SOLICITATION NOTICE
Z -- Upgrade Fire Alarm System 583-26-221
- Notice Date
- 7/11/2025 5:44:58 AM
- Notice Type
- Solicitation
- NAICS
- 238210
— Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors
- Contracting Office
- 250-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 10 (36C250) DAYTON OH 45428 USA
- ZIP Code
- 45428
- Solicitation Number
- 36C25025B0039
- Response Due
- 7/23/2025 7:00:00 AM
- Archive Date
- 08/22/2025
- Point of Contact
- Stacie I Hill, Contract Specialist
- E-Mail Address
-
Stacie.Hill@va.gov
(Stacie.Hill@va.gov)
- Awardee
- null
- Description
- Questions and Answers Q1: Spec section 01 35 26 states the SSHO needs to be separate from the superintendent. Can this be change to Where the superintendent can act as the SSHO. A separate SSHO will add considerable cost to the project. A1: The superintendent can act as the SSHO so long as they meet the requirements of training specified in section 1.8 and conduct inspections according to section 1.9. Q2: RFP documents for parking garage only provides initiating device counts. Being as the specification calls for voice system notification device counts will also be needed. Please provide notification device counts. A2: The employee parking garage does not have voice system notification devices. Voice system notification devices will only be installed if determined to be necessary by building code or NFPA standard and according to a NICET Level III or IV technician or an FPE. Q3: What model is the existing system in building 5. A3: It is believed to be a Siemens FireFinder XLS with PMI-3 interface. The contractor is responsible for field verifying existing conditions prior to bid according to SOW section II.A. Q4: RFP asks for new NCC computer. NCC has been discontinued, and the new model is Desigo CC (DCC). Is this model acceptable A4: The new model Desigo CC will be acceptable to the VA so long as it is UL listed and installed with new monitor according to the SOW. Q5: What model fire alarm control is currently installed in building 5? A5: It is believed to be a Siemens FireFinder XLS with PMI-3 interface. The contractor is responsible for field verifying existing conditions prior to bid according to SOW section II.A. Q6: Can you provide device counts for building 5? A6: Refer to SOW section II.9.a. Q7: Is building 5 to remain a non-voice system? A7: Construction documents indicate this system has an automatic digitized voice fire alarm signal with emergency manual voice override. If this doesn t match what was identified on the site visit, please submit an additional RFI. Q8: The listed NAICS code is for Electrical Contractor, would the government please change to Construction NAICS 236220? A8: The NAICS code 238210 is the most appropriate for this project. Q9: Is this a new contract opportunity? A9: Yes Q10: Who is the incumbent and what s the current contract number? A10: There is no incumbent nor current contract number. Q11: Could the government please provide a copy of the VA Design and Master Specification? A11: VA construction information is available online at https://www.cfm.va.gov/til/index.asp. Q12: What s the existing system in building 5? A12: This question has already been asked in a previous RFI Q13: Does the wiring and alarm system need to meet any local applicable codes and standards or only the VA s applicable codes and standards? A13: Federal agencies are required to follow the latest editions of nationally recognized fire and life safety codes. See the VA Fire Protection Design Manual Section 1.3.A for guidance on local regulations. Q14: Will the government approve any work after normal business hours? A14: This can be approved to finish loops before the end of a work day to restore detection capabilities but generally is not planned to be necessary. Q15: What s the current process and wait time to obtain a PIV badge? A15 : The contractor will work with the COR to fill out necessary forms, get fingerprints taken, and fill out a background investigation questionnaire to obtain a contractor PIV. The process can take as little as two weeks, but will most likely be about a month if forms are filled out correctly. Q16: Will the government require a PIV badge if a worker is onsite less than 30 days? A16: Yes, anything less than 180 days will require SAC adjudication (fingerprinting). Q17: Will the period of performance begin after badges are issued? A17: PoP begins after the notice to proceed. Badging can be completed during material submittal phase. Q18: Are as-builts drawings available which indicate the types of ceilings throughout the work areas? A18: As-built reflected ceiling plans are not available and legacy RCP drawings would not be considered useful or accurate for this project. Q19: Confirm ICRA levels, if applicable. A19: ICRA levels will vary based on area of work. The life safety drawings attachment lists the medical services in each area of the hospital. Refer to the attachment VHA ICRA 1.3_Final for examples of classifications and control measures. Also refer to SOW Section II.A.18 which states the majority of work (notification and detection device replacement) shall be completed without a containment cart in non-high risk corridor areas. Fire Alarm panel cabinet work shall plan to follow ICRA class III control measures but could be downgraded to class II after review by infection prevention. Work above ceilings will require containment cart provided by the contractor. Q20: Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of SSHO? A20: The superintendent