S06 - Att 3 RFI Response A0003 Oct 6 2026.pdf

RFI # Question/Comment Response (VA - COR)

Specifications require that the SSHO must:

a. Must be a separate individual from the Superintendent.

b. Must be a separate individual from the Quality Control Manager.

c. No crossover of roles is permitted.

d. The SSHO must also satisfy the following requirements:

I. OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Training within the last five years.

ii. PLUS one of the following:

iii. 7 years construction safety experience; OR

iv. Safety degree + 5 years’ experience; OR

v. Current CSP or CHST certification + 5 years’ experience.

vi. The SSHO is also required to hold a current professional safety certification and have at least 3 years of dedicated construction safety experience.

For a small business, this level of accreditation is typically found through consultation services.

Often those services require the on-site consultant be paid weekly or monthly regardless of delays and suspensions, since they are contracted for the specific project. During periods when field work is unable to proceed due to Government-directed suspension, pending RFI responses, pending design revisions, or pending Government-issued RFPs, does the Government expect these personnel to remain assigned full-time to the project during the entire period of inactivity?

Please identify under what circumstances these personnel may be temporarily reassigned during such periods. If none exist, what duration of Government administrative delay should bidders reasonably include in their pricing?

Yes, the SSHO must have the requirements stated in the specifications. Along with all accreditations. Any modifications to the contract must be justified and properly documented in accordance with FAR 52.243-4 (Changes). This regulation outlines the requirements for making changes to contract terms, including the necessity for clear written records. Government directed suspensions are negotiated as needed at the time of issuance.

Any and all VA caused delays for the personnel noted in this RFI would be compensable by the VA. Any GC caused delays would not be compensable by the VA. During any suspension or if active construction is not occurring, those personnel could be reassigned.

The CQC System Manager must:

a. Be employed by the General Contractor.

b. Be onsite at all times during construction.

c. Have authority to stop nonconforming work.

d. Have authority over quality control matters.

e. Minimum qualifications:

I. Construction Management degree.

ii. Minimum 5 years’ experience on similar construction.

iii. Completion of the Corps of Engineers/NavFac Construction Quality Management (CQM) Course before work begins.

iv. An alternate CQC Manager with identical qualifications must also be designated.

For a small business, this level of accreditation is typically found through consultation services.

Often those services require the on-site consultant be paid weekly or monthly regardless of delays and suspensions, since they are contracted for the specific project. During periods when field work is unable to proceed due to Government-directed suspension, pending RFI responses, pending design revisions, or pending Government-issued RFPs, does the Government expect these personnel to remain assigned full-time to the project during the entire period of inactivity?

Please identify under what circumstances these personnel may be temporarily reassigned during such periods. If none exist, what duration of Government administrative delay should bidders reasonably include in their pricing?

Yes the CQC System Manger must have the requirements laid out in the specifications. Any modifications to the contract must be justified and properly documented in accordance with FAR 52.243-4 (Changes). This regulation outlines the requirements for making changes to contract terms, including the necessity for clear written records. Government directed suspensions are negotiated as needed at the time of issuance.

Any and all VA caused delays for the personnel noted in this RFI would be compensable by the VA. Any GC caused delays would not be compensable by the VA. During any suspension or if active construction is not occurring, those personnel could be reassigned.

Project # 676‐22‐110 Upgrade Fire Alarm System

Solicitation # 36C252-26-B-0014

Pre-Bid RFIs

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Please identify the Infection Control Risk Category (Low, Medium, High, or Highest Risk) applicable to each building and phase identified on Sheets GC104-GC106 for bidding purposes.

a. Please identify whether each project phase is to be performed under Class III or Class IV Infection Control requirements and provide a schedule correlating each phase to the required precaution level.

Please see ICRA spread sheet "ICRA 676-22-110 Upgrade Fire alarm" with

Class levels.

"S06 - Infection Control 676-22-110 Upgrade Fire Alarm.pdf" - was an attachment in Amendment A0001

There are several areas listed that will require work, all areas are required to be Class III or Class IV IC.

a. There are 19 different buildings on Sheet GC103 that are known to be either abandoned, sparsely occupied, used primarily for storage, or otherwise classified as non-patient care areas. Is it completely necessary for all these areas to require Class III

IC?

