Pre-Bid RFI_528A5-21-504 -Upgrade Fire Alarm System-7-16-2025.pdf

Project No.: 528A5-21-504

Project Title: Upgrade Fire Alarm System

Contract No.: 36C24225B0037

Date RFI's Submitted: 7/16/2025

Contract Officer: Nicholas Winne

Request for Information: (A/E ,AE Works )/ VA -provided Response:

1 The drawings posted at SAM.gov on 6/10/2025 are 8½ x 11. This does not allow us to print full-size drawings.

Can you arrange to have full-size drawings posted asap to give us time to use them well before the bid due date?

There is no issue with the drawing, They can print the full size drawings by adjusting the print settings from "Actual Size." To "Fit to Page”.

2 Please confirm this scope is panel rebuild and device changeouts only. Please reply with the brand of FA panel as they are not shown nor mentioned on drawings.

As shown in the SOW this project is to upgrade the existing fire alarm control panels by replacing the existing modems in each FACP with new network cards and audio controllers to establish the

ES network. To establish the addressable fire alarm system and meet latest code for 11 buildings

(4,5,6,7,8,10,11 16,36,37,118).

The FA panel brand is Simplex 4100U as shown in the pictures attached. BOD is required for this project

3 Could you please clarify if there is a need to establish communication between the buildings FAS inside the scope of this phase ( 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 16, 36, 37, 118) and those buildings from future phases (1,2,3,9,51,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62)

There is no Phase 2 this project is only for 11 buildings (4,5,6,7,8,10,11 16,36,37,118).

4 Specification section 01 35 26-13 states that the SSHO has to be a separate qualified individual from the Prime contractor's superintendent. This requirement is sometimes waived; can you please confirm the requirement for a SSHO who is not the Superintendant? If the SSHO is not permitted to also serve asthe project superintendent, can the SSHO have additional duties that are not the Superintendant?

The VA may waive the requirement for separate SSHO and Superintendent if the individual meets the requirements of both roles. This waiver does not apply to other roles such as the super and

QAQC manager which must remain separate. If at any time the VA feels that a combined super and

SSHO is not performing one or both roles to the satisfaction of the COR and CO, the waiver will be revoked and the contractor will be responsible for providing a qualified separate SSHO and

Superintendent at no additional cost.

5 28 31 00-5 Subsection 1.5 states that the warranty period is one year. Subsection 1.6 states that the

Guaranty Period Services are to performed by a factory authorized representative and inlcudes inspections, testing, maintenance and repairs services for a period of 5 years. The work detailed in subsection 1.6 appears to be for inspecting, repairing and maintaining the fire alarm for a 5 year period.

Please confrim if this section is applicable to this project.

Section 1.6 to be REMOVED from the specification and the scope the 5 year test inspaction has been waived.

6 28 31 00-16, subsection 2.12 B & C list spare parts and requires a spare parts cabinet be furnished, please confirm this requirement for this project.

YES, spare parts are required for this project for any new devices or equipment being installed.

Refer to Subsection 2.12A for quantities (if a device listed is not being utilized on this project, spares are not required for it). For Subsection 2.12C of 28 31 00, AEW is deferring to the VA. The requirement states "Furnish and install a storage cabinet of sufficient size and suitable for storing spare equipment. Doors shall include a pad locking device. Padlock to be provided by the VA.

Location of cabinet to be determined by the COR later." If the VA would like an additional storage cabinet for spare components from this project, then the specifications should be followed as written. If there is already storage space available or a cabinet is not needed, this requirement can be waived.THIS REQUIREMENT HAS BEEN WAIVED THE VA WILL PROVIDE THE SPARE CABINENT.

7 JCI/Simplex requires CAD floor plans for their use in creating FA drawings, will the VA provide these to the contractor post award?

YES,The VA will provide the CAD floor plans upon award of the contract.

1. General Questions/Comments

Pre-Proposal - Request for Information 1 AE Works Ltd.

Contract No.: 36C24225B0037

Date RFI's Submitted: 7/16/2025

Contract Officer: Nicholas Winne

Request for Information: (A/E ,AE Works )/ VA -provided Response:

1. General Questions/Comments

8 Fire Alarm Sheet Note 2 on sheet FAS100 calls for replacing the fiber optic ST connectors with SC, we interpret this as all fiber terminations listed on the fiber repair schedule which is also on sheet FAS100 and not just the connections listed as failed. Please confirm if this is correct or clarify the requirement if not all terminations are required to be replaced.

YES, this interpretation is correct. Replace all ST connectors with SC connectors. Preliminary test results did not indicate breaks and therefore the intent is that replacing connectors will resolve the issues as well as prevent future ones. This shall be determined by retesting all links.

9 Will the sign-in sheet from site visit be available in addendum? The sign in sheet was uploaded on 6/20/2025

10 Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of SSHO? Refer to question number 4 responds.

11 If no to the question above, will the SSHO need to be full-time for this project? Refer to question number 4 responds.

12 Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of QA/QC? Refer to question number 4 responds.

13 If no to the question above, will the QA/QC need to be full time for this project? Refer to question number 4 responds.

14 Can a superintendent be a triple hat to cover the requirements of SSHO and QA/QC? Refer to question number 4 responds.

15 Please confirm if tax should be included in our proposal? Refer to FAR part 29.30329.303 Application of State and local taxes to Government contractors and subcontractors.

