CS2 and CS2-SB Q A-part 4_CS2 specific.pdf

CS2 and CS2- Small Business General Questions and Answers (Part 4): CS2 Specific

Question 1-5: G.3.5, Subcontractors; G.5.4, Subcontracting Reports: No subcontractor is approved by award of the Basic Contract. But, the contractor must submit periodic reports showing compliance with a small business subcontracting plan. How can the contractor prepare a small business subcontracting plan for an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity type contract in which no subcontractors are approved in the Basic Contract and the minimum revenue guarantee amount of each award is $1,000? (see H.1 and H.3) How can the subcontracting report have any significance in this situation?

Answer: We recognize that IDIQ awardees’ revenue will depend on the number and size of task orders awarded. The Government is concerned with meeting the percentage goals applied to the base of actual subcontracted dollars awarded via subsequent task orders.

Question 1-6: Reference CS2 Section C.2.4.9.2 Could the Government please expand upon what it means by "provide physical security"? What is to be included within our solution?

Answer: On a Task Order basis, the Ordering Activity may specify requirements where the Contractor must provide for the physical security of personnel performing the work or for the equipment used as part of the solution. For your CS2 proposal the Government is interested in those requirements applicable to each STO.

Question 1-7: RFP Section l.22, Table L.22-1, Proposal Volume Page Limits, Footnote 1, Link Budget Analysis. Should the link budget analyses be an appendix to the Technical/Management Volume?

Answer: Yes the link budgets may be put into an appendix. Link budgets do not count towards the Technical/Management Volume 1 page limits.

Question 1-8: Reference CS2 RFP Section M, page M-6: The evaluation criteria for the

EMI/RFI Identification, Characterization, Geo-Location Solution Attribute states: “Offeror does not clearly articulate what they will do to detect EMI/RFI. . . .” Please review the evaluation criteria for this solution attribute and revise as necessary.

Answer: This is a typographical error. The correct statement is “Offeror clearly articulates what they will do to detect EMI/RFI…”

Question 1-9: Reference CS2 RFP Section M, pages M-9 through M-10: Will an Offeror be evaluated more or less favorably if it references solutions provided to a single customer, as opposed to multiple customers, when it describes “at least two corporate experiences”, “at least one experience”, and/or “experience” to demonstrate that it meets the Standard of a particular Solution Attribute?

Answer: The Contractor is referred to the table beginning on CS2 Section M page M-8 and the table beginning on CS2-SB Section M page M-7. The specified number of "experiences" for each Solution Type or Attribute is stated within this table.

Question 1-10: Reference CS2 Section J STOs We assume the contractor will be required to have DBA insurance and can pass the expense on to the Government for the cost of the insurance as a cost reimbursable ODC. Is this a correct assumption?

Answer: No.

Question 1-11: Reference Table L.22-1, M.2 Can coverage statements of compliance be provided within each STO with coverage maps being provided with the link budgets that do not count towards page limitations?

Answer: No. Only link budgets do not count against the page count.

Question 1-12: Reference L.24.2.1, M.3, C.2.4.

Sections L.24.2.1 and M.3 list Solution Types #1 - #6 and Solution Attributes #1 - #9. However, Section C.2.4.9 lists an additional Attribute, “Security.” Should this Attribute be removed from Section C?

Answer: For the Corporate Experience evaluation, the Security Attribute is not being evaluated.

However, the requirements stated within Section C for the Security Attribute will be applicable on some subsequent task orders.

Question 1-13: Reference L.24.1 There is no reference to sections C.2.1, C.2.2, and C.2.4 and this conflicts with what is stated in “CS2_Q&A.pdf,” posted to FBO on July 13. Checking the CS2 SB RFP, it does match with the Q&A. Should we operate under the assumption that the Q&A is correct and overrides the full and open RFP? Will the CS2 RFP be modified to reflect this?

Answer: CS2-SB Section L.21.1 state: "The Offeror shall prepare its Technical/Management Approach Volume to address the Sample Task Orders (STO) in Section J.

Technical/Management evaluation of the STOs will be based on compliance with the applicable requirements found in the following sections: C.2.1 Management, C.2.2 General Technical Requirements, and C.2.4 Required COMSATCOM End-to-End Solution Attributes. In the Offeror’s response, the Government is interested in those requirements applicable to each STO.

