SOURCES SOUGHT
N -- Distributed Antenna System - CP12001
- Notice Date
- 1/16/2014
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 811213
— Communication Equipment Repair and Maintenance
- Contracting Office
- Architect of the Capitol, AOC Acquisition & Material Management Division, Acquisition and Material Management Division, Ford House Office Building, Second and D Streets, S.W., Washington, District of Columbia, 20515, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20515
- Solicitation Number
- AOC141209
- Archive Date
- 3/15/2014
- Point of Contact
- AOC FBO POC,
- E-Mail Address
-
FBO@aoc.gov
(FBO@aoc.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- 1.0 Description 1.1 The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is seeking information for acquisition planning on how an interested contractor can provide a neutral-host outdoor antenna system to increase cellular coverage on the historic Capitol Grounds. 1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, AOC is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the Government will not pay for information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI, and that any and all costs shall be borne by the responding parties. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a future solicitation is released, it will be synopsized and posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website, and it is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor the website for additional information pertaining to any future solicitation. 2.0 Background 2.1 The United States Capitol complex encompasses 274 acres of public access land at the east end of the National Mall, bordered roughly by Louisiana Avenue and Union Station to the north, 2nd Street to the east, D Street to the south, and 3rd Street to the west. The immediate area surrounding the Capitol, known as Capitol Square, is bordered by a stone wall and encloses 58.8 acres, forming a prominent setting for the Legislative Branch of the United States Government. The Grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (the same designer of New York's Central Park) and constructed during 1874-1892. Contained within the complex are numerous elements of national historic significance, including historic buildings, monuments, architectural features, and other treasures entrusted to the continuous care of the AOC. 2.2 Approximately 3 million people visit the Capitol each year, with particular periods of "surge" crowds, such as during the Presidential Inauguration, Independence Day celebration, Memorial Day concert, and several other major events throughout the year. During these events, the existing cellular infrastructure can be overwhelmed by data and voice requests, resulting in dropped calls, sluggish data transfer, or the inability to connect at all. Phone usage during emergencies in and around the Capitol complex, such as the earthquake of 2011, also quickly overwhelms current capacities. 2.3 In an effort to enhance the visitor experience and to increase outdoor cellular capacity in and around the Capitol complex, the AOC is seeking information on wireless infrastructure solutions conducive to this specialized environment. Not only is AOC interested in possible technical solutions having a minimal impact to the existing Capitol environs, but AOC would like to better understand the possible business models and partnership options leveraged by the industry. 3.0 Requested Information 3.1 Responders are asked to submit capability statements and informational packages to the AOC for the purpose of determining the technical feasibility, procurement and partnership options, and experience of the industry in providing outdoor wireless systems in a historically sensitive environment. Capability packages are requested to address the following key interest topics: 3.1.1 What solutions exist for increasing wireless service capacity in an exterior environment, particularly during "surge" events? Since additional roof-mounted antennas will not be considered on our historic structures, how feasible is the installation of a distributed antenna system (DAS) on the Capitol Grounds? Are there solutions other than DAS? 3.1.2 The intent would be to have a neutral-host system. What business/partnership agreements between the owner, installer, and carriers are employed for such systems? What are the typical contract mechanisms and terms of length? Please identify pros/cons for all options, including shared cost, no-cost, and revenue-sharing options for the Government. 3.1.3 What methods are employed to minimize the visual presence of the system? What is your capability in this regard? 3.1.4 How have these systems been previously deployed in historically sensitive areas? What is your capability and experience in this regard? Minimizing the visual and physical impacts of the installation to historic elements is of paramount importance to AOC. 3.1.5 Assuming a DAS or similar system was to be utilized, explain the interconnectivity of the antenna nodes, and the extent of trenching/boring that would be required. The Capitol Grounds are meticulously landscaped, contain numerous historic structures and nationally important trees, and include many underground utility and security systems that must remain unaffected. 3.1.6 What requirements exist for central node or head-end communications equipment? Where does it need to be housed in relation to the system and what are the space requirements? 3.1.7 What requirements exist for electrical support of the system? How would the electrical demands be met and factored into the financial model? 3.1.8 By installing this system, can the presence of nearby rooftop antennas on our historic buildings be reduced or eliminated? 3.1.9 The Washington DC area is highly complex with multiple entities having influence within public space. How are the coordination, aesthetic approval, and potential interfacing with the infrastructure of the local municipality and adjacent landowners handled? 3.1.10 How is maintenance and future system upgrades factored into the agreement? 3.1.11 How does frequency licensing and approval by the Federal Communications Commission work? What is your approach to ensuring that the system has no adverse effects on existing communications (both wired and wireless) or physical infrastructure (secure and non-secure) on the campus? 3.1.12 How "modular" is the system? Can installation be phased based on geographic location for expediency and to focus on key areas of heavy usage first? 3.1.13 What is the typical timeframe for installation and commissioning leading to full operational capability? 3.1.14 In the event of an emergency, what are the possibilities regarding prioritized access for first responders, and "push" messaging to those in the area, including reverse 911? 3.1.15 What options exist for secure Wi-Fi access to Congressional and AOC data systems? 3.2 Responders are encouraged to include any additional relevant details not specifically asked for in this RFI regarding outdoor wireless system solutions, their advantages and disadvantages, typical agreement structures (particularly in Government applications), physical installation considerations, etc. 4.0 Response Packages 4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a capability statement, supporting technical information, and any white papers that would be pertinent to this RFI. The submitted capability package shall address the topics listed in 3.1 above, demonstrate the company's capability to perform the work, and describe previous procurements performed of similar size and complexity. 4.2 The capability statements will be reviewed and used to help determine the appropriate procurement strategy, technical approach, and partnership structure for this requirement, should it be pursued. 4.3 AOC representatives may or may not choose to meet with interested parties who submit a capability package. Such discussions would only be intended to provide clarification of the company's potential capability and to ask any additional questions regarding their RFI response. 4.4 AOC recognizes that certain technological solutions may represent the unique philosophy, skills, and interests of the offeror and may therefore be considered proprietary in nature. AOC agrees not to divulge any information contained within the response to anyone outside of the Government or to any other offerors, and all information will be used solely in relation to this planning effort. 4.5 Capability statements shall be limited to 20 pages in length, not including any white papers, and submitted via email only to the Acquisition and Material Management Division (AMMD) at aocprocurement@aoc.gov. 4.6 All responses to this RFI shall be due to AMMD no later than February 28, 2014. Any questions about this RFI shall be sent to aocprocurement@aoc.gov. 5.0 Summary THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide a neutral-host outdoor antenna system to increase cellular capacity on the historic Capitol Grounds. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding to the Government. The AOC has not made a commitment to procure any solution discussed, and release of this RFI shall not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/AOC/AOCPD/WashingtonDC/AOC141209/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Historic Capitol Grounds, Washington, District of Columbia, 20515, United States
- Zip Code: 20515
- Zip Code: 20515
- Record
- SN03268884-W 20140118/140116234037-757c924bbecec4a6773e0416a58fd725 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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