FA480026Q0082-Questions and Answers.pdf

Questions and Answers -ACC SG AV/VTC Support Solicitation Number FA480026Q0082

1. I hope this email finds you well. I am reaching out as my organization is interested in providing a formal quote for the aforementioned RFQ in the subject line as it falls within our core area of expertise. With that said, in order for us to competitive price out this project, it would be critical for us to have a better understanding of the hardware that we are required to support; similar to how a car insurer would like to know your car make and model before insuring it. If you are able to provide us with drawings of the system or an equipment list, I would be more than happy to issue a formal quote prior to the deadline.

Answer: The complete equipment list, including vendor, model, description, quantity, and serial numbers, are provided in a separate attachment to the question and answers document.

2. PWS Sections 2.1.1 and 2.1.3 describe 5-day/8x5 maintenance and remote support, and PWS Section 3.1 identifies normal service hours as 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday. PWS Section 2.6 also addresses after-hours critical issues separately. However, the Services Summary states that Primary Services 1 through 4 require 24/7 support. Can you clarify whether the overall support requirement is intended to be 24/7, or whether support should follow the normal business-hours and after-hours structure outlined in the PWS?

Answer: The support requirement is not intended to be 24/7. A phone response of no more than 4 hours is required for critical system problems. If determined that onsite response is needed, it must occur the following business day.

3. PWS Section 2.1.1 provides a 24-hour onsite response objective for critical system problems, while PWS Section 2.6.1 states that a technician will arrive within four business hours once it is determined that onsite service is required for a Severity 1 issue. Can you confirm which onsite response requirement applies to Severity 1/critical system issues?

Answer: Please refer to question #2.

4. PWS Section 5.1 references an equipment list; however, I do not see an equipment list included in the solicitation package. Can you provide the equipment list for the AV/VTC/SVTC systems covered under this requirement, including room/system location, manufacturer, model, and quantity, if available?

Answer: Please refer to question # 1.

5. PWS Section 2.7 requires controller programming updates and updates to as-built drawings when changes are made. Will the Government provide the existing editable programming/source files and current as-built drawings for the systems covered under this requirement? Additionally, what format are the existing as-built drawings maintained in, and what format will updated as-builts be required to be delivered in, such as DWG, PDF, or both?

Answer: ACC/SG does not have access to the drawings.

6. Can you provide any available historical service call information for the systems covered under this requirement for the previous 12 months? If available, it would be helpful to know the approximate total number of service calls, the number categorized as Severity 1, 2, or 3, and how many required onsite support.

Answer: Majority of the calls were due to Secure VTC not connecting properly and calls dropping.

7. PWS Section 2.1.3 requires remote programming support. Can you clarify how the Government expects remote programming to be performed? For example, will a Government-furnished laptop or other remote-access capability be connected to the AV system for the contractor’s remote programmer to access, or is the contractor expected to have a technician onsite and connected to the system while programming support is performed remotely?

Answer: The remote programming support is tailored towards providing a COMMs check prior to some secure VTCs to ensure all systems are operational.

8. The evaluation section states that past performance will be evaluated;

however, Section 4.2 identifies only Price and Technical volumes. The Price

Volume instructions also reference a Past Performance Volume that does not otherwise appear to be identified as a required submission. Can you clarify whether a separate Past Performance Volume is required and, if so, what information and format should be included?

Answer: Refer to revised solicitation attachment for past performance information in sections L and M.

9. Is there a current incumbent contractor supporting the AV/VTC/SVTC systems covered under this requirement? If so, can you provide the incumbent contractor’s name and current contract number, and confirm whether the incumbent is eligible to compete under the current small business set-aside?

Answer: No. This is a new requirement.

10. Is this a new requirement? Or is there an incumbent contract/contractor currently performing the services? Would you be able to share the contract details for reference?

Answer: Refer to #9.

11. Please clarify the required coverage for Primary Services 1–4. Is the contractor required to provide continuous 24/7 staffing/support, or does the 24/7 requirement mean after-hours availability in accordance with PWS 2.6?

Cited Reference: PWS 2.1.1–2.1.4, 2.6, 3.1; Services Summary SS #1

Answer: Please refer to question #2.

12. PWS 2.1.1 references a "four (4) phone response and 24-hour onsite response objective." Please clarify the intended phone-response requirement and how the 24-hour onsite response objective relates to the Severity 1 onsite response requirements in PWS 2.6.1.

Cited Reference: PWS 2.1.1 and 2.6.1

Answer: Refer to question #2.

13. PWS 5.1 references an equipment list. Please provide the equipment list, including manufacturer and model information, if available.

Cited Reference: PWS 2.0 and 5.1

Answer: Please refer to question #1.

14. Please clarify whether the Government or contractor is responsible for the cost of replacement parts/equipment. PWS 1.0 includes parts replacement, while PWS 5.1 states existing equipment is "labor only – no replacement support."

Cited Reference: PWS 1.0 and 5.1

Answer: The government is responsible for the cost of replacement parts/equipment.

15. Are there any required technician certifications, security certifications, or OEM qualifications that are not identified in the PWS? If so, please identify them.

Cited Reference: PWS 2.2 and 2.7 – Technician Qualifications / Preventive Maintenance

Answer: No, there are no additional required certifications beyond what is stated.

16. Is any dedicated onsite staffing required, or may onsite support be provided through technician dispatch within the response times specified in PWS 2.6.1?

Cited Reference: PWS 2.2, 2.6 and 2.6.1

Answer: Onsite support may be provided through technician dispatch.

17. The solicitation identifies Price and Technical Capabilities as the evaluation factors and requires Price and Technical volumes; however, the Evaluation Process also references evaluation of past performance. Please confirm whether Past Performance will be evaluated and, if so, provide the submission requirements and evaluation criteria.

Cited Reference: Solicitation, Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Sections 1 and 4; FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation Factors for Award

Answer: Refer to question #8.

18. Does the contractor need to maintain dedicated loaner equipment for this requirement, or is access to loaner equipment on an "if available" basis acceptable as stated in PWS 2.2.1?

Cited Reference: PWS 2.2.1; Solicitation FAR 52.212-2, Technical Subfactor 3 Answer: Access to loaner equipment is subject to availability.