CS2 Section L.24.1 excluded the references to Section C. CS2 RFP Section L will be amended to correct this inadvertent omission.

Question 1-14: Reference Attachment J-9 Paragraph 2.3: Is it the government’s expectation that RDUs will be outfitted with COTS that the offeror will provide and price in the proposal, or will the equipment be GOTS?

Answer: The Offeror should perform analysis, stating assumptions including required GFE, and propose what it believes is the best solution. The Offeror should explain the rationale for its selection.

Question 1-15: Reference Attachment J-9: With respect to the MWR STO identified in attachment J-9, should we assume that the Government will supply the necessary trailers, hauling vehicles, and lifting equipment in country to support shelters delivery and / or shelters re-deployment? If the Government is supplying vehicles will they also supply drivers? Will the Government provide trailers for the shelters at each site once the shelters are delivered?

Answer: The offeror should assume that in country logistics such as trailers, hauling vehicles, lifting equipment, and drivers, will be GFE. Please clearly state all assumptions in your proposed solution.

Question 1-16: Reference Attachment J-9 Paragraph 2.4: Does the Government want contractors to include the projected 20% growth in requirements within their MWR STO pricing?

Does growth mean bandwidth, calls, terminals or geographic locations?

Answer: Yes, The offeror should account for the projected 20% growth. The 20% growth refers to the number of Remote Deployable Units that the Contractor's infrastructure must be able to support.

Question 1-17: Reference Attachment J-9 Paragraph 2.4: If the Government does want Contractors to include the projected 20% growth in requirements within their MWR STO pricing, how does the Government want it to be priced? As an additional CLIN or additional per unit

CLINS?

Answer: The offeror should account for the projected 20% growth as a separate CLIN.

Question 1-18: Reference Attachment J-9, 2.3, 2.7: Will all of the terminals be expected to be delivered and installed in 90day/180 days after contract award? Can the Government expand on an explanation of the delivery schedule to include location due dates? Will the Government order all 395/58 at a time and expect delivery within 180/90 days or should the contractor develop a quarterly/annual schedule to meet by the end of year three? Of the locations within the RFP, does the Government have a priority in the scheduled delivery of those locations?

Answer: The entire quantity of the specified Remote Deployable Units are desired to be delivered and installed within the timeframe stated in J-9, Section 2.7. None of the specified locations have priority over the others.

Question 1-19: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9, Section 2.3: How are the sites distributed in each region? For example, how many camps are located among the 200 Iraqi sites? The specific cities that need coverage for MWR satellite coverage in Mali? How many VSATs will be in each camp?

Answer: The Contractor should state its assumptions and propose what it believes is the best solution for distribution of RDUs within each region. The Contractor should explain the rationale for its selection.

Question 1-20: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9, Section 2.4, Engineering Support, p.3, Can the referenced engineering studies be included in an appendix, without counting towards the page limits? Section L.23.3, Appendices and Documentation, restricts as “appendix pages will be included …in computing the “Maximum Number of Pages’ specified in Table L.22.”

Answer: No. Results of engineering studies for the MWR STO shall count towards the page count limits.

Question 1-21: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-12, Section 2.5, Requirements, p. 2, what is the expectation for the background checks? Background checks can be run and results returned. Are there certain minimum criteria implied to meet when a background check is run?

Is there any requirement for cleared personnel for the operations staff?

Answer: The personnel and facility clearance level for Blue Personnel Tracking is Unclassified.

The Contractor should consider the requirement in J-12, Section 2.5 as access to Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) information. All background checks should be to this standard.

Question 1-22: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-9, Section 2.9.15, Sustainment Support Cost Per Month, p.6, Does this include O&M costs as described in Section 2.6.3 of RFP Attachment J-9? If so, how is this different than the on-site technical support described in Section 2.6.3?

Just want to ensure this cost is not reported twice.

Answer: This line item refers to all requirements in J-9 Section 2.6, except for on-site technical support. CS2 RFP Section J Attachment 9 Section 2.9.15 will be amended to correct this error.

2.9.15 Sustainment support cost per month (excluding Onsite Technical Support).

Question 1-23: Reference CS2 Attachment J-9, MWR Section 2.6.2 Training: Since training support must be bid on a FFP basis, we request the USG provide not to exceed estimates for the number of personnel to be trained and their location and an evaluation of their nominal skill level.

Answer: For simplicity, assume training will be conducted at a central site in Washington DC.

Number of people, schedule of training, etc. to be determined by the vendor’s solution, deployment schedule, etc.

Question 1-24: Reference CS2 Attachment J-9, MWR Section 2.7 Delivery Schedule: Does the

USG plan to provide transportation support for the ORDUs and LRDUs? If so please details on the type of support that the contractor may expect. Transportation issues can negatively impact the delivery schedule.

Answer: The offeror should assume that in country logistics such as transportation will be Government Furnished. Please clearly state all assumptions in your proposed solution.

Question 1-25: Reference CS2 Attachment J-9, MWR Section 2.9.12 Gateway Site terminal cost: Is it the USG’s intent to purchase the Gateway terminals or should this be a monthly lease? If the terminals are to be purchased please clarify the conditions under which the terminal will be accepted?

Answer: The Contractor should perform analysis, stating assumptions, and propose what it believes is the best solution. The Contractor should explain the rationale for its selection.

Question 1-26: Reference CS2 Attachment J-9, MWR Section 2.9.13 Remote Site terminals cost per unit: Is it correct to assume that the USG will assume ownership of all Remote Site terminals? If so where and under what conditions will ownership transfer to the USG? The ownership of the units has customs implications which impact cost and schedule.

Answer: The Government will assume ownership of remote site terminals.

Question 1-27: Reference CS2 Attachment J-9, MWR Section 2.9.21 Travel cost. Is it correct to assume that 2.9.21 includes all travel costs not only for personnel but also equipment?

Answer: No.

Question 1-28: With respect to the MWR and BPT STO, please clarify the Information

Assurance level required for those STO’s.

Answer: Please refer to J-9, section 2.2 for MWR and J-12, section 2.6.1 for BPT.

Question 1-29: Reference CS2 Attachment J-9, MWR Section 2.3:

Does the Offeror have the option to propose a field tent structure to meet the requirement of the temporary structure referenced in this section?

Will lighting, desks and chairs, power distribution, and ECU (Environmental Conditioning Units) for the temporary shelters be provided by the Government as Government Furnished

Equipment?

This section of the RFP references a “24 hour temporary power backup device”. Will the

Government be responsible for providing the primary power for the temporary shelters? If so, what voltage will be used?

Does the Offeror have the option to propose either a small generator or an UPS system to meet the requirement of a 24-hour temporary power backup device?

Answer: The Contractor should perform analysis stating assumptions to include expected

Government Furnished Equipment and propose its solution. The Contractor should explain the rationale for its selection.

Question 1-30: Reference CS2 Section J; Attachment J-9 STO#1 – MWR, Page 2 of 6, Para 2.3 “The overall MWR system shall be capable of supporting site redeployments, including areas outside the initial deployment regions.”

Will the redeployments be required outside all of the provisioned operating regions? (For example an LRDU initially located in Iraq moves to a location in Guam, where service is not currently provided)

Answer: The requirement for the Contractor to provide a portability plan is due to the expectation that DoD in-theater operations may move to locations outside of those currently specified in the MWR STO.

Question 1-31: Reference CS2 Section J; Attachment J-9 STO#1 – MWR, Page 3 of 6, Para 2.5, “The 99.7% availability is for the entire network to the remote switch, excluding the VOIP phones and personal computers (local area network suite).

Is the 99.7% the average availability of all components within the network or is it referencing any single point in the network.

Answer: The availability requirement is for the entire network. The Contractor should use its discretion to use components in its solution that meets this availability metric.

Question 1-32: Reference CS2 Section J; Attachment J-9 STO#1 – MWR, Page 5 of 6, Para 2.7, “The Government desires that the ORDUs arrive in-country and be commissioned by Contractor personnel within 90 days, and that the LRDUs arrive in-country and be commissioned by Contractor personnel within 180 days).”

Is the government’s reference to commissioning referring to the VSAT commissioning on the satellite or the entire system being initially installed?

Answer: The MWR delivery schedule refers to the arrival, installation, and commissioning of the entire set of respective RDUs within the specified timeframe.

Question 1-33: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-10, 1.3: Please clarify the definition of uplink and downlink as relates to studio location, teleport and remote classroom location.

Answer: Uplinks are used to transmit content, while downlinks are used to receive content.

Question 1-34: Reference CS2 Attachment J-10, 1.4: “A downlink may service more than one receive site”; please clarify if there are more than one classroom’s at the same physical location.

Answer: In the current system it is possible for more than one classroom to be connected to a physical receive site.

Question 1-35: Reference CS2 Attachment J-10, 1.4 - If there are more than one classroom’s at the same physical location, do you anticipate there could be multiple training sessions?

Answer: Yes, as the current GETN system has this capability.

Question 1-36: Reference CS2 Attachment J-10, 1.4 –If there are multiple training sessions do you anticipate them going on simultaneously at the same location?

Answer: Yes, as the current GETN system has this capability.

Question 1-37: Reference CS2 Attachment J-10, 1.1- How many students do you anticipate can be in a classroom?

Answer: Current GETN class sizes vary but there are nominally 20 students per classroom.

Question 1-38: Reference CS2 Attachment J-10, 2.1 - The Contractor will provide a 24x7 home channel when not viewing agency broadcasts. Is this home channel a continuous feed originating from one of the 12 studio locations or a splash screen?

Question 1-39: Reference CS2 Attachment J-10, 2.1 – If this home channel is a continuous feed, is the bandwidth to be priced out separately or is it included in the usage table (Table J- 10.1)?

Answer: The offer may propose the price for the home channel bandwidth at its discretion as long as all unit pricing and assumptions are clearly identified.

Question 1-40: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-10, STO #2, GETN: Can any current GETN hardware be reused such as antennas, antenna pads, audio equipment, video encoders or other to lower overall cost?

Answer: Yes. The offeror may propose the re-use of existing equipment as appropriate as long as all GFE items and assumptions are clearly identified.

Question 1-41: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-10, 2.4, Audio and video support, A.) How much equipment for remotes sites is currently in inventory locations other than the remote site locations? B.) Can the Government supply a list of equipment as it exists at the remote sites today? C.) How many teleports are currently used for the DLTS? D.) Does each teleport have a separate PowerVu system? E.) Are any of the teleports Government facilities?

Answer: A.) None, B.) For your proposal please use the generic set of equipment provided in RFP J-10, Section 1.2., C.) Seven uplinks are employed for the existing system., D.) Yes, E.)

Yes

Question 1-42: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-10, 1.2, Encoding and Decoding, What is the brand of the encoder and the video compression standard used? Can we be provided with a list that shows what video encoding equipment manufacturer and model number, and video encoding are being used each agency studio? Should the MDLS envision a standardization of video encoding for all agencies? Is the contractor required to provide video encoding equipment for this task order, or will the existing video equipment be used? Who is responsible for video equipment upgrades?

Answer: Equipment types and compression standards are as described in J-10, Section 1.2. It is up to the offeror to determine the best solution to the stated requirements.

Question 1-43: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-10, Section 1.3, NOC, How many calls does the current help desk receive? What is the average call duration? What is the pattern of the call volume? (e.g. Are the majority of calls received at the time of broadcast? Are there test broadcasts performed in advance of a key program that would require special NOC support?)

How many toll free numbers are required for the help lines? Will the existing NOC prefer to re-use the existing toll free numbers and port them to the MDLS.

Answer: Each user Agency currently has its own help line. The Contractor should perform analysis, stating assumptions, and propose what it believes is the best solution. The Contractor should explain the rationale for its selection.

Question 1-44: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-10, Section 2.4, What is the typical remote site equipment configuration?

Answer: The typical site equipment is as identified in CS2 RFP J-10, Section 1.2.

Question 1-45: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-10, 2.6, Are the existing displays CRT's or are they flat panel displays? How are the TV’s or displays mounted? (On carts, shelves, wall mounts, etc.)

Answer: The current GETN system employs both CRT and Flat Panel displays, mounted using carts, shelves, wall mounts, etc. as appropriate for the location.

Question 1-46: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-10 Should the MDLS support both SD and HD video at the initial deploy?

Question 1-47: RFP Attachment J-10, Section 2.4, What is the way that the Government would like to access and use video on demand? Through the use of a remote control on a TV display or from a browser on a PC or both? What are the access rules that should be supported?

Question 1-48: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-10, Section 2.4, Audio and Video Support, The MDLS should support 7 simultaneous sessions. We understand that to be 7 simultaneous broadcasts. What has been the number of simultaneous return channel conversations allowed? Is it only one active audio channel per session or should the MDLS allow for more than one return audio channel to be open per session? (e.g. one or more people at different remote sites talking at the same time during a single session broadcast.)

Question 1-49: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-10, 2.4, Audio and Video Support, Can the MDLS re-use existing concrete pads and mounting poles for new satellite antennas? Are any of the existing antennas transmit capable antennas?

Answer: The offeror may propose the use of existing equipment as appropriate as long as all GFE items and assumptions are clearly identified.

Question 1-50: Reference CS2 RFP Attachment J-10, Section 2.4, Audio and Video Support, Does the Government intend to terminate the land line tail connections currently used by the GETN? Should the contractor consider the use of the land lines as a backup or failover connection for the remote site as part of the MDLS?

Answer: CS2 RFP J-10 Section 2.6 contains a requirement for a migration plan as part of the Offeror’s solution. It is up to the offeror to propose an approach which is advantageous to the Government.

Question 1-51: Reference CS2 Section J; Attachment J-10 STO#2 – GETN, Page 6 of 6, Para 2.7, “The Contractor shall implement the core architecture and transition at least the Air Force users (see Section J, Attachment J-11) to the MDLS within the standard 30 day delivery schedule. All agencies shall be transitioned within 4 months”

The Government mentions that several agencies have already started transitioning to a DVB-S2 platform. Can the Government please Identify if the Air Force is one of those agencies

Answer: For proposal purposes, the offeror may assume the Air Force has begun transitioning to a DVB-S2 platform.

Question 1-52: Reference CS2 Section J; Attachment J-10 STO#2 – GETN Section 2.4 GETN Communications infrastructure, Availability: Please clarify the USG’s availability requirement.

Does an outage of a single site constitute a system outage or a partial outage based upon the size of the site relative to the whole system? Do outages in the home channel constitute a system wide outage? Does down time for preventive maintenance contribute to the outage calculation?

Answer: The Contractor should perform analysis, stating assumptions, and propose what it believes is the appropriate system availability. The Contractor should explain the rationale for its selection.

Question 1-53: Reference CS2 Section J; Attachment J-10 STO#2 – GETN Section 2.6 Migration Plan: Is it correct to assume that a migration plan could address enhancements that are to be implemented beyond the 90 day window? If so, can the cost for such enhancements be charged at the time of implementation, even if it is in the middle of a contract year?

Answer: The proposed migration plan should be consistent with the delivery requirements stated in J-10 Section 2.7. Pricing should be consistent with the proposed delivery of the system.

Question 1-54: Reference CS2 Section J; Attachment J-10 STO#2 – GETN Section 2.7 Delivery Schedule: How does the USG define the core architecture? For example, is two way SATCOM audio part of the core or is it an enhancement to be implemented as part of a migration plan?

Answer: The offeror may define its proposed architecture at its discretion.

Question 1-55: Reference CS2 Section J; Attachment J-10 STO#2 – GETN Section 2.8 Network Operations Center (NOC) operations cost. Should this line item be a monthly service charge?

Answer: The offeror may propose pricing at its discretion.

Question 1-56: Reference CS2 Section J; Attachment J-10 STO#2 – GETN, How many GETN sites and what agencies presently have 2-way HNS satellite capability?

Answer: In the current GETN system no agencies presently have 2-way HNS satellite capability.

Question 1-57: Reference CS2 Section J; Attachment J-10 STO#2 – GETN, Do the remote classrooms have workstations for each student? If so, do they contain sound cards, speakers, and microphones?

Answer: The current GETN system does not employ a workstation for each student.

Question 1-58: Reference CS2 Section J; Attachment J-10 STO#2 – GETN Section 2.1 under 2, “GETN REQUIREMENTS,” states: “Instructors must have the ability to transmit video and audio of live courses to the remote sites and receive audio from the remote sites....” In the context of the preceding statement, does the Government mean that the contractor is only required to provide end-to-end solution for infrastructure and services needed to transport one-way broadcast video and two-way return audio over satellite?

Answer: The referenced requirement is a part of the overall requirement. The offeror should propose what it will provide in its solution and identify any GFE requirements or assumptions necessary for an operational system.

Question 1-59: Reference CS2 Section J; Attachment J-10 STO#2 – GETN ,Regarding the GETN Communications Infrastructure Bandwidth Access, we request the Government to consider allowing inclusion of Availability Analysis and Satellite Coverage maps along with the Link Analysis in the Appendix and not have them count against the maximum 45-page limit.

Answer: The offeror may include analysis and other documentation at its discretion as long as it is within the Technical/Management volume page limits.

Question 1-60: Reference CS2 Section J; Attachment J-10 STO#2 – GETN ,Regarding commercial satellite communications infrastructure per unit cost, is providing monthly recurring pricing in 0.5 and 1MHz increments sufficient for the space segment capacity? Is this incremental pricing sufficient or does the Government still want total bandwidth pricing as well?

Answer: The offeror may provide additional pricing detail as needed to adequately describe its proposed solution and is within the specified page limits for the price volume.

Question 1-61: Reference CS2 RFP Section M, page M-7, Sample Task Order # 3, box (i) Selected Communications Infrastructure, second to the last bullet states "Offeror clearly presents a system that updates position data at other terminals within 3 minutes of position report transmission.” Our firm cannot find a corresponding requirement in RFP Attachment J- 12, Sample Task Order (STO) #3 – Blue Personnel Tracking. Can the Government please identify the corresponding requirement in Attachment J-12 to this evaluation criterion?

Answer: The STO requirement will be corrected to reflect an acceptable update range between 1 and 3 minutes. MODIFICATION FOR CS2-Section J-12 section 2.7.1 ---WAS---: Remote Site terminals shall report position at a minimum rate of once per minute to minimize location offsets during long trips. ---NOW---: Remote Site terminals shall report position at a minimum rate of once per three minutes to as often as once per minute to minimize location offsets during long trips.

Question 1-62: Reference CS2 Attachment J-12, 2.9.16: Are shipping expenses to be considered a reimbursable ODC, or is travel the only ODC not to be priced as part of the FFP?

Answer: Shipping should be included in the FFP of the STO.

Question 1-63: Reference CS2 Attachment J-12, 2.7.2: Does the Government have a schedule for FOC for 2.7.2 of Blue Personnel Tracking? What is the schedule for deployment of the "up to additional 3000 units" needed for FOC?

Answer: The Contractor should recommend and provide rationale for the FOC deployment schedule.

Question 1-64: Reference CS2 Attachment J-12: Should the CLIN pricing 2.9.14 and 2.9.15 reflect the Phase 1 IOC or the full Phase 2 FOC?

Answer: CLIN pricing should consider both IOC and FOC. CLIN structure is left to the Contractor's discretion.

Question 1-65: Reference CS2 Attachment J-12: What is the unit of measure to be priced in the Blue Personnel Tracker STO 2.9.9?

Answer: Unit of measure is left to the Contractor's discretion.

Question 1-66: Reference CS2 Attachment J-12: Does the Government or the Contractor own the equipment at the end of the contract?

Answer: The Contractor is referred to J-12, Section 2.6.1. Equipment ownership is left to the Contractor's discretion.

Question 1-67: Reference CS2 Section J, Attachment J-12, Paragraph 1.2, page 1 of 6 “Security personnel within this USFA have observed the success of the Army Blue Force Tracking system, and they have determined that use of a commercial satellite communications-based solution combined with an intuitive map-based application to support dissemination of position data and exchange of text messages provides great benefits, including...

- Ability for local, deployed teams and the central network manager to automatically determine the locations of „friendly‟ teams within an area

- Ability for deployed teams to easily identify the positions of risk areas and communicate this to other teams operating locally and to a central network manager

- Ability for deployed teams to easily communicate through text messaging in a manner similar to chat applications Are the three bulleted items BPT requirements or value added services if delivered?

Answer: The information provided in the background section of the Blue Personnel Tracking STO are observations made by the customer owning the requirement. The Contractor should give consideration to these observations in its solution.

Question 1-68: Reference CS2 Section J, Attachment J-12, Paragraph 2.1, page 2 of 6 “The central network management center shall be connected by the Contractor through the Internet.”

