RFI Question and answers - 36C25622R0035.docx

RFI RFP 36C25622R0035

Question: The “Updated Statement of Work” has conflicting information:

Document - CONSTRUCTION SCOPE OF WORK EHRM INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES – CBOC/HBPC – Little Rock, AR

1. General Intent, 1.1 General Requirements, 1.1.1.1 states:

“Communication infrastructure including new data outlets, patch panels, upgrades to Cat 6A cable, fiber infrastructure backbone within building.”

2. Statement of Work, 2.2 Local Area Network (LAN), 2.2.2 states:

“Horizontal cabling shall be Category 6 (Cat6) or higher (American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Technology Industries Association (TIA)-1179 Healthcare Facility Telecommunications Infrastructure). If existing horizontal cabling is not minimally Cat6, Contractor shall upgrade to Category 6A (Cat 6A).”

There is existing Cat6 cable in place at some of the facilities. Please clarify if all sites and cables shall be upgraded to Cat6 or Cat6A?

Answer – CAT6A

Question: On “Site Visit #2” it was visually determined that the existing horizontal cabling jacket color was as follows:

· Pink – Voice Cabling, terminated into position 1 of most Work Area Outlets

· Blue – Data Cabling, terminated into position 2 of most Work Area Outlets

· Green – Data Cabling, terminated into position 3 of most Work Area Outlets

· Orange – Data Cabling, terminated at wireless access points However, the Telecommunications and Special Telecommunications Systems Design Manual, Chapter 3, 3.0 Work Area Outlet and Horizontal Cabling Requirements, 3.2.1 Balanced Twisted Pair Cabling, (b) states: “Jacket color shall be per Table 3-2. Colors for cable jackets refer to horizontal cable not patch cords. OSP cable color shall be black, regardless of category, to accommodate environmental requirements.”

Table 3-2 Jacket Color lists:

· Voice – White

· Data – Yellow

· Data – Green

· Data – Grey

· Wireless – Orange

· Video Surveillance – Violet

· Nurse Call – Blue

· Fire Alarm – Red

· BAS & DAS – Black

Should we install the new Horizontal Cabling based upon the existing colors or Table 3-2 or match existing cable jacket colors?

Answer: New installation should follow new standard as listed in table 3-2

Question: At the Searcy Clinic site (1120 S Main St, Searcy, AR 72143) the Voice cabling (Pink) was terminated on 110(E) – Style wall blocks. All other sites had Voice Cables (pink) terminated on 48 Port Modular Style Patch Panels.

Should we install all new cabling in the 2 Post Racks on 48 Port Patch Panels?

Answer: YES

Question: Document - CONSTRUCTION SCOPE OF WORK EHRM INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES – CBOC/HBPC – Little Rock, AR 1. General Intent, 1.3 Clinic Operations, 1.3.1 states: “It is the Contractor’s responsibility to provide a work plan allowing for continued operations of the CBOC/HBPC. The VHA COR shall review and approve the work plan. The work plan may require after hours or weekend work.”

For planning purposes, will the VA install new routers, switches and VoIP equipment or will we be required to cut-over the new horizontal cabling system to the existing equipment?

Answer: VA install switches and routers – cross connect to be completed by contractor

Question: There is no mention of manufacturer specific products for Structure Cabling Systems or Physical Access Control Systems in the documents provided, however there are existing brands for PACS (Hirsch), CCTV (Revo) and Structured Cabling (multiple brands).

Please clarify if there are any brand specific requirements for the Structured Cabling System, CCTV and PACS systems?

Answer: No, only salient characteristics for telecommunication plant

Question: Can the VA provide Autocad drawings or engineered floor plan drawings for each facility? In particular we will need these for the West Lake facility in order to draft a proper design.

Answer: Yes EHRM - CBOCs Off Site Leases

Question: For West Lake can the VA provide specifications and load for the existing equipment that will be housed in the new IT closet to aide in the proper sizing of split system for cooling?

Answer: estimate 2-4 9300 series CISCO switches

Question: (Searcy CBOC). The lead nurse stated that the building right now is under contract for being sold.

What does the VA want to do with this part of the project?

Answer: Not currently under contract

Question: (West Lake CBOC). We need someone to provide us a set of plans for the entire building. We need these for our Engineer of Record who will doing our design build for the West Lake CBOC.

Answer: Yes, EHRM - CBOCs Off Site Leases

Question: (West Lake CBOC). Are the mechanical rooms stacked?

Answer: Electrical rooms are stacked

Question: (West Lake CBOC). Is the roof under warranty? If so, the company that holds the roof warranty will have to do the roof penetration so we will need their name and contact info.

Answer: Roof is out of warranty

Question: The State of Arkansas requires a general contractor to hold a contractor’s license with the State of Arkansas Contractor’s Licensing Board for any commercial construction project undertaken on private property within the State of Arkansas. Typically, state licensing laws do preclude an out of state contractor from performing work on real property owned by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Here it is unclear whether or not each CBOC is owned by the Department of Veteran Affairs as opposed to being owned by a private landowner and leased to the Department of Veteran Affairs. If the underlying real property is owned by a private landowner, any general contractor who undertakes this project will be required to hold and maintain a license with the State of Arkansas Contractor’s Licensing Board. For each CBOC, please state whether the Department of Veteran Affairs owns real property or is leasing the property from a private landowner.

Answer: El Dorado CBOC, Pine Bluff CBOC, Searcy CBOC & Westlake HBPC are leased space.

Question: Will the general contractor be responsible for securing and paying for a building permit from the State of Arkansas governmental agency having jurisdiction over the location of each CBOC?

Answer: Yes image1.png