Questions and Answers BTS FA448421R0004.pdf

Solicitation FA448421R0004 Base Telecommunications System Service

Questions & Answers

Question: Attachment 1, PWS 1.2.7 indicates that “contractor must deliver a plan to provide mission essential services within 30 days of contract award.” Attachment 4 instructs the Plan is part of the proposal submission.

Is the referenced Plan required in the offeror’s proposal submission?

Answer: This document is required to be submitted with the proposal as a separate document.

Question: In which proposal volume should offerors submit the written plan for the Continuation of

Essential Contractor Services Plan?

Answer: Plan for continuation of Essential Services will be submitted as a separate document along with the proposal.

Question: With the rise of COVID cases nationwide, would the Government please consider offers submitted via email as an acceptable submission of proposal?

Answer: Yes. All proposal documents will be submitted using E-Mail.

Question: Will the Government accept CPARS in lieu of PPQs?

Answer: PPQ’s will be the main documents to be reviewed demonstrating the past experience and capabilities. CPARS can also be submitted for consideration

Question: Please clarify: Are the telephone systems being replaced for all locations -- McGuire, Dix, and

Lakehurst?

Answer: There’s a VoIP project in progress at McGuire to install an Avaya CM8. Subscribers on the

McGuire AS5300 and MSL-100 will be migrated to the CM 8. Lakehurst and Dix are not included in the project.

Question: What is the manufacturer’s name, model, replacing the old system?

Answer: Avaya CM8

Question: When will the transition into the new systems occur?

Answer: The current ECD is 9/21.

Question: Are incumbent employees certified in the new system?

Answer: The incumbent employees are not trained on the new system yet. Training will be provided as a part of the installation project.

Question: If transition to the new telephone system occur prior to the award, will the awardee be given time to ensure employees are certified to perform services to the new system?

Answer: Training will be provided to the current contract employees which may or may not be prior to award. If the transition occurs prior to the award the employees will be trained.

The reference to PWS 4.14 does not exist in Attachment 1, Performance Work Statement, but should reference PWS 1.2.7. Please verify. Last statement of PWS 1.2.7 states: The contractor must deliver a plan to provide mission essential services within 30 days of contract award. Attachment 4 section C3 states to submit the plan with offer. Please provide clarification

Question: When are the completed PPQs due to the JBMDL

Answer: PPQ’s can be submitted to the Contract Specialist at any time from present to proposal due date.

Question: The numbering scale of 0 to 5 do not correlate to the table bearing the ratings Outstanding, Satisfactory, etc. What are the instructions the assessor should refer to for the numbering scales 0 through

5 and N/A?

Answer: All instructions for completing the PPQ is located within the Questionnaire.

Question: What is the Prevailing Wage for the DBA for work orders in CLINs X005-X009?

Answer: Currently the solicitation and potential award will contain the SCA Wage Determinations for

Burlington and Ocean counties within New Jersey. DBA is currently under discussion and will only apply if construction related work is required.

Question: How does the government intend to determine the pay rate for PID projects more than $2500 and 32hrs?

Answer: Currently, the rates to be considered will utilize the SCA and Burlington & Ocean Wage

Determinations.

Question: The following statement appears in PWS paragraph 1.4: “Refurbished phone instruments will not be accepted”. Many of the listed phone instruments are no longer manufactured and are only available as refurbished. This also applies to the common equipment, line, trunk circuit packs for the discontinued Nortel and Avaya systems. Until these systems are replaced with new technology the

Government may have to accept refurbished hardware. Please provide clarification.

Answer: Refurbished will be accepted when new is not available.

Question: Also, many legacy VoIP phone systems are not capable of supporting AS-SIP and therefore the IP phones are H.323 (not SIP). If non-AS-SIP IP phones fail on a system that is not capable of supporting AS-SIP, must they be moved to a system that is capable of supporting AS-SIP?

Answer: The CM 8 is capable of AS-SIP, the phones for the system will be provided and the appendix

5.2 will be updated as GFE.

Question: Have the existing -48VDC battery systems been maintained properly and are cell readings/ records available for all GNB -48VDC Absolyte battery strings?

Answer: Yes. Monthly PMIs are available. Additionally, support & sustainment are available on another Government contract for the power plants. It’s not the BTS contractor’s responsibility to provide parts for the power plants.

Question: What was the date of installation for each rectification and battery system?

Answer: Government declines to provide this information. Not relevant to the bid. As stated above, the power plants are covered under a separate sustainment contract.

Question: This section appears to have conflicting information: The following statement appears midway through PWS section 4.2.2: “Personnel assigned to IAT-II positions are required to obtain and maintain the minimum certification within six months of filling this position”. The last sentence of PWS section

4.2.2 reads as follows: “The Contractor must submit proof of the Security+ certification for applicable personnel to the Government prior to performance on this contract”. Please provide clarification.

Answer: IAT requirements are guidance for AFNET Admin credentials, the Sec+ certification for personnel is a requirement for the contract.

Question: If our assigned onsite technical resources are temporarily unable to perform services due to contracting Covid-19 and backup resources are required, can the contractor charge for the additional backup resources while permanent resources recover? We are supporting other BTS O&M contracts and, the Government has temporarily positioned its civilian workforce when back up is required due to pandemic related issues. Is this an option at JBMDL?

Answer: Payment to employees is at the discretion of the contractor. The number of personnel and wages designated at the time of contract award will be firm.

Question: If existing resources contract Covid-19 and new replacement resources are required, will new replacement resources have six (6) months to obtain the required Security+ certification? Please reference question #11.

Answer: The 6 months is a reference to guidance from the AF on obtaining admin credentials. Any personnel that are going to become admins would get the 6 months.

Question: Does the Government possess historical records regarding the number of utility pole replacements performed on an annual basis? How many utility poles are currently scheduled for replacement?

Answer: Negative. The majority of utility poles are joint-use and divested to JCP&L. JCP&L is responsible for replacing the joint-use poles. The dedicated poles that need to be replaced are Id’d by the

BTS contractor and replaced as a work order.

Question: Is there a MFG list or Legacy spec that must be followed? If an OEM/MFG is not indicated will refurbished equipment be allowed?

Answer: OEM documents must be followed when identified, and refurbished is allowed when new is not available.

Question: Please clarify: Do fiber splice types (fusion, mechanical, or jumpers) need to be pre-terminated and have test results?

Answer: This is contractor’s decision. The best practice when taking fiber off a new reel would be to do that. If the contractor decided to skip that step and install the fiber and then learn that the fiber was bad due to manufacturer’s defect the cable would have to be removed and replaced at the contractor’s expense. Test results before a cable is used are not required. Test results are due upon completion of the installation.

Question: What is the delivery expectation upon ordering; does a certain amount of material have to be in stock for rapid deployment?

Answer: The contractor is expected to complete work orders and trouble tickets in the timelines defined in the PWS. The contractor should determine what material should be in stock and available to do that.

Question: Should offerors include freight costs to the Government’s site in the pricing?

Answer: Potential Freight costs should be included within contractors proposal.

Question: How often will the pricing on the items for the equipment be negotiated?

Answer: Negotiations should not be required. Pricing of equipment should be listed within the pricing

List.

Question: Do MFG equipment warranties need to be factored into the pricing?

Answer: I’m not sure what this refers to. Generally, I would say that it’s at the discretion of the bidder.

Question: Att. 4, Addendum to 52.212-1(2) states, “Hand carried proposals are to be brought to..." Will the Government please clarify whether a hard copy submission the only acceptable method for proposal submission. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, and mail delays, we respectfully request the ability to submit offers electronically.

Answer: Submittal of proposals shall be e-Mailed to the Contract Specialist.

Question: Att. 4, Addendum to 52.212-1(2) states, “Hand carried proposals are to be brought to...”.

Should hard copy submission be required, will the Government please clarify how many hard copies of the proposal are required?

Answer: Proposals shall be submitted by eMail to the Contract Specialist. If hand carry is necessary, the submittal of one copy is sufficient.

Question: Reference: RFP page 3, 1. references the PWS as “Dated 16 March 2020,”however the

PWS (Attachment 1) is dated 26 June 2020. There is a date discrepancy in the Performance Work

Statement (PWS) (Attachment 1), as the RFP references the PWS dated 16 March 2020, but the PWS

Attachment 1 is dated 26 June 2020. Please confirm the correct version of the PWS has been released with the RFP and is correctly referenced?

Answer: Attachment 1 – PWS is dated 26 June 2020

Question: Reference: RFP page 3, 8. states, “The Offeror shall submit a Small Business Subcontracting

Plan in accordance with FAR Clause 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan. This requirement is separate from the Small Business Participation Factor and will not be evaluated as part of the

Small Business Participation Factor evaluation.

As this RFP is an 8(a) set-aside, will the Government please clarify whether a Small Business

Subcontracting Plan required?

Answer: Generally, a Subcontracting Plan is not required from a small business. The verbage is common wording within all service contracts. If required by the Contracting Officer, a plan will be requested from the contractor that wins the award and submitted within 30 days after contract award.

Question: RFP page 3, 8. states, “The Offeror shall submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan in accordance with FAR Clause 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan. This requirement is separate from the Small Business Participation Factor and will not be evaluated as part of the

Small Business Participation Factor evaluation." The Small Business Participation Factor evaluation criteria is not found within the RFP. Please provide the Small Business Participation Factor evaluation criteria or remove it from the RFP

Answer: Again, common verbage incorporated into all service contracts. Generally, a contracting officer will not request this, but the option may present itself. This is not an item that is submitted with the proposal.

Question: Attachment 5 – Labor Worksheet includes the incorrect solicitation number and title on many of the tabs. Attachment 5 – Labor Worksheet includes the incorrect solicitation number and title on many of the tabs. Will the Government please issue the correct version the Attachment 5, Labor Worksheet?

Answer: Attachment 5 has been corrected and a revised version has been uploaded to FBO within the betaSAM website.

Question: Attachment 5 – Labor Worksheet includes the incorrect solicitation number and title on many of the tabs. In order to provide accurate pricing, will the Government please issue a corrected Attachment

5 Labor Worksheet?

Answer: Attachment 5 has been corrected and a revised version has been uploaded to FBO within the betaSAM website.

Question: Attachment 3 – Past Performance Questionnaire is provided, but not referenced in the RFP instructions or evaluation criteria. Since the Attachment 3 – Past Performance Questionnaire is not referenced in the Instructions to Offerors, will the Government please clarify the instructions regarding

Attachment 3, and update the RFP accordingly?

Answer: All instructions to Offerors can be found within Attachment 4 – List of Provisions Specifically

Addendums 52.212-1 & 52.212-2

Question: Attachment 3 – Past Performance Questionnaires. If Attachment 3 Past Performance

Questionnaires are to be submitted, will the Government please state the associated due date for Offerors to return them by?

Answer: PPQ’s can be submitted to the Contract Specialist at any time between current day and the

Proposal Due Date 16 December 2020.

Question: Mission Essential Contractor Services Plan – PWS 1.2.7 states “The contractor must deliver a plan to provide mission essential services within 30 days of contract award.” Addendum to 52.212-1 -

Proposal Preparation Instructions (c)(3) states that a written Continuation of Essential Contractor Services

Plan is required to be submitted with the offer. Will the Government please clarify whether the Mission

Essential Contractor Services Plan is a deliverable after contract award, or whether the plan is to be submitted before the contract award with the proposal?

Answer: Mission Essential Contractor Services Plan shall be submitted with the contractors offer.

