Questions and Answers 2.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 21 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- W51AA1-26-Q-A097
- Issued by
-
Department of the Army
About this file
This file is a Questions and Answers document (in spreadsheet format) related to the Local Area Network (LAN) Cable Installation & Repair solicitation at Tobyhanna Army Depot. As a template document containing clarifications and responses to contractor inquiries, it does not specifically address required products or services beyond what is detailed in the primary solicitation. The Q&A document serves to address questions submitted by prospective contractors regarding the solicitation requirements, evaluation criteria, or other procurement-related matters. Contractors seeking specific information about cable installation and repair services, site visit details, submission requirements, or technical specifications should refer to the main solicitation documents and amendment W51AA1-26-Q-A097 0001, which establishes the offer due date of October 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM. The non-mandatory site visit is scheduled for October 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM, with RSVP and Form ELTY 648C required by September 24, 2026.
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Sheet1
| Submitted Questions & Answers | Solicitation W51AA1-26-Q-A097 |
| Requirement states, "The services to be performed fall under the authority of the service contract act unless otherwise exempt by the Contracting Officer." Can the Government confirm whether the Contractor may use exempt (non-SCA) wage rates, or whether Service Contract Act (SCA) wage determinations are mandatory for this requirement? | This requirement falls under the Service Contract Act (SCA) and does not meet any statutory or regulatory exemptions. |
| Please identify the applicable Department of Labor Wage Determination number and revision, and confirm whether it is incorporated by reference or attached. Please also confirm the SCA occupation codes and titles the Government considers applicable to PWS. | See page 6 of solicitation W51AA1-26-Q-A097 referencing the current SCA Wage Determination. Clause 52.222-42 lists occupation codes 23125-Cable Splicer and 23370-General Maintenance Worker for work covered in PWS Sections 4.1-4.4. |
| Please confirm the applicable percentage for this service acquisition and how the Government will measure compliance, specifically whether work performed by a similarly situated entity will be excluded from the amount subcontracted, consistent eith 13 CFR 125.6. | Reference 52.219-14(e)(1) |
| The incorporated Wage Determination 2015-5797, Revision 33, states that EO 13706 applies to all contracts subject to the Service Contract Act awarded on or after January 1, 2017. It also lists a separate Health & Welfare rate of $5.42 per hour for contracts covered by EO 13706, compared with $5.92 per hour otherwise. Will the Government add FAR 52.222-62 to the solicitation and the resulting contract? If so, should offerors price Health & Welfare at the EO 13706 rate of $5.42 per hour? | FAR clause 52.222-62 has been added in Amendment 0001 |
| Are service employees on the predecessor contract (W25G1V22C0004) covered by a collective bargaining agreement that would apply to the successor contract under Section 4(c) of the Service Contract Labor Standards statute (41 U.S.C. 6707(c))? | The previous contract used a standard, area-wide wage determination which is not based on a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). |
| The solicitation requires CMMC Level 1 (Self), while the PWS indicates that certain BBLAN route documentation provided after award will contain CUI. May the contractor satisfy the requirement by limiting CUI handling to Government-furnished systems and/or Government-controlled hard-copy documentation, without storing or processing CUI on contractor-owned information systems? | Yes. |
| How many distinct buildings are in scope, and are any occupied, classified, or access-restricted in a way that limits working hours or requires escort? | All buildings on site are in scope. One building is top secret amd will require and escort at all times. At least five (5) other spaces are also restricted and will require an escort; they include three (3) meeting rooms, a SCIF, and a workshop/warehouse environment. |
| PWS requires background checks and badging for all personnel, and restricted areas require prior approval. If a contractor employee holds a TS clearance, does that remove the escort requirement for routine work, or is an escort still required after badging? | No. The escort requirement is based on need-to-know, and will not be removed based on clearance level. |
| Can the Government confirm that complete BBLAN as-builts will be obtained and furnished to the contractor prior to commencement of BBLAN decommissioning activities? | Yes |
| Were the quantities of 31 miles of BBLAN cable and 2,126 components derived from existing as-built documentation, a physical inventory, historical records, or an estimate? | Historical records and as built documents. |
