657-26-105 GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO RFIs AMMENDMENT 0005.pdf

March 17, 2026, Project: 657-26-105, Upgrade Interior Physical Security Solicitation: 36C25526R0064 Saint Louis Veterans Medical Center, Saint Louis MO 63103 Reference Amendment 36C25526R0064 0005

Response to RFIs:

Fire Door Modifications & NFPA 80 Compliance

Window Security Screens

Buildings 8A JC and 75 JB Security Expansion (Div 28)

Electrical circuits for Identification and Programming Devices and Key Cabinets (Div 26)

Telecommunications Ethernet Cabling Drops for Identification and Programming Devices (Div 27)

Electronic Rekey

Category 1: Fire Door Modifications & NFPA 80 Compliance

1. RFI #1: Please clarify if the cost for a third-party Listing Agency inspector (e.g., UL or Intertek) to provide a "Field Applied" label and inspection report after door modifications should be included in the base bid.

a. Yes

2. RFI #2: To ensure continued NFPA 80 compliance, will the VA provide the original "Door Schedule" or manufacturer shop drawings for Marks 1C-100, 1C-102, and 1C-103.3?

a. 657.313A.75.AE610.A6 and 657.313A.75.AE101.A7 Attached

(As Built Pages for doors) Also attached is the label from one of the doors for reference.

3. RFI #3: If a standard UL-listed security lite kit is not available for the specific door construction of Mark 1C-103.3 (Switchgear Room), will the VA accept an Engineering Judgment from the manufacturer in lieu of a field label?

a. If a standard UL-listed security lite kit is not available for the specific door construction of Mark 1C-103.3 (Switchgear Room), the door/window must still meet the VA Physical Security Design Manual (PSDM) requirements and maintain the

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

VA Heartland Network 15 3450 South Fourth Street

Leavenworth, KS 66048-5055

UL fire rating of the original door. Any deviation from the standard UL-listed kit must be thoroughly documented and reviewed to ensure compliance with these requirements. An Engineering Judgment from the manufacturer may be considered, but it must be accompanied by detailed documentation, including engineering evaluations and relevant test data, to validate that the proposed solution does not compromise security or fire safety standards. Additionally, if a UL-listed kit cannot be used, pre-approval is required from the VA Chief Safety Officer to accept an Engineering Judgment. Formal approval from the VA is required before proceeding with the installation of any non-standard solution.

4. RFI #4: If the field inspection reveals pre-existing non-compliance (e.g., improper clearances or faulty hardware unrelated to this scope), will the contractor be required to remedy these issues under the current bid or via a Change Order?

a. No

5. RFI #5: Regarding the security screens for the door glass, are these to be mounted on the interior (protected) side or the exterior (attack) side of the door?

a. Door/Glass must meet the VA Physical Security Design Manual for security and also maintain fire rating of original door.

Category 2: Window Security Screens

6. RFI #6: Please provide the required performance specification for the window security screens

(e.g., 10-gauge woven wire vs. 9-gauge expanded steel) per the VA Physical Security Design Manual (PSDM).

a. Per VA PSDM and VA Handbook 0730 - All #304 stainless steel woven mesh 0.7 mm (.028 in.) wire diameter, with tensile strength of 15 kg/mm (800 pounds per linear inch.

Mesh 12x12 per 25 mm (1 in.) with main and sub frames of 2.7 mm (12 gauges) carbon steel with baked enamel finish.

7. RFI #7: Are the security screens intended to be "fixed" (bolted to the substrate) or "operable" (hinged with a padlock hasp) to allow for window maintenance?

a. Either is acceptable, however if operable, must have internal key locking slide bolts.

8. RFI #8: Please specify the standoff distance required between the window glass and the security cage mesh to mitigate the risk of glass breakage from exterior impact.

a. The VA Physical Security Design Manual (PSDM) and VA Handbook 0730 should be consulted for any specified standoff distances between window glass and security cage mesh. If no specific distance is provided in these documents follow the general industry guideline of 2 to 4 inches to prevent tampering and protect the glass.

Category 3: Buildings 8A JC and 75 JB Security Expansion (Div 28)

9. RFI #9: Will drawings be provided with markups for locations of devices required in buildings

75 JB and 8A JC?

a. The contractor is required to provide a sufficient number of devices to cover each exit/entrance and ensure complete coverage of rooms specified in the SOW.

