36C25618Q0259-013.pdf

VA256-18-AP-1149

Testing of all fire alarm and fire suppression systems

Solicitation Number: 36C25618Q0259

Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Office: Houston VAMC

Location: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Vendor Questions

1. With the use of EVance being the requirement, will the company awarded the contract be required to install bar codes on the devices? Only on new devices, devices that have been replaced, and devices with missing tags.

2. Concerning the Fire/Domestic water tanks, will there be a 5 Yr. inspection added to the RFQ?

We will do a separate contract for water tank inspections as they are pretty involved and pretty expensive. We also have two tanks that will need inspected.

3. Concerning the Dampers, is there a certain number to be completed per year or do you require them to be inspected all at once? We will drop this requirement and do a separate contract for fire damper inspections since they are required every 6 years.

4. The spec calls for Notifier eVance scanners and Notifier techs to test. However, the scanning covers more than fire alarm devices, so we would like to request an alternate use of Building

Reports scanning considering that. Not an option; the eVANCE system is used for inventory on the existing Fire Alarm System. To use Building Reports, all devices would have to be retagged and re-inventoried.

5. Can you confirm the number of fire/smoke dampers to be inspected during the contract? We believe the number to be around 900. Also, what month/year would the dampers be due for inspection? We will drop this requirement. See # 3.

6. Can you provide the month/year the 5-year sprinkler internal inspection is to be completed? It is now due.

7. Can you provide an estimate on the number gauges that will need to be replaced? 120 each

8. When is the automatic standpipe flow test is required to be completed? VAMC will schedule testing.

9. Will battery replacement be covered by a separate purchase order or is that cost to be covered under the base pricing? Base Pricing

10. Can you confirm the number of fire/smoke door assembly openings that are to be inspected?

Fire doors 455 Smoke doors 122 with +- 15 for each

11. When were batteries last replaced? Can you provide the quantity and sizes of batteries to be replaced? All batteries are due for replacement; 12 VDC: 26ah (40 ea.), 18ah (30 ea.), 12ah (60 ea.), 7ah (240 ea.), and 55ah (4 ea.) (approx. numbers).

12. Is there a designated limit on the maintenance and parts rider in the contract? $10K per year

13. How many overhead doors are to be inspected? 16

14. When is the 5 yr. Dry System Hydro Inspection Due? All Hydro inspections for all systems are currently due.

15. Are kitchen hood systems to be inspected as part of this contract? If so how many Hood

Systems/Tanks/Fusible Links? 8 hoods total; one tank per hood, 3 links each.

16. Are backflows to be inspected as part of this contract? YES, if so how many? 12 each

17. Can you confirm section 20 of the SOW is valid and is a requirement of the contract? The Fire

Alarm Dialer has already been replaced.

18. Is elevator recall/shunt trip to be tested during normal hour or after normal hours? Will the VA coordinate with elevator contractor or is that contractor responsibility? All Elevator Recall testing will be conducted AFTER normal working hours; the VAMC will coordinate with the

Elevator Technicians for testing.

19. Who is the incumbent and what is the annual contract value? Please provide previous contract number too. Simplex Grinnell, $60K per year, GS-06F-0054N VA256-13-F-0356. Keep in mind this was the last contract. It expired 9-30-17.

20. The SOW requires 5-year Internal inspection, 5-year flow testing, hydro and 3-year pipe pitch….

what years are those due for each building? All currently due

21. Battery replacement is required but is assumed that this will be for an extra charge as needed.

If this is not the case, please provide 1) a current battery inventory (Model, Quantity, Date last replaced) or 2) the Model and Quantity replaced each year for the last 3 years. See answer on question #11

22. Does the VA intend to have future repairs completed internally by their own Notifier techs or will the contractor provide repair pricing? Other than battery replacement and repair of open circuits found during inspections the $10000/year rider will be used to pay for parts and labor for repairs. If there are major repair expenses for items found during testing either a change order to this contract will be issued or a separate contract will be solicited.

23. What scope or level of Maintenance and Parts Rider (4.15) does the VA desire? This could have a value of $20,000 to $600,000 annually for a facility of this size. The generality of this item alone gives the incumbent an overwhelming advantage, so if this requirement cannot be defined, then please provide a complete list of all repairs and each dollar value for the last 5 years. $10,000 per year. See # 22 above

24. What are the ages of the fire alarm and sprinkler systems in Building 100? Sprinkler: 30+ years, Fire Alarm: 12+ years