Y1DA--519-24-400-NRM Install Fire Alarm Bldg. 25

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document contains specifications for the "Design New Fire Alarm System Bldg 25" located in Big Spring, TX. It is issued for bid by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Project No. 519-24-400, Fiscal Year 2024, Contract No. 36C25720D0060, Task Order No. 36C25724N0128, dated 28 June 2024.

• Replacement of the existing Honeywell fire alarm system at Building 25 with a Siemens system to match current hospital operations.

• General construction work including demolition, labor, materials, equipment, supervision, and testing.

• Compliance with numerous specifications and standards related to safety, quality control, environmental protection, electrical work, fire detection and alarm systems, painting, and more.

• Contract No.: 36C25720D0060

• Task Order No.: 36C25724N0128

• Fiscal Year: 2024

• Drawings and contract documents are available from the website where the solicitation is posted.

• Submittals are required in accordance with Section 01 33 23, including shop drawings, product data, and samples.

• A detailed Accident Prevention Plan (APP) and Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs) are required.

• Quality Control (QC) system must be established and maintained.

• Firestopping, painting, and fire alarm system installation must comply with specified standards and manufacturer's instructions.

• Not explicitly stated in the provided document, but the issuing agency is the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

• The document is extensive, covering a wide range of technical specifications and requirements for the fire alarm system replacement and associated construction work.

• Specific sections detail requirements for safety, quality control, environmental controls, temporary signage, waste management, firestopping, painting, fire detection and alarm systems, and more.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the "Consolidated Request for Information 36C25726Q0032.docx" for the "NRM Install Fire Alarm Bldg. 25" project.

• Sales Tax: The project may be tax-exempt, but the VA will not provide a certificate. Offerors must obtain exemption certificates from the Texas Comptroller. Proposals should not include Texas Sales or Use Taxes for materials incorporated into VA real estate.
• Construction Management Software: While platforms like Procore may be used, all official communications and submittals must still be emailed to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist.
• Payment Applications: Progress payments are for work completed, not for materials stored on-site or off-site.
• Economic Price Adjustment (EPA): An EPA clause will not be included; the solicitation will be a firm-fixed-price contract. Price escalation for tariffs after bid submission is not allowed.
• Bid Validity Period: The VA will consider reducing the bid validity period.
• Contractor Badging: PIV cards will not be issued. Constructors will report to police services for temporary badges. Existing active PIVs can be used.
• Dual Roles: One individual may serve in multiple roles (SSHO, QCM, Superintendent) if qualified.
• Site Office/Trailer: The VA will not provide space; contractors must bring their own office/trailer and will be provided an area on the property.
• Parking/Staging/Laydown: Designated parking, staging, and laydown areas will be coordinated with the COR.
• Fire Alarm System: Building 25 will use the existing fiber from Building 24. A new NAC panel is required, but a new Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) is not, as the FACP in Building 24 will serve both buildings. Fire dampers and associated duct smoke detectors are not required. Smoke detectors are not required in sleeping rooms; low-frequency tones should be programmed for speakers. Existing Remote Test Station Key Switches (RTSKS) associated with demolished duct smoke detectors should be removed. The duct smoke detector for AHU-2 does not require an RTSKS.
• Existing Systems: Existing primary and secondary cable pathways are intended for reuse. Existing heat detectors and smoke detectors in specified rooms are not required to be replaced.
• Sprinkler System: A new fire alarm bell is required, but existing flow and tamper switches will remain. The building does not have an existing Post Indicator Valve (PIV), and this is out of scope.

These clarifications address technical requirements, administrative processes, and material handling, which bidders should consider when preparing their proposals. The VA will consider reducing the bid validity period.

Amendment / Modification

• The proposal due date has been extended.

• The original due date was January 2, 2026.

• The new due date is January 19, 2026.

• The new time for receipt of offers is 10:00 AM CST.

• The "HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers" section has been modified.

• The deadline for submitting proposals or offers has been extended to January 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM CST.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment modifies solicitation 36C25726Q0032. The key changes are:

• The Product Service Code (PSC) has been updated to Z2JZ, which corresponds to "Repair or alterations of miscellaneous buildings."

• Unreadable drawings, previously provided as Attachment 1, have been replaced. The new drawings are available as Attachment 1.

