Response to Bidder Questions B-39907~3.docx

Response to BIDDER QUESTIONS to IFB-B-39907 Line Striping Trucks

1. Page 15 of 42: Chassis Accessories: “The overall height of the striper must not exceed 11'-6" when empty.” This is very low profile for a truck of this size, and we have seen variances in chassis frame rail heights that could put us over this height limit. We will not be able to use our standard 7,000# bead tank & will have to special order a larger diameter bead tank to accommodate this height restriction, limiting the above deck operator walking space around the wider, but not as tall bead tank.

Q: What is the reason for this height restriction? Is it because of storage/door heights, or overpasses during operation? YES Is this something that the DOT can be flexible on if we exceed this height by a few inches, or will there be no leniency? It will depend on District’s needs, IDOT has allowed minor deviations on height if District approves.

1. Page 16 of 42: III. Platform Body: Our standard long sills are 4” tall rather than the “approximately 6” “ listed. Our heavy-duty platform deck construction uses an integrally formed or pressed 90° double bend 3/16" steel safety tread plate to create a 5 ½” tall rub rail (rounded edges without any exposed cracks, seams, or welds) rather than “The entire platform encased in 4" channel or tubing”. These were considered minor deviations and were acceptable by the DOT in past bids.

Q: Will our standard platform construction using 4” long sills and 3/16" steel safety tread plate formed rub rail again be acceptable for these new trucks? It has been accepted in the past.

1. Page 18 of 42: Rear Operator’s Cab: “…dual head-liner mounted units.” The John Deere 4045 Tier 4F engine used for the utility mount 250 cfm compressor will automatically shut down when max horsepower is demanded by usage. Based on our experience the extra horsepower demanded by the two separate belt driven compressors for the AC units will cause the electronic controller to shut the compressor down while bead loading at max capacity to achieve the 200 lbs/minute load rate required.

Q: Will the operators at each district be willing to turn off the dual air conditioning system while loading beads to avoid compressor engine automatic shutdown if need be? Similar model has been provided in the past from another manufacturer without issues.

1. Page 19 of 42: IV. Paint & Bead Supply Tank(s): “The top flange of the tank shall be reinforced and have replaceable ½” threaded studs to facilitate installing the lid.” We use bolts all around the perimeter top flange of the paint tanks.

Q: Will bolts be considered a minor deviation and acceptable ILO studs so as not to restrict us from using our standard production materials, processes, and procedures? Major deviation, this design has been used by IDOT for 10+ years without issue.

1. Page 19 of 42: IV. Paint & Bead Supply Tank(s): “The bottom bushing shall be fitted with a stainless steel “funnel “shaped device to use as a guide when reinstalling the agitator shaft. The device shall be designed to drain and not retain paint.” Our agitator shafts are designed to suspend from the bottom of the tank without the need for a bottom bushing support or guide for reinstallation in the tanks. Bottom bushings build up with paint skins and create shaft binding issues. They are not needed for support.

Q: Will our standard suspended agitator shafts be acceptable or a minor deviation so as not to restrict us from using our standard production materials, processes, and procedures? Please bid as specified. This design has been used by IDOT for 10+ years without issue.

1. Page 20 of 42: IV. Paint & Bead Supply Tank(s): “The tanks shall be filled through 2” NPT fitting Rosedale Model 4 or equal stainless steel paint pre-strainer filters”. We manufacture our own 100 sq. inch pre-strainer filters rather than outsourcing these.

Q: Will our pre-strainer canister filters be accepted as an equal to the Rosedale Model 4? They are not really designed to be mounted vertically as instructed by your specification, will we be allowed to mount these horizontally to allow the collected dried paint, skins, and other contaminants to properly exit the canister when the gasketed lid is removed for cleaning? We have allowed equal models from other manufacturers. Please mount as specified.

1. Page 21 of 42: IV. Paint & Bead Supply Tank(s): “The bead loading shall be from the left side of the truck. A detachable 20’ long, 2” diameter fill hose, 36” long, tube at suction end shall be provided.” Based on our experience, we have concerns when using a 2” diameter 20’ long suction hose and a 36” long tube at the end of that hose achieving the 200 lbs/minute load rate requested.

