This amendment number 4 is issued to post additional questions and answers. Date and time for receipt of proposals remains on or before Friday, April 7, 2006, at 3 PM (CDT). Amendment 4 Questions and Answers: 1. With respect to Amendment 03 for 7TF-06-0004, the GFE list includes a CISCO 3824 Router. Could you verify this model number; I've looked at the CISCO 3800 Series family data sheet and don't see a "3824" model -- only 3825 and 3845. I wanted to see specifications for the router, such as power, weight, etc. Thank you. ANSWER: Correct model # is a 3825. 2. With the insertion of KG-250 into the system, presumably on our side of the demarcation point, we need to know whether all of the traffic, to/from the Hub, passes through KG-250. ANSWER: No, not all will be through the KG-250. 3. In case all the traffic does not pass through the KG-250, we need to know which traffic is being handled by the KG-250 and which is by-passing KG-250. ANSWER: SIPR by KG-250, other traffic is NIPR and Voice. 4. We would like to get clarification on the precise list of GFE for 7TF-06-0004. In Amendment 01, the Answer to Question 10 states that Hub racks are GFE. But in Amendment 03, the new wording for Section III GFE reads as follows: Contractor will be required to engineer, incorporate, and configure Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) consisting of a Cisco 3824 Router and a Cisco 3560G switch into the required systems. The government will not provide any other equipment. This last sentence would imply that the racks are no longer GFE -- only the routers and multiport switches. We would appreciate clarification on the precise list of GFE for 7TF-06-0004. ANSWER: Racks are not GFE. 5. One clarifying question: As the revised GFE specifically states "The Government will not provide any other equipment", does this statement rescind the answer given in Amendment 1 stating that racks will be provided as GFE for the Hub? ANSWER: Yes, we rescind the answer given in Amendment 1. Racks will not be provided as GFE. 6. The 6 Mbps total uplink capability from the hub listed in answer (1) doesn't jive with the original SOW which stated: "This system is to be equipped with one (1) network hub and two (2) portable/deployable earth stations providing simultaneous uplink channel available bandwidth of 2MBps from each of the two deployed terminals and an available total (shared) downlink capability of 3MBps from the fixed central hub". For those familiar with satellite operations, that "shared" caveat means that both stations share the 3MBps throughput. What is described in the Q&A is a dedicated circuit, not shared. Is this what they want? It almost doubles the bandwidth needed to be compliant. ANSWER: Paragraph I. Overview, and Paragraph II. Deliverables, of the FedBizOpps Combine Solicitation notice posted March 16, 2006, is replaced in its entirety by the following paragraphs. Also, please note the change in the performance period for the space segment lease. I. OVERVIEW: This requirement is for the purchase of a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite communications system capable of Single Channel Per Carrier (SCPC) point-to-point operation. This system is to be equipped with one (1) network hub and two (2) portable/deployable earth stations. The 2 portable/deployable earth stations shall each provide simultaneous uplink channel available bandwidth of 2MB (combined simultaneous uplink bandwidth of 4MB) and downlink channel available bandwidth of 3MB (combined simultaneous downlink bandwidth of 6MB). The fixed network hub shall provide simultaneous uplink channel available bandwidth of 6MB and downlink channel available bandwidth of 4MB. Proposed system should be capable of providing secure, point-to-point broadband data connections and Voice Over IP (VOIP) capabilities (as described in deliverables) between any two points in the satellite footprint coverage area. The required link for this system will be configured to provide bandwidth for full simultaneous operation of the terminals above. II. DELIVERABLES: 1. SYSTEM. The Contractor shall provide, integrate, test, deliver and install a satellite communications system with 24X7 technical support services provided for a 2 month period after acceptance of all equipment. Contractor will provide dedicated, leased satellite capacity allowing 24 x 7 x 365 full access without contention for resources. The space segment lease will be provided for a 2 month period after acceptance of all equipment. The satellite communications system should enable secure, point-to-point broadband data connections between any two points in the satellite footprint. This system is to be equipped with one (1) network hub and two (2) portable/deployable earth stations. The 2 portable/deployable earth stations shall each provide simultaneous uplink channel available bandwidth of 2MB (combined simultaneous uplink bandwidth of 4MB) and downlink channel available bandwidth of 3MB (combined simultaneous downlink bandwidth of 6MG). The fixed network hub shall provide simultaneous uplink channel available bandwidth of 6MB and downlink channel available bandwidth of 4MB. System shall provide up to 280 VoIP channels, 8 hardwired up to a maximum 38 STU/STE calls, and 48 hardwired data ports.
