Questions and Answers.docx

1. Technical Specifications

· Are specific battery brands or models required, or will equivalent UL-listed security-rated batteries be acceptable?

RESPONSE: No specific battery brand or model is required. An equivalent UL-listed security-rated battery is acceptable.

· For the Command Keypads and card readers, can you provide the exact desired models.

RESPONSE:

Command Keypad: Make: LenelS2; Model: LNL-CK, or subsequent replacement model Card Reader: (Wiegand) Make: HID; Model 6125CKN0007-G3 RP40 or subsequent replacement model

· Can you provide any information on the location and amount of existing ESS that require a new Tamper Switch to be installed mentioned in section 2.1.3.

RESPONSE:

2. Lenel & Software

· For integration with existing Lenel PACS, will USDA provide the required software version, licenses, and dongle numbers, and if the system is under an active or lapsed Software Support plan.

RESPONSE: The PACS resides on an Enterprise system. The software version is 7.6.382. All software updates are handled by the USDA Project Management Office and cybersecurity is handled by the USDA Digital Infrastructure Services Center. The dongle number will be provided upon contract award.

3. Work Execution

· What are the allowable work hours, and are there any restrictions for high-security or sensitive areas?

RESPONSE: Work hours are Monday through Friday 7 am to 3:30 pm. A Government representative will provide an escort into sensitive areas.

· Are escorts required for any restricted areas RESPONSE: USDA suitability cleared personnel will have unescorted access into most facilities unless it’s a restricted area. Otherwise, a Government representative will escort uncleared personnel.

· Will there be a required sequence of work (building priority order), or can work be scheduled for efficiency?

RESPONSE: The Government seeks work performance at Building 229 first. Thereafter, the work can be scheduled for efficiency.

4. Incumbent Work & Coordination

· The Statement of Work references J2 Associates as the incumbent—will their as-built drawings, device lists, and wiring diagrams be available to the new contractor?

RESPONSE: The awarded vendor will be given access to view PACS devices. Wiring diagrams are not available.

· Will there be any overlap or coordination required with J2 Associates during this transition?

RESPONSE: No.

5. Wage & Compliance

· Can you confirm the applicable wage determination role for Beltsville, MD, and the DC location?

The attached wage rates are for this area.

· Are certified payroll submissions required for this contract?

NO.

6. Other Contractual / Administrative

· Will USDA provide all necessary PACS programming software, keys, and administrative credentials, or should the contractor include those in the price?

RESPONSE: Vendor personnel may apply to receive administrative credentials upon contract award. There is no cost for the administrative process; however, a minimum cost of $18 per applicant for fingerprinting may apply. Otherwise, Government personnel will provide escorting and access within facilities. As given above, PACS programming software is provided by the USDA Project Management Office and cybersecurity is handled by the USDA Digital Infrastructure Services Center.

· Are there any bonding or insurance requirements beyond standard FAR clauses?

Response: No

· Are there any environmentally sustainable procurement requirements (e.g., battery disposal, recycling, or packaging)?

RESPONSE: The Government will not levy additional environmentally sustainable procurement requirements outside of existing federal and state requirements. The vendor shall follow original manufacture equipment battery disposal and recycling, if given by the manufacture.

7. 2.0. INSTALLATION TASKS

2.1 it states In accordance with Contract #12305B25D0002, perform the following – Can USDA define “in accordance” as it relates to Contract #12305B25D0002 which is a Indefinite Delivery Contract (IDC) awarded to J2 Associates LLC with a last date to order on 10/31/2025 This contract cannot be used so we are putting this out for solicitation.

2.1.3 states Install Command Keypads (CK) at the following buildings please provide the exact model number of the Install Command Keypads (CK) RESPONSE: Model: LNL-CK, or subsequent replacement model

2.1.4.1 states Building 003, Room 318 and 319. Install ACS in the server room. The area requires one (1) card reader and associated equipment for each hallway door. Please define exactly what associated equipment is required?

RESPONSE: Request for exits, magnetic contacts, and electronic locks.

2.1.4.1 through 2.1.4.10 states various equipment we are to provide and install. Since this is an LPTA award and to ensure that all bidders are providing equal components will USDA please provide the exact manufacturer and exact part number for the following items mentioned.

Card Reader New Keypad Motion Sensor Keypad/readers glass break sensors Command Keypad (CK) ACS/IDS enclosure with Intelligent System Controller and subsystems power supply uninterruptible power supply unit AI Phone RESPONSE: The vendor shall use equipment designed or for integration with LenelS2 OnGuard.

2.1.4.11. States - South Farm and Turf Farm Electric Gates. The Government requires the capability to connect PACS at the gates. The Contractor shall analyze, recommend, provide documentation for collaboration with the Information Technology staff for a waiver submission, and install the best course of action for the capability. Can you define collaboration and are we performing the work as it does not state if we are or who is.

RESPONSE: Please relook the requirement. “The Contractor shall …“install the best course of action for the capability.” Telephone lines and modems were formally used to connect the gates to the PACS. Telephone line are no longer serviceable and the Government transitioned to Voice over Internet Protocol. Therefore, the technology recommended by the vendor to connect the gates to PACS will likely require the USDA Information Technology (IT) submission, collaboration, and approval by IT before installation.

"2.1.4.4. Building 011. Replace legacy keypad/readers on Headhouse 2, Greenhouse 2, and VC-1 doors with new keypad/readers. Perform preventative maintenance to the ISC and power supply panel IAW OEM specifications on all ACS and IDS equipment for the room. Building 052. Install glass break sensors in every room that has a window.

