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Revised May 15, 2006 Content Writing a proposal (3) Some Tips for Successful Bids (11) Cost Effective Speaker Choices (14) Commonly overlooked items: Valcom MultiPath Systems (15) Other important considerations (17) AC Power (17) Environment (17) Existing Call Switches (17) New Call Switches (17) Existing Wiring (18) Surge Protection (18) Integrating with Existing Networks (18) Sound Reinforcement Systems (18) Talkback Speakers (19) Telephone System Integration (19) Ethernet Connectivity Options (19) Tele
Revised May 15, 2006 Writing a proposal Quite often, business proposals provide a client’s first impression of a your business. A well written, neatly organized proposal represents your business as organized and professional.
Revised May 15, 2006 that the name of the client is usually at the top whereas your firm is listed on or near the bottom. This indicates your client-oriented approach; that is, you are proposing to improve the client's business, not selling your service. Other information such as the client file or reference number may be included. This can be useful for large clients such as government departments who issue many RFPs.
Revised May 15, 2006 best one. The introduction should be kept short and sweet; generally try to keep it less than two pages. Technical approach This section allows you to reinforce your authority as an expert by laying out a sound technical plan for the project. The technical approach must demonstrate that you understand the problem and have a methodology for resolving it. This is the time to introduce innovative ideas or solutions.
Revised May 15, 2006 Project team This section presents your project team to the reader. If you have subconsultants on the team, you will want to include a simple corporate team organization chart. It is generally useful to include the name of the key coordinator for each organization. The main purpose of this section is to introduce the reader to the project staff. A project organization chart is a valuable tool and shows at a glance the hierarchy that you will use and the individuals involved.
Revised May 15, 2006 In spite of the importance of this section, it should not consume a great deal of your proposal preparation time. Most of the information can be drawn directly from files of relevant project descriptions in an appropriate word processing format, which you have compiled expressly for the purpose of preparing your proposals efficiently. Project Price/Budget Your proposed price/budget is the single most important part of your proposal.
Revised May 15, 2006 This kind of budget estimating is well suited to computer spreadsheet software. You should have a standard template for performing these cost estimates efficiently. For the labor cost, you could provide a table of the key staff, each person's hourly charge rate, and the number of hours each person will spend on the project. It is also useful to provide a table that is subdivided by task so that the total cost per task is shown.
Revised May 15, 2006 Schedule The timetable for the project is specified in some detail in the schedule section of your proposal. One of the best ways to convey the schedule to the reader is to develop a diagram that shows: a. each task as a function of item b. the interrelationships between tasks (i.e., can task #3 begin only when task #2 has been completed or can it be done in parallel?) c. major meetings, and d. milestones.
Revised May 15, 2006 Appendixes It is convenient to place some of your lengthier material in appendixes so it does not obscure the main message you are presenting. Typically, there are three standard appendixes. The first contains corporate descriptions of your firm and any sub-consultants you may be using. This would include brochures. The second contains technical information regarding project experience such as descriptions of projects, copies of technical papers, lists of similar projects, etc.
Revised May 15, 2006 Some Tips for Successful Bids 1) Please use the tools that we have provided. By simply using the school system or paging system questionnaires, the system design tool and the most current version of this document you minimize the possibility of missing required, and inadvertently including unnecessary, equipment. The system design tool will automatically include necessary cabinets, cables and attenuators. 2) Time permitting, allow us to review your proposals prior to bid submission.
Revised May 15, 2006 7) The V-PDP Panel is an optional piece of equipment that provides system administrators with convenient access to a microphone jack, V-CPU4 push button inputs, and music inputs. It also provides a monitor function to listen to the music sources prior to distribution. The panel is designed to mount in a 19” equipment rack. In a competitive bid situation, you do not lose any system functionality by excluding the V-PDP.
Revised May 15, 2006 14) Talkback systems often cost less than one-way systems. This is especially true when the majority of zones only contain one or 2 speakers. Up to 2 talkback speakers may be direct connected to the Class Connection V-TCM or XP-TCM12 outputs without the need for amplifiers or power supplies.
