Solicitation FA303022R0014 Attachment 11 BTS Solicitation QA.pdf

Yes BTS Solicitation Q&A

FA303022R0014

12 July 2022

1. How many full time equivalent employees working on the current contract? PWS 1.1 Answer: The manning is based on the PWS and Mission and varies

2. Is the contractor responsible for all test gear? PWS 1.1 Answer: Yes, they are responsible for all test gear that the contractors provide or use.

3. Can the government provide a list of vehicles? (how many and what type) PWS 1.1 Answer: NO all vehicles that are used are the vehicles that the contractors provide for their day‐to‐day tasks to keep everything maintained and operational.

4. Is bucket truck, splicing trailer, or any other equipment needed? PWS 1.1 Answer: No, a bucket truck is not currently required because no aerial cable is in place. A splicing trailer is not needed but would be beneficial. (Any other equipment is too broad)

5. Which positions does the government consider as “Key Personnel”? PWS 1.2.6 Answer: All positions that are required to keep the base maintained and operational.

6. Does the government provide the Tririga data base and what type of training if any is needed for the contractor?? PWS 1.2.4 Answer: Yes, the Tririga data base is provided, but the contractors will go through Civil Engineer or Facility Managers for any service request. No training is required.

7. What certification is required by personnel, do any need security + or secret clearances?

PWS 1.2.5 Answer: The Contractor is solely responsible for ensuring sufficient personnel are assigned to this contract and all personnel are qualified and certified to perform the requirements listed herein.

8. Can government give a list of position’s administration/Trouble desk, warehouse, techs, CO tech, splicer both cable and fiber? Are they all SCA, CBA? PWS 1.2.6 Answer:

9. Who maintains the switch board what type of console is it old Nortel would we need to supply an operator? PWS 1.2.6 Answer: We currently do not have an operator function on Goodfellow.

10. What is the current condition of the battery backup and what type of testing is required basic voltage readings or more intense load testing? Please provide year batteries were installed. PWS 1.3.3.1 Answer: We do not do intense load test the batteries, we do basic load and temperature testing based on manufacturer.

11. Can government provide a list of all PMI and are they all currently being performed and up to date? Type of labeling for OSP stamp, tape, lead tags? PWS 1.3.3 Answer: the list of all PMI on base are based on the manufactures recommendations and are currently all up to date. The contractors should provide a maintenance support plan.

12. Is it the contractor's responsibility to maintain the VOIP system or just phone replacement and install? PWS 1.3.13.3 Answer: The contractor shall install VoIP telephones via the work order process. 1.3.1 Telephone switch system O&M, as well as maintain CUCM as stated in Appendix 5.2.2.2

13. What type of alarm notification is currently being used at Goodfellow? PWS 1.3.5 Answer: The alarm notification currently in use is OWL

14. PMI: What type of records and forms are used today? PWS 1.3.15.2 Answer: Word and Excel documents are used.

15. Can the government provide an example of current maintenance and repair logs? PWS

1.3.15.3 Answer: yes

16. Can the government provide cable installation/ repair test results examples?

PWS1.3.15.5 Answer: yes

17. In regard to Contractor Availability, how are they notified after hours for Call outs and Alarms? What current systems are being used today? Estimate number of after hour callouts per year? PWS 1.3.4.1 Answer: They are notified by phone, estimated 24 calls

18. The solicitation documents state that the contractor should have vacuum excavation equipment on hand to preform non‐invasive cable installs estimate of how many times a year is this needed (CLIN 008). Does contractor do the digging and trenching? PWS 1.3.6 Answer: Amount varies based on the mission, could range between 3‐24, and yes the contractor does the digging and trenching

19. The voice mail system is a MFD and no longer supported. Are there plans to upgrade the MFD equipment during the new contract? PWS 1.3.9 Answer: yes moving to VoIP

20. Traffic Measurements must have knowledge on how to use a NT6H82 fiber tester is this something the contractor needs to provide? Please list all test gear that the contractor is currently providing on the existing contract. Does the government provide any test gear? PWS 1.3.12 Answer: Yes, the contractors need to provide the gear/equipment in order to keep the base operable and maintained

21. Enhanced 911: what is included in this support what is the contractor responsible for?

PWS 1.3.13.1 Answer: Keeping E911 numbers updated to the accurate building number and address.

