Questions and Answers SONET to DWDM Migration 20230802.docx

Questions and Answers SONET to DWDM Migration

1. Question: The SOW states a 21-month period of performance (PoP) and it is intended to account for the current lead times for network equipment delivery. Is it the Government’s intent to use the resource remotely during this time on an as-needed basis and then on-site for actual deployments and practice sessions? The ceiling amount provided in Section M of the RFP would point to this type of arrangement given the equipment requirements. If full time support or a more rigorous engagement is envisioned, a more robust ceiling would be appropriate. Depending on final configuration(s) required, the equipment could be a significant part of the funding requirements.

· Answer: A SOW revision has been posted that provides a preliminary schedule. The resource will not be full time. Once the practice deployments and the first few migrations are successful, the Government will independently continue the migration.

The Government is requesting a face to face introduction at a kick off meeting, on site or remote that will be jointly determined by the contractor and the Government.

1. Question: Can the Government confirm it is the Government’s intent to install/commission the 3926 and 5142 assets organically with limited Ciena support (consulting only) after practice sessions?

· Answer: The Government prefers to maintain accessibility to the support resource during the first few migrations. After that, the Government will install/commission with limited support.

1. Question: How does the Government envision support? Will support be primarily ad-hoc (other than full time remote) to discuss requirements and provide primarily remote support for the requirements in paragraph 2.1 with a “few” site visits during the PoP? Does the Government have a notional time period of actual Ciena Consulting Engineer engagement over the course of the 21 months PoP?

· Answer: Full time support may initially be appropriate but is not expected throughout the Period of Performance. See attachment 3 Schedule SONET to DWDM Migration for the Government’s notational time period of engineering engagement.

1. Question: The SOW refers to Attachment 1 and 2 to the SOW in paragraph 2.1.3 and 2.2, Excel spreadsheets with the draft migration schedule and the equipment and quantities with specific equipment requirements. Can the Government please provide these Attachments? The general nature of the equipment listed in the SOW and the RFP does not provide sufficient information for us to provide a specific equipment solution for each equipment type. We were unable to locate those attachments in the SAM.gov notice.

· Answer: Refer to updated Attachment 1 Statement of objectives and newly incorporated attachment 3 and 4.