K063--Crescent House EST4 Fire Alarm Upgrade

Amendment / Modification

This amendment provides responses to vendor questions and extends the response due date to May 6, 2026.

• Solicitation: The response due date has been extended.
• Scope of Work/Requirements: Clarifications have been provided on the following:
  • Fire Alarm Panel: Only Edwards EST4 fire alarm control panels are acceptable; compatible alternatives are not permitted.
  • Troubleshooting Costs: The government will not expect contractors to absorb indefinite repair costs beyond the 10 hours allocated in CLIN 0003. The scope of work for Apartment 110 is clarified, and the replacement of peripherals is accounted for elsewhere.
  • Historical Data: Annual testing has been performed, and devices passed. Specific trouble codes from the EST3 panel include "Local Trbl Act Cresent House Building," "Disabled Active 01020687 Ground Fault Data Card 2," and "Local Trbl Act 01020682 Map Fault Data Card 2." The issue in Apartment 110 was not clearly defined.
  • Legacy Devices: Existing non-addressable smoke detectors are independent of the fire alarm panel and are not tied into it.
  • Wiring Issues: If existing field wiring requires correction due to ground faults or degradation, and it exceeds the allotted 10 hours, a contract modification or replacement by local personnel may occur, depending on scope and location.
  • Sprinkler Heads: Viking VK302, Model M, 5.6K, Standard Pendent, QR, ½”NPT, Chrome, 155deg F, or equivalent/better.
  • Horn-Strobes: Existing horn-strobes in Apartment 110 are confirmed to meet NFPA 72 requirements when replaced with identical or better units.
  • Shop Drawings: The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) will be part of the VA’s internal approval process.
  • Warranty: The one-year warranty applies only to components replaced, installed, or reused by the contractor, not to existing, untouched equipment.
  • Post-Installation Support: Support is limited to a 1-hour exit brief after system installation, testing, and acceptance, for handover of documentation and answering staff questions.
  • System Type: The system is a Horn Strobe system, not a Speaker Strobe system. Microphones are not necessary.
  • Existing Program Data: A copy of the original installation program is available on a flash drive at the panel.
  • Local 120v Devices: These are not tied into the panel system.
  • Uniformity: Manufacturer-supported UL-listed compatible panels are not acceptable due to the requirement for uniformity across multiple VA sites.

The response due date has been extended to May 6, 2026.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and services to upgrade the existing fire alarm system at the Crescent House Transitional Residence Program located in Lowell, MA. The upgrade involves replacing the current Edwards EST3 system with a modernized Edwards EST4 system.

• Replace the existing fire alarm control panel and internal components with an Edwards EST4 system.

• Replace the remote annunciator in the main office.

• Replace specific fire alarm devices in apartment 110 (3 Non-Addressable Smoke Detectors, 2 Addressable Smoke Detectors, 2 Addressable Pull Stations, 5 Horn-Strobes with Speakers).

• Replace system main back-up batteries and booster box back-up batteries.

• Install a new fire alarm panel storage cabinet for as-builts and software.

• Install a fire sprinkler head spare box with 6 new sprinkler heads and a sprinkler head wrench.

• Update all programming to ensure the system has no warnings, alerts, troubles, or faults.

• Troubleshoot and repair wiring, hardware, and software issues (up to 10 hours).

• Connect existing NAC circuits to the new system.

• Ensure compliance with NFPA 72, VA Fire Protection Design Manual, and local AHJ requirements.

• All wiring and connections must be neat and orderly.

• Minimize disruption to building occupants.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price

• Period of Performance: 12 weeks

• Place of Performance: Crescent House Transitional Residence Program, 15 Veterans Way, Lowell, MA 01852

• Response Date/Time: May 1, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern Time, New York, USA.

• Submission Method: Email to Yolanda.Rankin@va.gov. Hand deliveries will not be accepted.

• Evaluation Factors: Comparative evaluation based on Price, Past Performance, and Technical experience/capabilities.

• Offerors must include a statement regarding acceptance of terms and conditions or list exceptions.

• Questions Deadline: April 27, 2026, by 4:00 PM EST.

• Site Visit: April 23, 2026, at 10:30 AM at the Crescent House main entrance.

• Set-Aside: SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business)

• NAICS Code: 561621 (Security Systems Services), Size Standard: $25.0 million.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov.

• This solicitation is issued as an RFQ.

• Applicable provisions include FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-3, 52.212-2, and 52.225-2.

• Relevant VA clauses include 852.219-76 and others listed.

• Offerors must complete and submit Attachment 1 (Price Schedule) and Attachment 2 (Past Performance Worksheet).