Secretariat RFP 2011 Q & A

Q1.  Is the intent for the Publisher to host and maintain the RFC servers with the Production Center 
and RSE still managing the tools development and processes, or do you envision the development of 
tools and processes to be moved to the Publisher?  

A1.  The intent is purely hosting and maintenance of the servers, not the development of tools and 
processes.

Q2.  The RFP includes meeting support, clerical support, and IT support for the IETF.  Can a bidder 
offer  just one of these areas of support?

A2.  The RFP permits proposals from a single vendor or from a Prime Contractor providing all 
services through subcontractors.  See Section II.H.  So a company that only wants to deliver meeting 
services for example would have to team with others under a Prime Contractor to submit an acceptable 
proposal.

Q3.  In preparation for an IETF meeting, the Vendor is expected to gather information for the 
schedule from Working Group and Research Group Chairs, and then the Vendor prepares a detailed 
timeline of various deadlines leading up to each meeting.  How can these tasks be accomplished in 
the order listed in the RFP?

A3.  This section of the RFP is not intended to be in chronological order.  The meeting timeline 
includes a date by which all of the Working Group and Research Group Chairs must provide the input 
to construct the meeting agenda.

Q4.  The Clerk functions require the Vendor to arrange for cost-effective Teleconference services as 
requested by the IAD.  What teleconference services are currently being employed?  Is the 
teleconference services provided under contract with the current Vendor or with the Internet 
Society?

A4.  Currently, Cisco is donating WebEX for teleconference services, so there is no contract at all.

Q5. The IT support functions include a robust backup capability.  Is this expected to include 
periodic copies being given to an off-site location operated by a third party?

A5.  Backup copies must exist at a geographically distant location from the primary copy, but the 
facility need not belong to a third party.