D -- EMPLOYEE INTERNET CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

Notice Date

November 2, 2000

Contracting Office

U.S. Postal Service, Headquarters Purchasing, Room 4541, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20260-6230

ZIP Code

20260-6230

Response Due

November 6, 2000

Point of Contact

Carol Fagnani, Contracting Officer, email cfagnan1@email.usps.gov Note last character of email name is th number one NO PHONE CALLS

E-Mail Address

Contact contracting officer via email. NO PHONE CALLS (cfagnan1@email.usps.gov )

Description

This is the third posting for the USPS Employee Internet Connectivity Program. Previous postings are #5047E2, dated 10/19/2000 and #505688, dated 10/31/2000. Clarification The following text replaces the clarification posted in the CBD posting dated October 31, 2000: The USPS will accept for the purposes of this program any version of Windows 2000 including the consumer versions, which operates on an intel chip compatible processor system, so long as it meets the mandatory requirements, the requirement to provide a secure VPN client/connection for example. Question #1 Are alternate proposals acceptable? Answer #1 Yes, but in order for a provider to have an alternate proposal considered they must first address and meet all of the requirements as stated in the Prequalification CBD and be selected as one of the providers. Question #2 How will proposals be evaluated? Answer #2 In accordance with the CBD, the providers will be evaluated based on their responses to the mandatory and desirable requirements. The USPS will select provider's who we feel that best meet the requirements of the program as defined.. Question #3 Will compliance to all requested points be required in order to be selected? If not, which requirements are flexible? Answer #3 There are mandatory and desirable requirements so identified. Question #4 Who are the vendors that have received the RFP? Answer #4 This is not an RFP it is an RFA, all vendors are eligible to submit a prequalification package. Question #5 Is there a pre-determined shortlist of fully compliant vendors? Answer #5 No. Question #6 What is the timeframe for the decision process? Answer #6 The timeframe for pre qualification will be determined with respect to the best interests of the Postal Service. However, we expect to make the pre qualification decision by early December. Question #7 How was the $12 est. monthly cost determined? Answer #7 Refer to CBD announcement. Question #8 Is the suggested pricing of $12/month flexible? IF so, what is the range of acceptable monthly cost? Answer #8 Refer to CBD announcement. Question #9 Are non-ISO 9000 certified vendors considered viable vendors? Answer #9 ISO 9000 certification is not required but will be evaluated as part of the providers quality assurance process. Question #10 In order to deliver full compliance to the RFP stated requirements, will teamed vendors be viable vendors? In order to arrange teaming relationships, will extra response time be granted? Answer #10 This is not an RFP this is an RFA. There is no prohibition to teaming, but no extra time will be provided Question #11 Is the response date firm? Answer #11 Yes Question #12 Of the 800,000 USPS employees, what % is estimated to enroll in this offer? Answer #12 We make no minimum guarantee. We would expect the response to vary based on the attractiveness of the proposals. We would expect the response to resemble the US population as a whole. We expect that there will be multiple providers selected. Question #13 Will a vendor be considered if it's years in operation is less than 2 years? Answer #13 No. Question #14 Is the number of referenceable clients with 200,000+ customers firm? Answer #14 Yes. Question #15 Is it possible that the USPS will select two or more responding vendors in order to deliver portions of the stated requirements and realize the full turnkey service? Answer #15 Yes. Question #16 Is it possible that the USPS will select two or more responding vendors in order to deliver to regional coverage/support requirements that draw upon core competencies of bidding vendors? Answer #16 No. Full national coverage is required. Question #17 How will the USPS market/promote the employee PC purchase program across the employee organization? Answer #17 The USPS will promote the availability of the employee purchase program though it's employee communications channels and through contacts with it's management and craft associations. Question #18 Does the USPS expect the $12 per month to include ISP access? Answer #18 Refer to CBD posting Question #19 If shipments are in excess of the length/girth limitations, will USPS provide a special exception? Answer # 19 Refer to CBD posting Question #20 Will the USPS provide a payroll deduction plan for convenience to the employee, and would you consider this as a requirement for participation in this program? Answer #20 No we do not anticipate providing payroll deductions at this time. Question #21 Does the computer manufacturer have to be in the United States in order to qualify for a bid? Answer #21 Yes. Question #22 Does a non response to the pre-qualification exclude a vendor from participation in a final RFI or RFP, if and when one is issued? Answer #22 This is not an RFA, not an RFP/RFI. We anticipate that only those providers who respond to the pre-qualification request and are pre-qualified may participate in this program.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001106/DSOL003.HTM (W-307 SN505820)