HHS0016834 Addendum 02 Addendum Item 02 QA .pdf
PDF 113 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- HHS0016834
- Issued by
- Travis County, Austin City, Texas
About this file
This document is an addendum containing responses to bidder questions for Project 24-101-AUL, a fire alarm system upgrade project managed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission at the Austin State Supported Living Center. The project involves comprehensive installation of new, NFPA 72 code-compliant fire alarm systems in two buildings: Building 732 (34,820 square feet) and Building 533 (13,959 total square feet across two floors). The specification requires non-proprietary addressable fire alarm systems that can interface with existing Notifier (Honeywell) systems if they are open source compatible. All new wiring must be installed in conduit in accordance with Project Manual Section 284621.11. Work hours are limited to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless otherwise approved by the Owner and Authority Having Jurisdiction; however, certain activities such as site work and trenching may occur after-hours to minimize traffic disruption. The Owner will furnish door magnetic locks. CAD files of floor plans will be provided to the awarded contractor, and detailed construction drawings including duct smoke detector locations and steam tunnel maps are available as referenced in Addendum 02. Field personnel must meet certification requirements established by the State of Texas Fire Marshal office and Texas Department of Insurance, with the Electronic Security Association certification accepted as an alternative to NICET Level III certification for qualifying roles.
The addendum confirms that no preferred fire alarm system manufacturer exists, and any head-end Fire Alarm Control Unit and components meeting or exceeding the detailed specifications are acceptable. Respondents must include unit costs for duct smoke detectors and smoke and fire dampers in their pricing proposals as specified in Exhibit F. The project budget is approximately $280,000 with a fixed-price award structure based on best value. Contractors must maintain an "A" rating from ISNetworld, possess a minimum of five years of similar construction experience, provide three comparable project references, and submit a Historically Underutilized Business subcontracting plan for this contract exceeding $100,000. A security bond of not less than 5% of the potential total proposed cost is required. Mandatory facility site visits occurred on December 11 and 16, 2025, with proposal submissions due January 14, 2026, and an anticipated contract award date of February 10, 2026.
View the file
Other files
Show all 29
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
PCS 134 HHS Responses to Questions
Effective Date 06/26/2015 Page 1 of 4 Reviewed Date 09/18/2025
Solicitation Title: Project 24-101-AUL, Fire Alarm Upgrades, Austin, TX
Solicitation Number: HHS0016834
# Reference Question Response
1.
We are looking to be part of the bidding process for the fire alarm system project on the ASSLC campus, and while the specs are wide open, someone on our staff that is familiar with the campus stated that the campus has all Notifier systems that are networked together, so I wanted to check and see if that applies the new fire alarm system before we got in too deep.
The existing systems are indeed Notifier. The specification requires non-proprietary systems. If the proposed new systems can interface with the existing Notifier (Honeywell) systems and are open source, then they can be used.
2.
I wanted to confirm if the fire wire above the ceiling grid is housed in Conduit, and if the new system will also need to be housed in conduit above the grid?
Not all conduit for the entire building was surveyed, but what was surveyed was in conduit. All new wiring shall be in conduit.
Refer to Attachment H-2, Project Manual, Section 284621.11. Note the special requirements in Part 3.7, Pathways.
3.
Will the owner furnish the door mag locks?
Refer to Attachment H-2, Project Manual, Section 011000 – Summary, Part 1.4 (C.).
Owner will furnish door magnetic locks.
Effective Date 06/26/2015 Page 2 of 4 Reviewed Date 09/18/2025
4.
If the buildings are occupied 24/7, why would the work need to be done at night or on weekends if the tenants were present or sleeping? It seems that the work would take longer if the installers had to worry about waking people up.
Refer to Attachment H-2, Project Manual, Section 011000 - 3 – Summary, Part 1.7 (B). On-site work shall be limited to between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless otherwise indicated. Work hours may be modified to meet Project requirements if approved by Owner and AHJ. Some work, such as site work/trenching may take place after-hours when there is less vehicular traffic.
5.
Could you provide a current fiber map of the facility. Specifically the one that was hanging in the meeting room.
Refer to Addendum 02 Item 03 Fiber Map.
6.
I realize that the system is meant to be non-proprietary, but is there a preferred system?
Any head-end FACU and all other components that meet or exceed the specifications stated in Attachment H-2, Project Manual, Section 284621.11, Addressable Fire- Alarm Systems is acceptable. There is no preferred source.
Effective Date 06/26/2015 Page 3 of 4 Reviewed Date 09/18/2025
7.
Is there a map with the locations of all duct-detectors?
There is no current plan showing the locations of Duct Smoke Detectors. Refer to Attachment H-1, Project Drawings. The detailed Duct Smoke Detectors will be included in the Total Base Proposal Cost in Exhibit F, Respondent’s Pricing Proposal Form, Addendum 02 Revision. Include a unit cost for Duct Smoke Detectors as required in Section 3, Unit Prices.
Smoke and Fire Dampers have been added to Exhibit F, Respondent’s Pricing Proposal Form, Addendum 02 Revision, Section 3, Unit Prices.
8.
Is there a dwg. Format of the plans that can be provided for design purposes?
A CAD file of the floor plans will be provided to the awarded Contractor.
9.
Is there a steam tunnel map that can be provided?
Refer to Addendum 02 Item 03 Fiber Map.
Effective Date 06/26/2015 Page 4 of 4 Reviewed Date 09/18/2025
# Reference Question Response
10.
Can someone with decades of experience substitute a person with NICET III certification? Can that person present other certifications in place of the NICET?
The State of Texas Fire Marshal office and Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) recognizes the Electronic Security Association (ESA) certification as an alternate to NICET. If the individual meets the Fire Marshal and TDI certification requirements for a given role (e.g. fire alarm planning superintendent) then it will be acceptable for this project.
11. What is the square footage for both buildings?
Building 732: 34,820 sq. ft.
Building 533: 1st floor 7,030 sq. ft.
2nd floor 6,929 sq. ft.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .