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Questions/Clarifications
Following the Pre-competition Conference, written questions
may be submitted up until April 1, 2004. All questions asked, as well
as the responses will be provided to all teams in writing. Questions should
be submitted in writing to:
- John Darnell, Ph.D.
- c/o The Honorable Roscoe G. Bartlett
- 7360 Guilford Drive
- Suite 101
- Frederick, MD 21704
E-mail questions are acceptable also, to john.darnell@mail.house.gov
The following is a list of questions pertaining to the project.
The answers will be posted as they are received. (Please note: If
a question/answer has been updated, it will be deleted from the original
post date and reposted under the latest post date.)
Date Posted: May 12, 2004
- Is the baseline set as shown now on the spreadsheet?
Yes, the baseline case shown on the spreadsheet is fixed.
- You show no "Systems Costs Input" for HVAC, Power, Water, Waste
Systems. What is an Input Cost??
The State did not provide specific input costs in the baseline case
for HVAC, waste, water, etc. Instead, they provided overall building
construction costs. The input costs are the capital costs for purchase
and installation of each of the identified systems. In another input
box we have asked each team to provided estimated maintenance/operating
costs for each system, which includes labor and materials. We are asking
that each team break out these costs so that we can conduct comparison
analyses.
- You refer to cost per man-year in note 3 of $25.42. Is that supposed
to be cost per man-hour?
You are correct that the $25.42 figure is the cost per man-hour. Assuming
that there are 2000 man-hours per year the cost per man-year should
be $50,840, burdened.
- Is assumption that all operating expense figures divided by $25.42
yield the man-hours estimated for operating the baseline building?
No. One cannot assume that you can take the baseline operating costs
and divide them by the hourly rate and determine the number of manhours
per year assumed by the State for each system. This is because the
State's figures might also include material costs as well as labor
costs.
Date Posted: April 20, 2004
- What will be the required format for the life cycle cost analysis?
Net Cash Flow
Analysis Baseline Case (XLS, 31 kb)
Net Cash Flow Analysis
Template (XLS, 30 kb)
Date Posted: April 6, 2004
- Are there any archeological sensitive areas on the site?
Data is not available on the presence of on-site archaeological resources.
Teams should consider that this is not a constraint for their efforts.
- Is there a detailed schedule for ongoing/future workshops,deadlines?
The workshop will be held on April 17, 2004 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
- How does the peak usage of the facility measure by month and time
of day?
See Question 4.
- Is there information on peak hours of operation and/or peak seasons
of use that can be obtained?
The planned hours of operation are 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM. Heaviest use
is expected to be in the mornings and afternoons from the period 9:00
AM to 3:00 PM . Peak usage is expected to be from mid May through early
September with the heaviest use on the weekends. The week of 4th of July
is usually the highest use period.
- Will there be drawings available of the site including topographical
information?
New topographic survey information including
existing site conditions has recently been developed and is available
- We are concerned that the competition guidelines are overly prescriptive.
If the intent is to foster innovation and creative, do we have to be
guided by certain technologies that are mandated or prohibited?
The clear intent of this project is to design a facility that, to the
greatest extent possible, does not rely on conventional water supply,
waste water treatment and energy supply systems. Each entry will be judged
based upon its ability to meet this broad goal. To that end, no one technology
is mandated or prohibited. It is the discretion of each team to determine
what they feel will best meet this goal
- The submission requirements appear excessive. The requirements
for engineering calculations, structural details and sections at a scale
of 1" = 1'-0" are beyond the scope of what is typically expected in
a competition of this type. Can this be reconsidered and revised?
The intent is for the submissions to provide a level of detail adequate
to allow each entry to be evaluated to determine if it is feasible to
build. Each team should determine how best to display the concept. If
that is done given the suggested scale or an alternative scale is elected,
either is acceptable. Each team is reminded that the sheet size for submissions
is limited to 24" x 36".
- It appears that the decision is that the winning team will not
be eligible to participate in the final design of the project. Is this
correct?
It has been determined that SHA can contract with the successful team
only if through a contract with a college or university. For this reason,
the "lead" for each team must be a college or university that is a component
of the team. We do not care which university that is if there are multiple
schools represented on a team. Additionally, all contact between the teams
and the project team should be through the lead university.
Date Posted: March 23, 2004
- We are interested in exploring net metering. If we can demonstrate
though calculations zero net use can we connect our project to the grid
for the purpose of giving power back to the grid (net) as opposed to
pulling from the grid?
The intent of the project is to develop a design that is self-sufficient
and sustainable utilizing on-site resources. To the extent that connection
to "the grid" is proposed for the express purpose of supplying excess
energy to the grid, this would be an acceptable element.
