseen Contractor Delay. If the period of performance end date is not met due to unforeseen circumstances, an extension to the contract period of performance will be addressed at that time.

c. Performance Period due to Contractor Delay. A modification may be negotiated for an extension to the period of performance end date. It is important to meet the period of performance based on the Government’s required completion date and for a contractor’s performance history reporting.

RFI #14: Question: Please define the expectation of alternate sources of cooling and if you want this included in base cost or as an alternate cost only if the necessity arises.

Government Response: If work interrupts cooling to space, temporary cooling will be provided by contractor. Space will need to be maintained at comfortable level for occupants, 77F or below. This work will be an Option CLIN 2001 to be exercised if the work is determined to be in the Government’s best interest.

RFI #15: We wanted to confirm this project is designated a 100% Small Business set aside as noted on SAM.gov.

Government Response: Confirmed. This project is a 100% Small Business set-aside.

RFI #16: In reference to the Solicitation, we would appreciate it if you could provide the complete scope of work, as we are unable to find the proper details of chiller viz, chiller capacity, and any other specifications of chiller.

Government Response: A like one-for-one swap of the condenser unit is required. Nameplate of current system provided at pre-bid site visit. See the attached nameplate document and the revised Statement of Work.

RFI #17: Please verify the voltage. The documents provided in this solicitation package states 240, but that is not what was identified in the mechanical room at the Site Visit.

Government Response: A like one-for-one swap of the condenser unit is required. Nameplate of current system provided at pre-bid site visit. Power supply as seen in the nameplate image in RFI #16. See the attached nameplate document and the revised Statement of Work.

RFI #18: By Governments Own Admission of the Scope not being Correct; Will a revised Scope be provided as an addendum? If not please consider this Walk Through was not Mandatory and The Government Opens themselves up for a claim or appeal to bid.

Government Response: Statement of Work (SOW) has been updated. See attached revised SOW.

RFI #19: The Government handed out additional Paperwork of a Carrier Unit Specification. This cut sheet shows details for an Air handler and a Condenser. This cut sheet doesn't match the existing unit in the way of voltage. Your scope of work doesn't state that your intent is to replace only the cooling components of an existing air handler. Did your carrier representative give you an indication that amp draw would change with the newer system? The voltage of the handout was 400V, But an option was 230V which would match the existing unit. Will the handout be added in the addendum for the same reason as above? Is the Government choosing to change voltage of the cooling system?. Which of course changes the breaker and Conductor sizing to the costs of the unit?

Government Response: No, please use the nameplate provided in the image below. The product documentation was given for supplemental purposes only. The unit is much older than the updated documentation. As you can see, the number 5 on the nameplate part number, which designates voltage, is not an option in the product documentation. I provided this information to reduce confusion, but it has clearly had the opposite effect. Please use the nameplate to recommend an equivalent replacement.

RFI #20: Will the details be updated in the revised Scope that your BAS system is Siemens and the exact information you wish to test? Obviously, you’re not testing any Chilled water Valves. "Test for proper operation and repair all failed motor-controlled chiller valves". Will the revised scope also include the proper BAS Graphics? "Provide chilled water: pressure, temperature, and flow meters and integrate in the BAS. Include on chiller BAS graphics".

Government Response: Yes, this information has been updated and is provided in the attached revised statement of work.

RFI #21: Is the drain pan under the DX coil intended to be replaced?

Government Response: Yes, this information is provided in attached revised statement of work.

RFI #22: Has Carrier committed to a quick manufacture and ship to meet your anticipated schedule of being Complete by July 22, 2025 as stated in your solicitation? Otherwise, Contractors would have to consider adding costs for "In order to maintain the building environment, the Contractor will include alternate sources of cooling appropriate to the existing weather conditions expected during construction."

Government Response: Carrier Brand is no longer required.

RFI #23: Will the government provide Existing As Builts to the original Construction? If the contractor has to provide alternate sources of cooling, then The Contractor needs to know the extent of the area inside the building affected by this unit.

Government Response: Existing As-Builts can be provided to awarded contractor. Size of current system has been serving the needs of occupants in space.

RFI #24: The government again by its own admission, has provided inaccurate scope of work. The contractors could not properly determine the scope when they visited the site. And now you are refusing to allow contractors to return to site to review the electrical needs to properly price the project. Will the government be providing the exact electrical details including Voltages, Amperages, Breaker sizes, panel locations, and whether the panel has the capability for change in amperages?

Government Response:

VOLTAGES

AMPERAGES – BREAKER SIZE

Panel location is in the mechanical room directly behind the DX system.

RFI #25: Will the date of the Bid be extended?

Government Response: The due date for bids has been extended to 12 March 2025, 11 AM ET.

RFI #26: Can bids be submitted electronically?

Government Response: Receipt of bids electronically will not be accepted. Bids must be either hand-delivered or mailed. See the Bid Instructions (Instructions for Bid Opening/Bid Submission) document on the SAM posting.

RFI #27: Will the bid form be included in addendum 1?

Government Response: The Bid Instructions are posted to SAM.gov as an attachment. Pricing is to be provided for CLIN 0001 and 0002, Section B of the SF1442.

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