QA_r 6.18.docx

QA UPDATED 18 JUNE 2022

Original Date to respond with Quotes 8 June 2022 New date to respond with quotes Q: Conference Room 170: Is there currently a GRX-CI-RS232 Control Interface (or other) for lighting control or should one be provided?

A: The system installed is a GRAFIK Eye 3104, and we would need the RS232 interface provided by the vendor.

Q: During the walk through the purpose of the microphones was questioned. It was stated that they are intended to be used for TEAMS calls. In reviewing it was determined that there is nothing in the SOO to define how the microphones/speakers/DSP are to connect to the computers for the TEAMS calls. Can you clarify? This is the same for room 170/208/223.

A: The speakers and microphone(s) are to be connected to the PC on the conference table, or in the case of CR170 at the control station in the rear of the room and the conference table, that will control the TEAMS meeting. These devices will provide both input for in-person meeting attendees and personnel remote.

Q: Regarding HDMI inputs for Room 208 and 223 – during the site visit, it was noted that the SOO defines a single HDMI input for the conference table as the only input in the room. However, the display requirement layout capabilities specifies that the monitor be able to display multiple images. There was some discussion about adding inputs. Can you confirm how many HDMI inputs are now required at the table?

A: A single HDMI input is sufficient at for rooms 208 and 203 to place a single image on the screen from the presenter's device.

Q: Can the government please provide specific number of data and/or network cable runs that will need to be pulled in each room, along with specific locations

A: The requirement was to test the existing drops and add if necessary to provide connectivity to the locations addressed in the drawings.

Q: As discussed during site survey in CR170, the government will accept solutions that consolidate the total number of cable cubby/table box locations at the conference table. Please confirm or clarify.

A: Consolidate, true

Q: Please specify if the government requires a 1/8-inch audio connection at Station D (podium) and/or Station A in CR170, which would be in addition to the HDMI connections.

A: 1/8 Analog capability for both Station A and Station D as identified in the SOO.

Q: Please provide the specific model of the Lutron Graphic Eye module in CR170 as it was not available during site survey.

A: GRAFIK EYE 3104

Q: For all rooms, could the government please provide preferences for location(s) of any camera(s) that will be used for NIPR and SIPR MS Teams soft-conferencing functionality

A: There will be no fixed cameras in any of the rooms. When required, will be USB connected to workstation powering meeting.

Q: For all rooms, can the government please specify if any additional video inputs are required other than GFE PCs and/or laptops?

A: All presently acquired GFE PC/Laptops are HDMI Equipped HDMI is the only required video source

Q: For CR170, can the government please specify the locations in the room (i.e. conference table area, podium area, and/or overflow seating area) that require microphone coverage for new solutions?

A: The requirement/capability is for general coverage of the room so that even people not at the conference table can be heard if addressed of wish to provide input to the meeting.

Q: Can the government please provide the intended location for the primary GFE PC or laptop, relative to the intended location of a camera?

A: The camera will need to connect via USB to the PC or laptop to allow camera feed to display to far-side viewers.

Q: During the site survey, the government indicated that new digital signage intended for the use of displaying classification status in CR170 could/should include technology solutions that do not incorporate multiple colors, but simply display appropriate message, as this option will provide cost savings over original SOO requirement. Please confirm or clarify this requirement.

A: The requirement/capability is for personnel outside the room to see a meeting/briefing is in progress and whether it is classified or unclassified. The second requirement is the requirement/capability to display in the room that in lieu of the flashing blue light, signage to indicate Visitor/Uncleared personnel are in the room.

Q: During the site survey, the government indicated that new digital signage internal to CR170 could/should include technology solutions that do not incorporate a "presentation overlay", but simply provide plain-text classification status in a separate location near other displays, as this option will provide cost savings over original SOO requirement. Please confirm or clarify this requirement.

A: The requirement/capability is to provide (as above in #9, an indication of meeting classification and whether there are uncleared personnel in the room) the presentation overlay suggestion was merely that. If the capability to provide the required signage is more easily done via an easily seen sign in the room, it would meet the requirement.

Q: Does the government wish to include a requirement for additional in-room digital signage (i.e. a separate sign in addition to the one displaying room classification) for the purpose of displaying microphone mute status?

A: The request was to have a multi-purpose display that could provide all this type of messaging.

12. In reference to the government's requirement for 120-day delivery ARO, it was discussed during site survey that current manufacturing and logistical issues are causing significant delays in receiving new technology-related hardware. Can the government please provide additional guidance/language on the 120 day delivery ARO requirement?

A: Just indicate the lead time required based on the best information at the time.

