S06 RFI Repsonses 1 - 553-22-209.pdf

Question 1: Please clarify what is provided by the government for contractor install.

See attached Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) cutsheets

Exact QTY. 22 of GFE Network racks with switches and transceivers, UPS’s, Power strips, and Keystone Patch Panels

Contractor to supply 4’ x 4’ painted mitigation boards and QTY. 6 of 6 port fiber switches either/or 6 port distribution boxes. TBD by contractor as these materials are not available on GSA.

Contractor to provide all materials and tools to connect the equipment with fiber optic cables and necessary raceways.

Question 2: Are we to provide pricing for the alternates called out on the drawings? If so, is there a pricing schedule?

No alternatives. Alternative to be completed by others. Only installing Fiber Infrastructure/Equipment and connecting all equipment with fiber optics with necessary raceways.

Question 3: Will containment be needed in working areas? If so, what level of containment is needed?

Yes, QTY 15 Level III’s work areas which require a plastic zipper barrier outside of the electrical room and a plastic zipper door at the closet door to create an anteroom

QTY 7 Level IV’s work areas which require a hard barrier outside of the electrical room and a plastic zipper door at the closet door to create an anteroom.

FYI: Sticky mats are required at all exits and entrances. And since there is core drilling, the electrical closet being worked in and the electrical closet above the work area will need to be in place prior to drilling. Foot covers shall be worn for all Class IV, however if it is just good practice to wear at all areas of work then there’s no debate with VA staff.

Therefore, all work areas need to be accessed for determination of hard barriers or just plastic zippers required for the core drilling.

Recommend setting up and completing one riser with ICRA barriers at a time to leapfrog down for core drilling and installation of equipment.

Question 4: Provide load schedules and panel capacity.

All 120 Volt components/systems.

All UPS’s will connect to emergency power outlets located at the installation sites in the electrical closets. Rack power strips will connect to UPS’s. Switches will connect to Power Strips.

Question 5: Can the VA confirm the exact limits of work for the TV system upgrade (headend, distribution, endpoints)?

Headend located in A8001 (Highest Floor in the Building), A completely newly installed rack with similar equipment will be installed by the contractor for this project so the new head end unit will have all necessary equipment waiting for the future project to install the new head end unit and all the new TV system components by a Audio/Video provider partnered with the TV Provider.

DMARC room is in LL210 (Lower Level of the Building), A completely newly installed rack with similar equipment will be installed by contractor for this project so the new head end unit will have all necessary equipment waiting for the future project to install the new head end unit and all the new TV system components.

Distribution of Fiber is already installed at least on existing rack location per riser. This project will require the contractor to acquire and install all fiber 6 port fiber switches or 6 port fiber distribution boxes for the risers that do not have a fiber distribution switch or box or current 6 port fiber switches are full.

Distribution FYI: This project is only installing a fiber infrastructure. The input of the internet connection will be by others/internet provider. The Headend will be completed/connected by the sole-source Audio/Visual partnered with the TV provider. A follow-on project, (Phase II), to install ethernet CAT6A and necessary raceways from network switches installed by this project to the TV provider’s set top boxes; that will connect the internet feed to the TVs. After the follow-on project, the Audio/Video company partnered with the TV Provider will connect the ethernet cables to the set top boxes and they will connect a HDMI cable from the set top box to the TVs.

Endpoints: Two fiber cables will be run to the Headend room from the Demarc room. One is for the internet provider to connect their input at the Dmarc room that ends in the Headend room rack and switch. The second will be used to send the feed back to the Dmarc room from the head end unit to the main fiber distribution rack that is existing. The fiber cable from the Demarc room main distribution will be connected to the new rack and switches in the electrical closets with the 6port fiber distribution boxes or switches in each riser. Fiber is then run to each electrical closets new racks to connect to the switches for switching from Fiber to Ethernet. This project stops at the switches with cable installations and necessary raceways.

Question 6: Are there any areas, floors, or rooms excluded from the upgrade?

All areas are accessible with an escort and for non-escort areas the contractor is provided a set of keys.

Question 7: Can the VA provide as-built drawings for existing telecom/fiber pathways?

No. The existing network was used for the decommissioned guest wifi network and was never designed/documented. All pathways/raceways are required to be installed for the fiber infrastructure to prevent electronic interference and the required green powder coated 1” conduit will be used to identify/easy reference of the system being installed for trouble shooting or running new cables in the event of a new renovated area.

Question 8: What is the condition and capacity of existing conduits and risers?

Condition of existing conduits and risers are that in the interstitial spaces the conduit is like new.

Inside risers, a 1” orange flex tube was used to house the cable. They are grandfathered in and not required to be replaced, nor will the contractor be liable for any damages or warranty work for existing fiber cables from the decommissioned system.

Question 9: Are there any known hazardous materials (asbestos, lead) in areas requiring demolition?

Asbestos and lead-free Building. An Asbestos report can be provided if needed.

Question 10: Who is responsible for final system configuration and programming (Contractor vs. VA IT)?

The sole source Audio/Video Company partnered with the TV Provider.

Question 11: What are the network requirements (IP scheme, VLANs, bandwidth, security protocols)?

None needed for this phase of the TV system. When connected to the TV platform, the platform will be programed from a Control Center e.g (Computer and Monitor) located in Medical Media.

Control Center will be procured by the government during the third phase based on the system requirements provided by an Audio/Video Company partnered with the TV provider. The command center will automatically assign IP addresses and most likely can be manually changed at the control center. We have a Medical Media department that will receive the training along with the Electricians. No VLAN as it will be a standalone system. Bandwidth is 25 Mbps per 100 receivers requiring us to have 2GB supplied by an internet provider to accommodate up to 350 TVs.

Question 12: Will the system integrate with existing hospital IT infrastructure or operate independently?

Operate Independently

Question 13: What are the requirements for headend equipment, servers, and storage?

2 GB to 4 GB =~ Because 25Mbps per 100 receivers. Therefore, 320 to 640 tv’s. We have approximately up to 350 TVs.

Question 14: What are the approved work hours, especially for patient-care areas?

0700am-3:30pm for this project.

Question 15: Are there phasing requirements by floor/zone to maintain operations?

Up to the contractor, however, due to Infectious control requirements and the barriers;

recommend completing the dust creating work by riser. All electrical closets are stacked and symmetrically aligned in the building.

Question 16: What is the process and lead time for planned outages or shutdowns?

No utility shutdowns or outages for this project. However, if anything arises then 2 weeks’ notice will be required. Also, plan at least a week or two in advance for allowing the VA Contract Officer Representative to route notices.

Question 17: Are infection control risk assessments (ICRA) required prior to work in clinical areas?

Yes. Assessments are already completed internally at the Veteran Affairs.

Question 18: Can the VA confirm available power capacity in telecom rooms for new equipment?

Yes. All 120-volt components/government furnished equipment has been verified and will be plugged into the emergency outlets already installed in each closet.

Question 19: Are dedicated circuits or UPS systems required for the new TV system?

Yes, all racks will be installed above emergency outlets already installed. A rack mounted UPS will be furnished by the government.

Question 20: Is there sufficient rack space in existing telecom rooms, or should new racks be installed?

All new racks are required and will be furnished by the government.

Question 21: What are the cooling/ventilation requirements for new equipment?

None, all closets are environmentally controlled and monitored by the building management system.

Question 22: Do the Superintendent, SSHO and QC Manager need to be 3 separate individuals?

No, just a competent person is required.

Question 23: Can the period of performance be extended after award once the material/equipment lead times are confirmed due to current market conditions for the equipment for this project?

Yes, However GSA government furnished equipment lead time is usually less than 30 days. The VA may take up to two weeks to inspect and release from the Warehouse. The contract is expected to be near the end of May 2026. GSA quotes will be requested in the first week of May.

Anticipate equipment request to be completed prior to award so that the contractor can receive and inventory the equipment when it is received at the VA.

Question 24: Please provide the site visit attendee sign in sheet.

See. Attached.

Question 25: Is this project tax exempt?

Answered by Contracting: No

Question 26: When do you anticipate on site work starting?

Mid to End of July. Usually Notice to Proceed (NTP) 10 days after award. Award a few weeks after government accepts the Bid.

Question 27: Are third party inspections required?

No. Just a competent person and the continuity/tests from a FLUK Test Measurement Diagnose Equipment and cable tester and that can generate a report of pass/fail and the distance of the cable. If equipment is damaged or in inoperable, the government will have to return under warranty and request replacements.

Question 28: Is permitting required?

No. Just the VA’s permits and risk assessments.