10. RFI #10: Since no drawings were provided, please clarify the Hazardous Location Classification (per NEC Article 500) for the Boiler Plant interiors. Is Explosion-Proof conduit and sealing fittings required?

a. This work is not within the boiler plant itself, explosion proof is not required in this area

11. RFI #11: Does the VA require all new security raceways within buildings 75 JB and 8A JC to be Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) to withstand high-vibration and mechanical damage, or is EMT acceptable? Is there existing raceway available for use? (Appeared to be camera junction boxes in

75 JB.)

a. EMT is acceptable for use within buildings 75 JB and 8A JC unless the environment specifically requires Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) to withstand high-vibration and mechanical damage. All installations must be done in accordance with NFPA standards and VA Project Specifications. Existing raceways can be used if they meet these standards.

12. RFI #12: For the Access Control (ACS) expansion: Does the VA require FICAM-compliant (PIV/CAC) readers for the Boiler Plants per HSPD-12?

a. Yes, HSPD-12 is required for all federal installations.

13. RFI #13: Regarding FIPS 140-2/3 compliance: If the existing March Networks VMS software is not natively FIPS-validated, does the VA require the contractor to provide system-level compliance via FIPS-mode OS and validated hardware modules?

a. Because this is on a private network, it is not required but recommended.

14. RFI #14: What is the required video retention period (e.g., 30, 60, or 90 days) and minimum frame rate/resolution for the new surveillance feeds? Will the contractor be required to provide additional NVR Storage to accommodate the new video streams?

a. The current NVR is rated for 30 days of video retention. The contractor is required to maintain 30 days of storage after incorporating the new equipment. If additional storage is necessary to meet this requirement, the contractor shall be required to install additional NVR storage.

15. RFI #15: Will the government please confirm the requirements for the ceiling mount motion detectors co-located with the cameras in Bldgs 8A JC and 75 JB? Will the motion detection be required to interface with inputs on cameras, or inputs on the ISTAR Controller?

a. The motion detectors will be wired and programmed into the Software House CCURE system via the existing onsite ISTAR controller serving building 75. Contractor to provide additional inputs on the ISTAR controller if required.

Category 4: Electrical circuits for Identification and Programming Devices and Key Cabinets (Div 26)

16. RFI #16: Will the government please confirm will 120 Volt connections at Key Cabinets and identification and Programming Devices be required to be new dedicated circuits or extension of the nearest circuit?

a. VA requires dedicated circuits for the Intelligent Key Cabinets

17. RFI #17: Will Electrical As-Built Records and Panel Schedules be made available for each building in scope for analysis of current load and expansion requirements? Will panels accept new circuits or additional load if expanding existing circuits?

a. Panel Schedules, where available, will be made available to winning contractor, panels will accept new circuits

18. RFI #18: Will 120V Connections for Key Cabinets and Identification and Programming Devices be required to be emergency power?

a. Yes

Category 5: Telecommunications Ethernet Cabling Drops for Identification and Programming Devices (Div 27)

19. RFI #19: Will the government please confirm will Telecommunications Ethernet Cabling Drops for Identification and Programming Devices be required to be new Category 6A?

a. Yes, install Cat 6A

20. RFI #20: Will Telecommunications As-Built Record Drawings be made available for each building in scope for analysis of current raceways and patch panel port type and availability to ensure there is room to add new dedicated drops for Identification and Programming Devices?

a. Where available, Telecommunications As-Built Record Drawings will be made available.

Drawings may not be available for all locations.

21. RFI #21: Will new Category 6 or 6A Ethernet Cabling Drops be allowed to run in existing raceway, or will new raceway be required?

a. New Cat 6A cables can be run in existing raceways if the raceways have sufficient capacity and meet the VA specifications and applicable standards, including the NEC and local building codes. However, if the existing raceways do not meet these requirements, new raceways will be required.

Category 6: Electronic Rekey

22. RFI #22: Will the contractor be required to provide a comprehensive Door Survey to confirm existing hardware is compatible with LFIC Format for new Electronic Cylinders?

a. The contractor will not be required to provide a comprehensive Door Survey to confirm existing hardware compatibility with LFIC Format for new Electronic Cylinders. The Locksmith at both locations have confirmed that the JC location uses Corbin Russwin locksets with LFIC Cores, and the JB location uses Sargent Locksets with LFIC Cores.

Any locksets not compatible with Corbin Russwin or Sargent will not be within the contractor's scope.

23. RFI #23: Statement of Work Section F. Software, subsection 7. States Software is to be hosted on servers provided to the VA based on "XT Self-Hosted System Requirements", however, historically the VA has required the software to be deployed in accordance with the VA Virtual First Server Policy on VA Hosted Virtual Servers. Will the contractor be required to deploy new virtual servers within the VA OIT environment? If so, what are the requirements for adding servers within the VA OIT Network? Or will Virtual Servers be provided by the VA OIT, as is common with Self-Hosted Medeco XT Software deployments?

a. The government is currently working on a response to this final question and will responds as soon as possible.

Gislaine Dorvil Contracting Officer

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS