S02_Solicitation 36C10F24R0002.docx

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER

2. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

3. DATE ISSUED

PAGE OF PAGES

4. CONTRACT NUMBER

5. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST NUMBER

6. PROJECT NUMBER

7. ISSUED BY

CODE

8. ADDRESS OFFER TO

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include area code) (NO COLLECT CALLS)

10. THE GOVERNMENT REQUIRES PERFORMANCE OF THE WORK DESCRIBED IN THESE DOCUMENTS (Title, identifying number, date) 12a. THE CONTRACTOR MUST FURNISH ANY REQUIRED PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS?

(If "YES," indicate within how many calendar days after award in Item 12B.)

12b. CALENDAR DAYS

13. ADDITIONAL SOLICITATION REQUIREMENTS:

STANDARD FORM 1442 (REV. 8/2014)

STANDARD FORM 1442

Prescribed by GSA-FAR (48 CFR) 52.236-1(d)

SOLICITATION, OFFER,

AND AWARD

(Construction, Alteration, or Repair)

SOLICITATION

SOLICITATION

IMPORTANT - The "offer" section on the reverse must be fully completed by offeror.

9. FOR INFORMATION

CALL:

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

11. The Contractor shall begin performance within ____________ calendar days and complete it within calendar days after receiving award, notice to proceed. This performance period is mandatory negotiable. (See _____________________________).

YES

NO

a.

Sealed offers in original and ___________________copies to perform the work required are due at the place specified in Item 8 by _____________ (hour) local time _____________________ (date). If this is a sealed bid solicitation, offers must be publicly opened at that time. Sealed envelopes containing offers shall be marked to show the offeror's name and address, the solicitation number, the date and time offers are due.

b.

An offer guarantee is, is not required.

c.

All offers are subject to the (1) work requirements, and (2) other provisions and clauses incorporated in the solicitation in full text or by reference.

d.

Offers providing less than _______________________ calendar days for Government acceptance after the date offers are due will not be considered and will be rejected.

36C10F24R0002

X 06-03-2024

None 003C4 Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Construction and Facilities Management (00CFM3B) 425 I Street NW Washington DC 20001 Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Construction and Facilities Management (CFM) (00CFM3B) 425 I Street NW Washington DC 20001 Jason Hardy jason.hardy@va.gov Telecommunications Infrastruture Contract

This is a singled award Firm-Fixed-Price contract (Base Year and up to 4 Option Years) which encompasses a broad range of Telecommunications and Data Drops work on real properties located at the following locations:

1) Washington, D.C.

2) Maryland

3) Virginia

4) West Virginia

The contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, materials as applicable, tools, transportation, equipment, and travel necessary to accomplish the work contained in the Statement of Work. This procurement is a 100% set-aside for CVE Verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) per authority 38 U.S.C. 8127 (Public Law 109-461). In accordance with VAAR 819.7003(b), at the time of submission of a proposal, the offeror must represent that is is a SDVOSB concern, a small business concern under the NAICS code assigned to this acquisition, and is CVE-verified for eligibility in the SBA database.

The offeror shall also be registered with SAM.gov. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this procurement is 238210: Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors. Size standard is $19.0M.

X

X

52.211-10 X

Not Applicable 4:00pm

CDT

07-05-2024 X

14. NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR

15. TELEPHONE NUMBER

16. REMITTANCE ADDRESS

CODE

FACILITY CODE

17. The offeror agrees to perform the work required at the prices specified below in strict accordance with the terms of the solicitation, if this offer is accepted by the Government in writing within __________ calendar days after the date offers are due.

AMOUNTS

18. The offeror agrees to furnish any required performance and payment bonds.

19. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENT

NUMBER

DATE.

20a. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER 20b. SIGNATURE 20c. OFFER DATE

21. ITEMS ACCEPTED:

22. AMOUNT

23. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

24. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

ITEM

25. OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION PURSUANT TO

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)( 41 U.S.C. 3304(a) (

26. ADMINISTERED BY

27. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

PHONE:

FAX:

28. NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT

29. AWARD

Your Contractor agrees offer on this solicitation is hereby accepted as to the items listed. This to furnish and deliver all items or perform all work requirements identified award consummates the contract, which consists of (a) the Government on this form and any continuation sheets for the consideration stated in solicitation and your offer, and (b) this contract award. No further cont-this contract. The rights and obligations of the parties to this contract ractual document is necessary.

shall be governed by (a) this contract award, (b) the solicitation, and (c) the clauses, representations, certifications, and specifications incorporated by reference in or attached to this contract.

30a. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTOR OR PERSON AUTHORIZED 31a. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

TO SIGN

30b. SIGNATURE 30c. DATE 31b. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 31c. AWARD DATE

BY

OFFER

AWARD

STANDARD FORM 1442 (REV. 8/2014) BACK

(Include ZIP Code) (Include area code) (Include only if different than Item 14.)

(Insert any number equal to or greater than the minimum requirement stated in Item 13d. Failure to insert any number means the offeror accepts the minimum in Item 13d.)