22. What type of support does the contractor have to provide for the T‐Metrics system?

PWS 1.3.13.2 Answer: Support to maintain and keep it operated

23. Who provides the VOIP phones? What type must be reprogrammed if power is lost? Is the contractor responsible for the UPS systems for these phones? PWS 1.3.13.3 Answer:

The government provides the VoIP phones, Cisco 8811 are one of the devices used, and the government provides the UPS system

24. What is the average number of workload status meetings held a month? PWS 1.3.13.6 Answer: We have daily communication about workload on site with key personnel.

25. Does the government expect a 1year warranty on all parts replaced by contractor? PWS

1.3.15.13 Answer: Yes, a warranty is expected

26. What type of GPS equipment is the contractor/government currently using for OSP plant records? Are these records current and up to date? PWS 1.3.15.19 Answer: Any device with +/‐3 feet accuracy. The records are up to date.

27. In regard to the CFD on electronics storage media, what are the shape files? PWS

1.3.15.2 Answer: Shape files are the records we obtain when using GPS

28. What type of GPS is being used today? PWS 1.3.15.19.2.1 Answer: Any device with +/‐ 3 feet accuracy.

29. CFD: What is mandatory? XML document compatible with shape files? PWS

1.3.15.19.2.1.3 Answer: XML is an optional file that can make up a shapefile, so yes.

30. Is this currently up to date and done by the contractor? PWS 1.3.15.19.2.2 – 3.15.19.2.3 Answer: Yes within the share drive, but the CIPS version is awaiting a contractor’s account to be unlocked before updating.

31. SPECIAL PROJECTS AMOUNT it said 7, is this just the ones including DBA or is this all, special projects? PWS 1.4 Answer: All special projects.

32. Work orders that are prepared by Contractor must be approved by the COR is that just costed orders or all orders? PWS 1.5.1.1 Answer: All W/O’s require a COR approval regardless of price.

33. Commercial Communications W/O example, All W/O prepared by Contractor need to be approved by COR or just costed? Firm Fixed Price PWS 1.6.1.1 Answer: All W/O’s require a COR approval regardless of price.

34. Who sets this up COR or Contractor? PWS 1.6.3.1 Answer: This is the contractor’s responsibility but COR’s may assist in providing resources.

35. Who is responsible for setting up the survey this could delay the work order time limits.

PWS 1.6.3.1.3 Answer: COR’s will provide work orders, once those orders are in the contractor’s queue, it is then the contractor’s responsibility to set up a sit survey.

36. Because overtime isn’t reimbursed by the gov., can you please provide an estimate of how many instances of overtime occurred? PWS 1.6.4 Answer: The government does not track nor reimburse overtime.

37. General Dynamics for 5.2.3 maintenance contract? Are we responsible for any maintenance contracts? PWS 3.1 Answer:

38. 3.3.2 Who currently has a CAC card on the existing contract and their positions where is this training being done will travel and lodging be needed? PWS 3.3.2 Answer: All full‐ time personnel. The training will be at a to be determined location and it is the contractor’s responsibility to cover travel, lodging, and meals for contracting personnel per PWS 3.3.2

39. Please advise other than M5209, M5316, Call Pilot and MSL 100, what else is MFD? Do they want anything that is MFD replaced with refurbished or used? Are the 2 remote switches RCC 1 or RCC2 Are the FMT150 point to point for the remote sites? PWS 5.2 Answer: All MFD equipment will not be refurbished or used devices, it will be replaced overtime by supportable products. The contractor will support in this process.

