Q_A Patient Internet Services Connectivity UPDATED ANSWERS 5-10-24.docx

Patient Internet Services Connectivity Notice ID: 36C10B24Q0340

Questions and Answers

1. Can we have the diagrams for all locations as mentioned in the SOW?

As builts don’t exist. Floor plans can be provided.

2. How many floors at each location?

CBOCs are single floor. Main facility is 4 floors.

3. How much square footage of space needs to be covered?

100% coverage is required, exact square footage can be extracted from floor plans. Access points already exist per installation of previous contractor.

4. How many users at each location?

No more than 200 at CBOCs, and 750-1000 users in main facility.

5. How many Access Points (APs) per floor?

135 access points main facility (1st fl = 48, 2nd fl = 48, 3rd fl = 25, 4th fl = 10, ENG BLDG = 4) CBOCs Grove City = 8, Marion = 5, Zanesville = 7, Newark = 9, and Airport = 5

6. Must this be competing Wi-Fi networks? This could be handled doing an SSID and bring the guest network to a firewall and segment the network.

Yes, they must be competing networks.

7. Would you be open to using or upgrading current infrastructure to accomplish the same requirements using just one wireless network with multiple SSID’s and multiple security methods?

No maintain separation of networks.

8. The description of security services to be considered include live internet linked to the AT&T Business Network contract. Is it the government's intent that the services be tied directly to AT&T Business to the exclusion of other providers of similar services?

This is a service only solicitation. Infrastructure is currently in place and operational. Current Guest Wi-Fi service is provided by Spectrum. New provider may require new switches, access points and data runs.

9. The government makes several reference to CISCO networks. Because these statements are attributable to a specific manufacturer, is it the government's expectation that offeror solutions be based on the CISCO Systems suite of products or is the government open to other Brand Names?

Current Guest Wi-Fi utilizes Aruba networking products. New provider may require new switches, access points and data runs.

10. The Timetable of Deliverables states that equipment will be installed and fully functional 21 days from contract award, however the paragraph preceding the table reads "Installation and full operational capability is to be completed within 120 days of award." Is the government making a distinction between "full operational capability" and "...installed and fully functional", and if so, what is the distinction and how does it impact the timetable?

Timetable given as guide for installation of new service and infrastructure. Infrastructure currently in place and operational. There shall be minimal interruption to service and less than 5 days per switch. We require notification 48 hours prior to anticipated service interruption and duration.

11. The Timetable of Deliverables provides for a Mandatory Site Visit. Item 4 of the performance assumptions state "A spectrum analysis may be required before design, placement and implementation of Internet access can begin.", and item 2 of the Performance Requirements states "Perform spectrum analysis of the campus (as needed/required)". Is it the government's intent to afford all potential offerors the opportunity to conduct spectrum analysis during the site visit or some other time prior to the offerors engaging in system design?

If offeror wishes to conduct a spectrum analysis it can be scheduled.

12. If we are not doing competing wireless networks and using one wireless network and segmenting traffic between business and guest and providing firewalling on the guest (micro segmentation) upgrading the current wireless to a newer standard of Wi-Fi 6e or maybe Wi-Fi 7—would that be a possibility? Using the benefit on the newer stands to provide a more robust new work.

There must remain a separation of networks, without any opportunity/chance for accidental or intentional cross-over. The contractor must abide by industry, security, and accepted common practice standards. Whatever the contractor determines the best and safest approach is what they should plan for.

13. Can you provide the floor plans of the existing guest internet wifi with the locations of the existing 135 access points? 135 access points main facility (1st fl = 48, 2nd fl = 48, 3rd fl = 25, 4th fl = 10, ENG BLDG = 4) CBOCs Grove City = 8, Marion = 5, Zanesville = 7, Newark = 9, and Airport = 5

As builts exist for main campus only and can be provided w/ 24 hours’ notice, CBOCs are free-standing single-story structures and as builts do not exist.

14. Does the government intend to use the existing switches and access points? If so, can you provide an inventory of the existing switches and access points to include the installed location of each device?

Yes, it’s Government’s intent to keep costs down by using existing equipment as much as possible. Switches and access points are Aruba exact model is currently unknown. For location information see question #1 of this list.

15. Can you provide floor plans with the locations of the existing competing wifi network that you are requesting to install the guest internet alongside?

We can only provide main campus as builts, location of competing switches and access points are unavailable at this time. Locations could possibly be identified during a requested site visit.