Project Information

Bid Title

Addendum No. 1 ITB25-FAC-0083 Chiller Replacement @ Abramson School (2.13.26)

Issuing Agency

New Orleans Public Schools

Location

Louisiana

Published Date

Feb 13, 2026

Closing Date

Feb 24, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

25-FAC-0083

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Addendum No. 1 ITB25-FAC-0083 Chiller Replacement @ Abramson School (2.13.26)

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PIVOTAL , LLC

1515 POYDRAS STREET, SUITE 1150

NEW ORLEANS, LA. 70112

(504) 799-3653

ADDEDNDUM # 1

CHILLER REPLACEMENT @ ABRAMSON SCHOOL

Owner: Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB)

Program Manager: Manning Architects (Clarence Eugene III – Sr. Project Manager)

Project #: ITB25-FAC-0083

Date: 02/13/2026

Project Location: 5552 Read Bl, New Orleans, LA. 70127

POR: Pivotal Engineering LLC, Bassam Rossi Mekari, PE / 225-205-3490

I- Answers To Questions/Emails:

Email Questions/Answers in red below:

1. Is the roof under a current warranty and if so, who holds the warranty? Who installed the roof? What type

of roof?

Answer: See attached Appendix D

2. Will contractor be allowed to use dura-block pipe supports for new piping vs opening the roof to mount

new supports? On page m-1.0 ( typical pipe supports) this particular support will not apply to corrugated

deck roof. Please advise.

Answer: Dura-Block, Piers, Cooper or any weather resistant and UV resistant supports are

acceptable.

3. What is the existing piping material? Steel or Aquatherm?

Answer: Bid on Steel pipe. Verify with engineer during construction and prior to any rough in or

purchasing of any material.

4. Will temp chiller be required? If so , what tonnage is required and will there be a pump needed? Where can

we get temp chiller power? Were will we be allowed to place temp chiller and pump?

Answer: This falls mainly under Contractor means and methods. The critical requirement is that

the school has the ability to always condition the air. How that is accomplished is in the purview of

the contractor. For rental chillers, contractor has a choice to provide a pump or use existing pumps

as long as the pressure drop across the rental Chiller with the hose pipe length is less than the new

Chillers pressure drop. Coordinate lay-down area with school maintenance. As discussed in the pre-

bid meeting, rental chillers cannot be placed on the roof . Size of the Chiller will depend on time of

year. Off season, cooler weather 110-125 Tons, Warmer weather Tons 180 Tons.

For powering the rental Chiller, the contractor can use the existing MDP in the mechanical room and

use one or both of the (2) 400 A, CBs that are presently powering the (2) existing chillers. If rental

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chiller requires more than 400 A, GC can supply a temp CB and install in the existing MDP while

coordinating with the engineer sizes of CBs and temp feeders.

5. Per pre bid conference , we were told that ceiling work is required to install new beams under existing

chiller platform. This will require removing a lot of sheetrock ceilings and install a lot of scaffolding to

reach ceilings. There will be extensive work to be done in these areas that are not on the prints. Also, to

attach new steel, holes will have to be burned into existing steel to bolt up new steel. Smoke , potential for

fire in this area and construction debris will be present while this work takes place. These areas will not be

accessible to the school until this work is completed. The only other way to do this work would be to cut

open the roof and remove the corrugated decking to expose the entire space below. This would be a major

compromise to weather with not a lot of ways to protect the building from water damage from rain. Please

advise.

Answer: This is part of the contractor's means and methods. GC to coordinate with school

with closure of the work area. This portion of the work has to be completed prior to

installing the Chillers.

6. Architectural drawings are referenced on sheet S001, but the current bid set does not include

architectural drawings. Will architectural drawings be provided?

Answer: This refers to some dimensions taken from old drawings. GC to verify the

dimensions with existing at site prior to any rough ins or ordering equipment. Inform

engineer if any conflicts exist.

7. Davis Bacon rates are referenced in the bid documents, but the bid documents don't include a

wage determination. Which determination/decision applies to this project?

Answer: There are no federal funds associated with this project; therefore, this program

doesn’t apply to this project.

8. Is BUY America required for this project?

Answer: Same as #7 above.

9. There seems to be conflicting information regarding whether the material should be shop primed

or galvanized. Which is correct?

Answer: All steel needs to be shop primed and the bolts are galvanized.

10. Are the existing beams shown on sheet S100 apart of the existing roof structure or apart of the

existing chiller platform?

Answer: The "Roof framing plan" refers to existing roof and "High roof framing plan"

refers to the chiller platform. Accordingly, beams referred to as "existing" on plan exist at

that elevation

11. Sheet S100 mentions reusing existing steel members. What are the size of these members, and

how should they be reused?

Answer: Some existing steel beams need to be cut to the new layout. GC may use the

existing material or new of same size. Per the old drawings, the existing beams are the same

size as the new ones shown. GC to verify.

12. What are the height of the new columns or how can we determine per the drawings?

Answer: These are approximately 2’ long columns. Exact length to be field verified by

bidder.

