Repsonses to Questions 98 to 127.pdf

70Z02320RAPB02300 Q&A #6

Question 98. Attachment A Requirement 4.7 states The Contractor shall provide systems engineering and technical assistance to support configuration, installation, and integration of the

CMS at the Government XCS Test & Integration Facility in Patuxent River, MD.” This requirement cannot be bounded as part of a firm fixed price quote. Please move this to a time & material CLIN.

Government Response: The requirement has been removed. See revised Attachment A.

Question 99. Based on the request to respond to the above questions, we respectfully request a 45 day extension to the proposal due date.

Government Response: The proposal due date for this solicitation is as published on beta.sam.gov.

Question 100. Attachment A Requirement 3.2.1 states “The Contractor shall provide a

Network Architecture Report (DI-011).” Attachment B identifies that the RED Switching System

(3.2.5), the BLACK Switch System (3.2.6), and the CEUTS (3.2.9.3) interface with the unclassified network and/or the unclassified network. Since the networks were not identified as being provided by this contract, please define what the Government intends to be included in this report since most of the CDRL requirements are outside the scope of the contract.

Government Response: DI-011 shall contain the Offeror’s complete solution and identify any connections to the Government’s network. Therefore, no CDRL requirement is outside the scope of the contract.

Question 101. Attachment A Requirement 3.3.5.2 states “The design incorporates proven technology reflecting a high level of maturity with demonstrated functional performance.” Please define how the Government intends to evaluate proven technology. Please define how the

Government intends to evaluate high level of maturity. Please define how the Government intends on evaluating demonstrated functional performance.

Government Response: See revised attachment A.

Question 102. Attachment A Requirement 3.3.3.2 states “Is balanced with internally consistent and convergent design characteristics from a single integrated design for the entire system.” Please define what the Government means by a balanced CMS design. Please define what the Government means by internally consistent. Please define what the Government means by convergent design characteristics. Please define what the Government means by a single integrated design for the entire system.

Government Response: The requirement will be revised to: “Is a complete and integrated design that will satisfy all technical requirements" See revised Attachment A.

Question 103. Attachment A Requirement 3.3.5.7 states “Software development processes are fully defined and accepted as appropriate for coding and test.” Please define what the Government means by appropriate for coding and test. Please define how the Government intend on evaluate the software processes are defined and accepted.

Government Response: Offer is expected to have a defined, documented approach to software development. Certification in a particular approach is not required. Per 3.3.5 offeror

"shall provide data and narrative in sufficient detail for the Government to verify" during FDR.

Question 104. Attachment A Requirement 3.3.5.8 states “Interfaces between all configuration items both internal and external to the system are defined and stable.” Please define what the Government means by defined. What documentation does the Government expect to be delivered on proprietary interfaces that the Government has no rights to?

Government Response: Defined means the information has been provided to the level of detail required in the RFP, in particular the CDRLs. For data rights requirements refer to FAR

52.227-14 RIGHTS IN DATA – GENERAL, ALTERNATIVE IV (MAY 2014) which is incorporated by reference in the RFP.

Question 105. Attachment B, Requirement 3.2.5 states “The XCS RED Switching

System shall have a Gigabit Ethernet interface for outputting IP-based voice protocols via an

802.3 Gigabit Ethernet connection to the Cutter Classified LAN.” Does this requirement imply that the RED switching system provide an Ethernet LAN network separate from the Classified network? If so, is a router required to interface with the Classified LAN and a separate NMS required? If not, how many connections have been reserved on the Classified LAN for the XCS?

Government Response: Yes - the RED switching system must include the networking for the offeror's solution. No, a router is not required. No, a separate NMS is not required. There will be adequate connections available on the government’s classified network.

