RFI 003-YTPM 24-0005 Fire Detection System Govt Response 03242025.pdf

RFI FORM

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION REPORT (RFI)

RFI NO.

PAGE NO.

SOLICITATION NO.

FA660625R0001

SOLICITATION TITLE

Repair Fire Detection System, Building 1850

Contractor's Request for Information

REQUESTED BY:

Cornerstone

DATE REQUESTED:

19 March 2025

Potential Cost Impact

[No] Potential Schedule

SUBCONTRACTOR

RFI

DRAWINGS

INFORMATION REQUESTED:

ATTACHMENTS FROM CONTRACTOR: (1 attachment)

Question:

1. Please confirm if taxes should be carried in proposals?

Answer: In accordance with FAR 29.302(a), “Generally, purchases and leases made by the Federal Government are immune from State and local taxation.” No taxes should be carried in the proposal.

At contractor’s request, a form ST-5C will be provided to the prime contractor.

Question:

2. Please confirm if any state, local, and/or Federal permits will be required on this project?Answer:

Question:

3. Please confirm if there are any known hazardous materials?

Answer:

Question:

4. Please confirm if the government will provide replacement ceiling tiles for the tiles that have devices in them currently?

Answer:

Question:

5. Please confirm if MC cable is acceptable to try and fish to devices where there are hard ceilings?

Answer:

Question:

6. If above the hard ceiling is inaccessible, and there is existing surface mounted conduit, will surface mounted conduit be acceptable for the new installation in these areas?

Answer:

NOTE: THE RFI SYSTEM IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT MECHANISM FOR RESPONDING TO CONTRACTOR'S REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION. IT DOES NOT PROVIDE AUTHORITY TO PROCEED WITH ADDITIONAL WORK. IF THE CONTRACTOR CONSIDERS THE RFI RESPONSE A CHANGED CONDITION, PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE

IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONTRACT PROVISIONS.

QA REVIEWER'S SIGNATURE DATE

As a minimum, see paragraph 8.A of the SOW. There are no special DoD or AF permits reuired.

There are no indications that hazardous materials will be encoutered under this project. A NESHAP study that was conducted previously is attached.

The intention is to reuse existing tiles. After award we will discuss means and methods to see if there is a way to suspend the existing device in space while installing the new device in the existing tile.

MC cable is approved for this purpose. Cable must be Fire Alarm rated and meet NFPA 70 and 72 requirements.

Yes, in any space that does not have drop in ceilings, the contractor can use a surface mount system like Wiremold. It shall be white in color.

RFI NO.

PAGE NO.

SOLICITATION NO.

FA660625R0001

SOLICITATION TITLE

Repair Fire Detection System, Building 1850

Contractor's Request for Information

REQUESTED BY:

Cornerstone

DATE REQUESTED:

19 March 2025

Potential Cost Impact

[No] Potential Schedule

SUBCONTRACTOR

RFI

DRAWINGS

INFORMATION REQUESTED:

ATTACHMENTS FROM CONTRACTOR: (1 attachment)

Question:

7. Will it be required to tie into any other systems (Boilers, HVAC, etc.) into the Fire Alarm system to shut the systems down upon alarm activation?

Answer:

Question:

8. Is there space available in the facility for the awarded contractor to set up a Superintendent’s office/desk?

Answer:

Question:

9. Please confirm if the Superintendent can be the SSHO & QC Manager or do contractors need to have two people on site at all times work is going on?

Answer:

Question:

10. Can the Governemnt provide their point of contact for Monaco?

Answer:

Question:

11. Please confirm all on site work hours will be on regular hours (7:00am-3:30pm)?

Answer:

Question:

12. Will any escorts be required by the contractors? If so, please provide rate for the escort?

Answer:

NOTE: THE RFI SYSTEM IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT MECHANISM FOR RESPONDING TO CONTRACTOR'S REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION. IT DOES NOT PROVIDE AUTHORITY TO PROCEED WITH ADDITIONAL WORK. IF THE CONTRACTOR CONSIDERS THE RFI RESPONSE A CHANGED CONDITION, PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE

IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONTRACT PROVISIONS.

QA REVIEWER'S SIGNATURE DATE

New system shall be UFC and NFPA 70 and 72 compliant.

No.

Yes, for this job, a qualified individual could fill all three positions.

This is not a Monaco system., The correct regular hours (07:00am-4:15pm), see paragraph 10.B of the General Conditions.

There will be no costs to the Contractor if escorts are needed for any sensitive area.

RFI NO.

PAGE NO.

SOLICITATION NO.

FA660625R0001

SOLICITATION TITLE

Repair Fire Detection System, Building 1850

Contractor's Request for Information

REQUESTED BY:

Cornerstone

DATE REQUESTED:

19 March 2025

Potential Cost Impact

[No] Potential Schedule

SUBCONTRACTOR

RFI

DRAWINGS

INFORMATION REQUESTED:

ATTACHMENTS FROM CONTRACTOR: (1 attachment)

Question:

13. Please confirm the laydown area for contractors to use?

Answer:

Question:

14. Is third-party commissioning of the fire alarm system required?

Answer:

Question:

15. Will contractors have to have an Air Force fire watch person for this work? If so, what is the rate for the fire watch person?

Answer:

Question:

16. Is the existing MNS system UL listing to be used for EVACS? **According to NFPA-72, FA are listed UL 864 and can be used for MNS, whereas MNS – UL 2572 cannot be used for FA. The alternative is to put in fire alarm notification devices and remove existing MNS speakers/strobes and interface the two systems to allow existing MNS system to playback MNS messages through the new FA speakers.

