AMENDMENT 00003 36C26026R0034 648-23-100 CON SITE VISIT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.pdf

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office. is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30 PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

(Type or print) (Type or print)

(Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code)

(If other than Item 6)

(Specify type of modification and authority)

(such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

0003 02-24-2026 648-23-100

Network Contracting Office 20

ATTN: V4CONT

1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd Bldg.17, Suite B428 Vancouver WA 98661

36C260

To all Offerors/Bidders 36C26026R0034

X

X X x 1

PROJECT NUMBER: 648-23-100

PROJECT NAME: FIRE ALARM TO VOICE, CONSTRUCTION

PROJECT LOCATION: PORTLAND VAMC, Vancouver campus, Vancouver, WA

The purpose of Amendment 3 is to provide responses to questions received from industry following the site visit Conducted on February 4, 2026. Reference continuation pages for further information.

3/6/26

COLLEEN NICHOLSON

CONTRACTING OFFICER

Solicitation #: 36C26026R0034 Project #: 648-23-100 Project Name: Fire Alarm to Voice CON - Portland VAMC, Vancouver Campus

Questions & Answers from site walk

1) Can existing panel cans be re-used with EST-4 components?

Only the existing Fire Alarm Control Panels (FACPs) in Building 25 Fisher House and Building 27 Imaging are permitted to reuse the existing Edwards EST-3 cabinets. The Contractor shall upgrade replace all components in these panels to Edwards EST-4 components or equivalent and provide new Edwards EST-4 doors or equivalent on the existing cabinets, in accordance with Drawing 025-FP-011, Drawing 027-FN-011, and the panel schedule on 000-FA-003.

All other FACPs and Remote Annunciators shall be new EST-4 panels or equivalent.

If an alternate fire alarm system besides Edwards is used, all new panels shall be provided, including those for Buildings 25 and 27 and must provide a fully functional area when completed.

2) Is the installing contractor responsible for clearing any existing or reoccurring troubles on existing system?

Yes, the Contractor is responsible for clearing any existing or reoccurring troubles on an existing system. Additionally, the commissioning requirements require the Contractor to provide testing of supervision functions, and demonstration that all faults, open circuits, and ground faults are identified and reported correctly. This requires the contractor to clear system trouble conditions to achieve acceptance.

3) Does the VA have a preferred fire alarm manufacturer to be installed? No.

4) Can the installing contractor operate sprinkler valves for system testing? Yes, and contractor must consult with the COR as needed prior to performing.

5) Are detailed drawings required for all new power supplies to NAC/FACP locations?

Yes, detailed shop drawings are required for all new power supplies serving FACPs, NACs, distributed amplifiers, and supplemental power cabinets.

Shop drawings shall include cabinet locations, panel elevations, conduit routing, circuit identification, load and battery calculations, and voltage drop calculations and all other applicable requirements of Specification Sections 01 33 23 SHOP

DRAWINGS, PRODUCT DATA, AND SAMPLES and 28 31 00 FIRE DETECTION AND

ALARM.

6) Did the engineer use a particular system for basis of design?

The existing fire alarm system is Edwards EST-3. The basis of design is the Edwards EST-4 platform, utilizing an Edwards EST-3 to EST-4 migration strategy.

Note, this solicitation is not limited to Edward’s products. However, if an alternative manufacturer’s system is proposed, the contractor shall provide all compatible control equipment, network components, initiating devices, notification appliances, signaling devices, and associated system components necessary to deliver a complete, fully functional, code-compliant system when completed.

7) Can the superintendent dual hat as the SSHO? For this project, the Superintendent can also be the SSHO, QA/QC, and perform fire watch as long as all responsibilities are being kept up simultaneously and they meet all of the required qualifications outlined in the contract documents.

8) Can the installing contractor operate sprinkler valves for system testing? Reference answer under question 4.

9) Are detailed drawings required for all new power supplies to NAC/FACP locations?

Reference answer to question 5.

10) Is there room onsite for material storage (in building or exterior Connex)? The VA will provide space for a reasonably sized job trailer and 2 Connex boxes. If more Connex boxes are needed, work with the COR to locate them. The locations will be determined after award, prior to their arrival by the COR and General Contractor.

11. Is the use of temporary plastic wall panels (such as STARC panels) acceptable to meet ICRA requirements? No, ICRA will either specify hard barrier (metal studs and GWB), soft barrier (approved fire-resistant plastic for short durations), or using a HEPA/containment cart. This will vary depending on location.

12. Is it acceptable for ICRA HEPA Negative air exhaust to be returned back into the hospital space above ceiling? No, Ceiling spaces may not be pressurized.

13. Will any outside monitoring be required?

It is unclear whether this question refers to monitoring external dust or to central station fire alarm monitoring services? Responses addressing both potential interpretations have been provided:

For External Dust Monitoring:

The exterior site work includes trenching for duct bank installation, surface restoration, installation of manholes, and related exterior construction activities.

The Contractor is required to implement dust control measures. However, continuous air monitoring is not anticipated for these exterior activities.

In accordance with Exterior Construction Requirements, Specification Section 01 35 26, Paragraph 1.12.J, dust control and suppression measures must be implemented to prevent airborne particulate migration. The Contractor shall ensure that dust is not introduced into the facility through air intakes or building openings.

If exterior construction occurs in close proximity to building air intakes or patient care areas, the VA Infection Control may require additional environmental monitoring or temporary HEPA filtration at air intakes as determined through the ICRA process.

For Central Station Fire Alarm Monitoring:

For Central Station Fire Alarm Monitoring, the Contractor shall remove the existing dual POTS line communicators currently used for transmission to the supervising station and provide a new UL listed cellular fire alarm communicator for transmission of alarm, supervisory, and trouble signals. The cellular communicator shall be compatible with the installed fire alarm control panel and shall comply with UL 864 and the applicable requirements of NFPA 72 for supervising station transmission.

The existing Central Station Monitoring Service is provided by American Security under an existing separate contract with the VA. The Contractor shall coordinate directly with American Security to integrate the new cellular communicator into the existing monitoring account and must provide all necessary setup and programming. The Contractor shall coordinate and perform all required testing and signal verification with the supervising station to confirm proper transmission.

The Contractor must also provide a minimum one-year cellular service subscription for the cellular communicator. The Contractor is not responsible for providing Central Station Fire Alarm Monitoring services beyond furnishing, installing, activating, and integrating the cellular communicator. Ongoing Central Station monitoring services shall remain under the VA’s existing separate contract with American Security.

14. Are any state licenses required to be held by the installing/prime contractor? Only those specified in the solicitation.

15) Will there be additional opportunities to see this project? A site visit was held on February 4, 2026.

16) Additionally, can you please forward the list of attendees from 02-04-2026? The list of attendees for the site visit on 2/4/26 was posted under Amendment 2 to Sam.gov.

17) Please provide FLS prints showing the wall and floor ratings for all buildings within the scope of this project. Many of the prints show the wall ratings, but it seems like a few are missing. Specifically.

Bldg. 11 – Level 3 & 4

Bldg. 15 – Level 2

Bldg. 18 – Area A

Bldg. 20

Bldg. 24

There may be more but without knowing the occupancy classification for each, I cannot tell. Answer: See document titled “Vancouver Fire Life Safety”.

18) Please provide prints showing sound ratings for all walls/ceilings for each building within the scope of this project to determine if any penetrations need to be sealed for sound. Please also provide the desired STC rating for each wall/ceiling so the correct material and installation method can be determined? Answer: All walls and floors are to be minimum STC45. Smoke walls to be a minimum of STC53. Use appropriately rated fire caulking for fire walls.

19. Usage of existing equipment Section 28 31 00 para 1.2 states:

Question 19 If existing equipment is to be warranted as new by the contractor can VAMC- Vancouver provide the following prior to Date Offers Due? Copies of the last five (5) years of Annual Inspection & Testing Reports.

Testing data of last date of detector sensitivity testing was performed on all existing smoke, heat and duct detectors.

Testing data of last date detector sensitivity testing was performed on all existing smoke, heat and duct detectors by utilization of smoke aerosol added to the smoke detector’s sensing chamber and IR activation levels at each heat detector?

Answer 19: No, the existing equipment shall not be warranted as new.

20) Sheet: Solicitation Document Specification: N/A Topic: Sales Tax Question: Please confirm that offerors are to include sales tax? Reference solicitation in accordance with 52.229-3 federal, state, and local taxes should be included as applicable.

21) Sheet: 000-FS-100 Specification: 27 13 23 Topic: Fiber Inner-duct Question: Please clarify size & number of cells for the new innerduct required for OSP fiber?

Answer: Where the OSP pathway consists of new duct bank with 4-inch conduits, each 4-inch conduit shall contain three (3) each, 3-inch, 3-cell MaxCell fabric innerducts.

