Response_to_Questions_HC102818R0064__QA_June_1_2018_(12_June).docx

Government Response to Questions Solicitation Number: HC102818R0064 Subject: OKC Raised Floor and High-Density Cooling & Power Upgrade

1. Reference RFP page 5 of 100, Section (2) Past Performance Factor “…documented experience that demonstrates successful completion of projects in raised floor environments, installation of PDUs, and installation of CRAHs; all in a data center environment.” Please confirm that the Offeror may demonstrate experience in the three areas (identified with underlining above) across all projects submitted and does not have to include all three areas in each project.

Response: Correct, experience may be on different projects. Demonstrated experience in the three areas of raised floor, power, and cooling is not expected to be on each single project. The offeror may demonstrate experience in the three areas across all projects submitted.

2. Please confirm the submission of CPARS or PPQs is not required with the response of this proposal, as the Government will be using PPIRS.

Response: The Government has not requested the submission of CPARS in response to the proposal. IAW HC102818R0064, the Government reserves the right to obtain information relative to present and past performance on its own, in addition to that provided by the offeror. Past performance information may be obtained through the Past Performance Information Retrieval System, through interviews with program managers on past efforts, or any other sources known to the Government.

3. Please confirm that the tabs, covers, table of contents, or any other sheets provided solely for the purpose of organization will be excluded from the page limits.

Response: Reference HC102818R0064, paragraph c, pages 3-4 which outlines the items excluded from the page limits and advised the administrative requirements with regard to font and margins. IAW HC102818R0064, paragraph c, pages 3-4, the following items will not be considered when calculating page limits: cover page, table of contents, glossary, executive summary, generic resumes, and OCCI mitigation plans.

4. RFI answer #1 confirmed the due date as June 23rd, which is a Saturday. Many offerors and most Government offices do not operate on Saturday or Sunday. Will the Government consider extending the proposal due date to the following Monday, June 25, 2018? If not, please confirm that the proposal recipient, Sharon E. Brace, will be available to acknowledge and confirm receipt of emailed proposals on Saturday June 23rd.

Response: The Government will adjust the date for proposals due. The due date for proposals will be July 2nd, 2018 at 1 pm CST; the RFP has been amended to incorporate the revised date.

5. Attachment 2_Pricing Sheet includes a set amount for CLIN 0003, “Travel”. Please clarify whether this travel amount is to be used for CLIN’s 0001 & 0002 or is CLIN 0003 only associated with work that may be performed under CLIN 0004?

Response: There is no CLIN 0003, for travel. CLIN 3 covers contingency costs and does not include travel, which was erroneously referenced in HC102818R0064, pages 6-7, price factor, and on the pricing spreadsheet. The RFP and pricing sheet have been updated to remove all references to travel. The offeror is to propose a firm fixed price in response to the proposal for CLINs 0001 and 0002, and to use the plug number provided for CLIN 0003 (reference HC102818R0064, pages 6-7.

6. While it is the intent for no power or IT communication loss during construction, please confirm that DISA will be able to implement safe-guarding procedures to ensure that any accidental disconnection will not have any monetary implications that would be passed down to the Contractor.

Response: DISA will require scheduled work with advanced notice to implement safe guards through Authorized Scheduled Interruptions (ASIs). ASIs require a minimum of 28 days’ notice and prior Government approval before work that may impact critical data center operations begins. This will require close coordination between all parties working on the raised floor environment.

7. Please confirm that all perimeter walls of Room 147 and Room 145 are one-hour fire-rated walls and that any penetrations will need to be done in a manner to maintain the one-hour fire-rating.

Response: Correct, all walls are fire rated and all penetrations shall meet one-hour fire rating.

8. Could the most current equipment floor layout of Room 147 be provided? Or the most current “future” layout?

Response: IAW HC102818R0064, page 9, contractors interested in proposing this effort should request copies of the appendixes from Mr. Rodney Placzek at rodney.c.placzek.civ@mail.mil. The existing and future IT equipment floor layout, and other PWS appendixes, will be provided upon request.

9. Will any special and/or additional insurance policies/amounts be required when handling the server racks? If so, please advise.

