Fire Suppression RFI Questions.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- FA330025R0058
About this file
This document is a Request for Information (RFI) with 31 questions and responses regarding a fire suppression and fire alarm system replacement project. The project involves replacing the dry-type sprinkler system in a facility, with work to be completed during normal working hours (7am-4pm). Key details include a requirement for the contractor to conduct hazardous materials testing for asbestos and lead paint, coordinate with facility users for employee relocation, and replace existing fire alarm system components. The government will not extend the bid date, which is set for September 26, 2025, and maintains a 250-mile proximity requirement for bidders.
The project is a fixed-price requirement with a phased approach to construction, starting in the southern office wing, then moving to the western wing with a large conference room, and finally the northeastern wing. Facility users will provide escorts and coordinate furniture movement. Notable specifications include using a dry-type fire suppression system, potentially requiring a nitrogen generator, and matching existing acoustical ceiling tiles. The facility will remain occupied during construction, with faculty and staff being relocated to accommodate the work. A contact (TIM Haire, 334-782-4509) is provided for coordination, and the government will provide limited existing building documentation.
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RFI Questions/Responses
1. Is job tax exempt? No.
2. Is personnel required for a superintendent, SSHO, and QCM or can the SSHO and QCM be the same person? This may be the same person. With the assumption that all tasks are still completed and that the single person facilitating these roles is adequately qualified to perform all functions.
3. In reviewing the statement of work it appears that only the dry type sprinkler system is to be replaced but during the site visit it was mentioned that the wet type sprinkler system was to be replaced. Please confirm if the wet type sprinkler system is also to be replaced along with the dry type sprinkler system?
Only the dry type. Wet Sprinkler is not in the scope of the specs.
4. It appears the building will remain occupied per the statement of work; however, the statement of work also notes that construction is to be completed during normal working hours. With the fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems being replaced it does not appear to be safe for faculty and staff to remain in the building during construction. Will faculty and staff be in the building during construction?
Faculty and staff will be relocated to accommodate work. Coordinate with the users of the facility (TIM Haire 334 782 4509)
5. During the site walk it appeared furniture was in several offices, conference rooms, etc.
Will the contractor be responsible for moving furniture or will the government move it?
Government will move furniture that interferes with work. Coordinate with users of the facility to dictate which items are removed/relocated and which items will remain in place with protections. (TIM Haire 334 782 4509)
6. As discussed at the site visit, a leak occurred about a year ago causing the insulation on top of the attic floor to turn into a more broken down powder type material. Please confirm if the contractor is include asbestos or hazardous material testing at this area.
Contractor to include asbestos/hazardous material testing. (There has been known asbestos and lead paint in the structure)
7. Is the existing basement a confined space?
The tunnel that extends from the mechanical room basement is considered a confined space and needs proper precautions. The tunnel is not within the scope of the work to be done.
8. Can the government please confirm if insulation is above acoustical ceilings?
No insulation, theoretically the attic is insulated and there is no need for insulation between the concrete ceiling and the drop ceiling.
9. If there is insulation above acoustical ceilings that are to be removed please confirm what R value the insulation is to be.
N/A
10. Please provide as builts of existing building.
We will provide what we have. This building was originally build prior to digital records and not all parts are original.
11. Can existing raceways and boxes be utilized for the new fire alarm system?
No
12. If existing raceways and boxes cannot be utilized for the new fire alarm system, can the existing raceways and boxes be left in place?
The specs speak to demo existing components. The users of the facility are prepared to allow for the abandonment in place of existing raceways and boxes.
13. The SOW doesn’t appear to state any non-operational lights are to be replaced with new. Can the government clarify if any non-operational lights are to be replaced with new?
Non-Operational lights that are not within the scope of the work are not to be replaced by the contractor.
14. Will temporary HVAC units be required?
No
15. Can the government provide a phasing plan if the end user will continue to occupy the space?
Government will coordinate with contractor and users of the faclility to create a satisfactory phasing plan. Currently the proposed phasing plan is to execute work in the southern office wing of the facility first, then the western wing with the larger conference room, then finally the northeastern wing with all of the office spaces.
16. With acoustical ceiling grid and tile being removed and replaced, what acoustical ceiling tile and grid should be provided as new? It appears the tile may be Armstrong Designer
#737 but please confirm.
There is no specific product items to list. Match existing as closely as possible in function and aesthetic.
17. Can an additional site visit be given before Friday’s, 9/26 bid date? No additional site visits will be conducted.
18. Can the bid date be extended? No, the bid date cannot be extended.
19. Since the solicitation just came out on Wednesday Sept 17, 2025 with a site visit on Sept 18th, can the bid date be extended and another site visit prior to the new bid date be conducted? No, the bid date cannot be extended and not additional site visits will be conducted.
20. Can the 250-mile proximity to the job site requirement be removed as it limits competition?
The 250-mile requirement will not be removed.
21. Is Firewatch by the subcontractor required during off shift hours, and if so, will a government provided escort be furnished as well?
Users have coordinated Firewatch currently as the current system in non-operational. Fire alarm is currently functional and shall not be de-commissioned until the new fire alarm is commissioned.
22. Will escorts be provided by the Gov during this project?
Users of the facility have agree to provide escort to the facility when needed. Any further coordination Will be directed through the facility manager. (TIM Haire 334 782 4509)
23. Has there been a lead-based paint survey been done on the materials to be demoed? If so, can it be provided? Has there been an asbestos survey? Is asbestos expected to be encountered?
YES YES YES. There has been a hazardous materials survey done on this building which resulted in the finding of both asbestos and lead paint. This survey will be provided but is over a decade out of date. Hazardous materials survey for both lead and asbestos to be done.
24. Will fire suppression be required below the raised flooring?
No
25. Will the end-user employees relocate out of the immediate work area for that week since work hours are 7am-4pm?
Yes, coordinate with facility users to ensure all non-construction personnel are relocated. (TIM Haire 334 782 4509)
26. The solicitation notice has the project labeled as fixed price, though Section M lists it as technically acceptable, best value. Can it be confirmed that the project is fixed price as outlined in the solicitation?
This is a fixed price requirement.
27. The drawings call for the replace fire suppression system to be “double interlock dry pipe.”
The solicitation refers to the system to be installed as dry pipe, and the specs call for wet pipe.
What type of fire suppression system is to be provided as replacement for the existing system?
Specs call for dry-type system. It was mentioned during the site visit that the dry type system was damaged and contaminated with liquid. The dry type system is the only system to be replaced with another dry type system.
28. The drawings notes that “pumping” may be required for replacement in this building. Does the building have a fire pump? If so, should it be replaced?
“pumping” references the pressure regulation for the suppression system. In a typical wet-type system this is commonly done with a ‘pump’ or a motorized piece of equipment that supply water pressure for the system. In dry-type system the pressurization method could be an air ‘pump’ or air compressor or nitrogen generator depending on the specifics of the system. In this case, it is estimated that a nitrogen generator will be required. But this is technically a design choice that must be made by a qualified fire protection engineer so this point has been intentionally made non-specific to allow for design flexibility.
29. The solicitation notes that deadline for questions is Sept 26 at 12 CDT, yet the due date for proposals is also Sept 26 at 12CDT. Can the bid date be extended in order to allow time for the Gov to answer submitted questions?
No.
30. Due to the short time frame between solicitation release and site visit, can another site visit be scheduled?
No.
31. Are there additional drawings that can be provided such as existing system drawings, as-builts, etc that show the basement area, attic and existing systems?
We will provide what we have. This building was originally built prior to digital records and not all parts are original.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .