Amendment 1 - Attachment J6 - QA_030ADV25Q0131 AOIP.pdf

Question and Answer

030ADV25Q0131

Audio Over Internet Protocol Network, NAVCC Audio Laboratory

May 6, 2025

Question 1: Are the cables terminated in the racks?

Answer 1: Yes, they are.

Question 2: How many ethernet tie lines are in the existing array?

Answer 2: There are 24 tie lines between the three equipment rooms.

Question 3: Will any of the spaces require plenum rated cable?

Answer 3: No, they will not.

Question 4: Are the racks for equipment installation a uniform depth and do all racks have rails? What are the specifications of the racks? How many RU do they contain?

Answer 4: Racks all have rear rails but not uniform depth. Average rail-rail depth is 28” and total rack depth is 37”. Depending on the rack and the equipment it currently contains the rear rails can be reconfigured. They are 45RU.

Question 5: Does the management computer need to be in a specific room?

Answer 5: No, access will be via our KVM system however preferred room is 3138.

Question 6: Will the contractor have access to a staging room where materials may be stored and locked throughout the period of performance?

Answer 6: The Library can provide room 1208 for two months of equipment storage. The contractor shall not consider this room a storage room and any materials or equipment anticipated to be housed at the Library for longer than two months should be delivered to the contractor and brought onsite when needed. This room is secure and can store the equipment for the contract. It is used for other storage and loading dock receiving and only accessible by other Library staff.

Question 7: If there are Library-owned ladders or hydraulic lifts on site, will the contractor have use of them or be expected to supply their own ladders and lifts?

Answer 7: The Library may be able to provide a basic or extension ladder, but the contractor should not anticipate those things being immediately available and be prepared to bring all necessary tools and equipment unless the COR states explicitly ahead of time that such equipment will be available on the day/time it’s required.

Question 8: Why is the spare Leaf Switch 5 noted for Room 312 only 24 ports? Should the spare switch (identified on the Network Concept) be fully configured?

Answer 8: Spare Leaf switch is only 24 ports at the suggestion of LAWO, the manufacturer of the system the contractor will be commissioning because of this requirement. It is not a hot spare in that it would not be online. When the switches are configured, that switch shall have several configs to be stored on the managing computer and loaded into the switch depending upon what it is replacing when needed.

Question 9: The solicitation document does not inventory the Merging Technologies products which are to be connected as hosts on the new AOIP network, nor does it list how many of each model are currently deployed in each studios. Can the Library provide an inventory of all the Merging codecs and their locations?

Answer 9: See Attachment J4 to solicitation amendment 0001 for the endpoint inventory.

Question 10: Are the Merging HAPI codecs type MKII or MKIII?

Answer 10: Both units will be in use as well as HAPI MK I

Question 11: During the site visit, the Library identified the LAWO Home triad of servers in a rack which appear to be powered off. How much commissioning has been completed on LAWO Home by both LAWO and Library staff?

Answer 11: The LAWO Home system was partially commissioned but without the supporting data and control network that this contract will install the commissioning could not continue.

Question 12: Can the Library provide information on the warranty coverage of the current LAWO Home control system? Is it still in effect and when is it due to expire?

Answer 12: Yes, warranty coverage expires in September 2025.

Question 13: Does the Library have a current support agreement from LAWO for the Home system?

Answer 13: Any support from LAWO on this installation and configuration is the responsibility of the vendor for setting up.

Question 14: Has the Library tested existing OM4 multimode fiber and verified that two unused duplex paths exist between support rooms 311, 312, and the immersive studio running into Room 313 where the spine switches will be installed?

Answer 14: It was tested at the time of install and some of the fiber is currently in use by the KVM system. There are enough fiber lines not currently in use that will be utilized for this install.

Question 15: The solicitation is written from the standpoint that all Merging Technology codecs have been deployed to studios and patched into existing Cat6 tielines flowing back to patch panels in the support rooms. Can the Library confirm that no additional codecs are to be deployed in this project?

Answer 15: See the provided endpoint list. The Library should be able to add and remove endpoints to the network without vendor support once everything is installed.

Question 16: Is the Library open to alternative GPS products from manufacturers other than Sonifex and Time Machines?

Answer 16: Yes, however the Library already owns one Sonifex AVN-GMCOS Grandmaster Clock unit and it is recommended the same unit be purchased to pair with it. It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that products are compatible with the Library’s design and existing infrastructure.

Question 17: The GPS coax cable path and antenna location is as-yet unsettled. It’s advisable and recommended to install GPS antennas outdoors with a clear and unobstructed view of the satellite arc. Can the Library investigate with Architect of the Capitol or facilities staff whether a path to an outdoor location on the building roof is feasible or out of the question?

Answer 17: The GPS portion of the requirement is revised. No longer applicable, see solicitation Amendment 0001.

Question 18: Can the Library confirm the location of the firewall near and if it has any bearing on the ability to install the GPS run to the identified location? If the interior courtyard is the only option for the GPS antennas, will the integrator be expected to install pipe sleeve and fire stop, if no penetrations exist into the courtyard space?

Answer 18: The GPS portion of the requirement is revised. No longer applicable, see solicitation

Question 19: As it relates to the GPS coaxial cables, will the contractor be able to use any existing tray, conduit, or j-hooks in ceilings?

Answer 19: The GPS portion of the requirement is revised. No longer applicable, see solicitation

Question 20: In the interior courtyard, what is the height above floor to the bottom of the glass canopy?

Answer 20: The GPS portion of the requirement is revised. No longer applicable, see solicitation

Question 21: What is the slab-to-slab clearance on the 3rd floor? Height above structural floor to bottom of the structural ceiling?

Answer 21: The GPS portion of the requirement is revised. No longer applicable, see solicitation

Question 22: Will the contractor have access to all existing A/V documentation, cable lists, rack elevations, and floorplans?

Answer 22: The Library will provide the contractor with pertinent documentation and plans upon award.

Question 23: When will CAD drawings be provided?

Answer 23: These will be made available on award. The Library does not anticipate the content in the CAD drawings to have any bearing on an offerors’ ability to compose their technical approach and pricing volumes.

Question 24: Will the contractor be expected to update any existing Library documentation?

Answer 24: That is not within the scope of this contract however the contractor must provide enough documentation through performance reporting, testing, and configuration documentation on install for the COR or other Library personnel to handle updating of documentation.

Question 25: Section 3.5 Network Performance Testing Report states: “The contractor shall develop a testing program that can validate a minimum of 32 tracks of 25-bit audio at 96kHz at a latency of 125 microseconds.” The most common bit depths used are: 16, 24, and 32 bits. Please confirm which specification is accurate.

Answer 25: Correct, the bit depth should be 24 bit.

Question 26: Are redundant power supplies required for these switches with/without power stacking cables?

Answer 26: Redundant power supplies were not specified as required in the design.