1 8.5.2 Hosted PBX 9.2.4 Hosted PBX
Is the definition of Hosted PBX mean a service where the PBX platform and PBX features are hosted at the service provider location (3rd Party service provider) and no PBX equipment is installed at the Cal EMA facility?
Yes.
2 8.5.2 Hosted PBX
9.2.4 Hosted PBX
What is the current PBX system used for Cal EMA? Asterisk open source framework.
3 8.5.2 Hosted PBX
9.2.4 Hosted PBX
Do the 4 phone extensions at fixed sites and
transportable unit’s access or connect to the PBX over the satellite network?
Yes.
4 8.5.2 Hosted PBX
9.2.4 Hosted PBX
Do the 4 phone extensions at fixed sites and
transportable units access the PSTN via the PBX over the satellite network?
Yes.
5 8.5.2 Hosted PBX
9.2.4 Hosted PBX
Is the DID calling site to site made over the satellite network via the PBX?
Yes.
6 8.5.2 Hosted PBX
9.2.4 Hosted PBX
Is the definition of the “VoIP Gateways” the idirect modems at the remote sites?
No. The VoIP Gateways are the AudioCodes MP-108A/FXS/AC/SIP and MP-124C/FXS/AC/SIP. Refer to Section 8.5.2, Item 6, in Addendum 1.
7 8.5.2 Hosted PBX
9.2.4 Hosted PBX
Are the VoIP Gateway Configuration Files” the same as the idirect Optional (option) Files?
No. The VoIP Gateways are separate devices and need configuration to deliver VoIP services.
8 8.5.2 Hosted PBX
9.2.4 Hosted PBX
How are the current telephones at the fixed sites and transportable units connected to the PBX?
The telephones are connected by AudioCodes MP-108A/FXS/AC/SIP and MP-124C/FXS/AC/SIP VoIP Gateways, respectively.
9 8.5.2 Hosted PBX 9.2.4 Hosted PBX
Are all the telephone sets at the fixed sites and transportable units capable of VoIP?
No. The existing VoIP Gateways provide analog FXS interfaces.
10 8.5.1 Airtime
Service – Satellite Data Network
Is the Satellite Data Network equipment (satellite dish, iDirect hub, etc.) provided by Cal EMA and located at Cal EMA HQ premises?
Refer to Section 9.2.1 for equipment provided by Cal EMA.
11 8.5.1 Airtime
Service – Satellite Data Network
To fully understand the Satellite Data Network
requirement, does the Cal EMA require the contractor to provide the teleport service (Antenna, RFT, Tx Chain, Rx Chain, etc), and the iDirect hub platform in addition to the bandwidth?
Please clarify your question and resubmit. The state is unsure the bidders definition of “teleport service” and “iDirect hub platform”.
12 8.5.1 Airtime
Service – Satellite Data Network
How does the Cal EMA plan to connect the source and termination of the data, voice and video to and from the Satellite Data network?
All connection and termination services will be by means of published industry standard protocols.
13 9.2.3 Satellite Data
Network Service
Is the requirement for each Fixed site and Transportable site to have its own dedicated Outbound (3 or 5 Mbps) and Inbound (1 or 2 Mbps) satellite carrier/link ?
Please clarify your question and resubmit. The state is unsure the bidders definition of “dedicated”.
14 9.2.3 Satellite Data
Network Service
Does Cal EMA require the Satellite Data Network to be sized based on dedicated carriers (outbound and inbound) for each Fixed site and Transportable site ?
Please clarify your question and resubmit. The state is unsure the bidders definition of “dedicated”.
15 Cost Work Sheet
#1, Item 1,2, and 3
Will Cal EMA commence services with all the CLINS identified on worksheet 1 or will Cal EMA advise the user at time of award which services will be required.
Yes, Cal EMA will commence services for all 80 sites referenced in Cost Worksheet #1, Item 1, 2, and 3.
16 Cost Work Sheet #1, Item 1,2, and 3
It is noted Cal EMA inserted a Unit Price (Price per Site per month) in the CLIN table. It should be noted if Cal EMA deactivates a site and the in/outbound Mbps (satellite data network) remains unchanged it will NOT reduce the Total Monthly Price.
