ADB/RFP/CGSP/2013/0158 Implementation of High Speed Point-To-Point Clear Channel Link- MPLS Backbone Connectivity Third Set of Responses by the AfDB to Bidders Questions 1 2 Bidder's Questions What Class of service is required and what are the percentages of each type of traffic? Response from AfDB The Bank traffic are generally grouped in to real time (voice and video conferencing), transactional type(sap), email, streaming video and bulk data. What is required at this stage is a committed rates, percentage allocation will be specified at a later stage. 3 4 Pls advise if all the remote sites need to speak to HQ & DCs or they need to speak to each other as well? What Interface handoff does the provider needs to deliver for the Point to Point link? Does customer need the provider to propose any optimization or WAN Acceleration solution. What would be the support requirements for the same? 5 Does the provider need to propose any additional interface on the CPE for customer's own WAN Acceleration devices? 6 Section 3.2) The proposed high speed MPLS backbone connectivity should be end-toend fiber optic link connecting all of the RRCs and Fos : Is it must to provide Fiber links or can we provider any other types of links as well? The solution required is a complete any to any IP communication system whereby the spokes will need to speak to HQ /DCs as well as to each other ( particularly for voice, Video conference services, and any application that requires direct communication between spokes). Media converter or Metro Ethernet(ME) Switch Yes, the Bidder can propose WAN acceleration solution. The support level would be implementation and service management. As the accelleration device is normaly deployed in path no additional interface is required. The proposed solution should be end-to-end fiber link.
7 How customer is planning to manage their current VSAT links for Backup? Is customer expecting the provider to run specific configuration for Primary/Backup setup along with their current links on the provider routers? 8 Section 3.7) Business everywhere function: enabling remote users to securely, reliably and simply connect the corporate systems, resources, services and applications : How the remote people will access the resources and where would be the entry point for the remote users? 9 10 Section 3.7) Flexible, customized IPVPN solution enabled to support existing and future business- critical applications with security and firewalls and service levels agreements (SLAs) to guarantee the reliability of the network and Quality of Service Reporting : Can you pls elaborate on this point more? Do you need the provider to propose only IPVN flexible solution? Does the provider need to propose any Security/firewall solution as well? The configuration needed for primary/backup setup between the MPLS and VSAT will be taken care of by the customer Remote users will have access to resource through internet via a VPN tunnel and that is why it is require to have internet breakaway. The entry point will be at the internet break away point. As the MPLS Backbone is going to have internet breakout, the bidder is required to propose secured solution. 11 For the 100Mbps Clear channel point-to-point fiber link(with redundancy), does the provider only need to provide two P2P links and customer will take care of the CPSs and management of these devices? Section 5.1) On net (inside WAN) and off net (outside WAN) telephony services with voice (not less than 9.6 kbps digital compression per channel) over IP, or any other efficient protocol enabling good quality and less costs. The On net telephone calls must use short numbering range (4 digits). SIP is the basic protocol for VoIP traffic : Can you pls elaborate on this point more? Are you expecting routers with specific card for the Voice support? Are you also expecting the provider to enable the Voice IOS on these routers? Are you expecting the provider to propose any Voice over IP Solution? Integration of the link with the Bank's network will be the responsibility of the customer however management of the end to end service between the demarcation on the customer end will be the responsibility of bidder. The MPLS solution that will be proposed shall suport VoIP protocols and must come along with the SIP trunk solution and relevant voice services to support an on-net and off-net call.
12 Section 5.2) Internet traffic from FOs and RRCs shall break away at the MPLS backbone and there shall be internet connection with guaranteed minimum throughput of 100Mbps to the MPLS backbone for all locations : At which location you would like us to provide 100mb Internet link for internet breakout? Also do you expect the remote locations to forward all the internet traffic to the location where we will need to propose the internet breakout? Would you be taking care of all the Firewall/security at the location where the internet breakout will be proposed? 13 Section 5.3) H.323 and H.264 based videoconference using IP Protocols with 2 main video traffic : Do you need the provider to only make sure that we support these protocols in our Quality of service for Video traffic or do you expect the provider to propose Videoconference solution as well? If yes to the 2nd question then at which locations...etc? 14 Can the provider Bid for Only Managed MPLS and the 100 Mb P2P link or is it mandatory that the provider has to bid for all the Additional services like SIP, Internet breakout etc in order be awarded the contract. 15 Is ADBG open to consider its Japan entity for all the Billing and Contracting activities (for all the locations including Japan) with the Providers(TCL's) Japan Entity. 16 17 Does ADBG requires that the Provider uses the existing Cpe at each site. In Order to do so we would need to know the detailed BOM and life of the CPE at each site. Please share the same Section 3.7) Full redundancy and resilience based on alternative routing paths with different fiber optic cables, nodes and POP : Can you please clarify this point, as what we understood that all the locations in Component 1 will have single last mile and single router. So does this point apply for Component 1 locations? The internet breakout will be at the providers POP. Yes, all internet traffic from RRCs and FOs will be destined to the internet breakout point. The bidder will take all the responsibility of proposing, implementing and managing the Firewall/Security system at the preffered breakout. The Bank requires the provider to ensure that the propose solution shall support Videoconferencing protocols including H.323 and H.264 It is mandatory that the bidder provides bid for all of the services indicated in the RFP. The provider will supply CPE for the FO sites but will use the existing CPE for the RRCs(Kenya and SouthAfrica) and the HQ (Ivory Coast). the detailed BOM and life of the CPE will be communicated to bid's winner. Yes, it applies for component 1. The MPLS connectivity at the Backbone level and to each site will have redundant path ( Primary and secondary links)
18 Section 3.8.1) SUMMARY OF SLA AND SERVICE CREDITS FOR MPLS BACKBONE CONNECTIVITY: MPLS Network backbone and individual link availability (99.99 %), Mean time to repair (1 hour) : Could you please clarify if you are expecting the provider to support 99.99% circuit availability on all the Component 1 locations along with 1 hour of MTTR? 19 Is AfDB willing to pay the provider on a Monthly basis(mrc) instead of proposed Quarterly payout as in the RFP. 20 Is AfDB flexible on its termination clause of 30 days and willing to provide a minimum commitment of service for specified contract term. 21 Is ADBG flexible on the 10% performance security requirement. If no, can you please specify if this 10% is applicable to the entire contract value for 3 years and will it include the supply charges as well. Also, Will Bank Guarantees be acceptable. Yes, the Bank requires 99.99% circuit availability with 1 hour MTTR A Bank Guarantee is acceptable. 22 Can ADBG consider provide another extension of 2 weeks for submission of this RFP. The submission date will be extended till 8 April 2014 23 Are the following additional service requirements optional for bidder? If yes, then TC would require more details with regards to the types of call flows and internet traffic flows required by AfDB for regulatory and relevant products consideration purposes.a. 24 On-net (inside WAN) voice over IP servicesb. Off-net (outside WAN) voice over IP servicesc. Internet breakout 3. Is there any particular regulatory compliance obligations on the part of AfDB as licensed financial institution in the respective jurisdictions where ADBG has presence, which ADBG would require TCL to include into its s service offerings (for example, encryption requirement, requirement of data retention/storage in specific location, data transfer restriction, etc.)? If yes, please specify the requirements so that TCL may consider whether we are able to support on commercial basis. All the services a-on-net (inside WAN) voice over IP servicesb. Off-net (outside WAN) voice over IP servicesc. Internet breakoutare mandatory requirements. The types of call flow and internet traffic flow for the regulatory purpose will be discussed with winning bidder.
