QandA Smart Sensor BPA_47PB0125Q0001_02032025.pdf

Question & Answer for RFQ: Smart Sensor Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA)

Solicitation: 47PB0125Q0001 # Interested Parties Questions GSA's Answers 1 Is a GSA Schedule required? No, a GSA Schedule is not required for this solicitation. The procurement is conducted under full and open competition in accordance with FAR Part 13.303, meaning vendors without a GSA Schedule can still submit a quote.

2 Does each vendor need a GSA schedule in place in order to submit a bid? If so, Density is likely to partner with other providers that have a GSA schedule in place.

No, a GSA Schedule is not required for this solicitation. The procurement is conducted under full and open competition in accordance with FAR Part 13.303, meaning vendors without a GSA Schedule can still submit a quote.

3 How can you submit without a GSA Schedule? Vendors who do not have a GSA Schedule can submit a quote directly as long as they meet all the solicitation requirements outlined in the RFQ. You should ensure compliance with all technical, past performance, corporate experience, and pricing criteria specified in the solicitation.

4 Can you sub with a Prime who holds a GSA Schedule? Yes, subcontracting with a Prime contractor who has a GSA Schedule is an option. In this case, the proposed components would need to align with the Prime's schedule contract terms and scope. However, since a GSA Schedule is not required for this solicitation, subcontracting is not mandatory to participate.

5 Per SOW, Page 23, Section 6, says:

"All Contractors shall have an active GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract at the time of award."

Is this accurate?

Section 6, page 23, will be updated/amended to read as follows:

"All Contractors are encouraged to have an active GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract at the time of award; however, participation in this solicitation is not mandatory."

6 Per SOW, Section 3.1.3.

No Gateways?

Please provide a greater level of detail on “no gateways.”

The SOW explicitly states that gateways are not permitted. Sensors must be open and capable of integrating with the Building Monitoring and Control (BMC) and Building Automation Systems (BAS) without requiring intermediary devices. Native BACnet MS/TP, BACnet TCP/IP, or open API-based integration is required.

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7 Per SOW, Section 3.2

“no image capturing”

You mention a sensor that has a high accuracy. This requires a sensor that uses computer vision to capture shapes and objects, turning them into X/Y coordinates and that data being destroyed immediately. If we have GDPR and DPA requirements in place, will this suffice? We also have motion sensors, but they are not nearly as accurate nor as they as cost effective. Please advise.

Image capturing, video recording, or facial recognition technologies are not permitted. The government requires a privacy-respecting occupancy sensor solution that does not capture or store Personally Identifiable Information (PII). A non-image-based solution (e.g., PIR, thermal, or radar-based sensors) must be used. Compliance with GDPR or DPA requirements alone will not suffice.

8 Can you share your IT policies? IT security requirements must comply with GSA IT Security Procedural Guide - CIO IT Security 16-76 and Appendix A: GSA-IT Security-09-48, Security Privacy Requirements for IT Acquisition Efforts. Additional security policies related to network access, authentication, and data encryption are outlined in the SOW. Specific IT policies will be shared with the awarded contractors upon request.

9 Timing for decision and what are next steps? After the RFQ response deadline, GSA will conduct evaluations, request clarifications if necessary, and proceed with contractor selection and award. The anticipated timeline for award and BPA issuance is 3/10/2025, followed by BPA Calls for specific project requirements.

10 Will you introduce the partners to the decision makers in each region? No, GSA does not provide direct introductions. All engagements will be conducted through the competitive BPA Call process. Contractors should submit proposals based on regional requirements as outlined in the issued BPA Calls.

11 Do you have a rollout established for the partners you select? The rollout plan will be determined based on regional and site-specific BPA Calls. Each BPA Call will outline the number of sites, sensor types, and deployment schedules.

Contractors should be prepared for phased installations based on facility readiness and project prioritization.

How should each vendor demonstrate their key value proposition and differentiators based on the GSA’s stated goals? Should we place this information in a cover letter or slide deck for review by the contracting officers? Either format is acceptable.

As part of the Submission Pricing Requirements, are you seeking per unit pricing or a total price for the complete 180M sqft portfolio? Unit pricing

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As part of the Submission Pricing Requirements, Material Cost, are you seeking to understand our fully burdened manufacturing/material costs? Seeking turn key installation and maintenance cost

15 Per SOW, Section 3.1.4 submittals -

Is this information requested following the award of the BPA? If not, are you able to provide a sample floor plan to demonstrate submittal content?