Response: Normally the contractor is responsible for any damage during a project, including IT equipment damage or unscheduled outage. The operational racks in OKC data center have been valued at over $1M per month (both replacement and lost production to DISA) if they went down. It is important to understand the risks and Contractor’s may opt to carry risk insurance. The Government is not requiring additional insurance, but the Contractor will be responsible for damage/outage caused by the work and the additional insurance is the Contractor’s option. In addition, please note that this RFP is conducted under FAR Parts 12 and 15. This is not a construction requirement, therefore FAR Parts 14 and 36 are not applicable.

10. In the work description document, paragraph 6.14.2.3 states that no IT equipment is to be shown on the drawings. Please clarify the meaning of this paragraph.

Response: Facility as-built drawings shall only show installed facility infrastructure equipment to include Cold Aisle Containment enclosures, In-row Coolers, Water Distribution Units, Static Transfer Switch/Power Distribution Units (STS/PDUs), Computer Room Air Handlers (CRAHs), Underfloor Pressure Sensors, and all associated power and chiller water pipe distribution runs. No IT racks shall be illustrated on the facility as-built drawings.

11. General Note 4 on sheet M1 requires structural calculations for supports required by mechanical. Please clarify Verify structural engineer includes in their scope.

Response: Pre-manufactured structural supports for CRAHS should have calculations included by the manufacture. If any supports are fabricated on site, then structural calculations are required.

12. Sheet M-101, Keynote 1 – Provide model number of approved sensors for pricing.

Response: The pressure sensors are Liebert sensors to be compatible with the existing Liebert CRAHs Model CW106DC1A2B781 with Liebert iCOM® controls. VERTIV/Liebert Model: XDUCR PRES MAX -0.1-5"WC. They connect directly to the unit with a hose that extends about 10 feet.

13. Sheet M-102, New Equipment Plan Area C - Is access for maintenance required on the sides of each CRAH? During walk-thru, one side panel was removed showing a control valve which will need maintenance. The other side was not checked. New plan shows WDU and PDU/STS in close proximity which may restrict access. What access is required around WDU and PDU/STS equipment?

Response: Equipment access is required from the front and/or back for maintenance. Side access is not required for maintenance on these new units.

14. Need copies of existing As-Built conditions below raised floor to determine conflicts with new equipment. During walk-thru one panel was removed indicating a cable tray located directly below where a new PDU/STS is to be installed.

Response: : IAW HC102818R0064, page 9, contractors interested in proposing this effort should request copies of the appendixes from Mr. Rodney Placzek at rodney.c.placzek.civ@mail.mil. The current IT equipment floor layout, along with other PWS Appendices, will be provided upon request.

15. Sheet M-102, New Equipment Plan Area C – The new Cold Aisle Containment Enclosures do not match the existing computer racks as pointed out in General Notes. The actual equipment appears to be much closer and may lack sufficient clearance for IRC’s. Will the racks be relocated prior to start of construction or will the plan be revised?

Response: Racks are placed as shown on drawings. The drawings are provided as “Concept Drawings”. Racks may be adjusted as needed during the installation of the Cold Aisle Containment enclosures and In-Row Coolers to meet the intended operational requirements of the enclosures.

16. Sheet M-103 shows piping layout parallel to walls and with fittings. However, Detail on Sheet M501 calls for joint-less PEX-AL-PEX. Joint-less piping is likely to be more haphazard and not parallel to walls. Will the contractor be allowed flexibility on piping location and routing or will a rigid plan need to be followed?

Response: Yes, contractor will be allowed flexibility on piping location and routing to avoid obstacles. Drawings are provided as “Design Concept Drawings”.

17. M-701 schedule references APC models for IRCs and WDUs. Would it be permissible to furnish Liebert models that are equal?

Response: Yes, salient features are provided in the PWS, section 6.4.1 and 6.5.1. Any model referenced is provided as an example and equal or equivalent units will be reviewed and evaluated during the submittal process.

18. It was mentioned at the site visit that DISA has installed cold aisle containment enclosures at other sites. Could DISA provide make/model of enclosures that were installed?

