36C10X19R0012-0006001.xlsx
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- Enterprise Mail Management RFI 36C10X19Q9103
- Solicitation number
- 36C10X19R0012
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This document contains a pre-solicitation announcement and draft performance work statement for an Enterprise Mail Management requirement. The Department of Veterans Affairs Strategic Acquisition Center Frederick will be releasing a solicitation on or about April 17, 2019 seeking a mail management solution. The performance work statement outlines requirements for a cloud-based mail system, including mailing and shipping software, postage meters, sorters, printers, scales, and related accessories. It also specifies requirements for FedRAMP certification, enterprise cloud hosting, maintenance support services, and places of performance covering the United States and overseas locations. Pricing is to be provided using an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract structure with cost/price schedules. The anticipated period of performance is 60 months with individual task orders not exceeding 12 months beyond the ordering period end date.
36C10X19R0012 0006 Q_A 36C10X19R0012 Updated 06 21 19.xlsx
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Sheet1
| Questions Related 36C10X19R0012 - 05/24/19 / Updated 06/20/19 | |||||
| Question # | Section # | Page Number | Section Title | Question | Responses |
| 1 | Does the software solution need to be able to CASS certify the lists for USPS processing? | No, the software solution does not need to be able to be CASS certify, however some mail rooms may request CASS Certifying software. | |||
| 2 | Does the software solution need to be able to process lists through National Change of Address from the USPS and return an updated address? | No, the software solution does not need to be able to process the National Change of Address (NCOA) software, however some mail rooms may request NCOA software. | |||
| 3 | Does the software solution need to be able to presort mailing lists for the lowest postal rates and discounts possible as presorted mailings (1st Class, Marketing Mail, Package Services)? | No the software solution does not need to be able to presort mailing lists for lowest postal rates and discounts possible as presorted mailings. | |||
| 4 | Does the software solution need to generate a Mail.dat for upload to the USPS | No the software solution does not need to generate a Mail.dat for upload to USPS, however some mail rooms may request Mail.dat files be sent to the USPS. | |||
| 5 | Does the software solution need to generate a manifest key for manifest mailings with the USPS? | No the software solution does not need to generate a manifest key for manifest mailings with the USPS, , however some mail rooms may request a manifest key for manifest mailings with the USPS | |||
| 6 | What information needs to be collected and aggregated into reporting for postage? | See Appendix A | |||
| 7 | 3.3 | 7 | Place of Performance | Does the offeror have to be able to perform on-site services to |
include on-site maintenance as defined in Section 5.5 at all locations listed
| above in order to qualify for the IDIQ? | No you don't have to service all OCONUS locations listed in section 3.3 and 5.5. | ||||
| 8 | 5.2 | 12 | Postage Meter and System Requirements | Is it a requirement of the IDIQ that USPS postage funding for all |
postage meters (both physical meters and web based meters) follow the Department of Treasury Manual 4100 REQUIREMENTS FOR USING
| DEPOSITARIES TO HOLD PUBLIC MONEY, Section 4130? | Yes - Added to PWS | |||||
| 9 | 5.2 | 12 | Postage Meter and System Requirements | Is it acceptable for the contractor to provide postage funding in | ||
| the form of a credit and/or advance for postage meter funding for physical meters and/or web based meters issued under this IDIQ? | See updated language in section 5.2.1 that should answer this question. | |||||
| 10 | 5.3.1 | 13 | Mailing and Shipping Software Requirements | Will the VA please confirm that it requires the System to be able to support the configuration of VA Business Rules at an Enterprise Level (HQ or VISN Level) to ensure the requirement that the System “shall automatically determine the most economical delivery” will be met? | As defined in PWS Section 5.3.1 Mailing and Shipping Software Requirements ...Software shall automatically determine the most economical delivery method for letters, flats and parcels by examining criteria such as applied business rules, delivery time, priority and transportation method and then produce the carrier compliant label. | |
| 11 | 5.3.4 | 13 | Mailing and Shipping Software Requirements | Does the VA require one enterprise instance of the cloud “Mail System” from an HQ perspective or individual instances of the cloud Mail System by location or VISN? If the VA requires individual instances, please identify the total expected number of instances. | PWS Section 5.1 Mail System Global Requirements 5.1.1 Leased services … VA requires a scalable cloud-based software solution for data hosting. VA Enterprise perspective requires one enterprise instance of the cloud "Mail System". Explain in your proposal your companies cloud methodology | |
| 12 | 5.4.3 | 14 | Mail System Accessory Requirements | Are the “Sorters” hardware that may be required at a VA location or are the “Sorters” a presort service whereby the mail would be picked up at a VA location and presorted at a contractor’s facility in order to leverage postal discounts and report mailing costs statistics? | The "Sorters" are required to be at the VA location. ""of-Site" sorting or "pre-sort" is not required. The VA is requesting the sorter hardware with associated software, PWS Section 5.4 Mail System Accessory Requirements 5.4.3 Sorters | |
| 13 | 7 | 21 | Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE)/Government-Furnished Information (GFI) | Are the PC workstations that would be utilized in performance of items listed in B.4 APPENDIX B – PRICE/COST SCHEDULE, that will be connected to the VA network contractor supplied or VA supplied? | PWS Section 7.0: Government Furnished Equipment (GFE)/Government-Furnished Information (GFI): No government furnished equipment will be utilized in the execution of this contract. All equipment will be provided for by the contractor and leased by the government. If GFI is required those items will be facilitated at the order level. |
| 14 | B.4 | 23,24 | APPENDIX B – PRICE/COST SCHEDULE | Will the VA amend the Solicitation to allow offerors to include a priced listing of peripherals, optional components, and feature add-ons for each line item on APPENDIX B included in the IDIQ so as to allow a configuration that meets the exact needs of the user location without the VA location having to acquire the peripherals, optional components, and feature add-ons through a separate procurement process? | No, additional items will not be added at this time. However, at the order level, section 3.2, page 7, allows for these items if purchased under the micro purchase threshold. Additionally, most program offices have a Government Purchase Card that allows them to purchase supplies up to $10,000.00 in a single transaction. | |
| 15 | E.1.10 | 53 | PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS | Do the cover page, cover letter and table of contents count | ||
| against the offeror’s page limitations? | No | |||||
| 16 | E.1.10 | 53 | PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS | In reference to Volume 1 – Technical Proposal, due to the |
complexity of the requirements, in order to thoroughly explain offering for each CLIN, will the VA please increase the page count from 20 to 35 pages
| not including the cover, cover letter and table of contents? | Agreed | |||||
| 17 | E.1.10 | 53 | Volume 2 | |||
| Factor 2: Past Performance | Will the VA please supply a copy of the PPQ, Attachment B that can be sent for past performance evaluations? | This document was added as an attachment to this amendment | ||||
| 18 | 1 | 6 | Scope | Are an offeror’s standard lease terms offered to the U.S. Government to be attached to its proposal? | Yes, in the price volume IV, attach your standard lease terms as an addendum and not count towards the page limitation. Any terms may or may not be accepted. If accepted, they will become part of the contract. | |
| 19 | 1 | 6 | Scope | Will the offeror’s standard lease terms offered to the U.S. Government be incorporated into a resulting contract? | asked and answered | |
| 20 | 5.9.4 | 19 | Enterprise Cloud Authority to Operate | Does the term “bi-weekly” as used in the section mean twice a | ||
| month? | Changed to monthly reviews | |||||
| 21 | B.4 APPENDIX B | 23 | PRICE/COST SCHEDULE | Will the VA review and approve the cloud capacity requirements identified by the Contractor and then provide the VA Enterprise Cloud capacity to include the credits, as Government Furnished Equipment, required for all VA Enterprise Cloud development, testing, and production environment requirements for the solution during contract performance or is the contractor responsible for these costs? | EMM will follow VA Cloud Policy, Reference Documents page 9. | |
| 22 | 5.1.8, 5.3.4, 5.3.6, | 11, 13 | Mail System Global Requirements, |
Mailing and Shipping Software Requirements
| Will the VA confirm that it requires cloud based software that will allow the VA to take advantage of USPS business discounts using Intelligent | ||||
| Mail Barcodes (IMB) and providing full tracking of each mail piece through the delivery processing? | PWS Section 5.3 Mailing and Shipping Software Requirements 5.3.4 Software for VA requirements. | |||
| 23 | 5.4.2 | 14 | Mail System Accessory Requirements | |
| Inkjet printers do not produce heat therefore they print cool, flat and dry which reduces static and paper curling which are two of the main causes of jams in fold and inserting requirements required in Section 5.4.2. Will the VA add inkjet printers as an option for this requirement? | ||||
| 5.4.6 Printers was modified | ||||
| 24 | 5.4.6 | 15 | Mail System Accessory Requirements | |
