Amend 0005 - RFI Questions and Answers.pdf

Question # Questions Answers

Will the government allow Johnson Controls Inc's Simplex system for this project as head-end equipment. This product line now has multiple authorized dealers in the bay area that could service the Simplex system equipment.

Per the client criteria we were given during the design, No, Neither Simplex or Autocall products will be permitted.

The government will not consider Johnson Controls Inc's

Simplex system or Autocall products for this project although this product line now has multiple authorized dealers in the bay area that could service the equipment. Will the government please explain why?

No, an explanation will not be provided.

What are the occupancy codes for each building? Main Bldg - Business; West Annex - Business; Overpass - S1

Storage; GreenHouse's - Utility; Wool Bldg - S1/F1 Storage

Factory; Service Bldg - F1 Factory. Systems to be installed per plans issued and not per occupancy criteria of codes.

What will be the working hours for this project once construction begins?

8:00am to 4:30pm.

Are there any suppression systems in the existing or new fire alarm?

This is a fire alarm only replacement and suppression systems are not in scope. Several buildings do have sprinkler protection.

West Annex is partial protection, Main building is partial protection, Wool building is througout, Overpass building is throughout, some greenhouses have partial protection.

Who is liable for removal of equipment, desks, shelves, cabinets before construction beings?

Government will remove mobile countertop equipment from immediate work area. Contractor to temporarily move or protect installed equipment, desks, shelves and cabinets as required to perform contract. Contractor to protect all equipment and furnishings adjacent to the work area. Contractor is responsible to provide clean-up of areas as they progress so that user can move equipment back into place limiting down time and interruption.

Where there is existing EMT conduit exposed on sheet rock, can we match the existing EMT conduit?

Yes, where existing. Existing conduit on finished surfaces may be reused if contractor inspects and warrantees as new and it satisfies all code requirements and other contract requirements.

Where there are existing EMT or wire mold in existing vaulted ceiling or granite walls, can we use the existing conduit? Can we override existing wire and exiting conduit and then remove old wire after new fire alarm system is brought on line?

Yes, see demolition notes on FMA01 for main entry lobby.

Are there any gas or refrigeration that needs monitoring in the buildings?

None were identified. If identified, contractor to bring it to contracting officer's attention.

10 Who will be the end user monitoring company? To be determined for new system.

Do we need to include a monitoring service for the construction time and monitoring after construction?

Contractor to provide monitoring of new areas as they are brought online. These could be individually monitored until network backbone is up and running. Result is that each building is to be monitored until entire network is up and running and provided with single port monitoring.

Will we need to get a permit from the City of Albany? Building or Electrical?

No as this is Federal property. A courtesy set of drawings was submitted to Albany Fire for review in design stage. Contractor needs to notify and be in touch with Albany Fire when project starts so they understand the system is being upgraded and how the areas will be phased to aid in their response to alarms.

Is the building fully sprinkled? Are there approved plans to validate a fully sprinkled building?

See previous response about areas identified as sprinklered.

Most buildings are not fully sprinklered. Some buildings have sprinklers that are not code compliant. This project scope is only to monitor the existing sprinkler components where indicated or as identified during the construction process.

What is the building construction type? Metal frame, wood structure, steel studs?

Most are Type IIB metal non-protected. Main building and has extensive block and concrete construction. West Annex has block and concrete as well. However, project scope is limited to fire alarms. Installation to comply with criteria issued and not for the contractor to identify what is or is not required based on construction type or occupancy. Contractor shall not base bid or installation on what they think the LSC or IBC would require as there are other Federal criteria in play. What is expected has already been established by the government.

Are there any other systems that will be required to be integrated into the new FA system?

Yes, see drawings. It is also anticipated that items will be found that could not be verified during preliminary scoping. Such as what the elevators are capable of relating to recall or helmet lamps at this time; dampers that were not identified; etc. This is reason for extra devices and individual pricing for additional devices. It is expected that as the contractor gets into the buildings above ceilings, traces out old systems, and during demo of old equipment that items will be identified and require integration into a living design as installation progresses. Design team tried to identify what we could, but due to the complexity of the system and buildings the contractor is to allow for adapting to the needs of the user throughout project.

List and location of all gas-operated equipment for code-required

CO2 detection, if applicable.

The facility has central boilers and specific gas equipment was not evaluated. To account for this the contractors shall allow as

Extra Components ten (10) CO detectors for Main Building, five

(5) CO detectors for West Annex, and one (1) CO detector for office area of Service Building. It is possible that extra components could be reallocated to other buildings based on contractors design research. At this time CO detection is not required in large open areas such as boiler plant and greenhouses.

Are there any backup generators for any buildings and does any generator have back up fuel tanks?

There are generators for the site. Under current scope these are not being monitored. There is to be a future generator upgrade project. The fire alarm system shall be capable of future monitoring of the generators.

Any firefighter air replenishment systems aka rescue air require for this project?

No.

Are there any PIV's or OS&Y's (backflow preventer) around the grounds?

PIV's were not identified if they had Tampers. Assume one for each sprinklered building identified previously. OSY and backflows that were found are indicated in drawings.

Does the Fire pump room in the main building have water flow and tamper valves? (showing non on either plan)

Yes, they are indicated on drawings in Main Building. Drawing shows to account for 7 existing modules/relays to be replaced.

Exact door holder count and locations? (as code requires at least one possibly two depending on the gap between the top of the door and the ceiling) There is conflicting information regarding

DHs. Fire Alarm Notes - One note says to use the existing 120v

DH and another says to provide 24v DH fed from FA Aux power without battery backup.

It is not known how every existing DH is powered. There were some existing low voltage panels indicated as door holds.

Contractor to verify and establish if these can be de-energized to release many doors at one panel as suspected, or local door holds that may have been added through years. Contractor to research and provide best approach for user. Assume a detector will be required on each side of doors per NFPA 72 as there are different conditions. Some stairs are adjacent to elevator lobbies so this detector can serve both functions. It is recognized that many of the stair doors are not latching or properly rated/sealed as required by code. This is outside the fire alarm scope.

All Elevator Machine rooms show heat detectors and heat detectors on top of elevator shafts - Do the associated Elevators have Shunt trip breakers?

Not known if the elevators are currently configured / upgraded for recall or if they have shunt-trip. Contractor to verify.

Adding shunt trip breaker would not be in this scope, but fire alarm system to be installed with junction boxes and modules/equipment to shunt trip now or in the future if not present.

Are there any fire smoke dampers associated with the duct detectors and air handling units?

Some are identified and it is expected that there are more that were not identified. Contractor to field verify and provide modules where identified from Extra Component criteria.

Are there any Architectural and Mechanical plants available in dwg (AutoCAD) format?

Original drawings are not available in autocad format.

AutoCAD plans were pieced together and updated as AE could for floor plans. These files can be provided by USDA after award. Contractor to field verify all conditions.

Is the 365 days for completion extendable providing work is being completed in a timely manner?

No. No time extensions will be provided except where warrented under the terms of the contract. It is recognized that design within Main building and West Annex will take considerable time to prepare shop drawings. Recommend starting with smaller simpler buildings first so installation can begin on smaller buildings while design is progressing on larger areas. Network / Backbone infrastructure should also be early in project.

Does USDA want smoke detectors, heat detectors, and bases added to the extra component schedule?

Yes. All duct detector housings are to include the smoke detector. Add smoke detectors for door holds as indicated previously. Add an additional 10 smoke detectors to Main

Building Extra Component list which may be allocated elsewhere.

Plan shows annunciation at main building only, does USDA have a preferred choice regarding types of annunciator(s) in each building? This is per code. Code requires annunciators at each building main entrances.

Annunciator not required for this Federal facility at every entrance as fire department will use main annunciator on exterior. West Annex shows annunciator with LOC near entry.

For Wool Building add Annunciator in Entry right inside from

Porch. Service Building does not need Annunciator due to panel location. Add an annunciator in Main Building at Reception

Desk in Waiting 1020 with LOC.

Does this property have, require or want an Emergency

Response Recovering system?

No.

Do any of these buildings require or want an Emergency

Communication system. Temporary construction period only wireless fire alarm system can be provide if needed.

Not at this time.

Does the USDA have 24/7 security at the WRRC campus? If yes, will that suffice for fire watch if needed?

Unless determined during construction and negotiated otherwise, contractor does not need to provide fire watch.

Specification 1.10.2 and 2.3.6 call for any proprietary software needed by qualified technicians to implement future changes to the fire alarm system must be provided as part of this contract. In order for the technician to receive this programming software they must obtain training to become certified by the manufacturer. This training typically occurs in at the training facility in Connecticut. Are we to include costs associated with sending people to the training to obtain the certification and software? If so, how many people should we account for?

If required, include training and travel costs for two people in your proposal. Installer to provide all passwords, keys, etc. so that any service technician can work on the system.

Can the Government extend the proposal due date out at least seven days after questions are answered?

The RFP will be slgihtly extended due to these questions.

33 Date for site walk? This occurred back on 04/25/2023. See Amendment #1.

Spec Section 2.2.1 / Standard Products states "The following brands are the only brands allowed for this project as head-end equipment:

a. Potter Signal (used as Basis Of Design (BOD)

b. Notifier

c. FCI

d. Silent Knight

Will the government allow to propose Design Modular fire alarm system from Siemens for this project (the data sheet is attached)?

Yes. Siemens Desigo / Cerverus are allowed as long as client is provided with all passwords, software keys, cables, etc. for any technician (Siemens Branch, Solution Partner, trained End-User) to service and support the entire system.

36 Is it possible to schedule a follow up / second site visit? No seconrd site visit is being entertained.