RequestForInformationRESPONSE.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) 1

IFB-MRG-0200

Fire Alarm System Upgrade FCI Morganton, WV

1. In the pre-bid meeting it was asked who will review the fire alarm submittals and it was explained that the governments A/E would perform the review but the specifications section 13851 1.6.C directs contractors to submit to WV State Fire Marshals Office, since no local permits or inspections to be performed by state or local authorities why are we submitting to the WV State Fire Marshals Office. Please Advise.

RESPONSE: The submittals will not be submitted to the Fire Marshal.

2. Specification section 13851 1.11.A requests for an allowance of devices per building and if they are not needed there will be a credit back to the government, in some cases the amount of the allowance represents over 50% of the established devices to be installed by the contract drawings, with the programming and labor factors necessary to complete these buildings as systems it seems to be prudent to create line item add items in lieu of issuing of credits. Also this section would inflate the bid price on this product as well as the cost of the initial bonding to the government. Please Advise

RESPONSE: Delete the requirements of paragraph 1.11 A.

3. It is requested that the manufacturer Gamewell-FCI be submitted as an approved equal as stated in specification section 13851 2.1.A.3. Please advise.

RESPONSE: Manufacturer can be added as long as it meets or exceeds the performance requirements specified.

4. In specification section 13851 2.2.F.2 it references the owner provided system to interface with pocket pagers, what type of system does the owner have and will the owner also be providing the pagers. Please Advise.

RESPONSE: There are no pagers; control center receives data.

5. Please clarify specification section 13851 3.2.A in its entirety, how would you be able to utilize existing conventional FACP’s and install new addressable/analog devices? What is meant by connecting new equipment to the existing monitoring equipment at the supervising station? Please Advise.

RESPONSE: Delete paragraph A in Article 3.2.

6. Due to the close quarters of the existing building construction in the areas where fixed ceiling are installed would consideration of utilizing Fire Coded MC cable be allowed for fishing above finished ceilings and finished walls, this would greatly reduce the disturbance of the inmates and minimize the cutting of ceiling and walls, seeing the nature of this project it will be necessary to run parallel systems until the new system is approved. Please Advise.

RESPONSE: Base bid on conduit and wire. However, actual installation of fire alarm system may require less conduit and is anticipated as follows***.

***Work one building at a time, moving on to the next only after the fire alarm system there is functional. In some buildings, existing conduit, or parts of same, may be reused for new work as space and codes allow.

Possible scenarios for working on one building at a time:

SCENARIO 1

1. A building has a sprinkler system and also a fire alarm system-

In this case, existing fire alarm system may be deactivated and demoed if and only if the sprinkler system CAN REMAIN activated. (Else run parallel systems and keep life safety protection) NOTE: Scenario 1 allows for possible reuse of existing conduit.

SCENARIO 2

2. A building does not have an sprinkler system but has a fire alarm system- In this case, parallel fire alarm systems will need to be run to keep life safety systems activated.

7. Are there liquidated damages on this project?

RESPONSE: There are no liquidated damages for this project.

8. On contract drawing E1.2 the notes on the bottom of the page are not fully legible, please provide. Is this tower where the pagers will be activated from?

RESPONSE: There are no pagers.

9. General note 13 on the cover sheet indicates that the new system is “Approved by the Fire Marshall”. This leads me to two questions:

a. Are we to include the review fee required by the State Fire Marshall?

RESPONSE: Submittals will not be reviewed by the State Fire Marshal.

b. Are the electricians required to be licensed by West Virginia?

RESPONSE: Yes- refer to Section 13851-4 paragraph 1.7 B

10. Drawing E 4.2: Electrical room indicates a SD w/PRE. What system is this detector connected to, no pre-action control panel is shown? Usually these systems are cross zoned and only one SD is shown. A CM is shown in the room with no indication of intended use. If it is intended to actuate a releasing valve, a control module does not meet code. A releasing peripheral or a separate FACP listed for pre-action applications, needs to be provided.

RESPONSE: The existing pre-action system panel is located in the mezzanine as indicated on the drawing. These devices are replacing the existing devices.

11. Drawing E 11.2: Electrical room indicates Two SD w/PRE. What system are these detectors connected to, the pre-action control panel shown, or the new building FACP?

RESPONSE: The existing pre-action system panel is located in the Food Service area mechanical room as indicated on the drawing. These devices are replacing the existing devices.

12. SECTION 13851 - FIRE ALARM, Page 2 C. Item 8: Record events by the existing system printer. Is there an existing printer to be reused?

RESPONSE: The existing printer needs replacement.

13. SECTION 13851, Page 6 Item C: The spec. states, "Each Control Panel shall include addressable control modules of sufficient capacity to support notification devices in their assigned areas with a minimum of 15% spare for changes/adds and future growth." Page 7 B.

: "The control panel shall include the following capacities as a minimum." Item 1: "Support up to 2500 analog/addressable points."` There are 15 control panels with under 900 total system addressable devices. Only two buildings have about 100 devices. The SimplexGrinnell FACP that best fits this application is our 4010 ( data sheet attached). This panel is network capable with a provided capacity for 250 addressable devices. Can we utilize this panel?

RESPONSE: Any acceptable panel shall meet or exceed all of the requirements of the specifications. We cannot approve a panel without a complete submittal, however, we will approve a reduction in devices as long as you meet the requirement for a minimum of 15% spare capacity add/change for growth.

14. SECTION 13851, Page 12, 2.8 MAINTENANCE SOFTWARE: Specification call for maintenance software install on a PC connected to the Administration Building fire alarm control panel. There is no indication on the contract drawings were this PC is to be located.

RESPONSE: One PC shall be located in the Communication Tech’s office in the Facilities Maintenance Building. A second PC, whose exact location is to be determined after award, shall also be provided under this contract.