40. What shape is the DC plant in including Rectifiers, GNB Assolyte installation dates? Will any be needing to be replaced during the new contract? PWS 5.2.2.4 Answer: DC plant is in good shape though EOL; replacement will be handled under GFE in PWS 5.2.3.1.2 if needed.

41. Do you have aerial, direct buried, loaded cable, air core, lead, filled cable? What shape is it in is contractor responsible to remove and dispose of old OSP cables or will they be abandoned in place? PWS 5.2.5 Answer: No aerial, yes direct buried, no loaded cable, no air core, no lead, no filled cable. Yes, contractor is responsible for the removal of the cable.

42. May other‐than‐small subcontractors be used on this solicitation, or must they meet the size standard? ANSWER: They must meet the size standard and be an 8(a) Small business.

43. Does the government plan to upgrade the current Nortel Switch? Answer: The Nortel Switch will not receive

44. How many work vehicles are currently on the contract Answer: There are no work vehicles currently on the contract.

45. How many existing full time employees are on the current contract. Answer: the number of full‐time employees vary based on mission requirements. Currently, there are 5.

46. How many GFE desktop computer are provided? Answer: Currently 5 have been provided.

47. Are the current employees covered under any union contract/ collective bargain agreement? Answer: Unknown

48. Attachment 2, BTS Pricing Worksheet does not reflect a six (6) month extension per Attachment 8, Section M, paragraph 3.3.2 ANSWER: Projecting pricing for the potential 6 month period will not be necessary, as the extension pricing WILL be based on Option Year 2 pricing.

49. PWS, paragraph 1.2.5 Personnel, states”…. the equipment covered by this contract identified in section A.2.9.3” There is no section A.2.9.3 in the PWS. Please clarify..

Answer: This section was mistakenly referenced.

50. During the July 5 Site Visit the government indicated that the current BTS O&M support would remain as O&M for the current analog phone system. However, it was stated during the site visit that the government is transitioning to a VOIP solution. In accordance with that statement, we presume the staffing approach must accommodate the migration to a VOIP solution. To ensure a proper staffing solution, what is the timeline for the migration to the VOIP Solution? Secondly, is the government procuring the VOIP solution on a separate contract or is it expected that the offeror outline a migration to a VOIP solution in its proposal? Thirdly, if we are to propose a VOIP solution should we modify the PID to include the necessary components of such a solution? And lastly, if the contractor is to propose a migration to a VOIP solution does the government have a preferred vendor VOIP solution? Answer: Timeline March 2023, The Government is handling the roll out of VoIP, Reference 1.3.1

51. Will the government provide storage facilities for the material detailed in the PID, or should the contractor expect to provide such storage? Answer: The government provides storage facilities for PID listed materials.

52. There are no cells highlighted on Attachment. Will the Government please provide an updated Attachment 2 that includes highlighted cells to inidcate which cells offeror shall fill‐in? ANSWER: Potential offerors are required to fill in the “Unit Price” information. All other numerical data will auto‐calculate. A revised version of the Pricing Table will be uploaded to SAM.gov; required cells are now highlighted.

53. Will the Government please verify that offerors can submit Attachment 2 BTS Pricing Workbook in the excel format provided by the Government? ANSWER: Confirmed.

Offerors can submit Attachment 2 in the format provided by the government.

54. Will the Government please clarify if the total length of the contract is 4 years (Attachment 2 BTS Pricing Worksheet) or 3 years (Section B Pricing and Attachment 8, Section M)? ANSWER: This will be a Base +2 Option years. (total of 3 years). Attachment 2 has been revised.

55. Will the Government please clarify if there is 6‐month Option Period; and if so, please state where the offeror should include that pricing data? ANSWER: There is a potential for a 6 month extension. In the event that a 6 month extension is utilized, pricing WILL be based on Option Year 2.

56. Due to current global supply chain disruption and the volatility of raw material pricing, most manufacturers and distributors of commonly provided telecommunications equipment are guaranteeing prices for shortened timeframes, in some cases only 7 days. Will the Government please incorporate FAR 52.216‐4 Economic Price Adjustment‐Labor and Material (or similar clause) as prescribed in FAR 16.203‐4(c) to this Solicitation / Award? ANSWER: Contracting will not be incorporating the EPA clause into solicitation or award.

57. Will the Government please clarify what information is needed to comply with the requirement to provide the "Registration confirmation for NAICS 517919"? ANSWER:

Please provide your service classifications as found in SAM.gov. This should be found under “Assertions” within the “Core Data” section for your company’s registration in

SAM.

58. Is there an upgrade or new system planned for the existing SL‐100 during the term of the agreement? If so, is there an anticipated timing for the new technology? Answer:

The new contract intends to transition off the SL‐100 onto an already existing Cisco VoIP server. No upgrades will be made to the SL‐100, and this is roughly expected to be a transition period over the next two years.

59. If upgraded, are you expecting the vendor to provide certified individuals on the new technology? Answer: The SL‐100 will not be upgraded.

60. Will you supply current CAD/CAM drawings of the existing environment as a component of a transition plan? Answer: yes

61. Do the employees of the incumbent provider serving the base have a Non‐Compete or Non‐Solicitation employment clause that would prevent the employees from moving to a new employer serving the base? Answer: Unknown

62. Who owns the supporting equipment (i.e.: backhoe, road‐bore; lift buckets; etc.) today, the base or the current vendor? Answer: Current vendor owns/rents needed equipment.

63. Could a vendor provide remote support for items such as Move, Add, Change (MAC) software/programming work? Answer: Yes, on site remote access is available

64. Could a vendor provide remote support for investigating service affecting issues via the vendor’s NOC? Answer: Yes, on site remote access is available

65. Remote access for remote management of voice over IP systems and Telephone switches. What are the rules of engagement? Is a VPN allowed? Answer: No

66. What ticketing/workorder system is being used and how to we gain access to the system? Answer: CAIRS and CIPS the two ticketing systems used by the, CAIRS access can be given to contractors by COR’s and CIPS tickets are relayed to the contractors through the share drive by COR’s but my also gain access through submissions of form 2875’s to the COR’s

67. OSP Manhole debris removal and handling. What is the target destination and are there fees associated? Answer: Target destinations for debris removal and handling is to be decided by the contractor and should be a part of their maintenance solution, no specific destination is listed.

68. For Telecom equipment, is there disposal of hazardous Materials budget for EOL batteries? Answer: For government owned telecom equipment, there is not a budget.

Any EOL batteries will be taken/pointed out to a government representative for disposal

69. Would constant flooding (deep water) in a manhole be considered in scope? Answer:

None of the current manholes are below the water table therefore constant flooding is not a problem and should not be considered under the scope.

70. With regards to CDR (Call detail Records) processing resource. There are different PBXs, and the format may be different formatting from each PBX type. Which means someone will have to consolidate records each month and transfer files to designated location within the base? Will the contractor be performing this task? Answer: yes

71. We are in the process of responding to this solicitation but, as a small company, we are stretched for resources. Would you consider a two‐week extension? ANSWER:

Unfortunately, I will not authorize an extension at this time as it may result in a gap in service.

72. Please provide the EIPS as soon as possible. ANSWER: EIPS will be added as an attachment to the solicitation.

73. Will the Government please confirm (or deny) whether Executive Order 14026 Minimum Wage applies to this effort and if yes, to indicate that all labor positions submitted must be priced at least $15 an hour notwithstanding what’s indicated within the attached Wage Determination(s) (e.g., $12.80 for Laborer (23470)) or FAR 52.222‐42 Statement of Equivalent Hires? ANSWER: The government is obligated to abide by the regulations set forth in EO 14026. This verbiage should also be included in the applicable wage determination, which will be a part of the contract award.

