Questions and answers.Laptops part 2 dd 02 29 2012 WD.docx

Summary of Amendment #0005 changes to RFQ 4QBF47116809 for Laptops, Desktops, Notebooks, Netbooks, and Warranties, SF 30

Questions for RFQ 4QBF47116809 for Laptops, Desktops, Notebooks, Netbooks, and Warranties

1. In reference to the Instructions to Offerors (ITO), Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #3 dated 02/07/2012, CLINs 0001, 1001, & 2001, Basic laptop specifications: The Government specifies “light sensitive webcam and noise cancelling digital array microphone.” These specifications clearly refer back to specific products manufactured by Dell, as the terminology is lifted straight from Dell product specifications. In order to expand the Government’s options, increase competition, and ultimately reduce the Government’s costs, we suggest utilizing language that is more generic with regards to the webcam and microphone. Will the Government remove the “light sensitive” and “noise cancelling digital array” terminology from the specifications?

Government Answer: The government requires a "Light Sensitive Web Cam and Noise Cancelling Microphone." The words "digital array" has been deleted in their entirety from the requirement.

2. In reference to the ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #3 dated 02/07/2012, CLINs 0001, 1001, & 2001, Basic laptop specifications: The Government specifies a “dual pointing keyboard.” This specification greatly limits selection of suitable product. In order to increase competition and allow greater product selection, will the Government remove the specification for the keyboard to be “dual pointing?

Government Answer: The government requires a Dual Pointing Keyboard. The government requires both Touchpad and Stick to be available.

3. In reference to the ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #3 dated 02/07/2012, CLINs 0001, 1001, & 2001, Basic laptop specifications: The Government specifies a “Class 5 video adapter core speed 200 MHz.” There is no definition for the term “Class 5.” Therefore, it is difficult to ensure that the offered product will meet this specification. Will the Government change this requirement to use the industry standard terminology, “integrated graphics?”

Government Answer: The term Class 5 has been deleted. See ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #0005 dated 02/29/2012.

4. In reference to the ITO , Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #3 dated 02/07/2012, CLINs 0002, 1002, & 2002, Advanced laptop specifications: The Government specifies “light sensitive webcam and noise cancelling digital array microphone.” These specifications clearly refer back to specific products manufactured by Dell, as the terminology is lifted straight from Dell product specifications. In order to expand the Government’s options, increase competition, and ultimately reduce the Government’s costs, we suggest utilizing language that is more generic with regards to the webcam and microphone. Will the Government remove the “light sensitive” and “noise cancelling digital array” terminology from the specifications?

Government Answer: The government requires a "Light Sensitive Web Cam and Noise Cancelling Microphone". The words "digital array" have been deleted in their entirety from the requirement.

5. In reference to the ITO , Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #3 dated 02/07/2012, CLINs 0002, 1002, & 2002, Advanced laptop specifications: The Government specifies a “dual pointing keyboard.” This specification greatly limits selection of suitable product. In order to increase competition and allow greater product selection, will the Government remove the specification for the keyboard to be “dual pointing?”

Government Answer: The government requires a Dual Pointing Keyboard. The government requires both Touchpad and Stick to be available.

6. In reference to the ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #3 dated 02/07/2012, CLINs 0002, 1002, & 2002, Advanced laptop specifications: The Government specifies a “Class 4 video adapter core speed 500 MHz 512MB on board memory.” There is no definition for the term “Class 4.” Therefore, it is difficult to ensure that the offered product will meet this specification. Will the Government change this requirement to use the industry standard terminology, “discrete graphics with 512MB on board memory?”

Government Answer: The term Class 4” has been deleted. See ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #0005 dated 02/29/2012.

7. In reference to the ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #3 dated 02/07/2012, CLIN 0003, 1003, & 2003, Semi-rugged laptop specifications: The Government specifies that the semi-rugged laptop meet MIL-STD-810F standards. There are 24 different categories to this particular standard, including shock, low temperature, high temperature, salt fog, and vibration. Additionally, products can be tested, compliant, or designed to meet all or only some portion of these test categories. Will the Government please clarify in which specific categories they are interested and if products must be actually tested to meet those specific categories?

Government Answer: The MIL-STD-810F for CLINs 0003, 1003, & 2003 for Semi-rugged laptops are as a minimum restricted to:

MIL-STD-810F Method 501.4 High Temperature (Both Storage and Operating) MIL-STD-810F Method 502.4 Low Temperature (Both Storage and Operating) MIL-STD-810F Method 506.4 Rain Procedure 2 MIL-STD-810F Method 510.4, Section 2.1.1 Effects of Sand and Dust Environment for both small particle dust and blowing Sand:

· Procedure b. Penetration of Seals;

· Procedure c. Degradation of Electric and Electronic Circuits;

· Procedure d. Obstruction and Clogging of Openings and Filters;

· Procedure i. Overheating and Fire hazard die to restricted ventilation and cooling MIL-STD-810F Method 516.5 Shock:

· Procedure I. Functional Shock;

· Procedure V. Crash Hazard;

· Procedure VI. Bench Handling.

Note: This is a mock buy and products will not be tested at the BPA level. Individual ordering agencies will test at the ordering level as required by the specific product requirement.

8. In reference to the ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #3 dated 02/07/2012, CLIN 0003, 1003, & 2003, Semi-rugged laptop specifications: The Government specifies a “Class 5 video adapter core speed 200 MHz 512MB on board memory.” There is no definition for the term “Class 5.” Therefore, it is difficult to ensure that the offered product will meet this specification. Will the Government change this requirement to use the industry standard terminology, “discrete graphics with 512MB on board memory?”

Government Answer: The term “Class 5” has been deleted. See ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #0005 dated 02/29/2012.

9. In reference to the ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #3 dated 02/07/2012, CLIN 0004, 1004, & 2004, Mobile workstation laptop (Basic system) specifications: The Government specifies that the mobile workstation laptop have a weight not more than 8 lbs. The specified configuration, including the large 17.3” screen, is in line with desktop replacement systems. Additionally, the specification calls for a 9-cell battery, which will represent a significant portion of the weight of the overall system. In our experience, we have found that such systems tend to remain on the desktop and not be used in mobile applications. Given this, will the Government modify the weight requirement to be not more than 8.7 lbs?

Government Answer: The weight requirement, for CLINs 0004, 1004, & 2004, has been deleted in its entirety.

10. In reference to the ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #3 dated 02/07/2012, CLIN 0004, 1004, & 2004, Mobile workstation laptop (Basic system) specifications: The Government specifies “noise cancelling digital array microphone.” This specification clearly refers back to specific products manufactured by Dell, as the terminology is lifted straight from Dell product specifications. In order to expand the Government’s options, increase competition, and ultimately reduce the Government’s costs, we suggest utilizing language that is more generic with regards to the microphone. Will the Government remove the “noise cancelling digital array” terminology from the specifications?

Government Answer: The government requires a "Light Sensitive Web Cam and Noise Cancelling Microphone." The words "digital array" have been deleted in their entirety from the requirement.

11. In reference to the ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #3 dated 02/07/2012, CLIN 0004, 1004, & 2004, Mobile workstation laptop (Basic system) specifications: The Government specifies a “Class 3 video adapter core speed 800 MHz 1GB memory 64-bit bus.” There is no definition for the term “Class 3.” Therefore, it is difficult to ensure that the offered product will meet this specification. Will the Government change this requirement to use the industry standard terminology, “discrete graphics with 1GB on board memory?”

Government Answer: The term “Class 3” has been deleted. See ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #0005 dated 02/29/2012.

12. In reference to the ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #3 dated 02/07/2012, CLIN 0005, 1005, & 2005, Mobile workstation laptop (Advanced system) specifications: The Government specifies that the mobile workstation laptop have a weight not more than 8 lbs. The specified configuration, including the large 17.3” screen, is in line with desktop replacement systems. Additionally, the specification calls for a 9-cell battery, which will represent a significant portion of the weight of the overall system. In our experience, we have found that such systems tend to remain on the desktop and not be used in mobile applications. Given this, will the Government modify the weight requirement to be not more than 8.7 lbs?

Government Answer: The weight requirement, for CLINs 0005, 1005, & 2005, has been deleted in its entirety.

13. In reference to the ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #3 dated 02/07/2012, CLIN 0005, 1005, & 2005, Mobile workstation laptop (Advanced system) specifications: The Government specifies “noise cancelling digital array microphone.” This specification clearly refers back to specific products manufactured by Dell, as the terminology is lifted straight from Dell product specifications. In order to expand the Government’s options, increase competition, and ultimately reduce the Government’s costs, we suggest utilizing language that is more generic with regards to the microphone. Will the Government remove the “noise cancelling digital array” terminology from the specifications?

Government Answer: The government requires a "Light Sensitive Web Cam and Noise Cancelling Microphone." The words "digital array" have been deleted in their entirety from the requirement.

14. In reference to the ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #3 dated 02/07/2012, CLIN 0005, 1005, & 2005, Mobile workstation laptop (Advanced system) specifications: The Government specifies a “Class 3 video adapter core speed 900 MHz 2GB memory 64-bit memory bus.” There is no definition for the term “Class 3.” Therefore, it is difficult to ensure that the offered product will meet this specification. Will the Government change this requirement to use the industry standard terminology, “discrete graphics with 2GB on board memory?”

Government Answer: The term “Class 3” has been deleted. See ITO, Attachment A, BPA Price Template, Amendment #0005 dated 02/29/2012.

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