Questions and Answers.pdf

Replace Security Camera System Project 503-18-115 Questions and Answers

No additional pre-bid site visits and any additional site visits MUST be published via amendment. A5.

Q1.

A1.

Q2.

Q3.

This solicitation with attachments was posted on 07/01/2020 an invitation for bid following FAR Part 14 procedures .

A public bid opening will be held on August 05, 2020 at 2:00 PM EST. Bids can be hand delivered and MUST be received by the Contracting Officer no later than 2:00 pm on that day/time. Is this an option or mandatory? Can we submit bid via normal email channels with all proper supporting documents, i.e. SDVOSB certs, etc.

The NAICS code for this 238210 is listed to bid. Would like to see if you could change or add NAICS code 517311?

NAICS CODE 238210 Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors has been vetted /reviewed and will apply to this requirement.

Z2BG--503-18-115 Replace Security Camera System Notice ID 36C24420B0007 Is this opportunity now a solicitation or invitation for bid? If not will this be released publicly as either?

Original solicitation posted 07/01/2020 - Bids due 08-05-2020 at 2PM and DUE DATE AND TIME ONLY CHANGED BY AN AMENDMENT. Electronic offers not accepted.

All bids shall be mailed to or hand carried and clearly labeled: Project # 503-18-115 Replace Security Camera System Addressed to:

Jeffrey Zbezinski Butler VA Health Care System 353 North Duffy Road Butler PA 16001 Commercial delivery service recommended to track/verify receipt as all hand carried packages may not be signed for by the Contracting Officer. It is the offers responsibility to guarantee receipt on or before date/time indicated.

A2.

A3.

Q4.

A4. Any offeror not CVE or SAM verified at time of bid submittal deemed non-responsive; will be disqualified and bid will be rejected.

Q6.

A6.

Have my SAM registration complete, I was not sure if both are required at the time of bid. I am checking on the CVE requirement at time of bid. Is the CVE being in place at time of bid a hard requirement?

I understand from our phone call last week that a walkdown is not a prerequisite to our bidding on the project.

We hereby would kindly like to inquire into the possibility of having another walkdown this week?

Q5.

In regards to the upcoming security project at the Altoona VA, when should we expect the bidders attendance list from 7/14 visit will be published?

Posted in amendment A0001 .

A14.

Please confirm that “Owner’s Security Vendor” and “Owner’s Security Contractor” as noted within General Notes #1 and #2 on Drawing T-4-0-0 shall be deleted and replaced with “Contractor”.

Drawing T-4-0-0, Typical Camera Mounting Details identifies ¾” conduit to be installed from camera junction box to Equipment Room. Confirming that conduit shall be installed in all non-accessible ceiling cabling installations and j-hooks can be utilized for above accessible ceiling cabling installations?

A12.

Change all references to “Owner’s Security Vendor” and “Owner’s Security Contractor” to “Contractor”.

Can existing above corridor ceiling basket tray be utilized for routing of new CAT 6 cabling to designated telecom rack?

Correct, Provide conduit above all non-accessible celling spaces to accessible ceiling space. Provide J-hooks above all accessible ceiling spaces.

Contractor shall provide dedicated J-hooks for all new cabling. Existing cable trays shall not be used unless specifically permitted by VA.

A13.

Q14.

For bid purposes the Contractor shall provide new matching ceiling tiles for all existing tiles receiving new cameras / new work.

Existing ceiling legend identified on the Architectural Drawings identifies note Number One (1) “replace acoustic ceiling tile to match existing.” Note Number One (1) is typically identified at all new camera installation locations.

Will new ceiling tile replacement be necessary at new camera locations?

For bid purposes the Contractor shall provide new matching ceiling tiles for all existing tiles receiving new cameras / new work.

Q10.

A11.

Q12.

Q9.

A9.

For bid purposes the Contractor shall provide new matching ceiling tiles for all existing tiles receiving new cameras / new work.

A10.

Section 282300 rev1 Video Surveillance issued via addendum A0001

Specifications make reference to Section 01 60 00 for substitution requests. Specification Section 01 60 00 is not included with the specifications?

DELETE ALL REFERENCES TO SPEC SECTION 01 60 00

Specification Section 28 23 00 – Video Surveillance listed within the Specification index is not included with the specifications?

Q7

A7.

Q8.

A8.

Partial Second Floor Plan – Building 01, Area B Telecom Plan identifies to reuse existing recently installed cameras and reuse existing CAT 6 Cabling. Will replacement of acoustical ceiling tile to match existing be required at these locations?

Q11. Repeat Question: Partial Second Floor Plan – Building 01, Area B Telecom Plan identifies to reuse existing recently installed cameras and reuse existing CAT 6 Cabling. Will replacement of acoustical ceiling tile to match existing be required at these locations?

Q13.

What is the purpose of the requirement for the “Water Safety Plan?”

CLARIFICATION : Detail 1/T-4-0-0 Provide all thread at two (2) corners of back box at non-accessible ceilings where conduit is installed. For accessible ceiling where J-hooks are provided, contractor shall provide safety support cable.

Detail 6/T-4-0-0 – DELETE reference to “STEEL GRID (TILE) SUPPORT BRIDGE and T-Bar Ceiling Bridge”. This detail shall apply to interior cameras installed on accessible ceilings.

A15.

Contractor shall provide all media convertors to provide a complete and operational system.

Q18.

Where should we quote/record the network cabling pricing? In the camera unit pricing?

Disregard The Bid Pricing Sheet Construction Quantities in it's entirety and 52.211-18 Variation In Estimated Quantity clause, it no longer applies to this solicitation. Amendment A0001

To protect and maintain the integrity of the VAMC James E Van Zandt Medical Center water system, should the contractor need to connect to the system for any reason.

Q16.

A16.

A19.

Q19.

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTRACTOR TO NOTIFY ALL UTILITY COMPANIES, ALL PIPELINE OWNERS PARTIES AFFECTED WITHIN THE CONSTRUCTION AREA AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO COMMENCING WORK. Sheet 103.? Please provide Utility contact information in the scope of work area?

Q20.

Contractor shall provide the services of a private underground utility locating service to locate and identify all utilities in location of all new underground cabling/conduit being installed. It shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to locate and identify the underground utilities and to obtain contact information for representative of each utility.

Please be aware that the contractor is obligated to hire a 3rd party underground utility locator prior to any directional drilling, digging or trenching per General Note 3 on Drawing EI102 which states: THE CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIRING A THIRD PARTY TO VERIFY THE HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL LOCATION OF ALL

UNDERGROUND UTILITIES PRIOR TO ANY DRILLING, DIGGING, TRENCHING, ETC.

A20.

Q15. Detail 1/T-4-0-0 addresses to utilize all thread at two (2) corners of back box at suspended ceiling system and Detail 6/T-4-0-0 addresses to utilize a steel grid (tile) support bridge at T-bar ceiling panels. Please confirm where Detail 6/T-4-0-0 is applicable to the project?

VA OI&T will provide all switches. Contractor to provide all other material, equipment, hardware, software, and licenses to provide a fully functioning system.

A18.

Will the VA be providing the switches and SFT module or, should we include them in our quote?

Will the VA be providing the media converters or, should we include them in our quote? Q17.

A17.

CONTRACTOR SHALL FOLLOW ROOF TIE-OFF PROCEDURES PER THE VA SAFETY REQUIREMENTS? Please provide roof tie off VAMC procedure?

Q21.

Contractor shall follow all OSHA requirements for fall protection found in the contract documents. See facility policy for fall protection. A0001 Attachment 10F-22, Fall Protection Program (December 2018)

A21

ROOF IS A RESTRICTED AREA DUE TO RF SIGNAL. PROVIDE PERSONNEL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT. 1-8-T01 Please provide PPE Requirements?

Contractor to coordinate access to rooftop with COR. VA will coordinate shutdowns of the cellular networks that have antenna on the roof for safe access. Contractor must complete this work in (1) shift to minimize shutdowns of the cell towers.

Sheet T-4-0-17. GENERAL NOTES: 7. ALL SYSTEMS PROVIDED SHALL CONSULT AND ABIDE TO THE MOST CURRENT REVISION OF THE FEDERAL STATE AND LOCAL CODES STANDARDS AND SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT FOR THE STATE THAT WORK IS BEING PREFORMED. THE FINAL AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION SHALL PROVIDE FINAL CLARIFICATION CODE REQUIREMENTS. CONFLICT OF ANY CODE REQUIREMENT WILL REQUIRE THE ADAPTATION OF THE MORE STRINGENT REQUIREMENT FOR THE APPLICATION UNLESS A VARIANCE IS AUTHORIZED BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION. Will any penetration needed as part of this project be subjected to testing of ACM or Lead Containing materials as the State of Pennsylvania prescribes under remodeling laws or standards?

