2.01 Attachment 12 - Spiral 4 Govt Responses 02-27-24 fixed.pdf

Attachment 12

No.

Reference Statement

Question Government Response

2.0 Wireless

Mobility Services Scope and Prices

It is our understanding not all services in this section are required. The contractor completes those services they can provide. For example, if paging is not an offered service, then we would not offer it. Is this correct?

For evaluation purposes all offerors shall propose on all services listed on the “A”, “B”, and “C” ELIN spreadsheet where pricing is required. Paging services, if offered by the offeror, shall be competed at the task order level. Please review the solicitation Instructions to Offerors Sections L on how all requirements need to be addressed in your proposal

3.1.1 Unlimited

Data

1. Can this be amended? That is, 1. a fixed amount of data and thereafter pay as you go?

2. Or, 2. A fixed amount of high-speed data and after a threshold, slower speed. Can this be offered?

3. If so, are the terms written in field B10 of Attachment 1, for example?

No, this will not be amended. Here is some additional information regarding this requirement:

1. There is no combination on fixed data and pay as you go plans.

2. The Governments requirement is for standard Unlimited Data Plans.

3. No

Attachment 1 ELIN 1a vs 1b

We do not see the difference between these two.

Can you explain, please?

The difference between these two spreadsheets is one is for 36 months, and the other is for 48 months. We anticipate receiving different pricing depending upon which technology refresh our DoD customers decide to compete and award at the task order level either on a 36- or 48-months basis.

Upon further review of the ELIN spreadsheets, a minor error was noticed on the “B” ELINS. This duplicate entry has been fixed across all spreadsheets from AB04 to AB05. Revised attachment ELIN spreadsheet 1a and 1b will be provided under solicitation amendment.

Attachment 1 ELIN Spreadsheet

If we wish to offer additional Service Plans (e.g.

more economical) would we INSERT a new row in attachment 1?

For service plans, offered by contractors not listed on the ELIN spreadsheets under “A” or “B” spreadsheets will be competed at task order level. No service plans may be added to the ELIN spreadsheets. Only after, if an offeror receives a basic contract award can offer additional service plans under the “D” ELINs on a competitive basis. If you wish to offer services that do not appear on the ELIN spreadsheet these services will have to be within scope of the Spiral 4 and competed under the “D” ELINs.

Attachment 1 ELIN Spreadsheet

Attachment 1, row 19, is this the government tax rate you want us to use, or is this an example?

For evaluation purposes the Tax rate is capped at 6% for offerors to propose on. Please use the 6% rate in your proposal.

Solicitation Form

Reference the 2.04+N00244-24-R-0003+Final, pages 3-9, ITEM No. > Max Net Amount.

Do you want an $$ amount inserted there, or is this for reference only (Attachment 1 being the controlling pricing)?

Or, do we bring over the amount posted on, for example, row H20 (for Item No 0001) of the attachment 1 spreadsheet? Attachment 1 ELIN spreadsheets attachments

Complete ELIN attachment spreadsheets 1a and 1b. Follow the summary sheet instructions in Section L paragraph 3.2.3 of the solicitation regarding CLIN pricing for CLINS 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, 4001, 5001, 6001, 7001, 8001, and 9001.

Attachment 1 ELIN Spreadsheet

Attachment 1, row 69, International Service We offer global voice/sms termination as well as roaming. Each country's destination has a unique tariff for voice, sms, and data. How do we show this?

No. Any additional services that an offeror would like to provide can only be done after contract award under the “D” ELINs. We are requesting for standard service plans in accordance the performance work statement. The ELIN spreadsheet represents those standard services offerings based on the Government requirements. To be clear, any additional service plans that an offeror can provide can do so only after receiving an award. These services must be within scope and provided under the “D” ELINs.

8 N/A

Is it possible to get an average USA data usage? I understand the amount of accounts is staggering, but targeting an average may assist in better pricing. Maybe a target group.

That information cannot be released.

RFP 3.5

Addendum - Volume V- Small Business Subcontracting Plan

Regarding Addendum to 52.212-1, 3.5 Volume V

– Small Business Subcontracting Plan, can an other than small offeror submit a Commercial Subcontracting Plan to meet the government’s requirement to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan?

A commercial plan meets the requirement.

Solicitation No. N00244-24-R-0003 Questions

N00244-24-R-0003

Attachment 1 ELIN 1a

SERVICE

ENABLED

DEVICES (Other than 1-GEN behind devices purchased under

"D" ELIN)

xC01 through xC17

Will the government please remove xC01 through xC17 in the base year and all option years under the premise that a generic description of “standard” does not provide sufficient detail to determine which makes and models of devices are to be offered. This determination is more problematic for future devices that do not exist where costs are unknown.

Alternatively, will the government amend the worksheet and/or requirements for SERVICE ENABLED DEVICES (Other than 1-GEN behind devices purchased under "D" ELIN) such that the specific makes and models are subject to change and will be updated with mutually agreeable device selections.

Section "C" of the ELIN spreadsheet is only for evaluation purposes. Any device pricing proposed on the base period and option years for ELINs C01-C16 will not be incorporated in the resulting contract. This section will be completely removed and will appear in the contract as "reserved". The Government will not amend the reference "Other than 1-GEN behind devices purchased under "D" ELIN". For clarification, the purpose of having that statement is to make a distinction from the "B" ELIN devices that are 1-Generation behind. "D" ELIN devices are all other newer device types for purchase. The Government understands that device offerings will change throughout the life of the contract.

