notice-SECTIONC 2-1-2012.doc

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATION / WORK STATEMENT

C.1

SCOPE

To provide telecommunication services for Federal Agencies in cities located throughout the States of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. These services shall include digital information transport and processing for connection of voice, video, and data terminals to the Public Switched Network (PSN), Internet Protocol/World Wide Web (IP/WWW), Local/Wide Area Networks (LAN/WANs), and Point-to-Point connectivity. Section J.1 of this RFI lists current agency voice telecommunication service requirements within those locations. Service delivery requirements, as dictated by the dynamics of the Government, may be expanded or reduced over the period of the contract. The Offeror shall directly plan, design, furnish, install/implement, maintain, deliver, and control all local signal processing and transmission infrastructure required for fulfillment of the telecommunications services specified within this RFI.

Multiple contract awards may be considered and will be based on offerors’ meeting the current aggregated needs of the service locations. Service locations, as dictated by the dynamics of the Government, may be expanded or reduced over the period of the contract. Offerors shall provide digital and/or analog telecommunication services with capacity and capability for the Federal Government’s current and future requirements. Offerors shall design, plan, implement, provide and maintain the services described in this RFI.

In this RFI, offerors are not expected to provide services to the Federal Government they do not provide to commercial users. However, offerors are required to serve the entire state using rate groups as mentioned in Section B.2. Only offers that meet the minimum capabilities defined in C.2 and the requirements in Section L will be evaluated on a predetermined weighted value system for technical response. Award(s) will be made based on the technical response and low price. Offerors that provide more of the services in a state while offering a low price will be more likely to win an award. The Government reserves the right to reject all offers that do not offer a significant economic advantage.

C.2

SERVICE PLATFORM

The service(s) offered shall be such as to obviate the need for the Government to purchase common service customer premise equipment. The service(s) offered shall utilize advanced technology to provide: moves, adds and changes; the highest level of reliability; uninterrupted, 24 hours a day/7 days a week service; modular and expandable service(s); and shall be easily maintainable for both hardware and software. In addition, the following minimum capabilities, functions, and features shall be furnished in the provision of service(s):

1. Analog Business Lines with the minimum features required in Attachment J.1.

2. Analog Centrex Lines or Centrex type service with the minimum features required in Attachment J.1.

3. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) where the service is requested.

4. Interface to the Federal Technology Service FTS2001 Network and/or subsequent contract(s) awarded as a replacement.

5. Provide Voice Messaging Services to include Voice Mail boxes, Automated Attendants, and Call Processors where the service is requested.

6. Provide equal access to the long distance carrier selected as the primary interexchange carrier (PIC) by dialing 1 before the long distance number. The PIC selected may be the FTS2001 Network.

C.3

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SWITCHED TELEPHONE SERVICE PLATFORM:

C.3.1 The existing number plan shall be retained as it is today. No number changes will be permitted to implement the proposed solution.

C.3.1.1 Digital tie trunk connections (partially PRI) are required for access to DSN, FTS2001, and DMATS local calling from the following locations at the specified levels:

A. Defense Contract Audit Agency, Lowell, MA *

23 voice chan.

B. Joint Personal Property Shipping Office, Chelmsford, MA * 24 voice chan.

C. Army National Guard, Wellesley, MA *

24 voice chan.

D. Army National Guard HQ, Milford, MA **

48 voice chan.

E. MITRE Corp

48 voice chan.

* connected to Hanscom AFB

** connected to Natick

C.3.1.2 System interface for local calls, FTS2001, DSN CONUS/OCONUS with precedence dialing capability at the centralized attendants stations (Hanscom AFB) at the following levels at cutover:

A. Local access facilities (including commercial OCONUS) 1,200 DS0s

B. FTS2001

264 DS0s

C. DSN

240 DS0s

C.3.1.3 The system shall be maintained at a P02 (block 2% of calls) grade of service (virtual non blocking) at all stations for access within the system, and for access to the public switched local calling network. Analog station lines shall be designed to carry 6 CCS, and ISDN BRI 12 CCS.

C.3.1.4 Incoming Call Identification (ICLID) is required to be passed for all calls where service is available.

C.3.1.5 All stations shall be able to dial 911 and be connected to the proper E911 Primary Service Answering Point (PSAP) with the associated caller identification. Calls from Hanscom AFB will be routed to the Hanscom PSAP, and all others will be routed to the appropriate municipality unless otherwise directed.

C.3.1.6 The telephone service shall be compatible with any existing analog, digital or IP service equipment including, but not limited to: Tone Commander 6210, 6220, AT&T 958 Lucent/AT&T ISDN 7506, 8510T, 8520, 8503, ES5710, and Nortel EBS (DMS 100’s only). Assume that all-existing sets and key systems shall remain in place.

C.3.1.7 Line coding shall be provided and adhere to industry standards for the switching service.

C.3.1.8 ISDN BRI must be available to support Point-to-point and Multi-Point with CSV and CSD.

C.3.1.9 The service, including all hardware and software, must be maintained and upgraded in accordance with industry and manufacturer specifications and standards. As part of the baseline service, contractor shall provide modifications to switching platform mandated by industry changes and/or manufacturer’s requirements.

C.3.1.10 The following are the required system/station, ISDN, and attendant features:

Standard system and station features:

* Account Codes

* Automatic Call Back

* Authorization Codes

* Access to Common Control Switching Arrangements

* Access to EPSCS

* Access to Electronic Tandem Switching

* Automatic Redial

* Access to Loudspeaker or Radio Paging

* Automatic Route Selection - Deluxe

* TOD Routing

* Expensive Route Warning

* Facilities Restriction Levels

* Traveling Class Marks

* Access to Defense Switched Network (DSN)

* Call Forwarding - Busy, Do Not Answer, Variable

* Call Hold

* Call Pickup

* Call Waiting - Originating or Terminating

* Centralized Attendant Service – Call Center Services

* Call Park

* Class of Services

* Code Restrictions

* Deluxe Queuing

* Dial Call Waiting Originating

* DID/DOD

* Directed Call Pick Up

* Distinctive Ringing

* Flexible Station Numbering

* Hunting (circular, terminal and sequential)

* Incoming Caller ID

* Outgoing Caller ID

* Intercept - General Announcement

* Intercom

* Line Treatments

* Unrestricted

* Partially Restricted (from either making or receiving outside calls)

* Restricted

* Line Lockout w/warning 25 seconds

* Line Manipulation software

* Multiple Access Codes

* On/Off Hook Queuing for Outgoing Trunks

* Priority Queuing

* Redirected Incoming Call Service

* Reminder Ring

* Ring-back Queuing

* SMDR - to premise

* Speed Calling - 50 Number List (Shared & Individual)

* Second Dial Tone

* Six Way Calling

* Stutter Tone & Visual Message w/ Light – Station Indication

* Tandem Tie Line Dialing

* Toll Diversion

* Touch Tone

* Three Way Calling

* Trunk Answer Any Station

* Uniform Call Distribution

* Uniform Numbering

* Voice Mail Access

The following features are available on ISDN circuit switched voice lines: National and Custom configurations

* Multiple Directory Number Buttons

* Shared Call Appearances

* Multiple Call Appearances ( a maximum of 3 per line)

* Intercom

* Bridging

* Key System Coverage

* Two Digit Intercom Dialing

* Time/Date Display

* Delayed and Abbreviated Ringing

* Hold and Shared Call Appearance Display

* Intercom Alerting

* Intra-switch ICLID

* Audible or Visual Message Waiting Indicator

* Originating or Initiated Priority Calling

* Priority Calling - Incoming Only

* Inspect

* Display for Ringing Call Appearances Only

* Drop

* Manual Exclusion

* Outgoing Called Line ID for Terminal

* Terminal Management

The following are required Attendant features:

* Attendant Call Transfer

* Attendant Camp On

* Auto Call Distribution and Reports (Peg counts)

* Dial Through

* Multiple Position Hunt

* Selective Control of Facilities

* Trunk Group Busy

* Attendant Conference (6 way) - one per console

C.3.1.11 Contractor shall provide SMDR interface to the Government- provided call accounting system for all outgoing and incoming traffic.

C.3.1.12 Contractor shall provide electronic billing media capable of interfacing with the government-provided TMS system.

C.3.1.13 The switching platform shall support local number portability.

C.3.1.14 Other Services. Contractor shall provide the complete leased telecommunications services that are in place at present. These include, but are not limited to: Measured Business Lines, Additional Directory Listings, Point to Point Circuits, Special Assemblies, Special Use Circuits.

Please note that meeting the minimum capabilities, providing the minimum features in Attachment J.1, does not relieve the offeror of the responsibility to meet the other terms and conditions if awarded the contract.

C.3.1.15 Service Reliability and Automatic Processor Reload

The service(s) shall be based on technology that has critical component redundancy. Local access shall be maintained at P.01 Grade of Service. Classes of service, DTMF, MF, and DP signaling, required for system functionality, and multiple Dial Access Codes (DACs) are required on a per line basis.

C.3.1.16 Transmission Service

Voice, Data and Video Transmission Service offerings shall be provided where available. Service requirements may include, but are not limited to the following: DOD/DID trunks, business lines, Centrex -like service and related features, internet services, DS-0, T-1, and T-3, Frame Relay, and ISDN BRI/PRI.

C.3.1.17 Access Restriction Facility Restriction Level(s) Frl

The service shall screen a minimum of 12 out-dialed digits and divert calls to intercept message(s), as required, for day-to-day operations at all locations. “Access Restriction” provides the end users with Centrex-like service, the capability to limit automatic call routing, and provide intercept messages.

C.3.2 Voice Mail

Voice Mail shall be available on request where vendor commercially provides this feature to other subscribers. The voice mail service shall be capable of receiving, forwarding with comments and storing messages, including the capability for providing private and shared mailboxes, automated or personalized recording and the capability of remote retrieval through a toll free number.

When providing Centrex switch-based voice service, the contractor shall supply and/or interface with and support a data link (e.g., Station Message Desk Interface [SMDI], Simplified Message Service Interface [SMSI]) to integrate a Government-owned voice mail system into its switching system. Offeror shall define storage capacity per user.

C.3.2.1 Access to Voice Mail Services. The contractor shall provide voice mail for all locations. Maintenance, administration, and upgrades shall be the responsibility of the contractor for the network-based service. Contractor shall provide the Government the capability to administer voice mail system.

C.3.2.2 Voice mail shall be available for all station users at all locations. Maintenance, administration, and upgrades shall be the responsibility of the contractor for the non-Government voice mail service.

C.3.3 Numbering Plan All service offerings shall conform to the North American Numbering Plan. Blocks of consecutive numbers must be available for reservation and use with a PRI, T-1, or Analog PBX Access Line when these services are ordered for PBX access. Blocks of consecutive numbers must also be available for reservations and use when ordered with Centrex type service. As part of any transition from the incumbent-provided services to another, GSA intends to reuse existing number ranges where possible, in order to reduce confusion on the part of the calling public.

C.3.4 Growth, and Grade Of Service (GOS)

a. Annual estimated line growth: Analog = 10% each year

Digital = 10 % each year

Vendor is responsible for monitoring growth and applied changes and notify the Government.

b. Voice access to and from local lines, other local exchanges, and Intra/Inter-State Carriers GOS shall be non-blocking.

C.3.5 Common Line Feature Requirements:

The Offeror’s telecommunications solution shall identify available services and features by location. Each system offered shall provide, at a minimum, the line features and/or services identified in Attachment J.1 as part of the “dial tone service”. Same as Section C.3.1.

C.3.6 Contractor Furnished Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) Services:

If customer premise equipment (CPE) cannot interface with Contractor equipment, it is the responsibility of the affected Government Agency to convert to compatible CPE.

