Amendment 003.pdf

Amendment 003 Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service

Division of Procurement

DATE: August 8, 2025

FROM: Kaitlyn Eaton, Contract Specialist

SUBJECT: RFQ: 20356425Q00005 – MSC, Data Center Services

Amendment 003

The purposes of this amendment are:

1. To answer vendor questions.

2. To provide Attachment's B - D as additions to the solicitation.

Please find vendor submitted questions below with the Government’s response to the questions.

1. What are the quantities and types of telecom/data cabling required (e.g., Cat6, Cat6A, fiber)?

The Government Response:

Cat6 and above. Approximately 100 for backend patch panel to switch.

2. What kind of fiber wire are you looking for?

The Government Response:

OM3 – OM5

3. How many VLAN ACLs, SSID-to-VLAN mappings, and Guest Isolation configurations are required?

The Government Response:

One at each site (DC, Pittsburgh, Denver)

JMS

4. In Attachment A- Pricing Worksheet: What are the units of quantity? Please elaborate.

The Government Response:

In Attachment A – Pricing Worksheet, the “Units of Quantity” reflect the estimated counts for each category of work or equipment (e.g., hours, cable runs, access points, switches) that will need to be priced for each location. These quantities are provided for cost-estimating purposes only.

5. What is the average length per cable run (for copper/fiber)?

Fiber run will be the length from our server room on 5th floor to the 14th floor.

6. What is the unit cost expectation per cable run, or guidance if not defined?

The Government is requesting vendor-provided pricing based on market rates and scope. No predetermined unit cost is set.

7. Are cable runs to include terminations such as patch panels, jacks, faceplates, and racks?

No, these will not be needed except for the fiber terminations where applicable.

8. Are pathways such as cable trays, conduits, or J-hooks required or already provided?

No, not needed.

9. How many telecommunications rooms (MDF/IDFs) are expected at each site?

1 server room on 5th floor – building telecom closets are located on each floor (including 14th).

10. What equipment is required in the telecom rooms (e.g., racks, patch panels, grounding)?

None, racks and patch panels will be supplied

11. Is testing and certification (e.g., Fluke test reports) required for each cable run?

Yes

12. What is the expected warranty requirement (e.g., 1-year workmanship or 20-year certified)?

The Government Response:

A minimum 1-year workmanship warranty is required. If using certified structured cabling manufacturers, a 15–20 year system warranty is preferred.

13. Are drawings or structured cabling blueprints available for reference?

Yes, floorplans have been supplied in Attachment C.

14. Are there any other short or long cable runs required?

POE ethernet runs to the various wireless access points.

15. What is the total number of cable runs and data drops expected (excluding fiber runs)?

The Government Response:

This depends on the number of access points quoted for the necessary wireless coverage – each access point will have a separate POE run back to the specified switch.

16. What systems are included under Division 28? (e.g., access control, CCTV, intrusion detection)

CCTV, access control

17. How many devices per system are expected (e.g., cameras, badge readers, motion sensors)?

The Government Response:

13 cameras, 8 badge readers for DC.

6 cameras/4 badge readers for PA

18. Are there preferred or specified brands for devices such as switches, WAPs, cameras, or readers?

The Government Response:

Brands that don’t require SME support in parallel to this requirement. FMSHRC staff will need a solution that is intuitive enough to autonomously operate and manage.

19. Will systems be monitored locally, remotely, or integrated with an enterprise system?

All of the above

20. Will these systems be powered by PoE or require separate power supplies?

Access points should be POE.

21. Are backbone and endpoint cabling part of the installation scope?

22. Are there questions about quantity and description for:

○ 12-month data retention?

○ SIEM forwarding?

○ Encrypted logs and FedRAMP GovCloud?

○ RBAC?

○ Firmware staging?

○ Zero Trust architecture?

No

23. What are the accurate hourly labor rates expected for each service role (e.g., Project

Manager, Technician, Engineer)?

The Government Response:

Vendors are to propose fully burdened hourly rates by labor category as defined in Attachment A. The Government will evaluate rates for reasonableness.

24. Will services be performed by internal government staff or external subcontractors?

Implementation should be performed by external contractors/subcontractors.

25. Are there any restrictions or expectations on labor markup (profit/overhead) or indirect costs?

The Government Response:

All proposed rates should be inclusive of applicable markups and overhead. Rates must comply with FAR cost principles and be supported by justification if requested.

26. What does “Knowledge Transfer” entail — documentation, training, or both?

Both

27. How many site surveys and audits are expected per location?

1 at each

28. What is the defined scope of work under each listed service line item in the pricing worksheet?

The Government Response:

The service line items represent tasks outlined in the Statement of Work, including but not limited to: Project Management, Cable Installation & Testing, Network Configuration, Equipment Staging, and WaaS Deployment. Each line item must be priced to reflect labor, tools, and services associated with completion.