RFP 3.1.1.3

Technology Refresh

Will the government please revise the requirement to read “or”?

Contractors shall provide new devices when the Task Order is issued. There are two exceptions:

(1) Government may choose to delay receipt of new device (where technology allows and subject to COR or Ordering Officer and Contractor agreement); or (2) end user has received a new device from that contractor within 24 months if received under the previous Spiral 3 contract or within 36 months under the current contract. [If a successive order is issued and the same contractor receives that order, the contractor may not be required to provide a “new” device if end-user has received a new device within 24 months under the previous Spiral 3 contract or until the next technical refresh specified in the task order under the current contract]. IF the Government chooses to delay or decline receipt of a new device via a technical refresh, a reduction in the Monthly Recurring Charge (MRC) pricing is expected and will be applied each month past the original technical refresh date.

The Government agrees and will replace “and” with “or” for the new device exceptions. 3.1.1.3 will be amended accordingly: “Contractors shall provide new devices when the Task Order is issued. There are two exceptions: (1) Government may choose to delay receipt of new device (where technology allows and subject to COR or Ordering Officer and Contractor agreement); or (2) end user has received a new device from that contractor within 24 months if received under the previous Spiral 3 contract or within 36 months under the current contract. [If a successive order is issued and the same contractor receives that order, the contractor may not be required to provide a “new” device if end-user has received a new device within 24 months under the previous Spiral 3 contract or until the next technical refresh specified in the task order under the current contract].

Will the government please revise the Section

7.2.4 to coincide with Section 3.1.1.3 Technology Refresh the requirement for technology refresh period limit of 36-months or 48-months. We suggest the following revision: If the Government ports service lines to another Contractor or is otherwise disconnected from the Contractor’s network prior to reaching the 36-month or 48-month technology refresh period for Service with a Device Plans, an Early Termination Fee (ETF) may apply. The ETF to be paid will vary per Contractor and will also vary depending on the number of months of completed service commitment. In their response to the Request for Quote/Proposal (RFQ/RFP), Contractors will quote the ETF amount to be paid at different stages of a 36-month or 48-month term of service commitment. A Non-Standard “Other Services and Equipment” ELIN will allow Contractors to recoup the ETF from the Government. The ability to obtain an Early Termination Fee does not apply IF the Government determines that there are unresolvable service, coverage, and performance issues.

The Government agrees that the Technology Refresh period referenced in Section 7.2.4 should coincide with Section

3.1.1.3 to reflect a 36-month or 48-month period. Section 7.2.4 will be amended accordingly:

“If the Government ports all service lines to another Contractor or is otherwise disconnected from the Contractor’s network prior to reaching the 36-month or 48-month technology refresh period for Service with a Device Plans on the Task Order, an Early Termination Fee (ETF) may apply. The ETF to be paid will vary per Contractor and will also vary depending on the amount of months of completed service commitment. In their response to the Request for Quote/Proposal (RFQ/RFP), Contractors will quote the ETF amount to be paid at different stages of a 36-month or 48-month term of service commitment.

A Non-Standard “Other Services and Equipment” ELIN will allow Contractors to recoup the ETF from the Government.

The ability to obtain an Early Termination Fee does not apply IF the Government determines that there are unresolvable service, coverage, and performance issues. In that instance, the Government may issue a termination for cause or termination for convenience at no cost to the Government.”

RFP 7.2.4 Early Termination Fee

In that instance, the Government may issue a termination for cause or termination for convenience at no cost to the Government."

Also, the Government has identified the need to make a minor change to the last sentence of Section 7.2.4, it will now read as follows: “Additionally, the ability to obtain an Early Termination Fee does not apply for Task Orders or GPC orders with a period of performance equal to or less than 24-months.”

RFP 3.1.1.1

Current Generation Devices

The Government may require the Contractor to provide an in-building-solution to correct any coverage issues identified by the Government after execution of an award I.A.W. Section 6.6.4 - Subsystems and Infrastructure. The contractor shall provide solutions to resolve such in-building performance issues at no additional charge.

For continuity with Spiral 3 and past precedence, may the Government please add “upon Mutual Agreement” to the last sentence?

There is no continuation of Spiral 3 terms once that contract has expired. There was no past precedence where there was a “mutual agreement” requirement, between the Government and Contractor, prior to the provision of in-building solutions to correct coverage issues. Therefore, the Government will not amend the requirement to add “Upon Mutual Agreement”. The expectation is for Contractors to continue to provide in-building solutions (such as a repeater or femtocell or other like capability) where recurring outages or loss of service occurs.

This will be done to correct coverage issues at no cost to the Government.

RFP 2.2.2 Other Mobility End-Point Infrastructure

Other Mobility End-Point Infrastructure. Fixed costs and the entire cost of installation cannot exceed $2,500.

Due to unpredictability of future cost over the course of 10 years will the Government please remove the NTE amount?

