Questions and Answer TCX.pdf

FCC TUCSON – UPGRADE FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEM

PROJECT 23Z6AK3 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

SOLICITATION 15BFA023B00000005

SUBMITTED BY CORNERSTONE CONTRACTING, INC.:

1. Drawing FA0.0.01; Notes 5, 32, 35 & 45:

a. Please confirm that the new fire alarm system shall be run in concurrence with the existing fire alarm system, meaning all new raceways and wire?

CLARIFICATION: Assume that is the case for bidding purposes. However, as an information note, it should be noted that the institution is staffed 24/7, and FBOP will utilize the staff on duty as the 24/7 fire watch. In such a case, where fire watch is in effect, the existing system does not have to stay in service at the same time as the new system. It is the contractor’s responsibility to limit Fire Detection System down time to minimize disruption to institutional operations.

b. If so, please confirm that a new fire alarm control panel shall not be used to replace the existing fire alarm control panel providing the ability to replace device for device on the existing system using existing raceways and wiring?

CLARIFICATION: See above comment.

2. Drawing FA0.0.01; Note 13:

a. Is a serial required to be provided with the new fire system?

CLARIFICATION: Note 13 refers to the fire alarm system having the capability to operate a system printer, which should be included in the bid.

b. If so, what is the quantity to be provided?

CLARIFICATION: See above comment.

3. Drawing FA0.0.01; Note 28:

a. Does the fire stopping have to be performed by a certified contractor?

CLARIFICATION: Yes.

4. Drawing FA0.0.01; Note 30 & 46:

a. Do California codes and standards need to be followed?

CHANGE: No, California codes do not need to be adhered to. Disregard that reference in those notes, and disregard note 46 entirely. Applicable Codes include, but are not limited to, the latest International Building Codes (IBC), including the International Fire Code (IFC), NFPA 72, and NFPA 101.

5. Drawing FA0.0.01; Note 40:

a. Is load testing and/or study required for 120 VAC circuits?

CLARIFICATION: No.

6. Drawing FA0.0.02; Keynote 1:

a. Are new Waterflow & Tamper switches to be provided or just modules to monitor the existing switches?

CLARIFICATION: The scope is stated on the drawings. In most cases modules/relays are being replaced or provided. Specific notes call out replacement of waterflow and tamper switches if applicable.

b. If they are to be replaced, is there any information about the type of switches that are currently in place since this could mean replacing the entire control valve depending on the style?

CLARIFICATION: See above comment.

7. Drawing FA1.1.01; Note 12:

a. Are any drawings available for above ceiling spaces to determine accessibility?

CLARIFICATION: No.

8. Drawing FA0.0.01; Note 34 & Specification 284621.11-24; Section 3.3:

a. These two sections contradict each other. Please specify if the exposed conduit shall be color matched to wall or to be painted red.

CLARIFICATION: Adhere to the drawings; exposed conduit shall match the wall colors. Please note exposed conduit will be a very limited condition due to security requirements.

b. If color matching is required, are paint codes available?

CLARIFICATION: Yes Paint codes will be provided to the awarded contractor.

9. Drawing FA0.0.01; Note 37 & Specification 011000-2; Section 2D:

a. These contradict each other. Please specify which is correct.

CLARIFICATION: Adhere to the drawings; the building does not employ relocation or partial evacuation in the case of an event, so level 0 path-way survivability is permitted as per the NFPA 24.3.14.4.2, as noted on the drawings.

10. Specification 011000-2; Section 2C:

a. Please provide quantity and locations of fire fighters phones required.

CLARIFICATION: Fire fighters phone not required.

11. Specification 284621.11-12; Section 2.5 A:

a. Please specify “Or Approved Equal”. Are manufacturers such as Notifier, Siemens, Potter, Gamewell-FCI, etc. acceptable?

CLARIFICATION: Please refer to Solicitation provisions FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal. An equivalent fire alarm manufacturer does not need prior approval for a bid submittal. Contractor is required to submit documentation that products proposed meet the specification requirements as stated and request approval prior to beginning of construction.

