QuestionSet2Maine15OM.pdf

Maine 15 O&M Solicitation GS-01-P-17-BW-D-0003

Question Set 2

Reference SOW Page 68 C.6.32.5 Corrosion Monitoring

17. Are coupon racks required for every boiler on the contract?

ANS: Houlton 6 all have coupon racks installed, Estcourt Station is changing so not of consequence here, Van Buren has Chemical feeders installed in the build out. Madawaska and Ft Kent as well as Van Buren have ports where water can be drawn off and chemicals can be introduced. Calais 9 locations do not have coupon racks installed. For all boilers and chillers, samples are taken and sent to a lab for analysis.

18. If coupon racks are required, but not currently installed on boilers, please provide a specification for coupon racks (including the number and type of coupons) that are required, and add a CLIN for pricing that equipment. Are there “dosing stations” or “ports” where chemicals can be introduced in the closed loop boiler if required? If the answer to this question is no, how are maintenance personnel to treat the water?

ANS: See above. Calais IA and Vanceboro have one for each closed loop.

Reference SOW Page 68 C.6.32.6 Monthly Testing

19. Please provide qualifications and certifications for a “Water Treatment Specialist”.

ANS: There are no specific qualifications and certifications for a Water Treatment Specialist.

However, the process for taking water treatment samples shall be defined in the Water Treatment Plan, which will be approved by the COR.

20. Will offerors be allowed to take the recommendation of the testing laboratory regarding the method of taking water samples to be submitted for testing, or does the government require some other standard for extracting water for testing?

ANS: Yes, as approved by the COR with the Water Treatment Plan. Please note that a Water Treatment Plan will have to be submitted to and approved by the COR post award.

21. Does each boiler on the contract have a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) valve or other backflow preventer installed that will allow chemical treatment of the boiler water?

ANS: No

22. Will the government authorize and pay for the purchase and installation of RPZ valves for each boiler, if the Maine Plumbing Code requires RPZ Valves?

ANS: To our knowledge, no system included in this contract requires continuous chemical treatment. Shot treatment is acceptable if repairs are needed.

Reference Page 71 C.6.35.8 Flag Procedures

23. The requirement for maintaining (raising and lowering) flags at the LPOEs is clear; however, the requirement states in part that, “This service shall be provided when directed by the CO or their designee”. Offerors cannot reasonably price this item, as there is no quantity. Would the government qualify this requirement to be performed during regular working hours only?

Because of the remote locations of the LPOEs, the cost of providing after hours flag raising and lowering represents a significant unknown cost. In the alternative, would the government provide a CLIN for providing flag services after hours on an IDIQ basis?

ANS: Typically after hours occurs on average 5 times a year. Additionally, janitorial staff live close to the remote LPOE’s with the exception of Escourt Station so it is not a significant travel requirement. This will not be an additional CLIN for this item. St. Pamphile is also remote but CBP staff takes care of this location

Other:

24. Is the contractor responsible for maintaining any equipment other than GSA – owned equipment?

ANS: No

Reference Page 370 Exhibit 24 Pricing Exhibit Snow Services 25.. Because snow amounts vary widely from year to year, and snow measurements are inexact, would the government consider removing the snow adjustment clause, thereby establishing a firm fixed price for snow removal, regardless of the amount of snow in the entire season?

In the alternative would the government modify the contract language to reflect at least a 25% variation before making an adjustment to the contract price?

ANS: Exhibit 24 Language will remain as is.

Reference Contract Line Item Spreadsheet

26. The CLINs for Snow Removal and Landscaping indicate that payment would be every month for 12 months. Please clarify how the successful contractor will be paid for CLINS that are seasonal in nature such as Snow Services. Specifically, will the contractor be paid each month for snow removal and for landscaping even though those services will not be performed every month?

ANS: That is correct, Landscaping and Snow will be paid every month even for services not performed every month.