Questions and Answers.pdf

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1 1.1

Can PSCR/NIST provide the use cases that require AF & NEF? Is the bidder eligible for bidding if they do not support AF & NEF Network Functions?

I do not have a specific case in mind but the purpose of this procurement is ensure that we have a 5G system with as much functionality as possible. Many of the use cases are still being flushed out as we do not know what apps will be available in the future to utilize this network. 3GPP Technical Specification 23.501 contains the network function functional description for both the AF and the NEF description. • AF: Release 15 mentions Application influence on traffic routing (see clause 5.6.7) and Interacting with the Policy framework for policy control (see clause 5.14); and Release 16 adds IMS interactions with 5GC (see clause 5.16). • NEF: Release 15 mentions the following functionality -NF capabilities and events may be securely exposed by NEF for e.g.

3rd party, Application Functions, Edge Computing as described in clause 5.13.

-It provides a means for the Application Functions to securely provide information to 3GPP network, e.g. Expected UE Behaviour. In that case the NEF may authenticate and authorize and assist in throttling the Application Functions.

-NEF handles masking of network and user sensitive information to external AF's according to the network policy. The bidder would still be eligible for bidding. This information would just be used as part of our evaluation criteria. Future support/roadmap or justification as to why these were not implement may also be helpful to include.

2 1.9

Functions related to VoLTE are not yet specified by 3GPP for 5G. Polaris 5GCore supports VoLTE UEs, however it will not be able to provide 5G VoLTE services. Will that be sufficient?

Yes that would be sufficient and understandable given the specifications are still in process. It would be beneficial to include future support plans and/or roadmap.

3 1.1

Functions related to Mission Critical are not yet specified by 3GPP for 5G. The Polaris 5G core can connect to any Mission Critical server or any other application servers and the data network over the N6 interface.

Will that be sufficient?

Yes that would be sufficient and understandable given the specifications are still in process. It would be beneficial to include future support plans and/or roadmap.

4 2.1

1 Polaris offers a combined UE + gNB Emulator that simulates UEs and gNBs for the purpose of Core Network testing and not for gNB testing. Are most of the test requirements related to 5G Core Network Testing? Or is the UE+gNB Emulator also needed for the purpose of testing gNB?

There will be some features that we will want to look into but this network will most likely be used to test specific applications that will utilize the 5G network and to understand QoS for public safety and in order to do that we will need to be able to simulate some sort of load on the system.

5 2.3.5

Roaming has been mentioned in one of the requirements but the SEPP node is not included in the list of required nodes in the 5G Core. Shall we include the same while quoting?

6 2.4

Polaris offers a combined UE + gNB Emulator that simulates UEs and gNBs for the purpose of Core Network testing and not for gNB testing. Are most of the test requirements related to 5G Core Network Testing? Or is the UE+gNB Emulator also needed for the purpose of testing gNB?

See answers for question 2.1. In this scenario we would be curious if the emulator is able to simulate major gNB manufactures and if it is able to emulate different types of UEs.

7 2.11

Functions related to Mission Critical are not yet specified by 3GPP for 5G. Also, gNB Emulator or a Real gNB will not connect to an MCPTT Server directly. It is the Core that connects to the Server. Polaris 5G Core can connect to Mission Critical and other Application Servers through N6 interface.Will that be sufficient? Yes that would be sufficient

8 2.19

Polaris offers a combined UE + gNB Emulator that simulates UEs and gNBs for the purpose of Core Network testing and not for gNB testing. Are most of the test requirements related to 5G Core Network Testing? Or is the UE+gNB Emulator also needed for the purpose of testing gNB?

See answers for question 2.1. In this scenario we would be curious how the emulator would coexist with Live gNBs and UEs. For instance, is it possible to use gNB emulator and real gNBs at the same time.

9 Warranty The Quote request mentions Support and Maintenance for 3 years. It also mentions "To the extent that software updates become available, they shall be provided to NIST for a period of three (3) years"(Row55).

On the other hand it also mentions " Future software updates and technical support are excluded from this requirement"(Row57). Shall the quote include future upgrade price to Release 16 Separately?

Yes, if you could include a future upgrade to Release 16 separately that would be helpful.

RFQ Q&A's NB6710002101583 Question

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RFP

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

Sheet1 - Table 1 - Table 1