Attachment_A-Questions_and_Answers-140G0221Q0074-Responses_to_Questions_0001.pdf

Attachment A

Questions and Answers

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation 140G0221Q0074

Software Maintenance and Development Support Services Edge/Continuous Waveform

Buffer (CWB) and Hydra for USGS, Geologic Hazards Science Centers Advanced

National Seismic Network (ANSS), Golden, CO

1. Question #1:

“Is there an incumbent on this contract? If so, please provide the incumbent name, current contract number, duration, historical level of effort and value of the contract?”

USGS’s Responses:

The incumbent contractor is: STW Software, current contract G16PC00070 -

POP: September 25, 2020through September 24, 2021. The historical level of effort is stated in the PWS. The total contract value is: $1,142,690.07 which is publicly available at: FPDS.gov

2. Question #2:

“Whether companies from Outside USA can apply for this? (like, from India or Canada)”

USGS’s Response:

No, the services are to be performed in the USA. The solicitation is 100% Small

Business Set-Aside. The North American Industry Classification System

(NAICS) code is 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) and the size standard is $30 million.

3. Question #3:

“Whether we need to come over there for meetings?”

See USGS’s Response to question #2.

4. Question #4:

“Can we perform the tasks (related to RFP) outside USA? (like, from India or Canada)”

See USGS’s Response to question #2.

5. Question #5:

“Can we submit the proposals via email?”

USGS’s Response:

The vendors quotation shall be e-mailed to the CO. However, see USGS’s

Response to question #2.

6. Question #6:

“Could you please tell me if the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation posted as solicitation number 140G0221Q0074 will be a follow-on requirement to any work performed currently or in the past, or will this be a new requirement?”

USGS’s Response: This is a follow-on requirement.

The incumbent contractor is: STW Software, current contract G16PC00070 -

POP: September 25, 2020through September 24, 2021. The total contract value is: $1,142,690.07 which is publicly available at: FPDS.gov.

7. Question #7:

What programming languages and skill-sets should a prospective developer be familiar with to be considered for this project? Required and nice-to-haves.

USGS’s Response: Most of the project is in Java. There is also a need from strong LINUX and scripting skills. Many associated projects are in Python so that is helpful. Technologies are always evolving so contractor should be ready to adapt to new protocols as needed.

8. Question #8:

NTE cost estimating requires a stable project scope. How is the 1800 work hour figure derived? Is 1800 the exact number of hours that one full-time developer will work in a year on this project?

USGS’s Response: It is not exact; it is an approximation/estimate for a full-time person over one year.

9. Question #9:

Will the USGS developer team Project Manager be handling the contractors weekly work schedule and assigning project task?

USGS’s Response: Yes. They will outline the priorities, the deliverable and and broad technical approach

10. Question #10:

The RFP states, "The contractor shall make up to two trips per year for the purpose of attending specialized user-group meetings, leading training courses in data acquisition and data exchange protocols, and to occasionally visit selected field stations for coordination and debugging of data exchange protocols.

Our questions are:

a. Are these trips anticipated to be in Golden, CO or other known locations?

b. Historically, how much time do these trips require of a contractor?

USGS’s Response: They are usually not in Golden. This was a historical/pre-pandemic situation. 2 trips a year are the MOST a contractor would take, but I believe there will be virtual options for the foreseeable future.

11. Question #11:

To gather a sense of project scale, how large is the current in-house USGS development team?

USGS’s Response: The GHSC has about 12 in house developers on various projects. There are 1.5 developers supporting efforts more directly related to this solicitation.

12. Question #12:

For developers just outside of commuting distance from Golden, CO, can development be performed remotely/telework?

USGS’s Response: Yes, right now the Department of Interior is in a maximum telework situation. Future telework situations will be considered.

13. Question #13:

Are COVID-19 restrictions currently in place for USGS facilities?

USGS’s Response: Yes. Currently in maximum telework with only critical staff in building.

14. Question #14:

Will USGS be providing contractors with secure laptops for work?

USGS’s Response: Yes

15. Question #15:

Not an RFP question: The PWS states that we can get a copy of the NEIC systems architecture and Hazards Development Best Practices from the COR. Could you please send us a copy of this information for our review?

USGS’s Response: Here is a link to a relevant overview document https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2015/1174/ofr20151174.pdf The best practices cannot be shared at this point, however we work on the premise of open source by default (except where prohibited), agile development, unit tests, integration tests, and automated deployments.

https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2015/1174/ofr20151174.pdf