Question: Mission Essential Contractor Services Plan – PWS 1.2.7 states “The contractor must deliver a plan to provide mission essential services within 30 days of contract award.” Addendum to 52.212-1 -

Proposal Preparation Instructions (c)(3) states that a written Continuation of Essential Contractor Services

Plan is required to be submitted with the offer. If the Continuation of Essential Contractor Services Plan is required to be submitted with the offer, will the Government please state whether it is to be submitted as a separate volume, or provide direction as to where in the proposal it is to be included?

Answer: Continuation of Essential Contractor Services Plan is to be submitted as a separate document along with the proposal.

Question: Performance Work Statement 4.2.2 Privileged access, elevated accounts, and minimum VOIP

O&M qualifications states "The contractor is responsible for ensuring all employees responsible for VoIP

O&M, installation, relocation, and removal actions possess and maintain current Information Assurance

Technician (IAT) Level II professional certification during the execution of this contract." Will the government please clarify whether technicians performing the described O&M duties to VOIP instruments are required to have a IAT Level II certification, such as Security +, or is the requirement reserved for only those technicians working in systems attached to the AFNET?

Answer: Sec+/IAT Level II is for any techs that will need admin credentials or have admin accounts. A tech does not need admin credentials to plug a phone into a wall jack or to provision a phone. At a minimum, a vendor may want to have a primary and alternate.

Question: Far Clause 52.219-9 states that “This clause does not apply to small business concerns”. Please verify that the Government is not requiring a Small Business Subcontracting Plan to be submitted with the offerors proposal. If a small business plan is required which volume does the offeror include the

Plan in?

Answer: Generally, a Subcontracting Plan is not required from a small business. The verbage is common wording within all service contracts. If required by the Contracting Officer, a plan will be requested from the contractor that wins the award and submitted within 30 days after contract award.

Question: Is there a contractor manned work space at McGuire, Ft. Dix and Lakehurst (3 separate locations) and are personnel cross utilized working in both county’s? In order to accurately price this opportunity it is vital to know what county the personnel will be working in and what type of work they are performing so they can be classified correctly.

Answer: There’s contractor manned work space at McGuire, Dix, and Lakehurst central offices.

Personnel are cross utilized and working in both counties based on work load.

Question: Is the contractor required to only inspect five total COR accepted manholes per month or is the contractor required to inspect five manhole/handholes at McGuire, five at Dix Annex and five at

Lakehurst Annex for a total of fifteen per month? Same questions on the terminals, is the contractor required to inspect three total COR accepted terminals per month or is the contractor required to inspect three terminals at McGuire, three at Dix Annex and three at Lakehurst Annex for a total of nine per month?

Answer: In accordance with 1.3.3.3, contractor shall inspect five per month, not fifteen. Same for terminals three not nine.

Question:1.3.3.6 Utility Pole Maintenance (Dedicated) The Contractor shall inspect all dedicated communications poles listed in 5.2.5.B on an annual basis. The purpose is to insure that poles are checked for serviceability.

Appendix 5.2.B – Dix Annex 5.2.5 Dix Annex “This site contains 1450 joint use poles and 136 dedicated communications poles for aerial cabling. The site contains approx. 145 miles of aerial cabling. PWS

1.3.10 Aerial cable services states “All poles on JB-MDL are considered dedicated, joint, or non-joint utility poles.”

Please clarify if the Governments intends the contractor to inspect only the 136 communication poles as listed in 5.2.5B, or to inspect all poles on JB-MDL?

Answer: 136, not all poles. Joint-use poles are maintained by JCP&L

Question: 1.4.4 – Work orders Subject to the Davis Bacon Act. “The COR is authorized to place work orders & MACs directly with the Contractor for all CLINs/PIDs. The Contractor shall identify work orders where the DBA applies on the face of the work order. Work orders using CLINs X005-X009 may be subject to DBA dependent upon work effort to be performed. A copy of all DBA work orders shall be forwarded to the CA when approved, changed, and also when completed.”