In evaluating proposals, designs that most fully achieve the stated goals,
without reliance upon off-site resources will be ranked higher.
Note that plans must be developed in anticipation of exceptional circumstances
such as prolonged meteorological extremes &/or demand in excess of design
specifications) where the stored and currently available supply of a given
resource is not sufficient to maintain the desired availability.
Consistent with the overall goals, preferred strategies would stretch
resource availability by maximizing efficiency, storage and contingency
conservation strategies, and minimizing curtailment of service and/or
reliance upon back-up systems dependent upon off-site resources.
Date Posted: February 26, 2004
- Are vending machines required?
Yes, provide space for vending machines.
- Do we need space to construct and store exhibits?
Provide minimal, non public (storage) space as your design may require.
- Do we need to provide lighting for night time conditions?
As much as feasible extra credit option current plans minimize after dark
operation. It is intended that the center will be open from dawn to dusk.
- Must potable water be provided on site?
Yes.
- Can we drill a well for potable water?
An option, the challenge is to design a system capable of supplying needs
without relying on a well. SHA is proceeding with the drilling of a well.
- Can we use human power for power?
Yes
- Because the site is located within the viewshed of the Monocacy
National Battlefield, are there requirements from the National Parks
Service that we need to be aware of in designing the Visitor's Center?
The NPS does not have written requirements regarding the viewshed, but
all designs should be developed to minimize visual intrusion on the battlefield.
We will work with NPS to provide further guidance to the teams.
- Is the deadline for Q+A still February 6, 2004 as noted at the
Kick off meeting on December 8, 2003?
This additional time was requested because most students were not returning
to schools until mid January. Using this Web site forum, we will entertain
and post Q & A's until April 1, 2004 (contact: john.darnell@mail.house.gov)
- How will the "significant percentage of the ... technology...donated
to the project" factor in each individual team's entry and how the competition
is judged?
Each design should incorporate the technologies necessary to achieve the
specified goals - justified and prioritized based on life-cycle cost (net-present-value)
analysis, if initial costs exceed budgeted funds. Teams do not need to
secure discount prices in making their cost projections.
- What are the requirements for non-proprietary material sources
for the competition since it will be managed by MD SHA?
Unless the technology is donated, all materials, etc. will have to either
be non-proprietary or specified to list a minimum of three sources of
supply. This is a requirement for the use of Federal funds.
- How much emphasis is being put on maintaining the programmatic
area of 1200 NSF for the welcome center?
The 1200 NSF is the amount of space required for a typical welcome center.
Given the estimated construction budget of $750,000 if a design can accommodate
additional square footage that would be up to the individual teams to
determine.
- If it is determined that more than the 1200 NSF is required to
meet the peak demands, can this be modified?
The 1200 NSF is the amount of space required for a typical welcome center.
Given the estimated construction budget of $750,000 if a design can accommodate
additional square footage that would be up to the individual teams to
determine.
- What happens when there's not enough power, water, etc.?
Each proposal must include appropriate conservation/contingency plans
in event of shortages/system failures, i.e. systems, as nearly as possible,
should be fail-safe.
- Can the building be connected to the electrical grid for emergencies?
An option, the challenge is to design a system capable of supplying needs
without relying on a grid connection.
- If there is a drought, and the building runs out of water, will
the building shut down?
Each proposal must include appropriate conservation/contingency plans
in event of shortages/system failures, i.e. systems, as nearly as possible,
should be fail-safe.
- Can a well be dug on site to provide drinking water?
An option, the challenge is to design a system capable of supplying needs
without relying on a well. SHA is proceeding with the drilling of a well.
- What is the total square footage desired, including exhibits and
support spaces?
The square footage will be determined by each team's analysis of what
is needed to support the technologies they are proposing. For instance
the space needed to support the rest room facilities will be directly
related to the number of fixtures needed to serve the expected number
of visitors.
- Will vending machines be housed in the building/site?
Yes
- Will the facility be registered for LEED Certification?
Yes
- The May 14th deadline conflicts with the students/universities
final exam period. The students will have limited involvement in the
final preparation of the submission. Can the deadline be changed to
not conflict with student's exam schedules?
Concepts may be submitted prior to May 14, 2004, but the project schedule
can not accommodate extending the delivery date.
- What is the expected facility staffing level?
Three
- Are there SHA guidelines available comparing Visitor Center(s)
vs. Rest Stops, as well as statistics on visitation?
The expected visitation figures are based on historical data from existing
rest area/welcome centers in Maryland of a comparable size. The intent
for this project is to de-emphasize the facility as a "rest area".
- How many toilets are required?
This will be determined by each team's analysis of what is required to
serve the visitation estimates using the technology they opt to include
in their concept.
- Has a jury been selected, and if so, who are the members?
To be announced
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