Sheet T-4-0-17. GENERAL NOTES: 7. ALL SYSTEMS PROVIDED SHALL CONSULT AND ABIDE TO THE MOST CURRENT REVISION OF THE FEDERAL STATE AND LOCAL CODES STANDARDS AND SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT FOR THE STATE THAT WORK IS BEING PREFORMED. THE FINAL AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION SHALL PROVIDE FINAL CLARIFICATION CODE REQUIREMENTS. CONFLICT OF ANY CODE REQUIREMENT WILL REQUIRE THE ADAPTATION OF THE MORE STRINGENT REQUIREMENT FOR THE APPLICATION UNLESS A VARIANCE IS AUTHORIZED BY THE

LOCAL AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION.

Will any penetration needed as part of this project be subjected to testing of ACM or Lead Containing materials as the State of Pennsylvania prescribes under remodeling laws or standards?

Coordination drawings can be 2D.

A23.

Q23.

A22.

G5. DRAWINGS ARE SCHEMATIC IN NATURE AND ARE NOT DRAWN TO SCALE. CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COORDINATING EXACT ROUTING OF ALL SERVICES AND DISTANCES WITH EXISTING CONDITIONS AND WITH ALL OTHER TRADES. Are Rivet 2 and or 3 D drawings required?

Q22.

Q25.

A24

Q24.

Pennsylvania state regulating authorities and requirements of VAMC Altoona James E Van Zandt.

PROVIDE A QUALIFIED AND COMPETENT FACTORY TRAINED AND STATE LICENSED FIELD SUPERVISOR ON-SITE TO ENSURE THE PROPER INSTALLATION OF ALL SYSTEMS SPECIFIED IN THE SPECIFICATION OF RECORD, COORDINATE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES WITH OTHER CONTRACTORS, TRADES, AND OWNER OR THEIR AUTHORIZED

REPRESENTATIVE.

Which Jurisdiction Requires state licenses Field Superintendent? Will the state licenses Superintendent have to be employed by GC, employee be able to commission the system at after install or need to be onsite during the entire install?

A25.

Sheet T-4-0-17. 14. PROVIDE THE REQUIRED NOTICES, COMPLIANCE WITH ALL CODES, ORDINANCES, REGULATIONS, AND OTHER LEGAL DIRECTIVE AND/OR REQUIREMENTS OF PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AS PERTAINING

TO THE PROJECT.

Please provide a list of Public Authorities having authority over this project?

Q26.

A32. VA OI&T will provide all switches and servers. VA will need to know minimum requirements of the system to build the appropriate server. Contractor to provide all other material, equipment, hardware, software, and licenses to provide a fully functioning system.

Q33. Will there be any asbestos or hazardous materials encountered as apart of this project?

A33. It is not anticipated that Contractor should encounter any hazardous materials, but if Contractor encounters any during course of work, it should be reported to the VA COR immediately.

A30. Contractor shall comply with NFPA, specifically NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, latest edition, and all other referenced standards in the contract documents. Delete reference to “LOCAL ELECTRICAL CODE”

ALL BACK BOXES PROVIDED FOR RECESSED CEILING INSTALLATION SHALL INCLUDE ADEQUATE ACCESS AND SHALL BE RATED FOR USE IN CEILING AND SHALL MEET OR EXCEED ALL APPLICABLE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTRICAL

CODES.

What local electric code are you referring to?

Q30.

Confirm Bid opening location Butler VA Health Care System 353 North Duffy Road Butler PA 16001

Reference Q1. and A1. as posted and solicitation. Date/time subject to change via amendment.A28.

A27.

Q27.

The representative commissioning the security system should be certified by the manufacturer and should be present for periodic site visits and final commissioning. Not required for day to day oversight. Superintendent must comply with all requirement of the contract documents. If the Superintendent is not an employee of the Prime Contractor, letter of delegated authority must be provided to the VA. The Superintendent must be able to speak for the Prime Contractor. Superintendent must be onsite at all times.

PROVIDE WRITTEN REQUESTS AND OBTAIN APPROVAL PRIOR TO DISCONNECTING OF ANY SIGNAL LINES AND EQUIPMENT AND CREATING EQUIPMENT DOWNTIME. SUCH WORK SHALL PROCEED ONLY AFTER RECEIVING

APPROVAL FROM THE OWNER OR THEIR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES.

Who is the Authorized Representative?

VAMC Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

Q28.

A26.

Q31. Note 108. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL ENSURE THAT ALL FIRE STOP SYSTEMS SHALL BE INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURE'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND SHALL BE COMPLETELY INSTALLED AND AVAILABLE FOR

INSPECTION BY THE LOCAL INSPECTION AUTHORITIES PRIOR TO CABLE SYSTEM ACCEPTANCE.

What LOCAL INSPECTION AUTHORITIES are you referring to?

