DRFP Comment Disposition.pdf

Solicitation Number 80JSC024R0004 Procurement Title

Category Section Page Number Type Question/Comment Answer Other 3.2 29 Request for additional information What considerations, if any, are given to those methodologies not yet identified but may be validated over the period of performance for NOIS3 that are not accounted for?

Other methodologies are accounted for via the statement of work 3.2 (d) Other Crowd‐Based Methods

Other 3.2 29 Request for additional information What is the limit to the number of vendors selected and will the End Products and Services directly influence the selection process?

NASA will award NOIS3 contracts to all offerors whose proposals are considered technically acceptable and are considered responsible, per Section 6 of the RFP. There is no predefined limit to the number of contracts awarded under the NOIS 3 contract vehicle.

Other 5.3.1 71 Request for additional information Can we submit to RFTPs for methodologies and/or end products & services that are not included in our overall NOIS3 submission should we build out the competency and past performance for these activities in the future?

NOIS 3 Contractors may submit proposals to RFTPs for methodologies and/or end products and services that are not included in their NOIS3 contract proposal.

Section M Evaluation Criteria 6 74 Request for additional information How will our response to the overall NOIS3 RFP be used in the evaluation of our proposals to future RFTPs? Proposals submitted for 80JSC024R0004 will be used to determine which contractors receive a master contract. The proposal will only be used for this purpose. Master contracts, however, will contain the terms and conditions that will be applicable for the life of the contract. Future competitions for task orders will require a separate proposal from each contractor interested in competing for that specific work.

Sample Task Order (RTO) requirements

1 21 Request for additional information We recommend, per section 1852.216‐80.b., that sponsor agencies provide, similar to how NTE and prize amounts are prescribed, any known approval times for crowdsourcing launch. This will help in the construction of our crowdsourcing timelines for proposals.

Thank you for this suggestion. The content of each RFTP is dependent on what information is available to NASA at the time of RFTP issuance. Every attempt will be made to provide as much relevant information as possible.

Small Business Goals DRFP Letter 1 Clarity “The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541990 and the small business size standard is $19.5M.”

•Does this statement mean that offerors with annual revenues exceeding $19.5 million are generally considered too large to qualify for the RFP?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy. Per Section 5 Instructions to Offerors (page 65), "this acquisition is being conducted as a competitive acquisition utilizing full and open competition..." This means that there are no business size limitations for this solicitation.

Unnecessary or inefficient requirements

DRFP Letter 2 Clarity/Other “Potential offerors should ensure its company is listed in the online database(s) for the following: SAM, VETS‐4212, UEI”

•Here it would seem that it is an obliga on to appear in all databases. However, in our case, our company does not need to be enlisted in VETS‐4212. Maybe Add “where eligible” in the sentence at the beginning.

•The hyperlink of the UEI leads to a broken webpage: (includes screenshot of broken link; broken link verified)

Thank you for this information. Updated language and correct hyperlinks will be provided with the final RFP.

Other DRFP Letter Other Feedback for non‐US companies

•Are there any addi onal compliance and registra ons required for non‐US companies that e.g. could be summarized in an additional sub section?

Contracts cannot be awarded to entities from countries prohibited by U.S. laws and regulations, such as countries under sanctions or embargoes. It's advisable for foreign companies to closely review the relevant sections of the FAR and consult with legal experts to ensure full compliance.

Other 1 8, 9 Clarity Feedback on data server:

In the DRFP there are clauses that ensure contractors adhere to specific cybersecurity standards and practices to protect sensitive information and IT resources such as ”Basic safeguarding of covered contractor information systems” (p. 8.), Security Requirements for Unclassified Information Technology Resources (p. 9) and “Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (p. 9).

•What are the specific regula ons or guidelines regarding the loca on of data servers e.g., to process the data for the crowdsourcing services?

While FAR 52.204‐21 does not explicitly mandate server location, the clause necessitates compliance with U.S. standards. FAR 52.204‐25 primarily targets telecommunications, and indirectly impacts server locations by prohibiting certain technologies from specific foreign entities, thereby influencing where data can be stored.

Other 4 Other 4(c)(7) and 4(c)(8) have the same content. FAR 52.212‐3 (c)(7) covers Women Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) while FAR 52.212‐3 (c)(8) covers Economically Disadvantaged Women‐Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSB). Each has its own designation.

Other 4 Other (4)(c)(12) is in (4)(d) The text for FAR 52. 212‐3 Alternate I was inadvertently placed in the wrong location and will be corrected on the final RFP.

