ACOUSTIC TESTING-Repair Secure Area Questions Rev. 2- 6-30.pdf

ACOUSTIC TESTING – REPAIR SECURE AREA

Answered Questions All questions need to be submitted by 5:00pm CST on 30 June 2025

1. Is this a brand new contract OR was there an incumbent performing these services in the past?

a. This is a new requirement.

2. Will contractor-owned laptops and portable audio measurement equipment be permitted for use inside the secure areas of the facility? If so, are there any specific restrictions, declaration forms, or security protocols we must follow?

a. Only electronic equipment necessary to conduct the acoustic testing will be permitted into the secure facility (e.g., no personal cellphones). A list of all expected equipment to be brought into the facility will be requested prior to testing.

3. Will floor plans or room layouts be shared during the RFQ process to help the consultant prepare a test plan before the site visit?

a. Yes, we can provide a floor plan layout to assist with the preparation of a test plan.

4. The PWS states that site access is limited to Monday through Friday, 0800 - 1600. Based on our past experience with the 76 SWEG Bldg 9001 Post E45 project, after-hours access was necessary to achieve the low background noise levels required for valid STC and NIC measurements and to align with facility security protocols. For this project, should we anticipate the ability to coordinate after-hours or weekend access, and if so, what is the process for doing so?

a. If after-hours access is necessary to accomplish accurate acoustic testing, scheduling should be coordinated with PZIOA as well as the Site Security Manager and/or Construction Security Manager who will provide security escort during testing. Coordination should take place as early as possible, but at least 7 days in advance. Weekend work will not be permitted.

5. Having been around secure facilities, I'm aware that they are often interested in testing at "weak" points (e.g., a ventilation duct or door seal), whereas the standards focus on an overall average that would generally incorporate but specifically pay no particular attention to these weak spots. The PWS mentions "doors and penetration points" which suggests that at least some point measurements will have to be made. It looks like there are 19 partitions and 6 ceilings, plus individual penetration points. Please confirm.

a. For example, if two separate rooms share the same wall, I am not sure what the standard testing approach is to evaluate the acoustic integrity of that wall. It may be considered 13 partitions and 7 ceilings. However, the entire ceiling is constructed the same throughout the space so perhaps that would be considered 1 ceiling in 7 different rooms. Reference the attached PDF reflecting the floorplan layout with dimensions and partitions identified by number.

6. The PWS mentions that ceilings will also have to be tested. Which raises the question of access and clearance above - will I need to bring my own ladders? What kind of clearance is there between the roof and the ceiling above?

a. A ladder will be available on-site to access both the ceiling within the facility and roof/hard cap of the facility. There is approximately 5.5ft of clearance between the roof/hard cap and the ceiling above.

7. What will be the occupancy of nearby spaces? Measuring STC 50 with really loud sources still leaves very low sound levels in adjacent spaces - and activity noise from others nearby can interfere with the tests. Should I be planning to encounter others having conversations or doing work nearby? That might lead to second shift activity which requires special permission.

a. Adjacent to the facility perimeter, there is an office space occupied by less than 20 individuals and two public restrooms. The sound in adjacent spaces is typically low to moderate (i.e., human conversations to flushing toilets). If it is determined that after-hours testing is necessary to accomplish accurate testing, that can be coordinated as stated above.

8. What happens if the test is not successful? I've had it happen where I was making measurements, the results were "close", and a sequence of attempts to fix it ensued.

a. We will likely have a sound masking system installed by the time of formal acoustic testing, so IF we are close to our desired STC value but not quite achieving it, we may activate the internal sound masking system to determine whether that improves our STC value.

9. I do not have a security clearance. One SCIF I helped optimize was so sensitive that I wasn't allowed to see any part of it - I had to send the contractor in with my sound level meter, interpret the data, and make recommendations for improvements. (It worked). The PWS makes it sound like this won't be a problem. Correct? Please confirm.

a. A security clearance is not required. However, the “tester(s)” is required to be a U.S. citizen and will be escorted into the space by the customer’s Site Security Manager or Construction Security Manager.

10. There's also a requirement for reverberation testing. That's a part of the field sound transmission loss test normally but it doesn't typically get reported. Please confirm if this contract requires this data separately.

a. This contract does not require this data to be separately reported.

11. The scope of work list on the document says the following: 1.3. Testing Service: 1.3.1.

Total testing square feet (sqft.): approximately 1,500 sqft 1.3.2. Partitions to be tested*:

Room 101: two (2) partitions Room 102: four (4) partitions Room 104: three (3) partitions Room 105: four (4) partitions Room 106: three (3) partitions Room 107: three

(3) partitions *Partitions include any doors and/or penetration points associated with the partition. The ceiling of each room must be tested as well.

Do the quantities listed include the ceiling of each room, or is that an additional partition that must be tested?

a. A re-calculation of the partitions/ceiling was identified above (in response to the “weak points” question) and an attachment of the facility floorplan has been provided.