Questions and Answers Version 2.pdf

Questions and Answers for MacDill AFB - 5G Cellular Upgrade

FA481420TF092

1. The Scope of work identifies there will be placement of dead zones additional cellular device support nodes to the base buildings/area. The Government is seeking a vendor that can show where dead zones are and their plan to eliminate them by providing the infrastructure. Ideally, the infrastructure would carry multiple cellular carriers allowing for all cell phones regardless of vendor carrier an improved connection/experience/speed.

2. Do you also seek to provide any additional coverage and support with the Upgrade around and outside the base area? The Government is seeking a vendor that will increase coverage as needed on base and upgrade voice/data when/where possible. We are not seeking any outside the base area.

3. Would you allow questions extension to July 15, with Response of information due July 30? The Question deadline has been extended to 15 July 2020 with a response date of 30 July 2020.

4. What is the category of this request/project (i.e. RFP, RFI, other)? We are seeking the best source and RFI seems to be the most accurate answer?

5. What is the scope of this project (i.e. CRAN, 5G Sub6, 5G mmWave, other The government is seeking 5G technology and the vendor is welcome to provide a solicitation that explains the benefits of various solutions like the examples mentioned in the question (CRAN, 5G Sub6, 5G mmWave, other).

6. What are the on-base areas where coverage is requested? “All outdoor spaces on the entire installation”.

7. Is there Air Force funding available, especially for light/unpopulated and indoor coverage areas that are of interest? No Air Force funding is available now or anytime in the future for 5G services on the installation and there are no indoor requirements.

8. Is the Air Force considering a “Base-Only” strategy akin to the Navy and Army process whereby rent is not charged for on-base wireless sites for the purpose of covering the base, thus making the lease template obsolete? The vendor proposed solution will be evaluated and regardless of any fees or compensation, the lease instrument is mandatory for all 3rd party interests on the installation. If there are reasons for in-kind consideration, that will be addressed during the instrument creating and negotiation process.

9. What’s the evaluation criteria for this opportunity? We will evaluate the following; 1) Is the vendor solution 5G? 2) Did the vendor provide adequate documentation of all assets to include acceptable drawings and attribute information showing the requested detail such as material, ownership, capacity, etc… ? 3) Does the vendor solution allow for a USAF compatible and regulatory compliant capability? 4) Did the vendor provide an operational 5G ready date? Is the vendor able to meet the operational deadline? Vendor provided operational 5G ready date is not a sole determinant for selection.

10. Land leases are typically negotiated after contract award. Can this language be included in the SOW for the MacDill coverage enhancement? There will not be a contract. The land lease will be required to allow the vendor access to the installation and to place infrastructure/equipment in approved areas that are documented in the lease instrument.

11. What would be the duration of the land lease? The initial lease will be for a period of 5 years with option to execute additional 5 year increments up to a total of 20 years.

12. Can the operational 5G system date be extended 18 - 24 months from the contract award? The operational date must be included in the vendor’s response in order to be considered. Extension of the

Questions and Answers for MacDill AFB - 5G Cellular Upgrade

FA481420TF092

operational date will be at the sole discretion of the USAF and will be documented in the lease instrument.

13. Will we have base access for installing fiber and Macro & CRAN nodes? Access to the base will be made available to the selected vendor for installation and maintenance of the vendor owned infrastructure/equipment on the base. Base access terms will be addressed in the lease instrument. If any construction is required to establish the 5G capability, the vendor will be responsible for meeting all USAF requirements.

14. Are existing ducts available for installing additional fiber? No.

15. Is their available fiber for lease in existence today that we can use as backhaul? If so, what is available? 1GB? 5GB? 10GB? No.

16. Will the base make property available to build macro(s) (new tower(s))? Can we use the existing water tank? Each vendor solution will be evaluated for its merits as it pertains to USAF compatibility and regulatory compliance. If property is required, it will be included in the lease instrument and the vendor must meet all USAF construction requirements. Using either or both of the existing water tank towers on base is not guaranteed but may be part of the selected solution. The selected solution will need to be properly coordinated with other existing vendors utilizing the existing water towers and the privatized owner/operators.

17. Will the base identify the primary buildings that require in-building network access? Can we deploy Distributed Antenna Systems using existing wired network or will we have to build a separate wired network? There are no in-building requirement at this time.

18. Will there be an Industry Day to discuss requirements in more detail and accompanying site walk?

No industry day or site walks are planned at this time.

19. Recommend an extension of 1-month to resolve all concerns and ensure the best solution for 5G coverage enhancement and first responder communications. The deadline for sources sought responses has been extended to 13 Aug 2020.

20. Do you anticipate any budget to the AFB , as a portion/assist in the Costs of this solution on base, OR are you seeking a vendor that will provide this at NO COST to AFB? The USAF does not anticipate any funds available for the upgrade.