Questions and Answers 4-9-2012 V.2.docx

Questions and Answers

R1BK47120701

SECTION B

B.2 Pricing is Firm Fixed pricing is there an opportunity to recover price increases as resale services which are subject to price increases?

Answer - Prices will remain Firm Fixed. There will be no increases in price.

B Could you provide clarification on how taxes are applied if different from current application?

Answer - All taxes and fees will be rolled up to the ALL INCLUSIVE LINE CHARGE.

B When proposing in Rate Groups should we use the extra CLINS listed in J.1.

Answer - Please identify in the Description section of the Price Schedule that it is a RATE GROUP, for example Measured Business Line Rate Group 2.

B.2 The GSA requests that the “the monthly recurring column shall reflect the basic service price plus any and all mandated taxes and/or fees to include but not limited to: federal, state or local taxes and fees, ( e.g. EUCL, library fees, E911, access charges, number portability charges, etc..).” Some of these mandated surcharges are regulated and subject to change. Is it the GSA’s intent to have vendors quote these rates separately and change them as mandated – while keeping our prices for services, lines and features the same for the term of the RLSA?

Answer - The prices shall be all inclusive as of the date of the proposal. GSA is aware that there will be minor fluctuations. Vendors shall inform GSA prior to these fluctuations in price.

SECTION C

C 2.1.3 Dialing Plan Details -Does free local calling apply to calls outside of name groups?

Answer - No

C.10 Will GSA require Contract Management Reports?

Answer – Yes, if applicable.

C.2.1 Question 14 asks about an ISDN BRI with zero, one, or two B channels. Is the zero a typo?

Answer – No it is not a typo. GSA does not currently have zero B channels as a requirement however they should have the capability if a new requirement arises.

C.2.11.1 Could you please clarify your CATS request? Is this access to PBX settings? A portal through which to open change tickets with Offeror?

Answer – CATS as mentioned here would allow the government to perform limited support and administrative functions for our customers without involving the contractor. This may include, but is not limited to, call forwarding, hunt groups or voicemail box resets.

C.5.2.1 Some of these scenarios include inside wiring. Are offerers being asked to absorb these costs or should the offerors include pricing in order to be awarded the business?

Answer – The government will provide inside wiring. The contractor shall provide the equipment.

C.10 Are traffic reports expected for all services or only for high-cap circuits?

Answer – Ad hoc traffic reports for circuits shall be provided at the request of the GDR. If the contractor has varying reporting capabilities based on circuit type that should be noted in your response.

C.12 Please describe how we would access the SDP. Would GSA provide a CFA on the carrier side or is routing on/off the SDP controlled by onsite equipment?

Answer – Government will provide CFA information as needed.

C.5.2 Will you require vendor to provide Dmarc extensions beyond SDP1?

Answer – There will be occasions when the vendor maybe asked to extend beyond the Dmarc, for example when installing PRIs and other circuits.

C.14 Are there specific services you require regarding Accessibility to the Handicapped?

Answer – There are no specific requirements at this time, however the vendor should be 508 Compliant.

C.2.1 Voice Services, Access to E911, 311, and 511 (where available), Page 2 of 12 Does GSA understand that for traditional PSALI, the offeror is responsible for setting up the PSALI Data Base and providing the necessary access capabilities to designated customer personnel? The customer personnel will then be responsible for maintaining the PSALI data base on an ongoing basis.

Answer - Yes

C.2.1 GSA states: “The Offeror shall provide and administer the associated database.” Is GSA requesting professional services and; support above and beyond the traditional PSALI?

Answer – No

C.5.2.1 Can the GSA provide an example of when an SDP 3 interface would be required?

Answer – SDP 3 is defined in SECTION C – Page 7 of 12. The Government does not have a current example of SDP 3.

SECTION F

F.3.1: Are we correct to assume that the ISDN section refers only to BRI, not PRI? Under “Software changes”, is this a request for Offeror to manage onsite equipment, or is it referring to carrier reconfigurations?

Answer – Yes. It is BRI not PRI. Software changes in this instance refers to phone buttons, hunt/pickup groups, call forwarding, voicemail etc.

