Project CA RFI Log - Amendment 3.pdf

GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO RFI’s – 2nd Round Project Number: 619A4-23-103 Project Description:

Replace Fire Alarm System for Bldgs. 15, 65, 68, 88, 90 & 93

Project Location:

Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System

COR: Bertram Jones Client CO Joseph Osborn

Updated:

INCOMING

RFI # QUESTION RESPONSE

024 Several walls are shown with different fire/smoke barrier ratings. Which walls must maintain their rating after new fire alarm device and conduit installation?

Life Safety Plans are provided for reference.

Fire/Smoke barriers will need to be maintained where penetrations are required by this Contract.

025 Please provide clarification on any non-standard symbols or abbreviations used in the fire alarm drawings.

Unclear what the question is asking about. If there are specific symbols or abbreviations you need clarification, refer to them by sheet and room number.

026 Will the VA provide an updated Project Room Contents Report for all seven buildings?

VA to respond. Specifications require pre construction survey.

027 Please provide the original construction year and major renovation history for each of the seven buildings.

VA to respond. Unclear why this information is needed. Please provide specific question or concern.

All work shall be completed according to contract documents.

028 Is the contractor required to perform a full pre-demolition field verification survey of all existing fire alarm devices, conduits, and backboxes?

Unclear why this is being asked. I would think the contractor would survey what they are about to remove to some degree. If this question is about devices that are existing to remain, it needs reworded for clarity. Refer to specifications and drawings for requirements.

029 What are the exact procedures for returning all VA-issued badges at project completion and the process if a badge is lost, stolen, or damaged?

VA to respond. Contractor to coordinate with COR and PIV office to return badges or if a badge is lost, stolen, or damaged.

030 Are there any known areas of water damage, roof leaks, or structural issues that could affect new conduit routing or device mounting?

Most walls are not in brand new construction condition as these are predomonately historic buildings. All devices have been spotted in the field and are not shown on heavily degraded surfaces that could not support new anchors.

031 Will the contractor be responsible for abatement of asbestos-containing mastic and floor tile disturbed during device removal?

Yes. ACM was found at the 12x12 VCT and mastic within Building 2, Office Room 103. The disturbed (non-friable) ACM will need abated where the new chase is to be installed.

032 Are there any known areas with lead-based paint on ceilings or walls that will be

Per spec 02 83 33.13, all paint shall be assumed to be lead-based paint unless otherwise determined by the impacted by new conduit or device installation?

Contractor's testing. VA to provide design phase survey report.

033 What is the required ICRA class for each building or area during fire alarm installation and testing?

VA Safety Officer to determine ICRA requirements for each area. See ICRA breakdown attachment.

034 Is the contractor required to provide temporary fire alarm coverage or fire watch when the existing system is taken offline?

Refer to Sheet E001 and specifications.

035 How many days in advance must the contractor notify clinical staff and the COR before any system outage or loud testing?

VA to respond. See specifications 01 00 00 1.6. 21 days in advance of proposed interruption. Also see specifications section 01 32 16.15 1.7 Project schedule requirements. The contractor shall show on the project schedule the sequence of work activities/events including interruption of VA Facilities utilities.

036 Will the VA accept an “or approved equal” for the fire alarm system or does it have to be sole sourced with JCI?

No. The system is an extension of JCI/Simplex and is sole sourced.

037 Are voice evacuation messages required in all seven buildings or only in specific high-occupancy areas?

All buildings per the specifications.

038 Must new strobes be synchronized and comply with current ADA and NFPA 72 requirements in all patient areas?

Yes.

039 Will the new fire alarm system need to integrate with the existing nurse call or central monitoring systems?

No nurse call integration.

040 Are duct smoke detectors required in all return air ducts or only in specific locations?

Refer to drawings.

041 Are dedicated emergency power circuits required for all new fire alarm control panels and amplifiers?

Refer to drawings.

042 Will the VA provide 120V normal and emergency power at each new panel location?

Refer to drawings.

043 Will the VA require a third-party NICET-certified fire alarm inspector to witness all final testing and certification?

Refer to specifications.

044 What are the exact spare parts quantities required for each building?

Refer to specifications.

045 What is the required “burn-in” period and the start date for the final 14-day no-malfunction period?

Refer to specifications.

046 Will all new key-operated switches, panels, and cabinets use a single standardized VA utility lock and key?

No. Standard JCI/Simplex key is fine.

047 What is the exact timeline and number of visits required for subcontractor personnel

VA to respond. See attachment requirements for badging.

to obtain VA access badges prior to starting work?

048 What is the current condition and exact pathways of the existing fiber optic backbone network?

Existing fiber gets removed. Refer to drawings.

049 Will the existing Graphics Command Center in Building 15 be replaced or upgraded as part of this project?

Replace with new. Refer to drawings.

050 What are the exact requirements for elevator recall and shunt trip integration with the new fire alarm system?

Refer to drawings and specifications.

051 Is the kitchen hood suppression system in Building 90 required to interface with the new fire alarm system?

Yes, refer to drawings and specifications.

052 What specific coordination is required with the fire department in Building 15 for the new campus-wide fire alarm system?

That is the VA Fire Department. The design has been coordinated with them.

053 Must the contractor completely remove the obsolete 4120 token-ring network and all associated cards?

Yes. Refer to drawings.

054 What are the exact requirements for the two new True-Site workstations?

Refer to drawings and specifications.

055 Is mass notification capability required campus-wide through the new fire alarm system?

Refer to specifications.

056 What specific training and O&M manual requirements apply to the new fire alarm system and True-Site workstations?

Refer to specifications.

057 Who is responsible for the cost of a fire watch during shutdown of existing FACP?

Contractor. Refer to Sheet E001 and specifications.

058 We request a 2-week bid extension to allow time to review future addendums and scaled drawings.

Please see Amendment 3 for new Submission Date.

059 Are the conduits and fiber referenced in note #4 part of the existing fiber ring?

Unclear what sheet you are referencing.

060 Where new devices are shown on a wall where an existing one does not exist, will surface-mounted conduit be allowed, or will we need to channel and patch the wall?

Channel and patch the wall for drywall/gypsum board surface mount for plaster and masonry.

061 How detailed does the itemized cost/price breakdown worksheet need to be? Many divisions don’t apply, and the sheet is missing Divisions 28 and 31. Does this need to be submitted with the bid?

The worksheet should detail your cost breakdown for all division that applies

062 Who is responsible for cleaning Mold and Debris from muliple buildings within the SOW? Some buildings will be deemed dangerous to work in until this Abatement is properly handled.

Mold is not mentioned in the Contract Documents.

VA to reply. Contractor will be responsible.

063 Per the SOW dust proof work areas are required for this SOW? Should negative air pressure be considered?

Negative air is required at ICRA Class III and IV. See ICRA breakdown attachment.

064 Please provide product data on the existing drop ceilings throughout each building. A lot of ceilings will be damaged during this work and will require replacement

Most ceilings are standard square edge 24" x 24" acoustic ceiling tile with standard 15/16" grid. Verify in field prior to bid or provide bid to cover unknown premiums. Refer to electrical drawings for PLS, ACT, etc. notation to help identify some hard ceilings.

065 Due to the nature of this project and the presence of landscaped areas, parking lots, and masonry pavers within the work zone, please confirm whether boring will be permitted. If boring is not allowed, please be advised that a significant portion of these finished surfaces—including parking lots and landscaped areas—may be impacted or damaged during construction.

Boring is not permitted.

066 Is the contractor to assume a mill and overlay of parking lots that are to be trenched, or is a patch acceptable?

Patch is acceptable.

067 Please clarify the extent of the lead based paint that will need to be removed. Spec section 028333.13, Paragraph 3.4a, states to remove paint within areas indicated on drawings. Sheet GI004,states that lead based paint is assumed to be in all of these areas. Does the entire area around our work need to be removed or encapsulated?

Part 3.4 also states "... and as necessary based on the means and methods selected by Contractor to complete the work." The expectation is that the the contractor follow OSHA requirements for handling, removal, and disposal of lead-based paint. Painted surfaces can be quantified in field prior to bid.

Removal is not a requirement of this contract but may be necessary to complete the work.

068 Are all walls drywall throughout all buildings?

No. Many are old plaster or block walls. Verify in field prior to bid.

069 Please confirm if ceilings are drop ceiling or hard ceiling throughout all buildings.

Refer to electrical drawings for PLS, ACT, etc. notation to help identify some hard ceilings.