Question 106. Attachment B, Requirement 3.2.6 states “The BLACK Switching System shall have a Gigabit Ethernet interface for outputting IP-based voice protocols via an 802.3

Gigabit Ethernet connection to the Cutter Unclassified LAN.” Does this requirement imply that the BLACK switching system provide an Ethernet LAN network separate from the Unclassified network? If so, is a router required to interface with the Unclassified LAN and a separate NMS required? If not, how many connections have been reserved on the Unclassified LAN for the

XCS? Government Response:

Yes - the BLACK switching system must include the networking for the offeror's solution. No, a router is not required. No, a separate NMS is not required. There will be adequate connections available on the government’s unclassified network.

Question 107. Attachment B Requirement 3.2.7 identifies interfaces for the BLACK switch, but no corresponding requirement is provided for the RED switch. Please identify the

RED switch connection requirements.

Government Response: MIL UHF LOS, MIL UHF SAT, VHF AM, Digital Voice

Recorder, KYV-5, KY-58, KIV-7M, AN/URC-154, AN/UYQ-120 See revised Attachment B and E.

Question 108. Attachment B. Requirement 3.2.9.3 states The CEUT shall interface with the UNCLASSLAN and the CLASSLAN for connectivity to the XCS audio channels that the terminal is authorized for connection.” How does the Government intend for authorization to be provided? Is by CEUT physical location? IS by individual user of the CEUT?

Government Response: By CEUT (not by individual user).

Question 109. Attachment B Requirement 3.2.9.9.1 states “The Red CEUT shall be able to transmit and receive on classified networks.” Does this requirement mean that there is a RED only CEUT?

Government Response: Yes.

Question 110. Attachment B Requirement 3.2.9.9.2 states “The Black CEUT shall be able to transmit and receive on unclassified networks.” Does this requirement mean that there is a BLACK only CEUT?

Government Response: Yes.

Question 111. Attachment B Requirement 3.2.9.10.3.2 states “Loudspeaker groups, group names, and assigned speaker shall be configurable. Reconfiguration of loudspeaker groups shall be via the Communications Management System.” Definition 2.3.2 defines “Internal Voice

Network provides internal voice communications on the ship, including ship’s announcing systems, ship’s alarms, telephones, and interfaces to the sound powered phones, CEUTs, the

RED and BLACK switching System, the CMS, and the Shore Tie Communication management

System.” Since the announcing system is part of the IVN system, what parts of the announcing configuration is maintained in the Communications Management Software? How does the

Government intend one changes made on the IVN system to be reflected to the CEUTs?

Government Response: The requirement will be removed. See revised Attachment B.

Question 112. Attachment B Requirement 3.2.9.14.2 states “The CEUT shall be able to transmit over any XCS audio channel that it is authorized to connect to.” Id authorization intended to be based on the physical location of the CEUT or on the individual using a particular

CEUT?

Government Response: By CEUT (not individual user).

Question 113. Attachment B Requirement 3.2.9.26.8 states “The CEUT shall have a prominent visual indicator when a CLASSIFIED or UNCLASSIFIED circuit has been selected to operate.” Please define what the Government means by prominent visual indicator.

Government Response: An indicator that the user can see when looking at the device, such as a 'CLASSIFIED' banner on the screen, or color coded indicator lamps.

Question 114. Attachment B Requirement 3.2.9.26.9 states” The CEUT’s visual display shall be readable from four (4) feet or the distance of the operator(s) using a corded handset or headset whichever is longer.” Please define how the Government intends to validate readability.

Government Response: For proposal evaluation, the Government will refer to the compliance matrix. After contract award (during final design and test) an individual will view the display from 4 feet away.

Question 115. Attachment B Requirement 3.3.1.1.1 states “The CMS shall have software applications to provide control of the XCS radios, the RED switching system, the BLACK switching system, the CEUTs, and the Internal Voice Network. The control of the Internal Voice

Network can use a compatible third part application.” Pleas define what the Government means to provide control of the Internal Voice Network. Since Internal Voice Network is a separate subsystem, please identify what “control” responsibility is in the CMS and what is in the IVN management system. Please define what interaction is expected between the CMS and the IVN management system.

Question 116. Attachment B Requirement 3.3.1.8 states “The communications

Management Software shall direct the BLACK Switching System to provide Internal Voice

Network access to unclassified radio voice channels.” Please define what the government means by direct the Black Switching System. Please define what elements of the IVN need access to the unclassified radio voice channels.

Government Response: See revised attachment B.

Question 117. Attachment B Requirement 3.3.1.9 states “The Communications

Management Software shall direct the Black Switching System to provide authorized CEUTs with access to unclassified radio voice channels.” Please define what the government means by direct the Black Switching System.

Government Response: See revised attachment B.

Question 118. Attachment B Requirement 3.3.1.10 states “The Communications

Management Software shall direct the RED Switching System to provide authorized CEUTs with access to classified radio voice channels.” Please define what the government means by direct the RED Switching System.

Government Response: The RED switching system shall be configured to allow this. See revised attachment B.

Question 119. Attachment B Requirement 3.3.1.22 sates “The Communications

Management Software shall grant and restrict user access to features and functions based on role.” Please define the Government’s distinction between role and user access.

Government Response: A user's access shall be restricted to only what is permitted by their assigned roles.

Question 120. Attachment B Requirement 3.3.1.29 states “The Communications

Management Software shall provide the user with the ability to activate Communications Plans.”

Please define what the Government means by activate communications plan and what action is intended. How many Communications Plan can be activated at the same time?

Government Response: Only one can be active. Activate means to load it as the plan running in the Communications Management Software.

Question 121. Attachment B Requirement 3.3.1.31 states “The Communications

Management Software shall provide the user with the ability to deactivate Communications

Plans.” Please define what the Government means by deactivate communications plan and what action is intended. What state id the XCS Switching System expected to be in after deactivation?

Government Response: Deactivate means to replace it with a new plan, the switching system should be in the state of the newly activated plan.

Question 122. Attachment B Requirement 3.6.1 states “CMS network hosts and assets shall be capable of being internally connected via the ship’s unclassified LAN.” Requirement

3.2.1 identified that the CMS as having a RED switching system. Please define how the government intends for RED CMS assets be connected to the unclassified LAN.

Government Response: The requirement will be revised to read "Unclassified CMS network hosts and assets shall be capable of being internally connected via the ship’s unclassified LAN."

Question 123. Attachment B Requirement 3.6.2 states “CMS Network assets shall be managed by the Unclassified Network’s Network Management System.” Please define what the

Government intends by CMS Network Assets. Please what parts of the CMS is configured and controlled by the Network Management System and what part is controlled and managed by the

Communications Management Software. How is the Classified Network managed?

Government Response: The requirement will be revised to read "Unclassified CMS

Network assets shall be managed by the Unclassified Network’s Network Management System."

Details of the government's unclassified network will be provided per Attachment E.

Question 124. Attachment B Requirement 3.6.10.1 states “The CMS shall be compatible with the Unclassified Network Management System (NMS).” Please define what the

Government means by compatible with the Unclassified NMS. Please provide the interface control document for the NMS at least 4 weeks before the proposal is due.

Government Response: Details of the government's unclassified network will be provided per Attachment E.

Question 125. Attachment B Requirement 3.9.1.1 states “The system design shall incorporate Human Systems Integration processes to improve human performance, efficiency, and safety of the crew and ship, including support systems.” Please identify what the

Government intends by Human Systems Integration processes. Please identify how the

Government intends to evaluate improve performance, efficiency, and safety relative to this requirement.

Question 126. Attachment B Requirement 3.9.2.1.3 states” The system and equipment shall be within the physical and cognitive capabilities and limitations of the users to operate and maintain it in its operational environment.” Please define what the Government means by within the physical and cognitive limitations of the users. Please define how the Government intends on evaluating whether the system and equipment are within the physical and cognitive limits of the users.

Question 127. Attachment B Requirement 3.9.2.1.3 states “The systems shall incorporate system and personnel safety factors to minimize human error and prevent injury under normal, degraded, or emergency conditions and under adverse environments.” Please define what the

Government intends by system and personnel safety factors. Please how the Government intends on evaluating minimize human error and prevent injury each of the following conditions: normal condition, degraded condition, emergency condition, adverse weather condition.