Questions for Flight line Private Network with answers updated 21 Sep 23.pdf

Questions for Flight line Private Network

1. Can the required coverage area be depicted graphically, including the hot load ramp? Is it the whole of the two runways or something more condensed around the ramps / aprons? Map provided showing locations

2. Where is the data center that the core network components will be housed? Can this be shown graphically?

Need to understand how backhaul from the cell sites will interconnect with the core network? Core Network placement will be in Bldg 31, as seen in map

3. Do the cell sites require battery power in the event of a commercial power failure? No

4. If onsite cabinets are required for installation of the cell sites, will the government assume the build costs and actual work for this? Any external equipment/enclosures will be the responsibility of the contractor.

5. What spectrum is being made available? Is this a CBRS block being made available as part of the CBRS incumbent licensees e.g. the Department of Defense or something else?

Band 48; CBRS unlicensed band. CBRS 150 MHz of spectrum (from 3.55 to 3.7 GHz) in 3.5 GHz band.

6. Terminology: Access Point (AP) is noted in the SOW. Does this require a wireless access point that connects to LTE but provides Wi-Fi or does AP refer to a cellular site? This is not to provide WI-FI, refers to cellular sites only.

7. Mobility: Does the service require the ability for User Equipment (UE) to move between the sites with handovers between sites? Yes

8. Would you evaluate private wireless solutions leveraging 5G cellular technology or is this use case strictly based on 4G LTE technology? Yes, we would consider it.

9. Please elaborate on the access points referenced in Section 2. Scope of Work, Network Design and Deployment section (number of towers, location, height, power, connectivity, etc.)? Number of towers should be determined by the contractor by coverage. Location is determined by the contractor/government. Height is not to exceed the highest point of building or pole lighting.

Power and connectivity are going to be determined by the contractor and government where it exists.

10. Please elaborate on the specific security requirements referenced in Section 2. Scope of Work, Security and Authentication section (encryption level, protocols, etc.)?

This is access control for clients and users for the management console controlling the network.

11. Please elaborate on the training requirements referenced in Section 3. Deliverables (number of people, in person or virtual, topics, etc.)? In person training, 4 personnel.

12. Use Cases: Is this for LTE data only, no requirement for voice or SMS? No requirement for voice or SMS.

13. Device Support: Will this just be laptops / handheld devices or could this include support for other devices that require batteries such as NB-IoT or CAT-M1 devices? No support for NB-IoT or CAT-M1 needed.

14. What is the terminating address 100Mbps Internet circuit? i.e. Base Demarc. We will use Demarc or CISP from bldg. 31.

15. Will the Government please provide a map of the 60 MXG Flightline, including the Hot Load Ramp and the 82 parking spots, with the areas to be covered by the private network outlined? YES; use new map peovided

16. Is the private network for data transport only or does the private network need to support voice also? If voice is required, is Push To Talk (PTT) acceptable? Only for Data Transport.

17. In order for the offeror to furnish the “100 Mbps Commercial Internet Connection,” the offeror would need to be a commercial internet service provider or authorized reseller thereof. Is it acceptable for the offeror to furnish only the means to connect to a commercial internet service provider while the Government is the service provider’s customer? Connectivity will be through a commercial internet connection (vendor provided) per Statement of Work. The government can be the service provider customer, providing the contractor provides the commercial internet connection.

18. Is there a particular use case justification for specifying Time Division Duplex (TDD) with 64 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)? This specification is not commonly used in the US and has been improved upon. Is it acceptable to exceed these specifications? Yes, it is acceptable to exceed.

19. Will the Government please clarify the statement near the top of pg. 3 “(This will be vendor funded if requested or required by the Government.)” Is this statement imposing a requirement that should be assumed but not priced? This is no longer required. If needed, the government would fund it.

20. While the offeror will collaborate with the Government to achieve an ATO, the timeline for the ATO approval is entirely under the Government’s control and our experience has shown that it can take 12 months or more to complete. Will the Government please confirm that the 12 months Period of Performance (PoP) EXCLUDES the Authority to Operate (ATO) since this is outside the offeror’s control? ATO does not need to be in place for the deliverable to be accepted.

21. Will the Government please clarify whether the one (1) year support following installation is to be included in the CLIN 0001 price? Yes, it needs to be included in the overall price.

22. Will the Government reimburse travel expenses at then-current GSA rates for onsite support or must FFP travel be included in the CLIN 0001 price? Government will not reimburse for travel; it will need to be within the contract.

23. How many Devices or sensors are to be connected to the private network? Maximum 120.

24. What is the geographical coverage area (Dimensions) for the Private network ? 2.66mi (SW to NE direction), /.65 mi (NW to SE direction)

25. Assume the radios are meant to be used for outdoor purposes only. YES

26. Is there any need for indoor radios? No need for indoor radios

27. Do you have an estimate of the Simultaneously attached users and the throughput to be planned? 120 users with maximized throughput

28. Any specific Operational use cases to be supported? We will VPN to AFNET and to the application defined in the SOW including video streaming, shared drives, Microsoft TEAMS usage and internet.

29. Any voice services to be supported? NO

30. What are the frequencies and bands to be supported from the Radio side? Band 48; CBRS unlicensed band. CBRS 150 MHz of spectrum (from 3.55 to 3.7 GHz) in 3.5 GHz band.

31. Assuming you have the SAS (Spectrum as a service) solution available? CISP provided by Vendor.

32. Can USB Dongle Radios be used in existing laptops that may not support built-in LTE? (We were warned there are some) Yes

33. Is there an advantage to bypassing the wired network and using microwave links instead? (Possible multiple versions of the proposal, with & without backhaul) As determined by the vendor.

34. Are there other suggested sites? Sites for what? See map.

35. What is the Security access for the facilities? Access to core components are Physically controlled and syphered access.

36. Is there a Point of presence offered? Yes, in Bldg 31.

37. If no Point of presence what building can a Telco circuit be brought in? Bldg 31.

38. Are there any other alternate locations for RAN/AP?

Please list the coordinates. Potentially, if the proper infrastructure is inplace.

39. Training to be on-site or can training be virtual? On Site training.

40. How many relevant personnel would attend training? 4

41. In the statement of work, 3rd bullet, Allied Support is providing fiber and power to AP. Who is Allied and is there a fee to use Allied? Local CS contractor as approved at Government approved locations. No fee.

42. Is Allied bringing all the fiber back to EPC? Yes, from the government approved location.

43. Are there specified sites where the AP is to be deployed?

The government is not specifying site location.

44. Can the fiber be extended to alternate AP locations? Fiber will be extended to the approved locations.

45. Are there any plant or structural data or diagrams exist for the locations they highlighted on the tour? Map attached.

46. The task “Assessment and Planning” includes “updated scope of work (if needed.” The note “contractor and customer shall concur on the desired network architecture that best suits customer requirements before progressing forward to the next initiative” follows the site survey task and precedes the “Network Design and Deployment” task. The outcomes of these tasks and the Government’s concurrence seem to be defined to accommodate scope changes which could impact the offeror’s input costs. Therefore, procurement under a Firm Fixed Pricing (FFP) structure increases risk to the Government and to the offeror. Will the Government consider a Time and Materials (T&M) structure for the total project or at least for the infrastructure component? If T&M is not acceptable, will the Government consider a phases structure: FFP for Phase I (to include Assessment and Planning) and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for Phase II (Network Design and Deployment)? This is done to ensure infrastructure is in place vs lengthy/costly infrastructure improvements pushing project beyond 1 yr. Written to maximize use of existing infrastructure while maximizing coverage.

47. While the offeror will collaborate with the Government to achieve an ATO, the timeline for the ATO approval is entirely under the Government’s control and our experience has shown that it can take 12 months or more to complete. Will the Government please confirm that the 12 months Period of Performance (PoP) EXCLUDES the Authority to Operate (ATO) since this is outside the offeror’s control?

Not required for a deliverable

48. Will the Government please clarify whether the one (1) year support following installation is to be included in the CLIN 0001 price .

Yes, it needs to be included.

Will the Government please clarify the NAICS code? The RFQ cites 517311 “Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite).” However the NAICS code that matches this description is 517112. The description for NAICS code 517311 is “Wired Telecommunications Carriers.”

Official NAICS is 517112, please update your classifications if necessary

Would the Government consider extending the proposal due date to allow for assessment of the flightline coverage map and the answers to the questions listed above?

Yes we have extended the solicitation deadline to Monday 9/25/2023