Amended_Q&A_Final_Doc_1-25-17.pdf

Question & Answers

Solicitation GS-01-P-17-BW-C-0007

Project # RNH00047

Q1: Drawing E-401 shows what appears to be an illegal feeder tap within the new ATS enclosure where 3 #1 AWG copper conductors rated at 130-amps (feeding back to the load bank) are connected to a 300-amp feeder (emanating from the generator) without the required overcurrent protection for the tap conductors.

Please advise if overcurrent protection should be added within the parameters of the code “tap rule” or if the feeder to the load bank should run direct from a protective circuit breaker at the generator as is typically done for this type of installation.

A1: Reference Amendment 0002.

Q2: Temporary Power Sequence of Operations on Drawing E-100 call for a temporary fusible disconnect, a temporary ATS and temporary panel to be provided at 480-volt 3-phase to serve SPF-1 (5-HP), SPF-2 (5-HP), HPP-13 and HPP-13A while the MCC is being replaced. Please provide the amp rating of this temporary equipment or provide minimum circuit ampacity (MCA) and maximum overcurrent protection (MOP) for the heat pumps (heat pumps are not rated in HP for the purpose of determining circuit size) so we can properly calculate total feeder/equipment size.

A2: HPP-13A: 9.7MCA; 15A MOP; HPP-13: 9.7MCA; 15A MOP

Q3: Please advise what size and type of overcurrent protection is available at the generator for the temporary back-up feed to the temporary ATS. Should another fused disconnect and tap from the 300-amp main be added here to match the normal temporary disconnect and feeder?

A3: See the answer to Q1 above.

Q4: Please provide the name and contact information for the building’s BAS Controls System service provider so that we may obtain pricing from them for the BAS work detailed in Keyed Notes 5 and 6 on Drawing E100.

A4: The current BAS Controls contractor is:

Automated Building Systems 126 Kreiger Lane Glastonbury, CT 06033 Normajean Longval P 508-985-8385

Q5: Bid walkthrough revealed that there are three fire alarm modules (see attached pic) connected to the existing switchboard that is being removed. Please advise if any work is to be included in this project for fire alarm or if owner’s fire alarm vendor will perform fire alarm work related to this project. If contractor is to carry fire alarm work, please clarify scope and provide contact information of fire alarm manufacturer/service vendor for the building.

A5: Reference Amendment 0002

Q6: Bid walkthrough today revealed that there is an eyewash station (see attached pic) where the temporary ATS, panelboard and motor starters are to be installed in accordance with Drawing E100. Please advise if owner will relocate eyewash station prior to start of this project or if another location should be used for temporary equipment (wall space seems to be at a premium in this room so please show location on drawing if location of temporary equipment is revised).

A6: Use adjacent space or similar space nearby. Eyewash station will not be relocated.

Q7: Are any photos available of the entry section, at the top or bottom of the MCC, from when the engineer did his site investigation?

A7: No

Q8: Many of the existing buckets in the MCC are turned off. How many of these buckets have no load connected to them? How many of these buckets are actually in use, how many are abandoned?

A8: The buckets in use are indicated on the new work drawings. All others are not in service or abandoned.

Q9: Where an MCC bucket is turned off and no load is present can the wires be cut off at the conduit and abandoned in place or do you expect the contractor to remove all the cabling and or conduit back to the load?

A9: Reference Amendment 0002

Q10: The new equipment does not appear to line up with the old equipment placement. What was the engineer’s expectation for reconnecting existing conduits that come through the slab?

How did he plan on this being accomplished?

A10: Please see keyed note 3 on drawing E401.

Q11: Do any conduits come through the slab into this equipment? How many and what size and count of conductors?

A11: Conduit does come through the slab. The contractor is required to field verify the size and count.

Q12: Does the building have a distribution switchboard or main switch in the basement or some other location in the building to feed the penthouse or is the existing switch in the penthouse the main building disconnect?

