FA442724Q0145 - 9 ARS Auditorium - RFI FINAL.docx

Request for Information (RFI) – FA442724Q0145 – 9 ARS Auditorium Refresh

· Is this job tax exempt?

· Yes

· Does all equipment need to be TAA-compliant?

· No, as FAR Subpart 25.4 Trade Agreements does not apply to acquisitions set aside for small businesses

· Will NIPR/SIPR content feeds come by way of an OFE computer (PC or Laptop)?

· Laptop

· Are we handling any necessary electrical work?

· As described in SoW: “The contractor shall create any required electrical works and cabling”

· Are we responsible to decom everything, particularly the old podium and/or rear-projection screen?

· Unfamiliar with the term “decom.” As described in the SoW: “Removal and consolidation of existing A/V components. These components will be dismantled, removed, and disposed-of by the contractor at an off-base location as determined by the contractor.”

· Are we responsible to construct the support/backing for the new video wall?

· As described in SoW, the contractor: “shall provide or fabricate and install a wall-support solution as part of this project to support the new technology infrastructure in a seamless and beautiful manner.”

· Are we responsible to MODIFY the opening for the new video wall as needed?

· Government will accept a solution which supports the new technology infrastructure in a seamless and beautiful manner. This may include modification of the opening or covering the opening left by the old screen. Our original vision was to seal the opening and mount the video-wall on-top of it. However, the Government will accept partial closure of the opening (to maintain the aesthetic appeal), understanding that the portion covered by the video-wall may still be open.

· OR are we expecting to fill the opening with backing, and mount the displays to COVER the opening, flush with the wall?

· Displays do not need to be flush with the wall. A low-profile solution which minimizes the display’s distance from the wall is desired.

· New video wall questions based on rough measurements:

· The current screen is ~5'-5½' Tall, ~11½'-12' Wide inside the drapes, and ~14'-14½' outside the drapes. It's also about 2'-2½' off the raised floor.

· Government measurements indicate the screen as slightly larger; approximately 16 feet wide by 6 feet tall at full dimensions. However, the government notes that the full width of the screen is masked by the pillars on either side and by the drapes as noted in this question.

· 12 x VM55B-U would be a 4x3 video wall which is both too wide and too tall for the current opening (16'x6.7'); it is also not a 16:9 ratio screen.

· CHANGE: The government desires a 16:9 solution, or as close as possible. A 4:3 solution is not desired and was requested in-error.

· Does 12x include 3 spare panels, and it's actually a 3x3 video wall (all of which would be 16:9)?

· The government desires a 16:9 solution, or as close as possible. A 4:3 solution is not desired and was requested in-error.

· 3x3 55" would be ~12'W x 6.7'T

· This solution is acceptable. The government desires a 16:9 solution which is comparable in size to the original screen display area. The government wishes to minimize “black bars” when a single 16:9 feed is displayed.

· 4x3 46" would be ~13.4'W x 5.7'T (not 16:9)

· No, as this is not close to 16:9

· 3x3 46" would be ~10'W x 5.7'T

· Not ideal. Smaller than the existing screen, and slightly off 16:9.

· 3x3 49" (available from Philips) would be ~10.6'W x 6'T

· This solution is a suitable alternative if the 55-inch solution above is unavailable or will not work in this application. This 3x3 49 is suitable because it is comparable to the original screen display area and a 16:9 ratio.

· 2x2 65" (available from Philips) would be ~9.4'W x 5.3'T

· Not ideal. Significantly smaller than the existing screen.

· How big should this wall be?

· See comments above.

· Are the subs to be in the ceiling? Behind the screen? Free-standing?

· The preferred location is inside the existing subwoofer enclosures in the rear of the room, but the government will accept expert opinion in order to create rich and immersive sound. The government does not require or desire ceiling mounted subwoofers.

· If all equipment would fit inside the L5 Lectern, should we omit the ERK rack?

· To keep installation as clean and professional as possible, the government desires equipment to on an equipment rack in the existing rear projection room, out of sight of the main auditorium.

1) SOW states: "Period of performance shall be 45 calendar days to allow material procurement, work completion and clean up."

This is a very aggressive that assumes best case from each of the product vendors. To allow for variation in availability and shipment of materials, recommend a total period of performance of 90 days.

· The government is willing to extend the period of performance up to 65 days.

2) SOW states: "A minimum of 1-Year system service and support will be included in this work statement."

This would extend the requirement beyond the specified period of performance. Please clarify whether the government desires an additional services CLIN with one year of support, or whether they just want to rely on the manufacturers product warranty.

· The government desires the contractor to serve as single point of warranty service for the equipment and workmanship, starting from the date the project is accepted as complete by the 9 ARS Commander.

