20100317_AMEND0002_MSC_NGW_RFP_Q A.doc

HC1013-09-R-2004 MSC NGW RFP

QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

17-March 2010

QUESTION # 1

NAICS code 517410 small business size standard is $15M, per the Solicitation and the SBA. In some cases a provider of articles which it itself did not manufacture can be held to a small business size standard of less than 500 employees. Is the $15M size standard firm or can a supplier bid as a small business under the less than 500 employees standard?

ANSWER # 1

The small business standard associated with NAICS Code 517410 is defined by the Small Business Administration. For more detailed information or guidance on NAICS codes as it pertain to specific business situations and/or circumstances please contact the Small Business Administration.

QUESTION # 2

Is it the Government's intention to exclude solutions that exceed 250 lbs?

ANSWER # 2

The Government intends to exclude solutions that exceed 300 lbs. Please see revised SOO, Section 6.4.1.a.i.

QUESTION #3

Is the Government willing to entertain multiple antenna configurations such that different antenna would be proposed for different ships?

ANSWER # 3

No. The Government will not entertain multiple antenna configurations that propose different antennas for different ships.

QUESTION # 4

Would the Government provide the T-AKE drawing 7488830_B in a .pdf format?

ANSWER # 4

Yes. Drawing T-AKE drawing 7488830_B has been provided as an attachment to Amendment 0002 to the HC1013-09-R-2004.

QUESTION # 5

Would the Government consider multiple proposals from the same offeror?

ANSWER # 5

No. Only one proposal will be considered per offeror in response to the MSC NGW HC1013-09-R-2004 solicitation. For further guidance please see Section L: Instruction to Offerors.

QUESTION # 6

Are the 4 contractor-provided RJ-45/RJ-11 analog phone jacks referenced in SOO 6.4.2(d) to be FXS, FXO, or E&M?

ANSWER # 6

The 4 contractor-provided RJ-45/RJ-11 analog phone jacks referenced in SOO, Section 6.4.2.d are FXS.

QUESTION # 7

Does the Government want the notional NGW System Installation Plan attached as Appendix 4 as per Section L, Subfactor 3 (g) or as Appendix 5 as per Section L (4.2.2) Volume Organization?

ANSWER # 7

The Government requests that the notional NGW System Installation Plan be attached as Appendix 5 as per Section L, Section 4.2.2: Volume Organization.

QUESTION # 8

What is the date the past performance questionnaires need to be returned to the Government by?

ANSWER # 8

Responses for past performance questionnaires should be returned to the Government no later than the date proposals are due.

QUESTION # 9

Section L references an upload to DITCO web page as a submission requirement. Will the Government provide the upload site and details for this web page?

ANSWER # 9

Proposals must be uploaded to https://www.ditco.disa.mil/dcop/public/asp/dcop.asp. For further guidance please see Section L, Section 2.1.6: Communication.

QUESTION #10

An existing worldwide teleport infrastructure is composed of multiple Land Earth Stations that are interconnected via a private MPLS network and MSC traffic will be logically separate within it. Would the Government accept a GIG-approved circuit or circuits from the central LES into the ANOC and BNOC, or must each LES connect to the ANOC and BNOC directly?

ANSWER # 10

The appropriate configuration will depend upon the proposed solution.

QUESTION # 11

What are the IA accreditation boundaries?

ANSWER # 11

For further guidance please see SOO, Section 6.1 and Section J, Attachment F: Standards and Specifications.

QUESTION # 12

Per the OCD chart on page 14 of Section L, do OCD ship simulations need to be in same location or dispersed?

ANSWER # 12

The decision regarding the location of the OCD ship simulations as per the OCD chart on page 14 of Section L, is left up to the offeror.

QUESTION # 13

Per 6.4.1.a.ii on page 5 of the Statement of Objectives, are dual antenna configurations required on ships that already have dual antennas? Should the offeror assume that BEST ships with dual antennas are set up that way to deal with blockage issues, or does the offeror only need to replace primary BEST antenna systems?

ANSWER # 13

Antenna configuration will depend upon the proposed solution. The offeror is not required to take down the second antenna if one antenna is sufficient.

QUESTION # 14

How will the awardee be compensated for unforeseen or changed conditions discovered at the time of implementations (for example, if the ship’s availability were to be cut short due to an emergent mission requirement and the contractor has to visit the ship a second time to complete the implementation or the conditions onboard the ship differ from those represented to the awardee in advance of installation)?

ANSWER # 14

Please see CLIN 0070.

QUESTION # 15

Does the offeror need to worry about lead time for bandwidth changes? If so, should the offeror ask how much lead time they’ll provide?

ANSWER # 15

Lead time for bandwidth changes will depend on the proposed system, but must comply with SOO, Section 5.e.

QUESTION # 16

Can the contractor reuse existing equipment (such cabling, BEST rack space, BEST rack power [ship power and UPS])?

ANSWER # 16

No.

QUESTION # 17

Will it be necessary for the contractor to add a new router in place of the FRADs aboard and ashore to handle routing of phone traffic, or are there slots available on the existing routers for the necessary T1 or FXS cards?

ANSWER # 17

Please see SOO, Sections 6.3.c, 6.4.2.d, and 6.5.2.b.

QUESTION # 18

Regarding Section M – Price Factor Item 5, please explain in detail how the Total Proposed Price will be calculated as it is not clear in the Section B pricing tables.

ANSWER # 18

The respective CLIN evaluation quantities listed in Section B will be multiplied by the offeror’s proposed price to derive a MRC. The MRC amounts will be totaled by year and multiplied by the projected evaluation months for the respective year as delineated in M001.d.7. providing the evaluated annual cost. The total proposed price is the summation of the annual costs for all 8 evaluation years.

QUESTION # 19

At the NOC and BNOC, is there an additional interface on the existing router to put a device in parallel with the FRAD during the transition period?

