5b. Questions Answers (cao 5May25).pdf

Q&A for FA487725QA253 CS Redundant Fiber Installation B88 to B306

(Current as of 5-May-2025)

Q1. Can you provide where the existing infrastructure and confined spaces are located across the pathway in getting from Building 88 to Building 306?

• A1. Attached is the list of all confined spaces along with length on question 13.

Q2. What training(s) will be necessary to work on the airfield and with the Air Operations Team?

• A2. Airfield Drivers Training will be required to include an Airfield briefing for situational awareness while working in the Controlled Area 12.

Q3. Can the work occur during normal business hours, or will all work need to occur outside of normal business hours?

• A3. Hours will be determined after contract approval and coordination with flight line operation.

Q4. Will fabric innerduct also need to be installed with the fiber optic cable?

• A4. No, the fiber will be installed in innerduct with a diameter no less than 1-inch. Fabric innerduct is no longer required.

Q5. On any areas where no infrastructure exists, what size will the conduit need to be?

• A5. As per base design guide, A minimum of two 4 inch or larger conduit/duct installed in any given duct bank/system.

Q6. Could you please provide GPS coordinates for both Buildings 88 and 306?

• A6. Building 88: 32 9’27.6” N, 110 51’52.8” W

• Building 306: 32 9’55.39” N, 110 53’20.68” W

Q7. Can you let me know what the distance is between Bldg 88 and 306?

• A7. The approximate length of the proposed path is 2.7 miles (14256 feet).

Q8. Could we get a copy of the 355th CS Base Design Guide for this project?

• A8. Attached.

Q9. At the site visit we requested the CVC records on the existing pathway, on these records could we have the new pathway requirement identified?

• A9. A picture is attached with the proposed path

Q10. May we have clarification that the new pathway shall include one hand hole, 2 x 4” duct with one duct populated with 3 x 3”/3Cell Maxcell fabric inner ducts?

• (REVISED) A10. 1 hand hole, minimum 2 conduits that are 4 inches in diameter. For the newly installed ducts, it will need a 1 -1” innerduct for the newly installed conduit along with tracing wire. Below are the references from the base design guide. Maxcell is no longer required.

“4.1.1.3. A manhole with a minimum of two 4” conduit/duct bank lateral system with 14 AWG metallic tracer wire and pull rope will be used for required cables plus 100 percent spare ducts (not less than 1 spare) for expansion and maintenance in all primary duct banks. “

4.1.2.2.2. Will not have an inside diameter less than one inch and will be sized for each cable such that no less than ¼” air gap exists between the inside perimeter of the inner ducts and the outside perimeter of the cable. In addition, inner duct will be sized such that an air gap will exist between the inner duct(s) and the primary conduit/duct. Vacant conduit/duct will be capped, plugged or sealed. Inner duct, if unused will be labeled/tagged as “VACANT”.

Otherwise the cable ID number will be placed on the cable installed within the inner duct.

Q11. Could we get the Old Castle part number for the new hand hole?

• A11. Old Castle Info & Diagram.

Q12. It was mentioned at the site visit that obtaining the flight line permit to add the new duct could take up to a year to approve. Is the permit procedure in progress or will the timeline start at the award of this project?

• A12. The timeline will start when the contract is awarded, requires coordination through CE. They require the installing parties information as well as equipment information

Q13. During our site walk, it was mentioned that we would receive site plans with pathway, Specification documents, and pictures of the tower. We need these before we can complete our RFI list. When can we expect these?

• A13. Notes of MH/HH info along with footage, pictures of 306 Tower comm rooms

Bldg 306 Base floor COMM room

Bldg 306 base COMM room side view.

Bldg 306 6th floor COMM Room.

Q14. Please provide the GPS coordinates of all existing manholes and handholes anticipated to be used for this project.

• A14. GPS coordinates cannot be provided at this time, policy on government computer does not allow me to screenshot, select, or copy the information on

CVC.

