Attachment 14 - Questions and Answers (10 November 2021).pdf

Solicitation FA452821R0010 Attachment 14 – Questions and Answers

1. Does the incumbent staff meet the certification requirements listed?

No, the current staff do not meet the certification requirements listed.

2. If not, will the government allow time for the awarded contractor to train and certify the incumbent staff?

Yes, the Government will allow time for the awarded contractor to train and certify the incumbent staff

3. The PWS references an ISP/OSP installer II certification - can the government clarify what certifying agency the referenced certification is issued from?

BICSI

4. Can the government clarify the frequency of the workload/status meetings?

Workload/status meetings will be conducted once every two weeks.

5. Can the government provide an estimate on how many technical solutions are requested per year?

It is estimated that there will be at least 350 technical solutions per year.

6. Does this number correlate to the amount of work orders per year or are there technical solutions that are requested but never gain approval to be performed?

Yes, this number correlates to the amount of work orders per year. 99.9% of solutions Requested are performed.

7. Is the base CSIR up to date with current and accurate CVC data, electronic installation drawings, and required shape files uploaded and verified?

The base CSIR is up to date. However, large projects concluded the summer 2021 and CVC needs to be updated. The current contractor is required to update CVC prior to end of contract Feb 28, 2022.

8. If not, can the government confirm that contractor activities to transfer records to the base CSIR outside of CVC data collected/confirmed during routine O&M activities outlined in the PWS will be accomplished through the work order process.

Reference Question 7.

9. Section 2.0 Service Delivery Summary references paragraphs that do not match the content of the table provided. Can the government confirm that there are not missing paragraphs from the PWS and provide an updated SDS that reflects the paragraphs which contain intended descriptions of the performance information. (Paragraphs 1.3.13-1.3.15 are referenced but do not exist.)

See below for updated references that were incorrect. References not noted below are correct on original document and remain unchanged.

Paragraphs 1.3.14 and 1.3.15 do exist. 1.3.13 does not exist and is not missing.

Provide sufficient and qualified personnel to perform the requirements 1.2.6 Add: Perform PMI of fiber strand utilization 1.3.3.3 No more than one instance of failure to perform PMIs IAW PWS Perform PMI of Manholes and handholes 1.3.3.4 Perform PMI of Terminals 1.3.3.5 Perform PMI of Distribution Pedestal Terminals 1.3.3.6 Perform PMI Cable Analysis 1.3.3.7 Provide location, staking, and marking services 1.3.5 Provide Contractor support services IAW the PWS 1.3.10

6. Due to the current high volatility of materials pricing and supply chain issues, most of our distributors are experiencing difficulties getting accurate pricing timely for the 1,000+ separately priced PIDs. Would the Government please consider extending the proposal due date by 1 week?

The due date has been extended to 1 December 2021 at 2:00 PM CST

7. Also due to the current high volatility of materials pricing and supply chain issues would the Government consider allowing for PID price adjustments on individual materials that increase in price by 10% during the life of the contract? This would allow Contractors to submit competitive pricing on the Attachment 3- BTS PID Pricing Worksheet (Updated) without burdening this with an unknown future pricing factor since normal year escalation factors are incompatible with current commodity pricing. As an example in 2021 we have experienced a 400% swing in conduit pricing alone.

Since this requirement is solicited as a Firm Fixed Price acquisition there will be no economic price adjustment. However, if offerors wish to mark up their option years they are allowed to do so.

8. There does not appear to be an obvious/specific Federal/Military exemption/exclusion regarding the application of Sales and Use tax of 5.5% by the North Dakota Sales Office of State Tax Commissioner. There is a possible exemption for tangible personal property if the “project owners” (MINOT AFB) provide an exemption letter issued by the Tax Commissioner stating that contractors are not liable for sales or use tax. Would the Government supply this exemption letter for all BTS purchases so that contractors can be exempted from these taxes and not have to add an unnecessary 5.5% in taxes to its pricing to the Government?

i. “Contractors that purchase and install or consume tangible personal property eligible for exemption are required to pay sales or use tax on all property used in an exempt project unless the project owner provides an exemption letter issued by the Tax Commissioner stating that contractors are not liable for sales or use tax. Project owners may apply for a refund of tax paid by contractors on property qualifying for exemption.”

ii. https://www.nd.gov/tax/user/businesses/exemptionsrefundscredits---businesses/sales-tax-exemptions

Upon award a Tax Exemption letter will be provided to the contractor.