Project submittals shall be supplied as directed by each individual task order. For this BPA submission, please provide manufacturer data cutsheets for all sensors listed in the contractor bid package.

16 Corporate Experience

Are there any page limits or font /spacing restrictions on the technical approach? Font size shall be 12pt with single or 1.5 line spacing. There are no page limits.

17 Past Performance

Are there any page limits or font /spacing restrictions on the technical approach? Font size shall be 12pt with single or 1.5 line spacing. There are no page limits.

18 Pricing

Which buildings are in scope for this BPA and is building information available? (addresses, square feet, building age, floorplans, historical status, mechanical and electrical drawings, etc.)?

Building information will be made available as needed for each BPA Call. Refer to Section

3.0 for general requirements.

19 Pricing

What are the BMS brands at the buildings in scope (Trane, Carrier, ALC, etc.)?

BMS brand information will be provided at the BPA Call level. See Section 3.1.3 for integration details.

20 Pricing

Who are the BMS contractors that service the buildings in scope and does the BPA vendor need to utilize those contractors to perform implementation labor?

BMS service providers will be identified at the BPA Call level. The vendor may use their network or subcontracting approach as long as it complies with contract requirements.

21 Pricing

How is pricing expected to be presented?

Pricing should be presented as itemized and turnkey options, covering hardware, installation, integration, and maintenance. Refer to Section 5.1 of the SOW.

22 Pricing/ Technical Approach

What are the models of each BMS brand at the sites in scope?

Each BPA Call will specify the BMS model where applicable. However, systems have supported 2 & 3 wire devices for decades.

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23 Pricing/ Technical Approach

Is there a specification or basis of design for sensor selection or is the BPA vendor expected to design the sensor infrastructure? The BPA vendor is expected to design the sensor infrastructure based on the specifications in Section 3.0.

24 Pricing/ Technical Approach

Is the vendor expected to provide POE infrastructure or 110 volt power to sensors and is it expected to be included in this pricing? Power infrastructure requirements will be determined per BPA Call. If power is required, it should be included in pricing.

Pricing/ Technical Approach

Can integrating the sensors to the BAS in the building be a passthrough cost that is excluded from this cost, but passed through or added to a project cost at the time of a project?

Integration costs may be a passthrough charge, depending on the BPA Call. Refer to Section 3.1.3 for integration requirements.

Pricing/ Technical Approach

Can physical installation and wiring be an excluded cost that is added or passed through at the time of a project implementation?

Physical installation costs should be included unless otherwise specified in the BPA Call.

Pricing/ Technical Approach

Can low-voltage sensor wiring be run in open plenum, where appropriate (within drop ceilings, unfinished spaces, etc.) or is conduit required?

Installation methods, including conduit requirements, will be determined per BPA Call.

Refer to Section 3.4 for installation guidelines.

Pricing/ Technical Approach

Are there existing standards for running Ethernet cabling, including but not limited to cable color, labeling, use of new/existing cable raceways/tracks, lacing, etc.?

Ethernet cabling standards must follow GSA IT and network guidelines. Details should be confirmed per BPA Call.

Pricing/ Technical Approach

Are there any union or prevailing wage requirements for implementation vendors or subcontractors ?

Labor requirements will be based on site-specific conditions and prevailing wage laws. See Section 4.0 for labor policies.

Technical Approach

Is there a specific action or use case for these sensors intended in the future that is known?

Use cases may include demand-based ventilation, occupancy-based HVAC control, and energy efficiency. Refer to Section 3.0 for sensor applications.

Technical Approach

Are there any page limits or font /spacing restrictions on the technical approach? Font size shall be 12pt with single or 1.5 line spacing. There are no page limits.

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Technical Approach

Do you require full resumes when addressing Section 4 in the SOW, or should we only demonstrate the minimum requirements are met ?

Resumes should be provided if required per the RFQ. Otherwise, vendors must demonstrate that personnel meet the qualifications outlined in Section 4.0.

SF1449, Page 3

Please provide instruction on what specifically is to be quoted per CLIN on the SF1449?