Response: Subzero ‘Polarcap’ enclosures were installed at Data Centers St Louis and Ogden. However, other makes and models will meet the salient features for enclosures and are acceptable [to submit for review] if the enclosure ceiling is retractable or otherwise breaks away when clean agent and fire suppression are activated.

19. Please confirm that schedules on sheet E-002 are for existing equipment only, and no new equipment is listed on sheet E-002.

Response: Sheet E-002 of the Design Concept Drawings is provided for the end state electrical schedule of existing and new equipment. The Government is coordinating with the site to correct the E-002 electrical schedule. The PWS, section 6.7 provides the list of new STS/PDU pairs required to be installed.

20. On sheet E-101, PDU-A-3 is shown to be new. On sheet E-002, item 143 appears to include PDU-A-3 as existing. Please clarify.

Response: Sheet E-101 is correctly showing STS/PDU-A-3 as new. The PWS, section 6.7, provides the list of new STS/PDU pairs required to be installed.

21. On sheet E-101, PDU-B-3 is shown to be new. On sheet E-002, item 147 appears to include PDU-B-3 as existing. Please clarify.

Response: Sheet E-101 is correctly showing STS/PDU-B-3 as new. The PWS, section 6.7, provides the list of new STS/PDU pairs required to be installed.

22. On sheet E-102, the names of panels “UDP-A10-1” and “UDP_1-A-10” appear to be swapped. Please confirm.

Response: Panel names are correct. UDP-A10-1 is a new sub-panel to the existing UDP_1A-10. See Note 4, “NEW 800A PANEL, INSTALL PER ONE LINE DIAGRAM, SEE SHEET E-614.”

23. On sheet E-102, the names of panels “UDP-B10-1” and “UDP_1-B-10” appear to be swapped. Please confirm.

Response: Panel names are correct. UDP-B10-1 is a new sub-panel to the existing UDP_1B-10. See Note 4, “NEW 800A PANEL, INSTALL PER ONE LINE DIAGRAM, SEE SHEET E-614.”

24. On sheet EG-102, notes 3 and 6 appear to describe two ways of accomplishing the SRG. Please confirm if the intent is to provide both methods, or if the contractor has the option of providing one method or the other.

Response: Notes 3 and 6 are in fact in conflict. The concept design drawings intent is to match the existing 4’x4’ SRG grounding with 2’x2’ grid per Note 3.

25. On sheet EG-102, note 5 states to bond new racks to SRG. Please clarify the meaning of “new racks” in the context of this note.

Response: The design intent is to bond any IT racks that are not currently bonded to the SRG. Based on site survey, all existing IT racks are currently bonded to the SRG. If any new IT racks are placed during the performance of this contract, bonding will be required to the SRG.

26. On sheet EG-102, the word “bond” is used in several notes. Please specify the required bonding methods for each application such as SRG to #2/0 copper conductor, #6 copper conductor to SRG, braided copper to floor pedestal, and so on.

Response: Per Notes 3, Install new continuous #6 bare copper conductors on 2-foot center in each direction. Support from each new support post using a UL listed SRG floor pedestal clamp at each point of intersection. See detail picture on sheet E-501. Per Note 4, Grounds from racks, if needed, will have #6 conductors and use ground clamps to floor pedestal as shown on sheet E-501.

27. On sheet EG-102, note 6 states to use 1” wide flat metal braids with copper subcenters. I am not familiar with this product. Please provide manufacturer and catalog data information for the desired material.

Response: Please disregard Note 6. Note 6 on Sheet EG-102 of the Design Concept Plans is deleted.

28. On sheet EG-102, note 6 requires a great deal of bonding but does not seem to require the metal braids to be bonded where they cross each other. Is the intent for the SRG braids to be bonded everywhere they cross?

Response: Yes, the intent is for the SRG braids to be bonded everywhere they cross.

29. On sheet EG-102, neither SRG construction method described in notes 2 or 6 match the type of SRG to be installed in Room 180. Please confirm that the type of SRG being installed in room 180 is not the type of SRG to be provided on this project, but also please note that installation of that type of SRG will be extremely difficult in an occupied and active data center.

