Nitrogen Piping Replacement for Plasma Spray Booth - QA.pdf

1. Will the drawings be available before Friday's bid date?

A -Please monitor sam.gov, for when the drawings will be available.

2. Is the bid being extended?

A - Yes. This is extended until 30 October at 12:00pm CDT.

3. Are we reusing the valves or are new ones required?

A- Reference PWS Section 1.2.3 and 1.6. Valves as components of the storage tanks, generator, regulator, and spray booth are part of those systems and not included in the scope of work.

4. During the site visit it was stated that the material was 304, however the scope says 316L please clarify?

A- The drawings and PWS calls for ASTM A269 annealed seamless 316 stainless steel tubing. Use the (low carbon) 316L for welding and compression fittings.

5. Will there be a place on site to fabricate and weld outside?

A- Yes, the government will provide a limited work area. A Hot work permit from the Fire Department is the responsibility of the contractor.

6. DRAWING AND APPENDICES: The PWS references drawing 24E173, Appendix A (equipment) and Appendix C (safety plan requirements). None of these were in the posted package. Please send them?

A - OBCA will furnish drawing 24E173. ASME B31.3 is available on the web. Appendix C (Safety Plan Requirements) will be included.

7. FOOTAGE AND SIZE: If the drawing isn't available before the close, please provide the approximate total length, pipe size/schedule and mounting height of the existing line.

A - All dimensions are to the field verified. Approximately 275’-325’ of ¾” run and 50’-75’ of ¼” run. It is 25’ AFF to the ceiling deck.

8. SITE VISIT: Is a walk-through available before the Oct 16 due date?

A - No

9. EQUIPMENT: Are the nitrogen generator, storage cylinders and regulator existing Government equipment to be reconnected, or is the contractor to furnish any of them?

A - The Nitrogen generator, storage cylinders, and regulators with the vent piping are to the reconnected after the integrity and leak tests are passed.

10. TEST GAS: For the 5,500 psi pneumatic test, may the existing generator/storage be used as the pressure source, or should the contractor supply test gas?

A - Contractor needs to supply the test gas source. The storage cylinders have relief valves set lower than 5500 psi. The generator is normally capable up to 5,000 psi. The rupture disk downstream of the regulator is set lower to about 2500 psi.

11. LIFT: Will a lift be furnished for the overhead work, or should the contractor provide one?

A - PWS Section 1.1, “…Contractor shall provide all labor, tools, material, parts, equipment (including test equipment)…” This would include any lifts for overhead work.

12. HYDRO WATER: Is there an approved location on site to drain hydrostatic test water?

A- An industrial waste drain is in the vicinity.

13. DUE DATE: If the drawing can't be released before the close, would the Government consider a short extension?

A - Yes. Drawings are available with solicitation on sam.gov for review, and this will be extended until 30 October 2026 at 12:00pm CDT.

14. The Performance Work Statement (PWS) states “Contractor shall demo existing nitrogen gas piping” and states “Install new high-pressure 316 Stainless Steel pipe to connect the nitrogen generator, storage cylinders, regulator, and plasma spray booth.” It was stated at the site visit that piping may be re-used. Please confirm if all existing nitrogen piping is to be demo-ed (removed?) or to what extent existing nitrogen piping may be left in place/re-used?

A - Please follow the PWS Sections 1.2.2 and 1.6 for piping and valves.

15. The PWS states contractor shall provide a complete, leak-free nitrogen piping system connecting the nitrogen generator, storage cylinders, regulator, and plasma spray booth. It was stated at the site visit that the point of connection to existing piping would be the capped tee adjacent to the plasma spray booth, which would not include the existing regulators. Please clarify the extent of work, if any, that is required downstream of the capped tee, including any work related to the existing regulators or piping, pressure gauges or shut-off valves serving the bottle racks at the spray booth area?

A - As stated in PWS, the project is to replace the stainless steel piping (some piping has been removed for failure analysis). The project starts at the generator output to the tank inputs, from the tanks output to the regulator located in the tank yard, from the regulator in the tank yard to the air gap at the spray booth. The in-line filter on the spray booth is included but not the valves or regulators on the spray booth. Hydrostatic testing is to be conducted only on the piping itself, not the generator, tanks, regulator or pressure relief system, or the filter.

16. The PWS states “Installation must strictly align with the specifications in the government-provided drawing (24E173) and meet ASME B31.3 standards.” Please provide the referenced drawings and specifications?

A - OBCA will furnish drawing 24E173. ASME B31.3 is available on the web.

17. The PWS states “The piping system must be rated for a working pressure of 5,000 psi”, and also states “Hydrostatic pressure test new piping up to 7,500 psi.” Please confirm all piping and components are to be rated for 7,500 psi hydrostatic test?

A - Per ASME B31.3, for 316L SS annealed seamless ASTM A269 tubing, ¾” OD with 0.109” wall thickness, has a working pressure of 6578 psi and a burst (rupture) pressure of 20347 psi based on a Su of 70,000 psi. For ½” with 0.083” wall, the working pressure is 6394 psi with a burst pressure of 23240 psi. For ¼” with 0.049” wall, the working pressure is 8400 psi with a burst pressure of 29400 psi. The generator, regulator, storage tanks, and filter are not included in the hydrostatic test. Only the piping and valves are being tested.

18. Please reference section 1.4 of the PWS. What equipment is to be inspected?

A - (OBCA) I.4 is now marked (Reserved)

19. Please reference section 1.7 of the PWS. What equipment maintenance is this referring to?

A - (OBCA) 1.7 is now marked (Reserved)

20. Considering the safety of building occupants, is the required pressure testing to be completed during normal business hours, outside of normal business hours or during a weekend?

A - The testing will be coordinated with the contracting officer or contracting officer representative.

21. Please confirm PWS section 1.33 ISO 50001 Energy Management System applies. What does EnMS training consist of?

A - (OBCA) consists of reading a pamphlet and acknowledge that it has been read

22. Please reference PWS section 1.40. How many hours per employee is anticipated for completing all of the listed training courses?

A - (1.0 hour)

23. It was stated at the site visit that pipe cleaning would be required. Please provide pipe cleaning requirements?

A- The finished piping system shall be free of particulates (soil, dirt, weld particles, etc) and oils (oils, grease, solvents, etc). Proper welding methods utilize inert gas in the pipe and cooling methods to prevent oxidation and heat damage eliminating particulate formation.

24. What are the requirements for ensuring water/moisture is removed from the piping system after hydrostatic testing and to what degree is water/moisture to be removed?

A- The piping is to be 99.9% free of water and moisture.

25. Will the government or contractor be responsible for removing water/moisture to the required level?

A- Contractor is to remove the water from the piping after the hydrostatic test.

26. Is it permissible to reuse the existing inline filter at the spray booth area?

A- Yes, the inline filter at the spray booth can be reused.