NS Newport Industry Day Questions_FINAL.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- N40085-25-RP-00060
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This is a Q&A document from an Industry Day event for a Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport Land Exchange opportunity, containing 39 questions and answers across multiple site tour phases. The document provides detailed information about utility infrastructure, operations, and maintenance at various NAVSTA Newport facilities.
Key topics covered include the scope of Selected Offeror studies for utility infrastructure, details about pier operations servicing Coast Guard and NOAA ships, water quality monitoring procedures, and utility service arrangements with wheeling account holders. Specific infrastructure details discussed include: utility upgrades at Pier 2, environmental considerations including Superfund site areas, privatized housing partner responsibilities (Balfour Beatty Communities), water/wastewater system operations, and billing procedures. Notable operational requirements include Grade 2 Distribution and Grade 1 treatment water licenses for ship connections, daily water quality testing, and coordination with various stakeholders including Coast Guard, NOAA, and private developers. The document concludes with clarification that digital submissions are acceptable for Phase I, though hard copies will be required later for review and evaluation.
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Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport Land Exchange Industry Day Q&A
1/22/2025 Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport Pg. 1
No. Phase: Introduction - Real Estate Overview Question 1
1.
Q:
What is the intended scope of the Selected Offeror Studies? Will a historical/environmental assessment be required for all structures and parcels within the utility infrastructure service area?
A:
The scope does not need to include every building on base, rather only structures or areas that are related to the utility system infrastructure. The scope should be broad enough to provide the Navy and the Selected Offeror with adequate information to understand all requirements for the easement area and gain necessary approvals to transfer the property and infrastructure. It is important to note, certain areas of NAVSTA Newport are identified as a Superfund site. The Navy intends to share all available information with the Selected Offeror, but there may be certain environmental information that the Navy does not possess. Ms. Mueller provided an example, noting that the Selected Offeror may want a historical survey of property (ex. 50-year-old pump station is not necessarily of historical value). Ms. Mueller stated that there are some significant historical structures that may have protected status. Knowledge of local and Navy requirements regarding historical structures and preservation would be useful for Selected Offeror. Easement will be approximately 15 feet on either side of the infrastructure and will be dependent on the findings and locations contained in the survey.
No. Phase: Site Tour - Waterfront Area Questions 2-6
2.
Q: Can the Navy identify when upgrades that have occurred throughout the utility systems?
A:
The Navy will provide any information it has as part of the study. Recent projects include:
Coast guard bulkhead project 2014: New 12” DI water main and 3 risers with hotboxes, meters and backflows to service 3 ships. 2020: New 8” DI water main under north side of pier 2 with new 12” compound water meter in pit. Backflows in main feed hotbox and 2 risers with hotboxes, meters and backflows to service ships.
3.
Q: What is the plan for the facilities and utility infrastructure that the Navy is currently constructing for NOAA and Coast Guard?
A:
The Navy plans to construct the NOAA MOC-A facility/pier and Coast Guard facility/pier and then convey them to NOAA and the Coast Guard. NOAA and Coast Guard will then be responsible for operating facilities/utility infrastructure as well as any ship-to-shore connections on those facilities. The Pier 2 water and sewer infrastructure will be conveyed to the contractor and will continue to support USCG, NOAA and visiting ships.
4.
Q: Do Coast Guard ships frequently dock at the Navy pier?
A:
Yes, Coast Guard operations differ from Navy operations. Coast Guard ships tend to move around more frequently than Navy ships. Most of the time, Coast Guard ships will provide more than one week’s notice before docking a Navy pier. Sometimes notice is given 24hrs in advance and occasionally less than 24 hours notice is given. Navy operators are on-call 24/7 to ensure preparedness for any last-minute Coast Guard connections.
5.
Q:
How do the hot boxes and service lines function to provide utility services to the pier? Is this process similar to how utilities are provided to buildings?
A: Yes, this process is similar. There is a water meter and two Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) backflow devices mounted in parallel with the gate valves.
6.
Q: How many ships are usually serviced at this pier?
A: 5
No. Phase: Site Tour - Pier 2 Questions 7-10
7.
Q: Is there a specific season or a time of year when the pier experiences a higher volume of ships needing servicing?
A: Yes, NAVSTA Newport hosts the International Seapower Symposium at Pier 2 every two (2) years.
1/22/2025 Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport Pg. 2
8.
Q: Is there a security check or clearance process for ships docking at Pier 2?
A: Yes, connecting ships undergo a security check and need to be authorized by NAVSTA Newport’s Commanding Officer via Port Operations.
9.
Q: Who is responsible for handling bilge water?
A: It is contracted out by each ship. Bilge water is pumped to contractor-owned pier-side trucks. These pumpouts are coordinated through Port Ops.
10.
Q: What licenses are required for ship connections and collections?
A: Grade 2 Distribution and Grade 1 treatment water licenses.
No. Phase: Site Tour - Solar Farm (EUL) Questions 11-14
11.
Q: Is Navy-owned infrastructure and non-Navy-owned infrastructure intermingled for EULs?
A: The EULs located at tank farm 4 and McAllister, do not utilize water/wastewater services from the Navy. The Navy is unaware of any lines that run through these properties.
12.
Q:
If utility infrastructure fails, is there a clear distinction between Navy and private owner responsibilities for performing necessary repairs and maintenance?
A: Yes, there is clear understanding of ownership, and parties understand and are responsible for maintaining their infrastructure.
13.
Q: What is the soil quality in this area?
