AG32KWS100082_Amendment3Q A.docx

AG-32KW-S-10-0082 Amendment 3

Questions and Answers-SOLICITATION AG-32KW-S-10-0082

CTEC Inc.

Question: Is this a recompete? If so, who is the current incumbent on this work? Are they 8(a)?

Response: This is a new contract with a base year and 4 option years. The incumbent is RTL-Networks, Inc. and they are an 8(a) business.

Current Contract:

AG-32KW-C-08-0011

$5,477,857.95 60 Months Note: Contract AG-32KW-C-08-0011 is a time and materials contract. Solicitation AG-32KW-S-10-0082 is for a firm-fixed price contract.

Plan and Prepare

Question: Would it be possible for you to provide me with the Incumbents Name, Contract # and Dollar Amount?

Response: See answer for CTEC, Inc.

BarainInfo

Question: Who is the incumbent contractor and their contract number please.

Response: See answer for CTEC, Inc.

Future Technologies Consulting Group, Inc.

Question: Is there an incumbent for this work or is it a new task?

Response: See answer for CTEC, Inc.

Question: If it is new, how if the work currently being managed?

Response: This information is not relevant to the current proposed solicitation which is performance based.

IPSecure, Inc.

Question: Also, is this a new requirement? If not, who is the incumbent?

Response: See answer for CTEC, Inc.

Question: Could you please tell us how we are to price this?

Response: Pricing will be submitted according to the Schedule of Items Question: We understand that we need to fill in Attachment #2, but are we to quote one FTE for each CLIN? Or do we propose the type, quantities, and the necessary levels of labor needed (best solution) to the CLIN?

Response: Provide pricing according to the unit of issue. For example, provide pricing on a monthly basis for VoIP Engineering Services CLIN 1001 under the Unit Price and a total cost for the Base Year for that service under the Total Price. CLIN 0001 is the total price for all the services (CLINS 1001-1014) for the Base Year.

Question: Also, is it for full-time contract employees?

Response: Each CLIN represents a service

Axseum Questions:

1. CLINs 1011, 2011, 3011, 4011, and 5011 require vendors to provide a price for Remote Site Installation; specifically for:

Small Remote Site Medium Remote Site Large Remote Site

Please clarify what constitutes a Small, Medium, or Large site.

Response: A small site is < 20 users; A medium site is 40 to 50 users and a large site is > 60 users. The price of each remote site should include all labor and travel in the final cost. The government estimates that we will want contractors to provide pricing for 4 small sites, 2 medium sites and 1 Large site.

2. What estimated amount should vendors provide for CONUS Travel?

Response: The unit price should equate to 13 one week trips per year for CONUS travel.

3. What estimated amount should vendors provide for OCONUS Travel?

Response: Provide pricing for 10 trips per year to any location. Each trip with require a week stay at any OCONUS location.

4. In the Schedule of Items, Unit of Issue, what does “LS” mean?

Response: Lump Sum

Will the vendor’s Program Manager work on-site at the USDA? If so, at which location?

Response: The Program Manager will not be required to work on site. However, the Program Manager is available to work with the contract COR and COTR government staff when ever needed either on-site or remotely as needed.

I understand vendors are required to submit three copies of a Technical Volume, and three copies of a Price Volume.

Is there a page limit on the Technical Volume? Response: No

Who is the incumbent vendor?

Response: See answer for CTEC, Inc.

S n A Technology, LLC Questions: I would like to know if you would consider SDVOB for this solicitation?

Response: 8(a) certification required Federal Sources, Inc.

Is there an incumbent for these services? If so, who and what is the incumbent contract number(s)?

Response: See answer for CTEC, Inc.

IBSS Corporation

Questions:

1. Was the original PRESOLITICATION that was posted on March 4th an error? If not, why was the Solicitation posted so quickly after the initial posting of the PreSolicitation?

Response: No, it was not an error

2. Because this live Solicitation posting on the same day as the presolicitation, will there be any extension period for the due date?

Response: An amendment will be posted if the solicitation is extended

1. Is there an incumbent contractor currently performing the work within the scope of this solicitation?

Response: See answer for CTEC, Inc.

2. Is there an estimated level of effort for each of the task areas and are there any labor category descriptions?

Response: This will be a performance based contract and the contractor will determine the level of effort for each CLIN

3. What is the annual dollar value of the current work?

Response: Government cannot provide government estimate on service contracts

4. Are there any specific instructions regarding the format, page limitation and content of the technical and past performance sections?

Response: See Attachment 3- FAR 52.212-1 and FAR 52.212-2. Past performance should represent similar contracts in scope and IT content.

5. In the SOW, the kick-off meeting in the first paragraph under Program Management (CLINs 1012, 2012, etc.) states that at the kick-off meeting “The Contractor shall deliver a MS Project Plan that includes all resources and milestones for the requirement.” What level of Project Plan and detail is the contractor required to submit with the proposal?

Response: Program Management should be able to put together a simple project plan for the remote site implementations to include tasks, timelines and labor estimates for each task duration. Many of the site implementations will be similar in nature with very similar project plans.

