W564KV22R0005 - Solicitation Questions and Responses 5July.pdf

W564KV-22-R-0005

Solicitation Questions and Responses

Q1: In the published Excel table with the individual lines and connections, in some cases a location A with exact address is given but no exact location B. However, in order to provide accurate prices we need an exact location B. Is it possible to get this location for the circuits?

A1: For identified circuits where no Site B location is provided, the connection is a regular business internet connection. Where the spreadsheet identifies a Site B location, that is a point-to-point circuit connection where each end of the circuit is identified.

Q2: Furthermore, we would like to ask for an extension of the processing time. Since this is a large tender with many sub-aspects, and we would like to provide the best possible offer for the end customer, an extension would be very helpful to us.

A2: At this time (10 May) the Government does not intend to extend the solicitation closing date due to the timelines required to replace the current contracts.

Q3: We wish to ask if we can submit pricing only for Italy.

A3: The Government will make a single award for telecommunication services – commercial circuits. To be considered for award, proposals must include pricing for all areas. It is not possible to submit pricing for a single area only.

Q4: In the Excel document of the RFP, in some cases we are not able to identify the information in different fields due to the defined formatting of the document. We are not allowed to change this format or to scroll up and down in certain fields. So these information is missing. Is it possible to provide the open Excel document just for the working process to see and get all needed information?

A4: An open version of the Excel document listing the circuits will be uploaded to the RFP posting at SAM.gov. The pricing sections have been removed, but it is now possible for offerors to see all of the information that might have been previously obscured in some of the cells. The document is titled: “List of Circuits - Open Version_No Price Inputs.” This document is for reference purposes only. This document is not to be used to submit pricing. Each offeror’s price proposal must be submitted using the document “Exhibit C Price List.”

Q5: The customer location “AA013: 92655 Grafenwöhr, Bldg 2505” in Table “NETCOM Funded” cannot be clearly identified. Contractor asks the customer to mark the locations on a site plan.

A5: The building is in the same area as the Grafenwöhr Thrift Store. That is as detailed a response as can be provided.

Q6: With reference to the subject, we wish to ask how to exhibit, in the price list sheet, the pricing of any price-per-use items (e.g. voice call traffic).

A6: The Government is seeking offers without pay-per-use. The potential cost of voice service interconnect fees for expanded voice services should be priced into the proposal. The Government already receives these type of flat-rates based on where geographically one seeks to call from some European providers and this solicitation should be priced in that manner.

Q7: Could you better explain what you mean by “U.S. Army circuits cannot connect a SIP IP based trunk to a foreign contractor’s service” at PWS para 5.2.1.1 ?

A7: The Government will be buying SIP trunks and only SIP trunks. The conversion of those SIP trunks to allow the Army to use foreign carrier trunks will be done be the Government and will be mostly transparent to the carrier. Army voice trunks in parts of Europe have all been converted to SIP and connected to the Army via gateway routers.

Q8: Is it possible to get an exact description of services for each price item, e.g. what is included and/or what is exclusive? (e.g. voice minutes in line costs yes/no; if so, which quantity structure, etc.)

A8: Refer to response for Question 6.

Q9: Regarding Exhibit+C+Price+List: In the two Excel price sheets, the totals are calculated for 12 months in the base period, although only 10 months are required (Row 382, Colum L). Can we get a corrected price sheet please? The price sheets NETCOM Funded and CUSTOMER Funded are affected.

A9: Exhibit C Price List updated to correct errors. See Exhibit C Price List (01 June 2022).

Q10: Due to the mentioned errors in Exhibit+C+Price+List (See questions above): Can we expect a corrected Price Sheet with a prolongated bid phase?

Exhibit C Price List has been updated and Solicitation Amendment 0001 extends the closing date.

Q11: When is the planned Contract Signing and when will be the contract start?

A11: Please refer to the Period of Performance dates for CLIN 0001 for Phase In and CLINs 0002/0003 for the contract performance.

Q12: Can you also share the geographic coordinates or full address for all sites?

A12: Exhibit C Price List updated with complete addresses for all identified circuits.

Q13: Is it possible to obtain Point of Contact (POC) information at the various locations?

A13: Exhibit C Price List updated to include POC information.

Q14: In the recent price exhibit update, there was a change in the bandwidth for some circuits to reflect current capabilities. In the original price exhibit, the bandwidth requirement was higher for these same circuits. Should (the offeror) calculate infrastructure upgrade costs into its phase in price to bring the bandwidth capability from the current capabilities to the desired capabilities as listed in the original pricing exhibit?

A14: Offerors shall complete the "Exhibit C Price List" according to the stated technical parameters indicated (location, bandwidth, etc.). Estimated costs for any potentially required infrastructure measures are not part of this tender procedure and should not be factored into the Offeror’s proposal.

Q15: The solicitation states that in the event of a discrepancy between the prices listed on the solicitation form and the prices calculated by the Exhibit C Price List, the evaluators will use the calculated price from the Exhibit C Price List to calculate the total evaluated price. There is no place on the exhibit to input a price for the phase in costs. Will a separate price element be provided in the updated Price List (Exhibit C) for OTC/Phase in?

A15: The language in 52.212-2 describe the process that the evaluators will use. As stated in the evaluation factors, the total evaluated price includes CLIN 0001 from the solicitation form (Phase In) plus the prices calculated from the Exhibit C Price List as described in provision 52.212-2 (page 64):

“The Total Evaluated Price (TEP) will be the determined from CLIN 0001 on the SF 1449 and the Exhibit C Price List. The total price for the Exhbit C PriceList will be calculated from the sum total of the Base Period pricing and the Option Period pricing for the two Exhibit C Price List worksheet tabs as calculated by the price exhibit. The TEP will be the sum of the Phase-in plus the Base Period totals plus the four 12-month Option Period totals for the NETCOM Funded tab and the Customer Funded tab plus a total calculated for the 6-month Option to Extend Services as described in paragrah (b).”