21R5008 -- TMDE Lab -- Questions and Responses-2.pdf

Question Response

Subsection(ss) 1.6.1 requires ‘class A’ wiring. We believe all existing wiring in the building is class b. Please advise if Class B is acceptable.

Match existing wiring. As Built Drawings does not indicate the wiring class.

Ss 1.6.2.A through P all detail the requirements for how the panel and hardware are to operate. The system in the facility is existing, initially installed in 2008/2009. We are not anticipating any changes to the panel hardware, or the operational programming for the work in this bid. Please advise if the entire building system is to be revised to meet requirements in this specification which is written for a new system installation.

These paragraphs are intended to deliniate the requirements for the only the new installation. There are no intentions to reprogram the existing system.

I received the following from one of the flooring subcontractors this morning.

The Vinyl Composite Tile as specified on Sheet G-004 is no longer available.

"I DO NEED TO INFORM YOU THAT THE PRODUCT THAT HAS BEEN SPECIFIED IS

NO LONGER AVAILABLE AS SPECIFIED. ARMSTRONG NO LONGER MAKES IT WITH

THE DIAMOND 10 WEARSURFACE ( NO WAXING ). IT IS STILL AVAILABLE AS A

NORMAL PREMIUM VCT TILE WHICH MEANS THERE WILL BE WAXING OVER THE

LIFE OF THE FLOOR LIKE ANY OTHER VCT TILE."

Question: Does the government want to specify a different type of tile since the one specified is no longer available? PLEASE LET ME KMOW IF THERE IS TO BE

SUBSTITUTE MATERIAL TO BE BID.

The diamond finish is no longer available, but all other features for this product remain the same. The new Basis of Design shall be Armstrong Flooring Premium Excelon Raffia Stream.

Ss 1.7-Technical data and Software has requirements for new system installations. We are not providing any new software, auxiliary, or remote equipment in this proposal. We will provide an updated copy of the site specific program in the panel after programming is completed. We would request the following be stricken from the subsection in light of the fact that this is an existing system; 1.7.c-h. Please advise.

This paragraph section still applies to new work, as applicable.

Ss 1.9.1.1-Preconstruction submittals require an FPE signed copy of submittals returned within 36 days of contract award. We would request that the Government provide direction to all bidding prime contractors that they should provide complete QFPE services for complete project oversight and review. It is not feasible for a third tier equipment supplier to provide these services. We would refer to UFC 3-600-01 w/Chg 6 section 1-7.1.1, 1.7.1.2, and 1-7.3, which indicate the intent of the FPE services is to have the FPE submit the entire project, rather than portions of it separately. Because fire alarm is a small part of what an FPE has to take into account on a project, we do not provide these services. Our plans will come from our NICET designers for submission to the EC and GC for their project FPE to review and proved the UFC FPE Services. Please advise.

The Contractor is responsible for completing all the contract requirements. Contractors shall bid the project documents as currently written. The prime Contractor is responsible for coordinating contract work requirements and responsibilities with their sub-contractors.

Ss 1.9.1.4 through 1.9.1.11 all have requirements for wiring and capabilities of existing equipment. We will most certainly provide wiring diagrams for the NEW field level devices added to accommodate the new floor plan, but the circuits to these areas are existing, as are the panel parts. We will only provide internal panel interconnection wiring if, for some reason, a new panel circuit is added to the existing panel. And, in that case, we will provide submittal data and drawing details for the new products provided in this project only.

These paragraphs apply only to new work.

Ss 1.9.1.11.b requires conduit routing. this will need to be provided by the installing contractor for any NEW devices provided on this project, but we are excluding the regeneration of as-builts showing existing system conduits or devices. Please advise.

These paragraphs apply only to new work.

Q&A-2 for TMDE Lab 21R5008

Ss 1.9.1.11.d d requires a CD/DVD of all software to be provided with O&M’s.

The software used to program the systems is not provided to individuals who have not been through JCI Fire Protection’s factory training for service and programming. If that is requested, we can provide pricing to Government representatives for that training, and can then include full sets of system software.

Disagree with Contractors position regarding software.

This unnecessarily limits competition.

Ss 1.9.1.11.f requires a routine checklist of maintenance items. We recommend our system be inspected IAW NFPA 72. Please refer to NFPA 72 for all required testing. We are not sure what is required in this subsection that is not detailed in the UFC/NFPA 72. Please advise.

This paragraph requires the contractor to extract the maintenance requirements from NFPA 72 that specifically apply to this project.

Ss 1.9.1.12 As-Built Drawings indicates required ‘as-installed’ record drawings.

Please note that the system is existing. We will provide this information for any new devices provided in this project, but not for any existing devices, conduits, wiring, or panels. Please advise.

This paragraph applies only to new work.

Ss 1.9.2.1 Fire Alarm System designer requires Minimum Nicet III, or meet QFPE requirements. Is this to mean that all QFPE requirements in this specification can be met with a Nicet III designer?

No. This paragraph specifcally applies to the Fire Alarm System Designer.

Ss 1.11.1 References special tools. There are no special tools required for maintenance. To avoid delays in submittal reviews in looking for this data, we’d request this be stricken fro the specification.

The paragraph will not be removed.

Ss 2.2.1 Suggests that all equipment be from one manufacturer. The existing ceiling speakers and strobes in the areas are Cooper Notification products. Is it acceptable to leave these, or does the contracting officer prefer everything be replaced to maintain a single manufacturer on the system.