29. What is the timeframe or service window anticipated for service calls, including response and resolution?

The Government Response:

Standard response time during business hours (8:30 AM – 5:30 PM EST) is expected within 4 business hours. Critical outages will require same-day dispatch. Resolution windows will be defined in the contract and as stipulated in the QASP.

30. Do you require only labor for the components listed in Attachment A, or should proposals include both labor and hardware?

Both labor and hardware

31. Are mobilization, demobilization, or freight/logistics costs to be included in the proposal?

32. Are all materials expected to be delivered only, or installed and commissioned?

Installed and commissioned

33. Are there known site access limitations, security clearances, or staging requirements?

Site access requires coordination with the COR once the Public Trust clearance or background checks of on-site personnel are completed. There may be limited staging areas, and scheduling must be coordinated in advance.

34. What are the specifications and expectations for:

○ Cloud Controller Subscriptions?

○ RF Planning Tools?

○ Logging Portals?

○ Firmware Updates Management?

Routine maintenance patching and security updates as necessary.

35. Will each wireless access point require one (1) or two (2) Category 6A cables?

One as a minimal, two as a priced option.

36. Are wall-mounted and floor-mounted data/voice outlets included in the scope of this bid?

No, not needed

37. Is the contractor responsible for furnishing the wireless access points and switches?

38. Please confirm whether the number of hours listed in the pricing worksheet for the site survey and audit represent the total required for the project.

The Government Response:

The hours listed are estimates. Vendors may propose revised hours in their technical narrative with justification based on their approach.

39. Are preloaded modular patch panels required, or will blank panels be acceptable?

Contractor can use existing patch panels.

40. Since patch panels are not listed as line items, should we assume, they will be added via a change order if needed?

41. What is the expected period of performance for this contract (base and option years)?

One year for each.

42. Will on-site support be required during business hours only, or is after-hours/on-call coverage also be expected?

After-hours can be expected but typically would occur during normal business hours.

43. Are there specific technical certifications required for contractor personnel performing work under this project?

No, personnel need to have the requisite experience with quoted products.

44. Are there any incumbent contractors currently supporting this requirement? If so, can their name and contract number be shared?

No incumbent, this is a new requirement.

45. What is the expected frequency and format of status and performance reports?

Bi-weekly

46. Are the out-years following Year 1 considered “Managed Services” by the

Government? If so, will the vendor be permitted to adjust pricing annually in accordance with Section W, Subsection VI “Updating Terms”?

No. Option Years are not considered Managed Services.

47. Regarding FAR Clause 52.204-8 “Option to Extend Services”:

This clause references labor rates set by the Secretary of Labor. How should we proceed if our actual labor rates exceed those published rates?

The Government Response:

Vendors must comply with the Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS) as applicable. If actual rates exceed SCLS minimums, proposed rates must still be fair, reasonable, and fully burdened.

48. The contract and Statement of Work do not reference any specific network certifications (e.g., Cisco). Can you confirm whether these certifications are required or considered a priority?

Not a priority.

49. What is the anticipated award date for this solicitation?

The Government anticipates awarding the contract by late September 2025, contingent upon the completion of evaluations and internal approvals.

50. How should we complete the pricing worksheet without detailed information on the required equipment?

The Government Response:

Vendors should provide unit pricing based on their proposed solution. Assumptions should be clearly identified in the technical and pricing narrative to allow the Government to evaluate each approach consistently.

51. Will vendors be allowed to conduct site audits prior to award to support accurate pricing?

The Government Response:

No additional pre-award site visits will be conducted. Vendors are expected to base proposals on the information provided in the solicitation. Detailed site surveys will be scheduled post-award.

52. How large are each of the three sites (square footage)?

See floorplans for each site (supplied in Attachment C).

53. Is each site in a multi-tenant building? If so, how many floors per site?

DC is a leased multi-tenant building with offices on the 5th and 14th floor. Pittsburgh is one floor in a multi-tenant building. Denver is in a Federal building on one floor.

54. Do you have an update on timeline (audits, installations, etc.)?

O Will all three sites be done concurrently or one at a time?

Flexible as to both options.

55. Any response on needing an in-house engineer with CCNP?

Not a requirement.

56. Will the Government lease the equipment (WaaS) from Contractor?

Yes, if the proposed solution meets the government requirement.

57. What is the process of applying for Public Trust Clearance?

After award, the contractor will coordinate with the FMSHRC Security Office to initiate the background investigation process. Contractors must submit e-QIP forms and provide fingerprints for all personnel requiring access to federal facilities or systems.

58. With the requirement to use FIPS approved hardware, can we move forward with Cisco Meraki? If so, please be aware that this will require internet access to the cloud for configurations and licenses.

