Questions & Clarifications/Responses, RFP #07-119
Question: Section 1.03 Background states that the current system is a Repartee
equipped with 32 ports. Is this sufficient today and is the city expecting to replace the
Repartee with a 32 port system – or is there a specific number of ports being requested?
Response: We are requesting a minimum of 32 ports with future expansion. Please
define what those expansion options are.
Question: Section 1.05 Servers / O/S – this section describes standard configuration.
Does the city have a preference of providing the new voice messaging systems server
platform or would you like to see the vendor quote a turnkey solution? If you like the
vendor to quote the server platform is RAID 5 a requirement?
Response: The City would entertain the option of providing the server platform and/or
the vendor providing a turnkey solution. If turnkey, it must have adequate resiliency and
redundancy for maximum uptime.
Question: Is Linux acceptable as an O/S for the messaging system?
Response: Yes if the system and hardware are fully maintained by the vendor.
Question: Can you provide the city’s definition of “Unified Messaging”?
Response: Unified messaging, as we understand it is the handing of voice, fax, and
text messages as objects in a single mailbox that a user can access either with an e-mail
client or by telephone. The PC user can open, play back, sort, and retain voice and fax
messages.
Question: What is the current Email platform at the city – type / version. And, are there
plans for any updates? (if Exchange 2003 – upgrade to 2007?)
Response: The City current uses Exchange 2003 and plans to upgrade to Exchange
2007 next year (2008).
Question: With respect to Unified Messaging – does the city have a preference that the
UM users have the voice messages stored in the Exchange message store and those
that are not UM users have their messages stored on the voice mail server?
Response: We would "prefer" that all messages are stored in the VM server. However,
we understand that not all VM/UM systems work that way. Specifically for VM only
users, I would always want VM-only messages stored on the VM server.
Question: Can you please clarify the number of users you would like quoted? The UM
implementation chart numbers differ from the Licensing section. Are you expecting the
response to include 2000 voice mail only and 2000 UM licenses for a total of 4,000
users?
Response: The City currently has 1700 users in total. The City assumes that 2000
user licenses will accommodate growth over a period of four years. In presenting
licensing fees, the proposing party should assume 2000 users (total). All users will need
voicemail licenses. We plan to deploy unified messaging across the organization in a
phased approach over time. Please see page 13 of the RFP for the proposed schedule.
Question: Can you let us know what the serial number on the phone system is? We
understand that the software level is on 4.5 but there are some additional vintages we
will need to confirm to ensure that we are at all proper levels for migration to the new
voicemail.
Response: The phone system serial number is 80668.
Question: Can you please help clarify the following?:
Section 3.06 under “Licensing” on page 13 of 37:
- 2000 Voicemail Only
- 2000 Unified Messaging
Unified Messaging licenses typically include the Voicemail license. Are you asking for a
solution with 2000 licenses of each solution for a total of 4000 licenses or to see the cost
for each for comparison purposes in an environment with a total of 2000 licenses?
Response: In presenting licensing fees, the proposing party should assume 2000 users
(total). All users will need voicemail licenses. We plan to deploy unified messaging
across the organization in a phased approach over time. Please see page 13 of the
RFP for the proposed schedule. The City prefers that separate costs be quoted for all
items in the proposed solution. Please specify if there will be a cost to upgrade user
licenses from voicemail only to voicemail with unified messaging.
Question: In the RFP, it states City of Bellevue needs 2000 mailboxes, then states
2000 voicemail only and 2000 unified messaging. Are we to assume 2000 total
mailboxes with all licensed for unified messaging, or, 2000 voicemail and 2000 more
with UM for a total of 4000?
Response: Yes, 2000 total mailboxes all licensed for voice and unified messaging. We
will deploy UM through a phased approach. Please see the proposed schedule on page
13 of the RFP (under Unified Messaging) .
Question: Nothing in the RFP specifies level of redundancy requested. Is a server
equipped with RAID disk arrays and redundant power satisfactory for the City’s
requirement of high reliability? If not, what is the expectation?
Response: Those levels of redundancy noted would be considered standard minimum
requirements. In addition, the respondent should describe other forms of redundancy
and resiliency their system can provide. For example: 1) cluster application/database
server at a different location? 2) Mirroring of the database?
Question: Nothing in the RFP gives a list of required or expected features. Is there
such a list, or are we to present the features offered in each response?
Response: There is not a list of expected features. Please describe all features in your
response.
Question: Nothing in the RFP gives an expectation of UM message-store
requirements. Does the City have a preference of message storage location? If so,
what is it?
Response: Respondents should provide options for the storage location. SQL 2005 is
the preferred database over Oracle for the City. The City has shared SQL database
servers and would entertain having this database reside on an existing SQL server or
the respondent may propose a separate server for the database. Respondents should
provide expected storage size as well, meaning how much disk space is needed for the
database over a three year period.
Question: I do not see any reference in the RFP stating whether this is a prevailing
wage job or not. Could you please provide written determination whether it is or is not a
prevailing wage project?
Response: Since this job does not fall under the definition of a public work, prevailing
wages would not apply.
Question: Windows 2000 or 2003 Active Directory?
Response: 2003 mixed
Question: Single Forest?
Response: yes
Question: How many Domains?
Response: one
Question: How many Domain Controllers/Global Catalog Servers?
Response: 3 Domain Controllers/Global Catalog Servers
Question: Single or multiple sites?
Response: multiple sites
Question: What version of Exchange?
Response: Exchange 2003 sp2
Question: How many Exchange Servers?
Response: Exchange cluster 2 clustered nodes, one front end.
Question: Any Microsoft Clustering?
Response: yes
Question: Multiple Exchange routing groups?
Response: no
Question: Bandwidth connecting sites or routing groups?
Response: All sites or routing groups are connected by fiber.
Question: Switched network?
Response: yes
Question: Network speed?
Response: 100 mb
Question: Network topology used? (Star, Hub, Spoke, Meshed)
Response: Hub & spoke Network topology
Question: Most organizations that have a Microsoft Exchange Cluster choose to have
their voice messages stored on their exchange server. Is that the City’s desire or should
the messages be stored on the Voice Mail server?
Response: We would "prefer" that all messages are stored in the VM server. However,
we understand that not all VM/UM systems work that way. Specifically for VM only
users, I would always want VM-only messages stored on the VM server.
Question: Will the Voice Mail be connected to the Nortel CS 1000 via digital ports and
emulating M2616 phones or will the city be using a Nortel Media Gateway connected to
an IP port and converting it to Digital Emulation of an M2616 phone?
Response: Both options are available. We suggest the vendor recommend which option
they would prefer to use and reasons why.