No. For acquisitions of services subject to 41.U.S.C. chapter 67, the Service Contract Labor Standard is $2,500 the maximum allowable cost at task order level for any service that would require performance by a wage grade employee subject to installation of services. This amount is included for clarity and understading on the maximum amount a contractor can propose for any services procured under the "D" ELINS that would be subject to this regulation. After contract award if the service micro-purchase threshold is increased this amount will be modified to reflect regulation changes.

RFP 6.1.1

Contingency Communication Capability

Initial report shall be submitted within 8 hours.

There are too many variables that would prevent an 8 hr response time compliance.

To allow Carriers sufficient time to report on information across multiple time zones, will the Government please modify the language to state that “Carriers will make a commercially reasonable effort to respond within 8 hours and no later than 24 hours”?

The Government will not modify the language to state that “Carriers will make a commercially reasonable effort”. The Government’s requirement is for an initial report to be received within 8 hours of action(s), and for the final report submission within 7 days of resolution. This is a longstanding requirement and therefore will not be amended.

16 RFP 6.5 CBRS

Contractor will create private network within geographical area and extend coverage as requested by the Ordering Office.

This is an open financial commitment that places carriers at risk, will the Government please add “Upon Mutual Agreement” in compliance with

3.2.2 Volume II pricing?

In accordance with the instructions to offerors, the Government will amend Section 6.5 to add “Upon Mutual Agreement”.

Section 6.5 will be amended as follows: “Upon mutual agreement, the Contractor will create private networks within the user’s geographical area and extend coverage as requested by the Ordering Office.”

RFP 6.6.2 Other Level of Service Coverage

1.The Ordering Officer cannot define specific frequency bands if the carrier’s network uses multiple bands to provide the best coverage solutions.

Will the Government please modify this requirement to add “Upon Mutal Agreement” in compliance with 3.2.2 Volume II pricing?

2. Radio frequencies may propagate outside Government’s specified geographical areas.

Will the Government please modify this requirement to add “Upon Mutal Agreement” in compliance with 3.2.2 Volume II pricing as this may require Carrier a Network design?

3. The Contractor shall be responsible to resolve all 3rd-party… Carriers may not have the ability to impact all 3rd Party interferences. For continuity of operations will the Government please replace “resolve” with “identify”?

1. No change. The Government can and will specify each and every RAN Type, and the desired Frequency Band(s) required within each specified RAN Type, in the Request for Proposal for each and every Task Order, The Government recognizes that the Offeror’s actual Coverage, quantified as defined in PWS Section 6.6 – Coverage, will be a function of the highest performing individual performing Frequency Band, or the combined performance of multiple Frequency Bands as applicable, in that Task Order.

2. No Change. The Government does not have responsibility for radio frequency propagation outside of the Government’s specified geographical area(s). It is the Carrier’s responsibility to ensure that the Network is adequately sized to fulfill the both Government Task Order(s) and any 3rd party utilization of same. Any “Network Design” required by the Carrier to fulfill any Task Order that they bid, is the financial responsibility of the Carrier. 3.No Change. The Carrier, as the legal holder of subject frequency band(s), is responsible for resolving all 3rd party interference with their licensed frequency bands.

RFP 7.2.3

International Overage

The notification is to take place prior to overage occurrence; allowing the Government to manage spend on task orders. This will ensure that no overages occur, and funds are available to cover international usage.

Carriers may not know when international funding has reached the 85% funding consumption threshold due to delays in receiving usage data from roaming partners. Will the Government please add “Commercially reasonable effort”?

The Government agrees that it is not commercially reasonable to receive notification of a potential overage prior to occurrence for international services. However, the Government expects to receive notification of such an occurrence as soon as carriers become aware of any such overages. Section 7.2.3 will be amended to read as follows: "Contractor shall notify the Ordering Officer (at Task Order level) immediately as set in section 3.1.4. of the PWS. The notification is to take place as soon as Contractor becomes aware of any overage occurrence;

allowing the Government to manage spend on task orders."

RFP 3.1.1.1 SED

Unlock

The Contractor shall unlock SEDs at the request of the Government if a performance related issue cannot be resolved.

Will the Government please modify language for devices to be returned to the Carrier unless they have reached 36 or 48 month Tech refresh time?

No. The Government will not return devices; upon receipt they are Government property. However, Section 3.1.1.1 SED Unlock of the PWS has been amended to read as follows: "The Contractor shall unlock SEDs at the request of the Government if a performance related issue cannot be resolved by the contractor. SEDs shall be unlocked by the carrier within 10 (ten) calendar days if a termination of services is required based on performance. However, upon mutual agreement of the Contractor and Ordering Officer, settlement costs (i.e.

remaining months of service commitment) may be recovered."

RFP 3.1.1.1

Service Enabled Devices

A choice of two (2) cellular enabled tablets; at a minimum one (1) iOS and one (1) Android, at an additional cost, with the purchase of a service plan that supports WiFi calling (aka Voice over Wi-Fi (ITU-T H.323)) and Passpoint roaming (WFA Wi- Fi Certified Passpoint and IEEE 802.11u).

WiFi calling is not a native capability in Tablets, will the Government please remove WiFi calling from this requirement?

