Questions_and_Answers.pdf

Questions and Answers

1. Our previous experience with AFCENT requirements have been procured through the commercial SATCOM via the DISA/DITCO office. Would it be possible to coordinate this request for bandwidth through DITCO and use their Future COMSATCOM Services Acquisition (FCSA) as the mechanism to procure this satellite internet service?

Answer: No; DISA/DITCO coordination not applicable/not required. FCSA as a contract vehicle that requires coordination with DISA/DITCO is not applicable/not required here.

2. Our previous experience with AFCENT requirements that are handled by the DISA/DITCO office includes a Commercial Satellite Service Request (CSSR) to accompany the PWS. Could AFCENT provide the CSSR or the technical specs of the Hughes equipment (RF, IF, BER, and Mod/Cod) in order to ensure the SATCOM link will close with sufficient margin?

Answer: No a CSSR cannot be provided. This requirement is NOT being handled or coordinated by DISA/DITCO; a CSSR did not accompany the PWS. The technical specs of the Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) Hughes Net are only as detailed as in the attached spreadsheet, as listed herein.

On hand Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) Part Number Hughes NET 1.2M Dish with Complete System 0800-4522 Hughes NET VSAT Remote 1501882-0002 Hughes NET Internet Modem HX90 XWAJ7000000000437A 50 feet Coax Cables (Shielded) GE 87667 Quad Shielded G6 50-Feet Coaxial Cable, Gray 100 feet Coax Cables (Shielded) GE 87668 Quad Shielded G6 100-Feet Coaxial Cable, Gray 2 Watt outdoor Radio 1502122-0221 AC Cord FC0007971250004300 Pole and Base, Baird Model B4-6x6

3. Does AFCENT have a preferred hub location for this service?

Answer: No

4. Is it possible to repoint the antenna at Al Udeid AB Qatar. Are there any constraints on the azimuth and elevation the antenna can point?

Answers: No; The antenna dish has placement constraints (an installation site pad limitation).

It also has only clear none obstructed azimuth and elevation in the West by South/West direction.

Any other azimuths are constraints for azimuth and elevation for the installed dish site.

5. How much down time is acceptable to transition the antenna at Al Udeid to a new satellite?

Answers: This is a new satellite installation, and requires a very quick activation in service and availability to meet the date of 19 Feb. 2014.

6. Is this a bandwidth only requirement where we could just provide the Bandwidth (MHz) needed to support the 2048kbpsx512kbps Internet service?

Answer: No, it also includes a contention ratio of 1:10 as outlined in the PWS. In relation to the questions, denote that the commercial Hughes Net equipment (Government Furnished) is on-hand and newly installed.

7. Would it be possible to access a Government hub in theater to provide access to the DISN and internet?

Answer: No.

8. Does AFCENT have an end-to-end availability requirement for this service?

Answer: No; This is a 1 year service requirement with option years and the requirement may go away at any time per agreement and within arrangements of the contract.

9. Is this a new service or the continuation of an existing service. Can AFCENT provide information on the incumbent contractor, what satellite is currently being used, what hub is currently being used to provide the current service?

Answer: This is a new service.