Questions and Answers for MeterNet.docx

Questions and Answers for 19AQMM22R0179

1) The Solicitation starts with section B.1. Supplies or Services. Is there a Section A that was to be included?

Answer: There is no Section A for this Solicitation.

2) Starting on Page 4, Section B.8.3.1. BASE YEAR and forward. – Item # 0011, 0012, 0013 should the Niagara and IoT Platform Developers be under the same item number, or should they be separate and on their own? For example, the tasks that would apply to a Niagara developer may or may not be also performed by the IoT Platform developer.

1. Answer: The Department will use developers with specific skills to meet specific requirements for varying elements of its platforms. The successful vendor shall have developers that fall under 0011, 0012, and 0013 who can support Niagara development, but should also have either within the same Niagara developer or a different individual the skills required to support the Departments requirements for its IoT Platform development.

4) Page 4 - B.8.3 - Price/Costs - There are multiple resources at 50% capacity in the quantities estimate. Would the government consider combining similar labor categories into a single full-time resource?

Answer: No.

5) Page 6 - B.6 - Can the government provide an estimate of the frequency of domestic and overseas travel?

Answer: Less than 3% of workload.

6) Page 13 – Program Logistics and Support – Will licenses for the Microsoft DevOps and Microsoft Teams be provided to the successful bidder? Should this cost be considered in the bid?

Answer: The Department expects the vendor to have the technical tools required to perform all tasks, which includes its project management and being able to communicate with Department personnel via Department’s tools, i.e. if the Department uses MS TEAMS, the successful vendor should be able to communicate via MS TEAMS without any assistance from the Department.

7) Page 16 - C.1 - Statement of Work Additional Services - Are additional services such as miscellaneous custom features and additional software and energy analysis options requirements to be priced separately and not part of the firm fixed price CLIN

Answer: Correct, however, if a vendor has expertise and services with set pricing that could set it apart from other vendors, the Department encourages this information to be submitted.

8) Page 17 - Program Management and Support - Is most of this work done remote or on-site?

Answer: Majority of work is done remotely.

9) Page 19 – Required Core – Support Services Skillsets – We believe several of the tools provided are currently managed by the M/SS IoT Team. What will be the separation of roles, and are there any intersection of responsibilities for the MeterNet IoT Team and the M/SS IoT Team?

1. Answer: MeterNet is a program that uses the Department’s IoT Network. This contract is primarily focused on accessing services to support the MeterNet program, however, the Department reserves the right to use resources accessible from this contract vehicle towards the Department mission at large, which could include supporting the IoT Network.

11) Page 21 - 23 – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS – The section on the “personnel knowledge and skillsets (at a minimum)” starting on page 21 provides detailed clearance requirements. There is another set of clearance requirements under the SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS, Key Personnel section on page 23. Will our personnel clearance be accepted if they meet the detailed minimum clearance requirements under the personnel knowledge and skillsets section?

Answer: Personnel shall meet the minimum clearance requirement as described in the personnel knowledge section. As a member of the Key personnel group, personnel must hold any additional clearance as noted in that section. If a vendor has an individual whom it wishes to fill as Key Personnel but does not currently meet the requirement, the Department reserves the right to temporarily wave this requirement pending the individual passes final adjudication for clearance. If individual does not pass final adjudication to receive clearance, they shall be immediately relieved of Department of State duties and the vendor shall have 2 weeks to provide the Department with a successor.

12) Page 33 – Section F. 2 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE. Please advise what is meant by an RFASE Facility? We are not familiar with this terminology.

Answer: The phrase “and the 12’ RFASE Facility” shall be removed/deleted from this Solicitation.

13) Page 65 – Section H. 28 Key Personnel – The Labor category “Energy Engineer” is not represented in Section B.8 Price/Costs labor categories. Should we use the labor category Energy and Utility Analyst as described in the Option year Category (Item No. 0016) to represent the Energy Engineer?

Answer: Yes.

14) Page 98, Section L.12 - There is a reference to Standard Form 33 (also referenced on page 102); may we have a copy of this Form? We cannot locate it in the documentation.

Answer: The Standard Form 33 is the Attachment named 19AQMM22R0179, on Sam.Gov for this Solictation.

15) Page 101 - L.13.4.1.3 TAB C – Technical Factor 3: Past Performance. (RE-WORDED) Can my company use DOS as one of our Contract Profiles for a Past performance reference? If so, may we contact our previous COR as a reference for our past performance?

Answer: Yes you may use DoS as a Past Performance reference. Yes, you may contact your previous COR, GTM, Office Supervisor, etc.

16) Page 102 – Section L. 13.4.2 – Volume 2 Entitled – “Price Proposal” – 6th bullet down references that we must include Attachment “A” with our submission; however, we don’t see this attachment in the documentation.

Answer: The sixth bullet shall be removed/deleted from this Solicitation.

17) Page 22 - Senior Network Engineer – This skillset aligns more closely with an SME. Would you consider renaming this position to SME”?

Answer: No.

18) Will equipment shipping be conducted through DOS international logistics channels as diplomatic cargo?

Answer: Shipping will be conducted in a variety of channels, diplomatic cargo could be one of those methods.

19) Can overseas DOS employees be leveraged for faster installs?

Answer: DOS employees will be at overseas sites to assist with installs, however, vendor is responsible to ensure that DOS employees have the skills and guidance required to complete a install tasking.

20) Will data transit DOS’ OpenNet infrastructure or can it VPN directly to the cloud?

Answer: Data must transit the Department’s IoT Network.

21) Does DOS already have facility approval for use of RF technologies (WiFi, BlueTooth, LoRaWAN)? Have each of these technologies received ATO? If so, will DOS provide / identify security requirements to the successful vendor?

Answer: The Department of State will share technical information with successful vendor.

22) What are the current data sources for the MeterNet system?

Answer: MeterNet has a vast number of smart meters and sensors located at the Department’s global facilities generating data.

23) Are the pre-selected LoRa sensors for measuring-monitoring-analyzing only the specific physical variables such as sensible (ambient) temperatures, occupancy, CO2, etc in the proposed effort, or would there be future expansion into indoor air quality, lighting, humidity, rain/leaks/flow sensing, power quality, sound level, etc to integrate with facility or security information platforms?

Answer: Current and future sensor deployment are to be selected based on Department mission and requirements.

24) Would LoRa sensors’ data feed be protected against interception and interference over the waves? Would that be detectable and are such risk’s tolerable?

Answer: The Department of State will share technical information with successful vendor.