C.3.7 Reserved

C.3.8 Customer Administration Terminal Service (CATS):

The contractor will provide CATS, where available, for interfacing with Government provided terminals, to permit GSA to administer client agencies’ system(s) changes at no charge to the Government. Administration may include, but is not limited to, reassignment of features, moves, changes, and other actions inherent to the agency without the need for hardware wiring. This service requirement applies to all locations. Administration access shall be separately partitioned by imposing client access restrictions. Each CATS user shall be controlled to ensure each user can have private access to the facilities, share the facility, or be denied CATS facility access.

C.4 NUMBER PORTABILITY:

In accordance with the Telecommunications Act of 1996, number portability allows the customers to change local exchange service providers without changing phone numbers. Number portability shall be provided and maintained in accordance with FCC, State and Local rules and regulations.

C.5 GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS:

See Appendix J.2

C.5.1 Availability of Space:

The GSA will provide space, where available in Government owned/leased buildings, to house circuit terminating equipment, such as CSU/DSU or terminating blocks. All equipment installations shall be coordinated and approved, through the GSA/Government representative, prior to installation. Offeror shall specify any environmental requirements for their solution.

C.5.2 Historic Buildings:

Under no circumstance shall the contractor proceed with work in a historic building until GSA coordination and approval has been obtained. This requirement applies to all buildings on or eligible for the National Historic Register.

C.6 CABLE:

Where possible, the contractor shall use existing install and maintain sufficient riser cable, vertical and horizontal cabling, to the IDF(s) on each building floor containing government station line distribution. Where new horizontal wire and cabling is required, all cable plant shall be not less than minimum acceptable wire classification, i.e. plenum or CAT 5/CAT 6E. Material shall be quoted and provided on an “as required”, per task basis. At no time should the cost of material exceed the low price charged other customers including commercial, state, local, and other Federal agencies, without documented justification.

C.6.1 House Cable / Wire Installation And Maintenance:

The contractor shall be responsible for providing all cable/wire, terminals, blocks, installation hardware, and miscellaneous materials required. In addition, the contractor is responsible for all cross connections required to accomplish the complete installation. The contractor shall ensure that all cable/wire systems continue to perform according to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications through systematic maintenance and oversight and provide testing, related equipment and documentation, if requested. Material shall be quoted and provided on an “as required”,per task basis.

C.6.2 Existing Government House Cable / Wire:

Existing GSA cable/wire shall be used where possible. However, the contractor is responsible for ensuring the performance requirements of the ordered service. Non-GSA owned cable might be available for reuse, pending authorization of the appropriate owner. Prior to the reuse of existing cable, the contractor shall tone, test, and label to ensure compliance with OEM performance standards. The government reserves the right to require and direct the use of existing cable and/or cable termination facilities (cable frames) or the installation of new cable.

C.6.2.1 Move/Add/Change:

The contractor shall de-install, relocate, and reinstall telephone systems as well as perform miscellaneous wiring, when required by the government.

C.6.2.1.1 Definitions:

Move - Relocation of an existing station / phone number to existing wiring or vacant wire pairs at new location with associated programming and cross connects.

Adds - Addition of new numbers or programming features on existing phones or equipment.

Changes - Any programming modifications of existing phones or equipment.

C.6.3 Protection From Voltage And Current Spikes / Fluctuations:

Equipment installed, to provide reliable service, shall be protected from damage due to voltage or current spikes/fluctuations from any source.

C.6.4 Demarcation Points For Service(s) Delivery Via House Cable / Wiring:

The demarcation point for services (with the exception of proprietary CPE or orders specifying a different demarcation point) is the Network Interface Device (NID). Any other demarcation point for services will be included on the individual service order, whether at the proprietary CPE station jack, or other location as specified. Figure B.7.2.1 presents the different termination points normally required by the Government.

Figure B.7.2.1

* Contractor-provided terminal block adjacent to a government terminal block in the intermediate distribution frame (IDF), computer room, or telephone closet(s) on each floor of a multi-story building or appropriate telephone closet(s) in a single story building. As depicted for reference only, SDP 6 includes a voice instrument equipped with a line/mounting cord for connection to the jack at SDP 5. This RFI does not include a requirement to provide instruments.

