CS2 and CS2-SB Q A-part 6_CS2 specific_draft.pdf

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CS2 and CS2- Small Business General Questions and Answers (Part 6): CS2 Specific

Question 1-92: Reference CS2 Attachment J-9, Section 2.5 We request the Government clarify the availability requirement with respect to the use of multiple satellites and across the entire network. Does the outage of any single end-to-end thread constitute a network wide outage? If a single unit is down is the outage period based upon the ratio of the effected unit to the size of the total network? Also does down time due to preventive maintenance count in the availability calculation?

Answer: The availability requirement is for the entire network (including satellite links). The Offeror should use its discretion and state assumptions related to availability calculations.

Question 1-93: Reference CS2 Attachment J-9, Section 2.9 The Government-recommended CLIN items for Sample Task Order #1 are all listed as “per unit.” While this CLIN breakdown as “per unit” is applicable for remote terminal hardware, remote terminal installation, etc., it does not fit well into the „Commercial Satellite Communications Infrastructure including satellite bandwidth and terrestrial connections.” A vendor can generate a per unit price element if there are a fixed number of remote terminals per region. It is our understanding that the Government wishes a per unit charge to be able to expand their network at a fixed price. The “service element” uses shared resources for a given region, i.e., a shared teleport, shared space segment, shared Terrestrial Network, shared NOC, etc. Will the Government accept a CLIN table that reflects applicable non-recurring and monthly recurring charges per CIR bandwidth, given that Large Remote Deployable Units have higher CIR bandwidth “per unit” than the Outpost Remote Deployable Units? We believe the Government will receive a more clear understanding of their per unit and total costs if, at a minimum, the CLINs can be broken down to per unit charges based on CIR bandwidth.

Answer: Proposed pricing for Section B tables must follow the specified table format. The offeror may provide additional columns in its MS-Excel detailed pricing tables in addition to the columns specified in the RFP.

Question 1-94: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9 Paragraph 3.3.1 Large Remote Deployable Units (LRDUs) states that LRDUs contain 8 VoIP phones, 20 laptop computers w/ webcams.; and paragraph 2.3.2 Outpost Remote Deployable Units (ORDUs) states that the ORDUs contains 3 VoIP phones, 5 laptop computers w/ webcams.

a. What is the government‟s required Committed Information Rate (CIR) for these units?

b. Does the CIR need to reflect full system wide usage, i.e. all LRDUs and ORDUs in simultaneous operation?

c. What is the expected minimum and maximum number of simultaneous VoIP & LTC session for each LRDU & ORDU?

Answer: The Offeror should perform analysis, stating assumptions, and propose what it believes is the best solution. The Offeror should explain the rationale for its selection.

Question 1-95: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9 Please define portability and potential set up time requirements for the LRDU/ORDU‟s. Are there any specific size and volume requirements for the LRDU/ORDU‟s?

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Answer: The Contractor should perform analysis, stating assumptions, and propose what it believes is the best solution. The Contractor should explain the rationale for its selection.

Question 1-96: Reference CS2 RFP Attachments J-9 What is meant by “commissioning” in paragraph 2.6.3 of the MWR sample task order?

Answer: Installation and Commissioning are processes by which satellite communication systems are brought into service. The Offeror should perform analysis, stating assumptions, and propose what it believes is the best solution.

Question 1-97: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9, Section 2.6.2 Training states that the offeror is required to “Explain the required operator and maintenance training plans and courses for the Government.”

a. Are there anticipated class loading sizes?

b. Are there anticipated locations where the training is to be conducted?

c. What are the anticipated prerequisite skill-sets/skill-levels of the perspective attendees?

Question 1-98: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9 Are the shelters to be delivered to a location within the United States? If the shelters are not to be dropped shipped to a location within the U.S., the question becomes will the government provide the transport from the U.S. to the MWR sites for the shelters. If not, then is the shipping cost to be worked into the price proposal as a specific CLIN?

Answer: For evaluation purposes of the STOs, the Offeror does not need to price shipping, export duties, taxes, visas, in-country transportation, security, and other items that are not in direct support of the technical solution. This response applies to both the CS2 and CS2-SB solicitations and supersedes the response issued 7/23/10 to Question 1-62 within the CS2 RFP.

Question 1-99: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9, Section 2 Section states: “Transmit 2-4 GBytes each site, each evening”. Please confirm if this includes weekends.

Answer: Yes.

Question 1-100: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9 Section states: “Contractor shall provide a method for the Government to identify file(s) to be transferred each day”. Please confirm if the Contractor is responsible for indentifying a software package to do the same and install/maintaining it on the GFE.

Answer: Yes.

Question 1-101: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9 Section states: “The contractor shall utilize a shared hub site located in CONUS”. Please confirm if it is OK to have the CONUS and OCONUS remote sites being supported from two different CONUS located teleports?

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Answer: The Offeror should state its assumptions and propose what it believes is the best solution for hub site location. The Offeror should explain the rationale for its selection.

Question 1-102: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9 Section states: “Single flyaway system that can be dispatched and delivered within 48 hours” Given the requirements of no trained personnel needed and less than 20 minutes to setup, it appears that this flyway has to be an auto-point capable antenna. Please confirm. Also, please confirm if the 48 hour limit also applies to OCONUS sites.

Answer: The proposed flyaway system shall meet the requirements stated in J-9. Yes, the 48 hour limit applies to OCONUS sites.

Question 1-103: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9 Section states: “Initial OCONUS remote site locations”. Please confirm if these locations are US government properties. Also confirm if the contractor is responsible for landing rights, HNA etc.

For example Mexico requires a special license for teleports outside the country.

Answer: The Offeror can assume the OCONUS locations are US government properties. The Offeror is responsible for securing all services necessary to allow the customer to use the COMSATCOM solution.

Question 1-104: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9 Section states: “Transmit 2-4 GBytes each site, each evening” Please confirm if a backup system is currently in place that utilizes the existing terrestrial connection, and the backup over satellite will replace the current backup system.

Answer: Refer to CS2 RFP Para 3, Section 1.0 of Attachment J-9.

Please confirm if a dedicated backup server(s) exists or is planned to be allocated in ABC Agency headquarters in Atlanta. Please confirm that the routing infrastructure is in place at each remote location and the Government would provide the required configuration on this infrastructure to support connection of GFE PC to both satellite and terrestrial infrastructure between 6PM and 6 AM local time.

Answer: The Offeror should perform analysis, stating assumptions, and propose what it believes is the best solution. The Offeror should explain the rationale for its selection.

Please confirm that the intent is to backup via satellite even when terrestrial is available or to only use satellite when the terrestrial connection is down.

Answer: Refer to CS2 RFP Attachment J-9.

Question 1-105: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9 Please confirm if all the sites need to transmit the 2-4 Gbytes per night concurrently, or is the requirement for a single one to transmit?

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Question 1-106: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9, Section 2.3 It appears there is a possibility for 3,334 simultaneous phone calls from the combined LRDU and ORDU sites should all sites be utilized simultaneously. a) Can these lines be pooled into a phone bank? b) If yes, what is the Government‟s required minimum/maximum number of simultaneous phone calls? c) Additionally, what is the Government‟s minimum/maximum number of simultaneous VTC‟s?

Question 1-107: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9, Section 2.7 The Government desires that the ORDUs arrive in-country and be commissioned by Contractor personnel within 90 days, and that the LRDUs arrive in-country and be commissioned by Contractor personnel within 180 days. Does the government expect to order and receive all ORDUs at the same time and be delivered and installed within 90 days or will it be a staggered schedule?

Answer: The MWR delivery schedule refers to the arrival, installation, and commissioning of the entire set of respective RDUs within the specified timeframe. The Offeror should perform analysis, stating assumptions, and propose what it believes is the best way to deliver the RDUs.

The Offeror should explain the rationale for its selection.

Question 1-108: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9 The Government desires that the ORDUs arrive in-country and be commissioned by Contractor personnel within 90 days, and that the LRDUs arrive in-country and be commissioned by Contractor personnel within 180 days. These statements appear to be contradictory. Please clarify commissioning responsibilities.

