NCHC
NCHC was published by USAC on . The bidding period closes at 5pm on .
USAC Links
Schedule
- : Posting Start Date
- : Last Date for Submission of Vendor Questions
- : All Vendor Questions Answered and Posted
- : 5pm Proposal Deadline
- : Proposal Analysis Commences
Questions & Answers
- Question 12.5.1.4, the 35 Mbps is the fastest upload speed for the cable carrier. Could you find out what other increased upload bandwidth options they are looking for?
Answer The bandwidth listed is the current bandwidth, if additional asymmetrical bandwidths are available, please provide them in your response. - Question Why they would need a copper handoff on a 1 Gbps plus circuit?
Answer Although both copper and fiber handoff pricing is requested in the RFP, it is not required, and specific handoff details can be finalized after the RFP process is completed. Providing options such as 10GBase-T over Cat6a or Cat8 cabling for copper and LC termination with single-mode or multi-mode optics for fiber ensures compatibility with diverse customer environments, including legacy systems that may only support copper connections, while also allowing for future upgrades to fiber-based infrastructure. - Question Where does the 10 Gbps come into play here? I saw they want 1 - 5 Gbps rates, but nothing for 10 Gbps. If they want a 10 Gbps loop, for this site, would you find out?
Answer The 10 Gbps reference pertains to the line rate of the handoff from the carrier's onsite PE to the customer equipment. While the CIR will range from 1 to 5 Gbps as specified, the handoff should support a 10 Gbps line rate to ensure scalability and compatibility with customer equipment. This approach is similar to handing off lower CIRs on higher-capacity handoffs, such as 200 Mbps on a 1 Gbps (1000BASE-T) copper connection. - Question Missing - 65908 - Admin Annex & Stanly ACTT 734 Greenwood Street Albemarle, NC HCP# 65908
Answer As a precaution NCHC included all approved HCPs associated with Monarch in section 11.1. For any that aren't explicitly requested in the sections below that, please reference the bandwidth requested on the for 461 application. - Question Could you add this to our questions and find out if both or all options are required here?
Answer This question pertains to requests for multiple connections at the same location. In cases where multiple connections are requested the customer seeking diverse backup connections that will allow the site to stay connected even when one connection fails as well as the capability to load balance over them. Please feel free to provide as many or as few options as you see fit bearing this in mind. - Question Explain 12.4 - Monarch seeks bids for a vendor managed SD WAN service/appliance (or equivalent) for the following internet connections
Answer Monarch is seeking bids for SD-WAN either as provided by a Carrier as a managed service or as provided over SD-WAN capable appliances purhcased by monarch and multiple internet connections as defined in the RFP. Please feel free to provide as many or few options as you see fit. - Question Could you clarify what is being requested for SDWAN, if Monarch has their own firewalls, or provide a diagram of their optimal network architecture to provide clearer details than what is supplied in 12.4?
Answer Diagram of Optimal Network Architecture