43 - Amd 07 Question and Answer.pdf

Version 11/15/18

ATTACHMENT 43

QUESTION AND ANSWER (Q&A)

Procurement Instrument Identifier (PIID): 47QFCA23ROO53

Note to offerors: Please provide the specific paragraph reference using the Section/sub-Section numbers in the solicitation.

PART # PARAGRAPH # PARAGRAPH

TITLE QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

1.1 N/A Contract Type

The contract types and CLINs in Section 1.1 do not all seem to align with the contract types and CLINs in the Continuation Sheet, Blocks 19-20, Schedule of Supplies/Services. For example, in Section 1.1, it states that CLINs X006c are Other Direct Costs, which is incorrect as there are no CLINs X006c. Can the Government please update Section 1.1 and the Continuation Sheet to align?

See RFP Amendment 07 for revised Section 1.1.

1.2 N/A

Continuation Sheet, Blocks 19-20, Schedule of Supplies/Services

In CLIN X011 of the Continuation Sheet, Blocks 19-20, Schedule of Supplies/Services, Mandatory FFUP CLIN, is the Government suggesting that the bidder may price a different but equal resiliency application into CLIN X011A instead of Love Every Day?

Yes. See note under CLINs X011 in the CLIN tables and RFP Section 4.3.2.

1.2 N/A

Continuation Sheet, Blocks 19-20, Schedule of Supplies/Services

If the bidder chooses to price a different but equal resiliency application into CLIN X011A instead of Love Every Day, should that same substitute resiliency application also be priced into CLIN X011D?

No. CLIN X011D is for resiliency applications in addition to the brand name or equal applications in CLINs X011A through X011C. See RFP Section 4.3.2. introductory paragraph.

If an offeror is not proposing any additional resiliency apps, enter "N/A" in CLIN X011D.

PART # PARAGRAPH # PARAGRAPH

TITLE QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

4.4 3

TASK 4 – PROVIDE

INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY (IT)

AND

CYBERSECURITY

SUPPORT:

SECURITY

ARCHITECTURE,

ENGINEERING, AND

COMPLIANCE

Please confirm whether the Government intends to sponsor the successful contractor for a new DISN connection to SIPRNet, or if the contractor is anticipated to use connections at the location specified in the RFP in order to read and validate SIPRnet data.

The Government is not intending to sponsor the successful contractor for a new DISN connection to SIPRNET.

The contractor will be granted access to SIPRNET at the Government's Arlington, Virginia location per Section 4.4 of the RFP.

4.4 3

TASK 4 – PROVIDE

INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY (IT)

AND

CYBERSECURITY

SUPPORT:

SECURITY

ARCHITECTURE,

ENGINEERING, AND

COMPLIANCE

Please confirm the anticipated frequency of the classified briefings in Alexandria, VA.

Per Section 4.4 of the RFP, "The contractor shall attend classified (SECRET level or below) briefings, as necessary, at the Government’s facility in Alexandria, Virginia". The Government cannot determine an exact frequency due to variability of threats.

5.27 1

In the absence of the word "workdays," when a requirement states that a task or report needs to be completed within XX days, are we to assume that "days" means calendar days and not "workdays?"

Per Section 5.27 of the RFP "Unless otherwise specified, all references to days are Calendar Days".

5.7 1 Security Requirements and Security Clearances

In Section 5.7 Security Requirements and Security Clearances, the Government states that contractors may submit background investigation requests for Key Personnel and essential staff. Are the requests to be initiated only at Program Award? Given the amount of time for Government processing of background investigations we encourage the

All requests shall be initiated at Program Award.

PART # PARAGRAPH # PARAGRAPH

TITLE QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

Government to define a mechansim for the contractor submit background investigation requests prior to program award to ensure key personnel and essential staff have the required clearances needed to meet the requirements for their proposed functional roles.

5.8 1 5.8 FACILITY

CLEARANCE (FCL)

Will the Government consider issuing a pre-award DD254 to enable processing of a FCL for the contractor?

No, the Government will not consider issuing a pre-award DD254, but will consider issuing a DD254 at award prior to program start.

6.1 General Information

Given Amendment 6 and the extended timeframe for oral presentations, we expect the Government will execute a contract action on the current contract 47QFCA19C0001 currently set to end on 04/30/2024. Given Section 6.1 General Information of the RFP which states, “For proposal purposes only, offerors shall use a Program Start date of August 1, 2024” we understand the Government may not yet have certainty regarding program start.

However, all offeors would benefit from additional information on the expected duration of any contract action on 47QFCA19C0001. Does the Government anticipate a full 1 (one) year contract extension or a series of shorter contract extensions to bridge the current operation until Program Start under this solicitation?

There will be coverage, but the Government will not share that information at this time.

4.9.1.3 1 OUTREACH

What type of content does the Government envision will be included in SMS or MMS messages to opted-in participants? Does the Government anticipate any cases where targeted MMS/SMS communications may include PII/PHI (and would

If SMS or MMS messages are used, the content shall be limited to outreach/marketing communications and links to Government approved organizations, agencies, and resources.

PART # PARAGRAPH # PARAGRAPH

TITLE QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

therefore have to adhere to the stricter security standards for such data exchange)? Or, is it anticipated that MMS/SMS communications will be limited to general outreach and marketing information?

