QandA_PT2002.pdf

HSCG79-17-R-PT2002

Q&A

1. Question: The questions deadline is noted as being "July 25, 2017 at 11:59 PM Eastern

Daylight Time". As this is after the due date for Proposals ("Jul 16, 2017 11:59 pm Eastern"), I just wanted to confirm if the questions due date was correct.

Answer: See Amendment 00001. The due date was changed to questions being submitted no later than 25 June 2017.

2. Question: The noted due date for Proposals due (July 16, 2017) is a Sunday. Is this the intended date?

Answer: Amendment 00002, Item 2. The due date has changed to July 31 2017.

3. Question: Whether companies from Outside USA can apply for this? (like, from India or Canada)

Answer: This acquisition is subject to the terms and conditions of the following clauses:

52.225-1, 52.225-5, and 52.225-13.

4. Question: Whether we need to come over there for meetings?

Answer: A vendor does not need to report to TISCOM in Alexandria, VA for meetings.

5. Question: Can we perform the tasks (related to RFP) outside USA? (like, from India or Canada)

Answer: No. Most tasks under this contract require site visits and/or work at the actual place of performance, which historically has been within the borders of the U.S. and its territories.

6. Question: Can we submit the proposals via email?

Answer: See solicitation Part I, Paragraph xv. “Proposals shall be emailed to the following address: Alan.C.Boucher@uscg.mil”

7. Question: Question - Attachment B

There are some material codes which are non quotable (listed below / old part number possibly or items that include R6.3 in the description have been discontinued. For example, the top line item, S8300D has been replaced with an S8300E to be more in compliance with the current release of Communication Manager 7.x…

700447675 S8300D SERVER

225925 CC R6 NEW ELITE PER AGT 1-100

700460660 10 CHANNEL DSP DAUGHTERBOARD

700407802 G450 WITH MP80 W/POWER SUPPLY

700459498 G450 POWER SUPPLY

700505969 AVAYA AURATM R6.3.0 SFTW DVD

700505971 AVAYA AURATM SYS PLATFORM 6.3.0 CD

700507385 CM MSGING R6.3 MEDIA KIT

700504680 9408 TELSET FOR CM TAA

700356447 1151C1 DCP PHONE PWR W/CAT5 CBL

700501429 IP PHONE 9611G (TAA)

700501431 IP PHONE 9641G (TAA)

N052-048 48 Port Cat5e Patch Panel, 568B, 2U

WS-C3750X-48PF-L Catalyst 48 GigE PoE

CON-SNT-

3750X4FL SMARTNET 8X5NBD CATALYSTE 3750X 48

WS-C3750X-24P-L Catalyst 24 GigE PoE

CON-SNT-

3750X2PL SMARTNET 8X5Xnbd catalyst 3750X 24

What would you like us to quote? The replacement product. If so, will you provide current part numbers?

Answer: See Amendment 00002, Item 1. Attachment B has been updated. The updated attachment added cells that will allow an offeror to provide the proposed component of an obsolete component of the existing system part number and/or version description.

8. Question: It appears that you are requesting one standard discount across all Avaya products and support? Can that be differentiated based on whether its product versus support only? We do not receive the same discounts for hardware versus services.

We prefer to apply line item discounts based on product / software / maintenance so line item discounting is important.

Answer: See Amendment 00002, Item 1. Attachment B has been updated. It allows an offeror to provide a separate Avaya discount for HW, SF/FW, and Software Support- Extended Warranty.

9. Question: Question- Past performance Is there a minimum number (qty.) of references that you require?

Answer: See Addenda to 52-212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, Factor 3:

Past Performance. “Offerors shall submit at least three (3) past performance references on past or current contracts for efforts similar to the requirements outlined in the solicitation, with Government instrumentalities (Federal, State, or local) or private industry utilizing the Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment A).”

Note. See PART 6 – Addenda to 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items, Factor 3: Past Performance. “A contractor without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably, but will receive a confidence rating of neutral.”

10. Question: Question – Labor Rates Can we provide labor rates based on a geographic region or do you require one universal labor rate across the board.