Answer: The MWR delivery schedule in Section 2.7 refers to the arrival, installation, and commissioning of the entire set of respective RDUs within the specified locations. The commissioning requirement in Section 2.6.3 refers to the NOC connecting to and monitoring any given RDU activated by the USG within 4 hours of that RDU being activated.

Question 1-109: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9, Section 2.3 Can any more information be provided on the requirement for "temporary shelters"? Does the government have a preference on the type (tent, hard-sided, etc)? Is each shelter required to serve as the Internet Cafe itself and house all work stations (laptops, phones, etc) as well as the required network equipment, or just the VSAT outdoor equipment and LAN equipment? Do they need to have furniture for the work stations? i.e. table and chair Do work station have to have dividers for privacy or they can share a table? Do shelters have to be wired for electrical outlets and LAN ports, or is wireless acceptable (This is for hard-sided shelters). Do they need heating? Also, pricing delivery to each site is difficult without precise locations of the garrisons, camps, bases, FOBs, etc. Please clarify.

Answer: The Offeror should perform analysis, stating assumptions, and propose what it believes is the best solution. The Offeror should explain the rationale for its selection. Per the STO, "the RDUs shall be comprised of...a temporary shelter with the workstation configurations..."

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Question 1-110: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9, Section 1.2 With regard to the above referenced section covering U.S. Government worldwide intentions, it appears that pricing is not required for the British Indian Ocean Trust (BIOT). Is this correct?

Answer: Correct, the British Indian Ocean Trust (BIOT) territory should not be priced.

Question 1-111: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9, Section 2.3 The above referenced section pertaining to STO #1 MWR includes requirements for (1) a transportable antenna and (2) a temporary shelter with the workstation configurations. What is the Government‟s definition of “transportable antenna?” Is the Contractor expected to provide furniture for the “workstation configurations” in shelter as part of their offer?

Question 1-112: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9, Section 2.4 Regarding the above referenced section covering Engineering Support, the Government has provided a similar satellite-based MWR network in some of these regions for several years.

Since the usage patterns may be atypical given the particular circumstances of the operating theaters, would the Government provide some guidance on the traffic usage of these existing deployed units?

Question 1-113: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9, Section 2.4 Regarding the above referenced section covering Engineering Support, we request that the Government consider allowing inclusion of traffic analysis, availability analysis, and satellite coverage maps in the Link Analysis, which is not part of the 45-page limit.

Answer: The Offeror may include analysis and other documentation at its discretion as long as it is within the Technical/Management volume page limits.

Question 1-114: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9, Section 2.9.5 The above referenced section states that BPT STO “usage may be sporadic on an ad-hoc basis for varying periods of time.” Would the Government provide some guidance on the typical usage of remote site terminals?

Question 1-115: Reference CS2 RFP Attachments J-9, J-10 What is meant by a “phased approach” in paragraph 2.6 of the MWR and GETN sample task orders? What is meant by a “phased approach” in paragraph 2.6 of the MWR and GETN sample task orders?

Answer: Phased approach means the Contractor can incrementally develop and roll out different increments/capabilities of logistics, fielding, training, and O&M support. The Contractor should perform analysis, stating assumptions, and propose what it believes is the best solution.

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Question 1-116: Reference CS2 RFP Attachments J-9, J-10, J-12 Is it the Government‟s intention to release existing technical data (i.e. network architecture diagrams, equipment lists, connectivity diagrams, etc.) for the existing networks sighted as Sample Task Orders when the Final RFP is released?

i. The networks referenced to be used for STOs, (MWR, GETN, Blue Personnel Tracking) are presently operational, existing networks.

ii. This data is imperative to potential Offerors to baseline the existing networks as part of the engineering analysis to ascertain a best-value solution to propose.

Answer: There is no intent for the Government to provide additional information for the STOs.

