DBMO_Questions_1.13.14.docx

Solicitation AG-3151-S-14-0001 Questions 1/13/14

40. Regarding the Master Data Operations Manager position, as clarified in Question/Answer 14: The government indicates that Sections L&M have been 'adjusted' to clarify the differences between Sections H, L and M. However, the governments resource staffing table for Task Order 1 (table for Attachment 7-Task Order 1) provided in Question/Answer 10, does not appear to include the Master Data Operations Manager position. Please clarify or provide the staffing requirement for this position.

The table provided in Question/Answer 10 includes this information. Please view both columns under the Labor Category Heading.

41. Regarding the Project Manager labor category for Task Order 2, as provided in Question/Answer 10: Does the government mean to specify that there are two (2) Senior Project Manager Positions for this Task Order? Please review and clarify.

Yes, the Government is requesting two (2) Senior Project Managers, one of which is Key Personnel.

42. Regarding Section L.6, Pricing Volume instructions; will the government please clarify what parts of Sections F, G, and H it expects offerors to complete? As these are standard 'boiler plate' Sections, it does not appear that a response is necessary, or what a response might look like, other than an acknowledgement and acceptance of the overall solicitation requirements.

Section F, G, and H do not require The Offeror to complete anything. The 1449, Section B, Section I, and Section K are to be completed, as appropriate. The Offeror is required to acknowledge acceptance of the overall solicitation. The Solicitation has been amended to reflect this change.

43. With the Martin Luther King holiday falling on Monday the 20th of January, can the time set for the receipt of proposals be extended to close of business on Tuesday January, 21st? An extension until the end of the work day would permit offerors to more easily hand deliver proposals the day they are due.

The Government agrees to extend the proposal due time until 4:00 EST. The Solicitation has been amended to reflect this change.

44. Will tabbed section dividers (blank pages) count as “pages” in the overall page count?

Tab Section dividers will not count towards page count if they are blank.

45. Government boilerplate exclusion – Can all required government forms and sections (e.g. Certs and Reps in Section K) be excluded from the proposal page count?

Section K certs will not count towards page count.

46. Will the change in the proposal due date cause a change in the proposed contract start date?

It is not the Government’s intent to change the start date.

47. The amended solicitation states that the response should be no larger than 100 pages: Is the interpretation that 75 pages count and 25 pages that do not count against the 75 page limitation?

Section L.2.5.1 inadvertently remained 75 pages. The page limitation is 100. The Solicitation has been amended to reflect this change.

48. If the above statement is true (that there are only 25 pages allowed that do not count against the page limit), the below is our estimation of what is sought in the 25 pages. It exceeds 25 pages.

61+ pages (exceeds the 25 page limit)

Please confirm what should be included in the counted, and non-counted, page count.

See answer to question 47.

49. The solicitation states that the pages shall be numbered consecutively.

0. Non-counting pages appear in sections that are numbered against the page count.

6. Do you want pages that count numbered 1, 2, 3, etc?

6. Do you want pages that do not count against the 75 pages consecutively numbered i, ii iii, etc?

6. Do you wish to have the numbering continue between volumes? For example if volume 1 ends on page 39, volume 2 would begin with page 40?

See answer to question 47.

50. Do you expect the IDIQ, TO1 and TO2 responses to stand alone, or may references be made to material that is provided in another section in the response?

If the reference refers to information within the same volume, Offeror may use references.

51. Is a candidate acceptable for a position that requires a certain certification who does not currently hold that cert, but will have it by the time the contract starts?

No.

52. The following positions described within this Task Order are considered key to the success of the engagement:

§ 1 Senior IBM DB2 Database Administrator Technical Lead § 1 Senior ArcSDE GIS Database Administrator Technical Lead § 1 Master Microsoft SQL Server Database Administrator Technical Lead § 1 Master Oracle Database Administrator § 1 Master Data Operations Manager § 1 Senior ETL Tool Administrator Technical Lead § 1 Senior BI Tool Administrator Technical Lead § 1 Master Operations Manager § 1 Senior Project Manager

The key personnel listed on page 118 of TO1 does not match with the list under Section L.4, Sub-Factor 5: Key Personnel Resumes on page 159, for TO1. Please clarify the key personnel for task Order 1.

Only one of the two Master Data Operations Managers is Key Personnel. The prior table provided in answer to Question 10, had an error in that it only listed one Master Data Operations Manager. This response supersedes that response. Two are required. Also, there is no Master Operations Manager required.

The Solicitation has been amended to reflect this change.

53. Offerors shall provide up to two past performance references at the IDIQ level, Additionally, Offeror’s shall include at least two, but no more than four, references for each Task Order. Can the same past performance be used for the IDIQ, Task Order 1, and Task Order 2?

Yes.

54. A sample Past Performance Tracking Record is also included in Section J. Please clarify which attachment in section J has the tracking record. If there is none, please specify the tracking information that the government wishes the offerors to maintain in the tracking record.

All references to Tracking Record have been deleted. The Solicitation has been amended to reflect this change.

55. There is mention of a Quality Management Plan for IDIQ Management that is expected to be written in the proposal response and as part of the Evaluation Factors for award. There also is the Quality Control Plan (QCP) included in the Deliverables Tables for each of the IDIQ, TO1 and TO2 for "The QCP shall be finalized no later than ten (10) business days following the period of performance start date". It is assumed that the Quality Management Plan in the IDIQ proposal response is to provide the overall approach for managing the quality performance across the IDIQ and TOs, while the QCPs are the specific plans developed and managed post-award. Can the Government confirm and/or clarify this distinction?

QCPs are required for submission in the proposal. It is understood that these will be finalized no later than ten (10) business days following the period of performance start date.

56. Attachment 7, Task Order 1, Section C.6. The impacts defining “critical” apply to those that are a direct cause of the system code and/or design, and not a result of defects or interruptions outside the Contractor scope of control. Related to Performance Standard for Critical or Major Defects in production. Does "those that are a direct cause of the system code and/or design," only include code and/or design that was developed by the contractor, or does it also include legacy code and/ or design that is already in place which the contractor develop?

It includes legacy code and/ or design.

57. Pricing: The Government expects that this contract will be awarded based upon adequate price competition. However, in order to determine the prices are fair and reasonable, the Government reserves the right to request the Offeror provide cost breakdown to support proposed prices. Information to support unit prices should include, but not be limited to, the following: • A breakout of related support costs, such as equipment maintenance, rental, transportation, etc.

• Salary/wage information with associated payroll expenses for proposed personnel

• Cost for equipment, supplies, and consumable materials

• General Administrative expenses

• Direct costs and indirect costs

• Overhead costs

• Profit Would the government confirm that the cost breakdown is not required for submission, but will be available on request?

Confirmed, this is not required for submission.

58. Are copies of the proof required to be submitted in the response?

Proof of professional and technical certifications are not required.

59. If so, are they to be submitted next to the appropriate Key Personnel resume?

See response to question 58.

60. Does this proof count against the 100 allowable pages?

See response to question 58.

61. Would it be acceptable if the Key Personnel Senior ArcSDE GIS currently has an ESRI Cert 10, and can obtain the 10.1 prior to contract start?

ESRI Cert 10.x is sufficient. 10.1 is not required. The Solicitation has been amended to reflect this change.

62. Please clarify the units of measure for the personnel requirements for TO 2.

It is based on 1920 annual man-hours per full-time equivalent (FTE)

63. Are certifications required for key personnel?

Please see section L.

64. Will there be additional Task Orders on this IDIQ in support of the transactional applications?

Additional Task Orders will be assigned within the scope of this IDIQ.

65. Can resources be shared across TOs?

The Government is not restricting Offeror proposal response. However, the sharing of resources may be a perceived risk in government’s evaluation of the proposal.

66. Please identify which positions are covered by the FAR 52.222-17 – Non-displacement of Qualified Workers. If this applies to positions identified as key personnel, how do we resolve this with the requirement for the submission of resumes for these positions?

Please read Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.222-17 - Non-Displacement of Qualified Workers clause. If you require additional information about this clause, please review the power point presentation found on the following website:

www.dol.gov/whd/govcontracts/NondisplacementVideo2013.ppt

Also, please feel free to contact the Department of Labor, at 202-693-1399 or via email at displaced@dol.gov.

