Q and A.pdf

Q and A for 36C26221Q0804 Fire Sprinklers.

1. Will this be a SDVOSB or Small Business set-aside?

This requirement will be awarded as a SDVOSB set-aside.

2. Under section 2.9 b. of the scope of work it does not quantify how many broken valves and flow switches with stripped and damaged screws need to be replaced annually? How many should we figure?

The damage occurs occasionally and will be repaired as needed basis. Repairs for broken valves and flow switches will be paid from Line Number 0002 – Service Calls.

3. For the fire sprinkler head change out identified in the scope of work, will there be a need for infectious control containment when changing out sprinklers? If so, will a mobile infectious control containment be acceptable?

Yes, there will be a need for infectious control containment, and a mobile infectious control containment is acceptable.

4. For scope of work item 3.3.3 & 3.5.3, does the VA offer the 16hr asbestos training cert identified in the scope of work as being required? If so, what is the cost?

VA will not provide the asbestos training and will require the vendors to receive the training certification from a third party. Asbestos training certification and respirator fit test will be required to be submitted to EH&S prior to contract start.

5. In section 2.4 it identifies unlimited service calls but then goes on to say not to exceed

$10,000.00 per annum. Is this a $10,000.00 allowance for service calls that we should have covered in our base bid for each year?

The VA is allowing up to $10,000 a year per year for service calls. The contractors will provide their rates per hour for service calls in their bid.

6. What will happen to service calls once the $10,000.00 threshold is reached?

In the unlikely event that we reach the $10,000 limit, then we will handle that on a case by case basis.

7. Please confirm that this scope of work is only for annual ITM items for systems identified in the scope of work (5-yr, 3-yr, semi-annual, quarterly, monthly ITM would be excluded, correct)?

Scope of work includes all monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual ITM. 5-yr is not included in the scope of work.

8. Please confirm as-builts of the fire systems identified will be provided to the awarded contractor?

The VA will provide the as-builts that we have available.

9. Scope of work item 2.2 states “contractor shall supply all labor, travel, parts, and repairs to keep the covered equipment operating in optimum conditions during the contract”. What is meant by covered equipment? Pipe, Fittings, Hangers, Sway Bracing, Fire Pumps, Valves, Gauges?

Anything associated with the fire sprinklers, is covered under the contract, any repairs will be covered by line number 0002 – Service Calls.

10. Are these costs to be included in our base price or will repairs/parts/labor be covered under the $10,000 annum amount for service calls?

Anything that is a repair is covered under the service calls, anything with inspection will be covered by the contract.

11. Will there be an assessment period at the beginning of the contract to identify deficient items in need of repair, prior to us taking over the annual ITM for the VA?

No. But any repairs will be performed under the service calls part of the contract. The contracts will cover all the monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual ITM.

12. In scope of work items 3.3.2 & 3.5.2 requires (2) journeymen level sprinkler fitters during each visit to the facility. Typical industry standard crews consist of (1) journeyman sprinkler fitter and (1) apprentice level sprinkler fitter, will this be acceptable?

One Journeymen and One Apprentice is acceptable.

13. When testing tamper, flow, and pressure switches for the ITM, please confirm the VA will coordinate testing/silencing of alarms and resetting of fire alarm panels, so as not to disturb VA operations.

Contractor will submit all VA documents required to perform testing and will also operate the fire alarms and/or Fireworks computer to reset the alarm.

14. Please confirm fire extinguishers are excluded from this scope of work.

Fire extinguishers are excluded.

15. For the training of VA operation and maintenance staff please confirm it is for (1hr) (4x) four times per year in scope of work item 2.3, multiplied by (4) shifts per scope of work

2.8 for a total of 16hrs. If correct, please update bid sheet.

One (1) hour per shift, for four (4) shifts, One (1) time per year. For a total of four (4) hours of training.

16. Fire sprinkler fitter journeyman rates are not identified on the included wage determination, what classification should we use if it is not listed?