ANSWER # 19

Please see SOO, Section 6.3.c. Gateway router sizing will be determined at integration.

QUESTION # 20

Regarding Section M – Price Factor Item 7, please explain in detail how the following will be calculated as it is not clear in the Section B pricing tables: Total Actual, Total DLCC, Summary by CLIN, & Summary by CLIN with DLCC applied.

ANSWER # 20

The total actual cost is the same as the total proposed price.

Total DLCC is derived by discounting the actual annual cost by the discount factors provided in Section M and summing these amounts for all 8 evaluation years.

Summary by CLIN is derived by adding the sub-CLINs together (i.e., CLIN 0002 Summary is the total of sub-CLINs 0002AA through 0002AJ).

Summary by CLIN with DLCC applied is the Summary by CLIN with the respective year’s discounting factor applied.

QUESTION # 21

Regarding Section B, the following CLINs and all of their sub-CLINs have zero evaluation quantities in all contract years (0046, 0050, 0051, 0054, 0055, 0056, 0059). Was this an oversight? If not, can the Government please provide an explanation as to why these CLINs will not factor into the evaluation?

ANSWER # 21

Section B has been revised to reflect revised evaluation quantities.

QUESTION # 22

Regarding Section B, the following CLINs and all of their sub-CLINs have zero evaluation quantities in all contract years (0046, 0050, 0051, 0054, 0055, 0056, 0059, 0064AA, 0064AB, 0065AA, 0065AB, 0066AA, 0066AB, 0067AA, 0067AB, 0068AA, 0068AB). Was this an oversight? If not, can the Government please provide an explanation as to why these CLINs will not factor into the evaluation?

ANSWER # 22

Section B has been revised to reflect revised evaluation quantities.

QUESTION # 23

Does the Government intend for each volume to be submitted on a separate CD or does it want 2 CDs with all 5 volumes on each one (but in separate directories)?

ANSWER # 23

Proposals should be provided on up to 2 compact discs, with all volumes indexed individually.

QUESTION # 24

Would the Government consider making the installation Time and Materials (T&M) or cost plus (CF)?

ANSWER # 24

No time-and-materials or cost-type pricing will be used. A firm-fixed-price contract, which best utilizes the basic profit motive of business enterprise, will be used because the risk involved is minimal or can be predicted with an acceptable degree of certainty. In addition, the Government determined that a single award (vice a multiple award) IDIQ contract is the best way to meet the requirement. This decision was supported, in part, based on the Government’s plans to award a firm-fixed-price contract using no time-and-materials or cost-type pricing.

QUESTION # 25

The solicitation states that the Government anticipates award of a Firm Fixed Price IDIQ contract. Considering this, will the contractor be allowed to perform pre-installation site surveys to obtain needed information to provide more accurate Delivery Order pricing for this IDIQ contract? Can those site surveys be added to the contract as billable items?

ANSWER # 25

No. All site surveys shall be included in cost of installation. For further guidance, please see Section B: Non-bandwidth CLINs.

QUESTION # 26

The reference seems to suggest that the cost of crane services will be absorbed by the Government. This leads our team to believe that these installations will be performed during yard availability. If this is the case, then the yard will also have control over other needed services such as forklift, rigging, and transporting equipment from the yard gate to the ship and will not allow the outside contractor to perform. Considering this, is it the Government’s intent to absorb the costs for these other needed services as well?

ANSWER # 26

Commercial shipyards will be used where possible, MSC will to provide the contractor access to perform installations within the shipyard. However, installation at Government locations may be required. In such cases, Offerors are required to provide pricing to accommodate installations at

Government installation sites to include all aspect of transportation and installation. The Government will provide on-ship installation support such as electrical power, and on a limited basis, lift support for system equipment.

QUESTION # 27

Regarding the Technical/Management volume, the Government identifies that Appendix 2 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) is part of Subfactor 4, Appendices 5 (Notional NGW System Installation Plan for an MSC Ship) and 8 (Transition Plan) are part of Subfactor 3, Appendix 6 (NGW System Training Plan) is part of Subfactor 2 and Appendix 9 (Offeror’s Coverage Map) is part of Subfactor 1. Which section/subfactor of the Technical/Management volume does the Government want the following appendices incorporated:

Appendix 1: Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Appendix 3: System Architecture Specification (SAS)

Appendix 4: Proposed Work Breakdown Structure

Appendix 10: Technical Management Risk Matrix

ANSWER # 27

Section L, Section 1: Technical Solution/Management Approach states: “the offeror shall provide a Performance Work Statement (PWS) to address the proposed approach for meeting the performance or capability requirements of each Technical Solution/Management Approach subfactor.” Appendix 3: System Architecture Specification (SAS) is referenced in Section L, Subfactor 1: System Performance. Appendix 4: Proposed Work Breakdown Structure is referenced in Section L, Subfactor 3: Transition Plan. In Section L, Appendix 10, Technical Management Risk Matrix, it states the following, “ See Section 4.2.1.1, Technical/Management Risk, and 4.2.2, Technical Solution/Management Risk for instructions.”

QUESTION # 28

Is the Appendix 7 Operational Capabilities Demonstration Plan included in the page count of the Technical/Management volume?

ANSWER # 28

Please see revised Section L, Section 2.2.

QUESTION # 29

The solicitation includes FAR 52.219-9 and 52.219-9 (Deviation). Which of those 2 applies to the solicitation since the Deviation acts to modify the basic clause?

ANSWER # 29

FAR 52.219-9 (Deviation) is the correct clause. FAR 52.219-9 without the deviation does not apply and is hereby removed from the RFP and resulting contract.

QUESTION # 30

Referring to FAR 52.222-41 (Service Contract Act), will Wage Determinations be provided for sites where work is to be performed?

ANSWER # 30

This contract does not meet the definition of a service contract as defined in FAR 22.1001: The principal purpose of this contract is not to furnish services through the use of service employees. FAR 52.222-41 is hereby removed from the RFP and resulting contract.

QUESTION # 31

FAR 52.230-2 appears to be exempted by 48 CFR 9903.201-1 (15), which states that this Clause does not apply to Firm Fixed Price contracts or subcontracts awarded on the basis of adequate price competition without submission of cost or pricing data. Does this clause apply?

ANSWER # 31

Agree. FAR 23.230-2 is hereby removed from the RFP and resulting contract.

QUESTION # 32

DFAR 252.225-7026 (Acquisition Restricted to Products or Services) does not appear to apply to this solicitation since it addresses the procurement of products and service in the countries of Afghanistan or Iraq. Please clarify.

ANSWER # 32

Agree. DFARS 252.225-7026 is hereby removed from the RFP and resulting contract.

QUESTION # 33

Regarding Section B, please explain the difference between Government site & contractor site (for example, CLINs 0035AF and 0035AT).

ANSWER # 33

The contractor site is a commercial pier. The Contractor is responsible for all potential costs associated with the Contractor site.

QUESTION # 34

Regarding Section B, for all bandwidth CLINs, please confirm that the MRC Unit Price is the price for one month and should not be the monthly price times the Unit. For example, CLIN 0001 Unit is 12 Mo. If the monthly price is $1,000, should the price entered under MRC Unit Price be $1,000 or $1,000 X UNIT =$12,000?

ANSWER # 34

The Unit Price is the price for one month. If the monthly price is $1,000, enter $1,000 under MRC.

QUESTION # 35

Regarding Section B, please explain the difference between CLINs 0068AB and 0069AB. They both appear to be made up of the two CLINs directly below, each but CLIN 0069AB has an evaluation quantity and formulas to calculate MRC and NRC Total price while 0068AB has zero evaluation quantity and all MRC and NRC cells are blank.

ANSWER # 35

CLIN 0069AB’s evaluation quantity and formulas to calculate MRC and NRC Total price, and zero evaluation quantities are incorrect and will be removed. The evaluation quantities will also be corrected. For further guidance, please see revised Section B.

QUESTION # 36

Regarding Section B Non-Bandwidth CLINs, due to evaluation quantities being in multiple contract years for non-bandwidth CLINs, does the Government expect multiple tabs for the non-bandwidth CLINs as were called out in the instructions for bandwidth CLINs? If a tab is required for each contract year, does the Government require pricing for a CLIN when the evaluation quantity is zero for that contract year?

ANSWER # 36

As stated in the instructions for bandwidth CLINs, the Government expects multiple tabs (years) for the non-bandwidth CLINs. The Government requires pricing for all evaluation years as called out for the bandwidth CLINs.

QUESTION # 37

In order to properly price the proposal, the offeror needs to know how many ships require multiple systems. Please provide a list of the ships that will require dual systems.

ANSWER # 37

MSC requires the same architecture for all ships. For further guidance please see SOO, Section 2.f.

QUESTION # 38

For Volume II, do all of the appendices count toward the page limit?

ANSWER # 38

Yes, appendices will count toward the page limit.

QUESTION # 39

In Section L, the General Instructions for Volume IV Cost/Price instruct to take into account the Government funding profile located in Attachment 4, Section 1.1. Can the Government please provide Attachment 4

ANSWER # 39

Attachment 4 does not exist. Section L, Section 1.1 and the associated profile is a standalone reference. A correction will be made to remove reference to Attachment 4.

QUESTION # 40

When pricing the equipment for the CLINs, should the offeror assume the pricing is for all equipment required for the installation (for example, dual systems pricing for a ship that requires a dual system)?

ANSWER # 40

The CLIN for each ship is inclusive of all equipment required for the installation. For further guidance, please see Section B.

QUESTION # 41

Will the Government provide a list of the GFEs?

ANSWER # 41

No. The Government will not provide a list of GFEs.

QUESTION # 42

For FAR 52.222-46, should the total compensation plan include professional employees employed by the prime contractor and its subcontractors?

ANSWER # 42

FAR 52.222-46 is hereby removed from the RFP and resulting contract.

QUESTION # 43

Will the Government consider extending the proposal deadline so that offerors can prepare the best response?

ANSWER # 43

Yes

QUESTION # 44

Regarding Section B, CLIN 72, is this for the entire system or per ship? Is this specific to accreditation and re-accreditation? If not, please define.

ANSWER # 44

CLIN 72 should be DIACAP certification, including entire end-to-end system. The maximum duration of Authority to Operate (ATO) is 36 months. Duration of an Interim Authority to Operation (IATO) is 6 months.

QUESTION #45

(a)(1) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 517410 (insert NAICS code).

Would the government consider changing the NAICS code to 334220 Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing in order to allow larger small businesses to respond and correspondingly for the government to be granted credit?

ANSWER # 45

No. The primary purpose of the contract is to provide satellite communications; therefore, NAICS 517410 is the applicable NAICS code.

QUESTION # 46

Will the government accept a two IF cable solution to the ADE?

ANSWER # 46

Depending on the solution set, the Government anticipates accepting a two IF cable solution to the ADE. For further guidance, please see SOO, Section 6.4.

QUESTION # 47

How many ships does the government expect to operational simultaneously in any one Area of Responsibility?

ANSWER # 47

Please see SOO, Section 6.8 and Section J, Attachment D: Ships by Location.

QUESTION # 48

SOO, Paragraph 6.4.1.i – The SOO states ‘Utilizing this mount will reduce/eliminate the need to conduct structural, blockage, and emitter interference analysis prior to ADE installation.’ Does the government desire an ADE that is EMI certified per MIL‐STD‐461?

ANSWER # 48

ADE that is EMI certified per MIL‐STD‐461 is not a requirement stated in the SOO.

QUESTION # 49

Does the government have a preference for the radome color for the ADE?

ANSWER # 49

ADE radomes should be white or gray, for further guidance please revised SOO,6.4.1.

