Questions and Answers v2.pdf

Questions and Answers

FA480325R0006 – LTS FY25

1. Is there an incumbent supporting your local telecommunication system, and if so, what was the value of their award?

The current contractor is a large business, Frontier Southwest Incorporated, and this award had a value of $672,087.00.

2. What type of PBX system are you currently using (e.g., on-premise, cloud-based, hybrid

IPPBX)?

On-premise

3. Are you open to switching to a modern solution, such as Unified Communications (e.g., cloud-based PBX or VoIP)?

We have been switching to VOIP via Cisco Unified Call Manager. Primarily due to sundowning of analog equipment. Our next switch is from T-1 PRI trunks, to Native SIP trunks

4. How old is the current system, and what are its main components (e.g., hardware, software)? System was installed 4 years ago, it consists of a Cisco Unified Call Manager Version 14.0.1 and VG-450 devices, used to convert analog traffic around Shaw AFB into digital traffic to the call manager

5. Is the current PBX system proprietary?

No

6. Are there any integration points with other systems (e.g., CRM, Microsoft Teams)?

No

7. What are the main challenges you're facing with the current PBX system? Are there specific goals you’re trying to achieve? The main challenge is transitioning the access lines from TDM (T-1 Pri trunks) into the required IP (Native SIP).

8. Are you open to phased implementation (starting with a pilot program), or would you prefer a complete transition at once?

A phase transition of 1 weeks will be taking place.

9. Can you confirm the physical address where the SIP trunk will be installed?

511 Rhodes Avenue (Bldg 1129) Shaw AFB, S.C, 29152

10. Can the customer provide an alternate SIP trunk physical address for service redundancy?

At this time, there is not alternate location

11. How many telephone numbers will be ported to the new service provider?

At Shaw there are 10,000 DID numbers ranging from (803) 895-0000 through (803) 895- 9999. We also have the (803) 885-0000 through (803) 885-9999 for another 10,000.

12. How many new numbers will you expect to add during the transition to the new contract?

No new numbers will be adding during the transition

13. How many Concurrent Calls are required?

14. Is Caller ID required?

Yes

15. What are the preferred port speeds? (Primary and Alternate) We have a 10gb infrastructure between our distribution switches. As for the SIP speeds between the demarcation and vendor area, I am not sure of the exact speed requirement.

16. Will the government please extend the RFP due date to January 16, 2025 (2 weeks), to accommodate the complexities of coordination over the holiday time period?

The government will be extending this RFP until 20 January 2025, 10:00 AM EST to accommodate with the holiday time period.

17. Is this a call center?

No

18. Re: In reference to clause(s) 52.212-1, 52.212-1, 52.212-5 - Commercial Items applies to this acquisition along with any additional clauses cited within this clause”. These items are not indicated as part of the “Firm price for CLIN 0001 through 5001”.

Question: Are these additional commercial items (i.e.; network equipment) managed through a separate ODC contracting agreement or are these procured through this contract as part of the award? The government will be responsible for obtaining required items on our side of the demarcation point, such as the Cisco Unified Call Manager, Session Border Controllers, servers and routers, etc. The Vendor is responsible for devices outside of the demarcation. These are not managed through an ODC contracting agreement.

19. Re; 1.1 Objectives, “The awarded contractor “will provide round-the-clock support” to maintain optimal service levels and minimize downtime, contributing to Shaw AFB's operational readiness”.

Question: Is the “round-the-clock support” to be staffed with “onsite personnel/FTE(s)” within the base community.

No, this will be whatever remote customer support or technical representative the contractor vendor has that can support the contractor/provider end of the demarcation point, to include the devices such as the contractor provided managed router.

20. Re; 2.2 SIP Trunking, “The contractor must provide redundancy options to prevent service outages and maintain continuous operations”.

Question: is redundancy currently fully imbedded into the network or is this guidance for the redundancy to be offered on any upgrade to SIP service once there is a need identified that requires to be upgraded?

Redundancy occurs within the network on Shaw AFB. The specific redundancy this is referring to, is the SIP connections outside of the demarcation point in the event that the vendor faces an outage outside of the Shaw AFB demarc.

21. Re; 2.3 Equipment Provided, “The contractor shall provide and install the necessary equipment to ensure seamless SIP service, including”, PBX Systems, Session Border Controllers, Data Circuits, ensuring that the solution is secure and meets DoD standards.

Question: Are these upgrades to be purchased through this contract as ODC, or procured through an existing contract, or is the government looking the contractor/provider to have available Value-Added Reseller (VAR) capabilities to procure these required ODC items?

The government will be responsible for obtaining required items on our side of the demarcation point, such as the Cisco Unified Call Manager, Session Border Controllers, servers and routers, etc. The Vendor is responsible for devices outside of the demarcation.

These are not managed through an ODC contracting agreement.

22. Re, 3.5 Ongoing Support and Maintenance, “Contractor will provide round-the-clock support, ensuring that Shaw AFB has access to assistance in the event of an issue or outage. Contractor will maintain, troubleshoot, and repair SIP equipment as needed.

Contractor will also provide:”

Question: Has the government considered having a scheduled assessment performed with on a scheduled cycle for periodic documentation cycles, planned upgrade cycles, and modernization cycles to be part of part of the operational compliance for maintaining the network, operations upgrade cycles that supports ongoing compliance reporting and scheduled maintenance requirements?

No, this will be whatever remote customer support or technical representative the contractor vendor has that can support the contractor/provider end of the demarcation point, to include the devices such as the contractor provided managed router.

23. Re, 3.5 Ongoing Support and Maintenance, “Contractor will provide round-the-clock support, ensuring that Shaw AFB has access to assistance in the event of an issue or outage. Contractor will maintain, troubleshoot, and repair SIP equipment as needed.

Contractor will also provide:

Question: In supporting the round-the -clock support, can the government supply us with the number of FTE’s currently supporting the current contract and can the government tell us if these FTE’s are positioned on base versus remotely supporting operations or both.

No, this will be whatever remote customer support or technical representative the contractor vendor has that can support the contractor/provider end of the demarcation point, to include the devices such as the contractor provided managed router. There is no specific quantity of FTEs supporting the current contract.

24. How many extensions are there?

At Shaw there are 10,000 DID numbers ranging from (803) 895-0000 through (803) 895- 9999. We also have the (803) 885-0000 through (803) 885-9999 for another 10,000.

25. What brand of handsets are being used at the moment?

We do not support individual customer handsets such as a peripheral speaker and microphone. The only handset we provide are the default that come with the phone, such as our Cisco CP-8811 devices

26. Do you want the users to be able to Enable/Disable features, like call forwarding to another number or extension?

Some features are given on a case-by-case basis, such as call forwarding and voicemail. If a phone is provided these features, they are able to be controlled by the user. However, this permissions are controlled through the CUCM. If a user call forwards to a Long-distance number, the contractor/provider should be ready to support via their side of the demarcation.

27. Is Teams/Slack used on base?

Teams is used on the network but does not connect to the CUCM.

Q. Doc Paragraph Questions Answers

28. PWS 2.1 Scope Circuit Demarc: Physical location(s) identification needed including floor, room number, building number, street address, city, state, ZIP

510 Sharp Street (Bldg 1109) Shaw AFB, S.C, 29152

33.974859, -80.479010

29. PWS 2.1 Scope Electrical power: For exclusive use of SIP Trunking equipment, does demarc have multiple 20 amp 120/240 or 120/208 vac power outlets on separate circuit breakers backed up with emergency power including standby generator and backup batteries?

Yes

30. PWS 2.1 Scope Does HVAC service Demarc area with backup HVAC?

No

31. PWS 2.1 Scope For redundancy, are there cable entrances to the building on more than one side of the building and multiple cable conduits from the cable entrances to the Demarc?

Yes

32. PWS 2.1 Scope Current Infrastructure: Provide description of call manager(s) including each call manager and its make, model, software version, and SIP trunk physical (SMF, RJ45) and logical interface

Cisco Unified Call Manager 14.0.1, Currently T-1 PRI

RJ45

33. PWS 2.2 SIP Trunking Overview

High Call Quality - (a) What is the number of voice system users, (b) how many direct inward dial numbers are in use and (c) how many external simultaneous calls occur at peak traffic times?

803-895-0000 - 803- 895-9999

803-885-0000 - 803- 885-9999

34. PWS 2.3 Equipment Provided

What is the make, model, software version of existing SIP Gateways and Session Border Controllers?

Cisco Catalyst C8300- 1N1S-6T Router Voice bundle, NIM-

PVDM-32

35. PWS 2.3 Equipment Provided

Data Circuits - what are the existing data circuits including for each circuit, (a) type such as MPLS, MetroEthernet, or point to point (b) speed, (c) physical interface (SMF, RH45), (d) circuit protection and (e) carrier.

RJ 45, Frontier/Verizon

36. PWS 2.4 Requirements for Implementation

Does the existing IP network support voice calls with existing call managers? Are there any existing issues with the network. If so, what are the root causes of existing issues, such as insufficient bandwidth, packet loss greater than 1%, etc.

Yes, no known issues

37.

Is existing power, hvac and space adequate for SIP Trunking equipment?

Yes

38. PWS 2.4 Requirements for Implementation

DoD Compliance: What specific DoD standards must be met for SIP Trunking such as using point to point circuits, MetroEthernet or MPLS and avoiding SIP Trunking over commercial Internet connection?

There needs to be a form of Media Gateway such a managed router between the commercial

Docum ent

Section Subsection Question Answer

39.

PWS

2.1 Scope the Government-provided

floor space at the Government demarcation location(s).

Please provide the address for the Government demarcation: Street / Postal address.

Building Number, Floor and room.

510 Sharp Street (Bldg 1109) Shaw AFB, S.C, 29152

33.974859, -80.479010

40.

PWS

2.1 Scope Government-provided

power connection points and call managers

What power supply is the Government providing: AC or DC, Voltage and Amps?

AC and DC are both available at the demarc. AC is preferred.

120V/15A

41.

PWS

2.1 Scope Government-provided

power connection points and call managers

What is the UNI / Interface handoff to the Call Manager/PBX?

T-1 PRI trunks

42.PW

S

2.2 SIP

Trunking Overview

Network Redundancy: The contractor must provide redundancy options to prevent service outages and maintain continuous operation.

Is the Government asking for physical access redundancy from the government demarc?

Redundancy is the capability of remaining operational if a SIP trunk from demarc to vendor goes down.

43.

PWS

18. 2.2 SIP

Trunking Overview

Network Redundancy: The contractor must provide redundancy options to prevent service outages and maintain continuous operation.

If yes; is there multiple location for Call Manager or Demarcation? If yes please provide postal address, building number, floor, and room. Lat / Long would also helpful.

No, just the one 510 Sharp Street (Bldg 1109) Shaw

AFB, S.C, 29152

33.974859, -80.479010

44.

PWS

2.3 Equipme nt Provided

Data Circuits: High-capacity circuits dedicated to handling SIP traffic and ensuring sufficient bandwidths for all communications.

Does the Government have an estimated requirement for the number of Concurrent Call Path (CCPs)?

45.

PWS

2.3 Equipme nt Provided

Data Circuits: High-capacity circuits dedicated to handling SIP traffic and ensuring sufficient bandwidths for all communications.

Can the Government provide a count of DID that will be using this transport?

803-895-0000 - 803- 895-9999

803-885-0000 - 803- 885-9999

46.PW

S

2.4 Requirem ents for Impleme ntation

Network Compatibility:

Shaw AFB's existing IP network must be assessed to ensure that it can support the required voice and data traffic. Any modifications should be minimal and clearly communicated.

Is the Government considering using existing IP network or is it for the contractor to provide a separate IP network transport?

Existing IP will be used as much as possible,and government technicians will be responsible for any network ip changes if the vendor requires them

47 Network Compatibility:

Shaw AFB's existing IP network must be assessed to ensure that it can support the required voice and data traffic. Any modifications should be minimal and clearly communicated.

Will the government conduct assessment of the data network ability to carry the SIP traffic or requesting the contractor to conduct this assessment for the government

Requesting contractor support to verify and recommends adjustments if needed

48 Network Compatibility: Shaw AFB's existing IP network must be assessed to ensure that it can support the required voice and data traffic. Any modifications should be minimal and clearly communicated.

If yes, could we arrange a site survey to assess the network?

Yes

49 2.3 Equipme nt Provided

As a result of this transformation is the government requesting replacement of the end device to IP devices no

50. 2.3 Equipme nt Provided

Can the government provide a make/ model of the current IP call manager and PBX, to include the software version?

Cisco Unified Call Manager 14.0.1, Currently T-1 PRI

RJ45

51. 2.1 Scope Will the government manage the PBX or are they requesting the contractor manage the PBX as part of this transition?

We will maintain management of the

PBX

52. 2.1 Scope What data capacity do you operate at currently?

Internal CUCM connection 1gb- 10gb, T-1 external connection via PRI trunk speeds

53. 52.212-1 Instructio ns to Offerors- Commerc ial Services

#5 directs offerors to submit Completed Reps and Certs.

Please confirm the Reps and Certs for submission are only those incorporated by full text and reference in the

RFQ.

Reps and Certs that are found in the solicitation should be attached to each proposal, but if it is easier to provide your full reps and certs from SAM.gov.

54. PWS 2.1 Scope Existing Direct Inward Dial Numbers The number of DID's is: XXXXX

NPA- NXX-XXXX

(803) 955-XXXX to

XXXX

(XXX) XXX_XXXX to

XXXX

Total

803-895-0000 - 803- 895-9999

803-885-0000 - 803- 885-9999

55. PWS 2.1 Scope Existing Local Exchange Digital (ISDN Primary Rate Interface (PRI) or other Trunks.

ISDN PRI Circuit ID, D-Channel, In/Out/2 Way, signaling. D- Marc

XX.XXXX.XXXXX, 1,

23, XXXX, Bldg, RM

T-1 PRI trunks

510 Sharp Street (Bldg 1109) Shaw AFB, S.C, 29152

33.974859, -80.479010

56. PWS 2.1 Scope Existing Commercial Subscriber Lines.

The number of Commercial Subscriber Lines (CSL) is: XXX Type, Services & Features, Demarc, Organization, End Demarc

UNKOWN

57. PWS 2.1 Scope SIP Trunk Codecs Required, G711, G729, Opus, etc.

Not available at this time, Vendor may need to provide options with differences noted

58. PWS 2.1 Scope Existing Desk Phones - Each type Make, Model, Firmware and quantity

Either Cisco 8811/8841s or Cisco 79XX but those are being faced out.