PLEASE NOTE: As long as you are registered for this IFB you will continue to receive these notices. If you plan to not respond to this IFB with a bid submittal, you may want to access the eProcurement Marketplace and mark "No Bid." Once you have done such, you will not continue to receive any notices pertaining to this IFB.
We have received the following request for information and hereby respond following:
(1) QUESTION. “Can Elevator Controls Inc. be added to the list of approved 3rd party controller manufacturers?”
AGENCY RESPONSE. Yes, Elevator Controls Inc. can be added to the list of 3rd party controller manufactures.
(2) QUESTION. “It was my understand that Portland Housing is required to obtain multiple bids for elevator maintenance. Most of the standard OEM’s use proprietary equipment that only the manufacturer will be able to service adequately which will make getting adequate competitive maintenance bids difficult or impossible in the future. I would suggest that you require the base bid to use non-proprietary controls, machines and door equipment and then entertain alternate proposals from the major OEM’s (Otis, Thyssen Kone). That would allow you to evaluate whether any cost savings are worth the future loss of choice and control over maintenance contract costs and terms.
a. The 3rd part controls listed in Addenda 3 (MCE – I Control, Smartrise C4, and GAL Galaxy) as well as Elevator Controls Inc Pixel system listed above are all good choices for non-proprietary controller manufacturers.
b. OEM Gearless machine can now also have proprietary issues so you should limit base bid options to the manufacturers listed in the spec (Imperial Electric, Torin, and Hollister-Whitney) for the gearless machines.”
AGENCY RESPONSE. If I am interpreting this correctly and if this is not addressed properly, it would put our OEM bidders at an unfair advantage. OEM bidders could use proprietary equipment that only the OEM could service. This would force us to only have a single source service provider for the next 20 years, or longer. Essentially, what we gain on the upfront cost savings is quickly lost in service cost due to lack of competition. PLEASE NOTICE that pricing lines within the eProcurement Marketplace will now have the additional NOTE added to clarify pricing the revised pricing requirements:
“PLEASE NOTE: PHA is required to obtain multiple vendor bids for ongoing elevator maintenance. All equipment supplied must be Non-Proprietary equipment that may be serviceable by others. After bid deadline, the apparent low bidder will provide names and phone numbers of 3 other area service companies that can provide service on the installed equipment. These companies must also be able to respond and be onsite within two hours of PHA placing the call for service.”
(3) QUESTION. “Is the Fire Command Center at Franklin Towers complete and if so are we to provide an elevator control panel for that fire command center?”
AGENCY RESPONSE. The fire command center at Franklin Towers is complete. Yes, an elevator control panel will need to be provided if the new elevator cannot be controlled by the existing control panel.
(4) QUESTION. “Does Harbor Terrace have a Fire Command Center and if so are we to provide a control panel for that as well?”
AGENCY RESPONSE. Harbor Terrace does not have a Fire Command Center.
(5) QUESTION. “In the IFB packet section 2.2.22, it states Time of Completion shall be within 180 consecutive days from time of notice to proceed. Please note, this is not possible unless an extremely expedited installation schedule is approved, and even then it is near impossible. We are looking at about 16 weeks of lead time with ordering and manufacturing, 9+ weeks per car (x4) for installation, and 2+ days for state inspection/testing. 400+ days is more realistic from time Notice to Proceed. Please confirm if there is exception to this 180 day requirement.”
AGENCY RESPONSE. Please see Addendum #3, QUESTION (3).
(6) QUESTION. “For the $15k Cab Interiors Allowance, is that to be carried in the base bid?”
AGENCY RESPONSE. Please see Addendum #3, QUESTION (4).
(7) QUESTION. “Based on our onsite walk through, it was determined that there was no onsite storage for elevator/construction equipment. I just wanted to confirm that there will be parking lot space provide for successful bidder to put storage box onsite and/or Portland Housing will provide covered/weather protected storage onsite.”
AGENCY RESPONSE. Space will be provided at each site. PHA will either provide storage inside the building or a parking space so the awarded Contractor can place a storage unit onsite.
(8) QUESTION. “Due date of February 24 is a very quick turn around with only a week after questions are answered to complete bid and get bid bonds submitted. Is an extension to at least March 1 possible?”
AGENCY RESPONSE. Please see Addendum #4.
(9) QUESTION/CLARIFICATION. I believe your intent is to end up with a “turnkey” project, which makes sense for a project and scope this size. I have copied this section title from the Franklin Towers Project Manual (44 Pages and it is also listed this way in the Harbor Terrace Project Manual), that will throw a curve to all of the bidders. A suggestion from previous projects that I have worked on would be to have a line item price for the elevator work and a separate line item price for other trades. Having this information will allow you to dig a bit deeper when comparing the bids received. If there is a large variation between pricing, you will be able to tell if it is with the elevator scope of work or other trades scope of work and ask more detailed questions during your evaluations.
AGENCY RESPONSE. The Prime (Elevator) Contractor shall provide a “turnkey” project at close-out, including mechanical and electrical scope indicated within the drawings and specifications, and as required to meet current elevator and building codes, to facilitate the modernization of elevators at both Franklin Tower and Harbor Terrace.
Mechanical and Electrical costs associated with the Elevator Modernization of Franklin Towers and Harbor Terrace shall be included in the Base Bid: Firm-fixed Fee for each, as directed in 1.0 IFB Document Sections 3.2.1.1 and 3.2.2.1.
We are grateful for your interest in doing business with our Agency and we look forward to receiving a bid submittal from your firm.
Regards,
Heather Kaufman
Procurement Coordinator |
