B-3 Amendment 0001.docx

Amendment 0001

The purposes of this amendment are to:

1. Extend the response date of this solicitation from November 19, 2019 at 11:59pm EST to November 23, 2020 at 11:59pm EST.

2. Provide an amended version of the Combines Synopsis Solicitation due to typographical errors and a change in the response date.

3. Provide an amended version of the NIST Requirements.

4. Provide “Attachment II: Examples of Tasks”

5. Publicly provide answers to inquires posed by interested parties.

Question 1 Do you have any examples of the following?

(12) explanatory animations

(18) explanatory illustrations

NIST Answer: Please see the added Attachment II: Examples of Tasks document posted as part of the revised solicitation.

Question 2 Will professional cloud base web services like Dropbox and Google drive be acceptable for the following task? Task 3: The Contractor shall create and maintain a complete web-based online archive, organized in order by date completed, of all graphics products produced for Tasks 1 and 2 above that is accessible at any time by the NIST TPOC.

NIST Answer: NIST does not permit use of Dropbox or Google Drive. It is acceptable to have a folder on the vendor’s site, as long as it’s accessible anytime to the TPOC.

Question 3 In regard to the following information from the Statement of Work:

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY Upon start of this contract, NIST will provide the Contractor with a laptop capable of creating and processing the complex graphics listed above. NIST will not pay for Wi-Fi charges associated with the performance of this purchase order.

Does the work need to be completed on this laptop or can the Contractor utilize their own in-house render farm for this work?

NIST Answer: The NIST laptop is provided chiefly to enable a NIST-approved connection. It will be a Dell i7 system with an NVIDIA graphics card and 32 GB memory, capable of producing graphics at the level of sophistication NIST requires. Creation and processing of work products can be done on other hardware of the Contractor’s choice as long as the final results are in the specified formats (e.g., MP4).

Question 4 In regard to the following information from the Statement of Work:

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY Upon start of this contract, NIST will provide the Contractor with a laptop capable of creating and processing the complex graphics listed above. NIST will not pay for Wi-Fi charges associated with the performance of this purchase order.

What software is installed on the laptop for animation and illustration work?

NIST Answer: None. Although NIST/PML staff use Adobe CC apps, the vendor may employ any software (e.g., Maxon, Corel, Blender) as long as the work is completed in the specified file formats. The advantage to using Adobe CC apps with the native files available to NIST, is that NIST can make small corrections (spelling or numerical errors, etc.) without having to engage with the Contractor.

Question 5 Page 5 of the Combined Synopsis Solicitation contains the following language: Additionally, state the relevance to the manufacturing and delivery of neutron scattering cryogenic-free superconducting magnets. Is this a typo? There is no reference in the SOW to any hardware manufacturing and delivery. Please clarify.

NIST Answer: This was a typographical error and has been removed on the Amended Combined Synopsis Solicitation Attachment.

Question 6 Since we are an emerging small business can we use the experience of our employees as past performance if this performance was gained through another company that formerly employed our current personnel?

NIST Answer: Yes, this is acceptable, please just note this information in the provided past performance information in your bid.

Question 7 Can you provide the specifications and software used in the government furnished computer?

NIST Answer: The laptop will be a Dell i7 Windows system with an NVIDIA graphics card, 32 GB of DRAM, and sufficient storage for the components of a 2-minute animation. No graphics software will be installed. The Contractor may use its own choice of software, as long as the output is in the specified formats. NIST prefers the use of Adobe CC apps because NIST can access the native files to make minor changes in spelling, numbers, etc. without having to engage with the Contractor.

Question 8 There is no billing instructions in the RFQ-will there be a schedule for payment of deliverables or is this effort a lump sum payment at the beginning or end of the performance period?

NIST Answer: Please see the Amended Statement of Work with an added section for payment schedule.

Question 9 When is the proposal due? There are two different dates listed - Nov 19 2020 and Nov 20 2020. Will this date be extended if the questions are not due until Nov 16 2020?

NIST Answer: Please see the above information and the Amended Combined Synopsis Solicitation document.

Question 10 In the evaluation criteria on page 6 the RFQ says: Upon completion of phase one, each acceptable quotation will be evaluated using the trade-off method against the evaluation factors listed below. This is the first time we see a reference to “phase one”. Please clarify

NIST Answer: This was a typographical error and has been removed on the Amended Combined Synopsis Solicitation Attachment.

Question 11 Is there an incumbent contractor currently performing these services, if similar services have been performed in the past, or if this is a new requirement/ follow-on requirement?

NIST Answer: This is a new procurement.