6. In the SOW, the third paragraph under the Program Management (CLINs 1012, 2012, etc.) states that “The Contractor is responsible for assigning a Project Manager to each initiative to ensure the timely accomplishment of the deliverable and provide the Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) and Contracting Officer (CO) with biweekly progress reports.” Is each initiative equal to the other eleven CLINs 1001, through 1011 (and subsequent option years)? Is the Project Manager required to be on-site?

Response: Yes, each initiative is similar to CLINS 1001 thru 1011. The project manager is not required to be on site, however, the PM should be available during the contract period of performance.

7. In the SOW, under Performance Requirements, the solicitation states ” The Contractor shall provide only fully qualified personnel for the work performed under this contract and are required to have the appropriate background investigation known as a National Agency Check with written Inquiry and Credit (NACIC).”

a. Is the agency planning to perform this background investigation?

Response: No. It is the responsibility of the contractor to perform these background checks and provide services with qualified personnel.

b. Is the agency prepared to reimburse the contractor for the cost of the NACIC check?

Response: No. This cost is part of the contractor’s cost of doing business.

c. What kind of certification does the agency require if the contractor performs the NACIC check?

Response: This check consists of a National Agency Check (NAC); employment/self-employment/unemployment coverage (five-year inquiry); education (five-year highest degree inquiry); residence (three-year inquiry); reference contacts (inquiry); law enforcement checks and/or record (five-year inquiry), and credit check. Additionally, successful verification of all this information needs to be submitted to the government for each employee before they are allowed to come on site and perform job functions.

d. Is the agency prepared to defend the use of NACIC checks in lawsuits claiming violation of privacy?

Response: Yes

8. In the SOW, for Performance Requirements b and c, instead of the NACIC stated in Performance Requirement a (see previous question), would it be more appropriate to follow the guidelines for Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU) information and have each person assigned to the contract sign a properly executed non-disclosure agreement?

Response: No. Our agency security policies state that all contractors must have a clear NACIC check done in order to work in an APHIS facility.

9. The Security Agreement, Attachment 5, makes provision for an agreement with each individual participating in the project that is very close to an NDA. Will the Government consider making this agreement strong enough to be used in place of the NACIC check?

Response: No. Our agency security policies state that all contractors must have a clear NACIC check done in order to work in an APHIS facility. We do not require NDA execution for any contractor.

10. In the SOW, also under Performance Requirements in general –

a. Will the Government provide their policy for protecting Personally Identifiable Information (PII)? Response: APHIS does have a policy protecting all PII data and can provide if necessary.

b. Does the Government require the offeror to provide a PII policy as part of the proposal?

Response: No. It is not needed. The contractors will be educated on protecting PII data upon arrival at APHIS.

11. In the SOW, under Performance Requirements Acceptance Criteria, second paragraph, the solicitation states “APHIS will rank each phase after the contractor says the phase is completed. A phase will not be considered completed by APHIS until the phase is proved to be at the acceptance level.” Not all initiatives have phases and some initiatives will only have phases for some of the tasks. Will the Government please clarify this requirement?

Response: This item only applies to CLIN’s 1011, 2011, 3011, 4011 and 5011. There is a well defined project plan for the remote site implementations and this section describes the government’s requirements while delivering this work. Here are the main tasks that can be incorporated into the Project Plan for remote sites.

Equip Rack, power, test Router Switch Circuit turn-ups with Telco (T1, Frame, PRI, Etc.)

Phone placement Cutover On-site Support after Cut End User Training

There are no milestones that can be shared as the remote sites can be invoiced as completed and accepted by the government. Additionally, the performance metrics are not part of the project plan for the remote site implementations. They are Metrics that coincide with each service.

12. In the SOW, under Performance Requirements there are no Acceptance Criteria for Remote Site Installation (CLINS 1011, 2011, etc.) or Program Management ( CLINS 1012, 2012, etc.) It is very difficult to provide a firm fixed price for these initiatives if there are no performance criteria or performance goals for these initiatives. Will the Government provide Acceptance Criteria for these initiatives?

Response: There is a well known practice wrapped around the project management process utilizing the PMI and ITEL frameworks. Also, remote sites are well documented in terms of the tasks and outcomes are all similar with a fully functioning VoIP system and network infrastructure allowing access to mission critical data center applications.

13. In the SOW, under Government Furnished Facility and/or Place of Performance the solicitation states in the first sentence of the first paragraph “All work will be done at Government facilities.” Does this onsite requirement apply to the Project Manager required for each of the initiatives and where there are multiple sites, where is the Project Manager to reside?

Response: The project manager is not an onsite resource at a Government facility. Contractors may be at any of the 5 data centers, however the Project manager is just available to manage the tasks for the whole contract from an off-site location. It may be necessary for the Project manager to travel to a particular remote site.

14. In the SOW, the solicitation makes no mention of Government Furnished Equipment except that this is assumed to be part of the onsite facilities for the five main sites specified in the RFP. This is particularly relevant for Remote Site Installation (CLINs 1011, 2011, etc.) which while requiring work to be performed onsite, have no “home” site since the installations cover all 50 states as well as the foreign locations listed in the solicitation. Is the contractor required to provide equipment such as computers, phones, etc. for contractor personnel traveling to sites other than their “home” onsite location?