Answer:

Question:

17. If existing MNS can be used for FA, does the existing MNS required to be upgraded to meet current code? May need amber lens replaced with clear (I heard devices don’t offer lens replacement, so device replacement is required for 24 speaker/strobe devices. Speaker spacing is unknown for audio performance to meet audio sound pressure level and speech intelligibility, etc. Consider adding unit price to swap/add visual/speaker devices, and message board to cover changes during CA.

Answer:

NOTE: THE RFI SYSTEM IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT MECHANISM FOR RESPONDING TO CONTRACTOR'S REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION. IT DOES NOT PROVIDE AUTHORITY TO PROCEED WITH ADDITIONAL WORK. IF THE CONTRACTOR CONSIDERS THE RFI RESPONSE A CHANGED CONDITION, PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE

IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONTRACT PROVISIONS.

QA REVIEWER'S SIGNATURE DATE

There is plenty of space in the front parking lot for the Contractor to establish a secure storage area.

The Westover Fire Department will commision the system.

No, any Fire Watch is the reposnsibility of the Contractor.

The two systems can be integrated but the MNS messages and the MNS mic must override the fire alarm.

Yes, it is the intent to use the MNS as the A/V devices for the FA systm. As such, all existing MNS devices need to be changed to meet current code. The existing devices with amber lenses shall be salvaged and returned to the Government. Although the MNS was originally installed to code, it is correct to state that the new system designer must ensure that the system complies with requirements for spacing and intelligibility. Additional devices may be required.

RFI NO.

PAGE NO.

SOLICITATION NO.

FA660625R0001

SOLICITATION TITLE

Repair Fire Detection System, Building 1850

Contractor's Request for Information

REQUESTED BY:

Cornerstone

DATE REQUESTED:

19 March 2025

Potential Cost Impact

[No] Potential Schedule

SUBCONTRACTOR

RFI

DRAWINGS

INFORMATION REQUESTED:

ATTACHMENTS FROM CONTRACTOR: (1 attachment)

Question:

18. Is CO detection required as part of Fire Alarm System design? I think they have boiler for heating, but building is business use and not residential.

Answer:

Question:

19. Are there any initiating devices that can be reused? I am pretty sure existing pull station are not at the correct height between 42” to 48” AFFL, and potential compatibility issues with existing devices.

Answer:

Question:

20. What is the building classification for the design of fire alarm?

Answer:

Question:

21. Are there any fossil fuel appliance (boilers, air handlers, etc.) in the building? If there are, is CO detection required as part of Fire Alarm System scope?

Answer:

Question:

22. Does the existing mass notification system (MNS) comply with UL listing for Fire Alarm (i.e. NFPA-72, or otherwise)?

Answer:

Question:

23. If the existing MNS is fire alarm UL listing compliant, is it required for the existing amber lens notification devices to be replaced with clear (per current code requirements)?

Answer:

NOTE: THE RFI SYSTEM IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT MECHANISM FOR RESPONDING TO CONTRACTOR'S REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION. IT DOES NOT PROVIDE AUTHORITY TO PROCEED WITH ADDITIONAL WORK. IF THE CONTRACTOR CONSIDERS THE RFI RESPONSE A CHANGED CONDITION, PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE

Yes, in the Mechanical Room.

All existing MNS devices need to be changed to meet current code. The existing devices with amber lenses shall be salvaged and returned to the Government.

Yes, however, amber lenses are no longer allowed in new devices. See next response.

All devices are to be new and installed to code.

Office areas are Business Group B, Light Hazard. The mechanical, electrical and storage rooms are Ordinary Group 2, Normal Hazard.

Yes, in the mechanical room. System to be UFC and NFPA compliant.

RFI NO.

PAGE NO.

SOLICITATION NO.

FA660625R0001

SOLICITATION TITLE

Repair Fire Detection System, Building 1850

Contractor's Request for Information

REQUESTED BY:

Cornerstone

DATE REQUESTED:

19 March 2025

Potential Cost Impact

[No] Potential Schedule

SUBCONTRACTOR

RFI

DRAWINGS

INFORMATION REQUESTED:

ATTACHMENTS FROM CONTRACTOR: (1 attachment)

Question:

24. Is it acceptable for any initiating devices to be reused if practical, or do they have to all be replaced (specifically pull stations that are not at ADA compliant locations)?

Answer:

Question:

25. Regarding PE stamping, is it acceptable for the initial Tier 1 - design drawings (layout, performance design, equipment types, details, etc.) be stamped by a licensed State of Massachusetts Mech or Elec PE (with appropriate fire alarm experience). Then the formal Teir 2 - installation shop drawings and final Tier 3 - As-builts stamped by a Fire Protection specific PE (i.e. QFPE per definitions)?

Answer:

Question:

26. Does the project have a Buy American requirement throughout all equipment and materials?

Answer: Please reference FAR 52.225-9, Buy American-Construction Materials. This clause is included in the solicitation for this project.

Question:

27. For new fire alarm devices in new walls or hard ceiling locations, can the raceway to the device be surface mounted (vs. opening wall and/or ceilings)?

Answer:

Question:

28. Are any fire alarm maintenance contract costs to be included in the scope of the work? If so, for what time duration?

Answer:

NOTE: THE RFI SYSTEM IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT MECHANISM FOR RESPONDING TO CONTRACTOR'S REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION. IT DOES NOT PROVIDE AUTHORITY TO PROCEED WITH ADDITIONAL WORK. IF THE CONTRACTOR CONSIDERS THE RFI RESPONSE A CHANGED CONDITION, PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE

All new devices shall be code compliant.

That is acceptable.

Yes, in any space that does not have drop in ceilings, the contractor can use a surface mount system like Wiremold. It shall be white in color.

No.

Richard B. Colburn, Jr