19UK5621Q0082 - QA UPDATED V2.pdf

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

Embassy of the United States of America

General Services Office 33 Nine Elms Lane

London, SW11 7US March 29, 2022

Questions and Answers for:

19UK5622Q0082 – Mobile Network and Wireless Communications Services

Please find all questions received listed below with answers provided by the COR for this solicitation.

1. With regards to roaming charges, are you looking for fixed rates?

A: These should be on a ‘per minute’ rate.

2. What are your expectations regarding users exceeding value allocated overage cost?

A: In this contract we have asked for unlimited voice/sms/data in our packages. In this case, our expectations would be quite low for customers to go over those allowances. However, overage costs should be documented. Overage costs will typically be seen when a customer uses a service not covered in their current package. For example, roaming charges when not on a roaming package, or international calls outside of the countries outlined in their package.

3. If we have a price variation including the countries in the same zone, do we leave the rates as it is?

A: In this instance, we would expect to see the highest rate cost for that zone. This should reflect the most expensive country if different from others in the same zone.

4. With regards to the internet, do you specify the units of measure? Whether it will be megabytes or another unit?

A: Our packages ask for unlimited data within certain areas (UK, EU, USA, etc). Any data outside these packages is documented on the pricing table and is based on a ‘per GB’ rate.

5. The number of inactivated sims required on this solicitation, is this based on historical data?

A: Yes. We have VIP visits and other new connections throughout the year. These would cover those new connections.

6. Should a user exceed their current allowance, are you expecting the overage to be included?

A: Overages above package allowances should be charged at the rates indicated per SMS, minute or

MB/GB.

7. You have not referenced any unit on the contract section for ‘’MIFI units’’ are there any?

A: No physical devices are included within this contract. We tend to supply our own devices and simply use the SIMs from the contractor.

8. When will you be awarding this contract? A: We are aiming to award this contract in June to allow time for any network migration to take place if required. The actual service start date will be in

September.

9. The 7 days given for submission seem quite aggressive, is that fixed period required?

A: We only expect the vendor to begin working with our IRM team no later than 7 days after award, i.e.

beginning the migration effort if required.

10. Section 10: SPECIAL SHORT-TERM PROMOTION, what do you consider this to be?

A: For situational awareness, please make us aware of any short-term promotional rates that are being offered commercially.

11. Could you clarify how the QUALITY ASSURANCE

AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP) works and if there is anything the Contractor is expected to provide in regards to it?

A: The QASP provides an outline as to how the COR will monitor the vendor’s performance during the

Contract period. The vendor is not expected to provide anything formally (i.e. a report or score card); they are only responsible for management and quality control to meet the terms of the contract. If the performance threshold is not met, then the COR will notify the vendor and Contracting Officer accordingly.

12. The maximum value stated in the solicitation is it an indefinite value? And what is this value based on?

A: The Maximum Order Amount is a fixed amount that the contract cannot exceed each year, based on what we project our maximum requirements to potentially be.

13. With the changing environmental and political factors, should we expect any changes in your current expectations?

A: The number of active connections may increase or decrease through the contract but will not extend beyond the minimum or maximum amounts as stipulated in the pricing table.

14. Regarding the options to extend services on page

56, does this mean you will set a 6-month commitment should you wish to extend the contract?

A: 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES allows us to extend the base and/or option years if required for any amount of time up to 6 months. The total extension of performance for all instances cannot exceed 6 months. We will let you know in writing within the performance period of the contract for how long we intend to extend.

15. With regards to section 3, item 7, 8 and 9, is this

‘UK only’ as opposed to roaming partners? And are we required to list all the partners we use outside your roaming zones?

A: We’d expect to see a list of all UK and international roaming partners. If you have partners outside the roaming zones, please list those, also. The roaming zones are a ‘minimum’ guide only and if more countries are included within those zones for the same price, please include those.

16. Can you confirm your VAT status; do you pay Vat or are you VAT exempt?

A: We pay VAT in the UK.

17. If we are successful with this solicitation and are awarded the Contract, would the Embassy be willing to sign our Business Agreement/an agreement of our Standard T & C’s?

A: No, the Embassy will not sign to any vendors

T&C’s. The awardee of this Contract will be required to sign our SF-1449.

18. Are we required to submit a W-14 form with our bid?

A: Yes, please find a copy of the W-14 form attached.

19. Is there are guidance for completing Section 5?

A: If you have any specific questions on how to complete Section 5 when preparing your bid, please contact LondonProc@state.gov and a member of the team will assist you.

20. Could you please provide the pricing table in Excel or Word?

A: Please find the Pricing table attached as a Word document for ease of completion.

21. Would a VOIP platform using a data SIM be acceptable instead of the standard voice or voice+data options?

A: This is not a service we've used before so please be sure to include a proposal for redundancies.

22. We can offer a bundled and pooled plans with

Pay as You Go for overage. Is this acceptable?

A: Any overage costs should be proposed in the relevant line items within the pricing table.

23. In section III> #2 & #3 states ‘unlimited data’. Is this an essential element, or will you consider other options like pooled data, etc.?

A: We're looking for an unlimited data option with this contract. Please propose any alternatives you may have if this is not the case.

mailto:LondonProc@state.gov