Amend_3_Q_and_A__FBO_Posting_21_Feb_18.pdf

Solicitation Number FA5587-17-R-0016, Tier 2 Scalable Modular Data Center

Date 21 February 2018 Purchasing Agency 48th Contracting Squadron – 48 CONS/PKA

RAF Lakenheath, Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 9PN, United Kingdom Subject Amendment 3: Questions and Answers x

Questions and Answers

Disclaimer: The following question have been received from various interested offerors. Please note, some of the questions received are still under technical review and pending responses. Those questions will be answered and posted on FBO through an amendment at a later date.

Industry Question Reference Government Response

1. Will a list of those who attended the site survey be posted to FBO?

No. The list of attendees to the site visit will not be made public.

2. Can submission of response be extended to 31- 3-18?

The RFP due date has been extended to 1600 GMT on 26 March 2018 to the Points of Contact noted in the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1

3. Could you please provide the following detailed drawing of the proposed site and surrounding areas for the following services ideally if these can be provided in .dwg format and PDF.

3.1. Building General Layout?

3.2. External general Layout with indication of

space available for external cooling plant and power generation?

3.3. Civil works layout drawings

3.4. Cross site Ducts and drainage locations

3.5. Cross site HL-LV location and cable route, along with indicative location for power connections and new cable route for the SMDC.

3.1. Answer: Please see Attachment V- “1035 with data center”, Attachment VI “1035_Ground_FP”, and Attachment VII “Ground FP Walls” for internal clear space. Height between floor and heating duct in warehouse is approx. 21 feet.

3.2. Answer: The external cooling plant and power generation

can sit outside the back loading dock area. Please see Attachment VIII, “1035 Gen Location” for location.

3.3. Answer: Please see Attachment IV “1035 Utilities.”

3.4. Answer: Please see Attachment III “1035 Duct” and

Attachment IV “1035 Utilities.”

3.5. Answer: Answer: Please see Attachment III “1035 Duct” and

Attachment IV “1035 Utilities.”

4. To meet Tier 3 are 2no. Utility feds being provided to the Data Centre facility at 600V or higher?

SMDC will be a Tier 2 Data Center. Electrical components will be “N”, meaning there are no redundancy requirements for incoming power, generator, or UPS system. Mechanical requirements will be N+1.

5. Could you confirm if IG55 gas is acceptable for the fire suppression agent as this is a naturally occurring non-chemical gas being zero ozone depleting with no risk of its supply being limited or being phased out?

FM 200 is the base standard and shall be used.

6. As the SMDC is to be divided into 3 separate IT areas, does this require separate fire suppression bottles for each of the three locations or is a shared diverting gas system acceptable.

Based on the proposed SMDC design, the contractor's fire engineer and/or technical expert, shall ensure specifications are met IAW the SOW requirements.

7. Could you please provide details of the contractor selection and evaluation process carried out for Price, Quality, Design, Specification and energy efficiency?

Please reference to Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 – Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items and Addendum to FAR 52.212-2 – Evaluation-Commercial Items of the solicitation for evaluation factors.

8. Could you please provide details of the process of obtaining Secret Clearance for UK and US contractors for this project and RAF Lakenheath, including any cost that are require to be paid to the clearance authority for processing of documentation?

Please see SOW Rev 1 Para 1.2 Security Requirements and subparagraphs.

9. 9.1. Could you please provide the contact details of your current Fire and Security systems installers and maintainers?

9.2. Please provide details/Lists of your

incumbent contractors who install and carry out maintenance on the, Monaco fire systems, Vindicator security systems and any other proprietary systems employed?

No. Names of Fire and Security systems installers and maintainers cannot be provided. Please reference to SOW and Attachment IX J&A for system information (Fire Alarm: Monaco Detection System and Intrusion Detection: Vindicator Security System).

10. Could you confirm the quantity of CCTV camera required?

The quantity is based off the SMDC design provided by the contractor. Coverage of the area needs to be provided by the Contractor.

11. Could you please clarify any access routes or if any access requirements are required to within the construction area during the installation works?

Contractor who is awarded with contract will be provided with access onto RAF Lakenheath to complete the work required and will be provided a map of the area.

12. Could you please confirm the levels of Shielding and security requirements between the datacentre compartments?

Shielding will meet STC 50 standards. Compartments 1 and 3 shall have one main and one secondary entrance door. Compartment 2 shall have one main entrance door. There shall be no doorways between compartments.

13. Could you please confirm the floor loading required for the second story?

The minimum distributed floor loading capacity shall be 7.2 KPA (150 lbf/sq ft). The recommended distributed floor loading capacity shall be 12 kPA (250 lbf/ sq ft). Floors should be appropriately reinforced if equipment exceeding these specifications is anticipated. The Concrete Slab Thickness at ground will be 127 mm (5 inches) Reference: TIA-942-A, Telecommunication Infrastructure Standard for Data Centers, Page 23, Floor Loading.

14. Could you please confirm each compartment shall be provided with one main and secondary entrance door for each compartment with no doorways between compartments?

Compartments 1 and 3 shall have one main and one secondary entrance door. Compartment 2 shall have one main entrance door.

There shall be no doorways between compartments.

15. Is a fire suppression gas extract and fresh air make up system required?

Based on the proposed SMDC design, the contractor's fire engineer and/or technical expert, shall ensure specifications are met IAW the SOW requirements.

16. Will welfare, WC facilities provided by the client FOC for the duration of the construction works?

No. Welfare, WC facilities will not be provided. Offeror must provide welfare, WC facilities.

17. Will office facilities provided by the client FOC for the duration of the construction works?

No. Offeror must provide their own office space.

18. Will waste disposal facilities provided by the client FOC for the duration of the construction works.

No. Waste disposal facilities will not be provided.

19. Will parking facilities adjacent to the works area provided by the client FOC for the duration of the construction works.

Parking onsite and/or near to site will be available during duration of the construction works. Parking shall be coordinated in advance with the COR.

20. What are the client payment terms? The Government contemplates award of a Firm Fixed Priced contract resulting from this solicitation. For additional information please reference Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 – Instructions to Offerors- Commercial Items of the solicitation.

21. Are there any external noise restrictions? No. There are no external noise restrictions.

22. Are there any specific plant and equipment color requirements?

No. There are no requirements for plant or equipment.

23. Is the Government able to provide detailed pictures such as the interior of Building 1035 where that Data Center will be built as well as the desired exterior location for the generator?

Addendum to FAR 52.212-1;

Paragraph O

The generator can sit outside the back loading dock area. The generator can sit inside as long as the exhaust is piped outside the building. Please see Attachment VIII, “1035 Gen Location” for location.

24. Does the Government intend to award CLIN 0002, CLIN 0003, and CLIN 0004 at the time of award for CLIN 0001? Does the Government intend execute CLIN 0002, CLIN 0003, and CLIN 0004 simultaneously with CLIN 0001?

At award the Government will determine what CLIN’s are to be awarded, We do not intend to award/exercise any optional CLIN’s after initial award.

25. 25.1. In Reference to the Ten (10) ft.

standoff around the Data Center – can we use this space as cold/warm zone (air flow)?

25.2. Can we utilize the 10 feet

perimeter surrounding the DC to site the CRAC units providing we meet all health and safety guidelines regarding walkways?

25.1. The cold/warm zone (air flow) is allowed within the 10’ standoff, but anything in the area must allow for proper emergency egress and routine inspection of the area.

25.2. Use is allowed within the 10’ standoff, but anything in the area must allow for proper emergency egress and routine inspection of the area.

26. What is the internal clear space (Dimensions including elevations and Location)?

Please see Attachment V “1035 with data center”, Attachment VI “1035_Ground_FP”, and Attachment VII “Ground FP Walls” for internal clear space. Height between floor and heating/cooling duct, which is secured to ceiling, is approx. 21 feet.

27. Can we combine the Data Center space and mechanical room, these are currently divided by a wall? (i.e. Can wall / partition be removed?)

The Government does not intend to remove the referenced wall, and removal of the wall is not requested part of this SOW.

28. 28.1. Are more detailed drawings both plan and elevation of the building

Please see Attachment V “1035 with data center”, Attachment IV “1035_Ground_FP”, and Attachment VI “Ground_FP Walls” for available? Or drawings with higher resolution?

28.2. Please could you provide

electronic drawings of:

Building/compound layout and elevation drawings, relevant HV schematics for the site and expected location for substation?

internal clear space. Height between floor and heating duct in warehouse is approx. 21 feet.

Base CE will bring a HV (11KV) line from the Old Intake Substation (OISS) closer to the facility and install a new 1MW pad mount substation and then run the LV cable from there to a nearby pedestal with appropriate fusing and generator quick connects. When the vendor completes the data center, base CE will run the power cables from the pedestal to the data center and connect it to the grid.

29. What space (dimensions) is available on the outside of the building for generators and DX units and do you have a site drawing? Is there any required standoff around these units when placing?

The generator and DX units can sit outside the back loading dock area. Please see Attachment VIII, “1035 Gen Location” for location.

There are no required standoffs.

30. As the site access will be through Gate 8, will all deliveries have to go through the vehicle search? If so, what is the maximum truck dimensions that can fit through the inspection station length, width and height?

Yes, all deliveries will have to go thru Gate 8 for vehicle inspection. If vehicle cannot fit into inspection bay, vehicle will be inspected in bypass area before being allowed on base.

31. Where are the 20 racks supporting 6-8kW to be positioned?

In compartment 1. The design has been left open to help the contractor to meet the need of the requirement that fits the space being built. Please allow for proper air flow and ensure racks are properly labeled 8kW.

32. Can you supply the internal space slab loadings? The minimum distributed floor loading capacity shall be 7.2 KPA (150 lbf/sq ft). The recommended distributed floor loading capacity shall be 12 kPA (250 lbf/ sq ft). Floors should be appropriately reinforced if equipment exceeding these specifications is anticipated. The Concrete Slab Thickness at ground will be 127 mm (5 inches) Reference: TIA-942-A, Telecommunication Infrastructure Standard for Data Centers, Page 23, floor loading.

33. Size of the external plant area spaces, notably the area “loading dock”?

The generator can sit outside the back loading dock area. The generator can also sit inside as long as the exhaust is piped outside the building. Please see Attachment VII, “1035 Gen Location” for location.

34. Does the external plant area require fencing and if yes can we utilize any existing fences?

The outside loading dock is within a fenced area and does not need to be reconfigured as part of this requirement.

35. For the offer you also request a redacted version what information needs to be redacted?

Redacted copy will NOT be required. Please see revised Solicitation.

36. Is it a requirement that compartment 1 & 2 are completely independent and divided by a wall slab to slab or can the infrastructure support them both?

Compartment’s 1 & 2 need to be separate compartments, but can have a shared wall.

37. At the site visit supplying a full set of building drawings was mentioned, is this possible in dwg?

Please see Attachment III “1035 Duct”, Attachment IV “1035 Utilities”, Attachment V “1035 with data center”, Attachment VI “1035_Ground_FP”, Attachment VII “Ground_FP Walls”, and Attachment VIII, “1035 Gen Location”

38. Site is to provide a suitable substation to power the SMDC in building 1035, please confirm the location and distance from the substation to the

SMDC?

Base CE will bring a HV (11KV) line from the Old Intake Substation (OISS) closer to the facility and install a new 1MW pad mount substation and then run the LV cable from there to a nearby pedestal with appropriate fusing and generator quick connects. When the vendor completes the data center, base CE will run the power cables from the pedestal to the data center and connect it to the grid

39. Can you confirm the useable ceiling height of the main area in the building for the SMDC?

Height between floor and heating/cooling duct (lowest point), is 21 feet.

40. Are there any structural drawings available for the building in which the SMDC is to be built?

Please see Attachment V “1035 with data center”, Attachment VI “1035_Ground_FP”, and Attachment VII “Ground FP Walls” for internal clear space.

41. Can you please confirm the room components 1, 2 and 3 internal ceiling height?

The minimum height shall be 2.6 m (8.5 ft) from the finished floor to any obstruction such as sprinklers, lighting fixture, overhead cable tray or cameras. Cooling requirements or racks/cabinets taller than

2.13 m (7 ft) may dictate higher ceiling heights. Reference: TIA-942- A, Telecommunication Infrastructure Standard for Data Centers, Page 22.

42. Can you confirm that the design will utilize a single incoming mains feed from the HV ring and do we have any drawings available as to the source of the mains feed including connection

Base CE will bring a HV (11KV) line from the Old Intake Substation (OISS) closer to the facility and install a new 1MW pad mount substation and then run the LV cable from there to a nearby pedestal with appropriate fusing and generator quick connects. When the details and ground works required to connect to building?

vendor completes the data center, base CE will run the power cables from the pedestal to the data center and connect it to the grid.

43. A Tier III design requires that the solution requires N+1 on power and that this must be concurrently available. Please can you confirm that the N+1 UPS power required two UPS systems?

SMDC will be a Tier 2 Data Center. Electrical components will be “N”, meaning there are no redundancy requirements for incoming power, generator, or UPS system. Mechanical requirements will be N+1.

44. A Tier III design requires that the solution requires N+1 on power and that this must be concurrently available. Please can you confirm that the solution requires N+1 generators with separate fuel tanks with separate fuel pipes?

