RFIs as of 19 May 2022.pdf

RFI Tracker for Solicitation W912LR-22-R-6043 CSJTC FTSP Communications Infrastructure Project As of: 19-May-2022

# RFI Government Response

1 Is this a new opportunity or is there an incumbent? If an incumbent, please provide name of vendor, contract number and award amount.

This is a new opportunity. It is not a follow up contract action.

2 Can the government advise if this will be full time 5 days a week once contract begins? The contractor work accordingly to paragraph 1.4.3, 1.4.4 and 1.4.5.

3 Can the government advise on number of employees/FTEs No. The Government has provided the scope of work (SOW), the Offeror must provide a technical approach to execute the requirements set forth on the SOW.

4 PWS Section 2.6, page 7: States evaluation of Key Personnel….however it is not clear what the evaluation factors for the contract award is. Can the government please advise the order of precedence of evaluation factors for contract award?

Evaluation factor to be utilized is Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (FAR Part 15.101-2).

5 PWS Section : 1.6 Contract Manager (CM). Can the government advise if the contract manager can be remote or required to be onsite as well as the PWS states telecommute is not authorized.

The contract manager (CM) may be remote. However, the CM must have the ability to deliver or respond in acordance with the requirements under paragraph 1.6 of the performance work statement.

5.1 Can the government advise on the number of hours are expected for the CM for billing purposes?

The Government may not provide an advise on amount of hours for CM billing purposes. The offeror must ensure that the responsabilities of the CM are met in accordance with the Scope of Work. This cost is considered as overhead costs.

6 PWS Section 2.1.6 KEY PERSONNEL: Can the government outline who is deemed as key personnel?

Key personnel may be deemed within the offeror's organization as those employees identified essential to carry out the contract. As an example, the Project Manager is considered key personnel by the government.

The contractor shall provide a Project Manager who is responsible for the performance of the work. Evaluation can be past project performances and contacting the references of that performances. This person shall be able to communicate, resolve issues, follow instructions, requests clarifications to the government, document and share the development of the project with the government, keep KO and/or COR on the loop of email traffics related to the project. Other than that, the contractor shall be responsible to have their experienced personnel educated and knowledgeable, and certified in fiber optics.

Performance of the co-workers shall be measured during the cables certifications. This will determine if the material used and the work on it is acceptable for the government and it ends at the contractor or project manager evaluation.

6.1 Does the government require a Letter of Intent from any one on this contract (Key personnel, or team members)

No

6.2 Does the government require resumes of any team member, if so please identify which personnel you would like resumes for?

No

7 Can the government advise if there are proposal preparation requirements such as Volumes, page count, fonts, etc.?

The proposal must contain detailed quote, technical approach, and SF 1449 with proposed line price.

8 Will the government allow sub-contracting? If the offeror desides to sub-contract any aspects of the service required, the offeror is responsible for all the requriements set forth in the performance work statement to include employee qualifications and background check. Offeror must follow requiremetns set forth under FAR Sub Part 44.4.

# RFI Government Response

9 With respect to the bid for the work to be performed on the communications infrastructure in CSJTC, what documents and/or forms need to be filled in order to comply with your bidding process besides STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) ?

This solicitation follows procedures established with FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) and will be evaluated utilizing Streamlined Procedures for evaluation and solicitation for commercial items IAW FAR Subpart

12.6. In this case, Lowest Price Technically Acceptable

(FAR Part 15.101-2) will be utilized in order to determine the best value for the government.

The offeror shall provide quote and technical approach narrative. Incldue final price on SF 1449.

10 Additionally, would the bid be held virtually or in person? If virtual, to what email we should send our documents? If in person, would this bid be held at CSJTC or at Fort Buchanan

This is not an invitation for bid. This solicitation follows procedures established with FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). The proposal is to be provided by email. Send proposal documentation (Quote, Technical Approach, and SF 1449) to joseph.e.vega-quinones.mil@army.mil

11 I would like to clarify if possible, does this opportunity do not require Payment and Performance bonding?

This opportunity does not require performance and payment bonds. Performance & Payment bonds are required for constrution contracts IAW FAR Part 28. This solicitation is being service is being purchased as a commercial source.

12 Also, can the proposal be provided by email, or only physically delivered to the Camp Santiago site building 434?

The proposal is to be provided by email. Send proposal documentation (Quote, Technical Approach, and SF 1449) to joseph.e.vega-quinones.mil@army.mil

13 Would the Government consider adding an “Act of God” delay to the contract to the awarded Contractor due to hurricane season?

Provisions under FAR 52.249-14 are applicable.

14 Are there any wage determinations (e.g. – Service Contract Act (SCA), Davis-Bacon, etc.)

applied to this solicitation?

This contract is considered commercial services as defined in FAR Part 2.101 therefore, no wage determination is required for this solicitation.

15 Section 5.3 Building 880 Backbones 5.3.1 Fiber Optic Installation from Building 1013 to Building 880 and 5.3.1.1The contractor shall provide and install an OSP 12 strands single mode (SMF) fiber optic. Can the government advise if a specific manufacturer type cable is recommended or preferred?

Cables, equipment, and all material used must be made in USA in accordance with FAR 25.602-2 (Buy American statute).

16 Section 5.3.1.2 The contractor shall use the existing pole infrastructure and underground facilities from building 1013 to building 880. Can the government provide an cable run diagram depicting the distances on each run for planning purposes?

As part of the site visit; a hard copy layout is distributed to all contractors depicting where the buildings are located.

Each contractor should do the measurement assignment.

17 Section 5.3.1.3 The contractor shall provide the fiber optic tray and install it in an existing network cabinet and terminate the 12 strands single mode fiber optic cable with LC connectors to include its related hardware to secure and protect the fiber optic cable inside building 880:

Will the government advise how the installation of the fiber optic cable tray will be installed;

on wall, ground, etc.,? Also, what is the wall or floor material type concrete, wood, etc.?

Should be installed in an existing network cabinet. Floor or wall material does not matter but they are concrete.

The cabinet exist and the fiber tray should be installed in it.

18 Section 5.3.1.5 The contractor shall provide the fiber optic tray and install it in an existing network cabinet and terminate the 12 strands single mode fiber optic cable with LC connectors to include its related hardware to secure and protect the fiber optic cable inside building 1013 cable from building 1013 to building 880: Can the government advise of how much space for new connections are available for use? We want to ensure optimal planning and future scalability.

There is sufficient space to accommodate related hardware as specified on scope of work.

19 Section 5.3.2 OSP 25 Pairs Telephone Cable Installation From Building 1013 to building 880 5.3.2.1The contractor shall provide and install a 25 pairs copper telephone cable from telecommunication room in building 1013 to building 880: Currently we are not able to tell the distances for any cable run rather fiber or 25 pair. Can the government please provide a diagram or infrastructure layout that depicts the estimated cable runs from IDF to buildings, etc., for planning and cost estimation purposes?

That is part of the site visit; a hard copy was distributed depicting where the buildings are located. Each contractor should do the measurement assignment.

20 Section 5.5 Fiber Optic Cable Installation for Buildings 16, 31, 165, 207, 598, 745 5.5.1.1The contractor shall provide and install an OSP 6 strands single mode (SMF) fiber optic cable from the distribution building to end point building as listed in item 5.5.1.9: What is the distance run for these cables from the buildings to distribution buildings listed in item 5.5.1.9?

That is part of the site visit; a hard copy was distributed depicting where the building s are located. Each contractor should do the measurement assignment.

21 Section 5.5.1.3 The contractor shall provide the necessary fiber optic trays to accommodate the amount of fiber optic cables from the distributed buildings and install them in an existing rack and terminate the 6 strands single mode fiber optic cable with LC connectors to include its fan out kits and related hardware to secure and protect the fiber optic cables inside the network rack of the assigned IDP building: How many fiber optic cable trays are required as it is not clear?

A maximum of 1 fiber optic cable tray per building in the IDF. The contractor should analyze and accommodate the 24 strands (4 fiber optic cables) nice and neat. If the strands fit in one tray, there is no problem with us as long the building section is labeled.

22 Section 5.5.1.6 The contractor shall provide LC-LC SM fiber optic patch cables and patch one pair of the single mode fiber optic cable at each end in the buildings: What is the color code schema for the organization for patch panel cables?

The color used for SM fiber optic cable is the industry standard which is yellow for single mode fiber optic cable.

