FY19 Soo Area Office Boiler Replacement

NOTICE OF INTENT
FOR INDICATION OF BASIS OF DESIGN WITH PROPRIETARY SPECIFICATION OR STANDARD

SPECIAL NOTICE: The US Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District will be soliciting proposals for a new construction contract in support of the Soo Locks Boiler Replacement project at USACE St. Marys Falls Canal, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
This project replaces the existing boilers and supporting equipment while providing improvements to the system as far as efficiency and controls. Work includes demolition and removal of the existing boiler system electrical and mechanical equipment, backup propane tanks, and underground utility runs. The new boiler system consists of 3 natural-gas-package boilers approximately 5,000,000 Btu/hr output each, a larger condensate return tank, building ventilation improvements, automatic chemical treatment, feed water heating, a new make-up water connection, and a PLC system with tie in to the existing SCADA system. Upgrades to the Steam Plant Building include replacement of the roof, fire alarm system, motor control center, electrical unit heaters, lightning grounding system, lighting, and replacement/additions of the CMU and limestone façade associated with ventilation changes. Work also includes the addition of a utility tunnel and trench that connects the Steam Plant Building to the Poe lock gallery for gas, steam, and condensate piping as well as electrical and communication cable routing.
It is industry standard practice while designing intricate mechanical systems to base design around products that meet the needs of the project based on salient characteristics and level of quality required. As all the components of a system must work together and function as a system, the salient characteristics of each individual component may change based on other component salient characteristics.
The Corps of Engineers Detroit District intends to indicate the proprietary products used as the basis of design by make and model. In accordance with FAR clause 52.236-5, Material and Workmanship, "References in the drawings and specifications to equipment, material, articles, or patented processes by trade name, make, or catalog number, shall be regarded as establishing a standard of quality and shall not be construed as limiting competition." The Contractor may, at its option, use any equipment, material, article, or process that, in the judgment of the Contracting Officer, is determined to be equal through formal evaluation comparison against the specified salient characteristics as provided by the written specifications for each piece of equipment, material, article or process.
All listed manufacturers are the basis of design. Other manufacturers may be substituted as long as the salient characteristics of the substituted manufacturer meet or exceed the salient characteristics of the basis of design. The intent of utilizing basis of design is to provide offerors insight to the quality of product expected for the design and to aid in understanding the features included for estimating cost bid items. Identifying the design basis can help to improve negotiation efficiencies and provide clarity for any cost discrepancies discovered during the solicitation process.

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