FPR 697DCK-22-R-00201 Questions and Answers.docx

FPR Fire Alarm System Replacement

697DCK-22-R-00201

Questions and Answers

1. There is a smoke detector used for door holder release located above the lay-in ceiling in the link between Base Building and Tower. Should the replacement be surface mounted on ceiling in occupied space or remain in same location above the ceiling?

FAA Response: The smoke detector in the Link is to be located as surface mounted on the ceiling, away from HVAC supply/return grill to the extent practicable and programmed per the sequence of operations matrix.

1. There are two separation doors in the Link that have door hold-opens and are operated by a common smoke detector. Should a second smoke detector be added for the second door holder?

FAA Response: A single smoke detector is to be provided in the Link.

1. Can raceways and boxes be reused to pull in new cabling and mount new devices where ample capacity exists and current system can continue operation?

FAA Response: New raceways and boxes are to be provided except as noted at Information from the site visit items 5 and 12, where existing raceways for cable transition to the Cab above ceiling and outbuilding with Class A wiring permitted for out and return conductors in the same raceway.

1. Is this project a design/build project or has the owner provided bid documents designed by the owner’s design team?

FAA Response: The owner has provided bid documents designed by the owner’s design team.

1. If additional initiating devices or notification appliances are required (not shown on the contract documents), will the owner issue a modification to the contractor?

FAA Response: Yes.

1. Who will be the Authority Having Jurisdiction for reviewing plans/submittals and final acceptance?

FAA Response: The FAA is the authority having jurisdiction.

1. Scope of Work – Item #1 – “The existing system shall remain fully operational until the new system is installed, inspected, tested, commissioned and accepted.” Will the owner confirm that the existing fire alarm system is currently “fully operational” without any existing faults?

FAA Response: The existing system is maintained by the FAA. The new fire alarm system will be installed without interference to the new system until the time that interfaced systems [elevator recall, stair pressurization, etc.] are transitioned from the existing system to the new system.

1. Would the owner accept CPARS - Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System reports instead of a PPQ?

FAA Response: Yes, as long as it details the contract number, date, value and a point of contact.

1. “The Contractor will be responsible for obtaining and payment of all building fees, inspection fees, utility connection charges and any other fees or charges which may be incurred in the performance of this contract.” Will the contractor be required to submit the project drawings/submittals to a non-federal government authority for review/approval?

FAA Response: The FAA is the authority having jurisdiction and no non-federal government authority is involved. The are no “building fees, inspection fees, utility connection charges” associated with the effort.

1. Will the contractor be required to schedule an inspection by a non-FAA entity for final approval?

FAA Response: The FAA is the authority having jurisdiction and no non-FAA authority is involved.

1. Section 01 10 00 – Summary of Work – Item 1.1 Scope of Work – paragraph C.5 – “Removing and demolishing off-site the existing fire alarm system equipment, conduit and wiring that is not reused. Will the owner require vertical conduits behind finished walls to be removed (example, pull stations and audible/visual devices on walls) with conduits concealed?

FAA Response: All existing fire alarm system equipment, conduit and wiring is to be removed and surfaces restored [patch, paint, etc.].

1. Does this document (Design Handbook) contain all current requirements of the FAA for fire alarm installations and design?

FAA Response: Yes, including codes/standard requirements as referenced.

1. “The fire alarm system Scope of Work results in a new fully functioning fire alarm system accomplished by proving and installing a new fire alarm system to migrate from the existing fire alarm control unit to a new control unit in the existing cabinet.” Will the owner approve installation of the new fire control panel in a new cabinet?

FAA Response: The FAA will inspect and approve the installation including a new fire alarm control panel and new cabinet in accordance with specification language: “Installing a new fire alarm system side-by-side to the existing Simplex 4100U fire alarm system. The existing system shall remain fully operational until the new system is installed, inspected, tested, commissioned and accepted.” A temporary pedestal mounted new fire alarm panel is anticipated to be provided until it can be located at the existing panel wall location.

1. Would the Government please confirm what manufacturer they require for this opportunity or that it is open spec?

FAA Response: The specs contain the following language – “All equipment and system components shall be the standard product of a single manufacturer.” We do not specify which manufacturer.

1. Section C – Description/Specifications The work under this contract includes, but is not limited to, the following: 1. Installing a new fire alarm system side-by-side to the existing Simplex 4100U fire alarm system. The existing system shall remain fully operational until the new system is installed, inspected, tested, commissioned and accepted.

Please advise if a new Simplex brand fire alarm system is acceptable to be mounted in the existing cabinet. The new Simplex brand fire alarm system will be configured by the manufacturer and is UL listed & approved to be used in the existing cabinet. The fire alarm system outage is minimal since the system is designed and approved by the manufacturer. The warranty is the same duration as the new fire alarm system.

FAA Response: No. In accordance with specification language: “…The existing system shall remain fully operational until the new system is installed, inspected, tested, commissioned and accepted.”