QUESTION # 50

The SOO states ‘Interconnection (OSI) layers three through seven traffic is applied and managed by the MSC Expand Network IP Accelerator infrastructure as the accelerators tunnel this traffic through the SATCOM infrastructure. The tunnel endpoints are Expand model 6840 accelerators located at the MSC NOCs and Expand model 4820 accelerators onboard the ships and MSOC vans.’ Are the accelerators GFE?

ANSWER # 50

Yes. The accelerators are GFE.

QUESTION # 51

SOO, Paragraph 2.a – The SOO states ‘The pathway includes space segment services and associated Land Earth Station (LES) infrastructure, shipboard terminal hardware, supporting software, and terrestrial backhaul infrastructure connecting the LES infrastructure with the MSC NOCs.’ Could the government clarify the configuration of the LES infrastructure?

ANSWER # 51

LES infrastructure will be dependent upon the proposed solution.

QUESTION # 52

SOO, Paragraph 4. — The SOO states ‘The BEST system has provided MSC with robust service connectivity for voice, data, and imagery, both secure and non‐secure, for both classified and unclassified missions.’ Are encryptors GFE?

ANSWER # 52

Yes. COMSEC encryptors are GFE.

QUESTION # 53

SOO, Paragraph 5.iv – The SOO states ‘Land mass coverage is littoral with the exception of the MSOC vans which operate inland occasionally (98% littoral, 2% inland).’ Where do the vans operate inland? How far do the vans operate inland?

ANSWER # 53

The term “littoral” as it applies to naval operations, is not restricted to the limited oceanographic definition, (i.e., the world’s coastal regions), but includes that portion of the world’s land masses adjacent to oceans within direct control of, and vulnerable to, the striking power of sea-based forces.

QUESTION # 54

SOO, Paragraph 5.f – The SOO states ‘Threshold number of platforms to be installed and supported within the first two years following award should be the 68 vessels, 10 MSOC vans, and 2 labs currently equipped with the BEST infrastructure. During the period of performance, 100 platforms may be potentially installed and supported. Does the period of 2 performance in this paragraph imply 100 installations in the first two years or does it imply over the 4 years of over the 4 years with 4 option years?

ANSWER # 54

Please see requirements as stated in SOO, Section 5.f.

QUESTION # 55

SOO, Paragraph 6.1.e – The SOO states ‘The DIACAP package is to include: System

Identification Package; DIACAP Implementation Plan; supporting certification documentation (IA control validation results, IA control artifacts); Information Technology (IT) security Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M); and DIACAP scorecard.’ Could the government clarify which entity, contractor or government, is responsible for each of the package elements?

ANSWER # 55

Please see SOO, Section 6.1 which states: “The Government requires Contractor support in the development of the DoD IA Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP) package be prepared and delivered to support the Certification and Accreditation (C&A) of the NGW capability consistent with DoDI 8510.01. “

QUESTION # 56

SOO Documents – The following documents are referenced in the SOO. Could the government provide copies of the latest issue and revision of these documents?

DoDE 8510.01, Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process

DoD Instruction (DoDI) 8551.1, Ports, Protocols, and Services Management (PPSM).

DoDI 8500.2, IA Implementation, for Mission Assurance Category (MAC) II

NGW DIACAP Implementation Plan and the DoDI 8500.2

DoD Chief Information Officer (CIO) Memorandum “IPv6, June 9, 2003”

MIL‐STD‐167‐1A

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Std 45‐2002

MIL‐STD‐1310H

ANSWER # 56

All documents, except the NGW DIACAP Implementation Plan, are publicly available. The NGW DIACAP Implementation Plan will be developed post-award.

QUESTION # 57

Section 6.2 Service Characteristics, item b. requires “Compatible with the existing fixed IP addresses….”. Is the current network address scheme IPv4 or IPv6?

ANSWER # 57

The current network address scheme is IPv4.

QUESTION # 58

SOO, Paragraph 6.4.1.b – The SOO states..’Installation shall require the integration to the shipboard Local Area Network (LAN). This shall be accomplished in coordination with the designated MSC representative.’ Does the government or the contractor integrate the

LAN? Is the LAN POP colocated to the BDE? If not will the government be responsible for extending the Ethernet to the government LAN?

ANSWER # 58

The Government will integrate the LAN. The LAN POP is collocated to the BDE.

QUESTION # 59

Will the government have a central location for shipments and logistics support for the contractor supplied terminals? Where is this facility?

ANSWER # 59

Please see RFP Section H: Equipment Delivery, Handling, and Installation.

QUESTION # 60

Is a modem that is in process to be certified for FIPS 140‐2 acceptable?

ANSWER # 60

No. The modem must be FIPS 140-2 certified. For further guidance, please see SOO, Section 6.1.a.

QUESTION # 61

Can the current single ADE cable be replaced with a new ADE cable?

ANSWER # 61

Yes. The current single ADE cable can be replaced with a new ADE cable. Please see SOO, Section 6.4.2.

QUESTION # 62

What is meant by the phrase “within current budget” in the following statement from Attachment A, Section 5. “MSC desires to maximize the amount of BIR bandwidth available within current budget.”

ANSWER # 62

Please see revised SOO, Section 5.a.ii and Section M, Section 5: Subfactor 1-1 Standard A.2.

QUESTION # 63

Attachment A, Sec 5(a)(ii) – Is the primary CIR in addition to the secondary BIR (i.e. total downlink bandwidth of 320 kbps per ship from which 64 kbps is CIR and 256 kbps is BIR; and total uplink bandwidth of 192 kbps per ship from which 64 kbps is CIR and 128 kbps is BIR)?

ANSWER # 63

The BIR is in addition to the CIR.

QUESTION # 64

Attachment A, Sec 5(a(ii) – What is the acceptable sharing (contention ratio) for the BIR of 256 kbps downlink/128 kbps uplink?

