QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Attachment 1 (PWS), para. 1.3.1.1, states that all proposed equipment must conform to ONVIF Profile S and T standards, and the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation states that this is not a brand-name specific requirement. Attachment 2, however, appears to list specific manufacturer/model line items and states that call order quotes must be built using the established Firm-Fixed-Prices in the price list, and that substitutions or non-listed items require prior written Contracting Officer approval.

Could you please confirm whether, for BPA establishment purposes, quoters should price only the exact listed Attachment 2 items, with any equivalent or alternate ONVIF-compliant items to be handled only through subsequent written CO approval?

The equipment list provided in the solicitation consists of items that are on the Department of War (DoW) Air Force's pre-approved equipment list. Please structure your response as follows:

1. Primary Quote: Provide pricing for all items listed. We understand that some items may be discontinued or have newer equivalents.

1. Proposed Alternatives: If an item is unavailable, or if you wish to recommend an alternative, please list these items on a separate tab or in a clearly marked separate section of your quote.

Rationale: The items on our list have already been vetted for security compliance. Any new or alternative items you quote will require a separate, formal approval process by our security personnel (Office of Special Investigations), which can be time-consuming. Separating your quote this way will allow us to expedite the evaluation of the pre-approved items while the alternatives undergo review.

1. Attachment 1 (PWS), para. 1.3.2.2, states that proposed hardware and software components must integrate with the existing Government-furnished VMS where applicable, and the Technical Volume instructions require quoters to address interoperability with existing Government systems. However, we have not identified any section of the solicitation package that specifies the currently deployed VMS platform(s), if any, at the covered locations.

For BPA establishment purposes, can the Government identify the currently deployed Government-furnished VMS platform(s), if any, at the covered locations, or will this information be provided at the individual call-order level?

Integration with existing base-specific systems will be addressed at the individual call order level, not at the master BPA level.

Rationale: The BPA is intended to serve multiple RAF locations across the UK. As different bases may utilize different existing systems, defining specific integration requirements for all possible scenarios at the BPA level is not feasible. This will be determined and priced when a specific order is placed for a specific location.

1. Attachment 2 states that all call order quotes must be built using the established Firm-Fixed-Prices in the price list, and that any non-listed item requires prior written Contracting Officer approval before it may be proposed or procured. Attachment 1 (PWS) also contemplates modernization, repair, and corrective maintenance requirements that may involve site-specific components or replacement items.

If an individual call-order requirement includes equipment or materials not already included in the approved BPA price list, would you please be able to confirm the intended approval and pricing process for those items?

If you propose alternative items that are subsequently approved, the following process will apply:

1. We will submit the proposed items to the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) for a full security compliance review.

1. Once approved by OSI, the new items will be formally added to the official BPA price list.

1. Once added, the new items will be available for competition between both BPA holders at the call order level.

1. Are you able help with some questions we have regarding the above solicitation please?

-It states Cat5e, my assumption is you want cat 6?

-SFP – what SFPs do you want as prices are wide and various.

-UPS – again, what do you want as they are dependent on load.

-HDD – size/preferred manufacturer.

-Mains flex – what spec. please?

-Monitors – Not sure Bosch/Hanwha/Pelco make branded monitors, do you need 3 x prices for monitors? Same for external IP box?

The list contains items that are on the Department of War (DoW) Air Force's pre-approved equipment list. Our goal is to evaluate your quote efficiently while also allowing for technical alternatives and flexibility. Please structure your submission as follows:

Provide pricing for all items as listed in the solicitation. These items have already been vetted for security compliance, which will expedite the evaluation process.

For any item that is discontinued, unavailable, or for which you can offer a better alternative, please list these items and their pricing on a separate tab or in a clearly marked separate section of your quote.

Rationale: Any new or alternative items require a formal security review by our Office of Special Investigations (OSI). Separating them from the pre-approved list allows us to proceed with the evaluation of the base items while alternatives undergo this necessary, and potentially time-consuming, review.

For components that often vary by installation site (e.g., SFPs, UPS, HDDs, Mains flex, Monitors), please propose a range of different options for our review. All options proposed must be compatible and interoperable with existing equipment. This is critical because this BPA will service multiple RAF locations with varying infrastructure.