October 12, 2012 Subject: Addendum #3 IFB No. 112-12 CNG Gas Detection Repair and Maintenance Please be advised of the following questions and responses: 1. Question #1: If the MBTA Everett and Arborway CNG Gas Detection Systems are not fully accepted by the Electrical Maintenance Department, who is currently responsible for their ongoing maintenance, service, and CNG sensor calibration. Please provide a MBTA department name/contact information. The CNG Gas Detection Systems are currently being inspected and maintained by the Electrical Maintenance Department. The point of contact is the Electrical Maintenance Dept; the Supervisor, Electrical Inspector, and Engineer. 2. Question #1: Based on our recent review of the jobsites, it is apparent that the MBTA Southampton CNG Gas Detection System is not fully operational as per its original design (for the purpose intended). Who will be responsible for the replacement of the failed central GE Cimplicity Computer System, CNG Gas Detection Application Software Development, and the 12KVA UPS equipment needed to return this CNG Gas Detection & Emergency Shutdown System back to its minimal operational functions, (as per the original design requirements). Southhampton CNG Gas Detection System maintenance is included in this contract. Refer to 4.0A5 Maintenance Requirements. Approved repairs shall be covered in Emergency Service on the Schedule of Prices. The Southampton CNG Gas Detection System is scheduled for a complete replacement and upgrade, this will be managed by the Construction Department and is not included in the scope of this contract. 3. Question #2: How can the contractor be responsible for providing the required custom application software developed specifically for each of your sites. Do you have development copies of the CNG Gas Detection System application software for each site or do you have an ongoing support agreement with the manufacturer of each installation. Please specify which sites have such a manufacturer support agreement in place Refer to Section 4.0A1 Maintenance Requirements; the contractor shall provide all software. Everett and Arborway are new installations and have not been fully accepted by Electrical Maintenance, application software will be required before final acceptance. Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Ten Park Plaza, Suite 3910, Boston, MA 02116 Tel: 617-222-3106, TDD 617-222-5146 www.mbta.com
4. Question #3: Please clarify your answer, the question asks if the manufacturer of each installed system has provided written testing criteria or does the MBTA have written test procedures for each of the sites. Please provide a copy of these test procedures so that an accurate bid can be developed for the labor & materials required to complete these tests. These documents are not available at this time for all systems. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to test in compliance with the Authority and system manufacturers. Refer to 3.0; Scope of Work and 4.0 Maintenance Requirements. 5. Question #10: The question asks the MBTA to provide a pdf copy of each CNG Gas Detection System s Operations & Maintenance Manuals and Manufacturer s Parts List. The answer was that this information is not available in pfd format at this time. In lieu of this request could you provide a list of all available O&M Manuals/Equipment Parts Lists for these systems that are currently in MBTA s possession and where they can be reviewed prior to the bid opening date/time. These documents are not available at this time for all systems All CNG Detection Systems Maintenance Documents currently available are in the possession of Electrical Maintenance and available for review at 21 Arlington Ave, Charlestown. 6. Question #11: Same follow-up questions as in item #3 for Question #2. Refer to Section 4.0A1 Maintenance Requirements; the contractor shall provide all software. The site specific software is not available at this time. 7. Question #12: The MBTA was asked to provide site-specific as-built drawing to which the response was that they are not available at this time. Do you have any site specific as-built drawings and/or do you anticipate that any will be available at a future date? When? These documents are not available at this time for all systems All CNG Detection Systems Maintenance Documents currently available are in the possession of Electrical Maintenance and available for review at 21 Arlington Ave, Charlestown. Everett and Arborway are new installations and have not been fully accepted by Electrical Maintenance, as-built drawings will be received prior to final acceptance. 8. Question #19: Please advise if any of the CNG Gas Detection Systems have the required design documentation to facilitate the quarterly performance tests? The MBTA s response was that the requested design specification documents were not available at this time for all systems. Do you anticipate that any will be available at a future date in time for the quarterly performance tests? When?
