Replace Main Building Chiller B001

Amendment 0001 issued to provide answers to questions submitted by interested contractor.

Q1.  The period of performance is stated as 7 11 23 - 8 14 23. Para 9 of the SOW states that the construction period will be thirty days after the chiller is on site. The thirty plus day on site time frame is adequate for the installation, however, it is our experience with air-cooled chillers that comply with the Buy America Act, delivery will be approximately 40 weeks. We were recently awarded a USDA project at Raleigh, NC to install a 60-ton air cooled chiller, the manufacturing lead time after approval of submittal is 40 weeks.

A1.  Period of Performance can be adjusted to accommodate chiller manufacturing lead time.

Q2.  Please verify if the outdoor condenser for the chiller has been removed or is it still in place? It is difficult to determine from the photos. It seems to appear in one photo but not in the other. 

A2.  Still in place.

Q3.  Please provide the capacity, pump curves and submittal if available, and photos of the existing pumps to be replaced. What is the pipe size at the pumps?  Are any accessories, flex, valves, strainers, etc to be replaced or just the pump and motor?

A3.  233GPM / 39’ head . Pictures included.

Q4.  The SOW requests (4) new valves on the exterior of the building. Are new flexes, strainers, flow meters or other accessories required at the chiller?

A4.  Valves are for in case a temp chiller is needed in the future. Other accessories are what the new chiller requires to be under warranty. Chiller is turned on by flow switch when system turns pump on.

Q5.  Please provide contact information for the control vendor for the facility, Company Name, business location, phone number, and personnel name.  Is this a proprietary controls system with only one vendor to make the modifications to the control system?

A5.  Existing controls are Johnson Controls / Metasys.

Q6.  Please clarify the statement "Temporary chiller may be required." How long do you expect a temporary chiller to be required? If a temporary chiller is required, where will the electrical be fed from to support the chiller? Will it be connected into an existing MCC or a panel in the basement?

A6. No temp chiller will be required just the connection for water.  Can be provided as an option.

Q7.  Is the chiller in the basement on a conc pad or any other support? Does the conc pad, if existing, need to be removed or other supports, if existing need to be removed?

A7.  If chiller is self-contained with compressors it will be mounted on existing exterior condenser pad.

Q8.  Is a new concrete pad required for the new chiller or how is it to be mounted? 

A8.  Mounted on existing 100” X 240” pad or pad will have to be modified.

Q9.  What is the best time for a site visit so as not to interfere with facility personnel?

A9.  Instructions listed on solicitation 12405B23Q0371 regarding Site Visit.  To schedule a Site Visit, please contact the following in advance:  Hector Rodriguez, Phone: (229)869-3560, Email: hector.rodriguez@usda.gov OR Hank Sheppard, Phone: (229)343-1110, Email: hank.sheppard@usda.gov

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in subpart 12.6, and is being conducted according to FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures as supplemented with additional information in this notice.  This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. 

The solicitation number is 12405B23Q0371 and solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).  This solicitation document incorporates those provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-04.

This solicitation is being solicited as a Total Small Business Set-Aside.  The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 238220 - Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Contractors. The small business size standard is $19.0M.

The USDA, ARS, SEA, National Peanut Research Laboratory, 1011 Forrester Dr, SE, Dawson, Georgia 39842 is seeking contractor to:

Replace Main Building Chiller B001.  The Contractor shall provide all professional services, personnel, tools, material, equipment to Remove and replace the existing chiller in the basement  of the main building and the remote condenser outside. Contractor must modify the connector to fit the new chiller. The capacity of the new chiller must be at least 120 Ton, every necessary activity to ensure the new chiller is properly installed and in excellent working order must be performed.  All work shall be performed in accordance as detailed in attached Statement of Work (SOW). 

Site Visit.  Contractors are encouraged to visit the site and be escorted by a government representative to confirm locations, dimensions, and conditions of the project before a bid is submitted. The purpose of a site visit is to observe first-hand any conditions relevant to the completion of this project.  No consideration will be given to claims based on lack of knowledge of existing conditions, except where contract documents make definite provisions for adjustment in cost or extension due to existing conditions not readily foreseeable.

To schedule a Site Visit, please contact the following in advance:

Hector Rodriguez, Phone:  (229)869-3560, Email:  hector.rodriguez@usda.gov OR

Hank Sheppard, Phone:  (229)343-1110, Email:  hank.sheppard@usda.gov

Contractor must be registered in System for Award Management, (SAM), prior to submitting a quotation. Registration is free and registration can be completed online at www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM.

Questions.  All questions pertaining to this solicitation must be in writing.  All questions will be addressed by email only.  Submit questions referencing solicitation number 12405B23Q0371 electronically via email to monte.jordan@usda.gov.  Questions are due July 5, 2023, no later than 12:00 p.m. Central Time (CT).  Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.

Submission of Quotation.  Quotation referencing solicitation number 12405B23Q0371 should be submitted electronically via email to monte.jordan@usda.gov by Monday, July 10, 2023, no later than 3:00 p.m. Central Time (CT).  No late quotations will be accepted.

In order to be considered for award, Offerors shall respond by submitting:

• Fully completed and signed SF1449 Offer page referencing solicitation number 12405B23Q0371; acknowledgment of any amendments (if applicable)
• Firm Fixed-Price quotation (on company letterhead) detailing item description, unit price per item, total price and delivery costs as well as any applicable duties, brokerage, or customs fees.  As listed in section 3.2 Base Bid of Statement of Work, contractor shall perform the work as specified in the Statement of Work.  All quotations/proposals shall be in an unlocked MS Word format and all cost quotations/proposals shall be detailed and presented in unlocked MS Excel format with formulas working.
• Provide SAM Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

Quotation must be valid for at least 60 days after receipt of quotation.  Items delivered FOB destination inclusive of all costs.

Rejection of Quotation.  Failure to demonstrate compliance will be cause to reject the quotation without further discussion.  All responsible sources may submit an offer and will be considered.

The following clauses and provisions apply to this acquisition. 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference; 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS; 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS applies,; 52.222-3, Convict Labor; 52.233-3, Protest after award; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222- 37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.222-19, Child Labor - Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies; 52.223-2 Affirmative Procurement of Biobased Products Under Service and Construction Contracts; 52.223-15 Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products; 52.223-17 Affirmative Procurement of EPA-designated Items in Service and Construction Contracts; 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases; 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - System for Award Management; applicable to this acquisition; 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference; 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS; 52.223-1 Biobased Product Certification; 52.223-4 Recovered Materials Certification; 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items ; 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS; 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services.

Prospective contractors who have not completed electronic annual representations and certifications at http://www.sam.gov/ in conjunction with required registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) database, shall complete and submit FAR 52.212-3 Alternative 1 Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items and DFARS Representations and Certifications in SAM to be eligible to receive an award for this solicitation.

Any amendments and documents related to this procurement will be available electronically at the Governmentwide Point of Entry (GPE) SAM. Please continue to monitor this site for the release of any further amendments (if any) or other information pertaining to this solicitation.