Boiler Blowdown Drainpipe Repair, Corpus Christi

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions and clarifications regarding the boiler replacement project.

• Pipe Run Length: The approximate pipe run length from the boiler to the termination point is estimated to be between 17' and 25'.
• Pipe Diameter: The pipe diameter is 4 inches.
• Pipe Material: The material of the currently installed pipe is unknown but appears to be a form of PVC.
• Boiler Information: The boiler is a Cleaver-Brooks ClearFire model CFH.
• Photos Provided: Photos of the boiler, mechanical room/area, and concrete demolition area have been provided.
• Concrete Slab Thickness: The thickness of the concrete slab in the demolition area is unknown.
• Existing Drawings: There are no known existing drawings (as-builts or sketches) of the boiler installation and blowdown line routing.
• Pipe Depth: The pipe is installed approximately 44" from floor level to the bottom of the drain.

These clarifications provide specific details regarding existing conditions and components, which may impact bidder assessments of the scope of work, material requirements, and demolition/installation efforts. Bidders should incorporate this information into their proposals.

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment 0001 to the solicitation. It incorporates a revised Statement of Work (SOW) which begins on the second page of this amendment. A Word document detailing the specific changes is also posted.

• Statement of Work (SOW)

No changes to proposal deadlines or submission requirements are mentioned in this amendment, other than the incorporation of the revised SOW.

Statement of Work (SOW)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Cotton and Tobacco Program (CTP) requires the repair and replacement of a boiler blowdown drainpipe located beneath the concrete floor of the Corpus Christi Classing Office's mechanical room. The goal is to ensure safe, code-compliant drainage and prevent further water intrusion or structural damage.

The contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, and supervision for the following tasks:

• Pre-Work: Site visit, scheduling coordination, utility identification, safety measures.

• Demolition & Access: Saw-cutting and removing concrete, excavating to access the pipe, protecting adjacent equipment.

• Drainpipe Removal: Removing the existing pipe and disposing of debris.

• Installation: Installing a new, high-temperature-suitable drainpipe with proper slope, alignment, and secure connections. Includes new fittings, supports, and potential thermal protection.

• Testing: Performing leak and functional flow testing of the new line.

• Concrete Restoration: Backfilling, compacting, installing vapor barrier (if applicable), pouring, and finishing new concrete to match existing.

• Cleanup: Removing debris and restoring the mechanical room to a clean, operational condition.

• Completed and tested drainpipe installation.

• Restored concrete floor.

• As-built documentation (pipe routing, materials).

• Warranty information.

• Compliance with OSHA standards.

• Adherence to USDA facility access and security protocols.

• Qualified personnel experienced in boiler piping and concrete repair.

• Maintenance of a clean and safe work environment.

• Work to be performed during normal business hours unless otherwise approved.

• Location: Corpus Christi Classing Office, Corpus Christi, Texas.

• Schedule coordination is required to minimize boiler system downtime.

• Successful completion of all functional and leak tests.

• Concrete floor restoration and curing.

• Mechanical room cleanliness.

• Submission and approval of all required documentation.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotations (RFQ) for the repair and replacement of a boiler blowdown drainpipe at the USDA Corpus Christi Cotton Classing Office. The existing drain line has failed, and this project aims to restore safe, code-compliant drainage and prevent further damage.

• Repair and replacement of the boiler blowdown drainpipe located beneath the concrete floor of the facility’s mechanical room.

• Restoration of safe, code-compliant drainage.

• Prevention of further water intrusion or structural damage.

• Compliance with Federal Construction Wage Rates for Nueces County (Attachment 2).

• Award will be made on Standard Form 1442.

• Estimated magnitude of the project is between $25,000 and $100,000.

• The contractor must commence work within five calendar days after the Notice to Proceed and complete all work within 120 days of the Notice to Proceed.

• A payment bond will be required within 10 days of award.

• Quotes must be submitted by February 23, 2026, at 12 p.m. CT to james.g.roloff@usda.gov.

• Quote package must include the RFQ page, a demonstration of relevant experience, and past performance information.

• Award will be made on a lowest price, technically acceptable basis.

• Evaluation factors include Price (including realism) and Technical Capability (relevant HVAC experience).

• Past performance will also be assessed.

• Questions must be submitted by February 16, 2026, at 12 p.m. CT to james.g.roloff@usda.gov.

• This acquisition is [Information not specified in the provided text].

• All responsible sources may submit a quotation.

• Attachments include: Statement of Work (Attachment 1) and Federal Construction Wage Rates, Nueces County (Attachment 2).

• A site visit is scheduled for February 9, 2026, at 10 a.m. CT.

• USDA is exempt from sales tax.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides the prevailing wage rates for various construction trades in Aransas, Nueces, and San Patricio Counties, Texas, applicable to building construction projects (excluding single-family homes and apartments up to four stories). It serves as a mandatory attachment for solicitations requiring compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act.

• Lists specific trades (e.g., Boilermaker, Electrician, Carpenter, Laborer, Operator, Plumber, etc.).
• Provides prevailing hourly wage rates and fringe benefit rates for each trade.
• Includes information on different types of rate identifiers (Union, Survey, State Adopted).
• References Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors) and their applicability.
• Outlines the process for wage determination appeals.

Bidders must use these wage rates to accurately estimate labor costs for their proposals. Compliance with these rates is a requirement for performing work on federal construction contracts in the specified counties. Failure to adhere to these wage determinations can result in penalties. Bidders should pay close attention to the applicability of Executive Orders regarding paid sick leave and minimum wage.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Cotton and Tobacco Program (CTP), requires repair and replacement of a failed boiler blowdown drainpipe located beneath the concrete floor in the mechanical room of the Corpus Christi Classing Office in Corpus Christi, Texas. The goal is to restore safe, code-compliant drainage and prevent further water intrusion or structural damage.

The contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, and supervision for the following tasks:

• Pre-Work: Site visit, scheduling coordination, utility identification, safety measures.

• Demolition & Access: Saw-cutting and removal of concrete floor, excavation of sub-grade material to access the damaged pipe, protection of adjacent equipment.

• Drainpipe Removal: Removal and proper disposal of the existing damaged drainpipe.

• Installation: Installation of new, high-temperature-suitable piping (e.g., Schedule 80 steel or copper), ensuring proper slope, alignment, secure connections, and necessary fittings/supports. Thermal protection or insulation may be required.

• Testing & Verification: Leak testing and functional flow testing of the new drain line.

• Concrete Restoration: Backfilling, compacting, installing vapor barrier (if applicable), pouring, and finishing new concrete slab to match existing conditions.

• Cleanup: Removal of debris and restoration of the mechanical room to a clean, operational condition.

• Completed and tested boiler blowdown drainpipe installation.

• Restored concrete floor.

• As-built documentation (pipe routing, materials used).

• Warranty information.

• Work to be performed at the USDA Corpus Christi Classing Office, Corpus Christi, Texas.

• Work to be performed during normal business hours unless otherwise approved.

• Compliance with all OSHA safety standards.

• Adherence to USDA facility access and security protocols.

• Use of qualified personnel experienced in boiler system piping and concrete repair.

• Maintenance of a clean and safe work environment.

• Contractor is responsible for verifying all measurements and conditions prior to work.

• Immediate reporting of any unforeseen conditions to USDA.