| Will the Government identify or mark the specific BBLAN cables and components authorized for removal before work begins, or will the contractor be responsible for tracing and positively identifying each cable and component prior to disconnection and removal? | The contractor will be responsible for tracing and positively identifying each cable and component prior to disconnection and removal, utilizing as-built documentation provided upon contract award. |
| DD Form 1348. Will the Government provide NSNs and supply condition codes for BBLAN components, and how should remove coaxial cable be documented for turn-in at Building 96? | Yes, the Government will provide NSNs and supply condition codes for BBLAN components slated for turn in. Coax cable for turn in will be assigned an NSN and quantity will be annotated on the 1348. |
| Period of Performance. PWS Section 3 states the base period is one year from date of award; Section F lists February 1, 2027 through January 31, 2028. Please confirm the base period. | Current contract expires January 31, 2027 so we anticipate base period PoP to be February 1, 2027- January 31, 2028. |
| Can the Government confirm that there is no aerial cabling installed on, or attached to, telephone poles? | Yes. No within-scope cabling is run via telephone pole. |
| Can the Government clarify the required turnaround time, following notification, for the Contractor to install and terminate Category 6 and Category 6E LAN twisted-pair cable drops as directed by the COR? | Work scheduled within 1-2 business days, volume of work depending. Work needing escort will be evaluated with regards to escort availability. |
| Please confirm the average and maximum length of runs for in PWS Section 4.1. Does the 400 figure count cable pulls or terminated, tested, and certified drops? | The 400-run total includes as average length of 100 to 150 feet per run. PWS Section 4.1 does not require drops to be tested, only cable run and terminated where applicable. |
| Does the firm fixed price for PWS Section 4.1 include all materials (cable, jacks, patch panels, faceplates, supports) or is it Government furnished? | Equipment listed is Government furnished. |
| Are the 400 drops expected to be distributed evenly across the year or delivered in project-sized batches? | Project-sized batches, as mission dictates, may require reorganization or relocation of personnel that will require internet connections to perform job duties. |
| Are the majority of new drops for wall outlets, APs, etc? | Wall outlets. |
| Will the contractor be hanging any APs when a cable is being run for that purpose? | No. Scope, in this case, will only include the cable run. |
| What are the cabling identification requirements for new drops? Are these included in your operational standards? Is the labeling equipment government furnished or contractor provided equipment? | Cable identification standards will be verified with Network Operations personnel upon contract award. Labeling equipment will be furnished by the Government if deemed necessary. |
| If an area is reconfigured, do the CAT 6 drops remain in the area vacated or will they be decommissioned? | Project dependant. CAT 6 drops will remain in place unless otherwise reqested by the COR. If notification is not given, assume all cable is to be left in place. |
| Which type of Cat6 termination will be required at patch panels? | Hubble type that accept keystone CAT 6 connectors is the standard. Older models exist but are in the process of elimination. |
| Will demarcation points need to be installed? | No. |
| What percentage of the LAN pathways are at full capacity or new pathways that would require new conduit? | Less than 10%. If capacity needs to be increased it will be at government discretion and out of scope of this contract. |
| PWS references the ability to "move" LAN cabling. Can the Government define the anticipated scope of this requirement? Specifically, does this include relocating existing active LAN cables from one pathway, workstation, room, or building location to another? | Yes, relocation of existing LAN cables may be necessary at times to reclaim supplies for another project. |
| If relocation of existing cabling is anticipated, should those activities be counted toward the annual quantity of 400 LAN/Ethernet drops, or are offerors expected to include an additional quantity of cable moves within the annual firm-fixed price? If additional, can the Government provide an estimated annual quantity or historical usage? | Such operations should be counted against the 400 yearly LAN/Ethernet drop count. |
| During the site visit, BBLAN cabling was observed in numerous locations secured near ceilings and structural members, including areas approximately 25 to 45 feet above finished floor, using various attachment methods such as cable tray, J-hooks, clamps, straps, and other supports. Can the Government confirm that removal of cabling from these elevated locations is included within the stated annual BBLAN removal quantity and firm-fixed price? | Yes, such cables are included in the annual BBLAN removal quantity unless they require excessive effort to remove; at which point, such shall be reported to the COR for consideration for abandonment. |