ANSWER # 64

The acceptable contention ratio is the ratio necessary to meet the Government's availability requirement. Please see SOO, Sections 6.2.h and 6.2.i.

QUESTION # 65

Attachment A, Sec 5(a(ii) – Please clarify whether the bandwidth requirements (i.e. CIR of 64 kbps and BIR of 256 kbps downlink/128 kbps uplink) are in terms of IP Data Rate or Information Rate. Information Rate calculation includes the IP payload overhead plus the TRANSEC and SATCOM encapsulation overheads.

ANSWER # 65

The bandwidth requirements are in terms of Information Rate.

QUESTION # 66

Attachment A, Sec 5(f) – Please specify the bandwidth requirements and sharing (contention ratio) for uplink/downlink per MSOC van platform?

ANSWER # 66

Bandwidth requirements and contention ration for uplink/downlink stated in SOO, Section 5.a.ii apply to the MSOC vans.

QUESTION # 67

What is the location and SATCOM requirements for the (2) labs referred to in Attachment A, Section 5, Item f? Please, specify the bandwidth requirements and sharing (contention ratio) for uplink/downlink per lab platform?

ANSWER # 67

The labs are currently located in Chesapeake, VA, but the location is subject to change. Bandwidth requirements for the labs are the same as for the ships.

QUESTION # 68

Attachment A, Sec 5(f) / Sec 6.8 – Please confirm that the 80 platforms (potentially reaching 100 platforms during the period of performance) will have the concentrations of 40% in CONUS, 15% in MED, 15% DG, and 30% in PAC? Please, provide as accurate as possible geographical distribution of these platforms in each Area of Concentration.

ANSWER # 68

Please see SOO, Section 6.8.

QUESTION # 69

Please describe the existing fixed IP addresses and subnetting assigned to the MSC NOCs and the MSC fleet/MSOC vans referred to in Attachment A, Section 6.2, Item b.

ANSWER # 69

Existing IP addresses and subnetting will not be provided.

QUESTION # 70

Attachment A, Sec 6.2(i) – A minimum SATCOM system-wide service availability of 97% is required. Please, clarify whether an outage due to failure of contractor-provided LES modem and/or contractor-provided MSC ship modem will count against the availability? Or does only outage due to rain fade and solar interference count against the availability?

ANSWER # 70

Yes, failure of Contractor-provided LES modem and/or Contractor-provided MSC ship modem will count against the availability.

QUESTION # 71

The Ku-band antenna requires an external input from a GPS or gyro for positional and heading information. What type of input can be provided by the vessel?

ANSWER # 71

Please see SOO, Section 6.4.2.e. A NMEA 0183 serial data sentence can be supplied from the ship’s GPS and/or Gyrocompass. However, installation of a distribution amplifier/buffer may be required.

QUESTION # 72

What are the current NOC building facility requirements for termination of circuits as referred to in Attachment A, Section 6.3, Item a.

ANSWER # 72

Building facility requirements will be provided at time of installation.

QUESTION # 73

Are there any specifications or restrictions to the numbering plan which shall be supported by the contractor-supplied VoIP conversion equipment or the existing Mitel SX200 PBX equipment as described in Attachment A, Section 6.3, Item c.

ANSWER # 73

The Numbering Plan will be provided by MSC and will require San Diego, CA area code of 619.

QUESTION # 74

Please provide the maximum height of the BDE 19” rack referred to in Attachment A, Section 6.4.1, Item b for the ships.

ANSWER # 74

The maximum height of the BDE 19" rack is 72 inches.

QUESTION # 75

Please specify the requirements for the analog signaling interface(s) to interface the ship’s PBX.

ANSWER # 75

The 4 Contractor-provided RJ-45/RJ-11 analog phone jacks referenced in SOO, Section 6.4.2.d are FXS.

QUESTION # 76

Please provide the maximum height of the BDE 19” rack referred to in Attachment A, Section 6.5.1, Item b for the MSOC vans.

ANSWER # 76

The maximum height of the BDE 19" rack is 72 inches.

QUESTION # 77

What are MSC requirements/expectations for forward deployed technicians?

ANSWER # 77

MSC requirements for forward-deployed technicians will be dependent upon the proposed solution and how it meets Government objectives and constraints. For further guidance, please see SOO, Section 6.2.h and 6.2.i.

QUESTION # 78

Does MSC require a self acquire or assemble and point configuration for the MSOC vans.

ANSWER # 78

For further guidance, see SOO, Section 6.5.

QUESTION # 79

Is UPS power for the contractor-provided equipment currently available within the MSOC vans?

ANSWER # 79

Yes. UPS power for the Contractor-provided equipment is currently available within the MSOC vans.

QUESTION # 80

To what extent is MSC willing to evaluate proposals which include non-conforming antenna systems wrt the requirements defined in Attachment A, Section 6.4.1, Item a, i?

ANSWER # 80

Any proposal that does not conform to the requirements as stated in the SOO will be considered non-compliant. For further guidance, please see SOO, Section 6.4.1.

QUESTION # 81

Please expand on the radome measurement method.

a) Will radome be measured at flange?

b) Will MSC consider radomes that are slightly larger than 1.5m?

c) Will MSC consider antennas that are slightly heavier than 250 lbs?

ANSWER # 81

The measurement applies to the equator of the radome. Please see SOO, Section 6.4.1.a.i. Any proposal that does not conform to the requirements as stated in the SOO will be considered non-compliant

QUESTION # 82

What VSAT hardware is required at the lab locations?

ANSWER # 82

For further guidance, please see revised SOO, Section 6.2.

QUESTION # 83

Will Interface Control Documents be required?

ANSWER # 83

All interface requirements are specified in SOO, Sections 6.3 and 6.4.2.

QUESTION # 84

Will SID’s be required? Who will approve them?

ANSWER # 84

Ship Installation Drawings (SIDs) will be required. For further guidance, please see Section J, Attachment E: CDRLs.

QUESTION # 85

Will a RADHAZ survey be required?

ANSWER # 85

All RADHAZ surveys will be conducted by the Government. It is not a requirement.

QUESTION # 86

What is meant by “MB service” in Attachment C in 1a, e? “The extent that a solution requires MB service (charged in the optional CLINs) rather than Kbps service (charged in the mandatory CLINs) will be penalized proportionately. Deep blue water use of MB service will be penalized least, followed by major sea routes, followed by littoral regions and major Naval bases.”

ANSWER # 86

Please see revised Section J, Attachment C: Compliance and Cross-Reference Matrix.

QUESTION # 87

Atachment Q, Pricing Schedule: Optional CLINS are referred to as “Burstable Bandwidth Increments for Surge”. If a solution includes a MB service for lower concentration coverage areas, there does not appear to be a CLIN available for that service. Please indicate how such a solution can be incorporated into the pricing schedule.

ANSWER # 87

The Government will order CLINs in the bandwidth increments listed in Section B until the CLINs meet the Government requirement.

QUESTION # 88

Attachment Q, Pricing Schedule: The mandatory CLINS as currently presented do not allow for per unit pricing such as per minute or per MB. How can a bidder incorporate per minute or per MB pricing?

ANSWER # 88

The Government requires one price per bandwidth increment per region. It is incumbent upon the offeror to equate per minute or per MB capacity to meet pricing requirements as defined in Section M: Evaluation Criteria Vendors M002 Evaluation Factors.

QUESTION # 89

What is the specific evaluation criteria for a solution that incorporates a MB service along with a Kbps service?

ANSWER # 89

It is incumbent upon the offeror to equate any other than throughput capacity to meet pricing requirements as defined in Section M: Evaluation Criteria Vendors M002 Evaluation Factors.

QUESTION # 90

Attachment E, Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) was not provided with the Solicitation. Please provide a copy.

ANSWER # 90

Attachment E was provided and is available with the solicitation. Attachment E was posted on 2 March 2010, but was inadvertently labeled as Amendment 1.

QUESTION # 91

Attachment O, Section L, 1.1: Is the MSC NGW Satcom operating budget strictly for this procurement (i.e., is the wind down of BEST covered via different operating budget dollars)?

ANSWER # 91

The budget in Attachment O, Section L, 1.1 is provided for reference only. The budget is inclusive of all satellite systems operations until the completion of the transition. This does not include the exercising of the CLINs to support additional ships that may be exercised. For further guidance on the contract ceiling please refer to page 2 of the RFP "Contract Minimum/Maximum Quantity And Contract Value".

QUESTION # 92

Attachment Q, Pricing Schedule, BW_Quantity_Schedule: Please clarify what the Quantity units represent (i.e., CLIN 0001, Committed, Downstream, CONUS, 64 kbps, 12 months shows a Quantity of 10 in year 1). Does that represent the number of platforms using that bandwidth, or is it 10 units of 64 kbps for a total of 640 kbps?

ANSWER # 92

The bandwidth CLINs reference per region aggregate bandwidth not per-ship bandwidth.

QUESTION # 93

Attachment Q, Pricing Schedule: The Evaluation Quantities do not match the Bandwidth quantity schedule. Is there any correlation?

ANSWER # 93

The evaluation quantities include anticipated growth.

QUESTION # 94

Attachment Q, Pricing Schedule: The Evaluation Quantities for Shipboard/Van Equipment do not match the number of Ships by type in Attachment D, MSC Ships by Location. Please confirm that the evaluation quantities are correct.

ANSWER # 94

QUESTION # 95

Attachment Q, Pricing Schedule: CLIN 0064-67 refer to “Organizational Level”, “Intermediate Level” and “Depot Level”. Please define.

ANSWER # 95

Organizational Maintenance is defined as maintenance that is the responsibility of, and performed by, a using organization on its assigned equipment. Its phases normally consist of inspecting, servicing, lubricating, and adjusting, as well as replacing parts, minor assemblies, and subassemblies.

Intermediate Maintenance is defined as maintenance that is the responsibility of, and performed by, designated maintenance activities for direct support of using organizations. Its phases normally consist of calibration, repair, or replacement of damaged or unserviceable parts, components, or assemblies; emergency manufacture of nonavailable parts; and providing technical assistance to using organizations.

Depot Maintenance is defined as maintenance performed on materiel requiring major overhaul or a complete rebuild of parts, assemblies, subassemblies, and end-items, including the manufacture of parts, modifications, testing, and reclamation as required. Depot maintenance serves to support lower categories of maintenance by providing technical assistance and performing that maintenance beyond their responsibility. Depot maintenance provides stocks of serviceable equipment by using more extensive facilities for repair than are available in lower level maintenance activities.

QUESTION # 96

Attachment O; Section L, Paragraph 1F: Please clarify the correlation between the number of platforms provided here and the number of vessels stated in Attachment D ( 163 vessels), Attachment B paras 2.3.1-2.3.4 (158 vessels), or the MSC website (162 vessels). Moreover, Attachment B, para 3 states: "More than 75 vessels/mobile platforms currently have their voice and data networks connected to the MSC ashore Enterprise via BEST WAN SATCOM infrastructure” Therefore please clarify the number of vessels that will be covered by this program?

ANSWER # 96

Please see SOO, Section 5.f.

QUESTION # 97

Once a vessel is chartered by MSC, is the infrastructure of communications the responsibility of the charter owner or MSC? If it is MSC, are these vessels covered by this program? If it is the charter owner, must they upgrade the vessel to meet MSC requirements, as identical to this program?

ANSWER # 97

The ship installation requirement is stated in SOO, Section 5.f.

QUESTION # 98

Please clarify the number of vessels covered by this program for the following categories, and confirm that each category is subject to the same CIR and BIR requirements.

a. Ownership

i. Government owned

ii. Chartered

b. Program type

i. Preposition ships

ii. Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force

iii. Special Mission Program

iv. Sealift Program

c. BEST capability

i. Vessels that currently have BEST capability

ii. Vessels that do not currently have BEST capability

ANSWER # 98

All requirements are stated in SOO, Section 6.2.

QUESTION # 99

Are the MSOC vans currently equipped with BEST, and are they subject to the same CIR and BIR requirements as the categories above?

ANSWER # 99

MSOC vans are currently equipped with BEST and are subject to the same CIR and BIR requirements as the ships. For further guidance, please see SOO, Section 6.2.

QUESTION # 100

Please confirm that the labs are subject to the same CIR and BIR requirements as the categories above.

ANSWER # 100

Yes. The labs are subject to the same CIR and BIR requirements. For further guidance, please see SOO, Section 6.2.

QUESTION # 101

What is the breakdown per Fiscal Year for BEST and for new solution for broadband satellite communications, i.e., non-BEST?

ANSWER # 101

All requirements are stated in the SOO.

QUESTION # 102

Is the $22 million figure referenced in Attachment B, paragraph 3.5 a one-time budget number?

ANSWER # 102

This was background information provided in the RFP.

QUESTION # 103

Section M: Evaluation Criteria – M002, Evaluation Factors, Par “d. Price Factor,” Item 11: “The quantities listed in the Bandwidth Quantity Schedule (BW_QUANTITY_–SCHEDULE) tab in the Section B Price Schedule are the Government’s projected usage.” Please clarify where this can be found.

ANSWER # 103

The Bandwidth Quantity Schedule (BW_QUANTITY_–SCHEDULE) is a worksheet in the 20100301_NGW Section_J_Attachment_Q_Pricing Schedule.xls file. The file precedes the CONUS_BY worksheet.

QUESTION # 104

Is a “SECRET” clearance required for any of this service?

ANSWER # 104

Yes. A SECRET clearance is required. For further guidance, please see SOO, Sections 6.1.d and 6.1.f. and DD254.

QUESTION # 105

In Section H (p 10 of 43, SF 33) and in Section L (at page 12 of 24), the requirement is stated that awardee is required to successfully demonstrate operational capability within 14 calendar days from contract award. Since this is an IDIQ award/contract, should this reference be 14 days from award of order? Alternatively, is it intended that the MSC will issue its initial order simultaneous with contract award?

ANSWER # 105

The awardee shall comply with the OCD requirement within 14 days contract award and the initial task order which will be simultaneous.

QUESTION # 106

Please confirm the URL that should be used to upload proposal responses to the DITCO Web site.

ANSWER # 106

Proposals must be uploaded to: https://www.ditco.disa.mil/dcop/public/asp/dcop.asp. For further guidance please see Section L, 2.1.6: Communication.

QUESTION # 107

If hard copies of proposals and the CDs are sent to the Point of Contact and address identified in Attachment O, Section 2.4 using FedEx’s First Overnight Service (which provides an 8:30 am delivery to Scott Air Force Base), will such delivery be deemed to have reached Ms. Kincaid by the 11:00 am proposal deadline, or do the proposal materials need to be delivered to Ms. Kincaid personally?

ANSWER # 107

Offerors are responsible for ensuring delivery to meet the proposal due date.

QUESTION # 108

Section Number B, M / Requirement CLIN 0001-0032

How will price evaluation be applied in the case where multiple technologies are offered (for example, C band, Ku Band, L Band) to ensure coverage, capacity and portability, but only one technology will be ordered or used?

Example, ship A is using 64kbps Ku band within CONUS. Ship B also deploys within CONUS but there is no Ku capacity available, necessitating using C band or L band. How does a bidder propose a multiple band solution? Which CLINs should be used and tabs replicated? How will a multiple technology solution be evaluated?

Recommendation: Revise CLIN structure to accomodate.

ANSWER # 108

The Government requires one price per bandwidth increment per region. Offerors shall combine multiple bands “if applicable” and proposed one regional bandwidth price.

QUESTION # 109

Section Number B, M / Requirement CLINs & Pricing Table

Will the Government provide pricing tables which automatically calculate (a) Total Actual Proposal, (b) Total DLCC, (c) Summary by CLIN and (d) Summary by CLIN DLCC?

ANSWER # 109

The Government does not anticipate providing pricing tables which automatically calculate (a) Total Actual Proposal, (b) Total DLCC, (c) Summary by CLIN and (d) Summary by CLIN DLCC before proposals are received.

QUESTION # 110

Section Number B, M / Requirement CLINs 0001 – 0032

It is our understanding that for CLINs 0001-0032, the numbers in “Quantity” column need to be replaced by “Evaluation quantities by contract year” numbers that are provided in Excel columns K through R. Is this correct?

ANSWER # 110

No. The assumption is incorrect. The Quantity in the Price Schedule is the price for one unit. The “Evaluation quantities by contract year” numbers provided in Excel columns K through R are the quantities the evaluation will use in determining the DLCC amount.

QUESTION # 111

Section Number M002 – D7 / Requirement All CLINs

Government provides extensive assumptions, CLIN selection criterion and discount factors for developing the total Discounted Life Cycle Cost (DLCC) from the offeror. Will the Government please provide a summary table for the offeror to review this while developing pricing?

ANSWER # 111

The Government does not anticipate providing a summary table before proposals are received.

QUESTION # 112

Section Number L 1.1 / Requirement Funding

Figure A4-1 and A4-2 reflects amounts that are based on government specified procurement quantities times government expected costs, then selected/calculated in accordance with section M002-D7. Is this correct or if not please advise?

ANSWER # 112

Figures at A4-1 and A4-2 are budgetary information.

QUESTION # 113

Section Number Pricing Schedule Spreadsheet / Requirement BW Quantity Schedule

There is a discrepancy in the quantities provided under “BW Quantity Schedule” tab and “Evaluation quantities by Contract Year” tables. Can the Government please clarify the discrepancy?

