Here are some of the questions I have:
Do I need to send our central file or a local copy? - You need to send a copy of central file (Don't forget to detached and relinquish)

Do I need to send our custom family files? - No need it is inside of your Revit project but if you want to send then a copy no problem with that.

What about Revit/CAD links? - it depends, Send the Revit file for the other disciplined (EE,SE,PG) if any for clash detection and reference.
- Cad it you link some reference for the plan. or detail.

Will the annotation objects even be able to be seen when imported into the other consultants models without V/G adjustments on their end (ie would the consultant would have to set the link's V/G to "custom>by linked view" for each floor in their file in order to see our annotations?)?
- The problem is when you re-link again the other decipline V/G setting will be reset unless you specify a view template. they just need to activate that if they want to see the VG set up for each view.

Do I need to purge my file? - YES

That's why Dont forget to sent a PDf or DWF print for checking

Thanks for the expedient response engel_hg!

I guess I am not understanding completely what you are trying to say about the Revit/CAD links. Are you saying that I should send the Revit links from the other consultants (the same consultants I am trying to send my model to)? And what about the CAD files? In my circumstances we are only using the CAD links for riser diagrams/details in a Revit drafting view - so would I need to send the CAD files also? Will the consultants even be able to view the CAD file if it is linked into Drafting view?

About the V/G settings being reset when re-linked: what do you suggest in this case? Wouldn't I need to send them the view template also? I know sending a PDF will allow them to manually check to see what is visible - but I'm trying to make this as easy on the consultant as possible.

Even still, is there a way to exclude some objects from being sent (ie some annotation objects aren't "construction documentation" but rather placeholders/notes for me about objects to be placed at a later time - *and we don't want these objects to be included in our model when they receive it as these objects are for in-house use only*)?

or

Do I need to purge or do any other prep work to the file before sending it to them?

Thanks again for the response!
-Kcaparella

I guess I am not understanding completely what you are trying to say about the Revit/CAD links. Are you saying that I should send the Revit links from the other consultants (the same consultants I am trying to send my model to)? And what about the CAD files? In my circumstances we are only using the CAD links for riser diagrams/details in a Revit drafting view - so would I need to send the CAD files also? Will the consultants even be able to view the CAD file if it is linked into Drafting view?

what i means is this, it depends. Well you are just working only at Mechanical right? now AR consultant provide the architectural model ok then how about the Electrical and plumbing or structural? they are in the separate consultant firm. if the Architectural provide you with there model. i think no need to send it back to them. but if not. just send only your REVIT mechanical central file. because if they need to generate clash detection report they need all the Revit central file.

About the V/G settings being reset when re-linked: what do you suggest in this case? Wouldn't I need to send them the view template also? I know sending a PDF will allow them to manually check to see what is visible - but I'm trying to make this as easy on the consultant as possible.

-You need to set-up view template this will come along with your Revit central file.
view template.JPG

Even still, is there a way to exclude some objects from being sent (ie some annotation objects aren't "construction documentation" but rather placeholders/notes for me about objects to be placed at a later time - *and we don't want these objects to be included in our model when they receive it as these objects are for in-house use only*)?

Yes you can do this in my experience. i detached first the central file and make a copy and save,relinquish. then after that i purge it to remove the un necessary object
and delete some other note that i think, is not important in the project before i send it to my client. then i also set my starting view with instruction and comment or what ever i feel that my client need to see when they open the file.
starting view..JPG

any ways let just wait what other may say. and sorry for my grammar.

Thanks again engel_hg for your reply!

We are doing strictly the security plans for this project. The AR consultant provided us with arch., elec., plumb., struct., models (all from different consultants) and I have linked them all into my MEP model so that I have the complete model linked. So I will just be sending them our MEP model since they have all of the other links apparently (because they sent them all to me). Ok, cool!

I have view templates set up - I just was not sure if i needed to export them or anything of that sort. If I'm not mistaken, our consultant can also set our linked model's VG settings in their model to "by linked view" and then select the views from our project that have our annotation (for each floor of course). Ok, cool!

I have done the same to get rid of unnecessary "note" objects placed in the file. Worked fantastically! Cool!

No worries about the grammar - I could understand everything fine!

Thanks again for all the help!

Youre overthinking it. Sync with central, make sure every has. Copy the central file in windows explorer to your file transfer site, and youre done. Nothing else needed. You CAN use a local too, as long as its up to date. It doesnt matter, at all.

I seem to recall the factory saying that we should link Central Files because technically the Local Files are "looking" to touch the central (while opening/linking the file) and will slow opening/reloading if it can't "find" it. Linking a Central File eliminates that possible bottleneck. How subtle or offensive that bottleneck is remains to be seen though. It's also possible that it is a dated recommendation and current code doesn't indulge that situation anymore.