MSS2 Vendor Q's A's 06-28-11.doc

MSS2 Vendor Questions and GSA Answers 06-28-11

Question (Q) # 1. Re: PWS Section 20.7 Avaya PASS support does not cover PBX systems that are, at present time, release 5.0 and below. There are at least 13 systems below release 5.0 at this time. Is it the intent of GSA to upgrade these PBX systems to current release in order to have PASS support?

Answer (A) # 1.

Avaya literature advises that Avaya/Nortel Partners may package PASS support differently from each other. Therefore, PWS Section 20.7 was revised to describe PBX support requirements in more functional terms GSA is not planning to upgrade existing software releases to more current releases. If GSA deems a PBX PASS upgrade is required, it will negotiate a price with the contractor on a case-by-case basis. If GSA deems a non-PASS PBX software modification is required, it will request and negotiate a price with the contractor on a case-by-case basis. See PWS Section 20.7.3.

Q # 2.

Please provide the PBX serial number for each of the PBX systems to be covered under this maintenance contract?

A # 2.

Serial numbers are included in a new column on revised PWS Attachment 1.

Q # 3.

Does GSA require PASS Plus or PASS Basic?

A # 3.

Offerors are to determine PASS solutions based on the requirements in revised Section 20.7. Also, see answer to Q # 1.

Q # 4. Re: PWS Section 24

Will the awarded contractor be given the current Inventory Management Report or is this a completely new requirement that is not available?

A # 4.

A sample Inventory Management Report is illustrated on new PWS Attachment 3. The contractor is to provide Inventory Management Reports (IMRs) in an electronic format. Either WORD or EXCEL is acceptable.

Q # 5. What are the page limitations for the Technical Solution, Past Performance narrative and, Quality Control narrative?

A # 5.

5.a) The Technical Solution (Page 3 of the RFP) specifies a maximum of 15 pages.

5.b) The required Past Performance narrative (Page 3 of the RFP) specifies a maximum of 2 pages for each of 2 past performance examples; i.e., a total of 4 pages. The 4 pages of past performance are not counted as part of the 15-page Technical Solution.

5.c) The required Quality Control narrative (PWS Section 39.1) specifies a maximum of 6 pages. The 6 pages of Quality Control narrative are not counted as part of the 15-page Technical Solution.

5.d) See the respective solicitation documents for additional details.

Q # 6.

Could you provide me with the names of the companies represented at the site visits?

A # 6.

No.

Q # 7.

Section 29 indicates traffic studies may be required. Can GSA identify the frequency of requested traffic studies?

A # 7.

The total quantity of traffic studies, among all MSS2 PBXs, is estimated to be 8 to 10 studies per year. If the Offeror proposes a price for a traffic study, it can be entered on Price Table F, CLIN F028.

Q # 8.

Is the existing CDR system polling of 10 minutes per PBX per day an automated process or done manually?

A # 8.

Existing CDR polling is automatic via incumbent contractor software. Incumbent contractor CDR polling is included in the current MSS contract price for CDR maintenance.

Also, the Government may request Ad Hoc CDR reports. The estimated number of Ad Hoc CDR reports, among all systems, is estimated to be 3 to 5 reports per year. If the Offeror proposes a price for an Ad Hoc report, it can be entered on Price Table F, CLIN F029.

Q # 9.

Is the CTI group technical support included in the existing contract or is it a separate arrangement between GSA and CTI? If so can the details be provided?

A # 9.

CTI technical support is an arrangement between CTI and the incumbent contractor. The Government has no knowledge of the details. CTI support is not separately priced.

Q # 10.

In section F of the attachments can the requested equipment be either new or refurbished?

A # 10.

See PWS Section 16.2.

Q # 11.

Are there provisions for not reimbursing the AGF within the 45 days due to delayed receipt of payment by the government?

A # 11.

PWS Section 1.5 was rewritten to address: customer delayed payments, remittance periods, remittance dates and, AGF adjustments.

Q # 12.

Is PASS to be procured on eligible voice mail systems?

A # 12.

Yes. See revised Section 20.7.

Q # 13.

How will a vendor be able to obtain reimbursement for the cost of PASS on a switch that today is not eligible for PASS but would become eligible during the contract if GSA upgrades the switch. For example, the switch at 425 Juliana St is running software 23.35 - that software is not supported by the OEM and not currently eligible for PASS. If GSA upgrades that switch to the latest OEM software release the switch is then eligible for PASS.

