Questions and Answers FCC Coleman.pdf

FCC COLEMAN – FIRE ALARM REPLACEMENT

PROJECT 3D4V QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

SOLICITATION 15B30221B00000001

SUBMITTED BY GW SYSTEMS, INC.:

1. Substitutes:

• Will fire alarm manufacturer substitutes be accepted, reviewed and approved prior to awarding of the bid?

Change: See specification section 28, 283100-7, 2.2-J, for revised language regarding existing system compatibility requirements with “Siemens Desigo Central Receiving Stations.” Also, please refer to Solicitation clause JAR 2852.211-70 and Provision FAR 52.211-6.

• If so, what is the process/procedure to submit substitution? Clarification: Please refer to Solicitation clause JAR 2852.211-70 and Provision FAR 52.211-6.

2. Will the Notice to Proceed be issued at time of bid award or after approval of engineered drawings from the engineer/ owner?

Clarification: Please refer to Solicitation clauses FAO-0004, FAO-0005, JAR 2852.211-70 & FAR 52.211-6.

3. Will DWG format files be provided for design on the buildings and site included in the solicitation? Clarification: No DWG format files will be provided.

4. Are as built drawings available for buildings and site/network included in the solicitation? Clarification: No as-built drawings (other than what is shown in the design drawings) will be made available. If there is a legitimate need for a specific aspect of the existing buildings to be clarified (such as a wall cavity), submit request through RFI process.

Attempts will be made to locate the detail, however, Contractor is responsible for confirming all as-built conditions on site.

5. Please provide information regarding site communication loop.

• Is it currently copper or fiber optics? Clarification: Site communication loop is fiber optic.

• If fiber, is it multi-mode or single mode? Clarification: Single mode.

• If communication is deemed operable and compliant, can it remain or shall it be replaced? Clarification: If communication is deemed operable and compliant, it could remain.

6. Conduit/Wire:

• Can existing conduit be utilized if it is found to be compliant with current specifications? Clarification: See Demo Sheets; Sheet Notes #3; Existing conduit shall be reused where available.

• Can existing wire be utilized if is found to be operable and compliant with current specification? Clarification: If the wiring is code compliant and functioning, then the wiring could be reused at the discretion of the contractor;

but the installation contractor will be responsible for functionality and warranty of the entire system including the wiring.

• What are the requirements for conduit type in inmate occupied areas? Clarification: See F-001; Fire Alarm Note #16 and #21; All wiring shall be installed in metal conduit.

7. Voice evacuation system is detailed in food service building only. Is there a requirement of voice evacuation in other occupied areas? Clarification: Voice Evacuation is fire alarm speakers that in case of a fire will give a pre-recorded evacuation message, instead of the just temporal tone. Voice Evacuation is only required in Food Service Areas; this requirements was indicated to Pond while on site. The intention of this requirement is food service would be areas where large amount of people would be gathering at one time and may require more detailed evacuation direction.

8. If existing device locations are to be utilized and are not currently at the required height, please advise requirement for relocation? Clarification: It is the intention of the design documents that all appliances and devices be replaced, and that only if the existing mounting height, and location was code compliant, the location (backbox) could be reused as well as the conduit leading to the backbox if conduit met all requirements of engineering documents and NFPA 72. In addition, having different aged appliances/ devices would make maintenance very difficult and would hard if not impossible to warranty a system with different age/ type or appliances/ devices.

9. Please advise procedure for demolition of existing device locations not to be reused.

• Will cover plated be acceptable? Clarification: No, that is a security hazard.

• Will locations require patching and painting? Clarification: F-001; SOW Note #4; “….ceilings, walls, and floors that conduit is currently passing through and walls and ceiling that devices and appliances are currently attached to, will be impacted during demolition and will require filling and patching on a case by case basis. Walls, ceiling, and floors will be repaired to match the existing construction and/or fire/smoke ratings as applicable.”

10. Shall contractor be responsible for existing troubles on panels outside of buildings being worked on? Clarification:

Any system in building not included in the engineering documents/ RFP should not be included. Contractor of award is responsible for all fire alarm systems that they install and troubles on all new panels installed as part of this project.

11. Please provide additional details for onsite storage. Shall awarded contractor be responsible for container/storage or will on site storage be provided? Clarification: Several options are available. Tool storage for B class tools can be secured on site within a locked gang box. A 7 AA class tools (tools that can cut metal, start fires, and/or assist in an escape) have to be removed from within the secured perimeter fence daily; however, these can also be stored in a locked gang box outside the perimeter fence. Storage of conduit, devices, etc. can be stored within the secured perimeter in a locked connex type box, or can be secured outside the secured perimeter locked in a connex type box, project trailer, etc. FCC Coleman will not provide a storage area within any of our buildings nor provide security against contractor’s materials being damaged and/or stolen prior to installation into our buildings.

12. Will utility vehicles be allowed on site for personnel and material transportation in the complex?

Clarification: Yes, UTV vehicles will be allowed within the secured perimeter of FCI Low and FCI Medium along with a trailer for hauling materials in and out, within the following restrictions:

a. UTVs coming onto the compound area (inmate access areas) must be battery operated and not gas/diesel powered.

b. UTVs coming inside the secured perimeter fence should be diesel powered and must remain in “no man’s land” or other areas gated off from easy inmate access.

c. Keys to all UTVs must remain in the possession of FBOP staff when the UTV is not being used.

d. Trailers should be open and easily searchable to prevent introduction of contraband and/or locating an inmate attempting to escape. Small enclosed trailers may be permitted, upon Captain’s approval;

however, they will need to be completely searched coming into and departing the Rear Gate which is very time consuming.