Response: The Government confirms that the SRG to be upgraded in the main computer room, Room 147, is to match the existing SRG type filling in the current 4’x4’ grid to a 2’x2’ grid with the SRG braids bonded everywhere they cross. The Government understands that this may be different configuration than what is currently being installed for Room 180.

30. Please confirm if the SRG extends into the Room 144/145 area or to the storage room at the northwest corner of the building.

Response: Yes, the SRG extends into the Room 145B, PKI Equipment Room, off the northwest corner of the main computer room. No SRG is required in the storage room or the vault. Access to this room is limited to non-duty time or weekends.

31. On sheets E-608 and E-610 there are no sizes given for the STS/PDU feeders. Should the same sizes shown on sheets E-612 through E-614 be assumed?

Response: Yes, the same feeder sizes shown on sheets E-612 through E-614 are to be used.

32. On sheets E-612 through E-614, the STS/PDU feeders are shown to be 350 MCM connected to 350A circuit breakers. Please confirm that this is the conductor size to be provided.

Response: The Government confirms that 350 MCM is conductor size to be provided unless a different size can be justified in the proposal for an economical savings.

33. On sheet E-616, the interrupting capacities are not given for new panelboards EPD-A4-1 and EDP-B4-1. Please provide the interrupting capacities to be used for bidding purposes.

Response: Interrupting capacities is 65KAIC as also noted on sheet E-606.

34. On sheets E-612 through E-614, many distribution panels have the acronym “MLO” in their description but the graphics indicate main circuit breakers. Please confirm that this is a simple typo that should have read “MCB” (Main Circuit Breaker) in most cases.

Response: MLO is correct and refers to Main Lugs Only. Main Lugs are generally used for sub-panels fed from the main breaker panels.

35. On sheet E-614, UDP-A-10 and UPD-B-10 are shown to have 1200AF/1200AT main circuit breakers and 800A bus. Please confirm that this is a simple typo and both panelboards have 1200A bus.

Response: The Government confirms this is a typo and both panelboards have 1200A bus.

36. Per the performance work statement 6.10.7.- Contractor shall provide the four new CRAH units with smoke detection, installed and connected to the fire system panel as a part of their UL listed assembly in Room 180. Please confirm this will be picked up as a signal monitoring device by the fire alarm panel, and that the clean agent panel will shut down the CRAH units in the case of a clean agent release, similar to CRAH operations in Room 147.

Response: Yes, the Government confirms the intent for the new CRAH units have smoke detection monitoring device to send a signal to the fire alarm panel, and that the clean agent panel will shut down the CRAH units in the case of a clean agent release, similar to CRAH operations in Room 147.

37. Per PWS 6.2.1.1, Contractor is to replace raised-access floor panels in Room 145 and Room 147 with ConCore 2500 psf strength capacity to fit on the existing access floor structure. However, in order to switch from the existing WoodCore panels to ConCore panels, the stringers and heads will also need to be switched out. The bottom of the WoodCore panels sit on top of the stringer, whereas the ConCore panels have a top edge that sits on the top of the stringer. In addition, the 2500lb ConCore panel requires the heads be fillet welded and the current heads are tack welded. Please see attached data sheets for each. Please confirm Contractor to include new stringers and heads in their proposal.

Response: Yes, the Government confirms after field verification, per PWS section 6.2.2, that new stringers will be required along with new pedestal heads to meet the 2500 lb. Concrete Core (ConCore) panel standards.

38. It appears the existing pedestal bases are glued down to the existing slab and painted over to match the existing floor. There is a possibility with re-using the bases and the floor ''growing'' as the new material is installed. If this occurs, there will be a point where the existing bases would be required to be removed and re-used (if possible) or new bases being supplied and installed in the new location. Is it permissible for bases to be re-used or should Contractor include costs for new bases?

Response: Pedestals bases may be reused. If bases cannot be pulled from the floor for reuse, new bases shall be included in cost for replacement. The offeror should not build the cost for replacement into the FFP rates. If necessary, CLIN 0003- Contingency, will be used for replacement bases.

39. In order to lift the server racks to replace the access floor, there will need to sufficient slack in the cabling to allow the rack to be lifted approx. 2''-3''. What party is responsible for confirming there is enough slack?

