Consolidated Request for Information 36C25726Q0032.docx
DOCX document 2 MB Posted
- Attached to
- Y1DA--519-24-400-NRM Install Fire Alarm Bldg. 25
- Solicitation number
- 36C25726Q0032
About this file
This is a Consolidated Request for Information (RFI) for a VA project to install a fire alarm system in Building 25 at the West Texas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Big Spring, TX. The solicitation (36C25726Q0032) involves replacing the existing fire alarm infrastructure, with specific technical requirements including networking the new fire alarm system with Building 24's existing Siemens system, installing a new NAC panel, removing existing fire dampers and duct detectors, and configuring communication circuits. The project will occur in an occupied long-term care building, with work to be completed during standard hours and no after-hours disruptions.
Key procurement details include a firm-fixed price contract structure, no economic price adjustment allowances, and a proposal due date of January 22, 2026, at 10:00am CST. Contractors will need to provide their own site office, storage, and parking arrangements, coordinate with the VA's Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for badging and site access, and comply with specific technical specifications for fire alarm system installation. The project requires interfacing with existing building infrastructure, using existing fiber connectivity, and ensuring all installations meet current codes and VA requirements.
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 36C25726Q0032 0004.docx | DOCX document | |
| 36C25726Q0032 0003.docx | DOCX document | |
| Specification Section 28 31 00.pdf | ||
| 36C25726Q0032 0002.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment 2 Building 25 Site Visit.pdf | ||
| Attachment 1 Drawings.pdf | ||
| 36C25726Q0032 0001.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment 7 JOFOC 519-24-400-NRM Install Fire Alarm Bldg. 25.pdf | ||
| Attachment 4 Building_25_ICRA.pdf | ||
| Attachment 2 Drawings.pdf | ||
| Attachment 5 Price Breakout-26Q0032.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| Attachment 3 Building 25 PCRA.pdf | ||
| Attachment 6 Contractor Site Map for site visit.jpg | JPG image | |
| Attachment 1 Specifications.pdf | ||
| 36C25726Q0032_1.docx | DOCX document |
Show all 15
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Consolidated Request for Information (RFI 519-24-400-NRM Install Fire Alarm Bldg. 25
| Q1. | Question: Is this project exempt from sales tax? If so, will the VA provide a tax exemption certificate for material purchases? |
| A1. | Project can be tax exempt, but VA will not provide a tax exemption certificate. If you are wanting a tax exemption form you will need to go to the Comptroller. Texas.gov https://comptroller.texas.gov/. |
V.T.C.A. Tax Code §151.311: Offerors are hereby notified that in accordance with V.T.C.A., Tax Code §151.311, the purchase of tangible personal property for use in the performance of a contract for an organization exempted under Section 151.309 or 151.310 of this code is exempt if the tangible personal property is incorporated into realty in the performance of the contract. Additionally, the purchase of tangible personal property, other than machinery or equipment and its accessories and repair and replacement parts, for use in the performance of a contract for an improvement to realty for an organization exempted under Section 151.309 or 151.310 of the code is exempt if the tangible personal property is necessary and essential for the performance of the contract and completely consumed on the job. The VA is an exempt organization.
Therefore, the contractor’s purchase of such building and construction materials within the State of Texas to be incorporated into the real property belonging to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or completely used in the performance of the contract is subject to exemption from Texas Sales and Use taxes under the code. To take advantage of the tax exemption, the successful offeror under this solicitation must complete a Texas Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate when it purchases construction materials for this contract.
Notwithstanding FAR 52.229-3, all proposals received in response to this solicitation are presumed to reflect this tax exemption and therefore should not include Texas’ Sales or Use Taxes on sales of materials for incorporation into VA real estate under this contract or used in the performance of this contract.
