All_QandAs_Workbook_(4_May_17)_(Autosaved).pdf

Finalized Q As (Set 2)

FA4621-17-R-0004, BTS SERVICES

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Category Question Answer

General

Although McConnell AFB is exempted from “sales tax”, there is 1 type of tax applicable to services, materials or construction work performed at McConnell AFB that is not exempted and is required at McConnell, that is the “use tax” mandated by the KS at a rate of 7.5%. This tax is required by state statue and not exemptible on federal contracts per state regulations IAW Kansas Department of Revenue's basic sales tax publications, KS-1510 and Kansas Sales and Compensating Use Tax and KS-1520. This 7.5% combined “use tax” burden is applicable on the total invoice price to the government. As is the case, does the Government wish contractors to build these tax costs into the CLIN/SLIN/PID pricing or will the Government reimburse contractors separately for these tax costs?

IAW FAR Clause 52.212-4(l), the contract price includes all applicable Federal, State, and local taxes and duties.

PWS (19) Reference PWS 1.2.14.2 (page 13): Is the CVC 100% up to date?

No. Due to recent renovations and construction efforts, updates to CVC are still outstanding and are to be input into CVC when tasks that are issued through the work order process are completed, per PWS 1.2.14.6.2.

PWS Who handles battery testing and replacement?

Battery testing should be accomplished IAW PWS 1.2.3.1 as applicable; the contractor is responsible for contacting VSS for support if CS1000 batteries require replacement (See Appendix 5.4).

PWS What are the port counts? Approx. 4500 Digital/analog as of 4 May 2017 PWS What is the software release for each system? CS1000: 5.0; CM6: 6.3

PWS Reference 1.2.3.3 (p5&6): What shape are the manholes in now?

There is a Manhole PMI book that tracks Manhole Maintenance that will be available to the contract employees upon award. The shape of the manholes varies based on things like time of year and weather patterns.

PWS

Reference 1.2.5: What alarm notification do you have now? Contractor is responsible for all materials and equipment necessary to implement alarm notification and must comply with switching security standards. It states the contractor is responsible.

The current contractor utilized the alarm notification required in PWS 1.2.5 IAW their MSP, which is not available from the government. The contractor will be responsible for identifying their alarm notification method in their MSP, as identified in PWS 1.2.5.

PWS

Reference 1.2.14.1: Maintenance support plan a schedule of PMI due on each piece of equipment being maintained do you have that now? The government has a maintenance log that will be available to the contract employees upon award.

PWS

Reference 1.2.14.13: CLIN warranty records any min requirement for phones or other equipment? Warranty records are no longer required. PWS 1.2.14.13 has been updated.

PWS

(99) What are the port counts and port types (analog phones, digital phones, VOIP phones (Unistim/H.323), VOIP phones (SIP), analog trunks, digital trunks (T1), SIP trunks) for the systems to be covered by the maintenance contract?

Approx. 4500 Digital/analog, approximately 600 VOIP, and 6 trunks as of 4 May 2017. No SIP trunks currently exist; however, McConnell expects some SIP trunk installation within the next year.

PWS

What are the currently running software releases of the systems covered by the maintenance contract (81c, CM, CallPilot)? CS1000: 5.0; CM6: 6.3; CallPilot: 5.0

PWS

PWS section 5.2.3 states that “contractor is not required to provide replacement parts or to repair defective items for the Option 81C DCO switch, VOIP system, Voice Mail/Call Pilot… CM…” Who will be responsible for determining the list of MD’d spare parts that need to kept on-site? Who will be responsible to order, store and inventory the MD’d spare parts?

As referenced in PWS 3.1, contractor logistics support (CLS) for VSS is managed currently through a contract with American Systems. No PWS requirement to keep spare parts on-site has been identified. The contractor is responsible for ordering spare and/or replacement parts from the CLS, and is responsible for storing and inventorying the spare parts IAW PWS 1.2.14.9.

PWS

The 81C has 6 fiber remotes. Some are connected via a single fiber pair, while others are connected by dual fibers. Do the dual fibers travel back to the DCO via separate paths, or are do they occupy the same conduit path? What are the port counts on the fiber remotes (analog phones, digital phones, etc.)?

With the 5 fiber remotes (the 6th is a modem), 2 are single-path fiber, and 3 are dual-path. The dual-path remotes do not occupy the same conduit path. Individual port counts on the fiber remotes are not available at this time.

PWS

In the pre-bid/pre-proposal meeting, it was stated that the systems currently included in the maintenance agreement are scheduled to be migrated to a new (but unidentified) voice system in about a year.

-Will the contract winner be required to maintain the new system?

-Will the new system be covered by a warrantee that covers needed repairs?

-How long is the warrantee period?

-How will the contractor’s and the installer’s maintenance/repair responsibilities be distributed during the warrantee period?

Information on the new system expected to be migrated in is unavailable at this time.