A12: There is a switchboard in the basement with a circuit breaker serving the vertical bus duct.

As shown on Sheet E401 there is a set of isolation breakers in the electrical closet on the seventh floor to isolate the Penthouse distribution panels from utility power.

Q13: Drawing E100 shows four temporary starters for stair pressurization fans. What is the control voltage for the coils? What is the control configuration; do the starters require control power transformers, HOA switches, aux. contracts or any other parts? Is this part of the building Fire Alarm system? Does this system need to be tested after installation by the fire department?

Who maintains the buildings fire alarm system?

A13: Reference Amendment 0002

Q14: The drawing call for us to replace the existing toilet exhaust fan disconnect switch with a new starter and feeder circuit. What will control this? Does the motor starter require a HOA switch, control power transformer, pilot lights, or any aux. contacts? What voltage should the coil be?

A14: Reference Amendment 0002

Q15: The drawing call for us to replace the existing hot water circulation pump disconnect switch with a new starter and feeder circuit. What will control this? Does the motor starter require a HOA switch, control power transformer, pilot lights, or any aux. contacts? What voltage should the coil be?

A15: Reference Amendment 0002

Q16: What type of panelboard is DP9? (manufacturer, model, voltage?) What type of circuit breakers are existing? What is the AIC rating of the panels?

A16: DP9 is a Seimens Model # P1C42Q5175CTS. The Sales Order # is 79-72078. It was manufactured on 7/28/2005. The panel is rated 208Y/120 3PH 4W. It has a 3PH 175A main. I did not see a AIC rating on the name plate. The circuit breakers are those that are compatible with the Seimens model number. The contractor is required to field verify this information prior to ordering any parts or equipment for use in this panel.

Q17: Does the generator have lugs on the circuit breaker to accommodate the connection for the temporary ATS? Or did the engineer have an alternate location planned for the temporary ATS connection? If Yes, where and are lugs available?

A17: It is anticipated that the existing generator feeder would be disconnected and that the temporary ATS feeder would terminate at the existing 300A generator circuit breaker.

Q18: Does the owner want to retain any of the parts we are removing as spares for other parts of the building.

A18: The contractor is to remove all of the old recovered materials from the site. The materials are to be recycled to the greatest extent possible. The contractor is to provide a report to GSA at the end of the project that list total weight of materials recovered, total weight of material recycled and total weight of waste generated.

Q19: How many pounds can the service elevator handle?

A19: The service elevator is rated at 5,000# net.

Q20: Can new materials be moved into the building and up to the penthouse during normal working hours, or does this work need to occur during off-hours?

A20: The movement of supplies can and should occur during normal business hours of 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Q21: What are the full load amps for the stair pressurization fans.

A21: The fans are 5HP. The FLA is approximately 7.6A

Q22: During the pre-bid conference the owner indicated the building shutdown would need to be performed on a weekend.

A22: Because of the number of computer rooms within the building, it is imperative that the building lose power the fewest number of times. It is preferred that a single long shut down of electrical power be used to complete the MCC change out.

Q23: Does the owner have a previous coordination study or arc-flash study?

A23 - No.

Q24: The project documents do not seem to indicate a coordination study or arc-flash study is required for this project, is this a correct understanding.

A24: Correct.

Q25: Who will establish the time and current settings for all of the circuit breakers?

A25: Reference Amendment 0002

Q26: The specification call for the contractor to provide ¼” scale drawings for the work. What drawings is the owner expecting? (floor plans, integrated wiring diagrams, sections) Is the intent that the contractor should provide the drawings the contractor needs for installation or does the owner have an expectation?

A26: Contractor shall provide shop drawings needed for a complete installation to the scale noted.

Q27: The spec calls for weekly coordination meetings. Can these meeting be suspended while equipment is being fabricated is no work is occurring on site?

A27: Depending on the fabrication duration, progress meetings will be required. Conference calls at two to four week intervals certainly can be discussed.

