Questions and Answers for Solicitation N6852026Q1054.docx

Questions and Answers for Solicitation N6852026Q1054

1. What are the max GPM/Recirculation Rates and tonnage for the open loop systems listed in the Statement of Work? If this information is not available, is the annual makeup, in gallons, available for each system, or an average for all systems in total? This information is important for estimating annual chemical usage.

Government Response: This is information I don’t have.

2. Does the Government have a defined minimum baseline water treatment chemical program or scope of services that all bidders are required to include to ensure an apples-to-apples comparison? If not, would the Government consider establishing such a baseline? Without a defined program, vendors may propose very different chemistries and service levels, which makes direct cost comparisons challenging. And while lower upfront costs can look attractive, they may not provide the same level of protection against corrosion, scaling, or microbiological risks, which could result in premature equipment failure and reduced efficiency.

Government Response: it is defined in the PWS.

3. Is this Sphagnum Moss treatment equipment currently in place, or will the new vendor need to provide it? If it is currently in place, can you please provide the vessel manufacturer/specifications?

Government Response: The equipment is in place, and the vessel is a 30 gallon tank at each tower with a stand-alone pump or a wire basket that hold the moss.

4. Would the Government consider accepting equivalent certifications, formal training, or demonstrated industry experience, such as ASSE certification or other recognized water treatment training programs, in lieu of the AWT CWT requirement? While we recognize the value of an AWT CWT certification, it is not an industry-required standard, and many qualified water treatment professionals do not hold this specific certification.

Government Response: No, this will remain a requirement.

5. Is currently an incumbent? If so, who was the previous awardee, contract number, and value? (Contracting will answer) Government Response: M6700124P1053; Southeastern Laboratories Inc. $104,000.00

6. Is there any water metering on makeup for each of the ~20ea. open loop systems shown on page 15?

Government Response: Yes I am not sure how many

7. In spec section 3.3.1.3.1 (p.) states - The contractor shall make a reasonable effort to take make-up water readings monthly from flowmeters were made accessible by the Government. Can the government provide annual water makeup per open loop system(s)? Please furnish the annual make-up in gallons for the systems you do have recorded. This will assist all water treatment vendors for load conditions for each cooling tower system. This is VERY IMPORTANT DATA to provide a better understanding on chemical annual usage.

Government Response: I don’t have this data available at the moment.

8. What is the cooling tower operating schedules for all ~20ea. open Loop Systems? Are they 24/7/365 days per year?

Government Response: Most but not all have a redundant system and if not they are standalone and are on an as needed basis. Stand alone systems operate 40 to 60 hours a week maximum.

9. Do any of the Open Loop towers get drained during winter? If so, what open loop tower location and what is the typical schedule for drainage?

Government Response: No

10. In spec section 3.3.1.1 (a.) states - If these systems under the moss treatment fall anywhere slightly below “3” visual rating (see 4.1 Contractor Performance Measures) the Contractor shall provide non-oxidizing biocide treatment to the system to minimize organic growth in the system. The spec mentions a scale and corrosion inhibitor, non-ox and ox program. Is this acceptable in place of the moss for Open Loops 137OL1, 137OL2, 133OL5, 139OL1, 4225 OL 1, and 4032 OL 1?

Government Response: we want to keep moss everywhere it is and will likely transition more towers to moss in the future.

11. What cooling tower cycles are you operating currently typically for all ~20ea. cooling towers?

Government Response: cycles are based on usage and water conductivity I believe.

12. Is there any corrosion coupon data for the ~20ea. open loop cooling towers? If data is there, can you send us the results available for review?

Government Response: I can provide the last reports I have if allowed. The will have incumbent information on them.

13. What is annual spend on water treatment the last two - three years?

Government Response: under 100,000 per year

14. Do you change out the moss or is the water treatment vendor responsible?

Government Response: the vender exchanges the moss and disposes of it

15. Can you send us the last 3 months of the water treatment reports from current vendor?

Government Response: I can provide the last reports I have if allowed. The will have incumbent information on them

16. Can you provide us with the last quarterly review report?

Government Response: I can provide the last reports I have if allowed. The will have incumbent information on them.

17. The 12ea. chillers listed, can government provide the current approach temperatures for both evaporator and condensers?

Government Response: not at this time

18. Section 3.3.1.1 (a.) requires Sphagnum Moss for cooling tower(s) 133OL5 & 139OL1. These cooling towers are not listed on the “Open Loop (OL) System list. Can you please advise if the OL towers are OL5 & OL1 require the Moss product?

Government Response: yes they are currently on the moss system.

19. Based on the 2ea. missing open loop cooling towers on OL System list page 15, is the total 20 or 22ea. open Loop cooling towers?

Government Response: 20

20. Can you provide the nominal tonnage for all “OPEN LOOP COOLING TOWERS” on campus page 15 plus the 2ea. missing cooling towers not referenced?

Government Response: Not at this time

21. Can you provide all 12ea. chiller tonnages listed on page 12 & 13 CCL?

Government Response: Not at this time

22. Can you please confirm if the closed hot water loop quantity, is it 14 or 15 loops?

Government Response: 15

23. In spec section 3.3.1.1 (a.) states - NOTE: 4930-OL1 uses rainwater. Water monitoring and tests will be required to ensure that the chemical treatment is maintained to keep scale and corrosion from building within cooling tower surfaces. Will government provide a typical “rainwater” analysis showing the following below? This will allow us to determine LSI and proper scale and corrosion inhibitor to use for this application.

· Conductivity

· pH

· Calcium Hardness

· Total Hardness

· M-Alkalinity

· Silica

· Chlorides Government Response: Not that I am aware of.

24. In spec section 3.3.1.1 (a.) states - If a hydrogen peroxide generator is not working or is suspected of not working, the Contractor shall provide oxidizing biocide treatment to the system at the next normally scheduled dosing time while repairs are made. Will government accept bleach or stabilized bromine as an “Oxidizing Biocide”? Based on your answer will determine how many gallons of oxidizing biocide we will need to store on site for 1 month as stock. We recommend stabilized bromine and all bidders should provide same as the pricing as this product is more expensive but has a longer shelf life than bleach.

Government Response: whatever is compatible with the moss system until the generator can be replaced.

25. In spec section 3.3.1.3.1 (i.) and 3.3.1.3.2 CCL And HCL Water Treatment Reports states - Iron tests shall be conducted 180 days and 300 days after contract award; test shall be expressed in ppm of soluble iron or total iron under certain conditions. This paragraph is confusing; can you please explain what the government is asking? Is the award water treatment company to conduct iron tests for all HVAC systems on a 180 or 300 day interval?

Government Response: Yes.

26. Can government provide a list of existing coupon racks and location(s) that are functional?

Government Response: not at this time

27. Does the government own the existing water treatment equipment (controllers, pumps and chemical tanks)?

Government Response: yes and will replace any that fail

28. Will government provide the glycol if closed loop falls below the 25 – 75% percentage requirement per page 10, CCLG?

Government Response: Yes we will supply and add all glycol.

29. What is the glycol type (Propylene or Ethelene) and is it inhibited with Phosphate and azole (copper corrosion inhibitors)?

Government Response: Propylene and I am unsure of the inhibitors

30. Who does the ~20ea. cooling tower cleanings and how often per year?

Government Response: The Government and once per year or as needed.

31. We would like to request a site visit so we can inspect the equipment directly Government Response: Not at this time.