The Government agrees and will revise the language as follows: "A choice of two (2) cellular enabled tablets; (a minimum one (1) iOS and one (1) Android), at an additional cost; with the purchase of a service plan that may include the option of WiFi calling (aka Voice over Wi-Fi (ITU-T H.323)) and Passpoint roaming (WFA Wi-Fi Certified Passpoint and IEEE 802.11u).

RFP 2.1.1 Proposal Format and Content

The Government prefers one-inch margins on all sides and single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font with normal spacing, and pages of each volume numbered consecutively.

May we have 9pt fonts for tables and figures?

No, The Government will not change its requirement for one-inch margins on all sides and single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font with normal spacing, and pages of each volume numbered consecutively. However, the Government will increase the number of pages allowed on Volume III- Technical to accommodate a 12 point Times New Roman font.

22 Section L -

1.1 All offers must fully comply with these

instructions and address all solicitation requirements to be eligible for award. As such, offerors that take exception to any minimum requirement, term, or condition of this solicitation, propose any additional term or condition, or omit any required information, without prior resolution with the Contracting Officer may be eliminated from consideration.

We would like to include in the description > Attachment 1 > B8 (and similar) the following:

“Unlimited usage is based on normal and customary usage by the customer agency”

For example, if the User base for an Agency customer average cellular use is 800 voice minutes and 10GB data and one device uses 300GB data, this is not normal usage.

We are expecting normal government business voice, sms and data communications usage.

We are asking for prior resolution.

The Government expects to receive standard Unlimited Data Plans. The ELIN spreadsheet can not be modified to allow an offeror to provide its specific offering availability. Any services not specified under "A" or " B" ELINs may be offered under the "D" ELINs after an offeror receives a basic contract award any services that do not appear on the ELIN spreadsheet are competed at the task order level.

Section L - Volume III

The XXX offers a multi-carrier SIM which connects to almost 900 carriers worldwide covering more than 250 countries. As such REAL Mobile services is ROAMING. We do not own a cellular network.

3.3.2(1) asks for coverage maps including three heat maps.

The XXX SIMs connect to XXX. We are able to provide the coverage maps available to the public from these providers, but we will not be able to provide more detailed heat maps then are made available.

Is this acceptable?

Section L > 1.4 The proposal should be complete as submitted, and not include references to data or information previously submitted. Data previously submitted to the Navy, if any, will not be incorporated “by reference” into the offer and will not be considered in the evaluation of the proposal.

Yes, offerors that do not have access to carrier Heat Maps may include readily obtainable maps for evaluation purposes in its proposal.

Solicitation Form

Reference the 2.04+N00244-24-R-0003+Final, pages 3-9, ITEM No. > Max Net Amount.

Do you want an $$ amount inserted there, or is this for reference only (Attachment 1 being the controlling pricing)?

Or, do we bring over the amount posted on, for example, row H20 (for Item No 0001) of the attachment 1 spreadsheet?

Attachment 1 ELIN spreadsheets attachments

No. The MAX Net represents your total amount offer based on units over the 12 month period of performance by CLIN.

Complete the ELIN attachment spreadsheets 1a and 1b. Carry over the Grand total amount from H82 ELIN spreadsheets as your MAX Net amount. Similar to the sheet instructions provided in Section L paragraph 3.2.3 of the solicitation regarding summary CLIN pricing for CLINS 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, 4001, 5001, 6001, 7001, 8001, and 9001.

25 ELIN Spreadsheet

Attachment 1a > row 69 asks for International Service. We have a complete A-Z list for termination minutes. How do we present this?

For evaluation purposes the Government provided NTE amount for International services. The ELIN spreadsheets cannot be altered with any additional information that does not appear on the spreadsheets already. Specific International service requirements are competed at task order level.

26 ELIN

Your attachment 1, line item row 69, AD01 states “International service”.

This is not a one price fits all item.

How should we handle this?

Concur. This is not a one price fits all. However, we have a streamlined ordering process, which requires ordering office to use when solicitating quotes. The requiring activity shall provide quantities to contractors based on the results of their independent review on spend and usage data.

At task order level all Contractors will submit competitive quote/proposal on the same items allowing for comparison and evaluation (apples to apples) on proposed international service.

Also, the requiring activity and/or the ordering office shall provide the contractor a complete and detailed description of all KNOWN international and other non-specified items identified in their request for quotation.

To repeat, all international services are defined and competed at the task order level under the “D” ELINs. The requiring activities will estimate their expected international service usage for minutes, texting and/or data usage at task order level.

This is how international services is handled, which allows contractors to propose accordingly based on customers specific needs.

See response to Q#25 on how International Services are evaluated at the basic contract level.

27 RFP 2.1.1

Will the Government consider a smaller font size for tables, graphics, and images such as 10 point Times New Roman?

No, The Government will not change its requirement for one-inch margins on all sides and single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font with normal spacing, and pages of each volume numbered consecutively. However, the Government will increase the number of pages allowed (from 50 pages to 60 pages) on Volume III-Technical to accommodate a 12 point Times New Roman font.

28 RFP Section 2 p.74

The Individual Small Business Subcontract Plan has a 5 page limit. Our Currrent Template ( in accordance with FAR 19.7 requirements is much longer than 5 page limitation. What specific information is to be a part of the 5 page limt? Is there a suggested template?

No. There is no suggested template for the Individual Small Business Subcontract Plan. However, the Government will change the 5-page limit to 15 pages.