The Government is open to all products and solutions.

59. How will the Contractor have access to devices on the network to perform remote support?

The Government Response:

Remote access would be granted through government furnished equipment and secured VPN credentials.

60. Will we need to consider dispatching an engineer for onsite support during an emergency?

61. Will there be any kind of training needed by our engineers?

62. Is there interest in a cloud infrastructure DCaaS provider to build, configure, and host everything needed? If so, a detailed list of all servers and equipment needed will need provided.

63. Do you have a material specifications or AS-BUILD Drawings for 3 Data that will help us to determine the preliminary materials?

See floorplans submitted (Attachment C).

64. Can the Government clarify whether the hours or LOE assumed for CLIN 0001 (e.g., Knowledge Transfer, Project Management, Site Surveys, Configuration, Recabling Design) are fixed or at the contractor’s discretion? If estimated, what is the basis for those estimates?

Contractor discretion.

65. Can the Government provide estimated quantities, hours, or number of systems/sites involved for each task area under CLIN 0001 to better define the scope and LOE?

The Government Response:

4 48-port switches in DC. 2 in Pittsburgh and 2 in Denver. Access points connected to each switch to cover.

66. Can the Government specify the number of cable runs per site and whether ceiling or conduit access is required? Is there a standard per-site design we should assume?

What are the lengths of the cable runs?

The Government Response:

The number of cable runs would be determined by number of wireless access points for each site (see floorplans to develop necessary wireless coverage). No other cable runs would be necessary outside of need to upgrade fiber optic run between 5th and 14th in DC.

67. Is there an installation/configuration component associated with the WaaS Subscription, or is that considered a COTS product-only CLIN?

Yes. Installation and configuration is needed.

68. Does the Government have expectations around the labor categories or roles that should be used for various services (e.g., Project Manager, Network Engineer, Installer), or is that left to the contractor’s judgment?

Contractor judgement.

69. Do the Option Years (CLINs 0003–0006) assume repeat or refreshed installations at the same locations, expansion to new sites, or just subscription renewals?

The Government Response:

One time installations for each of the three sites (adjusted according to each site’s size) and subscription renewals. No expansions to new sites.

70. Can the government clarify the timeframe anticipated to complete Task 2: Self-

Managed (WaaS) Solution Deployment? It appears that after the base year in the pricing sheet, only Task 1: Existing Re-Cabling Infrastructure is needed after the network handoff for government.

The Government Response:

Task 2 is expected to be completed within the Base Year. Option Years focus on managing the solution post-deployment and handling operational support, with no further recabling anticipated unless required.

71. Where does the work actually need to be done? In 3 different states or just in Washington D.C.?

Washington DC / Pittsburgh, PA / Denver, CO

72. Does the government have a standard hardware platform or product line they want? Some fairly detailed technical requirements are listed, but don’t specifically indicate if they want to use Juniper or Cisco, etc.?

The Government Response:

Government is open to any solution. However quoted manufacturer/hardware should not require SME ongoing support in parallel to this requirement. FMSHRC staff will need a solution that is intuitive enough to autonomously operate and manage basic operations.

73. If the government has a preference on the make/model of the hardware solution

(e.g. reference architecture, etc.), please advise.

The Government Response:

The Government prefers hardware that is FIPS 140-2 or 140-3 validated and FedRAMP-authorized when applicable. Vendors may propose hardware solutions with a documented track record of federal deployment and must include manufacturer, model, and compliance certifications.

74. Can you confirm whether the Number of Hours listed for each service in the Base Year represents the maximum billable hours allowed per task?

The Government Response:

The hours listed in the Base Year pricing worksheet are not to be interpreted as maximum billable hours. Actual billing will be based on the work performed under the awarded contract.

75. For Denver, the quantity listed for Cable Installation is 2 runs, while the quantity for Cable Testing is 10. Can you confirm whether this discrepancy is correct, or should the number of Cable Tests match the installed runs?

Possible oversight. Quantity of cables quoted/spec’d should match cable tests.

76. For travel to the three service sites (Washington, D.C., Denver, and Pittsburgh), should associated travel costs be proposed as separate line items, or are they expected to be included within the hourly labor rates or overall pricing?

The Government Response:

Travel costs should be included as part of the fully burdened labor rates or priced as separate line items if applicable, in accordance with FAR travel cost principles.

77. For the 20 cable runs listed in Washington, D.C., can you clarify whether these are intended to be routed to 20 distinct workstations, cubicles, or offices?

The cable runs should be associated to each wireless access point quoted.

78. The Spreadsheet that is titled "Attachment A Pricing Worksheet" has a column with

Products listed as well as "services". In the "COLUMN D UNIT COST" we are being asked to provide cost for each of the items listed in the rows. For example:

"WIRELSS AP HARDWARE" and "FIPS -Certified Switches" and then asking the "UNIT COST" of that item in column D. Are you asking us to provide the cost of INSTALLATION for that product or are you asking us to provide the COST of the Wireless AP Hardware Equipment itself?