A31. VA provides inspection once contractor confirms all work is complete.

Q32. We can save approx. 20k using Seneca Data servers installed with Avigilon software. Is this an acceptable substitute?

Note 60. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTRACTOR TO VERIFY PLENUM CONDITIONS AS DEFINED BY NEC

SECTION 300 AND WITH ARCHITECTURAL RECORD DRAWINGS.

What Plenum?

Q29.

For bid purposes the Contractor shall provide new PLENUM rated cabling for all cabling not installed in conduit the entire length of run.

A29.

Q36.

Q38. 01 00 00 1.34 Will use of submittal exchange or a web based submittal program be used as part of this project?

Q39. Can the SSHO and the superintendent be the same person?

Q34. How are we to remove trash and debris from the construction site during construction, freight or passenger elevator?

A34. See specifications. Contractor will be able to use freight elevator and service elevator.

A36. Near Bldg. 3 Boiler Plant. VA can only allow space onsite for (1) dumpster and (1) office/storage trailer.

Q37. Which wage scale should be used for this project?

Q35. Where can the contractor put a dumpster?

A37. Davis-Bacon Act WD # PA20200077 current wage rates in Amendment A0001.

A35. Near Bldg. 3 Boiler Plant. VA can only allow space onsite for (1) dumpster and (1) office/storage trailer.

Where will the contractor staging/lay down area be located.

A38. See Spec 01 31 23 Project Website

Q40. For the Outside plant cat6 cables is the contractor responsible for lightning protection on the cable?

A40. Yes, the CONTRACTOR shall be responsible and shall provide surge protection on both ends of any exterior / outside plant cabling. Provide CAT6 surge protection unit with 20kA ( at 8/20micro second per pair) surge protection UL Certified UL497B and complies with IEEE standard 802.3af and 802.3at for PoE. Provide grounding per manufacture’s installation instructions. Provide mounting and supports for each surge protection unit.

Q41. For the 144 strand OM4 fiber that runs from building 11 to building 1 room 42A will these strands be spliced to the riser fibers or should they be terminated in a fiber enclosure?

A41. Yes, the CONTRACTOR shall provide wall mounted fiber termination enclosure(s) and fiber terminations and all patching for the 144 strand OM4 fiber that runs from building 11 to building 1 room 42A. Coordinate exact location for wall termination enclosure in field in room 42A (or adjacent room) with VA.

A39. Yes

Q44. Multiple questions regarding systems or solutions in reference to replacing security camera system and Brand Name or Equal?

Brand Name or Equal Clarification for Avigilon System: If an alternate solution is being proposed, please submit per FAR 52.211-6 covered in the solicitation requirements. The salient characteristics of the proposed equal product will be reviewed and evaluated along with the sealed bid to ensure it will meet the Government’s requirements. Should the alternate solution be considered equal, the alternate will also have to enter VA OI&T TRM process to be approved to be on the network. There is always the chance that an alternate solution will not be permitted on the network, which at that point, the solution would fail to meet our requirements. Currently, the Avigilon Control Center system is already approved to be on the VA network, see link.

https://www.oit.va.gov/Services/TRM/ToolPage.aspx?tid=8988

A44.

Q42. The Contractor shall provide proof project superintendent with BICSI Certified Commercial Installer Level 1, Level 2, or Technician to provide oversight of the project.

Cable installer must have on staff a Registered Communication Distribution Designer (RCDD) certified by Building Industry Consulting Service International. The staff member shall provide consistent oversight of the project cabling throughout design, layout, installation, termination and testing.

These requirements seem to be reversed. The Cable installer should carry the BICSI Certified Commercial Installer Level 1, Level 2, or Technician certification. While the contractor should have on staff a Registered Communication Distribution Designer (RCDD) certified by Building Industry Consulting Service International.

A42. The Cable installer shall carry a current BICSI Certified Commercial Installer Level 1, Level 2, or Technician certification. The Contractor shall have on staff a Registered Communication Distribution Designer (RCDD) certified by Building Industry Consulting Service International.

Q43. Under 2.7 POWER SUPPLIES it requires 24V. yet it is calling for a 802.3af POE system, which is ~48V.

“High voltage and signal cables shall not share the same conduit and shall be kept separate up to the point of connection. High voltage for the security system shall be defined as any cable or sets of cables carrying 30 VDC/VAC or higher.” With 802.3af this is not achievable.

A43. IEEE compliant PoE cabling ( i.e. IEEE 802.3af ) shall be allowed to be in the same conduit as signal cabling as allowed by the National Electrical Code (NEC ) for Class 2 Limited Power Circuits .

Sheet1