Can you provide clarification on what is meant by “Offeror must DEMONSTRATE the ability to meet all requirements described in Section C?” - Is it more than describing in Technical Details the ability to comply with each paragraph and subparagraph of Section?

Answer - Vendor should provide brief scenario with time lines for providing such services.

SECTION G

G.2.3.1 Will GSA use EMS 11?

Answer - Vendors shall assume EMS 11 will be utilized.

G.3 What is GSA’s position on Marketing to customer organizations?

Answer - Marketing is not part of this requirement. If a vendor markets to customers on there own time, they are not guaranteed to receive the services . This is an ID/IQ, multiple award contract that is bound by the Fair consideration process.

G 3.3 What delivery mechanism is required for the Inventory Management system

Answer – The contractor shall maintain an inventory including the items listed in G.3.3 with the ability to provide information to the COR as requested.

G 3.6 Are there any identified direct billing locations?

Answer – Currently we have one location.

SECTION H

H.4 Price Adjustment – price cannot be more than any GSA schedule…Can you clarify this applies to services in services in Northern states where services are typically more expensive than more densely populated areas?

Answer - Vendors shall provide fair and reasonable prices for the six New England States. Prices will be evaluated to ensure that they are fair and reasonable. Under the Fair opportunity process of this contract prices shall not exceed the accepted ceiling prices in this contract.

H.9 Could you provide an explanation of “system installation”? As we are installing services does this apply?

Answer – Yes this applies to only major projects.

SECTION I

Section I - 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS (SEP 2005) 1 of 10 FAR Part 12 Section I lists FAR Part 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -Commercial Items, along with several other Terms and Conditions, which seem to conflict with the Commercial Items Terms and Conditions . Should the services be procured under FAR Part 15 - Contract by Negotiation rather than FAR Part 12?

Answer - This requirement is for Commercial items. And will be awarded under FAR part 12.

Section I 552.214-70 - “ALL OR NONE” OFFERS (ALT I) (SEP 1999) 3 of 10 All or none bid GSAM 552.214-70 seems to conflict with Section M-2, Basis for Award. Please provide how GSA interprets this clause. Does it mean the vendor must bid on all states to be considered for an award?

Answer - Vendors may propose all or none of the services for the six New England states and will be evaluated on what is proposed.

SECTION J

J.1 The CLIN -0005I and 00005IP are only available in MA currently, are you looking to have this service available in all states?

Answer – Yes, if applicable.

J.3B This section lists services by location as A or D.

Can you be more specific about the type of service requested for these locations, i.e. Basic Business line, Centrex, ISDN? We need to check availability of services at each of the addresses.

Answer – A is Analog Centrex, POTS, Measured Business or Flat Business Line and D is ISDN Digital voice or ISDN BRI video.

J.4 Does this list of locations include all locations for Civilian, DOD and US Department of Labor? If not can we see a list of additional addresses.

Answer – J.4 includes ALL locations.

J.2 References to PRIs, access lines to DSN&etc, and tie lines between locations are combined. Could you please provide some clarification?

Answer – The PRIs and access lines provide connectivity to the Centrex’s. The DSN is a private network connected to the Centrex’s.

J.1 – Price Schedule 1 - Will GSA allow offerors to insert additional rows for missing components? Examples include local loop for DS1, DS3 and OC3 services.

Answer – Yes, but please use the CLIN numbering convention.

J.1 – Price Schedule 1- Will GSA allow offerors to submit one pricing table for each per State that will list all proposed services/features to be provided or does the Government require separate tabs?

Answer – Separate tabs per state.

J.1 – Price Schedule 1- The Pricing Schedule contains CLINs but does not include information regarding service types. Are these CLINs “placeholders” for future requirements? If so, can offerors label them as “Reserved”?

Answer – Add service types as needs using the same CLIN numbering convention.

J.1 – Price Schedule 1, Tab “Circuits”

Answer – Yes, see amended ATTACHMENT J.1 – PRICE SCHEDULE, change to circuits tab.

J.1 “Circuit Types” price schedule, are these intended to be for Private Line services, High Speed Internet Services or both? If GSA intended them for both sets of services, can offerors who price the services separately and independently break out the Line items to differentiate the services?