The Government Response:

If the line item is for hardware (e.g., “Wireless AP Hardware”), provide the unit cost of the hardware. If the item is for labor (e.g., “Cable Installation”), provide the unit cost for the service. Clarify assumptions in your pricing narrative.

79. Can the government clarify the expected quantities of Wireless Access Points and FIPS certified switches required across the base and option years?

The Government Response:

No expected quantity on access points. Approximately eight 48 port switches spread among all 3 sites.

80. Regarding the Wireless-as-a-Service (WaaS) subscription, is the government expecting a fully managed solution, cloud controller licensing, or specific components?

Fully managed solution by FMSHRC.

81. Should the switches be FIPS 140-2 or 140-3 validated? Are there preferred manufacturers?

FIPS 140-2 is adequate – open to any proposed manufacturer.

82. Will all work be performed at the Washington, D.C. site, or are there additional locations anticipated?

DC, Pittsburgh and Denver.

83. Can you provide an estimate of the cable drop count or site diagrams to assist with accurate pricing for recabling and installation?

The Government Response:

The number of cable drops is directly correlated to access wireless access point necessary for each site (DC, Pittsburgh, and Denver)

84. Does the government have preferred brands for networking equipment or is vendor discretion permitted?

Vendor discretion allowed.

85. Could you elaborate on the evaluation weighting between technical response, pricing, and past performance?

The Government Response:

The Government will use lowest priced technically acceptable procedures, with technical requirements listed in the solicitation the lowest priced vendor must meet to be considered acceptable.

86. Will private-sector past performance of similar scope and complexity be acceptable in lieu of federal references?

87. For Knowledge Transfer, are you expecting documentation, training, or operational handoff to internal IT teams?

Yes, all of the above.

88. Will hardware need to be staged at a government facility prior to install, or delivered directly to the work site?

Delivered directly to each site.

89. Can a two-week proposal extension be provided (proposal due date of August 27)?

90. The specifications indicate the use of CAT6A CMP cable, CAT6A jacks, and modular patch panels. Could you please confirm if there is a specific location within the pricing schedule or another document section where we should provide unit pricing for these materials?

The Government Response:

Unit pricing for cabling components should be included in the appropriate hardware sections of Attachment A. If not clearly labeled, vendors may add supplemental lines or reference them in the pricing narrative.

91. The customer is requesting that Access Points, Injectors, Switches, and Routers replaceable within a 24-hour period if found offline. Could you kindly clarify whether the customer will be procuring these items directly, or if we are expected to furnish them as part of our proposal? If the latter, would the customer be able to provide preferred makes and models for each of these items?

Contractor expected to furnish – Government is open to all manufacturers.

92. Can the government confirm the approximate date and year when the existing cabling infrastructure was installed?

In 2010

93. Can the government confirm whether the existing patch panels support Cat6A speeds, or if replacement will be necessary to meet performance requirements?

Patch Panels support CAT 6.

94. Can the government clarify whether the intent is to fully rip and replace the existing network infrastructure?

Not the intent or part of the requirement.

95. Will the new infrastructure be required to integrate with an existing Network Access

Control (NAC) solution or authentication platform, such as Cisco ISE?

96. Can the government confirm whether the existing switches are to be replaced as part of this project?

Yes, we have out of lifecycle switches in need of replacement.

97. Can the government provide specifications for the currently deployed network hardware?

The Government Response:

Cisco switches (48 port), currently out of lifecycle. Cisco firewall about to be replaced by Palo Alto 460 firewall. There will be a Palo Alto 460 firewall at each site as we are in process of phasing into a SASE network security solution provided by Palo Alto.

98. Can the government confirm whether new LAN drops and cable runs for Wireless Access Points (WAPs) are required?

99. Can the government clarify the current modem-to-firewall connectivity method (e.g., handoff type)?

Connects directly to the firewall's WAN (Wide Area Network) interface via an Ethernet cable.

100. Can the government describe how the firewalls are currently connected to the switches, including whether fiber optic runs are used and the type of fiber?

Connected via ethernet cable.

101. On the pricing worksheet, there appear to be fewer cable runs than Wireless Access

Points. Can the government clarify the cabling requirements for this site?

The cable runs should match the number of wireless access points.

102. Will the government consider a hybrid cloud on premise wireless as-a-service solution.

For example, one with an existing ATO?

103. Was attendance at the site visit on July 30th considered in the evaluation process? Will proposals from non-attendees be evaluated equally?

The Government Response:

The site visit was for the benefit of vendors in preparing their proposals. Attendance was not required and is not an evaluation factor.