Response: No, the contractor is not required to provide equipment for the contractor personnel. The government will provide equipment for the contractor to accomplish the services outlined in the solicitation. We would like the employee’s to have cell phones to be able to be contacted for emergency situations, network down emergencies, and other types of task specific things that may require immediate attention. APHIS is an emergency response agency responding to Plant and Animal emergencies nationwide and in OCONUS geographies and expect that its employees react to support Program missions with respect to emergencies also. Contractors will be expected to support emergency operations.

15. In Attachment 2, for CLINs 1013, 2013, 3013, 4013, and 5013, there is no guidance as to how the offeror is to calculate or estimate overtime. Is there some formula or level of effort that can be applied so that there will be an apples to apples comparison?

Response: See Schedule of Items- Sub CLIN. Input overtime rate in the Sub CLIN for each service.

16. In Attachment 2, for CLINs 1014, 2014, 3014, 4014, and 5014,

a. Will the Government provide an estimate of the number of installations per year and a set of example locations for which the contractor will be required to perform travel in support of CLINs 1011, 2011, 3011, 4011, and 5011?

Response: Provide pricing for 4 small sites, 2 medium sites and 1 large site. All of the remote sites are in the CONUS geography. The price should include all travel and labor per site size.

b. Will the Government provide an estimated number of trips anticipated for travel away from the “home” site for the other CLINs for the other 10 initiatives as well as example destinations to be used to cost travel?

Response: The government estimates that there will be approximately 13 CONUS trips and 10 OCONUS trips each year each being one week in duration (5 working days).

17. In Attachment 2, there are no CLINs for ODCs such as equipment nor are they provided within any of the CLINs since the CLINs are stated as monthly payments. Should ODCs be calculated for the CLINs where applicable and should the ODC then be divided into 12 equal parts to be included with each CLIN.

Response: Provide pricing for each service for each CLIN per the unit of issue

18. Will the Government furnish MS Project or is the contractor responsible for including this cost in our proposal and where should we include it?

Response: Government will furnish all hardware and software for contractors on the contract, but will not purchase MS project for use by contractor to provide necessary Project Management documentation for tasks performed for use as material back to the government.

19. The note at the end of Attachment 2 after the CLINs tables states “NOTE: The primary CLINS are 0001, 0002, 0003, 0004 and 0005. The SUB-CLINS _001 – _014 are sub bullets of the main CLIN.” However, there are no CLINs 0001 through 0005 identified and each of the CLINS 1001 through 5014 is identified both in the SOW (Attachment 4) and in Attachment 2 as a CLIN of equal level as the other CLINs. Is this statement leftover from a previous solicitation?

Response: No, CLINS 0001, 0002, 0003, 0004 and 0005 represent the overall Base Year, Option Year 1, Option Year 2, Option Year 3 and Option Year 4.

20. In Attachment 3, only FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items (Jun 2008) and FAR 52.212-2 -- Evaluation -- Commercial Items (Jan 1999) are provided for instructions and evaluation of the proposal. Will the Government provide instructions for preparation and evaluation criteria specific to this solicitation? Response: These are the instructions.

21. Even though wage determination schedules are included for each of the five states where work for initiatives 1 through 10 will be performed, there do not appear to be any tasks for which the labor categories fall under the wage determination guidelines.

a. Will the Government provide guidelines for the types of labor categories anticipated for the eleven initiatives?

Response: This is a performance based contract. Contractor will determine the labor categories.

b. Will the Government provide some example labor categories that would be applicable to this solicitation that fall within the wage determination requirements? Response: This is a performance based contract. Contractor will determine the labor categories.

22. Is Attachment 5, Security Agreement, to be referenced in the proposal?

Response: The government only needs the security agreements completed upon award.

23. Are there any key personnel?

Response: No

24. Regarding the SOW (Attachment 4), will the Government provide a list of deliverables that aligns with the Performance Criteria for each of the initiatives?

Response: The deliverables are identified in the Schedule of Items

25. Regarding the SOW (Attachment 4), will the Government provide a level of effort and types of personnel (example labor categories) associated with each initiative?

Response: No, contractor will determine how the service will be provided. This is a performance based contract.

26. Please provide the definition and responsibility of each tier of support. For example Tier 4 or Tier 3.

a. Under the deliverables section for VoIP Engineering Services the contractor is required to provide Tier 4 troubleshooting. However, under the Performance Metrics for VoIP Engineering Services the contractor is required to provide Tier 3 troubleshooting. Please Explain

Response: This is a misprint. All engineering services are performing Tier 4 support and all operations positions are performing Tier 3 support. The APHIS Technical Assistance Center (ATAC) is the Tier 1 support where the calls are logged into the Remedy Help Desk System. From there they will be routed to Tier 2 within their team for resolution. The tier levels of support represent an escalation path for all levels. So for example, CLIN 1010 (Tier 3) would escalate to 1001 (Tier 4), CLIN 1009 (Tier 3) would escalate to CLIN 1002 (Tier 4), CLIN 1004 (Tier 3) would escalate to 1005 (Tier 4).

27. What are the existing tools utilized to monitor the availability, performance, and security of the VoIP systems.

Response: The basic tools used to manage the VoIP infrastructure are CiscoWorks, Prognosis, WebNM, Scrutinizer. We use debugs on the router and switch infrastructure to get detail on VoIP traffic and events. We also have Cisco SmartNet to access TAC resources when needed on any VoIP component of the architecture and the VoIP Operations and VoIP engineers can open Cases with the TAC as necessary.

