RFI - Sources Sought.docx

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 16 Request For Information (RFI)

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE, PROPOSAL, OR BID. This notice is not a solicitation as defined by FAR 2.101, therefore it shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to an acquisition approach. All information contained in this Request for Information (RFI) is preliminary as well as subject to amendment and is in no way binding on the Government. Information submitted in response to this notice is voluntary; the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. The Government is requesting that restrictive or proprietary markings not be used in response to this notice. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the Federal Contract Opportunities website or GSA. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this RFI

1. Title: _ Fire/Smoke Door Inspection and Repair

2. Purpose: The purpose of this RFI is to identify potential sources which will aid in defining the procurement strategy (e.g., set-aside, sole source, unrestricted) for a solicitation the VA intends on issuing shortly for the following:

Please read below and respond to applicable questions with any additional information (ie, capability statements etc)

The anticipated Small Business Administration (SBA) size standard for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541350 is $11.5 MIL (employees or dollars).

3. Responses Requested: The following questions must be answered in response to this RFI.

Answers that are not provided shall be considered non-responsive to the RFI:

a. Where are the requested items/equipment manufactured?

Vendor must attach documentation of this information to be viewed by the government to be considered as part of the Market Research and responsiveness to this Sources Sought notice

b. Are the requested items/equipment manufactured by a Small or Large business? Is the potential vendor in compliance with the Non-Manufacturer Rule (NMR)?

Vendor must attach documentation of this to be viewed by the government to be considered as part of the Market Research and responsiveness to this Sources Sought notice

c. Is the Vendor an authorized distributor with access to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts which may be required in performance of this requirement?

The VA does not accept grey market items and therefore the Vendor must attach evidence of this access (Authorized Distributor letter) to be viewed by the government to be considered as part of the Market Research and responsiveness to this Sources Sought notice.

d. Name of potential Contractor that possess the capability to fulfill this requirement. Contractors shall also provide the following:

Point(s) of contact name: _______________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ Telephone number: ___________________________________________ Email address: _______________________________________________

Company's business size: ________________________________________________ Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) #: _______________________________

e. Is your company considered a small business concern, SB, SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, or 8A concern, with the requisite __________________ NAICS code?

· Please provide proof of qualifications.

f. Is your company available under any Government Wide Agency Contract (GWAC), General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), and/or Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA)?

If so, please identify the contract number for the Government to review as part of this Market Research.

4. Opportunity/Market Pricing: Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) is seeking information from potential vendors on their ability to provide the required items/equipment. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. Small Business Concerns are encouraged to provide responses to this RFI in order to assist the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) in determining potential levels of competition and general market pricing available in the industry. Therefore, vendors are requested to submit estimated market research pricing along with their responses to the above. The estimated pricing will be considered when determining the procurement strategy for the forthcoming solicitation.

5. Instructions and Response Guidelines: Questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted no later than 04:00 pm (CST), Monday, December 22, 2025 via email to stephanie.watts@va.gov

RFI responses are due by 04:00pm (CST), Monday, December 22, 2025; size is limited to 8.5 x 11 inches, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins in Microsoft Word format via email to stephanie.watts@va.gov The subject line shall read: Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO). NO SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME. There is no page limitation on subparagraphs 3(a) - 3(f).

Please provide the information you deem relevant in order to respond to the specific inquiries of the RFI. Information provided will be used solely by Fayetteville VAMC as “Market Research” and will not be released outside of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) Purchasing and Contract Team.

7. Contact Information:

Stephanie Watts stephanie.watts@va.gov

Your response to this notice is greatly appreciated!

Statement of Work (SOW) Fire and Smoke Door Inspection and Repair Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) Fayetteville, Arkansas

Contractor must furnish all management, supervision, labor, material, equipment, tools, supplies, consumables, parts, and related services, in accordance with the SOW and specifications to perform annual inspections and repairs of both fire and smoke doors located at VHSO located at 1100 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72703.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

Any provision or partial provision of the Contract, including but not limited to, drawings and specifications that is not consistent with this SOW will be null and void only to the extent of the inconsistency. All other provisions or partial provisions of the Contract, including but not limited to, drawings and specifications, must remain in full force and effect.