9. PID 7012 Cable locating beyond 50,000 FT is currently only asking for a “Purchase” price, however, shouldn’t this be under the “Install” price column?

Since this is locating of cable no installation price only location per foot.

10. Would the Government please clarify what PIDs 7001 (LV1) and 7002 (LV2) are supposed to represent?

Low voltage one gang ring for drywall and Low voltage two gang ring for drywall.

11. Would the Government please provide manufacture and part numbers for the following:

i. 7003 Multi Purpose Telephone Splice Enclosure 48" x 11 3/8" x 23 "

ii. 7004 Distribution Closure 10" UP to 600 Pair Metallic Gray Green

iii. 7005 Distribution Closure 8" Up to 400 Pair Metallic Gray-Green

No part numbers to provide. Awardee will provide part numbers when providing a technical solution.

12. The Attachment 3 - BTS PID Pricing Worksheet (Updated) does not have any PIDs for Labor Categories. Most BTS contracts have PIDS for typical labor categories to be applied for work that is not explicitly covered in the listed PIDs. Would the Government please consider adding an hourly rate PID for Cable Technician, Switch Technician, Cable Splicer, Lineman, and Laborer?

Labor Categories will not be added to the PID as these are evaluated at the work order level

PWS 1.4 Work Order Requirements refers to the “Equipment and Installation Performance Specification”

(EIPS).

1.4 Work Order Requirements

The Contractor shall comply with the following requirements. Examples of work orders include, but are not limited to, equipment purchases, installations, removals, or wiring relocations. Additionally, work orders may include installation or removal of cables/transmission media, as required for new requirements, and follow-on O&M of these equipment items/media. All work orders will include a technical solution. The COR will be notified of any installation found to be incomplete or not installed according to industry standards. The Contractor shall maintain the installed infrastructure. The Equipment and Installation Performance Specification (EIPS) provides detailed descriptions of the material and labor effort (e.g.

material, labor, and incidentals for installation, removal, and/or relocation) required by the attached Pricing Table and identified by PIDs. When an item required to complete a work order is not pre-priced within the Pricing Table, the Government may negotiate the addition of these items, or opt to use another vehicle to accomplish the task.

Can the Gov’t please provide the EIPS?

The EIPS has been provided in this solicitation as Attachment 15 – EIPS.

13. Security states:

The Contractor shall follow security guidelines IAW DoDI 8100.04, DoDI 8570.01-M and the Defense Switched Network Security Technical Implementation Guide (DSN STIG). At the end of each work period, all Government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured. The O&M Contractor shall provide adequate personnel on site with Security+ certification and AVAYA/ CISCO CCIE or equivalent qualifications to support VoIP operations. The contractor must provide certification prior to start of work and maintain currency of certification throughout the life of the contract.

Is CCIE a typo (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)? It is highly unusual to have this high of an “on-site” certification expertise requirement on a BTS contract. The salary demand and availability of Cisco talent of that magnitude for MINOT, ND seems excessive for a Tier 1 level O&M requirement.

Security + certification is sufficient for this position. Cisco CCIE is not required.

14. Would the Government please remove the “CCIE” requirement?

Yes, the requirement is Security +

15. Personnel states:

The Contractor is solely responsible for ensuring sufficient personnel are assigned to this contract and all personnel are qualified and certified at a minimum on Security +, CUCM administration, AVAYA administration, and ISP/OSP installer II to perform the requirements listed herein, including those qualifications and certifications required by the OEM requirements to maintain, install, or operate the equipment covered by this contract including current certifications for all voice switching systems.

Does the statement that “all” personnel mean that “each person” must have all the qualifications and certifications called out in the paragraph, or is it intended to mean that at least “one” person has one of the qualifications/certifications covered so that combined all quals/certs are accounted for?

At least one qualified technician with certifications must be available at all times. How the contractor chooses to separate the certifications is up to the contractor as long as certified technicians are available on site.

16. What is the current “Voice Switching System” that personnel must have “current certifications” for?

AVAYA CM4 and Avaya CM7 and CISCO Caller 11.5.