C.6.5 Main/Intermediate Distribution Frame(s) (MDF/IDF):

As required by the Government Representative, the contractor shall provide the most current commercially available cross connect(s) for each site. The type of frame provided shall facilitate ease of cable management and maintenance. The cross connect is located in an equipment room, riser closet, or satellite closet and is installed to provide a complete professional installation, appropriate materials, length, tested, toned and labeled in accordance with the industry standard. All terminated services shall be in accordance with the industry standard.

C.7 IMPLEMENTATION PLANS:

For this proposal, the contractor shall develop a preliminary milestone schedule that explains the proposed implementation of all service(s). The preliminary schedule shall be generic in nature, but, it must provide the number of lines the contractor can transition per day or week. The contractor shall provide an implementation plan for each location and agency within fifteen (15) days after the Government has advised the Contractor of the location, agency phone numbers, and other information that may facilitate the conversion.

C.8 MAINTENANCE SERVICES:

The contractor shall provide preventive (scheduled) maintenance, where required, based on the contractor’s commercial practices. Preventive maintenance shall not interfere with, disrupt, or degrade services provided to the customer organization during normal Government business hours.

The contractor shall be responsible for responding to and repairing all reported troubles in a timely manner. Response shall be in accordance with Section F.3. The contractor shall maintain service(s) delivery at no additional charge(s) to the customer (line terminal users). The contractor shall invoice, maintenance services provided to identify or correct any failure caused by customer facilities and equipment not furnished by the contractor, as a separate item identifying end user and authorization. Upon request, the contractor shall provide the COTR, or other Government designated representative, access to contractor’s trouble log(s) as a means of documenting reliability and responsiveness. Contractor shall provide an 800/888 toll free trouble reporting number that is available 24 hours per day.

C.8.1 Types Of Maintenance Required:

a. Routine - response in accordance with Section F.3. Service restoration time within twenty-four (24) consecutive hours.

b. Priority - response in accordance with Section F.3. Service restoration time within four (4) consecutive hours

C.9 FEDERAL EMERGENCY SUPPORT DURING DISASTERS:

The contractor shall support the National Security Emergency Preparedness (NSEP) Plan at locations where the technology exist to do so. If NSEP is currently supportable, the contractor shall describe the processes, procedures, and network capabilities it will employ to provide network facility augmentation and restoration during NSEP events consistent with the National Telecommunications Management Structure (NTMS) and the Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) System (See NCS-3-1-1 and NCS-3-1-2 manuals) or any subsequent TSP replacement system for providing TSP restoration, TSP provisioning, and TSP level change. When required, the contractor shall provide prioritized service provisioning and restoration to station lines designated as “critical” by the government. The government representative or the Regional Emergency Communications Coordinator (RECC) will designate services “critical” on the order. Communications support shall be furnished under PL93288, NSDD97, NSDD145, and other applicable laws. Executive Order 12472 is also applicable to services provisioned.

C.10 SERVICE ORDERING PROCEDURE:

Agency orders for Installations, Moves, Adds and Changes (MACs), and Disconnect orders for lines and features will be placed by GSA’s authorized representative and agency users only through GSA’s designated Government Designated Representative (GDR) in accordance with Section G. Agency users ordering directly must have approval from GSA to order service for their locations. Any agency-ordering document may be used to order services. Service orders will identify order type as routine or priority.

C.10.1 Order Types:

Orders shall be performed in accordance with the delivery intervals specified in Section F. Normally, the CSR will be notified a priority order has been sent or is in the process of being sent. The contractor shall respond to the following order types:

a. Routine Service Orders - shall be accepted during the Contractor’s normal operating hours.

b. Priority Service Orders - shall be accepted during the Contractor’s normal operating hours. Priority orders shall be worked ahead of pending routine orders placed from the same agency.