The Government agrees that the Technology Refresh period referenced in Section 7.2.4 should coincide with Section

3.1.1.3 to reflect a 36-month or 48-month period. Section 7.2.4 will be amended accordingly: “If the Government ports all service lines to another Contractor or is otherwise disconnected from the Contractor’s network prior to reaching the 36-month or 48-month technology refresh period for Service with a Device Plans on the Task Order, an Early Termination Fee (ETF) may apply. The ETF to be paid will vary per Contractor and will also vary depending on the amount of months of completed service commitment. In their response to the Request for Quote/Proposal (RFQ/RFP), Contractors will quote the ETF amount to be paid at different stages of a 36-month or 48-month term of service commitment. A Non-Standard “Other Services and Equipment” ELIN will allow Contractors to recoup the ETF from the Government. The ability to obtain an Early Termination Fee does not apply IF the Government determines that there are unresolvable service, coverage, and performance issues. In that instance, the Government may issue a termination for cause or termination for convenience at no cost to the Government.”

Also, the Government has identified the need to make a minor change to the last sentence of Section 7.2.4, it will now read as follows: “Additionally, the ability to obtain an Early Termination Fee does not apply for Task Orders or GPC orders with a period of performance equal to or less than 24-months.”

PWS 4.0 Website Requirements and Overview

With regards to the above paragraphs, clarification is requested if the term “customers” refers to Agencies and “users” refer to the declared represntatives of the agency managing the contracted services or does user refer to the consumer of the service (device, data, voice etc)?

Please refer to sections 4.1.1 General Group through 4.1.3 Enterprise Groups where it defines the user access levels and who the users are with that designated access level. For example, 4.1.1 General (User) Group would have access to everything outlined in b. Components. So, "user" is defined as every possible DoD user of the contract. However, 4.1.2 Order (User) Group is the individual (or those individuals) identified as the Agency declared representative on the Task Order that would have Website Order Level Access. That individual (or those individuals) would also have access to b. Components under 4.1.2 to include Order Level contract activity data and reports. Finally, 4.1.3 Enterprise (User) Group is restricted to the DoD declared respresentative (i.e. DoD Wireless Procuring Contracting Officer, DoD Wireless Program Manager, and any one declared DoD Agency Specific Wireless Program Manager (i.e. the POC listed as the Army Enterprise Wireless Program Manager, the Air Force listed Enterprise Wireless Program Manager, etc.))

Reference is made to a 24-month term. Should this be interpreted as the 36-month and 48-month terms, respectively?

RFP 7.2.4 Early Termination Fee

31 PWS 3.1.4.4

One of the scenarios when the Ordering Manager and Wireless Manager will be notified is when "the dollars consumed on the Task Order reaches at least 85% of the dollars obligated". However, in the "2.01 Attachment 2 J-024 Reporting Requirement Templates.xlsx" sheet > "J-24B Spend Usage Report" tab, there is a section for

"WIRELESS MANAGER, CONTRACT

SPECIALIST AND/OR CONTRACTING

OFFICER, NOTIFICATION (60-80%)". Are there other notification contacts and limits?

No. There are no other notification contacts and limits.

RFP, 2.01

Attachment 2 J- 024B Spend Usage Report Cell B5

WAWF YES/NO. Are there Telco services and processes that do not go through the WAWF system? If so, please provide examples.

Yes. For example, wireless orders placed using the Government Purchase Credit Card method do not go through the WAWF system.

33 PWS 5.1.5

Is the Table in PWS Section 5.1.5 meant to be part of PWS Section 5.1.6?

No. They are two different reports. The Table in PWS Section

5.1.5 outlines the elements in an adhoc report the DoD Wireless Program Contracting Office may request. The Table in PWS Section 5.1.6 is the example of the report the designated Task Order Level Wireless Manager or COR should be able to access and download as per section 4.1.2 of the PWS. This information is reported via the website Order Level Access and should, at a minimum, include that organization's (by UIC) usage and inventory information.

RFP Page 51 Reps and Certs

Our Reps and Certs are current in SAM.gov. Is it OK to simply state (in our Vol I Reps and Certs section response) that these are complete and that we have no exceptions?

You may state that your certifications are complete within your System of Award Management (SAM) profile.

35 PWS 2.2.2

Due to the 10-year anticipated length of this contract, to allow for changing installation costs, please increase the maximum incidental fixed cost from $2,500 to $10,000 and include an automatic 5% annual escalation on the ceiling amount.

No. The $2,500 is regulated by statute. After contract award, if the dollar threshold changes the basic contract will be modified to reflect the current regulation amount. See response to Q#14.

36 PWS 2.2.2

Please clarify that Offerors are expected to price this line item as a “Not to Exceed” (NTE) ceiling limit as opposed to a fixed dollar amount under the ceiling limit.

Section 2.2.2 "Other Mobility End-Point Infrastructure" would be services and equipment that fall under the "Other Services & Equipment" D01 - D05 ELINs. For the purpose of proposing on this solicitation, NTE amounts have been provided and should be used for ELINs D01-D05. These values are provided for evaluation purposes only.