PWS

Will contractor’s on-site personnel be required to be certified on the new system?

Ensuring qualified personnel are hired, will be the responsibility of the contractor. Specific training is anticipated to be available for the new system upon migration.

PWS

Will the contractor be required to obtain certification training at its own expense?

Ensuring qualified personnel are hired, will be the responsibility of the contractor, and will not be separately reimbursed by the government.

PWS

Will the contractor be required to service the decommissioning process?

Note: In the pre-bid/pre-proposal meeting, it was stated that the systems currently included in the maintenance agreement do not need to be moved/modified to make room for the new system.

As information on the new system is unavailable at this time, the migration effect on current service is unknown at this time. In general, the decommissioning process is expected to be done separate of this contract.

PWS

(114) Reference PWS 1.2 Operate and Maintain (O&M) Requirements: (See PWS section 1.2.14 BTS Work Center Records) preventive maintenance IAW applicable publications (OEM, Appendix 5.5, and otherwise specifically listed herein) and other routine work to optimize the life expectancy of the equipment and cable systems. Do you have something in place today and will new contractor have access to records? We have a PMI binder that the new contractor will have access to upon award.

PWS

1.2.3.1. Switch Power Test. The Contractor shall perform scheduled PMI tests of the telephone switch backup power system. Is this done under load or do we just take readings?

Section 1.2.3.1 indicates each power system shall be tested IAW OEM specifications. Currently, this is accomplished by taking readings only (not under load).

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Category Question Answer

PWS

1.2.3.2. Spare Conductor Test. PMIs shall test and document at least two selected, out of service pair (one low and one high numbered pair) in each 25-pair group of every cable terminating in the Dial Central Office. Has this been done in the past and again would need current records. There is a PMI binder that the new contractor will have access to upon award that contains these records.

PWS

1.2.3.4. Building Entrance Terminals. The Contractor shall inspect six COR identified terminals per month. Again is there a record of said work? Yes there is a PMI binder for Building Entrance Terminals that will be available to the contractor upon award.

PWS

1.2.3.5. Distribution Pedestal Terminals. The Contractor shall inspect six COR accepted distribution pedestal terminals per year. Same thing is there a record of past work? Yes there is a PMI binder for Building Entrance Terminals that will be available to the contractor upon award.

PWS

1.2.3.6. Cable Analysis. The Contractor shall review TMS records quarterly and perform cable analysis. The Contractor shall determine the number of bad pair(s) in each cable and report the percentage in each cable to COR. The Contractor shall also determine the cable fill rates and report to COR. Update CVC as necessary to record accurate cable information. Will there be training on your system? CVC training on-site can be provided upon request at no additional cost to the government.

PWS

1.2.4.3.1. Emergency. Contractor shall respond on-site within two hours and restore service within eight hours unless otherwise approved by the COR in writing. Expedition of parts and/or labor is required at no additional charge?

Yes, as this is a firm-fixed price performance based contract, the contractor will be required to meet all contract requirements at the stated contract award pricing.

PWS

1.2.5. Alarm Notification. Contractor shall comply with the details of its alarm notification method as documented in the Contractor’s Maintenance Support Plan (MSP). Notification of switch outages shall not be through a continuous direct line to the switching system for security reasons. Contractor is responsible for all materials and equipment necessary to implement alarm notification and shall take all actions to implement the MSP and comply with telephone switching security standards IAW Air Force Instruction (AFI) 33- 111, Section G. What are you using currently?

The current contractor utilized the alarm notification required in PWS 1.2.5 IAW their MSP, which is not available from the government. The contractor will be responsible for identifying their alarm notification method in their MSP, as identified in PWS 1.2.5.

PWS

1.2.11. Traffic Measurement and Analysis. The COR may request up to four traffic measurements and analysis per switch a year. The Contractor shall perform traffic measurement and analysis within system capabilities and limitations and perform analysis and studies on the base switching system when requested by the COR. The information required by the contract must cover no less than a five-day period, (Monday-Friday, excluding holidays). The Government may also request measurement and analysis for a particular line or group of lines. How do you do this today? This is currently conducted via request from the COR per PWS 1.2.11.

PWS

1.2.14.6.2. A separate pre-priced Sub-contract Line Item Number (SLIN)/Product Identifications (PID) shall be used for conversion of third party as-built drawings, document, or electronic data information. Contractor is responsible for verifying Contractor-entered information, accuracy, and completeness. Can you list what has been sub-out in the past? This information is unavailable at this time.

RFP

1.2.14.15. System Capacity Records. Contractor shall produce system capacity records quarterly and upon request by the COR. Semi- annual system capacity records include outside plant cables and building records. Records shall include each cable and terminated cable count, type of cable (bad and spare), and number of conductors used. (What’s this consist of? How is data collect today?)

IAW PWS 1.2.14.15, Semi- annual system capacity records include outside plant cables and building records.

