Questions__Answers_to_RFP_70Z02318RMMN25100.pdf

Question #

Response # Question/Response

#1 Does the SID follow exactly the ICAO [International Civil Aviation Organization] 9303 specification? If not, please provide the specification.

Government

Response #1

Refer to the ILO document:

http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO:12100:P12100_ILO_CODE:C185

#2 How can we get a sample SID for testing?

Government

Response #2 Participating foreign Governments issue SIDs; however, the U.S. Government doesn't participate (since it requires the TWIC). Therefore, the USCG can't provide a sample. The verification test will test the TWIC and CAC - but not a SID.

#3 Are all the modes applicable for a SID (similar to TWIC)?

Government

Response #3 No.

#4 Is there a cancelled card list or something similar for SID?

Government

Response #4 No.

#5 The requirements state that the solution has to be MIL-STD-810F, will the Government accept a solution that is MIL-

STD-810G certified?

Government

Response #5 Yes.

#6 Is the handheld solution only required to perform fingerprint capture, NFC [Near Field Communication], and CAC reading process[?]

Government

Response #6 The handheld solution must be able to read (with and without contact) TWIC, CAC and SID cards. It shall also perform a fingerprint match for the TWIC and CAC. It shall also validate card certificates (e.g., see

SOW 2.1.5).

#7 The specifications require that the device be powered for 10 hours. Would the Government accept that the proposed device solution have a power lifespan of up to 8 to 10 hours, depending upon usage?

Government

Response #7 No. Furthermore, SOW 2.1.1 b. requires 12 hours minimum operational time - not 10 hours.

#8 As a follow-on to the previous question, would the Government also accept a solution that supports a hot-swappable battery solution, that would allow for an additional 8-10 hours of battery support?

Government

Response #8 No.

#9 Will the Government supply example data to the vendor for the CAC and NFC data that will need to be programmed into the device, or will the Government be responsible for loading this data into each device?

Government

Response #9 Example data will not be supplied or loaded by the Government prior to verification testing. The Government will provide test TWIC and CAC cards to confirm capability during verification testing.

Biometric Readers and Support Services

Request for Proposal (RFP) 70Z02318RMMN25100

Questions and Responses

#10 To ensure that the solution provides the Government with the correct results for their reports, and other outputs, will example data be provided to the successful vendor?

Government

Response #10 Yes.

#11

Section 2.2 indicates that all 250 readers need to be delivered within 45 after receipt of order, (ARO). Since the

Government is expecting to take possession of all readers within this timeframe, what is the expected schedule for the online training to start, and/or to be completed? Is it the date of the first shipment, as indicated for the materials in section 8.0 item 6?

Government

Response #11

Yes, start not later than the date of the first shipment. The computer-based/on-line training will allow inspectors to learn at their own speed and will permit new inspectors to train after each transfer season.

Training is not location specific and the schedule will be inspector driven. The Contractor shall continue to make this training available thoughout any option periods that are exercised. See also SOW 2.5.

#12 How many personnel are to be trained upon the devices, per location?

Government

Response #12 The number of personnel depends on the unit and can range from 1 to 20+ per unit that receives a reader.

#13

How many personnel will require training as “Users” profile permission levels, meaning operators of the devices on a day-to-day basis, and how many will need to be trained as Administrators or other role permissions, per each delivery location?

Government

Response #13

All personnel will require training as users or operators of the readers. There is no requirement for administrator training.

#14 Will the Government provide the online training environment connectivity for each location?

Government

Response #14 No. See SOW 2.5.2.

#15 Will the online training be per each location, or a collective session for all or a segment of locations at one scheduled date agreed upon?

Government

Response #15 The requirement is not for Instruction Led Training. The requirement is for a self-paced/self-guided, on-demand training module.

#16 Will the Government accept a solution operating on either the Android, or Windows OS?

Government

Response #16 Android only. See revised SOW.

#17 How can you reissue a solicitation that was originally offered as a low bid solicitation and all the low bids were made public knowledge?

Government

Response #17

To be more precise, the USCG issued a new solicitation (it did not “reissue” a solicitation). As stated on page 6 of Attachment (1): “This Request for Proposal (RFP) stands on its own. Offerors should not infer that instructions from any previous solicitation for similar supplies and services apply to this RFP.” The USCG awarded a contract from a previous solicitation for readers to Parroco Production Group, Inc.; however, that award was protested. The USCG disclosed only the total price for the successful offeror (i.e., $1,455,267).

Other bids were not made public knowledge. The decision to terminate that contract and issue new RFP no.

70Z02318RMMN25100 is within the agency’s discretion, as it is in the USCG’s best interest.

#18

Attachment 2 - Statement of Work, 2.1.1 (l) at the bottom of page 2 says "the reader shall achieve a standard maximum transaction time of 3 seconds". Can the Government please clarify what type of transaction? Is this contact or contactless? Does this include the fingerprint biometric? Also, our concern is many of the first and second generation TWIC cards respond very slowly and may exceed this threshold. Our reason for asking: the TWIC Reader

Pilot Program Final Report (2012) indicated a baseline of 6 seconds for a visual inspection. Page 34 of this same report indicated transaction times between 2.58 seconds (Mode 1 simple fixed ID read) and 5.04 seconds (Mode 2 card authentication). Mode 4 (including biometrics matching and card authentication) averaged 14.86 seconds.

According to this report, six seconds may be a more realistic average timeframe.

Government

Response #18

The transaction time applies to the contact and contactless reading of a TWIC. It does not include the transaction time to complete a fingerprint biometric.

#19

In Attachment 1, page 6, the solicitation says to submit written proposals in 4 separate volumes, and includes Past

Performance as Volume III. In the following paragraph, the solicitation states to provide 3 volumes, with Price as

Volume III, and no mention of Past Performance. On page 8 it says Offerors may submit past performance in Volume

II at its discretion. Could the Government please clarify?

Government

Response #19 Three (3) volumes are required. The clerical error has been corrected and a revised page 6 provided.

END