Question Set 1 for RFQ 70Z02322Q79100003.pdf

Question Set 1

Solicitation: 70Z02322Q79100003 Date: July 21, 2022

Question 1: With regards to self-paced training, we have some courses that are included in 8570/8140, but not everything. Please take a look at what is included in our self-paced package and let me know if this would be acceptable.

Response: Because we are in the solicitation phase, the Government cannot engage with exchanges with offerors at this time other than to answer questions about the solicitation package.

Question 2: If our self-paced package does not meet your requirements my second question is, can we submit a quote ONLY for the live instructor led courses (The boot camps)? I would like to understand, for boot camps courses, what do you mean by “indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity” seats available for one year from contract dates as you only are asking for pricing for one seat for each of these classes.

Response: No, the Government intends to award a single award for all of the items in Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet. This requirement is a “firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery, DEFINITE quantity” contract.

Question 3: Concerning the above mentioned presolicitation, I just wanted to express interest as well as confirm the RFQ is coming out Monday July 18th with a close date of 7/27/22.

Response: The RFQ was published on 7/18/2022. However, the SAM publication did not change to “Solicitation”. Therefore, the solicitation will be managed from SAM in the “Pre- Solicitation” notice. Yes, the close date is still 7/27/2022.

Question 4: Please review and share the links included below my signature for a more in-depth look at [name of company]. I included some additional informational documents as well.

Response: See response to question 1.

Question 5: Is the Coast Guard looking for a pre-built product immediately after award that meets all the feature requirements or providing additional time to tailor training content to meet those features?

Response: The Government is looking for a pre-built product that is ready to perform after award.

Question 6: Is this an open and fair re-compete or is it wired for Infosec Institute?

Response: The Government is soliciting this procurement full and open as a Total Small

Business Set-Aside in accordance with FAR parts 12 and 13.5. All responsive quotes will be evaluated in accordance with the previously mentioned FAR parts and the Request for Quote.

Question 7: Please clarify how many boot camps, how many potential students, minimum and maximum class sizes, Live online, your location, our location (are all allowed?).

Response: Minimum and maximum class sizes can be dictated by the vendor. Members are able to join in with already commercially available offerings.

Question 8: Would the USCG be open to multiple “small business” vendors selected for this solicitation?

Response: No. See response to Question 2.

Question 9: The solicitation was estimated to drop yesterday per SAM; just wanted to email to ask if there is a delay since no release was published yesterday? Is there a new estimated date and roughly will the lead time to government deadline remain just a week and a half long?

Response: The solicitation was officially posted on 7/18/2022. If you look at the history at the bottom of the web page, it shows an update. I attached an RFQ document called “RFQ for 70Z02322Q79100003 final dated 2022 07 18.pdf” to the solicitation. The notice type did not change from “Presolicitation” to “Solicitation”. It appears to be an idiosyncrasy in the system that we can’t do anything about. The Government is going to manage the solicitation just as it is.

Question 10: Can the Prime include Teammates to bring a complete solution to USCG?

Response: The prime contractor can have subcontractors as long as the prime contractor meets the standards of FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (Sep 2021) (DEVIATION OCT 2021).

Question 11: For the Boot camps, are you seeking pricing for one student to attend an already scheduled virtual on-line live Boot Camp for each of the classes on the pricing sheet?

Response: Yes.

Question 12: Is there any potential interest in the possibility of offering dedicated certification classes where only USCG members would participate?

Response: Yes. But the main focus will be to individual integrations with already scheduled classes.

Question 13: To confirm, there is only a need to procure a “content producing Learning Management System” not to implement a Learning Management Platform? Please confirm?

Response: The requirement is for access to an already established content hosting cybersecurity learning platform where members can access training content that already exists.

Question 14: Do all Dashboards and Reporting requirements must be standard or “out of the box” in order to comply with this RFI?

Response: No. As long as learner information and oversight are available.

Question 15: The requirement around “in-browser” lab work, does that need to be part of the content or program material?

Response: “Lab work” can consist of appropriate interactive learning sessions, e.g., self-tests.

There should be more than just prerecorded or written study material.

Question 16: Required reporting must be standard. Can you clarify this requirement?

Response: With regards to regularity, refer to SOW section 13, Deliverables. With regards to formatting, that will be established after award.

Question 17: What DoD impact level does this system need to fall under?

Response: This should be an established training website, not a new system.

Question 18: What is your anticipated contract start date?

Response: Approximately September 15, 2022.

Question 19: What is your anticipated go-live date?

Response: September 15, 2022.

Question 20: What resources (technical or professional) does U.S. Coast Guard have to support a Learning Management System (LMS) implementation?

Response: We are not looking for an LMS. The requirement is for a pre-established cybersecurity learning platform with already created content to meet 8570/8140 requirements.

Question 21: Would you consider an extension to the closing date by 1 week?

Response: No. The Government is pressed for time and needs to award a contract.

Question 22: Will the coast guard allow the contractor hours to create the content to ensure alignment DoD Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF) work roles as defined by DoD 8140?

