NATO UNCLASSIFIED

I Acquisition Support Group

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Telephone: +32 (2) 707 8499

Fax: +32 (2) 707.8777 AGE N C Y

To

Subject

Reference:

Dear Sirs,

See Distribution List

NCINACQl0989 31 July 2013

RFQ-13639-ACCS, Amendment 3, Edition 2 of Clarification Requests and Answers for the Provision of Enhancements to NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System Command and Control Communications - Voice Loop Communications

a. Letter NCINACQ/o890 dated 10 July 2013 b. Letter NCIA/ACQ/0978 dated 26 July 2013 c. Letter NCINACQ/0981 dated 29 July 2013

1. By the letter in reference a. you were sent the RFO mentioned in subject for the Provision of Enhancements to NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System Command and Control Communications - Voice Loop Communications as well as its relevant documentation; by the letter in reference b. you were sent the amended extension to the Bid Closing Date; and by the letter in reference c. you were sent the Edition 1 of the Clarification Requests and Answers.

2. The present amendment 3 of the subject RFO provides Edition 2 of Clarification Requests submitted and their answers.

3. This amendment 3 also provides the following change to Book II, Part 4, Section 1 "Statement of Work" sub-section 3.10.4.4. "Training Documentation and Equipment":

a. The original released requirement read as follows: 3.10.4.4.(1 )SOW309/­"The Contractor shall develop and provide all training documentation to the Purchaser for review and approval no later than ninety days before the planned starting date of each individual course. The Contractor shall provide updates whenever the course material is changed ."

b. The amended requirement shall now read as follows: 3.10.4.4.(1) SOW309/­"The Contractor shall develop and provide all training documentation to the Purchaser for review and approval no later than thirty days before the planned starting date of each individual course. The Contractor shall provide updates whenever the course material is changed."

4. All the other terms of the RFO remain valid and unchanged.

NATO Communications and Information Agency

NATO UNCLASSIFIED

Agence OTAN d'i nformation et de communication

Avenue du Bourget 140 1140 Brussels, Belg ium

www.ncia.nato.int

Page 1 of 4

-$ ­~JCI AGENCY

5.

NATO UNCLASSIFIED

NCIAIAirC2J2013/0989

The NCI Agency point of contact for this procurement is Ms. Veronica Reynosa at +32.2.7078499 or e-mail veronica .reynosa@ncia .nato.int or Mr Jean-Luc Guellec, who may be reached at NCI Agency +32.2 .707 8303 or e-mail jean­luc.guellec@ncia .nato.int. The Fax number is +32.2.7078517.

Yours faithfully,

FOR THE GENERAL MANAGER

J-L GUELLEC Principal Contracting Officer

Attachment: 1. Acknowledgement of Receipt

2. Clarification Requests and Answers Edition 2

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-~-4\JC. AGE N C Y

Distribution List

Prospective Bidders

NATO UNCLASSIFIED

NATO Delegations (Attn: Infrastructure Adviser):

Embassies in Brussels (Attn: Commercial Attache):

NATOHQ

Security Investment Directorate

Attn: Head Technology Implementation Section

Director, NATO HQ CI Staff (PRB) Attn: Executive Co-ordinator

Strategic Commands

SACT

Attn: DACOS Resources and Logistics (SR-810)

SACTREPEUR

Attn: SO RESOURCES/NSIP/LOGS (C-0932)

SHAPE

Attn: ACOS J6

Branch Chief J3 AC2 (Col W Pestel)

J3 AC2 (LTC Gard Andersen)

NATO Agencies

NSPA LR

NCI Agency NSIP Liaison Officer (Mr. C. Ulsh)

AirC2/PO Director (Mr. E. Montalti)

AirC21 PO Dep Air C2 Programme Director (Mr. M Stoltz)

AirC2/Chief PRB (Mr. C Romney)

AirC2/Chief PET and IB (Mr. S Van Meensel)

Legal Advisor (Mrs. S. Rocchi)

Acting Director Acquisition Division (Mr. T. Herway)

Acquisition Administrator CAB (Ms Le Bourlot)

ASG/PCO (Mr. JL Guellec)

Registry

NATO UNCLASSIFIED

NCIAIAirC2/201310989

1

1

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-$ ­~JCI AGE N C Y NCIAIAirC2/2013/09a9

NATO COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION AGENCY

INCI Agency)

AirC2 Programme Office

Mailing Address

Avenue Leopold III

1110 Brussels - Belgium

RFQ-13639-ACCS - AMENDMENT 3

Subject: Acknowledgement of Receipt of Request for Quotation - Amendment 3

We hereby advise that we have received Request for Quotation RFQ-13639-ACCS Amendment 3 on ..... .... .......................... ...... , together with all enclosures listed in the letter of submission.

CHECK ONE

{} As of this date and without commitment on our part, we do intend to submit a bid

{} We do not intend to submit a bid

{} We are reviewing the requirements of the RFQ and will notify you of our decision as soon as possible.

Signature:

Printed Name:

Title:

Company:

Address:

NATO UNCLASSIFIED Page 4 of 4

NATO UNCLASSIFIED RFQ- 13639-ACCS

Clarification Requests and Answers Edition 2

ADMINISTRATION or CONTRACTING RFQ BIDDER'S QUESTION

Serial REF No.

VL0172/- Please let us know when specified document, COMSEC -

A.18 CM(2002)49 will be delivered to Contractor

VL0173/- Please let us know what is the classification level of the environment where Voice Loop system shall be installed.

A.19

SOW3071- SDR and SRR is scheduled for 30-Sep-2013. First PSA date SOW309/- is 31-Dec-2013. If all training documentation shall be

delivered (90) ninety days before PSA, this term is not realistic . By 30-Sep-2013 design details are accepted and by 1-0ct-2013 training materials shall be delivered for review. Please specify the first PSA for which the training shall be

A.20 conducted.

SOW168/- Does the Contactor needs to be on site to acknowledge the receiving of VL equipments or this will be the responsibility of THN/Site POC?

A.21

NCI AGENCY ANSWER

Available in the Internet in different services. Please use the web search tool with query "C-M(2002)49.pdf".

The Operations rooms in each of the CRCs, will have a 'National/NATO SECRET' classification. The VL system will used to transmit, UNCLASSIFIED -UNENCRYPTED Voice messages from within this environment.

The Purchaser acknolwdeges the tight time lines for this project. Training is to be given to the operational site users at each site type, immediately following site installation. SOW3071- stipulates that training is not to be given earlier than 60 days before that site PSA.

SOW309/- Ideally the purachaser would like gO days to review proposed training packages before that element of training is due to be delivered, iaw SOW 309/- . This refers to specific 'Collective training' for administrators if required. Given the compressed timelines of this project, and expected noncomplexity of the VL equipment and software, the purchaser amends this requirement to be a 30 day review period. This review period is not linked to PSA deliverable dates.

If this CR refers to delivery of equipment to the site as part of the pre-site installation activity, then it can be assumed that the THN Site POC, can receive and store the 'as delivered' equipment on behalf of the contractor. THN and Site POC personnel , will not unpack the delivered equipment, this remains the responsability of the contractor.

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SOW176/- Please let us know if ACE COMSEC Directive N. 5. will be Please refere to Tech CR T.28, T.30 and T.31 for the required detailed provided to Contractor. Also we would like to know when all standards, which will enable a contractor to assess their system against the other standards referred in the RFQ will be provided to the required NATO standards. Contractor. The ACE COMSEC Directive N.5 is a classified General policy document, which

A.22 can be provided only once a contract is awarded. The other standards stated above are sufficient for bidders to evaluate their products.

Packaging and 16.1 The VL project will deliver across 26 NATO nations Please refere to Annex D to the SOW . Some nations only have 1 site, other Transportation within the European theatre of Operations. The Contractor is nation have 2, 3 or 4 sites. In the the case of the Baltic states, Latvia, Lithuania Plan 3. SYSTEM to specifically verify, differing THN requirements for the and Estonia are all covered by 1 site in Lithuania. REQUIREMENTS transportation and shipping of equipment for NATO use in Hence 22 countries plus France as a contract option equals 23 countries

each respective country. E.g. Albania has specific A.23 Import/customs requirements for NATO equipment. (3) The

VL system elements are to be installed in 38 sites situated across 22 ally countries in Europe. As an option, the VL system may also be required to be installed at an additional four sites in France. Please specify the exact number of countries where VL system shall be installed .

NATO UNCLASSIFIED RFQ- 13639-ACCS

TECHNICAL Serial RFQ No. REF T.27 VLOOO3

T.28 VL0117

T.29 VLOO9

T.30 VLOO15

T.31 VL0172

L ___ -- -

Clarification Requests and Answers Edition 2

BIDDER'S QUESTION

The VL system shall be fully interoperable with NATO General Communications System (NGCS). The VL system site installations shall be interfaced with the Purchaser Furnished Property (PFP) multiplexer" Question: please mention which interfaces needs to be supported for NGCS as well as for PFP(IP, TOM, E1 etc .)?

VL system will serve sites in Europe; are you sure that you need G711uLaw CODEC as standard for communication? Is aLaw acceptable?

VL channels needs to be independent in each domain? That means NR has its 4 loop channels (as defined at VL0025) and SR another different 4 loop channels?

Please provide referred NATO Communication STANAGs in order to check the compliance

Please provide NATO Communications Security CM(2002)49 policy and any NATO Directive and Guidelines for Security in order to check the compliance

NCI AGENCY ANSWER

The Interface point for the VL system at each site is a RAD Multiplexer, as described in Annex A to the Procurement Specification. The contractor is expected to procure/deliver an appropriate LAN card to this type of Multiplexer in accordance with their proposed VL system requirements . Connectivity from the Multiplexer to NGCS is E1 /ISDN or TDMoIP. Routing through NGCS will be controlled and maintained by the purchaser.

It is an editorial error. The proper codec is G711 a-law as it is the mandatory European standard. PS paragraph 3.2.8.2 will be amended to read - The target IP PBX system shall use the g711a-law codec as standard for communications within the VL system . In Addit ion the following VolP standards should also be considered: RFC 3261 RFC 3361 RFC 4571 .

Correct, each domain needs to have 4 VL channels . 4 in the North and 4 in the South. NOTE: all North and South channels must be available at the Fall-back SADC at Ramstein . However only one domain will be activated at a time. Thus Ramstein SADC will be either North or South VL domain.

Applicable documents are listed in SOW paragraphs 3.2.8.4 and 3.2.9.1 and Procurement Specification paragraph 3.2.8.1 VL0116/-. These are NATO Military standard and Commercial VolP Industry standards. Please also refer to the response !'liven in T.28 above. Available in the Internet in different services. Please use the web search tool with query"C-M(2002)49.pdf" Please also refer to the response given in T.28 and T.30 above.

- -- -------- --_. - - - -_.-

T.32 VLOO03, Please specify what are the interfaces required for integration to The Interface point for the VL system at each site is a RAD Multiplexer, as VL0083 the NGCS and also what will be the type of the router described in Annex A to the Procurement Specification.

recommended for interconnecting the CAOC/SADC and CRC The contractor is expected to procure/deliver an appropriate LAN card to this centres. We are asking this question as there are probably type of Multiplexer in accordance with their proposed VL system requirements. security, QoS and routing policies and communications Connectivity from the Multiplexer to NGCS is E111SDN or TDMoIP. Routing protocols to be considered when connecting to the NGCS. through NGCS will be controlled and maintained by the purchaser. Please specify at least the technical characteristics for routers, No additional Routers other than those specific in VL 0083/- are necessary. The additional to those defined under VL0083 Interface is to a LAN card in the Multiplexer.

T.33 VL0010 Please confirm that there is one fall-back SADC facility that will There is only 1 fall-back SADC at Ramstein , which will take over for either take over the operational role of the CAOC VL, for each CAOC CAOC, however not both CAOCs simultaneously. VL facility, or the fall-back facility could take over any of the both The initiation of the SADC VL system would be following a catastrophic failure of CAOCs from the two defined Regions . Please specify what will a robust CAOC element. Reconstitution of a CAOC VL capability would be be sequence in case of the main system is up and running following a protracted period of operations from the fall-back SADC element and again and what are the conditions to switch among the the purchaser believes this would be effectively a 'full system reset" and for MAIN/FALL-BACKIMAIN example replacement of equipment following a fire.

The current focus and priority would be for a main failure and fall-back activation.

T.34 VL0022 Please describe what is the understanding for individual voice It should be considered as a broadcast from either a CAOC user or a CRC user. responses? Should this be understood also as broadcast communications in the loop channel?

T .35 VL0027, Please confirm that the 150 maximum number for simultaneous Please refer to the answer given in CR T.4 as provided in Amendment 2, VL0028 users is the maximum capacity allowed for monitoring a single Clarification Request Edition 1 sent on 29 July 2013.

VL channel. Based on VL0027 and VL0028, for Region North It is not expected that all CRC users will be on the same channel at the same will mean accessibility to same VL channel for a number of 190 time. users, and for Region South a number of 25 users (users in one Operational process will determine which users, up to a maximum of 150 users CRC * number of CRCs + users in one CAOC/SADC -> Region across the Uedem or Torrejon domains will monitor and use each VL channel. North: 15*12+10=190 users in one VL channel, Region South: Often CRC user roles maybe required to work from different workstations. 12 20*12+10=250 users in one VL channel) CRC workstations is seen as the optimum number of VL interface units required

at each CRC to cover all expected eventualities.

T.36 VL0034 Please confirm that the over-ride and the configuration of the VL Any VL user shall be able to initiate an over-ride and take control of a voice loop channel in use by a subordinate CRC is to be performed from channel in the event of an emergency. E.g. In the event of an incident during the the Administration console. CAOC Commanders brief for instance the MC or other operator at a subordinate

CRC shall be able to initiate an alert tone and over-ride the CAOC Commanders broadcast to inform other VL users of an immediate alert, emergency or incident. CAOC and SADC operational users shall be able to make configurations to cancel the participation of a VL user in the event of VL equipment failure, e.g. a 'stuck' PPT switch which blocks the VL channel using the CAOC/SADC management workstation . Only System administrators shall be able to make full configuration changes to the VL system within their domains.

T.37 VL0035 Please confirm that the audio tone is to be available at the user The Audio tone should indicate to all VL users monitoring a particular VL channel that currently is active on the VL channel. that an alerting over-ride has been initiated.

T.38 VL0061 Please confirm that the dimensions for the terminal footprint This refers to the VL user terminal footprint on the operational workstation within refers only to the user terminal device - the LCD console the CRC, CAOC and SADC ops rooms. The purchaser has not stipulated the mounted display and does not include the rack-mounted size of the equipment to be mounted in server racks in the equipment rooms. processing unit for the term inal set.

T.39 VL0065 SCCP is CISCO proprietary protocol, please confirm that is SCCP was given as an example. SIP is required as initiation protocol over IP. allow to provide SIP signalling protocol only.

TAO VL0067- Please allow that LlNUX OS based administration consoles to The use of a LlNUX operating system for the System Administrator GUI would VL0070 be used, in order to provide additional administrative features to not prejudice bid technical evaluation compliance, provided the Administrator

the system administrators and enhanced network management interfaces with the workstation and toolset for routine configuration of VL tools . elements uses a graphics interface, rather than LlNUX console command line

iMt" ,,'tinn~

TA1 VLOO72 Please define what will be the structure and the operational Please refer to T.25 as provided in Amendment 2, Clarification Request Edition 1 information required to be provided at the VL user terminal , as sent on 29 July 2013. The Status for VL users is the same for a CRC, CAOC defined under VL0072. and SADC.

TA2 VL0075 Please confirm that this use case refers to the limit of 150 users The ability under VL075 is to enable a CAOC/SADC operator using the system established under VL0026. management console to remove a single VL terminal or group of terminals at a

CRC or CAOC in the event of an equipment failure such as a stuck PTT swi tch, so that this does not block a VL channel. The limit of 150 users per single channel does not impact this requirement.

T.43 VL0115 Please specify what is your understanding regarding the Yes or equivalent role/responsibility of equipment in the bidders VL solution. CUCM? Does it refers to the Central Unit Call Manager? I

T.44 VL0116 Please confirm that ED-137 compliance is also requested as the In general no, these circuits are used to pass alerting messages between NATO generally accepted standard for Voice over IP requirements for Air Defence ground entities and are not used for flight control or Ground Air critical systems for fiight and mission coordination . Ground communications.

T.45 VL0136 Please confirm that the distances among the Switch and the VL In most of the site locations, the purchaser believes that the distance between user terminals or other networking devices (as defined under the server room and terminals should not exceed 100 m. However, a bidder VL0100, VL0101 , VL0102) will not exceed 100m. should estimate that in the case of 15 % of sites, the distance between the

server and ops rooms could be between 100 and 300 meters. Final site installation diameters and distances will need to be verified during Contractor's site survey activities.

T.46 VL0175 Considering the secure locations where the systems will be Please refer to T.23 as provided in Amendment 2, Clarification Request Edition 1 installed and administrative and protective mechanisms already sent on 29 July 2013. or to be implemented, please confirm that the VL subsystem does not have to comply against SDIP-27 requirements (A, B or C). If it h~c tA ~I.

T.47 Chapter Please confirm that dual AC power feeds are required for each The purchaser does not believe that 'dual' power leads are required. 3.3.7.2 operational equipment part of the VL subsystem : user terminal,

servers, gateways (if required).

T.48 SOW221 Please specify which are required standards and tasking . Please refer to the SOW , paragraph 3.9.3.7 Table of Applicable Documents for RAM

T.49 SOW300/a. Will the Initial Training be the same for each maintenance The initial training will be the same for each site. The number of trainees and crew/site? What's the number of persons who will join and also maintenance levels are dependent on the complexity of the Bidder 's VL solution. what's the maintenance level? SOW Paragraph 3.1 OA .3 provides guidance on the training requirement and

course sizes .

T.50 SOW300/b. What's the difference between 3.1 OA.1-b. and 3.10.4.3 (3)? 3.1 OA.1-b is training personnel to use the system to enable 'Testing Activities' , What type of users are involved (e.g. Admins, Testers, Initial up to 5 personnel to carryout system tests if required . Users)? 3.10A.3 (3) This refers to the User and System Management/Administrator

training.

T.51 SOW308/ Please let us know what is the formal: MS Word, PPT? Please Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Word (MS Word) or Microsoft Power Point clarify. IIPPT), formats are acceptable.

T.52 SOW311/ Please clarify the term "walkthrough". Is it a "pre-training"? Who A walk through is the final co-ordination activities to discuss and finalize how will join (e.g. different roles?) What's the number of trainees training will be given. It usually follows a particular course type schedule, looking who will participate? at training materials, delivery, classroom requirements hand-outs etc. E.g. An

example run through of each training course.

T.53 SOW314/ Will the training material be in electronic format? Training materials can be in electronic format, provided they conform to Microsoft Office 2010 Office Suite applications. E.g. Microsoft Word, Power Point. Training materials can also be provided on CD/DVD conforming to the above Microsoft Office Suite of applications. I

On-Line computer based training solutions are not compatible with current NATO, Internet access policies.

1.54 SOW315/ Can the course report be modified to the trainees' advantage, The Contractor is expected to provide a report on the students so they do not feel "frustrated" regarding the Instructor's progress/completion of the required and identified training course. evaluation/grade? (please see also 8.3.2.(1 ).d .)

T.55 Chapter For Technical Proposal Package, for Project Management part, Overall , the Evaluation criteria between both Technical Proposal package and 3.6.2.1 it is required to provide extract of PMP (some details listed) and Technical evaluation are the same. As part of the Technical evaluation there are

information some additional contract criteria e.g. Security Clearances and the Bidders about project team's key personnel. identification of 3 project risks. In chapter 4.5, Technical Evaluation, it is mentioned that the Project Management Proposal will be evaluated based on extract of the PMP (4.5.3.1) and Quality Assurance and Quality Control System (4.5.3.3) Between the requirements for Project Management part and the evaluation criteria for Project Management part there are some differences. Can you please clarify which are the exact requirements for Project Management part and update the Evaluation criteria accordingly.

T.56 VL0038 Is an audio alert something different from the emergency Yes an audio alert is different from the emergency override tone. An audio alert override tone? could be a ring tone to identify an incoming call, a tone to indicate a VL user is

unable to subscribe to a particular VL channel e.g., already has 150 users on that channel. Emergency over-ride tone is to indicate that another VL user has over-ridden a particular VL channel. The actual alert/tone may be the same.

T.57 VL0060 We assume that there is no difference between built in and Editorial Error. Correct there is no difference between "built in" and "in built". inbuilt. Please verify. Bidders should treat all "inbuilt"occurrences as "built in".

T .58 VL0060 We assume that only one, either headset or handset, will be The operator is likely to only use one of the input/output devices, headset, used by an operator at any time. Please verify. handset at a time. However, please refer to T.26 as provided in Amendment 2,

Clarification Request Edition 1 sent on 29 July 2013. All interiace method must be available to the VL user at each VL terminal.

T.59 SOW164 It is required from the bidder to provide quotation for sites Please refer to T.22 as provided in Amendment 2, Clarification Request Edition 1 adaptation works (Le. possible need for wall partitions, false sent on 29 July 2013. floor adaptations, power, etc.), for 38 sites, for which there is no The Bidders are asked to provide a Firm Fixed Price contract. Potential prior knowledge on those sites maturity. We propose to provide Variances in costs due to site adaptation should be taken into account in the bid a quotation with a referent site adaptation works and should offered. Variances due to site adaptations should be estimated in the original variations occur after the site surveys conclusion , deviations will bid. The Engineering Change Process will be used for purposes stated in Book be managed through the Engineering Change Process along II, Part 4, Section 1, Annex F "Configuration Managment Requirements with associated cost adaptations. Please verify. Document".

T.60 VL0104 We assume that the PFP multiplexers are installed in the CAOC The PFP multiplexers are currently available in most of the sites. The remaining and SADC sites, and should additional adapter cards be needed sites are to be installed soon. The Contractor is expecled to deliver the LAN these are of the MP2100-MLIP/UTP part number. Please interiace which is compatible with the multiplexer specified in Annex A to confirm . Procurement Specification and is compatible with the proposed solution.

Please also refer to T.27 above.

1.61 Book II , The activity schedule of the initial three milestones is considered Thank you for your comment. As advertised, a Bid extension closing date has Part 1, as very tight, taking into account the number of sites that have already been applied until 30 Aug 2013. Project completion date is still 30 Jun Section 2 to be surveyed. Therefore we suggest to shift the 2014. Impacts from other NATO projects restrict the move of milestones and

implementation schedule of milestones 1, 2, 3 by at least one Milestone 4 is firmly and operationally fixed , making this a challenging project. month and milestone 4 by at least two months.