23 Approximate distances between the following buildings in accordance with layout:

Building 1013 to 880 Building 100 to 600 Building 100 to 31 Building 100 to 165 Building 100 to 207 Building 510 to 598 Building 510 to 745

A copy of the layouts has been distributed depicting the building's exact locations. Each contractor should do the measurement assignment.

24 Is it required to present the certifications of inspections for each Bucket truck and the Operator’s certification to operate the truck?

Yes. It is part of the safety measures that needs to be presented when the contract is awarded.

25 Is it required to present the work at heights areas (OSHA Fall Protection) Certification and the 10 hrs OSHA Certification?

Yes. It is part of the safety measures that needs to be presented when the contract is awarded.

26 Is it required to install Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) in the areas during the works? Yes. It is part of the safety measures.

27 Is it required to protect the area when we are not working in it? Including protection of the fiber reels at the site?

It is recommended that all contractors secure the equipment and instruments used to perform their work.

Other contractors in the past used shipping containers to secure the hand carry equipment and the reels chained to it.

28 Is the Owner going to provide storage area for vehicles and equipment? A staging area will be identified and provided for the awarded contractor. Security of the equipment is contractors’ responsibility. Contractor can bring a locked storage container or fence the area.

29 Please confirm if the poles to be removed are four (4)? Yes. 4 poles to be remove.

30 Is the Strand to be use is ¼ or 3/8? The actual strand is ¼, so it can be used. Contractor is the subject matter expert, if he or she determine that a thicker strand is needed, then quote it and provide an explanation for it in a separate document.

31 Is Cable overlashing allowed? Yes. Cable overlashing is allowed but it cannot damage the existing cables.

32 Are poles to be reused if they are inclined? Will it be requested to straighten them and reinforce their anchorage or will they stay as they are?

Yes. Poles can be reused. If the contractor understands that a straighten is necessary, then quote it and provide an explanation in a separate document. If a pole has to be straightened the contractor needs to take in consideration the space available and any electrical line are not affected by the action, otherwise the contractor should include the modification of the electrical cable.

33 Will a tree and shrub pruning permit apply to the routes to be used? Yes. The permit is with our post DPW engineering office.

The awarded contractor needs to coordinate with the COR for it. No fees for.

34 In the specifications, it is indicated that we will dispose of the equipment and remnants removed, including wiring not in use, poles and fittings. Will it be the same for the vegetative material being removed?

No. vegetative material can be disposed inside post, but it needs to be shredded and a dumping place will be assigned for.

35 Are the certifications of the Fiber equipment required to be up to date? (OTDR, PMtr, etc.) Yes. It is part of the certification documentation package to be submitted with the tests.

36 What are the test/acceptance parameters for fiber and copper? (Maximum losses, etc.) The acceptance parameters are the ones according to the industry standards for the copper and fiber cables respectively. In the case of fiber strands, generally, we do not accept fiber strands with more than 3 dB on the whole run.

37 During the site visit it was possible to see that in the BLD 1033 riser there are 3 consecutive curves in less than 10 ft., causing 270 degrees. We understand that a 25 pair will pass through this conduit and the installation of the new fiber. In case of problems are encountered with this section, have you considered any solutions?

Yes. The riser in front of 1033 are NOT to be used as the cable should run underground and then the contractor shall fusion the fiber optic cable in the external splicing box cassette. If the contractor understand that it will cause problems then shall run the cable underground all the way to inside building 1033. There is an existing fiber optic cable running through the external IDP facility and the tests were within the limits when installed. Also, there is a riser in front of the water tanks where a solution is not considered as an existing fiber optic cable is not having problems and it pass the tests when installed.

38 It was mentioned that currently this conduit route has innerduct. Do these conduits have pulling wire? How many innerducts are there in the pipe and their diameter? Is there space to leave the requested 15 Ln. ft. loops? These pipes are clean, is the area currently sealed?

Yes. The conduits have pulling wire at the moment of this document being written, however there will be other constructions that can utilize that pulling wire. We request that each contractor that use a pulling wire shall leave a new pulling wire for future developments. Each pipe has 4 innerducts as a minimum, diameter unknown.

The manholes have the space to leave the loops as well as the network room has enough space to leave the loops too. The pipes are clean and some of them are in use and the area is not sealed.

39 In the classified areas where escorts are required, what are the regular work schedules? All the mentioned areas in the scope of work are Unclassified. As the PWS mentioned the working hours are 0730 to 1600. Limitations can happen at any moment as expressed in the PWS.

40 It was requested that a 15' loop or 3 loops be installed inside the pull boxes of the routes and in the Communication Rooms. Is there any other point where you want to leave this emergency remnant? (Poles, curves etc.)

No.

41 Will loop spares be requested for the copper cable the same as it was requested with the fiber cable?

Yes. At each communication room and manholes.

42 The primary electric line and distributions in some points of the route is within the security spacing limits. When installing the run at these points, has the installation of additional poles been considered?

No. If the contractor understands that a pole is necessary, then quote it and provide an explanation in a separate document.

43 In cases of new entrance installations, such as in buildings BLD 16 and 31, among others, is an exterior box with a lock with an aerial service outlet required? When drilling for the entrance, is the use of a Fire barrier required?

No, the box outside the building is not required. The cable shall go directly to the network cabinet and terminated in

it. No fire barrier is required but in the PWS section

5.5.1.10 is mentioned that fire block foam sealant is required to fill all entrance orifices.

44 The outer boxes will be Nema 3R or 4X? (as the one in BLD 510). No outer boxes required. Shall use the existing splicing boxes45 The required size of the box, is enough to leave the fiber and copper loop requested? No outer boxes required. Shall use the existing splicing boxes

46 In buildings where more than 50' of fiber extends into the building (such as 510, 16, 880, etc.), will it be necessary to transition from outside-use cabling to inside plenum cabling in accordance with NFPA standards, TIA and NFPA?

No. Bldg. 16 is an open building with no ceiling, and the fiber optic cable shall end at the network cabinet. Bldg.

510 already has the transition cable in the outer box;

Contractors shall fuse the cable in the cassette inside the splicing box. Bldg. 880 is reached underground from the riser at the pole and the cable can go directly to the communications room as it is isolated from the building.

Bldg. 1033, the new fiber optic cable shall be fused in the cassette at the outside splicing box next to the manhole showed during the site visit.

47 The documents specify the use of a Fire Barrier in the ducts to the interior, going to the interior of the buildings. Does this also apply to the exterior manholes ducts?

No, it does not apply to manholes.

48 What type of Fiber label is request to each area? Adhesive Vinyl, Engrave ( in exterior) or other. EX. Note 5.3.1.7, 5.3.2.X

Adhesive vinyl is OK as long it is not hand written. Engrave is not required.

49 Is it possible to consider or add new date for the delivery of the proposal Yes. Proposal delivery date extended to 30-May-2022

50 For the removal of the telecommunications poles:

a. Are all [telecommunications] poles to be completely removed and backfilled with a native composition, or cut to grade with the stump grinded down below grade and backfilled with a native composition?

The poles shall be completely removed and backfilled with a native composition.

50.1 b. If removed completely, does the Government desire to have the [telecommunications] poles returned back to the base for future use?

No. Contractor shall disposed of them.

50.2 c. What is the composition of all [telecommunications] poles – wood, metal, etc.? The poles to be removed are wood composition.

50.3 d. What is the size of all [telecommunications] poles – height and circumference? Poles are 30 to 45 feet in height. Circumference unknown.

50.4 e. Can the Government the total amount of [telecommunications] poles to be removed? 4 poles to be remove.

50.5 f. Are there currently any other existing utilities (power, cable, etc.) on the [telecommunications] poles? If there are, will the respective maintainer of the aforementioned utility be responsible for the removal of its utility?

No utility attached to the poles. Only one has a broken cable attached to it but is part of the debris removal step.

51 Would the Government consider an epoxy polish (e.g. – anaerobic) solution for all fiber optic terminations in lieu of fusion splicing?

No.

52 Does the 20-year warranty apply only to the purchased materials, and not the awarded Contractor’s workmanship warranty?

20 year warranty shall apply to the fiber optic cable itself.

Contractor's workmanship warranty shall be at least 1 year.

53 In building 510 can we use the existing plenum fiber, or should we install a new plenum fiber? In bldg. 510 contractor shall use the existing plenum cable and fuse the cable in the cassette inside the splicing box.

The copper cable must run to inside the building 510. In bldg. 1033 contractors shall fuse the cable in the cassette located in the splicing box next to the manhole showed during the site visit. The copper cable must run to inside the building 1033.