Attch_02_QandAs_V1.pdf

Finalized QAnswered Questionss

FA4621-17-R-0004, BTS SERVICES

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REF. Category Question Answer

4 General How many FTE’s are currently working this contract? This information will not be provided at this time, as this is a performance-based effort.

5 General Are there plans to upgrade the current phone system? The base is currently looking into a replacement within a year.

6 General Are you VOIP? The base has started a slow transition to VOIP

10 General Are there classified areas requiring escort? Yes

39 General In some areas, will the contractor be required to have a security clearance? No, for any area requiring clearance the government will provide an escort.

40 General Do we have any aerial cable, or is it all buried? No, all cable is buried.

41 General Is all cable gel filled, or are some paper or lead filled? All cables are gel-filled.

46 General Avaya 81C and 81CM are old systems; are the old systems being migrated off, or are they to stay in service?

The plan is to migrate to a new system when that new system is available. Migration will be completed on a separate requirement from this acquisition.

47 General Is any support provided to the Air National Guard (ANG) under this requirement?

ANG support is very limited. Routine maintenance (CLIN X001) does not include ANG support; however, limited work orders may include some crossover.

51 General How aggressive is schedule to migrate from 81C to new system? Total migration is anticipated in 2018.

54 General Do we have fiber remote cabinets, or just areas in switch rooms? We currently have six (6) fiber remote cabinets.

61 General Has the solicitation been sent out for the new system?

It appears the solicitation has not been posted yet. Further information is unavailable from this office as we are not the responsible office for that acquisition.

76 General Can the pre-proposal conference PowerPoint slides be posted? Yes. See updates posted on FedBizOpps.

1 Price List Can the government provide an Unprotected version of the Excel Pricing Spreadsheet, RFP Attachment 1?

The government is working on creating a protected document that allows highlighting/viewing the formula cells. Updated copy will be loaded to FBO with Amendment 01.

2 Price List Can we unprotect the Attachment 1 Price List enough to highlight the cells and see formulas? The government is working on this. An updated copy will be attached to Amendment 01 of the solicitation.

28 Price List

Reference Price List A & B, PID’s 3346 through 3356 and all other fiber cable PID’s: The Government is purchasing these PID’s by the meter and installing by the foot. However, Fiber is ordered by the foot. Can the unit of measure be change to feet? This has been addressed in Amendment 01.

32 Price List

Reference Price list: Is it the Government intent to have a Phase-In period? If so, it is suggested that the base year monthly unit be updated to account for the Phase-In period. No phase-in period is intended with this effort.

35 Price List

Reference Price List: On the pricing spreadsheet, A&B (CLINs X004-5) tab, cell C406, PID # 4166 Avaya 9611-G VoIP Phone; Do you intend for the purchase quantity to be zero and the install quantity to be 300?

The base currently has some phones on hand, approximately 300, so this statement is correct. Based on the requirement at this time, purchase of these phones is not projected on this contract.

75 Price List In the Price List, is the input line the price per unit or the price for the total quantity?

The prices as input into the pricing spreadsheet in the yellow boxes should reflect the price per unit. The total price is then calculated at the bottom for all quantities at their given unit prices.

36 Price List

Reference Price List: On the pricing spreadsheet, A&B (CLINs X004-5) tab, Purchase or "A" PIDs # 4106, 4114, 4130, 4195, 4196, 4197, 3004, 4166 are all End of life products. We can quote equal2new or refurbished items only. Is this acceptable?

4106,4130,and 3004 have been removed in Amendment 01. All othe items are still needed. Refurbished items are acceptable.

37 Price List

Reference Price List: On the pricing spreadsheet, A&B (CLINs X004-5) tab, Purchase or "A" PIDs # Tellabs 9132; 9003A; 9021; 9191; 9293; 9294; 9121 are no longer available. Are these items still utilized on the base or are they being phased out? These items have been removed from the price list in Amendment 01.

77 Price List

On the pricing spreadsheet, A&B (CLINS X004-5) tab, Purchase or “A” PIDs # 5001 3/0 Ground wire. Is the unit of measurement supposed to be in feet? What is the unit of measurement?? This item has been removed from the Price List in Amendment 01.

3 PWS What GFE will be included on this effort?

The government plans to provide limited Government Furnished Property (GFP) consisting of a desk, chairs, drawer files, a refrigerator, office space, and the use of the telephone switch room. The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, material, supervision and other items necessary to accomplish BTS services.

