A12.9 FirstSource III Amendment 12 Technical Q and A.pdf

Questions and Answers FirstSource III Solicitation Number 70RTAC21R00000003 Amendment 000012

Technical Questions

Q# Page Section Paragraph Question Answer 1 L.7.2.5.3 Factor 5 –

Price (Volume III) Attachment 8 Center of page 120, the crosswalk shall include a concise mapping to the salient characteristics in Attachment 8.

Items 1 through 6 reference salient characteristics not found on attachment 8, should the mapping be redirected to that document?

Amendment 12 removes the GSS specifications from Attachment 8. Your proposed item’s specifications shall be mapped to the specifications listed for that item in Attachment 8.

2 Attachment 8 The salient characteristics for items 1 through 6 refer to the GSS Version 8 requirements but doesn’t specify where to get the exact requirements DHS will use when evaluating. Can you specify where to find that requirement?

NIH has https://nitaac.nih.gov/resources/tools-and-templates/government-wide-strategic-solutions-gss-version-8-specifications SEWP emails the contract holders directly

The GSS specifications have been removed from Attachment 8. Offerors shall use the updated specifications provided in the Amendment 12 version of Attachment 8 and refer to the FirstSource III terms and conditions.

3 Attachment 8 The salient characteristics on items 1 though 6 refer to the GSS Version 8, what is the requirement for the optional items on the GSS Version 8?

Please see the response to question 2.

4 Attachment 8 Item 4.2 USB Encrypted Memory Drives & External Hard Drives requests “Waterproof” can you be more specific about the rating requested (E.g., IP rating 6 or higher)?

Waterproof doesn’t say to what level of water exposure.

The specification has been clarified.

The waterproof rating required is a minimum IP rating 68 or better. See Attachment 8, Item 4.2.

5 Attachments 8 and 9

Attachment 8, Item 4.2 USB Encrypted Memory Drives & External Hard Drives requires it is available in 128GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB. On the Attachment 9, Proposed Item number, should I list all 4 part numbers for the 4 different configurations to satisfy that salient characteristic requirement, or present 4 different attachment 9s? (PN xxxx-1TB would not be available in the other sizes.)

The offeror shall provide a separate Attachment 9 crosswalk for each of the 4 USB drive configurations proposed, so one Attachment 9 crosswalk for each part number.

6 Attachment 8 The Government completely removed the specifications for 1.1.3 Advanced Notebook, 2.1.1. Advanced Workstation, 2.1.2 Standard Workstation and 2.1.3 Micro Workstation. Please confirm that the Government does not require a Crosswalk for these items?

These specifications have been revised with Amendment 12, please see the updated Attachment 8. Offerors shall provide an Attachment 9 crosswalk for each item proposed.

7 Attachment 8 On Attachment 8, the salient characteristics for the docking station include compatability with Mac/Apple. In order to provide a product that meets this characteristic, with the Government accept non-TAA compliant docking stations, as generic docking stations that are compatible with both Mac and OS are only non-TAA.

Please see the response to question 2.

The FirstSource III terms and conditions apply.

8 Attachment 8 Regarding USB Flash Drives for ITVAR, does the Government require a separate Attachment 9 Crosswalk for each of the USB items? Please clarify as in Attachment 8, Section 4.2 Salient Characteristics, these items are included under one salient characteristic section, but are priced individually on Attachment 1.

Yes. Please also see the response to question 5.

9 Attachment 9 Please clarify what format the Government wants the mapped crosswalk to be displayed? For example, the sample text provided in Attachment 9 appears to be a listing of salient characteristics, but is not displayed as a mapping to Attachment 8. Will the Government accept a complete listing of salient characteristics in Attachment 9 Crosswalk, or would the Government prefer to see a line-by-line mapping?

Contractors shall list the salient characteristics for the items they’re proposing in Attachment 9 along with the specifications for that item from

Attachment 8. See revised Attachments 8 and 9.

10 12-18 line items, 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.2.2 &

3.2.3

Attachment 8, Salient

Characteristics, Large Processor, Medium Processor, Small

Processor, Medium Server and Large Server

Salient Characteristics for listed line items call out for EPEAT Gold. No OEM’s servers currently hold a Silver nor Gold certification level. Most OEM’s only carry an EPEAT Bronze level for these line items.

Can you please confirm that this is a typo and that this requirement was accidently brought over from the PC Requirement?

The requirement is for a minimum of EPEAT Bronze. All line items referenced have been updated to make EPEAT Bronze a minimum requirement. Please see updated Attachment 8.

11 12-16 line items, 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3

Attachment 8, Salient

Characteristics, - Large Processor, Medium

DHS Requests, Included Services: 1200 Training Online Training Credits redeemable for one year. DHS did not define a unit of credit and 1200 credits per system is unreasonable/astronomical by any measure. Did DHS mean $1200 Training Online Training Credits redeemable for one year? Can DHS please clarify this statement?

Please see updated Attachment 8, item numbers 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3. The requirement is defined as 1 Unit (1 Student, 1 Day) of Online Training

Credits redeemable for one year

Processor, Small Processor

12 18 line items, 3.2.3 Attachment 8, Salient

Characteristics, - Large Server, Last Paragraph

Dimensions, DHS requests, 2U rack mount server with PEC Static Rails and with LCD Bezel, with a depth no more than 28.5 inches from rack mounting ears to back of the server chassis. Please note that an external LCD bezel is no longer offered by almost all Tier One Manufactures on their servers besides for Dell. Please confirm if an inbuilt LCD bezel would meet this requirement?

Please see updated Attachment 8.

13 21 line item 4.2 Attachment 8, Salient

Characteristics, - USB Encrypted Memory Drives & External Hard

Drives - 2 TB External Hard Drive Option.

