Preliminary Question and Answer Sheet.docx

Preliminary Question and Answer Sheet

1. What is the current fire alarm head-end, panel, and software manufacturer/model(s), including whether the system is Edwards/EST or uses FireWorks.

a. Notifier NFS2-640, Software/Firmware Revision 27, and FireWorks is the system

2. Whether the contractor must be an OEM-authorized service company or submit a manufacturer/distributor authorization letter with its quote.

a. Refer to the Performance Work Statement included with solicitation for detailed information. (1.7; 3.7.1; 8.1) “Contractor shall submit proof of NICET level III fire alarm certification for the technician completing the work as well as certification from the control unit manufacturer that the proposed performer of contract maintenance is an authorized representative of the major equipment manufacturer”

3. Required Louisiana State Fire Marshal licenses and technician NICET/OEM certifications.

a. Refer to the Performance Work Statement included with solicitation for detailed information. (1.7; 3.7.1; 8.1) “For all work completed on the fire alarm system, the Contractor shall submit the technician’s NICET level III fire alarm certification as well as certification from the control unit manufacturer that the proposed performer of contract maintenance is an authorized representative of the major equipment manufacturer this includes but is not limited to the equipment manufacturer themselves or designated strategic partners”

4. Any mandatory local-office, onsite staffing, or emergency-response-time requirement.

a. Refer to the Performance Work Statement included with solicitation for detailed information. (1.7; 3.7.1; 8.1) “The Contractor shall submit a list of the points of contact pertaining to maintenance, testing, service calls and monitoring. The Point of Contact (Program Manager or Agent) is required to be available twenty-four (24) hours, seven (7) days per week for emergencies and callbacks. Submission shall include the person’s name, phone number, email and address for correspondence”, “Normal and overtime emergency call-back service shall be provided twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week. It shall consist of an on-site response within two (2) hours of notification of a system trouble: Program Manager or Agent is required to be available twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week for emergencies and callbacks. It is required that the sub-contractor be escorted by the Program Manager or their Agent. Initial assessment of call-back deficiencies shall be completed within the first 48 hours of call.”

5. Whether any bid, performance, or payment bond is required.

a. N/A this is considered a Service

6. Section 3.13.2 of the performance work statement requires the Program Manager/Agent escort subcontractors. Assuming this requirement applies to every service call, will the Program Manager/Agent be provided with a PIV card and unimpeded access to all spaces? Or will the COR be required to provide an escort for every service call?

a. The COR will be the escort or a representative of the COR.

7. Please confirm that this contract is only for the main campus at 2400 Canal Street – the listed 15 buildings and Fisher House – and that no clinics are included in the SOW.

a. No clinics are included in this PWS; this contract is only for the main campus at 2400 Canal ST. No clinics included in the PWS.

8. Can you confirm that the Program Manager/Agent specified in this requirement is to be an employee of the Prime contract holder? Or can this be a member of the subcontractor team?

a. Program Manager/Agent specified in this requirement is to be an employee of the Prime contract

9. Can you please provide the previous annual inspection reports for all systems referenced in the solicitation?

a. Yes, can be provided to awardee.

10. Reference Performance Work Statement, Section 3.13 Service Calls (Emergency Call-back Service):

a. The reference section calls for the inclusion of cost for both normal and overtime call-back service, however, the price/cost schedule only allows for a single hourly rate to be included in our bid. Please advise if our price is to reflect a normal or an overtime rate.

i. Answer: Normal and Overtime Rates

b. If only a normal rate is provided, how will the overtime rate be determined?

i. Answer: Not Applicable, see answer above.

11. Will all technicians performing any service or inspection work on fire alarm systems require a NICET III certification or would a NICET III certified project manager suffice?

a. TECHNICIANS SHOULD BE NICET III CERTIFIED.

12. How many total monitoring accounts do you have currently for the fire alarm system?

a. ONE (1)

13. Can you please provide the number and types of fire alarm devices (e.g., smoke detectors, heat detectors, pull stations), inventory/locations, main panels, power supplies, workstations, and age of systems/devices?

a. 6749+/- 20% AND SPRINKLER DEVICES 4000 +/- 5%

14. Please provide the make and model of the fire pumps.

a. AURORA, MODEL:4-481-110, PENTAIR, MODEL: 2-383-9C, AURORA, MODEL: 125CM

15. For access to facilities under PWS, section 7.1 - Will technicians working on site be provided with badges and set of keys for building access?

a. TECHNICIANS WILL BE ESCORTED BY VA STAFF SO. KEYS CANNOT BE ISSUED DUE TO SECURITY PROTOCOLS

16. On the Bid document, I did not see anything for the inspection of the systems, only maintenance and repair. Are the inspections included in this bid?

a. This contract is only for Preventative Maintenance and Repairs

17. Backflow Preventers are mentioned in the maintenance schedule. Will BFP’s be required to be certified annually?

a. Yes, if these backflows are a part of the sprinkler system.

18. In the PWS sections 1.4.1 and 1.4.5 seem to contradict each other. 1.4.1 states “unlimited” emergency services. 1.4.5 suggests giving a quote to the COR. Please elaborate.

a. So, when a part or piece of equipment needs to be replaced, we ask the contractor to provide a quote on the material due to the monies we have allotted in the contract for parts.