Q: Please clarify this statement. Are you referring to the central network management center being within the contractor facility and it is accessible via the Internet?

Answer: The central network management center is within the contractor’s facility and connected to the rest of the Contractor’s solution using the public Internet.

Question 1-69: Reference CS2 Section J, Attachment J-12, Paragraph 2.5, page 2 of 6 “Additionally, the Contractor shall guarantee at least one operations staff member and one decision making authority (e.g., CEO, COO, CTO), who are appropriately cleared for access to the customer’s operations and/or data, are available for incident response.”

Is there a minimum level of clearance that the operations staff member and decision making authority need? i.e. Secret, Top Secret, SCI, etc.

Answer: The personnel and facility clearance level for Blue Personnel Tracking is Unclassified.

The Contractor should consider the requirement in J-12, Section 2.5 as access to Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) information.

Question 1-70: Reference CS2 Section J, Attachment J-12, Paragraph 2.7.1, page 3 of 6 “Supply of Central Site terminal to main USFA facility in Washington DC. The Government shall install the Central Site terminal in the main USFA facility; the Contractor shall not be permitted entry. “ Define “Central Site terminal”. Is this just a workstation to monitor the BPT network or the server that handles the mapping of the remote BPT terminals?

Question 1-71: Reference CS2 Section J, Attachment J-12, Paragraph 2.7.1, page 3 of 6 “Remote Site terminals shall include a “panic button” which shall cause the terminal’s position icon to noticeably change its status indication on all terminals in the geographic vicinity plus at the central USFA facility.”

Does the “terminal’s position icon to noticeably change its status indication” need to be on a graphical map or can it be text base alert?

Answer: It is up to the contractor to propose what it believes is the best solution and explain why.

Question 1-72: Reference CS2 Section J, Attachment J-12, Paragraph 2.7.2, page 4 of 6 “Central Site Quantity Update: Up to 3 additional central sites.

Central sites will be located within the site coverage areas. “ Will the “3 additional central sites” be located with latitudes: 65 degrees North to 65 degrees South; land areas only as defined in Section J, Attachment J-12, Paragraph 2.1, page 2 of 6?

Answer: The requirement in J-12, section 2.1 – latitudes: 65 degrees North to 65 degrees South; land areas only – is applicable to both the Phase I Option (IOC) and Phase 2 Option

(FOC).

Question 1-73: Reference CS2 Section J, Attachment J-12, Paragraph 2.7.2, page 4 of 6 “Remote Site Quantity Update: Up to 3,000 additional teams deployed across multiple continents. “ Assuming that the 3000 additional teams will require a BPT terminal each. What is the delivery timeframe for the 3000 additional BPT terminals be? Within the three base years or five years (including the two 1 year options)?

Answer: All Phase I Option (IOC) and Phase 2 Option (FOC) requirements should be met within the base period of the contract. The Contractor should perform analysis, stating assumptions, and propose what it believes is the best way to delivery the BPT solution. The Contractor should explain the rationale for its selection.

Question 1-74: Reference CS2 Section J, Attachment J-12, Paragraph 2.7.2, page 4 of 6 “Contractor surge capability to support simultaneous use of all Central Site and Remote Site terminals.

To what level of “surge” support do you require from the contractor? Contractor support overseas for fielding, training, and sustainment?

Answer: It is up to the Contractor to propose what it believes should comprise “Contractor surge capability” to support simultaneous use of all Central Site and Remote Site terminals and explain why.

Question 1-75: Reference CS2 Section J, Attachment J-12, Paragraph 2.9, page 4 of 6 “Deliveries will be sent to the central warehouse.”

For shipping calculation purposes, where is the central warehouse?

Answer: The central warehouse is adjacent to the main USFA facility in Washington, DC described in J-12, Section 2.7.1.

Question 1-76: Reference CS2 Section J, Attachment J-12, Can the BPT mapping server reside in the contractor secure CONUS network center? Mapping data can be accessed by the USFA by the contractor’s Internet gateway, as mentioned in Section J, Attachment J-12, paragraph 2.1, page 2 of 6.

Answer: The physical location of the Blue Personnel Tracking mapping server is left to the Contractor’s discretion. The Contractor should explain the rationale for their selection.