Attachment 17 - Questions and Answers 20R0010_21R0002 Amendment 6 Fire Protection 20201203.pdf

Repair HVAC Dormitory, B2405 B2406, FA4418-20-R-0010

Fire Protection Addendum Questions and

Answers

03 DEC 2020

1. Please clarify the room location that will house the head - end FAMNS equipment. The existing system is located in room E105 for both buildings on the as built drawings. This is the Main Electric Room for the building and is full of panels, a switchboard, and telecom equipment. The new system will not fit in the existing equipment footprint. Therefore, it will have to be located elsewhere. The basis for design drawings issued with Addendum 3, show the room as the Janitor room E107 on the as built drawings. However, it is labeled E105 Electric and FA on the basis for design drawings. We were unable to access room E107 during the walk-thru. Is E107 the intended FAMNS room?

CE Response: The contractor may utilize Rm 106 (Telephone Room) for the main fire alarm panel and mass notification system in each building. Exact location within rooms 106 to be determined by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

2. 98% of the conduit will be installed outside in the exterior corridor walkways. Basis of design drawing FA-08, Conduit Schedule implies EMT Conduit. Specification Section 26 20 00, paragraph 3.1.2.1, line item e, specifies that EMT conduit cannot be used outdoors. Please clarify if Rigid Conduit is required outdoors, or is EMT Conduit acceptable?

CE Response: 26 20 00 Covers Interior Electrical Distribution, not Fire Alarm Systems. EMT for exterior wall and ceiling shall be allowed in accordance with UFC 3-600-01, Fire Alarm Systems, para. 9-18.9.2.

3. The previous RFI questions included a request to provide more information on the scope and location of the exterior sealant replacement referenced in Note 1.B. on Sheet W100, such as an elevation, quantity, etc., so that a somewhat educated estimate of the amount of caulking and joints could be determined. The government’s response was “The contract documents indicates the scope of work. No additional caulking is required at this time.” After the walk through this week, the amount of caulking is extensive and cannot be accurately determined with the documents issued to date. In order to generate a reasonable estimate of the amount and cost a complete set of elevation as-builts will need to be provided, the government needs to propose the quantity for all contractors to use in their bid preparation, or an allowance should be included on the bid form for joint sealant replacement. This will keep the bid process fair and equitable.

CE Response: Please see addendum for additional plan drawings included to clarify the exterior joint sealing. File name: W401-W404 Elevations FA441821R0010 20201203.

Drawings added are W401-404.

4. The specifications indicate that the devices, circuits, and installations are to be Class A whereas the drawings indicate that they are Class “B”. Please clarify which configuration is required.

CE Response: Wiring shall be Class “A” in accordance with Specification section 28 31 76 Para 1.4.12

5. The Drawings & Spec Indicate Fire Alarm Replacement, The Spec Indicates Mass Notification?

CE Response: YES, the occupancy of the facility mandates the system to incorporate mass notification in accordance with UFC 4-010-01.

6. The Existing Monaco Antenna System, Will it stay in place?

CE Response: The existing Monaco antenna shall be replaced with new in accordance with 28 31 76 para 2.19.1.4

7. Does the Existing System have to maintain until the New is accepted?

CE Response: Not entirely. Each building has four wings. Each wing shall remain on the existing system until construction starts on that wing. Once a wing is accepted, the new system for that wing shall become active.

8. The Existing conduits & Drawings indicate a “B” System, Is that to remain as is, or are we to provide a return path? A return path in a separate conduit may mean either ceilings demo or exposed work?

CE Response: Wiring shall be Class “A”, existing system will be replaced with new. Exposed work is acceptable. The Class “A” wiring shall require a separate and new return conduit system.

9. A. The existing smoke detectors in the Quarters, are they 110VAC? B. Are they to supply a supervisory to the Fire Panel? C. And are they to be system Smoke Detectors with 520 MHz bases or do they exist?

CE Response: A-Entire fire alarm system shall be replaced, existing voltage is moot. B & C- Install New system shall be in accordance with SPEC 28 31 76.

10. If Mass Notification, is there a LOC per floor, or just 1 on Level 1?

CE Response: Please refer to SPEC 28 31 76. The installation of the new system shall be in accordance with SPEC 28 31 76.

