Document 0001- Questions and Answers.pdf

Disclaimer: The following questions have been received from various interested Offerors.

Industry Question Reference Government Response

1. With the previous and current constraints of the work days (holidays, current COVID-19 and social unrest issues) will the Government authorize an extension for the submission of the quotations to allow vendors adequate time to prepare the quotations?

FA558720Q1027

Amendment 00001

Yes, the Government will authorize an additional ten (10) calendar days to provide quotations. Please see Amendment 00001.

2. Can the Government clarify the definitions of the colored lines in the ITN/CN diagram? (Green, Black, Red)

No difference, all fiber is Single Mode fiber.

3. Based on Para 3.3, the vendor assumes there will be fiber at the demarc points. However, the vendor requests clarification as Para 3.1. states the vendor shall run fiber from the comm entry point to contractor provided switch. Can the Government verify if both RAF Lakenheath and RAF Feltwell have existing fiber backbone that terminates at the “Fiber demarc” points at all of the PAS sites identified for the project? IF there are some PAS points that do not have existing fiber backbone terminating at the PAS site, Yes all fiber is available

Solicitation Number FA558720Q1027- Giant Voice Expansion Date 15 July 2020

Purchasing Agency 48th Contracting Squadron – 48 CONS/PKA RAF Lakenheath, Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 9PN, United Kingdom

Subject Document 0001: Questions and Answers can the Government identify which PAS do not have existing fiber backbone from the ITC/CN points?

4. Can the Government specify what fiber connections are at each fiber patch panel? (SC,LC,ST)

ST

5. From the ideal mounting location for the speaker at Gate 1, how far is the nearest power and fiber demarc point?

Is this access point located inside the Gate 1 building or will it require the vendor to run fiber and power lines to another point away from this Gate 1 building? (underground or overhead)

Attachment 6- RAF Feltwell B210

Fiber and power is available in B210, which is located at Gate 1: See Attachment 6- RAF Feltwell B210

6. To clarify, vendor will run fiber from the facility demarc point to the vendor supplied media converter to the speaker. The vendor plans to provide the “switch” at the ITN/CN points and not at the PAS sites. Is the Government stating that it is requiring “switches” at each fiber demarc point for each PAS site?

Media converter at each PAS and switch at the ITB is acceptable and preferred.

7. Which of the C2 facilities do not have PA systems? Approximately what is the indoor square footage to cover with the indoor notification system?

Attachment 7- PA Systems

Please see Attachment 7- PA Systems for list of buildings without PA systems.

8.

To clarify, from the PAS Fiber Diagram, outside of ITN/CN 1087, there are 4 other ITN/CN points (1396, 1346, 1243, and 1495).

Government stated “fiber from PAS units go back to two different server

Correction, please use fiber diagram as where fiber runs, a switch should be placed at each ITB to reduce fiber count between ITBS.

rooms”, can the Government identify which ITN/CN points are the “two” server rooms?

9. To clarify, Government stated “Contractor must install switches in these facilities and use two strands of fiber from each location back to controller 1087”, does this mean the vendor is to run physical fiber from the “two server” rooms back to ITN/CN1087? Or to connect the vendor provided switches to the 2 strand fiber in the server rooms when installing the switches?

No fiber is present, contractor must provide the switches at each ITB

10. For the vendor supplied switches at the two server rooms, are there open rack spaces available for the switches or will the vendor be required to mount new racks? If new racks are required, will there be space in the two server rooms for the racks?

Switches at every ITB, and yes there is space.

11.

It is the vendor’s assumption that the power being discussed in Para 3.10 is the power terminating at the power panel inside the PAS. However, the way it is written, it also implies that there may not be power at the power panels and the vendor is required to run the power to this power panel to use for the powering of the vendor supplied equipment. To clarify, is there power terminating at each PAS power panel? If not, can the

There is power available at the main distribution board, contractor will run power from main distribution board to their equipment.

Government identify which PAS do not have power at the identified power panels per the Attachment 4- PAS Shelter Layout, and how far is the nearest power point to these unpowered PAS locations?

12. The requirement in Para 3.3(a) states speakers and enclosures must have ATEX certification. This requirement limits offerings from Federal Signal for speakers. Federal Signal offerings for hazardous locations are primarily UL and cUL listed. Can we use equipment that is UL and cUL listed for Class I, Division 2 hazardous locations and do not have an ATEX certification?

Provide the specs of their speakers, this may be acceptable but further research is needed before a decision can be made.

13. Is it required for controllers and speakers to have battery back-up? If so, what is the desired back-up time?

No backup is required.

14. The SOW states fiber optic cable will be available at each PAS. Please confirm the 58 controllers will communicate with the central controller via IP.

Yes over IP, contractor to provide all equipment to do this.

15. Please clarify if the 58 controllers must have redundant RF communication with the central controller.

No RF redundancy required

16. Please provide the model and part number for the controller in building 1090 that needs a Wi-Fi access point.

Dell PowerEdge T330

17. PA exists over the current Giant Voice standalone network.” Please clarify the PA system requirements under this project for facilities that do not currently have a PA system.