28. Please describe or provide details of the existing architecture and topology of the current VoIP system deployed at APHIS Response: APHIS currently has 6 VoIP clusters running at all the 5 data centers and Hawaii for the Hawaiian islands. Each UC cluster is running 6.x code and all together the current phone count is about 7500 phones. We also have Cisco Unity for Voice mail and use Cisco Emergency Responder, Informacast, and other mobility features as necessary. All VoIP infrastructure is running on a Cisco collapsed core infrastructure with 10gig to the access layer all done in a layer 3 environment also to the access layer at all 5 data centers.

29. What are the existing tools utilized to monitor the availability, performance, and security of LAN & WAN Response: The basic tools used to manage the Network infrastructure are CiscoWorks, WebNM, Scrutinizer and the NAM blades to analyze application performance as well as OpNet. We use debugs on the router and switch infrastructure to get detail on all network traffic and events. We also have Cisco SmartNet to access TAC resources when needed on any Network component of the architecture and the Network Operations and Network engineers can open Cases with the TAC as necessary.

30. Please describe or provide details of the existing architecture and topology of the current LAN & WAN at APHIS Response: APHIS is configured as a collapsed core with Cisco 6500 chassis at the core, dist and access layers with 10gig to the access in a layer 3 routed infrastructure using EIGRP and BGP. We have 5 main data centers in CONUS locations, Riverdale, MD, Raleigh, NC, Ames, IA, Minneapolis, MN and Fort Collins, CO where the above infrastructures reside. At each of the data centers there is a 7613 terminating all remote offices from field locations. APHIS has approximately 450 remote sites in the CONUS geography.

31. How many remote offices are located in the United States?

Response: There are about 450 remote offices in the CONUS geography currently and it is growing at about 40 – 50 sites per year

32. What is the total number of users to be supported by the contractor?

Response: There are roughly 10, 000 users at APHIS and about 16,000 desktops.

33. Under Systems Operational Support the SOW states that the contractor will provide day-to-day support for customers on the Enterprise System devices, applications and troubleshoot issues associated with Enterprise Systems. Would you please provide more details on number of servers, the type of applications and overview of the current infrastructure relating to the following:

a. Versions of MS Windows – XP SP2 & SP3, Vista, Windows 7, 2003 server

b. Versions of UNIX, LINUX and Solaris – Linux - 4.5, 5.0, AIX- 4.3, 5.1 & 5.2, no Solaris

c. What type of SAN and configuration – Pillar SAN hardware connected with FCOE

d. What type of Backup solution - NetBackup

e. What type of Email service – Lotus Notes Domino

f. Overview of Active Directory or other authoritative directory source topology – APHIS uses MS active directory and pushed group policies out to clients

g. Custom applications – Portal, Several Notes applications, Oracle applications

h. Monitoring tools – CiscoWorks, WebNM, Scrutinizer, Network Analysis Modules, EMC Smarts, Cisco MARS, Cisco Security Monitoring apps

34. Under Network Security Engineering Services the SOW states that the contractor needs to support various types of IDS, IPS, VPNs and Firewalls. Please provide an overview of the current security posture and applications in use that support this posture.

Response: APHIS has Cisco 4 - 4270 IPS sensors and 4 – IDSM-2 blade sensors in the 7613 chassis where all the remote sites home into at each of the data centers, excluding Ames, IA. 2 of the Cisco 4270 IPS sensors are located in Riverdale, MD and Fort Collins, CO datacenters on the perimeter networks that connect to the Internet. APHIS uses Juniper firewalls in a fully redundant configuration at MD and CO datacenters along with Juniper SSL VPN appliances at each of the gateways also. APHIS cannot provide any more details on the posture of the security infrastructure and applications that support this posture.

35. Would the transition period (30 to 60 days) be on Time & Material?

Response: This will be a Firm-Fixed Price Contract. As stated on the Standard Form 1449, the Government is attempting to provide a minimum of two weeks from date of award to performance period start date.

Triunity Engineering & Management

Question: Can you please confirm if there is a predecessor contract and who the incumbent is?

Response: See answer for CTEC, Inc.

1. Is this project considered a new requirement? Response: See answer for CTEC, Inc.

2. If this project is not considered a new requirement;

a. Who is the incumbent?

b. What is the contract number?

c. What is the approximate value?

TKC Global Solutions, LLC Would the Government provide proposal preparation instructions/requirements/limitations (i.e., similar to a traditional RFP Section L: volume organization, page limitations, etc.)? Attachment 3 to the solicitation provides only an inference to Government proposal expectations in the Evaluation section (pp. 22-23). Response: See answer for IBSS Corporation, #4 Reference Attachment 3 Evaluation section (pp. 22-23): the narrative references past performance evaluation but does not set a minimum or maximum number of past performances required. What is the Government’s required minimum or maximum number of past performances? Response: There is no minimum or maximum.

Who is the current incumbent contractor(s) performing this work?

Response: See answer for CTEC, Inc.

What is the estimated budget for this solicitation? Response: Government cannot provide estimate for service contracts.

How many full time incumbent contractor(s) staff members are delivering this work right now, and how many are stationed at each of the 5 United States locations listed in the Attachment 4 SOW?Response: All services are currently being provided at one of the 5 locations specified in Attachment 4. Your proposal should include how your company proposes to provide the services in each location.

