CCJPA_Q&A_090529 V1, October 6, 2018


RFQ Questions and Answers
CCJPA/Caltrans Answers to questions provided by Prospective Contractors by email by May 22, 2009, and at the pre-submission meeting on May 27, 2009

ISSUED: May 29, 2009

Answers are organized under the following headings

1.Qualification Submissions Process

2.Technology

3.Funding

4.Contracting and Performance

5.Scope of Project

6.Railroad Partners

7.Miscellaneous

Answers are in italics. Acronyms used in this document are defined in the RFQ document.

The CCJPA and Caltrans will not provide answers to any further questions until the Qualifications Submissions have been submitted by June 22, 2009.

CCJPA and Caltrans reserve the right to publish further documents or updates to the current one to provide additional information to Prospective Contractors.

Figure 9 on page 51 in the RFQ document had incorrect labels. The figure below displays the labels correctly and Prospective Contractors should refer to this version of the figure.

  1. Qualification Submissions Process

1 / Can the questions be submitted 1 week following the pre-submission meeting, since more questions may come up after that meeting?
No more questions areaccepted beyond May 22, 2009, with the exception of those presented at the May 27, 2009 Pre-submissions meeting.
2 / Can the response to the RFQ be extended by at least 2 weeks?
RFQ statement: “June 22, 2009 3:00 pm PDT Qualifications Submissions from Prospective Contractors are due”
Issue: As CCJPA points out in the RFQ, the Contractor needs to form a team from respective fields to cover this project that requires various expertises. To form such a team, however, vendors must, at least, follow the process of (1) find potential partners, (2) evaluate the potential partners, (3) negotiate the contracts, (4) execute the contracts, and (5) create a proposal together. To successfully complete this process, the due date of June 22nd is not reasonable and realistic. If this due date is not extended, the potential Contractors will be limited to those who already have a team. This will force CCJPA to have only prejudicial choice(s) and prevent CCJPA from successful selection of a team consisting of “best-suited equipment vendors, application developers, construction and electrical contractors, fiber and cellular carriers, and system integrators” as said in the RFQ. Plus, normally the RFQ or RFP sets the due date of proposal for three (3) or four (4) months after the release date.
Question: Can CCJPA extend the due date to September 10th (Four (4) months after the release date of May 11)?
No extension of the RFQ Submittal deadline is being considered.
3 / RFQ statement: “the Contractor shall establish working relationships with best-suited equipment vendors, application developers, construction and electrical contractors, fiber and cellular carriers, and system integrators as needed to bring in the necessary expertise.”
Issue: As pointed out by CCJPA, the Contractor needs to form a team from respective fields. However, the team members are likely acting in such different fields that they will face a difficulty to find the “best-suited” partners. This will cause CCJPA to miss a chance to have a potential best-formed team(s) in its option.
Question: a CCJPA act to send out an inquiry to vendors that they can fill in what field of partner(s) they are looking for, and set up a match-making opportunity afterwards? We believe this is a necessary step for CCJPA to have best teams in its selection process
The CCJPA and Caltrans do not provide a venue for vendors to establish working relationshipsand they are not in a position to accept such responsibility. The Pre-submittal meeting hasprovided an opportunity for vendors to interact and the list of participants is available on Capitol Corridor’s website.CCJPA and Caltrans suggestthat Prospective Contractors build upon existing relationships or research the industry where particular vendors have established leading solutions.
4 / Can a vendor respond to Phase 1 and 2 only and still be accepted?
No, CCJPA and Caltrans expect a Qualification Submission that covers all Phases from all vendors.
5 / Can you provide in your website where we can list our names for those who are interested in looking for partners?
The CCJPA has posted online the list of attendees of the pre-submission meeting to facilitate communications among interested parties. Capitol Corridor’s website is
6 / Do you have a list, contact info, of those who have received the RFQ that are considered Prime Contractors? If not, is there a central location that lists everyone who has received the RFQ? Reason: Trying to figure out the best way to team with a traditional "Prime Contractor"?
No, CCJPA does not maintain such a list and the file downloads do not require registration.
7 / Will this meeting audio be on the website also?
Yes, it is along with the accompanying slides at:

8 / Will you provide a list of attendees at today's meeting?
The list has been published on CCJPA’s website, with the exception of participants who opted out. The list includes webinar participants as well. The file is available at:

  1. Technology

1 / It appears that CCJPA envisions utilizing the Wi-Fi network to be the last mile delivery platform (or the air interface) for the end-user (passengers). It’s described in the RFQ that the Wi-Fi based delivery network will be fed by 2 UMTS/HSPA and 2 EVDO wireless modems per train (as cellular/PCS data backhaul). To accomplish that, there will need to be an application server (like a Media Gateway) managing the protocol and messaging translation between the 3G wireless modems and the Wi-Fi air interface that the end-user devices will talk to. Has CCJPA received feedback from technology partners with respect to existence of such technology and if, yes, are there preferred such technology providers?
There are technologies and providers that can support this functionality but none are preferred.
2 / Page 34 mentions supporting IEEE 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n coverage in all cars. Is 802.11a client support not needed and if so, can we proceed with the assumption that all in-car and stations APs will utilize only 2.4GHz radios and antennas for IEEE 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n client connections?
802.11a client support is not needed. Only 2.4 GHz-based Wi-Fi access points are needed.
3 / RFQ statement: “Connect each car to the next one through an In-Vehicle Data Network (IVDN) that includes both wireless and wireline links for redundancy and supports Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T) bandwidth (1000 Mbps)”
Issue: 1000 Mbps must be for wireline link only, not wireless.
Question:Can we understand that the transmission rate requirement of the wireless IVDN is the same as IEEE b/g/n?
The wireline link must be 1000 Mbps but the wireless IVDN is not expected to meet this requirement.
4 / RFQ statement 1: “The PIS shall use equipment that is not in any way proprietary or exclusive to the Contractor or any particular supplier.”
Question 1: Does this mean that equipment (OCU, CCU, In-car LCD sign, LED sign) of PIS must not be solely sourced from the PIS provider? If so, there is not likely a vendor who can meet this requirement because the PIS must be designed and customized for the requirement of this RFQ.
Please clarify this requirement or can CCJPA eliminate this requirement?
The equipment used for the PIS may be designed and customized by a vendor to work with the PIS provider’s solution. The requirementonly relates to protocols used in the systems that make up the PIS not the underlying hardware.
5 / RFQ statement: “The CCU shall be a microprocessor-controlled device, have an open architecture and allow expansion for communication and interface with additional other systems such as the car monitoring system, CCTV surveillance system and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).”
Question: Can CCJPA determine the target systems for expansion, and provide their communication specifications?
The vendor must provide capacity and provision for expansion of to support these applications with non-proprietary protocols, according to the specifications included in the RFQ.
6 / RFQ statement: “The connection between the CCU and the PTU shall be through a standard Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 connection.”
Issue: Using LAN is easier and more cost effective.
Question: What is the reason to use USB 2.0? Will CCJPA accept the use of LAN instead of USB?
CCJPA and Caltrans will consider the use of LAN as a substitute for USB 2.0 provided all communication and display requirements are met.
7 / RFQ statement: “Six in-car LCD signs. Interior sign shall be 24” wide with a resolution of at least 1920 by 1200 pixels.”
Issue 1: 1920 by 1200 pixels LCDs are recently getting easier to purchase, however, higher resolution is still not common. Furthermore, now 1920 by 1080 pixels LCDs are also getting easier to purchase. Therefore, determining the LCD resolution to “at least 1920 by 1200 pixels” will in reality equal to “1920 by 1200 only”. This will cause possible price increase and prevent securely holding spare parts.
Question 1: Can CCJPA allow PIS specialists to propose the best resolutions in terms of price, performance, and spare parts availability, which could be below 1920 by 1200 pixels?
Question 2: What is the reason to limit the screen size to 24 inches? Can CCJPA have the acceptable range of the sizes?
Question 3: If a dual display technology available, where two (2) screens that are tied and aligned side by side show different contents, in order to provide passengers with richer information (e.g. one screen shows route information, arrival time, etc., and the other screen shows commercial ads), will CCJPA accept 24” requirement be a total of the two (2) screens? E.g., two 15-inch screens are tied and aligned side by side, forming a 25.6-inch screen.
The resolution standard for 1920 x 1200 pixels is required. The screen size has been set based on Caltrans evaluation of the sight lines, desired viewing capabilities, and size within the various car types and locations in the cars. A side by side screen presentation is not desired for a variety of reasons.
8 / Along the UPRR, the RFQ states that 4.9GHz can only transport safety applications including CCTV. Please reconfirm it cannot be used for passenger Wi-Fi access along the UPRR.
Yes, this is the case. The 4.9 GHz base stations will not transport public Internet access traffic.
9 / Are the ROW bandwidth provisions in the RFQ (1mbps in the uplink) sufficient to support the data traffic they generate?
CCJPA/Caltrans believe it is sufficient (See RFQ 4.2.5 and 4.3.2.). If the ROW camera proposed by the Prospective Contractor requires additional bandwidth, the Prospective Contractor shall ensure that the backhaul link can carry the additional traffic.
10 / Are the ROW cameras only for installation at grade crossings?
In addition to grade crossings, other locations are also under consideration.