A # 13.

See answer to Q # 1.

Q # 14. Due date on the SF 1449 Block 6 is 6/22/11 at 2 PM. The due date on Page 2 of RFP instructions is 6/21/11 at 2 PM. What is the correct due date?

A # 14.

The proposal closing date is extended to 7/11/11 at 2:00 PM.

Q # 15.

Blanket vs. individual system coverage for the PASS support requirement described in PWS Section 20.7.

A # 15.

See answer to Q # 1. Also, GSA acknowledges that PASS support is no longer available for “blanket” coverage.

Q # 16.

Have PASS agreements been purchased by the incumbent vendor for these specific systems.

A # 16.

The Government has no knowledge of PASS agreement procurement details between Avaya and the incumbent contractor. PASS support is not separately priced under the existing MSS PBX maintenance contract.

Q # 17.

If so, are they PASS Basic (software support only) or PASS PLUS (software support plus upgrades)?

A # 17.

See answer to Q # 25.

Q # 18.

When do they expire?

A # 18.

See answer to Q # 25.

Q # 19.

PASS contracts are non-transferrable. If PASS contracts are in place currently, is it GSA’s intention to cancel the existing agreements and enter into new PASS agreements through the new vendor?

A # 19.

See answer to Q # 25.

Q # 20.

Where existing dedicated technicians are in use by the incumbent vendor, is it GSA’s desire to retain those individuals under any new agreement with a service provider?

A # 20.

Dedicated technicians are not in use by the incumbent vendor.

Q # 21.

Will the contractor be given the ability to act as “agent” in order to coordinate with the government’s voice and data service providers?

A # 21.

Yes. See new PWS Sections 14.1 and 15.1 for a description of the Government’s Letters of Agency (LOA).

Q # 22.

Will existing equipment SPARES transfer to the new contractor with this contract?

A # 22.

The Government owns about 100 M3904 phones and a few analog/digital line cards. This Government-owned spare equipment will be offered to the MSS2 contractor for use under the contract. The Government has no authority to transfer incumbent contractor-owned spare equipment. The MSS2 Contractor shall provide spare critical equipment at the levels recommended by Nortel/Avaya for the equipment maintained under this contract. The MSS2 contractor is free to negotiate with the incumbent contractor, without Government intervention, for a transfer of available spares. Also, See PWS Sections 20.9 and 20.10.

Q # 23.

Would the government be able to provide statistics on the number of services calls or trouble tickets responded to by the current incumbent contractor?

A # 23.

The future quantity of trouble reports and system alarms cannot be forecasted. Based on limited historical data, our best estimate is a total of 250 to 275 trouble reports annually among all systems and, a best estimate of 200 system alarms annually among all systems. The specific nature of future trouble reports and alarms is unknown. Offerors shall not propose any limitations on the quantities of trouble reports and system alarms covered under the contract.

Q # 24.

Ref PWS Section 31: The requirements in the PWS for billing allow for both centralized and direct billing. Are direct billing services being utilized under the current support contract?

A # 24.

There are no GSA customers utilizing DO/DB under the existing MSS contract. There will not be a contractor requirement to transition DO/DB customers at the initial implementation of the MSS2 contract.

Q # 25.

What type (make/model) fiber connectors are required for Single Mode and Multi Mode fiber connections at the GSA facilities?

A # 25.

Single Mode and Multi Mode fiber connector detail is not available. However, one of the existing connectors in use is a Nortel connector, part # A0346816.

Q # 26.

Can the government specify (make/model) of the Customer Service Units (CSU) required?

A # 26.

The CSU required is to be at least equal to the Wescom 3551-68 unit. See revised Price Table F, CLINs F013 and F014.

Q # 27.

With Regards to four (4) and eight (8) port Voice Mail Cards can the Government confirm that are requesting pricing on part numbers NT-AS7108 and AS7110 which are four (4) and eight (8) Port Full SVP Package EC systems?

A # 27.

The Government is requesting Voice Mail cards, not Package EC systems. The part number for the requested 4-port Voice Mail Card is NT6P04xx. The part number for the requested 8-port Voice Mail Card is NT6P08xx. See revised Price Table F, CLINs F015 and F016.