How many users are located in each of the 5 United States locations listed in the Attachment 4 SOW, and how many users are located internationally?

Response: Services are currently being provided OCONUS by travel.

Please describe the current VoIP system that is covered by the Attachment 4 SOW (CLINs X001 and X010): make and model of central assets, desktop assets, voice mail, software, number of desktop units, number of VoIP users, LECs.

Response: APHIS currently has 6 VoIP clusters running at all the 5 data centers and Hawaii for the Hawaiian Islands. Each UC cluster is running 6.x code and all together the current phone count is about 7500 phones. We also have Cisco Unity for Voice mail and use Cisco Emergency Responder, Informacast, and other mobility features as necessary. All VoIP infrastructure is running on a Cisco collapsed core infrastructure with 10gig to the access layer all done in a layer 3 environment also to the access layer at all 5 data centers.

Please describe the APHIS network that is covered by the Attachment 4 SOW (CLINs X002 and X009): topology maps, make and model of switches, routers, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, network management software.

Response: APHIS is configured as a collapsed core with Cisco 6500 chassis at the core, dist and access layers with 10gig to the access in a layer 3 routed infrastructure using EIGRP and BGP. We have 5 main data centers in CONUS locations, Riverdale, MD, Raleigh, NC, Ames, IA, Minneapolis, MN and Fort Collins, CO where the above infrastructures reside. At each of the data centers there is a 7613 terminating all remote offices from field locations. All totaled APHIS has approximately 450 remote sites in the CONUS geography.

APHIS has Cisco 4 - 4270 IPS sensors and 4 – IDSM-2 blade sensors in the 7613 chassis where all the remote sites home into at each of the data centers, excluding Ames, IA. 2 of the Cisco 4270 IPS sensors are located in MD and Fort Collins datacenters on the perimeter networks that connect to the Internet. APHIS uses Juniper firewalls in a fully redundant configuration at MD and Fort Collins datacenters along with Juniper SSL VPN appliances at each of the gateways also. APHIS cannot provide any more details on the posture of the security infrastructure and applications that support this posture. We can disclose that some of the management applications are ones provided by the security vendor, currently Cisco Systems.

The basic tools used to manage the Network infrastructure are CiscoWorks, WebNM, Scrutinizer and the NAM blades to analyze application performance as well as OpNet. We use debugs on the router and switch infrastructure to get detail on all network traffic and events. We also have Cisco SmartNet to access TAC resources when needed on any Network component of the architecture and the Network Operations and Network engineers can open Cases with the TAC as necessary.

Makes and models of equipment:

Cisco routers: ISR gen 1 ad gen 2, 2600, 7206, 7613 Cisco Switches: 3560, 3750, 4000 series, 6500 series and 6500 Vertical chasis, NEXUS 5000, 2000, Please expand upon the Telecommunications Administrative Support (Attachment 4 SOW CLINs X005): current number of circuits within this scope, number of billing transactions for the past fiscal or calendar year, desired billing cycle (monthly, quarterly, other), the detail required for the billing reports.

Response: The APHIS telecommunications administrative staff processes roughly 12,000 transactions per year and APHIS has roughly 700 circuits worldwide.

Please provide an inventory of the hardware and software that is within the scope of the Enterprise Systems described in Attachment 4 SOW CLINs X004.

Response: There are roughly 400 servers in APHIS. This position will be maintaining all server hardware at various data centers making sure they are available, disks are error free, server hardware is intact through the use of RDP, lights-out connectivity, etc.

a. Versions of MS Windows – XP SP2 & SP3, Vista, Windows 7, 2003 server

b. Versions of UNIX, LINUX and Solaris – Linux - 4.5, 5.0, AIX- 4.3, 5.1 & 5.2, no Solaris

c. What type of SAN and configuration – Pillar SAN hardware connected with FCOE

d. What type of Backup solution - NetBackup

e. What type of Email service – Lotus Notes Domino

Please describe the hardware, software, management tools, and usage history that make up the Video Conference Solution that is covered by the Attachment 4 SOW CLINs X006.

Response: APHIS has Tandberg and Poycom VTC endpoints, with a Codian MCU, Tanberg Management Suite (TMS), and Cisco gatekeeper and gateway hardware. We have the ability to handle h.323 and h.320 calls into the bridge from remote locations. Monitoring multiple video conferences daily for 100 endpoints.

Please describe the hardware, software and management tools that make up the Network Security operational environment that is covered by the Attachment 4 SOW CLINs X007.

Response: APHIS security operations tasks will be accomplished by using Cisco IME for managing the IPS appliances, MARS for security event monitoring, and Cisco Security Agent console for monitoring Host Intrusion events. The Juniper firewalls utilize the NSM product to monitor and manage rules and events. The Juniper SSL VPN has its own GUI interface that all configuration and monitoring is done through. Windows group policy security is managed within AD.

Please describe the typical hardware, software and functionality that are associated with a Remote Site Installation listed in Attachment 4 SOW CLINs X011. How many Remote Site Installations were performed in the past fiscal or calendar year? What is the expected SLA for each Remote Site Installation (i.e., the maximum amount of time from initial tasking to completion and turn-up of the Remote Installation)?

