OAHE_Contractor_Question-8_Feb_2017.pdf

Questions and Answers

Q1: Are there size limitations for the new equipment?

A1: Yes, a footprint showing the length and width requirements is shown on drawing E-101

Q2: Can cabinet be larger if it fits in location and meets specifications?

A2: The excitation system must meet and not exceed the length and width requirements shown on drawing E-101

Q3: The prospective bidders were questioning what other work would be going on at the same time. I know we have Digital Governors being installed as well as the PT replacement.

A3: Other work is not expected to have any impact on this project.

Q4: Current Outage Schedule for this work as well as other work.

A4: This will be coordinated after award.

Q5: Cable Schedule.

A5: The existing conduit and cable schedule has been added to the reference drawings.

Q6: Unit Rating Information—I’m not sure what is in the contract is the current nameplate.

A6: Unit rating information is included at the end of SECTION 48 19 26 and paragraph

1.1.2. See exciter rating changes in the amendment

Q7: Do all cables get replaced?

A7: Only the cables originating from the excitation system that interface with project cables

Q8: They would like an arrangement drawing of the old excitation equipment to include any conduits that come up from beneath the cabinet.

A8: Existing excitation system drawings are included in the reference drawings

Q9: Are SSHO and CQC personnel required? Those sections were not in the solicitation.

This is a supply/install contract, so maybe not needed.

A9: See attached specifications to this amendment

Q10: Cable lengths of all conductors.

A10: Should be included in the conduit and schedule.

Q11: They would like photos of CT’s in the bus housing outside the turbine pit entrance, as well as a data sheet of the CT’s.

A11: See attached photos of the bus housing included with this amendment

Q12: Define floor repair.

A12: Floor repair, if encountered, is expected to be minimal.

Q13: PPT rating, 60 vs 110 kBIL. There was a discrepancy.

A13: The BIL of the PPT will be changed to reflect the BIL of the iso-phase bus it is connected to, which is 110 kV. See amendment

Q14: They would like a drawings with plant lengths, elevations, cable gallery, spreader room, and control boards. This might be in the first amendment that was issued the day of the site visit.

A14: See contract and reference drawings

Q15: The Tech Eval section included a comment regarding the “No Load Break Disconnect Ratings”. This must be left over from another job, as it isn’t applicable.

A15: Requirement removed. See amendment

Q16: What is the funding range for this project? It’s usually on the FBO front page to give them an idea of the project scope.

A16: Magnitude of effort is not required as this is not a construction project.

Q17: General: In order to provide a preliminary schedule when is your expected award date?

A17: An award date cannot be provided at this time. Award will be made after evaluation of offerors.

Q18: General: What is the expected warranty period for the equipment?

A18: See FAR Clause 52.212-4 Terms and Conditions Commercial Items

Q19: General: We have not seen any requirement for SSHO or CQC. Is this intentional or an oversight?

A19: See attached Specifications

Q20: General: Are you aware of any asbestos (friable or non-friable) associated with the scope of work?

A20: There is not expected to be any asbestos encountered in this project.

Q21: Page 9: You indicate here that you prefer the delivery of the proposal by e-mail over hardcopies. On Page 18 you outline detailed instructions about the submission of hard copy and CD proposal. Which of two applies? If the submittal is via e-mail is there a size limit or restriction of what type of documents can be received by you? Please advise.

A21: Proposals shall be delivered via hard copy with CD

Q22: Page 18: What are the bonding requirements? Bid bond, what amount? Payment and Performance bond, what amount? Please clarify.

A22: No bid bond is required. Performance and payment bond will be for 20% of the required installation cost for the exciters.

Q23: Page 20: May we submit PPQ acquired for previous solicitations or do we need to provide PPQ specifically requested for this solicitation?

A23: New PPQ’s specific for this project must be submitted.

Q24: Page 37: Liquidated damages are listed at $145 per day. Can you provide a limit in % of the contract value or do we assume it is unlimited?

A24: There is no percentage limitation on liquidated damages.

