Questions_and_Answers_-_Set_3.docx

US EMBASSY LOME TOGO

DEPARTEMENT OF STATE

RFQ 19T04018Q0010 – VPN INTERNET SERVICES PROVISION

A. – Question received:

Within the bid question and answers, both 1 and 2, the Department of State intimates that this project is a continuation of services with the scope of work similar to the previous solicitation, while in the scope of work, the Department of State lays out the need for Fault proof fiber (military grade). This has created a situation whereby we cannot determine the exact scope of work. As a result, the following questions/clarifications need to be addressed.

Does this solicitation include the installation of Fiber from the nearest HUB to the Embassy or as part of the previous contract is fiber installed that meets with the current specifications in 19T04018Q0010.

· Answer: The Embassy of the United States owned fiber installed inside of its compound from its Main Distribution Frame (MDF), which constitute the nearest Hub through to the Embassy Buildings. The Embassy of Lome does not own any fiber circuity or installation from any provider’s infrastructure Main Distribution Frame to the Embassy Main Distribution Frame. The contractor has no responsibility to install fiber from the MDF of the embassy of Lome to the Buildings.

Please see the section 2 of the solicitation in general and specifically the paragraph II titled “General”, subparagraph A and B that state the following:

“A - The Department of State has a requirement for one full period, full duplex, clear channels, and digital circuits capable of supporting synchronous traffic. 30,000 kbps, between the Main Distribution Frame [MDF] of US Embassy Lome and the Main Distribution Frame (MDF) of the Internet Services Provider. For clear channel circuits, they shall be completely transparent to 30,000 kbps data, with no bits added to or deleted from the bit stream provided to the interface of the Department of State equipment. The circuit shall be supplied for the transmission of a multiplexed aggregate bit stream for telegraphic and data signals.

B - These digital services shall be via Optic Fiber. The service shall be for the exclusive use of the Department of State, 24-hours per day, 7 days per week, and 52 weeks per year.”

B. Question received

If Fiber installation from the HUB to the Embassy is included in the scope of work, the following needs to be clarified:

1. Location of the nearest HUB:

1. Owner of the HUB. Is it a state run organization?

1. Distance between the HUB and the Embassy

1. Does the United States Embassy have agreements with the owner of the HUB as it relates to use and space availability within the HUB?

1. Are there security requirements as to the run of the fiber (ground, poles, etc)?

1. Confirmation that Fiber specified consists of 62.5 microns, single mode

1. How many fiber strands go into the building?

1. Can we use the redundant fiber strand in the same cable or is the Department of State seeking two different routes? Fiber for the main, with a backup to another providers?

· Answer:

See information provided in question A.

C. Question received

If Fiber installation is NOT included in the scope of work, the following needs to be clarified:

1. Confirmation that the current fiber line running from the HUB to the Embassy meets the specifications of the solicitation, and that line is available for use for this scope of work.

· Answer: the Fiber from the Main Distribution Frame of the Embassy to the embassy building is under the Embassy’s responsibility and shall meets the specifications required.

See the Section 2 of the solicitation titled “Schedule of Supplies/Services of the solicitation for the Description/Specifications/Work statement” about the responsibilities of the Contractor.

“The Department of State has a requirement for one full period, full duplex, clear channels, and digital circuits capable of supporting synchronous traffic. 30,000 kbps, between the Main Distribution Frame [MDF] of US Embassy Lome and the Main Distribution Frame (MDF) of the Internet Services Provider. For clear channel circuits, they shall be completely transparent to 30,000 kbps data, with no bits added to or deleted from the bit stream provided to the interface of the Department of State equipment. The circuit shall be supplied for the transmission of a multiplexed aggregate bit stream for telegraphic and data signals.

These digital services shall be via Optic Fiber. The service shall be for the exclusive use of the Department of State, 24-hours per day, 7 days per week, and 52 weeks per year.

D. Question received

1. If physically feasible, can we utilize RF Direct Beam technology for redundancy capability?

1. For redundancy, does the Embassy have satellite capabilities at the site that can be used for a redundancy option?

1. Can we provide more than one proposal that outline differing options to the Department of State (thus providing maximum impact)?

· Answer:

1. This is a full and open competition solicitation. All the proposals and options that meet the specifications required and that are highly secured are welcome.

2. The solicitation stipulated, “These digital services shall be via Optic Fiber. The service shall be for the exclusive use of the Department of State, 24-hours per day, 7 days per week, and 52 weeks per year”. Each provider should have its own strategy to prevent the Embassy of Lome from any outage and must provide a 24-hours per day, 7 days per week, and 52 weeks per year” service

3. This is a full and open competition solicitation. All the proposals and options that meet the specifications required and that are highly secured are welcome.