QA_Session_1.pdf

W9124L‐19‐R‐0028 LIVE MEDIA STREAMING

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION #1

Q1) Reference section 3. The term subscription based service requires clarification. Is the intent behind the Video Streaming Platform to subscribe to a pre‐built Software as a Service (SaaS) that allows the FCOE administrator to publish and host videos online for a fee? Or is the intent of this RFP to build a Video Streaming Platform that FCOE administrators can control, customize, and manage the platform and content as a service under a pay as you go model

A1) This should be a pre‐built software that allows both Fort Sill IT staff and the military units/batteries (should they choose to do so) to stream to with a minimum customization of logos, dates & times, etc. for advertising and archiving purposes.

Q2) Reference section 3.3 Branding ‐‐ Do you desire the use of a branded microsite per event and then potentially related materials along with event stream (beyond slideware for presentation)?

A2) Individual sites for each livestream event are not necessary.

Q3) Reference section 3.6 What if any SSO, LDAP or Security Solution is in place today?

A3) Administrative Access Accounts are currently managed by the streaming provider (Vimeo).

Platform security is managed by the provider.

Q4) Reference 3.8 What is the desired retention period for an offline stream and/or event microsite?

A4) Long‐term archiving of events, but no microsites. The retention period shall be the length of the contract (Base Year and 1 Option Year (if exercised))

Q5) Reference 3.14 What applications or channels do you anticipate integrating or consuming the video content via API? Can you provide an example?

A5) Current Video Streaming Provided Service.

Q6) Reference 3.1 Can you briefly describe the 10 unique locations?

A6) The sites that streaming will be conducted from are primarily classrooms or auditoriums but we require the ability to be able to stream from any location that we are able to set up. The streaming function is used for graduations, town hall meeting and any function the Commanding General deems necessary to stream. We have streamed from a field location in the past.

Q7) Reference 3.1 Are these locations spread across different areas of the Ft. Sill installation?

A7) Yes

Q8) Reference 3.1 For any given event, what is the demarc to the Live Video Streaming Platform?

A8) Commercial Internet

Q9) Will there be a single program feed from a production switcher where all of the cameras and mics connect that provide a single program feed to the Video Streaming Platform?

A9) Yes

Q10) If so, will there be 1 program feed per event?

A10) Yes

Q11) Will each program feed include a video and audio channel?

A11) Yes

Q12) What are the video and audio formats (e.g. HD‐SDI, AES, etc) that interface to the Video

Streaming Platform?

A12) HDMI @ 1080P video and analog audio unbalanced

Q13) Can you elaborate on if there will be dedicated network bandwidth between ground based systems and cloud based systems?

A13) 20mbps for most sites but some streams will be dependent on cellular coverage.

Q14) Reference 3.2 of the Technical Specifications. How many hours of event‐based streaming are expected per event? In addition to how many events are expected annually?

A14) 1‐2 hours per event; approximately 100 events per month.

Q15) Will all live events require storage as a Video on Demand (VOD) asset?

A15) Yes

Q16) Is there a specific desired video resolution or bitrate?

A16) 1080P

Q17) Is there a required short‐term VOD storage period and a long‐term VOD archive period?

A17) Short term would be immediately after the stream and then available indefinitely (Long Term).

Q18) Reference 3.4 of the Technical Specifications. Can you elaborate on which social media sites will be used to share the broadcast events?

A18) Currently the only social media site being used by any of the events is Facebook.

Q19) Is the Video Streaming Platform also expected to present events within a browser based portal or website

A19) Yes, streams must be available to the viewer in browser and without the requirement of any special installations or permissions.

Q20) Reference 3.14 of the Technical Specifications Can you elaborate on what is needed from the video API

A20) The Program must be able to control audio and video levels from multiple source inputs and provide a time delayed local cache to prevent data loss from network interruptions.

Q21) Will the API be leveraged to interface to a larger system?

A21) Yes, the program will integrate with existing conference rooms and auditorium hardware. API will be responsible for processing the single compiled input and uploading to the platform.

Q22) Does the Fort Sill organization want to build a managed service offering that they control or simply lease time on one?

A22) There is no requirement to build and manage a unique service. The requirement is for the provider to allow video to be uploaded, controlled, and consumed based on the garrison requirements.

Q23) Can you please provide the estimated total number of annual events you’d like to support?

A23) 1000

Q24) Can you please clarify whether ALL viewers of events will by anonymous i.e. parents or relatives, or will you also need to support viewing by authenticated viewers via single sign on?

A24) Some streams will require password protection.

Q25) 3.1.1. of your requirements list states: “The live streaming platform shall be able to stream a minimum of 10 each simultaneous events at 10 unique locations at any given time.” Please clarify.

Does this mean you’d like to support 10 simultaneous events at EACH of the 10 locations? Or, does it mean you’d like to support 10 simultaneous events at one location? Or, does it mean you’d simply like to cover for 10 simultaneous events (aggregate) at any given time?

A25) 10 Unique events at any given time

Q26) For 10 simultaneous streams, would those be 10 originations of streams or some mixture of stream origination and destinations?

A26) The 10 simultaneous streams a totally separate. The requirement is to be able to stream from 10 locations at once

Q27) Would you require multi‐platform simultaneous streams? Would we use Internet, phone, tablet, Smart TV platforms all at the same time?

A27) Site must be browser and platform independent.

Q28) Would VOD access be required for all platforms?

A28) Yes

Q29) What level of security for stream viewing is required beyond a password?

A29) None

Q30) Would security level change for live streams to VOD? For instance, would a live stream be password protected while the VOD of the same event be in the clear?

A30) No

Q31) Would the simultaneous streaming events be interactive with each other?

A31) No, all events are treated as a separate event.

Q32) What are the zip codes of all the origination locations?

A32) All streams will originate from zip code 73503

Q33) Does there need to be a centralized management tool to route live streams or to view them?

A33) Each of the sites will be treated independently. Support of up to 10 concurrent streams is required.

Q34) Is there a time constraint for testing and originating a stream? Are stream assignments same day with only a few minutes to set up, or are they planned well in advance with IP information?

A34) Most of the events are planned well in advance but there is always the possibility for an event to come up with only hours of notice.

Q35) Will management need to be face‐to‐face or can it be virtual? For instance, if the problem is: "there is no camera operator" would we need to provide a technician to come to the base and perform that or any other task?

A35) No

Q36) How often would there be multi‐camera streams vs. single camera streams?

A36) Multi‐camera streams are not needed, none.

Q37) Will the streams need to integrate computer inputs such as Power point presentations and will that include audio?

A37) No

Q38) Would contractor have any requirements in the content acquisition process including first or last mile of delivery or reception? This would include cameras, switchers, audio mixers, monitors, microphones, etc?

A38) No

Q39) is Media Stream Storage expected to be in the cloud or onsite?

A39) Cloud

Q40) how many users are expected to have access to the Media Stream storage? How many simultaneous?

A40) 1,000+

Q41) 3.10 of your requirements states: “The live stream platform shall have a dedicated support representative with 7 day a week technical support as well as a dedicated onboarding/ integration team.” . Do you anticipate needing real‐time monitoring and support remote or onsite? If so, can you provide the number of events you may want covered?

A41) The support would be required remotely. Support requirements are required for ALL EVENTS to be streamed.

Q42) 3.4 of your requirements states: “The live streaming platform shall have a media streaming player which can be embedded on social media sites.” Social media posting is certainly possible, however, such platforms do not allow for the direct embedding of a third party player. When you share a video on

Facebook for instance, you will embed a Thumbnail, Title and Description, which when clicked will bring you back to the event page on your own video portal. Can you clarify if this behavior is sufficient where social sharing is concerned?

A42) That is sufficient

Q43) 3.13 of your requirements states: “The live stream platform shall have user friendly encoding software that permits control resolution, bitrate, integrate multiple cameras and microphones, digital content, and digitally control input/output settings.” Generally, you’ll require a third party software or hardware encoder which will sit between your production equipment or sources and our cloud solution

(or can opt for a software encoder). Can you elaborate as to whether you want to include hardware or software encoders as part of this solicitation? If so, what type and what quantity?

A43) The Platform software will not rely on a third party software for encoding or production. The service request is for a service provider that can provide a full solution.

Q44) Platform shall provide Fires Center Of Excellence (FCOE) administrators the ability to control site, URL, stream branding, and block viewers by geolocation or IP address. Do the administrators need control of this or would it be acceptable if our team solely had control

A44) The Ft Sill Administrators shall have full control.

Q45) Is there any work anticipated on site? If so, please elaborate

A45) No work on site from the vendor

Q46) Can you share any details of the audio/video infrastructure and internet availability currently in place that will be used to capture the live event?

A46) The internet currently used for streaming within a building is the local provided service on Ft Sill

(SuddenLink). If the stream is coming from a field location then a MiFi is used for connectivity. The audio/video is performed from a mobile cart that has been developed using a camera and laptop computer.

Q47) Do you have staff on site to capture, manage the event and provide local onsite support?

A47) Yes

Q48 Can you please elaborate your evaluation criteria as it pertains to "Delivery" and "Quality"? Is there a preference for specific "socio‐economic status"?

A48) Evaluation Criteria will be based on lowest priced offer that meets all technical criteria set forth in the solicitation. This requirement is unrestricted.

Q49) Can the Solicitation response Time be extended?

A49) The solicitation closing has been extended to 9 September, 2019.

Q50) Can companies from Outside USA can apply for this?

A50) No. Contractors must be subject to United States Labor Laws and Acquisition regulations and registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be eligible for award.