Generator Replacement at Various FEMS Engine Houses And Facilities

Q (No subject): What is the qualification for reward? Is it lowest price technically acceptable bid?

A: Award will be made to the lowest evaluated bidder per engine house, who is responsive and responsible.

Q (Question 1 – Design Responsibility): Please confirm the extent of the Contractor’s design responsibility. Is the Contractor acting as the Engineer of Record for all disciplines (electrical, structural, mechanical), or will DGS provide design support or bridging documents beyond the conceptual Scope of Work?

A: Please refer to Attachment B with existing and recommended equipment sizes. The Engineer of Record is responsible for verifying all information and preparing sealed shop drawings and documents required for the DOB building permit. It is the Contractor's responsibility to ensure verification by the Contractor's registered Engineer/Designer.

Q (Question 2 – Gas Service and Upgrades): Several sites indicate that existing gas service is insufficient and requires verification with Washington Gas. Please confirm whether all gas service upgrades, regulators, and coordination costs are to be included in the Contractor’s base bid or if any portion will be handled by the utility or owner.

A: Attachment B provides the available 2 psi gas service information for each site. The Contractor is responsible for verifying actual gas availability with Washington Gas after contract award. Any required gas service upgrades, regulators, or coordination with the utility are to be included in the Contractor’s scope unless otherwise noted by Washington Gas.

Q (Question 3 – Generator Type Feasibility): Since natural gas generator feasibility will be determined post-award, please confirm whether bidders are to assume full compliance with natural gas installation requirements at all sites, including any required infrastructure upgrades, or if adjustments will be made post-award based on feasibility.

A: Bidders should assume full compliance with natural gas installation requirements at all sites based on the available 2 psi gas information in Attachment B. However, actual feasibility and final gas availability must be verified by the Contractor with Washington Gas post award. Any required infrastructure upgrades or changes identified after coordination with Washington Gas will be addressed post award in accordance with actual site conditions.

Q (Question 4 – Electrical Infrastructure): Please confirm the extent of electrical scope, including whether replacement or upgrades of feeders, panels, or distribution equipment are required to support the new generator and ATS systems, or if the Contractor is to connect to existing infrastructure as-is.

A: The project is a full backup generator upgrade, which includes replacement of the generator and ATS. The Contractor should assume all necessary electrical work to support the new equipment, including any required rough in conduits, piping, and associated wiring. Existing panels and the main distribution panel (MDP) are expected to remain, and an MDP replacement is not required. However, some breaker upgrades or adjustments may be needed and can be addressed post award based on actual field conditions. The Contractor’s base scope shall include all work necessary to deliver a fully operational upgraded generator system.

Q (Question 5 – Conduit and Feeder Routing): Since generator and ATS locations will be finalized post-award, please confirm whether there are any maximum assumed distances for conduit and feeder runs to be included in the base bid.

A: There are no assumed maximum conduit or feeder run distances included in the base bid. Generator and ATS locations will be finalized post award, and once locations are confirmed, it becomes the Contractor’s sole responsibility to provide all necessary conduit, feeders, and routing required to deliver a complete and operational system.

Q (Question 6 – Structural Responsibility): Please confirm whether structural analysis and any required reinforcements (including pads, dunnage, or roof structural upgrades) are fully the responsibility of the Contractor and should be included in the base bid.

A: Structural analysis and all required structural reinforcements — including pads, dunnage, and any roof or support upgrades — are fully the Contractor’s responsibility and must be included in the base bid. The Contractor’s Engineer of Record is responsible for performing the structural assessment and providing all necessary modifications to support the new generator and ATS installations.

Q (Question 7 – Temporary Power Requirements): Please confirm whether temporary generators are required to support full building load or critical loads only when outages exceed 24 hours.

A: Temporary generators are not required, as the existing generator remains fully functional and will support the building until the new generator and ATS are installed. The Contractor shall coordinate the final switchover date and time once the new equipment is ready.

Q (Question 8 – Unforeseen Conditions): Please confirm how unforeseen existing conditions (including underground utilities, structural limitations, or electrical deficiencies) will be handled beyond the $10,000 allowance per site.

A: Unforeseen existing conditions that fall outside the defined scope and exceed the $10,000 per site allowance will be evaluated by DGS. If determined to be legitimately outside the Contractor’s contractual responsibilities and required in order to complete the project, DGS will issue a change order under a new purchase order and contract modification to cover the additional cost.

