1701 Questions.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 18 KB Posted
- Attached to
- RFQ 1701. Agent Location Hardware
- Solicitation number
- BD-17-1062-LOT-00001-00000009131
- Issued by
- Massachusetts
About this file
This document is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issued by the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission (MSLC) for Agent Location Hardware and associated peripherals including software to support an integration to the existing ProSys lottery host system and migration to an upgraded host platform. The MSLC is requesting qualification statements from interested companies to provide these products and services. Key details include: the MSLC is qualifying bidders for a 5-year period through January 31, 2021; initial responses are due September 22, 2016, with the ability to submit additional questions and responses through January 31, 2021; the MSLC is seeking equipment to support existing monitors, media players, printers, displays, and other peripherals at agent locations.
The RFQ does not request pricing information as part of the qualification process, but rather indicates that pricing terms and preferred pricing policies will be required as part of any subsequent Requests for Response (RFRs) issued to the qualified bidders. The RFQ also outlines various technical, functional, and administrative requirements for the hardware and software, as well as confidentiality, communication, and other contractual terms that will apply to any future RFR and resulting contracts.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3.15. Certificate of Non-collusion.pdf | ||
| 2.3.8. Business Reference Form.doc | DOC document | |
| 2.3.12. Disclosure Statement.docx | DOCX document | |
| 2.3.10. EFT Form.pdf | ||
| 2.3.13. MSLC_Personal Data Certification.doc | DOC document | |
| 2.3.1. Standard Contract Form.doc | DOC document | |
| Agent Hardware RFQ.pdf | ||
| 2.3.6. SDP Plan. Declaration of SDP Partners.docx | DOCX document | |
| 2.3.7. Invest in MA Form.doc | DOC document | |
| 2.3.5. Consultant Contractor Mandatory Submission Form.doc | DOC document | |
| 2.3.14. EPP Form.doc | DOC document | |
| 2.3.7. Invest in MA Instructions.doc | DOC document | |
| 2.3.2. CoMA T and C.pdf | ||
| 2.3.9. Cert. of Good Standing.pdf | ||
| 2.3.4. Contractor Auth. Signatory Listing.pdf | ||
| 2.3.6. SDP Plan Commitment.docx | DOCX document | |
| 2.3.11. Prompt Payment Form.doc | DOC document | |
| 2.3.3. W9.pdf | ||
| 2.3.6. SDP.Spending Report.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet |
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Text version
Sheet1
| QUESTION SUBJECT | QUESTIONS | Answers | |
| 1 | Chapter 3.3.1.3 ?Retail Channel?, page 51 | a. Existing monitors will support monitor based games and multi-media content. b. Dedicated multi-media screens may also be used at some Agent locations. c. The current PCs that support the monitor based game screens are expected to be replaced by dedicated media player devices.? Question: We understand that the lottery intends to use the current monitors but replace the currently used PCs with media players. Can you please provide specifications of the currently installed monitors, in terms of interfaces, resolution, etc.? | A subcontractor had been placing Monitors/Televisions at agent locations for the MSLC since rouphly 2004. Advancements in Television technology over the last 12 years has left us with no exact "standard" specification for our monitor population. MSLC internalized this function about a year ago - since this time we have purchased the following: Sharp LC-32LE653U, LG 32LX330C and Samsung UN32J5003AF. The one constant that Bidders can count on is that every Monitor placed in service by the MSLC has a female RCA video input. |
Drawing results are communicated to the existing PCs via a cable connected to the 485 bus on the existing Isys terminal and connecting to the serial port on our Dell PCs. We currently broadcast the drawing results in 600*800 resolution. Animations illustrating the results are carried to the monitors from the PC by either a VGA cable with 1/8" mini audio cable wrapped around it or by RG59/RG6 coaxial cable. Bidders offering media player solutions should be prepared to accommodate both termination configurations at the proposed media players.