can act as the SSHO so long as they meet the requirements of training specified in section 1.8 and conduct inspections according to section 1.9. Q21: If no to the question above, will the SSHO need to be full-time for this project? A21: N/A Q22: Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of QA/QC? A22: The superintendent can act as the QA/QC. Q23: If no to the question above, will the QA/QC need to be full time for this project? A23: N/A Q24: Can a superintendent be a triple hat to cover the requirements of SSHO and QA/QC? A24: N/A Q25: Is the use of temporary plastic wall panels (such as STARC panels) acceptable to meet ICRA requirements? A25: For temporarily erected barriers, STARC panels or similar are acceptable. Q26: VHA Directive 1192.01 speaks to Health Care Personnel, Page 8(p) VA Contracting Officers: This section implies, VA contracting officers responsible for on-site HCP contract will inform the contractors about this directive and its requirements. However, this project is not an on-site contract for HCP. Section C page 3, indicated that flu season is between Dec 1 through March 31, please validate that is not a mandatory requirement per page 4 of the solicitation titled COMPLIANCE WITH VHA DIRECTIVE 1192.0. A26: VHA Directive 1192.01 is still in effect and applies to this project. 27: Attachment XI: Please update the wage determination to ""General Decision Number: IN20250002 06/27/2025 A27: See attached. Q28: SOW states ""all work to be done during normal working hours,may include weekend work if necessary."" Who will determine if weekend work is necessary and will the contractor be reimbursed for the added cost? A28: Weekend work is not anticipated for this project at this time. A modification will need to be executed if weekend work is deemed necessary after project start. Q29: Can the Owner specify what areas have ""hard ceilings"" A29: As-built drawings of the reflected ceiling plan are not available for this project. Q30: SOW states that majority of work is to be done through ceilings with containment carts. Greater ICRA requirements will be required in high-risk areas if work on panel cabinet would become dirty or invasive. Due to the uncertainty of what will be actually required can this be an allotment to the contract A30: Refer to SOW Section II.A.18 which states the majority of work (notification and detection device replacement) shall be completed WITHOUT a containment cart in non-high risk corridor areas. Fire Alarm panel cabinet work shall plan to follow ICRA class III control measures but could be downgraded to class II after review by infection prevention. Work above ceilings will require containment cart provided by the contractor. Q31: Will the contractor be paid for ""stored material"" that is stored onsite in containers A31: Yes, the contractor can be paid for material in an onsite connex. The connex will need to be stored at the CSR location. Q32: Is it possible to do both buildings (RLR & CSR) concurrently A32: Work can happen concurrently. This would require two superintendents. Q33: Are multiple electronic keys available to the contractor A33: Two electronic keys are the maximum available to the contractor for this project. Q34: Please provide a copy of the Site Visit Attendance Sheet. A34: See Attached Q35: Please confirm this is not a tax-exempt project. If tax-exempt, will the government provide the prime contractor with a tax-exempt certificate for use by subcontractors and vendors? A35: Indiana provides for tax exemption. An Indiana tax exempt form will be provided to the prime contractor. Q36: In the event of contract modifications/change orders, should performance and payment bond premiums be applied to each individual change order proposal or wait until the end of the project where a final modification is issued for the overruns? We ask this because VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) clause 852.228-70, titled ""Bond Premium Adjustment states in determining the basis for final settlement. A36: Each bond increase should be included with the cost of the proposal for each modification/change order. Q37: If a Prime Contractor is awarded multiple projects at the same VA Medical Center location: Can the Superintendent be shared across multiple projects at the same site/location, or should they only be dedicated full-time to this project only? A37: The superintendent shall be dedicated to this project only. Q38: Can one person serve as the Superintendent, Quality Control Manager, & the SSHO? If the Super can t be the SSHO, the average ADDITIONAL cost for a dedicated SSHO is approximately $36,000 per month (salary, labor burden, per diem, housing, company vehicle, monthly return trips home, company phone, etc). We expect this project to be 5 months long, and the bid is expected to increase by $180,000. Please confirm a dedicated SSHO is still required. If the Super can t be the SSHO and the SSHO is required to be onsite full-time, should they be assigned to this project only, or can they be assigned to another project as well on the same property? A38: The superintendent can act as the SSHO so long as they meet the requirements of training specified in section 1.8 and conduct inspections according to section 1.9. They can also be the QA/QC. Q39: Is a Quality Control Manager a requirement for this project? If a QCM is required, please provide specification 01 45 00. Please confirm that per 01 45 00 3.4 C, the Superintendent can also fulfill the Quality Control Manager (QCM) role. If the