1. Design Handbook (DH), Statement of Work, Fire Alarm System Scope of Work Equipment, materials, installation… The fire alarm system Scope of Work results in a new fully functioning fire alarm system accomplished by proving and installing a new fire alarm system to migrate from the existing fire alarm control unit to a new control unit in the existing cabinet. The fire alarm system replacement will be a side-by-side installation so reusing existing conduit and conductors will be minimal if any. The existing fire alarm system control unit and power supply will be replaced with equipment that is permitted by the FAA based on the fire alarm system specification. The new fire alarm control unit is to be shop configured and loaded with the program required for the FPR ATCT, such that it is readily installed at the time of migration and the fire alarm system outage during installation is minimized.

Please advise if the existing conduit raceway and wiring is allowed to be reused. The installation of the new fire alarm replacement relays, initiating and notification devices will be installed using the existing raceway and wiring. The use of the existing conduit and wiring does not affect the warranty period of the new fire alarm system. This replacement is a direct swap out and system outage is minimal.

FAA Response: New raceways and boxes are to be provided except as noted at Information from the site visit items 5 and 12, where existing raceways for cable transition to the Cab above ceiling and outbuilding with Class A wiring permitted for out and return conductors in the same raceway.

1. Are there any as built drawings to go along with this?

FAA Response: Red line drawings of the fire alarm system are located in the elevator machine room. These drawings are not verified as correct. These drawings will be provided at award.

1. Would the Government please provide the fire alarm drawings documentation?

FAA Response: The design provided includes the FPR Fire Alarm System Replacement Design Handbook (DH), specifications, etc. PDF and DGN drawings of the 2008 fire alarm project will be provided at award.

Information from the site visit:

1. The contractor to whom the project will be awarded will receive DGNs and PDFs of the original design drawings from 2006. These will be good for use in generating As-Builts for the subject project, as backgrounds can be reused

2. There is an on-site set of Red line drawings reflecting the existing fire alarm system, which will be available for reference once the project has commenced

3. The Design Data Handbook (DDH) provided as part of the solicitation is reflective of current code considerations and required upgrades to the system

4. The DDH calls for a Heat Detector in the out building – At the site visit it was determined that for the current application of this space, a smoke detector will be the appropriate device.

5. There is an existing raceway from the FPR ATCT to the outbuilding, with and LB box surface mounted to the out building exterior. New circuits will need to be pulled to the LB box and a penetration made to run the wires to the interior of the out building for connection to new fire alarm devices; the existing underground conduit to the out building is to be reused without/return circuits permitted in the same conduit

6. There is one (1) base building HVAC unit with an associated duct smoke detector that will be replaced as part of the scope of this project (x1)

7. The existing system is 100% in pipe, and the intent of the design is for the new system to also be run in pipe. No free standing wire is permitted.

8. The new fire alarm system must be class A with no splicing permitted (no wire nuts)

9. A question was raised as to the meaning of the phrase “critical control equipment”. This was determined to represent the DACT, elevator recall function, HVAC fan shutdown, and interconnected stair pressurization fan

10. The new cellular dialer for the DACT must be provided with one (1) copper line and one (1) cellular for redundancy

11. The existing lamp which is ceiling mounted in the CAB must be demolished along with the associated heat detector which is above the plenum ceiling in the CAB

12. Reuse of conduits in the CAB will be permitted to minimize disruption to ATC. The conduits are typically embedded within the mullions, and serve the FA devices within the ATCT CAB.

13. The drawings / DDH call for the new system to be installed in new conduit, with new wiring, alongside the existing fire alarm system. Upon test and checkout of the new system, the existing fire alarm system can be decommissioned and the new system take over as the primary FDaAS. Any proposed deviations from this strategy must be submitted in the form of an RFI

14. The new FDaAS shall provide positive confirmation that the existing stair pressurization fan (SPF) is running, via an associated (new) sail switch or (new) pressure differential switch. This confirmation shall be provided at the new fire alarm panel; associated (new) sail switch or (new) pressure differential switch equipment to be provided by contractor

15. The stairwell pressurization fan shall have a delayed start upon positive confirmation of the fresh air intake louvers making the open connection

16. The new fire alarm control panel shall provide confirmation of power between the disconnect and the fan motor; equipment to be provided by contractor

17. In the link area, the new pull station shall be installed at the same location of the existing. Coordinate replacement to preserve service; only 1 pull station is required at the Link and a new/added pull station is not required

18. DDH calls for replacement of the smoke detector in the link. The SD is believed to be above the suspended ceiling. The new smoke detector shall be surface mounted on the suspended ceiling tiles

19. This facility controls traffic between 7 AM and 9 PM. CAB work should be planned for when no ATC is taking place

20. The location of the Cab annunciator is to be coordinated with the FAA; the expected location is at the top of the stair next to the sink