| 2 | Chapter 1.7 ?RFQ DEFINITIONS?, page 32 | PAT: Player Activated Terminal. A generic term used to describe a player facing, full service lottery terminal and Instant ticket vending machine.? Chapter 3.3.5 also states that ?The following are NOT within the scope of this RFQ?, page 82 ?Instant Ticket Vending Machines.? Question: Can the lottery please provide additional clarification of the difference between the PAT and the Instant ticket vending machine? | Page 32 defines an ITVM as Instant Ticket Vending Machine. An offline player facing Instant ticket sales machine. The difference between a PAT and an ITVM is that the PAT has a communications connection to the OLTP host system, and it combines the functions of a Full Service Terminal and an ITVM. |
| 3 | Chapter 4.6.3 ?Games?, page 82 | Question: Is there a maximum number of Instant Games that need to be supported by PAT? | Our current PATs have 24 bins, but they are configured to support 999 unique Instant Game numbers. |
| 4 | 4.2.1.3.1.iv, Category I: Full Service Terminal ? Connectivity and I/O Ports | Would the Lottery please considering modify the requirement to the following, in order to include more leading edge modern technology support? iv. At least one VGA or HDMI out port. Our latest compact terminal has been equipped with an HDMI port for output of video and audio to external displays, which is backwards compatible with VGA through the use of widely available HDMI-VGA adapters where use of this end-of-life technology is still required. | Replace 4.2.1.3.1.iv with "At least one output port with VGA capability - either directly of via the use of an adapter." |
| 5 | 4.2.1.4.1, Category I: Full Service Terminal ? Sound Capability | The requirement is fairly subjective and open to different interpretations of what a ?reasonable volume? may be. Would the Lottery please provide examples of the type of sound files that are expected to be played, and expand upon ?a reasonable volume? so that the Offerors can ensure their solutions meet your needs? | Sound files expected to be played would be any files that assist in communicating transaction details with a customer or an agent. |
The term "reasonable volume" was used in order to defer to vendors with more technical expertise than the MSLC, regarding ambient noise levels in a retail environment.
| 6 | 4.2.4, Category I: Full Service Terminal ? Printer | Can the Lottery provide the detailed specifications of the ?MSLC?s existing paper used on the Existing Player Activated Terminals?? | Please refer to COMMBUYS Bid # BD-16-1062-LOT-FIN01-00000004624 - MSLC Bid #16-03 Thermal Roll Ticket Stock |
| 7 | 4.2.5.2.1.i, Category I: Full Service Terminal ?Electrical Requirements | The RFR states: ?Customer Facing Displays must be capable of taking their power from the Full Service or Compact Terminal.? Would the Lottery please consider removing this requirement? Customer Displays typically operate on a standard 110VAC power supply. Terminal equipment, like most computers, do not offer output of 110VAC power for external devices. This is done to prevent undue electrical interference, excess heat, and undue stress on the terminal power supply, all of which would create potential complications for terminal operations. | Requirement 4.2.5.2.1.i requires that the Customer Facing Display 'be capable' of taking power from the terminal. This requirement is not meant to preclude other power options. (Also see section 1.5.2.1) |
| 8 | 4.7.x, Category VI: Miscellaneous Peripherals and Devices | Would the Lottery please further define ?jackpot communicators?? | “Jackpot communicators” would be any miscellaneous peripheral or device not listed above that would communicate to Players or Agents jackpot amounts. |
| 9 | Sections 1.2, 1.4.3. 1.6.1 Key dates | We understand that Initial Questions and the Initial RFQ Response are due on August 25, 2016 and September 22, 2016, respectively. And that subsequent to September 22, 2016, Bidders may continue to submit Questions and RFQ Responses through January 31, 2021. Would the Lottery please confirm that the date in Section 1.4.3 be revised from January 31, 2019 to January 31, 2021, to ensure that there is consistency between the end of the RFQ process set forth in Sections 1.2, 1.4.3 and 1.6.1? | The MSLC has determined that it is qualifying Bidders pursuant to this RFQ for a period of five years in order to best serve the needs of the MSLC to provide equipment in an expedient and efficient manner during the transition and thereafter. The bidders qualified shall be qualified hereunder through January 31, 2021. Once qualified, Bidders may submit questions of a general nature regarding equipment and industry standards; however questions specifically relating to an issued Request for Response (RFR) pursuant to this RFQ shall be subject to the time period set forth by that RFR. |
Section 1.2 is solely for this RFQ and therefore no change is required Section 1.4.3 shall be amended to reflect that this RFQ shall be effective to January 31, 2021 Section 1.6.1 is confirmed
