Comprehensive Network Services_ Questions and Answers.docx

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION

REQUEST FOR RESPONSE

Comprehensive Network Services RFR# 25-DOC-1000-Comprehensive Network Services Questions and Answers Issue Date: February 25, 2025

Note to Bidders: Forum answers are provided for the sole purpose of assisting the bidders in responding to this RFR. Forum answers are not intended to modify or interpret the terms of the RFR and shall not be used to modify or interpret the terms of this RFR, either before or after the award of a contract.

The complete Bidders Questions and Answers Forum are contained in this document. This Report reflects 14 questions and answers. The Report can be found as an attachment to the bid solicitation, (COMMBUYS BD-25-1025-DOCFS-FISCM-111489).

1. Can you please define what these events are that you are referring to in this section: Audio Visual Services: Provision and setup of AV equipment for presentations and events.

a. On demand live streamed religious services.

2. How often are these Presentations/Events? Daily, weekly, monthly or just as special events/presentations required?

a. Weekly.

3. Do you plan on purchasing this equipment and keeping in house, having partner train to use and then do yourself ? Or buying equipment and having a partner work with you to manage and set up as needed? Is that something that is planned far in advance?

a. The Department will purchase equipment through a separate contract and vendor.

4. Or are you thinking of more like a rental of the equipment and partner brings in when events/presentations are needed? Is that something that is planned far in advance?

a. If a rental is required, the Department will handle this internally.

5. Are there any specific brands or technology preferences for network hardware and AV equipment?

a. No specific brands. The Department is likely to handle the acquisition of equipment internally.

6. What are the expected response times for troubleshooting and maintenance requests?

a. 4 hours.

7. Are there any existing service-level agreements (SLAs) that we must adhere to?

a. The main SLA would be adhering to the response time detailed in question 6.

8. Are there specific cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001) that need to be followed?

a. Department and CJIS policy must be adhered to.

9. Is there a preferred pricing model or layout you would like to see?

a. No.

10. Can you clarify how Added Value points will be assessed?

a. Added Value is determined by the Strategic Sourcing Team (SST). Added Value is discretionary. Added Value could be anything in the proposal that the bidder includes, that in the view of the SST, is above and beyond the requirements of the RFR, and results in a “best value” to the Department and Commonwealth, which the SST determines to be an additional “plus”, and worthy of additional points. The SST determines the number of added value points, if any, on a case by case by basis.

11. Will there be an opportunity for oral presentations or demonstrations?

a. Not at this time.

12. Are they looking to obtain from the contractor heatmaps, signal strength, etc.?

a. Yes, the contractor should provide these.

13. Are they providing the contractor building layouts?

a. Yes, we can.

14. When they ask about Design, implement, and manage a robust network infrastructure to support high-speed internet access for events and user access. Are they referring to just the wifi or also including the network switching? Are we to include installation or is this just the design?

a. The idea is a Broadband network to support multiple systems/vendors. The existing system will need to have system diagrams for each site. Showing WAP placements, cabling, switches, etc. Then the heat maps for each site will determine what expansion is required. We would also need to expand the coverage area to other program building/areas at each facility, including outdoors. This should be broken down for both installation and design.