Existing devices that are compatible with the Fire Alarm system may remain.

Ss 2.2-Materials and equipment contains multiple subsections that refer to requirements for existing equipment that is not being provided or modified as part of this project. We would not be providing wiring, data sheets, shop drawings, or any typical wiring of the existing power supplies, amplifiers, any panel equipment, or any devices that are existing to remain. We will provide data on the new devices only. Please advise if that is acceptable.

Submitals are required for only new work.

Ss 2.9 lists requirements for notification devices as horns and strobes. The building is equipped with Speakers and Strobes used for Fire and MNS messages.

Currently, these devices are white, with ‘Fire’ subscript. The RIA Design guide has a requirement for a a dual strobe (Amber/Clear), while there is indication a change in the UFC (USACE ECB 2018-17) may allow the use of a single clear strobe for both MNS/Fire. Please advise as to which will be required here. Also, please advise as to whether the existing speakers should be altered to remove the ‘Fire’ subscript.

The contractor shall match the existing equipment.

Ss 2.10, 2.11, & 2.12 all relate to existing panels, power supplies, 120VAC primary power, batteries and chargers that are existing, and not provided as part of the project. We would request all of these items be removed from the spec, unless the intention of the contracting office is to replace the items.

These paragraphs will apply to all work as applicable.

For Battery testing, we can provide the testing. However, the systems here are maintained by others. We have no records of how old the batteries are, or if they have been replaced. On previous projects we have found batteries that are more than 2X the age where NFPA72 would require they be replaced. So, any failed batteries will be quoted as a change order, will require another 3-5 days to fully get to capacity in the system, and a retest would be required. Any required rescheduling of testing due to failed existing equipment during testing may cause delays that we are not responsible for. Please advise.

The contractor will need to verify the capacity of the existing battery system since new devices are being installed. If larger batteries would be required, this paragraph would apply.

Ss 3.3 System Wiring has several subsections that relate to existing wiring and circuits. We would request these items be removed to avoid delays in submittals, testing, or drawing reviews.

These paragraphs will apply to to all work as applicable.

Ss 3.6.1 requires all testing paperwork be “prepared and signed by the Nicet Level III or IV, and reviewed by the QFPE 60 days prior to performing system test”. We would request the Contracting office require the FPE to be provided at the Top tier by the contractor awarded the project by the contracting office to ensure all facets of the building envelope and all disciplines are taken into account in that review.

The Contractor is responsible for completing all the contract requirements. Contractors shall bid the project documents as currently written. The prime Contractor is responsible for coordinating contract work requirements and responsibilities with their sub-contractors.

Ss 3.6.3 indicates course of action if there are deficiencies found during the testing. We need clarification on what we are contractually obligated to replace under this contract. IAW NFPA 72, we may be required to perform representative testing on a percentage of the existing system. We cannot anticipate costs for failures of existing devices, and would request a clarification that function testing and failures on new devices provided under this contract are what this section refers to, and not existing devices.

Replacement of defective work or devices specifcally applies only to new work. The contractor shall notifiy the COR of any failures in the exisitng devices/wiring.

3.7 For testing procedures, JCI will provide manufacturers recommended testing, which is IAW NFPA72. We would request that this procedure replace all testing procedures in this specification. Additionally, this subsection includes several items relating to existing equipment and power. Since these are not new, we cannot guarantee their operability, conformance with these specifications, and cannot provide repairs to the system should any of the existing items should the fail to meet the specifications. It will not be possible to perform some of these items (loop resistance/end of circuit voltage readings in example) as the devices being added to this project are not on new circuits, they are existing. However, the fire alarm panels have superior fault detection capabilities, and negate the need for many of these procedures. Please advise.

The testing requirements will remain as written. The contractor will need to coordinate with the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative to identify the required tests based upon the actual system installation.

Ss 3.9.1 -Service/replacement parts. This section requires a 24 hour repair time for failures. There is a cost factor to this service for customers who do not currently have a maintenance contract with our organization. If the intent is to have us provide these services, we can build the cost into the proposal. Please note that this service automatically comes with annual NFPA 72 testing and documentation. To provide this cost, please advise as to how much of the system is to be covered by this agreement (existing panels, or just new devices provided in this project).

This paragraph applies only to new work.

Ss 3.9.3 requires installation of a document storage cabinet. We are not sure if there is an existing document storage cabinet in the building for the existing system. Please advise if there is a need for this item.

This paragraph shall be deleted.

We do not see Local Operating Consoles on the plans, and there are currently no Local operating consoles in the building. Please advise as to whether we should be providing an LOC (or more) within this area of work.

According to the As-Built Drawings received from the prior Fire Alarm Contractor, there are local opertating panels in several of the bays. There is no requirement to provide a new local panel.

Please provide any information, locations, types of dampers (New or existing) that will need connected to the FA/MNS that may need controls for any anti-terrorism requirements.

To our knowledge there are no dampers that fall into this category.

Drawing E-008 shows wall mounted Horn/strobes ate the North and South open bay personnel doors. The area is served by existing Ceiling mounted Speaker/strobes. We can add the wall mounted devices, to match the exiting speaker/strobes. Please advise if these devices are needed.

Record drawings received from the prior Fire Alarm Contractor did not show an devices in this bay. If there are in devices that be reused, they may be reused at the contractor's discretion.