Q (Question 9 – Demolition and Access): For generators located in constrained areas (such as basements or rooftops), please confirm whether all demolition, structural openings, and restoration required for removal and installation are to be included in the base bid.

A: All demolition, structural openings, and restoration required to remove existing generators and install the new units — including work in basements, rooftops, or other constrained areas — must be included in the Contractor’s base bid. The Contractor is responsible for providing all means and methods necessary to complete the removal and installation in the available space.

Q (Question 10 – BAS Integration): Please confirm whether all costs associated with BAS integration, including coordination, programming, graphics updates, and third-party vendor involvement (Intellimation), are to be included in the Contractor’s scope.

A: All BAS integration costs are to be included in the Contractor’s scope. This includes full coordination with Intellimation, obtaining their pricing, and covering all required programming, graphics updates, and integration work as part of the base bid.

Q (Question 11 – Basis of Bid Evaluation): Please clarify the basis of bid evaluation. The Bid Form identifies Natural Gas generators as the base bid with Diesel as an add/deduct alternate; however, the evaluation language indicates that Diesel pricing may be included in determining the lowest evaluated bid. Please confirm which generator type (Natural Gas or Diesel) will be used for bid evaluation purposes and how alternates will be applied in the evaluation.

A: The evaluation language does not indicate that Diesel pricing may be included in determining the lowest evaluated bid. Please refer to Section B.3.2.2 which states " For purposes of evaluation, the Lowest Evaluated Bid shall be determined solely based on the Lump Sum Price for the Base Bid (CLIN 001 General Work Requirements and CLIN 002 Natural Gas-Fueled Generator)" and Section B.3.2.3 which states "The Bidder acknowledges that Alternate 01 is an optional configuration and is not included in the initial Lowest Evaluated Bid evaluation". The basis of bid evaluation is CLIN 001 (General Work Requirements) and CLIN 002 (Natural Gas-Fueled Generator).

Q (Question 12 – Bid Coverage (All Sites vs. Partial Bid)): Please confirm whether bidders are required to submit pricing for all listed Engine Houses and facilities, or if partial bids for select sites will be accepted. If partial bids are permitted, please clarify how the Department will evaluate such bids.

A: The Department is contemplating the award of eight (8) Lump Sum Price contracts, one per engine house, as a result of this IFB. Award will be made to the lowest evaluated bidder (See Section B.3.2 for CLINs to be included in the determination of the Lowest Evaluated Bid) per engine house, who is responsive and responsible. Bidders MUST submit pricing for all CLINs within an engine house to be considered for award, however bidders are not required to bid on every engine house.

Q (Question 13 – CLIN Pricing Breakdown Clarification): Please clarify the intended scope breakdown between CLIN 001 (General Work Requirements) and CLIN 002 (Natural Gas-Fueled Generator). Specifically, confirm which costs are to be included under each CLIN, including but not limited to demolition, installation, electrical work, fuel system modifications, pads/foundations, and associated infrastructure. The current structure is subject to varying interpretations, which may result in inconsistent bid pricing.

A: CLIN 001 (General Work Requirements) should include all general conditions, mobilization, project management, permitting, coordination, protection of existing systems, and any site wide requirements that are not specific to the generator equipment itself. CLIN 002 (Natural Gas Fueled Generator) should include all generator related work, including demolition, installation, electrical connections, fuel system modifications, pads/foundations, and all associated infrastructure required to provide a fully operational generator system.

Q (Question 14 – Bid Form CLIN 022 Labeling Clarification): In the Bid Form, CLIN 022 appears to be labeled as “Generator Replacement for Training Lower South”; however, it is understood that this CLIN corresponds to the Ready Reserve North (E24) facility. Please confirm the correct facility associated with CLIN 022.

A: Please refer to Addendum No. 1 and 2 for the correct bid form. CLIN 22 corresponds to Ready Reserve North E24.

Q (E 16 - Gas Piping): The installation of new 4‑inch gas piping from the Gas Room located in the alley to the roof involves a substantial distance and is estimated to require a minimum of five (5) days. To reduce installation time, may we utilize the existing penetrations through all three floors, the walls, and the roof? Please note that this approach would require the existing generator to be disconnected and non‑operational for approximately five (5) days. Is this acceptable?

A: Yes, contractor may we utilize the existing penetrations through all three floors, the walls, and the roof? As part of the scope, the Contractor shall be responsible to refinish/repaint any damage modifications to drywall necessary to complete the installation of new gas piping. @ E16 - this location can be without emergency back up power for up to 92 hours during shoulder season (October -December) (March-May)