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Reference
| Questions |
| Government Response |
RFP Q&A’s as of 23 Oct 15
| 1 |
| N/A |
| Is this a follow-on requirement? If so, could you please provide the incumbent contract number for this opportunity? |
| Solicitation HC1013-15-R-0016 is a new requirement and therefore there is no incumbent contract information. |
PWS 11 – Delivery Schedule
Table PWS Section (6.1.1, 6.1.2.4, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5.6.7, 6.6.3.6, 6.7)
| In Section 11 of the PWS titled delivery schedule, the government requests a number of drafts be delivered with the proposal to include CIP, Project Schedule, Fiber Test Plans and Procedures, OLA configs and equipment design, Detailed fiber map and Maintenance plan. Suggest DISA update section L of the RFP to reflect these documents as well as the number of pages allocated for these draft documents. Recommend at least 60 pages or above for these documents. |
| The RFP states “The offer shall be compliant with the requirements as stated in the Performance Work Statement (PWS)” This includes deliverables. Paragraph 4.2.2 of Section L has been updated to include submitting the PWS Draft Deliverables as attachments to the Technical Volume. The PWS Draft Deliverables will not count towards the 40 page limit of the Technical Volume. |
| 3 |
| Attachment J3 – Fiber Requirements Specification |
| The FRS attached to this solicitation is dated 18 December 2014. However, there was a revised FRS that was used in Link 38 dated 15 March 2015. Is there a reason that the 15 March 2015 FRS is not being used as the most recent version? |
| Attachment J3 is updated - See attached FRS document dated 15 March 2015. |
| 4 |
| Solicitation HC1013-15-R-0016 Section L Volume IV Contract Documentation Section 6.2.4 Small Business Participation Plan |
| As this Solicitation is 100% set-aside for Small Business, please confirm that a separate Small Business Plan is required. |
| Yes, a Small Business Participation Plan is required. |
| 5 |
| 6.2 Task 2, Item 6.2.5 Optional: Anniston Army Depot, AL route to Gunter Annex, AL |
| Section M003a, (2) Subfactor 2 is clear that 6.2.5 is not included in the technical evaluation However, the Schedule B and Pricing Template (attachment J6 listed in the Section M003 b. Price Factor are not formatted to separate the Anniston Option from the total price for the basic award. Recommend you revise the Schedule B and Attachment J6 to separate the price for the Anniston Option from the Total Evaluated Price. |
| Optional CLIN 0008 has been added to Schedule B and Attachment J6 to account for PWS 6.2.5. This is an NRC CLIN which can be exercised at any point during the life of the contract. This Optional CLIN will still be included in the Total Evaluated Price for evaluation purposes. |
UPDATED 17 Nov 15: The Optional CLIN 0008 and requirement for the Anniston route is removed entirely via Amendment 03.
RFP Q&A’s as of 28 Oct 15
| PWS 6.1.3, Fiber Testing |
| PWS Section 6.1.3 states, “Contractor must provide fiber test data 45 days after award.” Please confirm that statement applies to existing fiber only. |
| This statement applies to existing fiber only. Contractor must provide fiber test data within 10 days after testing in complete for any newly installed fibers. PWS Section 6.1.3 has been revised accordingly. |
| 7 |
| PWS 6.2, Task 2 – Implementation of a new 100G P-OTN Segment |
| PWS Section 6.2 states, “The Contractor shall separately develop and price the Bill of Material and EFIST services for each Subtask in the exact Subtask Order.” Please revise and redistribute Pricing Template to accommodate Subtask pricing. |
| PWS Section 6.2 has been revised to remove that statement. Instead, that statement is now included in Section L, 5.1.3, Price Information. Offerors are required to separately develop and price the Bill of Material and EFIST services for each Subtask in the exact Subtask order within their Pricing Volume to serve as supporting pricing documentation. |
| 8 |
| PWS 6.2, Task 2 – Implementation of a new 100G P-OTN Segment |
| PWS Section 6.2 states, “The contractor shall identify the time period for which spares can be utilized and provided at no additional cost to the Government.” Please clarify statement or remove from the PWS as there is no requirement for Contractor-provided spares IAW PWS Section 6.3.2 which states, “The Government will provide spares as GFE.” |
