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Response to Request for Clarification Request for Proposals for the Provision of Internet Services for UNOPS Office in Kabul, Af

Response to Request for Clarification Request for Proposals for the Provision of Internet Services for UNOPS Office in Kabul, Af

AFGHANISTAN OPERATIONS CENTRE Response to request for clarification

Request for Proposals for the provision of internet services for UNOPS Office in Kabul, Afghanistan Project: AGOC– Multiple Projects Case no: UNOPS/AGOC/RFP/04/12

1. As it stated in the RFP it is encouraged to reuse as much existing equipment on site for the service; the technical characteristics of the existing VSAT is a 1.8m Prodelin with BUC 3W KU-Band but on page 13 of the proposal it states outdoor equipment to be used is a 2.4m Prodelin C-Band. Can you please confirm if both are available for re-use? Answer: We have both systems with us, C band 2.4M Dish and KU Band 1.8M Dish with iDirect 3000 modem, 3W BUC. If required we can use it.

2. On page 7 under the scope it reads, “Setup a local link network for each site with Wi-Max OR Wi-Bus solution connection,” could you please provide more information on what this will be used for and how? Answer: Depending on the provider topology that he want to implement we are open to all connection topology mentioned in the RFP. If the link is Point to point having connection to direct fiber Backbone and as per request it matches all points that will be the main link with a vsat backup in case it goes down.

3. The address to deliver the proposal, the address given is the UNOCA Compound, Jalalabad Road. On page 11 it states, “Supplier will provide UNOPS projects and its partners Internet Protocol Bandwidth Service in two locations MRRD and MOPW Compounds.” Can you specify exactly how many sites require internet service, and their exact locations? Answer: on Page 11 it has been clearly mentioned “special Condition” that mean we may need to have connections in those 2 locations beside the main office that is located in UNOCA. That will be the second phase of Internet connection based on table 2 that have all technical detail.

4. In regards to manner of submission. As two hard copies must be delivered and also a soft copy via EMAIL, if the EMAIL version is submitted before deadline and by chance the hard copies are delivered past deadline, will the proposal still be considered for evaluation? Answer: Bid can be submitted either by email or hardcopy.

5. The procurement document states: “Set up a help desk service available to the client 12 hours per day and provide all necessary information on such service.” Does this mean that you are looking for an actual person at an office in the compounds requiring service, or our own help desk support line capable of supporting the service? Answer: We don't need help desk in the compound we have our own Helpdesk who would be the middle contact.

6. The procurement documents refer to an Internet backup link. Is this procurement for a single link of 8 Mbps symmetrical and dedicated, or 2 links consisting of a primary and backup of at least 3 Mbps? Answer: A single link of 8 Mbps symmetrical and dedicated, with a failover Backup links.

P.O Box 1772 Central Post Office Tel: +93 790006870 UNOPS is ISO 9001 certified UNOCA Compound Jalalabad Road E-mail: [email protected] Kabul, Afghanistan www.unops.org

AFGHANISTAN OPERATIONS CENTRE

7. The procurement states that the Internet service is for two locations, MRRD and MOPW. Are these two separate physical locations, or a single location? Answer: The service is for one location now which is UNACA.

8. Is a site survey possible? Answer: Site survey is available.

9. We are currently considering multiple options: fiber, microwave and satellite. To ensure we offer you the most cost-effective and reliable solution we require to do site survey. Can you please suggest date/time when we can send our engineer and let us know the procedure? Answer: You can have a site survey at UNOCA compound, What we need from your side is detail name of staff who are coming for visit with the following document detail: for afghan Nationals Tazkera number or Valid Driving license number, for international staff there Passport number is required. Also have in mind that vehicles are not allowed in local parking . you have to arrange your vehicle to be parked outside.

10. If location is in Kabul, it will be very easy for point to point connection, if location is outside Kabul, then they will try SCPC? Answer: Location is in Kabul and possibly for the future we may need for regional offices. Current location is UNOCA Compound, Jalal Abad Road, Kabul.

11. They need helpdesk, online or technician on sit? Answer: We need online Helpdesk available 24\7

12. Before giving quotation they need site Survey? Answer: You can come any time between Sunday to Thursday from 8:30am to 3:00pm.

13. They have already network or ISP should make a network? Answer: We already have a network in place, what we need is internet connection with 32 public IP in 4 subnets.

14. They need internet in one place or in Different places, if there are different location it will be possible to provide it with I Direct? Answer: Currently only one place.

15. How much location they have? Answer: Currently only one location.

16. The % of the network availability varies in the document: It is said 97%, 97.5% and 95%. What is the correct figure? Answer: The correct is %97.5.

17. The characteristics of the existing equipment vary. It is said a 1.8m Antenna with LNB, BUC and Modem in Ku (page 7) and a 2.4 m Antenna in C band without indoor equipment. What is the correct existing equipment?

P.O Box 1772 Central Post Office Tel: +93 790006870 UNOPS is ISO 9001 certified UNOCA Compound Jalalabad Road E-mail: [email protected] Kabul, Afghanistan www.unops.org

AFGHANISTAN OPERATIONS CENTRE Answer: the equipment mentioned in the RFP to give a choice for the supplier if he uses any of the mentioned equipment.

18. On page 11, it is said that the services should be provided to 2 locations and a Table 2 is mentioned. However there is no Table 2 in the document and on page 7, only the location of UNOPS is given. Could you please clarify the exact needs? Answer: It is one location second location will consider joining.

19. Is our understanding correct that UNOPS wants 2 dedicated 1:1 8Mbps/8Mbps links with a minimum 3Mbps back-up link (with physical diversity) for each nominal link– one for MRRD one for MoPW? Answer: It is for one location UNACA Compound 3MB is a failover link the company can decide that the link should operational at all time or just when the main link is down.

20. Is our understanding correct that UNOPS wants the contractor to propose optionally an Architecture offering security features such as QoS and Firewall/IDS? Answer: No

21. The solicitation states 8mb x 8mb as the bandwidth requirement. Is this a pool of bandwidth to be shared between multiple remote locations using shared (for example iDirect) VSAT technology? Or does each site require dedicated (1:1) bandwidth? Answer: 8MB/8MB dedicated 1:1, no share pool.

22. Is CUSTOMER looking for a proposal to build a VSAT hub in Kabul, or would CUSTOMER accept a proposal based on a hub service out of Europe that meets the 8mb x 8mb total pool requirement? Answer: no hub required just single connection to ISP setup dedicated internet connection 1:1.

23. What data speeds are required at the remote sites? Answer: No remote Site is required however sub regional office may join on a single connection to ISP

24. Are all the remote locations already equipped with VSAT hardware and modems (1.8m Ku antenna with 3000 iNFINITI modem)? Answer: Remote sites will later join as mentioned the equipment are : Single dish 1,8 KU band, iDirect moder 3000.

25. How many remote sites are there? Answer: The number of sites are varies depending on UNOPS growth in the region from 2 to-8 sites.

26. Do the remote sites also require HW redundancy? Answer: It depends on the provider of the equipment is using the equipment which is available are 1.8 Dish LNB KU 3WAT.

27. Where are the remote sites? Answer: Remote sites are in Bamyan, Kandahar, Kabul.

P.O Box 1772 Central Post Office Tel: +93 790006870 UNOPS is ISO 9001 certified UNOCA Compound Jalalabad Road E-mail: [email protected] Kabul, Afghanistan www.unops.org

AFGHANISTAN OPERATIONS CENTRE 28. Does the Kabul site have redundant RF installed on the 2.4m Prodelin C-band antenna? Please provide full details of the existing equipment including BUC/LNB etc, also for the remote sites? Answer: No Redundant RF is installed Kabul 2,4M dish C band, 3 Watt BUC, /LNB.

29. Does BIDDER have the option to propose fibre optic connectivity at the Kabul site? Answer: YES, it up to the bidder to sleect one of the options mentioned in the RFP.

30. Does CUSTOMER hold a current and valid ATRA ISP license? Answer: We are not an ISP; we are one of the United Nations Organization and based on Afghanistan government requesting UN counsel to assist the government in development.

31. The document indicates max round-trip delay of 400mS. This is not possible over satellite. Can CUSTOMER please clarify this requirement? Answer: With Vsat Max needs to be 700mS, fine PTP connection not more than 400mS.

32. Are the regular maintenance visits referring to Kabul site only, or all sites in the? Answer: All locations require regular maintenance visit as per need.

33. We are very keen to tender for your office Internet systems using our brand new service of I Direct , the Ka Band I Direct service allows high upload on a small dish over AFGHAN , one issue is that you are asking for latency not to exceed 400 ms but this is not possible using Satellite as the distance of the Satellite from the Earth’s surface only allows 650 -700 ms, please can you comment on this matter as I would like to provide you with our solution, if you wish I can call you to explain but I will need your number ? Answer: If it is vsat we can accept max of 700ms round trip.

34. While the tender is for “Provision of Internet connectivity for UNOPS Office in Kabul, Afghanistan” (page 1), please explain the following requirements, please provide additional details on the requirement for “Setup a local radio link network for site with Wi-Max OR Wi-Bus solution connection.” (Page 7) Answer: This part applies on all site offices if we activate connection including main office, also it is not necessary to be site offices on wiMax or Wi-Bus, it can be all , Vsat, Fiber or PPT.

35. Please explain the need for “Establish 2 or 3 technical repair teams, capable of a rapid intervention on any site in the Islamic republic of Afghanistan within a minimum of 24 hours from time of breakdown.” To support a single site location (page 7) Answer: It is in case of service down time due to damage of equipment, in case at the same time in deferent locations service goese down, the support team must be capable of resolving all sites at the same time (requirement of 2 or 3 team).

36. Is the latency required of 400msec is one way or round trip? As round trip delay over satellite is about 600mse, please advice what is the round trip delay allowed for satellite link. (page 9) Answer: If it is vsat connection round trip delay is acceptable max of 700MS. 37. Please explain the need for “Technical ability to support multicasting.” When the requirement is for a single site is Kabul.

P.O Box 1772 Central Post Office Tel: +93 790006870 UNOPS is ISO 9001 certified UNOCA Compound Jalalabad Road E-mail: [email protected] Kabul, Afghanistan www.unops.org

AFGHANISTAN OPERATIONS CENTRE Answer: That is in case we establish internet connection for our site offices and regional offices too, also for amin office we have to be able to have online MRTG link form ISP for monitoring of our bandwidth.

38. Please explain the following requirement, as the requirement of the tender is for a single site in Kabul – “UNOPS will have full control of bandwidth allocation to all stations. “ Answer: That is in case we establish internet connection for our site offices and regional offices too, also for amin office we have to be able to have online MRTG link form ISP for monitoring of our bandwidth.

39. Please explain the following requirement, as the requirement of the tender is for a single site in Kabul – “SUPPLIER will provide UNOPS projects and its partners Internet Protocol Bandwidth Service in two locations MRRD and MOPW Compounds based on Table 2:” (page 11) Answer: The connection required is UNOPS AGOC main office, in the future if we need to extend our internet connection for our site offices like MRRD, MoPW we need to use the same table based of technical and financial detail as we are using in main office.

40. Internet Back-up – Please confirm this relates to the ISP’s connection to the Internet. Answer: In other words we can say redundant connection for the main link, any ISP provides internet connection with Microwave, fiber, needs to provide alternate backup connection in case microwave or fiber link gets damaged and needs longer time to be re-establish internet connection down time have to be minimum. The backup link will replace and work as temporary until the main link repairs.

41. According to indoor and outdoor section in page 13, there is no information on current equipment in the site but a 2.4m antenna while in page 7 there is a 1.8m Ku antenna, with iDirect modem and what is the current equipment installed din the site? Answer: 1,8m KU Band Dish, 3Watts BUC/LNB, Idirect 3000. 2,4M C Band Dish with 3 Watts BUC and LNB.

42. Can the provider use it? Answer: YES

43. Please advise to which satellite the antenna is pointed at? Answer: Not Confirm

44. Are there any spare parts in the site? Answer: NO

45. According to section Background and Objectives in page 7, on the provider to provide with a “fully redundant Internet access” Is it to be hot or cold redundancy? Answer: We are looking for both options from our Bidders.

46. Can the UNOPS provide more information on the Outdoor redundancy Controller that they wish to install? Or is it on the provider to offer?

P.O Box 1772 Central Post Office Tel: +93 790006870 UNOPS is ISO 9001 certified UNOCA Compound Jalalabad Road E-mail: [email protected] Kabul, Afghanistan www.unops.org

AFGHANISTAN OPERATIONS CENTRE Answer: UNOPS is installing its redundant system, no need of ISP to provide anything, only they have to provide 1 main link and one backup.

47. Internet Back-up section on Page 12, how is to provide? Answer: In case of fiber connection, PPT connection we need a redundant.

48. •Is there any backup link available at the site now? Answer: No

49. •Can the provider use the same link or his parts if available? Answer: Parts can be used if ISP needs it.

50. What are the site GPS coordinates? Answer: Not available, your team can come for a site survey and can take GPS Coordinates.

51. Can the provider use local team or that the UNOPS require a foreign engineer? Answer: It is up to Provider sending their local team or International.

52. Will the UNOPS approve a local team with a valid approval for not being belong to any political organization? Answer: What is task of the local team? What provider needs to do with this team?

53. What spare parts are expected to be available locally – page 10 Answer: No spare parts available, only 2.8m Dish C band with 3W LNB, 1.8m Dish with 3W LNB and idirect 3000 modem.

54. Shipping terms, CIF/DDP? Answer: it is on Delivered At Place delivery term.

55. Annual Maintenance section in page 13, does the provider needs to arrive to the site once in every month listed? Or can it done remotely? Answer: It depends on stability of system and also term and conditions of contract; it can be both depend on situation.

56. What does “Two service affecting Maintenance” on page 13 mean? Twice a year? Answer: Please refer to the TORs, it is clearly written in the RFP.

57. Please your clarification - this one locks like a typo: “The bidder(s) will be responsible for the procurement of all component parts and ancillary materials required to establish the network and their shipment to each installation site. UNOPS will facilitate the importation of the equipment into the DRC”. Page 11 Answer: Please visit UNOPS website and download amendment number 1. It should read: UNOPS will facilitate the importation of the equipment into the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

58. Page 2 item 6, please clarify the expected commence date, as submission is on Sep 16th. Answer: Yes

P.O Box 1772 Central Post Office Tel: +93 790006870 UNOPS is ISO 9001 certified UNOCA Compound Jalalabad Road E-mail: [email protected] Kabul, Afghanistan www.unops.org

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