RFIsResponses.pdf

Solicitation FQ19162/KKB; Replacement of Chiller and Cooling Towers at Five (5) Metro-rail Stations: DC&VA RFI Log Responses

RFI Responses/Clarifications-RFI No. 1 through 13

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RFI No. Addendum RFI Description RFI Response

Note 4 on the chiller schedule states that chillers must be provided with two (2) magnetic bearing compressors. This will limit competition.

This solicitation was issued as a brand name or equal IFB, the IFB contained a list of salient characteristics and a descriptive literature clause which required bidders offering equal products, rather than the brand name products, to provide detailed technical information to demonstrate that their offered product met or exceeded the salient characteristics.

In a brand name or equal acquisition, firms offering to provide products equal to the brand product must demonstrate through materials submitted with their bids or offers that their product meets or exceeds the solicitation’s material requirements, including any listed salient characteristics.

Here, I find no justification for effectively restricting the procurement to a single qualified source. While the Authority needs not delay procurements to provide potential bidders with an opportunity to demonstrate their ability, 10 U.S.C.

§2319(c)(5), I view the solicitation provision as presupposing that the

Solicitation FQ19162/KKB; Replacement of Chiller and Cooling Towers at Five (5) Metro-rail Stations: DC&VA

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RFI No. Addendum RFI Description RFI Response

Please provide reasoning behind this requirement.

Will Johnson Controls be permitted to propose YORK water cooled chiller will with single magnetic bearing compressor equal to BOD model with two (2) magnetic bearing compressors.

Authority has made reasonable, good faith efforts to encourage competition.

Based on a market research of two or more available sources (i.e. chiller manufacturers), the Authority has met its statutory obligation to obtain full and open competition

WMATA intent is to provide its customers with unintermittedly air conditioning services throughout its stations, the dual compressors meet the Authority aforementioned requirements. With dual compressors should one fail the other compressor can still provide partial cooling, with the York system should that single compressor fail no cooling will be provided until compressor is repaired or replaced.

It is a business decision on whether to bid or not to bid. The solicitation clause does not require a bidder to furnish descriptive material unless an “equal” product is being offered, offering YORK would require your firm to furnish descriptive literature.

Solicitation FQ19162/KKB; Replacement of Chiller and Cooling Towers at Five (5) Metro-rail Stations: DC&VA

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RFI No. Addendum RFI Description RFI Response

The BOD model with two (2) magnetic bearing compressors is one of those salient characteristics representing the essential needs of the Authority.

Bid that fails to offer a product that meets the salient characteristics in a brand name or equal solicitation is nonresponsive since it does not conform to a material requirement of the specifications.

A list of the salient characteristics which the offered product had to meet was included in the IFB. Bidders who proposed to provide “equal” product were required to furnish descriptive materials with their bids which would clearly indicate that the items proposed would satisfy the salient characteristics stated in the IFB.

Chiller Manufacturers:

The specification is written around a single compressor technology, “Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal”, and does not allow for some competitive technologies to be offered.

Carrier’s 23XRV Variable Speed Screw compressor technology, which has been proven in the market with over 14 years of service history, has been shown in 3rd part field testing to be as high as 11% more efficient than comparable

Variable speed screw compressor technology will not be acceptable due to oil migration. The compressor lubricating oil has a tendency to mix with the refrigerant during operation.

This is especially true during operation outside of the optimal operating range of the compressor. The migrated oil coats the chiller tubes with a thin layer

Solicitation FQ19162/KKB; Replacement of Chiller and Cooling Towers at Five (5) Metro-rail Stations: DC&VA

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RFI No. Addendum RFI Description RFI Response

Magnetic Bearing technology with excellent operational reliability.

Will Carrier 23XRV Variable Speed Screw compressor technology be considered equivalent to the BOD “Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal” compressor type? It should be noted that, per the specifications, a 5 year parts and labor warranty will be provided on the complete unit and a yearly maintenance contract cost will be provided.

of oil thus decreasing efficiency.

Carrier’s claim to be 11% more efficient than a maglev compressor is based on a flawed study at the Sidney Yates Building (GSA). After discovering the issues with the study GSA has removed the report from their website and notified Carrier “to cease further public dissemination of this study and the results.” I have attached a copy of GSA’s retraction letter.