7 PWS

Is the contractor responsible for inside and outside plant requirements other than Maintenance?

Yes. The contractor is responsible for PMIs, manhole/handhole inspections, service outages and trouble calls, cable locations and markings, telephone switch maintenance to include disconnect services, call accounting system, voicemail, VPS, traffic analysis, work orders, fiber and cable installation, splicing and anything else otherwise noted in the PWS. Also, please see Appendix 5.2.

8 PWS How much legacy equipment will we be required to maintain? The 2 main switches on base are the CM-6 and the CS1000. Other equipment is listed in Appendix 5.2.

9 PWS

Will the contractor use a government owned system for work orders and BTS Word Center records?

Yes, the BTS work center records are maintained in CVC. The work orders are completed in Microsoft Access.

11 PWS

Will HVAC, Fire suppression, and Generator Maintenance be a part of this requirement? No

15 PWS

PWS, Attachment 02, page 28, para 3.3.1 Computers (CVC): Will the government confirm each current contractor staff member is provided a computer? Yes

16 PWS

Reference PWS 1.2.3.4 (page 6): It states that CVC will be updated for Building Terminals, where in CVC is this accomplished? CSIRs will be maintained through CVC in CIPS 5.0.

17 PWS

Reference PWS 1.2.6 (page 9): Can the Government please identify who attends Cable Locate meetings with Civil Engineers? The contractor shall identify the individual. Normally, it is the OSP technician.

18 PWS

Reference PWS 1.2.12.3 (page 10): Can the Government please provide an estimate on the average number of meetings the contractor can expect to attend per month? 5 to 10 meetings per month

20 PWS

Reference PWS 1.2.14.2 (page 13): Can the Government please advise if there are drawings that still need to be transferred from Legacy CSIR’s to CVC? If so, will the costs associate with the transfer be covered under monthly maintenance (CLIN X001) or by work orders? There are no legacy CSIR that still need to be transferred.

21 PWS

Reference PWS 1.3 (page 20): Can the Government please confirm if the support is still provided by General Dynamics Network Systems?

There is support for the CM-6 and CS1000 through the Air Force; all correspondence goes directly through the Air Force Network Operations Center.

22 PWS

Reference PWS 3.2.3 (page 26): Is the government going to have a Phase-In period? In not, how is the contractor going to do an inventory of equipment five days before contract start?

The awardee will have a reasonable amount of time to mobilize between contract award and performance start.

GFP inventory should be accomplished during this mobilization timeframe. No “phase-in” period is intended with this effort.

23 PWS

Reference PWS 5.2.2.1 (page 40): Can the Government please provide workload data associated with the repair and/replacement of phones by type? The data is not readily available and is not currently tracked to that level.

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24 PWS

Reference PWS 5.2.2.1 (page 40): The following phones are manufactured discontinued: M2000 Series, M3900 Series, M2004 VoIP Set, 1140E VoIP Set, Attendant Console, and 9600 Series. Is the Government willing to remove these phones from the RFP? If not, will the Government accepted refurbished items?

The base is still purchasing these phones and have also verified with GSA Adavntage that the phones are not discontinued. Specifically checked were the M3904s and the 9611G. The base does not recommend removing them from the RFP.

25 PWS

Reference PWS 5.2.2.2 (page 40): Can the Government please provide workload data associated with the repair and/replacement of cards by type? The data is not readily available and is not currently tracked.

26 PWS

Reference 5.2.2.2 (page 40): The following equipment is manufactured discontinued:

• 9293 2-W ARD Conf. Originate Line Circuit

• 9291 2-W ARD Conf. Terminate Line Circuit

• 9121 Tone Supply

• 9294 2-W Conference Amplifier

• 9132 Ringing Timer

• 9003A Ring Interrupter Control Module

• 9021 Alarm

• 8102 Ringing Generator Is the Government willing to remove these phones from the RFP?

This has been removed/addressed in Amendment 01.

27 PWS

Reference PWS Appendix 5.4 (Page 64): It is our understanding that the VSS Sustainment contract is performed by a new contractor. Can the Government please confirm that the information reference in Appendix 5.4 is accurate?

The information in Appendix 5.4 is still accurate. You will still contact FAS (see PWS Appendix 5.4) for service. The Air Force has changed contractors for the service, but the process is still the same.

29 PWS

Reference PWS 1.2.14.2 (Page 13): What system does the McConnell AFB use to store inside plant information? CIPS 5.0

30 PWS

Reference PWS 5.2.2.1 (Page 40): Is the customer premise equipment referenced in section 5.2.2.1 a reimbursable expense or contractor expense? If it is a contractor expense, it is recommended that sufficient workload data be provided to accurately estimate the costs a contractor will incur throughout the period of performance.

These items would be purchased by the government under the work order CLIN IAW Price List pricing. A work order is written by the government to purchase by the contractor. These are not considered a reimbursable expense.

31 PWS

Reference PWS 5.2.2 (Page 40): Is it the Governments intent that contractors are to account for cost associated with contractor furnished vehicles, tools, and equipment in CLIN X001? Yes

42 PWS

Section 5.2.3 indicates the contractor is not required to provide replacement parts. How will the spares access/inventory be handled to allow the contractor to meet timely repair requirements?

If the government does not provide GFE as identified in the PWS to the contractor in a timely manner, the contractor will not be penalized in the performance metrics for that event. Spares are received through a separate Air Force contract, and are accessed via the contacts listed in Appendix 5.4 (VSS).

44 PWS Is remote switch access from off base allowed? Yes for emergency/Maintenance. Refer to PWS 1.2.5.

48 PWS Do we have a list of priority users? Yes; however, the list may not be available to share until contract award due to base security concerns.

49 PWS How do we handle after-hours alarms?

The CORs are contacted, and the COR then contacts the contractor. There is no automated alert system. The contractor response time does not start until they are contacted by the COR.

50 PWS

The PWS indicates “all technicians shall be certified”. Certified in what? If a new system is migrated in, what training and certifications will be required then?

The contractor is required to ensure all personnel completing work on this requirement are adequately trained/certified to complete that work. It is anticipated that if/when a new system is migrated, training on that system will be provided.

52 PWS

Will the contractor maintenance and operation of the new system fall under O&M? Yes. If significant changes occur to the scope of work, a contract modification will be considered.

53 PWS Will training for the new system be provided when migration occurs? It is anticipated that if/when a new system is migrated, training on that system will be provided.

56 PWS Is the call pilot also being migrated to the new system? The call pilot is anticipated to be migrated to the new system.

57 PWS Is Security Plus required? Yes, for whomever is working on the actual equipment (i.e. the switch technician & Program Manager).

58 PWS Are the manholes up to specifications? Majority are up to date. Future Inspections will need to be conducted by Government.

59 PWS

When migrating to the new system, will all cabinets stay in place or will they need to be moved? All cabinets will stay in place during migration.

60 PWS Is the AS5300 on this requirement? No.

63 PWS Are we responsible for taking care of batteries?

Battery testing and replacement is not covered/is not a requirement on this contract. The government does this separate of this requirement.

64 PWS Are the remote cabinets on a redundant path port? 3 of the 5 remotes are redundant (the 6th remote is a modem).

66 PWS How are trouble calls processed to the contractor? Trouble calls come through the remedy system, and not directly from the COR.

67 PWS Is there a timeframe to fix a trouble ticket? Timeframes are stated in the PWS (see PWS 1.2.4).

68 PWS Is the contractor required to have a person at the help desk to answer questions? No, the contractor will not be required to have any personnel assigned to the help desk to answer questions.

69 PWS Who maintains the VTC’s? Video Teleconferencing is maintained by a separate effort and is not a part of this requirement.

70 PWS Do the manholes have sump pumps? No 71 PWS Are all the cables single-fiber? No 72 PWS Do all the remotes have single or redundant fiber? Some, but not all, are redundant 73 PWS Are they single-mode or multi-mode? Both 74 PWS Are they all BNC or ST connectors? They are all ST connectors.

79 PWS

Reference 1.2.I (pg5): All equipment or services installed by contractor will automatically become part of the OEM services? Yes

80 PWS

Reference 1.2.3.1 (pg5): Contractor shall perform scheduled PMI test of telephone switch backup power. True or false? Yes Contractor will be responsible for taking readings off of batteries to ensure they are charged.

83 PWS Reference 1.2.4.2: Will overtime be paid or do we reschedule work?

The government will not provide overtime payments to the contractor for work within the scope of this contract. As this is a performance-based contract, the awardee will be responsible for determining how the services objectives are met and how their employees are paid. Note the Service Contract Act, and possbile the Construction Wage Requirement Act based on the work order, applies to this effort.

82 PWS Reference 1.2.3.5: Will a work order be issued to repair for any over the 6?

As stated in PWS 1.2.3.5, additional inspections (over six) shall be accomplished as a work order in accordance with PWS Section 1.3.

