Amendment 0001 - Response to Questions.pdf

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing items 8 and 15, and returning or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE

RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUISITION NUMBER 5. PROJECT NUMBER (If applicable)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

FACILITY CODE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended. is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER

NUMBER IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15C. DATE SIGNED

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

CODE

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

Previous edition unusable

A00001 951700

This Solicitation is being Amended to incorporate the following:

A.) Provide Response to Questions. See attached.

B.) To extend the Proposal Submission Date to no later than 12pm (ET) on Tuesday, 28 July 2026.

United States Agency for Global Media Office of Contracts 330 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC 20237

See Item 6

951700-26-R-0006

A00001

1 10

07/22/2026

07/22/2026

RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS

SOLICITATION NO.: 951700-26-R-0006

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QUESTION 1: Could the Government provide the GPS coordinates of the proposed microwave endpoint(s), or alternatively confirm the exact locations of both sites?

ANSWER 1: The GPS coordinates of the USAGM Kuwait Transmitting Station will not be provided as part of this solicitation.

Offerors are encouraged to attend the scheduled pre-proposal site visit to obtain the information necessary to prepare their proposals and perform their engineering assessment.

QUESTION 2: Please confirm the existing mounting infrastructure at each site, including:

o Existing tower height.

o Tower type (self-supporting, guyed, monopole, etc.).

o Maximum usable mounting height available for contractor-installed equipment.

ANSWER 2:

• Existing tower height: 120 ft (36.6 meters) Above Ground Level (AGL).

• Tower type: Self-supporting triangular lattice steel tower.

• The Government will provide access to the existing tower. The successful contractor shall perform its own engineering assessment and determine the optimum antenna mounting elevation necessary to satisfy all technical and performance requirements specified in the solicitation, including link availability, path clearance, fade margin, and structural loading limitations.

• The contractor shall ensure that the proposed installation does not adversely affect existing Government-installed equipment or exceed the structural loading capacity of the tower.

Any proposed installation shall comply with applicable industry standards, manufacturer's requirements, and all applicable U.S. Government safety requirements.

QUESTION 3: If no tower exists at any location, please confirm whether the microwave equipment is intended to be installed on an existing building structure and advise whether any structural limitations should be considered.

2. Is a pre-proposal site survey permitted for prospective offerors?

3. If site visits are authorized, would you kindly advise:

o The procedure for arranging site access.

o Any nationality restrictions applicable to personnel requiring access.

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o The anticipated processing time for obtaining site access.

ANSWER 3:

A pre-proposal site visit is authorized and is scheduled for 26 July 2026 at 8:00 AM (local time).

Attendance shall be limited to a maximum of two (2) representatives per company.

Offerors requesting site access shall submit the following for each representative:

• Copy of Kuwait Civil ID or Passport

• Vehicle registration (if vehicle access is required)

The required documentation shall be emailed to Yowwana DeSilva (ydesilva@usagm.gov), with a copy to Sarath Raj (sraj@usagm.gov), no later than Close of Business (COB) on 25 July 2026.

QUESTION 4: Are any existing site drawings, antenna layouts, photographs, or other engineering documentation available that may be shared with prospective offerors to facilitate accurate engineering and pricing?

ANSWER 4: A photograph of the existing communications tower is provided with this amendment for reference.

No additional engineering drawings, tower structural drawings, antenna layouts, or other infrastructure documentation are available for release.

Offerors shall independently verify all dimensions, installation requirements, and site conditions during the authorized site visit and shall base their proposals accordingly.

QUESTION 5: Considering this circuit is identified as a mission-critical communications path supporting continuity of broadcasting operations, would the Government consider adopting a performance-based, technology-neutral requirement that permits either Fiber Optic or Microwave transmission, provided the proposed solution fully complies with all specified Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and performance objectives? Fiber Optic infrastructure is the industry-standard transport medium for mission-critical telecommunications services and provides enhanced resiliency against environmental conditions prevalent in Northern Kuwait, including dust storms, sandstorms, high winds, extreme temperatures, and humidity.

mailto:ydesilva@usagm.gov

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ANSWER 5: USAGM has identified the microwave radio link as the preferred transport medium based on the technical requirements and site-specific environmental conditions. At this time, USAGM does not wish to consider fiber optic service.

While fiber optic circuits generally provide superior service quality compared to microwave radio links, the situation at the USAGM Kuwait site is different due to the local operating environment.

Historically, the network was configured with a fiber optic circuit as the primary connection and a microwave radio link as the redundant backup to support mission-critical operations.

However, due to recent environmental changes affecting the site, the fiber optic circuit has experienced frequent service interruptions and prolonged restoration times. These recurring issues have adversely impacted service reliability and operational continuity. Based on this experience, USAGM has decided to utilize the microwave radio link as the sole transport medium, as it has demonstrated greater reliability and better supports the site's mission-critical communication requirements.

Due to the ongoing construction of a new city and highway adjacent to the USAGM Kuwait site, the fiber-optic cable serving the facility has experienced frequent damage, resulting in repeated service disruptions. Given the magnitude of the infrastructure project, construction activities are expected to continue for several more years, increasing the likelihood of continued cable cuts and outages.

Based on the recurring incidents and projected construction timeline, it has been determined that the current fiber circuit does not meet mission service availability and reliability requirements.

In addition, the regional telecommunications backbone is undergoing continuous upgrades to support the new city's infrastructure. These upgrades have resulted in frequent planned service interruptions, further reducing the overall availability of the fiber circuit.

QUESTION 6: Since these engineering parameters are applicable only to microwave radio systems and are not relevant to wired telecommunications infrastructure, would the Government consider revising the technical requirements to focus on measurable end-to-end service performance rather than prescribing a specific transport technology? This approach is consistent with performance-based acquisition practices and promotes full and open competition while ensuring mission requirements are achieved.

ANSWER 6: Response to this question is provided in Answer 5. See answer 5.

QUESTION 7: If the Government permits Fiber Optic as an acceptable transmission medium, would the licensing requirements be revised to recognize the appropriate regulatory authorizations applicable to wired telecommunications carriers? Fiber-based services do not require licensed microwave spectrum and are provided under existing national telecommunications licenses.

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ANSWER 7: Not applicable. The solicitation requires a microwave radio solution. The licensing requirements remain unchanged.

QUESTION 8: In the event Fiber Optic transmission is accepted as an allowable solution, would the Government consider including the corresponding wired telecommunications NAICS classification to ensure all qualified telecommunications carriers are eligible to compete under this procurement?

ANSWER 8: Not applicable. The solicitation requires a microwave radio solution.

QUESTION 9: In accordance with Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232), FAR 52.204-24, FAR 52.204-25, FAR 52.204-26, and applicable U.S. Government supply chain risk management policies, would the Government consider permitting contractors to propose transmission solutions utilizing telecommunications equipment fully compliant with Section 889 requirements? Since Fiber Optic transport generally relies on standardized carrier-grade optical infrastructure, it may reduce dependency on wireless radio equipment and associated supply chain risks while supporting long-term operational resiliency.

ANSWER 9: The contractor shall ensure that all telecommunications equipment, systems, and associated services proposed and utilized in performance of this requirement comply with applicable U.S. Government supply chain security requirements.

The proposed microwave solution shall meet all applicable telecommunications security and equipment compliance requirements. The solicitation requirements remain unchanged.

QUESTION 10: (See Email for Full Question) In accordance with Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232), FAR 52.204-24 (Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment), FAR 52.204-25 (Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment), FAR 52.204-26, and applicable U.S. Government supply chain security policies, will the Government require offerors to certify that all telecommunications infrastructure used to deliver the required service, including microwave radios, optical transmission equipment, routers, switches, transport systems, backhaul infrastructure, and all subcontractor or third-party carrier network elements, are fully compliant with the prohibition on covered telecommunications equipment and services? Furthermore, if a microwave-based solution is proposed, will the Government require verification that the complete end-to-end radio and transport infrastructure is free from covered telecommunications equipment and services prohibited under Section 889?

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ANSWER 10:

Yes. The contractor shall ensure that all telecommunications equipment, systems, components, and associated services used to provide the required service comply with applicable U.S.

Government supply chain security requirements.

The contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that the complete end-to-end solution, including microwave radio equipment, network components, and any subcontractor-provided equipment or services, does not include prohibited telecommunications equipment or services.

The Government may request supporting documentation or verification of compliance during contract performance.

QUESTION 11: Existing Infrastructure Section 5 references an existing in-production 200 Mbps P2P Wireless Local Loop (WLL) connection that may not be interrupted. Please clarify whether the existing microwave radios, antennas, frequency assignment, far-end tower/Point of Presence (POP), and associated infrastructure are Government-furnished or incumbent-contractor-owned, and whether any of that infrastructure will be available for reuse by the successful awardee.

ANSWER 11: The existing 200 Mbps Point-to-Point Wireless Local Loop (WLL) service, including the associated microwave radios, antennas, frequency assignment, far-end infrastructure, and related equipment, is provided and maintained by the incumbent service provider.

No existing microwave equipment, infrastructure, frequency assignment, or associated facilities will be provided by the Government for reuse by the successful awardee.

The successful contractor shall be responsible for providing a complete end-to-end microwave solution, including all required equipment, engineering, licensing, installation, integration, testing, commissioning, and maintenance necessary to meet the requirements of the solicitation.

The existing 200 Mbps service shall remain operational until the new service has been successfully installed, tested, and accepted by the Government.

QUESTION 12: Existing 200 Mbps Service Will the existing 200 Mbps P2P WLL connection remain in service after transition, or is the new 400 Mbps service intended to replace the existing connection?

ANSWER 12: The new 400 Mbps Point-to-Point Wireless Local Loop (WLL) service is intended to replace the existing 200 Mbps service.

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The existing 200 Mbps service shall remain operational during the implementation, testing, and acceptance of the new service to ensure continuity of mission-critical communications.

Upon successful installation, testing, and Government acceptance of the new 400 Mbps service, the existing 200 Mbps service will be discontinued.

QUESTION 13: Customer Premises Equipment Will the Government provide the Customer Edge (CE) router/firewall at the network demarcation point, or is the contractor expected to furnish and manage all customer premises routing equipment as part of this requirement?

ANSWER 13: The contractor shall furnish, install, configure, manage, and maintain the Customer Edge (CE) router required for delivery of the service at the network demarcation point.

The contractor shall provide all equipment and associated services necessary to deliver a complete, fully operational, and supported end-to-end solution in accordance with the solicitation requirements.

QUESTION 14: IP Addressing Section 5.2 specifies twenty-four (24) RFC1918 private IP addresses delivered as a statically routed subnet. Please clarify whether the Government requires only a routed private subnet for transport purposes, or whether publicly routable IPv4 addresses are also required as part of the Internet service.

ANSWER 14: The Government requires twenty-four (24) static IP (Public IP) addresses delivered as a statically routed subnet as specified in the solicitation.

QUESTION 15: Tower Facilities Will the Government provide tower access, mounting space, power, grounding, and cable pathways at the Kuwait Transmitting Station, or should offerors include any additional infrastructure required to support equipment installation?

ANSWER 15: The Government will provide access to the existing tower at the Kuwait Transmitting Station and available space for antenna installation.

The contractor shall be responsible for providing all equipment and installation requirements necessary to support the microwave system, including but not limited to:

• Antenna mounting hardware and brackets

• Microwave radios and associated equipment

• Transmission cables/waveguides

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• Cable support and routing accessories

• Grounding and bonding

• Lightning protection

• Weatherproofing

• Any additional infrastructure required for a complete and operational installation

The contractor shall verify all installation requirements and ensure the proposed installation is compatible with the existing tower facilities.

QUESTION 16: Microwave Path Information For proposal purposes, will the Government provide the approximate path length between the Kuwait Transmitting Station and the required carrier Point of Presence (POP), or the approximate location/coordinates of the far-end microwave site, to assist offerors in properly engineering the microwave link?

ANSWER 16: The Government will not provide the microwave path length, far-end Point of Presence (POP) location, or detailed path engineering information.

The contractor shall be responsible for performing all required engineering analysis and developing a complete microwave link design that meets the performance requirements specified in the solicitation, including path feasibility, antenna selection, link budget, fade margin, frequency planning, and required availability objectives.

QUESTION 17:

Could you please provide the GPS coordinates of the USAGM Kuwait Transmitting Station and the proposed microwave antenna installation location?

ANSWER 17: The GPS coordinates of the USAGM Kuwait Transmitting Station will not be provided as part of this solicitation.

Offerors are encouraged to attend the scheduled pre-proposal site visit to obtain the information necessary to prepare their proposals and perform their engineering assessment.

QUESTION 18: Based on our size and business operations, our company qualifies as a small business. However, because our company owner is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident, we are currently unable to obtain SBA small business certification.

Could you please advise whether our company would still be eligible to submit a proposal for this requirement, or whether SBA small business status is a mandatory requirement for participation?

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ANSWER 18: This requirement has been solicited as full and open. All available offerors are eligible to participate in proposing on this requirement.

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