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the solicitation -- give number and date of each) (Type or print) (4 copies unless otherwise specified) (Type or print) (Type or print) (Contractor is required to sign this document and return _______ copies to issuing office.)

(Contractor is not required to sign this document.)

(Must be fully completed by offeror) (To be completed by Government)

CONTRACTING OFFICER WILL COMPLETE ITEM 28 OR 29 AS APPLICABLE

See Pricing Schedule

101F Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Construction and Facilities Management 425 I Street NW Washington DC 20001

Department of Veterans Affairs

FMS-VA-2(101)

Financial Services Center PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971

Jason Hardy Contracting Officer

Price Schedule

This is a single award Firm-Fixed-Price contract (Base Year + 4 Option Years) which encompasses a broad range of Telecommunications and Data Drops work on real properties located at the following locations:

Washington, DC buildings:

· 810 Vermont Ave. NW

· 811 Vermont Ave. NW

· 1575 I St. NW

· 425 I Street NW

· 1800 G St. NW

· 801 I St. NW

· 1100 1St NE

· Russell Senate Office Building B-189

Maryland buildings:

· 7100C Landover Rd., Landover, MD.

· 7485 New Horizon Way, Frederick, MD

· 5202 Presidents Court, Frederick, MD

Virginia buildings:

· 1201 Broad Rock Blvd., Richmond, VA

· 10300 Spotsylvania Ave., Fredericksburg, VA

· 2900 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA

· 1700 N Moore Street, Arlington, VA

West Virginia buildings:

· 239 Lowe Drive, Shepherdstown, WV

· Martinsburg VA Medical Center

The offeror shall propose a fully burdened rate in accordance with the Statement of Work for the following CLINs for the Base Year and Four (4) Option Years:

(Base Year)

(Option Year 1)

(Option Year 2)

(Option Year 3)

(Option Year 4)

**NOTICE TO OFFEROR: For purposes of determining fair and reasonable pricing portion of the Basis of Award, the TOTAL PRICE for all five years combined as indicated above will be evaluated. Subsequently Option Years shall be escalated at a reasonable rate from the base year and the subsequent years.

***NOTICE TO OFFEROR: An allowance for materials will be added to the contract by the Government.

****NOTICE TO OFFEROR: An allowance for low voltage permits and travel will be added to the contract by the Government.

Please note that the 11 federal holidays include: New Year’s Day; Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.; Washington’s Birthday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth National Independence Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veterans Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.

STATEMENT OF WORK

Telecommunications Infrastructure Management

Office of Information & Technology

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Infrastructure Management Group primary responsibility is the installation and maintenance of all Horizontal, Vertical and VA owned Cable Plant cabling (copper & fiber) to support Telecommunications/Local Area Network (LAN) closets, Video Teleconference (VTC), work area outlets and Cable Television (CATV) outlets at the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO). These tasks encompass all on-site and off-site facilities in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area and other locations outside the metro area totaling 18 buildings, 12,000 communications outlets, 1548 multi-mode and 84 single mode Fiber Optic strands to date.

The Infrastructure Management Group interfaces and coordinates with the Telephone Group, Information Technology Support Services (ITSS) Networking, Construction Engineers, and Building Management and various VACO Departments to ensure that ANSI/TIA/EIA Telecommunications and VA’s standards are met and maintained.

Washington, DC buildings: 810 Vermont Ave. NW, 811 Vermont Ave. NW, 1575 I St. NW, 425 I Street NW, 1800 G St. NW, 801 I St. NW, 1100 1St NE, Russell Senate Office Building B-189.

Maryland buildings: 7100C Landover Rd., Landover, MD, 7485 New Horizon Way, Fredrick, MD and 5202 Presidents Court, Frederick, MD.

Virginia buildings: 1201 Broad Rock Blvd., Richmond, VA; 10300 Spotsylvania Ave., Fredericksburg, VA; 2900 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA; 1700 N Moore Street, Arlington, VA.

West Virginia buildings: 239 Lowe Drive, Shepherdstown, WV; Martinsburg VA Medical Center.

1.2 Purpose

The intent of this document is to provide a standard specification that will be used for all customer facilities requiring cabling installation and moves, adds, and changes (MAC orders). 70% of work is estimated to be MAC orders and 30% is estimated to be new installation. This document provides the minimum performance criteria for the components and sub-systems comprising a complete cable plant system that shall accommodate the owner’s requirements in excess of ten years. Attached is a list of Labor Clin(s) and Bill of Materials (BOM).

Product specifications, general design considerations, and installation guidelines are provided in this written document. If the bid documents are in conflict, the written specification shall take precedence. The successful contractor shall meet or exceed all requirements for the cabling system described in this document.