Response: The contractor is responsible for determining the cable slack available prior to lifting the racks. Contractor may unfasten and lift the IT cable tray as needed if cabling does not allow required slack.

40. During the replacement work, while a server rack is being lifted and/or in the air, will DISA provide a representative/tech, as a precaution, that has the ability and authority to correct any items that may occur?

Response: Yes, the Government will have technicians available with ability to correct IT issues for the scheduled lifting of racks.

41. During the site visit, it appeared the stingers and pedestal heads were not compatible with the required 2500-pound Concrete Core panels.

Response: The Government confirms that during the site verification, Stringer and pedestal heads required replacement.

42. During the site visit, the telephone room on the west end of the main computer room was shown to have a raised floor and the secure computer room 145B in the northwest corner had a storage room, vault and foyer/vestibule that have raised floor.

Response: The Government confirms that all raised floor areas to include the telephone Room (15’x34’) and the secure computer room 145B storage room (8’x10’), vault (14’x10’) and foyer/vestibule (9’x10’) shall have raised floor upgrades. The telephone room has self-supported gaseous fire suppression bottles that occupy approximately 6’x16’ of space.

43. Are there any Liquidated Damages on this contract?

Response: No, there are no liquidated damages on this equipment installation contract.

44. What is the requirement for Announced Schedule Interruptions (ASIs) discussed at the site visit.

Response: ASI’s must be requested a minimum of 28 days in advance. Per PWS Sections 6.1.1 and 6.2.1.7, a phasing plan is required to allow for prior planning and scheduling of ASIs and closely coordinated with the Government representatives on site.

45. During the site visit, Period of No Disruption (POND) was discussed. When will those occur?

Response: A Period of No Disruption (POND) may occur during times of critical military operations and at the end of the Fiscal Year (FY) for some IT operations. The Government will identify areas on the raised floor environment that may be effected by a POND at the end of the FY. Rack areas effected must be scheduled around.

46. Cable trays under the floor appear in the way of accessing the UDP power panels at the west end of the main computer room with very tight working conditions.

Response: Cable Trays may be temporarily moved and reinstalled, as long as IT cabling is not disconnected, to allow for installation of power cables to the UDPs.

47. Who will do the Labeling of new equipment?

Response: The contractor shall provide and install the equipment labels follow the Labeling requirements in accordance with the PWS, with Government review and approval.

48. It appears there is an error in the mechanical schedule that we felt we needed to bring to your attention. We reached out to APC for pricing of the in-row coolers and water distribution units as they are the manufacturer listed on the mechanical schedule on Sheet M-701. Kevin Laverty with APC stated that the scheduled in-row cooling units (acrc600) are not compatible with the scheduled cooling distribution units (ACFD12-B). Also, the pipe size for the AC units is shown as 1”, and the acrc600 uses 1.5”. He said if we change the in-row cooling units to ½ racks, ARCR300s, we could use both the CDU scheduled and the 1” pipe size. We would have to use twice as many IRC’s, but they are 1 ft wide instead of 2 feet wide so they take up the same floorspace. We would also need to include 4 of the CDUs instead of 2.

Response: The PWS, sections 6.4.1 and 6.5.1, state that Liebert chilled water distribution units (WDU) and In-Row Coolers (IRC) are acceptable. The PWS provides the required salient features that must be met. The required concept as stated in the PWS and on the Design Concept Drawings shall be maintained with a total of 18 IRCs (40 kW each), 3 IRC per containment pod, and 9 IRCs connected to each of the two water distribution units with the capability to connect up to 12 IRCs. Liebert model WD512BPO Chilled Water Distribution Units are being successfully used at the DISA Computer Centers in Ogden and St Louis.

The OKC site has only identified available space for two (2 each) Water Distribution Units (WDU), or "CDUs" as stated in the question, to support the designated high-density rack area, therefore, additional WDU placement would not be acceptable. The PEX pipe size can be either 1" or 1-1/2", as long as the system meets the chilled water flow requirement to provide 45 to 55 degree chilled water to the IRCs in accordance with Section 6.5.1.1.