The Purpose of this amendment is to extend the responses due by date to Friday, February 14, 2025 at 12pm and to Post the Responses to the RFIs. Northampton Fiber Optic Cable Installation RFIs Please confirm if we can utilize the existing conduit to exit the 1st floor IT room, or if new conduit be required. The existing conduit can be used. Has an asbestos survey been conducted in the areas where work is being performed? If asbestos is present, what areas, and will we be able to use an alternate route, or is abatement required? GSA building manager is working on getting the report, verbally said no known ACM in proposed route. Since the fiber optic cable is already armored, is conduit installation required in the USPS loading dock, or can the cable be run on J hooks without conduit? The preferred route through the USPS loading dock is to use an existing hole from the VA waiting room side and staying next to the sprinkle pipe. It can be service mounted using 1- or 2-hole straps. This route lines up with the existing hole above the double doors. Please confirm whether we are required to punch through the brick wall on the far side of the USPS loading dock. There is an existing opening above the double doors that lead to the office area. After entering Room 107 from the USPS loading dock, should we utilize the existing conduit up to the 3rd floor? If not, are we to install new conduit or are we permitted to run the cable in free air? No conduit was seen from the 1st fl to the 3rd fl. There is an existing hole on the 2nd floor in the electrical that can be used, or a new hole will need to be drilled to the right if the ENT. A 3 conduit from floor 2 to 3 is present and can be used. Are there any sensitive areas that will require containment measures or work to be performed during off-hours? No off-hour work is required. Work in room 107 will have to be coordinated as it is an active office. Containment will be needed if drilling from 1st floor to 2nd floor. There is an existing hole in the floor that can be used. Plan to have access to the USPS loading dock 10 AM to 3PM. Can you confirm whether there is fire blocking between floors that may affect conduit installation or cable routing? No fire blocking was seen during the walk through. The floor is concrete pored over metal decking. In Electrical Closet 209, can we use the existing empty conduits to route the cable into Room 206, or will we need to core through the wall? From room 209 to the 3rd Fl, the 3 conduit can be used. Are we permitted to use all available existing conduits when necessary, or will certain pathways require new conduit installations? If not, please identify the areas where new conduit is needed, with footages. No new conduit is expected. Sleaves should be used when penetrating walls or floors. Should the network switches be installed inside a wall-mounted cabinet, or can both switches be placed in a rack within a movable cabinet? No switches are being installed as part of the services. Is a backboard required behind the wall-mounted cabinet for switch installation? No, the Eaton SRWF6U (or equal) 6U vertical-mount locking cabinet can be mounted directly to the wall using 3/8 toggle bolts. Please confirm the total number of wall/ceiling/floor penetrations required throughout the project and please specify the rooms where these penetrations will be made. All wall penetrations are sheetrock with plaster. No penetrations are anticipated, but can be made to make pulling easier. Please confirm if one or two 12 strand cables are being run. If 2 cables, are all 24 strands being terminated? Install one Corning 012T88-33191-A3 (or equal) 12 strand indoor plenum rated interlocking armored multimode OM4 fiber optic cable and terminate all straneds on both ends. Solicitation States "Wage Determination Applicable (Manchester 2015-4019 Rev 23 posted on beta.sam.gov) (xiii) All contract requirement(s)" Please confirm wage rates for this project Wage Determination 2015-4047 Rev29 is applicable. During the walkthrough existing pathways & Penetrations shown contained ENT (Electrical Non-Metallic Tubing) PWS Task B States "All wall and floor penetrations shall have steel sleeves and proper 2 hour fire rating." Treat all new penetrations as rated. If existing open is used, match existing. PWS Task F States "All work to comply with current VHA, NFPA, Joint Commission, NEC, and other regulations and guidelines. Fiber testing shall be completed to TIA-568.3-E standards" Existing is currently non-Compliant with NFPA. Should we Quote new Pathway and EMT (electrical Metallic Tubing) Sleeves to meet 2hr Fire Rating ? Treat all new penetrations as rated. If existing open is used, match existing. Some work on the proposed Path will take place in the VA Patient Hallways and waiting room. Does this work need to be done off hours? No Proposed Path runs through the USPS Warehouse and would be exposed - Should this section be placed in Conduit or Stay on J hooks? It can be surface mounted with 1 or 2 hole straps. The ceiling is suspended plaster. Will a full time GC Site Supervisor with an OSHA 30 be required on-site? Yes if a GC is being used. Is there a self performance % requirement for this Solicitation? An award to an SDVOSB set aside requires a 51% self-performance level, meaning that a certain percentage of the work must be done by the company (bid winner) itself rather than subcontracted out. Please Confirm Project intent is not meant to meet OIT Infostructure Standards. The intent is to run temporary fiber to the 3rd fl. This service is not for OIT infrastructure.