11 / Are there any interference issues with existing wireless infrastructure deployed by any of the Rail Partners along the ROW or in trains?
CCJPA and Caltrans are not aware of potential conflicts. Rail Partners use a variety of wireless technologies along the ROW and, to a lesser extent, in trains, but CCJPA and Caltrans do not expect any specific interference issue to arise. The Contractor shall ensure that it does not create interference to the existing infrastructure and that the Wireless Network will not be affected by deployed infrastructure during the Master Contract negotiation. (See RFQ 4.1.3.)
12 / Are there any towers available for mounting wireless base stations? What other mounting assets are available at the stations for wireless backhaul to the ROW?
No infrastructure has been deployed specifically for this project. There may be infrastructure along the ROW that can be used to mount base stations, but the Contractor has to obtain the Rail Owner consent in using such infrastructure.
13 / Are there special requirements for locomotives?
No Wi-Fi or PIS equipment is required in locomotives. Only a wireless link shall connect the locomotive to the rest of the train. (See RFQ 4.2.1.)
14 / Do the flexibility and upgradeability requirements for the Wireless Network extend to the ROW cameras?
When the CCJPA and Caltrans will be ready to implement Phase 4, they will consider what the best solutions available are at the time. For the submission, Prospective Contractors should propose the solution that is required in the RFQ and include it in the quotation, but also discuss any alternatives that they consider best suited to achieve the required performance for the ROW cameras applications. (See RFQ 4.2.5.)
Furthermore, the Wireless Network shall be able to support ROW cameras with higher traffic or stricter latency requirementsin the future.
15 / Does CCJPA have a 4.9 GHz license?
CCJPA and Caltrans will use the 4.9 GHz license that Caltrans has obtained from the FCC. The license covers the entire ROW.
16 / Does CCJPA have a preferred cellular operator? Does CCJPA have already a contract with a cellular operator that it wishes to use in the Wireless Network?
Some cellular operators may not allow the Contractor or CCJPA to use their network for public Internet access. In this case, what does CCJPA propose to do?
CCJPA and Caltrans do not have a preferred cellular operator. As the strength of coverage from different cellular operators varies across the ROW, CCJPA and Caltrans anticipate that the Contractor will rely on multiple cellular operators to optimize the cellular throughput along the entire ROW.
If a cellular operator does not allow the Contractor/CCJPA to use their network to support public Internet access under standard contract agreements, the Contractor and CCJPA/Caltrans will explore alternative options or alternative contractual arrangement with cellular operators.
17 / Does the Union Pacific specifically forbid only 5.xGHz ISM equipment on their ROW, or are 4.9 and 2.4 GHz forbidden too?
If 2.4 GHz base stations are forbidden along the tracks, is it allowed on trains?
See RFQ document, especially 4.1.3.Base stations using 4.9 GHz spectrum are allowed in the UPRR territory because it is a licensed band. 2.4 GHz base stations are not allowed along the tracks, but Wi-Fi using the 2.4 GHz band is allowed (and required) on board of trains, using access points installed in the train cars.
18 / Has an RF survey being done? And if so, are the results public?
No, CCJPA and Caltrans have not conducted an RF survey and Prospective Contractors are not expected to conduct one in preparation of the Qualifications Submissions. The RF survey will be one of the first tasks that the Contractor shall complete.
19 / Has the CCJPA considered using the 5.9 GHz spectrum reserved for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)?
CCJPA and Caltrans have reviewed many spectrum options including the 5.9 GHz ITS spectrum and concluded that this band is not well suited to meet the Wireless Network requirements for a wireless broadband network supporting mobility and long-range connections.
20 / How many cameras are expected for Phase 4 and how will they be mounted?
The RFQ has a default assumption of 100 cameras for the quotation as a preliminary step in assessing the solution. The specific number and location of the cameras will be determined with the assistance of the Contractor during the initial stages of Phase 4. Mounting solutions will be defined on a case-by-case basis, depending on camera target, location, requirements of the Rail Owner, and existing infrastructure.
21 / If CCJPA plans to install 100 cameras, is the Contractor expected to backhaul traffic from all the cameras at the same time? What if more cameras are installed, does the traffic from all of them need to be concurrently backhauled? How many video feeds does CCJPA/Caltrans expected to view at any single time?
The network should be able to support concurrent backhaul from all ROW cameras installed. The video feeds will be sent to the NOC. However, only a small subset of video feeds will be viewed by CCJPA and Caltrans at any one time. (See RFQ 4.2.5.)
22 / If the Contractor proposes a satellite solution, what is the clearance requirement for a satellite dome?
For each railroad route there is a railroad plate-C clearance document defining the clearance requirements that are specific to that route. The relevant information iscontained in the PDF file here attached.

23 / If unlicensed frequency is not allowed in the UPRR, which licensed frequency is allowed? Is 4.9GHz the only frequency allowed by UPRR?
But if the 4.9GHz frequency cannot be used for Internet access, what other licensed frequency bands are allowed? Can the 3.65GHz frequency bands be licensed in area of the UPRR? Is this license under the name of the contractor, CCJPA or UPRR?