Please resubmit in the form a question.
17 Cost Worksheet #1,
Item 2
The Cost Worksheet “Transportable” requires pricing for a 5x1 Mbps circuit. On Page -11- Part -2- Bidder’s Response for OASIS Satellite Services Project specifies a network speed of 5x2 Mbps which one is correct.
The Cost worksheet has been changed to reflect 5x2 Mbps. Refer to Addendum 1.
18 9.2.3 If Cal EMA is responsible for the hub, please provide
that hub antenna size.
Cal EMA is not responsible for the hub. The existing antenna size at the fixed sites are 1.8M and the transportable sites are 1.2M. See Section 9.2.1, Equipment Compatibility.
19 9.2.3 For the Fixed Sites case, the network speed is indicated
as 3 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up. Since the network calls for 69 sites, should we assume that the 1 Mbps up may be configured as a TDMA link shared by all 69 fixed sites?
The requirement stated in Section 9.2.3 is for each site.
20 9.2.3 For the Transportable Sites case, the network speed is
described as 5 Mbps down and 2 Mbps up. Since the network calls for 11 transportable sites, should we assume that the 1 Mbps up may be configured as a TDMA link shared by all 11 transportable sites?
The requirement stated in Section 9.2.3 is for each site.
21 9.2.3 For the Fixed Sites case, are the 32 kbps down and 32
kbps up CIR voice line included in the 3 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up link?
22 8.10 What is the lead time to buy and install HUB equipment from the date of contract award.
The Contractor shall have all services available 45 calendar days after Contract Award.
23 8.9.A For network outage charges, we presume that these
would not apply until the network availability has dropped below 99.2%. Please confirm or if this is not correct provide clarification on how the two metrics are related.
The 99.2% availability is an aggregate network
performance metric while the network outage charges in Section 8.9 Item A are per site.
24 9.10.D Since the network will be moving, new configuration files
will have to be loaded at each remote site which must be done manually. There does not appear to be a line item to capture the charge for this site visit. Can one be added?
No, the Contractor shall provide the configuration files to the State to load at each site. Refer to Section 8.5.1, Item B Addendum 1.
25 8.10.F This section appears to imply that the state may not
order all 80 sites, at least within any referenced timeline. This makes it difficult to appropriate size the network. Can some minimum guarantees be provided?
Yes. Refer to Section 8.10, Item F Addendum 1.
26 9.24 and 8.5.2 Are there any sites (beside the 80 sites) that are not on
VSAT but need VoIP service through our system?
No.
27 9.3.1 For network sizing purposes, can you provide historical
data on how often and for what durations these additional data rates have been ordered?
No, there is no historical data as this is a new service.
28 Is this network going to be used full time or only for back
up purpose? If it is for back up, what is the percentage of time the VSAT is used?
The network is an always available backup
communications system. The percentage of time the VSAT is used is driven by emergency response and emergency management requirements.
29 Does the VoIP traffic flows over the VSAT all the time or just in back up mode?
All of the time.
30 Is the State interested in proposals that use either
different satellites and/or different satellite equipment if the total cost of ownership, including any new
equipment required, is substantially more cost effective than a fully compliant solution?
No.
31 3.4.2.1 Are there page restrictions to the cover letter? Can we
write a full proposal in the cover letter?
No. The State will evaluate and award a Contract per Section 5 and 6 of the IFB.
32 3.4.3 "The State makes no warranty that the checklist is a full
and comprehensive listing of every requirement specified in the IFB. Checking off the items on the checklist does not establish the Bidder’s intent nor does it constitute responsiveness to the requirements" This implies that filling out the checklist isn't enough, and that narrative is necessary. Where do we write narrative?
As stated in Section 3.4.3, The checklist is only a tool to assist participating Bidders in compiling the Final Bid response and is not required to be submitted with the Final Bid.
Narrative is not required.
33 5.4.3 Is Section 8, Statement of Work, where can we write
narrative?
Narrative is not required.
34 9.2.3 Do we need to accommodate 1 voice call from each of
80 sites at the same time, meaning up to 80 voice calls active at one time?
The requirement for each site is CIR of 32kbps down and 32kbps up for 1 voice line as indicated in Section 9.2.3.
