Z1DA--Upgrade Fire Alarm System 583-26-221

ication 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