Additional Questions and Answers to Wifi and Wayfinding.docx

Guest Wifi and Wayfinding Questions and Answers

1. Are there existing pathways for cable between buildings?

a. Yes there are pathways. Same of the pathways are getting full, so pulling additional fiber may be difficult, but doable.

2. What needs to be done regarding frequency interference with the existing IT wifi? Does the vendor need to adjust to what IT does or is there coordination.

a. Due to IT infrastructure already being in place and running, the guest wifi will need to not interfere with existing. IT will work with the vendor to help determine acceptable requirements.

3. Who was the previous vendor who installed the IT wifi?

a. This was done a long time ago by a vendor who is no longer pulling cabling. A more recent project was the RTLS infrastructure that was completed by 3C. Although this wasn’t wifi, it goes in a lot of the same spaces as the wifi.

4. Is there an existing guest wifi?

a. No. We are currently trying to do put in a temporary wifi for a couple of waiting rooms, but that is just to get us running until this Wifi and Wayfinding project is complete.

5. For the priority of buildings, does the Wifi need to be provided in this order as well? Or can the infrastructure be completed and then turn the wifi on?

a. It is up to the vendor if they want to turn on certain portions of the wifi before others. The priority is for the cabling because we start with the hardest two buildings (1&14) first. As long as the vendor is meeting the timeline of the project the wifi as a whole can be turned on all at once.

6. What is the background on why the VA has this request/requirement?

a. A few years ago the two things that were ruining our customer satisfaction survey is that we had poor TV quality for in-patients as well as no wifi for guests. The TV portion was fixed with GetWell network. Now we are working on getting Wifi. The second thing that always came up as a problem is the ability for guest to find their way around campus. It is a spread out campus and we need a way for people to see where they are and be directed to where they need to go.

7. What is the cellular service like in the hospital? Should this project include repeaters to improve the cell service in areas?

a. No this project does not include boosting cellular service in any areas. We simply want wifi and wayfinding.

8. For the access points that will be outside and in the garage is conduit required?

a. Yes conduit is required for all outdoor cabling. The conduit that is being used for the camera system in the hospital can be used for the wifi cabling. If you need to split off from that conduit at any point, that can be done, but the vendor will be responsible for installing any new connections and the remaining amount of conduit needed.

9. Is there Fiber for the garage that exists?

a. Yes there is existing fiber run to the parking garage but the vendor should bid as if they need to pull their own fiber. The exceptions for needing to pull fiber are below listed as what type of fiber exists. These can be used, but the vendor is not required to use it.

10. For coverage in outdoor areas can the power for access points be pulled off of the lights.

a. Yes they can pull power from the lights, but be aware that the lights are on timers based on daylight. The power will need to be pulled from the base of the light and converted from 270 to 120V.

11. What options are there for outdoor mounting of the Access Points?

a. Walls of buildings are acceptable to mount to. It is also acceptable to mount to the light poles that are in or near the parking lots and outdoor seating areas.

12. Do mechanical and Large spaces need to have wifi coverage.

a. Yes these areas need coverage. Although there may not be veterans in those areas, we often have service personnel who need internet access and having coverage would be important. These areas do not need as thorough of coverage, and there is an understanding that dead locations may exist that do not need additional hardware to cover as long as they are not patient care areas.

13. What information do you want for guest log-in and how is it managed?

a. We do not want the wifi to be completely open for anyone to get on. They need to have some sort of log-in method to be able to use the wifi. The vendor is expected to do the content management and provide the log-in requirements. For content, the VA needs the ability to white list or black list certain sites but expect the vendor to provide the initial content filtering. The company that provides the wifi needs to have troubleshooting capability 24x7x365. Biomed at the VA will attempt to troubleshoot first, but we need ability to get help from the company at any given time of the day/year.

14. Is the GetWell network going to be tied into this project in any way?

a. No. The Getwell network has internet connection within the tv system, but it is hardwired and completely managed by GetWell. This install will be entirely separated from Getwell and also completely separate from the IT wifi.