For the 2 TB External Hard Drive Capacity, DHS requested Waterproof. Please note that on external hard drives due to the fact that there is an exposed port no manufacture can provide a hundred percent waterproof external hard drive. Can you please specify the exsact Mil Spec/IP rating that these drives must comply with in regrds to water ignress?

Please see updated Attachment 8.

14 23-25 line items 4.4.2.1, 4.4.2.2, 4.4.3.1, 4.4.3.2

Attachment 8, Salient

Characteristics, - Black & White Local Printer, Color Local

Printer, Black & White Network Printer & Color Network Printer, Last Line of Each Line Item

DHS Request that the Offeror Identify the Manufacturer Warranty Included with the Item. Does DHS have a preference on what warranty they require for these printers? For example a 3 Year Onsite Next Business Day response?

Please see updated Attachment 8.

15 Factor 5: Price Attachment -

Software

Does the software submission require a crosswalk to explain if a software OEM has been acquired and/or a part number has changed to more recent additions available from the initial RFP – old part number has been retired and/or updated.

Please see updated Attachment 2 and solicitation Section B.4.

16 Factor 5: Price Attachment

Since the initial release of the FirstSource III RFP, some software OEMs were acquired, and some software product numbers have changed. For example, Tableau was purchased by Salesforce, changing the product number or retiring the software version requested in the original RFP. Additionally, many of the ServiceNow product numbers no longer exist and have new product numbers for the same salient characteristics. Will the Government update the pricing spreadsheet

Please see updated Attachment 2.

17 Factor 5: Price Attachment 9

Pricing Schedule

Crosswalk

We currently use a PDF to fill in our proposed the ITVAR and software crosswalk salient characteristics (Attachment 9); As such, we will need to use multiple PDF pages to provide the crosswalk for all hardware and software solutions. Would the Government please put the crosswalk PDF information into an Excel spreadsheet, with tabs for each ITVAR Item Description (i.e., Small Form Factor Dives, Static Devices, Domain Devices, and Peripheral Devices, to make the crosswalk between requirement and proposed solution easier to match.

The Government will not change Attachment 9 to an Excel sheet.

Multiple PDF pages are permitted for Attachment 9 and Attachment 9 has been updated with Amendment 12.

18 Section 3.1.1 Attachment 8 - Large Processor

The Large Processor solution has an EPEAT Gold rating requirement. However, all major OEMs that offer HCI nodes built on a server hardware chassis are EPEAT Bronze tier compliant. In an effort to ensure EPEAT compliance is measured fairly across all OEMs, we request that the Government change the EPEAT rating from Gold to Bronze.

Please see updated Attachment 8.

19 Section 3.2.3 Attachment 8 - Large Server

The Large Server has an EPEAT Gold rating requirement.

However all server hardware chassis across the major OEMS are EPEAT Bronze tier compliant. In an effort to ensure EPEAT compliance is measured fairly across all OEMs, we ask that the government change the EPEAT rating from Gold to Bronze.

Please see updated Attachment 8.

20 Section 3.2.1 Attachment 8 - Small Server

The Small Server has a 3 Year Basic Support Warranty while the Medium and Large Servers both have a 5 Year 4 hour Mission Critical Warranty. In addition, the Small Server does not have an EPEAT , Energy Star, TAA, Please see updated Attachment 8.

Section 508, or Delivery Time requirement. To stay consistent across all server CLINS, will DHS mirror the referenced requirements of the Medium and Large Server to the Small Server?

21 Section 3.1.2 Attachment 8 - Medium

Processor

The Large and Small Processor solutions both have a 5 Year 4 hour Mission Critical Warranty while the Medium Processor solution has a 3 year 4 hour Mission Critical Warranty. To stay consistent across all processor solution CLINS, will DHS mirror the warranty requirements of the Medium Processor to the Large and Small Processor solutions?

Please see updated Attachment 8.

22 Section 3.2.2 Attachment 8 - Medium Server

The Medium Server has a requirement for a stable image hardware platform that is available for at least 12 months but the Intel Stable IT platform program is for commercial desktop and notebook PC platforms only. Will DHS please remove this requirement?

No. See updated Attachment 8, Section

3.2.2 for clarification.

23 Section 3.2.3 Attachment 8 - Large Server

The Large Server has a requirement for a stable image hardware platform that is available for at least 12 months but the Intel Stable IT platform program is for commercial desktop and notebook PC platforms only. Will DHS please remove this requirement?

No. See updated Attachment 8, Section

3.2.3 for clarification.

24 Attachment 8 In reviewing the specifications for the small, medium and large processor configurations only the small and large show asset tags. Can DHS confirm that tags are only required on these two systems and not the medium system? Additionally, would DHS consider removing asset tags on all systems and allow the DHS entities to request the tags during the individual task orders RFQs/requests?

The medium processor configuration requires asset tags. See updated

Attachment 8. DHS will not consider removing asset tag requirements.

25 Section 1.1.12 and others

Attachment 8

GSS Rev 8 requirement -as part of the Crosswalk, for GSS requirement - could the Govt please clarify whether it is sufficient to state whether the proposed solution meets the requirement, or should the industry demonstrate how the proposed solution meets the GSS requirement?

Please see the response to question 2.

26 Converged Infrastructure -

Attachment 8

Regarding the requirement, “1200 Training Online Training Credits redeemable for one year”, please provide

Please see response to question 11.

Large, Medium and Small Processor details regarding the definition of the training credits. Such as: Quantity of course(s), quantity of students, type of course(s), number of hours, monetary value. All vendors define credits differently, therefore, additional information is need to ensure this is addressed appropriately.

27 1. Small Form Factor Device and

2. Static Device

Attachment 8 The RFP states that the Small Form Factor and Static Devices must include Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS) Rev 8 (or latest version) configurations. In some instances DHS did not select an option for the “options that MUST be priced and quoted if available”. Please clarify which of the “options that MUST be priced and quoted if available” DHS requires the offerors to price at this time.

Please see the response to question 2.

28 Converged

Large, Medium and Small Processor

Attachment 8 Regarding the requirement, “1200 Training Online Training Credits redeemable for one year”, please provide details regarding the definition of the training credits. Such as: Quantity of course(s), quantity of students, type of course(s), number of hours, monetary value. All vendors define credits differently, therefore, additional information is need to ensure this is addressed appropriately.

Please see response to question 11.

29 Converged Infrastructure/Large

Processor

Attachment 8 Requirement = “Storage: NVMe, Ultra Performance Express Flash, 2.5 SFF Drive, U.2, Optane with Carrier, Quantity 2 per node, Total 12 per cluster” What is the required capacity for each Optane drive?

See revised specification in Attachment 8.

30 Converged Infrastructure -

Large, Medium and Small Processor

Attachment 8 Regarding the requirement, “1200 Training Online Training Credits redeemable for one year”, please provide details regarding the definition of the training credits. Such as: Quantity of course(s), quantity of students, type of course(s), number of hours, monetary value. All vendors define credits differently, therefore, additional information is need to ensure this is addressed appropriately.

31 Converged Infrastructure/Large

Processor

Attachment 8 Requirement = “Storage: NVMe, Ultra Performance Express Flash, 2.5 SFF Drive, U.2, Optane with Carrier, Quantity 2 per node, Total 12 per cluster” What is the required capacity for each Optane drive?

Please see response to question 29.

32 #1 (Small Form Factor Device, 1.1.1, 2nd sentence;

1.1.2 second sentence, 1.1.3 second sentence,

2.1.1. last paragraph, 2.1.2 first sentence, 2.1.3 first paragraph

Attachment 8 Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS) Rev 8 includes multiple OPTIONS. Will the government please identify the must-have options they’d like bidders to include (i.e. 3, 4, or 5 year warranty term)?

33 #1 (Small Form Factor Device, 1.1.1, 2nd sentence;

1.1.2 second sentence, 1.1.3 second sentence,

2.1.1. last paragraph, 2.1.2 first sentence, 2.1.3 first paragraph

Attachment 8 Follow up to Question 2 (GSS OPTIONS): For the warranty selected for GSS, please clarify the desired coverage (i.e. wearable items, "Keep Your Hard Drive")

34 4.2 USB Encrypted Memory Drives &

External Hard Drives

Attachment 8 For the sake of clarity, would the Government consider updating the numbering scheme on 4.2 USB Flash Drives to 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, etc.?

No.

35 SW Price Schedule, Row 12

Attachment 2 In the SW Price Schedule (Attachment 2), the quantity was changed from 1000 to 1 for the Granicus software line item in year 1 only. Can the government please update the quantity to 1 in years 2-5 as well?

Yes. The quantities have been updated.

See revisions on Attachment 2.

36 SW Price Schedule, Rows 17 and 18

Attachment 2 In the SW Price Schedule (Attachment 2), Part # PROD01171 (ServiceNow®ServiceWatch Mapping v2) and Part#PROD11458 (ServiceNow® Event Management v2) are no longer provided by the manufacturer as stand-

Yes. The Attachment 2 has been revised to update the specification.

alone parts; instead, the functionality of the products are included in Part #PROD14995 (ServiceNow® ITOM Operator Professional v2 -Subscription Unit, 12 Months).

Would the government consider updating the requirement?

37 SW Price Schedule, Rows 9 and 10

Attachment 2 In the SW Price Schedule (Attachment 2), the Tableau Server - Core products (Tableau Server-Core Enterprise Term License Renewal & Tableau Server - Core - Maintenance Renewal), pricing is determined by the number of cores per server, with a minimum of 8 cores.

Can you please clarify the number of cores required in each license?

The number of cores required in each server license is 8. See revised

Attachment 2.

38 Medium Sever (3.2.2), bullet no.

15 and 18

Attachment 8 The government asks for both 2.5" and 3.5" hard drives, with a 3.5" chassis. The superior 2.5" hard drives only work with a 2.5" chassis. Will the government accept an offer replacing the 3.5" chassis with a 2.5" chassis and only including 2.5" hard drives?

Yes. See revised Attachment 8.

39 Advanced Notebook (1.1.3)

Attachment 8 Can you confirm which product in the GSS program this maps to? We believe it should map to Performance Notebook, but requests the government to clarify.

40 1.2 and 2.1 Small Form Factor & Static Devices

Attachment 8 The government is asking for Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS) Rev 8 or latest version configurations.

The systems on GSS come with options. Which of the “options that MUST be priced and quoted if available” does DHS require offerors to include/price.

41 3.2.2 Medium Server

Attachment 8 The Government is requesting a 3.5" Chassis with up to 8 3.5" SAS/SATA Hard Drives with RAID controller with 8Gb cache.

The government is also requesting 2 x 480GB SSD SATA Mixed Use 2.5in Hot-Plug Drives, 6 x 1.8TB 10K RPM SAS 2.5in Hot-plug Hard Drive.

Will the government accept a solution with a 2.5" Chassis with up to 8 2.5" SAS/SATA Hard Drives with RAID controller with 8Gb cache?

Yes.

Yes.

Also, to include 2 x 480GB SSD SATA Mixed Use 2.5in Hot-Plug Drives, 6 x 1.8TB 10K RPM SAS 2.5in Hot-plug Hard Drive?

Please see revised Attachment 8.

42 4.1.1 22” Wide Flat Panel

Attachment 8 The government is requesting a minimum 22” maximum 23” Screen Size.

Will the government accept a 21.5” diagonal screen size in this category which is industry standard for a 22” Wide Flat Panel Monitor?

Yes. See revised specification in Attachment 8.

43 4.6

Attachment 8 Will the government accept a Fixed Focus Webcam in place of an Auto-Focus Webcam?

Yes. See revised specification in Attachment 8.

44 ITVAR Pricing Schedule Salient

Characteristics.pdf and Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS)

Revision 8 Specifications 4.2

Attachment 8 Can the specs for Flash Drives and Hard Drives be separated out as they are distinctly different devices?

No. These are external hard drives, per the specification.

45 ITVAR Pricing Schedule Salient

Characteristics.pdf and Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS)

Revision 8 Specifications 4.2

Attachment 8 Waterproof Spec – need clarification for Hard Drives. While there is no issue meeting this spec (IP67 certification) for Flash Drives, it is more difficult to achieve with FIPS Validated 140-2 / TAA Secure Hard Drives. Will Water Resistant certification (IP64 certification) be acceptable for Hard Drives?

No.

46 ITVAR Pricing

Characteristics.pdf and Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS)

Revision 8 Specifications 4.2

Attachment 8 Why is a USB extension cable required for the USB flash drive devices?

The Government requires a USB extension cable for each USB flash drive device; however, see revised specification, Attachment 8 for cable length clarification.

47 ITVAR Pricing

Characteristics.pdf and Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS)

Revision 8 Specifications 4.2

Attachment 8 To elevate secure level of these devices, we highly recommend requiring the FIPS Certification for the full device VS the Crypto Module only. Can this requirement be added to enhance the security of these devices?

GSS requirements have been removed.

The FIPS certification requirement is already in Attachment 8.

48 1.1.1 2 in 1 Notebook

Attachment 8 Will government mirror the Microsoft requirement (Furnished with an OEM Windows client license to be utilized under the Microsoft Software Assurance on the DHS Microsoft Enterprise Agreement) as specified in 1.1.2? OS loaded on endpoint devices from an OEM contain Windows Pro OS. Please remove Enterprise OS requirement.

No. See the specification, in revised Attachment 8.

49 1.1.3 Advanced Notebook

Attachment 8 Does the government require a Xeon, I9 or i7 processor?

Does the government have a discrete graphics card requirement?

If discrete graphics are required, please specify graphics memory?

The Government does not require a specific manufacturer’s product. See generic specification in revised

N/A

50 2.1.1 Advanced

Workstation-

Attachment 8 Does the government require dual processors?

Does the government require Xeon Processor?

Does the government require ECC memory?

Does government require ISV certification?

The Government does not require a specific manufacturer’s product. See

51 2.1.2 Attachment 8 Does the government require Xeon processors?

The Government does not require a specific manufacturer’s product. See

Standard Workstation-

Does the government require ECC memory?

Does the government require a Tower, Small Form Factor or mini form factor

The Government does not have a specific requirement.

52 2.1.3 Micro Workstation

Attachment 8 Government references a micro desktop and a small form factory workstation. Which form factor is required?

The Government does not have a specific requirement regarding form factor.

53 Attachment 8

ITVAR Pricing Schedule Salient

Characteristics.pdf and Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS)

Revision 8 Specifications

Attachment 8 Are the GSS Revision 8 Optional items to be disregarded?

If not, will the government reissue Attachment+1+ITVAR+Pricing+Schedule.xlxs with updated lines items it requires offerors to quote and price?

In Amendment 0009, the Government removed the GSS revision 5 bullets from Attachment 8 and pointed offerors to comply with the latest revision of Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS) Specifications online.

The GSS revision 8 includes sections for OPTIONS which "must" or "may" be quoted. However, these options are not part of the RFP nor are they included as line items in Attachment+1+ITVAR+Pricing+Schedule.xlsx.

54 Attachment 8 Do the "Additional DHS Requirements" mean "in place of" the GSS requirements or "added on to"? In other words, does the government want us to quote both a 256GB SSD and a separate 512GB SSD? Or does the 512GB take precedence over the 256GB SSD?

Please clarify "Additional DHS Requirements." Offeror requests government to define if the "additional" specifications mean beyond what's listed in GSS rev 8.

Clarifying that "additional" for all specifications means "takes precedence over" instead of "add another line item" would help offeror provide the most compliant response.

For example, the GSS rev 8 Lightweight Notebook (1.1.1 2 in 1 Notebook) specs require 256GB SSD. The "Additional DHS Requirements" requires a 512GB PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive.

55 Attachment 8 Offeror requests the government please consolidate all its desired specifications in one document so that all offerors have a consistent set of criteria upon which to be evaluated.

There is confusion over what requirements supersede others between Attachment 8 and the GSS revision 8 online specifications as there are contradicting requirements.

56 Attachment 8 The GSS revision 8 includes a Terms and Conditions tab for all systems. Are these GSS Terms and Conditions superseded by the government's Terms and Conditions, Specifications and RFP instructions? Should the Offeror disregard the GSS revision 8 Terms and Conditions for this solicitation? See next questions for specific concerns.

57 Attachment 8 The GSS revision 8 Terms and Conditions requires all systems to be TAA compliant. The Government's amended changes to Attachment 8 ITVAR Pricing Schedule Salient Characteristics do not add TAA compliance to the characteristics. Prior to Amendment 0009, the government specifically only required 1.1.1 - 2 in 1 Notebook to be TAA compliant. All other Small Form Factor Devices and Static Devices did not require TAA compliance. Amendment 0009 has made no adjustments to TAA compliance requirements.

Do the GSS revision 8 Terms and Conditions supersede the requirements in Attachment 8?

58 Attachment 8 The GSS revision 8 Terms and Conditions states "Delivery Time is 45 Calendar days After Receipt of Order (ARO) or a date that is mutually agreed upon at time of order placement." Amendment 0009 changed the delivery time for 1.1.1 - 2 in 1 Notebook from 60 days to "soonest available". No delivery times were called out for the other Small Form Factor Devices and Static Devices.

Examples: 1.1.1 requests "Soonest Available" & 3.1.1 requests "60 days after award."

Do the GSS revision 8 Terms and Conditions supersede the requirements in Attachment 8?

59 Attachment 8 GSS V8 equipment specifications documentation states the following, "OPTIONS: The following options MUST be priced and quoted if available...," and then gives unclear direction.

Storage Example: "Optional Hard Drive Upgrade: Larger SSD." What exactly is being asked? In the Lightweight Notebook (2-in-1, 1.1.2) DHS requirement it asks for a 512GB "or better." However in the GSS V8 document it states "upgrades must be priced and quoted if available."

SSD, both Sata and NVME, can be quoted up to 4TB.

What exactly is DHS asking for, and how can industy avoid either overconfiguring or being non-compliant based on DHS's direction?

This situation repeats for many items in this bid, including laptops, workstations, etc.

60 Attachment 8 GSS V8 equipment specifications documentation states the following, "OPTIONS: The following options MUST be priced and quoted if available...," and then gives unclear direction.

Memory Example: "Upgrade to 32 GB or more (if available)." What exactly is being asked for? DHS is requesting 32GB or better," while the GSS V8 reference clearly states that the Options must be quoted if available.

Memory can be upgraded to 128GB or higher (in some cases 256GB). Can DHS please provide exactly what memory capacity they're seeking for the laptops, workstations, servers, etc?

61 Attachment 8 Throughout the ITVAR FirstSource 3 PDF, it references 5 year on-site support/warranty. However, the referenced GSS V8 requests optional years to be quoted for 3, 4, and 5 year. Are we supposed to fully ignore the optional section - even though the ITVAR states to be "...in accordance with the Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS) Rev 8 (or latest version)"

62 Attachment 8 Can the government clarify the requirement "Highest level industry standard processor (e.g Intel, AMD)? By highest level, does government mean Intel Core i9 vs Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 9 vs Ryzen 7? Is an Intel Xeon considered a higher level processor than an Intel Core processor?

“Highest level industry standard processor” has been defined. Please see revised Attachment 8.

63 Attachment 8 Can the government advise on what is being requested in accordance with GSS V8 (Options MUST be priced and quoted) for the Monitor? Requirements are vague with "21.5in or larger." Is there a specific size requested?

Also, is there a targeted display resolution, refresh rate, USB upstream (hub) capability? There is insufficient detail here to quote. Or; is offeror supposed to ignore the "Options" - even though the ITVAR states to be in accordance with the GSS Rev 8?

64 Attachment 8 In the GSS Rev 8 document, there is a section that states "Any one or more of the following options MAY be priced and quoted." Assumption that NONE of these MUST be quoted/configured. If the government has a request for any of these, will the goverment please clearly request and/or identify which it wants quoted?

65 Attachment 8 Are the GSS Revision 8 Optional items to be disregarded?

If not, will the government reissue Attachment+1+ITVAR+Pricing+Schedule.xlxs with updated lines items it requires offerors to quote and price?

In Amendment 0009, the Government removed the GSS revision 5 bullets from Attachment 8 and pointed offerors to comply with the latest revision of Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS) Specifications online.

The GSS revision 8 includes sections for OPTIONS which "must" or "may" be quoted. However, these options are not part of the RFP nor are they included as line items in Attachment+1+ITVAR+Pricing+Schedule.xlsx.

66 Attachment 8 Do the "Additional DHS Requirements" mean "in place of" the GSS requirements or "added on to"? In other words, does the government want us to quote both a 256GB SSD and a separate 512GB SSD? Or does the 512GB take precedence over the 256GB SSD?

Please clarify "Additional DHS Requirements." Offeror requests government to define if the "additional" specifications mean beyond what's listed in GSS rev 8.

Clarifying that "additional" for all specifications means "takes precedence over" instead of "add another line item" would help offeror provide the most compliant response.

For example, the GSS rev 8 Lightweight Notebook (1.1.1 2 in 1 Notebook) specs require 256GB SSD. The "Additional DHS Requirements" requires a 512GB PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive.

Please see the response to question 2.

67 Attachment 8 Offeror requests the government please consolidate all its desired specifications in one document so that all offerors have a consistent set of criteria upon which to be evaluated.

There is confusion over what requirements supersede others between Attachment 8 and the GSS revision 8 online specifications as there are contradicting requirements.

68 Attachment 8 The GSS revision 8 includes a Terms and Conditions tab for all systems. Are these GSS Terms and Conditions superseded by the government's Terms and Conditions, Specifications and RFP instructions? Should the Offeror disregard the GSS revision 8 Terms and Conditions for this solicitation? See next questions for specific concerns.

Please see the response to question 2.

69 Attachment 8 The GSS revision 8 Terms and Conditions requires all systems to be TAA compliant. The Government's amended changes to Attachment 8 ITVAR Pricing Schedule Salient Characteristics do not add TAA compliance to the characteristics. Prior to Amendment 0009, the government specifically only required 1.1.1 - 2 in 1 Notebook to be TAA compliant. All other Small Form Factor Devices and Static Devices did not require TAA compliance. Amendment 0009 has made no adjustments to TAA compliance requirements.

Do the GSS revision 8 Terms and Conditions supersede the requirements in Attachment 8?

Please see the response to question 2.

70 Attachment 8 The GSS revision 8 Terms and Conditions states "Delivery Time is 45 Calendar days After Receipt of Order (ARO) or a date that is mutually agreed upon at time of order placement." Amendment 0009 changed the delivery time for 1.1.1 - 2 in 1 Notebook from 60 days to "soonest available". No delivery times were called out for the other Small Form Factor Devices and Static Devices.