37 PWS 2.2.2

Please clarify that the maximum incidental fixed cost under paragraph 2.2.2 does not apply to “Other/Mobile Services” under paragraph 2.2.9; “Future Initiatives and Growth” under paragraph 2.2.10; and “Network Functions” under paragraph 2.2.11.”

Yes, it does apply. The maximum installation costs cannot exceed $2,500.

38 PWS 3.1.1.1

Please elaborate on the government’s plans to support Passpoint roaming on DoD networks.

Any decision by DoD to deploy a network, inclusive or not of “Passpoint roaming”, is completely independent of the Government’s “requirement for commercial wireless mobility and cellular telecommunications services” as stated in PWS 1.2 of this solicitation, and will not be discussed herein.

39 PWS 6

Generally, please revise paragraph 6 and all subparagraphs to remove the ability of individual ordering activities to alter or extend coverage requirements at the order level. This issue was previously protested under the proposed and subsequently cancelled DoN WMS BPA solicitation as it makes the Solicitation impermissibly ambiguous without definitively describing the Agency’s needs. This could be resolved by using RSRP as a standard metric for measuring signal strength.

No change. The Government can and will specify each and every RAN Type, and the desired Frequency Band(s) required within each specified RAN Type, in the Request for Proposal for each and every Task Order, The Government recognizes that the Offeror’s actual Coverage, quantified as defined in PWS Section 6.6 – Coverage, will be a function of the highest performing individual performing Frequency Band, or the combined performance of multiple Frequency Bands as applicable, in that Task Order.

40 PWS 6.6

We respectfully ask that the government choose accepted RSRP value ranges in LTE and 5G as the single option for determining signal strength for the purposes of this RFP. Please provide the RSRP values by which this requirement will be evaluated (for LTE and 5G).

No change.

41 PWS 6.6.1

We respectfully request the removal of the definitions for International Voice and Data coverage. Domestic service providers are unable to make statements atesting to the signal quality of overseas roaming partner networks over which domestic service providers have neither oversight nor control.

The Government will not modify Section 6.6.1 Legacy Coverage, to remove the definition of International Voice and Data.

42 PWS 6.6.2

Please standardize requirements in metric or Imperial units of measure. The first paragraph indicates that RSRP shall be measured 6 feet from the ground but 6.6.2.b.ii stipulates that radii will be measured in meters. Likewise,

6.6.3 uses the metric measure of sq. kilometers.

The Government will change the referenced sentence to read “Other Level of Service Coverage shall be defined as the minimum Reference Signal Receive Power (RSRP) specified by the Ordering Officer, as measured by two or more SEDs operating concurrently, as expressed in decibels relative to one milliwatt (dBm). RSRP shall be measured in an open space (i.e. outside of vehicles and structures not defined in Section 6.6.4), within two (2) meters of the ground (where applicable), away from dense foliage, and without condensing precipitation of the atmosphere in the immediate area.”

43 PWS 6.6.2

Please remove the three instances of the word “designated”. Use of "designated" in this context implies that a task order may be issued stipulating a specific frequency in use by a mobile network operator, which would circumvent competition by allowing the steering of business to a single vendor, resulting in an uncompetitive bidding process. If a specific frequency is required for a specific Task Order, then the ordering activity should follow the sole source Justification & Approval (J&A) notification and award procedures.

The Government disagrees. The Government can and will specify each and every RAN Type, and the desired Frequency Band(s) required within each specified RAN Type, in the Request for Proposal for each and every Task Order. The Government recognizes that the Offeror’s actual Coverage, quantified as defined in PWS Section 6.6 – Coverage, will be a function of the highest performing individual performing Frequency Band, or the combined performance of multiple Frequency Bands as applicable, in that Task Order.

44 PWS 6.6.2

Please clarify whether the intent of paragraph

6.6.2 is (A) asking Contractors to identify and work to mitigate 3rd party interference from 3rd parties broadcasting on adjacent frequencies; or

(B) asking Contractors to improve coverage in the event existing coverage does not meet the ordering activity’s desired criteria. If (B), please elaborate on what metrics will be used at the Task Order level to evaluate this.

The intent is for the Contractor to identify, mitigate, and resolve any/all 3rd party sources of radio frequency interference. The Carrier, as the legal holder of subject frequency band(s), is responsible for resolving all 3rd party interference with their licensed frequency bands.

45 PWS 6.6.2

We respectfully request the removal of this requirement (the paragraph beginning “Contractors shall identify…”), which is tantamount to requiring a Service Level Objective (SLO). Cellular networks offer no guarantees of service availability. Areal service may be interrupted by externalities including, but not limited to, weather, power outages, fiber cuts, hardware defects/failures, and routine maintenance. While every effort is made to mitigate these circumstances and to ensure adequate backup when service is interrupted, it is not reasonable for the Government to require 100% uptime on a commercial cellular network.

As stated in Section 6.6.2 of the PWS, "If the Government’s mission necessitates 100% availability of service coverage, then the Government shall identify it at the Task Order level. If 100% availability of service coverage is not achievable, the Contractor shall identify their best level of available service coverage within their quote at the Task Order level."

46 PWS 6.6.3

Similar to the request regarding 6.6 generally, we respectfully request the removal of this requirement. “Less Than Legacy or Other” remains inadequately defined and highly likely to lead to misinterpretation and disputes at the Task Order level. An industry standard measure (RSRP) is a more appropriate metric that is also externally verifiable by third parties.