17. Does the incumbent staff have all the required certifications needed to fulfill PWS 1.2.6? If not, which (and how many) quals/certifications are missing in the incumbent staff?

Secuirty + (1), Avaya ACIS (1), CUCM Admin (0), Avaya Admin (1), ISP/OSP Installer (0)

18. Sec L Price Volume, 1.3.8.4.2.2, states:

The Construction Wage Rate (formerly known as Davis-Bacon Act) is applicable to Work Orders or Special Projects with an aggregated dollar value exceeding $2,000.00 for construction, alteration and/or repair. Some of the PIDS for installation could be both SCA and Construction Wage applicable, dependent upon individual Work Order requirements.

How many CWR/DBA work orders are expected per year?

No more than 2 CWR/DBA work orders per year

19. What is the historical average in CWR/DBA work orders per year?

The historical average in CWR/DBA work orders per year is 2

20. What percentage of work orders exceed $2,000?

6%

21. How many special projects are expected per year?

Special projects were removed from the PWS for this contract

22. What is the historical average in special projects per year?

23. What percentage of special projects per year exceed $2,000 (necessitating CWR/DBA)?

24. Based on this requirement, would all work orders and special projects in excess of $2,000 be subject to CWR/DBA wage determinations?

No, all work orders in excess of $2,000.00 will be not be subjected to CWR/DBA wage determinations.

25. CWR/DBA Wage Determination wages/fringe are more than 40.35% higher than SCA Wage Determined wages/fringe! Isn’t it likely that based on the CWR/DBA description above of “construction, alteration and/or repair” that all or a majority of all PIDS for work orders/special projects will be subject to CWR/DBA “Attachment 5 - Wage Determination ND20210031 (Building)” and “Attachment 6 - Wage

Determination ND2020043 (Heavy)” wage determinations?

No, the majority of work orders do not fall under CWR/DBA.

26. Does CRW/DBA require contractor to comply with weekly “certified payroll” reporting requirements to be submitted to the Government?

Certified payroll is only required under work orders that use CRW/DBA Wage Rates.

27. Sec L Price Volume, 1.3.8.4.2.2, states:

Some of the PIDS for installation could be both SCA and Construction Wage Rate applicable, dependent upon individual Work Order requirements. By referencing the Construction Wage Rate determination, inserting the appropriate Wage Rate clauses into the solicitation, and identifying the types of effort that may occur, offerors are able to identify the appropriate SCA/ Construction wage Rate labor mix based upon their technical appropriate labor mix for the level of effort required to perform the services described in the PWS and associated appendices for the Work Order services and price allocations for the installation of PIDs in the Pricing Worksheet based upon their knowledge and experiences. The Government will not assume responsibility for any omission but rather rely on the Offeror’s knowledge of the requirement and industry to price appropriately for either situation.

Given that neither the Government nor Contractors know the makeup of any future work order(s), it would be impossible to predict which PIDs would be SCA and which CWR/DBA. Would the Government instead consider having contractors price all PIDS as SCA ONLY while also proposing a separate PERCENTAGE INCREASE (XX%) factor on any work orders that are, upon issuance, determined to be CWR/DBA? This would provide the best scenario for both the Government and the contractors, as the SCA PID pricing would not be unnecessarily overfunded to account for unknown SCA vs CWR/DBA and it reduces the risk of the contractor from simply guessing. This ___% FACTOR would only be applied to the LABOR PIDs when CRW/DBA was required.

The Government does not plan to incorporate a separate percentage increase for CWR/DBA work orders.

28. Would you please confirm that neither Buy American Act nor the Trade Agreement Act applies to materials/equipment purchased under this contract?

Both the Buy American Act applies however the Trade Agreement Act does not apply.

29. Sec L Price Volume 1.3.7.2, states:

If a teaming arrangement/Joint Venture is contemplated for this solicitation, offerors shall submit any recent and relevant performance information on previous teaming arrangements/Joint Ventures with the same partner or as the same CAGE code in this solicitation. If this is a first time joint effort, each party to the arrangement must provide past performance information on no more than three (3) contracts each.

Does the Government consider a “teaming agreement” the same thing as a “joint venture”?

The Government considers a teaming agreement as “an agreement in which (1) who or more companies form a partnership or joint venture to act as a potential prime contractor, or (2) a potential prime contractor agrees with one or more other companies to have them act as subcontractor under a specified government contract.”

