33330222RF0010023 Amendment 008.pdf

(x)

33330222RF0010023

x x

1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE

RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR

OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

OCON

Washington DC 20013-7012

MRC 1200

P.O. BOX 37012

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

17001030008

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

05/02/2022

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

Willard B. Powell

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Previous edition unusable

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

07/01/2022

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

A. The Solicitation Number cited above, to upgrade Fire Alarm and Mass Notification System at the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), located in Washington, DC, is hereby amended as follows:

A.1. Attached hereto and made part of this Amendment Eight are the SI Responses to RFI's for Questions Number 118-121.

A.2. Offerors shall acknowledge receipt of all amendments to this solicitation signed and dated and submit with proposal.

C. The Due Date for Receipt of Proposals remains Friday, July 8, 2022, at 3:00 PM EST.

Continued ...

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

33330222RF0010023/0008

Except as provided herein, all other provisions, terms and conditions of the Solicitation remain unchanged.

END OF AMENDMENT EIGHT

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

Smithsonian Institution Office of Planning Design & Construction

PROJECT:NMNH: Upgrade Fire Alarm and Mass Notification System (SF Project # 1700103)

LAST UPDATED: 7/01/2022

Request for Information SI Response

1 Will this project involve any new metal stud framing and installation?

The contract documents do not include construction of new rooms nor directing the construction of any new stud partitions for this project. There will be some incidental plaster repair and incidental drywall repair as required to coordinate with the Fire Alarm and Mass Notification system(s) project scope.

2 I don’t assume any Union or PLA rules will apply Union or PLA rules do not apply. Davis Bacon Wage Rate

Determination does apply for this project

3 Is this bid opportunity for small businesses complying with FAR-19 only?

Yes, this is set aside to Small Businesses.

NAICS Code – 236220

Size Standard - $39.5M

Is there a Hazardous Material Report that can be obtained for review prior to submitting our proposal?

SI's National Museum of Natural History does not have an

Hazardous Material Report.

Section III Past Performance: Can a general contractor submitting a proposal use past performance references from a subcontractor providing a large portion of the work and/or engineering/designer in their proposal?

Yes, he can submit but it shouldn’t have the same “value” as a prime who submits self-performed past performance references (subs can change post award).

Can the Siemens Cerberus Pro Modular / XLS be considered an equal as the Performance Specification calls out the Desigo Model? The Siemens

Desigo Modular and the Siemens Cereberus Pro Modular are identical in

Features / Functionality / Operator Use / Maintenance performance / functionality, the reason for the 2 different names are that the Desigo is sold through the Siemens Branch Channels / the Cereberus Pro through the VAP, (Value Added Partner), Channels, the only difference is a slight variance in communications - to simplify a different language is used, with Approval as an equal we would be able to provide seamless communication of Data Streams with the Existing 40% Campus previously upgraded through use of a Communications Driver that is available to provide the Seamless Communication, with this Approval we could widen the Gap in regards to bid participation, presently the way the Specification is written it heavily favors only 1 bidder, please see

Attached Datasheets to review how both Panels are virtually identical and we can easily migrate the Existing NMNH / Smithsonian MXL

Platforms to the Cerberus Pro Modular request. (3 Attachments)

Bidders shall submit in accordance with the contract documents. Proposed alternate is not accepted.

Can the NMNH be Supported by Branch or a Value-Added Partner? Is it possible to transfer service between partners or branches? Through our

Siemens Customer Choice program, Customers are able to switch service provider, system, or purchase end-user licenses needed to meet their needs. A system transfer process will take place between the partners and/or branches. (1 Attachment)

Bidders shall submit in accordance with the contract documents. Proposed alternate is not accepted.

Please consider requiring an electronic submission only. Typically, the vendors do not release their proposals until shortly before the time that the bid is due. The requirement for physical delivery will handicap

Offerors’ ability to provide the most competitive pricing.

Hardcopy is not required. Electronic Submission only.

Dropbox Link:

https://www.dropbox.com/request/DgOtf3G7KiZB0n5Wj7j8

If the mail delivery requirement remains in place, can offerors insert a blank placeholder for the Cost Proposal Submission form, and formally provide Pricing in the electronic DropBox Submission? This will allow offerors to provide the most competitive pricing.

See Question #8

Due to the magnitude and complexity of this project, we request a two-week extension to the bid date to provide a complete price for a complete scope of work.

Proposal Due Date is extended to Thursday, June 30, 2022 at

3 PM.

Please extend the bid due date by two (2) weeks to allow bidders to respond to RFIs and prepare proposals accordingly.