• A site visit sign-in sheet is now included as Attachment 2.

• Bidders are instructed to disregard the "Price Schedule Breakdown" document, as it is not required for this action and should not be included in the quote packet.

• Drawings (Attachment 1)

• Product Service Code

• Pricing Schedule Breakdown (removed requirement)

• Bidders should ensure they are using the updated drawings.

• Bidders should not submit the "Price Schedule Breakdown" with their quotes.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains drawings related to the VABS Fire Protection project for Building 25 at the West Texas VA Healthcare System in Big Spring, Texas. It includes a coversheet, fire alarm general notes, fire alarm audibility plan, and fire alarm plans (demolition and installation).

• Coversheet (G1001): Provides project title, building information, project number, location, issue date, and a sheet index.
• Fire Alarm General Notes (FA001): Details applicable codes and standards (VA Fire Protection Design Manual, NFPA codes, IBC), project scope (demolish and replace existing fire alarm system in Building 25, compatible with Building 24's system), downtime limitations (96 hours), demolition scope, installation requirements, circuit routing, audible and visual notification design, and initiating devices.
• Fire Alarm Audibility Plan (FA101): Illustrates required audibility levels (in dB) for different occupancy types throughout Building 25.
• Fire Alarm Plans (FA102): Shows the layout of existing fire alarm devices to be demolished and new devices to be installed, including pull stations, smoke detectors, and strobes, with specific candela ratings and mounting details.
• Reference - As-Built Life Safety Plan (RA001): Provides a reference drawing for the life safety plan.

These drawings are critical for understanding the scope of work for the fire protection system upgrade in Building 25. Bidders need to review the demolition and installation plans, general notes on requirements and standards, and audibility requirements to accurately estimate costs and develop their proposals. The document specifies that the existing system must remain online until the new system is installed and tested, with a maximum allowable downtime of 96 consecutive hours.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a sign-in sheet for a pre-bid site visit for the "519-24-400 Fire Alarm System Bldg 25" opportunity. It records the attendees, their companies, phone numbers, and email addresses.

• Date of Site Visit: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
• Location: 300 W. Veterans Blvd., Big Spring, Texas 79720
• Attendees listed include representatives from Monument Construction, MAPCO, Inc., Telepro Comm., Brand Construction, and A.C.E.S.

This document provides contact information for companies that attended the pre-bid site visit. This information may be useful for potential bidders seeking to understand the competitive landscape or to network with other interested parties.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Pre-Construction Risk Assessment (PCRA) permit template used to assess and manage risks associated with construction, renovation, and maintenance activities at VHA facilities. It serves as a baseline for identifying necessary precautions to prevent impacts on patients, employees, and contractors. The permit must be posted at the project site.

• Location: Building 25
• Activity: Uninstall old fire alarm system and install new Simens fire alarm system.
• Activity Type: Small Scale
• Control Measures: Includes immediate replacement of ceiling tiles/access panels, weekly site visits by a multi-disciplinary team, provision of site-specific safety plans, task hazard analyses, and hazard communication by the contractor. It also requires addressing identified hazards, implementing control measures to minimize impact, and developing communication/coordination plans.
• Additional Requirements: The project involves installing a new fire alarm system covering the entire building, including outside areas. The work is to be completed during daytime hours to minimize disruption to patients and their routines. Safety concerns and potential impacts on daily routes will be actively managed.
• Permit Information: Includes fields for project manager, contact phone number, contractor, activity type, and specific control measures to be checked based on the activity type. It also requires confirmation of whether an Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) is needed.

This document outlines the safety and risk management protocols that will be in effect for the described activity. Bidders should review the control measures and additional requirements to understand the operational constraints and safety expectations for performing the work. It highlights the need for contractor-provided safety plans and the importance of minimizing disruption to building occupants and daily operations, particularly for a facility that actively handles patients.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a site map providing visual guidance for a contractor site visit. It indicates the location of parking and the designated entry point for check-in.

• Parking Area: Clearly marked with a yellow outline.
• Entry Point: Labeled with a star and text "Enter here for check in," indicating the specific location for arrival and check-in procedures.
• Building Identification: Shows "Big Springs VA" and "West Texas VA Health Care System."
• Route: A yellow line illustrates the path from the parking area to the entry point.

