2_-_GS10P16LTR9000_A006_Q A_24_May_2016.docx

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Public Buildings Service – Northwest/Arctic Region 10 Construction Acquisition Division (10PQC)

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Solicitation Number: GS10-P-16-LT-R-9000 Title of Project: 911 Federal Building Design Build Elevator Modernization Date: 24 May 2016 Amendment 006

The following questions were received through 23 May 2016.

Contractor Editorial: In the recently released statement of work for the above referenced project there is no mention of numerous life safety work items that will need to be performed. A simple walk through does not provide the time to make a detailed analysis of the status of the existing systems effected by the elevator modernization. These systems are:

1. Fire Alarm system and its control modules

2. Location and quantity of Heat Detectors

3. Adequacy of building sprinkler systems

4. Operation of Shunt trip devices

5. Presence of necessary signaling devices on the existing Automatic Transfer Switch for Emergency Generator operation

6. Fire Rating of the Hoistway enclosure. No access to this space was provided.

7. Telephone system

One example would be the high probability that additional Fire Alarm Control Modules will be needed to be added to the existing Fire Alarm system. This work will be required to be performed by the current Fire Alarm maintenance provider. This modification will require a 10% test of the entire building fire alarm system by GSA and the contractor. This brings up the following questions.

Q12. Who will be responsible for paying for this work, including submittals of the new equipment and its integration?

A12. The installation contractor's team will be fully responsible for providing all related physical electrical connections and integration to ensure fully functional and code compliant system. In addition, the installing contractor will be responsible for all tests meeting the requirements of the code to ensure full functionality of the system to meet the requirements as stated above.

GSA Region 10 Policy: In addition to the code compliance requirements of NFPA and ANSI, ALL elevator(s) and/or lift(s) serving the facility must be provided individual addressable fire alarm monitors and/or relays for the following fire alarm system related functions:

Primary Recall, Secondary Recall, Power Monitoring, Shunt Trip & Fire Hat.

Please review all applicable "additional" requirements in the GSA Region 10 Policy. No assumption of current systems code compliance should be made. Contractor will be responsible for complete design and installation which conforms to all current codes and standards. All as-built documentation provided as part of this RFP will be for information purposes only. All data will require verification of accuracy by D-B contractor during due diligence / inspection phase of project. This effort shall take place prior to design phase. All electrical connections to ensure full functionality are the responsibility of installing contractor.

Q13. If the contractor is responsible for payment, who is the current Fire Alarm maintenance company?

A13. Total System Services Inc. (TSSI) subcontracts with Western States.

Q14. If GSA will be providing this work will the contractor be responsible for the 10% testing?

A14. The installation contractor's team will be fully responsible for providing all related physical electrical connections and integration to ensure fully functional and code compliant system.

In addition to the acceptance test conducted by the installation contractor for the applicable project, if new devices are to be added to the existing FACP, a 10% FACP test will be required to be conducted by the contractor and will also be required to be witnessed by the GSA FPE.

Q15. Is the current Fire Alarm system and addressable system? A very large inference in costs if it is not.

A15. Yes, the current fire alarm system (EST3) is addressable.

Q16. A modernization of this scope has numerous requirements in Elevator installation and more importantly operation. The elevators are required to perform several tasks associated with the above systems which they currently probably do not. Should the design and modernization/replacement of these building life safety systems be included in our bid?

A16. The installation contractor's team will be fully responsible for providing all related physical electrical connections and integration to ensure fully functional and code compliant system. In addition, the installing contractor will be responsible for all tests meeting the requirements of the code to ensure full functionality of the system to meet the requirements as stated above

See also para 1.7.2 Fire Protection/Life Safety in the DB SOW

1.7.2 Fire Protection/Life Safety

Except as otherwise indicated in referenced programming documents, fire protection and life safety design requirements must comply with PBS-P100. As provided in PBS-P100, NFPA 101 is the primary applicable standard. In cases where NFPA is silent on an issue, and IBC addresses the issue, the IBC requirement will apply.

In addition, the Region 10 AHJ has published its own requirements, specific to this region. They may be viewed and downloaded at https://insite.staging.gsa.gov/portal/content/674498. If bidders have difficulties accessing this link, the most current version will be posted with the other bid documents as an exhibit. The registered fire protection engineer is required to be a full participant in the Project Delivery Team throughout the Design and Construction Stages of the project. The Contractor’s fire protection engineer shall submit verification in writing that he/she has been involved at all phases of the design stage document preparation.

Q17. ASME A17.1 code has a temperature range that Elevator Machine Rooms must be maintained at. It is 41-104F. Due to this requirement most Elevator Manufacturers will only warranty their equipment if the Elevator Machine rooms are maintained within this range. In addition this temperature range is required to be posted on the Elevator Controllers in the machine room. Due to possible malfunctions with Computerized Elevator Controllers created by overheating which have the possibility to create emergency shutdowns of the elevators; this code item has become a priority for many inspectors and Elevator Companies due to possible passenger injury and litigation.

A17. Elevator machine room is conditioned space and maintained at 70-75 degrees and conforms to the requirements in ASME A17.1. No assumption of current systems code compliance should be made. Contractor will be responsible for complete design and installation which conforms to all current codes and standards.

Q18. Another item you might want to consider is the status of the existing hoistway lighting. We were not provided with access to the hoistways. Generally speaking most Federal Building Elevators have lighting throughout the hoistway. In this case there could be 50 light fixtures. These light fixtures are usually incandescent or fluorescent. GSA standards require that these lights be replaced with LED bulbs and ASME code requires the fixtures to have either a metal guard or a device that encapsulates the bulb in case it is broken. There are also Code requirements for minimum Lumen levels in all Elevator Pits and Secondary spaces.

A18. Passenger hoistway lighting exists with one fixture per floor in between the cars on each bank. Freight hoistway and pits lighting is also present. GSA does not have a “standard” for replacing incandescent bulbs with LED; however, that is a favorable option for energy savings. No assumption of current systems code compliance should be made. Contractor will be responsible for complete design and installation which conforms to all current codes and standards.

image1.png