Questions 93-113.doc

Questions 93-113, Amendment A0004 Q-93. Reference Section, Page 4, paragraph 2.1.2. Does attachment 7 describe the traffic that will be included in the multicast.

A-93. Attachment 7, Section 3, sub-paragraph K represents one of the traffic types that is targeted for multicast distribution. Streaming video represents a future requirement.

Q-94. Reference Section PWS, Page 4, paragraph 2.1.3. Please identify where the Internet service is shown on attachment3 and 4A, 4B.

A-94. Attachment 3, the cloud says “Commercial Internet”. If traffic were not routed through the VPN tunnels, access would be available to the commercial Internet. Attachment 4A, 4B, commercial Internet access could be available from either the broadband or VSAT modems via the vendor teleport or broadband network hub.

Q-94.1. Reference Section PWS, Page 4, Please specify how much Internet service bandwidth is to be provided.

A-94.1 Reference PWS table 2.1.4 defines the minimum bandwidth to be provided. Internet access is a component of the solution for meeting the specified minimums.

Q-94.2. Reference Section PWS, Page 4, Is Internet service bandwidth to be provided on broadband and VSAT or just one or the other.

A-94.2. One or the other – vendor’s discretion.

Q-94.3. Reference Section PWS, Page 4, Is bandwidth in addition to or part of the the minimum bandwidth required by paragraph 2.1.4?

A-94.3. Refer to A-94.1 Q-95. Reference Section PWS, Page 1, paragraph 1.1, With reference to the requirement that there be no connection to DeCA’s certified production network, please define the DeCA certified production network in attachments 3, 4A, 4B.

A-95. Ref Amended Attachment 3-Amendment A0002, everything outside the yellow background is a notional representation of DeCA’s certified production network though in this case it is a test network. Ref amended Attachment 4A-Amendment A0001, everything depicted represents DeCA’s certified production network. Ref Attachment 4B, everything depicted represents DeCA’s certified production network.

Q-95.1.

Reference Section PWS, Page 5, Is the intent of the requirement that the contractor shall provide the Internet connectivity simultaneously with the bandwidth required by paragraph 2.1.4.

A-95.1. Yes, see also ref A-94.1.

Q-96. Reference Section PWS, Page 5, paragraph 2.1.5, Are the terrestrial Internet Protocol Gateway links to DeCA the virtual links labeled Secondary Dedicated IP Gateway and Primary Dedicated IP Gateway on Attachment 4B.

A-96. Yes.

Q-97. Reference Section PWS, Page 6, paragraph 2.1.6.5, please confirm that this requirement applies to the terrestrial service only.

A-97. PWS section 2.1.6 states “The Contractor shall provide a transport service from the commissary/CDC Broadband/VSAT equipment to DeCA’s protected enclave.” All sub-paragraphs, including 2.1.6.5 apply to both the broadband and the VSAT components unless specified otherwise in the narrative.

Q-98. Reference Section PWS, Page 6, paragraph 2.1.7.3, please confirm our understanding that the VPN tunnels will terminate inside the listed Government owned routers.

A-98. Confirmed.

Q-99. Reference Section PWS, Page 12, paragraph 2.5.5. Is the bidder to provide a definition of the term “secure?” If not, please provide a definition.

A-99. PWS 2.5.5 refers to 2.1.9; 2.1.9 refers to 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.5.5, 5.0, 6.0. Paragraph 2.1.1 requires a PCI certified solution. Paragraph 2.1.7 refers to the use of VPN tunnels. All of these requirements together provide the scope of operational security required. Paragraph 2.5.5 specifically focuses on the physical security component of the operational security environment that resides in contractor owned and managed space. The contractor should define how they secure their solution and DeCA’s data from compromise by unauthorized access.

Q-100. Reference Section PWS, Page 1, paragraph 1.0. Please identify for each item shown on Attachment 3 and 4B whether Government furnished or contractor furnished.

A-100. Amended Attachment 3-(Amendment A0002), and Amended Attachment 4A-(Amendment A0001) clearly defines this; the vendor provides the equipment and transport service in the yellow background area; the government provides the rest. A revised Attachment 4B is provided with a similar indicator.

Q-101. Reference Section PWS, Page 6, paragraph 2.1.6.4, is the contractor’s service required to implement these protocols or is the contractor’s service required to provide the TCP/IP transport layer upon which the protocols will be implemented by the Government.

A-101. PWS Section 2.1.6 further details the transport service required. The contractor should provide the TCP/IP transport layer.

Q-102. Reference Section PWS, Page 4, paragraph 2.1.2, please confirm that the Government will configure the Government routers to accept the multicast protocol.

A-102. Confirmed.

Q-103. Reference Section PWS, Page 6, paragraph 2.1.7, is the contractor bandwidth provided at the DECA Terrestrial Network nodes required to support both the broadband and the VSAT bandwidth simultaneously or just one or the other bandwidths?