Records shall include each cable and terminated cable count, type of cable (bad and spare), and number of conductors used. Quarterly system capacity records shall be produced for the host and switch remotes. The records shall include total line ports, line ports in use, line port type total used, and DS-1 digital trunk ports.

Currently, this data is collected in PMI logs.

RFP

1.2.14.18.1. Global Positioning System (GPS) Service. Contractor shall use GPS technology to provide geospatial (Who’s system or service?).

No current government GPS technology is available for contractor use; however, the contractor shall provide this service IAW PWS 1.2.14.18.

RFP

3.2.4.1. Space: Telephone switch room and administrative office space – approx 700 square feet. A contractor representative shall be available to provide emergency service calls shall be available 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. (Do you have this today?) Yes

RFP

(139) 4.5. CONTRACT MANAGEMENT. The contractor shall establish and maintain an office through which the contract manager or alternate(s) can be contacted during work hours. The contract manager or alternate shall be available during normal duty hours to meet on the installation within 1 hour with the government (Locally or on base?)

The location of the office the contractor is required to maintain is at the discretion of the contractor; however the contractor is required to have a contract manager or alternate available during normal duty hours to meet on the installation (i.e. on base) within one 1 hour with the government.

RFP

Will contractor techs have Security + accounts? Is this contract in need of secret clearances?

Any switch technician will require security + certification. Secret Clearance is not required; any areas requiring clearance will require a government escort.

Price List/PWS The RFP calls for fiber patch cords, but does not specify if they need to be simplex or duplex (tab A&B, lines 138-167) Fiber patch cords need to be duplex.

PWS

Does the current incumbent staff have all necessary certifications for performance under this PWS?

The incoming contractor will be responsible for ensuring qualified personnel are hired (including incumbents).

PWS

Security+ is a new requirement. Given that Q&A #18 states "No phase-in period is intended with this effort”, how much time will be given to the awarded contractor after award to either get incumbent staff certified or to hire and replace incumbent staff with Security+ certified personnel?

The awardee will have a reasonable amount of time to mobilize between contract award and performance start. Currently, the incoming contractor will be expected to begin performance on 1 July 2017. Please see referenced DODI 8570.01-M for certification timelines regarding Security+ certification.

PWS

Security+ is only mentioned in the Q&As but does not appear in the PWS.

Would the Government update the PWS to reflect this additional requirement? The PWS has been updated as of Amendment 02.

PWS

Does the Government provide the Trimble GPS unit and software as GFE, or does Contractor provide Trimble GPS Unit and Software for CVC and Geospatial data collection?

No current government GPS technology is avialable for contractor use; however, the contractor shall provide this service IAW PWS 1.2.14.18.

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Category Question Answer

Price List

Are the duties under PWS 1.2.14.18. Global Positioning System (GPS) Service Data through 1.2.14.18.5. Updating CVC With GPS Collected CFD (PWS pages 17 – 19) always purchased “as needed” under CLIN X007 (GPS Data Collect Services and CVC (See PIDs under CLIN tab X007)) . . . PIDS 8002 and 8003, or are these services ever required and funded under a different CLIN, such as X001, X002, X004 or X008?

PWS Sections under 1.2 refer to tasks required under CLIN X001. Other data over section 1.2 O&M requirements, as required in the price list under X002 to X007 will be ordered under work orders IAW PWS 1.3.

PWS

The PWS indicates Cable Locates totaling 400K feet per year will be performed under maintenance. Does this number include refreshing the markings - for instance, if we mark 1,000 feet of cable then refresh the markings 1 week later, does this count as 2,000 feet, or just 1,000 feet?

Each marking request will be requested by the COR as directed in PWS 1.2.6, and each COR request will be counted separately, regardless of time between markings.

PWS

PWS Section 1.2.3.2 (Spare Conductor Tests) - Would the Government provide an estimate of the total number of pairs that terminate in the DCO, and the total estimated number of Spares? This data is not readily available at this time.

PWS

The PWS states that the following will be provided by the Government: 3.2.4.1.

Space: Telephone switch room and administrative office space – approx 700 square feet, and 3.2.4.3. Storage: Area will be provided for spares and supplies. However, will the contractor need to provide additional space/storage of OSP materials, tools, etc., like a standard 20 foot steel storage container?

Will the costs of such storage be at the contractors expense?

As this is a firm-fixed price performance based contract, the contractor will be required to meet all contract requirements at the stated contract award pricing. The GFP as listed in the PWS is the only GFP to be provided; other space/property will not be provided or reimbursed over the firm-fixed-prices established in the contract award.

RFP

Would the Government consider replacing the Davis Bacon Wage Act (General Decision Number: KS170035) with Davis Bacon Wage Act (General Decision Number: KS170020). KS170020 has labor/functional categories that more closely match Outside Plant Cable Installation work.

The government research at the time of RFP development identified KS170035 as the most applicable CWRA Wage Determination for this effort.