Government Answers to Industry Questions Upgrade Nurse Call System.pdf

626A4-20-104 TVHS Upgrade Nurse Call System Government Answers to Industry Questions -

# Industry Questions Government Answers 001 Refer to paragraph 5: In reference to the

RFI request date of 12:00 CT on December 28, 2021.QUESTION: Will the RFI request date of 12-28-2021 be extended to Monday 01-10-2022?

No, please refer to page one of the solicitation block 10, fifth paragraph, third sentence “Questions received after 12:00PM CT on December 28, 2021 will not be answered unless it is determined to be in the best interest of the government.”

002 Refer to paragraph 5: In reference to the solicitation response date of 12:00 CT on January 19, 2022.QUESTION: Will the solicitation response date of 12:00 CT on January 19, 2022 be extended to at least two weeks beyond the original date?

The proposal due date is extended by this amendment.

003 Due of the upcoming holidays and the size of this project, could we get a one-week extension?

The proposal due date is extended by this amendment.

004 Due to the holiday schedule can we get a 2-week extension on the RFI’s and the Bid date?

The proposal due date is extended by this amendment.

005 Could you please confirm that the bid bond is to be sent electronically via email along with the rest of the proposal, and that no hard copy of the bid bond is required at the time of bid?

Submit one (1) electronic copy of bids with a copy of bid bond via email to craig.ziegemeier@va.gov and one (1) original hard copy bid bond on or before the due date/time stated in Block 13. Bid bond must be received at the following address:

Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 9, Attn: Craig Ziegemeier, 1639 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 400, Murfreesboro, TN 37129.

mailto:craig.ziegemeier@va.gov

006 It is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain Past Performance Questionnaires from Contracting Officers on a project-by-project basis, especially when they have already filled out a CPARS evaluation for us. In light of this, will the VA consider allowing us to submit completed CPARS evaluation forms with our proposals instead of having our references send the provided PPQ?

From FAR 42.1501 General: (b) Agencies shall monitor their compliance with the past performance evaluation requirements (see 42.1502), and use the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) metric tools to measure the quality and timely reporting of past performance information. CPARS is the official source for past performance information.

Factor 3 – Past Performance will follow the solicitation Standard for Acceptability.

007 The nurse call specifications are written around specifics of the Rauland Responder 5 nurse call system. Is it the intent to sole-source the project using Rauland-Borg product?

Nurse Call is a highly integrated life safety system. One of the intents to the project was to remove disjointed systems that do not work together. Rauland was selected as the facility standard. Allowing other systems creates the same condition we have now which is ineffectual, requires training on multiple systems and is not acceptable for life safety systems. We have currently a ward renovation under way where Rauland is being installed, again this is critical because we need continuity and integration. Additionally, we have 2 other ward designs on the shelf ready for construction solicitation where Rauland is the basis of design.

008 Is it possible to add additional site visit dates due to short time frame between solicitation release and visit dates?

No.

009 I was wondering if there is a SOW for this particular project.

A.3 Statement of Work starts on page 6 of the solicitation and provides the scope of work, statement of offer items, and general requirements, which reference the drawings and specifications for additional requirements.

010 The reference to "Handbook 6500- Information Security Program" requires that the system have the Risk Management Framework (RMF/ATO) cyber security process applied. Will the VA provide the RMF/ATO evaluation or should the ÐMF/ATO costs be included by the contractor?

This will not be required, the Rauland Responder 5 has completed the approval process.

011 Are all products, including core nurse call and middleware systems, used on the project required to be approved by the one-VA Technical Reference Model? And are products listed on the TRM list considered to be equal?

Rauland Responder 5 is on the TRM.

012 Will the VA provide enterprise servers for this project or are all servers to be provided by the contractor.

Servers are to be provided by contractor.

013 To confirm, will a blank cover be acceptable on an old device opening if not reused?

Yes – Stainless Steel covers required.

014 Reference: Div. 27 52 23 page 60, Item 2, par. C. – Will all the nurse call wiring need to be in conduit, or will the use of “J” hooks be acceptable?

Nurse call wiring will be in conduit.

015 Amendment 0001 added a VHA Supplemental Contract Requirement for Combatting COVID-19. With the Federal Court issued injunction on this requirement, do we need to add costs for this requirement?

VHA Supplemental Contract Requirements for Combatting COVID-19 is part of the solicitation and resulting contract.

016 Due to the holiday schedule can we get a 2-week extension on the RFI’s and the Bid date?

No, please refer to page one of the solicitation block 10, fifth paragraph, third sentence “Questions received after 12:00PM CT on December 28, 2021 will not be answered unless it is determined to be in the best interest of the government.”

017 Spec Section 01 00 00, 1.21 Tests, states the contractor shall provide a written testing and commissioning plan.

There is not a Spec Section 01 91 00 Commissioning in the specifications which usually states the VA will retain the commissioning agent and write the commissioning plan. Who is the commissioning Agent for this project and is the contractor required to write the commissioning plan?

The commissioning plan will consist of the required performance testing for each component per each individual specification and the required documentation. Testing will be completed by the supplying vendor in the presence of the contractor and VA and other required entities per specification. For Instance – cabling has a testing and documentation requirement. The Nurse Call specification provides detail for testing requirements. This testing will be considered the commissioning.