Q: Would the DOT consider a change of the spec to reflect a 12’ long suction hose for bead loading ILO 20’ to allow the 200 lb/minute load rate? No, this combination is currently used by IDOT. Please bid as specified.

1. Page 21 of 42: V. Paint Application System: “All plumbing where possible shall be constructed utilizing tubular process-clamp style piping and fittings and ball style valves. All elbows shall be smooth 90° long radius style. Use of pipe thread fitting shall be kept to a minimum.” This type of plumbing is used for in-plant applications and the food industry. We do not supply process-clamp style plumbing on our truck striper bodies and recommend our standard NPT stainless-steel low-pressure plumbing. NPT pipe fittings are thicker walled and will be more durable in this rough mobile application. Our standard paint plumbing is NPT thread 2” 304 SS rated at 150 psi.

Q: Will NPT stainless steel 2” plumbing be acceptable so as not to restrict us from using our standard production materials, processes, and procedures? No, Process or V-band type clamping is required for ease of maintenance in the field. Current IDOT truck pictured below for reference.

1. Page 22 of 42: V. Paint Application System: “Full Flow check valves preventing the reverse flow of paint from the paint tanks to the pumps and sized for the piping shall be provided.” This seems to be language from a specification for a pressure pot air spray system. With a zero pressure tank/pumper style system, the reverse flow to the pumps is necessary when painting since the diaphragm pumps are used when painting to supply paint to the guns from the tanks.

Q: Will the DOT consider a bid that doesn’t include these check valves? The check valves shall prevent reverse flow to the paint tanks in case of a pump failure.

1. Page 22 of 42: V. Paint Application System: “Check valves and quick disconnect fittings shall be provided in airlines at all tank lids.” This again seems to be language from a specification for a pressure pot air spray system. Zero pressure tanks with hydraulic powered agitators should not have any airlines at the tank lids.

Q: Will the DOT consider a bid that does not include air lines at all to the paint tank lids? Any lines at tank lids shall have quick disconnect feature at manifold specified.

1. Page 23 of 42: V. Paint Application System: “SMC 12-volt 150 psi air solenoids… The use of an alternative solenoid requires approval by the Illinois Department of Transportation.”

Q: We use Humphrey M420 solenoids as a standard provision on all our paint trucks. These were considered equal to or exceeding the SMC valves by the DOT in past bids. Will the Humphrey M420 again be acceptable as an equal to the SMC? Shall be an equal to or exceed operational needs.

1. Page 24 of 42: Paint Pumps: “Two (2) - 2", Versa-matic, Wilden P-8 or Department of Transportation approved equal.” We use the industry standard 2" ARO Model PD20A-FSP-STT stainless steel pump with Teflon diaphragms and balls.

Q: Will this pump be considered as a “Department of Transportation approved equal” to the Versa-matic and Wilden P-8 pump as referenced? IDOT prefers the Wilden P-8 pump, we currently have parts inventory on hand for the Wilden. The change in pump would require additional costs to the Department. If the ARO pump is supplied, two additional rebuild kits will be required per truck. If the ARO pump does not meet IDOT operational needs in it’s first season it shall be replaced with Wilden at no cost to the Department.

1. Page 26 of 42: VI. Gun Carriage Assemblies: “The assembly shall elevate and lower through a linear framework…” Our standard parallel hinged bar type construction absorbs terrain both horizontally and vertically, yet maintains rigidity from side to side, ensuring the straightest lines and the most consistent gun height relative to the pavement. This design will better permit the carriage trailing wheels to follow the contour of the road surface than the linear construction of another vendor’s design.

Q: Will our standard parallel hinged bar type construction be acceptable for better performance and not to restrict us from using our standard production materials, processes, and procedures? Shall be an equal to or exceed operational needs.

1. Page 30 of 42: Moisture Removal: The 3 “Norgren automatic spitter style moisture removal devices” seem unnecessary in the locations specified. The main air dryer listed on page 31 located after the air cooler will be more than sufficient and the in-line spitters, unless they are located at the point of use will not be useful.