Answer: No. Attachment B shall be completed in accordance with the instructions.

Attachment B allows for an offeror to provide a single rate for each contract year. Rates proposed are Maximum Hourly Rates.

11. Question: Can we add other labor categories such as travel time or travel expenses or other categories which we may find beneficial.

Answer: No. Attachment B shall be completed in accordance with the instructions. Travel is not a labor category. Offerors shall “provide rates for all labor categories” listed in Attachment B. Travel or other direct costs will be negotiated at the task order level.

12. Question: Page 23 of the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, in the section titled Factor 1:

Technical Capability, states the Offeror’s response to the Sample Scenario shall be entered in the Price Input Workbook (Attachment B) in the “Sample Task” worksheet. Does the Attachment B Sample Task worksheet count towards the four (4) page Technical Approach page limit?

Answer: See Amendment 00002 Item 3. Volume 1 contains technical and manage approach.

Volume 3, inclusive of Attachment B, contains all price info, including material pricing for the sample scenario. Attachment B does not count toward a page count.

In addition, Amendment 00002, Item 3. The technical approach page limit increased to six

(6) pages.

13. Question: The Attachment B TEP Worksheet lists Labor Categories followed by Estimated Hours (i.e. Lead Technician – 2,000 hours, Senior Technician – 2,000 hours, etc.). Are these Estimated Hours for a Full Time Equivalent (FTE) dedicated, on-site technician reporting to a Government facility?

Answer: These are estimated hours used to calculate total evaluated price. There are no FTEs dedicated or on-site technicians. Based on historical data these are the number of hours that were expended per year across all orders under the previous IDIQ.

14. Question: Page 25 of the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, in the section titled Factor 4:

Price, states the Offeror shall update part number and description with the latest version software release. However, the Part Number and Description columns are protected and therefore cannot be edited. Would the Government consider issuing a revised spreadsheet that allows for updating the Part Number and Description columns to the latest version or perhaps adding a Notes column where we can reflect any updates/changes?

Answer: See Amendment 00002, Item 1. Attachment B has been updated. The updated attachment added cells that will allow an offeror to provide the proposed component of an obsolete component of the existing system part number and/or version description.

15. Question:

REF: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, PART 1 – General Information, Item x., page 3

The Government requires Offerors to include a completed copy of the provisions at 52.212-3 with its offer.

a. Please advise which response Volume should contain the offeror’s completed Reps and Certs.

b. Please confirm that the completed Reps and Certs do not count against the page count limitation.

Answer: See Amendment 00002, Item 3. “Offerors shall complete all provisions required to be filled in and submit them with Volume I of their proposal; provisions are excluded from the page count.”

16. Question:

REF: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, PART 5 – Provisions, Instructions to Offerors, page 23, 1st paragraph.

a. Please confirm that the Cover Letter is a separate document and not included in any of the Volumes.

b. Is there a page limit associated with the Cover Letter?

Answer: See Amendment 00002, Item 3. “The cover letter shall not exceed one page and is separate from Volume I, II, and III page count.”

17. Question:

REF: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, PART 5 – Provisions, Instructions to Offerors, page

23, 7th paragraph.

Offerors shall complete all provisions required to be filled in and submit them with their proposal.

In which response Volume does the Government require the offeror to place the completed provisions?

Answer: See Amendment 00002, Item 3. “Offerors shall complete all provisions required to be filled in and submit them with Volume I of their proposal; provisions are excluded from the page count.”

18. Question:

REF: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, PART 5 – Provisions, Instructions to Offerors, page 23, 9th paragraph. Evidence from the OEM

a. Please confirm that the OEM evidence is required in the Volume I response document.

b. Please confirm that the OEM evidence is not counted towards the page count limits.

Answer: See Amendment 00002, Item 3. “The evidence shall be submitted with Volume I of their proposal; the evidence is excluded from the page count.”

19. Question:

REF: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, PART 5 – Provisions, Instructions to Offerors, page 23, Factor 1 Technical Capability. …shall include an itemized list of all OEM telephony hardware, software,…

Please confirm that List of Material (LOM) required in the Technical Capability Section does not count against the four (4) page limit.

Answer: See Factor 1: “Offerors shall enter its proposed list of all OEM telephony hardware, software, firmware (including licenses), annual software support and/or extended warranty, and any third party or ancillary hardware in Attachment B on worksheet ‘Sample Task.’”

See Amendment 00002, Item 3. Volume 1 contains technical and manage approach. Volume 3, inclusive of Attachment B, contains all price info, including material pricing for the sample scenario. Attachment B is excluded from the page count.

In addition, Amendment 00002, Item 3, increases the technical approach page limit to six (6) pages.

20. Question: REF: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, PART 5 – Provisions, Instructions to Offerors, page 23, Factor 1 Technical Capability – Sample Scenario.

Are the four (4) analog telephones desk phones or wall-mounted phones?

Answer: Desk phones.

21. Question:

REF: SOW 1.4-Contractor Personnel, page 3

a. Can the Offeror provide additional resumes to demonstrate qualifications to the Government?

b. If yes, please confirm that these additional resumes will not count towards the page limitation for Volume I.

Answer: See Addenda to 52-212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items. “The Management Approach shall not exceed ten (10) pages—excluding KEY PERSONNEL resume(s).” At the Offeror's discretion, they may provide additional resumes, however, only the key personnel resumes are excluded from the page limitation.

22. Question:

Reference: Synopsis/Solicitation Document - Page 2, Part 1 - General Information:

The Synopsis/Solicitation states: Emergency Deployments: Contractor will support the USCG’s need for emergency deployments to alternative sites due to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or any other deployment outside the USCG’s normal daily operations. These deployments may include the rapid establishment and support for Continuity of Operations (COOP), Disaster Recover (DR), Enhanced Mobile Incident Command Post (eMICP) and Mobile Communications Vehicle (MCV).

a. Question: What level of support is required; is a crash kit required, rapid deployment, and what is the expected turnaround time?

b. Question: Are Continuity of Operations (COOP), Disaster Recover (DR), Enhanced Mobile Incident Command Post (eMICP) and Mobile Communications Vehicle (MCV) support activities special services that will be addressed contractually as an equitable adjustable after support is rendered?

Comment: For reference purposes, below is sample language we have seen from other agencies in regards to disaster recovery. Is this consistent with the USCG’s expectations for this requirement?

Performance of Services during Crisis

Performance of Services during a Crisis Declared by the National Command Authority:

Services covered by this task are determined to be non-mission essential for performance during crises according to DoDI 3020.37. However, in the event of a crisis, or a significant emergency is declared, the Contracting Officer shall contact the Contractor to notify them of the situation and any possible changes to responsibilities. Upon notification, the Contractor shall perform special event services due to contingencies, natural disasters, including facility operation on an extended basis up to 24 hours per day, etc, as required. In the event of verbal notification, written confirmation of such notification shall be provided within 5 days. If additional costs are incurred under this paragraph the Contractor shall have up to 30 days to request equitable contract price adjustment.

Answer:

a. The vendor is not required to maintain a crash kit. The expected task order response time will be commensurate with the urgency of the situation and clearly identified in an awarded task order.

b. There are no special services that would require an equitable adjustment, all work will be done IAW an awarded task order. In accordance with Part 2, No 7, “The Contractor is not authorized to perform any work prior to the issuance of a task order signed by a warranted contracting officer.” Therefore, all efforts will be negotiated prior to award of a task order.

The Government intends to negotiate and finalize all task orders prior to deployment.

23. Question:

Reference: Synopsis/Solicitation Document - Page 3, Part 1 - General Information:

The Synopsis/Solicitation states: Remote Phone Support: The Contractor will provide 8x5 remote technical support for all systems installed under this IDIQ and other types of legacy equipment previously deployed to USCG facilities and surface assets.

Question: Does this apply to all time zones where sites are located and covered for technical support or a singular specific time zone?

Answer: IAW SOW Section 1.8, the hours of operation will be specified and may vary in each task order awarded.

