Attachment 7 - Questions and Answers.docx

Clarification Questions to Enterprise Support for eXist (Technical)

19FS1A21Q0004

Q1. The RFQ PDF document on pages 5-7 list Line Item Summary for several items such as “Maintenance Service Level Agreement” and “Additional Projects Rate” with a “Quantity” of zero. We are assuming that you actually intended to purchase and have supplied such items. Can you please provide us with the correct quantities for this table?

A1. The pricing spreadsheet matrix has been corrected and revised. Please see revised Price Matrix attachment.

Q2. The RFQ PDF document on page 10 shows that the CentOS Operating System has been used for the ‘doc-ci’ server, whereas all other servers are running Amazon Linux 2. We would like to know if there is a specific technical dependency on CentOS?

A2. One of the monitoring packages installed on the “dos-ci” server—perhaps Icinga or Munin—was in some way incompatible with Amazon Linux (the original version).

Q3. The RFQ PDF document on page 10 states that OpenVPN and Unbound DNS are used for remote access. We would like to understand if there is a technical requirement that drove this bespoke approach as opposed to using AWS’s VPN solution?

A3. Our vendor was more familiar with OpenVPN and Unbound DNS.

Q4. The RFQ PDF document on page 10 discussed the use of both GitHub and GitLab. As these are competing and overlapping services, we would like to understand the technical requirement that led to both being used simultaneously. Can you provide some further background information on this choice please?

A4. We selected GitHub for our public repositories because of the service’s features and high visibility. At that time, private repositories required a paid account on GitHub. We selected GitLab for our private repositories because these were free. Now that GitHub offers private repositories for free, we would reconsider our choice of host for private repositories.

Q5. The RFQ PDF document on page 10 briefly mentions the Web Proxy servers in use by HSG. We would like to understand what services they provide, e.g. micro-caching, SSL offload, etc. Can you please provide further information on their configuration and use?

A5. The Nginx web proxy performs reverse proxying (e.g., forwarding requests for “/” to “/exist/apps/hsg-shell”) and microcaching. A slightly out-of-date but still representative configuration can be found at https://github.com/HistoryAtState/hsg-project/tree/master/deploy/1861/etc/nginx.

Q6. The RFQ PDF document on page 13, item 6, requests a commitment to a fixed number of hours of maintenance each month. However, we are unable to find a number specified in the RFQ. Is this missing, or should we suggest a number?

A6. Please suggest a number that would be required to perform routine maintenance (e.g., backups, installation of security patches or updated server software, responding to outages). If we request maintenance services that cannot be performed within this monthly quota (e.g., upgrading our servers to a new instance type that Amazon offers that has improved price or performance characteristics), the vendor could provide an estimate for the additional hours required, and if approved, the additional work could be performed.

Q7. The RFQ PDF document on page 13, states: “the specified projects to be completed within one year from award” It also further states: “The projects listed below must be completed within the base year” However, the RFQ PDF document on pages 5-7 lists items for pricing of “Specified Projects Rate” for option years 1 - 4. Likewise, this is repeated in a different form on pages 7-8. Additionally, the Attachment 2 - Price Matrix also appears to call for pricing items of “Specified Projects” for option years 1 - 4.

Our confusion arises from the fact that all specified projects are stated to be completed in the base year. Can you provide clarification as to whether, (a) all specified projects must indeed be completed in the base year, and therefore the pricing information for options years is not required, or (b) that the pricing information is required for option years, and that the specified projects should be completed over the full-term of the RFQ?

A7. The Pricing Matrix (Attachment 2) has been updated. It is government’s intent that, subject to availability of funds, all specified projects are completed during the initial year of performance. However, some specified projects may be delayed if insufficient funding is available. The government seeks one set of pricing to apply for the specified projects regardless of the year in which they are completed. The overall price for all specified projects is automatically totaled in cell G131 on the “Specified Projects” sheet. Only this price will used for the price evaluation of the specified projects.

Q8.The RFQ PDF document on page 44 discusses Key Personnel and Non-Key Personnel, however it does not appear to clearly define the differentiator between the two. Could you please provide more information around what a member of staff may be considered Key or Non-Key according to your own classifications?

A8. A new “Key Personnel” clause has been added in Section H.

Q9. The RFQ PDF document on page 46 states that:

“ Key Personnel proposed must be present and conduct the Oral Presentation ” Does “ conduct ” mean that key-personnel must present some part of the overall presentation, or that they must just be available as part of the SMEs Q&A session?

A9. The latter.

Q10. Can you tell me if this is a new contract or if there is an incumbent performing the work now? Would you consider a small business set-aside for this contract?

A10. The current incumbent is eXist Solutions GmbH, Contract Number SAQMMA15C0238. We are not considering a small business set-aside for this requirement.

Q11. In the Section labeled "Security Requirements", references to the requirement of Moderate Risk Public Trust (MRPT) facility clearance and Secret Facility Clearance (FCL) are made. We are a British company without either of these clearances. Since the work will be done solely on a remote basis, are these requirements still applicable? Or must we start the process for acquiring said clearances?

A11. An amendment will be made to the RFQ. Any resulting contract requires a Moderate Risk Public Trust determination for contract employees working thereunder. Secret Facility Clearance language will be removed from the RFQ. Please see Attachment 6 MRPT Procedures.

Q12. We would like clarification for what is expected on the "Volume II - Price Quote". Should this document be composed solely of the Line Item Summary and/or Price Matrix? Or should there be additional text explaining our reasonings for the prices listed?

A12. Both. At a minimum, the Price Matrix Attachment 2 must be completed. Additionally, offerors are invited to provide a short (no more than 2 pages) supplemental price narrative. Also, see Section L page 39 – 40 (4. - Service Level Agreement Pricing Tiers) for providing additional pricing/SLA configurations for government evaluation. Please note, only the recommended SLA should be provided via Price Matrix Attachment 2 at this time. Additional available SLA configurations shall only be addressed in the price narrative, should offerors elect to provide one.

Q13. It is noted that "A Moderate Risk Public Trust (MRPT) facility clearance is required" however it also states in bullet (a) that "The Contractor shall have a Secret Facility Clearance (FCL)". We want to confirm if both clearances are required in order to be awarded this contract.

A13. Please refer to Question 11.

Q14. Were the RFIs that were previously sought for Notice ID: 1031080011 published publicly, and if so where may we find them? If not, are you able to tell us how many RFI were received, and/or whom submitted them?

A14. RFI Notice ID 1031080011 was published on beta.sam.gov on September 11, 2020.

https://beta.sam.gov/opp/a292db8b9754478a8ef3ed5053d7f264/view

Q15. The SF1449 form at the start of the RFQ PDF document asks for Blocks 12, 17, 23, 24, and 30 to be completed. Can you provide information about what Block 12 “Discount Terms” should be used for?

A15. In this block, the offeror may offer the Government a discount for prompt payment.

Q16. The RFQ PDF document contains three tables that could hold item and pricing information, page 2 (Form SF1449), pages 5-7, and pages 7-8 respectively. In addition, the Attachment 2 Price Matrix document also requests pricing information. Is it correct, that all of these should be completed with the same item and pricing information duplicated?

A16. Yes. Both Attachment 2 and the line item pricing on pages 5-7 and the text on pages 7-8 of the SF-1449 shall be provided.

Q17. The RFQ PDF document on page 23 states:

“ (e) Performance under this contract shall be in accordance with the attached DDForm 254 ”.

However, the attachment appears to be missing. Where can we find this please?

A17. Please disregard this statement. This language will be removed from the RFQ.

Q18. The RFQ PDF document on page 26, item E, states that multiple-offers will not be accepted . However, page 37, item E, states that offerors are encouraged to submit multiple-offers . These two parts of the document appear to be in direct conflict. Can you please clarify whether multiple-offers are allowed or not?

A18. Multiple offers will not be accepted. However please see Q12 and Section L page

Q19. As per Section K (pages 33-35) of the RFQ PDF document, should we submit a completed copy of 52.209-5 and 652.225-70?

A19. Yes

Q20. The RFQ PDF document on page 36, item 8 states that a completed copy of the Representations and Certifications must be submitted, however, page 39, item 6 appears to contradict this by stating that a current SAM “Active” entity registration is sufficient. Please can you clarify what should be submitted?

A20. Please submit reps and certs.

Q21.The RFQ PDF document on page 38, item J, requests a Unique Entity Identifier. From what we have been able to ascertain, this should currently be our DUNS number. Is that correct? If not, where may we obtain a Unique Entity Identifier please?

A21. This statement is referring to the DUNS.

Q22.The RFQ PDF document on page 40, items B and E, appear to request different naming conventions for the same files/documents. Can you please clarify?

A22. Volume I needs to be titled 19FS1A21Q0004 Technical with a 15 page limit, and Volume II, price quote, needs to be titled 19FS1A21Q0004 Price.

Q23. Should the entire RFQ PDF document be returned with annotations, or is it sufficient to extract the parts that require completion?

A23. The entire RFQ PDF is to be returned with annotations.

Q24. For the Past Performance Surveys, if we wished to request a survey from a client whom may themselves also be responding to this RFQ, should we raise this as a possible conflict of interest alongside where we identify our recipients of the surveys?

A24. Yes.

Q25. My company is interested in responding to this and we were looking for information on the original award to help guide us in our response.

Do you know where I might be able to find this information, possibly on a specific website?

A25.Please see Question 10. Contract data reports are publicly available on beta.SAM.gov

**Language on Page 13, Item 2 of the solicitation has been revised**

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED