Questions and Answers.pdf

Questions:

• Will the conference table require any technical/IT support?

No technical support is needed for the conference table.

• Is the conference table going in the same room?

The conference room table will be in the MOC, the same room as the rest of the furniture.

• Can we get the size of the conference room?

No furniture is going in the conference room

• Will you need any special lighting?

Per SOW Section 2.0 Control Room Consoles, “All console units shall be equipped with task lighting.”

• Will you need pop-up grommets on the workstations for power and data connections?

No, there will be pass through for power and connections to monitors, keyboard and mouse.

• What are the dimensions and brand of the three computer towers? Please provide example dimensions and brand names.

The largest tower that we have is a Dell, 16 1/2” high, 18” deep and 7” wide. We would like for this to be a minimum size, incase future upgrades are larger towers.

• Does the installation team need to have security clearance?

All installation members need to be US citizens and pass FEMA security vetting prior to entry.

• Should the consoles have nosing?

No preference.

• Should the consoles be linear or in a cockpit/miter style?

No preference, as long as it meets the requirements and the front video wall is as open as possible.

• Will logos be required on the consoles?

No

• Will plexiglass etching be needed?

No

• Do all 8 consoles need to fit in the provided room?

Yes, all 8 consoles plus the conference table in the middle of the room need to fit in the room.

• Will the console need to be facing the TV on the wall?

No, but there does need to be a full view of the video wall.

• We would like to know if there is a site visit already scheduled or if we can schedule one with you.

In the interest of time due to security requirements and the end of the fiscal year, there will be no time for a site visit for this requirement.

• We cannot provide any carpet replacement since we are a control room console design and manufacturing company. If we do not include the carpet replacement in our bid, will that be acceptable?

For an offeror’s proposal to be deemed responsive, it would need to meet all requirements of the SOW. The government anticipates that companies that specialize in control room console design and manufacturing, may be able to partner or subcontract out to a company that focuses on removal and install of carpeting.

• The attachment "1_MOC_Diagram" includes measurements and placements for the video wall and power panel, as well as four consoles. Would you be able to provide a sketch indicating the desired placement for the remaining four consoles?

We have no preference besides maximizing open space and the front video wall and rear wall mounted tv monitors remain fully visible and unobstructed.

• Section 2.0 mentions that "the configuration proposed by the contractor for the new control room consoles in the MOC must ensure that the user has full visibility of the wall when in a sitting position." If a specific layout has not been finalized, could you describe how the eight operators typically interact with one another? Understanding their interaction will assist us in not only ensuring unobstructed sightlines to the video walls but also meet their operational needs. For example, are their pods of individuals that work together with a supervisor that oversees the pod? Understanding how the room interacts with one another and the technology will help us create the best room design.

The current Operations Center manning is a team of two dedicated watch officers per shift, but this will expand to three or four in the near future. The additional workstations will accommodate different groups of computers/communications systems (radio system 1, radio system 2, classified systems, etc.) rather than different watch officers.

• Can you share the make and model of the computer towers, or provide the physical dimensions? This information is crucial for us to accommodate the towers with appropriate air gaps and cable bend radius.

The largest tower that we have is a Dell, 16 1/2” high, 18” deep and 7” wide. We would like for this to be a minimum size, incase future upgrades are larger towers.

• Do you have the make and model for the monitors? We’d like to confirm that we are providing the correct VESA mounting plates and that the monitor arms are appropriately weighted for the screen sizes.

No, currently we have different monitors that will get replaced at a later date.

• The SOW specifies solid surface desktops in light gray or white. We offer various solid surface materials, including phenolic, Corian, and solid resin. Do you have a preferred material? This impacts the costing and lead time.

No preference, we are simply looking for something durable. We would like a material that is less prone to scratches from normal wear and tear.

• It is presumed that cabling will run from under the raised floor into the consoles. Can you please confirm this assumption?

Yes, that is the plan.

• Regarding power, does the government prefer a hardwired solution or cord and plug (power strips)?

We assume the desk will have built in power since it'll have raise and lower functions.

We would like to have built in power receptacles built into the desk. We would like to have cord and plug type desks so we can utilize the existing 120v receptacle outlets that are underneath the raised floor.

• Will the conference table require convenience plugs for power or data, and will the worksurface finish match that of the consoles?

No preference on finishes. Pass through for power and connections to monitors, keyboard and mouse.

• Can you confirm that all cabling and equipment will be cleared from the consoles prior to demolition and removal?

Yes, all cabling and equipment will be removed from the room.

• The SOW indicates that full project completion, including site cleanup, must occur within five weeks from the date of award. This timeline appears quite aggressive. Will FEMA be providing all finish selections and approved drawings with the award? Since finish selection significantly impacts lead times and console manufacturing typically takes 8-12 weeks, would the agency be open to considering a longer manufacturing timeframe if necessary?

FEMA is open to considering a longer timeframe, if necessary. Please continue to submit your proposal along with the fastest potential timeline for the project.

• Would it be possible to have a 1 week extension since we need to coordinate with a flooring partner?

No ,due to time constraints we cannot extend the solicitation.

• The 5 weeks from award to completion is outside of our standard 8-10 week lead time. Would it be possible to extend the project completion date?

FEMA is open to considering a longer timeframe, if necessary. Please continue to submit your proposal along with the fastest potential timeline for the project.

• Based on the current room, it may be a tight fit for the requested 8 workstations at the requested size. Would it be possible to review with the user group or IT team to insure we can provide the 8 consoles and accommodate the equipment required?

No, due to time constraints we cannot plan and meetings with the user group. Please provide a proposal maximizing the space as much as possible.

• Will the 11’ x 4’ conference table be relocated?

We are asking the contractor to dispose of all current tables located in the room. We are requesting a new conference table that meets the minimum requirements in the SOW.

• Section 2.0 of the SOW discusses the console requirements specifically. What is the monitor array for the (4) 42" displays? 2x2, 4x1, etc.

We are looking to hold a maximum of 2 42” monitors for each console.

• Section 2.0 of the SOW outlines the conference table, but does not clarify if any connections are needed such as power, HDMI, USB, etc. - Can you confirm if the connections are needed? If so, what configuration and quantity of each?

Pass through for power and connections to monitors, keyboard and mouse.

• Section 3.6 of the SOW it mentions that the contractor is responsible for storage of all equipment prior to installation. Is there a location on-site that the product can be stored? Chances are very high, based on lead times, that the product will not be stored more than a couple of days from delivery to installation.

Yes, we can support storage for a limited period prior to and throughout the installation process.

• In SOW section 3.8, there is mention of the contractor being responsible for waste removal. Is it possible to have a dumpster delivered to site for the period of installation to allow for waste removal and disposal?

Yes, it would be possible to have a dumpster delivered.

• Per the SOW section 5.0, the period of performance is listed at (5) weeks. Typical lead time including manufacturing and shipping for the requested 24/7/365 control room rated consoles is ~12 weeks minimum, and our specific line of consoles is ~14 weeks from time of award. Is there any flexibility here or is the 5 week lead time a hard requirement? If there is a possibility, I'd like to officially request an extension to the period of performance to (16) weeks from order.

FEMA is open to considering a longer timeframe, if necessary. Please continue to submit your proposal along with the fastest potential timeline for the project.