Information Security: The Certification and Accreditation (C&A) does not apply, a Security Accreditation Package is not required.

Period of Performance: Three hundred sixty-five (365) calendar days from date of award.

Only employees listed by the contractor and approved by the COR shall work onsite. The contractor must ensure their onsite employee list is current and all copies of all training, certification and OSHA 10 cards are submitted to the COR.

Damage caused by the contractor shall be repaired by the contractor to the satisfaction of the COR.

All work activity shall be immediately cleaned and the area restored to its original finished condition upon completion of the activity. If the activity spans several days the area shall be cleaned and secured at the end of each day.

Any drawings, prints, or other documents provided to the contractor are for reference only. The contractor shall be responsible for verifying all project requirements, applicable laws, regulations, and existing conditions.

Work Site Access: Contractor must perform all services using the established business hours listed below. Work will not commence work without written approval from the COR. Contractor must report to the COR immediately upon arriving on station and prior to leaving station.

Regular Business Hours: Site work must be scheduled during regular business hours, 0700 to 1500 hours, Monday through Friday (excluding the following Federal holidays - New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day).

Outside Regular Business Hours: Work must be scheduled during 1600 to 0600 hours, Monday through Friday, Saturday and Sunday (excluding the following Federal holidays - New Year’s Day, Inauguration day, Martin Luther King Jr. day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) and must not commence without prior COR written approval at no additional expense to the Government.

Warranty: Contractor must guarantee workmanship for a period of one (1) year after COR written acceptance of work. Contractor must furnish a minimum one (1) year parts and labor warranty on equipment, components, and materials furnished plus any manufacturer’s warranty greater than one (1) year.

QUALIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTOR:

Contractor must be a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

Contractor and / or subcontractor must be American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accredited to ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Inspection as a Type A (Third-Party) Body for the following scopes of inspection:

Verification of Fire Protection rating for Swinging fire door assemblies and frames, Fire Window Frames, Door Protection Plates, Fire Rated Glazing, and Fire Exit Devices.

Verification of Air Leakage Rating for Swinging Smoke Door Assemblies.

Verification of non-rated 20-minute fire door construction where positive latching is not required.

Contractor must be authorized to perform field labeling of fire-rated door assemblies, if applicable. Authorization must be through a current and active filed labeling program administered by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) including but not limited to ANSI and ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

All contractor and subcontractors fire door inspector(s) and supervisor(s) must possess current industry certifications. No laborers or apprentices will work alone and will always remain in sight of a certified technician while performing work. Contractor and / or subcontractor’s supervisor or project manager must possess a current certification from one or more of the following:

Door and Hardware Institute (DHI) Architectural Hardware Consultant (AHC).

Door and Hardware Institute certified Door and Hardware Technician (DHT).

Door Opening Industry Training Group certified Qualified Door Opening Consultant (QDOC).

Contractor and / or subcontractor’s on-site swinging door inspector(s) must possess a current certification from one or more of the following:

Door and Hardware Institute Certified Fire & Egress Door Assembly Inspector (CFDAI).

Intertek Fire Door Assembly Inspector (FDAI).

Door Opening Industry Training Group certified Qualified Fire Door Inspector (QFDI).

Door and Hardware Institute certified Door Safety Inspector (DSI).

Contractor and / or subcontractor’s on-site automatic door inspector(s) must possess a current American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers certification (AAADM).

Contractor and / or subcontractor’s on-site rolling, sliding and accordion door inspector(s) must possess a current certification. Certification document must include dates of training and number of training hours.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPOSAL: The contractor shall submit the following items with their proposal for technical evaluation by the COR. All documents shall be submitted in PDF format. Text shall be 12-point Arial with 1.5 spacing. The document shall be in the order listed below.

Cover page.

Index listing the following sections and their respective page numbers:

Contractor Point of Contact (Information required in SOW III (A).

Contractor Roster (Information required in SOW III (B).

Copies of all OSHA safety cards for onsite employees.

Copies of all industry certifications for onsite employees.

Certs must include name, certification type, expiration date.

Copy of ANAB ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Inspection, Type A (third-party) Body accreditation certificate.

Copy of authorization to apply or replace fire door labels issued by an authorized organization.

Detailed Technical Approach.

Detailed job specific Quality Assurance Plan.

Detailed project schedule.

Detailed job specific safety plan.

Requirements for each of the above sections are listed below. Proposals that are missing documents, lack detail, are not job specific, or are missing required information within a document will be rejected.

Contractor Point of Contact: Notify the COR in writing of the name, phone number, email address of the contractor appointed Point of Contact. Include a resume for the point of contact demonstrating their work history, training, and experience relevant to the Inspection and repair of Fire Doors.

The designated individual must have full authority to act for the contractor on all matters relating to work performance, to receive, accept and sign for any notices, inspection reports and all other correspondence on behalf of the Contractor from the COR and / or Contracting Officer.

This individual must oversee the contractor’s worksite operations and ensure all work is performed in accordance with all contract requirements including scheduling, quality, and safety. This individual must be always available when contract work is in progress, and shall respond to the work site as directed by the COR.

The Contractor or their designated Point of Contact must return phone calls or text(s) to the COR within 1 hour of contact and must return emails from the COR within 24 hours of contact.

Contractor documents:

Contractor and subcontractor roster containing the following information:

Name.

Title (supervisor, technician, laborer).

Company Certification(s). (from SOW II (C - F)).

Certification expiration date.

Copies of OSHA 10-hour Cards (1910 or 1926) for all on-site employees.

Copies of industry certifications for all onsite employees.

Contractor / subcontractor ANAB ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Inspection, Type A (third-party) Body accreditation certificate. Document must show:

Accreditation number.

Expiration date.

All three of the following scopes:

Verification of Fire Protection rating for Swinging fire door assemblies and frames, Fire Window Frames, Door Protection Plates, Fire Rated Glazing, and Fire Exit Devices.

Verification of Air Leakage Rating for Swinging Smoke Door Assemblies.

Verification of non-rated 20-minute fire door construction where positive latching is not required.

Fire Door labeling Scope of Accreditation from ANSI/ANAB or equal.

Provide Detailed Technical Approach for each task in the SOW.

Address which tasks will be performed by the prime and subcontractors.

Address the technical approach for the inspection for each type of fire and smoke door.

Address the technical approach for fire and smoke door repairs / field modification / testing and recertification.

Address the technical approach for replacing lost / damaged / ineligible fire door labels.

Detailed job specific Quality Assurance Plan.

Detailed Project Schedule outlining each day of the period of performance.

Detailed job specific safety plan.

Project Overview: A brief description of the project, including the scope of work, location, and duration.

Safety Policy Statement: A statement of the contractor's commitment to safety, including their safety philosophy and objectives.

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment: Identification of potential hazards associated with the project and an assessment of the risks. This should include methods for identifying hazards and evaluating risks.

Safety Procedures and Protocols: Detailed procedures and protocols for managing identified hazards and risks. This includes specific safety measures, equipment, and practices to be used.

All work must comply with the latest editions of the following documents:

NFPA 80 2025 Edition – Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives.

NFPA 101 2024 Edition - Life Safety Code.

NFPA 105 2025 Edition Stand for Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives.

VA Fire Protection Manual, Ninth Edition – November 1, 2023.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The first annual fire and smoke door inspection shall start within 10 business days of contract award and every twelve months within the same month thereafter. All annual fire and smoke door inspections shall be completed within 10 business days. The annual fire door inspection report and all repair quotes must be submitted to the COR or their designated representative in PDF format within 10 business days of completion of each annual inspection.

Maintain all fire and smoke door inspection and repair documents for a period of five (5) years from the date of acceptance by the COR. Copies shall be provided to the COR or their designated representative upon request.