| 10 | Sections 1.3.2, 1.5.2.2 Communication Restriction Clarification | These provisions provide for restricted communications regarding this procurement until a Bidder is selected and a contract is executed and approved. This procurement will not result in a Bidder being selected and a contract being executed and approved. Rather, bidders will be qualified as a result of this procurement, and may be selected and contracts may be executed in subsequent RFRs, which shall be issued only to Bidders qualified pursuant to this procurement. Would the Lottery please clarify when the communication restriction for this procurement will end? To provide an example, we assume a Bidder who is first qualified under this RFQ on November 1, 2016 and subsequently awarded a contract under a related, subsequent RFR on November 1, 2017, the prohibitions on communication for this procurement would expire on November 1, 2017 and the Bidder/Contractor would be free to communicate with the MSLC on matters arising under both the RFQ and the subsequent RFR. Would the Lottery please confirm? Would it make more sense for a Bidder/Contractor to have such communication restriction lifted following contract award, as opposed to contract execution and approval? | Communications in connection with this RFQ shall be restricted until such time as Bidders are qualified. Once qualified, Bidders may communicate with MSLC regarding general issues relating to the specific industry, standards and technology. However, once an RFR is issued by the MSLC, specific questions, relating to the RFR will be subject to the terms and conditions of the RFR. |
| 11 | Section 1.5.2.8 Confidentiality | Bidders are advised that all proposals are deemed sealed, and therefore their contents will be treated as confidential and will not be disclosed to competing Bidders until the evaluation process has been completed. Would the Lottery please confirm when the evaluation process would be completed, given that proposals may be submitted through January 31, 2021? If a Bidder has submitted a response to this RFQ process and has been qualified, will such Bidder?s proposal be disclosed even though the process remains open? | Bidders proposals to qualify for this RFQ are confidential until the RFQ process has been completed. Proposals submitted pursuant to any RFR relating to this RFQ shall be confidential until such time as the bid is awarded and a contract is authorized, funded, and executed. Please be advised that the MSLC is a public agency and thus is subject to certain public records requirements. |
| 12 | Section 1.5.2.18 Minimum Bid Duration | Please clarify the Minimum Bid Duration. Section 1.5.2.18 states that responses must remain in effect until either the Bidder withdraws the response in writing, a contract is executed or the procurement is canceled, whichever occurs first. If a Bidder does not withdraw its response, and the procurement is not canceled, and given that there is no contract that will be executed in connection with this procurement, when does the Bidder?s response remain in effect until? | Unless otherwise amended in writing, as provided herein this RFQ, Bidder’s response hereto is effective to January 31, 2021. |
| 13 | Section 1.5.19 Preferred Pricing | MSLC seeks a preferred pricing covenant ? that no other state or public entity customer within the U.S. of similar size and similar terms and condition shall receive a lower price for the same commodity and service during the contract period, unless the MSLC is given the same price. Please clarify what is meant by the contract period, since it is our understanding that no contract will be offered under this procurement? | The stated pricing policy is a statewide policy followed by the MSLC. Any contract resulting from an RFR issued pursuant to this RFQ must comply with the policy. |
| 14 | Section 1.5.2.26 Deliverables under this agreement | This Section provides that ?Bidder shall ensure that all deliverables that shall be used by end users delivered under this agreement adhere to the ITD Enterprise Information Technology Accessibility Standards issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts? Information Technology Division (ITD). Please confirm that the deliverables delivered under this agreement means deliverables delivered under agreements awarded under subsequent RFRs to Bidders qualified under this RFQ? | Yes, the deliverables delivered under this agreement means deliverables delivered under agreements awarded under subsequent RFRs to Bidders qualified under this RFQ. |
| 15 | Section 1.5.2.26 Requirement Clarification | Would the Lottery please review this Section ? it appears as if some words are missing? It currently states: ?Any Request for Proposal issued pursuant to and/or in connection with shall include, but is not limited to, a provision for liquidated damages and a provision for retainage for the contract.? | The provision is to be amended as follows: Any RFR issued in connection with this RFQ shall include, inter alia, a provision for retainage and liquidated damages. |
| 16 | Section 1.6.1 Term of contract | Will the Lottery please explain what is meant when it states that the expected duration of this Contract is five (5) years? It is our understanding that there is no contract that will result from this RFQ ? that contracts may be executed as a result of subsequent RFRs to Bidders qualified under this RFQ? Does this provision mean that any and every contract that may be issued to bidders qualified under this RFQ will be for an expected term of five (5) years? | The selected Bidders hereunder shall remain qualified for a period of five (5) years and will be eligible to participate in any RFR’s issued pursuant to this RFQ as determined by the MSLC to expeditiously fulfill its needs from time to time. |
