file · Web viewQuestions & Answers. IFB 6100033482. PA STARNet Service, Maintenance & Support. Question; Answer

Questions & AnswersIFB 6100033482

PA STARNet Service, Maintenance & Support

# Question Answer

1

II-3. Services A. Lot 1 Network Operations Center (NOC) Staffing /1. Requirements Page 13

Lot 1 is described as services only. There appears to be a maintenance requirement in the following requirement. Are vendors required to provide hardware and software maintenance for the CNMs, RNMs, TSMs, and SAM servers as part of Lot 1? In addition, price pages do not support this requirement.

Requirement: All aspects of the maintenance of the NOC as an operating entity are the responsibility of the Contractor, with the exception of facilities related maintenance, which is the responsibility of the entity that owns the building in which the NOC operates.

No, vendors are not required to provide hardware and software maintenance for the CNMs, RNMs, TSMs, and SAM servers as part of Lot 1.

2

II-3. Services/A. Lot 1 Network Operations Center (NOC) Staffing /2. Responsibilities / b. Contractor Staff Responsibilities/ 3) Page 14

In the following requirement, please define what is meant by a single event.

Requirement: In the event of multiple alarms or alerts occurring in quick succession and all are associated with a single event, the Contractor’s staff must meet the ten (10) minute requirement for the first three (3) alarms/alerts, and must make an effort to enter the remaining alarms/alerts as soon as possible.

A single event means an alarm producing event that occurs on the system triggered by a single point of failure producing one (1) or multiple system alarms.

3

II-3. Services/A. Lot 1 Network Operations Center (NOC) Staffing /2. Contractor Staff/ a. Page 19

For the NOC Supervisor position, is backfill required during vacation, sick days, and holidays?

Yes, for the NOC Supervisor position, backfill is required during vacation and sick days, but not holidays.

4


For the NOC Technicians, are breaks and lunch periods considered on duty?

Yes, for NOC Technicians, are breaks and lunch periods considered on duty.

5


For the UAS Coordinator position, is backfill required during vacation, sick days, and holidays?

No, for the UAS Coordinator position, backfill is not required during vacation, sick days and holidays.



6

II-3. Services/A. Lot 1 Network Operations Center (NOC), 2.e.1) Pg 15

Requirement: “1) For OAD/OAC service from the NOC, the Contractor’s staff shall…” OAD/OAC services are currently performed on agency subscriber devices. Please clarify how the Contractor’s staff would know what configuration changes are to be made and to what list of agency radio IP/ESNs. Currently, this data is supplied TO the contractor’s staff.

The Commonwealth would provide this information to the Contractor’s staff.

7

II-3. Services/A. Lot 1 Network Operations Center (NOC), 2.g.4) Pg 16

Requirement “4) UAS for subscriber registration…” The UAS in not used to monitor subscriber registrations. Please clarify if you meant to say NMC, for Network Management Console, which is used for such purposes.

The Commonwealth has updated Part II-3, Section A, 1. G. 4) the IFB. Please refer to Addendum Number 1.

8

II-3. Services/ Lot 1, A, 4.,b.,3a, 3c, and 3m Pg 24-25

Requirements Under UAS Coordinator – Job Functions In sections 3a, 3c, & 3m, the word ‘policies’ is used. Currently, only the Commonwealth in concert with an agency itself, sets the ‘policies’ for an agency. Please clarify if this is a new change to the contractor’s responsibilities, and if so, what exact ‘policies’ being referenced.

The Commonwealth will continue to set policies.

9

II-3. Services/ Lot 1, A, 4.,b.,3f. Pg 25

Requirement f) Configures the UAS for BEON operation, as well as VCE and ISSI Gateway Since BeOn is currently not part of PA-STARNet, please clarify what is to be configured.

Only ISSI is to be configured.

10

II-3. Services/Lot 1, A, 4.,b.,3k, Page 25

Requirement: k) Uses system utilities to report on logins, database actions, and message totals.

Please clarify what system utilities are being referenced. Also, please clarify if ‘logins’ refer to UAS admin logins or subscriber device logins to the network.

In addition, what ‘database actions’ are to be reported on and for whose changes to the database?

The system utility being referenced is the Network Management System Report Generator. ”Logins” refer to the UAS administrator account logins.

Database actions to be reported are modifications and changes to the UAS database by individuals with UAS administrator account logins.



11

II-3. Services/Lot 1, A, 4.,b.,3l, Page 25

Requirement: l )Creates ISSI gateways and foreign sites, including creating ISSI end user properties, creating adjacent foreign sites and ISSI site adjacencies, creating foreign talk group ranges, creating foreign talk groups, and creating foreign end users.

Please clarify what is meant by a ‘foreign site.’

Also, please clarify what ‘adjacencies’ are being referenced.

A foreign site is a site on an external P25 system.

The adjacencies referenced are the ISSI adjacencies that are a roaming feature of the Harris ISSI Server.

12

II-3. Services/Lot 1, A, 5 (Reporting Table, Item UAS Move, Add, Change Activity) Pg 27

Please clarify what exactly is to be reported in this section since there currently is no UAS report generated. Is the ‘move, add, change activity’ to be reported on Users, Subscriber Devices, Talkgroups, Profiles, Personalities, etc?

Yes, the ‘move, add, change activity’ is to be reported on Users, Subscriber Devices, Talkgroups, Profiles, Personalities, etc.

13

II-3. Services/Lot 1, A, 5 (Reporting Table, Item UAS Move, Add, Change Activity) Pg 27

Please clarify what exactly is to be reported in this section since there currently is no UAS report generated. Is this report only for the changes that are made by the ‘contractor’s staff’ or for all changes made in the UAS by SRND CSR’s and agency staff with R/W access to the UAS database?

Changes to be reported include all changes made in the UAS by SRND CSR’s and agency staff with R/W access to the UAS database.

14

II-3. Services/Lot 1, A, 5 (Reporting Table, Item Radio Repair and Return) Pg 27

Radio Repair and Return reporting would typically be part of Lot 2, as currently described. If applicable to Lot 1, what radios are required in this reporting?

The radios that are required for reporting in Lot 1 are mobiles, portables and control stations.

15

II-3. Services/Lot 1, A, 5 (Reporting Table, Item Network Capacity) Pg 27

Network Capacity: What part of the system capacity should be reported with this requirement?

The number of users and voice groups should be reported.



16

II-3. Services/Lot 2, B.2.d .1) Pg 29

In reference to the following requirement, please define what is meant by ‘fixed network equipment.’

Requirement: d. The Contractor must provide technical assistance services for fixed network equipment as follows: 1) Technical assistance on fixed network equipment and overarching systems as a whole.

As it relates to this requirement ‘fixed network equipment’ shall be defined as base stations and ROCs.

17

II-3. Services/Lot 3, 1 b. Page 31

Please clarify the failure level to be assigned to the secondary radio equipment referenced in Lot 3 1-b.

The failure level assigned to the secondary radio equipment referenced in Lot 3 1-b shall be minor with the option to escalate at the discretion of the Commonwealth.

18

II-3. Services/Lot 3, #10, a. Pg. 38

Requirement: 10. a. During the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday, RF Communications Field Technicians must be available to perform system repairs and system enhancements at no additional cost to the Commonwealth. This statement implies that corrective maintenance that takes place outside of the normal business hours of 8-5 M-F will be billable back to the Commonwealth. Is that the intent?

Yes, corrective maintenance that takes place outside of the normal business hours of 8-5 M-F will be billable back to the Commonwealth.

19

II-3. Services/Lot 3, #10, a. Pg. 38

Will a separate PO be provided for the billing of corrective maintenance that occurs after 5PM and before 8AM?

No, there will be one (1) PO with different line items.

20

Appendix D

With the significant increase in the SLA requirements, staffing requirements will be increased, translating into additional costs. Please confirm that the stated SLA requirements in Appendix D are that with which the Commonwealth wants to proceed.

Yes, the stated SLA requirements in Appendix D are those with which the Commonwealth intends to proceed.

21

Appendix E

When responding to a failure, and troubleshooting determines the cause of the failure is related to hardware not listed in Appendix E, does the SLA clock stop?

Does the call then result in a billable action?

Yes, if the cause of the failure is related to hardware not listed in Appendix E, the SLA clock stops.

No, the call does not result in a billable action.



22 Please provide vendors with a 60 day extension from the current submittal due date of June 5. The due date has been extended to 6/26/2015.

23Please provide vendors with a 60 day extension to the question period from current deadline date of May 22.

No, the Commonwealth will not extend the due date for questions; however, the Commonwealth will make its best effort to respond to questions submitted after May 22, 2015.

24Will the State be using a professional consulting firm to review and evaluate the vendor responses of this RFP? If so, please provide the name of the firm?

No, the Commonwealth will not be using a professional consulting firm to review and evaluate the vendor responses of this IFB.

25Please provide the State’s schedule / timeline post vendor submittal regarding future vendor meetings, oral presentations, negotiation meetings and awards.

The Commonwealth will make its best effort post the bid tabulation within 24 hours of the due date. As this is an IFB, there are no future vendor meetings, oral presentations or negotiation meetings.

26Please advise what user agencies and personnel will be represented with voting rights on the evaluation committee

There is no evaluation committee for this project. The Commonwealth does not form an evaluation committee for IFB procurements because there is no technical evaluation of the Bidders bid.

27 Is Lot 1 funding appropriated?The Commonwealth will reimburse the Contractor for services provided through their Contract resulting from this IFB.




31

Appendix B Lot #1

If additional NOC staff is required during unanticipated events, how much consideration for reaction time will be given to Offerors to be able to provide the additional staffing needs?

24 hours.

32

II-3 B.2b Pg 28

If a piece of equipment is unrepairable, will a spare be provided from the Commonwealth's spare pool or is the Contractor liable to provide?

If a piece of equipment is unrepairable, the Commonwealth will provide a spare from its spare pool.

33

II-3 B.2b Pg 28

What is the current turn around time for warranty repairs associated to radio equipment and is this time contractually guaranteed?

The current turnaround time for warranty repairs associated with radio equipment is 7 days and is guaranteed.



34

II-3 C.7a Pg 37

Is the Contractor to provide the temporary generators or utilize Commonwealth owned and provided spare Generators?

The Contractor shall utilize Commonwealth resources until they are exhausted (currently 24 5KW). After the Commonwealth’s resources have been exhausted, the Contractor shall provide temporary generators.

35

Appendix F

Of equipment listed in the fleet inventory, please provide number of units of each type and model considered as inventory spares?

Each agency manages its own spare pool. Appendix F is a list of subscriber equipment that may be required to be repaired at the return to depot level. Please note that no spares are listed under Appendix F.

36

Section II-3, A.4Lot 1 NOC

Can comparable years of on the job experience and/or technical certifications be used to satisfy the associates degree requirements for NOC positions?

Years of experience will only suffice for the NOC technician positions. UAS and/or NOC supervisor positions must meet the requirements as defined in the IFB.

37

Section II-3, B.2aLot 2 Return to Depot

What consideration or relief will be made to the Contractor for equipment which is found to be non-repairable, becomes non-supported and/or end-of-life or for which services are not provided by the OEM?

The Commonwealth will assist in recycling resources.

38

Appendix B - Cost Matrix and Rate CardLot 2 Return to Depot

Please provide the quantities of subscribers the Commonwealth will use to calculate the comparative pricing for LOT2 when using Offeror's per unit/per month cost for Return to Depot Services. Excel spreadsheet in Appendix B -Cost Matrix and Rate Card does not appear to be transferring cost entries for mobiles or portables.

The Commonwealth has updated Appendix B, Cost Matrix and Rate Card. Please refer to Addendum Number 1.

39

I-9 Questions & Answers

May Offerors ask additional questions at the pre-bid conference and receive answers as Addenda to the IFB?

Questions will not be entertained at the pre-bid conference. All questions should be submitted via email to [email protected]. The Commonwealth will make its best effort to respond to questions which are submitted after the deadline to submit questions.

40

Section II-3, B.2aLot 2 Return to Depot

Can the Commonwealth please provide data on numbers of each type and model of equipment returned to depot over the last 2 years?

The Commonwealth has updated Appendix F, Subscriber Equipment List. Please refer to Addendum Number 1

mailto:[email protected]



41

Section II-3, D, 1, d. (pg. 41 of 50)

In what format will the Commonwealth furnish copies of the current drawings? Paper, pdf, AutoCAD?

Red line drawings on paper can easily be accomplished by the Field Technicians however, as-built drawings in AutoCAD format would require a skill set outside that of a normal technician. What is the total number of AutoCAD hours that the Commonwealth anticipates will be required?

Depending on the work load, this could become a full time job. How are the costs to be covered under the IFB?

Copies of current drawings are available in .pdf format and AutoCAD.

The total number of AutoCAD hours per year are estimated at 416.

The Contractor is solely responsible for the items set forth in the Responsibilities section of this IFB. These third party services must be billed to the Commonwealth at a cost plus a maximum of fifteen (15) percent.

42

Section II-3, D, 5, d. (pg. 44 of 50)

Minor modifications, upgrades, and repairs can be accomplished by the Field Technicians at the rate quoted on the rate card. However, major modifications, upgrades and repairs would require the use of a third party. Are the costs for a third party to be billed under the same conditions as paragraph 5b. above?

Yes, the costs for a third party to be billed under the same conditions as Section II-3, D, 5, b.

43

Section II-3, D, 6, a. (pg. 44 of 50)

Does the Commonwealth own a portable generator that is to be used during prolonged power failures? If not, what size portable generator is required?

Are the costs associated with furnishing a portable generator to be on a cost +15% per event?

Yes, the Commonwealth owns a portable generator for use during prolonged power failures.

Yes, costs associated with furnishing a portable generator are cost +15% per event.

44

Section II-3, D, 6, b. (pg. 45 of 50)

If the major alarm is caused by a failure or series of failures that exceeds the available sparing or when a third party is necessary, will an extension of the six hours be granted on a case by case basis?

Yes, if the major alarm is caused by a failure or series of failures that exceeds the available sparing or when a third party is necessary, an extension of the six (6) hour total restoral time may be granted on a case by case basis.



45

Section II-3, D, 6, c. (pg. 45 of 50)

If the tower crew is performing other Commonwealth related work (e.g. tower inspections in Wayne County), and they are needed for outage in another part of the state (e.g. Fayette County), will an extension of the four hours be granted on a case by case basis?

Depending on what the tower crew finds when on site, they may not have the required materials with them (e.g. 300 foot run of waveguide), will an extension of the four hours be granted on a case by case basis?

No, an extension of the four (4) hour total restoral time will not be granted on a case-by-case basis. The Contractor is responsible for providing tower crews as needed.

The Commonwealth may grant an extension if an outage requires additional parts/resources for repairs.

46

Section II-3, D, 9, a. (pg. 47 of 50)

Is any Commonwealth authorized work to be performed by the Field Technicians that is outside of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday billable per the rate card?

Yes, Commonwealth authorized work performed by Field Technicians outside of normal hours is billable per the rate card.

47

Section II-3, D, 9, e. (pg. 49 of 50)

Is any Commonwealth authorized work to be performed by the Tower Riggers that is outside of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday billable per the rate card?

Yes, Commonwealth authorized work performed by Tower Riggers outside of normal hours is billable per the rate card.

48

Section II-4 Service Level Agreements (SLA), and Appendix D - Service Level Agreements

Will Contractor's clock be suspended, or other relief given, for the SLAs in the event of Force Majeure or if there is not an available spare unit and if the equipment requiring repair must be returned to OEM for repair?

Yes, Contractor’s clock will be suspended, or other relief given, but only if the Commonwealth’s spare parts are exhausted and the Contractor must return the part to the OEM for repair.

49

Appendix D - Service Level Agreement

Will the Commonwealth allow the Liquidated Damages, listed in the Service Level Agreements, to be capped at a maximum of 5% of the total contract value?

No, the Commonwealth will not cap liquidated damages.

50

Section II-3, D, 6, c. (pg. 45 of 50)

What is the policy for nighttime response to major alarms for roadside cell boxes in consideration of Contractor safety?

Major failures of roadside cell boxes must be repaired next day.



51

Section II-3, C, 4

In the event a site/site access road becomes unaccessible due to an act-of-god (e.g. flood, landslide, earthquake, extreme weather such as a blizzard, etc.) will the Commonwealth assume responsibility to restore site access?

The Commonwealth will not assume responsibility, but will consider SLA’s on a case by case basis.

52

Lots 3 & 4 Minimum Staffing Levels

If an Offeror feels it needs more than the minimum staffing levels defined in the IFB to provide response levels to the required SLA, how should those additional staff members be shown in the Appendix B - Cost Matrix & Rate Card?

If additional staffing is required, the Bidder should include those costs in the annual cost for preventative and corrective maintenance.

53

Are the current NOC staff STARNET employees / contractors?

Are they employees/contractors for a 3rd Party hired by STARNET?

Can these NOC employees/contractors be transferred to the selected NOC Services provider?

The current NOC staff are not Commonwealth employees, they are contractors.

The NOC staff are employees of the Commonwealth’s maintenance contractor.

That is up to the individual employees of the existing contractor.

54

What is the current Network Operations Center staffing solution (overall) to support the STARNET system?

How many NOC Supervisors are employed?

How many NOC technicians are employed?

How many UAS Coordinators are employed?

Are there any other NOC positions supporting the STARNET system?

Can their resumes be shared?

The NOC is currently staffed with:

One (1) NOC Supervisor whose standard work schedule is Monday thru Friday 8am to 5pm;

Two (2) NOC Technicians on duty at all times 24 x 7 x 365; and

One (1) UAS Coordinator whose standard work week is scheduled Monday thru Friday 8am to 5pm

The Commonwealth’s maintenance contractor provides one (1) NOC Supervisor is currently employed, eight (8) NOC technicians, and one (1) UAS Coordinator.

No, there are no other NOC positions supporting the PA-STARNET system.

No, the Commonwealth will not provide their resumes.

55 Can a site visit to the primary NOC be arranged? Yes, Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.



56

In section II-3.B.3.a, how was the required NOC staff on duty determined?

How were these NOC staff profiles determined?

The NOC staff on duty were determined by the Commonwealth based on past experience.

The NOC staff profiles were determined by the Commonwealth based on past experience.

57

In section II-3.B.3.a, Contractor Staff schedules:

Are there defined shift times? (i.e., 00:00-08:00, 16:00-00:00, etc.) Or can these be defined by vendor?

Are lunch and break times subject to the 2-staff requirement or can they be manned by single staff?

Is the NOC staff required to provide on-site server support at the data centers?

Shift times may be defined by the Contractor.

During lunch and break times the NOC may be staffed by a single person.

No.

58

How many tickets does the NOC staff handle per day?

How many tickets does the NOC staff transfer to the product maintenance support group?

Can data on ticket volume be provided for the past 12 months?

The NOC staff handles approximately 25 tickets per day.

Approximately 50% of the tickets are transferred to the maintenance support group.

There have been approximately 7,303 tickets over the past 12 months.

59

The RFP states that the NOC services are currently provided from STARNET premises. That implies that the requirement is that the NOC service is to be provided on-site, and not in a remote delivery model. Would a cost-effective, remote delivery option be considered for a primary or backup role?

No, a cost-effective, remote delivery option be considered for a primary or backup role.

60Are NOC functions only provided at the primary location, 8001 Bretz Drive, Harrisburg, PA or the secondary location at Johnsonburg PA?

Normal NOC functions are performed at the primary location, 8001 Bretz Drive, Harrisburg, PA, but depending on mission requirements the NOC could relocate to another location, such as Johnsonburg.

61Does the two technician per shift requirement apply only to the active NOC (primary or backup location)?

Yes, the two (2) technicians per shift requirements applies only to the active NOC.



62

In reference to the following statements from the IFB :

Part II-2 defines PA-STARNet as:The Statewide Radio Network Division (SRND) owns and operates a technically sophisticated communications system (PA-STARNet) comprised of a complex mix of interdependent technologies interlocked together into one orchestrated system. The system includes a digital microwave radio network, OpenSky 800 MHz radio system and supporting infrastructure.

Part II-3.A.1.a defines requirements as:In accordance with applicable Commonwealth policies and procedures, the Contractor’s staff must use equipment, provided by the Commonwealth, to monitor, operate, and maintain the PA-STARNet system, which includes 765 cell sites, 262 high profile sites, approximately 25,000 end user devices, and other assets and facilities.

Questions:In regards to the equipment list (Appendix E) there are some details missing from some of the equipment (e.g. type of equipment, vendor, model). Can a complete list for all of the network elements that would be the contractor’s responsibility to monitor be provided?

The Commonwealth has provided a complete equipment list.

63Section II-3.B.2.b.3: Do all tickets require a 10 minutes response time or can tickets be prioritized based on a severity level?

In the event of multiple alarms or alerts occurring in quick succession and all are associated with a single event, the Contractor’s staff must meet the ten (10) minute requirement for the first three (3) alarms/alerts, and must make an effort to enter the remaining alarms/alerts as soon as possible.

64

Will the northbound interfaces (NBI) of the 5620SAM, TSM8000, UAS, and Harris NMC element management servers (EMS) be integrated into a higher-level network management system (NMS) for filtering or correlation of alarms referenced in Section II-3.B.2.b.3?

No, the northbound interfaces (NBI) of the 5620SAM, TSM8000, UAS, and Harris NMC element management servers (EMS) will not be integrated into a higher-level network management system (NMS) for filtering or correlation of alarms referenced in Section II-3.B.2.b.3.



65In addition to the product EMS, what tools does the NOC use for monitoring? What tools are used for performance, capacity, optimization and reporting?

The tools which are used include, but are not limited to: Next Generation Master (NGM/TSM8000) for

Alcatel system. Network Management Console (NMC) for

Harris Corporation (“Harris”) system. SAM for Multiprotocol/Label Switching

(MPLS). UAS for subscriber registration. Network Management System Reports system. Service Portal for Broadband Middle Mile

(BBMM).

66

In reference to security management requirements in section II-3.A.2.n, does the NOC staff have access to the servers and applications that allow them to make changes to the systems?

The Commonwealth will grant the NOC staff access to the servers and applications based on staff responsibilities.

67

In reference to the Commonwealth owned Subscriber Update software (see II-3.A.2.e), are there any additional tools utilized to provide device management for the 25,000 end user devices?

No, there are no additional tools utilized.

68

What is the total number of subscribers?

The RFP states: “The NOC is not designed or staffed to operate as a radio service help desk,…”. Who provides the help desk function?

There are approximately 29,372 subscriber units.

Each agency provides its own help desk services.

69

Will the NOC contractor be allowed to suggest and implement its best practices, including re-writing the alarm correlation rules, policies and set the severities?

To the extent that these are simply policy/procedure suggestions for NOC staff, the Commonwealth will entertain these suggestions.However, because modifications to the network management systems’ defaults may have unintended consequences, the Commonwealth would participate in these kinds of changes only if the NOC Contractor was willing to pay for a third party or the NMS vendor to evaluate and implement the proposed system changes.

70Beyond the 5620 SAM tools, what other analysis tools are used today for reporting and healthcheck of the backbone system and the OpenSky system?

The analysis tools which are used for reporting and healthcheck of the backbone system and the OpenSky system include, but are not limited to: Next Generation Master (NGM/TSM8000) for



(MPLS). Service Portal for Broadband Middle Mile

(BBMM).



71

How often are software upgrades performed on the PA OpenSky system elements and devices?

Do procedures exist for major software upgrades?

Who performs the software testing prior to it going live in the network?

Are there any additional NOC staffing requirements during software upgrades?

Software upgrades are performed every three (3) years.

Yes, procedures exist for major software upgrades.

The SVT test lab performs the software testing prior to it going live in the network.

No, there are no additional staffing requirements during software upgrades.

72

For the StarNet system, what tools are used for backup?

How often is backup performed?

Who has the responsibility to do the backup?

Are restoration services from backup the NOC contractor’s responsibility?

For the MPLS IP nodes, automatic backup is performed by the 5620 SAM tool. For our virtual servers, backup is achieved via backup features of VM ware. The OpenSky system is backed up manually.

The backup is performed daily.

The NOC staff is responsible to do the backup.

Yes, restoration services from backup are the NOC contractor’s responsibility.

73

Please confirm that special projects (System Upgrades, Adjacencies, Configurations, Re-banding, and COW) will be handled as change requests, and priced separately?

The Commonwealth will review each project on a case by case basis. Depending on the complexity of the project and the resources which are available, the Commonwealth may determine that the project may be accomplished with the current staff. If the Commonwealth determines that the current staff are unable to complete the project, the Commonwealth may create a change request and price that project separately.

74 What methods and tools are used for remote diagnostics?

The methods and tools used for remote diagnostics include, but are not limited to: Next Generation Master (NGM/TSM8000) for



(MPLS). UAS for subscriber registration. Network Management System Reports system. Service Portal for Broadband Middle Mile

(BBMM).

75 Do existing tools perform auto reporting for the items in section 5 Reports?

No, existing tools do not perform auto reporting for the items in section 5 Reports.



76

On page 29 of 50 (Responsibilities section) it states: “On-site support when requested, within twelve (12) hours, seven (7) days a week including Commonwealth holidays.” But on page 37 of 50 (Major Failures section) it states: “The Contractor must respond to major failures with on-site support within two (2) hours and a repair time of four (4) hours (six (6) hours total restoral time) from time of notification by the NOC, twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, 365 days a year.”

Please clarify if on-site support is needed in 12 hours or 2 hours.

These are two different requirements. Page 29 references Lot 2, for which a response is needed within 12 hours. Page 37 references Lot 3, for which a response is needed in 2 hours.

77

Is there any interest in extended parts warranty services for the equipment in Lot 4 rather than purchasing spare parts as needed. If so, please state which items in Lot 4 you would like pricing for such coverage

No, there is no interest in extended parts warranty services for the equipment in Lot 4.

78 Is a point by point response to the requirements in the RFP required?

No, a point by point response to the requirements in the IFB is not required.

79 What format (e.g. PDF, Microsoft Word, etc) is preferred for responses?

Bids must be submitted electronically via the PASupplierPortal website on or before the due date specified in the Calendar of Events. Any bid submitted to the Issuing Office in hardcopy format will be rejected. The following documentation must be submitted as part of the bid:

• Appendix B, Cost Matrix & Rate Card• Appendix C, Lobbying Certification Form• Appendix O, Resume Template• Appendix P, Technician Overview• Organizational Chart

Failure to submit the documentation listed above will result in the bid being rejected. The submission of any documentation other than what is listed above may result in the bid being rejected.

80 We respectfully request an extension to the due date of our proposal until June 12th or later. Please refer to the Answer to Question Number 22.

81

IT Contract Terms & Conditions, Item 55(The ARRA Exhibit B includes a requirement to pay wages equivalent to prevailing wages.)

Will there be any ARRA funds used in this contract?

No ARRA will be used to fund the resulting contract.



82

IT Contract Terms and Conditions, Item 34(c)(The Business Associate Agreement Exhibit A includes requirements for the handling of Protected Health Information (PHI).)

Will there be any PHI created, accessed or transmitted in this contract?

No PHI will be created, accessed or transmitted under this contract.

83Lot 1 & 3

Can a site visit to a ROC be arranged?

Yes, Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

84Is the requirement of two (2) NOC Technicians on duty at all times 24 x 7 x 365 part of the existing contract with the current NOC staffing provider?

Yes, the requirement of two (2) NOC Technicians on duty at all times 24 x 7 x 365 is part of the existing contract with the current NOC staffing provider.

85Of the approximately 25 tickets the NOC staff handles per day, do you have an average of NOC staff time spent per ticket?

The average time that NOC staff spends on tickets each day is 20 to 40 minutes on each ticket.

86

Appendix D

In order to better understand what the Present Mode of Operations is, can you please clarify what the SLAs are in the existing contract with the current NOC staffing provider for Lot 1 and what the current performance is against the existing SLAs?

There are no current SLA’s in existing contract pertaining to Lot#1.

87

Appendix B

Please clarify the following: On the rate card tab may we provide a rate for normal and over-time hours per position?

Rates for services provided in Lots 1—4 are included in the annual cost. The rate card is for additional services.

88

Section I-17 Resources:

Can you please clarify how this requirement applies to Lot 1 and specifically regarding “other support”?

Section I-17 requires the Contractor to “provide all services, supplies, facilities, and other support necessary to complete the identified work.” Since Lot#1 relates to personnel only, there would be no other recourses or other support required.

89

Section II-3.A.1.b – NOC

What maintenance responsibilities are included in “All aspects of the maintenance of the NOC as an operating entity”?

Maintenance responsibilities include adherence to good general housekeeping practices and a safe working environment.



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Section II-3.A.1.c - Backup NOC

If events warrant NOC functions be moved to backup NOC location –

What is the expected timeframe for contractor’s staff to be in place at backup NOC?

What is the expected timeframe for recovery onto backup NOC management systems?

Is there an expectation that this “process” be tested, and if so, how often

The expected timeframe for Contractor’s staff to be in place at the backup NOC is six (6) hours.

The expected time frame for recovery onto backup NOC management systems is one (1) hour.

Yes, there is an expectation that the process be tested annually.

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Section II-3.A.5 – Reporting:

We understand reporting is not automated. Are the listed reports already built and part of an existing documented process?

Yes, the listed reports are already built and part of an existing documented process.

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Appendix B, Cost Matrix and Rate Card

The Lot 2 pricing tab provides unit pricing on a per month basis. When this information is rolled up to the summary tab, the quantities of radios, as presented in the proposal appendices (Appendices E, F, and G), is not included in the formula to gain the true picture of this Lot item. Would the Commonwealth consider modifying the formula on the summary tab for Lot 2 such that it included the relevant quantities as outlined in the appendices?

The Commonwealth will not modify the formula of the Summary Tab to include quantities for Lot 2.

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The latest version of Appendix D for IFB #6100033482 delivered as part of Addendum #1 appears to be missing SLAs for Lot 1. Are SLAs required for Lot 1 services and if so, what SLAs should we use?

No, there are no SLAs associated with Lot 1. The Commonwealth has modified Appendix D to remove all references to Lot 1.

Documents

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