19GE5024Q0057 0001_ QnA.pdf

Design, Supply, Delivery and Installation of Solicitation No. 19GE5024Q0057

New Audiovisual System Equipment Amendment 0001 dated 09/12/2024

U.S. Embassy Beijing, China

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Q&A)

1.

(Q) Video: The total quantity of 4K Twisted Pair Receiver is 8 units, Output source is one

Projector and two 4K TVs 75", one 4K TV 65". What are the rest of the output source?

(A) There are a total of 3 fixed output display devices in the venue (2 of which are reused), 2 of them are 75-inch 4K TVs. The walls are also equipped with 4K video twisted pair output ports. Among the 8 receivers, 3 are left for flexible use within the venue, which can be connected to any twisted pair wall output port. A 65-inch 4K TV is used for monitoring in the control room.

2.

(Q) Video: Where are the three 4K PTZ Cameras installed?

(A) Three cameras are to be installed on the walls of the BAC (2) and the LARC (1), continuing to use the original system camera installation locations, with only product upgrades.

3.

(Q) Video: What products will be used for video conferencing software or platform?

(A) The video conferencing equipment should be compatible with Zoom, Teams, Webex.

4.

(Q) Video: Is USB Extender, Controller and MediaPort 300 used for Video Conferencing

Software or Platform?

(A) A USB expander and control port are used for conducting online video conferences on a laptop. The interface provides a conversion of all signals in the conference room into USB signals recognizable by the laptop.

5.

(Q) Video: MGP 641 model is discontinued and should be changed to MGP 641xi.

What is the input and output source of the MGP 641xi?

(A) The latest model from the manufacturer should be used. This device serves the monitors in the control room, providing the capability to simultaneously monitor multiple signal sources, and can also supply multi-picture signal output to the display ends required within the venue.

6.

(Q) Audio: What is the Input/Output source of Digital Console and Digital Audio Processor?

(A) The digital mixing console allows for real-time operation of microphone signals, facilitating quick adjustments on site; the digital audio processor serves as the core of the system's audio signal processing, responsible for routing, distribution, signal correction, and automatic processing functions of modules such as EQ, AEC, and AGC, and can call up scene modes through the central control system.

7.

(Q) Audio: Where are the 16 Wireless Conference units installed?

(A) The wireless conference units are intended for different room setups and should be mobile.

They will be used in both the BAC and LARC and should be capable of serving two different events simultaneously or merged into one system.

8.

(Q) Audio: The SF 26CT Ceiling Speakers are sold in pairs. Is the total quantity 18 Sets (36

Units) or 9 Sets (18 Units)?

(A) 9 Sets

9.

(Q) Audio: Should Wireless Microphones and Receivers only be Chinese Models?

(A) The receiver frequency should comply with the Chinese radio management standards and be suitable for the radio environment in China. The key factor here is locally available service and parts.

[Please note that this acquisition is subject to World Trade Organization Government

Procurement Agreement (WTO GPA). Under WTO GPA acquisitions, the purchase restriction at FAR 25.403(c) applies:

“(c) Purchase restriction. (1) Under the Trade Agreements Act ( 19 U.S.C. 2512), in acquisitions covered by the WTO GPA, acquire only U.S.-made or designated country end products or U.S. or designated country services, unless offers for such end products or services are either not received or are insufficient to fulfill the requirements. This purchase restriction does not apply below the WTO GPA threshold for supplies and services, even if the acquisition is covered by an FTA.”.

Since China is not a designated country, its products are not designated country end products

(see FAR 25.003 below), China-manufactured products or any products that are not U.S. or designated country end products will only be considered if U.S.-made or designated country end products are either not received or are insufficient to fulfill the requirement.

Per FAR 25.003-

Designated country means any of the following countries:

(1) A World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement (WTO GPA) country (Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria,, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (known in the World Trade Organization as "the Separate Customs

Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei)"), Ukraine, or United

Kingdom);

(2) A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) country (Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Korea (Republic of), Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Peru, or Singapore);

(3) A least developed country (Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of

Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title19-section2512&num=0&edition=prelim

Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, or

Zambia); or

(4) A Caribbean Basin country (Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saba, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, or Trinidad and Tobago).]

10.

(Q) Control: The AV consol systems is made of AMX Controller and Touch Panel, can it be changed to Extron Controller and Touch Panel?

(A) 1. Both AMX and Extron are internationally renowned brands, but we do not recommend changing because the customer has been using the AMX brand control system for many years.

2. In China, the sales volume and the number of certified programmers of the AMX control system are much higher than those of the Extron control system, so support for customers is more readily available.

11.

(Q) Control: 10" Wall Mount Touch Panel need to be increased from 1 each to 2 each for each

BAC and LARC, please confirm.

(A) There should be one panel installed in the BAC and one in the LARC. The design consultant recommends an additional backup panel installed in each, in case one breaks or becomes non-functional.

12.

(Q) Interpretation System: The Interpretation system consists of Chinese products, can it be changed to another products of other origin?

(A) 1. While there is no brand or origin preference, system maintenance and parts should be readily available in China.

2. Interpreters are the main users of interpretation system, they are very concerned about the maintenance of the system. If it breaks, they hope it can be repaired immediately, so the spare parts should be easy to buy in China.

3. There are currently two problems with the translation booth need to be solved:

a. When the event is held on Zoom, the interpreter and the speaker cannot hear each other, probably because the online and offline cannot be connected.

b. It is hoped that two monitors can switch between PPT and the event site at any time.

[However, the need for local availability of parts should not be interpreted as a requirement to supply products that are manufactured in China. Please see Q&A #9 for detailed discussion about applicable restrictions under WTO GPA.]

13.

(Q) Lighting System: The Lighting system consists of Chinese products, can it be changed to another products of other origin?

(A) Lighting products are consumable products, so it is recommended to choose local brand products that meet international manufacturing standards and are easy to replace.

[Please refer to Q&A #9 regarding purchase restrictions under WTO GPA]

14.

(Q) Virtual Studio System: The Lighting system consists of Chinese products, can it be changed to another products of other origin?

(A) The Offeror shall review the activity scenarios in the SOW/solicitation and determine whether to replace the system products or not. Should replacement be necessary, then the replacement system products must fulfill the WTO GPA requirements and have adequate local support to ensure that any problems that arise can be resolved in a timely as per SOW (within 24-hour support). Notwithstanding Government’s potential use of Chinese brand(s) in its description of the requirement (Attachment 7 – Recommended Equipment List), the offered products must satisfy the WTO GPA requirements.

[Please refer to Q&A #9 regarding purchase restrictions under WTO GPA]

15.

(Q) Mobile System: Is a Mobile Sound Rack necessary for Digital Console and Wireless

Microphone, Receiver? We recommend a rack.

(A) We agree with the recommendation. Under normal circumstances, the digital mixing console and wireless microphone receivers are installed in the control room. They can be mounted on rolling racks for flexible use within the venue.

16.

(Q) General: For other embassy work it was mandatory attendance at site surveys to be able to bid. Will companies who did not attend this site survey be able to bid?

(A) Attendance at the site visit is not a mandatory requirement for this acquisition.

Offerors can participate in this acquisition regardless of attendance or not at the site visit.