SIP RFP 70SBUR20R00000031_Questions and Answers.xlsx

XLSX spreadsheet 19 KB Posted Aug 21, 2020

Attached to: Secure Identification Platform (SIP) - Solicitation
Solicitation number: 70SBUR20R00000031
Issued by: Department of Homeland Security US Citizen and Immigration Services

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Written by GovTribe AI · Dec 30, 2023

This document contains questions and answers related to solicitation number 70SBUR20R00000031 for a Secure Identification Platform.

The solicitation seeks a contractor to provide polycarbonate card stock meeting ISO standards and containing RFID and embedded holographic images. These cards will be used by US Citizenship and Immigration Services to produce documents including Permanent Resident Cards and Employment Authorization Cards. In addition to the card stock, the contractor must provide card design services, program management support, technical analysis, secure storage, and delivery of the manufactured cards. The period of performance is a single IDIQ contract with five one-year ordering periods for a total of 60 months. Questions from offerors covered clarification of evaluation criteria, past performance period, security requirements, and video submission process. The final submission date for proposals was September 3, 2020.

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Other files

File	Type	Posted
SIP RFP 70SBUR20R00000031_Amendment 0002 and Final Conformed RFP.pdf	PDF	Aug 28, 2020
SIP_70SBUR20R00000031 Amendment 0002_Attachment 9_Pricing Spreadsheet.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Aug 28, 2020
SIP RFP 70SBUR20R00000031_Amendment 0001 and Final Conformed RFP.pdf	PDF	Aug 21, 2020
SIP_70SBUR20R00000031 Amendment 0001_Attachment 9_Pricing Spreadsheet.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Aug 21, 2020
SIP RFP_70SBUR20R00000031_08.06.2020.pdf	PDF	Aug 6, 2020
SIP_70SBUR20R00000031_Attachment 8_Pricing Spreadsheet.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Aug 6, 2020

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Sheet1

USCIS RFP# 70SBUR20R00000031 Secure Identification Platform (SIP) - Questions
#	Question	Part/Section	Page #	Government Response
1	Please confirm that Factor 5 – Small Business utilization requires only a subcontracting plan with inclusion of the most recent Summary Subcontracting Report, and points of contact for any active or completed contracts within the last 3 years.	Factor 5: Small Business Utilization	45 of 81	A subcontracting plan in accordance with FAR 52.219-9 is required as well as recent and relevant Summary of Subcontracting Reports (SF 295) and points of contact.
2	Please clarify that the “points of contact for all active and physically completed contracts within the last three years” refers to the Government contracting officer.	Factor 5: Small Business Utilization	45 of 81	A Government Contracting Officer would be appropriate as well as a Government Contract Specialist or Contract Administrator.
3	With most secure state and federal card contracts being a minimum of 5-10 years in duration, setting the relevant past performance threshold within the last three (3) years eliminates many directly relevant past performance reference that share comparable scope and complexity without the opportunity to evaluate them on their merits. Would USCIS be willing to consider past performance submissions within the last 10 years to ensure that sufficient past performance references are considered based on their security, complexity, and related scope rather than by a limited time period?	Factor 4: Past Performance	44 of 81	The three (3) year requirement will remain.
4	Setting the relevant past performance threshold at >= $25M seem arbitrary based on the nature and scope of those contracts rather than focusing on the security and complexity of the provided solution. Would USCIS be willing to consider past performance submissions based on their security, complexity, and related scope rather than by dollar value?	Factor 4: Past Performance	45 of 81	The $25M, or above, requirement will remain.
5	The RFP includes 52.225-5 Trade Agreements and 52.225-1 Buy American – Supplies thus creating a conflicting standard by which to evaluate origin of products. We understand the incumbent contract is subject to the Buy American Act and associated origin requirements. Can the Government clarify which clause applies?	Part II, Contract Clauses	11	FAR 52.225-1 Buy American - Supplies applies.

FAR 52.225-5 will be removed in Amendment #0001

6	The RFP contains 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan and Factor 5: Small Business Utilization. Given the nature of the procurement (i.e., manufacture of card stock), there are very limited subcontracting opportunities, especially to small businesses. Would the Government consider removing the Small Business Subcontracting Plan requirement, or alternatively, revising the subcontracting goals to more accurately reflect the realities of this procurement?	Part II, Contract Clauses and Factor 5: Small Business Utilization	8, 45-46, 49	Per Factor 5: Small Business Utilization, the offeror only needs to identify in their plan that they will meet at least one of the DHS Small Business Goals. Not all of the goals in the table need to be met.
7	The government requires that “Videos must be posted and submitted to USCIS as an “unlisted” or “private” youtube.com link.	Phase II Oral Presentation (Video Submission)	47	The Government is in the process of identifying an alternative secure repository for Phase II video submissions. A subsequent solicitation amendment will be issued to change the instructions to direct offerors to submit via the newly identified process.

The YouTube License agreement states: “By providing Content to the Service, you grant to YouTube a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable and transferable license to use that Content (including to reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works, display and perform it) in connection with the Service and YouTube’s (and its successors' and Affiliates') business, including for the purpose of promoting and redistributing part or all of the Service.

License to Other Users

You also grant each other user of the Service a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to access your Content through the Service, and to use that Content, including to reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works, display, and perform it, only as enabled by a feature of the Service (such as video playback or embeds). For clarity, this license does not grant any rights or permissions for a user to make use of your Content independent of the Service..”

This agreement pertains to both public and private content and implies that You Tube retains control of the video submissions.

	As the government is asking offerors to discuss security features such as artwork, hologram features, inks, etc, that may be classified as sensitive, can the government clarify whether You Tube or the government will retain control of the video submissions?
8	The government requires that “Videos must be posted and submitted to USCIS as an “unlisted” or “private” youtube.com link.	Phase II Oral Presentation (Video Submission)	47	See repsonse to Question 7.

License to Other Users

This pertains to both public and private content and implies that You Tube retains control of the video submissions.

		As the government is asking offerors to discuss security features such as artwork, hologram features, inks, etc, that may be classified as sensitive, would the government consider using a more secure method of receiving the video submissions such as Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)?
	9	The RFP states: “The final award decision will be made based on a trade-off of Factor 2 (Card Design) and Factor 7 (Price).”	Evaluation of Proposals	49 of 81	Card security features are paramount to protecting the integrity of the card information and preventing counterfeiting and fraud. The base card design features in SOW 5.1 are the minimum requirements set forth by the Government.
		Q. With the current prescriptive nature of the card design requirements, it is difficult for competitors to effectively propose “an enhanced and newly designed integrated solution”. Would the government consider being less prescriptive in SOW 5.1. SIP Design, Construction, Security Features, Functional Requirements, and Testing to allow for increased competition and more differentiation between competitors?
	10	SOW 4. Scope states: “USCIS is seeking an enhanced and newly designed integrated solution…”, however section 5. Description of Work/Contractor Tasks lists requirements based on the current design which includes “transparent windows”, which is a five-year-old security feature that has a history of being stimulated throughout the industry. Would the Government consider removing the following sentence from Section 5.1.2 SIP Construction: “2. Transparent windows with complex shape(s) that link the front and back of the card and a window appearing at the edge of the card;”	SOW 4. Scope
SOW 5.1.2. SIP Construction	1 of 6 / 4 of 16	Transparent windows are the minimum requirement. If the offeror proposes an improved innovative design, they will be evaluated accordingly.
		This small change will allow bidders to propose solutions with truly innovative Level 1 security features.
	11	SOW Requirement: The contractor shall provide 10,000 out-of-sequence cards from each production run for testing.	5.5.3.2	10 of 16	The out of sequence card runs will be monthly.
		Q. Please state if the production run is performed monthly or annually.
	12	For clarification: Section 5.2.1 calls for “Transparent windows with complex shape(s) that link the front and back of the card and a window appearing at the edge of the card;” However, the images shown in Attachment 4 do not appear to meet this requirement. Q. Would the Gov’t consider providing images that depict this requirement?	SOW 5.12

and

SOW 5.12 and Attachmt 4 – Current PRC and EAD Card Images	2 of 16 and 1-2	For security purposes, the Government is not able to provide examples with that level of fidelity.
	13	Please clarify the requirements stated in 5.1.2. SIP Construction: Personalization shown below: a. Cards me be able to support grey scale laser marking with lasers marking at a wavelength of 1064 nanometers; USCIS facilities use FOBA Model DP30GS lasers to personalize PRC and EAD cards; b. Cards me be able to support CO2 clear laser marking at a wavelength of 10,600 nanometers with a distinct tactile feel without burning, bubbling, discoloration, de-lamination, or broken line features;	5.1.2. SIP Construction	2-3 of 16	The specifications are for the equipment the Government uses to print the metadata onto the cards. "The cards must be able to support" these criteria. Edit to Attachment 1 - SOW has been made in Amendment #0001.
	14	The RFP states: Incorporate raised tactile plate feature throughout the card to include microtext. Q. Would USCIS please clarify the phrase “throughout the card” and provide a specification for microtext?	5.1.2. SIP Construction	2 of 16	The images in Attachement 4 can be enlarged to show the microtext traversing throughout the card.
	15	The RFP states: The contractor shall propose a base card design using at minimum, a combination of the follow types of Security Printing: g. Geometric raster; Q. For clarification: Would USCIS please provide a definition for “Geometric raster”?	5.1.3. SIP Contruction	4 of 16	A geometric raster is equivalent to a mosaic.
	16	Please define the number of cards in a production run?	Attachment 1, Section 5.5.3., Paragraph 2	10 of 16	The number of cards in a run is at the discretion of the offeror, but 10,000 cards would be expected to be a sample size of the run.
	17	Is it acceptable that our Security Officer is in the process of earning the Industrial Security Professional certification if achieved prior to start of production?	Attachment 1, Section 5.5.1, Paragraph 2	10 of 16	No, the Key Personnel requirements must be met at the time of proposal submission as they will be included in the evaluation of Factor 3.
	18	Is participation in the DHS Mentor Protégé Program required to be in place on or before the release date of the RFP (August 6, 2020)?	3052.212-70 Contract Terms and Conditions Applicable to DHS Acquisition of Commercial Items (SEP 2012), 3052.219-72 Evaluation of Prime Contractor Participation in the DHS Mentor Protégé Program.	19 of 81	If a signed letter, as outlined in Factor 6, is not included at the time of proposal submission the offeror will receive a rating of Neutral.
	19	To promote small business utilization, will a small business prime be granted an Acceptable rating during evaluation for Participation in the DHS Mentor-Protégé Program?	ADJECTIVAL RATINGS TABLES, Participation in the DHS Mentor-Protégé Program – Factor 6	52 of 81	A rating of Acceptable will only be provided if the offeror provides a signed letter of DHS mentor-protégé agreement approval. A rating of Neutral does not disadvantage the offeror.
	20	Concerning scoring of offers on Factor 5, Page 109 of the PDF (page 49 of 81) indicates that a Small Business would not need to submit a Small Business Plan and would receive an “Acceptable” rating; however, Page 113 (page 51 of 81) indicates the rating would only be “Neutral.” Please clarify that any Small Business bidding as the Prime Contractor would receive an “Acceptable” rating without having to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan as they would far exceed the Small Business Utilization requirement?		49 of 81 and 51 of 81	This will be corrected in Amendment #0001. "Neutral" will be removed from the Adjectival Rating Table for this factor and "Acceptable" will be updated to include small business prime offerors.
	21	Is secure card shipping via a secure service such as Brinks Global Services required, or is normal delivery with tracking acceptable?	Attachment 1, Section 5.3 -Secure Shipment and Storage	9 of 16	Normal delivery methods are not acceptable. Secure shipping services, such as Brinks, is required. Attachment 1 - SOW has been updated in Amendment #0001.
	22	Is it acceptable to provide a secure storage vault that requires at least two people with USCIS-approved clearances to access the vault if the vault also contains cards, secure documents, and/or legal tender for other government or financial organizations partitioned within the vault?	Attachment 1, Section 5.3 -Secure Shipment and Storage	9 of 16	Yes, this would be acceptable.
	23	With regards to the “Dual response shortwave UV” security feature: What kind of a color shift is expected? Is there a particular wave-length required?	Attachment 1, Section 5.1.3 – SIP Security Features	3 of 16	There is not a specific shift expected, only that it shifts, and there is no particular wave-length required.
	24	Will USCIS allow another round of questions after answers to the initial questions are provided?	Section 3	42 of 81	This is the only formal question and answer period that will occur during the RFP. Questions after this period may be entertained but may not allow sufficient time for proposals to be adjusted based on answers later on in the RFP timeline. Please manage subsequent questions and timing appropriately to allow for timely submission of proposal.
	25	Based upon the security requirements in the RFP, is it a requirement that card manufacturing take place in the United States?	6.3 Security Plan	12 of 16	Requirements of the Buy American-Supplies FAR Clause at 52.225-1 must be met.
	26	Please clarify what types of protections vendors should offer or if a particular protection method is preferred. Please expand and provide additional clarification and definition of the term “interlocking”.	SOW - 5. DESCRIPTION OF WORK/CONTRACTOR TASKS; 5.1 SIP Design, Construction, Security Features, Functional Requirements, and Testing; 5.1.1. SIP Design; 6. Protected data and biometric photo image by interlocking them to the physical characteristics of the card;	42	Offerors will be evaluated on their proposed solution(s). The Government does not have preferred method. Interlocking protects the data and photo from being removed/replaced without damaging the card.
	27	Posting of public facing video (even if obscured unlisted or private youtube links) would allow harvesting of video information. Providing proprietary data over such a method would break vendor’s security protocols as well as possibly provide detailed information of planned U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services supplied products to the public. Such a video would, by necessity, contain no proprietary information, and no critical details of the proposed product to be provided to USCIS without also sharing that information with the public. May alternative options such as standard video teleconference be offered which would allow for a more secure environment for sharing of proprietary information as well as interaction from USCIS.	Phase II – Oral Presentation (Video Submission) - Factor 2: Card Design
Videos must be posted and submitted to USCIS as an “unlisted” or “private” youtube.com link	107	See response to Question 7.
	28	We respectfully request an extension of 3 weeks to the submission deadline to allow vendors the appropriate time to respond to all technical and financial items as well as to engage with small businesses to meet the USCIS subcontracting goals of this large and critical USCIS program.	Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items Standard Form 1449 8. Offer Due Date/Local Time 09/03/2020 1200 ET	1	No extension will be granted at this time.

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated Aug 21, 2020.