Answer – Yes, these services can be private line, high speed internet and can be proposed separately. The vendor does not need to provide both services.

J.1, Price Schedule 1, Tab “Circuits” OC 3/STS 3 through OC 48/STS 48 Does GSA understand that for OC x/STS x services there can be facilities limitations, Forbearance language requirements, backhaul possibilities and potential additional pricing requirements depending on the services for which these circuits are to be used?

Answer – Yes, pricing on OC3 and above services is generally a cost estimate and it is understood that each requirement would need to be sent in for an Engineering Design and pricing can differ upon location. All vendors should propose their best ceiling price however, during the Fair Consideration process for transition/new services, vendors will be proposing prices for known requirements.

With that understanding, will GSA accept Individual Case Basis (ICB) in any of the pricing columns or provide offerors with a subset of specific locations to use for pricing comparison basis for the proposal bid?

Answer – Yes, prices on the RLSA are for “standard” services only and during the Fair Consideration process each vendor will have the opportunity to consider specific requirements for that particular request and engineer and price accordingly.

Attachment J.1 – Price Schedule, Tab “Circuits”, Row 55-57 ISDN PRI Interface Arrangement configuration is either 23B+D, 24B or 23B + back up D. Please clarify ISDN PRI 2B+D; does the Government intend this to be ISDN BRI 2B+D?

Answer – Yes

J.1 Pricing Template Pages 1 and 7 Description of Service Type CLIN 00001, Analog Off-Premise Switch-Based Voice Service (Centrex) Line vs. CLIN 00004, and Analog Centrex Line: Please explain the difference between the two CLINs. Does CLIN 00001 include standard, analog business lines?

Answer – CLIN 00001 is Off-Premise Analog Centrex Line and CLIN 00004 is a standard Analog Centrex Line. Standard Business Lines are either Flat Business Lines or Measured Business Lines, these are NOT Centrex Lines.

J.1 Pricing Template Pages 3 and 5 Digital Centrex Lines CLIN 00002, Digital Off-Premise Switch-Based Voice Service (Centrex) Lines vs. CLINs 00005, Digital Centrex Lines - Stand alone, 00005I, Digital Centrex Lines - Main and 00005P, Digital Centrex Line -Partner: Please explain the difference between these CLINs.

Answer – CLIN 00002 is Off-Premise Digital Centrex Line and CLIN 00005, 00005I and 00005P is a standard Digital Centrex Line.

J.1 Pricing Template - All Blank CLINs Adding CLIN descriptions can the CLINs that are listed with no current description be used to add additional offerings?

Answer – Yes, add service types as needs using the same CLIN numbering convention.

SECTION L

L.10.2 Page 8 of 10 part B: Price Schedule Summary (Electronic and Hardcopy) The heading to this section refers to a hard copy, but that conflicts with instructions to submit via email only. Please clarify if there is any requirement for hard copy submission.

Answer – Via email only.

L.2, Format and Preparation Instructions, the solicitation states:

“Offerors shall submit copies of each volume to the Contracting Officer”… as follows:”

Volume I - Submit one (1) electronic copy each Volume II - Submit one (1) electronic copy each Volume III - Submit one (1) electronic copy each However, in the instructions provided for Volume III (Price Proposal), the heading for Part B: Price Schedule Summary (Electronic and Hardcopy) on page 8 of 10 indicates that this specific portion of the offeror’s proposal should be submitted in both electronic and hardcopy.

We are assuming that GSA may have inadvertently included the reference to “hardcopy”, and that all three (3) volumes should be submitted electronically (in their entirety) to simplify and expedite the proposal delivery process. Please verify that our assumption is correct.

Answer – Via email only.

GENERAL

General The RFP response will consist of 3 volumes to include detailed responses to sections C, J, and K. Does the GSA also require responses to all other sections? If so, in which volume should they be provided?

Answer- If vendors submit responses to other sections please put under separate cover.

General - Please define the differences in functionality/responsibilities of the service/vendor for “Hosted” VOIP versus “Managed”.

Answer – Managed is premise-based, equipment on government site. Hosted is managed in the vendor Cloud.

Can full phone numbers be provided for all locations in order to accurately prequalify the sites?

Answer – This will be provided during the Fair Consideration process after contract award.