Cellphone Pre-proposal Meeting Questions and answers.doc

Cellphone Pre-proposal Meeting Questions Date: October 19, 2022, 10:00am Local time

Question: The SF1449 is not visible on the website.

Answer: We will recheck and ensure it is available and downloadable. Please immediately contact KampalaBid@state.gov if you cannot see it again after this Q&A is uploaded.

Question: We are having issues with the site (www.sam.gov) and correspondence but considered exploring the customer helpline channels of calling or chatting with customer representatives from SAM and mentioned in the pre-bid meeting.

Answer: Please review all FAQs and guides on www.sam.gov and utilize the Foreign Service Desk (FSD at www.fsd.gov to resolve issues with registration. Ensure your company is active by providing all required information and responding to all support tickets from the teams at SAM.

Question: Explain the requirement for customer service standards specifically the 24hr service in respect to office as mentioned in the solicitation document.

Answer: This standard does not necessarily imply physical office but an at least round the clock customer service for technical issues wherever and whenever needed during execution of the contract.

Question: With respect to NDAA compliance, which devices does this provision apply to? OEM, parts assembly?

Answer: National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) contains two prohibitions related to Federal Contracting. The first prohibition, set forth in section 889(a)(1)(A), took effect August 13, 2019, and prohibits the Government from buying and using covered telecommunications equipment or services from five named Chinese companies and their subsidiaries or affiliates. The second prohibition, set forth in section 889(a)(1)(B), is effective August 13, 2020, and prohibits the Government from contracting with any entity that uses any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, on or after August 13, 2020, unless an exception applies, or a waiver has been granted. Vendors are therefore required, after conducting a reasonable inquiry, to provide a representation regarding use of covered telecommunications equipment or services when submitting an offer. This representation is in the documents and vendors should utilize section five (5) of the solicitation document to respond to this.

With no further issues arising or questions, the meeting was brought to a close at 10:55am.