| For BBLAN removal, will the Government identify specific buildings or removal phases at the beginning of each contract year, or will work be released incrementally throughout the year? If released incrementally, can the Government provide the anticipated notice period for scheduled work? | Work will be released incrementally as the project rendering the BBLAN obselete progresses, with the vast majority of the work being released at contract award. Notice will be given that sections of the BBLAN are ready for deinstallation when possible; the work is expected to commence per the contractor's guidance relative to currently in-progress trouble tickets. |
| What percentage of drops are in occupied offices versus industrial spaces? | Approximately 75% occupied/25%industrial |
| Is test and certification documentation required per drop, and to what standard (for example permanent link, TIA-568)? Must certification report be delivered, and in what format? | Certification confirmation must only be provided for fiber splices and terminations to ensure a usable connection was made. Vendors may report test results to COR through email. Master building code standard on-base. |
| Can the Government provide any historical workload data to determine how many total hours on average are utilized to support remedial maintenance? How many remedial calls were requested over last 3 years? | We are estimating the need for 40 hours annually. Historically, 3 remedial calls/yr . |
| What type of failures typically trigger the 6-hour response environment? | Cables damaged as a result of construction projects/critical infrastructure areas. |
| Are circuit outages excluded from the 18-hr restoration time? | Yes |
| Can the Government confirm whether documentation support includes providing redlined drawings only, and does not require the Contractor to update drawings in AutoCAD or any other official software platform used at TYAD? | There is no documentation support requirement within scope. |
| Can the Government clarify whether a trash/water pump and required safety equipment (e.g., guardrails, centrifugal blower system, gas detector, etc.) will be provided by the Government for Contractor use? | The contractor is solely responsible for providing all PPE for their employees. TYAD will not furnish standard or specialized PPE to contractor personnel. All contractor-provided PPE must meet or exceed applicable OSHA (29 CFR 1910 Subpart I), ANSI safety requirements: Head Protection: Hard hats meeting ANSI Z89.1.Eye Protection: Safety glasses with side shields meeting ANSI Z87.1.Foot Protection: Steel-toe or composite-toe safety boots meeting ASTM F2413.High-Visibility: Reflective vests or clothing (ANSI Class 2 or 3) when working near traffic or active depot logistical pathways. |
| Is the Government furnished bucket lift available on demand or by scheduled request? Does the Government provide a qualified operator or must contractor personnel be certified to operate? | The bucket lift is available on demand to the awardee, unless the lift is scheduled for maintenance or inspection. Contractor personnel are expected to operate it, to include maintaining relevant certification and training requirements. Government Furnished Equipment provisions/clauses to be added to solicitation through amendment. |
| Can the Government identify the type, working height, capacity, quantity, and expected availability of Government-furnished lift equipment, and confirm whether the equipment is suitable for all interior and exterior locations where BBLAN removal is required? | Yes. Details regarding usable equipment will be released upon contract award. |
| Where Government-furnished equipment cannot safely access or reach a cable location, will additional scissor lifts, boom lifts, scaffolding, or other access equipment be Government-furnished, or should offerors include supplemental access equipment in their firm-fixed pricing? | The equipment available for contractor use will be sufficient to reach all cable locations. |
| In the warehouse, there are cubicle areas with an 8-foot or 10-foot drop ceiling with 40 feet ceilings above. Will the government remove parts of the drop ceiling frame rails in order to fit the scissor lift up to the ceilings in those areas? | If necessary, reasonable accommodations can be made in coordination with DPW. Changes to infrastructure to be done by the awardee will be coordinated with the COR. |
| What is the ceiling type for most LAN drops? What is most challenging height for LAN drops? | Drop ceilings. Any challenges presented by height ought to be alleviated by the Government furnished bucket lift. |
| For coaxial located inside walls, is the contractor expected to abandon in place where removal would require wall penetration, or to remove and restore finishes? | Restoration and finishing is not required. The contractor shall abandon any cable that would require demolition of any sort to Depot infrastructure. Abandonment shall be reported for documentation. |
| Are any new wall or floor penetrations required for LAN pathways? | No |