Response: No.

Question 23: Does the coast guard expect the contractor to provide role-based animated-character scenarios for training modules or deliverables?

Question 24: Will the contractor be required to integrate with Coast Guard networks or systems to deploy the training?

Question 25: Will the contractor be providing the web-based training portal on external networks?

Response: Yes.

Question 26: Is there an estimated number of modules expected in the extensive library?

Response: No, as long as it meets the needs for 8570/8140 certification and CPE requirements.

Question 27: How many students do you expect in each boot camp course? Any courses that you expect to be run multiple times?

Response: Most will be 1-5 students per course, but students are able to integrate into already scheduled courses.

Question 28: What is the desired delivery modality for the boot camp courses? Virtual, Instructor Lead Training (VILT), Instructor Lead Training (ILT) at a government location, ILT at the training provider's location, ILT at a central site?

Response: The Boot Camps will be Virtual, Instructor Lead Training only.

Question 29: If boot camp courses are to be delivered in a VILT format, what is the desired platform? Zoom, MS Teams, WebEx etc.

Response: MS Teams is the preferred platform.

Question 30: Are the topics in Attachment 2 also the topics you would like covered in the OSP portal, or is there a different list of topics for the portal?

Response: They are the same. The portal should be geared to 8140 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and 8570 certifications and does not need to be all inclusive of the topics in attachment 2.

Question 31: Does the USCG plan to use the Cyber Training Platform within the Persistent Cyber Training Environment?

Question 32: Does the USCG plan to create its own content within the platform?

Question 33: Does the USCG require labs and virtual machines within the platform?

Response: No, labs and virtual machines are not required.

Question 34: FAR Provision 52.204-22: We note the ability to provide Alternative Line-Item Proposals. How open is the government to Alternative Proposals offering true benefits to the government and the agency noted?

Response: The offeror must provide a rationale for the Alternate Line Items. The offeror must provide the same content as stipulated in the Pricing Spreadsheet. No price adjustments will be made in the price analysis.

Question 35: Section 1.1 of the SOW, "...members of your workforce lacking certification do not meet DoD, DHS and CG policy standards": It is now widely recognized that training courses focus on certification, teaching what is required to pass the static exam, not what is required to function effectively in a fast-moving Cyber threat landscape. If the yes to question one is acceptable, would the government be acceptable to our best approach?

Response: The quotation in your questions is not correct. It should be, “Members of the Cyberspace workforce lacking certifications do not meet DoD, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Coast Guard policy standards.” The Government is not requesting an approach. The offeror must submit a quote conforming to this solicitation.

Question 36: Section 1.1, “The time students spend on exam prep and taking exams is time they do not spend on building competence in real world Cyber skills they can use to further improve their resilience.” If we evidence this assertion, can we instead propose a boot camp model which heavily reinforces practical delivery skills over exam focus and provides cyber resources to the COR where individuals are capable of delivering tangible results immediately?

Response: We cannot find the quoted text in the SOW. No, you may not submit an alternate boot camp model. The offeror must submit a quote conforming to this solicitation.

Question 37: Continued. Section 1.1, “The time students spend on exam prep and taking exams is time they do not spend on building competence in real world Cyber skills they can use to further improve their resilience.” Would the government entertain a new approach which would further prep, enhance and build individual competencies?

Response: No, the Government will not entertain a new approach at this time. The offeror must submit a quote conforming to this solicitation.

Question 38: FAR Provision 52.204-22: We note the ability to provide Alternative Line-Item Proposals. We note the ability to provide Alternative Line-Item Proposals. We believe that skills-based education, rather than exam-prep, is the best way to reskill and upskill the workforce. We have developed a highly successful online boot camp that prepares learners for multiple NIST- NICE work roles at once. Graduates may choose to take DoD 8570 certification exams such as CFR, but passing those tests is not the main purpose of the boot camp. Is it acceptable to the government? Is the government open to a bid focused more about skills (aligned with the NICE framework) rather than certifications?

Response: See response to Question 37.

Question 39: 52.212-2 RFQ Evaluation, Page 8 & 9, Sections (a), (b), Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2021). Min. of (3) Past Performances: Can we provide past performance testimonials from International, Private, Public and third party (sectors) sources?

Response: See section 52.212-2(a)(2) on page 9 of RFQ for 70Z02322Q79100003. The past performance evaluations must be relevant and recent in order to be evaluated. The Government will not determine in advance whether a Past Performance Report is relevant and/or recent.

Each offeror shall make their own assessment with regards to relevancy and recentness.

Question 40: Assuming the answer to questions; number 4 and number 5 are a yes, would the government consider extending the deadline of the solicitation until at minimum August 10th, which is ten (10) business days from the original deadline so we can submit an alternative proposal?

Response: The Government has an ongoing need and cannot allow a gap in service.

Question 41: The Pricing Spreadsheet lists one class, Red Team Operations that seems to be specific to the incumbent contactor.

Response: Suitable alternatives are allowed.

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