Q_and_A.docx

Flightline Wireless Infrastructure Installation Questions and Answers Current as of 26 August 2015

1. Are any certification required from contractor, i.e. certified Juniper partner as existing equipment to which the Wi-Fi is to be connected is Juniper equipment?

No

2. Mention was made that contractors would have to be trained and certified in working in explosive areas. No mention of this is made in the SOW. The only restriction mentioned is the time allowed in an explosive area. Please give clarification regarding the need for training and certification for working in an explosive area?

CompEX training would be required to work in the MUNS and PAS facilities. There may be other requirements based on what all the vendor will need/do to get the job done in the MUNS/PAS. SOW has been updated to reflect this (par 13.2)

3. Will the UK DSEAR (Dangerous Substances Explosive Atmosphere Regulations) apply to this contract?

This legislation applies to all employers in the UK. Site specific safety training will be provided by the USAF prior to contract performance. The site specific safety standards will satisfy the DSEAR requirements.

As it pertains to areas where exposure to explosives/fuel and other hazards exist. Contractors will be COMPEX trained. Electrical equipment must meet COMPEX requirements. Electrical workers must be JSP 375 certified by base electrical AP.

4. If contractors do not have time to train and be certified before contract award, will it be possible for contractors working in explosive areas to be escorted to ensure that they comply with regulations?

Yes

5. Are any special US/UK Security clearances required for working on the base or will contractors be accompanied?

Base passes will be coordinated for all contractor personnel. Regardless of level of access, an escort will be required for Munitions areas.

6. The Statement of Objectives states that the US will provide an Acceptance and Test Plan. Will this be issued in the RFP?

The Contractor is to provide the Acceptance Test Plan (par. 8)

7. Do you have at this time any indication as to the response times for on site support following installation and acceptance of the equipment during the support period?

No.

8. Can a list be produced in the SOW stating specifically which buildings require Wi-Fi access in INTERNALLY in each building and in each room and those which only require Wi-Fi access EXTERNALLY such as Explosive Stores Houses?

See paragraph 3.2 of SOW.

9. Can it be confirmed that all buildings which require Wi-Fi already have fibre optic cabling connected to their building communication panel and that the only fibre optic requirement is to connect the Wi-Fi antenna to the building communication panel?

FO cabling is either already installed or being installed. Only fiber requirement is to connect the network switch to the fiber optic panel. Wireless access points are typically connected to the switch via Ethernet cable. Antennas themselves are connected to the wireless access points via RG rated cables.

10. The reinforced building communication panel at present only has one access point. The SOW states in para 3.3 that fibre optic will be required to be connected from the Wi-Fi antenna to the communication panel. Will the USAF prepare each of the panels for additional fibre optic access or will this be the role of the contractor?

SOW has been amended, please view most current version.

11. Given the potential risk of induced currents from Wi-Fi emissions to sensitive explosive components (i.e. detonators) what are the power restrictions for Wi-Fi emissions and in which building and areas will these apply?

No closer than 3 meters to any munitions. Bldgs listed in section 3.2 line items A, D, and potentially C (dependent on if it’s installed on a PAS).

12. If Wi-Fi power is not restricted will RF shielding be required for certain buildings. If so which ones?

There will be a restriction for those ID in section 3.2 line items A with exception to bldg. 1400. Equipment list will be reviewed by Weapons Safety; this will dictate restrictions.

13. What equipment and specialist tools restrictions apply to working on this contract especially in the explosive areas? For example are only electrical Phase 3 vehicles and equipment allowed? Will these vehicles and equipment's ( i.e. cherry pickers, fork lift trucks) be provide by the USAF or will they have to be provided by the contractor?

Contractors will provide equipment necessary to perform job per section 2.2. of the current SOW. Contract can provide a list of tools, vehicles for which they intend to use for validation/acceptance by USAF/DIO.

14. If , for the reasons in 11 above, Wi-Fi power is restricted, to obtain the required coverage on the aprons it may be necessary to establish Wi-Fi towers along the aprons to give the required coverage. Will this be allowed and will the contractor be responsible for connecting (trenching, ducting, cables, end panels etc.) any such towers to the nearest building with the main communication panel?

Alteration must be coordinated through base Civil Engineering. Contractor will be responsible for trenching, ducting, etc.

15. It is believed that USAF personnel will access the Wi-Fi network using hand held and lap top devices. What is the range of the RF antenna in devices used by USAF personnel?

Coverage must be provided to all areas included in the SOW.

16. Will unidirectional antennas be allowed?

Yes

17. Will it be possible to carry out a wireless survey on the site prior to the submission of any response to the RFP/SOW?

A post-award survey can be arranged, however another pre-award survey will not be scheduled.

18. The 120 days POP will be dependent upon support from USAF personnel. Will it be acceptable for proposals to list assumptions and roles and responsibilities required of USAF personnel so that the 120 day POP can be met?

In the event that the US Government impedes the installation, appropriate considerations will be made. However, the US Government will furnish only services and supplies required to enable the contractor to perform the installation IAW the SOW.

19. Should placement and quantity of indoor APs comply with ISO/IEC TR-24704 and/or TIA TSB-162-A standards/recommendations, or will coverage density be based solely on the quantity of AP requested?

No quantity of AP is requested. We request a plan that provides adequate coverage to the facilities/areas listed in the SOW.

· TIA TSB-162-A provides guidelines on the topology, design, installation, and testing of telecommunications cabling infrastructure, in compliance with ANSI/TIA-568-C.0 and ANSI/TIA-569-C, for supporting wireless local area networks (WLANs). USAF uses ANSI/TIA-569 Standard for Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces and ANSI/TIA-568 Cabling for telecommunications products and services as standards. We want to use TIA TSB-162-A since it is complementary to and complies with TIA-568 and 569. ISO/IEC TR-24704 is a European standard.

· These standards deal with the quantity of access points laid out for a specific area. Maximum coverage to a location in an overlapping (honeycomb) install for the "best" density of coverage. Our USAF Program Management Office’s application method is to space them in an area to provide coverage using fewer number of access points in a 2 - AP and 1-AM coverage per location. Reducing cost is the goal while providing coverage requirements.

20. Is the UPS mentioned to power everything in the cabinet or just the Juniper switch?

Power will either be present or the contractor will have to provide power connection with approval/coordination through CE and DIO.

21. If an existing cabinet is too small to support what we need can it be replaced or another added near to it?

As it pertains to the MUNS/PAS, the answer is no. As it pertains to buildings 1400 (Main MUNS facility), 1470 and 1254, this must be coordinated with CE and DIO.

22. Where existing wireless is in place, is it your intention for that to be removed or kept in place?

Any existing Wi-Fi is to remain in place. It's more than likely for there to be existing Wi-Fi in some buildings/PAS around Alpha & Charlie Ramps servicing those particular PAS/bldgs.