The successful contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, tooling, miscellaneous mounting hardware, and consumables for each cabling system installed. The contractor shall maintain current status with the warranting manufacturer, including all training requirements, for the duration of the Cable Infrastructure Project. The contractor shall staff each installation crew with the appropriate number of trained personnel, in accordance with their manufacturer/warranty contract agreement, to support the 10-Year System Warranty requirements. After installation, the contractor shall submit all documentation to support the warranty in accordance with the manufacturer’s warranty requirements, and to apply for said warranty on behalf of the customer. The system warranty will cover the components and labor associated with the repair/replacement of any failed link.

1.3 Scope

This document defines the cabling system and subsystem components to include cable, termination hardware, supporting hardware, and miscellany that contractor will furnish to install a complete telecommunications system supporting voice, video, and data. The intent of this document is to provide all pertinent information to allow the contractor to provide the labor, supervision, tooling, and miscellaneous mounting hardware and consumables to install and maintain a complete system. However, it is the responsibility of the contractor to propose any and all items required for a complete system if not identified in the BOM attached to this specification.

1.4 Applicable Documents

The cabling system described in this specification is derived in part from the recommendations made in industry standard documents. The documents below are incorporated by reference.

1) This Technical Specification and Associated Drawings

2) ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-D, Commercial Building Telecommunications Wiring Standard

3) ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B.2-1, Performance Specification for 4-Pair 100 Ohm Category 6 Cabling

4) TIA/TSB-140, Additional Guidelines for Field-Testing Length, Loss, and Polarity of Optical Fiber Cabling Systems

5) ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-E, Commercial Building Standard for Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces

6) ANSI/TIA/EIA-606-D, Administration Standard for the Telecommunications Infrastructure of Commercial Buildings

7) ANSI/J-STD-607-D, Commercial Building Grounding (Earthing) and Bonding Requirements for Telecommunications

8) Building Industries Consulting Services International (BICSI) Telecommunications Distribution Methods Manual (TDMM) – Latest edition

9) National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) – NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC) – 2023 If a conflict exists between applicable documents, then the order in the list above shall dictate the order of precedence in resolving conflicts. This order of precedence shall be maintained unless a lesser order document has been adopted as code by a local, state, or federal entity, and is therefore enforceable as law by a local, state, or federal inspection agency.

If this document and any of the documents listed above are in conflict, then the more stringent requirement shall apply. All documents listed are believed to be the most current releases of the documents; the contractor is responsible to determine and adhere to the most recent release when developing the proposal.

1.5 Travel or Special Requirements

The Government anticipates travel for the equivalent of two (2) personnel under this effort to perform the tasks associated with the effort throughout the period of performance as directed by the Government. Include all estimated travel costs in your firm-fixed price line items. These costs will be directly reimbursed by the Government.

The total estimated number of trips in support of the tasks related effort for this effort is one (1). Anticipated locations include the following, estimated at one (1) day in duration:

- Washington, DC to/from Martinsburg, WV

- Washington, DC to/from Shepherdstown, WV

- Washington, DC to/from Richmond, VA

- Washington DC to/from Fredericksburg, VA,

- Washington DC to/from Frederick, MD

Travel within Washington, DC and between Landover, MD and Washington, DC is considered local travel under this effort to perform the tasks associated with the effort through the period of performance. Contractor travel within the local commuting area will not be reimbursed.

1.6 Period of Performance

The Contractor’s on-site support shall be Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) at each of the Office of Information and Technology (OIT) locations listed above unless concurrence is granted by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for a schedule variance. The period of performance is one base year with 4 option years. Work at the Government site shall not take place on Federal holidays or weekends unless directed by the Contracting Officer (CO) and/or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

In the event of a Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation and/or the initiation of a contingency plan, infrastructure services support shall be provided at alternate locations within the National Capitol Region, i.e., Washington, DC, Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland.

In the event of a Government shut-down due to a local or national emergency or in the event of an administrative shut-down or closure due to weather, support will be provided from a remote alternate work location designated by the contractor.

1.7 Government Furnished Property

The contractor shall be provided access to Government furnished facilities. This shall include office space, desk, telephone, chair, and shared network printer. The contractor shall be responsible for securing all Government Furnished Property (GFP) that is assigned to them. The contractor shall be provided keys or codes for access to the Government facility. These keys and codes shall be controlled, tracked, and protected by the contractor. VA shall provide the following Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) to contracted personnel:

1. Laptop/Docking Station

2. Monitor(s)

3. Mobile phone Upon completion of the Period of Performance (PoP), all keys and/or access badges to the Government facility, GFE shall be turned in by the contractor’s Program Manager (PM) to the COR or VA PM or their designee.

2.0 Telecommunications Systems Requirements

2.1 Facilities Distribution

Contractor shall install or relocate data circuits, voice circuits, and coaxial or any combination thereof to each user outlet as a standard configuration. The data circuits are provided via Category 6 cables and voice circuits via Category 5e to each outlet. Horizontal data cables shall be terminated on rack-mounted Category 6 patch panels.

Where applicable, a 50/125µm OM4 or higher multimode and 8.3/125µm OS2 single mode fiber optic backbone shall be installed or relocated between the data Main Cross-Connect (MC) and each Telecommunications Room (TR) for data connectivity. All fiber shall be installed in fiber optic enclosures.