The Government concurs that “RSRP” is an “industry standard” and an “appropriate metric that is also externally verifiable by third parties.” As such, we will retain it as the metric for the government to specify and verify “Other Level of Service Coverage” (PWS 6.6.2) at the Task Order level. We will also retain it as the metric to be used by the Offeror (as adequately and indisputably defined in PWS 6.6.3) to identify and communicate to the Government (in response to an applicable Task Order RFP) all 0.8 square kilometer “Zones” within each of the Government’s specified “Geographical Areas” (PWS 6.6.2.b) that “exhibits a Level of Service lower than specified for each designated frequency band in the Order”.

47 PWS 6.6.4

Please clarify that the first paragraph (“The Government will…”) requires the Contracting Officer issuing each Task Order or Request for Proposals to identify all such structures. Please also include any existing vendors and contact information if indoor augmentation exists.

Yes, The Government (Contracting Officer or Requiring Activity) will identify all fixed structures within the designated Geographical Area, defined within the Contract requirements, which require “Legacy” or “Other Level of Service Coverage” as specified in the Task Order, throughout the internally accessible portion of the Government Facility. There is no available list of vendors or contact information relative to indoor augmentation.

48 PWS 6.6.4

Please edit the first paragraph as follows:

The Government will identify in the Task Order Request for Proposals all fixed structures within the designated Geographical Area, defined within the Contract requirements, which require “Legacy” or “Other Level of Service Coverage” as specified in the Task Order, throughout the internally accessible portion of the Government Facility, and will identify the incumbent vendor by Contract or Task Order Number and all necessary subsystems and infrastructure currently in place, specifying whether those achieve “Legacy” or “Other Level of Service Coverage” as specified in the Contract Task Order.

By way of the DoD Wireless Services Contract Mandatory Ordering Guide, the Government will include instructions to Ordering Offices to provide incumbent information on follow-on procurements. Also, the Government will include instructions to specify whether "Legacy" or "Other Level of Service Coverage" is required.

Please edit the second paragraph as follows:

The Government may provide the Contractors the use of Government furnished real property, as prescribed in FAR Clause 52.245-1, Government Property. Contractors may access Government property only when providing these services within Federal property boundaries. Any proposed broadband infrastructure, which allows use beyond Federal property boundaries (i.e., improves commercial broadband services outside Federal property boundaries, even if incidental), shall require grant of a lease and payment of Fair Market Value (FMV) consideration, in cash or in kind, pursuant to Federal law, regulations, and instructions.

The ordering Contracting Officer shall provide the Contractor assistance with obtaining such lease, if required, to include requesting expedited review and approval by the General Services Administration (GSA), or any other Federal, state, local, installation, base, post, camp or other authority required to obtain lease approval. In no event shall the Contractor be held liable for degradation in service or delays in meeting required service coverage caused by the Government-induced delays impacting the Contractor’s ability to commence performance.

Ordering Officers will be advised in the Ordering Guide to factor such lease timelines into their acquisition planning cycles. The Contractor shall not be held liable for delays associated with spectrum clearing or broadband fiber availability.

PWS 6.7.1.a paragraph 2

Following “The PCO will not coordinate the SAR process and has no authority to approve a SAR.” Please add “While the PCO will not coordinate the SAR process and has no authority to approve a SAR, the PCO will respond to requests for assistance from the Contractor, to include timely communication between the PCO and Commanding Officer or Public Works Centers when requested or required for the Contractor to obtain approval of the SAR.”

The Government DON Wireless Mobility Program Office and the Program Level PCO are not involved in the SAR process. This is all handled at the Installations Commanding Officer level. The wireless carrier point of contact, CO/XO & Community Planning & Liaison Officer are responsible for the preliminary assessments. The Government does not agree with adding the suggested language because our office already provides assistance to the ordering office and/or the carriers when requested.

51 PWS 7.2.2.a.

Please clarify the wording as follows: “All orders shall may be placed in accordance with established rules and regulations by agency.”

The Government agrees and will make the change so that

7.2.2 a. reads as follows: "All orders shall be placed in accordance with established rules and regulations by agency."

52 PWS 7.2.2.b.

Please provide the hyperlink to the referenced “DON Wireless Mobility Program Office website on the secure page (Wireless Contracts Page).”

Contractors do not have access to the DON Wireless Mobility Program Office website due to Procurement Sensitive Information contained on the site. Upon receipt of DoD Wireless Services Contract award, the Wireless Mobility Program website URL will be provided.

53 PWS 7.2.2.b.

Please provide a copy of the Ordering Guide for Spiral 4.

The Ordering Guide is an internal Government document.

PWS 6.749

To be clear, this process is managed outside of the DoD wireless services contract. This language is focused on the GFP to facilitate wireless cellular coverage. Any installation by the contractor for network enhancements is subject to an on-Site Approval Process (SAR). The contractor shall obtain the appropriate written site approval from the local base Public Works Officer prior to Government property and/or facilities; such use making any modifications or alterations to facilities.