| 17 | Section 1.6.6.2 Modifications to RFQ closing date | The MSLC reserves the right to make changes and/or modify the specifications identified in the RFQ at any time prior to the closing date. Is the closing date the date that initial responses are due ? September 22, 2016? If it is some other later date, how would bidders who submitted an initial response on September 22, 2016 be able to take into account the changes and/or modifications to the specifications, given that such bidder has already submitted a bid? | Yes, the closing date for this RFQ is September 22, 2016. Any further changes and/or modifications will be solely based upon the emerging needs of the MSLC and all qualified Bidders will be provided notice in advance. This RFQ is intended to qualify appropriate bidders for the categories of anticipated needs of the MSLC, which may change from time to time based upon industry standards and developing technology. |
| 18 | Section 1.6.6.3 Clarification requested on contract termination | We assume that this Section, which enables the MSLC to terminate a contract with a Contractor without cause on sixty (60) days? notice, refers to future contracts entered into with bidders qualified as a result of this RFQ. Would the Lottery please confirm? | Confirmed |
| 19 | Section 2.3.1 Forms required for RFQ | The Standard Contract Form and Instructions must be executed in order to be awarded a contract. The provisions goes on to provide that this form must be completed and returned as part of the Bidder?s RFQ response or selection of a Bidder for further negotiations. Does this mean that the Bidder has the option to submit this form either now, in connection with a response to this RFQ, or later, in connection with a contract awarded pursuant to a subsequent RFR as a result of being qualified as a bidder under this RFQ? If the Bidder is required to submit now, is it required only to complete the yellow-highlighted portions of the form available at www.COMMBUYS.com>. We have the same question for many of the forms set forth in Section 2.3, some of which seem impractical to execute at this time. For example, the SDP Plan Form #1 ? SDP Plan Commitment is required with the Bid Response. This form asks for bidders to provide an SDP Percentage Committed in Bid Response for Life of Contract. Given that Bidders don?t know what, if any, contracts, will be executed as a result of this process, it is not possible to make such commitment. Would the Lottery please explain how it expects Bidders to complete this form specifically, and what forms it is expecting bidders to submit generally in connection with this RFQ initial response? | This form is to be completed by Bidder for Bidder’s information as it serves as a notice and acknowledgement of Bidder’s requirements in the event of an designation and contract award and execution under an RFR pursuant to this RFQ. |
| 20 | Section 4.7 Miscellaneous peripherals and devices | Section 4.7(1) provides that proposed devices in this category conform to the generic mandatory requirements listed in section 4.6: General Requirements for all hardware components in all product categories. We believe that the appropriate reference should be Section 4.1. Would the Lottery please confirm? | Confirmed. The reference should read Section 4.1 General Requirements for all hardware components in all product categories. |
| 21 | Section 2.2.3 Financial statements | In the interest of paper conservation, would the MSLC please allow Bidders to submit three years? financial statements on removable electronic media in lieu of hard copy? | Yes |
| 22 | Section 1.5.2.7 Pricing | This requirement states ?Any charges of this nature shall be included in the bid price.? Will the MSLC confirm that pricing is not being requested as part of the RFQ? | Pricing is not requested to be provided as part of this RFQ. |
| 23 | Section 4.1.1.1 Proposed hardware | Will the Lottery please confirm that the term ?proposed hardware? refers to the equipment qualified vendors would propose in response to RFRs that follow the RFQ process | The term “proposed hardware” refers to equipment that qualified Bidders would propose to provide in their response to any RFR to be issued. |
| 24 | Section 4.2.5.2 Customer Facing Display | In section 4.2.5.2 Electrical Requirements, the requirement currently states that the ?Customer Display must be capable of taking their power from the Full Service or Compact Terminal?. As the industry as migrated away from small transaction displays, like a VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display) to large Customer Display Units ? they are powered via their own power supply and plug. The terminals do provide power to the printers. Would the MSLC please consider removing this requirement?? | Requirement 4.2.5.2.1.i requires that the Customer Facing Display 'be capable' of taking power from the terminal. This requirement is not meant to preclude other power options. (Also see section 1.5.2.1) |
| 25 | Section 1.3.1.2 Submission file size | Can the Lottery confirm whether there is a maximum single file size that can be uploaded to the COMMBUYS portal? | There should be no size restrictions with respect to uploading files to the COMMBUYS portal. |
| 26 | Section 4.2.1.1 Flash media | In Requirement 1.ii ? it stipulates the ability to ?display, on a continuous loop Flash video content on a directly attached customer display?? The industry is moving away from Flash, would the Lottery alter the language to say ?Flash (or equivalent media type)? | This requirement refers to processing 'capability' not media type(s) intended to be implemented. (Also see section 1.5.2.1) |
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