S05 RFI Questions Overhead Paging System_Phase I.pdf

Solicitation Questions for Replace Overhead Paging System (Phase I) Project # 658-24-108

Solicitation # 36C24625R0019

1. Will as-built drawings of the current system and speaker locations be provided? No.

Facility does not have as-builts of current system.

2. Will the VA provide XABCX drawings of all areas requiring overhead paging? Existing facility drawings will be provided to the greatest extent possible during the design process.

3. What areas will need overhead paging that don’t currently have it? See Part I A.1

General/SOW

4. Can the new overhead paging system reuse the existing speakers? No

5. Can the new overhead paging system reuse any parts of the current system? No

6. Will the “Bottom of the hill” require overhead paging? See Part I A.1 General/SOW

7. What is the building number for “Bottom of the hill”? Bldgs numbers 85, 169, 31, 116, 34, 117, 97, 46, 35, 176, 147, 132, 126 are located at the “bottom of the hill” near the ponds.

8. Will the “Barn Logistics” require overhead paging? See Part I A.1 General/SOW

9. What is the building number for “Barn Logistics”? See Part I A.1 General/SOW

10. Will the “Paint Shop” require overhead paging? See Part I A.1 General/SOW

11. What is the building number for “Paint Shop”? See Part I A.1 General/SOW

12. Will the New boiler plant in building 175 require overhead paging? See Part I A.1

General/SOW

13. Will the existing boiler plant in building 13 require overhead paging? See Part I A.1

General/SOW

14. Is the existing overhead paging system integrated to nurse call? No

15. Where are all nurse call head end locations that are connected to the existing overhead paging system? See response to Question 14

16. Where are all nurse call head end locations located will be connected to the new overhead paging system? New system will not be connected to nurse call system.

17. What are the manufacturer and model of the existing nurse call systems? See Part I A.1

General/SOW

18. What zones will each nurse call system be required to notify? See response to Question 16

19. Does the customer want to be able to place an overhead page from any phone in the facility? Yes

20. Will the contractor be required to abate the existing overhead paging head end equipment?

Existing head end equipment shall be removed.

21. Will the contracting be required to abate the existing overhead paging cabling? Cabling serving other systems in the hospital may remain in place. Cabling from terminal units to speakers must be removed.

22. Does the existing overhead paging system need to remain functioning while the new system is being deployed? See Part I A.1 General/SOW

23. How many zones are currently configured in the existing overhead paging system? 54

24. Can the customer provide a zone to building mapping? No

25. Is overheard paging required in all tunnels? See Part I A.1 General/SOW

26. Is overheard paging required in all corridors? See Part I A.1 General/SOW

27. Is overheard paging required in all stairwells? See Part I A.1 General/SOW

28. Is overheard paging required in all courtyards? See Part I A.1 General/SOW

29. Is overheard paging required in all elevators? See Part I A.1 General/SOW

30. Is overheard paging required in any outdoor locations? See Part I A.1 General/SOW

31. Will the new overhead paging system be required to use outdoor loudspeakers? See Part I

A.1 General/SOW

32. Is the existing overhead paging system in conduit? No

33. Is the new overhead paging system required to be installed in conduit? Speaker wiring located above accessible ceilings is not required to be installed in conduit.

34. Specify which areas need speaker coverage. See Part I A.1 General/SOW

35. What kind of and how many existing speakers are there? (if they are to be integrated into the new system). Existing speakers will not be integrated into the new system.

36. What type of ceiling does the facility have and what are the ceiling heights? AE shall verify types and heights of ceilings during the site investigation phase of design.

37. What kind of additional speakers are needed? Analog or IP, ceiling or wall mount? Types of speakers shall be determined by designer in accordance with VA design standards.