12. Specification 284621.11-13; Section F:

a. Are any areas considered sleep areas?

CLARIFICATION: Yes, where the inmates are sleeping. Generally these locations will be in housing units or segregated housing units (SHU), but could be in other limited locations as well such as infirmary.

13. Specification 284621.11-14; Section J, 284621.11-21; Section B, 284621.11- 22; Section C:

a. Please confirm the fire alarm system is to be monitored by a 3rd party central station.

CLARIFICATION: No. FBOP will be their own on-premise monitoring station, and the system will not dial out to a 3rd party. The location of the UL Listed Monitoring and Control Workstation is shown on the drawings, in the FCI control building and USP Administration building, respectively.

b. If so, how should the monitoring agreement be handled, should X number of years be included with the quote?

CLARIFICATION: See above comment.

14. Are any gas furnaces/HVAC present?

a. If so, in what areas and should carbon monoxide detection be provided?

CLARIFICATION: Some gas-fired equipment is present, however carbon monoxide detection is not required. The sleeping areas are not R (Residential) occupancy, they are I-3 (institutional).

15. Who is the authorized elevator contractor to assist with interfacing the elevator controls?

CLARIFICATION: There is no current elevator contractor for the FBOP. Arizona Elevator Solutions has been used in the past to work on our elevators.

16. Regarding the Manufacture and Model of the Fire Alarm system - the Specification does not call out any specific products/manufacturers, which tells me the project is open to any Manufacture/model. However, the drawings indicate an EST fire alarm system. This equipment is propriety, so only EST dealers can provide this system.

Will this project be spec'd EST or is it open to other Manufacturers?

CLARIFICATION: Please refer to Solicitation provisions FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal. An equivalent fire alarm manufacturer does not need prior approval for a bid submittal. Contractor is required to submit documentation that products proposed meet the specification requirements as stated and request approval prior to beginning of construction.

17. Will FBOP provide the awarded contractor architectural, electrical and mechanical drawings in AutoCAD format for both facilities?

CLARIFICATION: Yes, as a reference and to facilitate production of engineered Shop Drawings. The Contractor, and their designer of shop drawings, remain responsible for vetting the information to their professional satisfaction based on field conditions.

18. Is all fiber optic cable required to be terminated in an enclosed lockable fiber enclosure?

CLARIFICATION: Yes, as per the specification 271523 – 5, section 3.1.B. With the exception of cross-connections in existing data racks, as needed to complete the Class A loop.

19. Is the existing fiber network terminated in lockable fiber enclosures?

CLARIFICATION: No, please refer to the drawings and review the design intent in detail. The existing fiber optic cables are not part of an existing fire alarm network, they are spare fiber optic cables. The scope includes, but is not limited to, providing new fiber optic cables to/from the location of existing data racks.

20. Is the fiber optic network required to be a class A wiring network?

CLARIFICATION: Yes.

21. What is the acceptable fill ratio for the conduit? Are the bidding contractors to assume all existing pathways can be used?

CLARIFICATION: The acceptable conduit fill ratio is 40% or less.

22. The fiber installation will be in underground conduit. Will OSP loose tube SM OS2 fiber be acceptable?

CLARIFICATION: Yes it will be acceptable as long as it meets specifications.

23. Can you please post the sign in sheet for the site visit?

CLARIFICATION: Site Visit Meeting minutes and sign in sheet will be posted via amendment.

24. Can we utilize existing fire alarm raceways. If not please note that exposed raceways may be needed in areas that we can hide conduits.

CLARIFICATION: Utilizing fire alarm raceways is permitted if other project conditions allow for it. Please carefully review requirements in drawings and specifications, almost all raceway is intended to be concealed (not exposed).

As an information note, it should be noted that the institution is staffed 24/7, and FBOP may choose to utilize the staff on duty as the 24/7 fire watch. In such a case, where fire watch is in effect, the existing system does not have to stay in service at the same time as the new system.

25. In electric rooms that also had FA equipment there is limited to no space to install new equipment. Is it acceptable to temporarily mount the new equipment until the old system can be removed.

CLARIFICATION: Yes.

26. Will we always have an escort to let us in and out for materials? If not, what does that process look like?

CLARIFICATION: Contractors will be under constant escort supervision. It is recommended that the contractor bring in materials and tools required to meet planed work each day to limit trips as much as possible.

27. Will we be able to complete one building at a time? Install and demo before moving to a different location.

CLARIFICATION: Yes, it is recommended that an area is completed if possible before moving on to the next area, so that not more than one building is down at a time in each institution.

28. How many escorts/ staff will be provided at one time. For example, if we have a crew split up to complete separate tasks will each group have an escort.

Do we need “gang release” on any cell doors?

CLARIFICATION: Contractors will be escorted at all times, a minimum of three escorts will be provided. The availability and the needs of the institution that day may change. The amount of contractors to escort ratio is not an issue. The contractors will remain under constant escort supervision.

29. Do you want manual pulls throughout as indicated? Only recommend pull stations in control room areas within population, other buildings we only recommend the required pull station at the panel.

CLARIFICATION: Yes, provide pull stations as indicated. The question does make sense based on minimum code requirements, however the pull stations are shown not based on minimum Code requirement. FBOP policy requires manual pull stations throughout.

30. Who is the AHJ?s there a permit required, what is the process and how much does it cost?

CLARIFICATION: FBOP is the AHJ. The Contractor and their qualified designer will produced engineered Shop Drawings, as described in the Construction Document drawings and specifications. The FBOP and Engineer of Record will review and comment on the Shop Drawings, the Contractor will resolve the comments. The final reviewed set of Shop Drawings will be similar to a Permit Set for other AHJs.

Refer to the notes on FA0.0.01 and Specification Section 28 46 21.11 for additional details.

31. Are the mechanical chases in the pods air returns? If so duct detectors are required.

CLARIFICATION: Duct detectors have been shown throughout the drawings, additional devices (if required) will be addressed during construction.

32. Is there smoke control in any of the buildings?

CLARIFICATION: No smoke control.

33. Is the design spec minimums and devices must remain as indicated or can we adjust for proper coverage or is this a 1 for 1 replacemeCO detection in generator room or housing areas using gas heat?

CLARIFICATION: In general, the scope requires a set of engineered Shop Drawings as a delegated design item. Refer to the notes on FA0.0.01 and Specification Section 28 46 21.11 for additional details. In that sense, the PE or NICET Level 3 or 4 technician who will be stamping the Shop Drawings is responsible for proper coverage.

However, these types of minor adjustments (if any) are expected in the FCI site.

USP and associated Camp Site, the scope is a 1 for 1 replacement where adjustments are not recommended.

Please refer to response to item 14 regarding CO sensors.

34. Is Generator Monitoring needed or wanted?

CLARIFICATION: Generator Monitoring is not a part of the scope.

35. Are there any Pre-action or clean agent systems needing to report to the

FACP?

CLARIFICATION: No Pre-action or clean agent systems need to report to the FACP.

36. Are vandal-proof covers required on Fire Alarm devices?

CLARIFICATION: No.

37. Is asbestos a consideration in these facilities?

CLARIFICATION: The USP and Camp have no asbestos. The FCI is believed to have asbestos in some building material due to the time frame of when it was built.

However, testing that has been conducted thus far has resulted in negative findings of asbestos. Recommended contractor tests any suspected materials encountered during construction.

38. Would the Graphics Displays on the Monitoring Control Workstations be considered as a replacement or alternate for the Graphic Annunciator Panel or both required as currently specified?

CLARIFICATION: Both are required.

39. Are the existing FACPs all functioning and if not what are the failures of each system?

CLARIFICATION: All existing FACPS are currently functioning.

40. Specification calls out for Fire-fighters two-way communication, none are shown on plans, is this required?

CLARIFICATION: Fire fighters phone not required.

41. Several sections in spec and in construction notes refer to California requirements, is this to be taken into consideration for this proposal?

CHANGE: No, California codes do not need to be adhered to. Disregard that reference in those notes, and disregard note 46 entirely. Applicable Codes include, but are not limited to, the latest International Building Codes (IBC), including the International Fire Code (IFC), NFPA 72, and NFPA 101.

42. Are printers required?

CLARIFICATION: The capacity to install printers in the FACPs is required. The printers themselves are not a part of the scope.

43. Will any audio custom messages be used or will notification be horn tones played over speakers?

CHANGE: the scope is horn/strobes only (no voice evacuation).

44. Please confirm that these new systems will be Voice evacuation.

CHANGE: The system will not utilize voice evacuation.

45. Are there any existing Fire/Smoke dampers to be reconnected to new system?

CLARIFICATION: There are no smoke dampers. There are Fire Dampers, but they are mechanical (fusible link).

46. Will LAPTOP PC used for programming be allowed into the Administration Building at the new FACU location for programming purposes, other FACUs in the system should be able to be brought on line and downloaded from Admin FACU.

CLARIFICATION: A laptop for the purpose of programming will be allowed inside the Admin building with prior approval from the FBOP.

47. IFC 907.2.6.3.3 requires automatic smoke detection in housing areas. Is the provided design intended to meet exceptions 1 and 2 or do we need to provide additional smoke detection?

CLARIFICATION: The design provides adequate automatic smoke detection for the housing units. Exceptions 2 and 3 are applicable depending on location.

SUBMITTED BY R.T. CONTRACTOR CORP.:

48. Working Hours are noted in the solicitation as 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week but 7am to 3pm. Typically working hours account for the mandatory 30-minute lunch break. Can the working hours be revised to 7am -3:30pm for this reason?

CLARIFICATION: Working hours will be confirmed between the contractor and the COR, due to the nature of working in a security environment. Plan to work only 8 hours.

49. Can contractors perform work at multiple facilities simultaneously? i.e.

FCI, USP, Camp

CLARIFICATION: Contractors will be escorted at all times, a minimum of three escorts will be provided. The availability and the needs of the institution that day may change. The amount of contractors to escort ratio is not an issue. The contractors will remain under constant escort supervision.

50. Can contractors perform work at multiple buildings simultaneously? i.e.

Mesquite Housing Unit, Yucca Housing Unit, Saguaro Housing Unit.

CLARIFICATION: Contractors will be limited to a minimum of 3 escorts per workday, and the contractor is to decide how the work for each day will be accomplished. Contractor should not have more than two buildings fire detection systems down in each institution at one time.

51. Can contractors perform work at multiple locations and multiple facilities simultaneously?

CLARIFICATION: Refer to answers to question 49 and 50 above.

52. How many escorts will be available each day and what is the crew to escort ratio? i.e. 5 working crew to 1 escort.

CLARIFICATION: Contractors will be escorted at all times, a minimum of three escorts will be provided. The availability and the needs of the institution that day may change. The amount of contractors to escort ratio is not an issue. The contractors will remain under constant escort supervision.

53. Will a temporary trailer and connex box be allowed to be placed in the parking lot area?

CLARIFICATION: Yes, on-site laydown yard for equipment and material storage will be available and confirmed between the awarded contractor and the COR.

54. Will past performance references of projects Teaming Partners have completed be considered along with references for projects completed by the prime contractor?

CLARIFICATION: Please see Instructions to Bidders Section V. (10) page 5. Also see FAR 9.104-3.

55. Is the QCM required to be on site at all times while work is being performed?

CLARIFICATION: No the QCM is not required to be on site at all times as long as the contractual quality control requirements are met during the project.

56. 01 40 00 states that the QCM is not allowed to dual-hat as a Superintendent.

Is the QCM allowed to perform installation work?

CLARIFICATION: The Quality Control Manager is not allowed to perform the installation work.

57. Can the QCM full fill the role of SSHO as a QCM/SSHO dual-hat role?

CLARIFICATION: The QCM can full fill the role of SSHO

58. Drawings call out to reuse existing pathways. Shall bidders assume all pathways are in good condition and are reusable with enough capacity to install the new cabling?

CLARIFICATION: That is a reasonable assumption for the pathways in the USP and Camp Site buildings only, however, cannot be confirmed. Do not make this assumption in the FCI buildings, where the drawings do not call out the reuse of existing pathways. Keep in mind that reuse of conduit is at the Contractor’s risk and there are other conditions for reuse of conduit, for example refer to responses to question 1.

59. FA0.0.02 FA SOO Note 2 states: CONTRACTOR IS RECOMMENDED TO HIRE THE SERVICE COMPANY THAT MAINTAIN THE EXISTING ELEVATOR FOR RECALL INTERCONNECTION. Who is the service company that maintains the existing elevator interconnection? Please provide POC info.

CLARIFICATION: There is no current elevator contractor for the FBOP. Arizona Elevator Solutions has been used in the past to work on our elevators.

60. Will a confined space permit be required to access underground vaults?

CLARIFICATION: Confined space requirements, such OSHA requirements, must always be met. Entering confined spaces requires permission from the FBOP representative, however it is not an external permit. FBOP is the AHJ.

61. If a confined space permit is required, what is the timeline to be issued the permits?

CLARIFICATION: refer to the response above.

62. If a confined space permit is required, what department would issue the permits?

CLARIFICATION: refer to the response above.

63. To avoid surface mount conduit will the conduit that is installed in the tilt slab walls able to be reused?

CLARIFICATION: If the existing raceways can be incorporated into the new design they may be reused, assuming fire watch (where required) is provided for areas affected by the removal of existing devices.

64. Does an equivalent fire alarm manufacturer need to be approved prior to close of bid?

CLARIFICATION: Please refer to Solicitation provisions FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal. An equivalent fire alarm manufacturer does not need prior approval for a bid submittal. Contractor is required to submit documentation that products proposed meet the specification requirements as stated and request approval prior to beginning of construction.

65. Is an asbestos and hazardous materials report available?

CLARIFICATION: Current asbestos report provided.

66. If Firewatch is needed who is responsible to perform?

CLARIFICATION: If a Firewatch is required, the FBOP will be responsible for it.

67. Can you clarify the areas of conduit to be removed? i.e. Any exposed areas, what about in concrete walls and ceiling? Underground conduits?

CLARIFICATION: Any existing exposed or accessible conduit that is not re-used must be removed. Where conduits are in an accessible ceiling space and unused, remove conduit to nearest pullbox in ceiling space, and mark pullbox as spare.

Conduits that are encased in concrete walls, floor, and ceilings can be abandoned after cut flush to surface and being capped securely. All underground conduits will remain in place.

SUBMITTED BY DLJ CONSTRUCTION GROUP:

68. Drawing FA0.0.01; Notes 5, 32, 35 & 45:

a. Please confirm that the new fire alarm system shall be run in concurrence with the existing fire alarm system, meaning all new raceways and wire?

CLARIFICATION: Assume that is the case for bidding purposes. However, as an information note, it should be noted that the institution is staffed 24/7, and FBOP will utilize the staff on duty as the 24/7 fire watch. In such a case, where fire watch is in effect, the existing system does not have to stay in service at the same time as the new system. It is the contractor’s responsibility to limit Fire Detection System down time to minimize disruption to institutional operations.

b. If so, please confirm that a new fire alarm control panel shall not be used to replace the existing fire alarm control panel providing the ability to replace device for device on the existing system using existing raceways and wiring?

CLARIFICATION: See above comment.

69. Drawing FA0.0.01; Note 13:

a. Is a serial required to be provided with the new fire system?

CLARIFICATION: Note 13 refers to the fire alarm system having the capability to operate a system printer, which should be included in the bid.

b. If so, what is the quantity to be provided?

CLARIFICATION: See above comment.

70. Drawing FA0.0.01; Note 28:

a. Does the fire stopping have to be performed by a certified contractor?

CLARIFICATION: Yes.

71. Drawing FA0.0.01; Note 30 & 46:

a. Do California codes and standards need to be followed?

CHANGE: No, California codes do not need to be adhered to. Disregard that reference in those notes, and disregard note 46 entirely. Applicable Codes include, but are not limited to, the latest International Building Codes (IBC), including the International Fire Code (IFC), NFPA 72, and NFPA 101.

72. Drawing FA0.0.01; Note 40:

a. Is load testing and/or study required for 120 VAC circuits?

CLARIFICATION: No.

73. Drawing FA0.0.02; Keynote 1:

a. Are new Waterflow & Tamper switches to be provided or just modules to monitor the existing switches?

CLARIFICATION: The scope is stated on the drawings. In most cases modules/relays are being replaced or provided. Specific notes call out replacement of waterflow and tamper switches if applicable.

b. If they are to be replaced, is there any information about the type of switches that are currently in place since this could mean replacing the entire control valve depending on the style?

CLARIFICATION: See above comment.

74. Drawing FA1.1.01; Note 12:

a. Are any drawings available for above ceiling spaces to determine accessibility?

CLARIFICATION: No.

75. Drawing FA0.0.01; Note 34 & Specification 284621.11-24; Section 3.3:

a. These two sections contradict each other. Please specify if the exposed conduit shall be color matched to wall or to be painted red.

CLARIFICATION: Adhere to the drawings; exposed conduit shall match the wall colors. Please note exposed conduit will be a very limited condition due to security requirements.

b. If color matching is required, are paint codes available?

CLARIFICATION: Yes Paint codes will be available to awarded contractor.

76. Drawing FA0.0.01; Note 37 & Specification 011000-2; Section 2D:

a. These contradict each other. Please specify which is correct.

CLARIFICATION: Adhere to the drawings; the building does not employ relocation or partial evacuation in the case of an event, so level 0 path-way survivability is permitted as per the NFPA 24.3.14.4.2, as noted on the drawings.

77. Specification 011000-2; Section 2C:

a. Please provide quantity and locations of fire fighters phones required.

CLARIFICATION: Fire fighters phone not required.

78. Specification 284621.11-12; Section 2.5 A:

a. Please specify “Or Approved Equal”. Are manufacturers such as Notifier, Siemens, Potter, Gamewell-FCI, etc. acceptable?

CLARIFICATION: Please refer to Solicitation provisions FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal. An equivalent fire alarm manufacturer does not need prior approval for a bid submittal. Contractor is required to submit documentation that products proposed meet the specification requirements as stated and request approval prior to beginning of construction.

79. Specification 284621.11-13; Section F:

a. Are any areas considered sleep areas?

CLARIFICATION: Yes, where the inmates are sleeping. Generally, these locations will be in housing units or segregated housing units (SHU), but could be in other limited locations as well such as infirmary.

80. Specification 284621.11-14; Section J, 284621.11-21; Section B, 284621.11- 22; Section C:

a. Please confirm the fire alarm system is to be monitored by a 3rd party central station.

CLARIFICATION: No. FBOP will be their own on-premise monitoring station, and the system will not dial out to a 3rd party. The location of the UL Listed Monitoring and Control Workstation is shown on the drawings, in the FCI control building and USP Administration building, respectively.

b. If so, how should the monitoring agreement be handled, should X number of years be included with the quote?

CLARIFICATION: See above comment.

81. Are any gas furnaces/HVAC present?

a. If so, in what areas and should carbon monoxide detection be provided?

CLARIFICATION: Some gas-fired equipment is present, however carbon monoxide detection is not required. The sleeping areas are not R (Residential) occupancy, they are I-3 (institutional).

82. Who is the authorized elevator contractor to assist with interfacing the elevator controls?

CLARIFICATION: There is no current elevator contractor for the FBOP. Arizona Elevator Solutions has been used in the past to work on our elevators.