RFI Responses Solicitation 36C26123R0082.pdf

RFIs for Solicitation 36C26123R0082 640A0-21-100 Upgrade Multiple Fire Alarms Systems

General: Following are the response for RFIs. RFIs with similar queries have been grouped in a single item.

1. RFI Numbers-

1) Is there a time allowed for the design engineering for the new fire alarm system?

9) The schedule provided says 420 day and is broken out for each building but does not give any time for engineering, submittals, plan check, lead time of materials or site mobilization. Would there be additional days added for these items?

1) The schedule provided states a 420-day period of performance and is broken out for each building but does not give any separate time for engineering investigation, plan preparation, submittals, plan check/ plan review & approval, lead time of special materials or site mobilization. Would there be additional days added / allotted for these items?

RFI #1 – The construction schedule shown on page 8 doesn’t take into consideration the coordination of field verifying existing system or develop shop drawings. Will there be added time to coordinate planning details prior to starting construction?

Response-

VA will provide 80 additional days for engineering investigation, plan preparation, submittals, plan check/ plan review & approval, lead time of special materials or site mobilization.

2. RFI Numbers

2) Is there a storage area / lay down area we can put a storage conex?

3) Is there a staging area/lay-down area where we can stage storage containers and/or -project job trailer?

RFI #7 – Is there laydown space for office trailer, sanitary facilities, and storage container onsite?

Response

General- COR will allot the staging area depending on the site available during the time of construction.

1. Refer 1.6Q of spec section 01 00 00 -The Contractor shall provide their own bin or dumpster;

however, the use and location of such must be approved in writing by the Contracting Officer’s Representative

2. Refer 1.7A of spec section 01 00 00- …The Contractor shall confine all operations (including storage of materials) on Government premises to areas authorized or approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

3. Refer 1.7D of spec section 01 00 00- Working space and space available for storing materials shall be as determined by the Contracting Officer’s Representative

3. RFI Numbers

3) In areas where there is occupied offices and patients will we have to do work in this area after hours?

13) Will testing of the fire alarm after installation need to be during normal hours or after hours?

4) In areas where there are occupied offices and patients, will normal dayshift be possible, or do we need to budget for after-hours / second / third shift wage rates.

10) Will testing / commissioning of the fire alarm after installation be required to performed after normal business hours or will IOR / USACE conduct testing during regular hours?

RFI #6 - Can all work be performed during normal business hours?

Response

1. Station Operations- The contractor shall generally perform all on-site visitation or work between the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday (Federal Holidays excluded), unless otherwise approved by the contracting officer’s representative.

The contractor may be required to perform all or part of work elements involving significant noise or vibrations and affecting nearby areas outside of these normal work hours, to avoid impacting daily operations of the hospital/office. This include but not limited to pulling of wiring/cables, testing or commissioning if the work affects the daily functions of the hospital/office.

2. If the Contractor needs to perform work during hours or days other than the hours or workdays stated, the Contractor shall submit a written request Seven (7) Calendar Days prior to required start of work. The request shall include number of workdays, work hours, elements, labor categories, and VA Master Specifications

4. RFI Numbers

4) Will the new fire alarm system need to be today’s fire code, or can we do a one for one swap for all existing devices in same location?

Response

1. The total number of devices will be same, and no additional number of device(s) is required. The devices will not be installed at the same locations, but next to existing ones.

2. NOTE-Existing devices and system will remain operational and cannot be removed until the new system is installed, commissioned, and certified.

3. The Fire alarm system material to comply with project specifications/documents.

5. RFI Numbers

5) Can the VA provide a set of plans that shows the buildings with a generator?

7) Can we use existing wire in certain areas where pulling new wire or installing new conduit is impossible? For example, an underground PVC that goes from inside building to outside the building to a HVAC unit or generator

11) Does testing of the Generator after fire alarm panel change over fall on the government? Or is contractor responsible?

5) Can the VA provide electronic plans that show all buildings / areas served by a generator? -

8) Does any re-testing of the generator after fire alarm panel changeover fall on the government or is the contractor responsible for this?

Response

1. Generators are not part of this contract, so there is no need of set of plans of Generator(s) and wirings to and from the generators.

6. RFI Numbers

6) In locations where there are existing devices with hard lid ceiling can we use existing conduit and pull new wire so we do not have to demo ceilings or drywall?

8) Can we use wire mold for some of the exposed areas?

6) In certain areas were pulling new wires or installing new conduit is challenging can the existing raceway be re-used? For example: an underground PVC raceway that feeds from inside the building to an outside building HVAC unit, Sprinkler PIV, generator system, etc.?

12) Where there are hard lid ceilings (gypsum wallboard / stucco/ lath & plaster, etc.), can we use 700 series or similar surface-mounted raceways (wire mold)?

RFI #2 – Is the intent to install all new conduit infrastructure for the new fire alarm system to avoid disruption to existing system?

RFI #4 – Is there enough conduit pathway capacity between buildings?

Response-

1. No wire molds are allowed, provide new conduits inside the building as specified.

Pulling of new cables in the existing fire alarm system conduits may rupture the age-old brittle wiring/cables and hamper the functioning of existing fire alarm system.

The existing Simplex fire alarm system needs to be operational until the installation and commissioning of the of new Notifier system.