Revised May 15, 2006 Cost Effective Speaker Choices for Competitive Bids Mounting Type 2 foot wide drop ceiling One Way Page V-9022 (Self Amplified) S-522 (25-Volt) Talkback Intercom Note V-CTL (45-ohm) S-522 (25-Volt) These speakers take 1/3 the time to install when compared to other ceiling speaker types. In order to take full advantage of the cost effectiveness of this speaker selection, labor dollars in your bid price must reflect this reduction in installation time. Does not require bridge.
Revised May 15, 2006 Commonly overlooked when configuring Valcom MultiPath Systems The MultiPath System Design Tool allows users to correctly configure the Valcom manufactured equipment required for a MultiPath Intercom System. The following is a partial list of miscellaneous items that may be required for your installation.
Revised May 15, 2006 Note that 66 blocks are available in various configurations. The most common type for our purposes is a 66M1-50. Pre-terminated blocks may be used to expedite head end cutover time. These blocks typically connect to the Valcom MultiPath System through 25 pair cables terminated with female Amphenol connectors on both ends. One end plugs into the Valcom MultiPath System and the other end plugs into the pre terminated 66 block.
Revised May 15, 2006 Other important considerations: AC Power Valcom MultiPath Intercoms require a dedicated 15-amp circuit and a solid earth ground. If not already existing, be sure to account for this in your bid price. Adequate AC Power may also be required in IDFs for power supplies. Environment All electronic equipment should be installed in a climate controlled (temperature and humidity) environment.
Revised May 15, 2006 Existing Wiring Before committing to reusing existing wiring, it’s very important to verify both the integrity of the wiring and the number of pairs available. Some older systems do not use the same number of wire pairs as the MultiPath system. Verify the presence of a dedicated pair of wires for each speaker zone and for each call switch.
Revised May 15, 2006 Talkback Speakers Most Valcom MultiPath systems use 45-ohm speakers for talkback. When configuring a 45-ohm system, it’s important to use the 45-ohm speakers suggested in the system design tool as they have built in volume limiters required to set the all call volume level. Standard Valcom 45-ohm speakers may be used on talkback outputs that will include V-2970 or V2971 call switches. Use one-way self-amplified speakers for all one way paging areas.
Revised May 15, 2006 Opportunity Solution Ethernet connected area supporting 5 or more talkback and or one way zones Use VCRCA Remote Card Adapters* and talkback or one way station cards to create remote IDFs *Purchase requires prequalification Ethernet connected area supporting 3 or less one way zones with one speaker each Network empower your MultiPath Valcom intercoms by easily incorporating state of the art VoIP technology.
Revised May 15, 2006 Valcom VoIP products easily provide common access to numerous MultiPath intercom systems. This application may be used in district wide paging or municipal alert applications.
Revised May 15, 2006 Providing Access to Multiple MultiPath/Class Connection Intercom Systems from one Location VIP-811 or VIP-812 Networked Station Port Mic Input Switch Input Admin 4 VIP-801* Networked Audio Port Multicast Enabled VIP-821 or VIP-822 LAN Building Manager Networked Trunk Port System 1 Mic Input Switch Input Mic Input Switch Input Admin 4 VIP-801* Admin 4 Networked Audio Port VIP-821 or VIP-822 VIP-801* Networked Audio Port VIP-821 or VIP-822 Networked Trunk Port System “N
Revised May 15, 2006 Telephone System Types: PABX/PBX – a telephone system that uses industry standard telephones exclusively. Electronic Key System (key system) - a telephone system that uses proprietary digital telephones exclusively. Hybrid Telephone System - a telephone system that uses proprietary digital telephones and industry standard telephones VoIP Telephone System - a telephone system that uses utilizes IP technology and proprietary Voice over IP telephones.
Revised May 15, 2006 Common Areas Common areas are those areas that are comprised of multiple one-way speakers (typically no talkback capability). Examples of such areas include hallways, cafeterias, gymnasiums and outside areas. Self-amplified speakers should be used for your common areas with all Valcom MultiPath intercom systems.
Revised May 15, 2006 Valcom One Way Speakers and MultiPathTM There are 2 types of speakers commonly used with new Valcom MultiPath communications systems – 45-ohm talkback and One Way Self Amplified. 45-ohm talkback speakers are used in areas such as offices and classrooms where it is desirable to hear a response from individuals in the paged area. It is possible to connect up to two talkback speakers to each MultiPath talkback zone.