B. The Attic and Crawl Spaces of many of the buildings are also scheduled for work. Given the numerous existing penetrations present within the attic and crawl spaces of these buildings, establishing and maintaining negative air in these spaces will be labor intensive.

Will these areas be required to be kept under constant negative air and thereby in Type III IC?

I. If so, where should the machines exhaust the filtered air to, since there are no windows in the attics or crawl spaces?

Please see ICRA spread sheet "ICRA 676-22-110 Upgrade Fire alarm" with

Class levels.

"S06 - Infection Control 676-22-110 Upgrade Fire Alarm.pdf" - was an attachment in Amendment A0001

What is the correct document for the bid?

The specifications show bid alternates. The solicitation only has 1 lump sum.

Date for Bid Docs is April 21, 2026.

Lump sum bid - No bid alternates

There is a specifications section Division 27. I do not see communications plans. What part of this section is being used for the new fire alarm systems?

DIV 27 Specifications:

271000 - Control, Communications and Signal Wiring - DELETE

271100 - Communications Equipment Room Fittings- DELETE

271500 - Communications Structured Cabling- DELETE

273131 - VOICE COMMUNICATIONS- DELETE

273241 - Two-Way Radio Equipment and Systems – REMAIN

275116 PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS- DELETE

There is a specifications section Division 28. I do not see systems plans containing Access control. What part of this section is being used for the new fire alarm systems?

28 13 00 Physical access control systems discusses PAC system requirements for interface. No new PAC systems are being installed.

Since the VA facility is staffed 24 hours a day 7 days a week is it the contractor’s responsibility to provide fire watch while the fire alarm system is down in the respective buildings being worked on?

The existing Fire alarm system cannot be down. The new system must be operational and fully functional before old system is removed. Review 01 35

26 for fire watch requirements.

Are the DDC panel included in the scope of this project to replace monitor modules? If they are does the system need to be commissioned? I do not see a spec section 25.

DDC panels are to remain. All interconnection can be found through the FD and FA site drawings.

The Tomah VA has a tramway system. I do not see the devices for the tramway system in the documents. No work in tramways required beyond existing devices at building entries.

I am not seeing any dampers in the fire alarm system. Are they controlled with the fire alarm system or the DDC system?

Are they monitored by the fire alarm if not controller?

Fire dampers are not controlled by DDC or Fire alarm system at Tomah

VAMC.

Sheet FA121 is this accurate of the existing device layout? Add 2 key switches with monitoring modules to device counts.

Building 405 shows everything including conduit to be removed in the demo plans. Will plans be coming out to remove the ceiling to preform the work?

The ceiling is so tight to the mechanical the tile can not be removed without removing the Ceiling grid.

The drawings are correct to remove existing systems. This is Means and

Methods for conduit installation.

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Are there bid alternates? The specifications show alternates and the bid form does not. Bid alternative is not being utilized in this solicitation provide pricing on base bid only.

FD147 building 1 has the note below. There are no other notes on the plan page for B1.

Local alarms use FD725 for demolition.

FD725 Shows a one line with a panel and devices. What plan should be followed for Demo? Can we assume the answer to building #1 applies to all buildings?

This demo plan is to be used for buildings 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 12

Is the contractor required to maintain full dual-system functionality (existing system active while new components are tested) within each building during its respective phase? Will Strobe synchronization be a factor in the above question?

The existing Fire alarm system cannot be down. The new system must be operational and fully functional before old system is removed. Follow 28 31

00, 2.3.M.6. UL1971 requirement.

Burn-in time is called out in the Specifications to be a minimum of 30days.

1, Will the contractor be allowed to start another phase of the project while the burn-in period is taking place?

2, Will the ICRA barriers be allowed to stay in place during the burn-in period for demo of the old system following acceptance

Yes, the contractor can start the next phase once work is completed in the previous space. The ICRA barriers can stay in place so long as not a patient safety issue.

Contractor needs to complete installation of new system and complete burn-in period before starting demo of old system.

How will the existing device locations in the walls be sealed up after device and wire is removed?

Will the conduit and boxes need to be removed?

All conduit and back boxes must be removed in there entirety, patch and paint areas to match.

The Title Sheet (GI001) states that conflicts will default to the "greater quantity" or "more stringent requirement" as determined by the Government. Can the design team identify any known discrepancies between the electrical power plans (EP series) and fire alarm layout plans (FA series) to prevent unquantifiable bidding risk?

The contracting Officer makes the final determination.

For demolition plans (FD series), if field-verified conditions reveal undocumented or additional devices not shown on the demolition drawings, will this be handled via a change order or absorbed under the FFP scope?

Will an allowance per building be predetermined for the undocumented devices?

Refer to FAR 52.243-4 CHANGES (DEVIATION) July 2025.

VAAR 852.243-70 CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

CHANGES—SUPPLEMENT SEP 2019.

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Note 6 on Sheet GC101 requires the contractor to install and secure balancing dampers in final positions prior to occupancy. Is a certified third-party Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) agency required for this, or can it be performed by the electrical/HVAC subcontractor?

Will the building have to be rebalanced after the fire alarm install is completed?

The work locations must be returned to preconstruction conditions to include

HVAC system. The building does not require a rebalance after fire alarm installation.

Civil site plans (C011–C014) and Fire Alarm site plans (FA011–FA012) show site work. Is the fire alarm contractor fully responsible for the asphalt/bituminous path cutting, trenching, backfilling, and surface restoration, or is this covered under a separate civil scope?

How will this work be preformed to fully complete the phases during the winter when the ground is frozen?

The scope of the civil work is under the General Contractor jurisdiction to decide. If asphalt is not available concrete meeting all winter laying requirements or Traffic Bond over winter months.

Will off hour testing be required in all building for pre-functional testing & commissioning? Testing can be done during normal hours of operation with coordination with police, fire and staff.

Section 28 05 00 3.4 D. Provide services of manufacturer’s technical representative for <insert hours> hours to instruct VA personnel in operation and maintenance of units. For bidding purposes please provide a set number of hours for training.

4 hours

Access security: For bidding purposes is the access security currently receiving a command from the fire alarm system in the event of a fire?

Will this system need to be commission with the fire alarm system?

Yes, the access control system receives notification.

Yes, interconnection and operation must be tested and Commissioned.

HVAC controls: For bidding purposes is the HVAC system currently receiving a command from the fire alarm system in the event of a fire?

Will this system need to be commission with the fire alarm system?

Yes, the HVAC system receives notification. Yes, interconnection and operation must be tested and Commissioned. The full HVAC system does not need to be comissioned only replacement parts in the HVAC system.

Is the reuse of existing conduit allowed or not? Existing conduit is not allowed for reuse.

In areas of the facility where existing concealed pathway have to be reused without major demolition being performed, are these conduits exempt from violating the 40% fill limit?

Existing conduit is not allowed for reuse.

If existing conduit needs to be reused does that conduit have to be painted red? Existing conduit is not allowed for reuse.

If hazardous materials are identified who is responsible for the cost of the removal and contractor cost for the downtime of the removal?

Any modifications to the contract must be justified and properly documented in accordance with FAR 52.243-4 (Changes). This regulation outlines the requirements for making changes to contract terms, including the necessity for clear written records. Government directed suspensions are negotiated as needed at the time of issuance.

Are movable ICRA barriers allowed on this project?

If so, are they required to monitor negative pressure?

Yes so long as the employee using the HEPA Cart operates it per manufacture and ICRA recommendations. With internal negative air machines in operation. Ensure wiring is not a trip hazard while in use.

Are multiple floors allowed to be worked on at the same time during a phase? Yes, as long as contract requirements can be meet.

Is attic stock required? If so, will it be per building? Will this cost have to be included in the bid or will the owner set an allowance for this cost?

All requirements for fire alarm “attic stock” are listed in 28 31 00 2.13

Keyed Note 7 on sheets F705 through F727 specifies a new wireless radio device with an antenna mounted above the ceiling.

Is the coaxial or network cabling between the FACP and the remote antenna required to be in conduit?

Yes, it needs to be in conduit and box.

Will the final network patch cords and connection to the campus LAN be performed by the contractor or by the VA’s internal OIT personnel?

Final connection on network switches to be performed by VA OIT.

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Do the wiring requirements for the fire alarm system Div 28 have to meet the same requirements as Structures cabling Div 27 in regards to Cat 6 cable?

Refer to specifications 28 05 13, 2.1.A, requires 6A cabling.

If a delegated design submittal is rejected by the VA or third-party review process due to design interpretation who is responsible for the added costs involved?

Refer to spec section 01 33 23 Shop drawings, product data, and samples

Will the VA require the delegated design submittal (drawings and calculations) to be stamped and signed by a Professional

Engineer (PE) registered in the State of Wisconsin, or is a NICET Level III or IV certification sufficient?

Refer to specifications 28 31 00 for requirements.

Please confirm that the Government considers 350 calendar days adequate for the Campus Work period given the device volume described above.

Time frame is reasonable to the government.

If not, please consider extending the Campus Work period to a duration that reasonably accounts for the required production rate and occupied-facility access constraints.

No additional time can be provided as of this time.

Specification Section 28 31 00, Paragraph 1.1.B requires that "the design, system layout, document submittal preparation, and supervision of installation and testing shall be provided by a technician that is certified NICET level III or a registered fire protection engineer" — indicating delegated design responsibility on the Contractor.

The contractor must provide system expertise per spec section 28 31 00 paragraph 1.1.B.

RFI Response A0001, Item #4 (September 3, 2026) states the project is not Design/Build and that "all devices shown on the plans and one-lines are accurate for the required FA coverage."

That is correct, to include Prebid RFI response.

a. Is the Contractor responsible for delegated design under Section 28 31 00, Paragraph 1.1.B — meaning device layout, spacing, and quantities must be independently verified against NFPA 72 by the Contractor's NICET III technician or PE, regardless of what is shown on the drawings; or

b. Do the plans and one-line diagrams represent the final, AE-engineered device layout per RFI Response A0001, Item #4, in which case Section 28 31 00, Paragraph 1.1.B applies only to installation supervision and testing, and bidders may rely on the plan device counts for quantity and pricing purposes?

If (a) applies, please confirm the Government intends to compensate for coverage gaps discovered during Contractor design that exceed the quantities shown on the drawings.

Interested parties should bid 100% IAW the construction documents. Any changes shall be managed IAW the CO’s authority/discretion and FAR guidelines.

Reference: Section 26 05 33, Raceway and Boxes for Electrical Systems, Paragraph 2.1.C.2.c (Electrical Metallic Tubing

Fittings):

"Setscrew Couplings and Connectors: Use setscrews of case-hardened steel with hex head and cup point, to firmly seat in wall of conduit for positive grounding."

This section governs the power feed conduit from the electrical panel to the fire alarm panel and requires a hex head set screw with no size threshold and no alternate fitting type.

Issue: All FAR 52.225-11 compliant couplings and connectors from 1/2 in. to 2 in. use a tri-drive head set screw, not a hex head.

We are not aware of a domestic/designated-country compliant manufacturer offering a hex head set screw in this size range.

Request: Please confirm that tri-drive head set screw couplings and connectors, meeting all other criteria of Section 26 05

33.2.1.C.2.c (case-hardened steel, cup point, insulated throat, FAR 52.225-11 compliant sourcing), are acceptable for EMT sizes

1/2 in. through 2 in. on this contract.

tri-drive head set screw would be acceptable.

What type of conduit shall be bored for the 2" directional bores site plan? PVC schedule 40

Are there any requirements for circuit integrity (CI) cable on this project Refer to 28 05 13, 2.5 Fire Alarm Wire and Cable.

Will a separate 5-year maintenance bond be required during the 5-year guaranty period services? No this will be changed to a 1 year period 28 31 00, 1.6.A.

What are the normal work hours for the facility? Typical outpatient care hours of operations are 08:00 - 17:00.

