23Q0033_QA r.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Solicitation Number 19PM0723Q0033 Cellphone & Data Services U.S. Embassy Panama

1. Question – Should we answer the sections 1, 2 and 3 from the Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) Software producer attestation form?

Answer: Yes, offerors must provide the requested information in the gray shaded lines of the template under column D, Vendor Response, for all Items Numbers for Sections 1-3.

See “Dear Prospective Quoter Letter” 2nd page / Item #7 and Attachment 1, RFQ page 43/Section 4 (Evaluations). Failure to follow the attachment’s instructions may result in rejection of the offer.

2. Question – What does IDIQ stand for?

Answer: An Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract is defined as an indefinite-quantity contract that provides for an indefinite quantity, within stated limits, of supplies or services during a fixed period. The Government places orders for individual requirements. Quantity limits may be stated as number of units or as dollar values. Reference FAR Part 16 (Contract Types)

3. Question - Can the quotation be based on the initial amount 410 lines?

Answer: The quotation must be based on the estimated quantities on each pricing tables.

However, we can issue Task Orders to acquire new lines or cancel existing lines during the period of performance of the contract, if required. See page 3/Pricing, paragraph (3.III.A., 3.III.C., 3.III.E.)

4. Question – Can you explain what is included in the Basic Plan?

Answer: The basic plan, rather than having a fixed monthly price, it’s a plan where you pay as you go. It’s a pay per use plan for calls only (local, local long distance, international long distance), incoming and outgoing roaming calls, incoming and outgoing local SMS, incoming and outgoing international SMS.

5. Question – Excellent 3G or LTE signal at COPEG Office in Pacora: will we provide the coordinates of that area?

Answer: No, the address and coordinates are: Antiguo Ingenio de Felipillo, Planta de Producción COPEG, Pacora, Sector 4 (Latitude 9°4'18.48"N, Longitude 79°18'6.87"W).

If currently the signal is only 3G, commitment to upgrade to LTE within 12 months must be presented on the quotation. (Refer to Section 3 – Page 39)

6. Question - Would we require porting of existing mobile numbers?

Answer: Yes, porting of the existing mobile numbers will be required if the incumbent is not selected as the awardee of the new contract. The quotation should provide a plan on how contractor will migrate all the phone lines (around 466) from the existing cellphone provider to their cellphone platform without causing any disruption to the service or annoyance to the users. Only if applicable. (Refer to Section 3 – Page 40 - Paragraph 14.)

7. Question – In reference to Temporary Services, is it feasible if the carrier delivers the devices in advance to the Embassy immediately after the contract is awarded? In that way the Embassy could administer the devices and would only need to request to the carrier to active the lines when is needed?

Answer: No this is not feasible since the service will not be recurring. Therefore, the Government does not intend to pay a monthly charge for the rent of the cellphone devices that are not being used.

The purpose of the Temporary Services is to rent smartphones (devices) with lines with Voice and Data Service to support special events and/or VIP visits at the Embassy Post on a temporary basis. These services shall be ordered on an as-needed basis. (Refer to Scope of Contract, Page 2 Section 1 – Paragraph 1.)

8. Question – In the solicitation Section 1 - Page 10, it states that the Embassy has their own devices. Does this mean that the quotation should not include the devices? Or should the quotation include devices as well?

Answer: Yes, the Embassy have their own cellphone devices/equipment. The offeror should quote the service for the lines of those existing cellphones devices/equipment (except for the Temporary Additional Services, refer to Section 1 – paragraph 1.7)

9. Question – Should the forms and certifications have to be sent to the same e-mail address where the quotation is going to be sent?

Answer: Yes, email forms and certifications to the same e-mail address. Reference the “Dear Prospective Quoter Letter” paragraph 5 for submission instructions.

Your quotation must be submitted electronically to PNMPROCREQ@state.gov It is important to make sure the submission is made in specific size and format; in MS-Word 2007/2010 or MS-Excel 2007/2010 or Adobe Acrobat (pdf) file format. The file size must not exceed 30MB. If the file size should exceed the 30MB, the submission must be made in separate files and attached to separate emails with less than 30MB each.

10. Question – One of the requirements, indicates that the SF-1449 must be submitted. Where can the SF-1449 form be downloaded from?

Answer: the SF-1449 can be downloaded from the following link:

https://sam.gov/opp/4f4d2e2621e0422a907ec8930a81435f/view

STEP 1: once you click the above link, you will be redirected to the subject Solicitation notice on SAM.gov You will need to scroll down the page.

STEP 2: at the bottom of the page, you will see the ‘Attachments/Links’ documents.

Click on the 3rd document named 19PM0723Q0033 SF1449 Cover page.pdf to download it.

11. Question – On Section 3 – SOLICITATIONS PROVISION, point A.2. indicates that a completed solicitation, in which the SF-1449 cover page (blocks 12, 17, 19-24, and 30 as appropriate), and Sections 1 and 5 have been filled out.

Confirm which of the blocks should be filled out on the SF-1449 form? Do we have any instructions or guidance to fill out this form?

Answer: For the SF-1449 offerors shall complete blocks 17, 24 & 30 at a minimum. Block 24 should list the total value for base year and option years.

12. Question - Should the offer include any specific model of mobile device? If so, please detail models and brands.

Answer: The government does not recommend any model. That is up to the offeror taking into consideration what the devices are being used for IAW the cellphone plan.

13. Question - If a device is to be included, what are the minimum features? If yes, please provide details.

Answer: Cellphone devices shall be new equipment; current/latest models; preferably with Dual Band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz).

Excluding the brands listed as Covered Telecommunications Equipment (Refer to Section 2 – Clauses 52.204-25 and 52.204-26 Section 4 Evaluation Factors/Comparative Evaluation/Minimum Technical Requirements/Data Services

14. Question - Should the offer include a minimum discount on the price of the devices? If yes, please confirm the percentage accepted.

Answer: For standard services of the Basic Plan and the Unlimited Plan, the solicitation is for cellular service only. Devices will be purchased separately.

For temporary services, the solicitation is for the monthly rental of devices only. Included with the cellphone device should be SIM card (if needed), English Instruction Manual, and phone charger. The SIM card (if needed) should be activated under one of the two plans (Basic or Unlimited Plan) according to the requirements of the temporary need. The U.S. Embassy occasionally needs several devices for short periods of time and is soliciting the ability to rent devices on a monthly basis in place of permanent purchases of devices.

Do not offer a discount for the combined cost of a monthly rented device and cellular service. List prices separately using the table in the solicitation. Refer to Section 1 – Page 2 – Paragraph 1.

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