Other 4 40 Other The number (1) in 4(d)(1) is missing FAR 52.212‐3 (d)(1) is within the text of the clause, which can be found on page 40 in Section 4 of the DRFP.

Other 4 Other 4(g)(4)(ii): would our software platform, with which we run our crowdsourcing campaigns be treated as a foreign product to be enlisted in this list and has it any risk in not being awarded because it is not a US product?

The software platforms utilized by future NOIS 3 contractors will not be considered end products, as defined in 52.225‐5. An "end product" is defined as those articles, materials, and supplies to be acquired under the contract for public use. Since this contract is not for acquiring the software platform itself, it would not be considered an end product and would not need to be listed under 52.212‐3 (g)(4)(ii).

NASA Open Innovation Services 3

Solicitation Number 80JSC024R0004 Procurement Title

Category Section Page Number Type Question/Comment Answer Other 3.2 29 Request for additional information What considerations, if any, are given to those methodologies not yet identified but may be validated over the period of performance for NOIS3 that are not accounted for?

Other methodologies are accounted for via the statement of work 3.2 (d) Other Crowd‐Based Methods

NASA Open Innovation Services 3

Other 4 Other 4(j): Place of manufacture: To our best knowledge, this clause do not apply since we are offering a software service, not manufactured end products. Is this assumption correct?

As stated in the clause, place of manufacture does not apply because the solicitation is not predominantly for the acquisition of manufactured end products.

Other 5 Other Provision 5.3.1 references “The Offeror must provide at least one from SOW 3.2.1 End Products and Services a‐e. The reference list runs from a‐i. Is this focus on a‐e intentional?

Yes, the Government intentionally specified a‐e.

Other 5 Other Provision 5.4 – what is the format for presenting this information? The formatting for section 5.4 should follow the formatting described in 5.2.

Other 5 Other Provision 5.4 – the end of the provision states: “The items listed above are important Responsibility

Considerations; however, these items may not constitute all Responsibility Considerations that will be addressed by the CO pursuant to FAR 9.104.” What are the Responsibility Considerations that will be addressed by the CO pursuant to FAR 9.104?

The CO may use any of the general standards listed in FAR 9.104‐1 to determine prospective contractor responsibility.

Other 5 Other Provision 5.5 – the ‘links’ in Section 1 don’t work unless the coloring and underlining are intended only to be for callout purposes. Which is it?

There are currently no links or colored content in Section 1 of Provision 5.5. The link to the location of the SF 1449 will be added to the final RFP.

Other 3.2 29 Request for additional information The Draft RFP primarily focuses on crowdsourcing methodologies for soliciting solutions. Is the Government open to leveraging existing technology‐driven solutions to support NASA's crowdsourcing efforts if they are proven to provide quantitative improvements in Government market research processes? For example, platforms that have the ability to unearth organizations, partnerships, and patents related to a specific emerging technology area could give NASA insight into the overall landscape before focusing in on specific organizations and performing analysis as needed.

To be considered technically acceptable, the offeror must utilize at least one of the crowdsourcing methods per Statement of Work 3.2. It is possible that an offeror could also leverage existing technology‐driven solutions but they must meet the statement of work requirements.

Other 3.2.1 30 Request for additional information The RFP mentions "software" as a potential end product. Can NASA clarify if this includes the procurement of SaaS licenses as part of task orders under this contract?

It is possible that a task order deliverable may include the procurement of a SaaS license if it was required for meeting the task order requirements.

Other 3.5 31 Request for additional information The RFP mentions various tasks related to project execution, including coordinating with stakeholders, refining project goals, and conducting media outreach. Does NASA envision any role for contractors in partnering with the Organization to manage the overall crowdsourcing vehicle, such as assisting in identifying technology needs, sourcing potential vendors, or evaluating solutions? If so, can the Final RFP provide more details on the potential scope of such partnership opportunities?

Currently, NASA does not plan to utilize NOIS3 contractors to manage the "crowdsourcing vehicle."

Other 3.2.1 29 Request for additional information The RFP acknowledges the need for technology search and landscape analysis. Has NASA identified any potential technology‐driven solutions, such as AI‐powered tools or platforms, to help expedite the identification of relevant technologies or technology providers? If not, would NASA be open to proposals that incorporate such solutions to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of technology scouting efforts?

No, NASA has not identified any potential technology‐driven solutions. NASA is open to proposals that meet the NOIS3 Statement of Work requirements, utilizing AI‐powered tools or not. NASA, like most of the world, is still assessing how we can legally utilize AI‐powered tools, including what our contractors can use in their delivery. Note the callout of "Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning..." in the letter to offerors on page 1 of the draft RFP.