15. Is wayfinding required to buildings that are not part of the wifi requirement?

a. Yes we want to have the system be able to direct people to buildings that are not part of this scope. An example would be building 590 where dental clinic is located. We want a veteran to be able to look up directions on how to get there, but realize that they will lose the real-time location as soon as they step out of the areas of coverage.

16. Is the Parking Garage a Post-tension cabling structure.

a. Yes

17. Is the parking garage lit?

a. Yes, but power will have to be pulled to parking garage to power APs.

18. Are you allowed to move the bird netting in the parking garage?

a. Yes, any holes that are made need to be fixed.

19. What are the heights of all of the floors?

a. The basement and the ground floors are 11’ to I-beam level. The first floor is 9’6. The clearance for vehicles is 10’6” for Basement and ground floor. Clearance is 8’6” for the first floor.

20. Is redundancy of the network required?

a. No this was not part of the scope of the project. We do see the benefit of having redundancy, but it was not part of our requirement.

21. Will bandwidth be throttled?

a. Yes but based off of certain use. We expect to be able to split the network into at least three separate networks: one for guests, one for employees, and one specific to Biomed. Each will have their own bandwidth requirements.

22. Is a map available that shows what the spaces are being used for? Such as this is Radiology and over here is the ED ect.

a. Currently I don’t have this, but will see if it is available.

23. Are you allowed to use power in IT closets?

a. Yes, if its available.

24. Do the IT closets have back up power?

a. Yes, they all have emergency power.

25. Will the VA provide your fire sleeves?

a. No. The vendor must provide any fire sleeve that is not already existing. The standard used at the VA is Hilty fire sleeves and no other brand is acceptable.

26. How will bids be evaluated?

a. Bids will be evaluated on technical specifications according to the SOW. Past performance with hospitals of a similar size to the SLC VA will also be considered. Only past performance in hospital settings will be considered. After we determine that the company meets the technical specification and past performance, we will consider the cost.

27. What is the goal date for award?

a. End of FY20, September 30th.

28. Can a list of buildings where fiber needs to be pulled be provided?

a. These are the areas that fiber exists that can be used by the vendor if they choose. All other areas will require the vendor to pull their own fiber. If this fiber is being utilized, a jumper fiber will be required at the head end. It will need to go from GD09-1 to GD13-1. Also be aware that some of these spaces may go back to a different building prior to going to building 1. This will require additional jumper fiber. Be aware that some of this fiber is terminated with LC, some with SC, and some with ST.

i. T-1 will use the MultipleMode that is in the com closet

ii. Building 6 can use the existing single mode fiber

iii. Building 7 can use SingleMode fiber

iv. Building 16 can use the existing SingleMode fiber

v. Building 14 SingleMode fiber on second floor in the North and south side can be used

vi. Building 8 Gait lab can use the existing single mode fiber

vii. Building 47 use MultiMode Fiber or do a wireless shot from building 3

b. If utilizing VA fiber, the vendor is still responsible for ensuring proper connection. This can include re-terminating, testing, and possibly replacing if the vendor causes damage. The warrantee that comes with the network as a whole needs to include any VA utilized fiber. The VA does not guarantee that these connections meet the vendor requirements. The fiber will need to test to ensure it meets their standards. If they vendor finds it does not meet their standards, they will have to pull their own fiber.

29. Could you please tell me if the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation posted as solicitation number 36C25920Q0490 will be a follow-on requirement to any work performed currently or in the past, or will this be a new requirement?

a. This is a new requirement for this location.

30. Could we please have departmental Layout Maps? For instance, Building 1 map showing the different sections whether emergency room, BioMed Area, Pharmacy etc...... functional area physical locations for each building. If this doesn't exist, please just send what does. I don't want to see a bunch of extra work. I would like to use the maps to demonstrate coverage areas.

a. The Program Office does not have the answer to this question; however, Bldg 1 -14 (added in this amendment) showing patient care areas.

31. Could we please have fiber suggested availability chart for the campus. Patrick knows that this refers to.

a. See Answer to Question #28.

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