Refer to Section 5.1 of the SOW for BPA Calls Deliverables per CLIN. Each CLIN must specify the type of sensor, installation requirements, integration support, and geographic considerations as applicable.

SF1449, Page 3

How will the per unit pricing be applied after award on BPA calls?

Per unit pricing will be applied based on the BPA Call requirements, considering the sensor type, installation complexity, and integration scope. See Section 5.1 for further details.

SF1449, Page 3

How does the per unit pricing in the 1449 relate to the various types of sensors, installation requirements, integration requirements, pools, and geographic locations described in the SOW?

Pricing will vary based on sensor type, integration complexity, installation labor, and location. Refer to Sections 3.0 and 5.1 for breakdowns.

SOW, Page 7

In section 3 the list of available pools lists pool 3.1 through 3.6 however the SOW document goes on to detail requirements for pools 3.7-3.9. Can you provide clarity on this?

Pools 3.7 to 3.9 were included as additional service-based requirements, covering Operations & Maintenance, Engineering Services, and Training. See Sections 3.7, 3.8, and

3.9 for details.

SOW, Page 9

Section 3.1.3 describes the integration of the new/replaced sensors to the BMC and/or the BAS. Will the contractor be required to integrate the sensors into the BAS system, or will integration be handled by others? If required will login credentials be issued to the contractor to perform this integration?

Integration into BAS is required as specified per BPA Call. If integration is needed, credentials will be provided as required per Section 3.1.3.

General

Are labor rates to be handled individually for each BPA RFP that is issued to allow flexibility for security and location?

Yes, labor rates will be specific to each BPA Call, allowing flexibility in pricing based on location and security requirements. See Section 4.0 for labor categories.

SOW, Page 27

Are there any locations that will require Secret or Top-Secret clearances, or will the DHS background investigation be the highest level of clearance required?

The highest level of clearance required is the DHS background investigation per Section 9.1.

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SOW, Page 27

Will the government provide security escorts for any location that requires special access, or will this be handled/priced in site-specific BPA RFPs?

Security escorts will be determined per site-specific BPA Calls. Refer to Section 9.0 for security requirements.

SOW, Page 24

Section 6.0 states that between the anticipated award date and the start date of BPA Calls, the contractor is to work on completing security clearances. What is the current review and approval duration for background investigations?

Security clearance processing times range from 4 to 12 months depending on investigation complexity. Refer to Section 9.1.

SOW

Can the Government provide a list of sensors that have already been remediated for connectivity to the GSA network?

A list of remediated sensors will be provided as applicable per BPA Call. See Section 3.0 for details on integration requirements.

SOW

For the Pool of sensors, is it the Government's intent that a single sensor meet the requirement, or a group of sensors that together meet all the requirements?

The requirement may be met either by a single sensor or a group of sensors depending on the specifications outlined in BPA Calls. Refer to Sections 3.0-3.6.

SOW, Page 18

Section 3.4 requires Pitot averaging technology with sensing tubes for temperature/humidity. Would thermal dispersion technology be acceptable? The advantage is that it can sense lower FPM.

Only Pitot averaging technology is specified as required in Section 3.4. Alternative solutions must be approved through the BPA Call process.

SOW, Page 19

Section 3.9 requires "other" sensors. How is the contractor supposed to price this since the requirements are not clearly defined?

Pricing for 'other' sensors will be based on specific BPA Calls, which will define requirements per Section 3.7.

Could you kindly confirm whether the prime contractor is required to hold the 561210 Smart Buildings GSA BPA Schedule to be eligible for this award.

No, a GSA Schedule is not required for this solicitation. The procurement is conducted under full and open competition in accordance with FAR Part 13.303, meaning vendors without a GSA Schedule can still submit a quote.

Would GSA be able to clarify whether the labor categories listed in Section 4.0 are the only ones that need to be priced, or if additional categories may be included? Labor categories listed are a minimum requirement for pricing details.

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The price breakdown for the sensors as specified in Section 3.0 can be provided; however, installation and maintenance costs will vary depending on location. Could GSA provide guidance on how these costs should be addressed in the pricing submission?

Labor category pricing shall be based on the U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination Numbers indentified in the SCLS/SCA matrix. Pricing shall be nationwide.

A Pricing Sheet template is provided.

Since travel costs may vary significantly based on building locations, could GSA clarify the level of detail expected in the pricing submission regarding these expenses?