11. Will the Government provide an approximate linear footage of fire alarm conduit needed for the new fire alarm system SOW in Clin’s 003/004 as there are many variances on the B2408 drawings available?

CE Response: The Contractor is to use the B2408 design as a guide to the design of the B2405 and 2406 Fire Alarm Systems. As built planss for B2405 and B2406 to estimate the linear feet of conduit required.

12. Are subcontractors to assume that all existing conduit be re-used for the fire alarm SOW in Clin’s

003/004?

CE Response: No. Additional conduit will be required. Contractor should not assume any conduit will be able to be reused. The contractor shall bid the fire alarm portion of the project to include all new surface mounted conduit and a separate return conduit system for the Class “A” wiring system. The reuse of existing conduit will be on a case by case basis after the award process. A credit will be issued to the Government for any portion of a new conduit system not run.

13. Are all Fire Alarm devices to be mounted in existing locations?

CE Response: Locations to be determined by contractor’s FPE.

14. Being that all ceilings in the dormitory bedrooms are drywall ceilings, is subcontractor to bid a substantial amount of drywall repair in order to replace existing Fire Alarm System?

CE Response: Dormitory bedrooms are concrete ceilings. Surface mounted conduit is acceptable. Repairs will only be necessary for removed devices, conduit and other associated fire alarm apparatus in accordance with Spec section 28 31 76 paragraph 1.3.1 (e). Also refer to Spec section 28 31 76 paragraph 3.7.

15. Who will be responsible for movement/protection of furniture throughout the duration of the project?

CE Response: The contractor shall be responsible for moving and protection of Government property as necessary.

16. Will exterior work (sealant/joint replacement/roof work/etc) be permitted to be completed all at once (per building vs per wing) or is that SOW only going to be permitted to be completed per wing (that would make a substantial amount of mobilizations/demobilizations for these trades which in turn raises costs)?

CE Response: Any exterior work on an occupied wing of a building that does not affect the conditioned air in that occupied wing will be authorized at the CO’s discretion on a case by case basis. The safety of the occupants near the work area will be the consideration for approval. Request for work outside the designated unoccupied wing must be submitted 14 days in advance.

17. What work will be required to be completed prior to moving to the next wing of the building being worked on?

CE Response: The wing must be habitable (fire alarm and all HVAC) before moving to the next wing. This means that any required pre-final and final inspections for this work shall be completed and the wing accepted before moving on. Training, including delivery of O&M manuals, shall be provided for the first wing in each building within 8 weeks of the pre-final inspection for that wing. This doesn’t include exterior work.

18. Is the existing Fire Alarm system a Class A system or Class B system? What fire code is the new Fire Alarm system to be designed to?

CE Response: Wiring shall be Class “A” in accordance with Specification section 28 31 76 Para 1.4.12. Refer to Specification Section 28 31 76 para 1.1 References for applicable design criteria.

19. Are all subcontractors to price repair of rotted framework behind EIFS at soffit areas if it is found to be rotted or will that be addressed on a case by case basis?

CE Response: Unseen deterioration of framework behind EIFS cannot be accessed prior to bid award. If found during construction, it will be evaluated for remediation/repair at that time as required.

20. How far into the building does the sealant/joint replacement go? Is it to include breezeway and exterior wall where doors and windows to the rooms are? Is it to include concrete stairwell area in the center of the buildings? What is the Governments definition of ALL exterior walls (See note 5 on design sheet W201)?

CE Response: See response to question #3. Depth is not known at this time. Contractors are advised to assume an industry standard depth. Original As-builts were also previously provided by Amendment 4 to aid in estimating the work.

21. With the Government adding such a large Fire Alarm SOW in Clins 003/004, will the Government consider extending the bid due date to 08 Dec 2020?

CONS Response: Bid date was previously extended to Dec 10, 2020 by Amendment 5.

22. Will the Government be providing more parking spaces/areas for subcontractors to park at above the 6 stated (this seems like a meager amount for the magnitude of the project)?

CE Response: No additional approved parking will be allowed than what was previously indicated.