S119--Satellite TV Services for VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System

1.Will a site survey be permitted prior to quote submission to determine the actual/accurate level of effort? (Obstacles, building layout,  Â

  cabling run lengths to telecom room, etc.

We should do a site survey so the contractor can better understand the layout and what is actually needed for an install.

2. What type and condition is the existing cabling to the television outlet? (Coaxial, Copper, fiber, etc.)

At the main campus, we receive the signal via satellite, which is then wired into a COM4000 on the 9th floor, where it s converted to IP, and the COM4000 is networked into our VA network. The contractor will only need to provide up service/install up until the COM4000, nothing from the COM4000 would be managed by the contractor in this contract. At green Road, the cable cards go into an ATX box, which then provides the channels to TV s via IP. The contractor here will be required to provide the proper cable cards, everything from the ATX to the TV will not be managed by the contractor. I m not sure of the other locations that were added.

3. Will there be an existing guest internet connection available for vendors to use for monitoring?

Guest wifi connection will be available for vendors for monitoring.

4. What are the models of the televisions in each of the buildings?

TV Models for the main facility are irrelevant due to the channels being wired into the COM4000 device. Same for Green Road. Unsure on the TV models for the other locations.

5. Could you provide any floor plans with building/room dimensions, location of comm room, etc.?

Floor plans can be provided.

6. We did not understand the pricing purpose of 0001 series of CLINS (0001, 1001, 2001, etc.), when each building has its own pricing Â

   CLIN.Â

I m unsure on the pricing.

7. The SOW mentions cabling installation, but we did not see an installation CLIN. Will one be added?

There may be minimal cabling installed, so an Install CLIN could be added.

The only two locations that convert the channels to IPTV is the main facility (2215 Fuller Rd.) and the Green Road location. The others are typical cable/coax connections I believe.

The local channels are being provided to the main facility via satellite.

Comcast is the provider for Jackson, Fisher House, and Green Rd locations, I m not sure of the main campus, I ll have to check the equipment to see if it I can find anything identifiable on the equipment.

We would have to look over the cable packages that are now being proposed and see what we would be missing/gaining.

Comcast is the cable provider for the Packard Rd offices as well. Buckeye Cable is the provider for the Toledo CBOC.

Partial Bidding: May vendors submit a proposal for only a subset of locations listed in the solicitation (e.g., the Fisher House and CBOC locations), or is the intent to award a single contract covering all sites, including the 237-room main VA Ann Arbor Medical Center?

This will be a single contract covering all sites.

Fisher House Channel Package: The Statement of Work references a "premium channel package" for the Fisher House. Could you please clarify what channels or content are required to meet the definition of a "premium" package?

The Fisher House requirements were posted in the SOW.

Main Campus System Compatibility: The main Ann Arbor VAMC is currently a DIRECTV customer. Our ability to service this location would depend on upgrading the existing system to an Advanced Entertainment Platform (AEP), which requires internet access and offers access to predownloaded applications. Would such a solution be considered acceptable, provided it is compatible with your current channel modulation infrastructure (e.g., eVideon)?

Yes, if that is their way to provide a solution to our facility, as long as it meets the requirements in the contract, it would be acceptable.