The successful offeror is responsible for obtaining the certificate, as it is specific to the state of Texas, and not the VA.
| Q2 | Will the VA permit the use of Procore or an equivalent construction management software platform for submittals and project communications? |
| A2. | Engineering COR may accept this platform if they desire, however, third party platforms are not recognized by VA contracting. Therefore, any communications or submittals will still need to be emailed to the Contracting Officer and the Contract specialist. |
| Q3. | Will payment applications be accepted for materials stored on-site or in a bonded off-site warehouse? |
| A3. | Progress payments are typically made during the course of a construction project, for work completed at various stages of construction, based on the schedule. Payment is not provided in advance for materials and supplies. |
| Q4. | Will the Government consider including an Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause to address significant fluctuations in material pricing? |
| A4. | No, the Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause FAR 52.16-4 for labor and materials is not included in this solicitation. The solicitation for this project will be solicitated as a firm-fixed price contract. |
| Q5. | If tariffs are imposed on materials (e.g., steel, wood) after bid submission but before award, will the Government allow a price escalation even if the materials remain Buy American–compliant? |
| A5. | No, again this is a firm-fixed price award. |
| Q6. | How soon after contract award does the Government anticipate issuing the official Notice to Proceed? |
| A6. | Undeterminable, contractor has no more ten (10) days after the issuance of the award to provide all necessary bonding before the Notice to Proceed (NTP) is issued. |
| Q7. | Will the Government consider reducing the required bid validity period (e.g., to 120 days) to account for inflation and contractor pricing risk? |
| A7. | Will consider |
| Q8. | Will the Government provide detailed requirements for contractor badging? Please clarify the PIV process, including documentation, background checks, and estimated processing time. |
| A8. | Constructors will report to police services upon the first day at work. Once they are cleared, the COR will issue them temporary badge to be worn for the rest of the project. No PIV will be issued for this job. If you already have an active PIV that can be used in leu of the contractor badge issued by engineering. |
| Q9 | a. May one individual serve in dual or multiple roles (SSHO, QCM, Superintendent) if fully qualified? |
| b. If not, may the Superintendent also serve as SSHO? | |
| A9. | a. Yes |
| b. N/A | |
| Q10. | a. The documents reference VA/VBA security procedures (badging, inspections, vehicle access restrictions). Can the VA provide a point of contact for coordinating subcontractor clearances? |
b. Will the VA allow temporary connection to existing utility infrastructure, with the contractor responsible for metered usage?
| A10. | a. See A8 and the COR will aid in all that. |
| b. TBD | |
| Q11. | Will escorts be required for contractor personnel during the project? |
| A11. | The COR will be on the project with the team. He will coordinate whether it’s needed or not |
| Q12. | Will the contractor be required to provide a site office/trailer, or will space within the facility be made available? |
| A12. | The VA will not provide a space for the contractor to work from. The VA will provide an area on property for the contractor to bring in an office, if they choose to do so. |
| Q13. | a. Will designated parking and staging areas be provided for contractor personnel and deliveries? |
b. Will the VA provide laydown space or containers, or must these be arranged off-site?
| A13. | a. Yes, this will be coordinated with the COR |
| b. Yes, this will be coordinated with the COR | |
| Q14. | Will designated on-site storage space be provided for materials and equipment? |
| A14. | No. The contractor will need to bring their own storage space or units. The VA will provide an area for these. |
| Q15. | Will the VA provide and hire the commissioning agent, or is the contractor responsible? |
| A15. | The VA is handling this. |
| Q16. | What ICRA level is required for the project? |
| A16. | See project details and ICRA provided |
| Q17. | Will the VA provide recent asbestos and lead survey reports? |
| A17. | Building 25 does NOT have asbestos |
| Q18. | Will the facility remain occupied during construction, or will temporary relocation of staff/equipment be required? |
| A18. | Yes, it will be occupied. This is a long-term care building |
| Q19. | Will demolition of major systems require after-hours or phased work to minimize disruption? |
| A19. | Due to this being a long-term care building, no work will be completed after hours. This will be handled in a case by case basis. |
| Q20. | Are existing primary and secondary cable pathways intended to be reused? |
| A20. | Yes |
| Q21. | The new fire alarm system plans indicate that a NAC panel is to be added; however, a Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) is required to provide communication between buildings. Please confirm the intent and required configuration. |
| A21. | All equipment needed to meet the standard and get the building running is required. The intent is for the FACP in Building 24 to serve as the FACP for Building 25, therefore a new FACP is not required. A new NAC panel is required due to the expected power requirements of the new occupant notification. Treat B25 as a different story of the same building instead of a different building. |
| Q22. | It appears that fire dampers and duct detectors are being removed, as none are shown on the new fire alarm plans. Please confirm whether fire dampers and associated duct detectors are no longer required |
| A22. | The build will be per plan, spec and to code. It was determined that the fire dampers and associated duct smoke detectors are not required for this facility so to reduce maintenance and testing cost as well as reduce failure points in the system, they are being removed/disabled. |
| Q23. | For HVAC units requiring duct detectors, only one return duct detector is shown at AHU-2. Please confirm whether this is the only duct detector required for the project. |
| A23. | This project will be per plan, spec and to code. That is the only duct detector required for this facility; however, it should have been identified as being on the Supply side as required by NFPA 90A. A |
| Q24. | Are any door holders required to be interfaced with the fire alarm system? |
| A24. | This project will be per plan, spec and to code. Door holders were not observed to be installed within the facility. |
| Q25. | Will there be any access control systems on this project that require fire alarm interface modules? |
| A25. | This project will be per plan, spec and to code |
| Q26. | Will there be a kitchen hood suppression system included in this project? |
| A26. | This project will be per plan, spec and to code. A kitchen hood suppression system was not observed to be installed within the facility. |
Q27. Is there any existing or new natural gas equipment within the building?
| A27. | Yes | |
| Q28. | No low-frequency notification devices are shown on the drawings for residents’ rooms. Please confirm whether smoke detectors with low-frequency sounder bases are required | |
| A28. | This project will be per plan, spec and to code. Smoke detectors are not required in the sleeping rooms. Low-frequency tones should be programmed to be played at the speakers in the sleeping rooms. | |
| Q29. | Will the electrician be responsible for providing fire alarm rough-in, conduit, and back boxes? | |
| A29. | Yes | |
| Q30. | What type of existing fiber is currently installed and used to network the fire alarm panels? | |
| A30. | Building 25 is currently a stand-alone setup. Fire Fiber can be brought over from building 24. | |
| Q31. | Can the VA provide a site plan showing the existing fiber route into Building 25? Based on the site walkthrough, no fiber networking the existing fire alarm panel was observed | |
| A31. | This project will use the existing fiber. | |
| Q32. | Is there existing dedicated fiber available to network the fire alarm panels, or is new fiber optic cabling required as part of this project? | |
| A32. | This project will use the existing fiber. | |
| Q33. | If new fiber is required, what type and specifications of fiber optic cable does the VA require? | |
| A33. | This project will use the existing fiber. | |
| Q34. | Can the VA provide a site plan showing the existing fiber network connecting the fire alarm panels? | |
| A34. | The VA has a current project that is conducting redline for this. This information should be ready later but ready for the contractor assigned to this project. | |
| Q35. | Is third-party engineering required for this project? | |
| A35. | No | |
| -Q36. | What is the model of Siemens panel existing in the main building? | |
| A36. | This doesn’t matter, as the newest tech that will talk to the main building is what should be installed. This project will be per plan, spec and to code. Existing panel is a Siemens Cerberus Pro Compact FV922, located in Building 24. | |
| Q37. | Are there existing underground pathways from building 25 to the main building that can be used for communication circuits, or will we have to provide new underground pathways as needed? | |
| A37. | Yes | |
| Q38. | There is not a new Fire Alarm panel shown on the drawings or listed on the Fire Alarm Legend. Will we be providing and installing a new networked Fire Alarm panel in building 25 or is it the intent to bring new SLC and Speaker circuits from the existing Fire Alarm panel in the main building to cover building 25? | |
| A38. | New equipment. Intent is to bring new SLC and Speaker circuits from Building 24. Think of Building 25 as a story added to Building 24 instead of a different building. | |
| Q39. | Will we be required to perform intelligibility testing in the rooms with new speakers? | |
| A39. | Testing will be conducted in accordance with the specs and requirements from the manufacturer. Testing to be completed in accordance with the VA requirements and the specification. The VA does not require intelligibility testing to be completed. | |
| -Q40. | Is there fiber for the fire alarm in building 25? If so is there a plan to show the fiber | loop for the campus? |
| A40. | Yes. See questions #34 | |
| Q41. | Division 28 specs are not in the attached spec. Can we get the specs for division 28? | |
| A41. | See attached | |
| Q42. | What company is the VA currently using for their Siemens fire alarm systems? Could we get contract information? | |
| A42. | Siemens. The Contractor assigned will work with the COR and Siemens representative | |
| -Q43. | 1 During the site visit, several contractors inquired whether there is existing fiber-optic connectivity from Building 25, Data Room 16, back to Building 1, Main Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) Room. This connection would be required to network the new Siemens fire alarm panel in Room 17 via fiber to the main panel in Building 1. Please confirm whether this fiber pathway exists. | |
| A43. | Yes | |
| Q44. | Based on our site observation, we were unable to locate a sprinkler riser room in this building. Please confirm whether the building has a sprinkler riser room, and if so, whether new flow and tamper switches are to be installed. If applicable, please provide photos and identify the room location on the drawings. | |
| A44. | See plans and specs. The fire riser is located in the Mechanical Room. The fire alarm plans show the flow and tampers to remain as existing. A new fire riser alarm bell is required to be installed as there is not currently one provided. | |
