Qs As-SIZ10014R0001.pdf

Questions & Answers

Solicitation Title: Satellite Television Channels Broadcasting and Transmission Services

Solicitation Number: SIZ100-14-R-0001

February 5, 2014

Question 1: Please confirm if the contract would be awarded in USD currency (assuming our prices would be in USD)?

Answer: The Government prefers the local currency in Iraqi Dinars but the Government does not preclude pricing in United States Dollars. See paragraph 1.1 under IV, Pricing

Question 2: CLIN 1 – Can you please advise the unit? Is the unit for the estimated quantity of 12, “12 Months”?

Answer: With reference to Amendment No. A004, the unit of measure in CLIN 1 (one) has been changed from “Lot of 1200 to 2200 viewing points” to “Month”. The Government contemplates ordering a monthly service for a lot of 1200 to 2200 viewing points. The estimated period will not exceed 12 months per CLIN of the base year and of each option year term if exercised by the Government.

Please refer to Amendment No. A004 for further revisions of CLIN 1 through 10, CLIN 14 through 24 and the corresponding CLINs in option year terms.

Question 3: CLIN 1 – There is a big difference between 1200 to 2200 viewing points. Please advise how the government envisions this item to be priced? Do you require a “per user per month scheme”?

Answer: The quantity range between 1200 to 2200 viewing points contemplates that the Government has estimated its number of viewing points based on television watchers residing in the housing and office units at the U.S. Embassy Compound. The minimum number of watchers is 1200 watchers. The reason why the Government specified the quantity range was because the number of residents fluctuates which tells that not all viewing points are permanently watched as the housing and office units are not permanently occupied but the viewing points still must be available and switched on.

In CLIN 1 (one) the Government specified the unit of measure as “month” and indicated that the service will be for a lot of 1200 to 2200 viewing points. The Government’s intention is to award a contract and to order any required services on a task order or task orders as prescribed in SECTION 1 - THE SCHEDULE CONTINUATION TO SF-1449, RFP NUMBER SIZ100-14-R-0001, PRICES, BLOCK 23, II TYPE OF CONTRACT. The Government will determine after a contract award which service description to order on a task order.

The Government may place a task order for the service specified in CLIN 1 (one) if the Government’s viewing points do not exceed the quantity range of viewing points specified in CLIN 1 (one). If the Government’s viewing points exceed the quantity range of viewing points specified in CLIN 1 (one), then the Government may modify the existing task order to replace CLIN 1 (one) by adding the respective service specified in CLIN 2 (two) for the required quantity of viewing points. In such cases CLIN 1 (one) will be replaced by CLIN (two) or vice versa to accord to the required quantity of viewing points.

The Government requires requested services in accordance with the specified unit of measure. The unit of measure in CLIN 1 (one) is “Month” for an estimated period not to exceed twelve (12) months.

Question 4: Can you please confirm if all the 4 listed locations (Baghdad Embassy, BDSC, Basra and Erbil consulates) already have a working CATV system in place? If not, please advise the status of each location.

(Our understanding is that Baghdad Embassy has a working condition, BDSC needs completely new cabling and setup, but need your clarification on these as well as status of Basra and Erbil consulates).

Answer: If the question refers to the cabling installation requirement specified in CLINs 12 through 15, the Government contemplates installation of cabling network for all four locations when and if required. Reference to the conditions at the sites is in Sections 3.4 through 3.7 on page 27 of the solicitation for US Embassy, BDSC and Basrah.

The satellite cable network and equipment are not installed and are not operational at the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil.

If the Government decides to expand or renew its existing network requirement in Baghdad and Consulate General in Basrah, the Government will issue a task order(s) for such requirements against the respective CLINs. Prospective bidders should take into account all the costs associated with the installation.

The purpose of the held site visits was the Government’s intention to demonstrate the conditions of existing satellite TV network systems as well as to show the magnitude of the requirements at each site locations.

Question 5: Can you please advise if the current viewing points are already in good condition?

Answer: If the question refers to the viewing points at the U.S. Embassy Baghdad then the Government’s answer is yes, the condition of viewing points at the Embassy compound in Baghdad is good.

If the conditions of the viewing points at U.S. Consulate General in Basrah require any repair or reinstallation the Government will issue a task order against the respective CLINs.

The purpose of the held site visits was the Government’s intention to demonstrate the conditions of existing satellite TV network systems (or their absence) as well as to show the magnitude of the requirements at each site locations.

Question 6: CLIN 14 – Please confirm that this would include new cabling to users? If so, please advise how it should be priced? Isn’t this more appropriate to be priced per viewing point rather than “per LOT of 100 to 300 viewing points”?

Answer: CLIN 14 contemplates installation of a new cabling network viewing points in housing and office units if required. The installation of viewing points will be for a minimum of 100 viewing points and a maximum of 300 viewing points as specified in the unit of measure. In case the contractor installs the cabling network for 100 points only, the Government has a right to request at a later time connection of additional 200 viewing points, making 300 viewing points in total for this CLIN, at no additional cost to the Government.

If the Government decides to install additional viewing points for above 300 already installed viewing points, the Government’s new minimum viewing points will be 100 viewing points and maximum 300 viewing points.

If the Government orders two lots on a task order that will mean the service performance for installation of a total of 600 viewing points.

The price in this CLIN as well as in the other CLINs for installation of the satellite TV cabling network shall include all costs associated with such installation, inclusive of all labor and materials.

Question 7: CLIN 23 – Please explain what this specific CLIN is covering.

Answer: The Government contemplates to order CLIN 23 to test the contractor’s capability to provide the specified service description if the Government decides to do so. The Government shall not be obligated for any minimum quantity lots to order under CLIN 23 and CLIN 24.

Question 8: CLINs for option years have the same numbering as the base year. Please advise – shouldn’t they differ (like 1001, 1002…)

Answer: If numbering means sequential numbering for Contract Line Items from 1 (one) through 24 (twenty four) for each contract term then there is no duplication as each Pricing Table refers to the specific contract term.

Question 9: Page 24 – section 2.1 mentions “For each channel selected, the contractor shall provide one decoder receiver, card, and one remote control with all the necessary equipment, per site location.” However our understanding is that these receivers are already in place and in work. Please clarify.

Answer: The Government contemplates that prospective offerors shall take into consideration and incorporate costs of decoder receivers, card, and one remote control with all the necessary equipment per site location in CLIN 11 (eleven). Site locations are U.S. Embassy Baghdad, U.S. Baghdad Support Center, U.S. Consulate General in Basrah and U.S. Consulate General in Erbil. The Government may provide a set of decoder receiver and remote control under the Government Furnished Property described in Attachment 1 (one). The Government contemplates that prospective offerors shall be able to provide required quantity of receivers as requested in CLIN 11 (eleven) on a task order, if, when and as required.

Question 10: Please advise if the Government expects a full time technician to be present at each site or whether Government’s preference is that the technician visits the site upon a call for repair.

Answer: The Government contemplates availability of a technician to visit and access to a site on call basis for any repair to comply with the service requirement prescribed under V. Performance Work Statement, ref to Required Services, A., 3. Technical.

Question 11: Page 26 – section 2.5 is stating “Security: Work in some areas will require a cleared American escort.” Please advise if the escort will be provided by the Government or whether the contractor is expected to provide a security-cleared American escort.

Answer: The Government will provide the escort at the U.S. Government premises/facilities.

Question 12: Page 28 – section 1.1 states “Personnel must be capable of obtaining and maintaining a security clearance.” Please advise if you would need Project Manager and the Technicians to be all USA citizens. If not, please advise the acceptable nationalities.

Answer: The Government does not require a contractor’s personnel to be USA citizens. Prospective offerors may consider hiring any citizens of any nationalities as long as its engaged personnel complies with the terms and conditions of the solicitation.

Question 13: Page 35 lists a total of 4 dishes, 22 OSN receivers, 43 FTA receivers and 17 AFN receivers.

Please advise if these are in addition to the system already installed and operational in Baghdad Embassy and can be used for other sites.

Answer: Attachment 1 contains the list of the property which the Government shall make available to the contractor at the US Embassy Baghdad only, but it does not preclude the Government to order any additional items specified in CLIN 11(**), CLIN 16(**) by issuance of a task order when, as and if required.

Question 14: What is the existing contract award ID (HC1013-52-D-XXXX)?

Answer: The Government has an interim purchase order with Gulf DTH FZ LLC. Purchase Order: SIZ100-13- M-0283.

Question 15: Who was awarded the previous contract?

Answer: Gulf DTH FZ LLC in Dubai, UAE.

Question 16: What was the award value of the existing Contract (Broken out by base and option period)?

Answer: The monthly value of the existing purchase order is $39,000.00USD.

Question 17: What is the term of the existing contract (Broken out by base and option period)?

Answer: The existing purchase order has a two month term with incorporated “FAR Clause 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services” for the U.S. Embassy – Baghdad.

Question 18: What satellite is currently providing the service?

Answer: OSN

Question 19: Is it mandatory to submit a proposal for all CLINs? In other words, can the contractor choose to limit his proposal for certain sites and leave the others?

Answer: Offerors are not required to provide all services identified in Section 1. However, if the price is provided for a CLIN of the base year, a price must be provided for that same CLIN of all option years.

Reference to Amendment A004, Section 4 –Evaluation Factors is amended to add the following:

“Offers will be evaluated on the basis of advantages and disadvantages to the Government that might result from making more than one award (multiple awards). Individual awards may be for a combination of items or for all items. Therefore, offerors that cannot supply all services required are encouraged to submit offers for those services that they can provide.”

ADDENDUM TO EVALUATION FACTORS FAR AND DOSAR PROVISION(S) NOT PRESCRIBED IN

PART 12 is also amended to add the following clause:

52.216-27 SINGLE OR MULTIPLE AWARDS (OCT 1995)

The Government may elect to award a single task order contract or to award multiple delivery order contracts or task order contracts for the same or similar supplies or services to two or more sources under this solicitation.

Question 20: Please clarify about the (10) additional channels mentioned in CLINs 9 and 10?

Answer: With reference to Amendment A004, The Government may order ten (10) additional paid premium channels as conditioned in Contract Line Item Numbers: 9(*) and 10(*). The contractor shall provide a supplemental channel package for additional ten (10) paid channels similar in content to the ones listed in paragraph “4. Paid English Channels” herein.

Question 21: We noticed during the site visits at BDSC and Basrah that the Sat TV cable networks already exist and operational. Please advise about CLIN 12 and 13 well as Item 3.7 on page 27 of the solicitation file: - Does the government has any cabling diagrams, schematics or drawings for the currently installed satellite TV cable network in the sites? If yes, can those documents be provided to the contractor?

Answer: Please refer to Sections 3.4 through 3.7 on page 27 of the solicitation for US Embassy, BDSC and Basrah.

The lay-out diagrams for each site are considered sensitive information requiring security clearance. The solicitation contemplates the contractor shall provide the personnel (technicians) capable of obtaining and maintaining the security clearance. After a contract award, the Government may provide necessary diagrams on the terms the contractor must not disclose it to any person not involved in the performance of the contract.

Please also refer to V. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT, E. Contractor Personnel Requirements, paragraphs 1.6 and 1.7.

With reference to CLIN 12 and 13, the Government will provide all available cabling diagrams for each location to the contractor after a contract award.

With reference to CLIN 14, the satellite cable network and equipment are not installed and are not operational at the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil.

The purpose of the held site visits was the Government’s intention to demonstrate the conditions of existing satellite TV network systems (or their absence) as well as to show the magnitude of the requirements at each

Question 22: CLIN 11 – “Supply of a set of receiver and smartcard per channel”: It was noted that the mentioned items now exist with the system in place. Is this an additional requirement? Where would be the locations of the set of receiver and smartcard per channel, should contractor supply it?

Answer: The Government contemplates that the contractor shall supply items specified in CLIN 11 and CLIN 16 if and when required at all the site locations.

The Government will issue a task order against CLIN 11 and CLIN 16 only if the Government does note have sufficient quantity of items specified in CLIN 11 and CLIN 16. For example, if the Government has shortage of receivers at any site to support Monthly Cable Transmission/Distribution service required in CLINs 17 through 22, the Government will issue a task order for a required quantity against CLIN 11 and CLIN 16.

For such purposes, the receiver and smartcard will be installed in a distribution room designated by the Contracting Officer’s Representative at any site location if, when and as required.

Question 23: CLIN 16 “Supply of a Satellite Dish if required”: Is this for the additional channel requirement similar to CLIN 11?

Answer: The Government will issue a task order against CLIN 11 and CLIN 16 only if the Government does not have sufficient quantity of items specified in CLIN 11 and CLIN 16. For example, if the Government has shortage of receivers at any site to support Monthly Cable Transmission/Distribution service required in CLINs 17 through 22, the Government will issue a task order for a required quantity against CLIN 11 and CLIN 16, accordingly.

Question 23: Do you need 140 smart cards for all mentioned locations and buildings? Regarding the viewing points, do you want the receiver to be connected to multi viewing points?

Answer: 140 smart cards represent an estimated quantity based on the Government’s requirements for all the site locations. The actual amount will be ordered on an individual task order against CLIN 11.

With regard to viewing points, yes – the intent is to connect multiple viewing points to one receiver per channel located in a distribution room(s) designated for this purpose at each site location.

Question 24: We noticed that CLIN 23 and CLIN 24 for both base year and option year are not included in the schedule of services for option years 2, 3, and 4. Please confirm that CLIN 23 and CLIN 24 are not required for option years 2, 3, and 4.

Answer: The Government contemplates that a monthly test of satellite television signal broadcasting (CLIN 23) and transmission (CLIN 24) in the base year and option year one will suffice to guarantee the contractor’s capability to provide an acceptable level of service quality; therefore, the Government will not require similar tests in subsequent option years.

Question 25: There are many Iraqi insurance companies that operate in Iraq to insure personnel against work accidents according to Iraqi standards. Assuming that no TCNs are recruited, is it acceptable for GSO to issue the insurance policy by those Iraqi companies instead of getting the DBA insurance through international companies like Rutherfoord, Bellwood Prestbury, etc.? Dealing with Iraqi insurance company costs much less than international companies and this would eventually lower the prices offered by contractors for the whole solicitation.

Answer: The Government requires contractors to purchase DBA insurance policies only from the Department of Labor approved insurance carriers listed at http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dlhwc/lscarrier.htm.

With reference to Section 3 – Solicitation Provisions, an offeror shall demonstrate it will get a required insurance with the name of the insurance provider to be used. For this purpose, the offeror can provide a respective statement or a copy of the price quote received from an insurance company. After the contract award, the contractor shall purchase the actual DBA insurance prior to commencement of any works under the contract.

The offeror must include the DBA insurance cost in its fixed price proposal. The Government will not reimburse its cost as separate line item at a later time.

Question 26: Can you GSO provide any site lay-out diagram for Erbil?

http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dlhwc/lscarrier.htm

Answer: The lay-out diagrams for each site are considered sensitive information requiring security clearance.

The solicitation contemplates the contractor shall provide the personnel (technicians) capable of obtaining and maintaining the security clearance. After a contract award, the Government may provide necessary diagrams on the terms the contractor must not disclose it to any person not involved in the performance of the contract.

Please also refer to V. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT, E. Contractor Personnel Requirements, paragraphs 1.6 and 1.7.

The purpose of the held site visits was the Government’s intention to demonstrate the conditions of existing satellite TV network systems (or their absence) as well as to show the magnitude of the requirements at each

Question 27: We have been informed during the pre-proposal conference that an additional license to work in Erbil (Kurdistan region) is required from the bidders. Can you please clarify this requirement?

Answer: During the pre-proposal conference we re-iterated that with reference to Section 3 – Solicitation Provisions, A.2.7, the offeror shall address its plan to obtain all licenses and permits required by local law (see DOSAR 652.242-73 in Section 2). If offeror already possesses the locally required licenses and permits to operate in Iraq (including Kurdistan Region), a copy shall be provided as a part of the technical plan proposal.