3rd Party Fire Protection and Life Safety Reviews

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides clarifications and answers to vendor questions regarding the solicitation.

• FPE Review Requirement: Clarification is sought on whether "another FPE" means a second, separate FPE or the same FPE acting in a review role. The PWS mentions listing the FPE's name on the review form, but the form only has space for one name. The PWS also refers to "the FPE" (singular).
• Table B.3 Item Numbers: Confirmation is requested if Item Number 0001 for the 8 projects is a roll-up summary for detailed Item Numbers 0002-0009. The response is YES, allowing bidders to quote as one price for all 8 jobs or separately.
• Project Information for Pricing: Bidders requested additional information for competitive pricing, including approximate construction value, number of drawing pages, design milestones, and brief project scope summaries. The government stated that construction value cannot be shared. An additional attachment labeled "FLS Review" contains project descriptions and design completion status.
• Additional Support Hours: The government will not provide a total number of hours for expected additional support beyond FLS reviews (e.g., verification of comment incorporation, meetings). Offerors are to determine the time needed to perform the minimum required scope.
• Project Timelines: All projects will be given to the contractor at once, but submissions to the VA can be staggered within the 45-day review period.
• Project Documents: All projects contain both drawings and project manuals/specifications.
• Educational Requirements: An earned MS degree in Fire Protection Engineering is acceptable in lieu of a BS degree specifically in Fire Protection Engineering (where BS is in another engineering discipline).
• Floor Space Area: For projects involving new construction/alterations, the overall area in SQ. FT. is provided under clarification point #3.

This Q&A document clarifies requirements and provides additional details that may impact how bidders prepare their proposals and pricing. No changes to due dates or submission rules were explicitly stated as a result of these clarifications.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides clarifications and answers to vendor questions regarding the solicitation for FLS reviews.

• FPE Review Requirement: Clarification is sought on whether the "another FPE" review means a second, separate FPE or the same FPE performing the review role. The PWS notes the FPE's name on the review form, but the form only has space for one name, and page 53 refers to "the FPE" (singular).
• Item Number 0001 Roll-up: Confirmation is requested if Item Number 0001 in Table B.3 represents a roll-up summary for detailed Item Numbers 0002-0009. The response confirms this is correct, allowing bidders to quote as one price for 8 jobs or separately.
• Project Information for Pricing: Bidders requested additional information for the 8 projects listed in Table B.3 to enable competitive pricing. This includes approximate construction value, number of drawing pages, design milestones, and brief project scope summaries. The government stated that construction value cannot be shared and that an additional attachment (FLS Review) contains project descriptions and design completion status.
• Additional Support Hours: Bidders inquired about the total number of VA-requested hours per project for expected support beyond FLS reviews (e.g., verification of comment incorporation, meetings). The government stated that offerors must determine the time needed to perform the minimum required scope and will not provide a total number of hours.

This Q&A document provides crucial details for bidders to accurately price the work and understand specific performance requirements. It clarifies ambiguities in the PWS regarding FPE roles and provides context for the listed projects, though some requested information (construction value, specific hours) will not be provided.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation (RFQ) for Independent, 3rd Party Fire Protection, Life Safety, and Fire Alarm Reviews for Design Projects at the Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System, Montgomery AL. The contractor will provide services for eight (8) individual projects.

• Conduct independent, 3rd party fire protection, life safety, and fire alarm reviews for design projects.

• Review project documents including narratives, specifications, drawings, and RFIs.

• Contractor design reviews must include a review of Classification of Occupancy, Minimum Construction Requirements, and Means of Egress.

• Reviews must also cover Protection aspects (Vertical Openings, Hazardous Areas, Detection/Alarm Systems, Extinguishment, Corridors, Subdivision of Building Spaces) and Building Services (Utilities, HVAC, Elevators, Chutes).

• Provide written plan review reports with advisory comments and suggested mandatory comments related to fire protection and life safety.

• Reports must reference applicable codes, standards, or VA/VHA Manuals.

• Key Personnel: A Fire Protection Engineer (FPE) with a B.S. in Fire Protection Engineering, at least 10 years of experience, and a Professional Engineer (P.E.) license is required.

• Deliverables: Project design review comments documented on the Fire and Safety Project Review Report form (Attachment A), provided via email within 10 calendar days of receipt of the submittal package.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price.

• Period of Performance: The contractor shall complete all eight (8) project reviews within 45 calendar days from the start date.

• Offer Due Date: 05/01/2026, 10:00am EDT.

• Submission Instructions: Submit signed and dated offers on SF 1449, letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified. Offers must include solicitation number, receipt time, offeror's contact info, technical description, warranty terms, price, discount terms, remit-to address, completed representations and certifications (FAR 52.212-3), and acknowledgment of amendments.

• Evaluation Criteria: The Government will award to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous, price and other factors considered. The award will be made to the lowest priced technically acceptable offer.

• Questions: Direct all questions to Natasha.Mixon@va.gov no later than 4/20/2026.

• This acquisition is set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs).

• Offerors must be certified SDVOSBs listed in the SBA certification database.

• Offerors must complete and return fill-in clauses at 52.204-17, 52.209-2, and 852.219-75.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses by reference, including 52.212-1, 52.212-3, and 52.212-5.

Other / Unclassified

This document appears to be a summary of the Fire Protection & Life Safety Review (FPLSR) status for various projects, detailing the percentage of completion and their current status (all listed as 'Pending').

This information may be relevant to bidders by indicating the progress and pending status of specific facility improvements or renovations. It highlights ongoing or recently completed work, which could inform potential bidders about the current state of facilities and any associated risks or opportunities related to these projects. The specific projects mentioned include:

• Replace flooring and repair walls in Building 1 (100% Complete)
• Replace Mechanical and Air Handling Equipment - Building 1 (95% Complete)
• Repair/Replace Mechanical HVAC and AHU Deficiencies in Buildings 120 and 129 (75% Complete)
• Replace Boiler Plant in Building 12 (90% Complete)
• Renovate Building 10 (100% Complete)
• Correct the Mechanical / Fixtures and Piping for Buildings 2, 4, 4A (100% Complete)
• Replace Roofs in Bldgs. 19, 20, 50, 51 and 62 (100% Complete)
• Dothan Clinic (65% Complete)