| Will the VA please amend the maximum size of 13” x 52” as this |
appears to a paper printing requirement of a plotter? A standard industry maximum size is maximum 13 3/8” × 21 5/8” with a minimum of 3 9/16” × 5
| 27/32”. | 5.4.6 Printers was modified | |||||
| 25 | B.4 APPENDIX B | 23 | PRICE/COST SCHEDULE | We would like to request that the requirement for 3D barcode be removed. We are not aware of any carrier today that uses 3D barcode. | 3D barcode requirement removed | |
| 26 | Will you accept more than one bid (i.e. a bid and an alternate bid) from a single bidder? Or is this disqualifying? | No, this will not be a disqualifying factor. Alternate offers should be coordinated with the Contracting Officer prior to submission to ensure it is clear as to what the alternate offer is. | ||||
| 27 | The 1449 Form does not indicate that Socioeconomic Factors (SDVOSB, VOSB, etc.) are a factor in evaluation. Later, however, there is a reference to FAR 52.212-2 citing Socioeconomic factors as part of the evaluation. Of course, the VA has active directives in this area. Could you please clarity; are Socioeconomic Factors part of the evaluation, or are they a non-factor? | This issue was noticed and addressed/corrected in amendment 0002. Please advise if there are still questions after the changes to the RFP in amendment 0002. | ||||
| 28 | GAO Protest File Number: B-417530.1 | On May 1, 2019 Pitney Bowes protested Solicitation number 36C24819Q0533. This RFQ was similar in nature to this solicitation, and will this protest affect the specifications, requirements or award of 36C10X19R0012. | It does not appear this protest will affect this IDIQ. | |||
| 29 | 1 | 8 | Offer Due Date/Local time 5-30-2019 4:00 PM Eastern | This is an extremely complicated response, with various elements that have to be researched as it relates to FedRAMP, and ATO that in order to provide the most compressive and cost effective solution, Vendor is requesting that the RFQ date be extended for 30 days from the date the answers to the questions are provided. | FedBizOps Amendment 0002 published on 5/13/19 extended responses through June 7, 2019 | |
| 30 | 7 | 3 | The Period of Performance shall be for sixty (60) months. Individual task orders shall not extend further than twelve (12) - months beyond the Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Ordering Period end date. | Can you please clarify "Individual task orders shall not extend further than twelve (12) - months beyond the Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Ordering Period end date". Will individual Task Order be for a 60 month period? Will the individual Task Orders survive the end of the IDIQ Ordering Period? | Section updated | |
| 31 | 7 | 3.3 | Place of Performance - American Samoa | Will the VA accept Depot Repair for mail machine service for installations in America Samoa? | The Offeror should indicate in their proposal the locations that they can not perform on-site maintenance identified in PWS Section 5.5 Maintenance Support Service/ PW's Section 3.3. Place of Performance. The Offeror may consider partnering for locations where they do not service. | |
| 32 | 10 | 5 | 5.0 Mail System Requirements | If a PC is needed for shipping packages which will have shipping software installed, would the government provide the PC or would that be the responsibility or the contractor? | Section updated see page 21 | |
| 33 | 11 | 5.1.8 | 5.1.1 Equipment and software shall provide automated manifest mailing which allows a mailer to document postage and fees for all pieces in a mailing paid via permit imprint. Each piece in a manifest mailing shall be labeled with a unique identification (ID) number. | We would like to ask that the government remove this requirement. It is restrictive to one vendor and does not allow for fair and open competition. From our knowledge, VA locations are not currently using mail manifesting. Mail manifesting requires approval from USPS. | Section 5.1.8 deleted | |
| 34 | 12 | 5.1.11 | 1.1.1. Contractor shall be responsible for removal of machines, mail meters and accessories confirmed and approved with the COR Not Later Than (NLT) ten business days of the expiration or cancellation of TO’s or IDIQ contract. | It is a requirement of the USPS that the current postage meter vendor MUST remove postage meters out of service. Once the vendor has taken the meter out of service through the USPS, the USPS will refund the postage. |
| We would like request that the vendors not be required to remove competitive equipment. Competitive equipment may be leased or have value to the VA. This can cause confusion and place the vendor at risk. | Offerors are not required to remove competitors equipment, and shall coordinate removal with the local TO COR . | |||||
| 35 | 12 | 5.1.12 | 5.1.1 The contractor shall ensure all unused mail meter postage funds are returned to VA, in a method reported, confirmed and approved with the COR NLT five business days of expiration or cancellation of TO’s or IDIQ contract. | Processing meters taken out of service requires the USPS to process the paperwork for the refund. That process takes 4 to 6 weeks. We would like to request that the terms be changed to 4 to 6 weeks. | Terms changed to 4 to 6 weeks. | |
| 36 | 15 | 5.4.6 | 5.1.1 Printers – Laser or Thermal shall provide options for various mailroom requirements to meet mail addressing, barcoding and postage printing. Each mailroom will specify their pages/minute, size, thickness, resolution and type of media such as: extra-thick card stock, polyester, magnetic media, transparency films ranging in sizes ranging from 3" x 5" to 13" x 52". | We would like to request that the government give further clarification on size of media being printed, and what is being printed on this media? Will all media being printed be mailed or shipped, or is this printed material for other uses? Can the VA clarify mail addressing, is this for printing addresses on a envelope? Is this for printing addresses on documents? Can the VA clarify barcoding, is this for printing barcodes on envelopes? Is this for printing barcoding or intelligent markings on a document? Can the VA clarify postage printing, is this for printing postage on an envelope? Is this for printing postage on a document that will be inserted into a window envelope? Why would the VA have a need to print 13" x 52" if this RFQ is for mailing solutions? | 5.4.6 Printers was modified | |
| 37 | 16 | 5.4.5 | 5.1.1 Digital Scale – shall provide the ability to electronically weigh postal and parcel items for shipping. Scales shall be USB capable for downloading weight to a computer or other connected devices. Typical mailroom processing requires scales able to handle weight ranges from 0-100lbs. Mailrooms will define their individual overall requirements. | We would like to request that the government change the requirement for this scale size to handle weight ranges from 0-100 to 0-70 lbs. The USPS maximum weight for packages is 70lbs. This will lower the over all cost of the mailing systems. | PWS 5.4 Mail System Accessory Requirements; Section 5.4.6 Printers. The weight range 0-100 lbs. was removed from the PWS. | |
| 38 | 18 | 5.9 | FedRAMP | Would the government consider removing the requirement for FedRAMP certification? We have contacted the FedRAMP agency and have confirmed that no vendor is currently FedRAMP approved for any equipment specified within this solicitation, with Authority to Operate (ATO). This vendor is currently is in the process of gaining the certification and hopes to have it in the near future. | FedRAMP certification is not required at the time of proposal, however awardees will be required to move forward in FedRAMP certification. | |
| 39 | 23 | B.4 | Price sheet | Can you please clarify what is to be included in the Year Unit Lease Price? Is this for equipment only, or is USPS Meter Rental, Maintenance and Software and Support to be included? | It shall be all-inclusive of the lease price | |
| 40 | 23 | 0001 0002 0003 | What peripherals should be priced with the different, small, medium and large mail room meters (scale, weighing capacity, exit stacker or conveyor etc.)? Could the government make the maximum weight range for the scales 70 lbs.? This is the maximum weight for USPS parcels. | VA is not looking for peripherals at this time. The weight range 0-100 lbs. was removed from the PWS. | ||
| 41 | 23 | 5.3 | Virtual metering | In Section 5.3 it describes postage meter usage with mailing machines, and does not seem to mention virtual metering. Will the VA use virtual meters at any of its locations without mailing machines, or does this have a different meaning? | Virtual metering equipment is acceptable if it meets latest technologies associated with mail processing. | |
| 42 | 23 | 5.4.2 | 008 009 Letter Folder Letter Inserter | In order to provide pricing/costs for a folder inserter, more information would be needed. What volumes would be processed through the inserter, how many feed stations will be needed, will barcode reading be needed for variable page inserting, or security? Will flats be processed through a folder inserter? If yes, what size flats? | Customization will occur at the Task Order level. Please include the max priced solution for IDIQ. Discounts can be provided from the IDIQ listed price at the task order level if a program orders a lower costing unit. | |
| 43 | 23 | 5.4.4 | 11 Mail Stacker | Will mail stacker for all systems be the same, will this be a drop stacker or a power conveyor stacker? | See Question 42 | |
| 44 | 23 | 5.4.5 | 12 Digital Scale | What weight capacity is needed for these scales, 5,10,30 or 70 pound capacity, and will all mailing machines use the same weight capacity? | PWS 5.4 Mail System Accessory Requirements; Section 5.4.6 Printers. The weight range 0-100 lbs. was changed in the PWS. Not all machines may be the same weight capacity, please see question 42 for proposed pricing information | |