A:
Major renovations may require soil remediation, particularly if associated with a Superfund Area of Concern (AOC). EPA Region 1 and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) provide specific soil remediation guidelines for these AOCs. There is naturally-occurring soil arsenic that frequently exceeds the current state’s safe levels. NAVSTA Newport has a Soil Management Plan (for arsenic) that is signed by the State of RI. On non-AOCs, soil arsenic must be disposed of as a solid waste.
14.
Q: What mapping systems are utilized?
A: GeoReadiness Explorer (GRX), AutoCad
No. Phase: Site Tour - Sewer Lift Station 74 Questions 15-19
15.
Q: Have any upgrades been made to the station?
A: Yes, Multismart pump control system with ultrasonic level sensors. Additional information on upgrades can be provided upon request.
16.
Q: Are the pipes located above the water table?
A: No.
17.
Q: What type of pipes are used in the pumping/lift stations?
A: Cast iron and ductile iron.
18.
Q: Are the pumps submersible?
A: No. The facility uses end suction centrifugal pumps.
19.
Q: Are lift stations on SCADA?
A: No, this is not possible due to cyber constraints. Lift stations use auto dialer.
No. Phase: Site Tour - Defense Highway Questions 20-23
20.
Q: Does installation have any right of way clearing programs?
A:
Yes, programs are in place for electrical infrastructure. RI Energy, the sole power provider, has right of way clearing programs as well. The installation has a grounds maintenance contract
21. Q: When was the last tree clearing completed?
1/22/2025 Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport Pg. 3
A: Clearing was completed summer of 2024.
22.
Q: Are there any tree clearing restrictions in place?
A:
Clearing restrictions are in place for certain months unless there is an emergency where immediate clearing is required. For every tree cut down, one must be planted. Certain months of the year have additional constraints to minimize harm to the bat population.
The Northern Long Eared bat is a protected species and nesting habitat is protected while young are present. Osprey and other wildlife species may be protected.
23.
Q: Are demarcation lines consistent for all customers?
A: Yes.
No. Phase: Site Tour - Melville Reservoir 31 Questions 24-26
24.
Q: Is there a system in place for monitoring water quality?
A: Operator checks and testing.
25.
Q: How frequently is water quality testing conducted?
A: Daily (during week) checks for pH, chlorine residual and temperature by operators, Coliform sample taken weekly.
26.
Q: Who is the developer that owns the Marina?
A: WC Coastal Development LLC owns the vacant land to be developed. The LLC has a signed utility agreement with the Navy.
No. Phase: Site Tour - Greene Lane Housing Questions 27-29
27.
Q: Who is the privatized housing partner?
A: Balfour Beatty Communities (BBC)
28.
Q: At which point does responsibility for the infrastructure transition from the Navy to the Privatized Housing partner?
A: BBC is responsible for piping within 5ft of the units. Any piping more than 5ft away from a housing unit is the Navy's responsibility.
29.
Q: How are maintenance and repair responsibilities divided between BBC and the Navy?
A:
Any issues that arise within the piping within 5ft of the units are BBC’s responsibility.
Many of the homes do not have cleanouts, so if there is a clog, it can be difficult to access the affected portion of the pipe. In such cases, BBC will hire a plumber to snake the drain. If that does not resolve the issue, the Navy will perform maintenance on the piping and install a cleanout.
No. Phase: Site Tour - Weaver Cove Questions 30-36
30.
Q: How are the Wheeling Accounts managed by the Navy?
A:
Wheeling Account holders’ own property that is connected to Navy-owned utility system infrastructure. As a result, the Navy charges Wheeling Account holders a per-gallon rate for water and wastewater utilities it provides. The arrangement between the Navy and individual Wheeling Account holders are codified in utility service contracts or real estate agreements executed in the 1960s-80s that transferred land out of Navy ownership.
31.
Q: Does the Navy service the golf course?
A: No.
32.
Q: Does NAVSTA Newport handle customer billing?
A: NAVSTA Newport takes meter reading. Billing of the customer is performed at the regional level.
33.
Q: How are the rates determined?
A:
Rate is not determined locally, rather NAVFAC MIDLANT sets the rate. Service pays for cost, O&M, and any capital projects to determine per gallon rate. The offeror could work with the City of Newport to determine rates.
1/22/2025 Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport Pg. 4
34.
Q: Is the rate calculation process and formula outlined in any of the service contracts?
A: No. The rate is set by NAVFAC MIDLANT, but any exceptions or specific agreements are laid out in wheeling account service contracts or other existing documents.
35.
Q: What percentage of total consumption is attributed to the Wheeling Accounts?
A:
Wheeling accounts make up roughly 5% of water usage. The land was conveyed to the private entities in the 1960s-80s, but Navy was forced to retain ownership of utility infrastructure since no other systems were available.
36.
Q: Are there any documented agreements between the Navy and the Wheeling
Account holders?
A: Agreements are codified in the contracts the Navy has with City of Newport.
No. Phase: Site Tour - Fort Adams Questions 37-38
37.
Q: How frequently are flow tests performed?
A: Only when needed for fire protection design.
38.
Q: Can you explain how the circulating pump operates?
A: Recirculates water through sprayers mounted to the ceiling of the reservoir using a centrifugal pump.
No. Phase: Debrief - Conference Room Question 39
39.
Q:
Are hard copies required for the Phase I submission? If hard copies are required, do they need to be submitted by deadline? It could take an additional week to prepare and mail the hard copies.
A:
Digital submission by deadline is acceptable. Hard copies are necessary for review and evaluation. The Navy is preparing an amendment to provide further information on the submission process, please see SAM.gov for the update.
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