Q15. Will the contractor be able to work during the night?

• A15. Night work can be approved if needed.

Q16. Are there any limitations to the number of hours available to work per day?

• A16. No as long it does not interfere with operations

Q17. What is the fullest conduit and how much space is available in that conduit?

• A17. Unable to answer as that would require a full survey.

Q18. Will the contractor be terminating all 72 strands?

• A18. Yes, all strands will be terminated and tested.

Q19. Is the expectation to install a 72-port fiber optic patch panel on each end?

• A19. Yes, both ends of the fiber will be terminated in a fiber patch panel with the ability to house 72 strands.

Q20. Can we see the elevation diagram for the racks where the patch panels will be installed?

• A20. A picture was uploaded for question 13, 6th floor rack, open space at the top.

Q21. Please confirm that we need to provide Maxcell for the entire length of the project?

• A21. Maxcell is not required, the fiber cable will need to be installed in innerduct throughout the route

Q22. Please provide documentation on all 45, 90 degree or any other sweeps?

• A22. Map attached on question 9.

Q23. Is there a specific brand of fiber required or preferred for the job?

• A23. CORNING/Altos is preferred.

Q24. Is the use of LC pigtails acceptable?

• A24. Yes

Q25. Will the CE squadron be responsible for marking the underground utilities?

• A25. Yes, the contractor will need to submit a dig permit request.

Q26. Please provide location of the new conduit and handhole installation.

• A26.

Q27. Will the contractor be responsible for acquiring dig permits?

• A27. Yes, they must be submitted through CES.

Q28. What are Davis Monthan’s requirements for conduit trench depth?

• A28. We prefer the conduits to be bored to reduce downtime for Flightline when repairing surface.

Q29. Will the project require flightline access and if so will flightline drivers training be provided?

• A29. (355 CS may provide flightline drivers if required) Flightline Drivers Training will be required for all personnel who will operate a vehicle. Airfield Management will provide training upon coordination.

Q30. Are there templates to record OTDR test results?

• A30. We do not have templates, but the typical Building#-Building#, Frequencies tested, Db loss/gain, and strand tested is acceptable.

Q31. Is the contractor required to Label the installed Cables and will labeling schema be provided?

• A31. The contractor is required to label the cable in each confined space/handhole, as well as the termination points. Proper labeling for the patch panels as well.

Q32. Where is the path of travel? What manholes will be used.

• New Trench pathway drawings and specs

• Specs for depth for new trench

• Specs for new Manhole being installed

• A32: Already provided MH/HH info, along with Map of proposed path.

Q33. Fiber

• Specs for fiber cable

• Loose tube or type buffer?

• What style connector is fiber?

• Spec on Tracer wire? Is it inside the conduit or on the top?

• A33. Single mode fiber OS2, loose tube, 72-strands.

Ex: 072ZUC-T4F22D20 | ALTOS® Lite Loose Tube, Gel-Free, Single-Jacket, Single-Armored Cables with FastAccess® Technology 72 F, SMF-28® Ultra fiber, Single-mode (OS2) | Corning

Q34. Site specific

• Where store material overnight?

• Is there a laydown area?

• Tower images for install?

• Work hours? Night shift?

• Is there orientation?

• Do we need a escort for specific areas?

• General start date for scheduling?

• A34. Specifics will be addressed after contract award if not already previously addressed throughout this document. Customer is aiming for a July start date https://ecatalog.corning.com/optical-communications/US/en/Fiber-Optic-Cables/Outdoor/Outdoor-Direct-Buried-Cables/ALTOS%C2%AE-Lite-Loose-Tube,-Gel-Free,-Single-Jacket,-Single-Armored-Cables-with-FastAccess%C2%AE-Technology/p/072ZUC-T4F22D20 https://ecatalog.corning.com/optical-communications/US/en/Fiber-Optic-Cables/Outdoor/Outdoor-Direct-Buried-Cables/ALTOS%C2%AE-Lite-Loose-Tube,-Gel-Free,-Single-Jacket,-Single-Armored-Cables-with-FastAccess%C2%AE-Technology/p/072ZUC-T4F22D20 https://ecatalog.corning.com/optical-communications/US/en/Fiber-Optic-Cables/Outdoor/Outdoor-Direct-Buried-Cables/ALTOS%C2%AE-Lite-Loose-Tube,-Gel-Free,-Single-Jacket,-Single-Armored-Cables-with-FastAccess%C2%AE-Technology/p/072ZUC-T4F22D20 for scheduling, however, this is dependent on contract award and other coordination between various units.

Q35. Drawings with Path and Dimensions needed – The RFQ Files do not include a drawing that shows the path, particularly the Section requiring new duct and Hand Hole. Please provide a Drawing, either Scaled or with Dimensions included, that shows the entire path.

• A35.

Q36. At the Site Visit we were unable to access Bldg 306 (Tower), and the RFQ does not indicate whether there is an existing Rack/Cabinet on the 6th Floor to land the new Fiber Cabinet.

• A36. Picture uploaded on question 13.

Q37. No details about requested Manhole/Hand Hole are provided. Please provide details:

• Manhole or hand hole?

• Minimum Distance OFF Runway?

• Dimensions?

• Load Rating? (H20, Aircraft?)

• Type of Cover/Lid? (Round, Rectangular, Hinged?)

• Cover Material? (Steel, Galvanized, Stainless Steel?)

• Concrete apron or other enhancements required for proximity to Flight line?

• Other Details?

• A37. All questions answered throughout document and attachments.

Q38. Are the existing Manhole along the runway Hand holes or Manhole? Are they identified as “Confined Spaces” requiring Gas Detector Testing and Forced Draft Ventilation?

• A38.According to AFI 91-203, the Maintenance holes along the flightline are confined spaces. If the worker can “bodily enter and perform assigned work”-falls into the definition.

Q39. For the new Ducts required to/from the NEW HH/MH, is it two each, 4” Ducts?

• A39. Yes

Q40. Can the new ducts be trenched or must they be directional bored?

• A40. Boring is preferred to minimize damage done to the surface and reduce flightline downtime.

Q41. Does the Government require Geotextile Fabric Innerduct (Maxcell) in the new Ducts? If so, please provide quantity of new Maxcells, whether one or both new ducts received Maxcell, what size and number of chambers in Maxcell, and whether one of the ducts must be detectable.

• A41. Answered on question 10 for Maxcell. The duct bank must be detectable, installing tracer wire with the innerduct is acceptable.

Q42. Please confirm whether the Buy American Act (BAA) applies to this acquisition.

• A42. There are exceptions to the Buy American Act when it comes to Information Technology that is a commercial product.

Q43. Bidders are required to provide a Period of Performance. Can the Government provide a duration to receive approval for a Flight Line Waiver?

• A43. Can’t be determined till contract is awarded.

Q44. Will the Government provide 2 weeks from the date answers to questions are provided for the submission of proposals?

• A44. Please send an email to the listed POCs if the updated solicitation due date is not feasible.

Q45. MaxCell Installation: During the site visit, we were informed that MaxCell would need to be installed in the existing conduit prior to pulling the fiber. This requirement is not included in the current Statement of Objectives.

• Should we include MaxCell in our pricing?

• If yes, please confirm the specification (e.g., 3-cell, 3" MaxCell).

• A45. No, Maxcell is not required.

Q46. Existing Conduit Condition: We understand the existing conduit may have unknown or collapsed sections.

• Should we treat repairs as incident-based and exclude them from base pricing? Or do you recommend including allowances for possible remediation?

• A46. This requirement is for a firm-fixed price, one-time service using simplified acquisition procedures. The Government recommends including allowances within total quoted price.