W912LR26QA041 Exhaust Sys Government Responses 16 Sep 2026.pdf

RFI# RFI Text Government's Response or Clarification Clarification (C), Change to PWS or

Change in Solicitation

Reference

1 Please confirm that the contractual period of performance is

180 calendar days after issuance of the Notice to

Proceed. The SOW also describes the work as a 90-day project; please confirm that the 90-day statement is not a separate completion requirement.

Reference: Solicitation Section B, Item 0001, and SOW Part I, Section C state 180 calendar days after NTP; SOW

Background, final paragraph, refers to a 90-day project.

Confirmed. The project is 180 days after issuing NTP (ANP), see Section C-2, Specifications Statement of Work, Part I, C. The reference to 90-day was an old period, and has been updated to match the 190 days ANP.

Clarification, Change Section C-2, SOW, Part I-C

2 Please confirm whether the existing exhaust fans EF-7 and EF-

8 and supply fans SF-7 and SF-8 are installed, operational, and intended for reuse. If any fan must be replaced, repaired, or upgraded to meet the specified airflow and static pressure, identify that work and the equipment criteria to be included in the firm-fixed price.

Reference: SOW Part I, Task 1, Sections B.2.b and B.3.e;

Attachment 0002, Mechanical Plan; Attachment 0003, Equipment Schedule and Notes.

The existing fans (EF-7, EF-8, SF-7, SF-8) were installed during a previous project (FY 2020-2021) but have never entered commercial operation because the kitchen hoods were not installed. The Government provided a site visit to provide an opportunity to inspect the site to assess conditions. The contractor is responsible for conducting a technical field inspection to certify their current condition and operational readiness. Any necessary replacements, repairs, or upgrades required to meet the specified airflow and static pressure requirements will be handled Clause 52.236-2 Differing Site Conditions, consistent with 52.236-3 Site Investigation and Conditions.

Clarification Section C-2, SOW

3 Please confirm which existing exhaust ducts, roof curbs, roof penetrations, and grease-duct components are intended for reuse. Please also provide the most recent cleaning, inspection, and leakage-test records, if available, and state how concealed deficiencies discovered after award will be handled.

Reference: SOW Part I, Task 1, Sections B.2.b and B.3.b;

Attachment 0001, Record As-Built Drawings; Attachments

0002 and 0003.

Existing ductwork, curbs, and penetrations are designated for 100% reuse. Historical cleaning logs do not exist because the kitchen has not operated. The contractor must perform standard NFPA 96 light/leak tests prior to new hood integration. Unforeseen structural degradation, leaks, or hidden defects will be handled Clause 52.236-2

Differing Site Conditions, consistent with 52.236-3 Site Investigation and Conditions.

Clarification Section C-2, SOW

W912LR26QA041 (amended) Bldg. 148 Purchase and Installation of Exhaust System

Responses to RFIs

As of 16 September 2026

4 Please confirm whether the approximately 160 square feet of stainless-steel wall covering is an estimated quantity or a fixed minimum. Please identify the exact limits at

EF-7 and EF-8 and specify the required stainlesssteel grade, finish, thickness, joint treatment, and edge trim.

Reference: SOW Part I, Task 1, Sections A and B.3.c.

Stainless-steel wall cladding shall be installed on both faces of the partition wall supporting double-hood EF-8. The single hood area (EF-7) requires cladding on the hood mounting face only (single-face installation). Cladding must extend to meet sanitary and fire safety code boundaries shown on drawings.

Clarification Section C-2, SOW, Part I, Task 1, Section

A and B.3.c.

5 Please confirm that a UL 300 wet-chemical fire suppression system is required for EF-8 only. Attachment 0002 and the submittal schedule appear to require fire suppression for both EF-7 and EF-8, while the SOW narrative repeatedly limits suppression to EF-8.

Reference: SOW Background; Part I, Task 1, Sections B.2.b, B.3.d, and B.4.d; Technical Exhibit 2, Items J and K;

Attachment 0002, Mechanical Plan.

An integrated UL 300 wet-chemical system is mandatory for hood EF-8 only. EF-8 serves the commercial grease-producing cooking battery. EF-7 serves a food staging/dispatch station with non-grease general exhaust, exempting it from UL 300 requirements under NFPA 96.

Clarification Section C-2, SOW, and Attachment 0002

6 Please identify every cooking appliance that must be shut down upon fire-suppression activation and confirm the required quantity and locations of electrical shunt-trip breakers. Please also confirm whether shunt-trip breakers, contactors, control relays, wiring, conduit, and panel modifications are all Contractor-furnished.

Reference: SOW Part I, Task 1, Sections A.2.b and B.3.e;

Task 2, Part II, Section A.1.b.

The contractor is responsible for identifying all cooking appliances (gas and electric) located under the EF-8 hood and interconnecting them to the fire suppression system.

This is to ensure an automatic shutdown of energy sources upon system activation, in compliance with NFPA 96 and NFPA 17A standards.

Clarification Section C-2, SOW

7 Please provide the existing LP-gas service pressure, pipe size, available capacity, and routing serving the cooking line. Please identify the required size and location of the automatic gas shutoff valve and confirm whether suppression activation must shut down the entire kitchen gas service or only the appliances protected by

EF-8.

Reference: SOW Part I, Task 1, Sections A.2.b, B.3.d, B.3.e, and B.4.f, Installed Kitchen Equipment Data Sheet.

The contractor shall follow guidance per Task 1, Part II, B, 2, "b.Utility Proximity and Interlocks: It is assumed that the primary electrical power, gas lines, and initial exhaust duct pathways are already present within the facility's infrastructure .". The Government provided all available data, and multiple site visit dates in three separate ocassions to allow contractors to reasonably inspect the site to assess conditions.

Clarification Section C-2, SOW

8 Please provide the make, model, location, and available capacity of the existing fire alarm control panel. Please identify required monitor/control modules, interfaces, programming, acceptance testing, and whether an authorized manufacturer representative must perform the programming.

Reference: SOW Part I, Task 1, Section B.3.d; Attachment

0003, Electrical and Fire-Suppression Notes.

The existing fire alarm control panel is a Hochiki FireNet system, originally installed by CEL Fire Extinguishers & More, Inc. The contractor is responsible for supplying and installing all necessary modules, interfaces, and wiring to interconnect the new hood suppression system (for EF-8) and fan interlocks with the existing Hochiki panel.

A field inspection in coordination with CEL Fire Extinguishers is required to validate panel capacity. The Government provided all available data, and multiple site visit dates in three separate ocassions to allow contractors to reasonably inspect the site to assess conditions.

Clarification Section C-2, SOW

9 Please identify the Authority Having Jurisdiction for fire-suppression plan review and final acceptance, and confirm which party is responsible for permit, review, inspection, certification, and Fire Marshal fees.

Reference: SOW Part II, Sections A.1.b and B.1.e; SOW Part

III, Section N; Solicitation Section C-1, paragraph 1.4, Permits and Responsibilities.

The recognized AHJs for submittal approval, site inspections, and final acceptance are the Negociado del Cuerpo de Bomberos de Puerto Rico (NCBPR - Campamento

Santiago) and the Construction & Facilities Management Office (CFMO). The Governmen does not conduct a certification of the system, as this is part of the requirements of the supplier and installer per Task 2, Part II, B.2.Deliverables (Description)."d. Fire/Safety Certification: Certificate of compliance for the UL 300 wet-chemical fire suppression system, including the official sign-off from the military or local Fire Marshal. Original signed documents ." The Government does not provide nor conducts system certifications. Approval of the Government is for the purpose of verification that the supplier and installer complies with laws and regulations for the installed system and certification requirements. Government inspections and tests are for the sole benefit of the Government (52.246-12, Inspection of Construction, paragraph (c)).

Clarification Section C-2, SOW, Taks 2, Part II, B.2.d

10 Please provide the panel designations, circuit numbers, voltages, phases, breaker ratings, available fault current, and spare capacity for the EF-7 and EF-8 hood lights, EF-7 and EF-8 exhaust fans, SF-7 and SF-8 supply fans, controls, and fire-suppression interlocks. Please confirm whether existing circuits may be reused.

Reference: SOW Part I, Task 1, Sections A.2.b and B.3.e;

Attachments 0001, 0002, and 0003, Electrical Plans and

Notes.

As per the electrical drawings (Sheet EP001, Panel PP-3 Schedule), the circuits for the exhaust and supply fans are as follows:

EF-8: Circuit #5 (3-pole, 35A breaker)

SF-8: Circuit #17 (3-pole, 35A breaker)

EF-7: Circuit #11 (3-pole, 15A breaker)

SF-7: Circuit #15 (3-pole, 15A breaker)

EF-06: Circuit #1 (1-pole, 15A breaker)

The contractor must verify all site conditions and assume responsibility for the final connections.

Information, Clarification SOW Part I, Task 1, Sections A.2.b and

B.3.e; Attachments

0001, 0002, and 0003, Electrical Plans and

Notes.

11 Please confirm the required sequence of operation for EF-7, EF-8, SF-7, and SF-8, including fan start/stop, hood-light control, make-up-air interlocks, motor starters or variable-frequency drives, proof-of-airflow devices, and response to fire-suppression activation.

Reference: SOW Part I, Task 1, Sections B.3.e and B.4.e;

Attachment 0003, Mechanical and Electrical Notes.

Per the HVAC controls drawings (Sheet MH603), the sequence of operation is as follows:

Kitchen Exhaust/Supply (EF-8, SF-8): These fans are controlled locally by a light switch at the kitchen hood. The contractor must provide the necessary electrical connections for this interlock.

General Exhaust/Supply (EF-7, SF-7, etc.): The Building Management System (BMS) will start the general exhaust fans whenever it detects that the Air Handling Unit

(AHU-1) is running. The fans will stop when the AHU-1 has a "stop" status.

Fire Suppression Activation: Upon activation of the EF-8 fire suppression system, all cooking appliances (gas and electric) must shut down, and the kitchen exhaust (EF-8) and supply (SF-8) fans must be interlocked to respond as required by NFPA 96.

Information, Clarification Section C-2, Part I, Task 1, Section B.3.e.

and B.4.e, and

Attachment 0003

12 Please confirm that the disconnects, motor starters, VFDs, and other components installed for the four motors are correct and do not require replacement, as they are part of the design from the latest construction certified by a licensed engineer.

Reference: SOW Part I, Task 1, Sections B.2.b, B.3.e, and

B.4.e; Attachments 0001 through 0003.

The disconnects and motor starters for the fans were installed as part of a previous project (FY 2020-2021) but have never been used in operation. The contractor is responsible for conducting a field inspection to verify that these existing components are correct, fully operational, and meet the design specifications. The Government provided all available data, and multiple site visit dates in three separate ocassions to allow contractors to reasonably inspect the site to assess conditions. Any component that is found to be incorrect, damaged, or non-operational must be reported to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and will be addressed in accordance with

52.236-2 Differing Site Conditions, consistent with 52.236-3 Site Investigation and Conditions.

Information, Clarification Section C-2, Part I, Task 1, Section B.3.e.

and B.4.e, and

Attachment 0003

13 Please confirm whether the existing electrical distribution system has been evaluated for the proposed connected and demand loads. If upgrades are required because the existing panels, feeders, or breakers lack capacity or compatibility, please identify the required work or establish how that work will be handled.

Reference: SOW Part I, Task 1, Sections A.2.b and B.3.e;

Attachment 0001, Existing Electrical Drawings.

The electrical design, as detailed in the panel schedules on drawing EP001, accounts for the new loads of the exhaust and supply fans. The new Panel PP-3 is designed to handle these loads. The contractor's responsibility is to make the final connections from the designated safety switches and circuits to the fan motors as specified in the drawings. The Government provided all available data, and multiple site visit dates in three separate ocassions to allow contractors to reasonably inspect the site to assess conditions. Any component that is found to be incorrect, damaged, or non-operational must be reported to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and will be addressed in accordance with 52.236-2 Differing Site Conditions, consistent with 52.236-3 Site Investigation and Conditions.

Information, Clarification Section C-2, SOW

Part I, Task 1, Sections A.2.b and

B.3.e; Attachment

0001, Existing

Electrical Drawings.

14 Please identify the governing IBC and IMC editions for the complete installation. The SOW requires compliance with IBC/IMC 2024 but separately requires seismic bracing in accordance with IBC/IMC 2009.

Reference: SOW Objectives, Item 4; Part I, Section A.2.c;

Part I, Task 1, Section B.3.a; Part III, Section N.

Latest Versions Govern: The 2024 IBC and 2024 IMC supersede all legacy code references (e.g., 2009/2018 cycles) found in historical drawing sets. Seismic Bracing:

Seismic engineering for hood suspension, duct supports, and equipment attachments must be calculated under the current ASCE 7-22 / IBC 2024 (Section 13) standards, signed and sealed by a Puerto Rico Licensed Professional Engineer (PE). The most stringent applicable code should be followed in case of conflict. The contractor is responsible for compliance with current codes and regulations.

Information, Clarification Section C-2, SOW

Objectives, Item 4;

Part I, Section A.2.c;

Part I, Task 1, Section

B.3.a; Part III, Section

N.

15 Please confirm whether signed and sealed structural calculations and details are required for hood suspension, duct supports, roof curbs, penetrations, and seismic bracing. If required, identify the required Puerto Rico professional license and the Government approval authority.

Reference: SOW Part I, Sections A.2.c and B.3.a; Technical

Exhibit 2, Items C, M, and O; Attachments 0002 and 0003.

Yes, signed and sealed structural calculations and details are required for hood suspension, duct supports, roof curbs, and seismic bracing. These must be prepared by a professional certified and licensed in Puerto Rico to inspect and certify installation of this system. The Government approval acceptance authority for these submittals is the

Contracting Officer, managed through the COR. Government's acceptance and approval of shop drawings does not relief the contractor from responsibility for any errors or omissions in such drawings (52.236-21, Specifications and Drawings for Construction, paragraph (h)(2) )

Information, Clarification Section C-2, SOW

Part I, Sections A.2.c and B.3.a; Technical

Exhibit 2, Items C, M, and O; Attachments

0002 and 0003.

16 Please confirm that the existing roof EF and SF units will be not be replaced and that no additional drilling or roof sealing work is required.

Reference: SOW Part I, Task 1, Sections B.2.b and B.3.b;

Attachment 0001, Record As-Built Drawings; Attachments

0002 and 0003.

Confirm that the existing roof-mounted exhaust (EF) and supply (SF) fan units are not to be replaced. The scope of work is to connect the new kitchen hoods to these existing units. No additional roof drilling or sealing is anticipated beyond what is necessary to ensure a watertight connection at the existing curbs.

Information, Clarification Section C-2, SOW

Part I, Task 1, Sections B

17 Please provide the allowable TAB tolerances for the specified

2,400 CFM at 1.15 inches static pressure for

EF-7 and 8,800 CFM at 1.15 inches static pressure for EF-8.

Please also confirm the required TAB agency certification and whether the stated static pressure is external static pressure at the fan duty point or a field measurement at another location.

Reference: SOW Part I, Task 1, Sections B.4.a, B.4.b, and

B.4.e; Task 2, Part II, Section A.1.a; Technical Exhibit 2, Item O.

The specified airflows of 2,400 CFM for EF-7 and 8,800 CFM for EF-8 (both at 1.15 inches S.P.) are the required operational setpoints. The Test, Adjust, and Balance

(TAB) report must demonstrate that the system can achieve and maintain these values. The stated static pressure is the external static pressure at the fan duty point. The

TAB agency must be certified, and the contractor is responsible for achieving these performance metrics.

Information, Clarification Section C-2, SOW

Part I, Task 1, Sections B

18 Please confirm the duration, scheduling conditions, and acceptance criteria for Operational Load Validation.

The SOW cites a 72-inch griddle during peak-load testing, while the Installed Kitchen Equipment Data Sheet lists a 48-inch griddle; please identify the appliance size that governs design and testing.

Reference: SOW Task 2, Part II, Section A.1.c, Operational

Load Validation; SOW Part I, Task 1, Section B.4.f, Installed Kitchen Equipment Data Sheet, Line Item 1.

The Operational Load Validation must demonstrate effective capture and containment of heat and effluent during peak cooking hours. The test should be conducted using the 72-inch griddle and other high-capacity appliances (e.g., 10-burner range, tilting skillets) operating simultaneously, as this represents the maximum thermal load scenario. The 48-inch griddle listed on the data sheet is superseded by the larger appliance for testing purposes.

Information, Clarification Section C-2, SOW

Part I, Task 1, Sections B

19 Please confirm how the Government will address a condition in which reused fans, ducts, electrical equipment, gas piping, or structural components cannot achieve the specified performance despite compliant installation and balancing by the Contractor.

Reference: SOW Part I, Sections A.2.b through A.2.d; Task 1, Sections B.2.b and B.3; Task 2, Part II, Sections A.1.a through

A.1.d.

If, after compliant installation and balancing, any reused component (fans, ducts, etc.) fails to meet the specified performance requirements, the contractor must immediately document the failure and submit a detailed report to the COR. This report should include the component in question, the performance deficiency, and the contractor's professional assessment of the cause. The resolution for such conditions will be addressed in accordance with 52.236-2 Differing Site Conditions, consistent with 52.236-3 Site Investigation and Conditions.

Information, Clarification Section C-2, SOW

Part I, Task 1, Sections A

20 The drawings and solicitation documents appear to contain differing requirements regarding the fire suppression system associated with EF-7. Certain drawings indicate fire protection/suppression associated with both EF-7 and EF-8, while the Scope of Work and solicitation narrative state that the integrated fire suppression system applies to EF-8 only.

Please confirm whether EF-7 requires a fire suppression system and, if so, provide the applicable scope and specification requirements.

The UL 300 wet-chemical fire suppression system is required only for the EF-8 hood system, which serves the main cooking area. The EF-7 system is for general ventilation and food dispatch, and therefore does not require a UL 300 system.

Information, Clarification Section C-2, SOW

21 Section B of the solicitation identifies a Period of Performance of 180 days after Notice to Proceed; however, portions of the

Scope of Work reference a 90-day project duration. Please confirm the required contractual Period of Performance that quoters shall use for pricing and scheduling purposes.

Confirm that the official contractual period of performance is 180 calendar days after the issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP). See Question 1 Information, Clarification Section C-2, SOW, Part I-C