Final Industry Questions and Answers.pdf

PROJECT: USDA AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE

USDA/ARS CONTRACT #12805B21F0053

USDA PSWCL FACILITY FIRE ALARM SYSTEM DESIGN

RFI – Questions and Answers Date – April 14, 2022

NOTE: Revised Bid Drawings dated 2022 – 04 – 14 has been uploaded.

Revised Spec Section 284621.11 dated 2022 – 04 – 14 has been uploaded.

Specifications – Section 284621.11 – Addressable Fire Alarm System

1. Question – Is this project a design/build project or has the owner provided bid documents designed by the owner’s design team?

The procurement type, in accordance with FAR part 36, can easily be found in the solicitation.

Bid Documents have been uploaded to SAM.gov .

https://sam.gov/opp/3963778a75804e269dbef90f06a1558b/view

2. Question – If additional initiating devices or notification appliances are required (not shown on the contract documents), will the owner issue a modification to the contractor?

Yes, if additional devices fall under FAR 52.236-2 Differing Site Conditions.

3. Part 1 General – Section 1.4C General Submittal Requirements – Item 2 “Shop Drawings shall be prepared by persons with the following qualifications: Item C – Licensed or certified by authorities having jurisdiction.”

a. Question – What type of license or certification will the AHJ require?

See Specifications 284621.11 1.4 C.2.

4. Part 1 General – Section 1.9 – Sequencing and Scheduling – Item A “Existing Fire-Alarm Equipment: Maintain existing equipment fully operational until new equipment has been tested and accepted.”

a. Question – Will the owner confirm the existing fire alarm system is currently fully functional without any faults?

Fire Alarm System currently operational without any faults.

5. Part 1 General – Section 2.1 – System Description – Item C “All components provided shall be listed for use with the selected system.”

a. Question – Is it the intent of the owner to restrict bidding for the base bid for the manufacturer of the fire alarm equipment existing in Building 22? (The base bid requires leaving the existing devices and connecting those devices to the new fire alarm panel in Building 24. Addressable fire alarm devices will only communicate with a panel from the same manufacturer.)

No, that is not the intent. All devices shall be new.

https://sam.gov/opp/3963778a75804e269dbef90f06a1558b/view

6. Part 1 General – Section 2.2 – Systems Operational Description – Item D.11 “System trouble signal initiation shall be by one or more of the following devices and actions: Item

11 – Hose cabinet door open”

a. Question – Will the contractor be required to install tamper switches on the hose cabinets to provide a trouble signal?

Tamper switches are not required to be installed on the hose cabinet. This requirement has been removed from the specifications.

b. Question – Do the existing hose cabinets currently have tamper switches on the doors?

Existing cabinets currently do not have tamper switches on the doors.

7. Part 1 General – Section 2.4 – Fire Alarm Control Unit – Item I - Voice Alarm Signaling Service: Central emergency communication system with redundant microphones, preamplifiers, amplifiers, and tone generators provided as a special module that is part of fire-alarm control unit.

a. Question – Will the owner allow one backup amplifier to satisfy the requirements of this specification section in lieu of redundant microphone, preamplifiers and tone generators?

We take not exception to the proposed solution to satisfy the requirements.

8. Part 1 General – Section 2.13 Network Communications – Item B “Provide integration gateway using BACnet for connection to building automation system.”

a. Question – Will the owner confirm that integration from the fire control panel to the building automation system via BACnet will be required for this project?

Currently the building’s fire alarm system is not integrated with the BAS system, but the duct smoke detectors are connected to the BAS. When the duct smoke detectors are tripped the fire panel receives an alarm status and the BAS shuts down three air handling units for building 24. The same sequence of operation shall be maintained with new smoke duct detectors.

9. Part 1 General – Section 2.15 Device Guards – Item A

a. Question – Will device guards be required for this project?

Wire Guards are not necessary. This requirement has been removed from the specifications.

Drawings

1. Sheet FA501 – Alarm Matrix Chart – Supplementary Condition – Actuate Graphics System –

Display Floor Map – This appears to be an omission in the specifications (does not exist).

a. Question – Will the owner provide a specification for the “Actuate Graphics System

– Display Floor Map” to clarify what the contractor is to provide for this function?

Graphic Fire Alarm annunciator panel is added. See revised drawings.

General

1. Regarding the style of dampers to replace the existing, are they to be Mechanical or Electrical?

New dampers shall be electronic.

2. What is the current voltage to the magnetic door holders? Voltage to be field verified.

3. Will replacing the magnetic door holders be in this project’s scope of work? No

4. Regarding the work in the tunnel between the two buildings, will this work be considered confined space? If so, will the contractor have to submit a confined space safety plan, monitor air quality, provide forced air, have a dedicated “hole watch” person, and have a man-lift on site for emergency retrieval if necessary? Please confirm what the USDA expects for tasks in this area. It is our understanding that the utility tunnel meets the definition of a confined space as defined by OSHA and therefore will require all permits for entry, work, and ventilation as required by the jurisdictional authority. This should be covered under Division 1.