Questions.docx

Questions:

1. Please provide the hoist manufacturer and model.

The motor of this crane was manufactured by Link-Built. The drum was manufactured by USACE. The as-builts for the drum are available at the project office.

2. Please identify the height at which the hoist is located.

The hoist is located at elevation 573’ msl. The work platform elevation is at 496’ msl. The current lake elevation is 488.85’ msl. The crane is located on the room of the tower that is almost 100’ tall.

3. Please provide the diameter and wire specifications of the wire rope cable.

As-builts for this are in Amendment 0002.

4. Assemblies and end fittings: Please provide specifications of the cable assemblies, end fitting, and attaching hooks.

Pictures for this are in Amendment 0002.

5. Please provide photos of the hoist and cable drum.

Pictures for this are in Amendment 0002.

6. Please provide photos of the cable assemblies, end fitting, and attaching hooks.

Pictures for this are in Amendment 0002.

7. Does the location have any abstractions to access with a crane or a boom lift?

No. A site visit for this project is highly encouraged to review the working environment circumstances.

8. Please confirm that the solicitation refers to 16 tons as 16 US Tons (equivalent to 32,000 lbs) rather than 16 metric tons (equivalent to 35,274 lbs) US Tons

9. Please confirm if your office will require a certified inspection at the end of the wire rope replacement or would have another third party providing such service.

The SOW requires “Upon completion of installation installer will be responsible for performance of lift associated with the hoists intended purpose and pass inspection by certified crane/hoist inspector that wire rope cable meets the manufacturer’s requirements.”. The contractor is responsible for providing this inspection which can be done with a credible and certified third party vendor.

10. Hoisting Rope Pull - The solicitation identifies this as a 16-ton hoist (32,000 lbs), but the scanned document identifies a maximum hoist rope pull of 11,000. The scanned document does not indicate the unit of measure for 11,000; we assume it is 11,000 lbs.

a. Which rope pull measure should our proposal comply with? 11,000 lbs or 32,000 lbs?

32,000 lbs.

b. The service bridge weight limit is 7 tons (14,000 lbs), and inspection typically is for 125% of the pulling capacity. Should the max rope pull is 11,000, a maximal inspection will be for 13,750 at the service bridge. It is impractical to have a 125% load inspection for a pull rating of 32,000 lbs under the site conditions, as one cannot position such weight over the service bridge.

The rope pull is 32,000 lbs weight for lift test has to be brought in by boat. A static lift test will suffice as well.

2. Cable length- The solicitation calls for a cable length of about 700 feet. Based on the scanned document, the drum capacity is 530 feet. 530 can be considered as approximately 700 feet. It is not a minor difference in dollar value, but in terms of functionality, the hoist drum will hold 530 feet, and an extra 170 feet will be dangling from the hoist. Would this be your requirement?

YES

3. Cable Removal- The solicitation requires the contractor to remove the cable. However, due to the limited information, the removal requirement specifics could be more explicit and currently open to many interpretations and concerns. Some are:

a. Since the hoist is tagged out, is it implied that there may be an electrical energy safety hazard the contractor should be aware of and that the contractor should resolve with its resources before removing the wire cable? (LOTO = Locked out tagged out safety concern has been raised by the agency) The hoist is tagged out because the cable is not in operable condition for lifting. The hoist is operable and in working order. There is no electrical energy safety hazard.

a. Is the wire rigged to any equipment within the facility, and should the contractor disconnect it before removing the cable? (an extra 170 feet beyond the drum capacity) Currently the cable is connected to an emergency service gate. It will be disconnected for this contract.

c. Based on the agency information, the hoist is inoperable. Would the hoist, at its current condition, allow the contractor to place it in neutral mode and unwind the cable from the drum?

YES. The Hoist is operable and the cable can be let out.

d. Would the agency bring the hoist to a condition where the contractor simply presses the push/pull button to energize the drive, turn the drum, and consequentially release the cable from the drum after disconnecting the cable from the drum assembly? If not, please identify the required steps the contractor should take to remove the cable from the hoist.

The hoist is in operable condition now. The only reason the hoist is tagged out is due to the condition of the cable.

4. Hoist condition- Would the contractor have to mechanically amend the hoist in any way, such as:

a. Mechanically for mechanical components such as gear, belts, drives, assemblies, or other? No

b. Electrically for the electrical board, the electrical drive, or other? No

c. Does the drum need to be replaced? No

d. Are any hoist components jammed due to corrosion or heavy soiling? No

e. We understand that the hoist was built in 1956; when was the last time it operated? Fall 2023

f. Please share the hoist's latest inspection report. The hoist is operable. We are the authority on the operation of this device and have thoroughly reviewed the latest inspection report. I’m not sure it is necessary to share the latest inspection report.

5. Cable mounting and inspection- Please confirm the hoist can be safely energized and operated:

a. To power a turn-back of the drum to mount the new wire cable rope. YES

b. To conduct an inspection YES

6. Hoist access Does the tower have a staircase, allowing safe access by foot, to the tower roof, or is access limited only to exterior lifting equipment such as an articulated lift or a crane?

The contractor will use a staircase and fixed ladder to access the roof.

7. Expectations for Cable Removal and Installation In the previous points, we have tried to understand the agency's specifications and determine if additional steps are required for cable removal and installation beyond simply operating the drum with the press of a button, cutting the cable, and anchoring a new one.

We ask the agency to elaborate on the required steps to operate the hoist so the contractor can release, install, and inspect the cable by pressing the button to turn the drum and performing the cable removal and installation with its material, equipment, and staff.

The contractor will press a button to turn the drum which will unspool the current cable. After the cable is unspooled, the contractor will remove the cable and replace with a new cable in accordance with the scope of work. Interested bidders are highly encouraged to perform a site visit to review the crane and its components prior to making an offer for this work.