A31 Questions and Answers 06-22-23 - 2.docx

Question: What file size (in MB/GB) will your servers accept for the proposal submission via email?

Answer: Please keep the file size below 25MB per email. Multiple emails may be used to divide larger files into 25MB chunks.

Question: Could you provide more information about the expected timeline for the development of the website and kiosk?

Answer: DEA anticipates beginning the project at the time of award. However, DEA Security requirements (beginning page 75 of the RFQ) require project staff to undergo a clearance process that can take several months. Please factor the length of the clearance process into the project timeline.

Question: Are there specific dimensions for the kiosk?

Answer: Please see the SOW for any specific dimensional restrictions (particularly page 63 and page 70 of the RFQ).

Question: Can you provide us a photograph of the DEA lobby indicating the desired location of the kiosk?

Answer: Please see the SOW for photographs of the DEA lobby and desired general location (starting page 71 of the RFQ).

Question: Can you provide an estimate of the expected number of users and web traffic to ensure proper scalability and performance of the website and kiosk?

Answer: While DEA does not currently have an estimate of the number of users for website traffic, DEA is currently receiving 200-600 submissions (photo, biography, and other details) via email each month. DEA currently has received more than 5000 submissions since May 2022. The website and kiosk must be scalable to accommodate as many users as needed.

Question: What is the maximum number of visitors that will be able to use the kiosk simultaneously?

Answer: One user at a time will directly interface with the kiosk in the lobby.

Question: Could you provide more details about the budget or any cost constraints for the project?

Answer: There are no specific budget or cost restraints. Please propose your best Firm Fixed Price for each CLIN in the RFQ.

Question: Is there a preferred third-party cloud hosting provider for the website, or can we propose one?

Answer: You may propose a third-party cloud hosting provider in your response.

Question: What are the expected data volumes for submitted and approved data? Should data storage scale accordingly?

Answer: The data volumes are not currently known at this time. Data storage should be able to scale accordingly to accommodate as much data as needed.

Question: Are there any specific database technologies or platforms preferred for storing submitted and approved data?

Answer: There is no specific preference.

Question: Do you have any preferences for the media player software to be used in the kiosk?

Answer: There is no specific preference.

Question: Can you provide more information on the specific text, image, and index data that should be locally stored/cached in the kiosk?

Answer: As much information as is currently known is included in the SOW.

Question: Are there any specific encryption or data protection requirements for user data and communications?

Answer: There are specific requirements included in the DEA Provision & Clause Matrix in the SOW.

Question: Are there any existing systems, technologies or third-party APIs that need to be integrated?

Answer: The SOW includes the technical specifications that must be adhered to.

Question: RFP section 4 notes that proposals must be in “a Microsoft Office Compatible format”. Can you confirm that PDF submission is acceptable?

Answer: A PDF submission is acceptable.

Question: Does DEA have any preferences regarding CMS for the website?

Answer: There is no specific preference.

Question: Can you confirm that the website needs to be hosted on a FEDRAMP platform/server?

Answer: Per Clause DOJ-05 on page 42 of the RFQ, this website is defined as a Covered Information System. Therefore all security requirements listed apply, including FedRAMP requirements.

Question: Can you confirm that the website needs to comply with NIST-800-53, rev 5?

Answer: Per Clause DOJ-05 on page 42 of the RFQ, this website is defined as a Covered Information System. Therefore all security requirements listed apply, including NIST requirements.

Question: How will you determine that the enclosure “works with the design aesthetic of the lobby” – who at DEA or GSA will make that determination? Is there a specific design code bidders should look at?

Answer: The DEA appointed COR will make that determination. There is no specific design code. Please see the photographs of the DEA lobby in the RFQ.

Question: Who will be responsible for wiring the enclosure and installing the equipment, bidder or DEA building engineers/AV staff?

Answer: The bidder will be responsible for all wiring and installation.