| Are the pathways for fiber established and have space for new fiber? Any new fiber pathways? If so, is excavation required? | Fiber pathways are established and have space for new fiber. New fiber pathways not in scope of this contract so no excavation required. Spacial concerns should be alleviated with the removal of BBLAN. |
| Does the ISP coax have any markings in areas where it runs alongside BBLAN coax? Or vice/versa? | Yes. All ISP cabling is clearly labeled and is vastly outnumbered by BBLAN cabling. |
| Are there asbestos, lead paint, or other hazardous-material surveys applicable to the ceiling and wall spaces where BBLAN cable is routed? If abatement is required, is that a Contractor or Government responsibility? | Any areas deemed hazardous due to dangerous material use will ne rendered safe by the Government before work in those areas is expected. Environmental to provide guidance. Safety to provide guidance if necessary. |
| How many elevated FPCON events? | Unscheduled base closures are exceedingly rare. |
| Can the Government clarify the required security clearance and/or background investigation requirements for Contractor personnel performing daily duties at TYAD? | No security clearances within scope of this contract. Escorts will be provided where necessary. |
| Is a formal OPSEC plan required under this requirement? | Yes. Upon award, the COR will coordinate between the vendor and TYAD OPSEC POC for the creation and filing of a formal OPSEC plan. |
| During the site survey, access was limited to indoor warehouse areas. Can the Government clarify whether any BBLAN cable removal will be required from buried conduit, and if so, the estimated quantity/linear footage? Alternatively, can the Government confirm that all BBLAN cable removal will occur solely within warehouse facilities? | Yes, some BBLAN cable to be removed is in buried conduit. The extent to which is to be determined. Drawings will be provided to awardee with details. |
| Is the contractor expected to maintain a minimum of two (2) technicians physically onsite at Tobyhanna Army Depot for the full 40-hour workweek throughout the contract period, regardless of the amount of work ordered, or may the contractor provide qualified personnel onsite as required to perform scheduled service requests, installations, maintenance, and other work within the specified response times? | The contractor is expected to maintain two technicians onsite during working hours for the contract period. No less than one FTE shall be available for coordination with COR regarding work performed and forecasted. |
| Can the Government clarify the daily work hours for Contractor personnel supporting this requirement at Tobyhanna, Monday through Friday? | 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Tobyhanna also works a compressed work schedule available to the contactors if they prefer: they may work 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Thursday. If they do, they will be off for the first Friday of the pay period. On the second Friday of the pay period, they will work 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Accommodations will be made to facilitate work during non-RDO fridays. |
| Will weekend work or after hours work be allowed to avoid offices being occupied/ high traffic areas? | On an as-needed basis; such a need is not forecasted at this time. Should it be in the future, a mod will be made to the contract. |
| If contractor personnel are not required to be physically onsite full-time, please clarify how service requests/work orders will be communicated to the contractor (e.g., email, telephone, ticketing system, or other method), and when the applicable response-time requirement begins. Please also clarify whether contractor personnel are required to report onsite upon receipt of every service request or only when onsite support is necessary to resolve the request. | Contractor personnel are required to be onsite full time. |
| Can the Government clarify how many desks/workstations will be made available for Contractor personnel with a daily place of performance at TYAD? | The contractors will not be given workstations. Desks will be provided according to contractor need. |
| How many TYAD currently measure the 90% success criteria? | Network availability degradation brought on by physical-layer fault. |
| Can a picture of what a manhole looks like be furnished. | Standard communications vault. Pictures cannot be provided prior to contract award. Any necessary drawings and diagrams will be provided upon contract award. |
| When installing OSP in manholes, is Maxcell a requirement? If so, who is responsible for installing the Maxcell, pull string, mule tape, etc.? | If Maxcell is required for OSP installation, it will be provided by the government with vendor guidance. |
| Will splice enclosures be required at any of the 160 manholes? | New enclosures will not be considered in scope for this contract. Work on existing enclosures may be required. |
| If a tugger is required, who will provide it? | If necessary, the government will provide one. |
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