Q28: Can the project schedule be made using Microsoft Projects?

A28: Microsoft Projects is the preferred scheduling software. The schedules however can be provided to the gov in pdf file format.

Q29: When is the building unoccupied?

A29: Normal occupied hours for the building is 0600 – 1800, Mon – Fri. Some agencies work on weekends based on their operational needs. Weekend work is not predictable.

Q30: Are there any special security (requirements) we need to be aware of during normal hours and off hours work?

A30: Not sure what this means. All contractor personnel will have to be cleared using the HSPD-12 clearance procedures. Once cleared, the personnel will have un-fettered access to the work space at any and all hours – that is what HSPD-12 clearance provides. ALL personnel (gov employees as well) are required to check in through the guard post either by their ID card or being checked on a list that is developed for each project. Each person must have a picture ID to enter the building once HSPD-12 cleared or they will have to go through the full security vetting process.

Q31: When testing the completed installation, will the owner provide personnel to operate remote control points to insure proper system operation?

A31: Yes. Depending on when the testing is to occur, a seven day notice of anticipated testing is requested – we may have to schedule building operational staff to accommodate the test day if on a weekend.

Q32: Are all submittals to be provided in electronic format?

A32: Yes, it is the preferred method.

Q33: Does the Owner require a separate person to perform safety control on site who has no other responsibilities on the project, or can this person be a worker as well?

A33: Contractor safety control is to be supplied in conformance with the latest edition of the applicable section of the NEC, OSHA and NFPA 101.

Q34: The testing portion of the spec speaks of design mixes and curing, does the owner anticipate concrete work as a part of this project?

A34: Concrete work is not anticipated.

Q35: Spec section 01400-3 part 1.4 set a standard for the testing firm that does not match the standard for testing firms for electrical equipment. Will the owner accept NETA firms for testing?

A35: Yes.

Q36: The spec requires the contractor’s safety plan to include:

Q36a: Installation of the fire protection systems as construction progresses. Is a new fire protection system required by this project?

A36a - A new Fire Protection System is not required for this work.

Q36b: Organization and training of an on-site fire brigade. During prep work the crew will be small, during equipment replacement the crew will be larger but not adequate to form a fire brigade. Is this really required?

A36b: Contractor shall comply with NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, And Demolition Operations, 29 CFR 1910.34, Coverage and Definitions, 29CFR 1910-35, Compliance with NFPA 101-2009 Life Safety Code, 29CFR 1910-36 Design And Construction Requirements For Exit Routes, and 29CFR 1910-37 Maintenance, Safeguards, and Operational Features for Exit Routes.

Q36c: Development of a prefire plan with the local fire department. Is this really required?

A36c: The AHJ is the GSA Regional Fire Protection Engineer. Compliance with the conditions set forth in A36b constitute compliance with the fire plan requirement.

Q36d: Consideration of special hazards resulting from previous occupancies. What special hazards are existing on site that we should consider?

A36d: There are known areas of asbestos containing materials (ACM) within the building.

Some of the walls within the Penthouse have known ACM. The ACM management plan will be made available to the winning contractor, as requested. No work is anticipated by way of this contract to interact with ACM.

Q37: Can the new equipment be delivered to the site during normal hours and can the loading dock be used?

A37: There is no loading dock, the loading area access door is at grade. The loading area may be used during normal business hours as noted in A20.

Q38: If awarded can work be delayed until service elevator is operational?

A38: Yes, the work can be delayed until the service elevator has been restored to full service.

Q39: Is there a schedule for the MCC's? There are spares shown, but the desired size is not specified.

A39: Reference Amendment 0002.

Q40: The panel schedules indicate 22kAIC for the short circuit rating, but the one-line shows 42kAIC. Please clarify.

A40: 22kAIC is correct.

Q41: Please clarify if the new ATS should be 3-pole or 4-pole.

A41: The new ATS2 should be a 3 pole device.