Q25: Specification 01 01 00 - 1.10.1: Given that the project needs to be completed in 540 days (and liquidated damages apply) you think it is reasonable to restrict the outages to periods in the spring and fall only? May we ask you to reconsider and have no black-out periods so we have enough time to complete all seven units? Please review.

A25: The solicitation will be amended to show the completion date of 1,100 days after award.

Q26: Specification 48 19 26 General: Please provide reference drawing package of the existing units, i.e., powerhouse layout drawings, equipment layout drawings and schematics, generator collector details etc.

A26: Reference drawings are provided

Q27: Specification 48 19 26 General: Please confirm if there are any cables entering the existing exciter from below.

A27: All required cables enter via tray and/or conduit from above

Q28: Specification 48 19 26 1.1.3: Please provide all the listed documents, i.e., saturation curves, special field test and generator capability curves.

A28: These documents will be provided upon award as needed.

Q29: Specification 48 19 26 1.4.4: Do we need to provide three CT’s even if we do not require three CT for proper operation of the AVR or the PSS. Please advise. Also please provide data, photographs and drawings of the existing CT as you have indicated.

A29: Three CT’s are specified. Anything less will be a change and a justification will need to be written and approved by the government to allow the change and verification that a design with less than three CT’s will meet or exceed the requirements of the specification.

Q30: Specification 48 19 26 2.4.1.1: You state that DC bus to the generator housing shall be supplied. Under 2.4.6.1 you specify complete new DC conductors between exciter and collector rings. Please clarify.

A30: DC bus reference has been removed and DC conductors added in its place

Q31: Specification 48 19 26 2.4.6: Please provide details of the existing brushes and brush holders, i.e., manufacturer, model # and qty.

A31: Manufacturer and type are given at the end of the paragraph on Specification 48 19 26 2.4.6:

Q32: Specification 48 19 26 2.4.11.2: Please provide the mentioned drawings.

A32: Contract and reference drawings

Q33: Specification 48 19 26 2.5.4: Can this relay be vendor standard or does it has to be a SEL relay (spec section 2.4.20). If it has to be a SEL do you have a preference? Please advise.

A33: It can be either type mentioned

Q34: 2.5.9: Please provide details (drawings, photos) of the SEL relay, patch panel and fiber connections so we can properly integrate into new exciter.

A34: This information will be coordinated upon award as a part of connecting the new exciter into the existing plant equipment.

Q35: 3.6.2: Should replacement be necessary please provide all detail and manufacturing drawings of the existing collector rings.

A35: If the option for replacement is exercised, then the details will be provided at that time

Q36: In regard to drawing E-101, refers to a maximum footprint of 17'11" x 4'6". However, the photos attached show much more clearance in the front of the equipment which would allow a deeper cabinet. Given the field sizing we request the government consider other cabinet size options.

A36: Oahe has space restrictions that will not allow an increase in cabinet size.

Q37: Section 01 01 00, article 1.10.1 states that Generator Spring Outages are 15 February - 15 June and Fall Outages are 1 September - 30 December.

A37: That is correct.

Q38: Does the Government have a desired order of precedence for these unit outages? i.e.

the worst functioning unit first.

A38: No. Determination will be made with the successful offeror after award

Q39: Given the need to complete paired units (2+3, 4+5, 6+7) during an outage, when is the desired repair of the single unit #1?

A39: The repair of unit #1 will be coordinated after contract award.

Q40: Specification 01 01 00 part 1.5.4 and 1.12; Will the crane and crane operator be provided by USACE for the removal of the equipment from the truck and placing of the equipment in the temporary staging area. Also, the moving of the equipment from the staging area to the location as close to the final location as possible?

A40: Plant personal will operate the crane within normal working hours and with the proper notification to move items that require a crane. The government does not provide personal or equipment for the rigging and is not responsible for the equipment. Other than providing assistance with the crane that is absolutely needed the government does not move the contractor’s tools and equipment around. Note the final location where the equipment needs to reside is not assessable with the crane. See the drawings and specifications for floor plans and existing equipment obstructions.

