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RFQ 36C249-21-Q-0252 Questions and Answers for Circuit Breaker Replacement RFI: - The SOW states the following, "It is the responsibility of the vendor to verify the breakers stated to be replaced a... RFQ 36C249-21-Q-0252 Questions and Answers for Circuit Breaker Replacement RFI: - The SOW states the following, "It is the responsibility of the vendor to verify the breakers stated to be replaced are correct and any measurements within the existing switchgear cubicles to determine the proper fit and operation of the direct replacement breakers and any outages required for the verification of measurements is to be coordinated with the COR, with no less than a two (2) weeks notice. 1. The solicitation already calls out the exact breakers that are required. Is it a concern that these are not the correct breakers or is the government stating the requirement is accurate? This bold section above is confusing and places the responsibility on the breaker type being correct on the bidder when it is already being called a requirement in the SOW. VA Response: The breakers listed in the SOW are what is currently installed, not necessarily the breakers we want to replace them with. We have had vendors request the opportunity to take measurements or at least look at the cubicles to make sure there are no modifications needed for their breakers to fit in the current switchgear or that the current switchgear hasn t been modified previously. If the vendor can guarantee their breakers will fit without requiring a site visit, that is acceptable, but the responsibility is theirs to guarantee their breakers will fit in the current cubicles without needing to modify the cubicles. 2. Are there concerns with fitment issues within the cubicles? VA Response: The concerns with fitment are for the vendor to determine. If they can guarantee their breakers are a direct replacement for this switchgear and require no modifications, then there is no concern. 3. Is the government looking for a vendor to do a site visit, take measurements, and then confirm the breakers in the SOW are in fact correct, prior to their purchase? This can potentially be done but would like to clarify. VA Response: The breakers listed in the SOW are what we are wanting to replace and not necessarily with the same manufacturer. So even though the ones listed are currently installed, if another vendor is chosen, then they need to verify their breakers are a direct replacement. If the vendor requires a site visit to do so, then yes we will want the vendor to do a site visit to do what is necessary to guarantee fitment. 4. Can the government provide any report that was provided that shows the measurements that were taken and the recommended breakers, along with any findings for modifications that are already known to exist? It seems from the previous RFI response that OEMs have been on-site and made recommendations. Can we be provided a sanitized copy (pricing removed, etc)? VA Response: At this point, we have not had a vendor complete a site visit to take measurements because there is a cost and that cost needs to be absorbed as part of this breaker replacement. The only documentation of modifications is the extension of the existing switchgear to accommodate more cubicles, however there are 3 types of breakers that may have different racking mechanisms and control wiring connections that may need verification. That is the intent of the site visit by the vendor. It is the vendor s responsibility for all verification of current conditions and installation to determine the fitment of their breakers. 5. Can / will the government provide the most recent data for the coordination study, i.e., utility, etc? VA Response: The VA will have to determine when the last coordination study was completed and if it is up-to-date. This is another vendor responsibility as well. The VA can work with the vendor chosen to supply what information is available for them to complete a coordination study.  6. To verify relay settings, after breaker installation, what types of relays are in place now? Electromechanical or Solid State? VA Response: The current relays are Schweitzer SEL-751. The vendor just needs to verify the current relay settings and that there are no changes required for correct operation of their breakers.       7. Price Schedule only identifies the breaker replacement (product), but not the services (installation and testing). Does the government desire these services to be priced into the breakers or pulled out separately as its own CLIN? VA Response: It is dependent on the vendor. Some vendors will quote labor for installation and testing as part of the breaker cost and others will break it out as a separate line item. As long as it is documented in their scope of work what they will complete for the stated price, then it can be shown either way. 8. In the Solicitation, it states the "main distribution medium voltage breakers are obsolete and do not have direct replacements", however these are not obsolete. These should be available, however, lead times will have to be taken into consideration at time of order for the two week notice period where the COR coordinates with the awardee for ensuring there are no fitment issues (there should be none).  VA Response: The switchgear itself is what is obsolete and requires retrofit breakers since there are no OEM replacement options for this switchgear. The current breakers are retrofit options from Siemens and previous to those there were some ABB/ITE breakers in this switchgear, so there have been multiple iterations of retrofit breakers for this switchgear. There are currently 3 types of breakers in the switchgear and at least 1 manufacturer has proposed a solution so we have only 2 types moving forward, which minimizes the spares needed. At least 1 manufacturer has proposed taking measurements to make sure their breakers are direct replacements without modifications to the cubicles, which is the need to coordinate with the COR if this is required by the manufacturer. I have attached 3 nameplates for the 3 types of breakers currently installed in this switchgear. (SEE BELOW)  9. For the existing circuit breakers, is the government interested in a quote that allows for all 12 of the existing breakers to be tested & inspected at our facility once they are replaced? These would have a report for each with all recommendations for any required repairs and reconditioning that would require the government's approval prior to proceeding. Please advise. This would be a great way for the government to gain a spare breaker for each replacement breaker being put in its place. VA Response: We are not requesting that all 12 original breakers are tested and inspected after removal. Two of the replacements are actually spare breakers currently and can be used as spare in the future. If we decide to have them tested and inspected it will be part of another quotation and not part of this RFQ. Photo s supplied for reference of the three types of breakers being replaced (Question 8 above), quantity of each type is specified in the RFQ