24. Question:

Reference: Synopsis/Solicitation Document - Page 6, Part 2 – IDIQ Contract Specific Information:

The Synopsis/Solicitation States: If required, the contractor shall generate a Travel Clearance Request message and forward it to the COR 45 days prior to prospective travel for any travel outside the continental United States.

Question: Is there a specific administrative or reporting system these messages need to be sent through?

Answer: See Amendment 00002, Item 4. Verbiage was removed. Specific administrative reporting requirements will be clearly defined in each task order, if required.

25. Question:

Reference/Question: Solicitation, Factor 1, Technical Capability, Sample Scenario: What level of redundancy is required for the sample scenario system with respect to internal failover scenarios? Is the sample scenario required to be non-blocking? Also, is our assumption that the Government is providing all cables connecting the pbx to GFE blocks and/or patch panels on the MDF correct? In other words, all cables are GFE for the Sample Scenario. Please clarify. Is MLPP required for the sample scenario since it is requested as a non JTIC sample?

Reference/Question: Solicitation, Factor 1, Technical Capability, Sample Scenario: What level of redundancy is required for the sample scenario system with respect to internal failover scenarios?

Answer: Processor redundancy is not required.

Is the sample scenario required to be non-blocking?

Answer: Yes.

Also, is our assumption that the Government is providing all cables connecting the pbx to GFE blocks and/or patch panels on the MDF correct? In other words, all cables are GFE for the Sample Scenario. Please clarify.

Answer: Yes, the Government will provide all jumpers, patch panels, & patch cords as stated in the sample scenario.

Is MLPP required for the sample scenario since it is requested as a non JTIC sample?

Answer: Multilevel Precedence and Preemption (MLPP) is not required.

26. Question: Based on the previous contract, are all sites currently covered by an Avaya support agreement?

Answer: Yes. In addition, see Attachment I (SOW), section 5.0. “Provide annual PASS, SA, IPOSS, and SmartNet support contract renewals for USCG telephone systems.”

27. Question: Reference: SOW – Page 12, Para 5.1.2:

The SOW states: The System shall include a Telecommunications Management System

(TMS).

Question: What is meant by TMS? Please explain/define expected functionality of the TMS.

Answer: All USCG Telephone systems are standalone. The TMS provides local system administration and monitoring capabilities only. The USCG currently does not have a large scale TMS system as the phone systems are not interconnected.

See Amendment 00002, Item 5. SOW Section 5.1.1: “The system shall include a Telecommunications Management System (TMS). The TMS shall provide, at a minimum, system administration and monitoring.”

28. Question: Reference: SOW – Page 13, Para 5.1.2:

The SOW states: The System shall have the capability to add encryption on the VoIP signaling packets as well as the voice payload, so that this feature can be invoked in the future, if necessary. Encryption employed shall meet acceptable standards designated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Question: What level of encryption is required?

Answer: See Amendment 00002, Item5. The SOW JITC requirement has been removed.

29. Question: Reference: SOW – Page 4, Para 1.5: The last subparagraph of paragraph 1.5 states that the USCG shall be performing Security Certification/Accreditation activities.

Question: Is the USCG performing these activities or will the USCG be supporting contractor activities in this area? SOW – Page 7, Para 1.13: The first subparagraph is consistent with the last subparagraph of paragraph 1.5. Same question applies as for Para

1.5. Also, SOW – Page 18, Paragraph 5.3.6: This paragraph states that the contractor shall perform these types of services. Please clarify if this is a contractor or Coast Guard required activity for each of these instances in the SOW.

Answer:

SOW 1.13 and 1.5: If required, the Coast Guard will provide personnel with the appropriate clearance levels to support the security certification/accreditation processes under this requirement.

SOW 5.3.6: If required, the contractor will provide qualified personnel to perform the requirements and will be specified by individual task orders.

30. Question:

Reference/Question: SOW – Page 7, Para 1.12: The last subparagraph indicates that all hardware and software shall be Federal Desktop Core Configuration (FDCC) compatible.

We assume this applies only for hw/sw that will be used in or with a desktop application and not the actual telephony systems themselves. Please verify.

Answer: Yes. This applies only to hw/sf that will be used with a desktop application and not the actually telephony systems.

