Q and A - CMMI V2 Appraisal Support (18 November 2021).docx

W15QKN-22-Q-0003

18 November 2021 Question & Answers CMMI Version 2.0 Evaluation and Benchmark Support

1. Has Armament SEC been previously appraised? If so:

a. When was the appraisal and was there an appraisal number and expiration assigned?

ID # 50026 on May 16, 2019

b. What was the previous maturity level to which the organization was appraised? Level 5

c. When does the current Appraisal expire? May 16, 2022

d. Was a sustainment appraisal conducted? No

2. If Armament SEC has not been previously appraised, what is the target Maturity Level sought or required? Armament SEC has been previously appraised.

3. But for the contractual obligation to complete the Benchmark Appraisal approximately 9-months from contract award, is there any other motivation, e.g., regulatory or policy requirement, to achieve a specific Maturity Level? It is Armament SEC’s organizational objective.

4. Is Armament SEC seeking a Benchmark Appraisal for Services and or Development? Armament SEC is seeking a Benchmark Appraisal for Development.

5. The Government seeks a High Maturity Model Certified Lead Appraiser, given a High Maturity Model Certified Lead Appraiser is required for Maturity Level 4 and 5, does Armament SEC seek to undergo and obtain a Maturity Level 4 or 5 Benchmark Appraisal? Armament SEC seeks to undergo and obtain a Maturity Level 5 Benchmark Appraisal.

6. The Government had indicated it has been utilizing the “Appraisal Wizard” software to prepare for the Benchmark Appraisal. Has Armament SEC undertaken an internal self-scored Benchmark Appraisal, and if so, what were the results? No, just the normal PQA process.

7. Has Armament SEC obtained an independent CMMI Evaluation Readiness review prior to this Solicitation? If so, what were the results? No, Armament SEC has not obtained an independent CMMI Evaluation Readiness review prior to this solicitation.

8. If Armament SEC seeks a Maturity Level 4 or 5 (Services or Development), and as discussed in PWS section 1.1.1, has Armament SEC adopted and implemented CMMI practice requirements of the CMMI Model over at least the past two years so as to ensure compliance with the 26 CMMI practices areas and to achieve Maturity Level 4 or 5 (Services or Development)? Yes

9. If Armament SEC seeks a Services and/or Development Benchmark Appraisal, will Armament SEC require an evaluation of SAM (Supplier Agreement Management) for one or both of Services and Development? Yes, Armament SEC will require an evaluation of SAM for Development.

10. How many Appraisal Team Members does Armament SEC intend to utilize during the Benchmark Appraisal? The Armament SEC will supply 5 to 7 Team Members to support the High Maturity Appraiser under contract.

11. How many projects does Armament SEC intend to be evaluated during the Benchmark Appraisal? 6 projects and 3 support functions.

12. Understanding the number of projects the Government intends to proffer for the Benchmark Appraisal, does Armament SEC have a sufficient number of potential Appraisal Team Members who did not substantially and materially participate in the development of the intended projects to be reviewed? Yes, Armament SEC has a sufficient number of potential Appraisal Team Members who did not substantially and materially participate in the development of the intended projects to be reviewed.

13. Does the Armament Appraisal Sponsor have sufficient authority to direct that the Appraisal Team Members, program managers, and other material participants in the projects to be appraised be available to participate in Appraisal activities? In other words, can the intended Appraisal Sponsor have authority to reassign duties and direct participants to cancel routine leave and personal time off during required appraisal activities to ensure the Benchmark Appraisal is completed within the contract period? Yes, the intended Appraisal Sponsor will have sufficient authority and will ensure the Benchmark Appraisal is completed within the contract period.

14. The Government has indicated that it requires only one FTE, the High Maturity Model Certified Lead Appraiser, will Armament SEC provide administrative and appraisal support for the Appraisal Activities? Yes, Armament SEC will provide administrative and appraisal support for the appraisal activities.

15. Given the current federal Government-wide COVID-19 (and Delta variant) pandemic restrictions and the need for social distancing and the use of masks, etc. and given the Government has requested the High Maturity Model Certified Lead Appraiser be physically present during the Benchmark Appraisal activities, does the Government intend to conduct the Benchmark Appraisal in person if the current pandemic continues out of concern for the high transmission of the virus variant? Yes, Government intent is to conduct the Benchmark Appraisal in person. See answer to Question #16 for further details.

16. What will be the criteria for conducting the Benchmark Appraisal virtually or in-person?

The requirement in the PWS is for conducting the Benchmark Appraisal in-person; however, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Contractor can propose a method of virtually conducting the appraisal to meet CMMI guidelines for Government consideration. The criteria for conducting the Benchmark Appraisal virtually will be based on CDC, Federal Government rules, and IT infrastructure guidelines.

17. Insofar as the Government has indicated in PWS paragraph 3.2 that up to 15 individuals may be required to be trained, can the Government identify the number of individuals who currently hold (1) the CMMI V1.3 Associate Certificate; (2) the CMMI V2.0 Associate Certificate; and, (3) a CMMI High Maturity Level Certificate?

1) CMMI V1.3 Associate Certificate – 0 individuals

2) CMMI V2.0 Associate Certificate – 10 individuals

3) CMMI High Maturity Level Certificate – 10 individuals

Further, of these individuals, how many will be participating at Appraisal Team Members for the Benchmark Appraisal? 5 to 7 individuals.

18. Given the Government's indicated need for a High Maturity Model Certified Lead Appraiser, it presumed the Government seeks a minimum of a Maturity Level 4 as an initial rating.

Government seeks a minimum Maturity Level 5.

19. Given the Government has established the submission date for responses to this Solicitation on Friday, November 26th, the day after Thanksgiving, is there any opportunity to extend the respond date to the following week? Yes, Government will extend the response date to Tuesday, November 30, 2021 by 3:00PM EST.

20. Further, given the absolute rarity that a Maturity Level 4 is obtained in an organization’s first CMMI Benchmark Appraisal, does Armament SEC require a Maturity Level 4 Benchmark Appraisal, or would Armament SEC seek a Maturity Level 3 initially? Government is seeking a Maturity Level 5 reappraisal.