74. Reference: During the site visit it was stated that Goodfellow AFB was in the process of cutting over the MSL‐100 to Cisco CM (VoIP). Question: When does the Government estimate the base will be 100% VoIP? Answer: Soft date, March 2023.

75. Reference: PWS Appendix 5.2, paragraph 5.2.5 Cable Plant includes poles in the items to be maintained. Question: Is there any aerial cable on Goodfellow AFB that the contractor is responsible for? If so, how many poles and feet of aerial cable is the contractor responsible for? Answer: No, BTS does not currently maintain aerial cable.

76. Reference: PWS Appendix 5.2, paragraph 5.2.2.2 Cisco Unified Call Manager (CUCM).

Question: Is the incumbent personnel certified and qualified to operate and maintain the CUCM? If not, will certification be required after everything is cutover to VoIP?

Answer: Not currently, per Appendix 5.2, Items to be maintained by the contractor, CUCM is listed in 5.2.2.2 and the contractor should have the tools and certifications required to maintain said equipment.

77. Reference: PWS 1.3.6 Cable Location, Staking and Marking, sentence 6 “The Contractor should have vacuum excavation equipment on hand to perform non‐invasive cable installs and Section BPID 3884B – Non‐invasive cable locates (Install)”. Question: Please provide the Governments definition of “non‐invasive” and what the governments expectations are? Answer: Non‐invasive methods are defined as techniques that exposes or excavates equipment without damaging it, nor the equipment or other materials nearby.

78. Reference: PWS 1.3.6 Cable Location, Staking and Marking, sentence 6, “The Contractor should have vacuum excavation equipment on hand to perform non‐invasive cable installs” Question: This requirement is identified under paragraph identified as “cable locations, staking and marking” but the heading requirement in the paragraph refers to cable installs not locates, please clarify. Answer: Yes when installing non‐invasive cable you would use a cable locator to mark it and then use equipment such as a vacuum excavator, which the contractor should have on hand, to help install the cable.

79. Question: Is the current BTS contract/contractor currently performing non‐invasive cable installs? Generally, the use of vacuum excavation equipment for non‐invasive cable installs is used on large construction projects or when installing or replacing a large amount/size of cable. Answer: Yes, all cable installs on base are performed through non‐invasive methods. The Contractor should have vacuum excavation equipment on hand when performing said installs.

80. Reference: Section B, PID 3115A and 3115B Cat 6 Network drops, per ft has a UOM of

EA. Question: Does the contractor need to price these PIDs per foot, or a price for the estimated quantity of 100’? Answer: This PID item is listed both per foot and per 100’ quantity.

81. Reference: Section B, PID 3119A and 3119B Cat 6 (shielded), per ft has a UOM of EA.

Question: Does the contractor need to price these PIDs per foot, or a price for the estimated quantity of 100’? Answer: This PID item is listed both per foot and per 100’ quantity.

82. Reference: Section B, PID 3260A and 3260B Cat 6 – 4 pr, UTP (1,000 ft) has a UOM of

FT. Question: Does the contractor need to price these PIDs per foot, or for 1,000 ft?

Answer: This PID item is listed both per foot and per 100’ quantity.

83. Reference: Section B, PID 5238A Manhole Mandator Inspections. Question: Please clarify what the Government intends this PID to include. Answer: Question unclear.

Manhole Inspections are included in PMI’s under PWS 1.3.3.3 & PWS 1.3.15.4

84. Question: Would the Government consider extending the proposal due date since the

Equipment and Installation Performance Specifications (EIPs) which establishes the technical requirement hasn’t been provided and is critical to accurately prepare our proposal? ANSWER: The EIPs will be amended into the solicitation along with this Q&A document. At this time, the Government does not intend to extend the solicitation.

85. Question: Would the Government provide a list of site visit attendees? ANSWER: A list of attendees will not be provided at this time.