The equipment to be installed and/or updates made shall be listed on Exhibit “A” with locations identified during the SAR process, this includes real estate with roles and responsibilities. For the Department of the Navy, the NAVFAC Real Estate Office will process these requirements. However, for outside Navy agencies, the corresponding cognizance agency shall assist the contractor with obtaining the corresponding SAR approval, with assistance from that agency, which awarded the Task Order.

Any projects that are added to Exhibit "A" will depend on each base SAR approval process and not through FLCSD.

The Government understands this concern and will consider adding in the Ordering Guide information regarding the GFP SAR process to assist customers with understanding wireless broadband systems procured by the DoD Wireless Services Contract.

54 PWS 7.2.2.b.

Please add “The Government shall within five calendar days of award advise all unsuccessful offerors who responded to the fair opportunity to be considered for the order, providing at minimum the name of awardee, total awarded amount, awarded Task Order number, and period of performance start date.”

In accordance with FAR 16.505, the Government is not required to provide an award notice and/or debrief for Task Orders under $6M. However, ordering offices may, as a courtesy, provide to the unsuccessful offerors the name of the Awardee and any other information the ordering office may decide to provide the unsuccefuly offeror.

55 PWS 7.2.2.f.

Please edit the paragraph as follows:

The Ordering Officer may exercise broad discretion in developing appropriate order placement procedures; however, use of the Ordering Guide and Templates is mandatory.

The Ordering Officer should keep submission requirements to a minimum. Ordering Officers may use streamlined procedures, including oral presentations. In addition, the Ordering Officer need not contact each of the multiple contractors under the contract before selecting an order contractor if the Ordering Officer has information available to ensure that each contractor is provided a fair opportunity to be considered for each order. “Information available” at a minimum must include a quote using the quote template received no more than 120 days prior and directly responsive to the requirements being competed. However, in accordance with DFARS 216.505-70 (c) orders exceeding simplified acquisition threshold set forth at FAR 2.101 (currently $250,000.00) shall only be considered competed with the issuance of a RFP to all Wireless MAC contract holders. The competition requirements in FAR Part 6 and the policies in FAR Subpart 15.3 do not apply to the ordering process, however, FAR 16.5 requirements for Fair Opportunity do apply.

Use of the DoD Wireless Services Contract Ordering Guide, with associated forms and templates, will be mandatory.

The Government will include language in the Mandatory Ordering Guide that requires quotes received, (via the mandatory quote template) will be used from the same time period for all contractors. Additionally, the Government recommends that DoD Wireless Services Contract awardees provide an expiration date of submitted quotes

56 PWS 7.2.4

Please rename “Early Termination Fee (ETF)” to Device Recovery Fee (DRF) and replace all instances of ETF with DRF. (replace all instances).

The Government appreciates the recommendation.

However, the Early Termination Fee will not be renamed to Device Recovery Fee.

57 PWS 7.2.4

Will the standard quote form contain line items for the Device Recovery Fee/Early Termination Fee? Will ordering officers be permited to include this fee in their price evaluation?

Yes. Once the Government awards the basic contracts, the Generic ELIN spreadsheets will have a Task Order Early Termination Fee line via ELIN D06.

58 PWS 7.2.4

Contractors do not include pricing for this in response to this Spiral 4 RFP (only in subsequent Task Order RFPs), correct?

Correct, the early termination fee will apply if the ordering office decides to early terminate the awarded task order before completing its commitment of 36 or 48 months.

59 PWS 7.2.5

Please specify that only the Spiral 4 PCO may terminate the base contract for cause and that at the Task Order level, the individual Task Order CO may terminate in accordance with FAR clauses, but a Task Order level termination will have no effect on the larger Spiral 4 contract unless an action is taken by the Spiral 4 PCO.

Terminations of task orders shall be in accordance with FAR 52.212-4. Ordering Offices are not authorized to issue Cure Notices, Show Cause Notices, or pursue any termination actions without express authorization from the Procuring Contacting Officer from NAVSUP FLCSD. Since task orders are decentralized task orders, ordering offices should confer with its Legal Office as to the appropriate course of action. All terminations are handled on a case by case basis.

60 PWS 7.4.1

Please revise this sentence to read “All pricing shall be inclusive of all pooling, initiation, activation, termination, or porting fees, as applicable, with the exception of Early Termination Fees (ETF) priced at the Task- Order level.”

The Government agrees and will amend the first sentence of Section 7.4.1 to read as follows: All pricing shall be inclusive of all pooling, initiation, activation, termination, or porting fees, as applicable, with the exception of Early Termination Fees (ETF) priced at the Task-Order level.”

61 PWS 7.4.4

Recognizing the potential releasability of pricing data under FOIA, given the inherently competitively sensitive nature of such material, please explain the Navy’s position that “The Contractor shall not deem Wireless Services Contract pricing … and all other prices paid data “confidential” or “proprietary.”

For clarification, Contractor pricing will not be disclosed outside of the Government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed in whole or in part for any purpose other than to evaluate the proposal. If, however, a contract is awarded to the offeror, the Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting contract.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) governs what information shall be disclosed and what information the Government may withhold. Nevertheless, the Government will not release any FOIA requested contract information unless and until the contractor has provided a meaningful opportunity to object the disclosure. FAR 3.104-4 applies.

62 PWS 7.5.

Please revise the first sentence to read:

“Contractors shall propose…