The Government considers joint venture as “a legal entity in the nature of a partnership engaged in the joint prosecution of a particular transaction for mutual profit. It is a grouping of two of two or more persons or companies that, unlike a partnership, does not entail a continuing relationship between parties.”

30. Would a “subcontract” relationship between a Prime and a Sub (that is not a joint venture) be considered a “teaming arrangement”?

No it is not considered a teaming arrangement.

31. 1.3.7.1 A PPIF states:

Attachment 7, is provided with the solicitation for offerors to send to a maximum of three (3) references of their choice. Offerors should have PPIFs submitted for recent and relevant contracts performed for Federal agencies or commercial customers where offerors performed as the prime contractor that demonstrate the offerors’ ability to successfully perform the scope and breadth of the requirements described in the Performance Work Statement of this solicitation.

Are offerors only permitted to provide recent/relevant contract performance PPIF’s where the contractor itself was the “prime” or can offerors provide PPIF’s where they were a “substantial subcontractor” to a prime?

Offerors can provide PPIFs where they were a substantial subcontractor.

32. PWS Section 1.5.9 "Missile Alert Facility" states that:

Contractor must obtain unescorted access to the Missile Alert Facilities to perform daily duties.

Exactly what is required to gain unescorted access to the facilities?

Contractor must obtain a restricted area badge from the 91 MW.

Credentials include secret clearance, US citizen, and completion of escort training

33. Please provide clarification if the "daily duties" described in this Section are part of the O&M, or if these activities are in support of Work Orders and/or Special Projects?

Work orders and O&M. Special projects have been removed from this requirement.

34. In addition, please provide some metrics for how frequently this access will be required, and any other unique requirements to perform work in this area (special training/certification, access request process, etc)?

See question 34 for access request requirements. Frequency, as required.

35. Do the "daily duties" in the MAF Areas include supporting any equipment, or are these activities strictly for cable plant support (cabling, jacks, fiber, etc)?

Cable plant support as well as VoIP

36. If so, please list exactly what equipment we must support?

VoIP phones

37. What is the Driving Distance and estimated drive time to each MAF?

Please see attachments 16 and 17 in the solicitation

38. In light of the Minot mission (and unescorted access requirement) at locations such as the missile alter facilities (MAF), weapon storage areas (WSA), SCI SCIFs, command posts (CP) and communications closets with SIPR, Is a Facility Clearance required? If so, at what level (Secret, TS, etc)?

Facility Clearance is required and the requirement level is Secret.

39. Should the Prime Contractor provide proof of its Security Facility Clearance in VOLUME I – TECHNICAL 1.3.6.3 Management/Manpower 1.3.6.3.1?

The Prime Contractor does not need to provide security facility clearance in Volume 1 – Technical 1.3.6.3.1.

40. Are there areas that must be accessed by the contractor that traverse rugged terrain and require 4x4 vehicle access?

No, However 4x4 is preferable during winter weather.

41. PWS 1.3.11 Technical Solutions states:

Contractor shall perform detailed technical solutions for work intended to be performed under this contract upon receipt of a written request for the COR. The technical solution includes a listing of those efforts/items required to complete the job and shall be provided to the COR using the work order format specified in PWS Section 1.4. The Contractor shall provide the proposed solution to the COR within 10 working days from receipt of requirement unless a longer period is agreed to by the COR and documented on the requirement.

Historically the number of Technical Solutions would be included in the APPENDIX 1. – WORKLOAD ESTIMATES. In the incumbent contract, there were over 600 Technical Solutions each year identified in the workload estimates. Would the Government please advise what the Workload Estimate would be for this upcoming contract for Technical Solutions?

Tech solutions should match work orders - 350

42. The paragraph above refers to PWS Section 1.4, which are Work Orders that are funded under CLIN X002. PWS 1.4 further states that, “All work orders will include a technical solution.” So the presumption is that Technical Solutions are billable, however, it is not clear what Pricing Table PID is to be charged for such Technical Solutions. Would the Government please specify what PID(s) is to be used for Technical Solutions, or if one does not exist please add one?

Technical solutions are part of the work order process. No CLINs are provided to separate the technical solution from the work order.

