Question_and_Answers_Solicitation_Number_SINLEC15Q0068.pdf

SINLEC15Q068

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

1. Is there any requirement for Davis-Bacon prevailing wage/fringe rates or special prevailing wage rate for on-site labor?

No

2. If quoting a pre-construction site visit, should this be as a separate line item?

Reference page 8 of RFQ

3. Is the diesel fuel going to be provided by the USG on site to operate the Hybrid system’s diesel generator?

Provide by Government of Belize

4. Is there internet access for system monitoring at Baldy Beacon or is the contractor only to provide a system data connection point to the USG?

There will be an Ethernet switch connected to a MW (Microwave Link);

Contractor shall provide a CAT5 cable terminated with a J45 connector, in addition to the related configuration settings and instructions.

5. Is it the intent of the USG to have the solar panels roof mounted or ground mounted?

Roof mounted

6. What is the approximate driving distance and time from Belmopan to Baldy Beacon?

80 Km / 1hr 45min

7. Is there a drivable road, using a 4x4 vehicle, that goes from Belmopan to Baldy

Beacon?

Yes

8. Is the USG going to transport the system equipment from the US Embassy Belmopan to Baldy Beacon site? If so, will the USG be providing a forklift to move equipment in place at Baldy Beacon?

The Contractor is responsible

9. Once the system equipment is at Baldy Beacon site, will the Goverment of Belize be providing a secure area for the system equipment?

Security is to be provided by the Government of Belize

10. Is there a security/safety concern that should know about regarding contractor personnel on site or in the surrounding areas of Baldy Beacon and Belmopan?

No, security concerns other than common precautions

11. Will there be security personnel on site provided by the USG?

No, USG, only local Gov. Military security personnel

12. What are the soil conditions at Baldy Beacon pertaining to trenching and burying system conduit/cable? (I.e. example- rock, sand, clay etc)

Majority rocks covered with small layer of soil and vegetation

13. Will the USG be doing all the connecting of their various electrical loads into the provided Hybrid system load connection points?

Yes, therefore, contractor shall provide a circuit breaker box marked and properly labeled for all connecting points, in addition to a very clear wiring diagram.

14. Is the transportation cost for all of the system equipment that the USG wants quoted direct AIR shipping to the US Embassy Belmopan or Ocean shipping?

Vendors shall price out both Surface and Air, in accordance with revised Pricing

Matrix.

15. Is it the intent of the USG to have the awarded contractor supply to site service

(labor) for any warranty or replacement parts during the warranty period?

Reference page 9, under Warranty

16. What is the electrical requirement in kW/h per year for your project site?

Reference RFQ, under page 6 technical specifications

17. Would you consider an energy storage system instead of having a generator? If yes, would you consider going up to 4-5kW system instead of 3.2kW?

No and no

18. Is there a need for hot water at your facility? If yes, we can install a true hybrid renewable energy system that combines photovoltaic, heat, and even wind. This way you can avoid using a generator.

No and no

19. Finally, we did a calculation: at 48 panels with 280w energy, you are looking at a system total of 13.44kW, which is not the requested 3.2kW. Can you please clarify the confusion?

Reference RFQ, under page 6 technical specifications

20. Deka AGM or 8D comparable batteries are called out in the RFQ. For some of our projects in Central America we have used Trojan batteries, but the best on the market right now are Lithium Ferrous Phosphate that we use in most of our DOD hybrid systems. They are more expensive, but about 4 times lighter, have much higher power density, and have 10-15 years life span. The question is, is this project open to a different battery type based on performance and weight vs specifically requested

AGM type batteries with the initial price point being the deciding factor?

We believe AGM batteries are more practical for the circumstances of this project.

However, the project is open for the recommended upgraded batteries should the cost is competitive with AGM’s.

21. Is participation in this project limited to companies registered to do business in the

US or am I eligible (as a Honduran corporation) to participate in the RFQ?

Yes, anyone can bid on this RFQ. Per the solicitation, to be considered, you must meet the following criteria: Registered small business (as this is a 100% total small business set aside) within: https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/#content with a DUNS, Cage and proper NAICS code.

All prospective bidders must secure pre-approval by the Government of Belize to ensure, among other things, they are able to obtain work permits, entry visas, and are able to meet any relevant GOB security requirements.”

22. There are often lead times on components such as batteries that can exceed the 8-week delivery requirement. Will a response to the RFQ be considered if we cannot meet the 8-week timeline? We will be able to meet a 12-week timeline. Is there a penalty to contractors that submit a response, but do not deliver within the 8-week timeline?

Vendors shall provide their best delivery lead-time. Reference section two, Statement of Work, under heading Evaluation Factors/Basis for Award as delivery schedule of items will be considered.

23. Where can we find the "Technical Quote & Cost/Price Quote" form (bid form?)

referenced on page two section one titled "submission of information to RFQ?

Reference Pricing Matrix

24. We are not familiar with the jargon on Form 1449, specifically block 17a and block

12 need explanation.

The SF-1449 is the internal Solicitation number pertaining to this RFQ

25. On page 5 under the heading "Delivery Dates" what does EMB mean? In my experience, it means embedded but this does not make sense in this context.

USG typo and removed

26. We need photos and dimensions of roof where the solar panels are to be mounted in order to facilitate rack design.

Provided upon contract award https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/#content

27. Where will the battery bank be located? We need dimensions of room or outside location - batteries should be no further than 15 feet from power center. If inside building, racks would make much more sense than enclosures.

Reference page 8 of RFQ, under installation

28. Where will power center be located? Should be inside, wall mounted and ventilated.

29. Where will generator be located? Where in relation to other equipment (power center, batteries, PV panels)?

Reference page 7 of RFQ, under installation

30. Is there a site plan available?

31. We are a licensed electrical contractor in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Are we required to have any additional licenses to perform this job?

32. We plan to use a combination of master electricians and general laborers to perform the installation. All workers will have experience working on US military bases.

What security clearances will they need?

None

33. To what building code is this project required to meet?

Cayo District , Belize

34. What will be the permitting process, if any, for this project? Will there be associated fees? What will be the inspection process for this project? Will there be associated fees?

No to all; it is the Contractor’s responsibility to understand the GOB inspection process and if it applies to them as a contractor.

35. I understand that the USG will assist the winning contractor with obtaining customs clearance and tax exemption certificates. Will there be any other export/import taxes involved to get the materials into Belize?

Reference see page 10, under export license.

36. Are there any work schedule restrictions? We would like the flexibility to work 7 days per week, 10 hours per day if possible.

Reference page 11, under special considerations

37. Could you supply more details of the mounting site? If it is a ground mount, is there a soils report? Are there site photos? Dimensions of the space?

38. If it is a roof mount, what type of roof decking? What is the roof height? Are there roof photos? What are the dimensions of the roof? What is the roof slope?

No, will be provided after award

39. The RFP states that we "shall provide ALL equipment (not partial)? Stated under

Appendix A.” Will non-compliant/ alternative proposals be accepted and evaluated fairly? Our company specializes in designing, building off-grid power systems such as you are requesting, and our solution, while similar, would not match the requested

Bill of Materials exactly. We feel that our solution will be more practical, reliable and require less maintenance than what has been specified.

This is an RFQ not RFP, reference page 2 under Notice of RFQ Closing date/time

(I.e. submission shall not exceed 25 pages).

40. What is the purpose of the LED lights?

General Night Lighting