1220--Fire and Sprinkler Alarm Service Contract

Government Response to Fire and Sprinkler Maintenance 36C4924924Q0004 0002

How will fire alarm service calls be handled and billed? If we get an after hours call and find $4000 of faulty/damaged equipment how will that cost of labor and parts be covered?

Government Response: Fire alarm service calls beyond the inspection, testing and maintenance required by NFPA 72, will be billed on a case-by-case basis. As part of contract quote, interested parties shall provide the hourly rate for such service calls. Contractor shall provide a quote for parts, if required as determined by the COR and contractor, for service calls beyond the scope of required inspection, testing and maintenance. No work shall be performed unless authorized by the Contracting Officer.

If the control valve/Tamper Switch/Waterflow/Gauge is found to be leaking or damaged how will that repair be handled? Will the contractor be able to provide quote for repairs?

Government Response: If a device, i.e., control valve/tamper switch/waterflow/gauge, found to be leaking or damaged during required inspection, testing and maintenance; contractor shall adjust/repair existing device. If existing device is beyond repair as determined by the COR and contractor, contractor shall provide a quote for replacement device.

If the VA is asking for a full service fire alarm and sprinkler contract can VA provide the estimated quantity of service calls annually? Is there any data about the estimated cost of repairs for the previous contract year?

Government Response: Data on quantity of service calls annually and/or estimated cost of repairs for the previous contract year is not available.

Sprinkler full service contracts are very difficult for 1 main reason. The water (quality), metal piping (material type, thickness and age) and air will always cause deterioration/MIC Sludge build up at different rates. The Mean Time Between Failure can't be accuratey calculated so you could be endlessly replacing valves/components even though you are maintaining them properly. Fire alarm components have a more defined MTBF as they are in a more controlled environment. Can the sprinkler full service contract be re-evaluated or line item added for sprinkler repairs?

Government Response: Sprinkler system service calls beyond the inspection, testing and maintenance required by NFPA 13 and 25, will be billed on a case-by-case basis. As part of contract quote, interested parties shall provide the hourly rate for such service calls. Contractor shall provide a quote for parts, if required as determined by the COR and contractor, for service calls beyond the scope of required inspection, testing and maintenance.

Is the VA performing the monthly fire pump run in house?

Government Response: Yes, the VA performs the monthly fire pump run.

Can elevator recall/shunt trip be tested during normal hours? If not can they be tested on weekends?

Government Response:Â No, elevator recall/shunt trip testing can be scheduled for nights and/or weekends.

Will the VA coordinate for their elevator contractor to be onsite to reset the elevators after testing? If not, can the VA provide the contact information for the VA Elevator Contractor?

Government Response: VA will coordinate with elevator contractor for, on-site, reset/restart after testing.

After duct detectors are tested/reset to verify HVAC Shutdown will VA Mechanical staff be responsible for restarting the HVAC Equipment that does not automatically restart? Some equipment might require manual restart from HVAC Personnel

Government Response: VA staff will be on-site for restart of HVAC equipment after shutdown testing.

What areas of the VA require after hours fire alarm testing such as OR, CATH Lab, SPD? Can the VA provide a list of areas that requires after hour testing? Also indicate any area that requires weekend testing

Government Response: OR/Surgical Suites, Cath Lab, SPS, Clinical Lab, Radiology, and Radiation Oncology should be tested after normal hours, i.e., nights and/or weekends.

When batteries,smoke detectors, duct detectors fail during testing will the contractor be able to provide a quote to make repair? IAW with the latest NFPA 72 batteries have to meet a higher standard which will result in more failures.

Government Response: Contractor shall provide a quote for replacement device determined by COR and contractor to be beyond repair during required inspection, testing and maintenance services.