| Q45. | We did not observe a Fire Alarm Post Indicator Valve (PIV) outside the building during the site visit. Please confirm whether the building is equipped with a PIV. If so, please provide photos and indicate the location on the drawings provided. | |
| A45. | See plans and specs. The building does not have an existing PIV. This is out of scope for this project. | |
| Q46. | Several door magnetic holders (door mags) were identified during the site visit; however, these devices are not shown on the new drawings. Please confirm whether the existing door mags are to be reused or removed. | |
| A46. | If it’s not on the plans it’s not part of the project. Door holders for doors located in a fire-separation were not identified within the facility. If the door holders in question are located on the highlighted doors below, then they are required to interface with the fire alarm system and close upon alarm activation. |
| Q47. | On sheet FA102 (Demo Plan), the fire alarm legend does not indicate any existing Remote Test Station Key Switches (RTSKS). However, multiple RTSKS were observed throughout the building—in ceilings and walls—which appear to be associated with existing duct-type smoke detectors (SDDT) scheduled for demolition. Please provide direction on the disposition of these RTSKS. Additionally, the new fire alarm plan shows one new SDDT at AHU-2 (return side) in Mechanical Room 15. Should a new RTSKS be provided for this device? |
| A47. | This project will be per plan, spec and to code Remove the RTSKS that is associated with each duct smoke detector that is demolished. The duct smoke detector installed for AHU-2 is accessible and does not require an RTSKS. |
| Q48. | Please confirm whether an AHU-1 exists, and if so, whether it also requires a new SDDT and corresponding RTSKS. Additionally, please provide above-ceiling photos of the existing SDDTs that are scheduled for demolition |
| A48. | This project will be per plan, spec and to code. AHU-1 does exist in a different building. Not in the scope for this project. |
| Q49. | On sheet FA102 (Demo Plan), Rooms 33 and 15 show existing heat detectors (HD) to be removed. The new fire alarm plan does not indicate replacement HDs in these rooms. Please clarify whether new heat detectors are required |
| A49. | This project will be per plan, spec and to code Correct, the heat detectors are not required to be provided. |
| Q50. | On sheet FA102 (Demo Plan), Rooms 11, 13, 18, 33, 36, 38, 40, 41, and 42 note existing smoke detectors to be removed. The new fire alarm plan does not show new smoke detectors in these rooms. Please confirm whether these smoke detectors are to be replaced or eliminated. |
| A50. | This project will be per plan, spec and to code Correct, those smoke detectors are not required to be provided. |
| Q51. | Please provide mechanical as-built drawings for Building 25, if available. |
| A51. | See plans |
| Q52. | Please provide fire alarm as-built drawings for Building 25, if available. |
| A52. | See plans |
| Q53. | Please provide a list of existing fire alarm devices connected to fire alarm panel in Bldg. 25. |
| A53. | See information package in sam.gov |
| Q54. | Where do we connect the control panel and cylinder Clean agent on the Fire Suppression System. |
| A54. | Building 25 will connect to the main panel in building 24. There is no clean agent system in building 25. |
| -Q55. | It appears that Section 28 31 00 is missing from the Specification Document. Can you advise? |
| A55. | See the attached missing specification Section 28 31 00. |
| Q56. | Is it possible to provide photos of the current Siemens Fire Alarm Control Panel in Bldg. 24, including model #, and the installation stickers and tags? They are normally located on the inside of the door. |
| A56. | See pictures below. |
| Q57. | The Drawings do not appear to show where Buildings 24 and 25 are connected. The only plan that interprets this is the key plan on Drawing RA001, but is hard to identify the connection point and where Building 25 is located. Can you please assist so we can determine how to connect the devices and wiring in Bldg. 25 to the FACP in Building 24? |
| A57. | The buildings are currently not connected. This project is creating the connection between the two buildings. |
image1.png image2.jpeg image3.jpeg image4.jpeg image5.jpeg
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .