A005_Attch_A.pdf

SAQMMA16R0222‐ Solicitation Q‐As.xlsx

ID Type RFP Cite Question Recommendation Answer

1 Contract Admin Section 3.2.1 page 54

In order to allow Bidders to review the RFP requirements and familiarize themselves with US Government Procurement, we would request that the Offeror Question Period be extended to March 24 2016 to ensure that Bidders have the sufficient opportunity to submit questions or requests for clarification. Extend Offeror Question Period to March 24, 2016. Amendment A004 extended due date for questions to 15 April 2016

2 Contract Admin Article 3.8.1 of IDIQ RFP Is the offeror capable of completing all installations within 90 days and in accordance with the Migration Strategy?

Can the U.S. Department of State please confirm the reference to 90 days is ‘Business Days’ and also modify all three articles on this basis for consistency? 90 calendar days

3 Contract Admin Article 1.6.6 In reference to The Contractor must complete the entire transition within 90 days after award of the Task Order.

Can the U.S. Department of State please confirm the reference to 90 days is ‘Business Days’ and also modify all three articles on this basis for consistency?. 90 calendar days

4 Contract Admin Article 3.1.7.1 How will the offeror complete all installations within six months and in accordance with the Migration Strategy?

Can the U.S. Department of State please confirm the reference to 90 days is ‘Business Days’ and also modify all three articles on this basis for consistency? 90 calendar days

5 Contract Admin Page 56: Section 3.7 Proposal Instructions under Page Limitation, it refers to See TORP for Task Order 1, Section 8.1

Refers to task order 1 Section 8.1. Where would we find this Section 8.1, as we cannot locate it anywhere within the main RFP, nor TORP 1. Please send us this Section 8.1 and any other sections that may have been omitted from the original

Refer to Section 3.1.5 for page limitation to TORP for Task Order 1.

On page 56, Section 3.7, Proposal Instructions change Page Limitation instructions for:

Volume 1a from "Section 8.1" to read "Section 3.1.5 and 3.1.7 et seq".

Volume 1b from "Section 8.1" to read " Section 3.1.6".

Volume 2a from "Section 8.1" to read " Section 3.1.6 and 3.1.8 et seq".

Volume 2b from "Section 8.1" to read " Section 3.1.3"

6 Contract Admin

Section 3.7, and the table appearing at the top of page 56 TORP 1, section 3.1.3, and the table appearing at the top of page 17. TORP 2, section 3.1.3, and the table appearing in the lower half of page 10.

Please confirm if Offerors responding to both TORP 1 and TORP 2 are to submit 6 documents: a Technical Proposal and Pricing Proposal in response to the RFP (SAQMMA‐16‐R‐022); and a Technical and Pricing Proposal in response to each of the two TORP documents. No recommendation, just require clarity.

Confirming requirement for submitting six volumes in proposals for RFP SAQMMA16R0222, in accordance with Section 3.7

7 Contract Admin Section 3.8.1 page 60 Please provide the NDA that we are required to sign in order to obtain a copy of the Current MPLS Network Diagram. See amendment A003 for copy of NDA.

8 Contract Admin Section 3.8 page 59 And Attachment B, Section 3.1.7.1 page 19

In order to properly assess current facilities at the identified US Embassy sites across Canada, Bidders’ require the full address and a local phone number (or at least NPA/NXX) at each site.

As part of our assessment, we’ve created Table 1: US Embassy Canadian Sites based on the city and Postal Code information. Address provided in the RFP and address and phone numbers found on the US Embassy website.

Please provide the outstanding address/telephone information for the non‐consulate sites (e.g.

DCMA Annex Ottawa) so Bidders can properly assess available telecommunication facilities

DCMA Annex: 275 Bank Street, Ste. 200, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2P 2L6, Telephone 613‐996‐ 2040; GSO Warehouse: 1747B St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1G 3V4, Telephone 613‐ 688‐5254; CMR: 500 Lisgar Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1M 0G1, Telephone: 613‐688‐5341;

DCR: 46 Rockliffe Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1M 0A1, Telephone: 613‐688‐5326; ICAO: 999 Robert‐Bourassa Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 5H7, Telephone: 514‐954‐8219; LEH Toronto:: 480 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1V6, NPA‐NXX 416‐977.

9 Contract Admin Section 3.8 page 59

We have reviewed the Task Order Requests for Proposal and noticed that it is the Government’s intent to apply a number of FAR clauses to the actual provision of the services sought thereunder.

We also noted that each Offeror is required to submit a copy of its Standard Commercial contract.

In light of the foregoing, we wish to seek clarification as to whether or not it would be acceptable to the Government to use an Offeror’s Standard Commercial terms and conditions as the basis of future negotiations of the final form of agreement?

At page 50, of the RFP, FAR clause 52.212‐1(g) states "The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors."

At page 64 of the RFP, Section 4, Evaluations for Award, paragraph 3. states, "The Government will select contractors by comparing offerors on the basis of: the Technical Proficiency/Approach of the proposal, the Management Plan of the proposal, the offeror’s experience and past performance (as disclosed by a review of customer references provided by the offeror), and the offered prices, and make one or more awards without discussions."

At page 64 of the RFP, Section 4, Evaluations for Award, last paragraph reads,"However, The Government reserve the right to establish a competitive range and conduct discussions if the Government decides that it is in the best interest of the Government to do so."

The Government intends to award one or more contracts without discussions or negotiations with successful offerors.

At page 64 of the RFP, Section 4, Evaluations for Award, paragraph 3. Change the last line from, " . . .

and make one or more awards without discussions." to read " . . . and intends to make one or more awards without discussions.

10 Contract Admin Section 4, page 64

The evaluation criteria consists of Factor 1 Technical Proficiency, Factor 2‐ Management Plan, Factor 3‐ Experience and Past Performance, Factor 4 ‐ Price.

We note that an Offeror is permitted to include its own set of commercial terms and conditions with its bid response, as per paragraph YYY. Please confirm whether the fact that an Offeror proposes its own set of commercial terms and conditions will be taken into consideration when evaluating proposals, and if so, how it will affect the evaluation.

At page 64 of the RFP, Provision 52.212‐2 reads:

"The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offerors whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered."

The provision goes on to read:

"The following factors, listed in descending order of importance, shall be used to evaluate offers:

Factor 1: Technical Proficiency / Approach as demonstrated in proposals for IDIQ contract, Task Order 1 and Task Order 2.

Factor 2: Management Plan Factor 3: Experience and Past Performance Factor 4: Price Factors 1, 2 and 3 when combined are significantly more important than Factor 4."

11 Technical Attachment A, Pricing Table 1 line item 2 Please provide definition and business requirements for MPLS IP Digital trunk line as it is not defined in Attachment B

Mission Canada defines a "MPLS IP digital trunk line" as an internal IP to IP voice connection between sites that supports a 7‐digit internal dialing plan. The number of concurrent IP calls using IP trunks varies from site to site. Attachment A requests the monthly rate for a single IP trunk line.

12 Cost Attachment B, Section 1.6.5 page 7 Please confirm if there is a requirement to provide per mbps pricing for Class of service. If yes, please adjust pricing tables accordingly.

No. Offeror should propose a flat monthly rate that covers all requested services. In the event that pricing for a particular service varies from province to province, Offeror should quote a blended monthly rate.

13 Contract Admin TORP 1 Attachment A Pricing Table 1 Line items 31 through 33 Line items 4 to 13 Please define Synchronous Data circuit for VPN (Fastnet). What is the difference between fastnet and Synchronous Data circuit to MPLS clouds it is not defined for Attachment B?

FastNet is an internal term and does not have any impact on an Offeror's bid response. For this service, Offeror should provide a flat monthly rate for a Synchronous Data Circuit at the requested bandwidth.

Delete all occurrences of "FastNet" and replace with "Synchronous Data Circuit"

14 Contract Admin Question Page 41: Section 2.15.1 Regarding sentence ‘PR Number referenced in Block 4 on Optional Form 347’, where is this document? Please provide, or remove requirement.

On page 41, at Section 2.15.1, Required Invoice Information; the PR number will be provided when a Task Order is awarded. Task Orders may have unique PR numbers.

15 Cost SAQMMA16R0222_Attachment_A_Pricing_Tables Please confirm that the quantity for CLIN 2 refers to the number of concurrent on‐net calls. For example, for Ottawa, there are 25 concurrent on‐net calls. If this is not the case, please clarify. Confirm

16 Cost SAQMMA16R0222_Attachment_A_Pricing_Tables Please confirm that the quantity for CLIN 3 refers to the number of concurrent off‐net calls. For example, for Ottawa, there are 50 concurrent off‐net calls. If this is not the case, please clarify. Confirm

17 Reserved

18 Contract Admin Attachment D The COTR acronym is not explained in the RFP document. Please clarify.

COTR = Contracting Officer's Technical Representative Delete the term COTR insert the term COR

SAQMMA16R0222 - A005

Attachment A

19 Technical RFP, Section1.7.4.1, page 5 Ability to provide online access to the USG to view usage statistics, network performance, outages, and technical support information. Please explain what USG means.

USG means United States Government Delete the term USG insert United States Government

20 Contract Admin RFP, section 3.7.1, page 56 DOS issuing office, location and contact person Please provide the specific information you require here (or reference the appropriate section in the RFP).

Please revert to FBO posting, Attachment type "SF‐1449". The issuing office is identified in block 9 of SF‐1449; The location is identified inblock 9 of SF‐1449; and the contact person is located at block 7.a. of the SF‐ 1449

21 Contract Admin RFP, section 3.7.2 Compliance Checklist, page 57

Proposals must include a compliance checklist directly following the cover letter. The compliance checklist must document the proposal’s compliance with solicitation requirements. The compliance checklist must identify, where, in the proposal, each solicitation requirement is satisfied. The compliance checklist is intended to assist the offeror in ensuring a compliant technical proposal.

It is unclear to which section specifically you expect a compliance response. It is also unclear what format the compliance response should take/what level of granularity is required. Please provide a compliance checklist template listing all the required sections and indicating the required format of this checklist (column like YES/NO, Referenced Proposal Page or similar.

Please provide a Compliance Checklist template that the Offerors can complete, so that there is a consistent basis for evaluation. See attached Compliance Checklist Template

22 Contract Admin RFP, page 63, Section 3.9.4 How would you like to attach the 3 forms required? Would you like to have them appended to the Contract Price Proposal ? Please revert to instructions found at Section 3.7.4, Price Proposal for IDIQ Contract.

23 Contract Admin RFP, Section 3.10 SAM is not applicable for Canadian companies. Please confirm that this requirement is not applicable. Remove this section and the references to it.

Page 41, Section 2.15.1, Required Invoice Information, requires the contractor to provide "DUNS Number registered in the System for Aeard Managemetn (SAM.gov) with their invoice. Registration in SAM is required for processing invoices.

At page 51, clause 52.212‐1 (k), Instructions to Offerors ‐ Commercial Intems (Oct 2015) the provision notifies the offeror " If the Offeror does not become registered in the SAM database in the time prescribed by the Contracting Officer, the Contracting Officer will proceed to award to the next otherwise successful registered Offeror."

24 Contract Admin RFP, section 3.7, page 56 See sections 3.7.3 and section 3.8 et seq.Please clarify what do you mean by et seq. There is nothing relevant for the Contract Technical Proposal that follows after section 3.8.

et. seq. or et sequentia is a latin term to express "and the following ones". The term is used to identify that, in addition to Section 3.8, requirements; the requirements of 3.8.1, 3.8.2, and 3.8.3 must be satisfied.

25 Contract Admin RFP, section 3.7, page 56 See TORP for Task Order 1, section 8.1 and See TORP for Task Order 2, section 8.1.The sections referenced do not exist. Please provide the correct references. Please see answer to Question 5.

26 Contract Admin RFP, section 5, page 66

Section 5 is not applicable to Canadian companies. Could you please provide a revised form that contains provisions/terminology relevant to Canadian businesses (or remove this requirement, if possible). Please see answer to question 23.

27 Contract Admin RFP, section 3.2.1., page 54

Owing to the complex nature of the RFP that will be vetted from different departments and given the extent and complexity of the requirements, we respectfully require a minimum 2‐week extension to the question period. We would like the deadline to be extended to the 31st of March, 2016. Amendment A004 extended due date for questions to 15 April 2016

28 Contract Admin RFP, section 3.7, page 56 Please confirm that you require 6 distinct volumes in response to this RFP. Please see answer to question 6.

29 Contract Admin RFP, section 3.7.3, subpoint 5, page 57 Relevant experience and Past performance do you refer to including specifically Attachment D and Attachment E here or do you simply require generic information on these topics? Please revert to page 62, Section 3.8.3, Relevant Experience and Past Performance.

30 Contract Admin RFP, section 3.8.1, page 50

The RFP states that we will need to sign an NDA to get a copy of the US Mission in Canada’s network diagram. We will need to see your network diagram to complete our response to TORP 1. Could you kindly provide a copy of the NDA for us to sign and submit? The sooner we can get the network diagram the more specific our response to TORP 1 can be. Amendment A003 provides template for the NDA

31 Contract Admin SF1449, section 17a Please indicate what information is sought under "Code" and "Facility Code".

"Code" = DUNS Number "Facility Code" = United States Taxpayer Identification Number

32 Contract Admin TORP 1, section 3.1.5, page 18

Do you require a response to the TORP 1 requirements (like to the sections 1.6.5, 1.6.6. and 1.6.7.

This is missing from the Technical Proposal guidelines. If yes, where would you like to include those? Please also amend the page limit accordingly. In the same section you refer to the Technical proposal for the IDIQ contract shouldn’t this actually read Technical Proposal for TORP 1, in accordance with section 3.7 of the RFP.?

On page 17 of TORP1, at Section 3.1.5. In the first sentence;

Delete the phrase "the IDIQ Contract" and replace with "TORP 1".

The Technical Proposal content instruction are found in Sections 3.1.7 and 3.1.7.1.

The page limitation instructions found on page 17 at Section 3.1.3 and at page 18 in Section 3.1.5 remain.

33 Contract Admin 3.1.5, pg 18 (TORP 1)

There seems to be a page limit (35 pages) for the technical response on TORP 1 and no limit for the technical response to TORP 2? Could you kindly increase the page limit on the technical response to TORP 1? (no page limit would be ideal) Our technical response to TORP 1, that may consist of diagrams etc, could run up to 50 pages.

"TORP 1, on page 17, In the table in Section 3.1.3, Change the page Limitation for TO1 Technical Proposal from ""35"" pages to read ""50"" pages.

TORP 1, on page 18, Section 3.1.5, Technical Proposal, first sentence, Change the page Limitation for Technical Proposal from ""35"" pages to read ""50"" pages."

34 Technical SAQMMA16R0222_Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS.pdf Please confirm that management of existing MITEL is out of scope. Yes.

35 Contract Admin TORP 2, section 3.1.3.2 It is unclear where you’d like Offerors to include responses to sections 1.6.1., 1.6.2, to 1.6.15. A compliance checklist seems to not be required either. Please clarify these 2 aspects.

Please see Proposal Instructions on page 11 of TORP 2, at Section 3.1.3.2, Technical Proposal for guidance on contents of Technical Proposal.

Please see on pages 12 and 13 at Section 3.1.3.4, Oral Presentation guidance on the content of the Oral Presentation

36 Contract Admin Page 1: US Dept of State intends to award multiple contracts to the responsible companies submitting proposals that offer the best value for the services May Respondents choose to respond to Task Order 1 only ( and not respond to Task Order 2

As per the award details that the Dept of State will award multiple contracts, it would be in their best interest to allow Vendors to respond to the Tasks where they are most experienced and specialized in.

On page 50, at clause FAR 52.212‐1, Instructions to Offerors ‐ Commercial Items (Oct 2015) at paragraph (h), Multiple awards; the provision reads, "The Government may accept any item or group of items of an offer, unless the offeror qualifies the offer by specific limitations."

37 Contract Admin Section 1.7.2 Can Companies provide bids for specific line items instead of a total solution? See answer to question 36

38 Contract Admin Section 1.1 Page2 Is the contractor expected to be able to provide all the services listed in the RFP documents and pricing tables? See answer to question 36

39 Contract Admin Section 3.8.1 Page 59 How will the contractor’s bid be affected if certain of the separate services are not offered by the contractor? Is the contractor allowed to bid on only one service (ex. mobility or MPLS) See answer to question 36

40 Contract Admin Section 3.8.1 Page 59 What is meant by a [secured] fibre optic connection?

"Secured" means dedicated fiber optic connection.

Offeror's fiber optic network should utilize secured fiber service hubs with personnel access controls.

41 Contract Admin Section 3.8.1 Page 59 Please describe what is meant by high speed internet that uses MAC address controls

MAC address filtering is a security step utilized to control access to a given network (such as Provider's high speed internet connection). MAC address filtering is currently utilized to control data traffic flow.

42 Contract Admin Section 3.8.1 Page 59 Please explain the flexibility surrounding the requirement to complete all installations within 90 days Please see response to Question #81.

43 Technical page 59 Please explain in detail how your current design is configured and operates where you have Public IPs on your Private MPLS network which also has access to the Public Internet

The current network design is a mesh MPLS network that connects the following sites: Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, Calgary, Winnipeg and Vancouver. Additional clarification can be found on TORP 1, page 11, Section 1.6.10. Offerors may request a network diagram of our current MPLS design (including where public IP addresses are required) by making an explicit access request on the FedBizOpps site for the diagram provided in amendment A002 and completing a Non‐ Disclosure Agreement provided in Amendment A003. This diagram contains all relevant configuration information.

44 Contract Admin Section 3.8.1 Page 59 Please explain in detail what is intended by your requirement to provide an IP address schema to permit upgrade from IPv4 to v6.

The current standard for our network is IPv4. However, the Embassy may implement IPv6 during the term of this contract. Therefore, the offeror's proposed design must be able to support both IPv4 and IPv6.

45 Contract Admin Section 3.8.1 Page 60 Please advise on your flexibility regarding the contractor’s support of the entire list of routing protocols Offeror should provide a list of what routing protocols can be supported

46 Contract Admin Section 3.8.1 Page 60 Please explain the requirement for 2 dedicated account representatives.

One dedicated account representative for technical support; a second dedicated account representative for sales and billing issues.

47 Contract Admin Section 3.8.1 Page 60 Please explain in detail what specific functions would be expected of the [technical representative] in Ottawa

At a minimum, the Technical Representative would provide a focal point for requests for assistance in restoration of service during service degradation or outages; provide quarterly network metric information; inform Embassy of pending service outages; and provide technical guidance for improved network performance based on changes to provider service capabilities.

48 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6 Table 1.6.a Page 5 Please explain in detail how you are treating RT traffic vs IPT Voice traffic, and what QoS queues each would be in as per your Table 1.6.5

Mission Canada's current MPLS network traffic is prioritized by Class of Service for different types of traffic. Currently, RT and IPT voice traffic are both priority 1 (real time), but they utilize separate queues. We also utilize separate physical ports for different types of traffic (i.e, one port for internal VPN data traffic); a separate port for voice traffic; and a separate port for video conferencing traffic. Offerors should propose how they would manage the various types of traffic based on our requirement to keep the different types of traffic separate from each other. The priority for MPLS traffic is: Voice (both RT and IPT), video conferencing, and then internal VPN data.

49 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6 Table 1.6.a Page 5 Please explain your comment for the Ottawa location where the circuit will be increased to 30Mbps. Elsewhere in this RFP, the Ottawa location indicates a speed of 100Mbps. The proposed increase will initially be to 30Mbps with an Ethernet 100Mbps interface.

50 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.1 Page 6 Please explain in detail the requirement of IP‐to‐IP long distance calling and how it is configured and operates currently

Please refer to the response for Question 11. Currently, IP trunks are configured using a Mitel gateway over a mesh MPLS cloud. Additional details are available by making an explicit access request on the FedBizOpps site for the diagram provided in amendment A002 and completing a Non‐ Disclosure Agreement provided in amendment A003.

51 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.1 Page 6 Please explain the requirement for, and operation of using static Public IP addresses on the CE routers

Internal Department of State network and configuration requirements mandate that the VPN devices must be configured using static public IP addresses (see current network diagram) for data traffic. This diagram is available by making an explicit access request on the FedBizOpps site for the diagram provided in amendment A002 and completing a Non‐Disclosure Agreement provided in amendment A003.This diagram is available upon receipt of a signed non‐disclosure agreement available from AQM.

52 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.1 Page 6 Please advise if the Public IP addresses reference in the RFP are owned by your organization, or if they belong to your current provider All the public IP addresses are owned by the current provider.

53 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.1 Table 1.6.5 Page 7 Please explain what specific traffic is to go into each of the Queues indicated. For example, reference Question 11 regarding how RT and IPT are being treated Refer to response for Question 48.

54 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.1 Page 7

Please explain how bidders are to provide measured latency equal to or better than your current network design without having either your network diagram nor your current latency statistics or a currently‐installed network at each of your locations to compare to.

Current latency measurements are displayed in attached latency chart. Note that current network diagram is available by making an explicit access request on the FedBizOpps site for the diagram provided in amendment A002 and completing a Non‐Disclosure Agreement provided in amendment A003.

55 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.1 Page 7 Please advise on your flexibility regarding the contractor’s support of 7 digit dialing

Mission Canada currently utilizes a 7‐digit internal dialing plan that allows us to make IP to IP calls to all sites within our MPLS network at no charge. Vendors should describe their proposed dialing plan for the MPLS network.

56 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.1 Page 7 Please confirm if bidders are to support your existing Mitel/Cisco equipment, or if we are to bid new equipment to replace current infrastructure

Offerors must provide service compatible with our existing equipment but will not be required to provide techical support for it.

57 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.6.1 Page 8 Please explain in detail how your existing network is configured and operates such that your MPLS network utilizes Public IPs and also has access to the Internet Please see response to Question 43.

58 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.8 Page 10

This section mentions the use of Private IP addresses whereas previous sections noted that Public IPs must be used for the MPLS network. Please explain what is to be used where, and the current configuration/operation of the network.

The current network diagram is available by making an explicit access request on the FedBizOpps site for the diagram provided in amendment A002 and completing a Non‐Disclosure Agreement provided in amendment A003.

59 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.8 Page 10

This section also mentions that traffic from each site on this MPLS network must be separated from each other. Please explain in detail how this design is intended to work, as an MPLS design, is architected to [enable] sites to communicate with each other in a full‐mesh configuration.

The current network diagram is available by making an explicit access request on the FedBizOpps site for the diagram provided in amendment A002 and completing a Non‐Disclosure Agreement provided in amendment A003.

60 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.8 Page 12 Please explain in detail the requirement for the carrier to use a /30 network between its own CE and PE routers.

The current provider designed the /30 network design. Bidders are expected to propose a network design. Each type of service has its own physical interface on the CE device and Class of Service is assigned to each individual port. Traffic for each type of service is segregated as separate networks.

For more detailed information, please refer to our current network diagram available by making an explicit access request on the FedBizOpps site for the diagram provided in amendment A002 and completing a Non‐Disclosure Agreement provided in amendment A003.

61 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.8 Page 12 Please explain your requirement that there be a maximum of 4 routers between any 2 MPLS locations, and your flexibility regarding that number.

Routing between sites shall take the least amount of hops possible and shall not exceed the latency measurements displayed in latency chart (attached).

62 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.10 Page 12 Please explain the current configuration and operation of the first port (Internet connectivity with Public IP). Is this the MPLS WAN port traffic that also has connectivity to the Internet?

The first port is configured as a VPN supporting an internal Department of State network, and utilizes a public static IP address.. The WAN port is a fiber port on the CE device. More detailed network configuration informaton is available on our current network diagram which is available by making an explicit access request on the FedBizOpps site for the diagram provided in amendment A002 and completing a Non‐Disclosure Agreement provided in amendment A003.

63 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.10 Page 12

Please explain in detail, the Ottawa Only 4th port its configuration and operation. Also explain what is meant by the statement that its Internet connectivity must share the same Internet pipe for the VPN data portion of the MPLS cloud. In addition, please identify where (Section 4.8.1 in this block) can be found.

The site in Ottawa operates a digital video conferencing bridge to establish a DVC session with a public location. This functionality requires a static public IP address and access to the internet. The fourth interface in Ottawa needs to share the same pipe to the internet as port 1 (internet connectivity to MPLS cloud for VPN network). A certain amount of bandwidth is dedicated to port 4 for video conferencing. However, when port 4 is not in use, that bandwidth is combined with port 1 bandwidth (burst mode). Please see response to Question 124 regarding where to find information that was in Section 4.8.1.

64 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.11 Page 12 Please advise on your flexibility regarding the contractor’s support of the entire list of routing protocols Offeror should provide a list of what routing protocols can be supported

65 Technical Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 1.6.13.7 Page 15/16 Please identify in detail the entire scope of what specific elements are to be included in the requirement for the provision of training

Offeror must provide a description of training that is available to all customers. In addition, contractor must specifically address training for the following items: online billing/invoicing; online technical support troubleshooting and monitoring tools; and how to run standard and ad hoc reports from an online portal.

66 Contract Admin Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 3.1.7.1 Page 19 Please advise if bidders must provide all service identified (separate data services) outside the MPLS cloud to be compliant to the RFP

On page 50, at clause FAR 52.212‐1, Instructions to Offerors ‐ Commercial Items (Oct 2015) at paragraph (h), Multiple awards; the provision reads, "The Government may accept any item or group of items of an offer, unless the offeror qualifies the offer by specific limitations."

67 Contract Admin Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 3.1.7.1 Page 20 Please explain the requirement and operation regarding the use of MAC address controls for Internet Please see response to Question #41.

68 Contract Admin Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 3.1.7.1 Page 20 Please explain in detail how the current network is configured and operates to allow accessibility to the Internet from Public IPs on the MPLS network. Please see response to Question #43.

69 Contract Admin Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 3.1.7.1 Page 20 Please explain the requirement regarding the provisioning of an IP address schema for upgrading from IPv4 to v6 Please see response to Question #44.

70 Contract Admin Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 3.1.7.1 Page 20 Please advise on your flexibility regarding the contractor’s support of the entire list of routing protocols Please see response to Question #45..

71 Contract Admin Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 3.1.7.1 Page 20 Please advise on your flexibility regarding the contractor’s ability to monitor and analyze the QoS of the MPLS network

At a minimum, Offeror must provide network monitoring that includes the following metrics;

network latency; packet loss; availability; congestion for voice, data or video (site specific);

bandwidth use (by service); and peak usage. Offeror should propose what network monitoring tools and reports will be included in the fixed monthly rate.

72 Contract Admin Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 3.1.7.1 Page 20 Please explain in detail what specific functions would be expected of the [technical representative] in Ottawa Please see response to Question #47.

73 Contract Admin Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 3.1.7.1 Page 24 Please explain the current configuration and operation of the Digital IP Trunk (IP to IP) and how it works across your network today Please see response to Question #11.

74 Contract Admin Attachment_B_TORP_1‐MPLS Section 3.1.7.1 Page 29 Please confirm if bidders are to support your existing Mitel/Cisco equipment, or if we are to bid new equipment to replace current infrastructure Please see response to Question #56.

75 Contract Admin Section 3.8.1 Please clarify what is meant by providing BlackBerry Services. Are you asking the service provider to host your BES?

No. The Contractor will not host our BES. Wireless network must be able to support BlackBerry proprietary data services, 76 Technical Attachment_C_TORP_2‐MobileServices, Section 1.6.1 Smartphone Mobile Communication Plan, Page 4 Is Caller ID with name display a mandatory requirement? Yes.

77 Technical Attachment_C_TORP_2‐MobileServices, Section 1.6.1 Smartphone Mobile Communication Plan, Please clarify the requirement for network support of UMTS bands 2 and 5 (850/1900 MHz) and LTE bands 4, 7 and 17. Who is providing the hardware?

Mission Canada already owns several mobile devices that operate on these bands and we must continue to support them. Mobile devices are purchased through commercial entities in the U.S.

and in Canada. Offeror should list what bands are supported in the proposal response.

78 Technical Attachment_C_TORP_2‐MobileServices, Section 1.6.1 Smartphone Mobile Communication Plan, Page 4 Please clarify if there is any flexibility on SMS notification thresholds

The requirement is to receive SMS notifications when end users are approaching service plan caps, if applicable. Offeror should propose recommended SMS notification thresholds.

79 Contract Admin ALL Request to extend the response due date by 4‐6 weeks Amendment A001 extends due date for proposals from 18 April 2016 to 2 May 2016

80 Contract Admin Attachment_C_TORP_2‐MobileServices, Section 1.3 Task Order Contract Type, Page 3 Is the intent to have a fixed pricing for 5 years? Would the government consider moving to either a 2 or 3 year initial term?

Offerors should submit their best offer. The contract will be awarded to the offeror that provides the best value.

81 Technical Attachment_C_TORP_2‐MobileServices, Section 1.6.11 Transition Strategy, page 6 Please confirm as seen elsewhere in the proposal is the timeline 90 days or 6 months? 90 calendar days.

82 Technical Attachment_C_TORP_2‐MobileServices, Section 1.6.13 Transition Strategy, page 6 Can you provide an example of what QAP looks like in order to confirm compliance?

Offeror should provide their proposed Quality Assurance Plan that is consistent with their commercial standards. There is prescribed format. The intent is that the offeror must submit a plan outlining how they will assure they are meeting performance requirements.

83 Technical RFP, Section1.7.4.1, page 5 Ability to provide online access to the USG to view usage statistics, network performance, outages, and technical support information. Please explain what USG means. USG means U.S. Government.

84 Contract SAQMMA16R0222_IDIQ_RFP.pdf

SECTION 2.3. DEFENSE BASE ACT (DBA) INSURANCE

Provides for the proof of Defense base Act insurance. Can the Government confirm if these types of insurance coverage would be required for performance of this contract?

Confirmed

85 Contract Admin RFP, page 63, Section 3.9.4 How would you like to attach the 3 forms required? Would you like to have them appended to the Contract Price Proposal? Yes, they are a part of the Price Proposal ‐ See Section 3.7.4

86 Contract SAQMMA16R0222_IDIQ_RFP.pdf

SECTION 2.26. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS requires vendors maintain and provide proof of Automobile, Aircraft Public and Passenger Liability, Vessel Liability, and Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Defense Base Act). insurance coverage. Can the Government confirm if these types of insurance coverage are required for performance of this contract? And if so, what would be the basis for the requirement for the insurance? Remove insurance requirements if not applicable.

Section 2.26, Insurance Requirements identifies required insurance coverage based on general business operations (e.g., General Liability Insurance, Workers' Compendation and Employer's Liability Insurance, etc. ) and when specific conditions of contract performance warrant specific insurance (e.g., Automobile Liability Insurance, Aricraft Public and Passenger Liability Insurance, Vessel Liability Insurance, etc.).

Task Orders will identify contract performance requirements. The Contractor must secure insurances to cover conditions of contract performance requirements.

87 Reserved

88 Contract Admin RFP, section 5, page 66

Section 5 is not applicable to Canadian companies. Could you please provide a revised form that contains provisions/terminology relevant to Canadian businesses (or remove this requirement, if possible).

The basis of the question is incorrect. Section 5, Offeror Representations and Certifications apply to all offerors foreign and domestic and compliance with Section 5 requirements will be a factor in determining the acceptability of a proposal

89 Reserved

90 Contract Admin SAQMMA‐16‐R0222, Attachement C TORP 2 Section 4 page 22 SAQMMA‐16‐R0222,RFP Section 4

TORP 2, Section 4 Evaluation Criteria indicates that the Award will be made to the Contractor offering the lowest priced, technically acceptable offer whereas the IDQ Section 4 indicates four factors that will be used to evaluate Offerors. Please provide the weightings of the four Evaluation factors, i.e. x% Technical Proficiency/Approach, x% Management Plan, x% Experience and Past Performance and x% Price).

On page 64 of the RFP, Provisions 52.212‐2, Evaluation ‐ Commercial Items (OCT 2014), the provision reads:

"The following factors, listed in descending order of importance, shall be used to evaluate offers:

Factor 1: Technical Proficiency / Approach as demonstrated in proposals for IDIQ contract, Task Order 1 and Task Order 2.

Factor 2: Management Plan Factor 3: Experience and Past Performance Factor 4: Price Factors 1, 2 and 3 when combined are significantly more important than Factor 4."

91 Reserved

92 Technical SAQMMA‐16‐R0222, Attachment C TORP 2 Section 1.6.1 page 4

TORP 2, Page 4, Section 1.6.1 Bullet 11 states Mobility Providers Network must support UMTS bands 2 and 5 (850‐1900 MHz) and LTE bands 4.7 and 17 to ensure compatibility with existing equipment.

Please provide a list of the US Government’s existing equipment.

Please see response to Question #77. Mobile devices currently in use include: Blackberry Z10, Z30, and Q10; iPhone 5, 5S and 6S; basic cell phones; Android tablets; iPads; and USB internet sticks

93 Technical SAQMMA‐16‐R0222,RFP Section 2, Item g) Invoice bullet iii) page 8

Section 2, Item g) states that "Contract number, contract line item number and, if applicable the order number" should be included on the invoice.

Please confirm whether the order number must appear on the invoice if the other items are included. Order number must appear on the invoice.

94 Contract Admin TORP 1, section 1.3, page 4 The US Embassy is asking for a term of 1 year with 4 optional 1 year contracts. Would the US Embassy accept pricing for a fixed 3 year contract with 2 optional 1 years and 5 year fixed? Please see response to Question #80.

95 Technical TORP 1, section 1.6.1, page 6 In this section, the US Embassy is using both the terminology of VoIP trunking and SIP trunking. Can you please explain your interpretation of the two?

VoIP Trunking ‐ IP to IP voice calls between internal sites within the MPLS cloud. SIP trunking ‐ Routing a VoIP voice call to/from a PSTN telephone number.

96 Technical TORP 1, page 6, section 1.6.1

In this section, the US Embassy , mentions Video conferencing over IP. Are you asking the service provider to provide Video Conferencing or are you asking if we have the capabilities of supporting it?

Mission Canada only requires that the contractor provide a static public IP address for the fourth interface on the CE router in Ottawa and configure the third interface on each site's CE router to be on the private video conferencing network plus configure the Class of Service for video conferencing traffic. Contractor is not required to provide video conferencing service.

97 Technical TORP 1, 1.6.5‐ Customer Design Objectives, page 7

The US Embassy is asking For Optional Locations, the Contractor must provide gateway equipment that is compatible with current Mitel or Cisco gateways, in order to facilitate integration with existing telephone switch to implement VOIP. Can you please explain what you mean by gateway equipment?

Mission Canada will provide all necessary gateway equipment. Offeror must provide CE router for each future site when implemented.

98 Technical TORP 1, 1.6.13.7‐ Training

In the RFP, the US Embassy is asking for a fully managed solution. In this section, the US Embassy is asking for full training on equipment and features. Can you please explain if your intention is for us to manage the solution or is the US Embassy planning on managing the equipment and solution?

Can you please explain the exact training you are looking for?

The Offeror must propose a network design that will be fully managed and monitored by the offeror Please refer to response to Question 65 regarding training requirements.

99 Technical TORP 1, 1.6.5‐ Customer Design Objectives, page 7

The US Embassy is asking the following: Reduce the number of PRI, ISDN, and dedicated Internet circuits at U.S. Mission Canada serviced locations in order to lower operating costs and migrate to a totally converged network. Is it the intention for the US Embassy to purchase PRI’s and then migrate to SIP at a later date? Or are you planning on purchasing PRI’s and SIP immediately to implement across the network?

Mission Canada currently utilizes a combination of an MPLS network for internal voice and data communication among our sites, plus a fair number of separate PRI's, analog circuits, and internet data circuits that provide services outside the MPLS network. Our goal, over the contract period, is to utilize SIP as much as possible with the intent of reducing our use of PRI's and other circuits.

Offeror should describe how proposed design will allow Mission Canada to convert our existing services to SIP and incorporate as much of our current services as possible within the MPLS network. We intend to move all our telecommunication services to a single contract except our backup circuits.

100 Contract Admin RFP, page 1 Given the large number of clarification needed, please consider extending this RFP deadline by 2 weeks. Please extend the proposal deadline to May 1. A001 extended the due date for proposals to 2 May 2016

101 Technical RFP, Section 1.8 Transition Period, page 6

Contract transition period must not exceed 90 calendar days after the award of the contract.

Please confirm this is 90 calendar days after the contract is signed vs date award is announced. Also given the transition plans will include activities/milestones to be completed by the US Embassy which could impact timelines, is this transition period flexible? 90 calendar days after contract award.