Revised May 15, 2006 unit” requirements of all of the speakers being served from the location. The selected power supplies simply need to provide enough VPUs for the speakers and horns connecting to the IDF. Power supplies, unlike amplifiers, are not zone dependant and may be used to power speakers in numerous zones without fear of cross talk.
Revised May 15, 2006 Using Main and Intermediate Distribution Frames When designing a Class Connection intercom system distribution, serious consideration should be given to using a technique of main and intermediate distribution frames. A main distribution frame (MDF), required in every distribution design, is simply a location in the school where the main Class Connection intercom equipment will be installed.
This diagram shows the preferred method of cross connection field wiring from your IDFs or zones while only utilizing 2 66 blocks per station card. Note that this configuration does not utilize bridging clips but offers the flexibility associated with cross connect. Connectivity for a single station card is shown. In cases where IDFs will serve more than 12 points (zones), distribution cables and an IDF 66 block will be required for each increment of 12 or less.
Potential Applications Car Dealerships Car dealerships require multiple zones of paging: Sales Lot (one way) Showroom (one way) Service (talkback + one way) Parts (talkback + one way) Finance office (talkback) Service waiting room (talkback) Each salesperson’s office (talkback) Classical music in the showroom Modern music in the service area TV sound reinforcement in the service waiting area In addition, each service bay requires a talkback speaker with one call button to call parts, and one call button to
Assisted Living Facilities General announcement capability in common areas Sound reinforcement for the common area television 2 or more call boxes in each residence General Living Area Staff assistance station (normal or emergency priority) Bathroom Staff Assistance Station with pull cord (emergency priority) Solution: Common area announcements are easily accomplished. System music inputs may be used to provide local sound reinforcement for the common area television.
Educational Facilities Educational facilities have many unique requirements: Class Change Schedules 2-way Talkback Communication in each classroom Multiple class change schedules Door control General Announcements to common areas Local sound reinforcement for gymnasiums, cafeteria, auditorium Emergency Tones Secondary Clock Synchronization Solution: Educational facilities are where the Class ConnectionTM/Class Connection system shines! Up to 360 one-way and/or talkback zones, multiple time schedules for cl
Hospitals Hospitals are the first line of defense for a community’s well being. Internal hospital communication systems are used daily in life and death situations. They require significantly more that a simple one way all call public address system. Hospitals operate both as a whole and as individual unique service organizations. Obstetrics, emergency room, cardiac, labs, security, reception and finance are just a few of the many departments that operate both independently and as critical teams.
Typical School Zone Design Each classroom will typically have: • • • One or two V-CTL or V-C806PK talkback speakers A call button A clock Each classroom with teacher sound reinforcement will typically have: • • • • • • • One or two V-CTL or V-C806PK talkback speakers A Clarity SMA-40 Amplifier Two or four Clarity S-500 round or S-522 Lay-In ceiling speakers A V-LPT Attenuator A wireless microphone A call button A clock Gymnasiums will typically have: • • • • • One VC-1090 Flex Horn with a V-9805 Vandal
Each private office will typically have: • • One V-CTL or V-C806PK talkback speaker A call button Corridors (hallways) will typically have: • • One V-9022 Lay In speaker or V-1020C round ceiling speaker every 20 feet Dual mounted clocks for visibility from any location Exterior areas will typically have: • One V-1030M five watt Marine horn every 80 feet around the perimeter of the building Each entrance will typically have: • One V-1073 Vandal Proof Door speaker Number of zones typically required Ad
25-Volt Retrofit Applications Valcom MultiPath supports both talkback and one-way speakers. In the case of talkback, the system is designed and optimized for use with superior 45-ohm voice coil speakers. 45-ohm talkback technology is deployed in most mission critical intercom applications such as nurse call, etc. Occasionally, however, when outdated intercoms are slated for replacement, we are asked if the existing 25-volt speakers may be utilized with the MultiPath system.
All things considered replacing the speakers is your best choice: It will be necessary in any case to remove each existing speaker in order to change the tap setting. Replacement only takes a few moments more and the result is a known good speaker. New cost effective 45-Ohm speakers should always be considered.