38. How many zones are needed total and how will they be set up? See Part I A.1

General/SOW

39. Is interactive map-based 'point-and-click' paging required (extremely useful for large locations with a lot of zones)? See Part I A.1 General/SOW

40. Is Automatic Failover capability needed? (Server only). No

41. Is Text-to-Speech (TTS) required for any pre-recorded announcements? No

42. Is the Routines API needed for integrating to 3rd-party systems? No

43. Do you need dry contact closure inputs to monitor events/triggers from third-party systems? No

44. Do you need relay driver outputs to initiate actions on third-party systems or devices? No

45. How many phones are needed total? None.

46. A requirement for the overhead paging replacement to be overseen by an RCDD (Registered

Communications Distribution Designer) prior to submission to the Contracting Officer. An RCDD ensures compliance with codes and industry standards and optimizes system performance of cabling and communications systems. Please confirm if an RCDD will be added as a requirement to ensure standards, compliance, and allow a detailed review by the ISO (Information Security Officer) prior to deployment and installation. Upon review this certification is not warranted for this type of installation. No RCDD will be mandated for this procurement, however the vendor is encouraged to put this in their Phase II proposal if they’re selected to propose on Phase II of the selection process.

47. B2B-You have it as subcontractor of the architect, I would suggest "Lead Designer" instead as the project lends itself to not an architect being the lead. Will incorporate as Lead Designer instead of architect.

48. Remember to add a statement as discussed during the pre-proposal that things like asbestos removal required for the project are part of the project. Will incorporate ACM abatement as follows: No Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) are known at this time in the areas being disturbed by this project. However if ACM is encountered Contractor is to immediately notify the Government and stand by for instructions. A project shut down may be necessary; any such shut down will not be counted as part of the required period of performance.

49. Part C, C 1 iii-Usually a statement where tech and price are relatively weighted, I would assume here technical more than price but you don't say. NO CHANGE / NOT INCORPORATING Leave text as is, spelling out evaluation criteria we release to contractors.

50. C2A-I wouldn't limit 7 days, just make it "as appropriate" as you may have a revision that requires more and now you have a protest worthy mess potential. NO CHANGE / NOT INCORPORATING Evaluation Criteria – cannot change our basic process.

51. C2B-Normally a bid bond has a percentage not a number so not sure why you'd want another? NO CHANGE / NOT INCORPORATING Bid Bond language is required and part of our basic process. Cannot modify this language.

52. Personnel experience on Page 8: Not "overall manager' but "Design build manager" is the typical, should be a licensed professional as they're supervising design work too. NO CHANGE / NOT INCORPORATING I definitely do NOT want to limit the field as suggested. This would require a dual licensure of a PE license AND the Design Build cert. That is a very uncommon combination and it’s not fair and open competition for contractors to have to scramble to find the rare dual certified individual. It is hard enough to find the cert as it is, and they’re already required to do that. I will not further restrict the competition by require a single individual to have both certifications. Final point – these are separate skill sets, the D-B person is definitely NOT supervising the Design but the project. Supervision of design is a defined term in state law and requires a PE. D-B certification just means they have skill in project management and does NOT require or necessarily involve supervision as such, for design work.

53. Construction approach: Suggest you add something about number of crews as you will be providing escorts and that will drive your effort. If i give you something where I have 15 crews working at once (won't happen but for illustration) I suspect you'd be pressed to find 15 escorts. Will incorporate a max limitation of 2 crews working on any given day of the project.

54. Page 10 is why I don't like lukewarm "Yeah they met the specs" type CPARS evals as we have discussed, here you're using them for evaluation and mine from Salem VAMC are lukewarm at best (Note, just an editorial comment but you understand my objection). No change requested

55. Subfactor 2A b is probably where you give greater weight to DBIA professionals on the team.

NO CHANGE / NOT INCORPORATING. Not my intention to give greater weight to the DBIA certification, just requiring it.

56. Subfactor 3A is probably where to put "Gantt chart or time scaled CPM". Will incorporate a clarification that the schedule format must be Gantt type chart.

57. D1 on page 17 is where you state "Architect or Engineer" as I suggested in comment 1 above so that's harmonious. Will incorporate change as requested.

58. Drawings probably should reference record drawings and if you have any specific CAD format requirements. Will incorporate by referencing requirements / requiring compliance with requirements for record drawings.