43. Attachment 9 – Section L: Section 1.3.5.11 states that “registration confirmation for NAICS 517311” is required on the Cover Page. Please confirm that a screenshot from the System for Award Management (SAM) showing HUBZone Small Business status is compliant with this requirement.

A screenshot from SAM is compliant with this requirement.

44. Attachment 9 – Section L: Section 1.3.6.2.1 states: “Offerors shall submit a Quality Control Plan that addresses all requirements of the PWS, specifically PWS para 1.3.15.14.” There is no paragraph 1.3.15.14 in the PWS. Please provide the correct PWS reference.

Section L: para 1.3.6.2.1 has been updated with the correct PWS reference.

45. Attachment 9 – Section L: 1.3.6.3.1. The instruction to include “… and/or Government experience supporting Base Telecommunication Services.” Please clarify: is the Government requesting offerors to include experience staffing similar BTS efforts? Or are offerors to provide their BTS experience?

The Government is requesting offerors to include experience staffing similar BTS efforts.

46. Attachment 9 – Section L: Section 1.3.7 Volume II – Past Performance. Please confirm that offerors may submit final Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) evaluations in lieu of Past Performance Information Forms (PPIFs).

CPARS evaluations will not be accepted in lieu of PPIFS.

47. Attachment 9 – Section L: Section 1.3.7 states that the “Past Performance Volume consists of Past Performance Information Forms (PPIFs) – Attachment 7.” However, Section 1.3.7.1.2 and Section 1.3.7.3 require additional information in the Past Performance Volume (points of contact and subcontractor consent forms). Please confirm that there is no page limit for Volume II – Past Performance.

There is no page limit for Volume II – Past Performance.

48. Attachment 9 – Section L: Section 1.3.7.2: “If a teaming arrangement/Joint Venture is contemplated for this solicitation, offerors shall submit any recent and relevant performance information on previous teaming arrangements/Joint Ventures with the same partner or as the same CAGE code in this solicitation. If this is a first time joint effort, each party to the arrangement must provide past performance information on no more than three (3) contracts each.”

Does “teaming arrangement” and “joint effort” include prime contractor/subcontractor teaming arrangements? Or is this section strictly referring to Joint Ventures?

Please ref to Question 29

49. Attachment 9 – Section L: Section 1.3.8.4 of Attachment 9 (Section L) requires offerors to “complete Attachment 3, CLIN Structure/Pricing Worksheet.” The Attachment 3 spreadsheet included with Amendment 0002 is titled “Attachment 3 BTS PID Pricing Worksheet”. Is this the same attachment the Government refers to in Section 1.3.8.4?

Yes this is correct. Section 1.3.8.4 has been updated to reflect the correct file name.

50. Attachment 9 – Section L states: “The following is a brief explanation of Attachment 2, CLIN Structure/Pricing Worksheet.” The Attachment 2 spreadsheet included with Amendment 0002 is titled “Attachment 2 BTS Pricing Worksheet”. Is this the same attachment the Government refers to in Section 1.3.8.4?

Yes this is correct. Section 1.3.8.4 has been updated to reflect the correct file name.

51. Attachment 9 – Section L: Section 1.3.8.4.2 states: “Insert the base and option year totals into the RFP. The RFP and PID shall both be submitted as part of the pricing proposal.” What does the Government mean by “RFP” in these requirements? Does it refer to Attachment 2?

RFP means Request for Proposal.

52. Attachment 9 – Section L: Section 1.3.8.4.3 asks offerors to fill-in the “HIGHLIGHTED cells only using the digital EXCEL Spreadsheets provided as attachments. Do not attempt to alter any fields other than the highlighted cells.” Both Attachment 2 and Attachment 3 have multiple non-highlighted cells that would need to be filled in. For example, in Attachment 2, offerors would need to fill in the Unit Price columns, which are not highlighted. Can the Government please clarify exactly what needs to be filled in for each spreadsheet?

Attachment 2 and 3 have been corrected and highlighted cells have been included.

53. Attachment 10 – Section M: Section 2.4 Synopsis of Evaluation (Past Performance) states that the Government “will only evaluate the 10 most current efforts that are deemed recent and relevant for each offeror.” However, Section L (1.3.7.1) instructs offerors to send the Past Performance Information Forms (PPIFs) to a maximum of three (3) references. Please clarify how many past performance contracts/PPIFs offerors may include.