| The statement, “The Government will provide spares as GFE” in paragraph 6.3.2 has been removed. |
| 9 |
| PWS 6.4.1, Authorized Service Interruption (ASI) Procedures |
| PWS Section 6.4.1 states, “Unauthorized Outage Credit: 10% of the component’s total monthly operation and maintenance charge for each operational day or fraction thereof excess of 1 hour.” Please explain method for determining component-specific O&M cost, or replace “component” with “affected segment(s)” or “link.” |
| This is for a non-approved or unauthorized ASI based on the value of the affected link. |
| 10 |
| PWS 10, “Period of Performance” |
| PWS Section 10 states, “Additionally, the Contractor may be required to account for the whereabouts of their personnel should this information be requested by the COR.” Please clarify this statement for why the Government would require this information, and what level of personnel tracking is required. |
| The Contractor may be required to provide accountability for personnel performing mission-essential functions during emergency or mission essential conditions and maintenance call outs, should this information be requested by the COR. |
| 11 |
| PWS 13.1, Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), General |
| PWS Section 13.1 states, “The Contractor shall be responsible and liable for Government property in their possession, unless otherwise provided by this contract.” The PWS does not otherwise require Contractor to carry insurance on Government property. If insurance is not a requirement, Contractor cannot be liable for Government property. Please confirm statement or remove from PWS. |
| PWS 13.1, Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), General has been revised to state, “The Contractor shall be responsible and liable for Government property in accordance with FAR 52.245-1 “Government Property.” |
| 12 |
| Solicitation HC1013-15-R-0016, SF 1449, Block 8 |
| Offer Due Date/Local Time is 12:00PM 17 Nov 2015; we ask to extend the deadline 30 days after distribution date of revised solicitation (if applicable) |
| The FAR requires “agencies to allow at least a 30-day response time for receipt of bids or proposals from the date of issuance of a solicitation…” As the RFP was issued on 16 Oct 15, we have met that FAR requirement. Amendment 02 extends the RFP due date to 12:00PM 3 Dec 15. |
| 13 |
| Solicitation HC1013-15-R-0016, Clause 52.237-9001, eCMRA Reporting |
| Please confirm whether or not this requirement pertains to this type of work or remove requirement. |
| In accordance with DARS 37.102-90(b), “Contracting Officers shall include DARS Clause 52.237-9001 in all contracts and orders for services, including contracts for supplies with defined requirements for services, regardless of dollar value of the contract or order.” As such, this requirement pertains to solicitation HC1013-15-R-0016. |
| 14 |
| Solicitation HC1013-15-R-0016, Section L 2.1.5 |
| Section L, 2.1.5 states, “Email may be used to transmit such information to offerors only if the email can be sent and received encrypted...” Please clarify statement and specify encryption and what type of e-mails (if not all e-mails) require encryption |
| Email encryption is the encryption of email messages to protect the content from being read by other entities than the intended recipients. Any source selection sensitive information sent out via email shall be encrypted. |
| 15 |
| Solicitation HC1013-15-R-0016, Section M 6.2.4, Small Business Participation Plan |
| Please clarify whether or not a Small Business Participation Plan is required when the contract is small business set-aside and we (Offeror) are the small business. |
| The Small Business Participation Plan is a requirement of this RFP. The DARS requires small business prime contractors to subcontract with small business through small business participation plans. |
RFP Q&A’s submitted 29 Oct 15
| 16 |
| Amendment 01, Schedule B and Attachment J6 Optional: Anniston Army Depot, AL route to Gunter Annex, AL |
| The revised Schedule B and Attachment J6 addressed in the NRC price, however J6 cell C10 is locked and cannot be accessed. You also need to include a MRC CLIN for this Optional Fiber Route and state when this MRC would begin to determine total costs for those Optional CLINs. |