13. Sheet S100 references removal of the beams highlighted below but also label them as existing for reuse.

Initially we did not see the note that calls for reusing all of the material that will be removed. We are of the

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opinion it may be more cost effective to replace the existing beams and columns rather than removing and

making adjustments to the old material. Please let us know if this will cause an issue

Answer: That is not an issue.

General Clarifications/Field Discussions:

1- School has to remain conditioned during construction.

2- The roofing contractor has to be certified by Soprema and need to include his/her certification as part of the

roofing submittal (see attached roof warrantee – Appendix D)

3- All work is performed on the roof level and above as per plans. A mechanical platform for new Chillers

has to be built above the roof (new base is longer and narrower than existing). Plan 1 shows the work

needed for the existing roof framing and Plan 2 shows the work needed for the platform. If a contractor

has a different means and methods for modifying the existing platform, submit to engineer for approval.

4- If Acquatherm is no longer in business producing plastic pipe, then contractors can use compatible products

from a compatible chilled water piping manufacturer such as NUPI, Interplast, Isco etc. Contractor is

responsible to coordinate and select compatible fittings to match proper sizing (English/Metric)

Additional Piping Information:

A. Chilled Water Piping

1.

Larger than 2” Steel Pipe: ASTM A53/A53M, Grade B, Schedule 40, black., Malleable iron or

forged steel fittings, threaded or welded joints.

2.

Larger than 2” PP-R (random copolymer polypropylene): ICC-ES PMG-1244, IAPMO FILE

9840, ASTM F2389Socket fusion connections, instabranch and instaheader branches.

3.

2” and below Copper Tubing: ASTM B88, (ASTM B88M), Type L, drawn, cast brass, wrought

copper, or mechanically extracted fittings, lead free solder joints.

4.

Below Grade PVC Pipe: ASTM D1785, Schedule 40 ASTM D2241, SDR 21 or 26 solvent weld

joints.

5- Flushing of existing water loop piping: Water shall be treated as per AWT standards by a qualified water

treatment specialist. No water allowed to enter new chillers without flushing the system. Use Start up

strainers with manufacturers’ recommendations for screens micron size. Some typical values for closed

loop Chilled Water Systems:

a. Ph 8 to 10

b. TSS < 10 mg/l

c. Turbidity < 10 NTU

d. Iron < 0.3 mg/l

e. Oil/Grease ND

f. Chlorides – as recommended by manufact.

II- Substitutions Information:

As per the front-end bid documents in section 4.3, the following guidelines shall be met:

“4.3 Substitutions:

4.3.1 The materials, products and equipment described in the Bidding Documents establish a standard

of quality, character, type, style, function, dimension, and appearance desired. Equivalent products may

be acceptable, as stated in La. R.S. 38:2212.T(2). It shall be the responsibility of the Architect/Engineer to

determine if a proposed substitution is equivalent. No substitutions shall be allowed after bidding, except

as may be provided in the Contract Documents.

4.3.2 No substitution will be considered unless written request for approval has been submitted by the

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Proposer and has been received by the Architect/Engineer at least seven (7) working days prior to the

deadline for submission of Bids. (La. R.S. 38:2295.C) Each such request shall include the name of the

material or equipment for which it is to be substituted and a complete description of the proposed substitute

including model numbers, drawings, cuts, performance and test data and any other information necessary for

an evaluation. A statement setting forth any changes in other materials, equipment or work that incorporation

of the substitute would require shall be included. It shall be the responsibility of the Proposer to include

in his proposal all changes required of the Contract Documents if the proposed substitution is used. Prior

approval is given contingent upon supplier being responsible for any costs which may be necessary to

modify the space or facilities needed to accommodate the materials and equipment approved.

4.3.3 If the Architect approves any proposed substitution, such approval will be set forth in an

Addendum. Bidders shall not rely upon approvals made in any other manner.”

The design/dimensions/roof modifications/electrical power distribution are based on Trane Chillers as

scheduled in our bid documents.

No accepted substitutions

III- Tax Exemption

This project is tax exempt

IV- Cost Estimate

Opinion Of Probable Cost = $1,275,000.00

V- General Discussions During Pre-Bid Conference

1- Logistics/Staging/School Entry explanations. Sign in log for all workers. Safety discussions about

staging for Cranes and equipment. Qualified/certified operators required for heavy equipment.

Stand by Chiller rental. Extreme caution during roof work.

2- Post Bid Documents submission discussions.

3- GC is responsible for obtaining Addendum #1

4- During phasing of the work, GC is responsible to ensure that school is conditioned at all times.

5- All CWS/CWR lines shall be properly flushed using chemicals/start up strainers prior to

connecting new Chillers.

VI- Post Bid Document Checklist From OPSB

Attached Appendix A

VII- School Calendar

Attached Appendix B

VIII- Prebid Meeting Agenda

Attached Appendix C

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IX – Roof Warrantee

Attached Appendix D

X – Sign In Sheet

Attached Appendix E

End of Addendum #1

Bassam Rossi Mekari, PE - Principal

Bassam Rossi Mekari

Pivotal Engineering

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 238220Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors

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