13. Please provide specific working hours. Are weekends available for exterior buildings?

Clarification: Specific set working hours will be coordinated with the COR and the Contractor. The work sites will be available to the contractor between the hours of 6:15 AM and 3:45 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. Typically, no Facilities staff work on Saturday and Sundays; however, with sufficient notifications and enough notice arrangements can be made to work on those days if needed and if Facilities department staff are available to provide escort coverage. Some outside buildings will not be accessible to the contractors on the weekends due to other department’s staff will also have to be present to allow access to the building due to the sensitivity of the items within those buildings. In short, it may be possible to work some weekends on a case by case basis of each outside building;

however, I would not recommend counting on working weekends.

14. Please provide number of escorts that shall be designated to this project. Can work be performed in multiple buildings, inside the complex, with multiple crews? Shall escorts be completely designated to installation crews or will they be on standby for operational emergencies (ie: fencing, telephone, network issues, etc.)?

Clarification: (A.) Two Facilities staff escorts will be provided daily, Monday-Friday, to escort this project. (B.) Multiple buildings within the same institution is permitted; however, an escort is needed at each location, so more than two work sites at a time is not likely. (C.) Escorts will be designated to the installation crews; however, if an escort is needed for something else, he/she will be relieved by another escort so as to not impede the projects progress.

15. In the event of an unforeseen lock down or a federal closure, shall duration of contract be extended?

Clarification: Yes, at the Contracting Officer’s discretion, the contract performance period will typically be extended, at a minimum, by the number of working days the contractor was prevented from performing work on the contract due to circumstances outside the contractor’s control.

16. Shall value engineering be acceptable for inmates installing conduit?

Clarification: No value engineering in a life safety project.

17. Shall bid be based on plans and specifications or shall it be considered inclusive of meeting current codes/BOP guidelines for current installation (ie: connection to exhaust fans/dampers as required)?

Clarification: Plans and specifications already meet code and follow BOP guidelines. Any questions should come through as RFIs. The contractor shall include what is necessary to comply with NFPA and FBOP policy. All associated components such as the exhaust fans and dampers must operate as per NFPA when a fire alarm is activated.

SUBMITTED BY ACCORD FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC:

18. Page F-001 Note 16 says all fire alarm conduit shall be painted red. Please clarify, is that all conduit or all junction boxes? Clarification: Sheet F-001; Fire Alarm Note #19; All Conduit must be factory finished red, or painted red. This is in reference to the conduit and not appliances/ devices. Fire alarm devices/ appliances shall be factory colored.

19. Page F-001 Note 21 says that “CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE PATHWAY SURVIVABILITY OF LEVEL 1.” Does this include sprinkler coverages changes as needed or is this only in reference to metal raceways for all wire? Clarification:

Scope of Work (SOW) does not include any sprinkler changes.

20. Page 5, IV. PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION REQUIRED: Are the Prime bidders allowed to use subcontractor past performance? Clarification: Please submit Past Performance on work performed as Prime contractor.

SUBMITTED BY LOTUS DYNAMICS INTERNATIONAL LLC:

21. Would it be possible to use the existing wiring that is with the current system?” From the site visit today the contractors learned that they want to put in the new system separate from the old system and then once the new system is up and functional take out the old system. From Richard’s extensive experience with Fire Alarm removal and installation he said that the best way to do this would be to keep the existing wiring and then his team could do one leg at a time. For one day 90% of the facility would functional and at the end of the day when the leg is complete it would be 100% functional until the entire new system is completed. Is there any consideration to keep the existing wiring?

Clarification: See response #6 – b above.

SUBMITTED BY HIGH POINT ELECTRIC:

22. Scope of work states to reuse existing conduit to the greatest extent possible. Please advise if the existing fire alarm wire can be reused as well if in good working order. If wire is allowed to be resued will the government amend the drawings or contract to allow for this? This will greatly impact down times and phasing. Clarification: See response #6 – b above.

23. Please advise if multiple buildings can be worked in at the same time. Clarification: See response to question #14 above.

24. Does the customer have lifts on site that contractors may use for the course of project duration? If not please advise if there is any special requirements to bring equipment such as a man lift inside the buildings. Please confirm that contractor is allowed to bring heavy equipment in to the buildings. Clarification: FBOP will not provide equipment for contractor use. Lifts are permitted, so long as the meet security requirements (secured at end of shift, disabled at end of shift, etc.). “Heavy” equipment (dozers, loaders, etc.) will not be permitted inside buildings.

25. Please advise if the Government expects any hazardous materials to be encountered during this project. Unless otherwise directed, we assume that no hazardous material testing, identification, and/or abatement will be required.

Clarification: No hazardous materials should be encountered during this project. No testing is anticipated.

26. Please advise if there will be a laydown area close to the project site for material, equipment, toilets, etc. during construction for the duration of this project. Please advise these locations if the Government has already chosen a laydown area for the project. Are there any security requirements for the lay down area? Clarification: Yes, lay down area inside secured perimeter will be connex boxes or similar, provided by contractor. Requirement is it be secured at the end of each shift or when not around it. Restrooms are available throughout the institutions within close proximity to most worksites. See additional responses to question #11 above.

27. Please provide what the normal working hours will be for the duration of the project. Clarification: Typically 6:15am to 3:45 pm. See more thorough response to question #13 above.

28. The system drawings and verbiage refer and show a fiber optics network for the fire alarm system. Is it assumed that the customer will be providing the fiber back bone between buildings, and the contractor is responsible for the patch cables between the panel and the IT closet? Clarification: See response to question #5 above.

29. Will the provided fiber optic network be multi-mode or single mode fiber? Clarification: See response to question #5 above.