MMS/SMS communications shall not include PII/PHI.

5.2.9.6

(g) 1 Non-Medical

Counselors

Section 5.2.9.6 (g) states "non-medical counseling network providers shall meet the security requirements identified in Section 5.7 for this role."

Please confirm that the applicable security requirement for the non-medical counselor role is

5.7 (a), and that 5.7 (b) does not apply to this role.

That is correct: 5.7 (a) applies to Non- Medical Counselors and 5.7 (b) does not. This assumes that Non-Medical Counselors will not have access to eCMS and/or AWS GovCloud

IL4/IL5.

5.7 (a) and (b) 1

Security Requirements and Security Clearances

Section 5.7 (a) identifies security requirements for "all personnel performing on this contract." Section

5.7 (b) sets forth additional requirements for "other personnel with non-privileged access..."

Please clarify what the Government means by "other" personnel in 5.7 (b). Is the intent to differentiate between background checks required for privileged roles accessing PII (5.7a would apply) and non-privileged roles accessing PII (5.7b would apply)?

The Government removed the word "other" from 5.7.b. See RFP Amendment 07 for revised Section 5.7.b and Amendment 07 DD254 for revised Section 13.

5.7.c N/A

5.7 SECURITY

REQUIREMENTS

AND SECURITY

CLEARANCES

Can the government please clarify if “DoD Tier 3 (T3/T3R)” Personnel Clearance is the same as a Tier 3 Secret Personnel Clearance?

RFP Section 5.7.c does not refer to a "personnel clearance" as stated in the question. It refers to an "investigation". A DoD Tier 3 (T3/T3R) investigation is not the same as a SECRET Clearance. A DoD Tier 3 investigation provides for eligibility for a SECRET clearance with a valid need-to-know.

PART # PARAGRAPH # PARAGRAPH

TITLE QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

5.7.c N/A

5.7 SECURITY

REQUIREMENTS

AND SECURITY

CLEARANCES

Please confirm that the requirement in 5.7.c does not extend to the contractor's non-Military OneSource program staff (shared corporate resources) who maintain and support the contractor's hybrid GovCloud infrastructure.

This would be based on the offeror's proposed solution. This requirement could extend to the contractor's non- Military OneSource program staff (shared corporate resources), if those staff perform IT/Cyber roles and functions that include the direction, planning, design, operation, testing maintenance, securing, or monitoring of a computer system.

5.7.d N/A

5.7 SECURITY

REQUIREMENTS

AND SECURITY

CLEARANCES

Should the contractor assume that personnel who need SIPRNet access must have Tier 3 security clearance by the Program Start date (8/1/2024) as referenced in section 6.1 paragraph #2?

Per Sections 4.4 and Section 5.7 contractor personnel must have a SECRET Clearance prior to accessing SIPRNET. The offeror shall provide a solution for meeting these requirements in accordance with the

RFP.

5.7.d N/A

5.7 SECURITY

REQUIREMENTS

AND SECURITY

CLEARANCES

Will the Government clarify how many personnel will need SIPRNet access?

This is based on the offeror's proposed solution.

Cover Letter Option 1 Google Drive

Will FEDSIM delete the offeror's previously uploaded proposal files, or should the offeror complete that action before uploading the new submission files?

All proposals that were submitted previously will be deleted by FEDSIM. Offerors will be required to resubmit a complete proposal in accordance with RFP Amendment 07.

Cover Letter C.1

Part III: In-Person Oral Technical Proposal Presentation.

Can the Government please confirm that the anticipated orals period of March 18, 2024 to May 3, 2024 in part C. 1. is correct?

That is correct.

Cover Ltr Page 1-2 In-Person Orals Tech.

Presentation Given the 6-week scheduling window for Orals presentation will the Government allow virtual No, all presenters must be in person.

PART # PARAGRAPH # PARAGRAPH

TITLE QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

participation in Orals by a designated Key Person in the event circumstances preclude in-person participation ?

II Tab A, Attachment 32

Program Staffing Plan

(PSP)

Column D of PSP requests Security Clearance for each proposed individual or functional role, however Section 5.7 identifies Tiers and Background Investigation (BI) types for proposed funcitonal roles, not clearances. Please confirm that Column D in the PSP should identify the current BI completed for the proposed individual (e.g., NACLC for Tier 3) or the required BI for proposed functional roles.

Per the instructions in row 7 of the "INSTRUCTIONS - READ ME" tab of the PSP, if a Security Clearance is not required put N/A. Per Section 5.7.d prior to accessing SIPRNet a SECRET security clearance is required. Row 6 of the "INSTRUCTIONS - READ ME" tab of the PSP addresses background investigations.

III 6.4.1 In-Person Orals Tech.

Presentation

Considering the potential oral delivery dates have shifted more than two months from the original solicitation timeframe, will the Government consider allowing Offerors to request dates within the new timeframe to ensure that Key Personnel are available to travel?

No, the Government will provide dates as early as possible to accommodate.

Amendment #6 has an issue. There are two (2) 4.1.2 and no 4.1.4.

See RFP Amendment 07 for revised numbering.