This map is crucial for bidders attending a site visit, as it provides clear directions to the designated parking and the required check-in location, ensuring efficient arrival and participation.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Request for Quote (RFQ) for the "Install Fire Alarm Bldg. 25" project (Project No. 519-24-400-NRM) at the West Texas Veterans Healthcare System (WTVAHCS) in Big Spring, TX. The project requires the contractor to replace the existing Honeywell fire alarm system in Building 25 with a new Siemens system and link it to the main building for monitoring. This is a turnkey project.

• Provide all equipment, labor, material, transportation, and supervision for the installation of a new Siemens fire alarm system in Building 25.

• Work must comply with the Statement of Work (SOW), specifications, and drawings.

• Adhere to Uniform Building Code (UBC), National Electrical Code (NEC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, Uniform Federal Accessibility Standard (UFAS), VA Standards, and local facility requirements.

• Provide a construction package including detailed submittals and manufacturer literature.

• Install a new Siemens system and link it with the main building for monitoring.

• Contractor personnel must have appropriate OSHA training (Superintendent: OSHA 30-hour; Workers: OSHA 10-hour).

• Provide all applicable safety signage and barricades.

• Clean the construction site daily.

• Prepare and submit As-Built record drawings within 30 days after project completion.

• Warranty for workmanship and materials for ONE YEAR from the date of final acceptance.

• Construction Magnitude: $250,000.00 - $500,000.00

• Performance Period: 85 Weekdays after notice to proceed.

• Site Visit: December 10, 2025, at 9:00 AM CST at WTVAHCS, 300 Veterans Blvd., Big Spring, TX. Meet at the police service in the main building.

• RFI/Questions Cut-off: December 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM CST. Submit via email to Eileen.Myers@va.gov in WORD format.

• Quote Submission Deadline: January 2, 2026, at 10:00 AM CST. Submit via email to Eileen.Myers@va.gov.

• Submission Format: One (1) emailed electronic PDF document, including completed SF 1442 (Page 2), Standard Form 30 (if applicable), Price Schedule, and Self-Performed Work Calculations.

• Evaluation: Award will be made to the lowest responsible quoter whose quote conforms to the solicitation and is deemed most advantageous to the Government, considering only price and price-related factors.

• Set-Aside: 100% Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

• NAICS Code: 238210 (Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors) with a size standard of $19.0M.

• Requirements: Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov and SBA VetCert (veterans.certify.sba.gov). A Bid Guarantee is required. Awardee must be able to obtain Performance and Payment bonds.

• Reference Solicitation Number 36C25726Q0032 on all correspondence.

• All quotes must be emailed to Eileen.Myers@va.gov.

• The document includes numerous FAR and VAAR clauses related to construction, labor standards, security, and small business requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides instructions and a template for bidders to submit their pricing breakdown for the "NRM Install Fire Alarm Bldg. 25" opportunity, associated with CLIN 0001. It details how to calculate and present costs across various construction divisions and other contract-related expenses.

• Instructions: Emphasizes the bidder's responsibility for formula accuracy, defines "Division" according to CSI standards, clarifies that line item breakdowns are for informational purposes only, states that field office overhead and general conditions are interchangeable and applied once, and confirms all pricing is fixed price.
• Proposal Price Schedule: Includes a breakdown by CSI Divisions (e.g., General Requirements, Existing Conditions, Concrete, Electrical, Fire Suppression) and other cost categories such as Insurance/Bonds, Taxes/Fees, Overhead, SubContract Mark-Up, and Profit. All listed prices are currently $0.0, indicating a template structure.

Bidders must use this template to detail their proposed costs for CLIN 0001. Accurate completion and submission of this pricing schedule are essential for proposal evaluation. The instructions provide critical guidance on cost categorization and calculation methods.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a VHA Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) template for construction, renovation, and maintenance activities. It provides minimum requirements for categorizing activity types and patient risk to determine the necessary infection prevention and control precautions. Facilities can customize this template.

• Activity Categorization: Identifies four categories (A, B, C, D) based on the nature and scale of the work.
• Affected Area Assessment: Requires identification of the activity area and adjacent areas that will be affected.
• Patient Risk Category: Assesses the risk level (Low, Medium, High, Highest) of patients in the affected areas.
• Level of Precautions: Determines the minimum level of infection prevention and control (I, II, III, or IV) based on Activity Category and Patient Risk Category.
• Control Measures: Outlines specific control measures required for each level of precaution, including dust control, barrier construction, negative pressurization, and cleaning.
• Permit: A fillable permit form is included for posting at the activity site for Level III and IV activities.

This document outlines the infection control requirements that must be adhered to during construction, renovation, or maintenance activities. Bidders involved in such opportunities must understand these requirements as they will directly impact project execution, safety protocols, and potentially project timelines and costs. The document specifies the necessary precautions to protect patients and staff from infection risks associated with construction activities.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document contains the "Issue for Bid Specifications" for the Design New Fire Alarm System for Building 25 at the US Department of Veterans Affairs in Big Spring, TX. The project involves the replacement of the existing Honeywell fire alarm system with a Siemens system to match current hospital operations.

• Replacement of the existing fire alarm system in Building 25.

• The new system must be a Siemens system.

• The work includes general construction for all labor, materials, equipment, supervision, and testing.

• Project No.: 519-24-400

• Fiscal Year: 2024

• Contract No.: 36C25720D0060

• Task Order No.: 36C25724N0128

• Issued for Bid on: 28 June 2024

• Drawings and contract documents may be obtained from the website where the solicitation is posted.

• Additional copies will be at the Contractor's expense.

• Not explicitly stated in the provided document, but the contract number suggests it may be a task order under an existing contract.

• The document includes detailed specifications covering general requirements, safety, construction security, operations, temporary facilities, testing, quality control, and environmental controls.

• Specific sections cover firestopping, painting, and construction waste management.

• The document references numerous standards and publications from organizations such as ASTM, NFPA, and OSHA.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Justification Under Simplified Procedures for Brand Named Items, indicating a procurement for a fire alarm system installation/upgrade in Building 25 at the West Texas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (WTVAHCS). The action is to replace the current Honeywell system with a new Siemens fire alarm system and link it to the main building's Siemens system for monitoring. This is a brand-name-only procurement.

• Demolish and replace the existing fire alarm system in Building 25.

• Install Siemens fire alarm system components compatible with the existing Siemens fire alarm control unit in Building 24.

• Limit fire alarm system downtime to no more than 96 consecutive hours, with contractor coordination for outages.

• Existing system must remain online until the new system is installed and tested.

• Reuse existing conduit and backboxes if they meet requirements.

• Physically hold open existing dampers or remove them.

• Phasing will be a significant component, requiring coordination to minimize disruption to building staff and patient care.

• The period of performance is 85 days after award.

• This is a "turkey project" (brand name only).

• The procurement will follow FAR 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Noncommercial Acquisitions.

• The action will be procured as a Request for Quote (RFQ) 100% set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB).

• Not explicitly detailed in this justification document, but it is stated that award will be made in accordance with FAR 13.203.

• This is a 100% set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB).

• The justification for the brand-specific requirement (Siemens) is based on the WTVAHCS campus's existing reliance on Siemens technology, the inability of the current Honeywell system to communicate with the Siemens system in Building 24, and the risks associated with integrating third-party equipment (system malfunctions, non-compliance, maintenance challenges).

• Siemens is considered the only capable product to ensure full compatibility, operational efficiency, and avoid substantial additional costs and delays.

• Market research confirmed Siemens as the only brand that can provide a fully compatible solution without extensive reconfiguration.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains "Attachment 2 Drawings" which provides diagrams and schematics related to the opportunity. It is intended to supplement the solicitation or SOW by providing visual details of the proposed system or installation.

• FACU Riser Diagram: Illustrates the general circuit routing requirements for a fire alarm control unit (FACU), including connections for Notification Appliance Circuits (NAC), Fire Alarm Appliances (FAA), Surge Protective Devices (SPD), and auxiliary power.
• Floor Plan / Layout: Shows the physical placement of components within a space, including typical locations for equipment and devices.
• Notes: Provides specific instructions and clarifications regarding power sources, system configuration, and the intended use of the diagrams.

Bidders should review these drawings to understand the physical layout, electrical connections, and system architecture. This information is crucial for accurately estimating costs, planning installation, and ensuring compliance with the technical requirements of the opportunity.