Perform inspection of all fire and smoke doors listed in Appendix A – Door Schedule. The quantity and type of doors may change each year. The Contractor must obtain a new Appendix A - Fire and Smoke Door Schedule from the COR prior to starting every annual inspection. The annual inspection will only include the doors listed on the current Appendix A – Fire and Smoke Door Schedule. The inspection shall comply with NFPA 80, 2025 Edition, NFPA 101 2024 Edition, NFPA 105 2025 Edition.

Document each fire and smoke door inspection and submit a complete Annual Fire and Smoke Door Report and an separate detailed quote for repairs of each fire and/or smoke door to the COR or their designated representative within 10 days of completion of each annual inspection to be reviewed by the COR. The contractor must have any revisions required by the COR no later than 10 business days after email notification is sent to the contractor by the COR. The report shall be in PDF format. The report and all data contained therein is property of the U.S. Government. The report shall, at minimum, contain the following information for each door leaf and frame:

Bar code.

Location ( Building, Floor, and Room number).

Serial number for the frame and each leaf.

Door Type (swinging, rollup, etc).

Door material.

Frame material.

Door size (inches).

Fire and Smoke rating of each fire door leaf and barrier.

Smoke Label for each leaf and frame.

Photograph push and pull side of all doors with additional photographs of deficiencie(s) as required (minimum of one photograph for each deficiency). Photographs must never include images of staff or patients.

Provide detailed quotes for each door with unit pricing. Quote shall include a list of each part to be repaired/replaced or label to be replaced to include part number, part name, material price for each part, labor hours for each part. Additionally, the quote shall indicate overhead/profit and the total cost. Quote(s) will be rejected if they are incomplete, inaccurate, or contain pricing not deemed fair and reasonable by the COR. At the COR’s discretion, the contractor may correct errors or adjust pricing of rejected quotes to the COR’s satisfaction. The Government reserves the right to solicit fire door repair work from rejected quotes in a new and separate acquisition.

The contractor must submit an invoice no later than 15 business days upon completion of the annual inspection and submission and acceptance of the contractor’s report by the COR. The contractor must invoice for each single leaf swinging fire and/or smoke door assembly(s), double leaf swinging fire and/or door assembly(s), each rolling door fire and/or smoke door assembly(s). Only the doors listed on the current Appendix A – Door Schedule that have been inspected and are included in the COR accepted annual report may be invoiced.

Appendices:

Appendix A – Base Year Fire and Smoke Door Schedule

CONTRACTOR ACCESS AND ACTIVITIES:

Records Management: Contractors whose employees create, work with, or otherwise handle Federal records, as defined in Section B, regardless of the medium in which the record exists.

“Federal record” as defined in 44 U.S.C. § 3301, includes all recorded information, regardless of form or characteristics, made or received by a Federal agency under Federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business and preserved or appropriate for preservation by that agency or its legitimate successor as evidence of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the United States Government or because of the informational value of data in them.

The term Federal record:

Includes U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) records.

does not include personal materials.

applies to records created, received, or maintained by Contractors pursuant to their VA contract.

may include deliverables and documentation associated with deliverables.

Contractor shall comply with all applicable records management laws and regulations, as well as National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) records policies, including but not limited to the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. chs. 21, 29, 31, 33), NARA regulations at 36 CFR Chapter XII Subchapter B, and those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). These policies include the preservation of all records, regardless of form or characteristics, mode of transmission, or state of completion.

In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, all data created for Government use and delivered to, or falling under the legal control of, the Government are Federal records subject to the provisions of 44 U.S.C. chapters 21, 29, 31, and 33, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), as amended, and the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended and must be managed and scheduled for disposition only as permitted by statute or regulation.

In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, Contractor shall maintain all records created for Government use or created while performing the contract and/or delivered to, or under the legal control of the Government and must be managed in accordance with Federal law. Electronic records and associated metadata must be accompanied by sufficient technical documentation to permit understanding and use of the records and data.

VA and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of VA or destroyed except for in accordance with the provisions of the agency records schedules and with the written concurrence of the Head of the Contracting Activity. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. In the event of any unlawful or accidental removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction of records, Contractor must report to VA. The agency must report promptly to NARA in accordance with 36 CFR 1230.

