QA_for_RFI_70FA3019I00000005.pdf

Questions and Clarifications pertaining to the Request for

Information (RFI)

70FA3019I00000005

Would the Government please provide responses to the questions and clarifications below?

1. Will this be a Small Business and/or 8A set-aside?

Small and 8(a) businesses are strongly encouraged to provide responses to this RFI, in order to assist FEMA in determining the potential levels of interest, competition, and technical capability within the Small Business community. In addition, the responses to this RFI will also be used to assist FEMA in establishing a basis for developing any subsequent potential subcontract plan small business goal percentages.

2. Is FEMA's current system preferred or can vendors suggest alternate systems?

The purpose of this RFI is to acquire market research on availability, capability and functionality of asset tracking technology and related service in support of the FEMA mission. The purpose of this RFI is not to acquire market research on an alternate or replacement supply chain system.

Vendors can suggest alternate or new GPS technologies that are compatible with or integrate with FEMA’s current supply chain management system. Please review the RFI and the included questions. FEMA is interested in hearing all suggestions and ideas from industry.

3. Will the vendor maintain FEMA's current system?

The purpose of this RFI is to acquire market research on availability, capability and functionality of asset tracking technology and related service in support of the FEMA mission. Related services are not expected to involve maintenance of FEMA’s LSCMS. However, related services could include any services related to tracking devices – maintenance of devices, management of devices, management of service feeds, etc. Please review the RFI and the included questions.

FEMA is interested in hearing all suggestions and ideas from industry.

4. Will the vendor need to supply any equipment and/or provide specifications?

FEMA is interested in hearing all suggestions and ideas from industry. Specific details and scope of any potential requirement will be communicated at the time of solicitation. This is an RFI and not a solicitation, but any response to this RFI may be used to inform future requirements for solicitation.

5. Does the government anticipate demonstrations of recommended technology solutions?

After reviewing responses to this RFI, FEMA may allow respondees to provide a demonstration of their technology or solution.

6. Are there security requirements for personnel performing the task?

Asset tracking data handled by LSCMS is typically not classified. For any work done directly related to LSCMS, any contractor personnel would often be required to achieve a public trust security clearance.

7. Would you be interested in implementing a Cell Single based Apps/GPS device in a Cloud based platform?

FEMA is interested in hearing all suggestions and ideas from industry. Any response to this RFI may be used to inform future requirements for solicitation.

8. Can I prepare a proposal and submit it to your office now?

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 10.002(b)(2)(i), this RFI is issued for the purpose of market research. This request is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or an indication the government will contract for the items contained in this notice.

This notice is not to be construed as an acquisition Request for Proposal (RFP), nor is any commitment on the part of the government to award a contract implied, nor does the government intend to pay for any information submitted as a result of this request.

9. What if I don’t have any response to the other questions and what if I’m not the seller of the devices I would suggest? Can I still respond to the RFI?

Yes, please respond to the RFI. FEMA is interested in hearing all suggestions and ideas from industry. Any response to this RFI may be used to inform future requirements for solicitation.

10. Does the 20-page limit include the cover page and response table of contents?

Yes. The limit is 20 pages. This includes tables, appendixes, etc.

11. Are you able to identify the key “technology gap” items desirous to be provided by an additional vendor solution?

FEMA is interested in hearing all suggestions and ideas from industry. Any response to this RFI may be used to inform future requirements for solicitation.

12. Is it fair to assume the primary geography of operation is CONUS? What additional territories do you require coverage and operation?

Please review all the questions. CONUS and OCONUS are both relevant. All US territories are relevant.

13. Is it acceptable to offer solutions that would operate independent the incumbent solution?

Please review the RFI and the included questions. FEMA is interested in hearing all suggestions and ideas from industry.

14. Is FEMA interested in leveraging asset management technology to account for and track tangibles pre-deployment (i.e. inventory management)?

15. Does FEMA have a desire to remove and replace existing transponders and/or migrate existing service to a new provider/platform?

16. Do you have a requirement for disposable units?

17. Would you like to see additional features that a device can provide other than asset tracking?

18. For tracking applications, do servers need to be on premise or is a hosting application allowed?

This is an RFI. Any response to this RFI may be used to inform future requirements for

19. Is a remote terminal management needed or required?

20. Would a hybrid solution, one that mixed multiple satellite constellations based on requirement, along with cellular be desirable?

FEMA is interested in hearing all ideas from industry.

21. Does FEMA have a schedule planned for when a new solution would be rolled out?

22. How many total assets are currently managed/tracked via GPS? How many more does FEMA wish to add tracking capabilities for?

The number of assets that FEMA is responsible for fluctuates constantly. FEMA is interested in hearing all ideas from industry.

23. What type of maintenance program is desirable? Are the units tracked deal with mission critical requirements?

FEMA is interested in hearing all ideas from industry. FEMA does track some mission critical items.