Questions and Answers_RFI_Final.docx

DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE

REQUEST FOR INFORMTION (“RFI”)

2021-RFI-MSP-Access Control Systems COMMBUYS Bid #: BD-21-1084-POLGH-GHQ-61873

Questions and Answers

Note: Written answers in this Forum are provided for the sole purpose of assisting vendors in responding to this RFI:

1. When this project is moved to RFP phase, will the responding vendor need to be DCAM certified?

Answer: That would depend on how the MSP approaches the project in a future Request For Response (“RFR”). At this time, a determination has not been made.

2. Is there currently a Wide Area Network (WAN) configured for all of the Mass State police sites that are included in this Access Control Upgrade?

Answer: Yes.

3. If a WAN is existing, is the goal of this project to have a main Access control Server centrally located to host all of the remote sites or for each site to have a local server?

Answer: Central Access Control Server.

4. Who is responsible for wide/local area network configurations, the Security integrator or will this be handled by the owner’s IT department?

Answer: Newtork configurations will be coordinated between vendor and IT department.

5. Are copies of the existing access control databases for each site available for review? Are they currently up to date with active user credentials and access privileges?

Answer: Copies of the existing systems databases would be made available to the selected vendor when the project moves forward. The user credentials are up to date.

6. Does the MA state police currently standardize on a credential technology? If so what?

Answer: 26 bit wiegand.

7. How many security workstation clients are existing/required per location?

Answer: One.

8. What is the extent of Video management integration that is required?

Answer: The system should be capable of video integration but this project will be solely for access control. Potential video integration would be done at a later date.

9. What is the extent of Intercom integration that is required?

Answer: The system should be capable but intercom integration would be done at a later date.

10. What is the extent of Intrusion alarm integration that is required?

Answer: The system should be capable to integrate intrusion alarms but that will be done at a later date.

11. Is the design intent to be able to view all required integrations from one user interface?

Answer: Yes.

12. Are live interactive graphical maps required?

Answer: No.

13. Are Bluetooth access control credentials and card readers required for this project?

Answer: No.

14. Is having a native or fully integrated burglar alarm / intrusion system that can monitor alarms in house or sent out to a central monitoring station via dial up or IP transmission preferred or required?

Answer: Send out alarms to central monitoring station by IP transmission is preferred.

15. What card printing machines are currently being leveraged?

Answer: Fargo DTC4250e card printer is currently being utilized.

16. Can the current cardholder database and cardholder images be exported from the existing database?

Answer: Yes

17. Is the ability to issue and revoke credentials over the air mandatory or preferred?

Answer: Preferred.

18. Is having a native or fully integrated burglar alarm / intrusion system that can monitor alarms in house or sent out to a central monitoring station via dial up or IP transmission preferred or required?

Answer: Central monitoring via cellular or IP transmission is preferred.

19. Will there be certain sections of the building that subordinates can only access if a superior is present?

Answer: There are certain areas where there is a need for a superior and/or multiple people to be present to enter.

20. If migrating to a more secure card technology, are proprietary cards or secure cards sourced on the open market more desirable?

Answer: No proprietary would be more desirable.

21. Will there be a need for integration of current or future Key Management Systems?

Answer: Not at this time.

22. Are serial addressed card readers operating a two way, encrypted, and secure communication protocol leveraging the existing cabling preferred or required?

23. Is leveraging an iPhone’s NFC antenna to read cards with a mobile app preferred or required?

Answer: No.

24. Is mustering and evacuation functionality with a mobile card reader preferred or required?

25. Is leveraging the access control system to enforce compliance policies by permitting or denying an individual’s ability to enter a specified area based on up to the minute records on safety, dues paid, training verification, verified training and other requirements, preferred, or required?

26. Is ECC 256bit encryption, card reader data packets being encrypted to AES 128bit and serial addressed card readers operating a two way, encrypted, and secure communication protocol preferred or required?

Answer: Preferred.

27. Are card read data packets being encrypted to AES 128bit preferred or required?

28. Is it preferred or required to have a “single pane of glass” view of the entire security ecosystem including Access Control, Intrusion Detection, and Video Management?

29. is it a requirement for the security system to maintain 100% functionality without any mandatory reoccurring fees year two and beyond?

Answer: Yes.

30. Is a manufacturer provided 5 year advance replacement warranty on access control hardware preferred or required?

Answer: Required.

31. What is the estimated funding source, or budget for this project? Has funding for a formal solicitation been secured? Is there an incumbent currently providing these services? If so, are you able to provide any contract details?

Answer: Funding information is not available at this time. This is a new contract opportunity. There is no current incumbent Contractor.

32. You mention the integration of cameras at the sites. Do you have a list of the sites that have Video Surveillance and the VMS Software being used at each Site?

Answer: See posted Attachment.

33. You mention The integration of the Intrusion Systems, Do you have list of Intrusion/Alarm Systems in use at each site?

Answer: Yes there are intrusion alarm systems in use at each site for evidence rooms. The system should have the capability to integrate these systems at a later date. We understand some older intrusion alarm systems may need to be upgraded in order to be integrated.

34. Can we assume that the sites that are not mentioned as having ACS currently do not have any system and would need to have an entire system installed

Answer: Yes.

35. Do you have an estimate of how many doors at each site would require ACS?

Answer: Estimate 8 doors at each location that does not have an existing ACS.

36. Do you require Video Intercoms at each entrance to the sites along with a master station?

37. Does the proposed ACS need to be integrated with any other systems, i.e. Video / CCTV?

Answer: It should have the ability to be integrated in the future.

38. Does "year end" refer to the end of your fiscal year or calendar year?

Answer: Fiscal Year.

39. Active Directory - How is the Commonwealth of MA Directory integrated with your access at existing facilities? What should this integration look like future state?

Answer: We currently have one site that utilizes Active Director for the access control database and the intent is to utilize this at every site in the future.

40. What is the existing card reader count at each location?

Answer: See posted Attachment.

41. How many additional card readers are needed?

Answer: Estimate 8 readers per site that currently have none. Reader count at existing access systems to remain the same.

42. Can we get photos of the doors leaving the space where reader?

Answer: No

43. Can you provide an estimate of the required battery life needed or if power would be provided to the workstation / USB reader combination for these off-site events?

Answer: Power would be provided.