Who is responsible for a fire watch while the fire alarm system is down? If the alarm system outage is caused by the contractor it is their responsibility to provide fire watch un tell the system is back online.

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On an existing finished wall, will a blank cover be acceptable where a fire alarm device is removed? Refer to Detail 3 on F502.

Is exposed Wiremold allowed on the wall in finished areas where it is not possible to fish the wall? (ex. Block or Brick) Refer to Detail 3, 4, 5 on F501 to be used on CMU or solid surfaces Not including drywall.

Who is responsible for the fire alarm connection to existing elevator controllers? General contractor, to ensure elevator operates per NFPA requirements

Specifications call for electrically locked exit doors to be tied into the fire alarm system; how many electrically locked doors are there?

Contractor should bid for 36 doors to be integrated controls into the existing access control systems.

Specifications were provided for physical access control system, are there any new card readers on this project? None

Will there be any requirement for new PIV, Flow or Tamper Switches on this project or will we just be monitoring them through the fire alarm system?

PIV to remain, flow switch and tamper switch to be replaced. Sprinkler piping to remain.

Please provide the manufacturer of the existing Physical Access Control System. Please provide the incumbent security system contractor.

P2000 access control system is installed.

Please provide the manufacturer of the Two-Way Radio System. P2000 access control system is installed.

Can the Government clarify the exact mandatory durations for the Phasing chart on Page 11?

The chart shows 'Campus work Complete' as 350 calendar days but lists the 'Total days after NTP' line element as 400. Please confirm if the Campus work duration is 350 or 360 days.

There is no set manufacture the contractor is to interface with the campus two way radio system. Specs are provided to ensure proper testing of two way emergency radio system integrated in fire alarm system.

Given that the Baseline Schedule approval process under Section 01 32 16.15 can structurally take up to 40–50 days post-NTP, will the VA adjust the 40-day cap on the Pre-Construction phase to prevent a schedule variance before field construction begins

The Precon submission period is 60 days.

Based on preliminary discussions with subcontractors and vendors the 400 and/or 420 day timeline cannot be met; construction will take much longer and we are wondering how the VA will adjust the final ‘substantial completion date’?

Will the post award schedule drive the contract duration?

VA and AE feel that the timeline seems sufficient for the prosed construction performance. Performance can be suspended for long lead-time items if this is required and worked out during submission period.

Is the contractor required to author or deliver a completely integrated 3D Building Information Model (BIM), or does the requirement for 'BIM interface capabilities' simply mean that the electronic media format (DVD/Hard Drive) containing the photo-documentation must be compatible with standard BIM viewing platforms?"

No a 3D Building information model is not required only that the electronic media format.

Please confirm that the Solicitation instructions take precedence over the Technical Specifications and that the project will be awarded strictly as a Base Bid Lump Sum. Should bidders leave the Alternate line items entirely blank, or indicate them as "N/A" on the final submission forms?

Base bid lump sum

In the event that a patent discrepancy or conflict is identified between the manufacturer material standards in the Technical

Specifications (Divisions 01–28) and the layout details on the Contract Drawings (Sheets GI001–EP128), please confirm that the

Technical Specifications govern over the Drawings per standard order of precedence.

Drawings and Specification combined are the Contract Documents and are equal in weight. If the contractor has found or is referring to a clear, obvious, or easily observable contrdiction they have a legal duty to report the patent discrepancy to the owner or contracting officer before submitting a bid or performing any work.

Addiitionally, for Division 28 specification sections, find an order of precedence in section 28 05 00, 1.5 GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OF

CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, B.

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Will the Government provide supplementary electrical/fire circuit isolation drawings showing exactly which campus zones can be shut down safely between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM without triggering emergency outages in neighboring, occupied patient care areas?

No new drawings will be provided. The new system needs to be operational before the existing system can be Demo' d.

1. Has a pre-construction asbestos and lead paint survey been completed for the specific building walls, attics, and interstitial pathways impacted by Project 676-22-110? If yes, will the VA provide this survey report to prospective bidders prior to bid submission?

