0003_Attachment_E_additional_QA_from_interested_parties.docx.pdf

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ATTACHMENT E page 2 of 4

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS POSED BY INTERESTED PARTIES

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Question #1: Are the proposals required to be submitted in English?

Answer #1: Yes, as per clause 52.214-34 in section 2 of the solicitation, all proposals are required to be in the English language.

Question #2: Is the work set forth in the solicitation bound by the Israeli telecommunications regulations and law?

Answer #2: In accordance to clause 652.242.73 Authorization and Performance (Aug. 99) of section 2 in the solicitation,” The contractor warrants the following: (1) That is has obtained authorization to operate and do business in the country or countries in which this contract will be performed; (2) That is has obtained all necessary licenses and permits required to perform this contract; and, (3) That it shall comply fully with all laws, decrees, labor standards, and regulations of said country or countries during the performance of this contract.”

Question #3: Will it be possible to add a onetime installation charge to the solicitation?

Answer #2: No, the installation cost will need to be taken into consideration when pricing out offers and should be part of the existing priced line items.

Question #4: Are higher speed IPVPN and METRO speeds acceptable for line items that state specific speeds?

Answer #4: Yes, specific speeds on the line items state the line item requirements. Higher performance speeds are acceptable in meeting their requirements for base and all option years.

Question #5: Will it be possible to add a service-level agreement (SLA) charge to the solicitation?

Answer #5: No, all service-level agreement (SLA) costs will need to be taken into consideration when pricing out offers and should be part of the existing priced line items.

Question #6: In section1.V of the solicitation, does the Block of 256 public internet IP addresses on a single subnet a requirement per line, per site or at the customer level and what is meant by a single subnet?

Answer #6: The block of 256 public internet IP addresses on a single subnet referenced is section

1.V of the solicitation is only at the customer level as currently Post has no more than two (2) public IP addresses, each on a variety of circuits.

Question #7: Will a power source of 220v be sufficient to meet the requirement of section 1.VI of the solicitation?

Answer #7: While the Israeli voltage requirement is known to be 220v, section 1.VI of the solicitation requires that all equipment used by duel voltage (110v/60hz and 220v/50hz).

Question #8: Does the requirement in section 1.VII of the solicitation refer to emergency situations only?

Answer #8: The requirement in section 1.VII, refers to service and support for all contingencies as deemed necessary by the COR.

Question #9: What does the 99.97% in section 1.VII of the solicitation refer to?

Answer #9: The 99.97% in section 1.VII of the solicitation refers to the uptime of the services provided. ADSL service shall be the best effort possible. Section1.IV of the solicitation states;

“Internet Service Provider (ISP) must provide excellent Quality of Service (QOS) for the connection, that represents the level of consistent download capacity provided, must be the higher QOS percentage possible but, at minimum, greater than 99.97% or the highest possible quality of service connection reaching 100%.”

Question #10: Can the copper termination loops mentioned is section 1.VIII not be rack mounted?

Answer #10: Yes the copper termination loops do not have to be rack mountable.

Question #11: What type of base should the channel state inspection mechanism stated in section1.VII of the solicitation have?

Answer #11: The channel state inspection mechanism stated in section 1.VII of the solicitation is an IP base mechanism.

Question #12: What is the definition of internet tier 1 level stated in section 1.VII of the solicitation?

Answer #12: Internet tier 1 level referred to in section 1.VII of the solicitation refers to access to core router level at a US ITCOM provider. MPLS access to the US telecommunication provider is not acceptable and the circuit bandwidth needs to be sufficient to meet all of the providers customers’ requirements.

Question #13: What is the difference between section 1.II – List of required services, and section 1X- Services of the solicitation?

Answer #13: Section 1.II lists the required services needed and section 1.X states that all of these services are priced as firm fixed priced services. Both refer to the same services.

Question #14: How is downtime credit assessed?

Answer #14: In accordance to section XIII of the solicitation, “. Downtime credit shall be equal to the hourly or daily rate (as applicable) as identified in the schedule. There are two (2) situations when circuit Downtime Credits can be accumulated: 1) Below Availability Level, 2) Extended

Downtime.” In addition sections 1.XIV and 1.XV(b) identifies how downtime credit rates are determined.

Question #15: What are the performing tests mentioned in section 1.XVII referring to?

Answer #15: Section 1.XVII of the solicitation states, “The Government shall refer the problem to the carrier after performing tests as prescribed in the Trouble Analysis procedure”. These tests are performed by the US Government and the results of these tests shall be relayed to the ISP provider in case of escalation.