Rental of Prime Generator, San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor's Office

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions and clarifications regarding solicitation 127EAU26Q0047, specifically Amendment 2.

• Temporary Setup & Switchboard Bypass: The approach to bypass the existing 4160V switchboard for temporary generator setup and subsequent demolition/replacement is confirmed as the preferred method.

• Cable Routing: The route for the cable from the rental generator/ATS to the basement substation room is confirmed as approximately 500' through a metal grate, with no other known entry point.

• Invoicing: Invoices will be accepted in 30-day increments.

• Generator Sizing Basis: The specified 450kW generator size is based on the existing diesel back-up generator, not a formal load study. The SOW requires a 450KW prime natural gas generator for full building load.

• Natural Gas Service: The Forest Service (FS) has not verified if the existing natural gas service and meter capacity can support a 450kW prime generator, though a line is known to be nearby.

• Permitting: The contractor is solely responsible for obtaining all permits (AQMD, CARB PERP, local building/electrical), associated costs, and approvals. The Government will not provide assistance with permitting agencies. No known permitting constraints exist.

• Shutdowns/Outages: The Government COR or Local POC will coordinate with building occupants/facility personnel. The contractor will coordinate scheduled outages, after-hours/weekend work, and any restrictions on outage durations with the COR or Local POC. Disruptions must be mitigated as the facility requires 24/7 power.

• Generator Connection: Questions regarding 4160V vs. 480V connection and tie-in point (medium vs. low voltage) are addressed with a single-line diagram illustrating a feasible approach: tying into the 480V side of the outside step-up transformer and connecting directly to the 4160V cable entering the building to temporarily bypass the existing switchboard.

• Clarifies the preferred method for generator installation and switchboard bypass.

• Defines contractor responsibilities for permitting and outage coordination.

• Provides a single-line diagram for generator tie-in, clarifying electrical connections.

• Notes that existing switchgear replacement will be handled by a separate contractor.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to vendor questions and additional clarifications regarding solicitation 127EAU26Q0047.

• Temporary Setup Approach: The approach to bypass the existing 4160V switchboard area for a temporary six-month setup with a rental generator as prime power and the existing generator as backup is confirmed as the preferred method.

• Cable Routing: The routing of the cable from the ATS to the basement substation room, involving a run of approximately 500' from the back of the building to the front entrance and through a metal grate, is confirmed as the only known way into the basement electrical room.

• Invoicing: Invoices will be accepted in 30-day increments.

• The document clarifies the preferred approach for the temporary setup and the method for cable routing.

• It also specifies the invoicing schedule.

• Existing switchgear change-out will be handled by a separate contractor; a solicitation for this full replacement is expected soon.

• The rental generator can be placed on pavement but must not block work on the switchgear.

• Both buildings are on a gated compound owned by the forest service.

• The current switchgear is oversized.

• An interruption in power is expected during switchgear removal/installation.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the rental of a prime-rated generator and transfer switch for the San Bernardino National Forest Supervisors Office. The main electrical power has been shut down since November 2025, and the current standby generator is insufficient for continuous operation. The rental is needed to provide continuous power until the main electrical outdoor switch gear replacement is complete, estimated to last several months.

• Installation of a prime generator and manual transfer switch (Item 0001) OR installation of a prime generator and automatic transfer switch (Option 0001). Only one of these will be awarded.

• Rental of a generator and transfer switch with routine monthly maintenance (Item 0002).

• Emergency call services (Item 0003).

• The Statement of Work (SOW) provides a complete list of requirements.

• Anticipated award type: Firm-fixed price contract.

• One award will be made from this solicitation.

• Offerors must submit pricing for all items to be considered responsive.

• Offerors must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the offer due date.

• Questions are due by April 20, 2026, at 12:00 PM Pacific Time, via email to scott.beeman@usda.gov.

• Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.

• Evaluation will be based on lowest price technically acceptable criteria.

• Technical Acceptability will be rated "acceptable" or "unacceptable" based on the offeror's ability to meet requirements and demonstrate understanding of the SOW.

• Offerors must provide a detailed explanation of their ability to perform the services, include licensed electricians in California, and explain any exceptions to the SOW.

• Past Performance will be evaluated as Acceptable, Neutral, or Unacceptable.

• The acquisition is not explicitly set aside for small businesses in the provided document pages.

• Technical data and supporting documentation are available via the "Attachments/Links" section, including the Statement of Work.

• FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, is not applicable; evaluation is per FAR 12.203.

• Offerors must include pricing for all individual line items, except the optional one, to avoid potential exclusion.

• Any quantity price discounts and discounts for prompt payment should be included.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-5629, Revision No. 28) for the state of California, specifically for the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino. It lists various occupational codes and their corresponding minimum hourly wage rates and fringe benefits required under the Service Contract Act.

This wage determination is crucial for any contractor bidding on or performing federal service contracts within the specified geographic area. It establishes the minimum wages and benefits that must be paid to employees performing work covered by the Service Contract Act. Bidders must consult this document to accurately calculate labor costs for their proposals and ensure compliance with federal labor laws.

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

To provide a temporary, continuous power solution for the San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor's Office due to a shutdown of their main electrical power. The rental is expected to last several months until main electrical outdoor switch gear replacement is complete.

• Rental of one (1) prime natural gas generator (450KW, 4160-277/480V) or a suitable output diesel-powered prime generator if natural gas supply is insufficient.

• Generator must be trailer-mounted with an outdoor enclosure.

• Installation, connection, and operation of the generator to support the full building load.

• The generator will alternate with the Government-owned standby generator for maintenance or failure.

• No synchronization is required; loads will be switched via a transfer switch.

• Contractor must provide all necessary electrical materials, cables, gas lines, shut-off valves, regulators, and ensure proper pipe sizing and leak testing.

• Contractor is responsible for acquiring all necessary permits and inspections, including Local Air District Permits (South Coast AQMD), CARB PERP registration, and Local Building/Electrical Permits.

• Contractor shall inspect the site and electrical diagrams to verify field conditions.

• All electrical work must comply with NEC, NFPA 70E, Cal/OSHA, NFPA 110, and CARB guidelines.

• The rental charge period begins when the office is successfully running on the prime generator.

• Days the unit is out of service (not due to Government fault) will be added to the end of the rental period.

• Contractor must provide maintenance records, last load bank test results, and operating instructions.

• A unit number and Point of Contact (POC) information must be visible on the generator.

• Emergency service calls require an on-site response within 4 hours.

• Preventative maintenance must be performed according to manufacturer recommendations.

• Equipment breakdown requires the contractor to be on-site within 4 hours; minor repairs on-site, major repairs require a replacement unit at no cost to the Government.

• Estimated duration: Several months, until normal power is restored.

• Delivery Address: 602 S. Tippecanoe Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92408.

• Delivery shall be during regular Government working hours (07:00-15:30) or as coordinated.

• Generator must be natural gas powered; diesel is an alternative if natural gas is unavailable.

• Generator must be trailer-mounted with an outdoor enclosure.

• Contractor must provide 24-hour support for the generator.

• Contractor is responsible for all repairs.

• Government is not responsible for equipment damage.

• Deliverables include an Emergency Response Plan, due seven days after contract award.

• Contractor personnel must coordinate with Forest Service personnel and have a designated Local POC (Luisa Bannister).