2. If unknown or latent ACM/hazardous materials are discovered during conduit coring or cable pulling, will the VA handle the remediation under a separate third-party abatement contract, or is the General Contractor expected to absorb independent abatement costs within their Base Bid Lump Sum?

No pre construction asbestos or lead paint survey was completed. ACM

(loose Vermiculite) is suspected to be in the cores of concrete blocks in generator builds. 25, 427, 445, 446, 421, 447, 448, 449.

1. Has a comprehensive pre-construction asbestos or lead paint environmental survey been completed for the specific building structures, walls, attics, and interstitial pathways impacted by this contract? If a report exists, will the Government provide it to prospective bidders prior to bid submission to ensure accurate risk pricing?

2. If unknown or latent ACM/hazardous materials are discovered during field execution (e.g., conduit routing, drilling, or device removal), will the VA manage and fund the remediation under a separate third-party environmental contract, or is the General

Contractor expected to absorb unforeseen containment and abatement costs within their Base Bid Lump Sum?

No pre construction asbestos or lead paint survey was completed. ACM

(loose Vermiculite) is suspected to be in the cores of concrete blocks in generator builds. 25, 427, 445, 446, 421, 447, 448, 449.

Will the Government permit the General Contractor to self-perform the required photographic documentation using an advanced

360-degree camera system and the HoloBuilder platform.

We have successfully used this process on other VA Hospital work on several VA locations, including Tomah, WI?

Yes, self performance is allowed so long as the specs are meet.

1. Will any pre-work testing and reporting be required?

2. Will any post-work testing and balancing be required?

3. Since we are only replacing relays and wiring and not creating dust, will a complete cover, cap and isolation of all supply and returns be required?

4. Will any post-work duct cleaning be required?

1. review 01 00 00

2. No HVAC balancing

3. Review ICRA requirements.

4. If contractor does not follow ICRA requirements and creates dust. Then VA will require additional cleaning.

On page 2/32 in Part 7 of the new work drawings. Looking at the page Keynote #14 says existing FA devices to remain, will these need to tie into the new fire alarm system?

Yes, tie them into the new FA System.

Please clarify if this project is bidding design/build or bid/spec. Documents are inconsistent with verbiage. Is the contractor to follow plans and simply bid off of what is shown, or is the contractor responsible for a fully functional code compliant system per local, state, and national standards based upon the occupancy type/load of each facility?

The Project is not Design Build. The contractor is responsible for a fully functional code compliant system per local, state, and national standards designed around what is provided in the specifications and drawings.

The current bid set does not illustrate all devices on the existing fire alarm system. Is this an omission on the part of the VA, or is the contractor to assume that those devices are no longer needed/required?

interested parties shall only be required to complete the scope in the construction documents. Any changes shall be handled iAW the authority of the CO and FAR regulations.

If devices not illustrated on the current bid set are required, who then is responsible? Will change orders be issued for additional devices, or is the contractor responsible for all costs incurred?

Any modifications to the contract must be justified and properly documented in accordance with FAR 52.243-4 (Changes). This regulation outlines the requirements for making changes to contract terms, including the necessity for clear written records. Government directed suspensions are negotiated as needed at the time of issuance.

Drawing show the minimum requirements but means, methods, and component choices by the contractor may require additional components.

Is the contractor responsible for all engineering and submittal, including a stamp by Wisconsin Professional Engineer (PE) or

Designer of Electrical Systems (DES)? If so is NICET Certification, Level III or higher sufficient?

Per spec section 28 31 00 paragraph 1.1.B. , either is acceptable.

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Regarding decommissioning of the existing fire alarm system/panels, what is the VA’s expectation? Can devices be removed and simply “wired through” leaving the panels with multiple trouble conditions while buildings are being cut over, or is the expectation that devices be programmed out by a factory certified technician with access to the most current software/dongle/system program on a daily basis leaving the panels clear and trouble free at the end of each working day?

The contractor should provide fire alarm panels that are clear and trouble free daily.

Does the existing system need to remain in place during the 30 day burn-in period, or is the expectation that the existing system be removed in a phased manner as the new system is brought online?

The existing system must remain per 28 31 00 3.4 A.