A-103. Both.

Q-104. Reference Section PWS, Page 13, paragraph 2.5.10, is the intent of this paragraph that effectively the contractor shall warrant all repairs to be free from defects for 6 months and that any failures during this period shall be corrected by the contractor at no charge to the Government? If our understanding is not correct, please specify the desired intent.

A-104. Yes, you have correctly characterized the intent.

Q-105. Reference Section PWS, Page 9, Attachment 7, Pearl Harbor, is the input total mean traffic the sum of 38+2=74kbps? And the out traffic 28+5=33 kbps. If not, please explain the table. Are the distributions of the four classes of traffic correlated or uncorrelated? Is the minimum bandwidth specified in paragraph 2.1.4 taking into consideration expected traffic growth? Or is there another reason for the minimum bandwidth being much larger than the actual traffic distribution?

A-105. Ref Attachment 7, Large Store, Pearl Harbor, HI traffic load based on NetVigil data and graphs:

The four illustrated components depict the correlated inbound and outbound traffic loads on one circuit with separate frame relay DLCIs, DLCI 999 and DLC 799, on 1 hour sample intervals. The DLCI 999 in/out traffic ranged from 1 to 880 Kbps, with a mean of 28.23 out +27.98 in = 56.21 Kbps. The 98th percentile indicates 98% of the traffic samples were 77out + 111 in = 188Kpbs or less. The DLCI 799 in/out traffic ranged from 0 to 918Kbps, with a mean of 4.82+2.4=7.12Kbps. The 98th percentile indicates 98% of the traffic samples was 31 in + 25 out = 56Kbps or less. For the combined load of both DLCI’s on a single circuit, 98% of the traffic was 188 + 56 = 244Kbps or less. Circuit sizing was based on anticipated growth plus the bandwidth more commonly available in today’s cost-effective commercial market for the transport services requested.

Q-106. Reference Section PWS, Page 12, Para 2.5.4.2 speaks of “Expedited Service Exception List”. Please define this term and elaborate on its use in the system.

A-106. There may be some DeCA locations where the contractor cannot be on site in four hours to effect repairs due to its geographic location. A couple of possible examples: Kodiak Island in Alaska or Lajes Field in the Azores. The contractor is required to provide: a) a list of those locations where its personnel cannot be on site to effect repairs within 4 hours, and b) their estimate of when they could be there if expedited service were requested at that site. This list will be used to measure contractor compliance for expedited service restoral requests for sites that are not reachable within the standard four hour requirement.

Q-107. Reference Section PWS, Page 14, paragraph 2.8.2 Who is the contact in Turkey who can explain ‘unique considerations’? What is the contact phone number?

A-107. Refer to the answer provided in A-14.

Q-108. Reference Section RFP , Page 16, RFQ HC1013-08-R-2004 Subject Meetings/Conferences. Where are these meetings to take place as there is a cost associated therewith?

A-108. Meetings and/or conferences will usually be held one of two places. They would either be at DITCO, located at Scott AFB in IL or at DeCA HQ, located at Fort Lee, VA. At this time, the only meeting that is certain is the post award conference prior to contract start up. That meeting will be held at DeCA HQ in VA.

Q-109. Reference Section , Page , Paragraph . The government has asked for alternate offers. How are we supposed to submit them?

A-109. IAW with Amendment A0003, page 22 of 41, Instructions to Offerors, para (e), “The government will not consider multiple offers presenting alternate terms and conditions for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation.”

Q-110. Reference Section PWS, Page 7, Paragraph 2.1.10 makes reference to “Transport Management Technology”. Please define this term.

A-110. A tool that provides real-time or near real-time operational status and/or performance information for the contractor solution components and/or transport service by remote location.

Q-111. Reference Section , Page , Paragraph . How do we deliver the Maintenance Plan? What Volume/section of the proposal?

A-111. The Maintenance Plan is Element 2.2 of the Technical Proposal.

Q-112. Reference Section , Page , Paragraph . Lakenheath is an option location. How do we price it when costs for implemention the option affect the fixed non-optional sites?

A-112. Lakenheath is both a commissary (Attachment 1, tab B-Europe, and PWS 1.2.1) and an optional terrestrial network node connection point (Attachment 1, tab D-Network Nodes, and PWS 1.2.2). Pricing for the commissary connectivity (Broadband/VSAT) is separate from the optional Terrestrial node connectivity. Pricing strategy is a business decision of each vendor.

Q-113. Please identify if there is a preferred order to the additional parts of the solicitation to be included in the proposal such as the Reps & Certs, Points of Contact (page 5 of 41), etc. Which Volume?

A-113. The additional information does not have to be included in a volume. They just need to accompany your submitted package.

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