25 We understand that ADB has indicated in the RFP that they would like to contract from their Tunisia entity. Considering that Tata Communications would contract through TC Japan would the payment made by ADB, Tunisia to Tata Communications Japan be subject to withholding tax in Tunisia. Would it feasible for ADB to indicate the rate of withholding tax. 26 What is ADB s preference in relation to equipment. Would ADB like to take titles to the equipment or do they favor a rental model. 27 All our standard contracts with customers do not include tax in the pricing. Taxes are exclusive of Pricing. Would it be okay with ADB if we indicate that our prices would be exclusive of tax. The imposition of tax would actually depend on the local indirect tax law of the TC Supplier entity as prevalent at the time of rendition of service or raising of invoice. If the service is exempt under the local law of the country of TC Supplier entity Tata Communications may not eventually include indirect tax in the invoice. 28 Is ADBG open to negotiate on the Legal clauses of the RFP related to Indemnities, Warranties, Terminations, Ittelectual Property Rights etc 29 We will purchase the needed equipment. The AfDB will not reimburse a bidder for its tax burden. It is the responsibility of each bidder to know its tax burden. 30 You are stating within the RFP : It is the bidder s responsibility to ensure that interconnection with the ADB s IPBX is fully integrated using SIP trunks., could you provide the IPT High Level Design? Do you have a centralized IPT infra or is multivendor? Integration of the IPBX will be the responsibility of customer. The bidder has to ensures that the solution it proposes is compliant VoIP requirement and supports on-net (inside WAN) and off net (outside WAN) VoIP services as part of the required SIP trunk and voice service. the IPT infrastructure is basedf on IPBXs installed in differets sites. The IPBXs are from diffrent vendors 31 What is/are the constructor(s)? What are the release and firmware versions? Digium Switchvix, Cisco Call Manager and Kamailio/Asterisk 32 More information on IPBX? (Point 5.5)? Digium Switchvix, Cisco Call Manager and Kamailio/Asterisk
33 Do you have any traffic volume record per location (CDR) for the biggest sites? no need for this information. 34 35 You say 10Mbps Voice service. Do you mean 10Mbps in a global approach or per site? Is The 100Mbps internet for browsing only? this means no inbound access from internet (except SMTP) allowed. It is in Global approach, this is to allow RRCs and Fos to make international call over the MPLS backbone and the voice service provider is also expected to ensure propere running of on-net and off-net traffic between all sites. It shall be for all services, users from out side the Bank network should be able to have access to all application through VPN. Thus there will also be inbound access. 36 Can the clear channel link be layer 2 one? Yes, it should be layer two. 37 The video bandwidth per site varies depending on the size of Can we have the video Bandwidth per site, same as the number of voice channels per site? the RRC and FO and that is why the Bank demanded different size bandwidth for each location. 38 When you say Business Everywhere, is this remote/mobile VPN access or it includes internet access too. 39 In the technical Evaluation you are talking about redundancy of last mile operators and PoP. Also, seeing Full redundancy and resilience based on alternative routing paths with different fiber optic cables, nodes and POP. (Point 3.7). This is for the Provider MPLS backbone? Or access redundancy for all sites which means we provide redundant last miles. We understood we provide single link and Vsat is backup. Users from outside the Bank offices should be able to have secured access to corporate and public resources through internet as we have internet breakout at one the preferred providers POP. As clarified above in item 17 the bidder is expected to provide redundancy at both backbone and access level. 40 Internet breakout at MPLS backbone. 100Mbps Internet Breakout Central. Does this require backup breakout location? Bidders can propose backup breakout location optionally. 41 How many users do we have per site? Not applicable 42 What is the number of potential mobile users to whom we may allow remote VPN access? Bank staff are travelling all over the world particularly Africa. Regardless of their number they should be able to access resources in the corporate network. Bank staff have already VPN client in their machine.
43 Besides Riverbed is there any other types of WAN optimization devices employed on the network currently, example Cisco? It is only Riverbed. 44 The information will only be provided to the successful Please advise riverbed box model you have bidder. 45 Any future requirements for optimization? (Point 2.5) This is outside the scope of the current requirements. 46 Voice and Video traffic did you have necessary license and or authorization to flow these type of application in your network. Does your institution ( if any diplomatic status ) fall under Vienna treaty for voice video? 47 Security and Firewalls. Existing or to be part of proposal? (Point 3.7) 48 Custom clearance did you have necessary approval already in place to do not tax? If yes, would you please share how the process work with us. 49 For access, is Copper or wireless even Vsat acceptable where no fiber infrastructure Available? (point 3.2) AfDB has necessary authorization to flow all its businness applications throgh its network With in the Bank network, existing Firewalls will be used. The Bank is exempted from tax in all locations. Only fiber is is accepted.