FY16_MMD_DAS_System_Pre-Bid_Visit_Q A_15_Dec_2015.pdf

US Army Corps of Engineers

Mount Morris Dam Design and Installation of Cellular Distributed Antenna System

Pre-Bid Questions and Answers

3 December 2015 (Updated 14 Dec 2015)

Questions from 14 December Site Visit:

Q: Manufacturer’s warranty is typically 2 years for DAS systems. The SOW calls for a 3 year warranty in Section 17. Can this be lowered?

A: The warranty in Section 17 of the SOW will be changed to 2 years. The SOW will not be updated but the contractor shall bid based on a 2 year warranty.

Q: Should the DAS system be capable of public safety bands?

A: A system which includes public safety bands is not required, although it will be acceptable as long as all other band requirements are met.

Q: As coverage needs to be provided in the elevator shaft, who will operate the elevator, and is fall protection required?

A: The government will hire the elevator maintenance company to run the elevator from on top of the cart. Fall protection is not required on top of the elevator.

Q: Is 95% of the square footage acceptable for meeting the -90 dB signal strength requirement?

A: The contractor shall design the system to meet -90 dB for a minimum of 95% of the footprint area.

Q: Which pole is approved for Yagi antennas on rooftop (wall mount or free standing)?

A: Contractor’s preference.

Q: Is there existing grounding available for head end & Yagi antenna in the kiosk?

A: Yes.

Q: Are cables installation required in conduit or can run open if conduit is not available?

A: Contractor may utilize existing cabling hooks or cable trays to run data (fiber) cables, or fiber cables may be installed with low voltage cable clamps, given they are rated to be installed outside of conduit and protected from damage.

Q: Any specific certification required for installation crew?

A: No.

Q: Should we include man lift in pricing or will be a past through cost?

A: Contractor shall furnish all equipment or materials necessary for installation.

Q: Will contractor be provided with storage place for equipment & tools required throughout the project at Mount Morris location?

A: Yes. The dam itself is a secure facility and tools/supplies may be stored inside the dam, or for a larger staging area there are secured buildings topside.

Q: Will the customer provide all the core penetrations?

A: If the contractor believes wall/floor penetrations are still required after looking at potential existing penetrations that can be utilized at the site visit, the contractor is responsible for all drilling.

Q: Badging requirement & mobility, will we have adequate escorts or can badged technicians move freely?

A: After contractor’s employees undergo background checks as per the SOW and are granted access to the site, the contractor is allowed to move freely in areas allowed under the contract.

Q: What are the EMT requirements?

A: Refer to Attachment #4 in the SOW for safety requirements. The contractor shall have two First-Aid/CPR/AED certified workers and one OSHA 10 hour worker on site at all times.

Q: Is coverage of the elevator required?

A: Cellular coverage of the elevator shaft is required per Optional Bid Item 5.

Q: What locations require containment (after hour’s vs business hours)?

A: Allowable work hours are 0800-1630 Monday-Friday, excluding federal holidays.

Q: Can elevator be used for equipment transportation to different levels and roof top?

A: Yes, the elevator is a freight elevator and can move from Level 7 to Level 1 within the operations tower. The roof to the kiosk on the other side of the dam is accessible by a contractor’s ladder.

Questions from 3 December 2015 Site Visit:

Q: Should the capability for remote monitoring be installed in the dam?

A: The government is not requiring remote monitoring capabilities to be installed, and there is no existing internet connection available to do so. However, if the contractor would like to install remote monitoring with their own internet connection to add convenience with regards to the three (3) year warranty period, the government will allow it.

Q: There appears to be a better signal at the kiosk on the north side of the dam versus the operations tower on the south side of the dam (The kiosk is similar to the operations tower but lower in height). The head unit and donor antenna are currently specified to be installed on the operations tower. Can a variance be made?

A: The contractor shall now install the donor antenna on top of the kiosk and place the head unit inside. As this is an unconditioned area, an enclosed server cabinet with integrated heating and cooling capabilities shall be installed.

Q: Should the head unit be installed inside a heated server cabinet?

A: The head unit shall be installed inside an enclosed server cabinet, which shall come with cooling and heating options running on 120V.

Q: Should heaters be installed inside all enclosures to prevent condensation and extend electronic life?

A: All enclosures installed in this contract shall have thermostatically controlled heaters installed. Heaters shall be specified for use inside enclosures.

Q: There are existing conduits throughout the dam feeding antennas from an old cordless phone system. Can these conduits be used?

A: The contractor may use these conduits as necessary, all existing cables shall be removed, and may be used as pull cables.

Q: What is required for as-built drawings?

A: The government will supply a CAD drawing in Microstation format of the elevation of the dam, as is provided in Attachment #1 in the SOW. The contractor may show their equipment locations off this drawing.

Q: The existing bid opening date is 17 Dec. Can this be extended?

A: The new bid opening date will be 24 December at 1500 EST. All bids shall be emailed to Casimir.brzozowiec@usace.army.mil

Q: Who owns and operates the facility?

A: The facility is owned and operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers

Q: What organizations are acceptable for the two employees on site at all times who need to be CPR/AED/First-Aid trained?

A: The American Red Cross and American Heart Association. Certifications should be submitted as a pre-work submittal and must be current.

Q: The SOW states the RF engineer performing the design should be under supervision of the DAS equipment manufacturer. Please clarify.

A: The RF design engineer should be certified from the DAS equipment manufacturer. Proof of this certification shall be submitted as a pre-work submittal.

Q: Is fall protection required for installing equipment along the north and south curtainwall staircases?

A: Anytime an employee is outside of the guardrail on the stairs, or performing work reach from the stairs, the employee should have fall protection on. There are several anchor points installed along the staircases that may be used. Submit along with the AHA a fall prevention plan.

Q: As the base bid contains wiring to Level 6 and 7 on both sides of the dam, and the option bid has level 3, yet level 3 connects 6 and 7, what should be done?

A: The government will move level 3 coverage to the base bid.

Q: The gate bays in Level 1 add some distance of cabling runs. How much?

A: The contractor shall assume each of the nine (9) gate bays adds approximately 25 feet to the cabling run, for a total of 225 extra feet to what is shown in the SOW.

Q: For any leaky feeder cable installed, should wet rated connections and terminations be used?

A: Yes, all connections in anywhere in the dam and in any bid line items, shall have wet rated connections and wiring.

Q: Is the three year warranty for workmanship only?

A: The three year warranty now includes workmanship, materials, and equipment.

Q: The -85 dB signal strength inside the dam, which is the minimum required per the contract, may be difficult to meet. Can this be relaxed?

A: The government will allow a minimum signal level of -90 dB.