2. PVC and existing conduit can be used in trenches outside the buildings to connect PIVs or Backflow preventors assembly serving fire protection system. As long as it doesn’t affect the existing Fire alarm system.

Note- Generators are not in Contractor.

3. Use one of the two existing 4-inch diameter conduits to pull new fiber cable between building 331 and 334 as indicated in SOW (Scope of Work)

7. RFI Numbers

10) Does testing of the Elevator after fire alarm panel change over fall on the government? Or is contractor responsible?

12) Does testing of the HVAC dampers and shunt trips after fire alarm panel change over fall on the government? Or is contractor responsible?

7) Does testing / coordination of the Elevator re-inspection after fire alarm panel changeover fall on the government or is this the contractor’s responsibility?

9) Does testing of the HVAC dampers and shunt trip breakers (items connected to fire alarm but not replaced in this project effort) after fire alarm panel changeover fall on the government representative or is the contractor responsible?

Response

1. It is responsibility of Contractor to test and demonstrate all the all functions related to Fire Alarm system.

2. VA will only witness the demonstration provided by the contractor.

3. Pretest the function of existing system, if the damper or shunt needs to be replaced, that will be change order

8. RFI Numbers

14) Do the elevators have shunt trip?

Response

1. Yes, they do.

9. RFI Numbers

15) Will the VA require Architects or Engineering company to complete the As-Builts or will drawings from the Electrical Fire Alarm contractor be acceptable?

Response

As long they are in CAD and show the locations of existing devices, the drawings/shop drawings from Electrical Fire alarm contractor are acceptable

10. RFI Numbers

16) Criteria for Volume 1 Factor 3 says Site Supervisor can double as Safety Officer on site, but doesn’t mention QC Manager? Will QC Manager be required and if so, how of do they need to be on site?

Response

Yes, Quality Control Manager is required on site to inspect the quality of work.

11. RFI Numbers

17) 2.6 Selection Procedures shows 3 Volumes: Volume 1 - Tech Proposal, Volume 2 -Pricing Proposal, and Volume 3 - Administrative, but there are no criteria for the Administrative listed.

Can the VA please clarify this requirement? -

Response: Paragraph (iii) in page 74 and 75 of the solicitation outlines the requirement for Value 3, this volume will be reviewed for completeness

12. RFI Numbers

2) Will the construction NTP be issued after design to start the 420-day performance period to complete the project?

Response: The NTP will mark the start of all contract performance.

13. RFI Numbers

11) Do the elevators have a requirement for adding or modifying a ‘shunt trip’ breaker? --

Response

1. Existing elevators do have the shunts need not to be replaced

14. RFI Numbers

13) Can the VA provide an ACM (Asbestos-Containing Materials) study for all four buildings?

RFI #12 – Do any of the project buildings contain asbestos and/or lead? Please provide asbestos and/or lead reports

Response

1. Yes, VA will provide asbestos report during construction

15. RFI Numbers

14) Can the VA provide complete AutoCAD drawings for each building?

Response

1. VA will not be providing any Auto Cad drawings

16. RFI Numbers

RFI #3 – Is there an existing monitoring service that will need to be utilized for newly installed system? If so, please provide details.

Response

As for the question about extra monitoring service. There will not be an extra monitoring service. The new panels will be connected to the service once the 30 day burn in is completed

17. RFI Numbers

RFI #5 – Is the intent to provide a Class A or Class B fire alarm system?

Response

1. Provide class B Fire Alarm system

18. RFI Numbers

RFI #8 – Will the VA accept MS Project for the baseline schedule?

Response

1. Yes, VA accepts MS Project for the baseline schedule

19. RFI Numbers

RFI #9 – Will the VA have another site visit?

Response

1. There will be another site visit.

20. RFI Numbers

RFI #10 – Please provide Fire Alarm As-built drawing for project buildings.

Response

1. Existing As built drawings were provided with bid documents

21. RFI Numbers

RFI #11 – Please provide reflected ceiling plan drawings for project buildings.

Response:

1. Reflected ceiling plans are not available.

22. RFI Numbers

RFI #13 – Please provide project buildings areas/rooms which have ICRA requirements.

Response

1. The entire building affected by the construction

23. RFI Numbers

RFI #14 – Are any of the project buildings/areas in critical care and/or surgery rooms?

Which will require additional PPE?

Response

1. Please refer paragraph 1-Project background of SOW (Scope of Services)

24. RFI – Per specifications 28 31 00 -1, 1.2, B & 28 31 00 – 26, 3.1, D:

B. All existing fire alarm equipment, wiring, devices and sub-systems and fire alarm conduit shall be removed. Removal of existing system shall be when the new system is operational.

D. All existing accessible fire alarm conduit not reused shall be removed.

Will the VA consider the contractor removing all devices and cabling and leaving empty conduit and back boxes in place with blank cover plates over the back boxes?

Response: Fire Alarm Devices and cables have to be removed, unused conduits can be abandoned in place.

25 RFI - Per specifications 28 31 00 -6, D Certifications, 1.5 Warranty & 1.6 Guaranty:

Please confirm the contractor will need to include a warranty period of 5 years for maintenance and service including emergency service for 5 year period with this project?

Response: In accordance with FAR 52.246-21 the warranty of construcotin shall be one year after final acceptance for the entire work.