Multiple drawings reference DD-ME-HVAC-007, 008 & 009 for the System Loop Detail. Can you please provide where we can find these details or have them added to the bid material for download?

See Chilled Water Plant – Condenser Water Treatment Control Panel Drawings located at end of the contract drawings.

Volume 1, Section 00434 Bid Schedule, Item C. "Unit Price Bid Schedule" includes a table with each station and with quantities by the station.

Please explain the quantity breakdown and unit price when each bid item represents a single station?

The quantity includes the total number of chiller installations per location, the unit price is for each chiller installation and specified accessories for turn-key operations, and the extended price is the multiplier grand total price.

Replacement of Chillers and Cooling Tower Accessories at Five Metro-Rail Stations, Contract FQ19162, Package 2- Final Submittal February 2019 Drawings include 116 sheets. At the end of the drawings there is another set of drawings with new sheet numbers titled "Mechanical Design Drawing HVAC Chilled Water Plant " and also another set titled "Chiller Water Plant- Condenser Water Treatment Control Panel". Neither of these drawings have a project number listed and are not stamped.

Solicitation FQ19162/KKB; Replacement of Chiller and Cooling Towers at Five (5) Metro-rail Stations: DC&VA

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RFI No. Addendum RFI Description RFI Response

Are these intended to be part of the contract drawings provided?

These drawings were added to help clarify the Chiller Plant Monitoring Diagram submitted for each location.

In the new work drawings for the chiller plants, it states that the contractor is to paint chiller plant floors battle ship grey or equal.

At two of the five stations (Woodley Park & Union Station), the cooling towers are inside rooms adjacent to the chiller plants.

Please advise if the cooling tower plants will need to be painted at these (2) locations in addition to chiller plant floors.

For both locations Woodley Park & Union Station the floor areas enclosing both Chiller and Cooling Towers floors should be painted.

Please confirm piping for chemical treatment loop monitoring for chilled water and condenser water loop is provided by the contractor and that service/treatment is provided by others.

Yes, service / treatment is provided by others and piping for chemical treatment system for both chilled water and condenser water loops are to be provided by the contractor.

Drawing 007 of 116, note 18:

Regarding the above drawing note, can we assume 110-volt power can be used from each mechanical rooms outlets?

Yes, Outlets in Chiller Plants can be utilized.

Drawing 113 of 116, Drawing 015 of 116:

On drawing 113, details 1/M-501 & 2/M-501 contradicts drawing 015 which show Butterfly Valves as the shutoff valves, and Triple Duty Valves as the combined check valve/gate valve.

Are Gate Valves used in this contract at the pumps?

Are Check Valves used in this contract at the pumps?

Replace any existing gate valves with a new gate valve and any existing butterfly valve with a new high performance butterfly valve.

Drawing 013 of 116, and Drawing 015 of 116:

Drawing 013 specifically shows Suction Diffusers with Internal Strainers on the Pumps. Drawing 015 shows the symbol for Basket

Provide basket strainers, Suction diffusers are not required.

Solicitation FQ19162/KKB; Replacement of Chiller and Cooling Towers at Five (5) Metro-rail Stations: DC&VA

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RFI No. Addendum RFI Description RFI Response

Strainer but is labeled Suction Diffuser & Strainer. Are any Basket Strainers being used on this contract at the pumps?

Drawing 010, note 7 & Drawing 013, note 3:

The 2 drawing notes listed above conflict each other. One note states to provide new springs, and the other says to re-use the old ones.

Are we to provide new springs at all the existing inertia bases that remain?

Provide new Springs.

Drawing 015 of 116 & Drawing 113 of 116:

Drawing 0125 shows Pressure Gauges on the pumps. Drawing

11.3 shows both Pressure Gauges & Thermometers on the pumps.

Does WMATA want thermometers at each pump?

Thermometers are not required at each pump. Thermometers are required on the chilled water and condenser water inlets and outlets to the Chiller.

The contract drawings indicate that the chilled water and condensing water pump vibration isolation and pads are to remain and to be reused. Comparing the HP of the existing pumps verse the new, the new pumps double in HP. Given this increase it is assumed the pumps will be larger than the existing. Please advise how to proceed if existing inertia bases cannot be modified to fit the new pumps.

Provide new inertia bases.