RFI Responses (2).xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 22 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Fire Alarm System Replacement, Mountain Home AFB
- Solicitation number
- FA489725R0008
About this file
This document is a Request for Information (RFI) response spreadsheet for a fire alarm system replacement project at Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB). The project involves a design-build service to replace the antiquated fire alarm system in Building 2320 (Sagebrush Inn) with a new addressable fire alarm system, addressing outdated panel and devices that violate fire code requirements. The anticipated period of performance is 407 calendar days, with 212 days allocated for design and 180 days for construction, and the project will minimally disrupt ongoing airmen operations by working one floor at a time.
Key project requirements include: installing a new Honeywell Silent Knight addressable fire alarm and mass notification system, using NICET Level 2 certified installers, conducting intelligibility and decibel testing, and ensuring compliance with UFC standards. The project will require a Fire Protection Engineer to stamp designs, with electronic submittals preferred. The government has specified that the project is fire alarm replacement only, with no additional life safety or fire suppression system requirements. Proposal submissions will be accepted, with a construction start date no earlier than June 1, 2026, and the government anticipates a competitive solicitation process with potential adjustments to evaluation factors.
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Sheet1
| Request for Information | Gov't Response | SOW Adjustment Required? |
| 1. If the contractor proposes a shorter POP in their schedule, and doesn’t meet the deadline set in the schedule, will the government start imposing liquidated damages at that time or after the 407 days set in the solicitation? | 1. Liquidated damages will be based on the proposed/contracted PoP. | |
| 2. Will the government have a USACE inspector on site for this project? | 2. Yes | |
| 3. SOW section 4.1.1.2 states “The complete design package shall provide 35%, 65%, 95%, and 100% design deliverables.” SOW sections 5.3.1, 5.10, and the design deliverables schedule on page 20 do not include the 35% design package deliverable. Please clarify what the design deliverables are for this project. | 3. We do not want a 35% prints. SOW adjusted. | Yes |
| 4. Are CAD files available for this building? | 4. N/A, any available drawings have been provided as attachments. There are not additional. | |
| 5. Is the use of terminal strips authorized in j-boxes? | 5. There is no splices allow Per UFC 3-600-01 | |
| 6. SOW section 18.5 states “The Contractor shall ensure all personnel on Site wear safety glasses, reflective safety vest and closed toe boots or shoes at all times.” | 6. |
A. No USACE requires eye protection at all times. SOW adjusted.
| B. high vise shirt/sweatshirt is fine. SOW adjusted. | Yes | ||
| a. Wouldn’t safety glasses only be necessary when performing such work that requires eye protection? | |||
| b. Would high visibility shirts/sweatshirts be acceptable in lieu of reflective safety vests? | |||
| 7. How will the government address the rooms that are occupied during normal working hours? | 7. We will block rooms by floor and adjust accordingly once a timeline has been established for completion. | ||
| 8. Will the government provide a detailed download of the existing (known) addressable fire alarm devices? | 8. There is no existing fire alarm prints | ||
| 9. How many rooms are expected to be unoccupied at the time of construction? | 9. Depends on the timeline. Our expectation is to have a minimum of the third floor empty for the start of the project. | ||
| 10. SOW section 2.0 (a) (5) on page two states “Communication between FACP and the fire department will be done by others”. SOW section 4.1.2.5 states “The Honeywell Silent Knight Addressable FAP/MNS shall communicate with the head-end receiving station at the Fire Station, Bldg 206.” SOW section 4.1.2.11 states “Done by others shall be responsible for the proper communication link and programming between the MNS and the head-end receiving station at the Fire Station, Bldg 206.” | 10. The communication will be a separate contract. SOW adjusted. | Yes | |