See Question #10

Page 121 pf 131, Section L.14. Proposal Preparation Instructions. Please confirm if the Offeror is to only submit the bid electronically through

Dropbox.

See Question #8

Please schedule additional site visits to accommodate subcontractor review and inspection of non-public areas

Additional Site Visit is scheduled for Monday, June 13th at 9

AM. The starting point at 9:00 AM will be at the Constitution

Ave Entrance to the National Museum of Natural History

(MNMH). Address is 10th & Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20560.

On the drawings, we found a combination speaker/strobe device with the subscript “wr” next to it. We cannot identify what the subscript stands for. Please identify what the subscript “wr” represents.

Unable to locate "wr" on plans. Please identify location of subscript so meaning can be confirmed.

On the drawings, we found a speaker device with the subscript “sd” next to it. We cannot identify what the subscript stands for. Please identify what the subscript “sd” represents.

The "sd" label is not applicable. Speakers in the following locations should be designated as "L" and provided as linear arrays (JBL 50 LAS): Hall 16 (Mammals Hall), Hall 10 (Oceans

Hall), and Hall 2 (Fossils Hall), North Lobby, and Baird

Auditorium. Speakers with the "sd" designation label in

West Court shall be installed as Siemens Speakers to meet SI

OSHEM intelligibility requirements.

Per the Solicitation the project duration is 852 calendar days. Per the

Schedule on Sheet G-1-30 the project duration is 929 calendar days.

What is the correct duration for this project?

Bidders shall provide bid based on project duration specified per solicitation.

General Contractor shall provide the blank signage material for each sign, and shall turn over to SI to complete printing prior to GC installation.

18 Signage information is included on Sheets A502 and A503.

Existing branch circuit identification is not available at this time will need to be verified by the contractor in field.

Signage – Detail 3/A-502 There is a note on this detail that states “3mm PVC sintra sign panel w/digital print or vinyl by NMNH.” Is the Smithsonian to furnish and install all the fabric and graphics for the new signage and the GC is only to furnish and install the frames only? If the complete signage is to be provided by the GC, can we be provided with a signage schedule to properly prepare our proposal?

Specification Section 101423 – Panel Signage Paragraph 2.2.D.1 states “Basis-of-Design Product: Custom fabrication per signage documentation – refer to X-series drawings.” There are no X-series drawings provided with the bid documents. Can we be provided with these drawings?

Electrical Demolition All of the existing Nodes that are to be removed has note 1 associated with them. Note 1 states “Existing Fire Alarm equipment to be removed. All associated wiring and conduit must be removed in its entirety back to the upstream electrical panelboard.” There is no indication of what panels boards these nodes are connected to. Please provide this information so that we can properly prepare our proposal?

Panel EWBEL3 is located in the HV Shop Office EB1H which is across the hall from the EW Basement Main XFMR vault and

Node 11.

EC1EL2 is located in the 1st floor East Court Electrical Closet

CE102 which is directly next to Tel/Data/Sec Closet CE103 and Node 9.

Contractor to field verify all new areas requiring additional detection or notification prior to generating fire alarm shop drawings.

DRAWING NOTE 9: OPEN TO ABOVE.

DRAWING NOTE 10: REFER TO DWG FA-N7-B2, DETAIL 4

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PAD AND ASSOCIATED

EQUIPMENT.

Specification Section 013100 – Project Management & Coordination

Per Paragraph 1.4.B we are to develop coordination drawings for all portions of the building. In addition, it states that we will be provided with the CAD files to prepare the coordination drawings. Will the CAD files provided include the existing ductwork layouts for all portions of the museum? Any BIM requirements?

CAD files for building wide duct layout are not available.

There are no BIM requirements for this project.

Qualified employees of subcontractors can perform work specified on project.

CQC representative shall meet qualifications specified in the solicitation. No waivers will be granted.

27 Submittals Assistant is required. No waivers will be granted.

Detail 6/E-401 New Node 11 FA Panel is called out to be connected to Panel EWBEL3.

We cannot find the location of this electrical panel on the bid documents.

Can we be provided with a plan showing the location of Electrical Panel EWBEL3 so we can properly prepare our proposal?

Detail 3B/E-402 Per this detail the new Node 9 FA Panels are to connect to Electrical Panel EC1EL2. We cannot find the location of this electrical panel on the bid documents. Can we be provided with a plan showing the location of Electrical Panel EC1EL2 so we can properly prepare our proposal?

Drawing FA-0-02 General Notes General Note 8 states “Contractor required to field verify existing conditions including locations of new rooms and spaces constructed after completion of contract documents. Where rooms and spaces have been added that do not appear on the backgrounds, provide smoke detection per NFPA72 spacing at a minimum.” How many new areas have been constructed since these contract drawings have been completed? As this is a competitive project can we be provided with an allowance of how many additional smoke detectors should be carried by all the bidders so that we are all on equal footing?