Where the OSP pathway consists of 3-inch conduits, each conduit shall contain one (1) each, 3-inch, 3-cell MaxCell fabric innerduct.

Where the OSP pathway consists of 2-inch conduits, each conduit shall contain one (1) each, 2-inch, 4-cell MaxCell fabric innerduct.

1” conduit for indoor pathway does not require innerduct. The fiber can be run directly in the conduit.

When fabric innerduct is present, each individual fiber optic cable shall be installed in a separate fabric innerduct cell. Fiber optic cables shall not share a cell with any other cable to prevent twisting, intertwining, or damage during installation or maintenance.

Also, see amended spec section 27 13 23 included in Amendment 3.

22) Sheet: N/A Specification: 01 35 26-1.7A Topic: SSHO dual role Question: Specification section 01 35 26-1.7A does not indicate if the SSHO can have other duties, can the project superintendent also serve as the SSHO, provided they have the required qualifications? See response to question #7.

23) Sheet: N/A Specification: 07 84 00 Topic: Firestopping Question: Confirm that all firestopping shall be done by a UL or FM Global certified contractor? Yes, follow the contract documents for Installer Qualifications.

24) Sheet: 00-GI-001 Specification: 01 35 26-1.13L Topic: Fire Watch Qualifications Question: Are there specific qualifications for fire watch personnel?

Fire Watch duties are explained in the NFPA. The ability to perform those duties and any requirements in the contract documents (i.e. badging, contractor orientation, etc.) are necessary.

25) Sheet: 00-GI-001 Specification: 01 35 26-1.13L

Topic: Fire Watch Personnel Question: Will the project superintendent/SSHO be able to serve as fire watch as well?

See response to question #7

26) Sheet: N/A Specification: 01 35 26-1.12 Topic: ICRA classifications Question: Specifications indicate that primary project scope area requires class III infection control protocols; are there any specific buildings that require greater infection control considerations?

There will be level IV areas with a modified ICRA removing the need for an anteroom or shoe covers. These will be level IV areas with level III barriers, for bidding purposes.

There are two types of barrier walls allowed here. One is a hard barrier, made of metal studs and GWB. The other is a soft barrier, made of flame-resistant plastic. Soft barriers will only be allowed on a case-by-case basis depending mostly on work duration. Work from a HEPA/containment cart will also be allowed.

27) Sheet: 00-FA-003 Specification: N/A Topic: Remote Monitoring at Portland VA Campus Question: Who is the existing BAS contractor/systems integrator that will be able to assist with the Remote Monitoring requirements indicated on sheet 00-FA-003?

Answer: Ainsworth (formerly Delta Connects)

28) Sheet: 00-GI-001 Specification: 09 91 00 Topic: Touch-up Painting Question: In areas where removed fire alarm devices are patched, will spot touch-up painting be allowed or are we required to provide seam-to-seam painting?

Answer: You are required to paint seam-to-seam or the entire plane of surface.

29) Sheet: 00-GI-001 Specification: 01 00 00 Topic: Work Hours Question: Please confirm that all work hours (outside of building 1, 11 (E-wing), 12, 18, 25 & site work) will be outside of 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday?

Answer: Work within buildings 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 16, and 22 will also be allowed during daytime hours as these are support buildings and non-patient care areas. Work in these buildings can be either shift or work with the COR to schedule.

30) Sheet: 00-FA-003 Specification: 26 05 33 Topic: Interior Raceways Question: Please confirm that only Rigid Metal Conduit shall be used for interior routing of fiber/device conductors and not EMT or IMC per sheet 00-FA-003?

Answer: EMT conduit (red in color) with insulated throat fittings is acceptable for interior raceways. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) and IMC, color red, are permitted but not required.

Notification Appliance Circuits (NACs), Signaling Line Circuits (SLCs), and Fiber Optic Backbone cabling shall each be installed in separate, dedicated home run conduits, and shall not be intermingled with each other or other systems.

31) Question: On drawing 000-FA-003, under Conduit Requirements Note 1, it states that all conductors must be installed in rigid metal conduit (RMC). In Specification Section 26 05 33, Paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4, it indicates that EMT conduit is permitted.

Please confirm which document governs in this instance—the fire alarm drawings or the project specifications? Please confirm whether EMT conduit will be permitted for fire alarm cabling and 120v branch circuit power inside the buildings?

Answer: The drawing incorrectly calls out RMC. EMT conduit (red in color) with insulated throat fittings is acceptable for interior raceways. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) and IMC, color red, are permitted but not required.