RFIs for IFB 36C25723B0059.docx

RFIs for IFB 36C25723B0059 – Project# 504-20-105 – Upgrade Fire Alarm System – Amarillo VAMC.

1. Specification Section 01 00 00, Parts 1.29 & 1.30 requires the Contractor to construct Construction and Safety Signs from lumber and posts, embedded 4’ into the ground. Will the VA clarify if these signs will be required for this project and if so, will the VA provide locations for these signs to be installed? These signs will not be required for this project.

1. Will the VA clarify whether the Contractor’s Site Superintendent, if duly qualified, may also serve in the roles of SSHO and CQC, or will a separate individual be required for either of those two roles? If the site superintendent is qualified to do the roles of SSHO and CQC, then they may serve in those roles for this project.

1. Will the VA provide electronic copies of all Hazardous Material Surveys for the buildings involved in this project? Does the VA expect that Asbestos Containing Materials or Lead-Based paint will be encountered or disturbed during this project? The VA has an asbestos survey and will share this information with the winning contractor upon their request.

1. Specification Section 01 35 26, Part 1.13 requires pre-placement TB screening for all personnel that will be on site for this project. Will the VA confirm if this will be a requirement for this project? Currently, there is no TB screening required for this project.

1. Specification Section 01 45 00, Part 3.4-A & C requires the Contractor to employ “specialized personnel” to be present at all times during any work in their area of specialization. For this project, this would include an Electrical Engineer, Graduate Architect, and an Environmental Engineer. Since this will add very significant additional cost to this project, will the VA clarify if this will be a requirement for this project? This requirement will not be required for this project.

1. Specification Section 01 91 00, Part 1.8-C states that the commissioning Agent (CxA) will be retained by the VA under a separate contract. First, will the VA clarify if formal commissioning will be required for this project? Second, if formal Commissioning is required for this project, will the VA clarify whether the Contractor or the VA will retain the CxA? In Section 28 31 00 (VA Standard Fire Alarm Spec), it requires specific tests to be performed in Section 3.3 and 3.4 but it does not appear to require a rigid commissioning process/agent like what would seem to be true for 01 91 00.

1. Specification Section 07 84 00, Part 1.5-C requires that any fire-rated assemblies requiring penetration firestopping will require an independent 3rd party inspector. Will the VA confirm this will be a requirement for this project? A 3rd party inspector will not be required for this requirement.

1. Will the contractor be required to send the VA personnel to factory training or will the onsite training from the factory certified contractor be acceptable? Training can be an onsite training from a factory certified contractor.

1. Will a complete riser diagram be required with all the connecting raceways and conductors as specified even though there are some areas that will not be worked, and circuits will not be traced out because they are not being upgraded? Defer to the riser diagram it should show all existing to remain circuits in a conceptual nature. All new work shall be depicted on a detailed riser diagram.

1. Will the contractor installing the fiber optic cable have to meet the VA I.T. requirements for having a BICSI R.C.D.D. on staff to supervise the installation like previous VA jobs require?

No, a BICSI R.C.D.D. is not required for the fire alarm upgrade.

1. Will the contractor have to be factory certified to install the fiber optic cable and to terminate the fiberoptic ends Yes, factory certification is required.

1. Is an Uninterrupted Power Supply going to be required and installed at each panel location? The VA standard fire alarm specification requires this but since most panels are existing to remain, A/E could see the VA alleviating the requirement for the GC. However, A/E recommends that it be provided for all new panels to meet the VA spec.

1. Who will provide fire watch when 1 system must be taken down offline before an upgrade can be performed and tested? The contractor will need to provide the fire watch.

1. Will containment carts be required in all patient areas of the hospital? If the work being perform is in the common areas and/or in the corridors, then a containment cart will not be required, unless stated in the ICRA.

1. Will there be any after normal business hours required in any areas of the hospital to perform this work? There will be some areas of the hospital that will require the contractor to do their work after normal business hours and/or on the weekends.

1. It is the intent of this installation to re-use existing raceway and pathways to outlying buildings. What if that existing pathway does not have enough room to add new fiber optic cabling to meet the Class X requirement, will a new pathway need to be installed? It is the intent of this project to re-use existing raceway and pathways to outlying building. However, if that raceway or pathway does not have enough room, the contractor will need to provide a new route to be approved by the VA.

1. Will confined space training be required in any areas? The contractor will be required to meet all OSHA requirements for any confine space work.

1. Can the VA provide a list of the quantities and types of devices that are connected to each fire alarm control panel? A points list from the fire alarm program is not available at this time. Contractor shall assume the documents are not all-inclusive. The VA and the designer of record do not warrant the accuracy of the drawings and other supporting documents. The Contractor shall field verify all aspects of the work prior to submission of the bid.