Please see attached UFC 4-021-01 2008 change 1 2010

18. Will the single wall/roof mount speaker system to gate 1 at Feltwell communicate over IP only or is RF required as well?

Just over IP, contractor to provide all equipment to do this, fiber is present in B210 which contractor can patch into.

19. There are numerous requirements to perform work on/modify/update the existing Federal Signal System. Please provide the block diagram and network architecture (as-built) for the existing system.

Attachment 8- Visio-RAF Lakenheath-12- 14-16

See Attachment 8- Visio- RAF Lakenheath 12-14-16. A more detailed diagram with IP info will be provided to winning contractor.

20. The requirement to install new PA systems for work under the Optional 1

– C2 CLIN is ambiguous: “Connect current PA where available and install new where no.

Attachment 7- PA Systems

Please see Attachment 7- PA Systems. In the attachment it shows which buildings do and do not have an existing PA system. The existing PA systems need to be connected and new PA system needs to be installed where there is no PA system.

21. Please clarify if the Option 1 – C2 CLIN controllers will communication with the central station via IP. Please clarify if the controllers must have redundant RF communication with the central controller

IP only, no RF.

22. How old is the system and how is it performing?

The system is only a few years old. It is performing well.

23. Would the budget (preventative maintenance, upgrade and expansion) allow for the replacement of the

No the budget would not allow for a full replacement of the system. It is only a few years old and is performing well.

control stations and sirens using existing poles?

24. The attachment 2 Quote sheet is not viewable and may be corrupted.

Would you provide the Attachment 2 Quote sheet in alternate formats excel, word or a new pdf to be certain it is viewable?

I will update the attachment. If it is still not viewable, I will send a copy via email to all requesting vendors. Please email balente.guzman@us.af.mil to request a copy.

25. When can a site visit be scheduled? We are not performing a site visit on this requirement.

26. What capabilities does your existing PA system have to support a base wide broadcast? If the existing PA system currently supports a base wide broadcast, then would you identify the location of the PA system amplifier enabling the base wide broadcast?

PA systems will be tied into Giant Voice system for broadcasts

27. What capabilities does your existing PA system have to activate each individual building?

Buildings with PA currently make their own announcements

28. Would you confirm your requirements for the PA system to broadcast base wide or by each individual Building?

Different options, one for individual buildings or as a group broadcast

29. Would you identify which of the 24 facilities have no current PA system?

see attached

30. Would you provide building drawings for each of the 24 facilities identified as having no current PA system for which a system must be installed?

Yes see attached

31. What are the requirements of Section

3.2.1 for the installation of wireless hardware, providing a frequency and operational test results because it states "FOC shall be used for this effort" in the previous section titled "Option 1 - C2 Facilities"?

We have a wireless POP in B1090 and we need a wireless card added to the controller, to enable troubleshooting.

32. What is the reference to "Option 1 - C2 Facilities"? Is the Government requesting the solution for the internal coverage be offered as an option made available for the Government to choose in addition to the baseline solution?

Yes this is only an option

33. How many of your PA systems are planned to be integrated in your emergency solution system?

All of them

34. Do you have audible gaps in your coverage? Do you need additional speakers for these unreachable zones? If yes, please describe the environment?

Only gate 1 at Feltwell

35. Do you have installation diagrams of your PA system(s)?

(If you don't have installation diagrams for your pa system) Can you please include macro photos of the

No we do not have diagrams of the current systems. Due to security reasons we cannot provide photographs.

36. Please state make, models and quantities of the PA Systems.

Attachment 7- PA Systems

We do not have this information. See Attachment 7- PA systems for list of buildings with and without PA systems.

37. What type of announcements are you currently using (prerecorded or live broadcast)

Both

38. Does the system have a line level audio input (or a mic input)?

Giant Voice system has an audio input

39. Do you activate speakers centrally from a control unit / PA system using buttons (for prerecorded messages) or mic input?

Central control unit and we use both mic and prerecorded messages

40. Centrally using a PBX system? Live recording or prerecorded messages?

What is the PBX make and model?

Both, We use the Federal Signal Commander on Premise software

41. (If you have many PA Systems) Locally from individual PA Systems using microphone or button press (for prerecorded messages?

Microphone

42. Do you need an all call emergency announcement or select zones during an emergency? How many different zones do you have? Zones can be agreed after award and system should have the ability to tailor our own zones

Can be agreed after award

43. Do you have IP Speakers? If you have Please state, make, model and quantities.

We do not have IP speakers.

44. How many IP speaker zones do you have?

N/A

45. SIP or direct Multicast? Currently we have several options, we can multicast to all speakers, zones or to single speakers.

46. (If it is SIP based) What kind of PBX system is it connected to?

System in connected to the AtHoc, edition AFEMNS (35)

47. What management software are you using for your IP Speakers and announcements?

We use the Federal Signal Commander on Premise software. See attached

48. Are you using live voice or prerecorded messages?

Both