The Contractor shall immediately notify the appropriate Contracting Officer upon discovery of any inadvertent or unauthorized disclosures of information, data, documentary materials, records, or equipment. Disclosure of non-public information is limited to authorized personnel with a need-to-know as described in the contract. The Contractor shall ensure that the appropriate personnel, administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are established to ensure the security and confidentiality of this information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is properly protected. The Contractor shall not remove material from Government facilities or systems, or facilities or systems operated or maintained on the Government’s behalf, without the express written permission of the Head of the Contracting Activity. When information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is no longer required, it shall be returned to VA control, or the Contractor must hold it until otherwise directed. Items returned to the Government shall be hand carried, mailed, emailed, or securely electronically transmitted to the Contracting Officer or address prescribed in the contract. Destruction of records is EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED unless in accordance with Paragraph (4).

The Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (sub-contractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, contracts. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by Government and [Agency] guidance for protecting sensitive, proprietary information, classified, and controlled unclassified information.

The Contractor shall only use Government IT equipment for purposes specifically tied to or authorized by the contract and in accordance with VA policy.

The Contractor shall not create or maintain any records containing any non-public VA information that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract.

The Contractor shall not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected from public disclosure by an exemption to the Freedom of Information Act.

The VA owns the rights to all data and records produced as part of this contract. All deliverables under the contract are the property of the U.S. Government for which VA shall have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest. Any Contractor rights in the data or deliverables must be identified as required by FAR 52.227-11 through FAR 52.227-20.

Training. All Contractor employees assigned to this contract who create, work with, or otherwise handle records are required to take VA provided records management training. The Contractor is responsible for confirming training has been completed according to agency policies, including initial training and any annual or refresher training.

The Contractor shall incorporate the substance of this clause, its terms and requirements including this paragraph, in all subcontracts under this contract, and require written subcontractor acknowledgment of same.

Violation by a subcontractor of any provision set forth in this clause will be attributed to the Contractor.

Safety: Contractor’s highest priority must be safety. Contractor work must be in accordance with Federal, State, Local OSHA codes, regulations, latest edition of NEC, latest edition of NFPA 70E, and 01 35 26 Safety Requirements specification. Contractor must furnish and use required safety items, including but not limited to, safety signage, cones, barricades, and must furnish and wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required.

Key Access: Contractor site superintendent may check out a key to access mechanical and electrical rooms as project requires. Contractor site superintendent must check out and return a key at Engineering (Building 37) daily and the key must not leave VHSO property. Contractor site superintendent must notify the COR when a key is lost. Contractor must reimburse the Government a $3,500.00 fee for each lost or unreturned key(s).

Parking: Contractor on-site parking is limited to availability of designated Contractor parking. Contractor must have prior COR written approval of on-site Contractor parking.

Vehicles and Construction Equipment: Contractors’ key(s) to unattended vehicle(s) and construction equipment must be removed and vehicle(s) locked.

Unloading and Loading: Contractor must unload and load materials, including but not limited to, equipment, tools, supplies, parts, and construction debris at the loading dock. Contractor must not leave vehicle(s) or construction equipment unattended at the loading dock. No materials, including but not limited to, equipment, tools, supplies, parts, and construction debris are permitted through the front entry.

Elevators: Contractor must use COR designated elevators and must protect elevator cabs, including but not limited to, cab interior components and controls during Contractor use. Contractor must not exceed elevator weight limits. COR designated elevator(s) may not be immediately available to the Contractor. The Contractor must account for this and Contractor must be flexible in the project schedule without additional cost to the Government.

Equipment and Tools: Contractor must furnish construction equipment and power and hand tools, including but not limited to, ladders, scaffolds, lifts, backhoes, and forklifts to complete Contractor’s work.

Radios and Mobile Devices: Contractor must use mobile devices at low volume or outside. Contractor must not carry on conversations in hallways or near any patient areas. AM/FM radios and other media producing devices must not be used on VHSO property.

