Solicitation RFI.pdf

Solicitation RFI’s - W50S8N26QA019

7/15/2026

1. Specification Section 28 31 32 appears to require a Third-Party/Independent QFPE for commissioning and final certification, while Section 28 31 33 allows a Third-Party Independent Reviewer, QFPE, or NICET IV Designer. Please confirm whether a NICET IV Fire Alarm Systems professional is acceptable for commissioning oversight and final certification, or whether a QFPE is mandatory.

RESPONSE: NICET IV Fire Alarm Systems professional is acceptable. Shop drawings submitted shall be stamped and signed by a NICET IV or QFPE qualified professional in the submittal phase.

2. Does the NICET IV and/or QFPE need to be on-site during all installation activities, or will a supervisory role be acceptable?

RESPONSE: On-site is typical since the installer, QCM and Commissioner will be validating that the system meets code and properly installed. How often depends on the NICET IV or QFPE. Deviations or code conflict shall be noted in the Commisoning report which are normally documented in the AF3000 submittals and QC reports and reviewed prior to Commissioning.

3. What will be the government's accepted/ Approved cutover approach to avoid continuity of protection as dictated in the specification?

RESPONSE: minimal Fire Watch period for the respective buildings. There is a Primary UHF currently in use and a Secondary UHF currently not in use. If Fire Watch is required for the cutover milestone, it needs to be coordinated in advance and reflected in the project schedule and all project schedule updates.

4. Frequency Allocation - The spec references primary and spare frequencies but doesn't provide them. Please provide the following to confirm:

a. What are Primary and Secondary frequency assignments? RESPONSE: Our fire frequency is in the range of 400 and 419.9775. The radio equipment must be capable of programming frequencies with a resolution of at least 0.0001MHz (100Hz) to ensure the exact assigned frequency can be entered

b. Can the secondary frequency be utilized to provide initial configuration, start-up, programming, etc. as a possible cutover alternative? RESPONSE: Yes

c. Is the secondary frequency assignment currently operational or is there an approval process to activate if used for initial configuration and testing before cutover? Who do we contact for activation? RESPONSE: Operational; both Frequencies have been approved by the Frequency Manager. The Frequency Manager has the authorization documents on file and can be provided post-award as they are CUI documents. The Frequency Manager will be part of the AF3000 Materials Submittal review and approval.

5. Who is responsible for validating the provided hardware/equipment that will meet Section 25 05 11 requirements and performing the Cybersecurity Vulnerability Scan?

RESPONSE: The Contractor QCM is responsible for documenting which STIG and what the configuration is the manufacturer and/or system configuration team did to meet the STIGs. For example, Firewall and Network configuration and patch management is accomplished during the installation and preliminary testing prior to Commissioning. Once the Contractor QCM validates the STIGs are met as part of the Commissioning of the system and notifies the Contracting Officer, Maj Peirson via email that the system is ready for Government QA checks.

Contractors or manufacturers may choose to run their own scans/automated tools to ensure the DISA STIGs are correct before notifying the Government the system is ready for Government acceptance. The 174th Attack Wing Information System Security Officer for Facility Controls validates all appropriate STIGs FARS by review or automated scans. Common scans are STIG Viewer or SonarQube.

The Government is not responsible for QC. Validation the STIGs are met is part of the configuration process. The minimum action could be an Unsatisfactory CPARS should Contractor QCM found to have not verified the STIGs were configured per DoD requirements resulting in the Government having to repeat the Government QA, STIG scans, or other means to confirm applicable STIGs have been met.

The full library of STIGs, covering hundreds of products and systems, is publicly available through resources like the DISA STIG Library and STIGHub, which provide downloadable guides and updates cyber.mil+1. https://www.cyber.mil/stigs/downloadsOrganizations

6. External Storage:

a. Please clarify the storage type required - NAS device, Desktop Storage device, USB

Drive. RESPONSE: USB Drive is only acceptable as a Backup to the Primary storage.

