CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS.doc

10/7/2009

CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS

DISA Travel Telecommunications Services

HC1013-09-R-2003

Q-1. RFP Section L, paragraph c. Special Instructions (2) a does not specify the format for the offeror's proposal. Please instruct offerors on format, i.e., version of Microsoft Office/Adobe Acrobat, type of media acceptable, etc.

A-1. Proposals should be submitted in accordance with acceptable commercial standard practices.

Q-2. The CLIN quantities in RFP Section B appear to show higher quantities in option year 1 compared to all other years. Please confirm, and please explain why the quantities are higher in option year 1.

A-2. Requirements are cyclical and the quantities are correct.

Q-3. RFP Section B, CLIN xxx7: Provision of MPLS service to fixed sites is typically not temporary, i.e., service is established and maintained. Pricing of fixed site service typically involves one-time charges and recurring monthly charges regardless of utilization.

a. Will the government consider adding a CLIN to address the three fixed sites?

b. If not, please clarify how the offeror is to include the cost of the fixed sites in the scope of the temporary services in CLIN xxx7?

A-3. No CLINs are necessary. The service for the fixed sites are not included in this solicitation; services at trip sites merely need to run back to pre-existing fixed service sites.

Q-4. Regarding the Pricing Items for T-1 (0006, 1006, 2006, 3006, 4006), request the Government clarify their requirement of: Quantity - 203, Unit – Each. Does the Government desire vendors to price 203 individual instances of a T-1 for 30 days?

A-4. Each T-1 should be priced individually for 30 days worth of service. Quantity 203 is an estimated annual requirement.

Q-5. Regarding the Pricing Items for T-1 (0006, 1006, 2006, 3006, 4006), request the Government clarify their requirement of: Quantity - 203, Unit – Each. The Government has provided one of the terminating ends of each T-1 in the solicitation. The solicitation states that travel can occur anywhere within CONUS. Is the Government requiring vendors to provide a single unit price for a T-1 circuit anywhere within CONUS?

A-5. T-1 should have a single price for 30 days anywhere within CONUS.

Q-6. Regarding the Pricing Items for MPLS (0007, 1007, 2007, 3007, 4007), request the Government clarify their requirement of: Quantity - 203, Unit – Each. Does the Government desire vendors to price 203 individual instances of a 6MBps MPLS circuit for 30 days?

A-6. Each 6MBps MPLS circuit should be priced individually for 30 days worth of service. Quantity 203 is an estimated annual requirement.

Q-7. Regarding the Pricing Items for MPLS (0007, 1007, 2007, 3007, 4007), request the Government clarify their requirement of: Quantity - 203, Unit – Each. The solicitation states that travel can occur anywhere within CONUS. Is the Government requiring vendors to provide a single unit price for a 6MBps MPLS circuit anywhere within CONUS?

A-7. 6MBps MPLS should have a single price for 30 days anywhere within CONUS.

Q-8. Reference PWS Section 3.6 Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS). This section states that there are 3 fixed MPLS sites requiring 50MBps of Bandwidth each. There appears to be no Pricing Item in the solicitation to allow vendors to price these fixed locations. Request the Government include a Pricing Item in the soliciation that allows vendors the opportunity to provide recurring and non-recurring pricing for these locations.

A-8. See A-3.

Q-9. Given the impact that the answers to these questions and any possible Government modifications to the original RFP will have on our solution, request a revised submission date for vendor proposals 3 weeks from the date the Government provides answers to vendor questions.

A-9. Government will not be extending the proposal due date at this time.

Q-10. Reference: Section L, Page 41, Paragraph 2 Proposal Preparation Instructions Question: Paragraph 2.a specifies delivery of the proposal on a compact disk (CD). Paragraphs 2.c.(1) and 2.c.(2) instruct offerors to submit one original and copies of Parts I and II. Please clarify if both CD and hard copy delivery apply to this RFP.

A-10. Both CD and hard copy delivery apply to this RFP. The CD includes the entire proposal, to include Parts I and II. Only Parts I and II must be delivered in hard copy as well.

Q-11. Reference: Section L, Page 41, Paragraph 2.c.(1).c

Question: Please indicate how offerors are to complete the certifications for FAR 52-212-3 and DFARS 252.212-7000.

A-11. In accordance with FAR 52.212-3, “An offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at http://orca.bpn.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the ORCA website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (m) of this provision.” As for DFARS 252.212-7000, any vendor submitting proposals must complete this provision by checking whichever applies.