3) SOW 3.b.iv.1 calls for a 4x3 of 55" LCD panels with 3.5mm combined bezel. SOW also calls for "cutting-edge" components.

· See above – 4:3 ratio is an error. The government desires a 16:9 solution, or as close as possible in order to minimize black bars when displaying in 16:9. Furthermore, the government desires a modern and beautiful solution, and will consider components which exceed the capabilities of the individual panel LCD wall as described in this question such as a LED wall which eliminates the bezels of an LCD panel. Request that any proposals which contain upgrades explain the reason for the upgrade proposal and why it is superior to the original request for LCD panels.

Given the available physical space for the wall, and the intent to display a single 16:9 image, would the government find technically acceptable a Direct View LED video wall that is 16:9 aspect ratio and 4K native resolution? A DV-LED video wall is seamless and would eliminate the 3.5mm bezels (actually 4.5mm with required air gap) of the LCD panels. Recommended pixel spacing is 0.9mm, which would result in a 16:9 4K/UHD display that is 141.75 inches wide and 79.6 inches tall. This would optimize the video wall by providing the exact number of pixels for native resolution of a UHD/4K signal.

· The government finds this solution technically acceptable.

4) Stage Curtains: After mounting, new video wall may extend forward (toward the audience) from the existing wood trim around the projector screen. The amount of forward projection would be approx. 5" for LCD, and 3" for LED. Thus would mean that the curtain would likely rub against the video wall display surface when being opened or closed. Would the government consider removing the curtain, or moving it forward, to eliminate touching of the video wall surface?

· The government desires to retain the curtain in-place, and to exercise extreme caution in the unlikely event that the curtain must be closed. The government acknowledges that the video wall solution is not designed to have a curtain rub on the video wall, and that this may damage the video wall.

1. Can you provide an architectural floor plan, reflected ceiling plan, furniture plan, electrical power plan, telephone/data plan, elevation plans or AV plans for the auditorium?

· The government does not have this plan available.

2. If there are not any architectural floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, furniture plans, electrical power plans, telephone/data plans or elevation plans available can you provide a room drawing that depicts the length, width, height, windows (if any), power locations, tel/data locations, AV locations, etc.?

· See attached sketch.

3. Can you provide pictures that show the auditorium in its entirety including but not limited to length, width, height, windows (if any), power locations, tel/data locations, AV locations, etc.?

· Numerous photos attached. Additionally, see attached sketch.

4. Can you provide the most current audiovisual system drawings for the auditorium?

· Photos of the existing rack, projection, and podium were included in the SoW.

5. Can you provide a complete list of all currently installed audiovisual equipment? This would include any and all projectors, monitors, screens, speakers, microphones, displays, cameras, rack mounted equipment, interfaces, touch panels and processors depicting quantity, manufacturer and model.

· 1x AV Rack with various pieces of equipment (see original SoW for photo).

· 2x Renkus Heinz Loudspeakers (Model SR62H)

· 2x Renkus Heinz Subwoofers (Model Unknown)

· 1x Gooseneck Microphone (Make/Model Unknown)

· 1x Inoperative Control Panel in Podium (SP Controls, Model Unknown)

· 1x Inoperative AV Port Panel in Podium (Extron, AAP102)

· 1x Rear Projector (Epson, Model Unknown)

· 1x Sony DVD/BluRay Player (Model Unknown)

· 1x Extron Video Switch (Model Unknown)

· 1x Extron RGB-HDMI 300A

· 1x Extron MTP Series

· 1x Extron HDMI 205

· 9x speakers embedded in ceiling tiles, make/model unknown.

7. Can you provide the complete dimensions (length, width, height) of the rear projection screen currently installed? This measurement would be less any surrounding millwork or trim.

· Screen is approximately 6 Feet Tall and 16 Feet Wide.

8. Can you provide the complete dimensions (length, width, height) of the speaker cabinets currently installed to the left and right of the projection screen on the stage?

· Dimensions are approx. 21 inches tall by 23 inches wide

9. Is there a requirement for video teleconferencing (Cisco, Poly, etc.) and/or web conferencing (MS Teams, Zoom, WebEx, etc.)

· No.

10. If video teleconferencing and/or web conferencing is a requirement would ceiling microphones be acceptable for the auditorium audience participants?

· N/A

11. Is there a requirement for any wireless microphones (lapel, hand held) in the auditorium?

· No

12. Would an 8" or 10" driver be acceptable for the two (2) subwoofers?

· The government will consider proposals which provide rich and immersive sound. The desired size to ensure rich bass was 12”. Request any contractor who proposes a subwoofer with a smaller driver (i.e. 8” or 10”) explain the reason why this smaller unit meets or exceeds the originally requested 12” unit.