67. Will a QASP be provided for TO 2?

The QASP applies to the IDIQ and all Task Orders.

68. Paragraph H.4.1, bullet 5 lists the key personnel position of Master Solutions Data Architect.

Paragraph H.4.2, the first four bullets, state that the four certifications (CBIP, CBAP, CDMP, and CIMP) are “a plus but not required.” However, the sixth bullet states that the Master Solutions Data Architect “must have one of the following and lists CBIP or CDMP.” Will the government please clarify?

Either, not both, of the CBIP or CDMP is required for the Master Solutions Data Architect. The other certifications are desired, but not required.

69. Will the government consider a grace period to meet all personnel certification requirements (e.g., personnel can receive certifications within 90 day of contract award)?

No.

70. Section L.4, Subfactor 5 and H.4.1 list the key personnel position of Master Operations Manager. However, there is no matching labor category description in Attachment 4. Will the government provide the labor category description for Master Operations Manager?

See answer to question 52.

71. Is the Government looking for contingent letters from all key personnel or just the IDIQ Project Manage M.3.1.1.3 Subfactor

Contingent offer letters are required for all Key Personnel that are not currently employees of the Offeror or its proposed subcontractors. The Solicitation has been amended to reflect this change.

72. Is the government open to providing VPN access to the resources for remote work?

Yes.

73. Does the work have to performed 100% on-site by the Project Manager or he/she can be traveling to the client site when required?

It is possible that 100% of the work may be on-site. However, telework may be authorized when appropriate.

74. Will the awardee be provided the incumbent list pursuant non-displacement contract clause 48 C.F.R. 52.222-17?

No, see answer to question 66.

75. Even though you feel the release of incumbent name and contract number will be “misleading”, will you still release the information and allow the Offerors to make that determination on their own?

76. Please clarify the paragraph H3.2.1 found on page 29:

“The contractor shall be required to provide information necessary for such background checks and shall agree to abide by FSA/CCC/FAS and USDA personnel security and suitability determinations. The contractor shall provide information about the current security clearances for all staff assigned to work on the contract. All positions in this contract are designated as high risk computer-related positions; consequently, all contractor personnel performing under this contract shall require a security investigation. The clearance level required is National Agency Check (Moderate Level). Contractor personnel shall initiate and apply for a background investigation to satisfy the investigative requirements for contractor employees designated as Public Trust positions at the high and moderate risk levels.”

This paragraph states in the third sentence that all positions are “high risk”, it then states the clearance level National Agency Check (Moderate Level) which is appropriate for “moderate risk” positions but it again states some positions are “high risk” and “moderate risk” in the last sentence. According the published OPM standards this would require MBI (for “Moderate Risk”) and BI (for “High Risk”) investigations.

Part A: Please identify which positions would require “High Risk” or “Moderate Risk” investigations?

All positions must be capable of meeting the “High Risk” requirement.

Part B: Do all the current individual position incumbents have the “correct” clearance for the position they currently hold; has the security level of any of the positions been upgraded/downgraded?

This question is not applicable to this solicitation.

Part C: For Planning purposes, what time estimate should we use for new “Moderate Risk” and a new “High Risk” clearance applicants to be issued an interim “suitability” statement so they can begin to be badged and charge to the contract?

There is time between award date and start date to address this planning question.

Part D: Does the applicant’s citizenship, US Citizen versus non-citizen, impact the duration of the investigations to receive an interim “suitability” statement?

This question is not answerable under this solicitation. Length of time varies on a case by case basis.

77. “Please clarify the paragraph under H3.2 found on page 27:All contractor applicants must have on file, a current favorably adjudicated background investigation sufficient for the position. Should the contractor applicant(s) not yet have this completed investigation, the applicant(s) must undergo the process outlined below, at contractor’s expense, prior to applicant(s) being allowed to support any position under this contract. The contractor will be held responsible for all related costs associated with processing the application(s). ”

Part A: Clearances can take several months or more to completely process. Does this statement imply that once an interim “suitability” statement has been issued than the individual can be badged and begin working on the project?

