RFP_Q A_20160913.pdf

Question 32: Reference PWS Page 8, Section C, Paragraph 6.3.1.2

Government states "Telephone Service Min. CIR per telephone (kbps) 17 Symmetrical full-duplex". The 17kbps minimum CIR for voice suggests the desire for a voice codec other than G.729 which operates at 8kbkps . G.729 is widely considered to deliver near toll quality voice using minimal bandwidth. Does the 17kbps minimum CIR figure restrict the use of G.729 and other codecs that operate at 16kbps or less?

Specify a voice codec or a desired MOS score.

Answer 32: The Government does not intend to specify a CODEC or MOS. The Government has revised the PWS requirement for telephone CIR to, “CIR shall be no less than 17 Kbps / 17 Kbps per Internet Café end-user telephone inclusive of overhead (8Kbps exclusive of overhead).” PWS Paragraphs 6.3.1.2 and 6.3.1.3 have been updated accordingly along with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan.

Question 37: Reference PWS Page 10, Section C, Paragraph 6.3.5

Government states "The contractor shall provide the option for use of local ISP connectivity in lieu of the Space Segment when local ISP is available and when the local ISP option meets all other applicable terms of the contract...". In order to verify access and pricing to each of the Cafés listed in Table 5, bidders would need to know the exact street address. This information is required to qualify local loop access, much like for any terretrsiral links in CONUS. Without this information, no FFP can be provided for CLIN's X002.

Please include complete location street address VS Lat/Long.

Answer 37: The Government will provide the Lat/Long at the Task Order level as physical street addresses may not be available.

Question 133: Per Section 2.2.1 and 4.2.2.6--Can the Government please confirm that it would like spec sheets for all proposed equipment to be submitted with the proposal?

Answer 133: The contractor should submit all documentation that demonstrates an ability to meet all requirements in the PWS.

Question 134: Per Section 4.2.2.6--Can the Government please clarify their expectation of what should be provided for the “etc.” section of the Technical Volume?

Answer 134: The contractor should submit all documentation that demonstrates an ability to meet all requirements in the PWS.

Question 135: The FSR’s supporting the Internet Café’s in Iraq will need a sponsor (military unit or government entity) for lodging, food (DFAC access), PX, transportation, Iraq VISA, etc… Has this requirement been considered or arranged?

Answer 135: This will be determined and arranged at the Task Order level.

Question 136: Reference: Q&As released September 9, 2016

Question 7: Reference Section L, Paragraph 2.2.2.1 (Page size and format)

Except for the reproduced sections of the solicitation document, the text size shall be no less than 11-point Arial, Times New Roman, or Courier New font for all text.

Will the Government confirm that this instruction includes all of the font styles in the specified family, e.g., italic, bold, etc.

Answer 7: Yes, this applies to all font styles.

AND

Question 43: Reference Solicitation Page 417, Section L, Paragraph 2.2.2.2

Would the Government consider allowing Ariel Narrow font for tables, graphics, figures, and Excel spreadsheets?

Answer 43: No

There are at least 35 styles in the font family Arial (https://www.linotype.com/145867/arial-family.html) Light Extra Bold Narrow Regular Arial Rounded

Light Arial Cyrillic Narrow Bold

Light Italic Extra Bold Italic

Narrow Italic Arial Rounded Regular

Arial Cyrillic Narrow Bold Inclined

Regular Black Narrow Bold Arial Rounded Bold

Arial Greek Light

Medium Black Italic Arial Monospaced Regular

Arial Rounded Extra Bold

Arial Greek Narrow Regular

Medium Italic Condensed Light

Arial Monospaced Oblique

Arial Cyrillic Light

Arial Greek Narrow Italic

Bold Condensed Bold

Arial Monospaced Bold

Arial Narrow Cyrillic Regular

Arial Greek Narrow Bold

Bold Italic Condensed Extra Bold

Arial Monospaced Bold Oblique

Arial Cyrillic Narrow Inclined

Arial Greek Narrow Bold Italic

The answer to Question 7 indicates that we can use the different styles and the answer to question 43 contradicts the answer to question 7.

Will the Government please clarify which answer is correct?

Answer 136: The only version of Arial is acceptable is Arial. All other versions (Arial Narrow, Arial rounded Light, etc.) are different fonts and not acceptable.

https://www.linotype.com/145867/arial-family.html

Question 137: Will the Government accept an offeror’s commercial small business subcontracting plan?

Answer 137: Yes.

Question 138: In consideration of RFP Section 6.3.1.1 including the AOR map, the Government response to Q&A #37 states that Lat/Long is provided. Our search of Government provided documentation has not revealed any Internet Café specific Lat/Long location information. Will the Government please direct us to, or provide, the information?

Answer 138: The Government will provide the Lat/Long at the Task Order level as physical street addresses may not be available.

Question 139: Reference: Q&As released September 9, 2016

Question 45: Reference Solicitation Page 420, Section L. Paragraph 6.1

Does the Government only requires the entire solicitation to be completed/signed, or only the SF 1449 form?

Answer 45: The entire solicitation must be completed and signed.

Since Section B covering all CLINS Is to be included in Volume lll - Price Proposal, does Section B have to be included in the volume lV - Contract Documentation?

With this in mind, will the Government please provide a 5 business day extension so bidders can obtain local ISP FFP quotes?

Answer 139: No extension will be granted.

Question 140: Reviewing the Q&A portion of Amendment 1, Answer #37 indicates Government has provided the Lat/Long for the Local ISP Sites (mainly for CLINs x002, x004, and x005). Can you please let us know where in the Solicitation or the Amendment 1 we can locate such information? Thank you.

Answer 140: The Government will provide the Lat/Long at the Task Order level as physical street addresses may not be available.