Questions_and_responses.docx

Questions/Responses 1/30/2017

AG-7604-S-17-0002

NRM Infrastructure Technology Support Services RFI

1. I was hoping to inquire if there is a current incumbent for the services under Source Sought # AG-7604-S-17-0002 (NRM – Infrastructure Technology Support Services) or is this a new requirement? If there is an incumbent, could you please provide me with the incumbent contract number and/or vendor name? and where is the place of work?

Some of the tasks identified in the PWS are currently being accomplished by incumbents and some of the work is being accomplished virtually at various locations. If a solicitation is issued at a future time the incumbent information will be specified in the Solicitation.

2. Regarding the referenced RFI, is it the intention of USDA to ultimately build or refresh a supplier list for on-call IT resources? i.e. May this RFI result in a vendor list for contract IT resources?

The RFI is issued as Market Research, solely for information and planning purposes at this time. The RFI also will assist the FS NRM in further developing the Draft PWS, feedback, comments and suggestions on how the procurement write up may be improved upon, made clearer or changed for the better. Additionally the RFI will help in creating the appropriate acquisition strategy that could result in a vendor list for contract IT resources.

3. Do we correctly assume that footnote 18 applies to NAICS 541519 for small business firms responding to the Sources Sought Notice AG-7604-S-17-0002 for NRM Infrastructure Technology Support Services?

NAICS 541519 represents other computer related services, This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing computer related services (except custom programming, systems integration design, and facilities management services). Establishments providing computer disaster recovery services or software installation services are included in this industry. This NAICS was previously represented by a single Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code, 7379. The Government has not as of yet made a final decision to utilize this NAICS code.

4. Do we correctly assume that footnote 18 applies to NAICS 541519 for small business firms responding to Solicitation AG-7604-S-17-0002 for NRM Infrastructure Technology Support Services, once the RFP is released?

See above reply.

5. PWS_Attachment_5_to_PWS_ SampleProjectMigrationtoCloud2017 General Will the government please clarify if the NRM has identified or narrowed down what application(s) it plans to do a cloud migration pilot on?

At this time it is still unknown, possibility the pilot to the cloud will be the User Interface (UI) Test Harness showing the interaction with spatial and limited connectivity with outside agencies.

6. PWS Task Area 1, Page8, bullet 3 Are the reports to be submitted bi-weekly and monthly? Or is it one of the two? – Will the government please clarify how often the reports are due?

It is estimated reports shall be submitted bi-weekly.

7. Is the 2nd business day of the month as mentioned in this section or 5th business day of the month as mentioned in the deliverables section? Will the government please clarify what business day the reports are due?

It is estimated reports shall be submitted on the 2nd business day of the month.

8. PWS Task Area 4, Page12 bullet 1 This does not appear to be a testing task – Will the government please clarify what is required for this bullet?

Agree will revise.

9. PWS Task Area 5, Page13, second last bullet Will the government please clarify the definition of TLQ?

TLQ or Test Lab Queue is utilized to submit TLQ in JIRA however currently NRM completes in Service-Now, so this is truly for integration with the Chief Information Office (CIO).

10. PWS Task Area 6, Page14, last bullet Documentation Troubleshooting service related to "Coordination of application hosting and administration support" is mentioned. Will the government please clarify how they are related?

This will be further clarified in the final PWS.

11. PWS Task Area 9, Page17, last bullet Will the government please clarify if testing or Customer Support Services are requirements?

Customer Support Services are required under this task area. Functional testing could be required and will further clarified in the final PWS.

12. PWS Task Area 11, Page19, bullet 1 This appears to refer to an ADMO requirement. Will the government please clarify how this relates to security?

The information/requirement removed from the PWS.

13. PWS Task Area 13, Page21, second paragraph The sentence appears to be incomplete ("not limited to following..."). Will the government please provide the missing content?

The information has been removed from the PWS.

14. PWS Section 6, Performance Standards, Page25, PS-10 PS-10 - Has an asterisk '*' at the end of improvements. Will the government please provide the fine print for the asterisk?

Fine point incorporated - . FS currently uses Word, Adobe PDF, Robohelp (online help authoring tool), Snagit, Team Forge, MS Office apps, Live Meeting, Citrix ArcMap, SharePoint.

15. PWS Section 6, Performance Standards, Page28, Incentives (1) The deliverables section does not ask for a Performance Measurement report which is mentioned in this section. Can the government please describe the deliverable or the expectation of the report (what performance is being measured?)?

Reference to report has been removed from this section.

16. Will you please advise if the gov’t has decided upon a contracting and acquisition strategy? Specifically, which contract vehicle(s) are being considered and will this be an 8(a) or other SBSA?

The RFI is issued as Market Research, solely for information and planning purposes at this time. The RFI also will assist the FS NRM in further developing the Draft PWS, feedback, comments and suggestions on how the procurement write up may be improved upon, made clearer or changed for the better. Additionally the RFI will help in creating the appropriate acquisition strategy that could result in a vendor list for contract IT resources.