Response: The remote site hardware will consist of either a gen 1 or gen 2 Cisco ISR with Cisco switching either as a separate device or integrated into the router. It will also include installation. Placement and training on Cisco IP phones. The equipment will be minimally configured to connect to the network once circuits come up and will be configured by government personal upon racked, powered up and connected to the WAN circuit and network. The routers are configured with the Voice and security software image, and switches are always POE.

There were about 30 remote sites turned up in Fiscal year 2009, and the projection is that this contract will assist with 4 small remote sites, and 2 medium remote sites each year. All of the remote sites are in the CONUS geography. The price should include all travel and labor per site size. The government estimates that the small and medium sites can be accomplished in 1 week. Depending on what the sites need for end-user training.

Will the Government provide acquisition and shipping for hardware and software components association with a Remote Site Installation (Attachment 4 SOW CLINs X011)? Will the Government be responsible for disposition of hardware and software that is decommissioned as part of a Remote Site Installation?

Response: Yes. The government will take care of all equipment logistics including purchase, initial configuration, and final configuration after racked, powered up and connected to the circuits and networked. The government will also manage equipment that has been replaced or decommissioned.

Attachment 4 SOW CLINs X013 references Emergency and After Hour Support. What is the standard work schedule (i.e., non-emergency non-after hour) for staff delivering the services in the SOW? Does the standard work schedule differ among the 5 United States locations? How many emergency and after hour support requests were made in the past fiscal or calendar year? What times of the year are more prone to emergency or after hour support requests due to APHIS and/or USDA cyclic reporting?

Response: The standard coverage hours are 6am to 6pm Monday through Friday. Overtime is pre-authorized in advance. APHIS has after hour support for system or network changes on Wednesday evenings after 6pm and Saturdays. All changes to configuration management are to be in the system and approved 2 weeks in advance so there is plenty of time to plan for overtime hours. The past emergency and after hour support requests are not relevant to this solicitation. This will be a performance based contract.

Submit your hourly rate for Emergency and After Hour Support under each CLIN on the Sub CLIN in the Schedule of Items.

In the Attachment 4 SOW, CLINs X001, X002, X005, X006, X007, and X008 require providing Tier 4 support. What is the Help Desk/Trouble Ticket system that used for routing and tracking service request assignments? How many Tier 4 requests were addressed for these CLIN areas in the past fiscal or calendar year?

Response: APHIS uses the Remedy System to track all service tickets. We do not have numbers for the amount of tickets serviced by each CLIN, however, these tasks are part of the daily services and not additional to what is listed as part of the CLIN descriptions.

In the Attachment 4 SOW, there are user support response and resolution performance standards listed for CLINs X003. What are the service coverage hours under which the performance standards apply (e.g., M-F 8am-5pm)?

Response: The standard coverage hours are 6am to 6pm Monday through Friday. Normally, the contractors are working within these hours unless otherwise approved. All work is to be done on an APHIS facility.

In the Attachment 4 SOW, there is a system infrastructure uptime performance standard listed for CLINs X004 and X005. What are the days/hours (i.e., measurement period) under which the uptime standard is measured? Will the Government grant maintenance/upgrade periods for system infrastructure that will be outside of the performance standard measurement period? What are the components that are included within the defined systems infrastructure?

Response: The standard coverage hours are 6am to 6pm Monday through Friday. Overtime is pre-authorized in advance. Our windows of after hour support for system or network changes are Wednesday evenings after 6pm and Saturdays. All changes to systems associated with these CLINs are entered into the configuration management system and are to be in the system and approved 2 weeks in advance so there is plenty of time to plan for overtime hours. The systems that are being measured are mission critical systems that need to be up on a 24x7 basis because APHIS is delivering services to our customers around the clock.

In the Attachment 4 SOW, there is a video system uptime performance standard listed for CLINs X006. What are the days/hours (i.e., measurement period) under which the uptime standard is measured? Will the Government grant maintenance/upgrade periods that will be outside of the performance standard measurement period? What are the components that are included within the defined video conference systems?

Response: The standard coverage hours are 6am to 6pm Monday through Friday. Overtime is pre-authorized in advance. APHIS has a window for after hours support for system or network changes on Wednesday evenings after 6pm and Saturdays. All changes to systems associated with these CLINs are entered into the configuration management system are to be in the system and approved 2 weeks in advance so there is plenty of time to plan for overtime hours. The systems that are being measured are mission critical systems that need to be up on a 8x5 basis because these resources are only used during business hours.

APHIS has Tandberg and Poycom VTC endpoints, with a Codian MCU, Tanberg Management Suite (TMS), and Cisco gatekeeper and gateway hardware. We have the ability to handle h.323 and h.320 calls into the bridge from remote locations. Monitoring multiple video conferences daily for 100 endpoints.

In the Attachment 4 SOW, there is a VoIP infrastructure uptime performance standard listed for CLINs X010. What are the days/hours (i.e., measurement period) under which the uptime standard is measured? Will the Government grant maintenance/upgrade periods that will be outside of the performance standard measurement period? What are the components that are incorporated within the defined VoIP infrastructure?