These documents are not available at this time for all systems All CNG Detection Systems Maintenance Documents currently available are in the possession of Electrical Maintenance and available for review at 21 Arlington Ave, Charlestown. Everett and Arborway are new installations and have not been fully accepted by Electrical Maintenance, all requested documentation will be received prior to final acceptance. 9. Question #22: As per your response, our system engineers have reviewed each of the installed sites identified in your IFB 112-12; in order to determine the original CNG Gas Detection system designer OEM equipment manufacturer and software application developer. Could you verify the following information is correct: Please verify the below listed information for accuracy: CNG Repair/Maintenance Site Original CNG Gas Detection System Manufacturer A. Charlestown Temporary Sierra Monitor Corporation; Phone (408) 262-6611 B. Arborway Temporary U.S. Automation, Inc.; Phone: (860) 235-7766 Allen Bradley PLC, Maple Systems HMI, and GE Intellution ifix V5.1 SCADA Software C. Cabot Temporary CNG Sierra Monitor Corporation; Phone (408) 262-6611 D. Cabot Main CNG U.S. Automation, Inc.; Phone: (860) 235-7766 Proprietary Redundant Siemens Quadlog DCS, Maple System HMI & ifix 3.5 SCADA Software E. Southampton St. CNG Original Manufacturer (Deceased as of 2009); Due to Major Modifications Required in 2008 & 2010; U.S. Automation Purchased License Rights to the Proprietary GE Series 6 Redundant Genius I/O Software Programming in 2008. -- (Also Note; the Wonderware InTouch HMI needs Replacement) F. Everett Bus Garage CNG U.S. Automation, Inc.; Phone: (860) 235-7766
Proprietary Allen Bradley PLC, Maple Systems HMI & Intellution ifix V4.0 SCADA Software It is important to note that the Charlestown Temporary and Cabot Temporary CNG Buildings do not require any special software support services to maintain the full functionality of the installed CNG Gas Detection Systems. However, with the exception of the new MBTA Arborway CNG Gas Detection Systems for Buildings 1 & 2; all of the HMI computer system software and proprietary DCS/PLC software programming code for the three largest facilities is only available from the manufacturer; U.S. Automation. Refer to Section 2.0 F Qualifications of Contractor; it shall be understood that prospective Contractors have examined the premises and systems and equipment 10. Question #22; Same as Question #21, please verify this detailed information. Refer to Section 2.0 F Qualifications of Contractor; it shall be understood that prospective Contractors have examined the premises and systems and equipment 11. Question #23: Can a bidder subcontract a portion of this work, in order to meet the 14% MBE requirements. It appears that this MBE subcontracting will not be authorized unless it is expressly approved by the Authority? Please clarify. Yes, a bidder may subcontract to meet the specification/contract requirements. Refer to Section 4.0A7: Sub-contracting of any portion of this contract will not be allowed unless expressly authorized by the MBTA 12. Question #28: Same question as above regarding as-built record documentation. Please clarify. These documents are not available at this time for all systems All CNG Detection Systems Maintenance Documents currently available are in the possession of Electrical Maintenance and available for review at 21 Arlington Ave, Charlestown. Everett and Arborway are new installations and have not been fully accepted by Electrical Maintenance, as-built drawings will be received prior to final acceptance. 13. Question #37: The answer to this question was that the bidder shall list similar current/past contracts to demonstrate their experience, but are not limited to CNG Installation/Repair/Maintenance. Could you provide some clarification to assist us in selecting acceptable similar contracts involving support for dual and triple redundant custom built PLC-based safety systems. Required Schedules shall list similar current contracts
14. Question #38: Please clarify if the MBTA currently has any CNG GAS Detection System equipment service and/or software support contract agreement with the original manufacturers? Refer to Section 4.0A1 Maintenance Requirements; the contractor shall provide all software. The site specific software is not available at this time. Everett and Arborway are new installations and have not been fully accepted by Electrical Maintenance, all requested documentation will be received prior to final acceptance. 15. Question #38: Also in order to meet the original design requirements, does the bidder needs to use approved replacement parts and software modifications that are authorized by the original equipment manufacturer. Refer to Section 4.0A1; Contractor shall maintain adequate replacement parts to fulfill all requirements of this contractor. Refer to Section 5.0 Material Requirements. 16. Question #39: Same question asked previously. Can the MBTA provide a specific listing of all the available design documents and the original sequence of operations for each of the specified CNG Gas Detection Systems. These documents are not available at this time for all systems All CNG Detection Systems Maintenance Documents currently available are in the possession of Electrical Maintenance and available for review at 21 Arlington Ave, Charlestown. Everett and Arborway are new installations and have not been fully accepted by Electrical Maintenance, all requested documentation will be received prior to final acceptance. 17. Question #40: As part of the quarterly Calibration Testing, the specification requires the bidder to provide comprehensive on-site testing to demonstrate in front of authorized MBTA Electrical Department representatives that each of the listed CNG Gas Detection & Emergency Shutdown Systems performs all of the specified functions as per the original design contract. How can the prospective bidders accurately evaluate the work needed to complete these performance tests until the MBTA produces the design documentation to specify the original intent, features, functions, and specifications. It is important to note that all of the installed CNG Gas Detection equipment was custom designed for each facility and that they do not perform the same in each MBTA location. Please clarify your response to answer the question asked. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to test in compliance with the Authority and system manufacturers. Refer to 3.0; Scope of Work and 4.0 Maintenance Requirements.
