0-IFB Fire Proteciton- Bidder Questions and SPO Answers- BW- 7-31-15.pdf

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IFB-CM-16-001 Fire Protection Systems Services & Portable Fire Extinguishers

Bidder Questions and State Purchasing Office’s Answers

In accordance with the IFB Section 1.5, Schedule of Activities and 1.6, Vendor Inquiries and Questions, this document represents the compilation of Bidder questions received and the Colorado State Purchasing Office (SPO) answers. This is referred to as the “Q & A” process. Additionally, two changes resulted from Bidder questions, see below.

TAKE NOTE:

Note 1: IFB- Section 3.8.B. Portable, Commercial Grade Fire Extinguishers – Water Pressurized.

Corrections made to the specifications. (See answer to Question 1 for further explanation.)

Note 2: New Attachment 3, Bidder Response Cost Worksheet replaces prior form. (See answer

Question 2 for further explanation,)

Q1: There may be one typo on the bid as regard to the water pressure extinguishers. [Our product] is

Class A and B rated. It will also extinguish Class D and K fires but is not "rated" for them. It is [costly] to get each class of rating with UL and … maintain and there Has never been a major demand or impediment to orders due to the lack of official rating on D and K….

A1: State Purchasing Office (SPO) Response: After industry research to confirm, this type of product used for vehicle fires does have Class A and B ratings. Although the product can be used for Class D and K fires, it has not been rated through third party testing/approver such as

UL.

Changes will be made to IFB Section 3.8.B, under Standard formulation, as follows:

“ Standard formulation:

Water based

Mixes with water

Must be UL, EPA, or NFPA rated.

Class A and B (corrected 7/31/15) Biodegradable

Non-toxic

Non-corrosive

Long shelf life

Fire Extinguisher Tanks can be repressurized.

Secondary Type: An “all season” type of product is NOT mixed with any water and is a non-freezing blend rated to at least 30 degrees below zero (-30 degrees). This is recommended for cold weather application.

“All Season” non-freezing formulation:

Water based (no additional water required)

Non-freezing blend rated to 50 degrees below zero (-50 degrees).

Must be UL, EPA, or NFPA rated.

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Class A and B (corrected 7/31/15) Biodegradable

Non-toxic

Non-corrosive

Long shelf life

Fire Extinguisher Tanks can be repressurized.”

Q2: On the Bidder Response Cost Worksheet, page 1, Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers: You have categories of 3 gallon, 4 gallon, and 6 gallon - these are the sizes of kitchen fire system cylinders. Portable Class K wet chemical fire extinguishers generally come in 6 liter and 2.5 gallon size. Are you going to change the cost worksheet to reflect the correct sizes of portable Class k wet chemical fire extinguishers?

A2: SPO Response: The Group 1–Not Water Pressurized” Wet Chemical, Section “1C” is incorrect and a new Section 1C is offered in the updated Attachment 3, Bidder Response Cost Worksheet (Rev7-31-15). Class K sizes for 6 liters and 2.5 gallons has been added.

Changes will be made to Attachment 3, Group 1 – 1C, as follows:

1C Wet Chemical Comments: (enter comments, if needed for explanation)

C1 6 Liter K

Class Badger x x $ 0.00 $ 0.00

$0.00 $ 0.00

$0.00

C2

2.5 Gallons

K Class Badger x x $ 0.00 $ 0.00

$0.00 $ 0.00

$0.00

Use the revised (7/31/15) version of the Attachment 3 when submitting your bid. An excerpt of the Group 1-Section 1C is available to complete and submit for those who have already completed the full worksheet.

Q3: With respect to the IFB Document Section 3.8B Water Type Fire Extinguishers: Do you have any approved or recommended manufactures of these type extinguishers? I am aware of these type of extinguishers but the major manufactures of fire extinguishers Ansul, Amerex, and Badger do not produce these units. I am aware of a potential manufacturer Fire Ice is this possibly one of the units you are looking for prices on?

A3: SPO Response: A suggested manufacturer cannot be provided. This is a new type of product for the State Purchasing Office. Although at least one State agency (Colo. State Patrol) has used such a product in their vehicles, the SPO has no direct historical use data. Note: This product is intended for use for vehicles only.

Q4: Trying to clarify whether the water pressure extinguisher pricing on the Bidder Response Cost

Worksheet is to include shipping cost in the Unit price OR Shipping is FOB (from New Jersey in this case) on each individual order with whatever state entity that is placing that particular order?

I believe I saw it as FOB, but I want to make sure I am understanding it correctly.

A4: SPO Response: Delivery of all goods on State Price Agreements is expected as freight on board

(FOB) destination.

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Q5: a) On the Bidder Response Cost Worksheet: Can we modify the Rows to include additional types and sizes not listed? Or do we address that in the Comments section? b) Lastly- We just put N/A for not applicable sizes or prices?

A5: SPO Response:

a) No modifications can be made to Attachment 3, Bidder Response Cost Worksheet. Use the “Comments” section and keep your comments concise, no more than 150 characters is accepted. This worksheet is not intended to reflect all the products a Bidder carries, just those most commonly requested.

b) Yes, if the Bidder does not offer a specific line item, place a “N/A” in that field. If the Bidder does not offer a specific category, enter a statement into the “Comments” field and mark the cost columns as “$0.00”.

Q6: (1.4 Scope of IFB/Basis of Award) The second paragraph where it states "Bidder will identify in their bids if they will provide one of three choices," Is there a specific place on the bid where we have to identify this information or just a separate typed up sheet of paper as well as leaving that section of the cost worksheet blank?

A6: SPO Response: By filling in the services and products they offer in the Attachment 3, Bidder

Response Cost Worksheet, the Bidder’s answers indicates which of “three choices” they offer.

“The State will award on fire protection systems services separately from the portable fire extinguishers services and sales. Bidders will identify in their bids if they will provide one of 3 choices: 1) only fire protection systems services, 2) fire protection system services and portable fire extinguisher services & sales, or 3) only portable fire extinguisher services & sales.”

Q7: The various "Action: In its bid response…" I am guessing each "Action" should be typed up on separate sheet of paper? (I want to make sure I am doing this correctly!)

A7: SPO Response: Yes, for every “Action” notice, the Bidder is to provide a response in text format (PDF). Reference IFB Section 4 for further guidance.

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