Response: The standard coverage hours are 6am to 6pm Monday through Friday. Overtime is pre-authorized in advance. Our windows of after hours support for system or network changes are Wednesday evenings after 6pm and Saturdays. All changes to systems associated with these CLINs are entered into the configuration management system are to be in the system and approved 2 weeks in advance so there is plenty of time to plan for overtime hours. The systems that are being measured are mission critical systems that need to be up on a 24x7 basis because APHIS is basically delivering services to our customers around the clock.

APHIS currently has 6 VoIP clusters running at all the 5 data centers and Hawaii for the Hawaiian Islands. Each UC cluster is running 6.x code and all together the current phone count is about 7500 phones. We also have Cisco Unity for Voice mail and use Cisco Emergency Responder, Informacast, and other mobility features as necessary. All VoIP infrastructure is running on a Cisco collapsed core infrastructure with 10gig to the access layer all done in a layer 3 environment also to the access layer at all 5 data centers In the Attachment 4 SOW, there is a network infrastructure uptime performance standard listed for CLINs X009. What are the days/hours (i.e., measurement period) under which the uptime standard is measured? Will the Government grant maintenance/upgrade periods that will be outside of the performance standard measurement period? What are the components that are incorporated within the defined network infrastructure?

Response: The standard coverage hours are 6am to 6pm Monday through Friday. Overtime is pre-authorized in advance. Our windows of afterhours support for system or network changes are Wednesday evenings after 6pm and Saturdays. All changes to systems associated with these CLINs are entered into the configuration management system are to be in the system and approved 2 weeks in advance so there is plenty of time to plan for overtime hours. The systems that are being measured are mission critical systems that need to be up on a 24x7 basis because APHIS is basically delivering services to our customers around the clock.

APHIS is configured as a collapsed core with Cisco 6500 chassis at the core, dist and access layers with 10gig to the access in a layer 3 routed infrastructure using EIGRP and BGP. We have 5 main data centers in CONUS locations, Riverdale, MD, Raleigh, NC, Ames, IA, Minneapolis, MN and Fort Collins, CO where the above infrastructures reside. At each of the data centers there is a 7613 terminating all remote offices from field locations. All totaled APHIS has approximately 450 remote sites in the CONUS geography.

We would like to request an extension in the proposal due date, equivalent to 3 weeks after answers to all questions have been posted.

Response: An amendment will be posted for extensions to the proposal due date.

Digicon Corporation

1. Digicon understands this contract is a task order ID/IQ contract. The RFP language is confusing. Please clarify, is this contract single award or multiple award?

Response: This will be a Firm-Fixed Price Contract, Single Award

2. Attachment 2 (pricing schedule), the very last statement: “THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AWARD ONE LINE ITEM, ANY COMBINATION OF LINE ITEMS, OR NO LINE ITEMS.” Does this require bidders to develop a concept of operations/ basis of estimate/staffing model where staff are wholly contained within single CLINs? Response: Statement removed in the Revised Schedule of Items

3. The contract is Firm, Fixed Price (FFP). However, there is insufficient information provided in the RFP in order to submit a FFP bid. Technical specifications, configuration and network diagrams, equipment lists at all locations are essential in order for contractors to accept risk of FFP contract. Can the government provide network diagrams of the entire LAN/WAN environment? Are network diagrams available for each of the 4 computer centers and for Ames, IA? Are inventory lists of IT hardware, software and network assets available?

Response: Network diagrams cannot be provided, however, the network topology can be discussed here. There are 5 main data centers, all corresponding to the locations associated with each service as described in the solicitation, each connected with a full mesh DS3 network. MD and Fort Collins datacenters are connected to the internet via connections through the department networks, and then into the Internet. Each data center network is a collapsed core network with Cisco 6500E switches at core, distribution and access layers. We are running layer 3 to the access layer. Each uplink is dual connected to the distribution layer utilizing 10gig uplinks. The reference architecture used in each data center will also facilitate 10 gig and FCOE to servers, SAN’s and all applications systems NEXUS switches in a fully redundant fashion. A physical list of network hardware, software and IT assets will not be provided.

4. Who procures VoIP devices? Who procures circuits? Does APHIS want the contractor to procure these devices/circuits or will APHIS perform this task? The RFP mentions FTS-2001 but not Networx. How does APHIS currently procure circuits? Does APHIS procure circuits directly for WAN requirements, or are they procured under the UTN contract by the USDA OCIO? Does APHIS have plans to migrate from FTS-2001 to Networx?

Response: All VoIP devices and circuits are procured by the government. All other information requested is not part of the contract.

5. Who are the LAN contractors at all five centers? How long have they been there? Where does the handoff occur between LAN and WAN at each of these centers?

Response: The current LAN contractors work for RTL-Networks, Inc. and have been in place for about 3 years.

6. How is OCONUS support currently provided?

Response: OCONUS support is provided as part of the International Services Branch. CLIN # 1002 provides network engineering services to configure equipment, ship to OCONUS sites and provide assistance with site turn-up.

7. Attachment 3, Evaluation section, pp. 22-23 provides only general proposal instructions in the Evaluation. There is no Section L (Instructions to Potential Offerors: Would the Government please provide proposal preparation instructions on the requirements and limitations as provided in a traditional Section L: , such as detailed volume organization, page limitations, etc. )?

