Audio/Visual Improvements at NREL

Introduction: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL develops renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices, advances related to science and engineering, and transfers knowledge and innovations to address the nation's energy and environmental goals. The campus is managed by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC (hereinafter called - Alliance) has entered into Contract with the Department of Energy (hereinafter called "DOE"), an agency of the U.S. Government (hereinafter called "Government"), for the management and operation of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (hereinafter called - NREL). All references to "NREL" in this Sources Sought shall mean the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. Background: Audio and Video (AV) Systems present at the NREL Campuses require modernization and standardization to support the diverse requirements of a modern, technologically robust, and secure DOE Laboratory. AV Systems may include conference room audio and visual systems, audio reinforcement, Emergency Notification (EN) and Public Address (PA) technology. EN and PA systems at NREL shall be required to meet or exceed compliance with the current revisions of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code guidelines. Conference room AV equipment installations shall meet or exceed compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Sections 204, 205, 307 and 309, standards for keeping access clear, audibility, usability, and access to operable parts. Installation of AV specific low-voltage Category (CAT) cabling and associated infrastructure shall follow industry best practices outlined in the current revision of the Telecommunications Industry Association and Electronic Industry Alliance (TIA/EIA) 568 standards for wiring of commercial buildings. NREL operates across four (4) campuses: South Table Mountain (STM) Campus: Golden, CO Flatirons Campus (FC): Boulder, CO Denver West (DW): Lakewood, CO. D Street Office (WDC): Washington, DC Objective: NREL is seeking audio-visual firms with a local presence in the Denver Metro area, specializing in design, sales, fabrication, installation, engineering, and project management of large-scale dynamic AV Systems. Staffing ability to handle multiple concurrent projects and provide service at all four (4) NREL campuses. Professional services required might include design, planning, installation, implementation, configuration, consulting, development, testing, documentation, commissioning, training, preventative maintenance, and / or warrantee repairs to AV Systems. NREL intends on awarding one or more task ordering agreements (TOA) for these services. Each will include one (1) annual base period and four (4) annual option periods. Task Orders issued under an established TOA will be subject to NREL Standard AV Design (NREL SAV) standards. SCOPE OF WORK Scopes of work shall generally include: AV DESIGN / ENGINEERING The NREL Technical Monitor (TM) shall work with the Subcontractor to plan and communicate the design requirements and scope of the Task Order. A site walk lasting no more than one hour may be required. The Subcontractor shall outline recommendations and develop a proposal for each project identified by the NREL TM. The Subcontractor's recommendations shall include but are not limited to the creation of and/or alterations to architectural documentation, proof of concept drawings, line drawings, equipment lists, and bill of materials necessary to fabricate and commission the required AV systems. The Subcontractor shall adhere to NREL Equipment Selection Standards and Cabling Standards outlined in NREL SAV when specifying equipment and materials. The Subcontractor and the NREL TM will work together to develop recommendations for Licensed Electricians to install conduit pathways, electrical power, and NREL Enterprise network CAT6 drops required to support AV functionality and control systems. The subcontractor and NREL TM will identify any existing equipment and cabling that is to be repurposed, replaced, or removed from the NREL facility. The subcontractor may be required to provide pre-installation services for the removal of any equipment and cabling that has been determined no longer necessary. AUDIO SYSTEMS The Subcontractor shall be required to update the Audio Systems at NREL which may include but are not limited to the installation, configuration and use of power amplifiers, ceiling, wall-mounted or free-standing speakers, acoustic sensors, visual alerts, assistive listening systems, digital signal processors, wired and wireless microphone transmitters, and various line-level audio signals. The Subcontractor shall be required to pull and install associated audio cabling through various walls, ceiling types, and conduit pathways. The NREL TM shall work with the subcontractor to identify cabling pathways, plenum vs non-plenum and where called for, arrange conduits to be installed. The Subcontractor shall be required to remove and de-install audio cabling that is no longer necessary in the process of AV Improvements. The Audio Systems shall adhere to the Audio Equipment Standards found in the NREL SAV Design. The integrated audio systems shall centralize and route disparate audio signals, provide conference room audio reinforcement. PA and EN audio shall tie into conference room audio systems as required. The Subcontractor shall adhere to the Emergency Notification Standards (ENS) of the NREL SAV pertaining to PA and EN. The integrated audio systems at NREL shall use rack-mountable digital signal processors (DSP) to interface analog and digital audio inputs for processing and routing. DSPs may be required to function as a softphone Voice over IP (VoIP) telephone. The AV system softphone shall be controllable from the AV system's Graphic User Interface (GUI). An AV encoder-decoder (Codec) may also be required to function as the VoIP interface for a conference room's telephone. The codec is controlled by the AV System's GUI. All NREL Enterprise network connections required will be authorized by the NREL TM. Secure mounting practices are required for all hardware, speakers, and equipment that is hung suspended from the ceiling. VIDEO SYSTEMS The Subcontractor shall configure AV equipment for projecting and viewing content on large presentation screens. Various video sources shall utilize High-Definition Media Interface (HDMI) and meet or exceed the standard for (4K) Resolution at 60hz. Video Graphics Array (VGA) with external 3.5mm audio may also be required. The Subcontractor shall pull and install required low-voltage cabling through various walls, ceiling types and conduit pathways. The NREL TM will work with the subcontractor to identify cabling pathways, plenum vs non-plenum and where called for, have conduits installed. The Subcontractor shall remove and de-install audio cabling that is no longer required or in use. The Subcontractor shall follow the Video Equipment Standards in the NREL SAV. The Subcontractor may be required to incorporate Video-Teleconference (VTC) Codecs into the AV system designs. Codecs may be provided new as part of the project or Owner Furnished Equipment (OFE). VTC control shall have full control functionality from the GUI developed or altered by the Subcontractor. The ADA height mounting requirements shall be followed when wall mounting any camera, touch panel display, or wall-mounted equipment to ensure access is kept clear and safe at NREL. The Subcontractor may be required to install Wireless Presentation Gateways into AV System designs as a video source. Wireless gateways shall undergo an internal NREL review be approved by the NREL TM to interface with the NREL Enterprise network. The Subcontractor shall securely mount any video displays or projection equipment using tilt and micro adjustable Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Listed mounting hardware. This includes but is not limited to video displays, video walls, projection units. The subcontractor shall use secure mounting practices to reinforce any hardware that is hung suspended from the ceiling. Including but not limited to projection screens, projection units, and video displays. CONTROL SYSTEMS The AV control systems shall be installed to process the routing and switching of audio, video, and control signals. The AV control shall be growth-oriented technology that creates a unified end-user appearance and functionality consistent with other AV systems present at NREL. Prior to installation, the Subcontractor shall submit screen shots of intended GUIs for approval by the NREL TM. The Subcontractor shall develop and alter GUIs as the primary user-terminal for controlling and making changes to the AV system. GUIs shall be installed on touch panel interfaces as determined. GUIs shall be installed to ADA height and access requirements. In addition to programming of physical GUIs, remote GUIs or X-Panels shall also be required. All required drywall or concrete penetrations are to be examined by NREL facility managers and the NREL TM. The Subcontractor shall install penetrations for low voltage cabling pass throughs and interface plates after the NREL Emergency Health and Safety (EH&S) requirements have been met and associated permits approved and issued. The Subcontractor shall pull, install, and terminate low voltage CAT cabling for controlling and interfacing AV systems and AV devices. The magnitude of individual work orders can generate up to $1,000,000.00 per year. Small Businesses: Please specify your organizations small business classification. Also, see NAICS information for determining small business size below. NAICS: 238210 - Contractors and other Wiring Installation Contractors https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards Response Requirements: The response shall include: Sales Representative Name, E-mail address, and phone number Local Business Presence Address for AV Integration Professional Services within 90 miles radius from the NREL South Table Mountain (STM) Campus in Golden, CO A capability statement that addresses the organization's qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor specifically for the work described herein Business Size THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE, NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP). VERBAL REPLIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ALL INQUIRIES MUST BE IN WRITING (Electronically via Email). Any organizations interested in working with NREL to provide services described within this document shall contact the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, ATTN: Randy Fransua, 15013 Denver West Parkway, MS 030, Golden, CO 80401. Telephone calls will not be accepted; however, submittals shall be by e-mail addressed to randy.fransua@nrel.gov. Responding to this request identifies your organization as an interested candidate only. Your submittal is not in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP). Responses to this notice must be received by 5:00 p.m. MDT, October 2, 2020.