Drawing FA-X-B2 Plan calls for Drawing Notes 9 & 10, but there are no drawing notes 9 & 10 on the plan. Please provide the correct drawing notes on plans?

Please provided a corrected list of Drawing Notes as there are (2) notes 4 & 5.

Specification Section 014000 – Quality Requirements Per Paragraph 1.7.L.4 – CQC Specialized Supplemental Personnel we are to have supplemental personnel to report to the QC Manager for Selective Demolition, Welding, Electrical Systems and Fire Protection Systems.

Can these personnel be employees of the subcontractors performing this work or are we to hire a third party to perform these functions?

Specification Section 014000 – Quality Requirements Per paragraph 1.7.L.1 the CQC Representative shall have the following requirements: “The CQC Representative shall be a graduate engineer or architect with a minimum of seven (7) years of construction experience on projects similar to this one, including 3 (3) years’ experience in Quality Control.” Can the requirement for a graduate engineer or architect be waived if the CQC Representative meets the experience requirements?

Specification Section 014000 – Quality Requirements Per paragraph 1.7.L.3 we are to include a CQC Submittals Assistant until the submittals are 95% complete. Can this requirement be waived as it is not a necessary position?

Restroom facilities will be available for contractor use.

Contractors are responsible for cleaning up after use.

Logistic and Protection requirements are identified on

3/G120. At a minimum, dust protection is required for all work occurring near exhibitory. Some cases may require hard protection, but it is not anticipated that this is the majority of cases. Final coordination of locations and requirements shall be determined by the COTR.

Work specified under paragraph 3.3 regarding lay out of work using accepted survey practices for verification can be done by qualified and experienced personnel. GC doesn't have to engage engineer.

31 Building wide Reflected Ceiling Plans are not available.

Specification Section 017823 – Operation and Maintenance Data

Paragraph 1.7.C is a schedule of specification sections that states

“Provide complete information in the equipment and systems manual on products specified in the following sections.” The list of specifications that follows has nothing to do with this project and the majority of these sections are not included in the specifications. Can we be provided with a list of specification sections that we are to include in the Operations and Maintenance Manuals?

Contractor shall provide all manuals relevant to design bid documents.

Incidental plaster or drywall work and repair may be required as part of pathway routing etc. These sections are included for that purpose only.

Will the government accept a letter from the offeror’s insurance firm in lieu of an EMR?

Revised Bidders may can submit either, and we will evaluate.

Please confirm that Smithsonian will use the CPARs database for Past

Performance verification, since PPIRS was retired on January 15, 2019.

Yes, CPARS database will be used.

May offerors submit projects that have substantial completion? If so, please clarify what the percentage of completion should be for projects.

All reference projects must be complete. No projects submitted with substantial completion will be accepted.

Please confirm whether we are required to submit Quality Control personnel resumes for BOTH the Tab B Quality Assurance section AND the Tab C Resumes section.

Revised Submit one set of resumes in Tab C instead of two sets of resumes for Tab B and Tab C is allowed. Reference page number.

Please confirm whether “project size” refers to the square footage of the building/area of the project.

Yes, project size refers to dollar value and square footage.

Please clarify who would be included in the “CQC Specialized

Supplemental Personnel”.

Please refer to Spec 014000, Section L for personnel requirements. All personnel shall be listed and resume/qualifications provided.

Specification Section 015000 - Temporary Facilities and Controls

Per paragraph 3.2.F we will not be allowed to use the existing restroom facilities. As all the work on this project will be performed when the museum is closed can we be allowed to use the existing restrooms?

Temporary Protection As many of the Fire Alarm devices are in the ceilings above existing exhibits will the Smithsonian relocate these exhibits? If they are not to be relocated what type of protection will be required when working around and above the exhibits?

Specification Section 017300 - Execution Per paragraph 3.3.B we are to “Engage an engineer to lay out the Work using accepted survey practices.” Is this requirement necessary and can this requirement be waived?

Fire Alarm Pathway Drawings As we have only been provided with partial acoustical ceiling plans and many of the areas where we are to install the new pathways for the Mass Notification system are in areas not covered by the Partial Reflected Ceiling Plans can we be provided with a complete set of Reflected Ceiling plans so we can properly price this project?

Specification Sections 092613 & 092900 These specification sections are for Gypsum Veneer Plaster and Gypsum Board Systems. Please provide direction as where these items are to be used as there is nothing indicated on the documents for work associated with these specification sections?

