A01GSA04QTCA102.doc

RFP # GSA04QTCA102; Amendment 01 Industry Questions/Requests and GSA Responses:

Note: Q: = Question R: = Request

General:

1. Proposal Due Date: GSA Response: There were several requests for proposal due date extensions. In order to promote competition to the maximum extent practicable, the Contracting Officer is granting an extension of the due date for receipt of proposals as stipulated on page 1 of this Amendment 01 (Standard Form 30). GSA anticipates that Offeror proposal preparation and submittal will be expedited on or before the granted extension.

2. Q: …Can you please advise as to whether there is an incumbent contractor for this requirement? If so, could you please provide the contractor name and the contract number that was awarded?

GSA Response: See Attachment J.5, Previous History, page 105 of the solicitation.

3. Q: Has GSA heard of SIP trunking?

GSA Response: Yes.

4. Q: Can the bidder provide pricing by city instead of by LATA?

GSA Response: Estimated prices shall be by Category, CLIN, and LATA as chosen by the Offeror.

5. Q: The voice section only lists lines. The minimum requirements for voice services cover a wide variety of services including T-1 services such as PRIs. Due the very different services can the government explain the “price” description and the methodology the bidders are to use for pricing these services? Can the bidder price out T-1 voice services separately?

GSA Response: See Section B.3, Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data, page 5 of solicitation, for required submittals.

6. Q: The same goes for data services. Due the very different services can the government explain the “price” description and the methodology the bidders are to use for pricing these services? Can the bidder price out Data services separately?

GSA Response: See Section B.3, Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data, page 5 of solicitation, for required submittals.

7. Q: How should the offeror price multi-product types (i.e. T1, PRI’s, Internet) within a single CLIN/LATA?

GSA Response: See Section B.3, Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data, page 5 of solicitation, for required submittals.

8. Q: Can the offeror create a sub-CLIN (i.e. CLIN 0001-A for T1’s, CLIN 0001-B for PRIs, etc)?

GSA Response: Creating sub-clins on the Estimated Total Contract Price Summary Spreadsheets is not allowed. Offerors are required to submit Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data spreadsheets that depict each service so that the Government can see the individual price points (unit prices) of the items or solutions offered. This solicitation is allowing Offerors the flexibility of submitting their own unique format (back-up pricing spreadsheets that support the estimated total contract price summary spreadsheets). See Section B.3, Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data, page 5 of solicitation, for required submittals.

9. Q: Based on the knowledge that the bidder has of the services that the GSA has it appears the quantities in the CLINs do not represent the current service quantities. For instance in LATA 470, the GSA states the voice lines necessary is 200. Can the government explain?

GSA Response: Quantities are estimates subject to Customer Agencies committing to GRITS II for more definitive needs at time of fair opportunity for an order(s). For explanation, when requirements during the ordering process amount to less than or more than the awarded estimates, see FAR clause 52.216-19, Order Limitations, page 72 of the solicitation.

10. Q: What services should the vendor quote for CLIN 4? All wired services should be covered in the first 3 sections?

GSA Response: Assuming you mean Category 4 because CLIN 4 is for Voice Services, there are not any expressed services under Category 4. Offerors have the opportunity to submit proposals under Category 4 for other wired telecommunications services within NAICS Code 517110 and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this solicitation.

11a. Q: The govt states “Government initial orders pursuant to the fair opportunity process are expected to be large service transitions and comprehensive in geographic scope within a CLIN.” Does that mean the govt will be making awards by LATA for CLINS 1-4?

GSA Response: Each CLIN(s) will be evaluated separately for best value awards as contemplated by the Government. A CLIN includes a service Category and LATA.

11b. Q: If so, what happens if the bidder can only provide some of the services in that CLIN in some areas of the LATA? Does that mean they can’t bid on that RFQ.

GSA Response: If a contractor does not have awarded solutions within the CLIN(s) chosen in order to meet the need as solicited by the Government, then it will be impossible for the Offeror to compete or “bid” for an order. Contractors will be afforded a fair opportunity to be considered for orders exceeding $3,000.00. However, the Government reserves the right to take exception to the fair opportunity process pursuant to Section G.6, Exceptions to the Fair Opportunity Process (41 USC S253j), page 44 of the solicitation.

12. Q: If the bidder can’t provide one of the minimum services, such as DSL, in a LATA does that mean they can’t bid on the voice services in that LATA?

GSA Response: If a contractor does not have awarded solutions within the CLIN(s) chosen in order to meet the needs as solicited by the Government, then it will be impossible for the Offeror to compete or “bid” for an order. Contractors will be afforded a fair opportunity to be considered for orders exceeding $3,000.00. However, the Government reserves the right to take exception to the fair opportunity process pursuant to Section G.6, Exceptions to the Fair Opportunity Process (41 USC S253j), page 44 of the solicitation.

13. Q: …Considering the geographical constraint of personally reviewing the document, I request you to provide us the following details before we buy the document:

1) List of Items, Schedule of Requirements, Scope of Work, Terms of Reference, Bill of Materials required.

2) Soft Copy of the Tender Document through email.

3) Names of countries that will be eligible to participate in this tender.

4) Information about the Tendering Procedure and Guidelines

5) Estimated Budget for this Purchase

6) Any Extension of Bidding Deadline?

7) Any Addendum or Pre Bid meeting Minutes?

GSA Response: List of items, requirements, scope of work, and term references are depicted in the solicitation. The solicitation is free and available in FedBizOpps (www.fbo.gov). Numbers 3, 5, 7, and 1 (Bill of Materials) are not applicable to the solicitation. Solicitation is unrestricted, full and open competition. Offerors shall be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) under NAICS 517110.

14. R: Please define emergency installation.

GSA Response: For this solicitation, GSA does not have a definition for emergency installation. Exigent circumstances and Government requirements will dictate the type of installation and will be stated during the Fair Opportunity process and subsequent order.

15. R: Please define priority installation.

GSA Response: For this solicitation, GSA does not have a definition for priority installation. Existing circumstances and Government requirements will dictate the type of installation and will be stated during the Fair Opportunity process and subsequent order.

16. Q: Can GSA provide information on the approximate number of routine installations, priority installations, and emergency installations that were required for GRITS I?

GSA Response: GSA does not track installations by type.

17. R: Please define Converged Services?

GSA Response: See Section C.1, Scope, Service Category 3 located at the bottom of the page 17 (matrix), of the solicitation.

18. Q: What information does GSA require for a traffic report?

GSA Response: Offerors are free to propose any report format that will clearly demonstrate testing and results.

19. Q: Can a vendor bid partial CLINS?

GSA Response: There are no partial CLINS offered by the Government’s solicitation. Offerors shall provide the minimum requirements to the CLIN(s) chosen and be able to expand service capabilities within the CLIN(s) during the life of the contract.

20. Q: Can a vendor compete for a CLIN (LATA) if vendor is unable to provide the Minimum Requirements?

GSA Response: If a vendor is unable to provide the minimum requirements as expressed in any of the service categories, then it would be impossible for a vendor to compete under this solicitation.

21. Q: If we meet the Minimum Requirements in some of our Exchanges in a CLIN (LATA), but not in all of our Exchanges in the LATA, can we still compete for the CLIN?

GSA Response: Offerors shall provide the minimum requirements to the CLIN(s) chosen and be able to expand service capabilities within the CLIN(s) during the life of the contract.

22. Q: Does GSA need to have P Sets, ISDN phones included with the services?

GSA Response: See Section C.2.17, Central Office Exchange Service, Optional Service, page 23 of the solicitation.

23. Q: Does Other Wired Telecommunications Services include CPE? Cabling?

GSA Response: There are not any expressed services under Category 4. Offerors have the opportunity to submit proposals under Category 4 for other wired telecommunications services within NAICS Code 517110 and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this solicitation.

24. Q: Is GSA asking for a SMDR report for each location the contractor is serving?

GSA Response: No.

25. Q: Is the requirement to provide a circuit/connection to a polling/buffer device that the customer will provide and operate?

26. Q: Is the requirement that the contractor place a polling/buffer device at each location to permit the customer to obtain the call data?

27a. Q: Are there existing GSA ASP PBXs or other PBXs that the contractor will be interfacing with and required to provide SMDR data from?

27b. Q: If so where are the PBXs, and what Models are they?

GSA Response: Not applicable.

28. Q: What kind of information does the government require in a Traffic Report?

GSA Response: Offerors are free to propose any report format that will clearly demonstrate testing and results.

29. Price CLIN asks for one price per the sheet per item, but minimum services request are different products and therefore have different prices. Q: Does the Government anticipate one per inserted for all the needs or may we respond with a CLIN such as this example:

CLIN 1, CLIN 1.2 and etc. Ref. Page 8 - 16 and respective tables.

GSA Response: Price tables in the solicitation are for preparing and submitting the Estimated Total Contract Price Summary for each CLIN chosen. Spreadsheets that contain offered items and/or solutions that support the estimated total contract prices for each CLIN chosen shall be submitted separately as Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data.

30. Q: May an offerer provide "Access Circuit" pricing, such as DS1, DS3, Ocxx or Native Ethernet on an individual case basis to ensure the best options and pricing considerations are utilized in delivering services?

GSA Response: Offerors shall propose fixed prices (ceiling prices) at initial proposal submittal. Contractors will have the opportunity to provide “individual case basis” pricing when responding to a solicitation during the fair opportunity process.

31. Q: Are there any page limitations to offerror's responses? If so, would the Government please specify?

GSA Response: None.

32. Q: Re: Section B.6: Can the contractor add additional products to the contract after contract award?

GSA Response: See Section H.19, New, Improved or Additional Services, page 52 of the solicitation.

Section A:

33. Re: Section A.2.6: Q: Is the CO planning on holding a pre-proposal conference? If so, would the Government please provide further details?

GSA Response: A pre-proposal conference is not needed. The Government has allowed industry time for submittal of written questions relative to all sections of the solicitation for Government response.

Section B:

34. Re: Pricing Sheets: The pricing sheets do not seem to have enough line items and CLIN’s to allow us to provide a price point for each service in a category? Example: LATA 422 offers CLIN 0002 for the Category 1 Voice Services. In Category 1 we would have an NRC for

1. Business Lines

2. Key trunks

3. PBX trunks

4. Centrex Trunks

5. ISDN PRI

6. DSL

7. Voicemail Box

8. Optional telephony services

Q: Shouldn’t there be a unique CLIN for each service so you can see the individual price points?

GSA Response: Creating unique CLINs for each service on the Estimated Total Contract Price Summary Spreadsheets is not allowed. Offerors are required to submit Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data spreadsheets. This solicitation is allowing Offerors the flexibility of submitting their own unique format (back-up pricing spreadsheets that support the estimated total contract price summary spreadsheets)that depict each service so that the Government can see the individual price points (unit prices) of the items or solutions offered. Once Offerors prepare their own unique all-inclusive pricing spreadsheets for submittal as part of Volume III, Price Proposal, Offerors shall prepare the Estimated Total Contract Price Summary spreadsheets of the solicitation for each CLIN chosen (as required). See Section B.3, Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data, page 5 of solicitation, for required submittals, and reference Section B.7. Paragraph 3, last sentence – “After preparing the Offeror’s independent information…Offerors shall prepare the Estimated Total Contract Price Summary spreadsheets as follows:…”.

35. Re: RFP, Pages 6-15: Q: In the CLINs’ table structure (pages 6 through 15), there is only one CLIN for all types of lines per LATA, can offeror create sub-CLINs under each LATA and use them for different service types?

GSA Response: Creating sub-CLINs on the Estimated Total Contract Price Summary Spreadsheets is not allowed. Offerors are required to submit Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data spreadsheets that depict each service so that the Government can see the individual price points (unit prices) of the items or solutions offered. This solicitation is allowing Offerors the flexibility of submitting their own unique format (back-up pricing spreadsheets that support the estimated total contract price summary spreadsheets). See Section B.3, Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data, page 5 of solicitation, for required submittals.

36. Re: Section B.2 Q: Will the contractor have to respond to services requiring end-point CPE with options to include the CPE and to provide services with customer provided CPE?

37. Re: Section B.6: Q: In responding with offered services for a specific LATA, is it required that the service be offered to all localities within the specific LATA?

GSA Response: No, but Offerors shall be able to expand service capabilities within the CLIN(s) chosen during the life of the contract.

38. Re: Section B.7, Page 8 to 11: Q: In order to reflect accurate pricing, Offeror requires specific quantities for each services. Offeror only sees estimated maximum quantity for Voice, Data per LATA. Please specify the number for Centrex, Business Line, ISDN PRI, ISDN BRI, etc.

GSA Response: Quantities are estimates for development of the IDIQ contract(s). Quantities will be more definitive during the fair opportunity process for orders (Request for Quotes). As expressed in Section B.3, Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data, #5, last sentence - …”The unit price shall be the same for a quantity of one (1) through the estimated total not-to-exceed maximum quantities of each line, etc.”

39. Re: Section B.7: Q: Regarding preparation of the total contract price summary spread sheets. Please clarifiy how multiple product types and prices need to roll up for a single CLIN. Example: CLIN 0001 for LATA 420 indicates Max Qty of 100 and the unit of issue as "Lines". In this case, how would the multiple products for Voice, specified in Section C.1, "minimum requirements for Voice Services" be calculated? We have the same question relative to the Data Services, Converged Services and Other Wired Telecommunication Services?

GSA Response: See Section B.3, Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data, page 5 of solicitation, for required submittals.

40. Re: Section B.7: Q: Are offerors able to charge for Move, Change and Disconnect activities?

GSA Response: See Section B.3, Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data, page 5 of solicitation, for required submittals.

41. Re: Section B.7: Q: If offerors are able to charge for Move, Change and Disconnect activities, how will those prices be reflected in the B Tables?

GSA Response: See Section B.3, Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data, page 5 of solicitation, for required submittals.

42. Re: Section B.7 (B Tables "Category II: Data Services"): Q: Does the offeror have the ability to charge Access separately from Transport as it relates to point to point services? These circuits may extend into different LATAs with different cost structures.

GSA Response: See Section B.3, Information Other Than Cost and Pricing Data, page 5 of solicitation, for required submittals.

43. Re: Section B.7, 3rd paragraph: “Estimated fixed prices shall be all-inclusive and consist of the estimated total maximum quantities for each category LATA.” Tables on pages 8-15 show quantities as “Estimated Total Maximum Quantity” however, the quantities are the same as those shown under Section H.3 as the “Not-To-Exceed Total Maximum Quantity.” Question to the Government: Please confirm which is correct. Are the quantities estimated or maximums not to be exceeded?

GSA Response: Both.

Section C:

44. Re: Section C.1: Q: Are offerrors expected to provide service and pricing for all stated "Minimum Requirement" service types? Example: Can offerrors provide ISDN PRI services LATA wide and elect not to provide DSL/SOHO service it that LATA or with regard to "Minimum Data Requirements"….Can an Offerer elect not to provide 56Kbps or ISDN BRI, but still provide LATA wide pricing for all other Data Services?

GSA Response: Offerors are requested to respond by providing solutions in meeting the Government minimum requirements for each CLIN chosen. If a contract awardee does not have awarded solutions within the CLIN(s) chosen in order to meet the need as solicited by the Government, then it will be impossible for the Offeror to compete during the fair opportunity process.

45. Re: Section C.1: C.1 “Note: Based upon historical workload and projected needs for continuity of service, Government initial orders pursuant to the fair opportunity process are expected to be large service transitions and comprehensive in geographic scope within a CLIN.” Question to the Government: Please confirm whether GSA plans to issue a delivery order for all services within a CLIN or TOPS orders per system/ agency/customer location.

GSA Response: See Section C.10, Service Ordering Procedures, page 27 of the solicitation.

46. Re: Section C.1: Question to the Government: R: It is unclear to industry if industry can bid a single category or is required to bid all of the categories. Section C.1 seems to indicate there are minimums for “each” category and not for “all” categories, yet the directions in Section B.7. seem to ask for all categories. Please clarify.

GSA Response: Provide solutions on all CLINS chosen by the Offeror. Price out all solutions for all CLINS chosen by the Offeror.

47. Re: Section C.1: Q: Will the Government accept a service category proposal that identifies service limitations within a given LATA? For example for Category 1, if we are not able to support rate center coverage for a specific NPA-NXX within a LATA, may we identify that limitation as an exclusion to our proposal?

GSA Response: Yes, however, unreasonable exceptions or deviations to the solicitation may deem the proposal unacceptable (see Section M.1, Basis for Award, page 151 of the solicitation).

48. Re: Section C.1: Q: Will the Government accept a service category proposal that identifies service limitations within within a servcice category? For example for Category 2, if our Frame Relay service does not support Bit Oriented Protocols, may we identify that as an exclusion to our proposal?

GSA Response: Yes, however, unreasonable exceptions or deviations to the solicitation may deem the proposal unacceptable (see Section M.1, Basis for Award, page 151 of the solicitation).

49. Re: Section C.1: Q: Will the Government accept a service category proposal that excludes a service type within a given category? For example in Category 2, if we do not support X.25 as a packet service may we identify that as an exclusion to our proposal?

GSA Response: Yes, however, unreasonable exceptions or deviations to the solicitation may deem the proposal unacceptable (see Section M.1, Basis for Award, page 151 of the solicitation).

50. Re: Section C.2 Services Provision Platforms: Question to the Government: For clarification, please define “common service customer premise equipment” and provide an example.

GSA Response: All telecommunications terminal equipment located on the customer's premises, encompasses everything from black telephones to the most advanced data terminals and PBXs. For example, proprietary telephone sets.

51. Re: Section C.2.1 SERVICE DESIGN: Q: Is the statement "The service(s) shall be supplied via technology that has innate self-healing ability and circuit redundancy/diversity to assure service delivery reliability." meant to imply that ALL service including those that would be linear in nature?

52. Re: Section C.2.1. SERVICE DESIGN: The service(s) shall be supplied via technology that has innate self-healing ability and circuit redundancy/diversity to assure service delivery reliability. Q: Is the GSA requiring that we provide full redundancy/diversity for the last mile of delivery to the customer site?

GSA Response: Offeror shall have this capability under contract and be prepared to provide a solution when required during fair opportunity.

53. Re: C.2.1 SERVICE DESIGN: Q: Are you requiring diversity from two central offices?

GSA Response: Each Offeror shall propose a service design.

54. Re: C.2.1 SERVICE DESIGN: Q: Are you requiring router diversity for data services?

55. Re: C.2.1 SERVICE DESIGN: Q: …Is this a requirement to be compliant the bid?

56. Re: C.2.1: Q: The requirement– Self healing ability – does this apply to local loop?

57. Re: C.2.1.1: R: Please clarify whether P.01 GOS applies to trunk busy conditions (fast busy) only and does not include called number busy conditions (slow busy).

GSA Response: Trunk busy.

58. Re: C.2.1.1: Q: The requirement Grade of Service – what are the traffic measurements on which to base the Grade of Service?

GSA Response: Each Offeror shall propose a service measurement methodology.

59a. Re: Section C.2.2: Service Delivery Equip “provide uninterrupted service(s) capability to the terminal user” Question to the Government: Is this requirement saying the contractor is responsible for delivering service to the desktop?

GSA Response: In some instances, contractor will be responsible.

59b. If so, what process should the contractor use in closed buildings?

GSA Response: Process will be coordinated at time of contract administration.

59c. If so, will the Government require wiring maintenance?

GSA Response: See Section C.5, Cable, pages 25 through 26 of the solicitation.

60. Re: C.2.4.1: Q: Is E911 service considered part of minimum requirement for Category 1?

61. Re: Section C.2.8 Growth, GOS Item a.: Question to the Government: The estimated line growth for analog and digital shows 0.0%. Is there no growth anticipated or is this an oversight? Please confirm the zero percent growth is accurate or provide corrected numbers.

GSA Response: GSA is a non-mandatory source for use by Federal Agencies. Therefore, line growth cannot be predicted. However, GSA has experienced growth throughout GRITS.

62. Re: Section C.2.8 Growth, GOS Item b.: Voice access to and from local lines, other local exchanges, and Intra/Inter-State Carriers GOS shall be P.01 or better. Question to the Government: LD GOS is understood by industry to be negotiated between the LD carrier and the Government and not between the LD carrier and the Local Service Provider. Request the Government detail how industry is to guarantee Intra/Inter-State Carriers GOS at P.01 or better.