(a) Prime contractors and subcontractors shall not normally be designated as agents of the

Government for the purpose of claiming immunity from State or local sales or use taxes. b) When purchases are not made by the Government itself, but by a prime contractor or by a subcontractor under a prime contract, the right to an exemption of the transaction from a sales or use tax may not rest on the Government’s immunity from direct taxation by States and localities. It may rest instead on provisions of the particular State or local law involved, or, in some cases, the transaction may not in fact be expressly exempt from the tax. The Government’s interest shall be protected by using the procedures in 29.101 If the State offers an exemption for contractors purchasing for the Federal government, the applicable State should offer an appropriate form specifically calling out Federal government.

16 Please provide the latest wage determination for this project’s county. Uploaded

17 Please confirm if the current prevailing wages will be consistent for the life of the project with no escalation?

Wage rate stays the same after award

18 Please update the wage determination to "General Decision Number: NY20250032 06/20/2025” I'll determine the correct wage determination

19 It appears all the 1.3 Related work in spec section 28 31 00 FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM is missing and seems to be relevant to this project.

All specification related to this project are outlined in the specification table of content . Updated spec will be attached.

20 Is there a brand name or equal justification to this requirement? Rest of campus is Simplex, BOD is required for this project to maintain consistency. Refer to question 2 response for panel details.

Pre-Proposal - Request for Information 2 AE Works Ltd.

Contract No.: 36C24225B0037

Date RFI's Submitted: 7/16/2025

Contract Officer: Nicholas Winne

Request for Information: (A/E ,AE Works )/ VA -provided Response:

1. General Questions/Comments

21 It appears that 02 82 13.13 GLOVEBAG ASBESTOS ABATEMENT, specification is missing in its entirely. Please provide asbestos survey if available.

Updated spec will be attached.

22 Is the use of temporary plastic wall panels (such as STARC panels) acceptable to meet ICRA requirements? This needs to be a submittal once the project is awarded.

23 Will shutdowns be required to be done during off hours or weekends? All shutdowns need to be coordinated with the COR, if schedule deems necessary they will be done off hours and weekends.

24 Is there a particular vendor or contractor currently servicing and maintaining the Fire Alarm System? Simplex is currently servicing our fire alarm system.

25 Is there a particular vendor or contractor currently servicing and maintaining the Security Alarm System N/A

26 The RFI 006 response does not state whether the VA has an existing spare parts cabinet and says if the VA does not, then a cabinet shall be furnished by the contractor. Can you confirm whether the VA has an existing spare parts cabinet for FA parts?

Refer to the RFI 6 updated response.

27 The RFI 005 response states the Fire Alarm spec section 1.6 for 5 years of inspections testing and maintenance by a factory authorized service provider applies. I talked with Jason Kimmel from Simplex/JCI and as of now they (JCI/Simplex) are still not planning on including this in their quote. Jason Kimmel spoke with the Canandaigua VA fire chief who is Chad Powers and Chad said that he does not want this. There is also the complication that per the spec JCI/Simplex is the only provider that could do this service because of the requirement for a factory authorized provider. To summarize the issue, there is no way for any of the contractors to provide this service as specified.

Refer to the RFI 5 updated responed

28 The RFI 006 response does not state whether the VA has an existing spare parts cabinet and says if the VA does not, then a cabinet shall be furnished by the contractor. Can you confirm whether the VA has an existing spare parts cabinet for FA parts?

Refer to the RFI 6 updated response.

Sheets 04-FA103, 06-FA103, 07-FA103 & 08-FA103 show enclosures which are outlined in bold and identified as FA ECP. Sheet FA001 Symbol legend identified FA ECP as a Fire Alarm Elevator Control Panel. Bolded items are typically newly installed or at least included in the scope of work. There are no keynotes addressing what if anything is required to happen with or for the FA ECP panels. We asked JCI and they were not aware of any scope related to elevators. 1- Are panels FA ECP existing? 2- What if any work is required to happen with the FA ECP panels? 3- Is there any work associated with the elevators for this project?

The FA ECP panel is existing to remain and there is no required work with this panel or the elevators. This panel was shown for coordination and documentation purposes.

Pre-Proposal - Request for Information 3 AE Works Ltd.

Contract No.: 36C24225B0037

Date RFI's Submitted: 7/16/2025

Contract Officer: Nicholas Winne

Request for Information: (A/E ,AE Works )/ VA -provided Response:

1. General Questions/Comments

Specification 20 31 00-16 D. States to "Provide to the VA, all hardware, software, programming tools, license, and documentation necessary to permanently modify the fire alarm system on site. The minimum level of modification includes addition and deletion of devices, circuits, zones and changes to system description, system operation, and digitized evacuation and instructional messages." Per JCI, their proposal does not include software licensing or programmers to be utilized by the VA staff. This is not allowable per code. Code requires anyone who programs life safety to be factory certified on that equipment. We only factory train our technicians to program Johnson Controls equipment." For this reason we do not believe the stated requirement can be met by any contractor. All hardware, software, programming tools, license, and documentation can be provided to accomplish the scope of work for this project but cannot be provided to the VA for use by the VA. Is this acceptable?

AEW deems this acceptable as long as the required spare/replacement parts are still provided per the specifications and previous RFI. VA to confirm that they also find this to be acceptable.

The VA agree.

31 I have received some questions about the connection to buildings 10 and 11 from building 16.

My office has made a riser to clarify some of the connections for the facility. I’m not sure if you want to release this drawing.

Refer to the connection information from Simplex attached.

Pre-Proposal - Request for Information 4 AE Works Ltd.

Contract No.: 36C24225B0037

Date RFI's Submitted: 7/16/2025

Contract Officer: Nicholas Winne

Request for Information: (A/E ,AE Works )/ VA -provided Response:

1. General Questions/Comments

Pre-Proposal - Request for Information 5 AE Works Ltd.