Q-12. Reference: Section B, Pages 4-20, Paragraph N/A Reference: Section Attachment 1 PWS, Pages 1-2, Paragraphs 1.3 Communications Network and 3.1 General

Question: Section B CLIN pricing requires offerors to include “all installation, service and usage fee for the duration of the trip , not to exceed thirty days.” PWS paragraph 3.1 requires the offeror to be ready to support on average 20 trip sites across CONUS.

To price this requirement, will the Government please provide additional information. For example, will the Government provide a set of locations among which trips sites will be selected so telecommunication service pricing can be determined between fixed locations? Will the Government provide any more specific guidance on the duration of trips?

Under the current structure, it is difficult to price the labor associated with a trip duration of up to 30 days. Will the Government consider a separate CLIN for contractor labor billing that would be tied to actual days per site trip, based on the requirements for each site?

When answers to questions are issued, will the Government grant an extension of three weeks from the date of issuance of the answers to permit offerors to respond with a compliant proposal?

A-12. Locations and durations of trips vary and no further information can be given at this time. A separate CLIN for labor will not be developed and all labor costs should be included in the pricing of each service CLIN. As for the extension requested, please see A-9.

Q-13. Reference: Section B, Pages 4-20, Paragraph N/A

Question: Will the Government provide the places of performance for the trip sites?

A-13. The place of performance will be provided when orders are placed. Exact locations cannot be determined at this time.

Q-14. Reference: Section B, Pages 4-20, Paragraph N/A

Question: Regarding the Pricing Items for T-1 (0006, 1006, 2006, 3006, 4006), will the Government clarify their requirement of: Quantity - 203, Unit – Each? Does the Government desire vendors to price 203 individual instances of a T-1 for 30 days?

A-14. Please see A-4.

Q-15. Reference: Section B, Pages 4-20, Paragraph N/A

Question: Regarding the Pricing Items for T-1 (0006, 1006, 2006, 3006, 4006), will the Government clarify their requirement of: Quantity - 203, Unit – Each? The Government has provided one of the terminating ends of each T-1 in the solicitation. The solicitation states that travel can occur anywhere within CONUS. Is the Government requiring vendors to provide a single unit price for a T-1 circuit anywhere within CONUS?

A-15. Please see A-5.

Q-16. Reference: Section B, Pages 4-20, Paragraph N/A

Question: Regarding the Pricing Items for MPLS (0007, 1007, 2007, 3007, 4007), will the Government clarify their requirement of: Quantity - 203, Unit – Each? Does the Government desire vendors to price 203 individual instances of a 6MBps MPLS circuit for 30 days?

A-16. Please see A-6.

Q-17. Reference: Section B, Pages 4-20, Paragraph N/A

Question: Regarding the Pricing Items for MPLS (0007, 1007, 2007, 3007, 4007), will the Government clarify their requirement of: Quantity - 203, Unit – Each? The solicitation states that travel can occur anywhere within CONUS. Is the Government requiring vendors to provide a single unit price for a 6MBps MPLS circuit anywhere within CONUS?

A-17. Please see A-7.

Q-18. Reference: Section Attachment 1 PWS, Page 2, Paragraph 3.1.2

Question: Is there any minimal educational and or certification requirements for “experienced personnel” that will perform the work?

A-18. No, the expectation is that work will be done in accordance with industry standards.

Q-19. Reference: Section Attachment 1 PWS, Page 4, Paragraph 3.6 Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)

Question: This section states that there are three fixed MPLS sites requiring 50MBps of bandwidth each. There appears to be no Pricing Item in the solicitation to allow vendors to price these fixed locations. Will the Government include a Pricing Item in the solicitation that allows vendors the opportunity to provide recurring and non-recurring pricing for these locations?

A-19. Please see A-3.

Q-20. Reference: Section B, Pages 7-8, Paragraph CLINS 1002-1004 Reference: Section Attachment 1 PWS, Page 5, Paragraph 3.7 Dry Pairs

Question: Will the Government provide a more complete description of the term “dry pairs”, and how the Government intends to use dry pairs. The CLIN structure calls for touch tone lines, which is not consistent with our understanding of dry pairs.

A-20. Dry pair is a cable ran for the sole purpose of interconnecting equipment Q-21. Reference: Section N/A, Page N/A, Paragraph N/A

Question: Would the Government consider a non-terrestrial solution, and be willing to revise the solicitation accordingly?

A-21. No, a non-terrestrial solution is not a part of the requirement.

Q-22. 000CLIN 1 Measured Business Lines

FFP

MB Lines, pricing includes all installation, service and usage fees for the duration of the trip, not to exceed 30 days.

