Solicitaion Q and A.pdf

1. Does the government want continuous access to live camera views on the workstation if the server is offline or down? There is no server.

2. D 1.5 states, “All components/equipment licensing fees for the newly installed NVMS shall be nonrecurring.” There are only two manufacturers that have a NVMS that video management software (VMS) license to be transferable to new hardware at no cost, in the event that the current hardware reaches its end of life or experiences a catastrophic failure. That is Bosch and Hanwha. There are three manufacturers that have a video management software (VMS) license to be upgradeable to future released versions at no additional cost and they are Bosch, Hanwha and Axis. Does that government want the VMS to be updateable at no additional cost? Yes

3. Does the government want the video management software (VMS) license to be upgradeable to future versions at no additional cost? Yes

4. Does the government want the video management software (VMS) license to be transferable to new hardware at no cost, in the event that the current hardware reaches its end of life or experiences a catastrophic failure? Yes

5. B 1.3 states, “The VSS camera system will have different brand of make and model at each location, i.e., Bosch, Avigilon, Axis, ViTek to include matching VMS for each system. VSS workstation’s will not be connected to the Internet. See section E (salient characteristics) for all minimum requirements for all equipment. All new equipment that is proposed by the contractor shall be in compliance with section 889 of the 2019 of the NDAA and Trade Agreement Act (TAA) compliant.” Do you want each room to have products from one manufacturer? Only the cameras must be the same manufacturer in each room.

6. Section B 1.6 specifies a 25% additional storage requirement for future expansion, while Section C 3.1 states, “the Contractor shall include enough storage for an additional four

(4) cameras for future expansion on each standalone system, maintaining the thirty (30) day minimum requirement.” Could you please clarify which requirement applies: 25% additional storage and/or the provision for four additional cameras? For all four locations.

7. Could you specify the required megapixel (MP) cameras? This information is necessary for us to perform accurate storage calculations. We don’t have a megapixel requirement.

8. Does government want a 42u rack? A 42” rack was spec’d and would be very low and hard to operate KVM unless you were sitting on floor. 42 in is a minimum.

D.5.1 At a minimum, the CCV Equipment Rack shall have the following characteristics.

a) Metal lockable rack

b) Glass doors with handle

c) On rolling casters

d) Equipment cooling fans

e) 42” high

9. Section C.1.7.1 States that "the contractor shall provide and submit with their proposal documentation from the manufacturer that they are trained, certified and authorized to install, integrate, test, and commission the system." The scope of work calls for four different brands of equipment. While our operations manager has 23 years' experience with the installation and programming of VSS / CCTV systems he/we are not authorized for multiple brands although we do work on them. Having a security company that is certified and trained in four different brands of equipment is highly unlikely in our industry due to brand agreements for purchasing. It would be like a Ford dealer trying to sell new Chevy's on the same lot. Is the authorization an imperative? Certification for one camera system will work.

10. The mount for the 32" monitor, is it to be mounted to the top of the rack or to the wall? Top of the rack.

11. Are the racks going to be moved around or will they be fixed into a location? The wiring requirements are stated in such a way as wiring cannot be exposed and will need to be in conduit / wire mold. It was our understanding that there would need to be excess wire at the rack so it can be moved around but the contradicts the wiring being secured/ not exposed. Rack should not be moved, even though it has wheels.

12. The Contractor shall be responsible to provide the necessary equipment and tools to access all equipment which is not accessible by ladder. Are there areas that are not accessible by ladder? If so, is it possible to get a small scissor lift into each location requiring a VSS? No, no.

13. All equipment connected to AC power shall be protected from surges as described in

IEEE C62.41 and IEEE C62.43. Is there dedicated 120/240vac available at each rack location? Rack location to be determined by available power.

14. All equipment connected to AC power shall be protected from surges as described in IEEE C62.41 and IEEE C62.43. If there is no dedicated 120/240vac available at each rack location who is responsible for installing the power? N/A

15. All equipment connected to AC power shall be protected from surges as described in IEEE C62.41 and IEEE C62.43. If there is no dedicated 120/240vac available at each rack location and the Contractor is responsible for installing power, please indicate the wire run distance from each rack location to the nearest breaker panel with a dedicated spare breaker available for Contractor use. No, contractor is not responsible for installing power.

16. With 4 GPS time NTP clocks, one for each rack to be installed, will the customer approve the use of an antenna multicoupler to reduce the number of necessary antenna coax run that would need to be installed outside on the building. This device will only require a single antenna to be installed. No.

17. Windows 10 will be discontinued for support in October 2025. Is this still the requirement for the workstation? Or equivalent.

18. Paragraph B.1.4 references a laptop. B.1.7 table references NVR installed in the rack but does not mention a laptop. Is the intent for the laptop to serve as a combination NVR and monitoring workstation? Please clarify the purpose and location for the laptop computer at each entrance. Laptop is for playback on videos for instructions.

19. For bidding purposes, please confirm that offerors shall assume that current HVAC/environmental controls in the rack locations are sufficient to maintain conditions within equipment manufacturer recommended operating ranges. Yes

20. Item b) Power over Ethernet (PoE) states in part (2) IEEE 802.3at (up to 60 Watts/port).

IEEE 802.3at is 30 W. Please clarify inconsistent requirements. states up to 60 watts.

21. Please confirm that contractor will only be required to "participate in DHS' continuous monitoring and methods" and not provide continuous monitoring capability. Correct

22. Please clarify when notice to proceed with be issued (i.e., at award, after government receipt/approval of pre-installation deliverables, etc.). Notice to proceed with be issued after April 14th after the vendor is notified of winning award. Time will be allotted for on-site personnel to obtain clearance.

23. Please provide the current copy of the CUI DHS 4300A Sensitive Systems Handbook.

Handbook will be provided to winning bidder.

24. Will the Government extend the RFQ due date to allow at least 10 working days after providing the Q&A responses? No.

25. I would appreciate your clarification regarding the requirement that each of the four systems must incorporate cameras from different manufacturers (e.g., Bosch, Avigilon, Axis, ViTek). Each screening station will have four cameras from the same manufacturer. We require four camera manufacturers, one for each screening station. Any other devices (DVR, screens) can be the same or different from the cameras. Example: You could have a Sony DVR at each screening station, even though you don’t have Sony cameras, as long as the systems meets the specifications.

26. Could you kindly confirm the intent or rationale behind this specification? We want four different types of cameras for training.

27. Additionally, I would like to understand whether manufacturer certifications are required for each system individually or if a single certification from the primary vendor would be acceptable for the overall submission. Not sure I am understanding what you mean by manufacture certification? The requirement is for the cameras to be the same manufacturer at each screenings station, not the system.