| The PWS optional requirement for Anniston Army Depot, AL route to Gunter Annex, AL has been removed from the PWS via Amendment 03. As such, CLIN 0008 has been removed from Schedule B and Attachment J6. |
| 17 |
| Schedule B and Attachment J6 Optional: Anniston Army Depot, AL route to Gunter Annex, AL |
| We believe the optional pricing of the Anniston to Montgomery 100G segment will be a cost driver to the total Link 39 evaluated price. The LPTA evaluation is flawed with the inclusion of the an optional route for the Anniston route to Gunter that may never be exercised resulting in the Government not achieving the best value acquisition goals. We ask that the Optional CLINs for the Anniston route to Gunter not be included in your Total LPTA price for award purposes and revised Schedule B and J6 accordingly. |
| All option CLINs, whether for option periods or optional requirements, will be included in each offeror’s Total Evaluated Price. However, the Optional CLIN for the Anniston route has been removed via Amendment 03. |
RFP Q&A’s submitted 3 Nov 15
| 18 |
| Reference Section 6. Performance Requirements “The Contractor must provide two O&M leased fiber stands that have been tested in accordance to the requirements of this PWS and FRS from: |
From Fort Rucker, AL the route must terminate at Eglin AFB, FL.
(Access fiber into Eglin AFB cannot be base owned fiber )”
| Will the Government please clarify the fiber diversity requirements for Eglin AFB from existing DISN links in light of the statement that access fiber cannot be based owned? |
| The contractor’s solution cannot incorporate existing base owned fiber on Eglin AFB. The contractor can use existing base own conduit if available. Path diversity from existing DISN links is not a requirement. Multiple DISN links currently access Eglin so it is inevitable that the new Link 39 route will cross or parallel existing Links. |
| 19 |
| Reference Section 6. Performance Requirements The Contractor must provide two O&M leased fiber stands that have been tested in accordance to the requirements of this PWS and FRS from: |
From Fort Rucker, AL the route must terminate at Eglin AFB, FL.
(Access fiber into Eglin AFB cannot be base owned fiber )
| Will the Government please clarify if the access fiber that is base owned for Eglin AFB that cannot be used is also inclusive of extensive Government GFE used by other DISN links? |
| The contractor’s solution cannot incorporate any existing base owned or GFE fiber on Eglin AFB but, can use existing base own conduit if available. |
RFP Q&A’s submitted 4 Nov 15
| 20 |
| Reference 6 Performance Requirements |
The contractor must provide two O&M leased fiber strands that have been tested in accordance with the requirements of this PWS and FRS from:
Optional: From Anniston Army Depot, AL the route must terminate at Gunter Annex, AL
| The RFI had Anniston Army Depot, AL terminating at Ft. Benning, GA. Will the Government change the PWS to allow Anniston Army Depot, AL to terminate at Gunter Annex, AL or Ft Benning, GA so that the contractor can trade off which route provides the Government the best value. |
| The requirement for the Optional Anniston route has been removed from the requirement via Amendment 03. |
| 21 |
| Attachment L1 – Sample MBOM |
| The sample MBOM does not include CDC for Warner Robbins. Please confirm CDC is required day on for the SDN? |
| The MBOM included CDC hardware for Link 39 at Warner Robbins. The entire site will not be upgraded to CDC as part of Link 39. |
| 22 |
| N/A |
| Eglin is CDC day one as well with only one path to Fort Rucker. Are there any live paths that we will need to upgrade? |
| No. |
RFP Q&A’s submitted 6 Nov 15
“This PWS includes a new operations and maintenance (O&M) leased fiber optic link along with the installation of various telecommunications equipment at new facilities”
Attachment J6 – Pricing Template CLIN 5 “Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) Fiber (FFP NRC) First 8 Months of Base Period Only (25 Mar 16 - 24 Nov 16)”
| In the pricing table the Government makes reference to a 10 yr. IRU and in PWS they refer to the solution as a fiber lease. Please clarify if you desire a lease or IRU as there are relevant differences between these contract types. |
| The IRU language in Attachment J6 has been revised. The requirement is for a one-time NRC that would be paid in the base year. The nine one-year options will cover the O&M only. |
| 24 |
| PWS Section 9, Place of Performance, Page 20 |
| Place of Performance states the location at Eglin AFB, FL to be Building 380. Would fiber termination at Building 44 be acceptable? If not, are there facilities between Buildings 44 and 380 that could be utilized? |
| Fiber termination at Building 44 is not acceptable in accordance with the PWS, and should terminate at Building 380 only. |
| 25 |
| Attachment L1 – MBOM |
| The sample MBOM shows 2 nodes at Anniston, however it is a single lateral. Can the Government please confirm how many nodes are required at each of the bases? |
| The Anniston requirement has been removed from the PWS via Amendment 03. |
| 26 |
| Section L, Paragraph 1.0 Program Title and Objectives |
| In Section L Paragraph 1.0 Program Title and Objectives, the Government states: “The purpose of the DISN Optical Network Enhancement Link 39 acquisition is to execute the installation of various telecommunications equipment at new facilities, all of which will be covered under new operations and maintenance (O&M) leased fiber. The acquisition shall effectively include the purchase of new equipment, and installation of said equipment at the targeted facilities for which the IRU fiber strands intersect. However, currently the pricing tables reflect pricing for O&M of the fiber but does not include pricing CLIN’s for the fiber whether it be “IRU” fiber or leased fiber. |
Please clarify if it is the Government’s intent to purchase O&M of “leased” fiber or O&M of “IRU” fiber. In either case, please amend the pricing CLINs to allow for pricing of “leased” fiber or “IRU” fiber since currently there is no option to price fiber beyond the initial 8 month base period.
The requirement is for a one time NRC that would be paid in the base year. The nine one-year options will cover the O&M only.
| 27 |
| Amendment 01 |
| Will you require a signed copy of Amendments to be included in Volume IV – Contract Documentation as prescribed by Section L – 6.1.1 with blocks 15A-15C filled in? |
| Yes, please include a signed copy of all RFP amendments within Volume IV – Contract Documentation to serve as amendment acknowledgement. |
RFP Q&A’s submitted 9 Nov 15
| 28 |
| RFP Section L, Volume IV calls for (6.1.2 Section B – Supplies or Services and Costs/Prices) however, Volume III Section L – 5.1.3 states that “Under no circumstances shall this information and documentation be included elsewhere in the proposal” |
| Can you please confirm that you ONLY want pricing information listed in Volume III? If so, will you require a redacted version of Section B to be included with Volume IV? |
| The statement in Section L – 5.1.3 which states, “Under no circumstances shall this information and documentation be included elsewhere in the proposal” is referring to any supporting pricing documentation. CLIN pricing shall still be included within Section B. |
| 29 |
| RFP Section L, 6.1.3, “Offerors shall propose the delivery schedule in Section F for the RFP. |
| Please elaborate on what exactly is required here? Do you want a more detailed delivery schedule or just acknowledgement that the contractor is prepared to comply with the listed CLIN’s? |
| Section L, 6.1.3 is intended to let offerors know that their proposal shall be in accordance with the delivery schedule (CLIN delivery dates) as set forth in Section F. |
| 30 |
| RFP Section L, 2.2.5, states that cross referencing is discouraged and that each volume will be treated as a stand-alone product. |
| Please confirm that a .kmz file can be attached to the final response to be used a supporting documentation? |
| In accordance with RFP Section L, 2.3, “The offeror shall submit volumes I through IV in separate files attached to the email. The electronic copies of the proposal shall be submitted in a format readable by Adobe Acrobat Version 11, Microsoft (MS) Office Word 2010, MS Office Excel 2010, MS Office Project 2010, and MS Office Power Point 2010, as applicable.” |
| 31 |