31. Question:

Reference/Question: SOW – Page 11, Para 5.1.1: SOW states that support for ISDN PRI and BRI for CG owned STE’s and voicemail systems shall be certified Customer Premises

Equipment (CPE). Officelinx is JITC certified CPE for voicemail. However, the G650 for BRI and G450 for PRI are not CPE per-se, but are JITC certified as part of the LSC. Also, CMM FM voicemail is part of the LSC entitlement. Is the intent that if required, the support for ISDN PRI and ISDN BRI for CG owned STE’s and CG owned voicemail systems will be provided via JITC certified equipment, and not specifically CPE since the supporting equipment may be JITC certified differently or as part of a larger system?

Answer: See Amendment 00002, Item 5. The SOW JITC requirement has been removed.

32. Question:

Reference/Question: SOW – Page 16, Para 5.2.4: SOW states that the system shall be non-blocking. Assume this will be specifically required by a task order and not generally required of all installations. Other than that requirement, are standard traffic engineering standards (5CCS or 6CCS per subscriber line) acceptable?

Answer: Yes, the non-blocking requirement will be specified in the individual task order.

The current standard for trunk capacity is 1 trunk channel for every 10 users. SIP trunks or hosted VoIP solutions are not currently used.

33. Question: Reference/Question: SOW – Page 15, Para 5.2.4: Requires a Message Waiting (Voice Mail) Indicator – Audible Indication. Is a stutter dial tone acceptable?

Answer: Yes. A stutter tone is acceptable for audible indication if phone does not have visual indicator.

34. Question: Reference: Attachment B Price Input:

Question: If an item on the price template is discontinued, would you like us to price the current replacement model/version?

Answer: See Amendment 00002, Item 1. Attachment B has been updated. The updated attachment added cells that will allow an offeror to provide the proposed component of an obsolete component of the existing system part number and/or version description.

35. Question: Reference: Attachment B, Price input:

Question: Please verify the formula in Cell G85 of the Pricing Spreadsheet – Sample Task Tab: This formula sums the discounted prices for Avaya materials, but only for the price each and not the total as with the formula in cell G86 for Ancillary Equipment/3rd party supplies which sums the total column. The formulas for the other pages appear correct. The current formula is “=SUM(F22:F67)”. Should it instead be “=SUM(G22:G67)”?

Answer: See amendment 00002. Item 1. Attachment B has been updated. Formulas updated.

36. Question: Given the unknowns regarding Avaya’s exit from Bankruptcy and the rumors around a Chapter 7 filing, will the USCG consider other OEM’s to meet the requirements of

Section 5.1 of the PWS?

Answer: See solicitation Part 2, No. 8. An offeror must be able to support current Avaya systems that are in existence. However, an offeror may propose any OEMs for a replacement solution (new systems). If Avaya systems become unsupportable, the Government will determine how to manage at that time.

37. Question: Please provide the password to unprotect the pricing response document

Answer: Fill in cells do not require a password. See Amendment 00002. Item 1. Attachment B has been updated. In addition, more lines were added to the sample scenario material lines.

38. Question: As this procurement is Open Market, please confirm that Contractor Teaming Agreements are not required as part of our Technical Response.

Answer: No, a copy of your actual teaming agreement is not required. However, if applicable, as defined in Addenda to 52-212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, Factor 2: “The offeror’s proposed management approach shall include its organizational structure, any partnership or teaming agreements, describe how it will respond to Government concerns...”

39. Question: Regarding the requirement for the proposed system to include a Telecommunications Management System (TMS), would the USCG identify some key functional elements of a TMS so a comparison can be drawn between large scale TMS solutions and System Administration capabilities.

Answer: All USCG Telephone systems are standalone. The current TMS provides local system administration and monitoring capabilities only. The USCG currently does not have a large scale TMS system as the phone systems are not interconnected.

See Amendment 00002, Item 5. SOW section 5.1.1: “The System shall include a Telecommunications Management System (TMS). The TMS shall provide, at a minimum, system administration and monitoring.”

40. Question: Regarding Section 5.1.1, JITC Certification, will an IA need to be performed on all newly installed systems? If so, will the IA be performed by the USCG or the contractor?

Answer: See Amendment 00002, Item 5. The SOW JITC requirement has been removed.

41. Question: Past Performance Questionnaire

Several of our contracting officers have stated that they will not complete past performance questionnaires because they provide complete evaluations in CPARS and PPIRS as required by FAR 42.1500 et. seq. In order to allow for a fair past performance evaluation, will the Government consider CPARS evaluations to be used in place of PPQs?

Answer: See solicitation PART 6 – Addenda to 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items:

Factor 3: Past Performance. Yes, the Government reviews PPIRS reports for past performance evaluations whether or not past performance questionnaires are received.

42. Question: Solicitation Item 7. / Travel; Sol Page 5; Text: Travel is primarily to USCG facilities and vessels in the United States or territories, but may include worldwide locations as directed.

Can the Government provide the international (worldwide) locations that under the current contract historically required travel for support?

Answer: See Amendment 00002, Item 5. The requirement for other than U.S. and its territories has been removed.

43. Question: Solicitation Item 7. / Ordering & Attachment B; Sol Page 5.

Can the Government provide the total number of current FTEs on the existing contract today by labor category?

Answer: There are no FTEs dedicated or on-site technicians. Based on historical data these are the number of hours that were expended per year across all orders under the previous

IDIQ.

44. Question: Solicitation / Factor 4 Price; Sol Page 25; Text: The government indicates that a “2% annual increase for inflation” and “2% increase per year of Estimated Avaya Materials Price Year One” is to be incorporated.

Can the offeror adjust the 2% escalation as determined appropriate?

Answer: No. The 2% is just an estimate that allows the Government to calculate the total evaluated price for evaluation purposes.

45. Question: Solicitation Part 1 / Item vi. / Attach 1 SOW / 5.3.4 & 5.3.5; Sol Page 2 / SOW Page 17; Text: Training may be delivered in classroom, on the job training (OJT), or via distance learning, depending on the depth and level of training required.

Can the government provide the number of actual training sessions, types and locations under the current contract?

Answer: The government will issue a task order for recurring training IAW 5.3.5 of the SOW. In addition, when a new system is installed, that training will be included in the task order for the new system.

46. Question: Solicitation Part 1 / Item vi.; Sol Page 2; Text: Legacy Equipment

Can the government provide a list of legacy equipment by location under the current contract and or to be supported in addition under this effort?

Answer: The Government cannot provide specific infrastructure inventory information.

However, the type, model, and quantities are provided with the Brand Name J&A that was posted with the solicitation.

47. Question: Solicitation / Factor 1 Technical Capability - Sample Scenario; Sol Page 24; Text:

Contractor shall provide on-site post-installation training and support as follows: two (2) hours of end-user training for forty-five(45) users; four (4) hours of system administration training for a minimum of two (2) USCG technicians; and one (1) day of dedicated, on-site, first business day support to answer USCG end-user questions and resolve problems.

Can we conclude that at the Task Order level, training will typically consist of a Post- Installation, end-user training, and on-site first business day support training as indicated in the sample scenario?

Answer: This is typical, however, it is case-by-case depending upon the size of the installation. The task order will specify detailed training requirements. See SOW 5.3.4 for additional information.

48. Question: Solicitation Part 1 / Item vi.; Sol Page 2; Text: Remote and On-Call Support

Does the government current provide the Remote and On-Call Support number?

Answer: No, the Government does not provide the remote and on call support number. It is deemed to be a contractor responsibility.

49. Question: Attach 1 / 5.4; SOW Page 18 & 19; Text: PBX Systems in USCG Inventory

Can the government itemized PBX systems by current location and numbers as applicable?

Answer: The Government cannot provide specific infrastructure inventory information.

However, the type, model, and quantities are provided with the Brand Name J&A that was posted with the solicitation.

50. Question: Attach 1 SOW / 1.4; Page 3; Text: Contractor Personnel;

In addition to years of experience, can the government provide the minimum certification requirements and education by labor category?

Answer: The offerors are only required to meet the Government's requirements as specified in Attachment I (SOW) section 1.4.