Travel will be negotiate for each individual task order against this BPA. Local travel, within 50 miles, is not reimbursable.

Given that sensor pricing for option periods may be affected by external factors such as tariffs, would it be acceptable to provide pricing for parts only for the base year, with adjustments considered for option years? No

Will there be any page limitations enforced on the technical approach section? Font size shall be 12pt with single or 1.5 line spacing. There are no page limits.

Could GSA kindly provide any specific expectations regarding the content and structure of the technical approach? Technical approach would be part of a task order against this BPA

Can GSA clarify how many past performance references should be submitted? Past performance requirements would be outlined in a task order against this BPA

What is the preferred approach for contractors to indicate which pools of work, as outlined in Section 3.0, they intend to pursue? Listing the Pool(s) in the response

Could GSA clarify the distinction between corporate experience and past performance? Specifically, for past performance, should we provide past performance questionnaires, CPARS, and/or project descriptions? For corporate experience, should the response focus on company experience relevant to the specific pools?

Past Performance will reviewing the quality of your past work, while Corporate Experience will demonstrate relevant experience/what the offeror within that specifically.

For Past Performance: offerors shall provide CPARS, with project description of at least 3- 5 projects of similar size and scope of the solicitation within the last 5 years.

For Corporate Experience: offerors shall demonstrate company experience relevant to the specific pools.

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Would GSA be open to considering an extension of the proposal due date?

Yes, GSA has extended the due date for Quotes.

Price and Technical Quote submission for this RFQ is extended to Friday, February 21, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)

Questions are due on 1/29/2025 and the overall RFP response is due 2/14/2025. As it will likely take GSA some time to review and formally respond to the questions, it’s not likely bidders will have time to review GSA’s responses and incorporate them into a complaint bid package.

Can GSA provide clarity on when questions will be returned, and, more importantly, provide an additional 15 business days (as a bid extension) after the questions are answered?

Price and Technical Quote submission for this RFQ is extended to Friday, February 21, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)

The 1449 form stipulates 1 FFP amount per year. Can GSA clarify its intent for bidders to provide for a fixedfirm-price, per year, while encapsulating 9 different pools of material and labor?

Offerors should provide a clear breakdown of FFP per pool based on unit costs for sensors, labor categories, and site-specific factors. The pricing methodology should be clearly defined in the quote.

The solicitation stipulates the government’s intent to issue multiple awards. Can GSA clarify how this might be accomplished (i.e.

specifically in areas where there are potentially conflicting labor pools, such as engineering for a device and another firm might install/integrate).

The Government intends to issue multiple BPAs, allowing vendors to bid on individual pools. BPA Calls will specify required labor categories to ensure task alignment and avoid conflicts.

There are currently no assumptions included in the solicitation package for bidders to use for pricing (for example, the unit pricing on the installation for 10 sensors in 1 building, in Washington D.C., will vary significantly from the installation of 20 sensors across multiple buildings (potentially across multiple regions). Does the Government intend for bidders to include an extensive list of assumptions (likely dozens per pool) to complete a compliant pricing exercise?

Offerors should include relevant pricing assumptions in their quotes, as pricing may vary by scope. BPA Calls will define specific installation needs

How does GSA intend to perform a reasonable price comparison (when each bidder, with the current information provided, will be working from an entirely different set of assumptions?)

GSA will evaluate pricing based on standardized labor rates, equipment, and service levels, ensuring fair price comparisons across vendors.

A Pricing Sheet template is provided for assistance.

The SOW stipulates that “no gateways” are to be used. To clarify, does GSA intend for every sensor to be an IP level device (with a home run back to a GSA switch?)

No. The preferred method is connection to the nearest BAS system panel. An acceptable secondary option is an IP addressable device.

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Can the GSA clarify the integration intent? The SOW seems to suggest that sensors should be integrated to a site -specific BAS, at a minimum.

Yes, sensors must integrate into the local BAS at each site as specified in Section 3.1.3 of the SOW.

Section 2.0 states “All sensor technologies shall...have ability to provide...analysis on data trends.” Where is the analysis to be performed? The intent is to have all analysis take place within GSAlink.

Section 2.0 states “The sensor technology provided within this contract shall be a scalable open solution, with industry standard open protocol integration capabilities, and interoperable with other current, and potentially future technologies.”

