693KA8-23-R-00014 - QA Matrix.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 26 KB Posted
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- FAA Tower Simulation Systems Support - Technical Refresh Acquisition Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 693KA8-23-R-00014
About this file
This document contains a matrix of questions and answers related to a Screening Information Request (SIR) issued by the Federal Aviation Administration for contractor support services for the Tower Simulation Systems program. Key details include:
The SIR seeks contractor operation, maintenance, support and supply of FAA Tower Simulation Systems used for technical and operational training at air traffic control towers. Support includes hardware and software installation, maintenance, training and database updates. The period of performance is a one year base period and four one-year options. The FAA intends to award an indefinite-delivery indefinite quantity contract to a single contractor. The NAICS code is 541512 for computer systems design services. Proposals are due by May 15, 2023 and must be emailed to the contracting officer. The SIR and all attachments provide full requirements, instructions and evaluation criteria.
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TRA SIR Q&As
| 693KA8-23-R-00014 - Industry Question/Comment and Government Response Matrix | |||||
| Question | SIR Section/ | ||||
| Attachment Reference | SIR Subsection/ | ||||
| Page Number Reference | Industry Question/Comment | Government Response | |||
| 1 | SIR | Section L, Paragraph L.4, 3.6-17, Page L-3 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code (October 2022) | For NAICS codes based on SBA’s calculation of annual receipts, the annual average receipts cannot exceed $30M. Can the FAA confirm that the contractor's annual receipts shall be in accordance with the SBA Table of Small Business Size Standards for NAICS 541512 as defined in the March 17, 2023 version of document? | Yes. Section L has been updated to reflect the size standard for NAICS code 541512 as defined in the March 17, 2023 version of the SBA Table of Small Business Size Standards. | |
| 2 | Section J | Attachment J-13 System Installation Components | Can the FAA provide the quantities per system Type (Large/Small/Mobile) in attachment J-13? | Yes. Attachment J-13 has been revised to specify the quantity of installation components required for TSS Large, Small, and Mobile Systems. | |
| 3 | Section C | Section C 3.5.2.2. Hardware Support/Development Updates | Included under the CLS, the Contractor must provide hardware support. In addition to the management/use of spares to ensure system operational availability, the Contractor may need to replace or upgrade TSS hardware components to improve/maintain overall TSS system performance, reliability, maintainability, and availability. The Government will identify the TSS hardware components to be replaced or upgraded by the Contractor on a site by site basis. The Government will direct the Contractor to purchase these TSS hardware components. The Government may provide some or all of the TSS hardware components required on this contract as GFE. Can the FAA provide a list of spares already in inventory as GFE? | A list of spares currently in inventory is not necessary for Offerors to prepare proposals in response to this SIR. | |
| 4 | Section C | C 3.5.1 Support Operations Requirements | The TSS system software to be provided as GFE for this contract may have the capability to remotely access the TSS system software via the internet for TSS software and hardware maintenance, implementation of updates, data retrieval, scenario programming and other TSS operational and support tasks. For maintenance pricing, can the FAA provide a list of the TSS systems that have remote access capability? | The current TSS systems are stand-alone systems and do not have internet capability. This may be subject to change during the contract period of performance. | |
| 5 | Section B, C | C 3.6 Training System Support Center (TSSC) (CLIN X002); B 2.1 (b) | Can the FAA confirm the references for CLIN 002 and CLIN 014 in Section B have the appropriate references? In particular there is no reference to C 3.6 and C.3.3 is included in the spreadsheet twice? | Within Section B, CLIN X002 should reference C.3.3 through C.3.6. and CLIN X014 should reference C.3.3 and C.3.9 through C.3.12. The Government has updated Section B to reflect the correct Section C references. | |
| 6 | Section C | Section C 3.7.1.2 FST Duties | (8th bullet) Develop and maintain site simulator utilization reports reflecting frequency and type of training done. Can the FAA confirm that they will provide a workstation for the FST/FSR to perform these duties with Microsoft Office and email capability for existing and future sites? | The FAA will provide an onsite workstation with Microsoft Office and email for each existing/future TSS FST/FSR to perform their TSS duties. The FST/FSR positions will be located onsite in a Government provided building. | |
| 7 | Section C | 3.2.12 Software Configuration Management | The Contractor must establish, maintain, and support the following software configuration management activities:… Computer Based Instruction (CBI) related training manual. Can the FAA clarify if they will be providing CBI related and current training manuals to the new contractor or will the new contractor be required to develop them? | The FAA will provide existing TSS training materials in PDF and CBI format as GFI for the GFE TSS system software. Any additional system support training material required for this contract will be developed under CLIN X017 (Engineering Services). | |
| 8 | SIR | Attachment L-2 Past Performance Questionnaire | We would greatly appreciate you taking the time to complete this form. Please provide an honest assessment and immediately return to FAA not later than Month, Day 2023, 12:00 P.M. EST by e-mail to Manish Patel, Contracting Officer, at manish.patel@faa.gov. Can the FAA provide an updated Attachment L-2 with the appropriate date? | Yes. Attachment L-2 has been updated to reflect the proposal due date. | |
| 9 | Section L | L.10.2 and L.11.1 | L.10.2 says "The Offerors must include a table of contents with each volume and must use tab indexing to identify proposal sections and/or topic information within each volume as appropriate. The Offerors must include a glossary of acronyms and abbreviations used, with an explanation for each acronym and abbreviation. However, the glossary should not be used to define techniques and approaches and will not be evaluated." L.11.1 says, "Each Offeror must provide within this volume a table of contents depicting what is contained in each of the volumes submitted in the Offeror's proposal, as well as a listing of all acronyms used and a glossary of terms." Can the FAA clarify whether each volume is required to have a table of contents as well as the full table of contents in Vol I for the entire offer? | The Offeror must provide an overarching table of contents with its Volume I submission, depicting what is contained in each of the volumes submitted in the Offeror's proposal. Each proposal volume must also have its own table of contents, depicting what is contained in that volume. | |
| 10 | Section C | Scope | As the Offeror will be responsible for installation of all GFE software components, can the FAA provide the full list of GFE software components to be provided to the Offeror during the contract period of performance as there is limited reference (proprietary or Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) software and/or hardware/equipment) named in the Work Statement? | The software components include but are not limited to : |
| • | Windows 10 Enterprise 1803 (10.0.17134 Build 17134) |
| • | CentOS 6.7 |
| • | PostgreSQL 9.4.5 |
| • | Adacel MaxSim FX v1.1.0 |
| • | Nuance Speech Recognition System 8.5 |
| • | Oracle VM VirtualBox 6.1 |
| • | Presagis Vega Prime 2.2 |
| • | Presagis Vega Prime 5.03 |
| • | Rhetorical Systems rVoice 3.1 |
This list is subject to change upon FAA direction.
| 11 | Section C | Scope | As the Offeror will be responsible for installation of potential new systems which include GFE software components, can the FAA provide quantities of all GFE software components to be provided to the Offeror during the contract period of performance as there is limited reference (proprietary or Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) software and/or hardware/equipment) named in the Work Statement? | The FAA will provide all software components as GFE if and when required for new system installations. Quantities of all GFE software components to be provided to the Offeror during the contract period of performance are not necessary for Offerors to prepare proposals in response to this SIR. |
| 12 | Section C | 3.2.8. Risk Mitigation for Parts End-of-Service-Life (EOSL)/Obsolescence | Should the result of the semi-annual assessment determine the obsolescence of a TSS part or component, can the Offeror recommend a new, next generation product as an upgrade or replacement? If so, does the FAA encourage the Offeror to propose another option, if a purchase is necessary during the contract period of performance? | Yes, the Offeror can propose new and innovative equipment solutions during the contract period of performance. Any equipment change proposals that require an Engineering Study must be approved by the FAA in advance prior to work starting. |
| 13 | Section C | 3.5.2.2. Hardware Support/Development Updates | As the Offeror will be responsible for software upgrades when available, can the FAA provide Factory Acceptance Test results that support the current GFE software meets or exceeds technical requirements in Attachment J-1, Specifications? | Current GFE software meets technical requirements specified in Attachment J-1. Any changes or updates to software will be discussed with the vendor in advance to determine suitability. The FAA intends to test changes and updates to software prior to requiring the vendor to update the TSS. |
| 14 | Section C | 3.5.2.3. Software Support/Development Updates | As the Offeror will be responsible for installation and test of new software development updates, does the FAA have a documented deficiency criteria set with all GFE (software) providers, and can that be provided? | The FAA does not have a documented deficiency criteria set. |
| 15 | Section C | 3.5.2.4. Support Databases and Moving Models Library | As the Offeror will need to support Database and Moving Model Library updates, can the FAA confirm what GFE software components will be provided under this contract period of performance? What additional software tools, if any, will be required to maintain the Databases and Moving Models? | Visual databases and moving models for the TSS are currently created and maintained using commercially available Autodesk 3ds Max. The Autodesk 3ds Max software will be provided as GFE on this contract. |
| 16 | Section C | 3.12 TSS Hardware Components (CLINs X010/X011/X012) | As the Offeror will need to support end of life hardware components, can the FAA confirm that Windows 10 Pro Operating Systems will be used without change under this contract period of performance even though Windows 10 Operating System support is ending October 2025? | No, the FAA cannot confirm that Windows 10 Pro Operating Systems will be used without change. Software will be provided as GFE and may evolve over time. |
| 17 | Section C | 3.12 TSS Hardware Components (CLINs X010/X011/X012) | As the Offeror will be responsible for installation of GFE software components, can the FAA confirm that the GFE Software will run natively and is compatible with the latest Windows 10 Professional version? If GFE software is not compatible with current Windows 10 Professional version, can the FAA provide the current Windows 10 Professional compatible version? | The FAA cannot confirm the all GFE software components are compatible with the latest Windows 10 version. If an earlier version of Windows 10 is required, it will be provided as GFE. |
| 18 | Section C | 3.18 Other Direct Costs (ODCs) (CLIN X018) | Under Other Direct Costs, can new technology be purchased? | The FAA does not intend to utilize the Other Direct Costs CLIN to purchase new technology. |
| 19 | Section C and J | Attachment J-10 and Section C Page C-22 | J-10 lists 42 FSRs and 0 FSTs for each identified TSS site. Part 1, Section C, page C22 identifies 54 FSR/FSTs but not specific locations for the FSTs. Are there up to 12 FSTs and where would they be located. | Attachment J-10 lists the locations and numbers of the current 42 FSRs. There are no FSTs currently required. The TSS Program plans to add an additional 12 FSRs or FSTs at a future date, locations to be determined. |
| 20 | Section J | Attachments J-5, J-6, J-7, J-8, and J-9 | Request clarification of component models listed between in Section B.2.1 (j) through (l) and Section J Attachments J-5, J-6, J-7, J-8, and J-9? | Attachments J-5 through J-9 list the components currently used in FAA TSS Systems. Section B CLINS X010, X011, and X012 list the hardware components that may be purchased to perform a Tech Refresh. |
| 21 | Section B and J | CLINs x004-009 and Attachments J-5 through J-9 | When quoting new systems CLINS x004-x009, should the contractor provide the older model items listed in attachments J-5 through J-9, or the newer model items listed in CLINS x010-x012? | When quoting for CLINS X004-X009, the contractor should provide prices based on Contract Attachments J-5 through J-9. |
| 22 | Section L | L.11.2.2.1. Program Management | Program Schedule: When will the new GFE TSS system software be delivered? (Section L.11.2.2.1 Program Management, para 4, page L-14) | The Offeror should assume that new system software will be provided concurrent with the hardware installation. |
| 23 | Section L | L.11.2.2.1 Program Management and L.11.2.2.2 Integrated Logistics Support | In order to thoroughly respond to the requirements of Section L.11.2.2.1 and L.11.2.2.2 request page count be increased to 25 pages for Volume II Section 2? | The FAA believes that 15 pages is sufficient to provide a response for Volume II Section 2. |
| 24 | Section L | L.11.3.1 Volume III, Section 1 - TSS Tech Refresh | Section L.11.3.1 What is meant by “modification of TSS databases as required”, what databases? | "Databases" in this context refers to the training scenario database and visual databases (VDBs). Section L has been updated for clarity. |
| 25 | SIR | Is an offeror allowed to propose a new TSS software as part of this contract? | The FAA requests that Offerors propose in accordance with the instructions set forth in the SIR. The successful Offeror may propose new and innovative solutions during the contract period of performance. Any change proposals that require an Engineering Study must be approved by the FAA in advance prior to work starting. | |
| 26 | Section M | M.6.3 Volume IV Past Technical Performance Evaluation | Does an exceptional CPARS equate to a substantial confidence evaluation and very good /satisfactory CPARS equate to a satisfactory confidence for a past performance? | Not necessarily. Past performance confidence ratings represent an assessment of the likelihood of the Offeror’s successful performance under the TSS contract based on their past performance. This rating may be based on a number of available past performance information, which includes, but is not limited to, CPARS reports. |
| 27 | SIR | Does equipment need to be TAA compliant? | Yes. Equipment delivered under the TSS contract needs to be TAA compliant. | |
| 28 | Sections B and C | We need a clarification on the split of FSRs and FSTs as there is conflicting information in two documents. 693KA8-23-R-00014.pdf - Part I - Section C Description/Work statement, Page 24 states that the number of FSRs and FSTs to be required by the Government is not expected to exceed a combined total of 54 FSRs and FSTs each month. Document 693KA8-23-R-00014+Section+B.xlsx is requesting pricing for 42 FSRs only. We recommend adjusting the excel sheet to factor in pricing for 8 FSTs. | There are currently 42 FSRs supporting the TSS program. However, the FAA may require up to 12 additional FSRs or FSTs to support this effort during the contract period of performance (for a total of 54), and as such is requesting unit pricing for this additional support. |
Section B has been updated to reflect the following language for CLIN X003: "The value to be provided for the unit price for each FSR is the "average" price for all TSS FSRs. The value to be provided for the unit price for the FSTs is the "average" price for all TSS FSTs."
29 Section B In Section B (Excel document) that there is a formula error, specifically:
Section B, Tab A Total Price, the sums for CLINs X009 (TSS Pseudo Pilot Consoles) adds up a mix of CLINS 009 (for Base Period, OP 1 OP 2) and CLINS 008 (For OP 3 and OP4).
| For instance, the formula in Tab-A E368 =SUM(E38+E104+E170+E232+E298) should be =SUM(E38+E104+E170+E236+E302); Same error for cell E369 and E370. | Section B has been updated to reflect the correct formulas in Tab A, cells 368, 369, and 370. | |||
| 30 | General | We did not see anywhere in the SIR for file size limitation for the email response. Does the FAA have a file limitation for receiving emails? | The maximum message size is 10 MB. Offerors can submit volumes in separate emails if necessary. | |
| 31 | General | We request an extension to 25 May in order to adequately prepare for a full and open proposal. | The Government will not be extending the due date for proposals at this time. |
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