W56ZTN-20-R-0002_Q&A_1.pdf

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

W56ZTN-20-R-0002

Amendment 0001 (Q&A One (1)) 11 October 2019

Water Treatment Chemicals for Boilers, Cooling Towers and Circulated Water Systems

The hour and date specified for receipt of Offer is NOT extended.

Offer shall acknowledge receipt of this amendment. Offeror shall sign the signature block on page the bottom of this amendment and returning one (1) copy with the proposal package. The Q&A period is now closed.

Q1 - Why is the RFP dated in June and it is just now being released? (Page 17 of 54)

A1 - The RFP is dated June because that is when it was initially created by the requiring activity.

Q2 - What is the Start date of the Contract?

A2 – To Be Determined (TBD)

Q3 - How many total building are referenced in this solicitation, how many building will need to be serviced?

A3 – Reference Page 29 of the Combined Synopsys / Solicitation (CSS) in clause 52.212-2 Evaluation Commercial Items

Q4 - Could a map be provided for all of the different buildings that are to be serviced?

A4 – Maps will be provided to the winning offeror. Maps are considered a part of operational security and will not be published to the public.

Q5 - Page 17 of 34 @.2 b. (1) “The vendor shall examine the existing inventory before initiating the new treatment program” given just this information will a multi-day job walk be scheduled, will the due date be extended?

A5 – A multi-day will not be scheduled and the CSS will not be extended.

Q6 - Does your agency have a specific vendor in mind for this contract, the solicitation by chance cross references a manufacturer given the unit of issues associated with e product.

A6 – This is a 100% Small Business (SB) set aside and is being awarded as competitive CSS for those who meet this criteria.

Q7 - Will there be a transition period and how would that work (time allowed, plan we provide, once awarded is there time to do more site visits with ABPG Engineers, etc.)

A7 – There will not be a transition period for this requirement.

Amendment 0001 (Q&A One (1))

Q8 - During the walkthrough, will we be able to see every building and Water Treatment Center, Cooling Towers, Boilers, and Closed Loops? If not why can we not visit every building?

A8 – The Site Visit does not include every building. It is not in the best interest of the Government to visit multiple buildings as doing so may create operational security violations.

Q9 - How does the government expect a detailed competitive bid, if we are not allowed to survey and inspect every location?

A9 – The Government provided a list of chemicals necessary that are designed to care for the boilers and cooling towers. The Government maintains that everything necessary to bid on this requirement is found in or referenced by this CSS and its amendments.

Q10 - Will all existing equipment remain in place, for systems monitoring and data communications?

A10 - Yes

Q11 - Will foreign companies supporting the prime contractor be allowed to monitor the water treatment chemical levels for data that is transmitted from your Army facilities?

A11 – Reference Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases on pages 28 & 37 of the CSS.

Q12 - What are the computer security requirements required for data communications monitoring equipment that is to be installed.

A12 – This question falls outside of the scope of this CSS.

Q13 – Will alternative solutions be accepted for this project?

A13 – No substitutions will be considered for this combined synopsis solicitation.

Q14 - We also need a list per every building/Water System of Major equipment and load/use rate, so per building we need to ask for:

* # of separate Condenser Systems per Building

* # of Chillers with tonnage

* # of Tower Cells and types of tower (Evap Condenser, Forced or Induced draft) per Condenser system

* Estimated or actual Make-up gallons and/or an estimated yearly load of the full systems tonnage all Vendors can go off of

* Metallurgy of the Tower

* Estimated Condenser Volume

* Any Closed Loops (Chill and/or Hot), its estimate volume and if it is a 4 or 2 pipe system.

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* # of Boilers with HP and if fed with All in one or Separately (Inhibitor, Sulfite, Amine)

* Estimated yearly lbs of steam and/or Make up gallons to the Boiler and/or to the Softener

* The % Condensate Return of every Boiler System

* Access to chemical areas (Open, Climb Steps, Basement, Elevator access?, etc.)

* Any locations that get fed with a Pump Truck via associated hoses due to efficiency or no accessibility with tanks

A14 - Inventory information is considered a part of operational security and will not be published to the public. A site visit will be conducted on 21 October 2019 in order to give vendors the opportunity to view current equipment in a limited number of buildings.

Q15 - Per Building/Chemical Station: is current ALL Water Treatment (WT) equipment (including pumps, Controllers, Routers for access/reporting, tubing, Double Containment Chemical Storage, Level gauges, Test Equipment and Reagents, Program Books with Log Sheets) owned by ABPG and/or Staying on site after current Vendor leaves.

A15 – Current Weekly Reports are considered Government Furnished Property (GFP) and will be available to the winning offeror.

Q16 - Per Building/Chemical Station: What is the inventory and working order of the WT Equipment to ensure that equipment stays and is operational (or at least documented what needs repaired/replaced so it can be included in the RFP) or if needed, priced when a new Vendor takes over and can verify all equipment listed is still there and working.

A16 – The Government will turn over equipment that is currently serviceable.

Q17 - Will we be able to take pictures of the current set-up at each location so we can remember and bid appropriately.

A17 – No. Only persons having a certified camera pass issued by the APG security office are allowed to take pictures. Certification must be presented to the Government representative in order to take pictures as a matter of operational security.

Q18 - Will we be able to service the buildings during the course of the contract with or without an escort.

A18 – An escort will be provided until the Field Technician and the Field Supervisor receive their security badge by the Directorate of Public Works (DPW).

Q19 - Will we be given recent WT Reports for each Water System/building (including Condensers, Boilers, and Closed Loops) so we are sure all have been serviced recently and what is being measured?

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A19 - Inventory information such as weekly reports are considered a part of operational security and will not be published to the public. Reports are considered Government Furnished Property (GFP) and will be available to the winning proposal.

Q20 - What Vendors have already been able to be on campus to review this information whether a current Vendor or asked to inspect?

A20 – Currently the incumbent contractor has access to said equipment.

Q21 - In the RFP, it states we will be responsible for cleaning the Chillers and Boilers ourselves (except ones that never get inspected) after taking over the Contract if they are found to have Scale. Can these get inspected after the Contract is awarded, if possible, and the ones that can’t are not our responsibility until after the first inspection because we have no idea what shape they are really in regardless of Service Reports.

A21 - The Government will turn over equipment that is currently serviceable.

Q22 - To help with above concern, will ALL recent Inspection/Survey reports by Boiler/Chiller inspectors be made available to the new Vendor to see if anything was mentioned about scale or corrosion in those documents (even though scale is usually not mentioned unless it is a major problem) to keep everyone on the same page.

A22 - Inventory information such as weekly reports are considered a part of operational security and will not be published to the public. Reports are considered Government Furnished Property (GFP) and will be available to the winning proposal.

Q23 - The RFP mentions to follow all the guidelines for Lp Control (CTI, AHRAE which would should include a Water Management Plan, WMP, etc.) but does not ask to specifically test for Legionella. Do they want this or not? Not is fine, but does say to check bacteria but is vague so could be a lot of things.

A23 - All testing requirements are stated in section C.10 and C.11. The winning offeror shall follow the guidance as stated in the referenced authorities such as the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and so on.

Q24 - If they do want Lp Testing, how often and where (just Cooling Towers and/or Potable sites), which opens up another can of worms if you do either … Do they have a Water Management Plan (WMP) they already follow or interested in adding this. This is important to have a procedure and response to positives at what level for which Sero-groups BEFORE ever testing for it.

A24 – All testing requirements are stated in section C.10 and C.11. The winning offeror shall follow the guidance as stated in the referenced regulations such as the Environmental Protection

Amendment 0001 (Q&A One (1))

Authority (EPA) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), etc.

Q25 - If a program is set-up and followed and we find Legionella in Cooling Tower with High enough Positives to be concerned about, do they expect the chemical, labor, disinfectant testing, and Lp re-testing included in this RFP? It is not specifically written that way and would make more sense (and be cheaper) for the Govt. to NOT have it included (and do a separate job scope/outside the contract) to be done when that is needed because it may never or may sporadically but that cannot be predicted, each system is different and we do not want to be “holding the bag” to have to do these, if they start testing and we find some.

A25 – If proper water treatment is being performed on a system by the vendor, no Legionella would be found. Improper treatment is the responsibility of the vendor.

Q26 - It mentions how we have to give recommendations, provide chemical and test for Lay-ups (wet or dry) for equipment (Cooling and Heating) that needs this (except 6 boilers that run year round). Lay-up chemical does not look to be part of the list so are Lay-up chemicals, time, and process included in this RFP OR is it on a case by case basis and decided at the time if it needs to be done and priced at that time?

A26 - Case by case basis. Additional chemicals outside of this scope may also be provided by the Government, if it is in the Government’s inventory or can procured through other means.

Q27 - TO help above question….They do mention 6 boilers that run year round but do not state that ALL Cooling systems shut down. They do mention general dates but I want specifics when each Major Chiller/Boiler Shuts down AND if they want that piece of equipment laid up (either Wet or Dry) or if certain systems can be decided/priced upon based of the temps and the estimated time it will be down.

A27 - Inventory information such as startup and shut down times are considered a part of operational security and will not be published to the public. These reports are considered Government Furnished Property (GFP) and will be available to the winning proposal.

Q28 - Mentions the Towers need physically cleaned 2x per year however does not say exactly who is to do that so cold be looked at both ways (Their engineers clean them or Vendor’s do). I don’t want to put any ideas in their head BUT we need to figure that out because that is a whole other issue (much more expensive and logistically tougher for us to perform timely) if we are expected to and it is buried in the RFP verbiage

A28 – The contractor is required to clean the towers. This can be done through staff or subcontractors. All personnel must be US citizens, no green cards, and be able to gain access to the base.

Q29 - Reference is made to an On-site Water Treatment Support that in the past has been a full time Vendor employee for ABD Proving Grounds/ABP Edgewood (Edgewood is separate and

Amendment 0001 (Q&A One (1)) smaller but is part of ABPG). Then Additional Support Personnel can be on-site (because they are needed) to assist but both the Support has to be onsite when they are (but there is a process to go through if the normal Support Person will not be there). – Could you provide some additional clarification?

A29 – There will be times when more than one (1) support tech is needed, for example during heating season start-up, cooling season start-up. This could also be when cooling towers are cleaned. The support tech will need to be unescorted and be able to guide other support because the Government will not provide escorts once employees badged.

Q30 - Reference is made, the vendor shall certify, in writing to the Government acceptor that he/she has a drum recycling and elimination program established. The vendor shall remove these containers from the installation on a monthly basis. Removal on monthly basis may not be that big of a deal because we can do that (especially if our Driver is going there a lot). BUT we have to look at and find our “official” empty drum policy and see if the new proposed Maryland State law will allow for partial drum recycling this information needs to be updated or edited because it looks like a proposed change is being implemented 1Jan, 2020. What drum recycling standard does the Army comply with for this location?

A30 - The vendor shall provide adequate personnel with the necessary management expertise to assure the performance of the work in accordance with sound and efficient management practices, laws, Government Agencies such as the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) update on a regular basis. As laws and or other referenced agencies update policies they shall be followed as currently written.

Q31 - “Proposals shall be submitted via e-mail”, pg. 1. Is there a file size limit? Government email size is sometimes restricted.

A31 – Reference page 18 section C.3 for submission limitations. Should a submission be rejected due to “size only” the rejection E-Mail notification shall act as a time stamp and the submission can be resubmitted in two (2) parts.

Q32 – “Government contemplates award of a Firm-Fixed Price contract”, pg. 1 and “This is an Indefinite Quantity contract for the supplies or services specified”, pg. 41. Is this a Pay-as-you-go Contract based on fixed pricing in Schedule A?

A32 - Yes

Q33 - “Historical Data…performed by one individual on a full-time basis”, pg. 18. Does the current contractor provide a technician(s) on-site totaling approx. 40 hours per week?

A33 - Yes

a. Will an escort be required for the Field Technician to enter some or all of the work sites?

Amendment 0001 (Q&A One (1))

A33 (a) Yes, an escort will be provided until the Field Technician and the Field Supervisor are badged by the Directorate of Public Works (DPW).

b. There is a reference to approximately 80 buildings but no list of the number or size of all of the systems to be treated. That would be needed to calculate the technician time required and to develop the required schedule.

A33 (b) Yes

c. Do some of the buildings require additional security measures? If so, is there an estimate of the amount of additional time needed to enter the work site?

A33 (c) Yes, however, an escort will be provided until the Field Technician and the Field Supervisor are badged by the Directorate of Public Works (DPW).

Q34 - Work Schedule, pg. 19, “arrange work so as to cause least interference…” Is there a preferred day/time to provide water treatment services to prevent interference with Government business?

This question is related to Question above. Perhaps the Technician is on site every day and there is not a preferred day/time? Any known time restrictions will help with scheduling.

A35 – This requirement shall not interrupt the mission of the Government. Any interruptions to the day to day operations shall be coordinated with the requiring activity.

Q36 - “The apparently successful offeror agrees to submit, for each item as required prior to award, a Material Safety Data Sheet…”, pg. 42. Just to verify, you do not require the MSDSs to be submitted as part of the proposal?

A36 – No

Q37 - What price amount(s) was the contract most recently awarded? Unit price and total contract price?

A37 – The previous contract number is W56ZTN-16-C-0006 and funding information can be found at www.usaspending.gov for public review.

Q38 - Is this specification the same as the last one? If not, what is different?

A38 – Previous awards are maintained at the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) web site for a limited time. Vendors who wish to research this must do it on their own at www.fbo.gov

Q39 - What amount (unit price) was the service visit section previously awarded?

Amendment 0001 (Q&A One (1))

A39 - The previous contract number is W56ZTN-16-C-0006 and funding information can be found at www.usaspending.gov for public review.

Q40 - What chemicals are currently being used?

A40 – Reference Pages 8 – 16 of the Solicitation, Schedule “A” Pricing.”

Q41 - Can you please provide SDS sheets for the chemicals currently being used?

A41 – The Government does not support the building of vendor MSDS catalogs.

Q42 - Would APG accept DBNPA tablets as a substitute for Isothiazolin tablets?

A42 – Reference page 18 section paragraph 2 for substations.

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