13. Is there a requirement for TAA compliant equipment?

No Does the building have a designated receiving area for deliveries?

· No. Normally, deliveries are done at the front of the building, which is a long straight road where delivery trucks can easily fit and maneuver.

· Is there a loading dock available for the delivery of large equipment?

· No. Building 187 is not equipped with a loading dock. There is a standard passenger elevator and a staircase with a switchback halfway up. The auditorium is on the second floor of the building.

· Can a 53' truck access the project site?

· Yes.

· Will any locked onsite storage be available for A/V gear staging?

· No.

· What are the working hours?

0800-1600 M-F. Please see Section 2c of the Statement of Work for more details

· Are there current floor plans that can be shared?

· See attached sketch.

· Are there current drawings of the existing audiovisual system?

· See attached photos.

· Will an escort be required?

· An escort is not required, however the contractor shall perform work within the timelines listed in Section 2c of the Statement of Work

· Is there infrastructure in place at all audiovisual locations for new cabling?

· As described in SoW:“The contractor shall create any required electrical works and cabling.”

· Who is responsible for additional electrical requirements?

· As described in SoW: “The contractor shall create any required electrical works and cabling.”

· Please confirm that only a single microphone is required.

· Confirmed.

· Please confirm the count of loudspeakers and the type of installation.

· As described in the SoW: 4 units of High Output Loudspeakers. The government will consider 2-unit solutions based on performance of the loudspeakers.

· The government desires rich and immersive sound. Primary use of the speaker system is to play video/movie/music content, not for voice reinforcement. Therefore, the government will consider solutions which meet this intent. If a contractor proposes a system other than the originally requested (i.e. line array speakers), please explain why the proposal meets or exceeds the requirement and meets the intent for rich and immersive sound.

· Please confirm the count of powered subwoofers and their placement.

· As described in the SoW: 2 units of 12-Inch (Minimum) Powered Subwoofers. Note: The government will consider 1-unit solutions based on performance of the subwoofer.

· The government desires rich and immersive sound. Primary use of the speaker system is to play video/movie/music content, not for voice reinforcement. Therefore, the government will consider solutions which meet this intent. If a contractor proposes a system other than the originally requested, please explain why the proposal meets or exceeds the requirement and meets the intent for rich and immersive sound.

· What is the number of required inputs and locations for NIPR appliances?

· The government requires a minimum of 1 HDMI input at the podium.

· What is the number of required inputs and locations for SIPR appliances?

· The government requires a minimum of 1 HDMI input at the podium.

· What are the requirements for SIPR VTC, if any?

· None.

· How many classifications will be utilized in the auditorium?

· The auditorium will brief at the Unclassified and SECRET level.

· Is there a requirement for a work clock? If so, how many time zones?

· None.

· Is there a requirement for classification signage? If so, please provide the count and location.

· None.

· The requirement for amplification is a single unit that is 300 watts. Is this the total wattage or per channel?

· The government desires rich and immersive sound. Primary use of the speaker system is to play video/movie/music content, not for voice reinforcement. Therefore, the government will consider solutions which meet this intent. The original request was for 300 total wattage.

· The government user is not an expert in wattage per channel to meet the intent, and therefore values industry-expert opinion. The government requests any contractor proposal which exceeds the original 300 watt request explain why their proposed solution is superior to the original request.

· The requirement for amplification is to power the loudspeakers and subwoofers. The requirement for subwoofers is that they are "powered." Please clarify the requirements for amplification and what needs to be amplified.

· The requirement for an amplifier to power the subwoofers was an error. The government desires powered subwoofers. If a contractor elects to propose passive (non-powered) subwoofers, request the contract explain why their proposed solution is superior and how it better meets the intent for rich and immersive sound.

· What is the total count of required touch screen controllers and their locations?

· As described in the SoW: 1 Touch Screen Control Panel mounted into the Podium

· Please provide the finish requirements for the lectern.

· The government prefers a podium which matches the existing wood of the auditorium but will accept a black podium.

· Is 21 rack units sufficient to house the audiovisual gear?

· The government is not an expert on rack-sizing. The government believes a 21-rack unit to be sufficient. If a vendor requires a larger equipment rack to house their proposed A/V system, the government requests that the vendor explain what size is required and why it is necessary to house their proposal.

· Who is responsible for providing electrical power to the equipment rack?

· Building 187 has existing electricity which is already on. Otherwise, as described in the SoW: “The contractor shall create any required electrical works and cabling.”

· What are the overall dimensions of the auditorium?

· See attached sketch.

· What is the height from the floor to the ceiling?

· The ceiling is variable. At the stage, ceiling is 9 feet. At the floor in front of the stage, the ceiling is 9 feet 6 inches.

· What is the height from the ceiling to the deck of the building?

· See immediately above.