18 47PM0024R0003 Questions Answers_2024 02 13.pdf

47PM0024R0003_Amendment Questions to the Final Request for Proposal (RFP)

# QUESTION RFP

REFERENCE ANSWER

Could you verify that only an on-premises solution is considered acceptable, and there is no possibility of considering a cloud-hosted solution, even if it is hosted in an approved environment and following the most updated security standards?

Page: 8 / 74

Please reference C.2, Scope, "The contractor shall provide an on-premise, government site-hosted, enterprise-wide". While this precludes a cloud-based solution, it does not preclude a virtual solution which can be contained within the GSA environment.

2 Could you confirm the feasibility of obtaining access in some of the links? Page: 15 / 74

The links are pdf'd and attached to the solicitation. Please reference Section J attachments, "03 UUI Security Requirements-Mobile.pdf" .

Although the links have different titles, the links route to this attachment.

Our team did not attend the pre-proposal meeting. Is there any content from the meeting that we can still obtain and review?

Document 01_Bullet 5 & Document 02_SecL.1

The SAM.gov announcement has the slides and the associated notes attached. The solicitation amendment includes (1) these questions and answers, (2) the conference slides and notes; and (3) the additional language clarifying Section J clause FAR 52.217-8 inserted in Section B, H, and M.

What level of technical detail is acceptable to the customer, and could we understand the key scoring points of technical detail?

Section L & M, Document: 02 UUI

RFP

Please reference RFP Section L.1, L.5, and M.2.1.

The Government references “CLIN X007 OPTIONAL SERVICE: Enhancements” to provide loaded labor rates for the 3 positions. Would the Government update the pricing schedule to include these CLIN X007 line items?

Attachment:

02_UUI_RFP_47P

M0024R0003, section: L.6 Volume 3: Price

Solicitation has been amended to DELETE this requirement in Section L.

CLIN 0003 has a quantity of 2 months. Can the Government confirm if this is supposed to reflect 2 months or 12 months to match the 4 options years?

SECTION B –

CLIN SCHEDULE

After receiving the apparent successful offeror proposal, CLIN 0003 may change to 1, 3, ...12 months. GSA anticipates that there is no amount of maintenance and support expected at the very start of the period of performance. This quantity will be updated to reflect the offeror's proposed milestone and solution.

Confirming that the intent to provide Read/Write - Command/Control for the 80+ buildings referenced. If so, is the intent to affect all control of The Building Automation Systems at each site, from the UUI?

C.3.1.1 As available, the intent is to provide write capabilities for schedules and zone temp setpoints, not looking to control all writeable point in the BAS. The intention is to create consistency across the portfolio.

47PM0024R0003_0001 Amendment including Q&As

The RFP mentions the site level role envisioned in the User Levels. Is the intention for the O+M user to use the UUI as a primary interface for each building's building control (i.e. NOT the existing site BAS)?

This will depend upon the role. The UUI will be the initial starting point, but users will need to access BAS for additional functionality and specific tools.

In keeping with the above, assuming UUI becomes the primary BAS interface (after full migration of BAS operations to the UUI) should offerors assume decommissioning the existing site BAS/BMC interface is part of the scope?

No

10 Will GSA require all personnel working within the BSN to obtain Tier 2S clearance?

Please reference, C.4.3, rights to any system, server, or platform will require Tier 2 background investigation.

11 Is the intent for the UUI solution to access the existing active directory to implement single sign-on? C.4.2.7 This is currently not available on our Building System Network

(BSN).

Is the offeror/contractor responsible for tracking end of life, firmware versions, or other patches for all IP levels devices or other controllers that will communicate in some form with the UUI?

C.4.2.1.a No

This section references GSA goals for energy savings, and other "GSA operational goals". Can you clarify if one of the existing platforms (i.e. MUSE or GSALink) be the source for energy savings opps, or for other GSA KPI's, or would the contractor need to solicit these from GSA stakeholders?

C.3.1.2 No, GSA will define KPIs and data sources necessary for reporting.

Can the Government provide the name of the third party hoteling or event-based scheduling software referenced?

C.3.1.1.f Not at this time

It's difficult to include all possible drivers/connectors and labor level of effort to include "all future application as needed" with read/write functionality. Can the Government confirm if contractors should price potential future application integration as a separate/new CLIN?