| a. Please clarify if it’s the government’s expectation that the contractor is to provide and install necessary cabling and antenna for communication between the FACP/MNS and the Fire Station, Bldg 206. | |||
| b. Please confirm that it is not in the contract to provide programming and communication between the FACP/MNS and the Fire Station, Bldg 206. | |||
| 11. SOW section 4.1.2.6.4 states “Once wallboard is removed from wall or ceiling, it shall be repaired within 14-days. Is it the government’s expectation that the contractor simply covers the opening with sheetrock, or does the contractor need to also tape, finish and paint the sheetrock within 14 days? | 11. All repairs are to be finished within 14 days to included tape, finish, paint as it was before construction | ||
| 12. SOW section 4.1.2.6.2 states “Flex conduit with code approved connectors may be used in lieu of EMT”. SOW section 4.1.2.10.2 states “All boxes, fittings, etc. for routing of signal / power cables shall be painted gloss red to signify fire related.” Is the expectation that the contractor will provide painted gloss red flex conduit? | 12. Yes | ||
| 13. SOW section 4.1.2.10 states “All conduits carrying signal / power cables shall be concealed and under no circumstances shall the conduit be surface-mounted.” SOW section 4.1.2.10.3 states “Exception to above step is: Utility closets and block CMU walls.” | 13. Three sink room 1 per floor, 1st floor Luggage storage and all mech rooms can be surface mount concrete walls are furred out | ||
| a. Please provide the government’s interpretation of what a utility closet is. | |||
| i. Please call out the room numbers of rooms where it’s acceptable to surface mount conduit. | |||
| b. Are storage closets and mechanical rooms included in this exception? | |||
| c. Are concrete walls included in this exception? | |||
| 14. SOW section 4.2 states “Base Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) shall provide all drawings, specifications, reports, and material list that are available for the design identified in this SOW. Please provide as-built drawings for the building to allow the contractor to determine the applicability of components required within the fire alarm system as identified in SOW section 2.0 (a). | 14. All drawings have been provided the panel that is called out is a 6820EVS | ||
| 15. Section 4.1.2.7 states “Old conduits shall be abandoned in place.” SOW section 4.1.2.7.2 states “Decorative junction box covers matching walls, ceilings, etc., shall be used to close former device junction boxes.” Would a blank cover plate painted the color of the walls, ceilings, etc. be acceptable? | 15. If the box is abandoned it should be filled ,textured and painted like the rest of the room | ||
| 16. SOW section 5.3 requires the contractor to provide various project schedules throughout the lifespan of the project using AF Form 3064. Would the government accept the use of Microsoft Project schedules in lieu of AF Form 3064? | 16. Another document can be submitted in support, but an AF Form 3064 will be required. | ||
| 17. SOW section 5.3.1 states “…(See Section 12.0 for guidance in developing this project schedule)” SOW section 12.0 is government furnished equipment. Was the section referenced for guidance in developing this project schedule supposed to be 11.0? | 17. Yes it was. 11.0 is the reference for project schedule development. SOW adjusted. | Yes | |
| 18. SOW section 5.49 states “Remove all construction related debris from the site daily. There are no exceptions to this requirement.” Would the government allow the contractor to provide a dumpster on-site to consolidate construction waste/debris instead of hauling waste/debris offsite daily? | 18. Yes. We will work a location in one of the parking lots next to the building as is standard. SOW adjusted. Added 5.49.4 | Yes | |
| 19. Is it the government’s expectation that no existing piece of uni-strut that is used to support other non-fire alarm systems will be utilized, and all new fire alarm raceway will be supported by newly installed red uni-strut? | 19. As long as the conduit is red existing uni-strut can be used | ||
| 20. Please confirm if the door holders are to be installed as part of this task order. | 20. Yes | ||
| 21. SOW section 2.0 c) states “If applicable, install an appropriately sized split air-conditioning system in the area dedicated to the Fire Alarm Panel in Bldg. 2320 to ensure adequate environment cooling exists for operation of the Fire Alarm Panel and associate equipment.” SOW section 8.15 states “Install a ¾-ton split air-conditioner in room #005”. Is the government directing the contractor to install a ductless split air-conditioner in room #005? | 21. Excluded, SOW adjusted. | Yes | |
| 22. The SOW references UFC 3-600-01. Section 4-37 of this UFC covers Personnel Housing and Similar Lodging Facilities. Section 4-37.2 Automatic Sprinkler Protection states “Complete automatic sprinkler protection must be provided, regardless of floor area or construction type.” Is it the intent of the government to have the contractor’s fire protection engineer provide a fire life safety analysis for all of building 2320, or to only provide services for the replacement of the fire alarm system and mass notification system? | 22. Only the replacement of the fire alarm and mass notification. SOW adjusted to specify fire alarm requirements only. | Yes | |
| 23. Is the government directing the contractor to install new fire rated doors and door frames as part of this contract? | 23. No | ||
| 24. Is it the intent of the government for the contractor to inspect and mitigate all deficiencies as it pertains to fire rated wall assemblies? | 24. No | ||
| 25. Is it the intent of the government for the contractor to inspect and mitigate all deficiencies as it pertains to egress lighting? | 25. No | ||
| 26. Does the government intend to have all submittals submitted two times as suggested in SOW section 5.4? | 26. Yes | ||
| 27. Please confirm the government would like both loose-leaf and bound copies of submittals as well as electronic copies in CDs, DVDs, or email in the native file format (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project, etc.) and in a PDF version of the original as stated in SOW section 5.7. | 27. Electronic only submittals will be accepted. SOW adjusted. | Yes | |
| 28. Please provide AF Form 66. | 28. SOW mentioned forms uploaded to attachments. | ||
| 29. SOW section 5.32 states “The contractor shall identify and obtain all required permits from MHAFB; other Federal, State, and Local Regulatory Agencies; and approvals that will govern and affect the work described in this SOW.” What permits will be required? | 29. No permits are required. | ||
| 30. At the site visit the contractors were told as-built drawings would be provided. Please provide these as-built drawings. | 30. All available drawings have been uploaded as attachments. | ||
| 31. At the site visit there was a discussion about having a second site visit after the pre-bid questions were answered. Please provide the details for this second site visit. | 31. Secondary site visit details provided in SAM solicitation description. | ||
| 32. With the need to open up the walls in multiple locations, does the government have a supply of the existing wallpaper in some of the rooms and hallways that the contractor can use to patch the walls with? | 32. Additional wallpaper is not available. Best recommendation that matches and blends in. | ||
| 33. In SOW section 5.34 states “The Contractor shall accomplish all planning, acquisition, labor, coordination, and project management, construction, installation, and commissioning services associated with the scope of work as per (1) Contract Drawings and (2) Specifications, in accordance to US standards and practices observing all electrical, plumbing, and building codes to replace 100% of the fire alarm system in Building 2320.” Is the intent to also discover and mitigate plumbing deficiencies as part of this project? Please clarify. | 33. Only the code must be observed. With an absence of required plumbing work, no plumbing deficiencies need to be mitigated. | ||
| 34. At the site visit it was discussed that the fire alarm panel is to be moved from the mechanical room to the common area in the corridor by the lobby. Is this a requirement, or is it up to the contractor and design team to determine where the fire alarm panel will be located? | 34. That is where the government would like it | ||
| 35. Are there any noise restrictions for this building during normal working hours? If so, please define the noise limitations and allowable hours to complete work that exceed the noise limits. | 35. No noise restrictions during normal duty hours. Occupants will be notified of the work requirements and will have the opportunity to move off base if necessary. | ||