Historically what percentage of the work orders have been classified as DBA? If the Davis Bacon Act is applicable to this contract please provide or identify the DBA wage Determination to be used.

Question: During the site visit conference call the question was asked if the contractor was responsible for the range, the Government answered no. In appendix 5.2, paragraph 5.2.5.1.B Copper Cable Type

Breakdown. There is range cable identified as the contractor responsibly. Is the contractor responsible for the range cable identified in appendix 5.2? If so, please provide additional information on “the range”

(location, etc.) and is there any other items on the range that the contractor is responsible for on this contract?

Answer: The contractor is responsible for all outside plant cable to include cabling on the range. On the call, it was stated the contractor is not responsible for the Range telephone switch which is maintained by another contractor.

Question: Is the Dix Annex the only location where aerial cable is located that the contractor is responsible for?

Answer: Negative. The Range area has aerial communications cabling as well.

Question: Attachment 4 – List of Provisions. C. Specific Instructions, number 3. “In accordance with

DFARS 237-7602 the contractor is required to submit a written plan for continuing the performance of this service with their offer.”

The Government has only identified two parts to the proposal, Part I- Price Proposal and Part II Past

Performance Information. Which Part of the proposal does this plan go under?

Answer: This document shall be submitted as a separate document along with the proposal.

Question: Attachment 4 – List of Provisions. General Information, Information regarding submission of

Proposal, states “hand carried proposals are to be brought to the 87th Contracting Squadron, 2402

Vandenberg Avenue, McGuire, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst NJ. The sealed envelope or package used to submit your proposal must show the time and date specified for receipt, the solicitation number, and the name and address of the offeror.

Offerors are cautioned that JB MDL, NJ has visitor control procedures requiring individuals not affiliated with the installation to obtain a visitor pass prior to entrance. Offerors should expect to be delayed when accessing the installation. Offerors should allow sufficient time to obtain a visitor pass and arrive at the bid depository PRIOR to the time specified for receipt. Late proposals will be processed in accordance with FAR 52.212-1(f) "Late submission, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers."

Given that the country is in the middle of a pandemic, we request the Government provide an alternate method for submitting proposals other than to “hand carry” proposals.

Answer: All proposals can be Emailed directly to the contract specialist.

Question: Attachment 6, Pricing Table, Tab A&B (CLIN X004-5), Line 17 and 59.

Both Line items have the same PID 3083 number and appear to be a duplication. Please clarify.

Answer: Correct. It’s a duplicate.

Question: Attachment 6, Pricing Table, Tab A&B (CLIN X004-5), Line 109.

Please verify the Government only wants an install price for this PID.

Answer: That’s correct. Install only. Contractor will not be required to purchase non-switched circuits.

Question: Attachment 6, Pricing Table, Tab A&B (CLIN X004-5), Line 290.

There isn’t a quantity for this PID item, please verify the Government wants the contractors to enter a purchase price for PID 3719.

Answer: Please provide a price. QTY missing is a mistake.

Question:Attachment 6, Pricing Table, Tab A&B (CLIN X004-5), Line 295.

There isn’t a quantity for this PID item, please verify the Government wants the contractors to enter a purchase price for PID 3721.

Question: Attachment 6, Pricing Table, Tab A&B (CLIN X004-5), Line 297.

There isn’t a quantity for this PID item, please verify the Government wants the contractors to enter a purchase price for PID 3722.

Question: Does the Government intend to allow for a transition/phase in period? This is usually necessary in order for contractors to provide a seamless change of hands.

Answer: It has been determined that the transition/phase in period shall begin immediately upon contract award to the winning contractor. The requiring agency Contracting Officer Representative shall closely accompany and assist contractor personnel within the first 30 days after contract award.

Question: Request that the Government extend the proposal due by at least one week (Dec 16).

Answer: Solicitation amendment has been posted to FBO within the betaSAM website extending the proposal Due Date to 16 December 2020, 1600 EST.