18. Question #42: How can the MBTA Electrical Department service and adequately maintain the existing CNG Gas Detection System without the software programs, access passwords, (which would allow the review of ongoing system error logs and other troubleshooting information), and all of the original design documents. Does the Electrical Department have access to the software support tools needed to maintain these systems in proper working order? If the MBTA has access to these support tools are they available to the successful bidder. Please clarify the types of support tools that the MBTA has in its possession. These documents are not available at this time for all systems All CNG Detection systems Maintenance Documents currently available are in the possession of Electrical Maintenance and available for review at 21 Arlington Ave, Charlestown. Everett and Arborway are new installations and have not been fully accepted by Electrical Maintenance, all requested documentation will be received prior to final acceptance. 19. Question #42: To the best of our knowledge, the failed Southampton Central HMI Computer Monitoring/Data Logging System and UPS emergency power supply have not been replaced to date. Who will be responsible for the replacement of these critical CNG Gas Detection System components? Southhampton CNG Gas Detection System maintenance is included in this contract. Refer to 4.0A5 Maintenance Requirements. Approved repairs shall be covered in Emergency Service on the Schedule of Prices. 20. Questions #42: Also it appears that none of the PLC software alarm records/logs, error reset counters, or other related performance/error history has been accessed by the MBTA Electrical Department at the four largest MBTA facilities for a period of at least 9 months; please verify this information. The CNG Gas Detection Systems are currently being inspected and maintained by the Electrical Maintenance Department. 21. Question #43: The question asked; What is the current status of the required UPS repairs and central computer equipment component replacements at the MBTA Southampton CNG Gas Detection System, since it has been less than 50% functional for more than one (1) year. Obviously this system cannot be tested to show that it performs in accordance with the original design specifications until
the replacement system is installed or extensive repairs are completed. The answer was that the CNG Gas Detection Systems are currently being inspected and maintained by the Electrical Department. Please verify that this installed system is performing in accordance with the original design requirements. The Southampton CNG Gas Detection System is scheduled for a complete replacement and upgrade, this will be managed by the Construction Department and is not included in the scope of this contract. 22. Question #45: If a bidder complies with Massachusetts General Law Section 141 and also the Division of Professional Licensure; Rules and Regulations Governing Electricians and System Installers in particular; 237 CMR 18.00; Rules Governing Practice; then this IFB 112-12 would not require the prime bidder to be a MA Licensed Electrical Contractor. After a detailed review of these CMR regulations we can find no reason that a MA General Contractor cannot hire a MA licensed Electrician Contractor to perform all of the required electrical installation, gas detector sensor replacements, conduit, and other electrical wiring work as per M.G.L Chapter 141; Please clarify this issue in detail. All work must comply with Massachusetts General Laws, Section 141, and also the Division of Professional Licensure; Rules and Regulations Governing Electricians and Systems Installers in particular; 237 CMR 18.00: Rules Governing Practice. 23. Question #50 thru #54: Same as above follow-up questions. Please provide detailed listing of all documentation that is available as a reference to this CNG Gas Detection Maintenance & Repair contract. These documents are not available at this time for all systems All CNG Detection Systems Maintenance Documents currently available are in the possession of Electrical Maintenance and available for review at 21 Arlington Ave, Charlestown. Everett and Arborway are new installations and have not been fully accepted by Electrical Maintenance, all requested documentation will be received prior to final acceptance. 24. Question #56: The IFB 112-12 Bid Guaranty Section 3.7, states that the amount of such guaranty shall be equal to 5% of the total bid price, which I would assume would be the same as the Basis of Award listed at the bottom of Page No. 6; Has the Basis of Award been changed to only the Total of the Initial Two Year Contract. Please clarify and advise. The Basis of Award remains as originally stated in IFB #112-12, Section 2.3 Material List
25. Due to the extensive number of important follow-up questions concerning this IFB, it is respectfully requested that the bid be extended for period of one week, to allow for sufficient time to incorporate these answers into our bid proposal. This is extremely important to insure that all bids are responsive to your bid Requirements There will be no further extensions for IFB #112-12. All other terms and conditions remain in effect. Bidders are to acknowledge receipt of this and other Addenda on their bid response. Sincerely, Daniel G. Smith Deputy Director, Materials cc: T. Connor J. MacEachern