Q41: Specification 13 48 00.00 26; Please confirm if the static excitation system and excitation transformer are to be manufactured to meet the seismic requirements indicated in the specification or if an actual certificate of compliance is required by an engineer? Also must that engineer be registered in South Dakota?

A41: The static digital excitation system and PPT shall be manufactured to meet the requirements of SECTION 13 48 00. That includes a certificate of compliance by a registered engineer where specified. The specification does not require registration in South Dakota

Q42: Specification 48 19 26 part 2.4.3.1; The BIL mentioned for the PPT is 60KV, however, the typical BIL required by USACE for 13.8KV supply voltage is 110KV. Please confirm the BIL shall be 110KV for the high voltage winding of the Excitation Transformer.

A42: The specifications have been revised to reflect the change.

Q43: Specification 48 19 26 part 2.4.5.4; when you refer to “The controllers for both assemblies shall have the capability of controlling either rectifier assembly and automatically switch between the two when necessary”. It is understood that this to mean that any one of the redundant controllers should be capable of controlling either one of the twin bridges.

Thus the regulators should be bridge independent. So, if one regulator is controlling a specific bridge and an issue occurs in that regulator, there should be an automatic and “bumpless” transfer to the other regulator while still maintaining control of that same bridge.

Conversely, if one regulator is controlling a specific bridge and there is an issue with that bridge, there should be an automatic and “bumpless” transfer to the other bridge and maintain control by that same regulator. Would USACE agree that this is the desired configuration for the regulators and the bridges?

A43: The stated section on redundancy was reviewed based on the question and statements written above. There does not appear to be any ambiguity and government answer will be a restatement of section 2.4.5’s requirements. The reference paragraph is stated below with the rest of section 2.4.5 containing the requirements for the rectifier assemblies.

“Each exciter shall be equipped with two fully redundant rectifier assemblies. Both assemblies shall meet the requirements of paragraph

2.4.5. The controllers for both assemblies shall have the capability of controlling either rectifier assembly and automatically switch between the two when necessary.’’

Q44: Specification 48 19 26 part 3.6; There is no CLIN for pricing related to the Collector Ring Inspection on site and the associated report of recommendation. Please confirm which CLIN this price should be attached to.

A44: CLIN 0001 and SECTION 01 22 00 has been revised to reflect the change.

Q45: Specification 48 19 26 part 3.6.1; The price (CLIN0011) for the refurbishment of the collector ring is only possible through a very detailed inspection of the collector ring (via removal of the collector ring), which was not possible at the most recent site walk. As a result, a firm price for this CLIN is very difficult and considerably risky for the contractor.

Would the government agree that a budget price for CLIN0011 be acceptable then a firm price can be provided later after the detailed site inspection?

A45: CLIN0011 – Collector Ring Refurbishment is an Option on this contract and will not be changed from firm-fixed price to cost reimbursable.

Q46: Specification 48 19 26 part 3.6.2; The price (CLIN0012) for the manufacture of a new collector ring is only possible through a very detailed inspection of the collector ring (via removal of the collector ring), which was not possible at the most recent site walk. As a result, a firm price for this CLIN is very difficult. Would the government agree that a budget price for CLIN0012 be acceptable then a firm price can be provided later after the detailed site inspection?

A46: CLIN0011 – Collector Ring Refurbishment is an Option on this contract and will not be changed from firm-fixed price to cost reimbursable.

Q47: Specification 48 19 26 part 3.6.1; For the refurbishment of the collector ring, can this function occur at a shop located outside the Gavins Point hydro station? If so, will USACE be responsible for removing the collector ring and then re-assembling the collector ring after the refurbishment is completed?

A47: Yes, the refurbishment can occur outside of the project. USACE will NOT be responsible for removing the collector ring or reassembling it. That will be the contractor's responsibility.

Q48: Specification 01 33 00 - 1.2.4: Please provide missing sections 01 45 00, 01 35 26 and 01 57 20.

A48: Specifications are provided with this amendment