AFD Spillway Gates Replacement Industry Day In Person Session Q-A.pdf

AFD Spillway Gates Replacement Industry Day In-Person Session Q&A

Q: Are you looking for fabricator to remove gates at same time as delivery?

A: The Government will want a flexible disposal schedule as determined by the needs of Albeni Falls Dam and NWS Operations Division. Disposal would occur after fit testing.

Q: Is this design different from original design?

A: Yes, the design is different. There are additional structural and mechanical features on the new gates that are different from the original gates.Q: Will gates be same weight as old gates?

A: New gates are expected to be similar weight due to constraints at the site.

Q: How mature is the design for the new gates?

A: Design shown is currently conceptual, design status at 30% design.

Q: What drawings will be provided with the solicitation?

A: At solicitation, drawings and gate analysis will be at 100% design. These drawings will be sufficient to produce shop drawings for submittals.

Q: Are CAD drawings available for 30% design?

A: They are not available at this time, this is still a conceptual design.

C: Wheels are looking like the long lead item, industry estimates about 6-8 months for forgings

Question (gov): What is a reasonable timeline for the first gate to be delivered?

Answer (industry): 12 months to fabricate

Question (gov): What is the subsequent timeline for the 2nd and 3rd gates?

Answer (industry): ~3 month turnaround once efficiency of parts for first gate is nailed down.

Question (Industry): What is your intent for progress payments? Are they possible?

A: As a general rule, supply contracts are paid when the supply is received and verified compliant with the specifications. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 32.104 may allow different “contract financing” arrangements to the extent they are needed and can be justified. On Attachment 2, explain in detail the types of contract financing that the contractors envision is necessary to execute between 3 and 11 gates for this project.

C: Contractor does not want to front the interest for the materials and manufacturing costs.

A: The Government is looking for Attachment 2 feedback to be able to structure the contract as to what industry determines is possible.

Question (Industry): Contractor is concerned that the Government will hold onto the payment of the gate until after O&Ms and As Builds are delivered. How would you mitigate that under a Supply contract?

A: Explain on Attachment 2 what type of separate CLINs or contract financing arrangements may be necessary for project execution.

Question (Industry) At the upending and down-ending process, the gates will require a stand. Will the new gates be able to utilize an existing gate stand for the turnover process?

A: The new gates will require a new stand that will be turned over to the government upon delivery of the first gate.

Question (Industry):Will the contractor be able to fit test during spill season?

A: Due to excessive flow rates during spill season, seal leakage may become difficult to determine due to spill from adjacent gates. Gates can still be delivered during spill season to free up shop space, but commissioning may be delayed.

C: Without any visibility to design, it’s difficult for the contractor to put together a plan to construct from now until award time.

Question (Industry): Are the drawings for the old gates available?

A: Yes, they were publicly solicited. The inactive solicitation number is W12DW22R0008.

Question (Industry): Are all 11 gates on this contract?

A: At this time, the Government anticipates 3 gates as a base contract with the following 8 to be awarded as options. This base contract is 720 days from NTP, please include any additional barriers you may have to manufacture multiple gates at the same time on the Attachment 2 form.

Question (Industry): Are you currently holding water levels low due to gate concerns?

A: Albeni Falls Dam is operating at normal water levels at this time of year.

Question (govern): Would contractors be open to manufacturing multiple gates at the same time?

A (industry): Yes, it is preferred.

Question (Industry): After 3 gates are removed, will you be performing studies on whether those gates could be rehabbed? Are you planning on storing these gates for a longer period of time after delivery?

A: The Government is unable to perform inspections of the gates until a spare gate is onsite.

Existing gates are presumed to have similar conditions found on the rehabilitated gate. At this time, the Government is not including rehabilitation of the existing gates on this contract. There is not sufficient space onsite to retain three gates following the delivery of three replacement gates.

Question (Industry): Will you be inspecting each gate prior to removal?

A: The Government anticipates performing a visual inspection, but there are no plans to perform an in-depth inspection on original gates.

Question (Industry): Is the design stuck on vinyl paint?

A: Yes, it will be 5-E-Z vinyl.

C (gov): Please note any successes and struggles you’ve had in previous projects fabricating large structures on the Attachment 2.Question (Industry): Can you post the specific US Steel clauses that will be included in the contract?

A: Yes, please reference FAR Part 52 Clauses 225-1 & 225-23.

Industry C: 17-4 stainless steel country of origin is very limiting, could be a conflict with Buy American

Question (Industry): Would Government be providing a CAD model at the time of solicitation?

A: A 100% Design will be provided with the solicitation.

Question (Industry): Will any Charpy testing or cold weather testing be required?

A: 2 possible times when Charpy testing is required.

1. In the 05 59 Specification we require Charpy Testing in accordance with ASTM A709 table 11 for the temperature zones applicable to the structure.

2. According to AWS D1.5 when qualifying weld procedures.

Q: Government stated the weight of gates may increase on the new design, do you have a number on that?

A: The Government is conservatively estimating a 10-15% increase as a rough guess. The Government will have more information at the time of pre-solicitation. Q (gov): What is the lead time for procuring the amount of carbon steel that is required to fabricate a gate?

A (industry): Currently 8-12 weeks from the mill.

Q: Will there be any electrical work required for this project?

A: Yes, the design will have a small amount of electrical work for the seal heaters on the upper leaf. Likely function testing in-shop of electrical components, and verification testing onsite.

A: Yes, lifting beam actuators. Same testing requirements in shop and onsite

Q: Are the sheave blocks on the crane included in the design?

A: No, this is not part of the project as it is part of the crane. No, the sheave blocks are a part of the crane and are not a part of this project.

Q: Is there lead based paint on the existing gates?

A: Not lead, but other heavy metals should be expected. We expect abatement would be conducted within all laws and regulations will be required prior to recycle/disposal of existing gates.

Q: What will be done in the transition location?

A: The Contractor will need to provide gate stands for the transition point of new gates at delivery. Contractor will place new gate in stand, and Operations will move gates into slots with subsequent fit testing.

A Government: Specifications will detail that all government cranes will be operated by government staff only.