Please clarify what is required for the Backlog section. Is this a list of current projects from the offeror?

Yes, this is a list of current projects from the offeror.

Please clarify the specific qualifications you are looking for in key personnel. It appears there are requirements for the CQC representative listed in the specifications, but not for the other positions.

Please refer to Spec 014000, Section L for personnel requirements. All personnel shall be listed and resume/qualifications provided.

RFP Page 126, L.II.B Resumes. “The individual resumes shall be prepared in a consistent format for each of the key positions and contain at a minimum, the following: 1. Name, title, address, and telephone numbers.” Please confirm whether the address and telephone numbers needed are for the firm the person works for.

Yes, work address and telephone numbers.

Specification Section 252001 – Integrated Mass Notification System

Paragraph 3.5.L.7.a states ”The contractor shall provide a bid option to have a professional graphics artist create up to 20 graphics with the associated mass notification alerts for use with the RSS/MRSS feed and digital signage players.” This bid option is not listed Specification Section

012300 – Bid Options for this project. Are we to include this bid option as part of our proposal?

Bidders shall provide bid option for mass notification alerts.

Page 85 of 131, Section 52.236-S0027: Part (a) reads Superintendent shall be “at the project site during progress of work.” Part (b) is a bit different, specifying “The Superintendent shall be in attendance at the

Project site not less than eight hours per day, five days per week.” Please confirm if a full-time superintendent is required.

Full time superintendent is required.

Page 126 of 131, L.29.I.B Resumes. Please confirm if any two or more of the Key Personnel positions can be combined and fulfilled together by one qualified personnel. If Key Personnel positions can be combined, please identify which positions can and/or cannot be combined.

Bidders shall follow requirements per solicitation. Positions cannot be combined. Contractors shall specify personnel roles and responsibilities.

Page 127 of 131, L.29.III Past Performance. The Past Performance

Retrieval System (PPIRS) merged with the Contractor Performance

Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) and PPIRS retired in January

2019. Please confirm that the Offeror may instead provide and use

CPARS where PPIRS are requested, referenced, and involved throughout the proposal.

CPARS is allowed.

Page 127 of 131, L.29.III Past Performance. Please confirm Offerors will

NOT be scored less favorably if the Offeror submits relevant projects with Owner’s Representative contact information but do not have a

PPIRS/CPARS.

Offerors will not score less if PPIRS/CPARS are not available.

Page 127 of 131, L.29.III Past Performance. Confirm Offerors are to NOT directly insert a copy of the project’s PPIRS/ CPARS into the proposal, only to identify PPIRS/ CPARS in the proposal by reference with Project

Title, Agency Client Name, and PPIRS/ CPARS Contract Number.

Yes

Page 127 of 131, L.29.III.B: The solicitation requests offerors to complete

AIA A-305 Contractor’s Qualifications Statement. Could the Owner provide this document for Offerors to complete?

AIA A-305 Contractor's Qualifications Statement https://www.aiacontracts.org/contract-documents/6331908-contractors-qualification-statement

Page 127 of 131, L.29.III.B: The latest version of AIA Document A-305 –

2020 has additional, optional Exhibits A, B, C, D, and E to add onto

Document A305. Since the Exhibits are not identified in the proposal’s instructions, please confirm the Offeror does NOT have to complete and submit Exhibits A, B, C, D, and E in the proposal with AIA A-305.

A completed Contractor's Qualifications Statement (AIA

Document A-305) must be submitted, which includes

Exhibits A-E.

Page 128 of 131, L.29.III.D Backlog. Please clarify and elaborate how

Offerors should present their backlog for the past two years. Our backlog is continuously updated as project work progresses. Do we identify backlog remaining at the end of each Fiscal Year?

Yes

Page 128 of 131, L.29.III.E. Financial Capability: Please confirm the

Smithsonian will permit Offerors to provide secure, password protected links to financial information instead of inserting financial statements directly into the proposal, for security reasons.

Yes, it is allowed.

Page 128 of 131, L.29.III.E. Financial Capability: Please elaborate specifically what information or documentation Offerors can provide to prove they possess sufficient resources to successfully complete the project.

Inclusion of audited and/or interim financial statement; total bonding capability; written bank references; and determination that your company possesses sufficient resources to successfully complete this project.

Please confirm if there are requirements for personnel to be US Citizens or possess Green Cards.

All personnel working on SI project shall be US Citizens or possess green cards.

Is there any required equipment the contractor must furnish in the contractor’s office?

Contractor must furnish any equipment that they may need on site.

Page 25 of 31 Section 01 50 00 S. Jobsite Safety – Safety Coordinator; Is this position to be on site at all times? Can the superintendent also fill this role?

Safety Coordinator does not have to be on site at all times.

However a safety coordinator must be designated.

Is SI aware of any known hazardous materials the contractor may encounter on the project?

If contractor suspects hazardous materials during work, contractor shall perform testing for hazardous materials.

Reference Section 01 32 33 Construction Video Recordings; Is the videographer to continuously record at all locations where work is being performed?

Contractor shall follow all requirements specified under Spec

01 32 33.

Ref. FA X A2 Sheet 128 of 235 - Confirm no new work required at Floor

Plan A Sector 2 with the exception of one smoke detector identified in-between column lines WR4/WR4 and above row WRD.

Based on existing floor plans, this is confirmed. Contractor to field verify if any new areas have been added to floor / sector that would require additional detection or notification prior to generating fire alarm shop drawings.

Ref. FA X D4 Sheet 145 of 235 - Confirm the (5) devices between 6.3 /

7.5 and at row ER D. The symbols are not legible and seem to indicate

"RTS" which is not an item listed on the Fire Alarm Symbols list FA 0 01

Sheet 62 of 235.

The 5 devices show at this location are duct detectors. The

RTS symbol next to each duct detector is for remote test switch required to be provided per drawing note 5.

Ref. FA X E2 Sheet 148 of 235 - Confirm no new scope of work located in

Floor plan E Sector 2

A new smoke detector is required to be provided in Mech

CW 1XXM per the contract documents.

Ref. FA X E4 Sheet 149 of 235 - Confirm the (2) devices between 3 / 4 and at row ER C.5 + C.6. The symbols are not legible and seem to indicate "RTS" which is not an item listed on the Fire Alarm Symbols list

FA 0 01 Sheet 62 of 235.

The devices show at this location are duct detectors. The

RTS symbol next to each duct detector is for remote test switch required to be provided per drawing note 5.

Ref. FA X F4 Sheet 154 of 235 - Confirm the (2) device at column line 3 and at rows ER C + C.5. The symbols are not legible and seem to indicate

"RTS" which is not an item listed on the Fire Alarm Symbols list FA 0 01

Sheet 62 of 235.

The devices show at this location are duct detectors. The

RTS symbol next to each duct detector is for remote test switch required to be provided per drawing note 5. There is also a smoke detector in these space that is existing to remain.

Ref. FA X F4 Sheet 154 of 235 - Confirm the device in Tel/Data Security

Closet CE403, the symbol is not legible.

The symbol is for a terminal cabinet.

Ref. FA X G2 Sheet 157 of 235 - Confirm no new scope of work located in

Floor plan G Sector 2

Based on existing floor plans, this is confirmed. Contractor to field verify if any new areas have been added to floor / sector that would require additional detection or notification prior to generating fire alarm shop drawings.

What percentage complete are the bid documents? What level of design, if any, should be included by the bidders?

Bid documents are 100% complete. Bidders shall design and provide Shop Drawings per the requirements of these bidding documents and the requirements for Shop Drawings per NFPA 72.

The term “design team” is used often in the documents. Should this project be considered design-build?

No, the project is not considered a design-build.

Is Siemens required to engineer the system down to the device layout?

Will Siemens be required to check the bid documents for proper layout of all devices including distances, candela rating, etc.?

Current contract documents are construction documents per

907.1.1 of IBC. Contractor required to provide Fire Alarm

Shop Drawings per 907.1.2 of IBC per specification 283111 requirements, which includes more detailed information and preparation in accordance with NFPA72 requirements.

Please confirm that all the submission updates noted throughout the

“Basis of Design” documents have been integrated into the bid set of documents and/or specifications?

All bid documents/specifications have been posted on

SAM.gov.

Since the majority of work is off-hours and all testing of the fire alarm system will be off-hours as well. Please confirm that SI will provide adequate security and inspection (escorts) at no cost to the contractor for the off-hours work.

Confirmed.

This project will require an aggressive schedule to be able to complete in the allowed number of working days. It will be even more difficult if we are to complete one portion of the building at a time. For this project to be successful, our experience shows that we will need multiple crews working in multiple areas to complete a project of this size in the given time frame. We request that we will be able to work multiple portions of the building concurrently with multiple crews. Please advise.

Coordination with the SI stakeholders, security and other contractors will be required. GC shall meet with COTR to discuss number of crews allowed at any one time and addition to the work areas.

It is our experience that with a project of this magnitude the three escorts stated to be provided will not allow for enough crews to work to complete this project in the given time frame especially since the hauling of materials to the work areas will require an escort as well. We request that more escorts be available to the contractor. Please advise.

Coordination with the SI stakeholders, security and other contractors will be required. GC shall meet with COTR to discuss number of crews allowed at any one time and addition to the work areas.

Will an electrician who installs the conduit and wire for the fire alarm system be required to have a Nicet certification?

Contractor shall follow "Qualifications of Installer" specified per Spec Sect 28 31 11.

Is the contractor to provide a historic preservationist to coordinate installation of the new fire alarm equipment?

As needed, GC shall provide historic preservationist to coordinate with SI's COTR, design team and historic preservationists prior to installing equipment involving historic preservation.

Please identify the areas and/or exhibits where we will be allowed to leave the temporary protection in place possibly for scaffolding to reach certain areas for installation?

GC shall coordinate with COTR on protection.

Is it possible to obtain the as-built drawings for the current fire alarm system?

The bid documents provided reflect the existing conditions of the fire alarm system. There are no as-built drawings available. Contractor to field verify if any new areas have been added to floor / sector that would require additional detection or notification prior to generating fire alarm shop drawings.

Please provide the current test report on the existing fire alarm system.

Also, please identify if there are any current troubles and /or supervisory notifications on the existing system.

The fire alarm test report is unavailable for distribution.

Please identify the existing panel locations on the drawings where it was determined that there is not adequate space for new system components to be installed.

Demolition FAD-NX-XX series drawings provided show locations of existing panels. Locations for new panels are shown on FA-NX-XX series drawings.

Please identify on the drawings, describe, and/or possibly provide pictures of the panel deficiencies. Please confirm that the deficiencies that are to be corrected are for fire alarm panel locations only i.e., are we to correct every deficiency in every panel closet that we perform work in?

All panels are to be replaced as part of the project.

Will there be any modification to the fire-rating integrity of the existing fire alarm control rooms? This would include additional wall protection such as dry-wall and/or fire rated plywood, ventilation, fire-rated doors etc. If so, please provide locations on the drawings and describe the extent of the work.

Modifications are not required.

What level of confidence testing will be required on the existing fire alarm system to replace the fire alarm system by phase and integrate with the existing system to keep a fully functional system?

Additional clarification required. What does question mean by "confidence testing?"

Please define the intelligibility testing to be completed. What are the requirements?

Refer to Specification 283111, Section 2.2.C.10 for requirements. OSHEM to confirm standards with successful vendor.

Please confirm that the intent is to have two fire alarm systems (MLX and Desigo) working side by side until the new system is fully installed, commissioned, tested, and approved?

Confirmed. See general notes on FA-0-02 for additional details on installation requirements.

84 Is the fire watch the contractor’s responsibility or will SI be providing? Fire watch shall be provided by contractor.

Will fire watch be required when the fire phones are being replaced since all fire phones must be completed at once? Also, please define what is meant by “at once”.

At the conclusion of each work shift the system(s) will be returned to service so there is no outage /impairment when done for the day. The final logistics of fire phone installation shall be discussed after project is awarded to successful vendor.

Are there any fire phones to be replaced in the elevators? If so, please provide the contact information of the contractor that maintains the elevators so that work can be coordinated

Contractor that maintains elevators is Elcon.

Would the use of fire alarm rated MC cable be entertained for those areas where accessibility would be difficult to provide a complete conduit system without major impact (and possible damage) to the existing finishes and/or exhibits?

SI stakeholders will review on a case-by-case basis. Conduit is NMNH's preference. Notify COTR for any proposed areas for MC Cable.

Would the use of flexible metal conduit in lengths greater than six feet be entertained for those areas where accessibility would be difficult to provide a complete conduit system without major impact (and possible damage) to the existing finishes and/or exhibits?

SI stakeholders will review on a case-by-case basis. Rigid conduit is NMNH's preference. Notify COTR for any proposed areas for flexible metal conduit.

Will 3rd Party testing be acceptable for the final fire alarm system testing?

3rd party testing is acceptable for final fire alarm testing.

Will a 3rd Party be allowed to take over AHJ responsibilities, such as moving device locations and/or adding devices etc., at contractor cost?

Additional clarification required.

It is stated that all Desigo panels are to be installed at the same time.

Furthermore, it states to cross over and test circuits one-at-a-time.

What is meant by all the panels being installed “at the same time?”

Also, what is the extent of the testing required on each circuit after the wire is re-landed into the new Desigo panel?

At the conclusion of each work shift the system(s) will be returned to service so there is no outage /impairment when done for the day. The final logistics of panel installation shall be discussed after project is awarded to successful vendor.

In the documents section 6.0 (Acoustics), will the Siemens “High Fidelity” speakers and strobes be permitted on this project?

High fidelity speakers and strobes required to be used in accordance with Specification 283111, Section 2.6.B.

Please confirm that, if provided, the Bose Free Space Speakers are not to be painted to match the existing area.

Confirmed. Speakers are not to be painted. Colors will be selected from the manufacturers full range.

Is any of the new conduit required to be painted to match existing areas or is all fire alarm conduit to be painted red? If so, to what extent is the conduit to be painted (i.e. all supports, supporting hardware, couplings, connectors, etc.)?

All exposed conduit, supports, hardware, couplings, and connectors shall be painted to match adjacent finishes.

Typical throughout the building.

Will floor protection be required where we are to roll small material carts, utilize lifts and/or ladders, etc.?

Contractor shall provide floor protection when necessary. GC shall coordinate with COTR.

Specification section 28 31 11 calls for a circuit loading of 10%.

According to Siemens engineering, the 10% 2.4V drop is based on the standard starting voltage of 21.7 for voltage drop calculations. This amounts to an end voltage of 19.3V. This is based on the battery loss over the 24-hour period of backup. Siemens PAD-5 uses the patented voltage booster technology. Where a standard extender panel approaches 19.3 volts at a 10% drop, the PAD-5 does not approach 19.3 volts until it is at a 19-20% voltage drop. PAD-5 panels cannot be measured the same as other extender panels unless the projects intent is to limit the use of emerging technologies. We believe this to not be the case since it was specifically requested. Any circuits showing a voltage above 19.3V is within the 10% drop allowed for a standard notification extender panel and still has the exact same amount of additional loss built into the circuit as the other extender panels.

No question has been asked here. Please confirm question.

It is not the intent of the design to limit the use of emerging technologies.

Please provide the approximate size of the contractor staging area. Will the contractor be permitted to store lifts, ladders, gang boxes, tools, and materials for the project in this location?

The approximate size of the contractor staging area will be

10' x 20'.

98 Please provide the lead and ACM reports for the building.

SI's National Museum of Natural History does not have lead/ACM reports to provide.

Is it possible to start the 852-day time for completion after the Siemens shop drawings have been approved? Any fire alarm infrastructure installed prior to the approval is at the risk of the contractor and is subject to change based on the approved drawings. This would ensure that ample time is given to the contractor to complete the project.

Contractor shall have the time frame specified in the solicitation.

Since majority of this work will be night work, we request that 180 days be added to the 852-day schedule to account for the 180 days of lost production due to the special events at the museum.

In the case of special events, work can still be done in other areas of the NMNH. GC to coordinate with COTR.

101 Are the electrical contract drawings part of a 3D model? The electrical contract drawings are not part of a 3D model.

What is the minimum size conduit to be illustrated on the coordination drawings for individual conduit runs?

The minimum size conduit is 3/4''

In specification section 01 50 00 V. 1., states “damaged detectors and sprinkler heads shall be replaced immediately by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Smithsonian Institution.” Does this statement apply to all existing devices? If so, how are we to quantify the number of devices that need to be replaced?

GC shall not be required to replace existing damaged detectors and sprinkler heads at GC's cost outside of the contract drawings.

Numerous reflected ceiling drawings include grayed out or areas that are darker than the remainder of the pages. The portion of these drawings are not clearly legible. (Examples: A7B1, A7B4, A7B6, A7D4, A7F4, A7F5,etc.). Please reissue these drawings without the darkened areas so that we can perform an accurate installation estimate.

Drawings shall not be reissued.

Please provide a listing of the Audio Visual contractors that installed the devices requiring MNS integration as outlined on the TA set of (Audio

Visual) drawings.

SI does not have list.

Typical Logistics sheet G120 General Note 17 and Construction Logistics

Keynote 1 both indicate that protection requirements will require review with the SI to determine if more than dust protection is required. Given the numerous different conditions that exist within the exhibit spaces, please provide definition of the additional types of protection that could be required and the number of locations for each type to accommodate reasonable pricing of this protection.

All protections plans will be reviewed on a case by case basis and coordination and approval with museum exhibits/collections managers/COTR will be required.

Typical Logistics sheet G120 General Note 1 states that "In some instances the removal of collections (Archive, Library, Sensitive Records, objects, specimens) may not be possible." Are we to assume that it is the

SI's intent to remove these collections, if possible, in advance of our work within these spaces? Further, please provide the quantity, location and sizes of the space that may not be possible to be removed.

Contractor shall coordinate with COTR and museum regarding temporary relocation of artifacts and research materials. The contractor shall give notice to the COTR at least 15 working days in advance of the time is needed per

Spec 01 10 00.

Will SI remove exhibits, that could impact the performance of our work, in the public spaces in advance of our work?

Contractor shall coordinate with COTR and museum regarding work in exhibits. Contractor shall give COTR at least 15 working days notice.

Please define the size and location of the office space that is to be provided for the contractor within the NMNH per general note 13 on sheet G120.

Location TBD, size of space is approx. 10' x 20'.

General Note 14 on sheet A001 requires patching of sprayed on fireproofing when disturbed by our work. Please provide structural drawings to accommodate this patching activity.

Building wide Structural drawings are not available. This work is expected to be very episodic, and dependent on the installation of equipment from other trades. Example: Fire protection locally damaged when installing a conduit run.

Are any special finishes required for the exposed wire mold in the public space beyond the finish specified in General Finish Note 4 on sheet

A001?

Wire molds shall be painted to match adjacent finishes.

Specification Section 028200 Asbestos Abatement-Paragraph 1.2.2 indicates that the contractor is to determine the quantities and locations of potential asbestos abatement from visiting the site. Is this requirement a post award requirement? Please define the scope of the survey, testing and abatement that we are to include is our bid pricing.

GC shall perform appropriate testing as needed.

Specification Section 014000 Quality Requirements paragraph L -3 indicates that a CQC Submittal Assistant is required until submittals are

95% complete. Can this individual have other duties during the submittal period?

GC shall follow requirements specified under Spec 014000

Sect. L

Specification Section 014000 Quality Requirements paragraph L -4 indicates Supplemental Personnel during the performance of certain activities. Can these individuals have other duties during the performance of their respective activities? Can supplemental personnel be employees of major subcontractors?

GC shall follow requirements specified under Spec 014000

Sect. L

RFP, page 127, III Past Performance. “Provide your firm’s Experience

Modification Ratio (EMR).” Will the government accept a letter from the offeror’s insurance firm in lieu of an

EMR?

Bidders may submit either, and we will evaluate.

Reference: RFP Page 125, L.H: Quality Assurance. “Furnish resumes of all proposed CQC and Alternate CQC Representatives.”

Reference: RFP Page 126, L.II.B Resumes. “Key Personnel shall include

Project Manager, Superintendent, CQC Representative, CQC Specialized

Supplemental Personnel, and subcontractors’ personnel performing critical elements of the Work.” Please confirm whether we are required to submit Quality Control personnel resumes for BOTH the Tab B Quality Assurance section AND the Tab C Resumes section.

Submit one set of resumes in Tab C instead of two sets of resumes for Tab B and Tab C is allowed. Reference page number.

Can we be provided with who installed the current A/V system that we will be extending/modifying? We have been informed by several A/V companies that only that vendor can perform the A/V portion of this project.

SI does not have AV vendor information.

Specification Section 014000 - Quality Requirements. Can the CQC

Representative be a Graduate of a Construction Management Program in lieu of a graduate engineer or architect?

A graduate engineer or architect is required, in accordance with specification 014000.

In response to RFI #81; In regards to the confidence testing, when a phase/new Node is brought on and is functional, what portion of the building outside of that Node will be required to be tested device by device?

An initial full system functional test shall be completed in accordance with specification 283111, Section 3.1. Testing shall be completed prior to commencing work.

In accordance with specification 283111, Section 3.2 requires a full functional acceptance test for each phase.

Section 3.2.C requires that portions of the fire alarm system that overlap between two phases shall be given special consideration in testing.

As a new node is installed and brought on to the network, the Contractor is required to perform a functional confidence test for all cross-panel logic associated with existing nodes which are interconnected to the new node.

At a minimum, the Contractor is required to test 100 initiating devices on the existing nodes for every new node provided. COTR/OSHEM/Fire Shop shall be engaged to confirm which devices will be tested prior to node testing and installation. This testing is in addition to the required testing by phase, and by full building.

Specification 283111, Section 3.3 also requires a full functional test of the entire Fire Detection and Alarm

System. These tests should be completed and documented in accordance with NFPA 72, article 14.4.2, which further details requirements.

Specification 283111, Section 1.12 requires warranty testing

1 month prior to expiration of warranty.

In response to RFI #90; the question is can a 3rd party inspection replace the AHJ to make on-the-spot decisions for device placement during installation?

No, a third-party inspection cannot replace the AHJ.

In response to RFI #96; The question is if a 15%-20% voltage drop on strobe circuits would be allowed for engineering purposes since the new

PAD-5 technology allows for it? This would reduce the need for up-sized wire and conduit, thus saving installation cost as well.

Minimum system field wiring and conduit sizes listed in

Specification 283111, Section 3.6 shall be met. No deviations shall be acceptable.