018 Architectural Finishes: There are numerous rooms that will require access panels installed in the ceilings that are not called out on the drawings. Will the VA be responsible for procuring and installing these panels, or the contractor?

The contractor.

019 Architectural Finishes: There are numerous rooms that will require gypsum patching and painting. These sections are included in the specifications but not shown on the drawings. Can these locations be added to the drawings?

Patching and painting will not be required at each location and are very dependent on the contractor’s care and methods. Contractor shall make note of where this will be required and bid accordingly.

020 Architectural Finishes: There are numerous rooms that will require ceramic tile work. If the contractor cannot find the exact color, can a similar type and color be used?

Yes – work with COR for best color match selection.

021 Spec 01 35 26.1.9.B states that monthly inspections are required by a third-party Certified Safety Professional (CSP). Are these monthly inspections required?

A third party is not required. The contractors Safety Officer (not PM or Superintendent) may make the inspections. The COR shall be invited to inspections.

022 Do we utilize the VA’s LAN for Nurse Call Head-ends (TRs) for back bone connectivity? Or do we need to connect the TRs with backbone cabling (i.e., fiber or copper)?

New Nurse Call Head ends are to be connected via existing fiber available at OIT rooms. Please refer to Note 2 on Riser Diagrams for TR to OIT cabling requirements.

023 If Fiber is needed for Backbone cabling-is there any dark fiber available to utilize for this project?

Yes, existing Fiber is available (per response # 22)

024 Please confirm that the VA’s WAN will be utilized needed for connecting Murfreesboro to Nashville’s Nurse Call Servers.

The VA’s WAN will be utilized for connecting Murfreesboro to Nashville’s Nurse Call servers. Connect to spare ports in fiber optic panel for VLAN/WAN network cloud. Provide new 24 port Power over Ethernet (PoE) data switch with 2-10 GIG uplink. See TK601 for additional information.

025 Do we need to match the design intent of Murfreesboro Ward 1 A and leverage that project’s Servers?

The finished systems will be completely integrated.

026 In some areas the existing Cable Plant is known to be in good working condition and meets manufacturer requirements.

Is it acceptable to utilize existing?

No – new wire will be pulled.

027 In some areas the existing Head End Cabinets meet the manufacturer’s UL standard. Is it acceptable to utilize these?

System will be upgraded to the Rauland Responder 5 and all components will be new.

028 Is a RTLS System a required deliverable?

RTLS System is not a required deliverable.

029 Are the RTLS System Licenses (needed from the Nurse Call side) a required deliverable or just need to have the license capability to add (future)?

Need to have the license capability to add (future). Provide integration.

030 Are the Wireless Phone License (needed from the Nurse Call side) a required deliverable or just need to have the license capability to add (future)?

Need to have the license capability to add (future). Provide integration.

031 Are the Smart Bed licenses (needed from the Nurse Call side) a required deliverable or just need to have the license capability to add (future)?

Need to have the license capability to add (future). Provide integration.

032 Are the HL-7 Bi-Direction licenses (needed from the Nurse Call side) a required deliverable or just need to have the license capability to add (future)?

Need to have the license capability to add (future). Provide integration.

033 Murfreesboro- some of the rooms are showing 2 dome lights per patient room with one in the room and one outside the door. What is the purpose for two dome lights?

There are currently 2 dome lights at these rooms. One dome light in the room is over the door to the patient toilet.

034 Are all the rooms properly labeled (Murfreesboro and Nashville) with current use.

Room changes happen every day – Contractor to bid quantities as described in drawings. Room function can be discussed with COR during construction.

035 A PT room is now an office is the intent to keep the same device even though the use of room may have changed?

Individual room changes occurring after design will need to be evaluated with COR during installation to determine need for Nurse Call. Contractor shall bid based on the drawings as they are.

036 Do the drawings (both campuses) device drawings only show what is currently in the room or do the symbols reflect what the new device is supposed to be?

The existing devices to be replaced are on the demolition sheet with the symbol indicated as dashed. The new sheets have the symbol shown as solid.

037 Are there any requirements for lighting control on pillow speakers? if so, which areas and are the controls already in place that we can control via low voltage on the pillow speakers?

Yes, in patient rooms only. Provide low-voltage relays and AC connections as needed for pillow speaker controls.

038 Are there any special TV entertainment requirements on either campus? This may affect the type of pillow speaker utilized (i.e., Getwell).

Yes, nurse call pillow speaker and controls (patient entertainment system, Getwell, lighting, and other systems per VA).

039 In dual patient rooms that only have one TV currently is there intent to add a 2nd

TV?

No TV’s are added as part of this project.

040 Do you require nurse consoles in your PBX rooms on either campus?

Consoles are required at both campuses in the Security/Police department. All programming by the Vendor. For Murfreesboro site, please include notes from riser diagram on sheet TK601 to riser diagram on TK602.

041 There are Divisions 02 82 13.13 & 02 83 33.13 in the specifications. Neither one has locations or quantities for asbestos or lead paint. Both sections talk about an existing conditions report. Can you give us the report or let us know what asbestos and lead paint we are to abate?

There is no abatement component to this project.