Amendment 2 Questions and Answers.pdf

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Question 5: Are the requirements specifically for two diverse connections using two diverse uplinks (either EPL or Dark Fiber) between ADC (44480 Hastings) and Equinix DC1, and between ADC (44480 Hastings) and Equinix DC3? Additionally, are there requirements for two diverse connections from White Oak Data Center to Equinix DC1, and from White Oak Data Center to Equinix DC3?

Answer 5: No, the requirements are for one link between ADC and DC1, and one link between WODC and DC3, which is currently what is in operation and needs to be maintained in the short term.

Question 6: Will you be installing equipment in the ICSP data centers to facilitate the failover of redundant circuits?

Answer 6: Each Equinix location (DC1, DC3) has and will only require a single backhaul circuit to FDA, either to ADC or WODC. Failover is performed by FDA owned routers in DC1 and DC3 using BGP.

Question 7: Is it possible to allow the ICSP to manage failover processes without installing additional equipment in the ICSP data centers?

Answer 7: It is not necessary for ISCP to manage failover processes, as each location will have a single backhaul circuit to FDA. Routing failover is performed by the FDA routers installed at the Equinix locations using BGP.

Question 8: Why does the ICSP require data centers distributed across the CONUS when this RFQ is specifically focused on the Washington DC Metropolitan Area?

Answer 8: The ISCP must be able to facilitate connections AWS Direct Connect locations, including the AWS Govcloud West zone.

Question 9: Do you require connectivity to GovCloud East, GovCloud West, or Azure from the ADC and WO data centers? If so, can you provide the addresses? Please specify if they need to be diverse and if failover is required.

Answer 9: The updated list of Direct Connect connection points for GovCloud East, Govcloud West, and Azure can be provided by AWS and Azure. Connection to those services/locations is required from the existing Equinix DC1/DC3 locations, where FDA routers running BGP provide failover services between the 2 circuits.

Question 10: Could you please provide specific details regarding the connectivity requirements? Are you seeking connections to two geographically diverse entry points for both AWS and Azure?

Answer 10: FDA is seeking diverse paths from WODC and ADC to the US East entry points to AWS and Azure.

Question 11: Does the FDA have the capability to maintain two diverse circuits and manage failover processes internally?

Answer 11: Yes, the FDA routers at Equinix DC1 and DC3 run BGP and maintain routing failover processes automatically.

Question 12: Could you confirm whether you require separate diverse connectivity for Azure and AWS, with each having its own independent diversity?

Answer 12: No, the FDA needs diverse connections to the US East Azure and AWS entry points from the two FDA locations, WODC and ADC.

Question 13: Could you please provide the specific addresses for which quotes are needed, along with the services that require pricing at each location?

Answer 13: All addresses (for WODC, ADC, DC1, DC3) are already provided in the SOW.

Question 14: Can you please provide Point A to Point Z locations?

Answer 14: All addresses (for WODC, ADC, DC1, DC3) are already provided in the SOW.

Question 15: Are you looking for two redundant circuits, 10 Gbps with options for 20 Gbps, 40 Gbps, and 100 Gbps, between the White Oak Data Center and the Equinix DC3 data center.

Answer 15: A single 10G circuit is operational between WODC and DC3. We need to maintain that circuit and need options to eventually upgrade it.

Question 16: Are you also looking for two redundant circuits, 10 Gbps with options for 20 Gbps, 40 Gbps, and 100 Gbps, between the Ashburn Data Center and the Equinix DC1 data center?

Answer 16: A single 10G circuit is operational between ADC and DC1. We need to maintain that circuit and need options to eventually upgrade it.

Question 17: Would you accept a partial solution, such as only the 2 x 10 Gbps circuits between the White Oak Data Center and Equinix DC3, and between the Ashburn Data Center and Equinix DC1?

Answer 17: We need to maintain the existing single 10G circuit between WODC and DC3, and ADC and DC1, as well as have options for upgrading those 10G circuits to higher port speeds or multiple 10G circuits. Cost effectiveness of the proposed solution will be considered.

Question 18: Do we need to price all items listed in the Deliverables (paragraph 6)?

Answer 18: Yes, provide a quote that fit the whole solution to include deliverables.

Question 19: Is the September 2 date for circuit activation mentioned in section 6, Deliverables, flexible?

Answer 19: The existing operational circuits and services must be maintained when the current contract ends. Optional upgrade services can be delivered at a future date.

Question 20: Is diversity a requirement for the circuits between White Oak and Equinix DC3, and between Ashburn Data Center and Equinix DC1?

Answer 20: There is only a single circuit required between each of those location pairs. The circuits between those two location pairs should be diverse.

Question 20: Will the government consider extending the submission deadline by two weeks from the date the answers to the questions are released?

Answer 20: Request for submission deadline will be extended from 15 August to 21 August 2024.

End of Amendment 2