Is it the Government‟s intention to address all existing equipment for these STOs as Government Furnished Equipment?

i. Will the Government provide a GFE list for each STO?

ii. Will the Government provide a Contractor Furnished equipment (CFE) list for each STO?

Answer: There is no intent for the Government to provide additional information for the STOs.

Question 1-117: Reference CS2 RFP Attachments J-9, J-10, J-12 Is it the Government‟s intention that all Offerors price a complete replacement set of existing hardware and ancillary equipment, regardless of status and whether equipment is at end-of-life or still in operation/production?

Question 1-118: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-10, Section 2.4 Does the Government want to re-use any of the DLTS equipment as part of the MDLS? Is there any benefit for the MDLS to reuse any of the A.T. Products Microphones? Will there be existing displays at the remote agency locations that can be used for the MDLS? Is the contractor to consider supplying new displays as part of the MDLS?

Question 1-119: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-10, Section 2.6 Is there more than one display in a classroom? How many microphones are typically installed at the remote agency location? Are the microphones and wires firmly fixed to tables? What quantity of microphones should be considered as the standard quantity at the classroom? Is the current satellite receiver installed in close proximity to the display? Is it placed on a shelf or table with the TV/Display? How are the TV‟s or displays mounted? (On carts, shelves, wall mounts, etc.)

Answer: It is up to the Offeror to determine the best solution to the stated requirements, stating all assumptions.

Are locations with one antenna supporting multiple classrooms?

Answer: See RFP Section J, Attachment J-11.

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Question 1-120: Reference CS2 Attachment J-10, Sections 2.3, 2.4 What is the requirement for video connections to the display? Is it composite video on RCA / S-video connectors or should support be provided for component video or DVI / HDMI video connections? Is the audio for the classroom limited to the speakers in the television display or are there audio amplifiers and speakers that need to be considered?

Answer: It is up to the Offeror to determine the best solution to the stated requirements, stating all assumptions.

Question 1-121: Reference CS2 Attachment J-10, Section 2.4 We understand that an agency can have more than one broadcast program being originated at the same time. With this requirement, are we correct in understanding that at a remote agency location with more than one classroom that one program will be viewed in one classroom and that the other program will be viewed in the other classroom? (i.e. There is a separate decoder in each classroom.) With the agencies that have more than one camera studio, are the studios at the same location or are they separated geographically?

Question 1-122: Reference CS2 Attachment J-10, Section 2.1 Please describe what is required for the Home channel. For the "Home Channel" requirement, is this a continuous 24x7x365 broadcast that is not affected by the programming of the agencies? Or is this channel pre-empted by agency broadcast programs? Does the Government want this home channel to consist of a continuous news program?

Answer: Per the STO, the Offeror shall provide a home channel 24 x 7 that will be viewed by all GETN downlink receive sites when not viewing agency broadcasts. It is up to the Offeror to determine the best solution to the stated requirements, stating all assumptions.

Question 1-123: Reference CS2 Reference CS2 Attachment J-10 GETN Section 2.8 Network Operations Center (NOC) operations cost. Should this line item be a monthly service charge?

Answer: The offeror may propose pricing periods at its discretion.

Question 1-124: Reference CS2 Attachment J-10 How many of the GETN remote sites have bi-directional data capability?

Answer: Refer to CS2 RFP Para 1.2 and Para 2.1 in Attachment J-10.

Question 1-125: Reference CS2 Attachment J-10, Section 2.8 Network Operations Center (NOC) operations cost. Should this line item be a monthly service charge?

Answer: The offeror may propose pricing periods at its discretion.

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Question 1-126: Reference CS2 Attachment J-12, Section 2.5 Can the Government clarify the requirement for contractor provided background checks? For example, how many years should be covered? Should it include criminal and life style factors?

Can the Government specify what is meant by “appropriately cleared”?

Answer: The personnel and facility clearance level for Blue Personnel Tracking is Unclassified.

The Contractor should consider the requirement in J-12, Section 2.5 as access to Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) information. All background checks should be to this standard.