Reference is made to “new wireless radio device” related to alarm monitoring of each panel/building. Is the contractor to assume that these devices be AES radios, tuned and programmed to the VA’s own proprietary frequency as is the case currently?

Yes the VA is expecting to use the proprietary frequency with IP link and receivers. As in the currently installed system in 28 buildings. Ensure old antennas and systems are removed with demo.

Regarding emergency mass notification, please confirm that the intent is to have a stand-alone system, and that the fire alarm system shall not be responsible for broadcasting non-fire alarm related voice messaging. Also please confirm that the dual fire alarm devices (Red device w/ clear lens labeled “FIRE”/White device w/ amber lens labeled “ALERT”) that are now in place will not be required moving forward.

Yes, the mass notification is not required for this project and is a separate non-fire alarm related voice messaging system. The newly installed devices will be updated per the FA drawings and New work one line diagrams.

Regarding access control interfaces, more documentation is needed. Where are panels/lock power supplies located? Location of electromagnetic locking devices? Total number of devices/points requiring interface?

Contractor should bid for 36 doors to be integrated controls into the existing access control systems.

Regarding specialty systems interfaces, more documentation is needed?

Location of clean agent suppression systems?

Location of air aspiration systems?

Location of kitchen hood/Ansul systems?

Total number of devices/points requiring interface?

Kitchen hood monitoring modules will need to be provided in buildings 10(1), 401(1) 405(1), 409(1), 410(1), 411(1), 412(1), and 424(5).

Clean agent system is shown on new work drawings.

Air aspiration systems are not used.

System testing/commissioning will play a significant role in this project. Will the VA require this (Sounding of signals) to be performed after hours to reduce occupant/patient fatigue? What about inpatient spaces that are occupied 24/7/365?

Testing can be done during normal hours of operation with coordination with police, fire and staff.

Will other technologies that are UL/FM approved be considered instead of using wireless communications for fire alarm panel monitoring.

The VA is expecting to use the proprietary frequency as in the currently installed system. With IP link and receivers.

Can you please confirm that complete AutoCAD files will be supplied and architecturally accurate for the creation of fire alarm design and submissions.

Yes the AE will provide AutoCAD files once award.

For the purpose of this project can you confirm that project acceptance refers to the completion of the phase of construction Project acceptance will be provided once the construction project is complete, comissioned, inspected, and space is returned to the VA.

Can you please clarify how many years of warranty service is to be covered and what is to be billable? Please include which overtime requirements apply

Review in spec section 01 00 00, 1.15 Warranty Management, and pre bid document 32 17 23, item 1.9 Warranty of Construction. FAR 52.246-21

Warranty of Construction.

Can it be assumed that this provision only refers to material provided under the contract and no testing of sprinkler, Ansul, elevators, or auxiliary systems is required.

Controlled systems receiving communication to or from the Fire alarm systems interface must be operating properly once work is completed.

Please confirm that this is functional testing only and that all visual inspection requirements and their documentation are the responsibility of the VA staff

According to NFPA 72 all visual inspections must be done by the contractor until the system is returned to the VA.

If the subcontractor who is providing parts and smarts service technician(s) dwellings are within 100 miles of the project site throughout the scope of the project and warranty will that suffice for the requirements of this project

Yes for fire alarm systems, refer to spec section 01 00 00, Priority code 1 life safety systems response time.

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Can we assume that all performance requirements and design parameters/standards have been communicated in this bid interested parties should bid construction documents. Any changes shall be addressed on a case by case basis IAW FAR guidelines and the CO’s authority.

Manufacturer lead times on panels and head-end equipment, the submittal and approval cycle, and the requirement to keep the existing system active during phased installation put the realistic duration closer to three years.

Time frame is reasonable to the Government.

Required addition to 28 31 00 found in the answer. ADD to specification section 283100 - Fire Detection and Alarm

2.3 FIRE ALARM CONTROL UNIT

B. Remote Transmissions

ADD:

iii. Any wireless spectrum dependent devices /transmitters that are provided under a/this VA contract must have NTIA SPS Equipment Certification prior to delivery.

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