13. It was discussed during the site survey that government customers who possess a DPAS rating could benefit from accelerated receipt of new hardware. If/when the customer is able to obtain a DPAS rating, please provide that information to offerors.

A: There is no DPAS rating at this time.

Q: The revised solicitation does not check for inclusion any of Foreign Acquisition provisions relating to foreign acquisition:

_ (46) 52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies NO _ (47) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act NO _ (48) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Oct 2019) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note). NO Nor does it invoke 252-225-7000 - I have 52.204-7 so I am not supposed to use this one I do not think this applies 252.225-7001 - covered by trade agreements (75) Office supplies and devices - (70) Automatic data processing equipment (including firmware), software, supplies and support equipment (61) Electric wire, and power and distribution equipment

252.225-7021/7021, or 7035/7035 for the DFARs Foreign Acquisition Programs and Certificates.

So it is include from the solicitation which Foreign Acquisition type applies.

However, the SOO from 21 Apr states page 26: Trade Agreement Act (TAA) All proposed products must be compliant with the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (TAA) and related clauses in Section I of this contract. In accordance with DFARS 252.225-7021, the Trade Agreements Certificate at DFARS 252.225-7020 shall be provided for each end item defined and specified in a solicitation that exceeds the TAA threshold subject to the waivers and exceptions provided in FAR 25.4, and DFARS 225.4 offered in response to any RFQ issued under this contract. Please note that Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) paragraph 25.103(e) includes an exemption from the Buy American Act (BAA) for acquisition of information technology that is commercial items.

This leads to much confusion. Per FAR 25.401(a)(1) the TAA does not apply to Small Business Set Asides. Therefore, how can it apply to this small business set aside?

Also, why are DFARS 252.225-7021 and the Trade Agreements Certificate at DFARS 252.225-7020 referenced in the SOO but not in the solicitation?

Also, please explain the following: Please note that Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) paragraph 25.103(e) includes an exemption from the Buy American Act (BAA) for acquisition of information technology that is commercial items.

I've been told by Contracting Officers that this exemption doesn't carry over to DFARS, and therefore doesn't exist in a DoD Acquisition. Can you clarify the purpose and applicability of FAR 25.103(e) to this solicitation?

Bottom line is that I need to understand which FAR 25.502 evaluation procedures apply to this acquisition:

25.502(b) For acquisitions covered by the WTO GPA (see subpart 25.4)- (AS AMENDED BY 225.502(b)) or

25.502(c) For acquisitions not covered by the WTO GPA, but subject to the Buy American statute (an FTA or the Israeli Trade Act also may apply), the following applies: (AS AMENDED BY 225.502.(c))

Also need to know which BAA or TAA exemptions are applicable to this DFARS Isolicitation.

A: Turning now to the merits of the clauses and provisions included and omitted from the solicitation.

The clause at DFARS 252.225-7001 is not prescribed if “an exception to the Buy American statute applies, e.g., nonavailability or public interest (see FAR 25.103 and 225.103).” DFARS 225.1101(2)(i)(C). FAR 25.103(e) provides, “The restriction on purchasing foreign end products does not apply to the acquisition of information technology that is a commercial product, when using fiscal year 2004 or subsequent fiscal year funds (section 535(a) of Division F, Title V, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004, and similar sections in subsequent appropriations acts).” In our case, the “similar section” is Pub. L. 117-103, Consolidated Appropriations Act, § 615. Given the expansive definition of information technology to include “related resources” at 40 U.S.C. 11101(6)(B), all of the end items of supply called for in the SOO appear to be within the reach of this exception to the Buy America Act. It follows that if DFARS 252.225-7001 is not prescribed, neither is DFARS 252.225-7002. DFARS 225.1101(3)(i).

The prescription for the clause at DFARS 252.225-7021 hinges in part on whether an exception at FAR 25.401(a) applies. However, as this is a small business set-aside, the exception at FAR 25.401(a)(1) applies. The omission of the clause at DFARS 252.225-7020 follows from the omission of -7021. DFARS 225.1101(5).

Similarly, the prescription for the clause at DFARS 252.227-7036 hinges in part on whether an exception at FAR 25.401(a) applies. DFARS 225.1101(10). As previously noted, the small business set-aside exception at FAR 25.401(a)(1) applies here. The omission of DFARS 252.225-7035 follows from the omission of -7036. DFARS 225.1101(9).

The omission of the clause at FAR 52.225-1 is axiomatic in DoD acquisitions, as the DFARS renders use of that clause impossible. See DFARS 225.1101(2)(i). The same is true of the clause at FAR 52.225-3. See DFARS 225.1101(10)(i).

The clauses whose prescriptions appear in DFARS 225.1103 are not prescribed because this is a commercial item acquisition.