| 45 | 30 | C.1.12 a | Service Level Fee | Will the VA accept the same method of IFF Fee concept as per GSA contract for the 3% SLA fee. Understand that the current IFF Fee is .75% which is passed via GSA pricing, so in essence the VA will now be paying an additional 3% on top of the IFF fee. | There is no fee to GSA. Please see section C.1.12 SAC 18-01 SAC Service Level Agreement Fee and Submission of Quarterly Sales Reports; Open Market (January 2016). | |
| 46 | 30 | C.1.12 b. (1) | Reports | Is there a specific format that is required for the reports? | See PWS Appendix A | |
| 47 | 38-42 | Section D: Contract Documents, Exhibits, or Attachments | Can you explain your intent with this document? It speaks more to an onsite contractor versus a service provider where some of this would not be applicable. | Document is required and offer may be required to complete during the performance of the IDIQ or a task order. | ||
| 48 | The IDIQ and CLIN scope is not designed to support advanced processing software to be included as part of the IDIQ; the CLINS are hardware and device specific. Will the Government accept and consider alternate proposals for advanced software capability that is proven to have saved VAMCs significant amount in postal expense? | At this time there is no known requirement for advanced software. However, offerors may provide alternate solutions that are within the primary scope of the PWS. | ||||
| 49 | The IDIQ states that each VAMC or Station will specify requirements and configurations for their mail, insertion, and printing equipment. This makes sense, as requirements and configurations can differ. However, the CLIN structure does not allow for pricing to be provided with various options; it only specifies 3 configurations for each class, a small, medium, and large. How do we reconcile this with the need to customize per station? | The IDIQ CLIN's will be the max price required items. However, at the task order level, customizations may occur and discounts can be provided at that time. | ||||
| 50 | 5.4.6 | 15 | Mail System Accessory Requirements | |||
| Laser or Thermal shall provide options for various mailroom requirements to meet mail addressing, barcoding and postage printing. Each mailroom will specify their pages/minute, size, thickness, resolution and type of media such as: extra-thick card stock, polyester, magnetic media, transparency films ranging in sizes ranging from 3" x 5" to 13" x 52". |
QUESTION/COMMENT: It is important that solutions include printers that are able to perform common applications for VAMC Mailrooms. We request, in the best interests of the Government, to include several minimum specifications that will ensure adequate printing equipment for VAMC mailroom applications. Those minimum specifications include:
| • | Minimum of 6,800 sheets of paper on-line; adequate paper capacity is important for continuous operation |
| • | Minimum of 80 pages per minute |
| • | Full color capabilities |
| • | Fiery Front end Controller to manage the in-put. This will allow for managing workflow, print processes, and will track all printed materials, and allows for bill back/allocation |
We additionally recommend that certain specifications be removed:
| • | Thermal Printing technology is more expensive to repair and maintain, and is phasing out in print to mail environments. (Thermal printing is more suitable for label printing and other | |||
| • | mobile printing). It is in best interest of Government to request Laser printing only for greater availability and better pricing. There are many manufacturers of laser printers | |||
| • | Please reduce paper size to 13” x 43”; 52” is not needed in VAMC mailroom environment thickness, resolution and type of media such as: extra-thick card stock, polyester, magnetic media, transparency films ranging in sizes ranging from 3" x 5" to 13" x 52". | 5.4.6 Printers was modified | ||
| 51 | 5.9 | Enterprise Cloud Authority to Operate | Would the government again consider removing the requirement for FedRAMP certification and ATO requirement? The reason for this request is: |
• FedRAMP agency and have confirmed that no vendor is currently FedRAMP approved or in the process for any equipment specified within this solicitation, with Authority to Operate (ATO).
• The cost to the vendor to obtain a ATO is extremely expensive and will take considerable time. Being that this is a IDIQ the vendor cannot estimate the potential revenue from the award, thus not having the ability to develop a cost model for a ATO
• The following items are also related to Item 5.9.2 and 5.9.3 besides 5.9 above o The goods and service that this vendor will be providing to the Veterans Administration do include any need for the Vendor to create, receive, maintain or transmit any Protected Healthcare Information (PHI). It is the responsibility of the VA to take the necessary steps to safeguard any of their protected health information, including ensuring that it is not inadvertently provided to the vendor.
o The only Personal Identifiable Information (PII) that is transmitted is the name and address of the recipient of the mail/package it is addressed to. This information is Public Information and the VA is currently and has been transmitting PII when it utilized USPS, UPS and FedEx services.