High pair-count Category 3 or 5e CMR riser cables are installed between the voice MC and each TR for voice connectivity. Within the voice MC and each TR, backbone copper pairs shall be terminated on wall-mount/rackmount 110Connect XC Cross-Connect termination frames.

3.0 Horizontal Distribution System

3.1 Telecommunications Outlets

Each telecommunications outlet (TO) location, unless otherwise noted, shall be provided with Category 6 cables. The TO faceplates, unless otherwise noted, shall be mounted with a single gang box, box eliminators, surface mount boxes and/or floor monuments (provided by a 3rd party) as required.

TO shall be capable of re-configuring the connector interface without re-terminating the building cabling. Horizontal cables shall terminate on 110-style card edge connectors capable of accepting adapter inserts to provide the appropriate communications connectors.

3.2 Telecommunication Outlet Installation

All outlets shall be installed in the following manner.

· Cables shall be coiled in the in-wall or surface-mount boxes if adequate space is present to house the cable coil without exceeding the manufacturer’s bend radius.

· In hollow wall installations where box-eliminators are used, excess wire can be stored in the wall.

· No more than 12” of slack shall be stored in an in-wall box, modular furniture raceway, or insulated walls.

· Excess slack may be neatly coiled and stored in the ceiling above each drop location when there is not enough space present in the outlet box to store slack cable.

In addition, each cable type shall be terminated as indicated below.

· Cables shall be dressed and terminated in accordance with the recommendations made in the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-D document, manufacturer’s recommendations and/or best industry practices.

· Pair untwist at the termination shall not exceed 0.5 inch for Category 6 connecting hardware.

· Bend radius of the cable in the termination area shall not be less than 4 times the outside diameter of the cable.

· The cable jacket shall be maintained as close as possible to the termination point.

· Voice jacks, unless otherwise noted in drawings, shall be in the first position(s) of each faceplate.

· Voice jacks in horizontally oriented faceplates shall occupy the left-most position(s).

· Data jacks shall occupy the middle position(s) on the faceplate.

· Data jacks in horizontally oriented faceplates shall occupy the right-most position(s).

3.3 Horizontal Distribution Cable

All horizontal cabling shall be 23 AWG, 4-pair UTP, NEC/NFPA [CMP or CMR] rated and be independently verified for compliance. Cable shall exceed all TIA/EIA and ISO Category 6/Class E requirements as well as meet the performance requirements.

3.4 Horizontal Distribution Cable Installation

· Cable shall be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations and best industry practices.

· Cable raceways shall not be filled greater than the NEC maximum fill for the raceway type.

· Cables shall be installed in continuous lengths from origin to destination (no splices) unless specifically addressed in this document.

· Where cable splices are allowed, they shall be in accessible locations and housed in an enclosure intended and suitable for the purpose.

· The cable’s minimum bend radius and maximum pulling tension shall not be exceeded.

· If a J-hook or trapeze system is used to support cable bundles all horizontal cables shall be supported at a maximum of four-foot intervals – at no point shall cable(s) rest on acoustic ceiling grids or panels.

· Horizontal distribution cables shall be bundled in groups of not greater than 40 cables (cable bundle quantities in excess of 40 cables may cause deformation of the bottom cables within the bundle).

· Cable shall be installed above fire-sprinkler and systems and shall not be attached to the system or any ancillary equipment or hardware.

· The cabling system and support hardware shall be installed so that it does not obscure any valves, fire alarm conduit, boxes, or other control devices.

· Cables shall not be attached to ceiling grid or lighting support wires.

· Where light support for drop cable legs is required, the Contractor shall install clips to support the cabling.

· Any cable damaged or exceeding recommended installation parameters during installation shall be replaced by the Contractor prior to final acceptance at no cost to the Owner.

· Cables shall be identified by a self-adhesive label in accordance with the System Documentation Section of this specification.

· The cable label shall be applied to the cable behind the faceplate on a section of cable that can be accessed by removing the cover plate.

· Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable shall be installed so that there are no bends less than four times the cables outside diameter (4 X cable O.D.) at any point in the run.

· Pulling tension on 4-pair UTP cables shall not exceed 25-pounds for a single cable or cable bundle.

3.4.1 Horizontal Cross-Connect for Voice Circuits

Horizontal side of the voice cross-connect shall consist of Category 6 or higher modular jack ports, wired to [T568A or T568B]. Patch panels shall terminate the building cabling on 110-style blocks. The installed system shall comply with all TIA/EIA and ISO Category 6 or higher requirements.

The horizontal side of the voice cross-connect shall be contained in 19” x 7’ rack(s). All equipment racks shall be augmented with horizontal and vertical cable management hardware, both front and rear, to properly dress horizontal cables and patch cords. Each patch panel shall be separated vertically on the rack by a 2 U horizontal finger duct cable management panel(s).

3.4.2 Horizontal Interconnect for Data Circuits

Horizontal interconnect shall consist of Category 6 or higher patch panels, which shall be wired to [T568A or T568B]. Patch panels shall terminate the building cabling on 110-style card edge connectors, which will accept adapter inserts to provide the appropriate connector interface. The installed system shall comply with all TIA/EIA and ISO Category 6/Class E requirements.

The horizontal data cross-connect shall be contained in 19” x 7’ rack(s). All equipment racks shall be augmented with horizontal and vertical cable management hardware, both front and rear, to properly dress horizontal cables and patch cords. Each patch panel shall be separated vertically on the rack by a 2 U horizontal finger duct cable management panel(s).

3.4.3 Horizontal Cross-Connect and Interconnect Installation

Copper termination and management hardware shall be installed in the following manner.

· Cables shall be dressed and terminated in accordance with the recommendations made in the TIA/EIA-568-D document, manufacturer’s recommendations and/or best industry practices.

· Pair untwist at the termination shall not exceed 0.5 inch for category 6A, 6 and 5e connecting hardware.

· Bend radius of the cable in the termination area shall not exceed 4 times the outside diameter of the cable.

· Cables shall be neatly bundled and dressed to their respective panels or blocks.

· Each panel or block shall be fed by an individual bundle separated and dressed back to the point of cable entrance into the rack or frame.

· The cable jacket shall be maintained as close as possible to the termination point.

· Each cable shall be clearly labeled on the cable jacket behind the patch panel at a location that can be viewed without removing the bundle support ties Cable labels shall not be obscured from view.

· The addition of the modular plug terminated link (MPTL) to the TIA/EIA 568-D document should be observed for horizontal runs that terminate directly to hosts, E.G., access points, security cameras, etc.

4.0 Backbone Distribution System

4.1 Main Cross-Connect (MC) and Telecommunications Rooms (TR) The MC and each TR, unless otherwise noted, shall house both voice and data backbone cabling and active equipment to support networking requirements. The MC shall be the main point of entry for outside services as well as main distribution point for all backbone cabling. Each TR will receive both voice and data cabling from the MC. The data backbone shall consist of 50/125µm OM4 or higher multimode and 8.3/125µm OS2 single mode cable and connectivity housed in rack-mount fiber optic enclosures. The voice backbone shall consist of multi-pair Category 3 or 5e cabling terminated on wall-mount 110 Connect XC cross-connect frames.

4.2 Product Specifications

4.2.1 Backbone CROSS-CONNECT FOR VOICE CIRCUITS

Backbone cross-connects for voice connectivity shall be rack- or wall-mount 110 Connect XC frames. Wall-mount and rack-mount frames shall be field-terminated 110 Connect XC frame kits, which include frame, blocks, bottom trough, horizontal wire troughs, connecting blocks, and designation strips. Wire management frames shall be mounted between adjacent vertical frames to provide wire management of cross-connect wire. Frames and bottom troughs shall be constructed of carbon steel, light almond in color. Wiring blocks, connecting blocks and horizontal troughs shall be constructed of polycarbonate molding compound. Wiring blocks shall be marked black every fifth pair. Combinations of 300 and/or 900 pair wall frames shall be used as required by the horizontal and backbone pair counts to be terminated in a closet. Backbone frames shall employ 5-pair connecting blocks on each 25-pair row.

4.2.2 Backbone Cross-Connect for Data Circuits

Each fiber optic cable shall be terminated with an SC connector in the Data MC and each TR in rack-mount enclosures providing protection for the terminated fibers. Each SC connector shall accept two 900µm buffered 50/125µm OM4 or higher multimode fibers or 8.3/125µm OS2 single mode fibers. Each SC connector shall meet the interminability requirements of TIA/EIA-604-12.

The backbone data cross-connect shall be contained in 19” x 7’ rack(s). Fiber optic enclosures shall be capable of containing SC connectors. Each fiber patch enclosure shall be separated vertically on the rack by a 2U rackmount fiber management enclosure.

All equipment racks shall be augmented with vertical cable management hardware, both front and rear, to properly dress backbone cables and patch cords.

4.3 Backbone Cross-Connect Connection

Copper termination and management hardware shall be installed in the Following manner:

· Cables shall be dressed and terminated in accordance with the recommendations made in the TIA/EIA-568-D document, manufacturer’s recommendations and/or best industry practices.

· Bend radius of the cable in the termination area shall not exceed 4 times the outside diameter of the cable.

· Cables shall be neatly bundled and dressed to their respective panels or blocks.

· Each panel or block shall be fed by an individual bundle separated and dressed back to the point of cable entrance into the rack or frame.

· The cable jacket shall be maintained as close as possible to the termination point.

· Each cable shall be clearly labeled on the cable jacket behind the patch panel at a location that can be viewed without removing the bundle support ties.

· Cable labels shall not be obscured from view.

Fiber optic termination hardware shall be installed in the following manner.

· Fiber slack shall be neatly coiled within the fiber termination enclosures or in rack-mount fiber management enclosures.

· No slack loops shall be allowed external to the fiber enclosure(s).

· Each cable shall be individually attached to the respective termination panel by mechanical means.

· The cable strength member(s) shall be securely attached the cable strain relief bracket in the panel.

· Each fiber cable shall be stripped upon entering the termination panel and the individual fibers routed in the termination panel.

· Each cable shall be clearly labeled at the entrance to the termination panel.

· Cable labels shall not be obscured from view.

· Dust caps shall be installed on the connectors and couplings at all times unless physically connected.

5.0 Backbone Cabling

5.1 Product Specifications

5.1.1 Backbone Cabling for Voice Circuits

Backbone voice cabling shall be 24 AWG, 25, 100, or 300-pair UTP, NEC/NFPA [CMP or CMR] rated and is independently verified for compliance. Cable jacketing shall be [white or gray] and shall be lead-free. [Individual conductors shall be 100% FEP insulated (if plenum)]. Cable shall be independently verified by ETL and shall exceed all TIA/EIA requirements.

5.1.2 Backbone Fiber Cabling

Backbone fiber shall consist of 900µm tight buffered 50/125µm OM4 or higher or 8.3/125 µm OS2 fibers surrounded by aramid strength members and a PVC outer jacket. Cables with fiber counts more than 12 shall have two or more subunits and may have a central member. The cable shall have a UL rating of [OFNR (Riser) or OFNP (Plenum)].

5.2 Backbone Cabling Installation

All backbone cables shall be installed in the following manner.

· Backbone cables shall be installed separately from horizontal distribution cables.

· Where cables are housed in conduits, the backbone, and horizontal cables shall be installed in separate conduits or in separate innerduct(s) within conduits.

· Where cables are installed in an air return plenum, the cable shall be installed in conduit, or plenum cable shall be installed in a plenum innerduct to provide protection to the cable.

· Where backbone cables and distribution cables are installed in a cable tray or wire-way, backbone cables shall be installed first and bundled separately from the horizontal distribution cables.

6.0 Relocation of Existing Communications Outlets

6.1 Systems Furniture Relocation

The contractor shall remove and reinstall communication outlets when systems furniture is re-configured. After cables are installed in systems furniture the contractor shall test and certify cables according to ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-D Standard.

6.2 Office Relocation

The Contractor shall remove and reinstall communication outlets when office furniture is re-configured. After cables are installed in wall the contractor shall test and certify cables according to ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-D Standard.

7.0 Telecommunications Spaces

The TR shall house racks, voice termination fields, and required cable routing hardware. Racks shall be placed in a manner that will allow a minimum of 3 feet of clearance from the front and rear mounting surfaces and on one side. If one mounting rail of the rack is placed against a wall, the mounting rail shall be no closer than 6” to the wall to allow room for vertical management. Where there is more than one rack, the racks shall be ganged with vertical management hardware to provide interbay management. Ganged rack frames will be placed in a manner that will allow a minimum of 3 feet of clearance from the front and rear mounting surfaces and on one side of the ganged assembly.

In all closets the racks shall be on the opposite side of the room from the voice termination fields. Voice termination fields shall be mounted on 4’ x 8’ x .75” virgin fire retardant plywood, unless otherwise noted in drawings, and shall be on the opposite side of the room from the room entrance. Backbone termination fields shall be mounted to the left of the horizontal voice fields. Conduits with 4” minimum diameter shall be used in all closets. Conduits for data backbone shall be located adjacent to the racks and conduits for voice shall be located adjacent to the voice termination fields. The contractor shall provide innerduct for all backbone fiber runs. Contractor shall provide required ladder and wall-mount management rings to properly support and dress cables from conduits to racks and frames.

7.1 Installation Specifications

Racks shall be installed in the following manner.

· Racks shall be securely attached to the concrete floor using 3/8” hardware.

· All racks shall be grounded to the telecommunications ground busbar (TGB) in accordance with Section 9.0 of this document.

· Rack mount screws (#12-24) not used for installing fiber panels and other hardware shall be bagged and left with the rack upon completion of the installation.

· Voice termination fields shall be mounted on 4’ x 8’ x .75” virgin plywood that is mounted vertically at 12” A.F.F.

8.0 Cabling System Testing

All cables and termination hardware shall be 100% tested for defects in installation and to verify cable performance under installed conditions. All conductors and fibers of each installed cable shall be verified useable by the contractor prior to system acceptance. Any defect in the cabling system installation including but not limited to cable, connectors, feed-through couplers, patch panels, and connector blocks shall be repaired or replaced in order to ensure 100% useable conductors in all installed cables.

All cables shall be tested in accordance with this document, the contract agreement, and best industry practices. If any of these are in conflict, the contractor shall be responsible to bring any discrepancies to the attention of the project team for clarification and/or resolution.

8.1 Copper

Each cable shall be tested for continuity on all pairs and/or conductors. Twisted-pair cables shall be tested for continuity, pair reversals, shorts, and opens plus tests that indicate installed cable performance.

8.1.1 Continuity

Each twisted pair of every installed cable shall be tested using a Fluke DSP 4300 cable analyzer or equivalent tester set that shows open pairs, shorts, polarity, and pair-reversals. The test shall be recorded as pass/fail as indicated by the test set in accordance with the manufacturers recommended procedures and referenced to the appropriate cable identification number and circuit or pair number. Any faults in the wiring shall be corrected and the cable re-tested prior to final acceptance.

8.1.2 Length

Each installed cable shall be tested for installed length using a cable analyzer type device. The cables shall be tested from patch panel to patch panel, block to block, patch panel to outlet or block to outlet as appropriate. The cable length shall conform to the maximum distances set forth in the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-D Standard (at time of writing 100 meters). Cable lengths shall be recorded, referencing the cable identification number and circuit or pair number. For multi-pair cables, the longest pair length shall be recorded as the length for the cable.

8.1.3 Performance Verification

Enhanced Category 6 or higher cable shall be performance verified using an automated test set. This test set shall be capable of testing for the continuity and length parameters defined above, and provide results for the following tests:

All Enhanced Category 6 or higher cable runs shall be tested in accordance with the field test specifications defined in the “Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard” TIA/EIA-568-D.1. The test equipment shall comply with the accuracy levels defined in TIA/EIA 568-B.1 Section 11 “Cabling Transmission Performance and Test Requirements”.

Test results shall be automatically evaluated by the equipment, using the most up-to-date criteria from the TIA/EIA Standard, and the result shown as pass/fail. Test results shall be printed directly from the test unit or from a download file using an application from the test equipment manufacturer. The printed test results shall include all tests performed, the expected test result and the actual test result achieved.

All Category 6 or higher cable runs shall be tested in accordance with the field test specifications defined in the “Transmission Performance Specifications for 4-pair 100 Ω Category 6 Cabling” by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA); ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-D.2.1. This document will be referred to as the Cat 6 Standard. The test equipment shall comply with the accuracy requirements for the level III field testers as defined in the TIA Cat 6 Document. Level IV testers as specified in Draft IEC61935-1 are also permitted.

The Pass or Fail condition for the cabling run under test is determined by the results of the required individual tests. Any Fail or Fail* result yields a Fail for the cabling run under test. In order to achieve an overall Pass condition, the results for each individual test parameter must be a Pass or Pass*.

A Pass or Fail result for each parameter is determined by comparing he measured values with the specified test limits for that parameter. The test result of a parameter shall be marked with an asterisk (*) when the result is closer to the test limit than the accuracy of the field tester Category 6 cabling systems shall be performance verified using an automated test set. This test set shall be capable of testing for the continuity and length parameters defined above and provide results for the following tests.

· Insertion Loss

· Pair-to-Pair Near End Crosstalk (NEXT)

· Power Sum Near End Crosstalk (PSNEXT)

· Equal Level Far End Crosstalk (ELFEXT)

· Power Sum Equal Level Far End Crosstalk (PSELFEXT)

· Return Loss Test results shall be printed directly from the test unit or from a download file using an application from the test equipment manufacturer. The printed test results shall include all tests performed, the expected test result and the actual test result achieved.

8.2 Fiber Optic Testing

Each fiber strand shall be tested for attenuation with an optical power meter and light source. Cable length shall be verified using sheath markings. If splices are used, splice attenuation shall be verified with an OTDR. The guidelines and procedures established for Tier 1 testing in TIA/TSB-140 shall apply.

8.2.1 Attenuation

Horizontal distribution multimode/singlemode optical fiber attenuation shall be measured in one direction at either 850, 1300 nanometers (nm) for multimode, 1310 nm, 1550nm for single mode using an LED light source and power meter. This measurement is consistent with the loss which network equipment will see under normal installation and use. Backbone multimode fiber shall be tested at both 850 nm and 1300 nm in one direction. Test set-up and performance shall be conducted in accordance with ANSI/TIA/EIA-526-14 Standard, Method B. Test results evaluation for the panel to panel (backbone) or panel to outlet (horizontal) shall be based on the values set forth in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-D.1.

Attenuation testing shall be performed with a stable launch condition using two-meter jumpers to attach the test equipment to the cable plant. The light source shall be left in place after calibration and the power meter moved to the far end to take measurements. Maximum attenuation for installed cables shall be evaluated based on the following formula: manufacturer’s maximum attenuation per kilometer divided by 1000 and then multiplied by the installed cable length in meters (the length based on cable length measurements marked on the jacket is suitable, but if OTDR testing is performed in accordance with 8.2.2, then the actual measured length shall be used). Conversion from metric to US Standard measurement shall use 3.2808 as a constant with the result rounded to the next highest whole number.

The adjusted cable attenuation value shall be added to the manufacturers mean loss per mated pair of connectors multiplied by the number of mated pairs under test (the testing for this project measures the loss over the installed cable plus two jumpers which accounts for three mated pairs of connectors – subtract one mated pair for the equipment interface to arrive at a total of two mated pairs under test).

The expected results for each cable (or group of cables of the same nominal length) shall be calculated before the start of testing and recorded in a space provided on the contractor’s test matrix. Each strand of fiber in the respective cable shall be evaluated against this target number. Any fibers that exceed this value shall be repaired or replaced at no cost to the owner.

8.2.2 Length and Splice Loss

Each cable shall be verified for length using sheath markings, a length-capable power meter or an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR). Splices, if used, shall be verified for loss using an OTDR. The OTDR measurements for length, if taken, shall be performed in accordance with ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-60 (FOTP-60). The measurements to determine splice loss shall be performed in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations and best industry practices. Refer to TIA/TSB-140 for additional guidelines. OTDR traces shall be taken if one or more of the following conditions exist.

· OTDR testing is specifically requested by the Owner (refer to Tier 2 testing in TIA/TSB-140)

· Each strand of all outside plant cables

· Each optical fiber splice (fusion or mechanical)

· A representative strand of each fiber cable over 300m in length

· Where abnormal or unexpected results are obtained during attenuation testing

· Where the cable has been subjected to extreme conditions or stresses during installation

9.0 Firestop Systems

A firestop system is comprised of the item or items penetrating the fire-rated structure, the opening in the structure and the materials and assembly used to seal the penetrated structure. Firestop systems comprise an effective block for fire, heat, vapor, and a pressurized water stream.

All penetrations through fire-rated building structures (walls and floors) shall be sealed with an appropriate firestop system. This requirement applies to “through” penetrations (complete penetration) and “membrane” penetrations (through one side of a hollow, fire-rated structure). Any penetrating items (i.e., riser slots and sleeves, cables, conduit, cable tray, raceways, etc.) shall be properly fire stopped.

9.1 Product Specifications

Firestop systems shall be UL Classified to ASTM E814 (UL 1479) and shall be approved by a qualified Professional Engineer (PE), licensed (actual or reciprocal) in the state where the work is to be performed. A drawing showing the proposed firestopped system, stamped by the cognizant PE, shall be provided to the owner’s technical representative prior to installing the firestop system(s).

9.2 Firestop System Installations

All firestop systems shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and shall be completely installed and available for inspection by the local inspection authorities prior to cabling system acceptance.

10.0 Grounding and Bonding

The facility shall be equipped with a Telecommunications Bonding Backbone (TBB). This backbone shall be used to ground all telecommunications cable shields, equipment, racks, cabinets, raceways, and other associated hardware that has the potential for acting as a current-carrying conductor. The TBB shall be installed independently of the building electrical ground and of the building ground and shall be designed in accordance with the recommendations contained in the ANSI/TIA/EIA-607-A Telecommunications Bonding and Grounding Standard.

The main entrance facility/equipment room in each building shall be equipped with a Telecommunications Main Grounding Busbar (TMGB). Each telecommunications closet shall be provided with a Telecommunications Grounding Busbar (TGB). The TMGB shall be connected to the building electrical entrance grounding facility. The intent of this system is to provide a grounding system that is equal in potential to the building electrical ground system. Therefore, ground loop current potential is minimized between telecommunications equipment and the electrical system to which it is attached.

10.1 Product Specifications

All racks, metallic backboards, cable sheaths, metallic strength members, splice cases, cable trays, etc. entering or residing in the TR or Electrical Room (ER) shall be grounded to the respective TGB or TMGB using a minimum #6 AWG stranded copper bonding conductor and compression connectors. Where metallic panels attached to the rack do not have sufficient metal to metal contact to provide an adequate path to ground, they shall be bonded to the rack using a minimum #14 AWG copper conductor. The copper conductor size shall be upgraded based on the largest power conductor feeding any rack-mount equipment. The conductor shall be continuous; attaching all isolated components in a daisy chain fashion from top to bottom and bonded to the rack using an appropriate compression connector.

All wires used for telecommunications grounding purposes shall be identified with green insulation. Non-insulated wires shall be identified at each termination point with a wrap of green tape. All cables and busbars shall be identified and labeled in accordance with the System Documentation Section of this specification.

10.2 Ground System Installation

The TBB shall be designed and/or approved by a qualified PE, licensed (actual or reciprocal) in the state that the work is to be performed. The TBB shall adhere to the recommendations of the ANSI/TIA/EIA-607-A standard and shall be installed in accordance with best industry practices. Installation and termination of the main bonding conductor to the building service entrance ground, at a minimum, shall be performed by a licensed electrical contractor.

11.0 System Documentation

The following section describes the installation, administration, testing, and as-built documentation required to be produced and/or maintained by the contractor during the installation.

11.1 Cabling System Labeling

The contractor shall develop and submit for approval a labeling scheme for the cable installation. COR will negotiate an appropriate labeling scheme with the successful contractor. At a minimum, the labeling system shall clearly identify all components of the system: racks, cables, panels, and outlets.