Super can t be the QCM, the average ADDITIONAL cost for a dedicated QCM is approximately $36,000 per month (salary, labor burden, per diem, housing, company vehicle, monthly return trips home, company phone, etc). We expect the onsite portion of this project to be 6 months long, and the bid is expected to increase by $216,000. Please confirm a dedicated QCM is still required. If the Super can t be the QCM, is the QCM required to be onsite full-time, or can they make site visits as required for inspections? If the Super can t be the QCM and the QCM is required to be onsite full-time, should they be assigned to this project only, or can they be assigned to another project as well on the same property? If the Super can t be the QCM, can a subcontractor (e.g., Terracon or a similar testing firm) fulfill the QCM role? A39: See answer above Q40: Will background checks and fingerprinting be required for any scope of work related to this project? If required, which scope and which subcontractors? If required, how long is the turnaround time for background check results? A40: Badging is required for this project. The process to obtain a contractor PIV can take as little as two weeks, but will most likely be about a month if forms are filled out correctly. Q41: How many hours should the prime contractor and subcontractors budget for on-site badging, safety training, orientation, etc.? A41: This is out of the control of engineering as it is dependent on the PIV office and the contractors ability to fill out forms correctly. Q42: Please confirm if tuberculosis testing is required before contractors can commence work onsite. A42: See specification 01 35 26 section 1.13. Q43: Please confirm if influenza vaccines are required for all contractors and subcontractors employees who work on the site or if masks will be required. A43: Construction specifications don t require influenza vaccines. Masks are not currently required at RLR VAMC. Q44: The period of performance (POP) on this project is given to be 210 days. However, we estimate the project will take 270 days, including preconstruction activities. Contractors never know when the government will issue an NTP; sometimes, it's immediately after the award; sometimes, we receive an admin NTP to begin submittals, etc. We estimate the time to construct this job plus preconstruction activities to be longer than the stated POP. We request that the POP be extended by 60 days, assuming NTP is issued before preconstruction activities. A44: Noted Q45: Please provide the point of contact information for the BMS integration contractor. A45: The BMS contractor is Conserv. Q46: Please provide the point of contact information for the Fire Alarm integration contractor. A45: The contractor is expected to take possession of programming rights for this project, so they would be the fire alarm integration contractor. Q47: Is any ICRA required? If so, where? A47: Refer to SOW Section II.A.18 which states the majority of work (notification and detection device replacement) shall be completed WITHOUT a containment cart in non-high risk corridor areas. Fire Alarm panel cabinet work shall plan to follow ICRA class III control measures but could be downgraded to class II after review by infection prevention. Work above ceilings will require containment cart provided by the contractor. Q48: Are there specific door size requirements for the ICRA walls? If so, what are the locations and sizes? A48: No specific door size requirements. Q49: Please provide complete Infection Control Risk Assessment forms for each area which require different levels of infection control. A49: The ICRA template is attached as reference to a separate RFI for this solicitation. Q50: Will the VA allow a Temp Wall System (i.e., Starc Wall, Edge Guard, etc) instead of a rigid wall ICRA system? This usually provides substantial cost savings to the VA. A50: Temp wall systems are allowed for ICRA requirements up to Level III. Q51: Will the VA allow the use of Zip Wall (plastic sheathing with support poles) for barriers and containment on this project? If so, where? If so, can it be used instead of a Temp Wall System such as Starc Wall/Edge Guard? A51: See answer to 47. Q52: If fire-rated walls are required, can we use one-hour-rated temporary walls, which are ASTM-certified? A52: See answer 50. Q53: Will the government accept ICRA Walls / Fire Rated Walls to the drop ceiling and fire-retardant plastic from the drop ceiling to the deck above? A53: Answer above. Q54: If necessary, will negative air machines be permitted to exhaust through HEPA filter into the occupied space? If not, please provide locations where negative air machines can be exhausted. A54: See Appendix A for alternative exhaust requirements of the attached ICRA template. Q55: Will ICRA carts be allowed? If so, is there a limit to how many ICRA carts can be used at one time? If so, are there any areas where ICRA carts will not be allowed? A55: Containment carts will be allowed. Refer to SOW section II.A.18. Q56: Is any scope of work for this project required to be performed outside of regular work hours? If so, what trades or scopes will be required to be performed outside of regular work hours? If so, what will the work hours and days be for scopes required to be performed outside of regular work hours? A56: Weekend work is not anticipated for this project at this time. A modification will need to be executed if weekend work is deemed necessary after project start. Q57: Will the VA provide space for the Prime Contractor