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[Duane Massey]

I just picked up a "bid" package from a general contractor for a local school. I'm going to pass, but some of you may find a few bits amusing:

They have removed all references to the name of of the school, the location, and even the architect who provided the drawings.

They go into great detail about the final specs to be met, including the measurements, but then include a line that specifies the speakers "shall be free of squawks and howls".

They specify the console shall be a Midas. No model #, no input list, no specs except the channel EQ.

The specific type of wire is listed, including black CAT6 cable that must be plenum rated.

The block diagram shows one CAT6 going to the console. Nothing else.

There are no mic input connections shown on the plans.


The video system is even better. I'm guessing this is a "sweetheart" deal, where the guy who put together the specs all ready has a lock on the project, and th4ey are just fishing for bids to meet the school requirements.

[Andy Peters]

Duane Massey wrote on Thu, 17 December 2009 13:15

I just picked up a "bid" package from a general contractor for a local school. I'm going to pass, but some of you may find a few bits amusing: They have removed all references to the name of of the school, the location, and even the architect who provided the drawings. They go into great detail about the final specs to be met, including the measurements, but then include a line that specifies the speakers "shall be free of squawks and howls". They specify the console shall be a Midas. No model #, no input list, no specs except the channel EQ. The specific type of wire is listed, including black CAT6 cable that must be plenum rated. The block diagram shows one CAT6 going to the console. Nothing else. There are no mic input connections shown on the plans. The video system is even better. I'm guessing this is a "sweetheart" deal, where the guy who put together the specs all ready has a lock on the project, and th4ey are just fishing for bids to meet the school requirements.

I think $3,000,000.25 is a reasonable bid for this.

-a

[Brad Weber]

Andy Peters wrote on Thu, 17 December 2009 19:35

I think $3,000,000.25 is a reasonable bid for this.

Great, now Duane can underbid you with an even $3,000,000 bid and get awarded the project!

Until Owners, Purchasing Agents, Administrators, etc. stop such nonsense it will continue.  Chances are this was a free design and they got the value of what they paid.

Black CAT6 plenum rated cable is available.  FWIW, I have worked with schools where their standard is for all UTP cable to be plenum rated, probably so they can spec and stock one cable for any use or change routing in the field as necessary without the rating becoming an issue.

[Duane Massey]

Brad, where did you find the black plenum? It seems to be very scarce down here.

[Hal Bissinger/COMSYSTEC]

Black CAT6, I like that. If you are going to use it, making it unique from what is used for voice and data is the way to go.

-Hal

[Brad Weber]

Duane Massey wrote on Thu, 17 December 2009 22:29

Brad, where did you find the black plenum? It seems to be very scarce down here.

I did a Google search for "black plenum rated CAT6 cable" and found this, http://www.blackbox.com/Store/Detail.aspx/CAT6-Shielded-400- MHz-Solid-Bulk-Cable-STP-24-AWG-4-Pair-1000-ft-304-8-m-Plenu m-Black/EVNSL0618A-1000, from Black Box and this, http://www.cypressindustries.com/shoponline/proddetail.asp?p rod=RCUTP6PSO1000FB, from Cypress Industries in the first few items.  I have to guess there are others.

[Duane Massey]

Hal, I do a lot of installs where the cable is exposed in an open ceiling that is painted black. Using black cable beats the heck out of painting later.

[Hal Bissinger/COMSYSTEC]

Not hard to find- http://www.generalcable.com/NR/rdonlyres/863C2FF6-1F8D-49F7- 9EC8-A065E50FBDF1/0/p_19_Cat6_QuickRefGuide.pdf

I don't think they are talking about shielded (STP).

Duane, you don't think that pink would look good in that black open ceiling?

-Hal