Please provide examples of current technologies the sensors are to be interoperable with.

Sensors should be interoperable with Building Automation Systems, GSAlink (FDD) and other Building Monitoring & Control System applications.

Section 3.1.3 states “Gateways are not permitted.”

Section 3.1.4 states to provide diagrams including “Points list for each sensor and other devices including …gateways”.

Please clarify on use of gateway devices. Per Line Item 6: Gateways are not allowed (see Line Item 6 for specifics)

Please provide number of sites/buildings, average floors per building, and average number of occupancy sensors expected to be required per building. Exact numbers will be defined in BPA Calls.

Section states “Sensor shall be capable of providing alert in power loss or network loss events.” Is this to be done by the sensor itself or is a notification of communications loss through the local BAS acceptable? Alert via the local BAS or GSAlink is acceptable.

Please provide number of sites/buildings, average sq ft of office space per building, average number ofconference/meeting rooms, and average number of IAQ/IEQ sensors expected to be required per building. Exact numbers will be defined in BPA Calls.

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Section 3.3 states that IAQ/IEQ sensors shall meet RESET(™) Air Accredited Monitor requirements at a minimum. Total Volatile Organic Compounds is included in the RESET standard but not listed in the monitoring parameters of Pool 3.2. Is TVOC monitoring a requirement?

Yes. We did not intend to list out each individual parameter covered under RESET Air Accredited Monitor requirements, or any additional parameters that may not be covered under said RESET requirements.

Is the intent for a single IAQ/IEQ device to provide for sensing and monitoring of all parameters listed, or is it acceptable to have multiple devices to monitor the parameters? Either approach is acceptable.

Section states “Sensors shall be powered via 110V and/or POE+.” Is 12- 24V acceptable as well? Yes, 12-24V is acceptable.

Please provide number of sites/buildings and the average number of AFMS expected to be required per building. Exact numbers will be provided in BPA Calls.

Please provide number of sites/buildings and average number of electric, gas, water, and BTU metering/flow monitoring devices expected to be required per building. Exact numbers will be provided in BPA Calls.

Please provide number of sites/buildings expected to require water quality monitoring. Exact numbers will be provided in BPA Calls.

Is the intent for a single sensor/system to provide for sensing and monitoring of all parameters listed, or is it acceptable to have multiple sensors/systems to monitor the parameters for water quality? Multiple sensors are acceptable.

Please provide number of sites/buildings and average number of sensors expected to be required per sensor type per building. Exact numbers will be provided in BPA Calls.

Should cost breakout for this task be provided on a cost per labor hour basis?

Cost breakout should be per labor hour for Section 3.9 & 3.10. For Section 3.8 the cost breakout should be broken down annually.

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79 What are the GSA’s 11 regional offices in Washington, DC, USA?

GSA has 11 regional offices across the United States. The National Capital Region (NCR) is located in Washington, DC, and oversees federal buildings and procurement in that area.

The other regional offices include New England (Boston), Northeast & Caribbean (New York), Mid-Atlantic (Philadelphia), Southeast Sunbelt (Atlanta), Great Lakes (Chicago), Heartland (Kansas City), Greater Southwest (Fort Worth), Rocky Mountain (Denver), Pacific Rim (San Francisco), and Northwest Arctic (Auburn, WA). Each office helps manage government buildings, contracts, and other services for federal agencies in its region.

80 Why does the GSA require a GSA Schedule instead of using an IDV?

The GSA Schedule is used instead of an Indefinite Delivery Vehicle (IDV) because it follows FAR Part 8.4, which makes buying products and services easier by using pre-approved pricing and terms. BPA Calls issued under the SAM.gov solicitation will include details on the specific work and pricing rather than requiring a new contract every time.

However, if GSA needs to open the competition to more vendors, it can use FAR Part 6 for full and open competition. Depending on the situation, FAR Parts 13, 14, or 15 allow for different types of competitive bidding, and FAR Part 16.505 lets agencies set up IDIQ or BPA contracts outside of the GSA Schedule when needed.

Do you have a preferred manufacture of sensors you are trying to procure? No. Senosrs should adhere to outlined specifications and/or requirements

82 What License term would you prefer?

Any associated license should have a one year term for each performance period of the contract.

83 This is for a Muliple Award BPA. How many awardees are expected? Up to 5 Awardees

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