85 PWS

Reference 1.2.9: When voice mail system changed out training and repair what system are you going to? This information is unavailable at this time.

94 PWS

Will security clearances be required for contractor employees who must service equipment within secure areas? No. Areas requiring security clearance will require an escort.

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95 PWS

On average, how many meetings will contractor employees be required to attend? 5 to 10 meetings per month

96 PWS

Will contractor be required to provide help-desk support (answering trouble calls)? No

97 PWS

Are batteries/battery-backup systems included in the contract? This may be a source of potential new revenue. When is the contract scheduled for renewal?

No. They are covered by a separate contract. Information regarding other contract renewals is not available at this time.

98 PWS Are VTC’s (video) included in the contract? No

101 PWS

Is CompTIA Security+ certification required for contractor maintenance personnel? CompTIA Security+ certification is required for PM and switch techs, but not for outside plant techs.

103 PWS

Will contractor be allowed to access covered systems remotely (with appropriate security precautions of course)? Yes

105 PWS

Will non-repair service orders (Moves, adds, changes) that must be performed outside of normal business hours (evenings, weekends, holidays) be paid at an elevated (Overtime) rate? If so, at what rate will they be paid (normal x 1.5, normal x 2, etc.)?

As this is a performance-based effort, the prospective awardee would be responsible for how their employees are paid.

106 PWS

PWS mentions that “Key systems” are included in the maintenance contract.

-How many key systems are included?

-What are the manufacturer(s) and model(s) of the key systems? Please include configuration and sizing (port counts) of the key systems.

-Do the key systems connect directly to the outside world, or do they connect through other on-site systems *81c, CM, etc.)?

There are no Key Systems to maintain. This will be removed from the PWS in Amendment 01.

110 PWS

Will existing systems (81C, CM, Call Pilot, etc.) be decommissioned when the new system is placed into service? Yes

112 PWS

When migration to new voice system is complete, how will it impact the maintenance contract (cost/price, port counts…)?

As the new system information is unavailable at this time, the resultant effects are unknown at this time. If a significant change to the required contract services occurs, a contract modification will be considered.

113 PWS

Reference PWS 1.1 Scope of Work: Government Furnished Property (GFP).

(BTS) is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. On call pay?

As this is a performance-based effort, the prospective awardee would be responsible for how their employees are paid.

115 PWS

Reference PWS 1.2.1 Telephone Switch System O&M: Appendix 5.2. All equipment or services installed by the Contractor shall automatically become part of the O&M services. VoIP equipment is identified in Appendix 5.2.

Demarcation of VoIP maintenance shall not extend beyond the Voice Gateway and Power Ethernet Switches(s). See Paragraph 4.8 for security requirements.

Does this not change the scope of work?

No. The scope of this contract includes operation and maintenance of the total system(s), including equipment or services installed by the Contractor under work orders on this contract.

116 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? The contractor is only required to take readings.

117 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. Do you have a record of this and will those records be passed down to new contractor? The Government has a PMI binder that the new contractor will have access to.

123 PWS

1.2.4.1. Contractor Availability. The Government shall be able to contact Contractor personnel 100% of the time. During normal working hours or after hours or both?

As stated in PWS 1.2.4.1, The Government shall be able to contact Contractor personnel 100% of the time.

The contractor shall respond in case of emergencies, outages, alerts, and exercises 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

126 PWS

1.2.9. Voice Mail. The Contractor shall provide voice mail O&M. This includes, but is not limited to: management and administration of system network (what system?) Voicemail will be upgraded when new telephone switch is installed.

45 PWS

Are port counts in the PWS? If not, what are the number of analog, digital, and trunk ports? Approx. 4500 Digital/analog

65 PWS Who generates the work orders, the government or the contractor?

Work orders shall be primarily prepared by the COR; however, the CORs shall have the option to delegate the preparation of work orders to the contractor. The PWS has been adjusted accordingly in Amendment 01.

38 PWS/EIPS

On some CLINS, there are indicated key systems in certain areas. Will the contractor be responsible for those key systems?

There are some rooms that contractor personnel will be required to be responsible for keys to access those rooms for maintenance. Regarding key systems, as identified in the Customer Premise Equipment, this verbiage has been removed from the PWS/EIPS in Amendment 01.

78 PWS/Price List Are refurbished parts acceptable? This will make a substantial difference in the cost of the materials.

Yes for discontinued items refurbished parts are acceptable. Confirmation that item discontinuation is required.

128 PWS/RFP

1.2.12. Contractor Support Services. The Contractor shall comply with FAR 9.505, Conflict of Interest, IAW support services. Not sure what in this FAR Please review reference at http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffar1.htm, as identified in solicitation provision 52.252-1.

12 RFP

Can you please clarify the address to use for Mail/FedEx delivery. Is it the same address as stated for hand carried proposals in PART IV GENERAL INFORMATION (b), or rather the address stated on the SF 1449 in Box 15?

The address in Part IV GENERAL INFORMATION (b) is the correct address for mailing or handcarrying proposals.

For reference, that address is:

22 CONS/LGCA

53384 Kansas Street, Ste 121 McConnell AFB, KS 67221-3702

13 RFP

RFP Page 17, 52.212-2 EVALUATION--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2014), item (a); and RFP Page 18, Basis For Contract Award, item A: Are Past Performance and Technical when combined significantly more important than Price when being evaluated?

As stated on page 17, in provision 52.212-2, past performance and technical when combined is significantly more important than Price when being evaluated.

14 RFP

RFP Page 59, Part IV General Information, item (b): Will the Government please clarify whether the hand carrying of proposals is the only acceptable method of submission?

Hand carrying proposals or (paper-copy) mailed proposals are both accepted methods of submission. As annotated in the addenda to provision 52.212-1, Proposal Preparation Instructions, Part IV General Information (b), facsimile and/or electronic mail proposals (including email) are not authorized and shall not be considered for evaluation.

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33 RFP

Reference RFP Page 18: “The proposals shall be evaluated against the following: Mission-Essential Contractor Services Plan” Is it the government’s intent to require additional documentation and/or data (i.e. Capabilities, Organizational Structure, Management Plan, etc.) to be incorporated into the Technical approach? What is the basis for what could be considered a limited Technical approach?

As stated in provision 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items Addendum, Section B.1., the technical evaluation will be conducted (solely based on the Mission-Essential Services Plan) on a pass/fail basis, assigning ratings of Acceptable or Unacceptable. The proposals shall be evaluated against the Mission- Essential Contractor Services Plan, which must meet the requirements established in DFARS Provision 252.237-7024. The offeror should include all data in their Mission-Essential Contractor Services Plan required to meet all the requirements in DFARS Provision 252.237-7024.

34 RFP

Reference RFP Page 56: “A. To assure timely and equitable evaluation of the proposal, the offeror must follow the instructions contained herein. The proposal must be complete, self-sufficient, and respond directly to the requirements of this solicitation. The response shall consist of three (3) separate parts; Part I – Technical Proposal, Part II – Price Proposal, and Part III – Past Performance Information.”

Can all three parts be bound in one volume or binder or must the three parts be in separate binders by themselves?

All parts may be in one volume/binder, separated into individual binders, or otherwise bound/enclosed;

whichever method is preferred by the offeror is acceptable.

90 RFP When will the contract be awarded? Award is estimated in late May, with a start date of 1 July 2017.

91 RFP What is the term of the contract? One-year basic period of performance, plus four one-year options (5 total years).

92 RFP When are bids due? 8 May 2017, 4:00 P.M. CDT 93 RFP Will CAC access be required for contractor employees? Yes. See PWS 4.8.3.

129 RFP

1.2.14.1. Maintenance Support Plan (MSP). This record shall be available within 30 calendar days after period of performance begins. 10 work days after the effective change. A schedule of PMIs due on each piece of equipment being maintained Do you have this today and will it be available to new contractor.

As identified in PWS paragraphs 1.2, 1.2.5, and 1.2.14.1, the MSP is a contractor-created document to enable the scheduling and tracking of preventive maintenance actions on Contractor-maintained equipment.

Therefore, the current contractors MSP will not be made available to the incoming contractor.

130 RFP

1.2.14.5. Cable Installation/Repair Test Results. Contractor shall develop and maintain a cable installation/repair test results record after the installation or repair of an outside plant cable. Is there one now or would we be starting from scratch? There are digital records of test results for cable installation.

132 RFP

1.2.14.12. Telecommunications Management System (TMS). The Contractor shall perform daily record updates using TMS. E-911 database using TMS.

(What type?) CAIRS

136 RFP

(136) 1.3.1.1. All work orders shall be prepared via Microsoft Access database.

(What are you using?)

Routine. Complete within 10 duty days Priority. Complete within three duty days

Microsoft Access Database