Q&As_04-08-2019.docx

Solicitation 19ER1019Q0001 – Satellite Internet Services Questions and Answers

Q1: To submit the offer, what is the exact address and delivery point of contact (name and phone number)?

A1: The exact address is shown in block 9 of the SF-1449.

Q2: What are the submission requirements? Are there any rules we have to follow regarding the packaging requirements, whether we can bind the tender, and what information we should write down on the envelope?

A2: Offers must be submitted in hard copy to the address shown in block 9 of the SF-1449. There are no specific rules about how the offers are packaged. The address in block 9 of the SF-1449 should be written on the envelope. The envelope may be further addressed to the attention of the Contracting Officer. Also see Sections 3, Solicitation Provisions, and 4, Evaluation Factors, of the solicitation.

Q3: Whom do we have to submit the tender to and who do we collect the receipt from? Kindly, could you please give me the phone number of the contact person so that once I come to the gate of the embassy I will inform the guards who I’m looking for.

A3: If hand-carrying the offer to the U.S. Embassy, the envelope should be delivered during normal business hours (Mon-Thurs, 7:30 – 17:00; Fri 7:30 – 13:30). The mailroom staff will receive the envelope from the guards. The mailroom staff can be reached by calling the U.S. Embassy at +291-1-120004.

Q4: Until now, we haven’t analyzed the SAM (System for Award Management) registration due to error from the system. We tried to contact their technical person but unfortunately we haven’t heard back from them so far. So if we were to submit our proposal without it now, could we submit it later through email?

A4: All contractors have to be registered in the SAM (System for Award Management) Database https://www.sam.gov prior to contract award pursuant to FAR provision 52.204-7. Therefore prospective offerors are encouraged to register prior to the submittal of quotations/proposals. If technical difficulties are preventing SAM registration prior to submission, quotations/proposals may still be submitted. However, SAM registration must be completed prior to contract award.

Q5: Is there a way to submit two alternative options for each of the bandwidth levels requested? With recent developments in satellite capacity market and modems efficiency, we can achieve substantial savings by replacing your UHP modems. Yet, we would like to propose an option to keep your existing UHP platform in place, should you prefer to do so. The structure of the RFP document doesn't allow us to put two quotes in it. Is this at all possible, or should we just choose the most cost efficient option out of the two.

A5: If a contractor submits two options for providing satellite internet services, both options will be evaluated for compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. Award will be made to the lowest priced, acceptable, responsible offeror, for the bandwidth option selected.

Q6: Are all providers, even those with a proven performance track record, required to submit the capability statement as instructed on the page 35 of the solicitation?

A6: Yes. All offers must include the information required in the solicitation. See the Q&As 03-27-2019 for more detail on the capability statement.

Q7: Do we have to submit our quotation directly to Elizabeth K. Thompson with a copy to Goitom Kahsay? They are listed as main points of contact for this solicitation, but there are no e-mail addresses for submission included on the RFP document itself.

A7: No electronic offers will be accepted. Please mail your offer to the contracting office at the address listed in block 9 of the SF-1449.

Q8: Is it possible to get an extension on the due date, so we could ensure that the contents of our submission package are correct after reviewing Q&As posted on FedBizOpps?

A8: Quotations are due by April 15, 2019 at 17:00 local time.