Q: Will it be acceptable to eliminate 2 of the 3 Norgren spitter style moisture separators specified and simply install 1 as close to the air inlet of the bead tank as possible to keep the bead supply in the tank as dry as possible? Please bid as specified.

1. Page 31 of 42: Moisture Removal: “A Schmidt air dryer Model 1200-080-03 or equal providing a minimum of 800 CFM capacity…” We use a 2-stage LaMan extractor/dryer model 140F with 250 scfm capacity as a standard provision on trucks this size to match the maximum cfm output of the compressor.

Q: Will this make/model again be considered an equal to or exceed the Schmidt dryer specified? No, IDOT made this change for operational needs.

1. Page 31 of 42: Heating System: “The coolant shall be routed through insulated 3/4" I.D. pipe and heater type hose with a 12-volt circulation pump.” Our standard system uses a single air powered 35 gpm circulation pump for the water glycol circuit. The electric pump specified is only rated at 25 gpm.

Q: Will our standard system using an ARO 35 gpm air powered diaphragm pump again be acceptable as equal or exceeding? Shall be equal to or exceed operational needs.

1. Page 31 & 32 of 42: Heat Exchangers: The model numbers listed (6036/8036) on the Thermal Transfer heat exchangers are not familiar to us or our supplier. We use a model C-1236-6-6-F for the scavenger style exchanger (a 4-pass, not a 2-pass as specified), and a model C-1736-3.5-6-F-SS-SB-S for the two paint heat exchangers.

Q: Will these be acceptable as equal or exceeding? Yes, I believe those are the older Atlas-Copco model reference numbers.

1. Page 33 of 42: X. Rear Control Area: “All wiring from truck cab to rear use areas shall be encased in conduit-type covering.” We prefer not to use conduit casing in a mobile application. When water gets in, it has no way of draining back out. Standing water inside of this conduit can cause electrical shorts.

Q: For performance and warranty reasons, will our standard method of protection, corrugated split loom covering again be acceptable? Correct, that is what was intended with description.

1. Page 34 of 42: X. Rear Control Area: The swivel pedestal seats do not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), and the installer is solely responsible for the use of this product in each application.

Q: Will the DOT accept air ride fixed base operator seats without the swivel type pedestal for safety reasons and our liability concerns? Bostrom T-series with locking swivel have been installed in prior models. This reduces neck and back strain on operator, reducing work comp claims. Standard No. 207; Seating systems.S1. Purpose and scope. This standard establishes requirements for seats, their attachment assemblies, and their installation to minimize the possibility of their failure by forces acting on them as a result of vehicle impact. S2. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses. S3. Definitions. Occupant seat means a seat that provides at least one designated seating position. Seat adjuster means the part of the seat that provides forward and rearward positioning of the seat bench and back, and/or rotation around a vertical axis, including any fixed portion, such as a seat track. In the case of a seat equipped with seat adjusters at different levels, the term means the uppermost seat adjuster.

1. Page 35 of 42: XIII. Front Mounted Guide: “The length of the guide shall be adjustable from 7’-8” to 13’-0”……. A hydraulic cylinder shall be used to deploy the guide. The striper driver will be capable of electrically controlling this cylinder with raise, lower, and float functions.” Our standard mechanical guide extends to 10’ maximum and uses a pneumatic cylinder lift.

Q: Will this again be considered a minor deviation and be acceptable? Major deviation, Yes

1. Our weight distribution evaluation analysis shows both trucks as specified with a rear tandem will be overweight fully loaded based on the Federal Bridge formula.

Q: Does each district agree and expect to manage their weights during mobilization by short-filling one or more of the supply tanks in an appropriate way to maintain compliance with any applicable regulations? IDOT is aware of this; loads can vary and diminish as paint is applied. IDOT does not want pusher axle bid.

1. To adequately prepare our proposal in accordance with your replies to our questions we would need an extension to the current bid due date of 11/21/2023.

Q: Will IDOT provide a 2-week extension to the deadline for submitting bid responses? An amendment will be issued to change the bid opening date.

image3.png image1.jpeg image2.png