Amendment_001.pdf

Amendment 001 Questions & Answers

The purpose of this amendment is to answer the following questions received in response to

Solicitation # SB1341-15-RQ-0682, Installation of New Dark Fiber Tail, Activation, and 1

Gigabit Ethernet Retransmission Service:

1. Current commercial practices in the telecommunications industry include Early

Termination Liability and Nonrecurring Charge provisions. For this RFP, will NIST accept the inclusion of FAR 52-241-10 (Termination Liability) and FAR 52.241-12

(Non-Recurring Service Charge) as additional contracting clauses?

FAR 52.241-10 will be incorporated into the solicitation via this amendment. The “fill-ins” shall be determined at the time of award.

FAR 52.241-12 will not be incorporated into the solicitation.

2. We understand that NIST requires us to provide an Ethernet switch at NIST Gaithersburg to provide GigE transport to Equinix Ashburn, please confirm.

No. NIST does not require an Ethernet switch at NIST Gaithersburg. If the fiber link between NIST Gaithersburg and Equinix requires any retransmission to boost the signal level, the booster must support 1G Ethernet transmission.

3. The GigE will terminate to AWS in Ashburn. Will NIST perform the cross-connect to

AWS in Ashburn, or does NIST require us to provide the cross-connect to AWS on their behalf?

NIST has contracted with Equinix to provide the cross-connect. Therefore, the awardee of this solicitation is not responsible.

4. We will provide and own a 36-count of fiber from our nearest splice point in

Gaithersburg to NIST via NIST innerduct on the campus in addition to the GigE to

Ashburn, please confirm.

No. The 1G connection to Ashburn will be the first activated pair on the 36-count cable

NIST requested.

5. What’s the diameter of the inner-duct and what is the material?

OSP is 3” MaxCell. ISP is 1.5” rigid inner-duct.

6. Does NIST confirm there is space in the innerduct?

Yes. A manhole survey was conducted.

7. What is the distance of the innerduct from the gate to the rack?

The distance from the corner of Quince Orchard Blvd and South Drive to the rack in

Building 215/C08 is approximately 4,500 ft. The awardee, however, shall be responsible for making final measurements prior to purchasing fiber.

8. Is your innerduct at Gate D at the intersection of Quince Orchard and South Drive? If not, please indicate the location.

Inner-duct begins at handhold just inside Gate D.

9. What is the diameter of the Inner Duct & is there an existing pull String?

OSP is 3” MaxCell. ISP is 1.5” rigid inner-duct. All MaxCell and rigid inner-duct include pull strings.

10. What is the distance of Inner Duct to the POE @ Building 215?

The distance from the corner of Quince Orchard Blvd and South Drive to the rack in

Building 215/C08 is approximately 4,500 ft. The awardee, however, shall be responsible for making final measurements prior to purchasing fiber.

11. Is there a conduit from Building 221 POE to the signal Closet and what is the Distance.

NIST will provide 1.5” rigid inner-duct with pull string from building 221 POE to the

Closet in 215. Exact length unknown. Awardee is responsible for taking their own measurements.

12. To insure accountability and turnkey responsibility for the Network we need to own the

Fiber laterals into the Building. Is this agreeable?

Yes. NIST has no requirement to “own” the fiber laterals.

13. We need to understand Access requirements to facilitate maintenance events. Is there

24/7 Access?

The site is accessible 24/7 but awardee shall contact NIST prior to a site visit after award and must be escorted by NIST personnel during the site visit.

14. In Solicitation SB1341-15-RQ-0682, the best address for the NIST termination point is

NIST address is Building 215/C08, Gate D, Quince Orchard Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD.

However, our technicians are having difficulty finding the physical street address or street number on Quince Orchard Blvd. Could you please provide me with that information?

The official address of the termination point is:

NIST

100 Bureau Drive

Building 215 Room C08

Bureau Drive is the entrance to the Main Gate.

15. Regarding Solicitation SB1341-15-RQ-0682, it sounds like the NIST wants to own the dark fiber and lease service on it. Meaning, when the contract is up after 36 months they own it. Is this this understanding correct?

No. NIST requires a minimum of 36 strands of fiber to be pulled in to provide for future growth. NIST has no requirement to “own” the cable plant at any time.