Please follow US department of Labor guidance for classification

17. Billing quarterly in arrears is not desirable, that would mean waiting up to 120 days to be paid (worst case), will monthly invoicing be allowed?

Monthly invoices will be allowed.

18. When responding to service calls or providing training, will (1) journeyman fire sprinkler fitter be acceptable?

When responding to emergency calls or performing/conducting training, one (1) journeyman fire sprinkler fitter will be acceptable.

19. On price/cost schedule for item 0002, 1002, 2002, 3002, 4002 is this a labor component only (excluding material)?

Bid as a labor component only.

20. On price/cost schedule for item 0003, 1003, 2003, 3003, 4003 should this be for 16hrs instead of 4hrs for each item?

No.

21. On price/cost schedule for item 0004, 1004, 2004, 3004, 4004 is this inclusive of the (40) new sprinkler heads replaced for testing in scope of work item 2.7L?

Yes.

22. Will the VA be utilizing NFPA 25 2013 CA Edition or just NFPA 25 2013 for their Inspections and Testing procedures. Line 2.7 does not specify.

The VA will be using the most current version of NFPA 25, and not the CA Edition.

23. We would like to request the previous reports from 202 for each building. Annual and/or 5 year reports preferred.

All inspection test records are available for review at the VA.

24. When is the 5-year inspection due?

Not included in this one year service.

25. Will the fire pump need to be ran and tested once per month for 10 minutes or does the VA have a separate requirement exceeding the 10 minutes?

Needs to be run once per month for 10 minutes, and must perform the annual in June.

26. Will maps of all valve locations in each building be provided?

Yes.

27. Confirming just (1) electric fire pump.

Yes, just one electric fire pump.

28. Item 2.4 states unlimited service calls for on-site repairs as needed throughout contract life up to 10,000 per year. However, on price schedule it calls for 20 service calls priced each year. Please clarify are we pricing unlimited service calls up to 10k per year, or pricing and including only 20 service calls per year?

Contractor will bid hourly rate on service calls, and number of service calls on hourly rate, will be based on up to $10,000 per year.

29. For pricing the 20 service calls, some calls may require 8 hours, some 3 hours. Do we have a standard stating what should be included in a service call regarding hours and cost limit?

Service calls will be charged on the hourly rate based on the hours worked for the service calls.

30. Item 2.7 letter I. states “sprinkler heads – include removal of Forty (40) sprinkler heads that are 20 years old and send out for testing per NFPA 25. Replace the 40 test heads with new sprinklers” Is this requirement for the main hospital only? Or does each building need a sample group tested?

Just for the main hospital.

31. Item 3 specific tasks. It is notated the fire pump needs to be ran monthly. The annual fire pump inspection and water flow test required by code is not listed on schedule, should it be included?

Yes, it should be included, and shall be completed in June.

32. Item 3 Specific tasks. The annual inspection requirements are spread throughout different months. Can all annual fire sprinkler inspection requirements be performed in the same month? This is normal procedures for annual test and inspect, and reduces confusion and reporting errors from the contractor.

All ITM shall be completed based on the schedule on the solicitation.

33. Regarding California State required 5yr Fire sprinkler Certification Inspection. There are no requirements in solicitation to add this inspection. Will this be estimated separately when due?

5 year will not be included in the solicitation for this one year service.

34. Item 3.3.2 states “Contractor will provide two (2) Journeyman level sprinkler Fitters during each visit to the facility. Most service calls and inspections only require (1) person. Will all service calls and inspections require (2) journeyman fitters?

Answered in the questions above.

35. Regarding Item 3.3.2. Typically licensed fitters are only used for sprinkler service calls and inspection repair work. Can we add (2) C16 licensed inspectors for monthly/quarterly/annual test and inspect where systems are not drained or worked on?

C16 licensed inspectors are acceptable for inspections.

36. Regarding item 3.5.2. Can we add/submit for additional fitters to alleviate risks of not having available manpower for random service calls?

Yes.