Vendor Questions 1-39.doc

Q-1. Past Performance Survey: For RFP Attachment 14, is the requested document for the prime contractor solely, or for the prime contract and its subcontractors/teammates. In the case of the latter, should the subcontractor have this survey completed with the subcontractor’s name on it? Please clarify.

A-1. In accordance with page 24 of 41, Factor 2: Past Performance, “past performance evaluations will be based on the Prime contractor’s Past Performance.” Attachment 14 shall contain only information for the Prime contractor. Under section A, the Prime will annotate whether they performed as the Prime or as a Sub-contractor for that particular effort.

Q-2. Attachment 4(a) depicts stores with a frame relay connection, DSL connection, and a VSAT connection. Please confirm that the Government is requesting that all sites require three connections and not one or two connections. Also, please confirm that DSL is the primary connection rather than the VSAT.

A-2. In accordance with PWS paragraph 1.1, 2nd paragraph: “The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) requires a “turn-key” Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Managed and Integrated Broadband/Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) network solution that augments the existing terrestrial network…” An amended Attachment 4A has been provided; it adds labels to the frame relay clouds to indicate they represent the existing terrestrial network; the vendor provided solution in contained in the yellow boxes.

In accordance with PWS paragraph 2.1.1, last sentence: “The broadband component shall serve as the primary data path and VSAT shall serve as the alternate path, though traffic could be routed across both paths based on traffic suitability.”

Q-3. Attachment 7 has a reference to “SATCOM II” Contract. What is the relevance of the “SATCOM II” Contract here?

A-3. There is no relevance. It is a typo so please disregard any references to “SATCOM II”. An updated attachment 7 is included with this amendment.

Q-4. PWS Section 2.1.7.3. The Cisco 3015 and 7026 reference here. - are they GFE or to be provided by the offeror?

A-4. They are GFE.

Q-5. PWS Section 2.1.7.3 implies that DECA will develop and manage the VPNs and that the offeror will only transport them. Is that correct?

A-5. Yes.

Q-6. PWS Section 2.2.1.2 Are the 3 pilot sites to be tested concurrently? The Government is aware that licensing for Okinawa needs to occur before the pilot and it is a lengthy process. Please clarify the Government’s intentions regarding the pilot sites given the licensing issues.

A-6. The timeline provided in the ITO provided details as to how the pilots are expected to run. The government pilot schedules will have to be adjusted based on the facts. Pilot testing will precede general theater rollout to validate the functionality of the solution for each theater of operation.

Q-7. PWS Section 2.3.2 In lieu of a site survey, can the offeror prepare a questionnaire for the store manager to address site survey type questions - e.g. preferred antenna location, approximate cable length, availability of UPS outlets.

A-7. Store personnel are not qualified to provide this type of information. It is the offerors responsibility to research and collect the necessary information for each installation. This may entail contacting the individual base telephone office, base frequency/spectrum management office, base civil engineering office, and the local telecom provider.

Q-8. PWS Section 2.3.6 Does local building codes refer to local govt., base engineering, or both? Is base engineering responsible for antenna placement approval, penetrations, etc. Does this section imply a requirement for after hours installation?

A-8. a) The store director will be able to provide an appropriate base-level point of contact to answer questions about building codes and appearances. b) In the majority of cases, no; however, the store director should be able to provide an appropriate base-level point of contact to answer any questions. c) So long as the work does not interfere with customer access, sales floor activities, shipping & receiving, etc, it can be done during normal work hours. The store director is the person that can answer any questions the vendors may have about when the work can be done.

Q-9. PWS Section 2.5.4.1 Please clarify the meaning of "4 hour problem call acknowledgement".

A-9. The vendor must contact the DeCA HQ NOC within 4 hours after receiving a problem call and is expected to provide the information in accordance with PWS 2.5.3.2, and 2.5.3.3.

Q-10. PWS Section 2.7.3 Can installers, repair personnel, etc. be foreign nationals? If American citizens are required, is there any level of security clearance required?

A-10. a) Yes. b) No, but the requirements of PWS Section 6.0 must be met.

Q-11. PWS Section 2.8.1 Assuming a proposal due date of 22 April and Government award of 2 May there are only 21 weeks until 30 Sept. The max install rate requires 19 weeks. This does not seem to allow time for the required demonstrations or pilot testing. Does this schedule imply that all sites will be ordered at the beginning of the contract?

A-11. No. In accordance with paragraph 2.8.3, orders will be placed approximately 40 days prior to the projected vendor completion date for that order. Based on final contract award date, the completion date and/or number of sites per week will be adjusted accordingly.