No vendor in this industry can meet the requirements of 5.9 and we request that this specification be removed.
| Sections have been revised: Background 2.0 and section 5.9, 5.9.1 and 5.9.2 | ||||
| 52 | Offer Due Date: 6.21.19 | Would the government extend the due date to 30 working days from the date to the answers are provided. | The proposal due date is extended to 21 days. | |
| 53 | The answer to Question at Row 51 was: | The IDIQ CLIN's will be the max price required items. However, at the task order level, customizations may occur and discounts can be provided at that time. | Will the customizations in the form of different model numbers and different accessories/components that meet the applicable Statement of Work paragraphs be within the scope of the contract as long as the price does not exceed the applicable Item Number price in the contract? | Yes |
| 54 | Section 3.2 states in part: | Mail Room Items Not on IDIQ Contract | For administrative convenience, open market items that are at or below the micro-purchase threshold, when combined for an individual order, are allowable. Does the term “open market items” include only those items that are not included in each of the Item Number required items or possible customizations of the required items? | Yes |
| 55 | Will the price of open market items for purposes of the micro-purchase threshold be calculated separately for each task order? There is no Reference Document attachment noted in response to question 21, “EMM will follow VA Cloud Policy, Reference Documents page 9”. Is the VA’s Cloud Policy Document that is referenced in question 21 entitled “Use of the VA Enterprise Cloud (VAEC) to Host Applications”? If the document referenced in question 21 is not entitled “Use of the VA Enterprise Cloud (VAEC) to Host Applications” please provide a copy of the referenced policy document. | Sections have been revised: Background 2.0 and section 5.9, 5.9.1 and 5.9.2 | ||
| 56 | There is no Reference Document attachment noted in response to question 21, “EMM will follow VA Cloud Policy, Reference Documents page 9”. | Document attached for review and consideration to share with Vendors : FY 18 Cloud Policy 180116 | ||
| 57 | In reference to Mailing and Shipping Software Requirements, | In addition to the requirement in section 5.3.6 regarding transactions being transmitted within 24 hours, are there any additional requirements/expectations related to software service response time and uptime? If so, what are they? | Reference 5.3.6 for requirements | |
| 58 | In reference to Enterprise Cloud Authority to Operate, | Are there any specific requirements related to business continuity and disaster recovery that are not outlined in the reference documents? If so, what are they? | Reference SectionC.2 FAR 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 2019) | |
| 59 | Appendix B/Cost Price of Schedule | 1. There may be more than 1 base model that could be recommended within a size/type category (example, there are more than 2 suitable folder/inserters for “Medium” size mail rooms). The recommended model will depend on factors such as volume, required accessories, applications, footprint, etc. Limiting it to only one base model will limit choices for the Government, and may mean that mailrooms will need to secure an exception to the IDIQ in order to purchase the correct equipment, or will spend on a larger unit than necessary. | Offerors may provide alternate solutions that are within the primary scope of the PWS. | |
| 60 | Appendix B/Cost Price of Schedule | 1. Between accessories and extra features, it’s very possible for additions to a base model to exceed the micro purchase threshold; this could potentially require a separate procurement, which is problematic for accessories and features attached to a base unit - All of the relevant equipment and accessories are on GSA Pricing Schedules for those likely to submit a response; would it make sense to provide a standard GSA price or discount to GSA as a response, showing those features? | relevant equipment and accessories can be proposed to be added to the contract. Only those which prices are found to be fair and reasonable will be added to the contract. | |
| 61 | Mail System Global Requirements/FedRamp and ATO Requirement: | The concern is not software functionality, but cost; securing FedRamp Certification and ATO for software requires a significant financial investment (between $250,000 and $500,000 typically). It would be imprudent for any organization to undertake such an expenditure without a reasonable expectation of recovering the investment. This IDIQ scope does not allow that investment to be recouped, for three reasons: 1. The IDIQ does not guarantee an award amount more than $1000. 2. The GSA Pricing that mail equipment and software is sold under today is favorable to the Government from a pricing and margin perspective, and does not include provisions for extra software expenditure on FedRamp/ATO 3. Given the number of hospitals and clinics, equipment lifecycle, and estimated needs per station, there is not enough potential revenue to support that expenditure reasonably. - We recommend that this requirement be removed, for the reason it is not economical for the Government to require this, as no one will respond without these costs being reflected in their pricing. In any response, those costs would ultimately be borne by the Government. | Sections have been revised: Background 2.0 and section 5.9, 5.9.1 and 5.9.2 |
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