ANSWER # 113

Evaluation Quantity should not be confused with Ordering Quantity. The BW Quantity Schedule tab is not intended to show Evaluation Quantities. BW Quantities Schedule tab lists the quantities for each year for the specific CLINs within various bandwidth sheets as referenced.

QUESTION # 114

Section Number CLINs 0035-0063

RFP mandates that all equipment is to be priced in accordance with FAR 52.247-34, which includes shipping, taxes, customs, and other duties as applicable, which will depend on the FOB Destination required by the Govt.

The CLIN structure does not distinguish between OCONUS and CONUS for shipping.

Where are the equipment and parts shipped to by the offeror? How is pricing evaluated for equipment, parts, spares, etc.?

ANSWER # 114

CLINS do distinguish CONUS from OCONUS sites and shipping taxes, customs, and other duties as applicable are to be included accordingly.

QUESTION # 115

Section Number Non BW CLINs and CLIN 0073

Please confirm that installation charges and training charges should include travel related costs.

ANSWER # 115

Yes. Installation charges and training charges should include travel related costs.

QUESTION # 116

Section Number CLINs 0035-0063

RFP mandates that all equipment is to be delivered and priced in accordance with FAR 52.247-34, which includes shipping, taxes, customs, and other duties as applicable, which will depend on the FOB Destination required by the Govt.

The CLIN structure does not distinguish between OCONUS and CONUS for shipping.

Where are the equipment and parts shipped to by the offeror? How is pricing evaluated for equipment, parts, spares, etc.?

ANSWER # 116

Duplicate

QUESTION # 117

Section Number SOO 5.a.ii / Requirement Multicast

Industry offers a number of mechanisms to deliver large files or frequent updates using a variety of protocols and applications. Does the government intend to define the protocol or application, or will the government leave it to the contractor to propose a method, protocol and application to meet this requirement.

ANSWER # 117

The Government will leave it to the Contractor to propose a method, protocol, and application to meet this requirement. For further guidance on the ability to multicast, please see revised SOO, Section 6.2.j.

QUESTION # 118

Section Number SOO 6.1.c&d / Requirement IA

With regards to commercial land earth station operations, many of which are foreign owned and or operated, please specify the IA requirements that are applicable to commercially operated land earth stations as stated in the RFP.

ANSWER # 118

Please see SOO, Section 6.1. The IA requirements that are applicable to commercially operated LES are: DFARS clauses 252.239-7000 (IA protection), 252-239-7001 (Contractor performance of IA protection), National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual NISPOM), and DODI. 8510.01. For further guidance, please see Section J, Attachment F: Standards and Specifications, Section 2.1.2.

QUESTION # 119

Section Number SOO 5.a.ii / Requirement Multicast

IP transmission systems require visibility of the destination IP address so multicast packets can be identified and delivered to all remotes simultaneously. It is not possible to see IP headers of an encrypted stream; the encrypted IP packet only shows in the header the IP address of the device terminating the tunnel. How do you plan to achieve multicast at the satellite-network level if all traffic (including Multicast) is encrypted?

Recommendation: This requirement shall be removed because in order to achieve the server shall be located outside the encryption domain which contradicts the IA objectives.

ANSWER # 119

Please see SOO, Section 6.2.j. The objective will remain in the RFP to allow the offeror to propose an alternative multicast strategy.

QUESTION # 120

Section Number L 6.1.g / Requirement Surge Capacity

The requirement states that the Surge bandwidth “will be utilized as needed across one or more user terminals in each region”, but due to RF limitations a single ship cannot get access to all bandwidth especially on all high-bandwidth options presented in the Pricing section.

Recommendation: Change the working of the requirement to: “This bandwidth will be shared across more than one user terminal in each region”

ANSWER # 120

Section L, Section 6.1g states: Bandwidth increments for surge shall be defined as additional bandwidth that can be added to the region as needed in a surge scenario. This bandwidth will be utilized as needed across one or more user terminals in each region as specified by MSC. These CLINs are broken into raw bandwidth components and offered under different increments. In addition, these CLINs are broken into separate sections for UPSTREAM and DOWNSTREAM. Offerors may submit prices for these surge rates.

QUESTION # 121

Section Number CLIN 76 / Requirement Portability

Portability costs have their highest impact in the MRC by region; this impact also varies based on the amount of capacity that is ported to another region.

Recommendation: Change the unit to MRC and add granularity to provide all different bandwidth combinations in the portability option.

ANSWER # 121

No changes are made at this time.

QUESTION # 122

Section Number Pricing / Requirement CLIN Structure

The pricing tables don’t have a way to incorporate CLINs to capture costs in regions outside concentration areas. Please advise the methodology to add that.

ANSWER # 122

The concentration map is not a coverage map. The Contractor should use proposed pricing schedules to incorporate CLINs to capture costs in regions outside the concentration areas and should provide their own coverage map. The bandwidth CLINs reference per region aggregate bandwidth, not per ship bandwidth.

QUESTION # 123

Section Number Pricing / Requirement Evaluation Quantities in CLIN Structure

By definition CIR is allocated per-ship (not contended) and BIR is a pool of bandwidth to be shared amongst all ships (contended). If CIR is 64K/64K and BIR is 256K/128K, it means the ship will operate at minimum 64K/64K with eventually bursts up to 256K/128K.

The Evaluation Quantities suggest a different model with ships getting a fixed number of 64K CIR channels and four (4) and two (2) times that number in BIR channels (downstream and upstream respectively). This implies that (taking MED for example) for five (5) 64K duplex (CLIN 0009 and 0013), each will get four (4) and two (2) additional channels “on top of the CIR” (totaling 20 in CLIN 0011 for Downstream and 10 for Upstream). In this example the network will assign each ship a fixed CIR bandwidth of 64K + 256K/128K = 320K/192K.

Can the Government please confirm the evaluation quantities?

Recommendation: Assign (as it is…