C.3.1.1.e The requirements have been updated to delete this wording.

Can we assume that data or analytics required in the UUI already exist in one of the 5 major platforms outlined? Specifically, analytics such as occupancy density, environmental metrics, or OFM KPI's.

C.3.1.1.d No, while the majority of data can be pulled from those platforms, other data or analytics may be read from a GSA published internal source.

Is the intent for GSA to assign the User level/rights/role to all 500 GSALink users (which the contractor will then assign in UUI platform access?)

C.3.1.1.d Yes, expectation is for all GSAlink users to have roles assigned in the UUI.

It's difficult to include all possible drivers/connectors and labor level of effort to include "all future application as needed" with read/write functionality. Can the Government confirm if contractors should price potential future application integration as a separate/new CLIN?

C.3.1.1.c See the answer to question 15. The requirements have been updated to delete this wording.

19 It's also difficult to price unnamed OT system integration. Can the Government define these further? C.3.1.1.b Please reference C.3.2.1

For the OPTIONAL SERVICE integrations, the scope references 116 hours for additional buildings, based on 2,900 points. Is the intent that bidders should include/price in all factors in a new building integration (specifically training, documentation, testing), and for bidders to assume blended hourly rates on this CLIN?

B.2 Yes

The referenced documents “GSA Smart Buildings Program Guide”, “GSA Smart Building Implementation Guide”, and “GSA Data Normalization” are not available from the linked location. Will you provide these documents for review?

Page 49/74, Building_Technolo gies_Technical_R eference_Guide _BTTRG_Final_V er20_June2021

Please reference Document 16, "UUI Synopsis Questions and Answers_January 22 2024.pdf" question 21.

22 Which naming/tagging protocol(s) are acceptable?

Haystack? Brick? Other? page 9/74, C.2 Please reference Document 16, "UUI Synopsis Questions and

Answers_January 22 2024.pdf" question 22.

How would the government prefer CLIN 0001 be priced if the amount of sites is unknown and not yet agreed upon?

Page 9/74, C.2.1.2 Execution Phases

Please reference Document 16, "UUI Synopsis Questions and Answers_January 22 2024.pdf" question 23.

24 What is the existing GSA UUI software platform? Page 9/74, C.3.1.1.a

Please reference Document 16, "UUI Synopsis Questions and Answers_January 22 2024.pdf" question 24.

Are hyperlinks acceptable for systems such as the CMMS Work order system or is the intent to replicate available data in the UUI?

Pages 9-10/74, C.3.1.1.e / C.3.1.3.a

Please reference Document 16, "UUI Synopsis Questions and Answers_January 22 2024.pdf" question 25.

26 Is a Training Plan required as a part of bid submission or a deliverable after award?

Page 14/74, C.3.3.2

Please reference Document 16, "UUI Synopsis Questions and Answers_January 22 2024.pdf" question 26.

27 What platform(s) does GSA use for SSO & MFA? Page 18/74, C.4.2.6

Please reference Document 16, "UUI Synopsis Questions and Answers_January 22 2024.pdf" question 27.

Will GFE be equipped and licensed with all required programming and/or software tools (e.g. Niagara 4 Workbench, etc.)?

Page 23/74, C.4.4 Please reference Document 16, "UUI Synopsis Questions and Answers_January 22 2024.pdf" question 28.

29 Is a Phase Out Plan required as a part of bid submission or a deliverable after award?

Page 27/74, C.4.9.6

Please reference Document 16, "UUI Synopsis Questions and Answers_January 22 2024.pdf" question 29.

Is it the government’s intent to determine what roles are considered Key Personnel or will that be at the discretion of the bidder?

Page 35/74, H.1.0 Please reference Document 16, "UUI Synopsis Questions and Answers_January 22 2024.pdf" question 30.

31 Is there a minimum/maximum number of Key Personnel required? Page 35/74, H.1.1 Please reference Document 16, "UUI Synopsis Questions and

Answers_January 22 2024.pdf" question 31.

The subcontracting plan is listed as having no page limit in L.5.10.a but no other plans specify this. Does this mean that the page count for this plan does not apply to the 100 page limit on the technical volume?

Page 63/74, L.5 Please reference Document 16, "UUI Synopsis Questions and Answers_January 22 2024.pdf" question 32.

33 Is GSA looking for “off-the-shelf" software to meet the RFP? Page 8/74, C.2 Please reference Document 16, "UUI Synopsis Questions and

Answers_January 22 2024.pdf" question 33.

34 Of the 500 active users of GSA Link, have each been bucketed into one of the five listed user roles?

Page 10/74, C.3.1.1.d No. Determination will be done at time of site integration.

Would GSA consider a procurement for a two-phased source selection to allow for oral presentations to ensure that both bidders and GSA have a firm understanding of requirements and offerings?

General Please reference Document 16, "UUI Synopsis Questions and Answers_January 22 2024.pdf" question 34.

Do views within the UUI need to be restricted by role?

For example, does the UUI need to restrict a Facility to only be able to view data to their assigned building(s)?

Page 10/74, C.3.1.1.d Yes

37 What is the underlying software for GSA’s business intelligence platform (RETA/REXUS)? General More detail needed on what "business intelligence" includes

38 Can CPARs be used to replace the PPQ where applicable? Page 62/74, L.4.2 No.

Considering the complexity of the solution needed, the submission date of questions, and the effect the responses could have on that solution, would the government be willing to extend the due date by one

General

A small extension is granted. A draft solicitation was released on 12/13/2023. Industry was encouraged to submit questions at that time. A final RFP was released 01/23/2024; attachment 16 provided the answers to those questions. 03/05/2024 provides a greater month? than 30 day response time to specifications, terms, and conditions that have been publicly available in draft or final form for over 60 days.

In order for digital signatures to process quickly and for several customers, the Excel PPQ will have to be converted to a PDF. Is this acceptable?

Page 62/74, L.4.4.a

Document 13 "Sec L Past Performance_Questionnaire v2023312.pdf" was uploaded into SAM.gov as a pdf.

This section states that the government will participate collaboratively in the creation of deliverables but goes on to say that they should be included in the contractor submitted PWS. Can the government clarify which of the deliverables in the table should be a part of submission and which will be created after award and in partnership with GSA?

Page 63/74, L.5.1.d

This language has been removed and an update of L.5.1.d has been amended in the solicitation.

42 Do the various systems that make up the UUI all need to be “skinned” to look/feel the same?

Page 12/74, C.3.2.1

Information brought into UUI shall be formatted consistently throughout.

43 Can you define the intent of the statement referencing the sequence of operations? Page 8/74, C.1

The intent is to allow data in one system to initiate an action in another system (e.g. a fault or spark in the fault detection platform, creates a work order request in NCMMS).

44 Can it be assumed that all existing BMS platforms utilize BACnet schedules and alarms?

Page 21/74, C.4.2.10.c No

45 Will GSA sponsor the HSPD-12 process for Key Personnel Prior to Award

Page 22/74, C.4.2.10.c GSA will not sponsor any actions prior to award.

Are there defined, documented use cases or detailed sequence of operations that are relevant for the proposed user roles?

C.3.1.1.D Page:

10 / 74

See UUI User Stories Response attachment included with RFP posting

To achieve the best experience, in addition to the legacy applications and systems, can new tools and applications be recommended or included in the solution (beyond the single-pane-of-glass)?

No

48 Is there a preferred integrator at the table already (e.g.

<a company>)

No, GSA is looking for the best solution from a company with strong past performance that is affordable and reasonably priced.

Does the GSA adhere or aspire to achieving the highest standards like UL Spire, Wiredscore, or others?

Not associated with this application.

50 In addition to read-write UUI, will there be opportunities Not at this time to introduce LLM and AI applications to further provide performance enhancements and optimization?

51 Can the “GSA control tailoring workbook” be made available (NIST security and privacy controls)

C.4.1.3 Page: 15 / 74 Solicitation has been amended to include the workbook.

52 Can you further elaborate on training? C.3.3 Page: 14 /

Expectation is for the contractor to provide: user acceptance training (UAT) to fully test the system, Go-Live Training for the initial launch of the solution, and a Train-the-Trainer to develop in-house expertise.

Are you looking for the UUI and ISOO to be used as an end user application as well as a mechanism for data flow and centralized platform?

C.1 Purpose and Background Page:

8 / 74

UUI will be the end user application. Independent systems will not be dependent on UUI for functionality or data flow.

54 Will edge devices be allowed to be installed on premise or considered to be installed?

C.2 Scope Page 8 / 74

BAS and industry definitions of 'edge devices' vary but they should not be necessary for this project as the intent of the UUI is to provide an interface to existing and future data sources.

You mention no installed devices as part of the solution. Does that include sensors? Would you consider sensors? For example you mention that occupancy density should be measured. Will that be done from Access Control and Badge Swipes or is that data expected to come from sensors, or both?

C.3.1.1.D Page:

10 / 74

Not looking for a sensor solution. Occupancy data will be provided as available and integrated into the UUI.

Are we allowed to build our own consortium from companies with expertise that were not invited to this

RFP?

Using a consortium would push this acquisition into an Other Transactions Award (OT or OTA) versus a contract award. However, GSA will evaluate Contractor Team Arrangements according to FAR Subpart 9.6. There must be a prime contractor assigned who will be primarily evaluated for past performance unless the consortium is an entity in SAM.gov with its own UEI and past performance.

57 Which 3rd party identity and MFA providers, if any, does GSA use?

C.4.2.7 Page: 18 / 74 Login.gov and/or Okta

The specification states that the proposed technologies must go through a software approval process with security and accessibility assessments.

Are there any accessibility standards that the GSA follows when it comes to software? For example:

WCAG 2.1 or similar?

Are there any accessibility & adaptive technologies

Section: C.4.2.1 Page: 16 / 74

Please reference C.4.2.9, "shall ensure the project is designed to serve a diverse user population."

http://login.gov/ that we should be aware of that our technology must comply with for accessibility requirements? For example: - Mobility/Agility (Dragon, Keyboard, etc…)

- Colour Blind (i.e. Required field indicators, Contrast)

- Low Vision (i.e. ZoomText, MAGic)

- Blind (i.e. JAWS, Window Eyes, NVDA, VoiceOver)

- Deaf/Hard of Hearing (i.e. Closed Captioning)

The specification delineates that the GSA portfolio encompasses various Building Automation Systems (BAS) including Niagara, Johnson Controls, Siemens, Honeywell, and others. Is there a standardization within the GSA network whereby a local protocol, such as BACnet/IP, is employed for communication between these BAS systems and the field-level controllers they oversee/control? Or, should we assume that different local protocols may be used, in addition to varying BAS systems, across the portfolio?

Section: C.3.1.1.e Page: 10 / 74

The GSA has standardized and continues to update on open protocols, but various protocols exist within the portfolio and a singular language cannot be assumed. Different protocols and BAS systems exist and are in use throughout the portfolio.

The specification delineates that the GSA portfolio encompasses various Building Automation Systems (BAS) including Niagara, Johnson Controls, Siemens, Honeywell, and others. Should we assume that all of these BAS systems are networked together under a converged GSA network?

Section: C.3.1.1.e Page: 10 / 74

Yes, relevant BAS and GSAlink sites will be on a converged network, the Building System Network (BSN).

The specification states that the contractor shall provide an on-premise, government site-hosted, enterprise-wide unified user interface solution for operational technologies. Will this be hosted in a single data center with network connectivity to each site which is part of scope? If the solution is expected to be hosted in multiple data centers, how many are there across the GSA network?

Section: C.3.1.1.e Page: 8 / 74

The virtual servers that GSA will provide for UUI installation spans two data centers; each data center can reach each site. It is hosted in one and redundant in another.

The specification outlines the presently existing systems within the defined scope for integration into the Unified User Interface (UUI). Is it reasonable to assume that the supplier of the UUI will be tasked with performing the integration of the UUI to the existing platform vendors mentioned (i.e. SkyFoundry, IBM

Section: C.3.2.1 Page: 12 / 74 Yes

Maximo, Kahua), utilizing the accessible APIs to perform the integration?

The specification states that the contractor shall provide an on-premise, government site-hosted, enterprise wide UUI. Can cloud hosted UUI’s, instead of on-premise UUI’s, be proposed as alternative solutions to this RFP?

Section: C.3.1.1.e Page: 8 / 74

Please reference Question and Answer #1 above in this document.

site-hosted, enterprise-wide. While this precludes a cloud-based solution, it does not preclude a virtual solution which can be contained within the GSA environment.