| 36. If hazardous materials are found after performing a hazardous material survey, will this be seen as a differing site condition per NFC Clause 36-2? | 36. Survey no longer required due to survey conducted by base environmental. SOW adjusted. | Yes | |
| 37. Per SOW section 7.1 the contractor must complete the 100% design before beginning any elements of construction. It has been typical for the contractor to construct from the 95% drawings and submit 100% as-builts at the end of the project. Will the government consider this acceptable? | 37. No, with it being a fire alarm we have to have a 100% with a stamp before construction. As-builts will be another set of prints. | Yes | |
| 38. How many days of review time will the government take at each design phase? | 38. It is in the schedule design, 14 days per phase. | ||
| 39. Please confirm the contractor is to disregard the requirements in the Installation Facility Standards and match the existing finishes. | 39. We request that things look as good as possible and match as best available. | ||
| 40. Please clarify if there are any additional phasing requirements for the construction phase of this project. | 40. There are not. | ||
| 41. Does the government intend to take possession of any of the demolished materials? If so, please clarify which materials. | 41. The gov't will not take possession of any demolished materials. | ||
| 42. Will the contractor be responsible for providing a quality control manager for this project? | 42. Yes. Can be combined with foreman. | ||
| 43. If a quality control manager is required, will they be required to be onsite at all times, or just as needed to perform quality control on definable features of work? | 43. As needed. | ||
| 44. Will the contractor be responsible for providing an environmental manager for this project? | 44. Yes, but can be combined with superintendent. | ||
| 45. If an environmental manager is required, please clarify their responsibilities as they relate to this project. | 45. Any environmental duties will mostly relate to ensuring federal/state regulations, if applicable, are followed. As a hazmat survey is not required. | ||
| 46. Will the contractor be responsible for providing an SSHO for this project? | 46. Yes | ||
| 47. If an SSHO is required, will they need to be onsite at all times? | 47. No, as needed. | ||
| 48. Will the government allow the site superintendent to perform the duties and functions of the quality control manager, environmental manager, and SSHO? | 48. Yes | ||
| a. If not, please clarify the limitations of dual-hatting the responsibilities of the site superintendent, quality control manager, environmental manager, and SSHO. | |||
| 49. With this project being design-build, there is a lot of investigative work to be done to provide a design and create a bid based off the design. Without doing investigative work prior to bidding, will the government issue change orders for additional scope that isn’t currently being requested in this TOPR? Or change orders for additional scope that would require destructive investigation to provide enough design to bring buildings up to proper code requirements? | 49. Any differing site condition from an unpredicatble event/finding will be treated as such. As the investigation cannot be performed before bidding, pricing of destructive investigation should be incorporated into the bid. | ||
| 50. At the site visit it was stated by the facility manager that one floor at a time may be closed off for the contractor to perform work. Please confirm this. | 50. Yes, one floor at a time will be closed off to enable work as well as occupation. | ||
| 51. Each room in the building has furniture/equipment in it. Please confirm who will be responsible for moving this furniture or covering this furniture to protect it from dust/debris. | 51. Contractor will be responsible for covering, moving, or cleaning furniture. | ||
| 52. Is a fire suppression system going to be required as part of this contract? | 52. No | ||
| 53. Would it be acceptable for the contractor to process submittals through ProCore in lieu of loose-leaf paper and electronic copies? | 53. electonic copies will be required. The gov't does not utilize ProCore. | ||
| 54. At the site visit it was stated that this project is solely a fire alarm replacement project. Please confirm that the contractor will not be required to inspect and mitigate any life-safety deficiencies other than fire alarm. | 54. Fire Alarm replacement only | ||
| 55. Will reader boards be required in this project? If so, the specifications of letter size and standard will not allow mounting above man doors where needed. | 55. No reader boards are required on this base | ||
| 56. Will Nicet 2 certification be needed for the installers of the devices/wire installation? | 56. Yes | ||
| 57. With the contract being based on passed history, will the GC be required to list the sub contractor they are proposing to utilize for their FA/MNS installation? | 57. Yes | ||
| 58. Will an intelligibility test be required for all MNS speakers at the end of this project? | 58. Yes. SOW adjusted to include this requirement. Added 10.16.2.1 | Yes | |
| 59. In some rooms that have hard lids, lighting was added with wire mold to get circuits to the lighting locations. If the ceiling is opened up in order to get FA wire and conduit to a new device and this requires the lighting to be removed. Are we to re use the old light, or provide new lighting and rewire to delete the wire molding that was previously installed. | 59. The lighting is not to be touched. If it is absolutely required, reuse as possible. | ||
| 60. Will we be able to utilize a room on each floor for storage of materials essentially creating a laydown yard per floor? | 60. Yes | ||
| 61. Will all emt and fittings be required to be of the compression type? | 61. No set screw is fine | ||
| 62. Will any existing conduits be allowed to be reused if in the wall cavity where we cannot paint red? | 62. As long as it is in the wall cavity and at proper placement | ||
| 63. Will any conduit under the size of ¾’’ be acceptable for use as in the SOW 8.13.2 in parenthesis it states ( or appropriate size as specified by FPE)? | 63. Under 3/4 will not be acceptable. SOW adjusted | ||
| 64. Will a decibal test be required for final testing at the pillow of each room and hall ways? | 64. Yes. SOW adjusted along RFI "58" to include this requirement. Added 10.16.2.2 | Yes | |
| 65. Under section Q letter c- it states the following: |
Pass/fail specialized experience and technical competence. The contractor has in-house capability or an established relationship with an architect & engineering firm with experience in fire alarm system design. The firm must have at least one fire protection engineer with wor The A&E firm must also show that they have completed at least 2 fire alarm system designs within the past 5 years, on either DOD installations or in the private sector. Sub-contracted/consulted personnel by the prime or A&E firm will not count towards this evaluation factor. (Ex. Offeror A has a Fire Protection Engineer and one Senior electrical engineer and the A&E firm they work with has an architectural engineer. This would be acceptable. Offeror B has most of the required engineers but has sub-contracted a lone architectural engineer to fill all requirements. This would not be acceptable. king knowledge of Honeywell Fire alarm systems, one senior electrical engineer, and one architectural engineer.
The A and E firm’s qualifications must be submitted along with the proposal. Qualifications must include the firms name and the names/qualifications of the members that will be working on the design, at a minimum. If the firm’s capability cannot be reasonably established, the proposal will be considered non-responsive, and discussions will not be held to rectify the issue.
It is our understanding the government size standard for this project is 45,000,000 in annual receipts. (NAICS) 236220. Companies of this size typically do not have a full-time A and E firm. Let alone one that has a fire protection engineer on staff. Is it acceptable for the Prime GC to subcontract out with an A and E firm that has the capability to subcontract out to a Fire Protection engineer and an electrical engineer? In the past this has been more that adequate for a project of this nature at MHAFB. 65. Sub-contracting will be acceptable, and the evaluation has been adjusted.
As well, the size standard to determine a small business is $45,000,000 but there is no small business set-aside for this project.
| 66. It is very rare for an A & E firm to have a fire protection engineer on staff. Will the government be willing to change this requirement to allowing the A & E firm or construction company to subcontract out the fire protection engineer? There are very few fire protection engineers in the state of Idaho to begin with. At the site walk it was stated the A & E firm can subcontract the FPE. Can you please verify that is the case in writing. | 66. Per RFI "65", sub-contracting is acceptable. | ||
| 67. What NICET certification is required? Level 2? | 67. Level 2. | ||
| 68. Does this project pertain to fire alarm system only? Are we to bid fire ratings on doors/new doors and frames/fire sprinkler in building? Once awarded the fire protection engineer may say the building is supposed to be fire sprinkled per UFC’s. Are we to keep this out of the scope? The building is currently not fire sprinkled. As discussed at the site walk it was stated it is to be fire alarm system only. Please verify this in writing. | 68. Fire alarm replacement only | ||
| 69. Is the contractor to keep the existing fire alarm system operational until the new system is operational? | 69. Yes | ||
| 70. Will text message boards be a requirement? | 70. No | ||
| 71. Can the government please provide previous design criteria on fire rating requirements. What fire rating are the ceilings and walls on each floor? 1hr-2hr/etc | 71. There is no previous design criteria | ||
| 72. Who will be administering the project? Civil engineering? US Army Corps? /etc | 72. Civil Engineering | ||
| 73. The SOW states: done by others shall be responsible for the proper communication link and programming between the MNS and the head-end receiving station at the fire station. Does this include an antenna? Past projects at MHAFB have required a Monaco antenna on the exterior of the building to transmit back and forth to the fire station. Will it be the contractor’s responsibility to include a Monaco antenna, or will the government handle this? | 73. Government responsibility | ||
| 74. Per project requirements it states to install (26) transmission outputs that allow for: 8 separate MNS pre-recorded messages- and 18 additional customized messages. The Silent Knight system that is specked out is not capable of providing the required 26 message channels that is required. We have verified this with Honeywell. Does the base really need the full 26 customized messages? If so, the Silent Knight system will not work as specified. Silent Knight is currently capped at 15 customized messages. Is this adequate for this project? If not, it is not possible to use Silent Knight for this project, an alternative system will need to be addressed. Potter currently has the capability to use 26 channels as an alternative. Please advise. | 74. 8 prerecorded messages is all that is needed. SOW adjusted. | Yes | |
| 75. Request clarification on the following from the following section. | |||
| A complete design package shall be designed by a licensed Architect-Engineer (A&E) firm. Design and review shall proceed by providing 35%, 65%, 95%, and 100% design submittals, with the 100% design submittal officially stamped by a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Idaho. The A&E shall provide adequate professional supervision with a licensed Fire Protection Engineer and quality control to ensure the accuracy, quality, and timeliness, and completeness of the work during execution of the design. | 75. |
A. A Nicet IV can design it but a FPE must stamp it with their approval
B. Intermediate reviews are not required.
| a. Is the A&E firm designing the FA system, providing a PE stamp with supervision from an FPE (Fire Protection Engineer), or are we allowed to have it designed and stamped by a NICET IV (FA Systems) certified engineer? | |
| b. Are the intermediate reviews required or are we allowed to submit 100% only for government review and comment? | |
| 76. Fire Alarm Panel Location – Room 005 | |
| The SOW indicates that the new fire alarm control panel is to be installed in Room 005. However, Attachment #4 (“As-Built Layout”) is not legible. Please provide a clear floor plan showing the location of Room 005. | 76. Location will be within the first floor middle stairwell. Exact location will be noted during the secondary site visit with pictures provided of the area afterwards. |
| 77. Hazardous Materials Survey (Asbestos and Lead Paint) | |
| The SOW states that the building was originally constructed in 1997. As this is considered relatively new construction, please confirm whether a hazardous materials (asbestos and lead paint) survey will be required for this project. | 77. Survey will not be required. MHAFB Environmental office has determined that no asbestos or lead based paint are present. SOW adjusted in 1.0 Introduction |
| (See RFI 49) | Yes |
| 78. Unknown Hazardous Materials – Cost Coverage |
If a hazardous materials survey will be conducted after contract award, the General Contractor will have no means to evaluate the type or quantity of hazardous materials prior to bid submission.
| To address this uncertainty, would the Government consider including a Bid option, Lump Sum Dollar Value on the bid form for all bidders to include in their proposals, specifically to cover unforeseen conditions related to asbestos or lead paint abatement? | 78. Hazardous materials survey not required. SOW adjusted in 1.0 Introduction |
| (See RFI 49) | Yes |
| 79. Existing Doors, Frames and Hardware | |
| Many existing doors currently do not have closers. If the Fire Protection Engineer determines that existing doors, frames, or hardware must be installed or upgraded to meet applicable fire or building code requirements, please confirm whether this scope of work is to be included under this contract or will be handled separately by the Owner. | 79. No |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .