Amendment A001 to RFP 19LE2023R0001 - Satellite Internet Services - Questions Answers.pdf

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

CONTINUATUION SHEET

RFP # 19LE2023R0001

Satellite Internet Services

US Embassy Beirut - Lebanon

March 2, 2023

Here below the answers to the received questions:

Q1: Is the requirement base 12 months with two 12-month options or four 12-month options?

a. The SAM posting says “The anticipated services are for a base period of twelve months and four one-year periods at the option of the Government”

b. The RFP says “May 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024 with two (2) one-year option periods.”

A1: There was a typo in the SAM posting. The requirement is for one base year period with two (2) one-year option periods.

Q2: What is the existing contract award ID number?

A2: Contract # 19LE2022C0001

Q3: Who is the incumbent vendor?

A3: Castor Networks Fixed Services B.V

Q4: What is the existing satellite and frequency?

A4: It is C band Arabsat

Q5: Is there any equipment available in the site if yes please provide the type of the equipment (Dish type and size, Modem, Buc size, LnB)

A5: Dish 2.4 M C-Band TX/RX, MDM 6000, AntBUC 250W-EXT C-Band. Yes, you can use all the existing equipment.

Q6: Is the service requested shared or dedicated, if shared please provide what shred you are looking for.

A6: Dedicated.

Q7: On page 2 block 20 (75mbps download and 75mbps upload with the ability of the satellite system to upgrade on-demand bandwidth of up to the maximum of 100GB within 5 to 7 business days) what do you mean by upgrade 100GB do you mean

100mbps up-link and down-link or what?

A7: This is a typo. It is 75MBps upload/download with ability to upgrade to 100MBps upload/download.

Q8: Is there any band request (Ka, Ku, C Band)?

A8: C band Arabsat.

Q9: “Satellite Internet Services for one base year and two option years: *75mbps download and 75mbps upload with the ability of the satellite system to upgrade on demand bandwidth of up to the maximum of 100GB within 5 to 7 business days.”

Kindly confirm that this is not a typo. That is a huge leap from 75mbps (megabits per second) to 100GB (gigabytes per second). Is one of those a typo or is that the actual requirement?

A9: This is a typo. 100MB per second is the upgrade amount (75MBps to 100 MBps).

Q10: In Block 20 of the Standard Form 1449, the Schedule of Supplies/Services includes:

“* 75mbps download and 75mbps upload with the ability of the satellite system to upgrade on demand bandwidth of up to the maximum of 100GB within 5 to 7 business days.” Furthermore, on page 7 (Section B. Objective), the requirement indicates: “We require a minimum of 24/7 bandwidth of 75GB while the main aggregate is in operations. We also require the ability of the satellite system to upgrade on demand bandwidth of up to the maximum of 100GB within 5 to 7 business days.”

Can the Government clarify the requirement to upgrade on demand bandwidth? It appears the requirement is mixing throughput (Mbps) and data volume (GB). Did the Government mean to require upgrade on throughput from 75Mbps to 100Mbps?

A10: This was a typo. It is 75MBps upgrade to 100MBps.

Q11: On page 7 (Section B. Objective), the requirement indicates a minimum 99.97% availability. On page 13 (Section 1. Definitions), the availability requirement is

99.7%. Can the Government clarify the availability requirement? Please note that satellite link availability is typically not higher than 99.7%.

A11: 99.7%.

Q12: The solicitation calls for a 75 x 75 Mbps service, upgradable to 100 x 100 Mbps. Do you know if there is any band preference?

A12: C-Band.

Q13: Will the U.S. Embassy be re-using any of its existing VSAT equipment? Do you have any information on their existing service? Or would you like us to design a solution from scratch, aiming at the highest possible efficiency and per-Mbps cost, and then propose the required VSAT hardware?

A13: We will reuse existing infrastructure.

Q14: What was the previous award amount for the contract?

A14: $1,421,970.

Q15: The Background paragraph on page 7 states that the Embassy purchased the VSAT hardware back in 2020 for this backup circuit. Does the Embassy intend to allow the contractor to re-use any of this hardware? If yes, will the Embassy be able to provide its detailed technical description such as:

- antenna size and installation type (roof/ground);

- antenna polarity (circular/linear);

- BUC, LNB and satellite modem makes/models.

Or does the Embassy require the contractor to provide and install a completely new

VSAT system for this circuit?

A15: Dish 2.4 M C-Band TX/RX, MDM 6000, AntBUC 250W-EXT C-Band. Yes, you can use all the existing equipment.

Q16: Is the U.S. Embassy exempt from local import duties/taxes? If so, will the Embassy take care of the customs clearance process for any new VSAT equipment that might need to be shipped to Beirut via air freight?

A16: No new equipment should be necessary. However, if needed, can use Diplomatic

Pouch from USA to here for items.

Q17: Does the Embassy have any preference for the frequency band of the required service

(Ku-, Ka- or C-band)?

A17: C-band.

Q18: Is there a power outlet available at the current installation?

A18: Yes.

Q19: What is the distance from the designated antenna location to the equipment room?

A19: 300 meters.

Q20: There is an ambiguity with regard to the amount of satellite bandwidth required by the Embassy. The schedule for supplies/services on SF-1449 (page 1) states that a 75 x 75 Mbps connection is required, upgradable to "100GB". Does this mean 100 Gbps

(gigabits per second)? This would be a more than thousandfold increase, so is there, perhaps, 100 Mbps (megabits per second) implied? The same ambiguity continues further down the text, e.g. in Objective paragraph, that refers to "75GB" bandwidth.

Could you please confirm the solicitation text implies bandwidth in Mbps?

A20: This was a typo/error. It is 75MBps upgradeable to 100MBps throughput/bandwidth.

Q21: Is there a preferred frequency band for the satellite (e.g. Ku/C)?

A21: C Band.

Q22: Is there a preferred satellite or satellite company (e.g. SES/Intelsat)?

A22: Arabsat.

Q23: Kindly confirm the requirements are 75Mbps down and 75 Mbps up, upgradable to

100Mbps down and 100Mbps up.

A23: Yes.

Q24: Is there a preferred breakout/landing point, e.g. US, Western Europe, etc?

A24: US.

Q25: Is it possible to do a site survey?

A25: No.

Q26: Are there any restrictions regarding the installation, such as size of the dish, penetrating/or non-penetrating mount, or any other such requirements?

A26: Use the current equipment.

Q27: Can the approximate/rough placement of the terminal be shared (for link budgeting purposes)?

A27: No.

Q28: Section A states that the Embassy Beirut purchased a satellite backup service and hardware. Is the contractor able to re-use this hardware (antenna, BUC, LNB, modem)?

A28: Yes.

Q29: For the existing VSAT antenna, will the Government specify the model number or will the Government specify the size of the antenna and if the antenna uses circular polarization or linear polarization?

A29: Dish 2.4 M C-Band TX/RX, MDM 6000, AntBUC 250W-EXT C-Band.

Q30: For the existing BUC will the Government specify the model number or the max power output?

A30: Dish 2.4 M C-Band TX/RX, MDM 6000, AntBUC 250W-EXT C-Band.

Q31: For the existing satellite modem will the Government specify the manufacturer and model number?

A31: Yes, MDM6000.

Q32: Is there any spare equipment available for the contractor to use? If so please specify, model numbers of each of the set of spares (i.e Modem, BUC, LNB).

A32: Dish 2.4 M C-Band TX/RX, MDM 6000, AntBUC 250W-EXT C-Band.

Q33: Is the contractor required to provide the public IP addresses? If so, Please be specific on the number of IP addresses.

A33: /28 subnet US based IPs.

Q34: Does the customer have any specific requirements concerning the CPE to interface the LAN in Beirut (such as Firewall, Router, type and number of interfaces, etc.)?

A34: No.

Q35: To help with transition planning will the Government specify which satellite and frequency band the service is using now?

A35: Yes, C band.

Q36: Will the Embassy send pictures of the location of the antenna outside (to help assess possible line-of-sight limitations to satellites) and indoor where the modem will be installed? If not, will it be possible for the Supplier to conduct a site survey?

A36: Using existing infrastructure, this is not needed. Winner of contract can have limited site survey.

Q37: Is there sufficient space outdoor to install a new VSAT antenna, if the current one is not sufficiently performant?

A37: Current equipment is sufficient and performant.

Q38: Section B states QoS connection availability greater than 99.97%. However, Section

R states circuit availability greater than 99.7%. Is the availability target stated in

Section B the combined network availability between the main aggregate and the satellite backup link? Is the target VSAT circuit availability 99.7%?

A38: 99.7%.

Q39: In the case where we need to provide equipment to the Beirut US Embassy, is the US embassy exempt of Lebanese Customs taxes on equipment imported into the country?

A39: We do not see a need for new equipment. The US Embassy is exempt from providing

Lebanese Customs taxes on equipment imported into the country. However, the

Embassy has decided that the contractor should be responsible for importing equipment to the country for this project.

Q40: In the case where new equipment is to be provided to the Beirut US Embassy, does the US Embassy prefer the Supplier to sell the equipment or should the costs of equipment be integrated in the satellite bandwidth pricing?

A40: No new equipment should be needed.

Q41: In some locations in the RFP the Government states 75 GB. Does the Government require a 75 Mbps x 75 Mbps duplex VSAT circuit between the Internet and the US

Embassy in Beirut?

A41: It is 75MB, this was an error in the text.

Q42: Personnel – states Embassy Beirut has a reliable local company and requires it to be used. Will the Government provide the name of the company and contact for this company?

A42: Yes, we can provide.

Q43: Would the Government be willing to accept a service on a Russian satellite Yamal

601?

A43: No.

Q44: Can you please let us know the distance from the spot where antenna will be installed to server room?

A44: 300 M.

Q45: Is the US Embassy in Beirut exempt from Lebanon satellite bandwidth licensing fees?

A45: Yes.

Q46: Additional discounts can be provided if the Government. would consider a multi-year contract? Would the Government consider procuring the service for more than one year?

A46: The requirement is for one base year period with two (2) one-year option periods.

Q47: The Background paragraph on page 7 says they purchased VSAT equipment in 2020 for this backup circuit. Can contractors re-use any of this hardware? If yes, we need antenna size, band, and installation type (ground/roof), antenna polarity

(circular/linear) and the make/model of the BUC, LNB and any satellite modems… Or do they want all new equipment?

A47: Yes, it can be reused. Dish 2.4 M C-Band TX/RX, MDM 6000, AntBUC 250W-EXT

C-Band.

Q48: If new VSAT gear is needed, will the Embassy take care of customs/clearance and are they exempt from local import duties/taxes for gear shipped to Beirut?

A48: No new VSAT gear is needed.

Q49: If new equipment is needed, is there a preference for C band, Ku band, or Ka band?

A49: C-band.

Q50: Is power available at the current installation?

A50: Yes.

Q51: Distance from antenna location to equipment room?

A51: 300 meters.

Q52: Clarify that the terms are right. They want 75 x 75 Mbps but then ask it to be upgradeable to 100 GB. Surely they mean 100 Mbps. Going to 100 GBps would be a thousand-fold increase. Surely they want to upgrade to 100 Mbps. There is also a reference to 75 GB bandwidth – but again, surely they mean 75Mbps? The bandwidth numbers need to be confirmed with the correct nomenclature.

A52: That was a typo. 75MBps upgradeable to 100MBps bandwidth is correct.

Q53: Can the Government please clarify if the requirement is for 75GB of data allowance or 75Mbps of uplink and 75Mbps of downlink throughput?

A53: 75MBps of throughput uplink/downlink.

Q54: Does the Embassy have an existing antenna and equipment, i.e. BUC, LNB, Modem etc, that can be reused by offerors in their proposals? If so will the Government kindly provide the equipment specifics including antenna/equipment sizes, model numbers and manufacturers?

A45: Dish 2.4 M C-Band TX/RX, MDM 6000, AntBUC 250W-EXT C-Band.

Q55: Will the Government please provide the contact information for the local company so that we can get a quote for their services?

A55: Yes, we can provide this information at a later time.

Q56: Due to the tight timeframes requested in this solicitation, will the Government accept equipment at a US site and then be responsible for shipping to the Beirut embassy?

A56: No equipment should be needed. However, it can be sent via our diplomatic pouch from the USA if necessary.

Q57: In order to plan the transition from the current satellite to the proposed satellite, will the Government provide the name of the current satellite?

A57: Arabsat.

Q58: Is the service provider required to have an office in the US?

A58: No, there’s no requirement for an office in the US. However, there are limitations for where they can be.

Q59: Can offerors use the current satellite equipment to provide this service? What size antenna is the current service using? What satellite band is the current service using?

What size HPA wattage is the current service using?

A59: Yes, current system can be reused. Dish 2.4 M C-Band TX/RX, MDM 6000, AntBUC 250W-EXT C-Band.

Q60: Will the Government consider a 2-week extension to the due date for responses?

A60: No, an extension isn’t possible.