Back up storage is required and should be separate from the Primary Server to avoid catastrophic failures like power surges, lightning strikes.

b. What are the minimum requirements for the storage device NAS device RESPONSE: Use the manufacturers recommend methods for redundancy to fully back up the servers. Different manufacturers accomplish this a few ways. There are many Commercial-Off the shelf solutions for small stand-alone networks like the Hancock Field Fire Alarms Reporting System that can be configured to meet DoD requirements. There are only 38 FACPs that will be on this network. The solution should match the scale of the existing number and outputs of the FACPs. I recommend matching your stand-alone networks accordingly. Historical solutions, other ANG bases configurations and recent market research has found servers and storage devices the size of computer towers have met or exceeded DoD requirements. Small server cabinets are also acceptable.

7. DODIN Switch - is there a preferred manufacturer and model of switch to be provided if one is needed for the installation? Please provide as necessary. RESPONSE: The approved list can be found at https://aplits.disa.mil/processAPList.action

8. Existing Antennas:

a. Based on the secondary frequency (if approved for use for configuration & commissioning), can you verify that the existing antennas are capable of transmitting both frequencies simultaneously without interference? RESPONSE: Existing antennas are only transmitting one frequency.

9. Armory - Are there any special frequency/installation/testing special considerations and/or requirements with respect work being conducted in the armory building? REPSONSE: The Army National Guard calls all their facilities and offices “Armory.” There are no special requirements for Facilities #101, 27th Brigade Armory. The Air National Guard Ammunition facilities are referred to as “MSA” or “Munitions Storage Areas” which are facilities 801-805. Even though existing FARS transmitters are currently located in Mechanical rooms or protective cabinets with the MSA facilities compounds, validated intrinsically safe radios from a Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) review from the manufacturer are required. Access to these previous mentioned facilities was offered by the Government during the Vendor Site Visit.

Is 48-hour standby battery capacity for transmitter and interface devices required at each subscriber unit, or will a 24-hour battery back-up be sufficient? REPSONSE: 24-hours is sufficient.

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=9b9099b899614bcd2b2dc9b2e36bac851ec9ef3fd6612cbe8e85c4f1c533c476JmltdHM9MTc4NDI0NjQwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=0bb4d0bf-2cca-6d6b-3dd6-c7262d916caa&psq=STIG+requirements&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9wdWJsaWMuY3liZXIubWlsL3N0aWdzLw&ntb=1 https://www.cyber.mil/stigs/downloadsOrganizations https://aplits.disa.mil/processAPList.action

10. Are the Planner Laptop (3.7 in SOW document) and the Configuration and Maintenance laptop (called out in spare parts) required in the specifications to be provided as two separate laptops, or can one laptop be allowed to serve both. RESPONSE: one laptop that can do both is acceptable as long as Government Facility Maintenance Staff do not have to off site training to operate either.

11. Are supervising station printers required as indicated in the specification as none were identified during the site survey? RESPONSE: Yes, a printer is required.

12. Are all trainings to be recorded per specification and if yes, will the government be providing the recording equipment or is the vendor responsible? RESPONSE: Recording is required and to be provided by the contractor.

13. Per the radio installers' qualifications requirements, are the three project references and their respective points of contact required? RESPONSE: Installers and those supervising the installation must qualified and the Prime Contractor shall provide a way for the Government to easily verify their credentials.

14. Will the technicians NICET II, NICET III, or NICET IV certification be acceptable certificates for the radio equipment installation? RESPONSE: Vendors are not allowed to install a product they have never installed before, not been trained on, and are not familiar with. Contractors shall prove they know how to install the transmitters and interface cards prior to the award of the contract. Manufacturer certificates and/or references from the manufacturer on the manufacturer’s letter head is common.

15. If needed, where new enclosures are to be installed, will the requirement for providing two coats of weatherproof coating be enforced or is this not needed as the devices are located indoors?

RESPONSE: Enclosures shall be protected the cards, transmitters and electronics from the environment hazards they are installed within. All existing FARS cards and radios are in enclosures mounted inside mechanical rooms or communication rooms. Several examples were shown during the site visit.

16. Section 2.8.10 Primary Power directs the vendor to provide a separate circuit breaker for each transceiver for automatic switchover in the event of a power loss:

a. Are these breakers already installed on the existing system, and can they be re-utilized for the new equipment? RESPONSE: Yes; installers can use the same power source the existing system uses.

b. If they do not exist, will this requirement be enforced for this project? RESPONSE: see previous response

17. Can the GeoBase Data files for the server graphics be provided to the vendor prior to equipment being on-site or not? RESPONSE: Geo-base data will only be provided after the award of the contract. As with all DoD contracts, the contractor shall document how and where geo-base data is used, stored, and copied as with and DoD drawings. Once provided by the Government, the Geo-base data is only eligible to be used on his contract and not provided to any third-party entity without written approval from the 174th Attack Wing Base Civil Engineer.

18. Please clarify if the existing installed radio units utilize any or all of the PLC outputs for as part of a sequence of operation in the event of an alarm condition: RESPONSE: The existing transmitters are Motorola Land Mobile Radios and simply passing the information to the Fire Alarms desk. The information that is being received to the Fire Alarms Desk was provided in the solicitation. The alarm sequence of operation is handled by the Fire Alarm Control Panel not the transmitter. Replacing the Fire alarm control panel is not in scope of this contract.

a. If yes, can you provide the existing sequence of operation so we can ensure the same response with the new equipment per scope.

19. Please provide pdf's of the AF3000 submittal form and the AF1477 Construction Inspection Report documents: REPSONSE: Typically provided post award at the Kick-off meeting if contractors do not already have them from previous DoD projects. Blank copies are attached.

a. - website links provided in SOW documents not operable

Per 4.4 Quality Control (sow document) with respect to the USACE Construction Quality Control Course:

RESPONSE: The web link was checked on 17 July 2026 on a non-government computer and found to load as expected. If the example link from the Portland District isn’t offering classes, try another USACE

District like Buffalo or Great Lakes. The link https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/construction-quality-management/ looks like there are some offered for $0. Also search for NAVFAC who is an equivalent to USACE CQC course.

a. Is the pdf link provided (2020 CQM Student Study) to be used / referenced by contractors in lieu of taking the course online or on-site? RESPONSE: Not in lieu of the course. The certificate is only awarded by the USACE after completing the class.

b. If no, please provide access and schedule information needed to meet the specification. RESPONSE: the schedule varies by USACE District and is provide on the USACE website found by an open-source search.

20. With respect to submittals requirements 4.9.17 and 4.9.18, can the QFPE and/or NICET IV approved project personnel provide the Reviewing Official Letters for compliance with these requirements or is a third-party vendor required? RESPONSE: A Third-Party letter from a properly credentialed QFPE or NICET IV that has reviewed the installation, testing and Commissioning is required.

a. If third party is required, do you have a list of approved third party organizations that you can provide for us to meet these requirements? REPONSE: This is part of the Contractor Quality Control Plan. There are many QFPE and Fire Alarms vendors with NICET IV certified personnel in the Syracuse area.

21. Per the SOW document, are vendors required to complete the AT Level I Awareness Training, iWatch Training, and OPSC Training as indicated? REPSONSE: It is based off the security threat at the time of the award. The Contracting Officer will let you know during the post-award kick-off meeting

a. If yes, please provide location and schedule information as needed to meet the AT Level I 10-day calendar deadline. REPSONSE: it is an Anti-Terrorism Level 1 course that is a self-paced computer-based training.

7/16/2026

Would installing a Fiber Network to all Simplex Fire Alarm Panels be acceptable?

RESPONSE: Unfortunately, not currently. The existing Authority to Operate and cybersecurity risk management is just for radios. Moving to a fiber backhaul could happen in the near future on a case-by-case basis.

Is there any information available for the existing fiber network?

RESPONSE: Yes, but only a viability study. The 174th Communications Squadron has conducted testing in the last few years confirming open multi-mode fiber for both transmitting and receiving with minimal loss. A repeat of the test can done ONLY if the Air National Guard authorizes funding and a future contract to make fiber the primary backhaul to the Fire Alarms desk. In short, radio transmitters will be the Primary backhaul and only radios will be part of the Commissioning of the new Fire Alarms Reporting System (FARS).

https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/construction-quality-management/ https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/construction-quality-management/