QandA.pdf

W81XWH21Q0006

QUESTION & ANSWERS

1. What are the dimensions and weights of the largest components they need to wash?

NHP Rack: 38"D x 74"W x 82"H Rodent: 19"D x 69"W x 82"H NHP packs would generally be the heaviest item. They weigh several hundred pounds.

2. What are the dimensions of the existing washer doors, overall opening?

60"W x 96"H

3. Can someone share the existing pit details?

There is a large pit that houses 2 rack washers. The section of the pit for this rack washer is approximately 16"D x 146"L x 89"W

4. The existing washer is around 140” long (chamber door to door). The specification for the new washer asks for 90”… this will leave a large portion of the pit open/unused. We have the ability to custom build chambers to fit the existing pit. Would this be preferable to the end user instead of reducing the chamber volume?

The specifications states the minimum length of the interior compartment is 60” W x 90” L x 86” H (inside door to door).

5. The solicitation asks to provide an integral air compressor if one is needed. Is there house supplied air that can be used? We are providing the large sterilizer in the area that was recently awarded and that utility is present at that unit.

House air is available.

6. Please confirm if warranty is one year or two year.

Two Year Per the PWS: 6.3.7. Warranty (Deliverable 3) The contractor shall propose a two-year warranty and service/maintenance agreement providing a “next business day” response time.

7. Please confirm if 15 minute rodent cage cycle is acceptable.

MECs state 10 minute rodent cage cycle and 30 minute nonhuman primate rack cycle.

8. Since the largest item washed are NHP racks with dimensions 38”D x 74”W x 82”H. The 38”D will easily fit into a chamber with 48” wide load clearance. Please confirm the 48” wide load clearance chamber is acceptable rather than the 60” wide chamber.

Yes, a minimum of 48" wide x 85" H is acceptable

9. Is a minimum of eight (8) configurable cycles acceptable?

MECs call for minimum of ten (10) configurable cycles

10. Shall the washer be fabricated with non-proprietary parts available from North American suppliers?

That is not a requirement. The quote must be incompliance with the Buy American Act.

11. We are preparing our proposal for this solicitation. I have tried to connect toCaution-www.ecmra.mil < Caution- http://www.ecmra.mil > as per the instructions on page 11 of the specifications under 6.4 Management Reports and Plans. I had our accounting department also try to connect. The message that immediately appears is as follows:

“This website may be impersonating Caution-www.ecmra.mil < Caution-http://www.ecmra.mil > to steal your personal or financial information.”

Our accounting department received additional information that this page was de-commissioned as of 6/19/2020. I respectfully request your input so we know how to proceed.

Please use website https://www.sam.gov

12. SPECIFICATION: Interior compartment/chamber size shall not be less than: 60” W x 90” L x 86” H (inside door to door). The floor shall be made of no less than 3mm thick stainless steel with a greater than 200 lb. point load QUESTION(S): From the best of our knowledge there is not a washer on the market with a 60” door equipped with an inflatable door gasket. Door sizes are in between 40” to 50”. Considering that the largest item to wash is the NHP rack that is 39” wide, please confirm that any door larger than 40” is acceptable.

Interior compartment/chamber size shall not be less than: 60” W x 90” L x 86” H (inside door to door).

The floor shall be made of no less than 3mm thick stainless steel with a greater than 200 lb. point load

13. SPECIFICATION: Interior compartment/chamber size shall not be less than: 60” W x 90” L x 86” H (inside door to door). The floor shall be made of no less than 3mm thick stainless steel with a greater than 200 lb. point load.

QUESTION(S): The existing washer/pit are much longer than 90”. We believe that the best design for your washroom is a washer that uses the entire pit length. With a short (90”) washer there will be three main issues: cover the pit gap (extend the floor or the grate), extend the existing modular wall and move one of the hoods at the entrance/exit of the washer. Please confirm if a chamber that uses the entire length of the pit is required.

Vendor choice on length as long as the minimum length is met.

14. SPECIFICATION: The interior of the rack washer shall be all stainless steel construction. All wetted parts shall be stainless steel or appropriate polymeric materials. All structural support including sump support frame shall be stainless steel.

QUESTION(S): Please identify what grade of stainless steel must be used for the chamber. 316L stainless steel provides a much better resistance to corrosion than other stainless-steel grades.

MEC states stainless steel as a minimum. Would prefer a minimum of 304 or better.

http://www.ecmra.mil/ https://www.sam.gov/

15. SPECIFICATION: The chamber shall be insulated on all sides to reduce hot surfaces and heat loss. The chamber doors shall be insulated with tempered glass viewing windows and side mounted hinges.

Rack Washer shall provide a visual indication of machine status during wash phases QUESTION(S): Please confirm the door has to be made of stainless steel with inspection windows vs full glass door.

Requires a tempered glass viewing window and the interior of the door shall be stainless steel. Size of window and exterior door construction is vendor choice.

16. SPECIFICATION: Wash and rinse nozzles shall be mounted on no less than 6 oscillating arms. The machine shall have separate wash and rinse spray nozzles shall be positioned to reach all load surfaces, shelving, and caging surfaces.

QUESTION(S): Are rotating arms permitted?

MECs call for 6 oscillating arms

17. SPECIFICATION: Washer shall be capable of flushing auto-watering lines on racks with fresh house hot water during the final rinse phase. The system shall be supplied with a quick-disconnect hose and a pressure reducing station for the house hot water supply line.

QUESTION(S): There are two design available for the auto-watering flushing:

1: Use the water coming from the facility (temperature, pressure and filtration grade depends on the facility water line) Per MECs, "...flushing auto-watering lines on racks with fresh house hot water during the final rinse phase." (Hot Water: 1 ½” NPT, 50 GPM flow rate @ 70 psi @ 130oF). House water is softened and treated with UV.

2: Use water coming from a side tank, with a dedicated pump, dedicated heat exchanger and filter.

Which design do you need?

Shall contain dosing pump for a minimum of three chemicals with ability to add additional pumps.

18. SPECIFICATION: Shall contain dosing pump for a minimum of three chemicals with ability to add additional pumps.

QUESTION(S): Please identify what chemicals you use and for each its function.

Currently only acid and alkaline are in use.

19. SPECIFICATION: The sump shall contain a stainless steel, steam heat exchanger to maintain recirculated solution temperatures complete with steam supply and condensate controls and be easily removable for maintenance and cleaning.

QUESTION(S): Please confirm that the heat exchanger has to be located outside the chamber (not in the sump), in the technical area.

Not specified. Vendor must demonstrate placement of sump meets MEC requirements.

20. Is a portable H2O2 generator with its own controls, that would roll up to the soiled side of the rack washer and connect via external ports and fitting on the rack washer be acceptable?

No. MEC states "Built-in H202 generator included and integrated in the equipment’s technical compartment."

21. There is conflict in the answers provided for question 8 and question 12. Conflicts listed in blue.

Our question number 12 was not answered directly in regards to any door larger than 40” being acceptable. Please confirm that a door width larger than 40" wide is acceptable.

The answer for question number 12 states - Interior compartment/chamber size shall not be less than:

60” W x 90” L x 86” H (inside door to door).The floor shall be made of no less than 3mm thick stainless steel with a greater than 200 lb. point load while the answer for question number 8 states that a chamber 48" wide is acceptable Yes, a minimum of 48" wide x 85" H is acceptable.

Yes, a door width of larger than 40" is acceptable. Would prefer door size of 48" wide x 85" high or greater.

Question #12 is regarding interior compartment of chamber while question #8 is regarding the door.

22. Can you clarify if a compartment/chamber that is smaller than 60” wide with a door that is larger than 40” wide is acceptable?

The minimum width of the compartment is 60", thus a door of 40" or greater is possible. Per the MECs, "Interior compartment/chamber size shall not be less than: 60” W x 90” L x 86” H (inside door to door).

The floor shall be made of no less than 3mm thick stainless steel with a greater than 200 lb. point load."

23. Based on the answers received so far I would say that the department wants the compartment/chamber (wall to wall) to be at least 60” wide even if the door is anywhere between 40" to 48" wide.

The minimum width of the door must be 40" to accommodate the NHP racks. Would prefer if the door was 48" wide or greater.

24. Can WRAIR provide details on the metal sheet in the washer pit between the two washer? a. Does this plate cover a sump pump?

Yes

b. Is this plate remaining in the pit?

Yes

c. Are the repairs of anything under this plate to be covered in our scope?

No

25. It is acceptable to provide pricing for a pit allowance to account for any unknown items?

This is up to the discretion of the potential contractor.

26. Is the effluent tank in the Tunnel Washer service area to be reused or replaced? a. What is the purpose of this effluent tank?

The effluent tank is currently used as a holding tank for the effluent from the three machines before it is dumped to a large building effluent tank. The floor sump next to the rack washer dumps into the large holding tank. Washer effluent dumps into the large holding tank and is then pumped to a building effluent tank where it is treated. Tank will continue to be used as is.

27. Is all washer effluent being sent to this tank from both washers?

Yes

c. Where does the effluent tank drain too?

A building effluent tank

28. Can you identify the purpose of the tank to the left of the effluent tank? Is it to be replaced as part of this scope?

I'm not exactly sure which tank the vendor is referring to. There is a tank to the left of the effluent/holding tank where the effluent from the tunnel washer dumps into.

29. Is the existing chemical distribution system to be reused?

Yes

30. Who is the existing chemical vendor?

Quip

31. Can the fan/exhaust over the service access door be removed? a. If not, can a 54” door opening be provided to limit the dirty side door interference?

No, the fan cannot be removed. Yes, a 54" door opening is acceptable.

32. Can you confirm the size, volume and maximum pressure of the compressed air available to the washer?

The compressed air is from a compressor in the building mechanical space that supplies air throughout the facility. Air pressure at the rack washer is 75psi.

33. Does the customer intend to reuse the chemicals via reusable throwaway tanks? If so, alkaline, acid, or both?

Chemicals are pumped from two large tanks on our loading dock.

34. What is the scope of the flooring work? a. Is the scope only the pit under the cage washer being replaced or is there more flooring work that is to be included in the bid?

Only the pit under the rack washer being replaced.

35. If this unit is to be used as a “Decon” chamber and require sealed doors, would a single 54” wide door be wide enough to fit intended load size?

Yes, it will be a VHP decon chamber and required sealed doors per MEC requirements.

36. Will the facility disconnect existing utilities and replace any facility owned shutoff valves, if needed, before removal of the existing washer?

Vendor is responsible for disconnecting utilities. Facility maintenance will replace shutoff valves if needed.