Response: These are the instructions

8. Attachment 3 Evaluation section pp. 22-23 narrative references past performance evaluation but does not set a minimum or maximum number of past performances required. Also, can the government please provide a Section M, Evaluation Section with a more detailed explanation of the evaluation criteria for award? This should include the Government’s minimum and maximum number of past performance references?

Response: There are no minimum or maximum

9. Attachment 4 SOW: Who is the current incumbent contractor(s) performing this work at each location? Is the existing contract a performance based contract?

Response: See answer for CTEC, Inc.

10. Are there SLAs? Are they being met? How many full time incumbent contractor(s) staff members are performing this work at each of the 5 CONUS locations?

Response: All services are currently being provided at one of the 5 locations specified in Attachment 4. Your proposal should include how your company proposes to provide the services in each location.

11. What is the estimated budget for this solicitation?

Response: Government cannot provide government estimate for service contracts

12. Attachment 4 SOW: How many users are located at each of the 5 CONUS locations listed? How many users are located OCONUS? Please provide by location for both OCNUS and OCONUS.

Response: APHIS does not have accurate numbers of how many people reside at each of the 5 CONUS data centers, however, in total we have almost 10,000 users. In OCONUS there are about 200 users. All labor affiliated with this contract will be located in the CONUS geography at the 5 main data centers.

13. Attachment 4 SOW (CLINs X001 and X010): Digicon understands that there are 4,000 VoIP devices in the current VoIP system. Please describe the current VoIP system. Please provide manufacturer and model for all central assets, desktop assets, voice mail, software, number of desktop units, number of VoIP users, Local Exchange Carriers.

Response: The standard coverage hours are 6am to 6pm Monday through Friday. Overtime is pre-authorized in advance. Our windows of afterhour support for system or network changes are Wednesday evenings after 6pm and Saturdays. All changes to systems associated with these CLINs are entered into the configuration management system are to be in the system and approved 2 weeks in advance so there is plenty of time to plan for overtime hours. The systems that are being measured are mission critical systems that need to be up on a 24x7 basis because APHIS is basically delivering services to our customers around the clock.

APHIS currently has 6 Cisco VoIP clusters running at all the 5 data centers and Hawaii for the Hawaiian Islands. Each UC cluster is running 6.x code and all together the current phone count is about 7500 phones. We also have Cisco Unity for Voice mail and use Cisco Emergency Responder, Informacast, and other mobility features as necessary. All VoIP infrastructure is running on a Cisco collapsed core infrastructure with 10gig to the access layer all done in a layer 3 environment also to the access layer at all 5 data centers

14. Attachment 4 SOW (CLINs X002 and X009): The RFP states there are 430 Cisco routers and 670 Cisco switches in the APHIS network. Please provide network configuration and topology diagrams and describe the APHIS LAN/WAN network at a more granular level, by location. Please provide manufacturer and model of all switches, routers, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, network management software.

Response: APHIS is configured as a collapsed core with Cisco 6500 chassis at the core, dist and access layers with 10gig to the access in a layer 3 routed infrastructure using EIGRP and BGP. We have 5 main data centers in CONUS locations, Riverdale, MD, Raleigh, NC, Ames, IA, Minneapolis, MN and Fort Collins, CO where the above infrastructures reside. At each of the data centers there is a 7613 terminating all remote offices from field locations. All totaled APHIS has approximately 450 remote sites in the CONUS geography.

Makes and models of equipment:

Cisco routers: ISR gen 1 ad gen 2, 2600, 7206, 7613 Cisco Switches: 3560, 3750, 4000 series, 6500 series and 6500 Vertical chasis, NEXUS 5000, 2000

15. Attachment 4 SOW (CLINs X005): For Telecommunications Administrative Support, please provide current number of circuits within this scope, number of billing transactions for the past fiscal/calendar year, desired billing cycle (monthly, quarterly, other) any other available details required for the billing reports.

Response: There is about 700 circuits between all 5 data centers.

16. Attachment 4 SOW (CLINs X004): Please provide an inventory of the hardware and software that is within the scope of the Enterprise Systems described in SOW.

Response: There are roughly 400 servers in APHIS. The service will be to maintain all server hardware at various data centers making sure they are available, disks are error free, server hardware is intact through the use of RDP, lights-out connectivity, etc.

a. Versions of MS Windows – XP SP2 & SP3, Vista, Windows 7, 2003 server

b. Versions of UNIX, LINUX and Solaris – Linux - 4.5, 5.0, AIX- 4.3, 5.1 & 5.2, no Solaris

c. What type of SAN and configuration – Pillar SAN hardware connected with FCOE

d. What type of Backup solution – NetBackup

e. What type of Email service – Lotus Notes Dominow2

17. Attachment 4 SOW (CLINs X006): The RFP states that currently there are 90 Tandberg devices. Please describe the hardware, software, management tools, and usage history that make up the Video Teleconference (VTC) Solution described in the SOW.

Response: APHIS has Tandberg and Poycom VTC endpoints, with a Codian MCU, Tanberg Management Suite (TMS), and Cisco gatekeeper and gateway hardware. We have the ability to handle h.323 and h.320 calls into the bridge from remote locations. Monitoring multiple video conferences daily for 100 endpoints.

18. Attachment 4 SOW (CLINs X007): Please describe the hardware, software and management tools that make up the Network Security operational environment described in the SOW.

Response: APHIS has Cisco 4 -…