Offerors may only submit 3 PPIF References however, they may provide any reference contracts in their Past Performance Volume.

54. Attachment 1 – BTS PWS: Section 1.5.9 Missile Alert Facility specifies that the contractor must obtain unescorted access to the Missile Alert Facilities to perform daily duties. Does this mean the personnel on-site require a security clearance?

Yes, personnel must have a secret clearance

55. Attachment 1 – BTS PWS: Appendix 2, Section 2.3.1 – Items to Be Maintained by the Contractor When was the last time maintenance was provided for the batteries?

Batteries for what system?

56. Attachment 1 – BTS PWS: Appendix 2, Section 2.3.1 – Items to Be Maintained by the Contractor is annual maintenance required for the batteries?

57. Attachment 1 – BTS PWS: Appendix 2, Section 2.3.1– Items to Be Maintained by the Contractor when was the last time batteries were replaced?

58. Attachment 1 – BTS PWS: Appendix 2, Section 2.3.1– Items to Be Maintained by the Contractor can the Government provide the latest annual maintenance report for the batteries?

59. PWS Page 2 1.2.6-The Contractor is solely responsible for ensuring sufficient personnel are assigned to this contract and all personnel are qualified and certified at a minimum on Security +, CUCM administration, AVAYA administration, and ISP/OSP installer II. Is the Training for CISCO CUCM Administration provided under the CISCO JELA contract available to the contractor?

The training is not provided under this contract.

60. PWS Page 3 1.3.1.1 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) The Contractor shall provide CISCO and AVAYA VoIP operation to include installation of end user items as part of the BTS. Please provide VoIP system architecture drawings

The Government doesn’t not have any VoIP architecture drawings.

61. PWS Page 3 1.3.1.1 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) The Contractor shall provide CISCO and AVAYA VoIP operation to include installation of end user items as part of the BTS.

Is it the government’s intention to decommission the Avaya or CISCO equipment at some point during this contract?

We are in the process of downsizing the Avaya switch. Cannot say for sure if it will be decommissioned during this contract.

62. PWS Page 3 & 22 , 1.3.1.1, Appendix 2.2, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) - Contractor-furnished equipment (CFE)/Contractor-furnished material (CFM). Is the sustainment, parts replacement and technical support for the existing Avaya CM7 equipment covered under the Air Force Cyber Transport Systems (CTS) Sustainment contract?

No

63. PWS Page 3& 22 , 1.3.1.1, Appendix 2.2,Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) - Contractor-furnished equipment (CFE)/Contractor-furnished material (CFM). Is the sustainment, parts replacement and technical support for the existing CISCO CUCM equipment covered under the CISCO DoD Joint Enterprise Level Agreement (JELA)?

Yes

64. PWS Page 6 & 22, 1.3.7, Appendix 2.2 Voice Mail - Contractor-furnished equipment. Is the sustainment, parts replacement and technical support for the CISCO UNITY equipment covered under the CISCO DoD Joint Enterprise Level Agreement (JELA)?

65. PWS Page 6 & 22, 1.3.7, Appendix 2.2 Voice Mail - Contractor-furnished equipment. Is the sustainment, parts replacement and technical support for the existing Avaya Voice Mail equipment covered under the Air Force Cyber Transport Systems (CTS) Sustainment contract?

No

66. How many VOIP lines, how many POTS, ISDN, T1’S and Business lines List of all equipment that contractor is required to maintain under this new contract?

Appx. 3000 VoIP lines (this is a moving number, always increasing), appx. 4500 pots (this is a moving number, always decreasing), ISDN (0), T1s (0), Business lines (0)

67. Would the Government please provide a list number of long- haul circuits?

N/A

68. What is the number of incoming and outgoing trunks?

2 DSN, 7 local, 8 FTS 2000

69. Is the base currently using Sip trunks, or is the plan to go to Sip trunking soon?

Minot does not use Sip trunking we are on TDM.

70. Please provide a list of any manufactured discontinued equipment still in use and its current operational condition.

Avaya 3GR, Avaya Voicemail

71. What type of voice mail system is current in use? What is the government planning to upgrade to: Cisco call manager or using the AVAYA system for voice mail? As both systems require licensing, will offerors need to include this in the cost of the maintenance agreement?