35 9.3.1 Dedicated CIR. Does this mean CIR dedicated to a
single site? And only one site at a time, or could Cal EMA request multiple dedicated CIR's at the same time?
CIR shall be requested as circumstances might require, on a site-by-site basis.
36 9.3.1 Does any of the additional data come from the baseline
3x1 or 5x2 data?
No.
37 Comment - there's no cost worksheet for 1-time costs of
satellite service. Is that expected in the total cost?
38 8.9A Network outages. Is the No exclusion clause for failure of CAL-EMA satellite equipment or weather 100% or is there an exceptable loss Cal EMA would accept?
This requirement has been modified. Refer to Section 8.9 Item A, Addendum 1.
39 Cost WS 1 A) What is the total bandwidth required for all sites?
B) How many sites could Cal EMA need to have up and running at once?
C) Is the return for each site 3.208 Mbps (all the voice plus the data)?
A) Refer to Section 9.2.3 and Section 9.3.1 B) All sites could be up and running at once. C) The return is not specified in the IFB.
40 Cost WS 1 Line 2 says 5x1 Mbps. Elsewhere in the text is 5x2
Mbps.
The Cost worksheet has been changed to reflect 5x2 Mbps. Refer to Addendum 1.
41 Cost WS 4 Everything 1 Mbps and above specifies DEDICATED.
What does this mean?
Dedicated means CIR. CIR is defined in the Glossary. Refer to Addendum 1, which modifies all items on Cost Worksheet 4 and Section 9.3.1 to read the same.
42 8.5.2 also 9.2.4 What are the SLA's for the Hosted PBX Solution. Refer to Section 8.8, Item A and Item B and Section
8.5.2 Addendum 1.
43 8.5.2 also 9.2.4 Is there a preference for the Hosted PBX Solution? In
or out of CA?
No.
44 9.2 Can you provide an existing design of the VOIP PBX
and also all equipment. Also identify which equipment can be reused and which you prefer to be new.
The State’s intent is to replace the existing owned IP PBX equipment with a hosted PBX service maintained and owned by the bidder. Refer to Section 8.5.2, Hosted PBX and 9.2.4, Hosted OASIS PBX for requirements which includes the VoIP Gateway specification.
45 9.2.1 please include list of equipment make and model at HQ
and at remote sites.
Section 9.2.1 is the list of equipment.
46 9.2 A) Is Cal EMA only interested in an IntelSat solution?
B) Or would another design also be excepted?
A) Yes. B) No.
47 8.7 and 8.9 The State of CA has legislature that states in the event of Force Majeure event however there is language in the RFP that penalties will be levied if an outage happens. A) The charge is listed at $100 per day but how is that charged if it's a partial day?
B) It also lists that if a vendor fails to make the bandwidth change within an hour that 50% of the bandwidth will be credited?
C) Is this for a one month timeframe, the life of the contract?
D) What if the request is for a bandwidth decrease? Asking for more clarity.
A) As stated in Section 8.9 Item A, minimum one hundred dollars ($100.00) credit for each site impacted.
B) As stated in Section 8.9 Item C, 50% of the total cost of the increased bandwidth that was initially
requested.
C) Refer to Section 8.9 Item C, Addendum 1 for clarifying language.
D) The State is not asking to decrease bandwidth from the original requirement amounts stated in Section 9.2.3.
48 My question is what network rates, bandwidth and
dedicated segment were previously/currently provided to meet the sites?
The current services rely on 7.6 MHz of dedicated satellite bandwidth. Service is provided via Galaxy18 at 123W.
49 Under the bid, is the base line for the sites the 3 Mbps x
1 Mbps for the fixed sites and 5 Mbps x 2 Mbps for the mobile and the ability to request additional sites to the 69 fixed and 11 mobile will incur additional costs, as well as, the ability to increase the bandwidth, if requested, in a timely manor will also increase the costs/expenses of the program and will incur additional costs separate of the quoted price?
Refer to Section 8.5.1, Airtime Service – Satellite Data Network, Section 9.2.3, Satellite Data Network, Section 9.3.1, Additional Data Rates, and Exhibit 17 - Cost Worksheets for the requirements and costs associated with the Satellite Data Network Service.