Question 1-127: Reference CS2 Attachment J-12, Section 2.9.9 Can the Government clarify what is meant by “per unit cost” as is pertains to the communications infra-structure. Is it the Government‟s intent to pay for the communications infra-structure on a deployed unit usage basis or can, given that the service must be available 24X7, the contractor propose a FFP monthly service rate for various levels of support by region?

Answer: The unit in "per unit cost" depends on the Offeror‟s proposed solution. It is up to the offeror to determine the best solution to the stated requirements, stating all assumptions and pricing accordingly.

Question 1-128: Reference CS2 Attachment J-12 No data rates are given for the forward and reverse links for the mobile units. Will the Government specify them?

Question 1-129: Reference CS2 Section L.24.4.1.1 For STO #1, commercial satellite costs are being requested for multiple periods of time, such as per month and per year. Is the per month pricing for evaluation of a shorter term commitment?

In addition, Onsite technical support is requested per day. Is it possible the Offeror may price more items for a STO in Price Table 1 than are used in the final system price for that STO in Price Table 2? How would on-set technical support which is as requested by included in the overall system price?

Answer: It is up to the offeror to determine the best solution to the stated requirements, stating all assumptions. The offeror may provide additional pricing detail as needed to adequately describe its proposed solution and is within the specified page limits for the price volume. The first table in Section B containing separately priced individual items should map to the overall system prices provided in the second Section B table.

Question 1-130: Reference CS2 Section C Section C., paragraph C.2.4.3 Portability, subparagraph 2.4.3.1 states that “When portability is exercised, evidence of equivalent net present value (NPV) shall be provided by the Contractor.

Alternatively, prior to Task Order award, specific predefined terms and conditions for portability and related services including pricing and/or contract terms may be negotiated and defined in the individual task order.” „Subject to availability‟ statement is not included in this description/definition of portability. Is it the Government‟s intention to have Offerors address portability on a guaranteed availability basis and price accordingly?

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Answer: The specific requirements for Portability will be defined on a Task Order basis by the Ordering Activity. In some instances, the requirement may be "subject to availability." For others, the requirement may be for guaranteed portability.

Question 1-131: Reference CS2 Section C Section C., paragraph C.2.4.5 Capacity, subparagraph C.2.4.5.1 states that the Government has requirements for scalable COMSATCOM capacity in any COMSATCOM frequency band.

Is the requirement for this capacity to be contiguous in all cases?

Answer: No, not necessarily. The specific requirements will be defined on a Task Order basis by the Ordering Activity.

Question 1-132: Reference CS2 Section C.2.3.5.5 Direct Customer Operations. The RFP states: “Direct Customer Operations involve the creation of an often preplanned, enabling communications infrastructure to support specific Customer operations, typically because no pre-existing communications infrastructure is available.” Is there a word or phrase missing after the word “preplanned”??

Answer: No word is missing.

Question 1-133: Reference CS2 RFP Section M.5 CS2 RFP Section M.5 Factor 4 – Price, states that “A price reasonableness assessment will be conducted in accordance with FAR Subpart 15.404-1(b).”

i. The networks referenced to be used for STOs, (i.e. MWR, GETN) are presently operational, existing networks.

a. Question 1: Is it the Government‟s intention to baseline the pricing for infrastructure during their Price Reasonableness Assessment to address any price advantage to the incumbent?

b. Question 2: Is it the Government‟s intention to baseline the pricing for CFE during their Price Reasonableness Assessment to negate the zero-cost issue price advantage to the incumbent?

Answer: The answer to both questions is No.

Question 1-134: Reference CS2 RFP Section C.2.3.5.5 The RFP states: “Direct Customer Operations involve the creation of an often preplanned, enabling communications infrastructure to support specific Customer operations, typically because no pre-existing communications infrastructure is available.” Is there a word or phrase missing after the word “preplanned”?

Answer: No word is missing.

Question 1-135: Reference CS2 RFP Section H.12 Our intent is to submit a “Comprehensive Small Business Subcontracting Plan” to comply with 52.219-9. Is this acceptable?

Answer: For CS2, Subcontracting Plans are not required with the initial proposal. The Government has requested an individual plan.