C.11 REPORT REQUIREMENTS:

The contractor is responsible for maintaining inside plant records. The contractor shall convey to the government, on the final day of this contract, all current plant records, operational and maintenance manuals, and other pertinent documentation. In addition, the contractor shall make available all of the above information anytime requested by the Government representative throughout the contract term at no additional cost.

C.12 MANAGEMENT SERVICES:

C.12.1 Organizational Management:

The contractor shall provide an efficient and effective organization capable of managing all resources needed to carry out the requirements of this contract. The contractor shall identify the individuals responsible, by name, title, telephone (during and after hours), facsimile, and e-mail for each location and each of the following:

a. Dedicated Customer Service Representative (CSR) - The contractor shall identify a CSR dedicated to the customer recipients of services provided by this contract. Contractor shall provide a n 800/888 toll free number to call with inquiries. The CSR shall be available during the hour’s 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. CSR shall be capable of providing service utilization support, planning support, implementation support, and technical assistance for all features and functions of any service available through this contract.

b. Escalation Hierarchy - The service provider shall provide names, titles, and both work and 24-hour emergency telephone numbers of those individuals within the contractor organization responsible for all services. The hierarchy shall begin with the CSR and include all individuals up to and including the President/CEO.

C.12.2 Services Management:

The contractor shall take actions to ensure that services management is provided at the levels necessary to comply with the service requirements. Services management shall include provisioning actions, maintenance of required line grade of service, numbering plan management, upgrades, provision of features, diagnostic analysis, access levels, database and software management, quality assurance, inter-operability, North American Numbering Plan (NANP) upgrades and changes, maintenance, Privacy Act requirements, system control and invoicing. In addition:

a. System Integration - The contractor shall integrate all services with the PSN, FTS, and other networks, carriers and services. Integration shall be in compliance with accepted industry standards, policies and procedures.

b. Service Changes - The contractor shall request Contracting Officer (CO) approval of all proposed changes through the COTR a minimum of twenty (20) working days prior to proposed implementation of the change. Changes that result in cost reductions, enhanced capability, and/or increased reliability, etc. are the types of changes to that may be initiated by the contractor. Changes, requiring funding, are executed through a government service order. Contractor initiated changes are subject to funding limitations prescribed by the CO.

(1) Contractor Changes - The contractor may propose service changes at any time. The proposal shall include a technical description, total cost for the change, as well as a cost/benefit analysis. Proposals shall be submitted directly to the CO. The contractor shall implement the proposed change only after a bilateral agreement has been signed by the Contracting Officer CO and the contractor’s authorized official.

(2) Government Changes - The Government will submit a Request for Proposal to the contractor within ten (10) working days of receipt of a customer service order when a GSA customer necessitates a change. A Request for Proposal may include a technical description of the change, the physical equipment and facility to be changed, and a request for technical and price proposals. The change may be implemented only after a CO issuance of a unilateral modification or the Contracting Officer CO has signed a bilateral agreement with the contractor’s authorized official.

(3) Upgrades/Improvements - The contractor shall continuously assess, plan, and implement upgrades/improvements in order to assure all service performance levels required of the contract. System upgrades the contractor chooses to implement, such as those recommended by the OEM, will be at no cost to the Government.

c. Final Disposition of Government Owned Cable Plant and Equipment Manuals/Records - The contractor shall convey to the government, on the final day of this contract, all current equipment and cable plant records, operational and maintenance manuals, and other pertinent documentation. In addition, the contractor shall make available all of the above information anytime requested by the Government representative throughout the contract term.

C.13

TERMINATION CHARGES:

The Government will not pay any charges or fees for disconnect of features, lines, or service. In accordance with the Information Technology Management Reform Act, signed into law February 10, 1996, customers may now cancel all or any part of the services during the term of this agreement without any monetary charges. GSA customers no longer require approval from GSA to buy information technology and are not mandated to buy network services. Consequently, termination charges shall not apply to this contract.

In the event that the resulting contract is terminated prior to the expiration of the initial term of contract for the convenience of the Government, the contract termination charges shall be negotiated in accordance with Part 49 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation in effect.

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