s Superintendent to set up, or should we add costs to our bid for a mobile office? Where can the mobile office be located? Is space available for a 8 x 40 temporary ground-level office? Are contractors required to set a pole and meter for electric usage in the mobile office? Where is the electrical connection for power to the mobile office? What is the distance between the electrical connection and the proposed location of the mobile office? Is a 208V, 125A breaker available for connection to the mobile office? If a breaker isn't available, is a spare available? Would contractors be expected to supply the needed breaker? Will the feeder between the electrical connection and the mobile office need to be underground? Will this feeder need to run across any asphalt or concrete roads or parking lots? A57: It is not expected that the contractor will set up a mobile office for this project. Q58: Will the VA provide space for a 20-yard dumpster? A58: Dumpsters should be planned to be located at CSR. Q59: Where shall contractor dumpsters be located? A59: See previous answer. Q60: Can the VA accommodate a dumpster near the job site? A60: This is possible but should not be expected. Q61: Will the VA allow contractors to use VA indoor restrooms? A61: Yes Q62: Is temporary construction fencing required anywhere on the project or at the laydown area? Please confirm that 6 tall temporary construction fencing is acceptable. We ask this because the standard VA specification is a minimum of 2.1m (seven feet) tall, which is not an industry standard height and would require a custom fence to be made at that height. Alternatively, an 8 high fence generally tends to blow over even with sandbags on the bases when the fabric is required to be fastened to the fence, since 8 tall panels with fabric have to potential to cause damage to property and injury to personal, we strongly recommend using 6 tall temporary construction fencing. A62: Construction fencing is not expected for this project. Material is expected to be stored in a locked connex at the CSR location. Q63: Can utility tie-ins be performed during regular hours? A63: Elaborate on the word utility . Q64: Can system commissioning activities be performed during regular hours? A64: Systems can be put on test and devices commissioned during regular hours in conjunction with appropriate messaging to hospital staff and patients. Q65: Will the VA allow for stored material so that we can procure and lay down long lead items and/or critical path material/equipment? A65: Yes, the contractor can store material in a locked connex at the CSR location. Q66: Will the VA fully pay for this material/equipment if stored onsite? A66: The VA can pay for material stored onsite. Q67: Please confirm that the current design documents meet current VA TIL guidelines. A67: Contractor to submit additional RFI with specific identification if documents are found to not meet current VA TIL Guidelines. Q68: Is there any work not included in the drawings or contract documents that will need to be performed under the contract? Q69: Please provide a Reflective Ceiling Plan indicating which types of ceilings will be affected by the work. (ACT with size or Gypsum Board). A69: As-built reflected ceiling plans are not available for this project. Work takes place throughout the entire million square foot hospital with varying ceiling types. Q70: Will any gypsum/sheetrock ceilings need to be removed as part of the work? If so, where? If so, how many locations & how many square feet will need to be removed and replaced? A70: Entirety of ceilings are not expected to be removed at this time. Q71: Please provide specifications for the following missing specifications: 09 29 00 Gypsum Board 01 45 00 Quality Control 01 91 00 General Commissioning Requirements 26 05 33 Raceways and Boxes for Electrical Systems 5 26 Grounding and Bonding for Electrical Systems Q72: Please provide drawings showing the routes for electrical wiring and where they will be connecting into panelboards. Q73: Please provide drawings showing where the panelboards are located. A73: Refer to attachment VA 583-13-104 FIRE ALARM AS-BUILTS in solicitation. Q74: If the bid gets rescheduled to be due on a Monday, will the VA please consider rescheduling it to any other day during the week. Monday bid due dates mean that the bid must be finalized by end of day the Friday before, and many subcontractors don t work on Fridays. A74: Noted Q75: In the Statement of Work, II. Technical Requirements, A.14 states, The Contractor shall patch any rated walls, ceilings, or ceiling components disturbed during construction to the safety requirements of the UL assembly. Will any hard ceilings / drywall ceilings need to be cut open for access to install conduit or wiring? A75: Replacement of conduit and wiring would be addressed after award with a modification. Ceilings would be repaired within these modifications as applicable. Q76: In the Statement of Work, II. Technical Requirements, A.18 states, Greater infection prevention requirements will be required if devices are located in high-risk areas, patient/exam rooms, and if fire alarm panel cabinet work becomes dirty or invasive. The VA maintains the authority to implement all applicable infection prevention restrictions. For devices located in high-risk areas, please provide the infection prevention requirements and locations for these areas. A76: Refer to previous answers on infection prevention requirements.
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