51. Question: s Attach_B_Price_Input.xlsx Tab 2 Name: “Enter MSRP;” 2nd Tab; Text: In Attachment B, in the “Enter MSRP” worksheet, the Government has specified the Manufacturer and Part Number to be priced. There are instances, however, where the listed part number has changed due to a new version that is currently available or because a new part has been manufactured to replace the listed part.

Question 1: Does the government want the bidder to price the new versions of the material list and provide the new part numbers?

Question 2: If the Government’s answer to Question 1 is “Yes”, will the Government reissue Attachment B to unprotect Columns B and C to allow the offeror to revise “Part No.” and “Description” when necessary?

Answer:

Question 1: See Amendment 00002, Item 3. Factor 4: Price: The “Latest Version (if required)” and “Latest Version Description (if required)” cells (on worksheet: Enter Price & Discount) may be filled in by the offeror if required (shaded in light yellow)."

Question 2: See Amendment 2, Item 1. Attachment B has been updated. The updated attachment added cells that will allow an offeror to provide the proposed component of an obsolete component of the existing system part number and/or version description.

52. Question: HSCG79-17-R-PT2002.docx (pg 24), SOW Factor 1: Sample Scenario 5.1.1 (pg 11); Text: The sample scenario states: “USCG is seeking the installation of a complete non- JITC certified small PBX system for Station XYZ in Savannah, Georgia.” The SOW states:

“Unless otherwise specified in the individual task order, the Telephony System shall be JITC Certified …” The price difference between a non-JITC solution and a JITC certified solution can be significant (for example, IP Office vs Aura CM).

Shouldn’t the sample solution be representative of the majority of actual deployments (i.e.

JITC Certified)?

Answer: See Amendment 00002, Item 5. The SOW JITC requirement has been removed.

53. Question: HSCG79-17-R-PT2002.docx Factor 1: Sample Scenario; pg 24, Text: The sample scenario states: “The facility requires four (4) standard analog phones, two (2) analog/FAX lines, and forty-five (45) digital stations.”

In the sample scenario, does the Government expect the contractor to place all the phones, or will USCG place phones?

Answer: As defined in the sample scenario, yes, the Government expects the offeror to place the phones.

54. Question: HSCG79-17-R-PT2002.docx, Instructions to Offerors; pg 23 Para 3;

Will the Government consider increasing the 4-page limit specified for Volume I -Technical Approach?

Answer: Yes, see Amendment 00002, Item 3. The technical approach was increased to six

(6) pages.

55. Question: Attach_I_SOW.doc; RFP section 5.4 PBX Systems in USCG Inventory; pg 18;

Does the USCG intend to fund remote maintenance services to include Tier II, OEM Tier III and repair and return on a task order basis?

Answer: The Government will fund remote maintenance service, Tier II, OEM Tier III, and repair and return on a task order by task order basis.

56. Question: HSCG79-17-R-PT2002.doc; Addenda to 52-212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items Volume II Past Performance; pg 25;

Please confirm both prime and subcontractor past performance may be used to meet the past performance requirement.

Answer: See solicitation Addenda to 52-212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items Factor 3: “The offeror’s past performance may include information regarding predecessor companies or subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement, if applicable.” And, PART 6 – Addenda to 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items Factor 3:

“The Government may also consider past performance information regarding predecessor companies, key personnel who have similar experience or subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement when such information is deemed relevant by the Government.”

57. Question: Do we have an option for another vendor other that AVAYA?

Answer: The contractor may propose an alternative OEM for the replacement solution, however, the offeror shall be or have a single “Authorized Avaya Co-Delivery and Service Provider” for current Avaya systems.

58. Question: Do the technicians all require security clearances? Can they be escorted if dispatched for such things as repair visits or as cutover support (possible placing sets).

Answer: No, security clearances are not required. Government escorts will be provided.

59. Question: Can you differentiate the need for cyber security requirements from security clearance and escorted visits?

Answer: Cyber Security requirements only apply to Information Security (IS) functions per SOW Section 1.15. Security clearance and escorted visits applies to physical access to classified or restricted spaces.