QUESTION Will the long distance be billed for time and cost used or is that to be included in a flat but much higher rate. A carrier billable rate plus percentage of markup will be more cost effective to the government.

A-22. The CLIN shall be priced as one flat fee for 30 days, regardless of usage.

Q-23. CLIN 7: QUESTION:

Is the MPLS going to be a scaled deployment or are you looking for the 50meg pipes in 3 locations at contract start?

A-23. Yes; the MPLS will be a scaled deployment. No; the Government will not require the 50MEG pipes at the start of the contract.

Q-24. How will the above be billed? MPLS as a new emerging market is higher priced now than it will be in the future MPLS service at the 3 fixed sites will be a major expense that if included in the MPLS line item fee will cause a dramatic line item fee increase.

A-24. Please see A-3.

Q-25. Can a CLIN be added to break out the three fixed location fees for MPLS This will be a more stable way to provide MPLS service charges and save the government money and provide the contractor fair and reasonable fees based on actual usage.

A-25. Please see A-3.

Q-26. As MPLS is expected to allow for quicker and more robust deployment of data will the DISA expect that the current MBL usage will drop dramatically as this will effect the basis of a contractors income per trip to cover overall business operating cost. a few connections versus 100 A-26. No, the projected number of lines is based on the government’s estimated requirements.

Q-27. 000CLIN 2 POTS Dial-Up Radio Service

FFP

Up to 10 touch-tone lines, no long distance, local calling, and toll free calling only. No call waiting or other special features. Pricing includes all installation, service, and usage fees for the duration of the trip, not to exceed 30 days.

QUESTION: later in your documentation you reference dry pairs for radio use ARE the radio lines dry copper pairs (2 wire) or is this a dial up POTs line placed at a radio site as the Touch Tones local calling implies Please provide more details as to the needed line.

A-27. In the event we cannot use dry pair to interconnect our equipment due to distance involved, we will require POTS to dial up to connect to the equipment.

Q-28. 000CLIN 8 Cable Based Data Circuit

FFP

Pricing includes all installation, service, and usage fees for the duration of the trip, not to exceed 30 days.

QUESTION: is this in reference to commercial Cable TV internet data modem service Is the data rates expected to just be at the highest available speeds? Is Cable TV service to be included in the rate A-28. Yes; we require highest/best speed available. No; we not do not require cable TV service.

Q-29. With the 1.53 T1 is it one full pipe to one location per CLIN or frac T1 spread around multiple locations per trip.

A-29. The T-1 is normally ordered as an ISDN-PRI to a single location.

Q-30. Are the connections on all the line types to be terminated at the main demarcation for the buildings or is it expected that they will be connected to hotel meeting rooms by the facility or contractor.

A-30. All lines are to be terminated at the equipment's location (e.g. hotel room, hotel meeting room). The Government will still require the vendor to extend the lines to the equipment's locations. NOTE: Some hotels have their own telecomm staff to run the inside wiring, but most do not. The vendor will be responsible for all internal wiring and cost to extend the lines from the demark to the equipment's locations.

Q-31. Is the cable internet just for locations where there is no Telco internet available? I don’t see any in your example layouts.

A-31. The Government has no preference just as long as our suspense date is met.

Q-32. If we run into a location where there is no Telco or cable provider internet should we have a satellite solution prepared? If so how much bandwidth would be needed.

A-32. No.

Q-33. When are you looking to transition your pots lines to VOIP using the MPLS? Is the contractor expected to provided Servers and line access or equipment to off set loss of MBL income as services change over.

A-33. No, The Government will procure the necessary equipment.

Q-34. What is a more defined utilization of your MPLS right now, is it used yet, what kind and how heavy is the utilization?

A-34. MPLS is a new requirement, there is no historical utilization data.

Q-35. Should the contractor list in their proposal experience and capabilities related to new and developing technologies as referenced in the PWS Sec 3.2.4

A-35. No, experience and capabilities related to new and developing technologies does not need to be listed in proposals.

Q-36. IS this service now provided by DISA or a contractor, A-36. This is a new acquisition.

Q-37. Are more past statistics and information available to help determin services needed and expected data and long distance usage ect.

A-37. No.

Q-38. Is a possible contractor briefing/meeting or web meeting available to provide more operational information A better understanding of the clients needs and expectations will allow for a better more specific proposal resulting in better price for the contract to the government.

A-38. All information available is included in the RFP. The Government does not intend to hold briefings or meetings.