GSA Response: Offerors are required to provide their voice access solutions at P.01 or better.

63. Re: C.2.9: R: The requirement, features from J.1, some are not congruent with the services.

GSA Response: See Section J.1.1., page 91 of the solicitation.

64. Re: C.2.10: Q: What type of hardware / software is currently in use to provide Toll Call Recording?

GSA Response: The Offeror shall provide the Offeror’s type of hardware/software currently in use to collect Toll Call Records.

65. Re: C.2.10: Q: Is the Government asking for a month record of any billable calls or an actual audio recording of each conversation?

GSA Response: Billable calls.

66. Re: C.2.10: Q: Does the magnetic tape call format apply or can other media types (such as FTP Data files) be used?

GSA Response: See Section C.2.10, Recording of Toll Calls, page 21 of the solicitation for Toll Call media types.

67. Re: C.2.10. RECORDING OF TOLL CALLS: Toll calls (any billable call) shall be recorded and forwarded monthly to the Government via magnetic or optical media or transmitted machine to machine utilizing File Transmission Protocol (FTP). The call record data format shall be in accordance with the magnetic tape call record format described in Attachment J.2 of this solicitation regardless of the media. Q: I did not see in the rfp specifications any reference to toll calls being PIC’d to a federal LD program such as Networx’s or FTS-2001? Typically the LD provider would provide this call detail for metered calling to the customer. Are you asking that we provide all long distance calling and reporting?

GSA Response: No, GSA is requiring any billable Toll Call.

68. Re: C.2.10 Toll calls (any billable call) shall be recorded: Question to the Government: It is unclear to industry what is being requested in this requirement, recording a call or recording the transaction of the call. Request the Government please provide detail regarding “shall be recorded”.

GSA Response: Recording of the transaction.

69. Re: C.2.11.2: Q: For Meet-me conferencing – 30 party per 1000 lines, do you want this to be a toll-free number?

GSA Response: Offeror may propose a toll-free number.

70. Re: C.2.14: Q: How many CATS terminals are required?

GSA Response: Access for an estimated 35 users.

71. Re: C.2.15: Q: Is phone directory considered part of minimum requirement for Category 1?

72. Re: C.2.15.1: Q: Since this is a multiple vendor IDIQ contract, 72a. will these phonebooks be provided with only the numbers that the individual contractor has serviced or all numbers from all contractors?

GSA Response: See Section C.15.1, page 21 of the solicitation in its entirety.

72b. How many phone books will be required?

GSA Response: Requirement will be fulfilled when requested by the Government.

72c. What is the frequency required to provide the phone books?

GSA Response: Requirement will be fulfilled when requested by the Government.

73. Re: C.2.16 DSL/Small Office Home Office Svc.: The contractor shall furnish service to the wire closet/end user termination point within bandwidth transmission capability of Category 3 or better horizontal connecting cable (See Section C.5, Cable). Question to the Government: It is unclear to industry as to what is being requested. Will all DSL / SOHO be delivered beyond the dmarc or is this simply stating that any requests beyond the dmarc are to be Cat3 or better?

GSA Response: Any request beyond the dmarc shall be Cat3 or better.

74. Re: C.2.18: Section describes Non Facility Associated Signaling (NFAS). R: Please describe the maximum number of PRIs that will be incorporated into a single NFAS group.

GSA Response: See Section C.2. SERVICE(s) PROVISION PLATFORMS, page 19 of the solicitation in its entirety. …Offeror shall specify location, speeds, and payload capacities afforded by the contractor plant capabilities. All transmission characteristics, such as latency and capacity shall be described in the Offeror’s proposal. All system characteristics including features, reporting, capabilities to include functionally and benefit to the Government shall be described in the Offeror’s proposal...

75. Re: C.2.22: Q:

75a. Is the SMDR to be provided to GSA or Customer Agencies?

GSA Response: Both.

75b. Is the SMDR premises equipment to be provided as part of the service?

GSA Response: See Section B.2, All-Inclusive Pricing, page 5 of the solicitation.

76. Re: C.5.4: Q:

76a. Does GSA follow the State guidelines for Minimum Point of Entry/ Maximum Point of Entry Demarcation?

GSA Response: Offerors shall follow all Federal, state and local guidelines for MPOE/MPOED.

76b. Will GSA certify all existing house cable prior to contract award?

76c. If house cable is found bad, does GSA require the contractor be responsible for replacing cabling at no expense to the government?

GSA Response: See Section C.5, Cable, page 25 of the solicitation.

76d. Does making an exception to the GSA definition of demarcation exclude the vendor from consideration?

GSA Response: Unreasonable exceptions or deviations to the solicitation may deem the proposal unacceptable (see Section M.1, Basis for Award, page 151 of the solicitation).

77. Re: C.5.5: Q: Will each contractor have to provide a separate cross connect system for each site?

78. Re: C.7 Please clarify the requirement: "Implementation plans shall be included in all responses to Government solicitations." Question: Will the Government require contractor to provide an Implementation Plan with the proposal?

79. Re: C.9 Outgoing Trunk Group Load Control: Question to the Government: Please define outgoing trunk group load control.

GSA Response: See Section C.9, Outgoing Trunk Group Load Control, page 27 of the solicitation in its entirety. The Government requires OTGLC to provide preemption capability to those lines and/or users identified as requiring this capability.

80. Re: C.11: Please clarify the requirement: "The Contractor shall aggregate the “passed through” toll call billing into a single monthly bill with sufficient individual call detail for the Government to recover the amount billed from the call originator(s).' Question:

80(a). Will there be a shared tenant situation in certain locations or buildings?

GSA Response: Yes.

80(b). if so, will the Government require contractor to provide shared tenant billing arrangements with sufficient call detail by originators?

81. Re: C.11 and H.22, Order Format: R: The government requirement states, "Invoices must include the Accounting Control Transaction (ACT) number provided." However, the order format described in H.22- Order Format (page 56) does not include the ACT.

81a. Will the government please clarify where can the contractor obtain the ACT information for invoicing purposes?

GSA Response: At time of delivery/task/service order award.

81b. Is this the same as the Delivery Order Number and/or Vendor Reference Number stated in H.22?

82. Re: C.12: Will the Government require a sample of the reports with the proposal or only provide upon award?

Section H:

83. Re: H.3 Maximum Order: Question to the Government: Do the maximum order quantities apply during the transition period(s) or during a disaster when services must be relocated?

GSA Response: Section H.3 applies during the life of the contract.

84. Re: H.13 Scheduling of Work“(a): At least thirty (30) calendar days prior to each system installation,…” Question to the Government: Industry requests the Government please define “each system” so industry can evaluate for compliance.

GSA Response: Any installation of supplies/services under contract.

85. Re: H.20 DODB Accounts: Question to the Government: Alternative 2 Table does not appear to match the verbiage describing the responsibilities of the Customer Agency, GSA, and Contractor. Please clarify which is correct; the verbiage or the table?

GSA Response: Upon further review, the verbiage and the table both match.

86. Re: H.22 BPAs: Question to the Government: Purchase Limitation: Should the reference to maximum order limitation set forth in Section H.1 actually be Section H.3?

GSA Response: Yes, page 54 is hereby corrected (see attached).

87. Re: H.22 BPAs: Question to the Government: Implementation Procedures: “The Contracting Officer will call the Contractor and issue a direct order against the agreement.”

87a. Is the Contracting Officer referred to here the GSA PCO or the BPA Agency’s Contracting Officer”?

GSA Response: The BPA Contracting Officer.

87b. If the GSA PCO, who will be the customer of record on this order/account?

GSA Response: The customer of record will be identified when a BPA is established.

88. Re: H.23 Taxes: Question to the Government: Standard Form 1094, U.S. Tax Exemption Form. Will the Government provide this form once for use and application to all services/orders/accounts provisioned under this contract or will a form be provided with each order?

GSA Response: Form will be provided upon contractor request. Form can be used for purchase orders or contracts.

89. Re: H.25 Service transitions: Q: Under required date, each item is listed as "Within timeframe specified". Would the Government please clarify expectations for line number porting timeframes?

GSA Response: The Government’s expectation is that line number porting timeframes will be specified in implementation plan submittals by contractors when responding to a solicitation (RFQ) during the fair opportunity process for an order.

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