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Question: 11.3.2.1: For greater than 1Gbps connections, vendor can provide Single Mode Optical or Multi-Mode Optical handoffs at 10Gbps. Please indicate which type of Optical handoff is preferred. For 1Gbps and below connections, vendor typically uses RJ-45/Copper handoffs. Please acknowledge that this is acceptable. If not, a Multi-Mode Optical handoff can be provided.
Response: For connections greater than 1 Gbps, please provide pricing for both single mode and multi-mode handoffs. For connections 1 Gbps and below RJ-45/Copper is acceptable. Final details will be agreed upon during contract negotiations.

Question: 11.4 The dark fiber route indicated is greater than 100km, which typically would require a customer to provide optical amplification/repeater equipment approximately half-way between the two locations. Also, dark fiber spans of this length typically would require fiber optic characterization (which is not listed as a requirement in the RFP) to allow the customer to optically engineer the path. Would the customer be amenable to a 10Gbps DWDM-based wave service between the two locations? This would negate the need for an optical amplifier/repeater or fiber optic characterization, as the vendor would provide a lit service. If the customer has any path preference or diversity requirements, please provide them to allow vendor to analyze specific fiber optic (and DWDM) path selection.
Response: Please provide pricing for a 10 Gbps point-to-point service with fiber handoff (provide both single and multi-mode handoff pricing). A "10Gbps DWDM-based wave service" would be acceptable. There are no diversity requirements at this time. However, an overview of the path within the vendor’s network would be appreciated.

Question: Appendix B (and generally): Is the intent of the customer to acquire a fully meshed network between all sites depicted on page 28 AND page 29? Or, does the customer request separate meshed networks for each set of sites? This question generally applies to the remainder of the RFP as well.
Response: The networks represented on page 28 and 29 are requested with an eye toward replacing the current VPN networks on page 25 and 26. The request for two separate meshed networks is an "apples to apples" approach to replacing those networks. However, if a proposal is put forth that combines both mesh networks into a single mesh network it would be compared to other proposals based on how cost effective the solution is. Section 15.6 of the RFP lays out our procedure for determining cost effectiveness.

Question: I am requesting an extension for this response
Response: EMHS requested an extension on 3/3/2017 and was approved on 3/7/2017. Responses are now due by 5pm Eastern Time on 3/23/2017.

Question: What was the actual post date so we can determine what date questions will be allowed until.
Response: The RFP was originally posted on 1/26/2017, we will attempt to answer all questions even if they are received after the allowed date.

Question: In the effort to save time with the EMHS RFP, do you require all the different bandwidths at the sites that are already on our network? For example most of the network is already 1Gig and you are asking for 500meg to 1Gig, I don't see them scaling back
Response: If you are an incumbent vendor and the RFP requests a bandwidth that isn't correct please make a note of it along with the correct bandwidth on your proposal. Please provide addtional pricing up to 200% of the current bandwidth.

Question: Section 11.1 Acadia Hospital is listed on the summary page but not included in the detail showing the services requested ; can you please provide a list of the services requested as part of this RFP.
Response: Please disregard Acadia Hospital, there are no services being requested for that site.


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