| RFP Section L, 6.1.1 Section A – Solicitation/Contract Form states, “Offerors must complete blocks 17A and 26 and signature and date for blocks 30a, b, and c of the Standard Form (SF) 1449.” Block 26 – Total Award Amount on the SF 1449 states “For Govt Use Only” |
| Confirm you would like for Block 26 to be filled in by the Contractor. |
| Yes, contractors are requested to complete Block 26. |
RFP Q&A’s submitted 10 Nov 15
| 32 |
| Amendment 01 |
| SF30 Block 2 indicates this is Amendment 0001, however pages 2 thru 13 (upper right hand corner) states Amendment 0003. Please Clarify. |
| The Amendment that was posted on 23 Oct 15 is Amendment 01. There was a glitch within our internal contract writing system; please disregard references to Amendment 0003 within the Amendment 01 document. |
| 33 |
| Amendment 01, Page 5 of 13, Section 2.1.6 “Use of Non-Government Personnel in Source Selection” |
| In accordance with FAR 9.505-4, Obtaining access to proprietary information: The Government indicates it intends to utilize non-Government advisors and indicates all participants have signed nondisclosure agreements. While it is an acceptable practice for the Government to utilize non-government personnel as non-voting members to review and provide and analysis during the source selection page, will the Government provide the following clarification: |
a) Since advisors will require access to offerors proprietary information in proposals, will the advisors be required to execute a non-disclosure agreement with each offeror before reviewing proposals as required in FAR 9.505-4?
b) If yes, will an amendment be issued listing the names of the individuals or companies?
c) Will the proposal period be extended to allow necessary time for prime and subcontractors to contact advisors and execute a non-disclosure agreement for incorporation of offerors proposal?
d) Whether or not such companies are prohibited from competing on the subject acquisition?
e) If no, please clarify.
The use of non-government personnel in this source selection has been removed via Amendment 03. Only government personnel will be reviewing offeror’s proposals.
| 34 |
| Q&A’s #4, Small Business Plan is required |
| In accordance with FAR 52.219-9(2) a Small Business Plan is not required. However a Small Business Participation Plan is. Please confirm ONLY a Small Business Participation Plan is required. |
| ONLY a Small Business Participation Plan is required in accordance with Section L, 6.2.4. Our response to Question 4 has also been updated. |
| 35 |
| Attachment J, dated 5 Mar 15, Page 10 |
| The I/O Connectors (max insertion loss <=.5dB) differs greatly from the version issued date 18 December 2014. Is Amendment 0001 correct? |
| Yes, the document dated 5 Mar 15 is correct. |
| 36 |
| Attachment J, dated 5 Mar 15, Page 13 |
| The Outside fiber plats pan (diagram) differs greatly from the version issued date 18 December 2014. Is Amendment 0001 correct? |
| Yes, the document dated 5 Mar 15 is correct. |
| 37 |
| DISN Class J&A |
| Section 2(g) of the J&A indicates the period of the J&A is applicable to be 01 June 2012 to 30 September 2015. This RFP has been issued during FY16. |
a) Is this J&A still valid for this acquisition?
b) Will the Government be providing Appendix B, Approved Products List (APL)?
a) No, the J&A posted with the original RFP is no longer valid. Amendment 03 incorporates the current DISN Class J&A.
b) As the current J&A has been posted, there is no Appendix B.
RFP Q&A’s as of 18 Nov 15
| 38 |
| Attachment J6 – Pricing Template Link 39 Amend 03 |
| Please clarify that the Government is requesting a One-Time NRC for a fiber IRU (covering the base year and all option years) in the base year as stated in Q&A #23. We are requesting clarification due to the wording in the pricing template for CLIN 006 which asks only for the price of the Fiber for the first 8 months as an NRC – which implies a Lease and not an IRU and could be interpreted as not covering the cost for all option years. Recommend the pricing template be revised to remove the reference to “First 8 months Base Period Only”. |
| The wording “First 8 months Base Period Only” has been removed from Attachment J6 as to not cause confusion. The Fiber NRC on CLIN 0006 will fund the upfront 10 year cost in the base year and pay the maintenance of such fiber in the option years. |
Defense Information Systems Agency