Request – Since this is LPTA and we did go on site survey Can you tell bidders how many rooms have windows and is this for all windows in Building 052 and all windows in 011?

RESPONSE: The sentence “Building 052. Install glass break sensors in every room that has a window.” should have started a new paragraph. Building 052 has nine (9) rooms with windows and 12 glass break sensors are necessary.

2.1.4.5. Building 229. Install three (3) additional card readers. One (1) on a former emergency exit door at the rear of the building, and on two (2) separate hallway entrances leading to poultry areas. Further, extensive preventative maintenance to all ESS components at the building Request Can you provide a list of all equipment that is part of the ESS for building 229 that requires extensive preventative maintenance RESPONSE: Preventative maintenance to the ISC panels, power supply panels, card readers, requests for exit, magnetic locks, magnetic sensors or contacts, and glass break sensors.

2.1.4.6. Building 307, Room 124. Install ACS to the server room. The area requires one

(1) card reader and associated equipment Request can you please Define install ACS with exact components and quantities required for an ACS.

RESPONSE: The vendor shall install one (1) each - card reader, request for exit, magnetic contact, and an electronic lock.

2.1.4.7. Building 1041. Install Access Control Systems (ACS) and IDS to lab spaces. The area requires a Command Keypad (CK), three (3) card readers and associated equipment, three (3) motion sensors, and six (6) glass break sensors Request, since this is LPTA please define and provide exact components that USDA would like us to install and are we providing the hardware or is USDA for Access Control Systems (ACS) and IDS.

RESPONSE: The vendor shall provide all hardware. Cables below false ceilings shall be protected with metal conduit. One (1) Command Keypad, three (3) card readers with corresponding electronic lock, request for exit, and magnetic contact; three (3) motion and six (6) glass break sensors; the Intelligent System Controller with supporting input and output modules; Reader Interface module(s), and power supplies.

2.1.4.8. Building 1042. Install ACS and IDS in a large space containing refrigeration systems. Request, since this is LPTA please define and provide exact components that USDA would like us to install and are we providing the hardware or is USDA for Access Control Systems (ACS) and IDS RESPONSE: The vendor shall provide all hardware. The hardware shall be connected to the panel located in B1041. Cables below false ceilings shall be protected with metal conduit. Hardware consists of one (1) card reader with a corresponding electronic lock, request for exit, and magnetic contact; two (2) motion and two (2) glass break sensors. A second door will only require a door contact.

2.1.4.9. Building 1045. The building contains ACS and IDS equipment and sensors which was interconnected with Building 1044. However, the PACS enclosures are in Building 1044, which is now condemned and inaccessible. The Contractor shall install and connect a new ACS/IDS enclosure with Intelligent System Controller and subsystems, power supply, and an uninterruptable power supply unit capable of four (4) hours battery back-up in the attic of Building 1045. Replace REX, glass breaks, and any other sensor found to be inoperable.

Request Since this is LPTA please provide exact part numbers and quantity for ACS/IDS enclosure Intelligent System Controller Subsystems power supply uninterruptable power supply Since this is LPTA and FFP please provide the exact number of REX, glass breaks, and any other sensor found to be inoperable – how could we determine their function until we are awarded the contract thus to ensure it is a fair LPTA will USDA provide this information.

RESPONSE: Install a new panel contacting the ISC, input/output boards, replace one (1) card reader and corresponding electronic lock, request for exit, and magnetic contact; one (1) motion and two (5) glass break sensors.

2.2.1.1. Integrate 13 Avigilon cameras in Building 307 at Beltsville Location. 2.2.1.2.

Integrate one (1) Hanwha Vision America camera on the Arbor House at the DC Location.

If the technician sets a password on any ESS equipment, the vendor shall provide it to the Government immediately. Request Are we providing camera if so please specify model number and desired mounting hardware since it is LPTA.

RESPONSE: New cameras are not required. Simply integrate existing (new) cameras into Milestone Systems. Building 307 cameras go to a local DVR and the Arbor House camera is offline.

8. Files – To date the only files for the project are these three: Service Provision 1155769, Wage Rates pdf, SOW – To date 28 questions have been answered yet were answered under Description and not as an Amendment are these Q&A official and part of the contract documents.

Any time the solicitation is changed it would be considered an amendment. Whether Q&A are in the description or as an attachment they would be part of the solicitation.

9. Files 1449 – There is no Standard Form (SF) 1449 – Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Products and Commercial Services which is normally the official contract document. Is this part of the request or will this only be provided as part of an awarded contract No there will not be a 1449 with this solicitation

10. Section 4.0. LOCATIONS OF SERVICE. Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center – yet does not state the other locations that are in the SOW to include the BELTSVILLE LOCATION, DC Locations?

The other location is the US National Arboretum at 3501 New York Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002

11.) Section 3.0 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR TASKS For section 3.1 - 3.1.10 With an existing maintenance contract which section 2.1. states that we need to be in accordance with the incumbent’s contract #12305B25D0002 awarded to J2 Associates, LLC which is for O&M why are these maintenance and repair tasks not being resolved under the current contract that does not expire until 10/2025. Has J2 Associates, LLC attempted to correct them and if so what was the reason for failing to perform the maintenance or repair tasks?

Contract 1305B25D0002 is not able to cover this work so we are putting this out for solicitation.

12) General Software Support Is an existing Software support contract in place and if so when doe that software support expires. If the Software support is not in place, should it be inclusive as it is not currently requested.

RESPONSE: All software updates are handled by the USDA Project Management Office and cybersecurity is handled by the USDA Digital Infrastructure Services Center.