Yes.

Part B: What costs exists other than the employee completing paperwork/fingerprints, online training/certifications (eAuth, etc.), and company time to process the paperwork/instruct employee?

Costs associated prior to start date are not separately billable to the Government. How the Offeror complies with this requirement is up to each Offeror.

Part C: Some agencies are now requiring the Contractor to pay the cost of the clearance investigation. If this is required, what is the cost?

The Government will pay the initial cost of the clearance investigations. Any subsequent clearance, requested within one year post the prior clearance, will be at Contractor’s expense. The price for the clearance investigation is up to a maximum of $4000 for high risk.

78. Since US Citizenship is not required, is there a requirement for a certain level of verbal and written English fluency? My logic is that you can have many computer-related tool/skill certifications; some listed in this solicitation, and have a very limited grasp of English. It seems a solid command of English would be necessary for positions, such as, Business Analysis, Architect, Data Modeler, or any position with intensive verbal/written communications.

The Offeror proposals should include personnel capable of performing the task.

79. Please clarify what we should use as the FTE hours per year?

Offeror should use 1920 hours.

80. H.4.1 states “…The total annual number of labor hours for each FTE position shall be 1,920” Attachment 7: C.2 states “Historically, a full time database administrator position has required approximately 2,080 labor hours annually, plus contingency hours identified for both planned production deployment and software upgrade support services, and unplanned production incident trouble-shooting and resolution. The amount of contingency hours required varies from week to week, but averages around 2 (two) hours per week per position.”

Part A: Should we use 1920 for each FTE regardless of the Task Order?

The Firm Fixed Price Task Order depends on how Offeror proposes.

Part B: Should we bid “contingency hours”, partial FTEs, or add a fixed amount to our bid for the Task Order?

See answer to question 10 for further clarification.

Part C: The response for “on call” services is clearly billable. However, is the designated “single point of contact” billable to the project while they are waiting for a call outside of normal hours?

No.

81. Can “Key Personnel” be exempted from 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (Jan 2013) (E.O. 13495)? The logic is that since the incumbent personnel in designated “Key Personnel” have the first right of refusal regardless of qualifications then:

a) it will make it very difficult to attract qualified personnel if you are not the incumbent contractor,

b) it will introduce a high level of performance risk with an unknown and un-vetted work force which could lead to very high turn-over,

c) a bidder could be make ridiculous offers for “key personnel” to meet solicitation requirements knowing that the majority of incumbents will want to retain their positions.

Please see answer to question 66.

82. In “B.2 Price Schedule”, page 1; several labor categories are not referenced in the Task Orders. They are:

· SAP Oracle/BASIS Database Administrator – Master

· Master Data Specialist – Master (note: the Senior is referenced in a Task Order)

· SAP BI Tool Administrator – Master

· SAP ETL Developer – Master

· SAP BI Report Developer – Master

· SAP ETL Tool Administrator – Master

· SAP Solutions Data Architect – Master

Should we provide rates anyway for these categories?

Yes.

83. A description exists for a “Program Manager” in paragraph 1.1.2.3 on page 63. It is listed as key personnel in “H.4.2 AGAR 452.237-74 - Key Personnel”, page 33. This position is not identified in any of the Task Orders nor in Section B.2, page 1. Will it be necessary to provide a bid and resume for this position? It is an LOE position?

This position is non-billable.

84. Is a “Journeyman Business Data Analyst” considered “Key Personnel”?

See Section L

85. Attachment 7, paragraph H.4.1, page 119 – is the “Senior IBM DB2 Database Administrator Technical Lead” a “Senior – Database Administrator” for bidding purposes?

Yes.

86. Attachment 7, paragraph H.4.1, page 119 – is the “Senior ArcSDE GIS Database Administrator Technical Lead” a “Senior – Database Administrator” for bidding purposes?

Yes.

87. Attachment 7, paragraph H.4.1, page 119 – is the “Master Microsoft SQL Server Database Administrator Technical Lead” a “Master – Database Administrator” for bidding purposes?

Yes.

88. Attachment 7, paragraph H.4.1, page 119 – is the “Master Oracle Server Database Administrator” a “Master – Database Administrator” for bidding purposes?