CISCO Unity 11.5 is the voice mail system in use.

72. Regarding the number of buildings currently supported today, are these buildings wired with CAT 3, 5 or 6 wire, and what types of jacks being used RJ 11, 14 or 45? If buildings are CAT 3 will there be a requirement to upgrade to CAT 6, and who will complete the upgrade?

CAT 3 (Clinic facility only), Remainder of facilities have CAT 5 or CAT 6 /RJ45 connectors

73. Are there any plans for new construction, or rehabs of buildings going on now? What is the estimated number of com services required? Will the awardee be required to install the Inside wire and jacks?

New construction and rehabs cover new installation of CAT 6 cables from the wall to the patch panels so the awardee will not be required to install the inside wire and jacks for these projects.

74. The current upgrade from AVAYA CM4 to a CM7: will this be completed before the new contract starts and are the plans to replace the CM7 with a Cisco solution and if that is the case will this be completed before new contract starts?

Conversion from CM4 to CM7 will not be complete before new contract starts. CM4 sits in front of the CM7 and will remain.

75. Will the awardee be responsible to decommission and remove old equipment?

No, the awardee will not be responsible to decommission and remove old equipment.

76. Will the Cisco equipment be AC or DC powered and what is the current condition of the Base’s power plant?

The CISCO equipment is on AC but will kick over to DC powered UPS in case of loss of power

77. What shape is the DC plant in? Are there plans to replace it? Do you have any PM requirements for testing this plant and is the contractor’s responsibility?

Eaton 40KVA UPS had batteries replaced in Fall of 2019. The contractor is not responsible for this UPS.

DC plant is in good shape and no plans to replace it at this time. Only voltage check PMIs completed by awardee

78. Is the base prone to power outages?

79. What is currently being used for a data base system for moves, adds, and changes, trouble tickets, work orders and phone number directory? Is it the Cair’s system or some other type and is it current and up to date?

CAIRS and CISCO Call Manager are used for moves, adds, and changes. Remedy is used for trouble tickets, and CIPS is used for Work orders.

80. Is contractor responsible for or having an inventory of phones for repair or replacement; if so, are re-manufactured phones allowed; and, if yes what would the warranty need to be on these phones? Would the government provide a list of the type of phones needed on this contract?

VoIP phones will be new replacements. CISCO 7821, CISCO 7841, and CISCO 8851NR (these are the most current phones but will change as upgrades are available)

81. Are there any maintenance agreements with AVAYA or Cisco currently and will it be a requirement on the new contract?

There are no maintenance agreements with AVAYA or Cisco, and it will not be a requirement on the new contract.

82. What do you have for OSP type of cable fille, Air-core, 24ga? Is any of the cable loaded and what is the current condition?

Air-Core (0), 24ga (yes). Yes copper cable is loaded and is degraded. (Minot AFB is actively moving from copper to fiber)

83. Estimated number of OSP cable jobs per year, does base allow direct buried splices?

Yes, base allows direct buried splices when required. Most OSP cable jobs are outsourced.

84. Does the Base have any aerial cable?

No

85. Is all OSP cable point-to-point or is bridged throughout the base?

OSP cable is connected from ITNs to Edge buildings.

86. Are there complete records and drawings of all Base outside and inside plant and is it current?

Outside plant cable is current. However, summer 2021 fiber installation projects need to be updated in

CVC.

87. Who is responsible for digging cable up and or placing new cable?

Most cable projects are completed via the communications work plan and are outsourced. Cable cuts are repaired by user who cuts the cable.

88. Average number of cable locates per month: what type of cable records are maintained, and is it accurate and up to date?

Average of 12 per month over 12 months. Cable locates occur mainly between April – October so monthly average could be 20 per month during these months. Cable records are accurate. New projects installed summer 2021 still need to be updated in CVC.

89. Hand holes and manholes: do they have sump pumps in them to keep water out, and what type of splice cases is utilized?

No sump pumps in manholes or handholes. Various splice cases are used.

90. For 24/7 alarms, what is utilized? A Teleboss unit was noted in one of the racks. If that is what is used, who monitors them and who dispatches if needed after hours or weekends?

5 CS provides connections for alarms and do not maintain the alarm systems.

91. Will there be overtime, or on call time? What is the estimated number of callouts per year?

Yes, 2-5