SMDC will be a Tier 2 Data Center. Electrical components will be “N”, meaning there are no redundancy requirements for incoming power, generator, or UPS system. Mechanical requirements will be N+1.

45. If there is an existing transformer on the HV ring we are connecting to, are there any photo’s of the transformer and drawings to indicate existing connections?

Base CE will bring a HV (11KV) line from the Old Intake Substation (OISS) closer to the facility and install a new 1MW pad mount substation and then run the LV cable from there to a nearby pedestal with appropriate fusing and generator quick connects. When the vendor completes the data center, base CE will run the power cables from the pedestal to the data center and connect it to the grid.

46. Are all construction and installation workers required to hold a US Secret/UK Secret equivalent security clearance or just personnel with escort privileges?

1.2 SOW Please see SOW Rev 1 Para 1.2 Security Requirements and subparagraphs.

47. In what form is the contractor required to provide current and valid professional certifications with the offered proposal?

1.2/3.28

SOW

Please see SOW Rev 1 Para 3.28, the form will be provided after award, and certifications must be provided 90 days prior to installation/assembly.

48. Verify we are required to design to Uptime Tier 3 Data Center specifications, but are not required to bid Tier 3 Uptime certification?

1.3 SOW SMDC will be a Tier 2 Data Center. Electrical components will be “N”, meaning there are no redundancy requirements for incoming power, generator, or UPS system. Mechanical requirements will be N+1.

49. Specify which utilities are required to have North-South or East-West redundant connections?

1.3 SOW North-South/East-West redundant connections will be based on vendor’s design.

50. 50.1. An electrical redundancy of N2 is specified. Is the required level of redundancy N+2 or 2N?

2.2 SOW SMDC will be a Tier 2 Data Center. Electrical components will be “N”, meaning there are no redundancy requirements for incoming power, generator, or UPS system. Mechanical requirements will be N+1.

50.2. Which major electrical power plant

components are required to be redundant:

Switchgear, ATS, Generator, UPS?

50.3. An HVAC redundancy of N1 is specified. Is

the required level of redundancy N+1 or 1N?

50.4. Please could you confirm that the design

required is in fact Tier III, in line with the Uptime Institute Table 1 shown below? On the day of the site visit, it was expressed that the expected design was to incorporate a single generator and a single UPS?

51. 51.1. Verify the new substation that will provide prime power for bldg. 1085 SMDC is not in scope and will be provided by base CE?

51.2. Can you provide the geolocation and

map for the new substation that will provide prime power to bldg. 1035 SMDC?

51.3. Is furnish and installation of the prime

power feed from the new substation to the SMDC switchgear within scope of work?

51.4. Could you confirm that the chosen

contractor shall be responsible for the installation of a new substation and connection to the HV infrastructure?

2.2 SOW Base CE will bring a HV (11KV) line from the Old Intake Substation (OISS) closer to the facility and install a new 1MW pad mount substation and then run the LV cable from there to a nearby pedestal with appropriate fusing and generator quick connects. When the vendor completes the data center, base CE will run the power cables from the pedestal to the data center and connect it to the grid.

52. Is this generator intended for emergency backup power in the event the Main power (Paragraph 2.2.1) goes off line?

2.2 SOW Yes, the generator is intended for emergency back-up power.

53. 53.1. Assuming this generator will physically sit outside of Building 1035;

what is the specific location?

53.2. Or will the generator be placed

in the Data Center Mechanical room?

2.2 SOW 1. & 2. Answer: The generator can sit outside the back loading dock area. The generator can sit inside as long as the exhaust is piped outside the building. Please see Attachment VII, “1035 Gen Location” for location.

54. Does the Government have a restriction on the type of fuel used for the Generator to be supplied?

2.2 SOW Diesel generator is required.

55. Can we site the generators outside the allocated Data Centre mechanical space within building 1035 and if yes;

55.1. Does the exhaust need to be at

high level?

55.2. What level of noise attenuation

is required?

2.2 SOW The generator can sit outside the back loading dock area. The generator can also sit inside as long as the exhaust is piped outside the building. Please see Attachment VIII, “1035 Gen Location” for location.

51.1. Yes, the exhaust needs to be piped to the outside the building.

This needs to be in a way to not allow it to come back inside.

51.2. If the generator is placed indoors, then the mechanical area need to be closed off from the main area. No offices will be located near the mechanical room; no specific level of attenuation is required.

56. 56.1. Is a pre-action sprinkler system required inside the SMDC in addition to the Dry Suppression System?

56.2. Is additional fire suppression

required for the 10ft external clear zone around the SMDC structure?

56.3. Is additional fire suppression

required for the Mechanical Room if it is used for UPS and/or HVAC?

2.3 SOW Based on the proposed SMDC design, the contractor's fire engineer and/or technical expert, shall ensure specifications are met IAW the SOW requirements.

57. 57.1. How many cameras are required for interior surveillance of the SMDC and are the cameras required to be fixed or PTZ (2.3.6.2)?

57.2. How many cameras are

required for exterior surveillance of the SMDC and are the cameras required to be fixed or PTZ (2.3.6.2)?

2.3 SOW The quantity is based off the design that contractor provides.

Coverage of the area needs to be provided.

58. Are exterior lights required on the outside of the SMDC structure or are the exiting lights sufficient?

2.4 SOW Based on the proposed SMDC design, the contractor's design engineer and/or technical expert, shall ensure specifications are met IAW the SOW requirements.

59. The rack size requested is not a standard rack size. The challenge with that size is they are just over seven (7’) feet tall and from our experience, we would need a specially designed fork lift to get a server installed in the rack at that height. Also, those are generally used in spaces with very high ceilings with a massive amount of air flow. A standard size cabinet for networking equipment is 42U, 31.5” W, 42” D, and also rated for 3000 lbs. This size cabinet is preferred for this application as it would allow safe movement/transport up the stairs and through a standard door.

Question. Would the government consider a rack size of 42U, 31.5”W, 42”D?

2.5 SOW No. The size mentioned in the SOW are the required size.

60. The UFC 3-580-01 Telecommunication Standards states that all new construction is to use the duplex LC connectors except where legacy infrastructure is used.

Question. Is it possible to use different connector types other than the specified ST and SC combination?

2.5 SOW The requirement is for ST and SC connectors to be used as it is a base standard requirement for infrastructure cabling.

61. Could you please confirm the quantity of racks with Compartment 1 that will require 6-8kW power supplies/power consumption?

2.6 SOW Twenty (20) racks will require 6-8kW power supplies/power consumption. The rest (100) racks will be 4kW.

62. Could you please confirm the quantity of racks with Compartment 3 that will require 6-8kW power supplies/power consumption?

2.6 SOW No racks in Compartment 3 will require 6-8kW power supplies/power consumption. Compartment 3 is to be fitted out with 40 racks at 4kW per rack para 2.6 (SOW).

63. Could you please confirm the power supplies/power consumption of the rack required in compartment 3 as the power supplies are state to be 16A single phase are we to assume these will be 3 kW?

2.6 SOW Compartment 3 is to be fitted out with 40 racks at 4kW per rack para

2.6 (SOW).

64. Could you please confirm or clarify the following design IT load for Compartment 1&2 = (20 x 8) + (130 x 4) = 680 kW?

2.6 SOW IAW Section 2.6 of SOW, the majority of server racks will be consuming 4kw of power. A total of 20 racks will be consuming 6-8 kw of power in Compartment 1.

65. Can you confirm the total power load expected if compartment 3 is chosen?

2.6 SOW Compartment 3 is to be fitted out with 40 racks at 4kW per rack IAW para 2.6 (SOW)

66. Could you please confirm or clarify the following design IT load for Compartment 3 = (40 x 3) = 120 kW?

2.6 SOW Compartment 3 is to be fitted out with 40 racks at 4kW per rack para

2.6 (SOW).

67. Is there a copper requirement (CAT-6) for vertical cabling within the racks?

2.8 SOW No.

68. Statement of Work Paragraph/Section 2.8.2.

(Page 5). It states that single mode is to be used “between rows in Compartment 1.”

The Single Mode fiber requirements are quite substantial. Can the Government please clarify this requirement because it appears multi-mode fiber would work better in this application?

2.8 SOW The requirement is to have both Single-mode and Multi-mode fiber, reference section 2.8 of SOW for additional details.

69. Did the Government intend to state “re-sealable”?

2.9 SOW Yes, the Government intended to state “re-sealable”.

70. Is the external staircase allowed within the 10’ standoff area?

2.10 SOW The staircase is allowed within the 10’ standoff, but anything in the area must allow for proper emergency egress and routine inspection of the area.

71. Will secure storage be provided by the client FOC for the duration of the construction works?

3.5 SOW Please refer to Statement of Work (SOW) paragraph 3.5 – Base Support.

72. Is electrical equipment to be ANSI/NEMA rated or IEC rated?

6.0 SOW Electrical equipment will be ANSI/NEMA rated.