Yes.

89. Is the position also a technical lead?

It depends on how Offeror proposes.

90. Attachment 7, paragraph H.4.1, page 119 – is the “Master Data Operations Manager” and “Master Operations Manager” the same position? Should we bid 1 or 2 FTE for this position?

See answer to question 52.

91. Attachment 7, paragraph H.4.1, page 119 – is the “Senior ETL Tool Administrator Technical Lead” a “Master – ETL Tool Administrator”?

Yes, the Solicitation has been amended to reflect this change.

92. If not, should the “Senior ETL Tool Administrator” category be added to table in B.2, page 1? N/A

93. Attachment 7, paragraph H.4.1, page 119 – is the “Senior BI Tool Administrator Technical Lead” a “Master – BI Tool Administrator”? If not, should the “Senior BI Tool Administrator” category be added to the table in B.2, page 1?

Yes, the Solicitation has been amended to reflect this change.

94. Attachment 7, paragraph H.4.2, page 119 – states “A minimum of 50% of the Contractor staffing proposed to support Microsoft SQL Server database administration requirements shall be Microsoft MCSE: Data Platform certified. What is the current total staffing level for this requirement?

Historically, the staffing level to support Microsoft SQL Server database administration has ranged from 6 to 8.

95. Attachment 6, paragraph H.4.2, page 96 – states “…certification is a plus” for several certificates. None of the certifications appear in the position descriptions.

Part a: What evaluation criteria will be used?

Part b: Attachment 6, paragraph H.4.2, page 96 – How is CBIP certification validated?

Part c: Attachment 6, paragraph H.4.2, page 96 – Which positions other than the “Master Solutions Data Architect” would the CBIP certification “be a plus”?

Part d: Attachment 6, paragraph H.4.2, page 96 – The individuals with CBAP certifications are listed online. It has a total of 3,386 certificate holders. In the US there are 1,631 individuals; where 11 are registered from Kansas, 33, from Missouri, with a total of 5 individuals from the Kansas City area. This appears to be an emerging certification with some value or it could be a biased requirement for the incumbent. Will cost reasonableness be considered for the rarity of this certification?

Part e: Attachment 6, paragraph H.4.2, page 96 – Which positions are CBAP certification considered to “be a plus”?

Part f: Attachment 6, paragraph H.4.2, page 96 – How is CDMP certification verified?

Part g: Attachment 6, paragraph H.4.2, page 96 – Which positions, other than the “Master Solutions Data Architect” would CDMP certification “be a plus”?

Part h: Attachment 6, paragraph H.4.2, page 96 – The CIMP certification lists a total of 731 individuals worldwide. Of the 731 individuals a total of 20 individuals in the US are listed with the MDM track for the CIMP certification. Does cost reasonableness account for the additional rate increase for this certification?

Part i: Attachment 6, paragraph H.4.2, page 96 – Which positions are CIMP certification considered to “be a plus”?

In response to all above part of Question 95, please see section L&M.

96. Attachment 6, paragraph H.4.2, page 96 – Please specify which of the 8 different PMI certifications are desired? The link is http://www.pmi.org/Certification/Which-PMI-Certification-is-Right-for-You.aspx

Please propose as Offeror deems appropriate to perform the work.

97. Page 160, “Sub-Factor 5: Key Personnel Resumes” – is the “Data Integration Tool Administrator” the “ETL Tool Administrator”? It also appears on page 174, “M3.1.2.5 Subfactor 5: Key Personnel Resumes”.

Yes, the Solicitation has been amended to reflect this change.

98. Page 160, “Sub-Factor 5: Key Personnel Resumes” – the “Master Operations Manager” does not appear in section B.2 (page 1) as a position to bid? Is it a duplicate entry for “Master Data Operations Manager”? It also appears on page 174, “M3.1.2.5 Subfactor 5: Key Personnel Resumes”.

See answer to question 52.

99. Will the Government accept proof that individuals are working towards the multiple steps leading to the MCSM: Data Platform Knowledge exam?

No.

100. Will government allow candidate with certification in progress with commitment of getting certification within 30 days of start date.