Q&A_Cass_FireDetect_Amendment_0002.pdf

Cass Fire Detection – Amendment 0002 Answers to Contractor Questions

1. General Decision Number: AR170229 01/06/2017 AR229 for wage determination lists the construction type as residential. Should this be changed to commercial?

a. A new Wage Determination has been added to the solicitation; it fits the work better and has been updated as of 1/5/2018. While outside the Government construction is considered a Commercial Service, there is not specific “Commercial” wage determinations available. The Service Contract Wage Determinations can apply in some cases (depending on CO); however since this considered construction, the Service Contract Act Wage Determinations would not apply.

2. 28300-4 Section I states the warranty is 5 years, is this meant to be for parts only or to include all service work needed?

a. The 5 year warranty requirement is required from the manufacturer to cover product component failure and does not include annual service needed. The basic contract requires a 1 year warranty on everything in the contract. Annual service is not part of this contract. The gov’t will contract for that work separately.

3. With the 5 year warranty is the intent of the Job Corps to include annual inspection testing and maintenance with this warranty.

a. No. The 5 year warranty will not include annual inspection, testing, and maintenance. See above.

4. 28300-7 Section 3.3 States all wiring will be installed in EMT conduit. Since all of the conduit will be in the attics or the walls, will it be permissible to use Fire alarm rated MC flexible conduit instead?

a. MC Flexible conduit will be permitted for this project. All wiring must be in metallic conduit, either EMT or MC flexible conduit.

5. 010150-1 Section 1 states that the fire alarm panels will support class A operation. I didn't see where that class A wiring for either SLC or notification appliance circuits need to be ran as class A circuits. Please specify the circuit types.

a. Class A circuits need to be ran. This is implied by stating in 010150-1 that the fire alarm panels must support Class A operation.

6. 28300-3 Section H It specifies that the fire alarm panels to be conventional zone type instead of being an addressable fire alarm system. Is this the intent to be a zoned system or would you like it to be an addressable fire alarm system. This would make it easier to troubleshoot and operate in general.

a. The project is only funded to replace the panels “in-kind”, which means that if the existing panel is conventional, the new panel should be conventional as well. If the existing panel is addressable, the new panel should be addressable. But if a building currently has a conventional system, and the contractor would like to replace it with an addressable system instead, at no additional cost, this will be acceptable.

7. Section 010150, 1.1A1 Ensure new fire panels to communicate with current CWSI system. Current CWSI system has multiple faults and failures and needs attention to comply with communications. Are we to assume that this protect pricing will require the CWSI system repair? If it does, does only an CWSI authorized dealer perform the work? Does the CWSI repair also include the current fire alarm panels not on this project to comply with reporting?

a. 3 of the panels being replaced under this contract were hit by lightning.

The CWSI main control panel is showing “trouble” signals for these 3 panels. This should be resolved by the replacement of the 3 building panels.

8. 2.2.C Some existing locations do not meet NFPA72 mounting heights or spacing.

To minimize disturbing existing finishes, are we to assume relocation of devices can be reinstalled in existing locations? Some areas fall short on fire detection. Are we to add additional devices to meet intention of code or replace same-to-same devices and locations?

a. Section 283000, 1.3B requires a shop drawing before work begins that shows a floor plan for each building with all existing fire alarm panels and devices, as well as another floor plan showing locations of proposed devices. Any existing devices that don’t meet NFPA in terms of height or spacing should be noted as such on submitted floor plans and shown to be replaced and relocated. This includes any additional device counts. All height, spacing, and counts must meet current code requirements.

9. 3.4.C Install ivory colored metal raceway where conduit cannot be used…….will plastic raceway designed for this application be accepted? Plastic raceway prevents ground faults and is easier to install in difficult areas.

a. Metallic raceway is required.

10. 3.5.A Install panels where most convenient viewing, etc. Current panel locations in some buildings are installed in mechanical rooms, locked offices, etc. Are we to reinstall in these current areas? Also, if these panels are not in convenient areas or easily accessible, the installation of a remote annunciator in a public area would be recommended. Is this to be assumed for these buildings?

a. All bidders should assume that new panels will be located in the same location as existing panel. If code requires an annunciator if a panel is not easily accessible, then bidders should assume an annunciator for that building.

11. 3.4.E Colors vary from manufacture . Outside color of cable is RED, inside conductors are red, black, yellow or blue, and brown or green. Is this acceptable?

a. Yes, just make sure that color coding is clear when product data is submitted, after award.

12. 1.1A1 - Acceptance testing will be performed and verified by third party. Who will the third party be?

a. This sentence was in the original deficiency write-up and will be removed from the contract.

13. Also, in the residential building where the CWSI panel is currently installed. There is an existing fire panel in the same room that serves this residence. If practical, can the CWSI panel serve this building by adding detection to the CWSI panel to comply with requirements thus eliminating have 2 panels serve the same area?

a. (Clarification - The CWSI panel is located in building 60, which is the Residential Living Building. This building is not “residential” but rather a building that houses staff that oversee students after hours. No one sleeps in this building). This building requires its own panel, as outlined in the contract specifications. The CSWI panel will not be permitted to serve as the building fire alarm panel.

14. Upon acceptance of contract, what is the expected start date and finish date for these projects?

a. The start date will depend on when the submittals are approved and the notice to proceed is given, and the finish date will be 120 days from the notice to proceed which will be issued after submittals are approved.