102 Contract Admin 2.26 Insurance requirements, page 49 of RFP

The Contractor is required to comply with applicable Federal and State workers’ compensation and occupational disease statutes. Since employees will be working within Canada, we will comply with Canadian legislation requirements. How is this applicable?

Compliance to provincial Workers Compensation requirements (as outlined in the Workers Compensation Act) will be adhered to for work completed by Canadian employees onsite.

Please see answer to question 86.

103 Contract Admin 2.26 Insurance requirements, page 49 of RFP Workers’ Compensation and War‐Hazard Insurance Overseas ‐ How does this apply since an offeror as employees will be providing service within Canada?

Based on the work employees will be doing, they will not be in war hazard areas therefore, this would not apply. Regular workers compensation coverage will be provided for work being performed by employees onsite. We will arrange for war risk coverage on an ad hoc basis, in the event, our employees are sent to a war zone country for work. Please see answer to question 102.

104 Contract Admin 2.26 Insurance requirements, page 49 of RFP Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Defense Base Act) ‐ How does this apply since employees will be providing service within Canada?

Equivalent Workers Compensation coverage (as outlined in the Workers Compensation Act) will be adhered to for work completed by employees onsite. Please see answer to question 102

105 Contract Admin RFP, section 3.7.3 Due to the large amount of information required, would you consider accepting a 50‐page limit? Please see response to Question #33.

106 Technical TORP1, 1.6.13.1, section, page 7

1.6.13.1 Quality of Service (QOS) ‐ An acceptable Grade of Service (GoS) is 0.02. GoS is measured by evaluating traffic carried, traffic offered and calculating the traffic blocked and lost. The proportion of lost calls is the measure of GoS. Could you please clarify the formula used/ related considerations, additional to the information above?

Erlang B is the formula used for determing GoS for voice traffic. The primary metric that we use for data performance is latency. See latency chart for current latency measurements. Contractor must meet or exceed these latency measurements.

107 Contract Admin IDIQ RFP, section 1.4, page 3

The maximum contract amount is mentioned as USD 6,500,000. Does this mean the maximum contract value for the sum of ALL services covered under this RFP over the maximum term of Option Period 4?

As the U.S. Department of State intends to award multiple contracts, the maximum contract value of all contracts (expressed as the sum of obligations under all awarded contracts) will not exceed $6,5000,000 USD for the total period of performance (Base period through Option Year 4).

108 Contract Admin TORP 2, Section 1.6.1, page 4 Blackberry device support is expected as per this section. However, our understanding is that the US Embassy procures its own devices. Can you please clarify?

The offeror must provide mobile service plans for voice, data and text messaging that are compatible for SmartPhones, including Blackberry devices and iPhones, as well as regular cell phones as per the requirement outlined in TORP 2.

109 Technical TORP 2, Section 1.6.1, page 4

Provider’s network must support UMTS bands 2 and 5 (850/1900 MHz) and LTE Question: Within each UMTS band there are multiple blocks of frequencies, often owned by different carriers. Is it sufficient to support at least one block of frequencies in each required UMTS band for each required province and still be compliant? Yes.

110 Contract Admin TORP 2, section 3.3.1.2, page 11 The Technical proposal asks for providing a copy of Contractor’s standard commercial contract.

Should we provide our existing contract with the US Embassy?

No, The RFP requires a copy of the offeror's standard commercial contract terms and condition be provided with the proposal documents

111 Contract Admin Section 3.8.1 page 60

As part of the technical proposal, Offerors are to demonstrate a number of capabilities including Can the Offeror port existing telephone numbers allowing end users to retain their existing Canadian telephone numbers. Please confirm that this capability is with regard to mobile (cellular) telephone numbers.

This requirements applies to both mobile and landline telephone numbers. All current telephone numbers must be supported under the new contract.

112 Contract Admin Section 3.8.1 page 60 Attachment B TORP 1 MPLS

As per Section 3.8.1, Offerors must describe how they are capable of completing all installations within 90 days. Attachment B TORP 1 B asks how Offerors will complete all installations within six months. Please confirm that Offeror’s migration must be completed within six months.

On page 60, at Section 3.8.1, delete the words "six months" and replace with "90 calendar days" On page 20 of TORP 1 at the 6th bullet from the top of the page, delete the word "Migration" and replace it with the word "Transition".

On page 8 of TORP1 add the following text after the first sentence; "The transition includes Phase 1 (Section 1.6.6.1) and Phase 2 (Section 1.6.6.2) requirements." change the "installations" to "transition"

113 Cost Section 3.9.3 page 62

As per Section 3.9.3, the Price Proposal is to include a completed copy of Attachment A Pricing Tables.

The RFP documents provided contain three separate pricing table workbooks: Attachment A Pricing Tables Attachment B TORP 1 Attach A Pricing Tables and Attachment C TORP 2 Attach A Pricing Tables

1. Please confirm that all three of these documents must be completed and submitted as part of the Price Proposal.

2. If not, is it the client’s intent to completed the TORP 1 and TORP 2 pricing tables based on the pricing provided by Offerors in Attachment A Pricing Tables and that the quantities provided in the Option Period tabs is for Offeror’s assessment in developing pricing per unit?

1. All pricing three pricing tables must be completed if the offeror is proposing prices for the IDIQ contract as well as prices for TORP 1 and TORP 2.

2. The prices for the IDIQ contract will be the maximum prices offered for each service.