Q-12. PWS Section 2.8.2 Who is responsible for licensing?

A-12. IAW PWS Section 2.3.7. “The Contractor shall be responsible for all Host Nation Approvals (HNA), foreign carrier costs, licensing, and frequency clearance, Broadband/VSAT landing rights, shipping, and taxes.”

Q-13. When will the Government provide POC and ship to information?

A-13. The Government will provide any additional POC information necessary at contract award.

Q-14. What are the special considerations for shipment to Turkey?

A-14. It is incumbent upon the contractor to research any necessary shipment requirements for locations under this contract. The “NOTE” on page 14 of the PWS was meant as a “heads up”.

Q-15. PWS Section 7.0. Is the use of local installers and maintenance personnel preferable?

A-15. As long as the PWS terms are met, the government has no preference.

Q-16. Attachment 2 - Test Plan. There are no specifications here. Please clarify or provide them.

A-16. The Test Plan at Attachment 2 will be used by DeCA during the Operational Capabilities Demonstration as part of their evaluation. IAW PWS para 2.4, the Contractor will provide an Acceptance Test Plan with their proposal. The acceptance test plan is listed under Part III, Technical Proposal, Sub-factor 3: Project Management, page 25 of 41 and will be part of the technical evaluation.

Q-17. PWS paragraph 2.1.2: Can you please advise if DeCA is currently using client-based software that provides the same functionality identified as a contractor requirement to provide. Can you please provide examples of software that meet the government’s requirements.

A-17. DeCA has no multicast capabilities at present. The Government is relying on industry expertise to determine the appropriate software to use to meet the requirements of the PWS.

Q-18. PWS paragraph 2.1.7.1: The PWS suggests that the government requests the contractor to provide a terrestrial DSL path as well as a VSAT satellite path to meet the requirements for each commissary site. While VSAT coverage is relatively easy to provide, terrestrial DSL connectivity is relatively costly and will take significant lead time to provide to each site. Please verify that a terrestrial DSL path is required for each site as well as a VSAT satellite path.

A-18. In accordance with PWS section 1.1, paragraphs two and three, DSL and VSAT are both required in an integrated solution for each site. Attachment 4A also indicates this.

Q-19. Attachment 13 – Section B Pricing matrix: CLIN 4010 through 4017 require the contractor to provide the non recurring cost to establish the broadband DSL service for all stores. Between the issuing of the RFP and the proposal due date, there is insufficient time to obtain the quotes from national and international terrestrial service providers to install DSL service to the approximately 258 commissaries. Can an extension be granted to facilitate the significant number of terrestrial connectivity requests that must be generated in order to provide an accurate dollar amount?

A-19. Section B has been set up so that vendors only fill in the green blocks with the $0.00. Vendors do not insert any prices into the grayed-out blocks. Since terrestrial service is predicated by the location and local service provider, we are not asking or expecting vendors to supply these prices. They are listed as “pass-throughs” and the terrestrial service provider’s invoice would be submitted along with the contractor’s invoice as proof of payment for which we would reimburse the contractor. We have updated Section B to clarify where you should insert prices by inserting N/A in the gray blocks. Also, Option Year 4 has been deleted. This requirement is for 1 base year and 3 option years.

Q-20. PWS paragraph 2.3.1.2: The section states “no direct roof-mounted dishes are authorized; the contractor shall not drill directly into any commissary roof.” Are non-penetrating VSAT antenna mounts desired that require sand bags, cement blocks or other heavy items to be placed on the legs of the VSAT antenna legs? Can VSAT antennas be installed at ground level and what methods are approved in this case?

A-20. a) Yes. b) Dish installation options will be dependent upon what each base or post will allow and what the Store Director will agree to. Each Store Director should be able to provide a base-level contact to identify what is and is not allowed.

Q- 21. PWS paragraph 2.8.3: When does the government expect the first installation to be completed and when is the desired date to have all commissary’s completed with the new broadband/VSAT technology?

A-21.

The desired date for all commissary installations to be completed per the RFP was 30 Sep 08. Due to delays in the requirements process, the date has been pushed back and is dependent upon the contract award date. Please refer to RFP page 3 of 41 for delivery schedule information.

Q-22. RFP: Can the government provide an estimate of the total expected value of this contract for the base year and each option year?

A-22. No, we will not be providing any estimates of the value of this effort. It is a competitive, commercial contract in which the government is looking for a “best value” offer.

Q-23. Is it possible to get an extension on the due date for this solicitation?

A-23. Proposal due date has been extended to 29 Apr 08 at 2pm CST.

Q-24. Does the government have a preference for the frequency band and/or the satellites utilized in the proposed VSAT network?

A-24. Each satellite service type has its strengths and weaknesses. DeCA is looking for the most cost-effective commercially available solution to meet its requirements as defined in the PWS.

Q-25. Can you provide more specific information on the VSAT installation requirement, e.g., cable lengths between VSAT outdoor and indoor equipment, wall penetrations required, etc.?

A-25. The circumstances/specifications will vary with each location. Consider DeCA’s commissaries equivalent to a global commercial grocery store chain. The stores come in all sizes, shapes and construction material. PWS 2.1.4 summarizes store sizes in square feet.

Q-26. Can the government provide any assistance to the contractor for any of the host nation requirements of para. 2.3.7 of the Performance Work Statement? Are there any exemptions available to the government for host nation import duties?

A-26. a) No, these are vendor responsibilities. b) Vendors are encouraged to contact appropriate import/export and federal authorities for further guidance.

Q-27. Could you provide more description of what is required of the offeror at the Operational Capabilities Demonstration (OCD) at the HQ Sisisky Wing (per Sub-factor 5 on page 26 of HC1013-08-R-2004). Why is this required given that pilot sites will be installed and tested under the contract? Is the offeror to provide and install all equipment offered in its proposal for this demonstration? Is there an existing VSAT antenna installed at this site, and if so, can it be used in the demo? The time is very short for this.

A-27. The referenced Sub-factor, the PWS, Attachment 2 and 3, and the vendor test plan all dictate what the vendor is required to do. The commercial Internet will be used in lieu of the vendor provided terrestrial connectivity between the vendor teleport and DeCA HQ. DeCA will establish and manage the VPN tunnels through the vendor’s transport service with vendor assistance as needed and appropriate. The OCD is an Operational Capabilities Demonstration and part of the evaluation process. The OCD must be successful in order to be awarded the contract. There is no existing VSAT antenna at the location and vendors must provide all equipment necessary for the OCD.

Q-28. From what location or locations will the multicast data be originated?

A-28. The multicast data will originate at DeCA HQ, Fort Lee, VA.

Q-29. Regarding Attachment 10, Representative Floor Plans, How many stories are there at each store or store type? Can you provide dimensions and also elevation plans? Are store floor plans for all locations available?

A-29. PWS 2.1.4 summarizes store sizes in square feet. A few stores have a second floor administrative area with the scanning room/computer room equipment and network equipment.

Q-30. Is DeCa looking for fiem fixed price quotes or cost plus?

A-30. This is a firm fixed-price requirement.

Q-31. What is the deadline for asking questions?

A-31. Per the RFP, page 22 of 41, questions must be submitted prior to 5 calendar days before proposals are due.

Q-32. Is there a bidders conference planned?

A-32. No, there is no bidders conference planned.

Q-33. Can the RFP submission date be extended. The magnitude of work required to properly respond to this RFP may require more time than allocated.

A-33. Please see question and answer 23.

Q-34. PAST PERFORMANCE SURVEYS: April 10, 2008 deadline. Is this the deadline for the government to receive or the deadline for the surveys to be mailed by?

A-34. The April 10 deadline is for receipt of past proposal information. The Government will not turn away information received after that date, however, we will not hold up evaluations for late submissions either.

Q-35. Why this deadline is 12 days before the deadline of RFP submission? Can it be extended at least until April 17, 2008?

A-35 The two submissions are unrelated. Any offeror contemplating submitting a proposal just needs to forward the survey to their chosen references, who then complete the short survey and emails/faxes them directly to the Government.

Q-36. In how many days after all demos are completed, do you intend to award the contract?

A-36. The demonstrations are part of the evaluation process. We cannot give an exact time but we will be awarding the contract as soon as possible after evaluations are completed.

Q-37. Can the contract be awarded to more than one company?

A-37. No, there will be one contract awarded from this effort.

Q-38. Some of the items on price schedules state "pass through". Does this mean that we are not allowed to have any markup? Or our standard OH rate plus some margin will apply over and above the pass through cost?

A-38. This is a commercial, firm fixed-price contract and as such, the pricing strategy will be a business decision for each company bidding. The CLINs for broadband are structured as they are because of the varying prices around the world for broadband service, the amount of time it would require to research all those locations and the limited availability of service providers in most areas.

Q-39. Concerning DeCA Broadband/VSAT, Solicitation Number: HC1013-08-R-2004, you have indicated this will be an 8(a) set-aside with a size standard of $13.5M. Will any consideration be given to raising that size standard to $25M?

A-39. The size standard is determined per NAICS code and is set by the Small Business Administration.

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