Examples: 1.1.1 requests "Soonest Available" & 3.1.1 requests "60 days after award."

Do the GSS revision 8 Terms and Conditions supersede the requirements in Attachment 8?

Please see the response to question 2.

71 Attachment 8 GSS V8 equipment specifications documentation states the following, "OPTIONS: The following options MUST be priced and quoted if available...," and then gives unclear direction.

Storage Example: "Optional Hard Drive Upgrade: Larger SSD." What exactly is being asked? In the Lightweight Notebook (2-in-1, 1.1.2) DHS requirement it asks for a 512GB "or better." However in the GSS V8 document it states "upgrades must be priced and quoted if available."

SSD, both Sata and NVME, can be quoted up to 4TB.

What exactly is DHS asking for, and how can industy avoid either overconfiguring or being non-compliant based on DHS's direction?

This situation repeats for many items in this bid, including laptops, workstations, etc.

72 Attachment 8 GSS V8 equipment specifications documentation states the following, "OPTIONS: The following options MUST be priced and quoted if available...," and then gives unclear direction.

Memory Example: "Upgrade to 32 GB or more (if available)." What exactly is being asked for? DHS is requesting 32GB or better," while the GSS V8 reference clearly states that the Options must be quoted if available.

Memory can be upgraded to 128GB or higher (in some cases 256GB). Can DHS please provide exactly what memory capacity they're seeking for the laptops, workstations, servers, etc?

Please see the response to question 2.

73 Attachment 8 Throughout the ITVAR FirstSource 3 PDF, it references 5 year on-site support/warranty. However, the referenced GSS V8 requests optional years to be quoted for 3, 4, and 5 year. Are we supposed to fully ignore the optional section - even though the ITVAR states to be "...in accordance with the Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS) Rev 8 (or latest version)"

74 Attachment 8 Can the government clarify the requirement "Highest level industry standard processor (e.g Intel, AMD)? By highest level, does government mean Intel Core i9 vs Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 9 vs Ryzen 7? Is an Intel Xeon considered a higher level processor than an Intel Core processor?

Please see the response to question 62.

75 Attachment 8 Can the government advise on what is being requested in accordance with GSS V8 (Options MUST be priced and quoted) for the Monitor? Requirements are vague with "21.5in or larger." Is there a specific size requested?

Also, is there a targeted display resolution, refresh rate, USB upstream (hub) capability? There is insufficient detail here to quote. Or; is offeror supposed to ignore the "Options" - even though the ITVAR states to be in accordance with the GSS Rev 8?

Please see the response to question 2.

76 Attachment 8 In the GSS Rev 8 document, there is a section that states "Any one or more of the following options MAY be priced and quoted." Assumption that NONE of these MUST be quoted/configured. If the government has a request for any of these, will the goverment please clearly request and/or identify which it wants quoted?

Please see the response to question 2.

77 3.2.2 Medium Server page 17, 10th bullet

Attachment 8 The requirement calls for stable image hardware platform.

We believe the Government meant for that to be Intel® Stable IT Platform Program (Intel® SIPP). Intel® SIPP is only applicable to commercial desktop and notebook PC platforms and is not applicable to Enterprise/Server configurations. Please remove this requirement.

The specification, Attachment 8, 3.2.2 for Intel SIPP has been removed.

Please see revised Attachment 8.

78 3.2.3 Large Server page 18, 10th bullet

Attachment 8 The requirement calls for stable image hardware platform.

We believe the Government meant for that to be Intel® Stable IT Platform Program (Intel® SIPP). Intel® SIPP is only applicable to commercial desktop and notebook PC platforms and is not applicable to Enterprise/Server configurations. Please remove this requirement.

The specification, Attachment 8, 3.2.3 for Intel SIPP has been removed. Please see revised Attachment 8.

79 Software Pricing Schedule

Attachment 2 The number of Granicus licenses requested by the government in row 12 of Attachment 2 Pricing Schedule will drastically skew the overall cost of the proposal, Please see the response to question 35.

Row 12 - Granicus, Qty in cell E12 making evaluation very difficult. This one line item will take up the vast majority of the total price to be evaluated.

Would the government please consider reducing the sample quantity for evaluation purposes?

80 ITVAR Pricing Schedule

Attachment 1 Since there are no security clearance requirements at the IDIQ level, will offerors have the opportunity to adjust Labor Category Rates upward for clearances required at the order level?

The IDIQ will establish ceiling rates for each labor categories specified in

Attachment 1 for the base and each option period. Offerors cannot exceed the ceiling rates. Please also see new

Section B.5, Post Award Equipment and Labor Pricing.

81 Attachment 2 Software Pricing

Schedule

RFP L.7.2.5.3

Factor 5 - Price (Volume III) page

119, first paragraph

Attachment 2 Please confirm that if a software part number on Attachment 2 - Software Pricing Schedule has been replaced by a new part number from the same manufacturer, due to the requested part being deprecated, it is acceptable to provide pricing for the manufacturer's recommended replacement part and does not require a crosswalk.

Please see updated Attachment 2 and updated solicitation Section B.4.

82 Attachment 2 Software Pricing

Schedule

RFP L.7.2.5.3

Factor 5 - Price (Volume III) page

119, first paragraph

Attachment 2 Please confirm that if a part number listed on Attachment 2 - Software Pricing Schedule is incorrect and the same manufacturer has provided offerors the correct part number for pricing purposes, it is acceptable for offerors to provide pricing for the corrected part number and does not require a crosswalk.

Please see updated Attachment 2 and updated solicitation Section B.4.

83 Attachment 8, Amendment 9, ITVAR Salient Characteristics, Sections 1 & 2

The government is requesting that vendors propose configurations for Sections 1 & 2 in accordance with the Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS) Rev 8 (or latest version) configurations. The GSS Rev 8 configurations include options that "MUST be priced and quoted if available." Please confirm that the Government DOES NOT require these additional optional items to be included with proposed configurations.

For Example:

The offeror shall propose a 2 in 1 Notebook in accordance with the Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS) Rev

8 (or latest version) Lightweight Notebook configuration with additional DHS specifications. The additional Options are: Optional Monitor, Optional speakers, Optional Graphics Card upgrade, Optional Security features (BIOS disabled), Optional Smart Card Reader, Optional Optical drive, Optional Disk drive (primary), Optional Memory upgrade, Optional Warranty (3 years), Optional Warranty (4 years), Optional Warranty (5 years), Optional Webcam

84 Attachment 8, Amendment 9, ITVAR Salient Characteristics, Sections 1 & 2

The government is requesting that vendors propose configurations for Sections 1 & 2 in accordance with the Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS) Rev 8 (or latest version) configurations. The GSS Rev 8 configurations include options that "MAY be priced and quoted." Please confirm that the Government DOES NOT require these additional optional items to be included with proposed configurations.

85 3 of 26 Section 1.1.1 Attachment 8 Please provide a pointer URL or copy) to the GSS Version 8 Specification so that all bidders are using the same, officially sanctioned version.

86 3 of 26 Section 1.1.1 Attachment 8 In the GSS specifications there are two subsections:

1) OPTIONS that MUST be priced and

2) OPTIONS that MAY be priced Are both sections, MUST and MAY, to be addressed?

Are all of the individual requirements in the sections chosen above required to be configured and priced? If not, which ones?

87 3 of 26 Section 1.1.1 Attachment 8 In the Salient Characteristics document, formerly the GSS requirements were incorporated as bullets, but in the latest release they are referenced as a set and not incorporated as bullets. Additionally, the reference includes the stipulation “Rev 8 (or latest version).” We ask that you remove the “(or latest version)” modifier. Validating all of the GSS requirements across the large quantity of crosswalks and pricing documents is onerous, especially if a new version (e.g., Rev 9) were to be released only a day or so prior to the due date of the submission.

88 Line 12, years 2-5 Attachment 2 Attachment 2 Software Pricing Schedule – Estimated Quantity on line 12 (Granicus: Year One is 1 and Years 2 -5 is 1000) should the quantity be 1 for all years?

Yes. The quantities have been updated.

See revisions to Attachment 2.

89 Sections (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.2.3)

Attachment 8 Attachment 8 now only references Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS) Rev 8 (or latest version) (it previously spelled out the GSS Rev 5 requirements), do we need to articulate each one of the GSS Rev 8 requirements in the respective Attachment 9 Crosswalk or can we make a general statement that indicates the build meets each of the GSS Rev 8 requirements, along with mapping/spelling out the “Additional DHS Requirements”?

Please see the response to questions 2 and 9.

90 Converged

Large, Medium and Small Processor

Attachment 8 Regarding the requirement, “1200 Training Online details regarding the definition of the training credits. Such as: Quantity of course(s), quantity of students, type of course(s), number of hours, monetary value. All vendors define credits differently, therefore, additional information is need to ensure this is addressed appropriately.

Please see the response to question 11.

91 Converged Infrastructure/Large

Processor

Attachment 8 Converged Infrastructure/Large Processor Requirement = “Storage: NVMe, Ultra Performance Express Flash, 2.5 SFF Drive, U.2, Optane with Carrier, Quantity 2 per node, Total 12 per cluster” What is the required capacity for each Optane drive?

Please see the response to question 29.

92 Asset Tags Attachment 8 In reviewing the specifications for the client systems, the 2 in 1 Notebook is the only client system that has a requirement for an asset tag. Can DHS confirm that an asset tag is only required on this 1 client system and not the others within the RFP? Alternatively, would DHS consider removing the asset tag from this requirement to be consistent with the other client systems and request on a task order level.

No. DHS will not remove the requirement for asset tags.

93 Section 1.1.1 - 2 in 1 Notebook

Attachment 8 DHS is requesting a 5 year battery warranty for the 2-in-1 notebook. However, GSS V8 only requires a 3 year battery warranty with an optional 5 Year system warranty only, no battery coverge beyond 3 yrs. In order to stay consistent with GSS V8 warranty requirements and be consistent with the other client systems warranty requirements, warranty requirements, will DHS change the battery warranty requirement from 5 years to 3 years?

94 Section 1.1.2 Standard Notebook

Attachment 8 DHS is requesting a 5 year battery warranty for the standard notebook. However, GSS V8 only requires a 3 year battery warranty with an optional 5 Year system warranty only, no battery coverge beyond 3 yrs. In order to stay consistent with GSS V8 warranty requirements and be consistent with the other client systems warranty requirements, warranty requirements, will DHS change the battery warranty requirement from 5 years to 3 years?

95 Section 1.1.1 - 2 in

Attachment 8 The 2n1 Notebook has a requirement for IEEE 802.11axx Gigabit Ethernet protocol but there is no "axx" Gigabit Ethernet protocol in the industry so please modify the requirement to reflect the current industry standard which is ax.

Yes. The requirement has been updated. See Attachment 8, Section

1.1.1

96 Section 1.1.2 Standard Notebook

Attachment 8 The Standard Notebook has a requirement of Minimum 16GB (2x8GB) 2133 DDR4, expandable. Can DHS confirm that this is to have the expandability to 32GB?

Yes. The requirement has been updated to require a minimum of 32GB. See

Attachment 8, Section 1.1.2 97 Section 1.1.1 - 2 in

1 Notebook Attachment 8 For the 2 in 1 Notebook, DHS is requiring one combo audio jack for the bundled dock. In an effort to provide latest technology and promote fair & open competition, will DHS accept either a 3.5mm combo audio jack or a USB-C port that also supports speaker/headset/microphone to meet this requirement?

Yes. The requirement has been updated. See Attachment 8, Section

1.1.1.

98 Section 3.2.2 Medium Server

Attachment 8 The Medium Server has a requirement for a stable image hardware platform that is available for at least 12 months but the Intel Stable IT platform program is for commercial desktop and notebook PC platforms only. Please remove this requirement as it is not applicable or available for Server products.

Please see the response to question 22.

99 Section 3.2.3 Large Server

Attachment 8 The Large Server has a requirement for a stable image hardware platform that is available for at least 12 months but the Intel Stable IT platform program is for commercial desktop and notebook PC platforms only. Please remove this requirement as it is not applicable or available for Server products.

Please see the response to question 23.

100 Section 3.1.1 Large Processor

Attachment 8 3.1.1 - Large Processor: The requirements as written are contradictory. The requirement states; Two "newest generation industry standard processors" (e.g Intel, AMD) but the details specifications are specifically written for the Intel Xeon Gold 5218R 2.1G processor or better, 20C/40T, 10.4GT/s, 27.5 M Cache, Turbo, HT (125W) DDR4-2666. The XEON Gold 5218R is a Cascade Lake Intel Processor and not the newest generation of Intel Processors. The newest generation of Intel Processor would be an Intel Ice Lake Processor and the closest comparable processor option for this chassis would be the Intel® Xeon® Gold 5318Y 2.1G, 24C/48T, 11.2GT/s, 36M Cache, Turbo, HT (165W) DDR4-2933. This provides a significant increase in core count when moving to the newer generation processor. Please confirm if the newest generation of processor is the requirement, or is the the XEON Gold 5218R Cascade Lake Intel processor the actual requirement? If XEON Gold 5218R is the requirement lease remove the "newest generation industry standard processors" verbiage from this requirement.

Attachment 8, Section 3.1.1 has been updated to remove the contradiction.

101 Section 3.1.2 Medium Processor

Attachment 8 3.1.2 - Medium Processor: The requirements as written are contradictory. The requirement states; Two "newest generation industry standard processors" (e.g Intel, AMD) but the detail specifications are specifically written for the Intel Xeon Silver 4210R 2.4G, 10C/20T, 9.6GT/s, 13.75M Cache, Turbo, HT (100W) DDR4-2400 which is a Cascade Lake Intel Processor and not the newest generation of Intel Processor. The newest generation of Intel Processor would be an Intel Ice Lake Processor and the closest comparable processor option for this chassis

Attachment 8, Section 3.1.2 has been updated to remove the contradiction.

would be the Intel® Xeon® Silver 4314 2.4G, 16C/32T, 10.4GT/s, 24M Cache, Turbo, HT (135W) DDR4-2666.

This provides a significant increase in core count on the newer generation processor. Please confirm if the newest generation of processor is the requirement or is thethe Xeon® Silver 4314 Cascade Lake Intel processor the actual requirement? If XEON Silver4314 is the requirement please remove the "newest generation industry standard processors" verbiage from this requirement.

102 Section 3.1.3 Small Processor

Attachment 8 3.1.3 - Small Processor: The requirements as written are contradictory. The requirement states; Two "newest generation industry standard processors" (e.g Intel, AMD) but the detail specifications are specifically written for the Intel Xeon Silver 4210R 2.4G, 10C/20T, 9.6GT/s, 13.75M Cache, Turbo, HT (100W) DDR4-2400 which is a Cascade Lake Intel Processor and not the newest generation of Intel Processors. The newest generation of Intel Processor is the Intel Ice Lake Processor and the closest comparable processor option for this chassis would be the Intel® Xeon® Silver 4314 2.4G, 16C/32T, 10.4GT/s, 24M Cache, Turbo, HT (135W) DDR4-2666.

This provides a significant increase in core count on the newer generation processor. Please confirm if the newest generation of processor is the requirement or is thethe Xeon® Silver 4210R Cascade Lake Intel processor the actual requirement? If XEON Silver 4210R is the requirement please remove the "newest generation industry standard processors" verbiage from this requirement.

Attachment 8, Section 3.1.3 has been updated to remove the contradiction.

103 Software Pricing Schedule

Attachment 2 The part numbers provided for Tableau in the government solicitation have been discontinued. That discontinued part number was licensed for "one core per license." The replacement part number offered by Tableau is "licensed as eight cores per license." The quantity listed in the government solicitation is 1000. Given the replacement

Attachment 2 has been updated to clarify the quantity. Updated part numbers shall be noted in the proposal.

part number now is "licensed as eight cores per license" does the government want pricing for 1000 cores total or 8000 (qty 1000 per the solicitation x replacement part number offering 8 Core bundle)

104 Software Pricing Schedule

Attachment 2 Does DHS want valid replacement part numbers quoted if part numbers are discontinued in Attachment 9.5?

Yes, please see updated instructions in Solicitation Section L.7.2.5.3, Factor 5, Price and in Attachment 9.

105 4.2 USB Encrypted

Memory Drives and External Hard

Drives

Attachment 8 Can the specs for Flash Drives and Hard Drives be separated out as they are distinctly different devices?

Please see the response to question 44.

106 4.2 USB Encrypted Memory Drives and

External Hard Drives

Attachment 8 Will Water Resistant certification (IP64 certification) be acceptable for Hard Drives?

Please see response to question 45.

107 4.2 USB Encrypted Memory Drives and

External Hard Drives

Attachment 8 Why is a USB extension cable required for the USB flash drive devices?

Please see response to question 46.

108 4.2 USB Encrypted Memory Drives and

External Hard Drives

Attachment 8 Can a requirement of FIPS Certification for the full device VS the Crypto Module only be added to enhance the security of these devices

Please see response to question 47.

109 3.1.2 Medium Processor

Attachment 8 Is the warranty for the…