12-5-2024 AOC RFI Flatwire Replacement.doc

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

LIBRARY BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

1.0 Description

1.1 The Library Buildings and Grounds (LBG) Jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is seeking an on floor under carpet ultra-low profile raised floor cable management product or system that provides flexibility in terms of accommodating new power requirements for office spaces. The LBG has an existing in-trench wiring duct system that has old flatwire of two generations that will need to be removed. Power monuments are connected to the wiring system via flat wire under carpet system. The flat wire has been discontinued and there is no available replacement for it.

1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the AOC is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondees are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.

2.0 Background

The Library Buildings and Grounds (LBG) Jurisdiction of the AOC manages the Library of Congress (LOC) facilities at the Thomas Jefferson Building (TJB), the John Adams Building (JAB), and James Madison Memorial Building (JMMB) which are in Washington, DC. The LOC is the world’s largest collection with more than 164 million items. These LOC collections are considered National Heritage Collections and are valuable and irreplaceable.

The buildings' interior electrical systems initial construction was as follows: TJB in 1886; JAB in 1938; & JMMB in 1976. The existing in-floor electrical power distribution design was effective to accommodate space alterations/renovations until the discontinuation of the flat wire system. The discontinued under carpet flat wire system was manufactured by CommScope.

The LOC collections are transported via book carts which weigh approximately 1,200 lbs. Maintenance equipment such as lifts are used to perform work within the space weigh approximately 2,400 lbs.

3.0 Requested Information

Please provide alternate solution for discontinued CommScope’s Under carpet Cabling system (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WcnxlhxsKk). Information on the alternate solution should include the following:

· Code compliance in terms of connection from the existing in-floor duct system and in terms of ADA requirements.

· Code compliance in terms of fire protection.

· Flexibility in making changes to accommodate new requirements.

· Manufacturing Standards, testing, and listings. complies with the Buy America Act.

· Product or system total dead load weight.

· Load capacity/strength of the product or system. (Note: book carts weigh approximately 1,200 lbs. and onsite lifts used for re-lamping weigh approximately 2,400 lbs.)

· Transition approach at doorways.

· Impact on existing receptacles, light switches, door frames, etc.

· Ease of accessing handhold for renovation, repairs.

· Typical total recommended run distances back to panel board from handhold and from handhold to end of run.

· Communication lines and POE (Power Over Ethernet) will run separate but concurrent within system.

For reference: The existing raceway system In-Floor Duct System is manufactured by Thomas & Betts.

4.0 Responses

4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper.

4.2 White papers in PDF format are due no later than Friday, 10 January 2025, 03:00 pm EST. Responses to Section 1 of the white paper should not exceed 10 pages, shall not be limited for Section 2, and submitted via e-mail only to Contract Specialist Jonathan Cornett at jonathan.cornett@aoc.gov. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

4.3. Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum:

4.3.1. Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. Additionally, please identify your UEI number, NAICS code, SB Status and socio-economic status if any.

4.4. Section 2 of the white paper will answer the issues addressed in Section 3 of this RFI.

5.0 Industry Discussions

AOC representatives may or may not choose to meet with respondents. Such discussions could be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements and/or invite respondents to demonstrate their proposed solution.

6.0 Questions

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contract Specialist Jonathan Cornett at jonathan.cornett@aoc.gov. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by posting answers to SAM.gov with an Amendment to this RFI, questions shall NOT contain proprietary information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 03:00 pm EST, Friday, December 13, 2024 will be answered.

7.0 Summary

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify potential product(s) that can provide on floor under carpet cable management product or system. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The AOC has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.