KUNSAN GV Q and As 18OCT21.pdf

1. Are there any specific certificates required for an entity to show in the technical/Management Proposal?

ANSWER: YES. We required the Giant Voice or mass notification system certificates from the technical installers or technicians to obtain the training, experiences and depth knowledge of the GV system in order to work on this GV project. The Contractor shall know their GV products, functions, specifications and must know the UFC 4-021-01 (Design and O&M: Mass Notification Systems)

2. Are the key personnel or workers required to possess any specific certifications as qualified workers?

ANSWER: YES. We required the key personnel (experienced crew technical chief or field engineer), qualified workers, installers, and technicians to possess the certifications of the GV system or mass notification system to work on this project. The Contractor shall know their GV products, functions, specifications and must know the UFC 4-021-01 (Design and O&M: Mass Notification Systems). They shall provide that they’ve had the number of years of experiences, past performance, and CONUS and OCONUS AF GV installation history for us to evaluate their qualifications.

3. The bid documents appear to require that the prime contractor possess a Secret facility clearance for the sole reason that personnel performing the service will have visual or aural access to classified information that cannot be precluded by escorting personnel. Since actual knowledge of, generation, or production of classified information is not required for performance of the contract, would the government deem a proposal acceptable if the prime contractor does not have a facility clearance but will utilize personnel that have active Secret clearances that can be verified in JPAS?

Note that the prime contractor intends to subcontract work requiring a clearance to a contractor which does have a facility clearance.

ANSWER: Since the contract is between the Government and the prime contractor, the prime contractor is required to have a Secret facility clearance.

4. Will the Government extend the proposal due date? Note that FAR 5.203 requires agencies to allow for at least a 30 day response time for receipt of proposals from the date of issuance of a solicitation.

ANSWER: IAW FAR 5.203(b), since this is a commercial acquisition the KO establishes the solicitation response time. If the KO feels like more time is needed, we will adjust the due date accordingly.

5. Will the Government provide the contractor SOFA status?

ANSWER: Yes. The 8 CS will get the contract SOFA Designated then each contractor individual will submit required documents to the 8 CS to process individual SOFA status.

6. When is the pre-bid site visit scheduled to be conducted?

ANSWER: Date is to be determined based upon any request for the optional site visit. The cost will be at the contractor’s expense. If you do wish for a site visit, submit a request through email to the primary and secondary POC for this requirement by 21 October 2021.

7. What are the requirements for getting into the country in for COVID? Vaccines required?

ANSWER: Currently must have a negative PCR Covid test 72 hours prior from departing flight to South Korea regardless of vaccination status. The test results must be a printed copy. Cannot be a digital copy. Requirements may change as deemed by ROK/Base authorities.

8. What are the requirements for getting our personnel/vehicles/tools onto the base?

ANSWER: Vendor will submit list of persons/vehicles to the 8 CS that the Base Security Forces will approve.

9. What are the requirements for getting outside/local sub-contractors onto the base to perform work?

ANSWER: Depending on the length of stay, either a Base Pass for short term or a CAC can be issued by the 8 CS for extended stay (several months)

10. Can our onsite workers stay on-base or do we have to find off base lodging?

ANSWER: A Letter of Introduction (LOI) will be issued to each traveler. With the LOI and Individual SOFA status granted, contractors may stay on Base Lodging when space is available. If no space is available, off base lodging has to be sought. The Base Lodging normally has contracted/approved off base lodging for visiting/TDY personnel.

11. Section 6.2.13 – Kunsan AB is requesting interface capability between the upgraded GV system and the existing ROK PA warning system. What is the required functionality of said integration? What is the network architecture and make / model of the PA system equipment?

ANSWER: The ROK requests for the interface capability between the upgraded GV system and the existing ROK PA warning system. The SOO requires to provide the Indoor Controller Unit (ICU) to be installed on the ROKAF Building. The ICU has a line level audio-in input interface which has a dry contact closures to turn the PA system ON and OFF. The ROK will take care of this integration. The upgraded GV system will have the override capability function.

12. Table 1 (page 55) – Kunsan AB is requesting LED control board and 24vdc LED beacon light for 10

HAS locations. What is the functionality requirement for this equipment? Can Kunsan AB provide a technical document covering LED color and visual requirements?

ANSWER: The diagram clearly shows the LED beacon as being red in color. Incoming control/audio intended for the HAS community should trigger the beacon and be amplified to the horn speaker.

