Q A_SOL-668-15-000003_1st_Round_Revised.pdf

ISP Solicitation

SOL-668-15-000003

Questions and Answers

ISP Solicitation SOL-668-15-000003

Revised Questions and Answers

1. I would like to get the technical details of the current hardware in place. Or we quote for new hardware?

USAID Response: Quote for new Hardware as stated in the solicitation. This is clearly stated in the solicitation: “All equipment and tools that are part of the overall devices of the installation should be added in the quotation. The ISP should provide any required hardware, software, IP addresses, and telecommunications applications or software upgrade including any licenses that may be required to keep the service operational after the service has been commissioned and in deliverables it is stated: “The contractor shall provide customer premises equipment”. This is the Hardware that the bidder has to provide.

2. Before making proposal for internet connectivity we need to visit the site to access the total requirement of Access Point APs and Cat6 cable. Is it possible that you can allow visit .If yes, at what time we can visit the site and who will be the coordinating person?

USAID Response: Though in Deployment/Installations there is mention of minimal cabling to make the required Wireless Internet service fully operational, issues of access points is not a requirement as there is already an existing infrastructure. The requirement is the provision of raw Internet.

3. Can you provide the layout of the compound including the areas where the user population is more concentrated?

USAID Response: It is not needed. This is because the WLAN is going to be managed by USAID and it is not included in the solicitation.

4. Are there specific areas to be cover or is the service required in the entire camp?

USAID Response: No, it does not cover the entire camp. It does not cover the wire ring for the wireless connection in the compound. The connection that the ISP will do is between the VSAT and the Server room where the indoor equipment will be placed.

5. Can you provide a description of the building construction, i.e. construction material of outer walls/inner walls and roof for wireless penetration?

USAID Response: The Wireless LAN is going to be managed by USAID IT staff. The ISP will only provide the VSAT for the internet connection with the Indoor equipment. Therefore description of the building and construction material is not necessary.

6. "The contractor shall seek to understand the current cable duct, telco and other carrier infrastructure at the USG RC by carrying out the necessary physical and communications survey at the USG RC where the service is required."

a. When will bidders be able to conduct the site survey?

USAID Response: The site visit was conducted on March 12, 2015. The questions and answers raised during the site visit will be posted on www.fbo.gov as a separate amendment.

b. Can a cabling duct map be provided and include the location of the server room?

USAID Response: The map is attached.

7. "Period of Performance. The contractor shall commence work immediately upon signing the contract with USAID for the provision of the IS." Will there be time allocated for equipment procurement and shipping after signing the contract?

USAID Response: From the time the winning bidder is selected, we will give one month for the purchasing and moving in of equipment.

8. What is the expected bid evaluation time line, from bid closing to contract signature?

USAID Response: It will be done in the shortest time possible

9. Is there any additional documentation concerning this solicitation available, beside the information on the FedBizOpps.gov web page?

USAID Response: The documentation has provided all the necessary documentation

10. Is there a requirement for individual authentication system, or is a general Password access control sufficient?

USAID Response: It is a general password access control but will be done by USAID office

11 . "Any interruptions resulting in lack of service or service degradation below the Internet speed stipulated in this scope of work will result in commensurate loss of the recurrent telecommunications and Internet subscriptions fees. " Will this be measured from bandwidth demarcation point at the site

(ex. satellite modem) to the Internet gateway?

USAID Response: It will be measured from the Router to the Internet Gateway

12. "USAID requires 99.97% of Internet availability at all times to meet our business requirements." Can you confirm if this is a yearly, monthly evaluation?

USAID Response: This is a yearly evaluation

13. What type of power is provided on the site?

a. Is it 220 or 11 O? 220V

b. Is it "shore" power or generator power? Generator

c. Is there a UPS backup to the camp? No

d. Can the electrical distribution drawing of the camp be provided? (for powering access point?)

USAID Response: The access points are already powered up.

14. Is there a suitable location for a satellite dish? Approximately 4m x 4m for the dish?

USAID Response: There is a suitable location for the dish. There is pad already in place. It is approximately 4m x 4m.

15. Will the network provided be completely separate from any other existing network?

USAID Response: No. It will port into the existing Network.

16. Will the number of user devices be limited, or can individuals access the network with several different devices simultaneously?

USAID Response: No, it will not but that should not be an issue with the bidders. The Primary requirement of the potential ISP is the provision of Raw Internet Services

17. The solicitation states "Required Bandwidth. Minimum uplink speed to North American Internet sites

3.0 mbps (Committed), minimum downlink Speed from North American sites 9.2 mbps (Committed)." Is a direct and dedicated communication link between the USG Compound and a North America demarcation point required?

USAID Response: No. It is not required

18. In your tender you mention "Required Bandwidth. Minimum uplink speed to North American Internet sites 3.0 mbps (Committed), minimum downlink Speed from North American sites 9.2 mbps (Committed)". USAID Response: It is 3.0mpbs uplink speed and 9.2mbps download Please advise:

a. Is needed to connect from Teleport to USAID?

USAID Response: No, not necessarily that it goes to the USAID first.

b. It must go to US cannot land in Europe? For JUBA if we connect to our USA teleport going to be very low look angle of 18 degree.

USAID Response: No, it is not a requirement that the connection has to be done through a Teleport in USA or has to go the US First and then comes to Juba.

19. Is there any existing equipment? If yes can we reuse?

USAID Response: No, there is no existing equipment and that is why the solicitation has asked for the provision of the hardware.

20. Is there any restriction on antenna size or if they are ok with 3.7m antenna?

USAID Response: The Antenna size is based on the requirement of the specifications. It is the technical choice of the bidder to decide what size they use to better give the specifications in the requirements.

21 . Is needed to connect from Teleport to USAID

USAID Response: No. Not necessarily

22. IS there any existing equipment? If yes can we reuse?

USAID Response: There is no existing equipment

23. Is there any restriction on antenna size or if they are ok with 3.7m antenna?

USAID Response: See response to question 20.

24. Is the local wired or wireless distribution of the MWR internet service at the RC the responsibility of the contractor?

USAID response: No. It is not required in the solicitation

a. If the answer is Yes, the Site Survey described in the RFQ "Requirements" section will necessarily be conducted with specific focus on assessing distribution requirements. This survey will be completed after award and as such the pricing for the distribution network will unavailable for inclusion in the FFP proposal. Is it correct that USAID will issue separate tasking post-award to cover built-out of the distribution network? Do what is stipulated in the solicitation

USAID response: Not Applicable.

b. If the answer is No, please define the demarcation point of Contractor furnished equipment and services and USAID-furnished equipment and services at the Juba facility.

USAID Response: The demarcation point is the Router.

25. Reference the Service Monitoring section:

a. What tools does USAID utilize for testing bandwidth capacity?

USAID Response: We do not have the measuring tools

b. Is there a requirement for the contractor to provide any bandwidth monitoring services?

USAID Response: The solicitation requires the monitoring of the BW and advice on the Protocol usage. Based on this requirement the contractor needs the tools to monitor and inform USAID when the information is needed.

26. Content filtering, URL filtering, HTTP & object caching, and WAN Optimization are complex technologies, to fully utilize the technologies requires additional components at the servicing PoP/Data Center.

USAID Response: These are all mentioned in the solicitation. Yes, they are a robust and reliable internet services solicitation?

a. If the Contractor already has the infrastructure in place that addresses these requirements, can this infrastructure be offered as a managed service offering that would be included as part of the recurring monthly service charge? The baseline contract will provide the necessary remote equipment at Juba, integrate the remote equipment with the data center equipment and maintain operational and management responsibility for the remote equipment.

USAID Response: Yes, the contractor can offer it as a managed service and included in the monthly service fee.

b. If managed service offerings are permitted, can the Contractor provide all equipment and services for the raw internet service as a managed services offering? In this scenario, the Contractor would provide all equipment and services to the customer as a single line item.

USAID Response: The contractor will provide all the resources necessary for the managed services and include them in the monthly recurring costs.

27. Please verify that the end-to-end circuit availability to the Contractor demarcation point (inclusive of any potential satellite circuit) requirements is 99.97%

USAID Response: Yes, it is 99.97%