Noise: Contractor must coordinate and schedule with COR noise making activities. Contractor must submit to the COR a written request for consideration and written approval a minimum of seven (7) business days prior to activity. Contractor must have COR written approval to proceed.

Dust Proofing and Cleaning: Contractor must cover furnishings and equipment with white plastic, fire retardant polyethylene, antistatic, minimum 6 mil thickness, imprinted with fire retardant labeling or clean drop cloth. Contractor must furnish HEPA vacuum cleaner(s), cleaning tools, and tacky mats at job site entrances. Contractor must not use broom(s).

Fire Alarm: Contractor must coordinate and schedule fire alarm interruption activity with COR. Contractor must submit to the COR for consideration and written approval a minimum of seven (7) business days prior to activity. Contractor must have COR written approval to proceed three business days prior to activity. Contractor must submit written fire watch plan to CO and COR for consideration no later than (NLT) ten (10) calendar days after NTP. Contractor must be responsible for fire watch in the areas where fire/smoke detection coverage is removed or disabled. Contractor must be responsible to coordinate fire or smoke detection with the COR for the removal and restoration of fire protection coverage. After regular business hours or designated hours, supervision of the fire alarm panel is required at the Contractor’s expense. The Contractor must be responsible for completion and submission of a written Fire Alarm Bypass Request. The Contractors’ written request must be submitted for COR approval and if approved by COR, then the COR must furnish a written approval to proceed three (3) business days in advance of any proposed work activity. If the fire alarm system requires any deactivation, then it must be reactivated the same day before the Contractor leaves the job site to ensure that the fire alarm system is functional. If the fire alarm system is not functional, then the Contractor must restore the fire alarm system to working order prior to leaving the site or must furnish an around-the-clock fire watch until the fire alarm system is functional. The Contractor must be liable for any costs incurred by the Government to furnish the fire watch and/or to repair the fire alarm system.

Hot Work: Contractor must perform and safeguard hot work operations in accordance with OSHA 1910 Subpart Q, NFPA 241, and NFPA 51B. Contractor must coordinate and schedule with COR Hot Work Operations. Hot work operation is defined as operations including, but not limited to, open flame, producing heat and/or sparks, burning, welding, processes such as arc welding, oxy-fuel gas welding, open-flame soldering, brazing, thermal spraying, cutting, oxygen cutting, arc cutting, chipping, grinding, heat treating, sand blasting, torch-applied roofing, chemical welding, thawing pipe, and light horizontal welding, or an operation that is capable of initiating fires or explosions. Contractor must obtain Hot Work Permit from COR prior to activity.

Fire and Smoke Barrier Penetration: Contractor must perform, maintain, and safeguard the integrity of smoke and fire barriers in accordance with NFPA 101, NFPA 80, and NFPA 90A. Contractor penetrations in barriers must be repaired in an approved manner (filled with the designated and COR approved flame-retardant filler).

Energized Circuit Work: Contractor must perform, maintain, and safeguard the integrity of the VHSO electrical systems and must follow procedures around energized equipment in accordance with NFPA 70E standards including proper PPE. Contractor must coordinate and schedule energized circuit work with COR. Contractor must submit to the COR a written request for consideration and written approval a minimum of seven (7) business days prior to activity. VHSO electrician or electrical engineer must monitor work. Contractor must use safety equipment to include but not be limited to, 12 calorie arc flash suits with hoods and 5KV gloves. No exits will be blocked. Personnel without proper PPE must be prohibited within the working area around live electrical panels with the cover removed. Contractor must have COR written approval to proceed three (3) business days prior to activity.

Fumes: Contractor must coordinate and schedule with COR. Contractor must submit to the COR a written request for consideration and written approval a minimum of seven (7) business days prior to activity. The Contractor must schedule fume producing work activities, including but not limited to, painting or heat produced fumes after regular business hours. Contractor must be responsible for ventilation necessary to exhaust and prevent fumes from entering adjoining areas, outside air intake ductwork, and re-entering the VHSO healthcare facilities at no additional cost to the Government. Contractor must have COR written approval to proceed three (3) business days prior to activity.