13. Section 6.3.10.3 – Kunsan AB is requesting active monitoring of both the primary and secondary communication link for alerting. What is the technical and documentation requirement for this request?

ANSWER: This is the requirement for the upgraded GV system to provide the dual primary and secondary communication link infrastructure. The primary communication link uses the existing J2KLMR Astro 25 trunking LMR. The new conventional APX6500 radio shall be provided to allow for a secondary/redundant communication link for alerting. Both radio links shall be independently monitored for continuous status. All siren command shall be sent out both radios simultaneously and repeated commands. The siren FIU controller shall accept the first coming command signal and discard the second coming signal.

14. Section 6.3.12.2 – Kunsan AB is requesting siren central control at Primary CP Bldg 1305 and Alt CP Bldg 911. Are both of these locations required to be functional at all times? Is the Alt CP Bldg 911 only activated after a failure of the primary?

ANSWER: The Alt CP Bldg 911 is only activated after a failure of the primary. The Alt CP is always in standby mode with personnel on location at all times. The Alt CP is required to be up and running within 15 mins. Both locations required to be functional simultaneously. But the Base standard emergency operating procedures requires the Alt CP personnel to provide backup, login and activate the GV system when a failure of the primary CP.

15. Section 6.3.12.5 – Kunsan AB is requesting compatibility with GFE AtHoc IIM64. Can Kunsan AB provide full scope of integration and required technical documents?

ANSWER: The Contractor shall provide the latest software that will be compatible with AtHoc/Blackberry GFE IIM64. If the GFE AtHoc IIM64 already connected to the existing encoder/controller, then the Contractor shall disconnect and reconnect it to the new encoder/controller and notify AtHoc/Blackberry personnel to remotely upgrade the Alert software.

If the Contractor isn’t certified to do this AtHoc/Blackberry integration. The base would need to coordinate with the AF EMNS ACC PMO to get in the migration schedule. This office has the current contract to perform the integration and migration of the GFE AtHoc Blackberry IIM64 with the AtHoc net-centric Network Alerting System.

16. Section 6.2.12.7 – Kunsan AB is requesting multiple activation sequences for primary and alternate control stations or locally at devices. Can Kunsan AB provide sequence requirement as well as example of said sequence?

ANSWER: The CP will have the required activation sequences. The CP can provide the existing/new canned broadcast messages template. The Contractor shall be programmed into the primary and alternate control stations and the sirens. The Contractor shall install a digital voice message chip on the siren controller board.

17. Section 6.3.13.1 – Kunsan AB is requesting API for remotely activating alerts. What network environments will be used for remote activation ANSWER: Application Programming Interface (API) will provide the capability to remotely activate audible alerts. Network Environments: AtHoc Network Alerting System, Astro P25 LMR trunking network, and Mobile Central Communication Unit can be used for remote activation.

18. Section 6.3.14.1 – Kunsan AB is requesting 23 broadcast messages in addition to tone and voice broadcasts. Is it required for all of these messages to be triggered at each siren location locally, or is this requirement for central control only?

ANSWER: The Central Control Stations shall be setup, configured, and programmed to trigger each siren location, group of sirens, or all sirens to broadcast 23 pre-programmed messages in addition to tone and voice.

See Group Addresses and 6.3.15 Zone Selectable Functions. The new GV system shall provide a speaker zone selective functions. All zones are linked to provide simultaneous activations and selective zone function to activate each individual zone or group of zones or all zones. The upgraded GV system shall allow for the pre-configuration of at least eight (8) zones, which can be selected by the operator to promptly issue an announcement to the selected area. The zone configuration will be determined at the walk-thru.

19. Misc – Kunsan AB did not mention digital alerting in coordination with the GV solution? Does Kunsan have future requirements for integrating the GV solution to include digital device alerting? (gps phone text, desktop pc, digital signage, etc.)

ANSWER: No future requirements for integrating the GV solution to include digital device alerting.

But the upgraded GV system shall have the capability for phone text messages, desktop popup messages via Athoc/Blackberry Network Alerting Network. No require for Digital device signage alerting.

20. Would the Government consider the use of its bucket trucks / scissor lifts for the vendor to reduce the overall cost of the project for the Government?

ANSWER: No. The Civil Engineering Squadron own these and there is no guarantee it’ll be available when needed.

21. Would the Government consider the replacement of the current Whelen system in place for a modern solution that exceeds the current Whelen capabilities if the oveall replacement cost is within a reasonable amount of "reusing" the current Whelen sirens? The new offered solution is the current solution that is replacing the Whelen, Eaton, and other legacy brands for the USAF, USN, and USMC CONUS and OCONUS installations. References can be provided to the installation KOs for reference.

ANSWER: Yes but acceptance may depend on available funding.

22. PWS Para 4. Objectives. 4.13 (Page 51 of 77): Can the Government clarify this requirement? Is the

Government specifying that the vendor provide the "radios"?

ANSWER: Yes. Paragraph 4.1.5 clarified to state “… replace the obsolete Motorola XTL2500 radio with vendor provided new Motorola APX6500 AES conventional radio and new APX6500 IV&D radio or equivalent for a dual communication links.”

23. PWS Para 4. Objectives. 4.14 (Page 51 of 77): Is the Government open to replacing the current

Whelen sirens units to alleviate near future maintenance or end of life cycle issues if the cost to replace to a modern more capable solution would have a greater value to the Government.

ANSWER: Yes but acceptance may depend on available funding.

24. PWS Para 4. Objectives. 4.18 (Page 52 of 77): Does the Government require a FEMA certified alerting system to utilize for the audible signals, pre-recorded and live voice mesaages and electronic communication?

ANSWER: The only FEMA requirement per UFC 4-021-01 (9 Apr 2008) Design and O&M: Mass Notification Systems, with Change 1 per paragraph “ 3-3.3 Tones. Wide area MNS shall be provided with standard Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) weather warning tones. Military-specific warning tones shall be provided as specified by the DOD installation, and should include tones for conventional attack warning, non-conventional attack warning, all clear, and a system test tone. Such tones should be similar to Civil Defense tones originally developed during World War II and the Cold War era.”

25. PWS Para 6. Performance / Safety Requirements. 6.2.1 (Page 52 of 77): Can the Government specify the height of the galvanized steel poles?

ANSWER: 15 Meters

26. PWS Para 6. Performance / Safety Requirements. 6.2.7 (Page 53 of 77): Does the Government prefer a system that operates on a single 12VDC battery that will save the Government up front costs and longterm maintenance requirements/cost? Current Whelen system operates on multiple 12VDC batteries that are costly and require more maintenance and replacement costs.

ANSWER: Yes, a single 12 VDC battery is preferred as long as it can meet the requirement called out in paragraph 6.3.12.9 states “Controller units shall be powered from standard 12VDC batteries, and the sirens shall operate continuously for at least 30 minutes in tone and voice on battery backup.

27. PWS. Table 1. The proposed GV pole locations, communications, and AC power requirements: Does the Government prefer a system that can be powered from "house power" direct, and have battery power as back up with Solar as a backup power source? Most solutions operate on the 24VDC battery power that is powered by the AC power. The solution that the vendor can offer can operate directly on AC house power and have batteries as back up. This increases the operational readiness of the system by not relying only on battery power.

ANSWER: Solar not identified as a requirement but vendor may include as an option.

Paragraph 6.3.12.9 states “Controller units shall be powered from standard 12VDC batteries, and the sirens shall operate continuously for at least 30 minutes in tone and voice on battery backup.”

Table 1 also states to use existing 240 VAC.

28. Shipping – supportability MilAirLift from Hanscom Air Force Base to Kunsan AB, Korea

a. Potential saving in both time and cost ANSWER: Vendor must have a Transportation Allowance Code (TAC) to use MILAIR. The gov’t will then bill the vendor after shipment.

29. Is there an approved Vendor list supporting Kunsan AB, Korea?

ANSWER: No

b. Bucket truck, local equipment?

ANSWER: No. On previous projects, the US vendor subcontracted to a local company to provide labor, equipment, vehicles etc.

c. Base Access procedures?

ANSWER: Yes. CACs or temporary pass may be issued for US citizens. If local company is a subcontractor, a list of employees (names, ID#, police clearance etc), list of vehicles will need to be submitted to the 8 CS to be approved by the 8th Security Forces so local Koreans will be given their base pass.

30. In the solicitation you reference a spreadsheet for GFP/GFE (GFP.xlsx) I do not see the document available?

ANSWER: Contractors may use their own spreadsheet. Please follow the instructions in the Addendum to ensure the pricing spreadsheet include the items under Volume II – Price.

31. We have a question regarding the CLIN items 000101, 000201, and 000301 respectively. We are of the opinion that these line items would be completed by the Government once an award is made.

ANSWER: Yes, these sub-Contract Line Item Numbers (sub-CLINs or SLINs) are the placeholders for the funding which the Government will fill-in upon award.