AMENDMENT 2 - question and answers.doc

AMENDMENT 0002

RFP DOL110RP20935

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECURITUY ADMINISTRATION

SW DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES

1. In the Amendment 0001, issued on June 8, 2010, the answer to the Question 23 specifies there are 5 labor categories, however, in the revised Section B, there are 6 labor categories. Moreover, not all labor categories’ names in the answer to the Question 23 are the same as the labor categories’ names in the revised Section B. Please clarify which one we should comply with in the proposal response. By default, we assume the labor categories in the revised Section B are the correct ones and should be complied with in the proposal.

The answer to question 23 is incorrect, there are six labor categories identified in Section B. Please base your proposal price on the six labor categories identified.

Systems Architect III

Systems Architect II

Systems Architect

Systems Developer

Project Manager

Computer Applications Operator

2. In answering question # 15 you indicate that a phase out plan will NOT be a part of the proposal. However, it is still located on page L-6 as sub-factor 3(e). Could you resolve this confusion? Do we need to prepare a phase out plan or not?

Section L.5, Subfactor 3, has been removed from the solicitation. Please see revised Section L.

3. There is some contradictory language regarding the exact number and type of electronic volumes you would like delivered.

a. On page L-8 in Section 1 it states that “offerors shall submit a redacted electronic copy and an un-redacted copy of each volume”

b. On page L-3 (L.5(b)) it states that “contractors must submit their proposals in CD as Word, PDF or Excel files” AND “offeror is required to provide a copy of the proposal files compressed into one self-extracting file”

c. Please resolve the issue by answering the following:

i. How many electronic copies (for each volume) do you require?

No, electronic copies are required.

Please provide two un-redacted Technical Proposals, and four redacted proposals on CD.

The past performance, price, and business proposals are all un-redacted, and two CD’s of each volume are required.

ii. Do we have to submit any redacted electronic copies of any volumes (and if so how many of each)?

Please provide four redacted electronic copies (CD) of the Technical Proposal.

iii. Do we have to submit a compressed file or can we just include the Word, and Excel files?

Compressed files are not required. Contractors must submit their proposals in CD as WORD, PDF or Excel files or file formats compatible with these.

4. Section L.5.b. … “Use tab indexing to identify all sections within a particular proposal volume.” Please specify to what level of tab you require; to the first level section , e.g. 2., or all levels of all sections, even if Offerors proposal may have sections to the fourth or fifth levels, e.g., 2.1.1.1.2.

Please tab your proposal to the second level, e.g. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3.

5. Section L.5.b. The Government specifies a requirement for a Winzip using v6.2. This version of Winzip, a very old version dated to Windows 95, is susceptible to many security vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities include the WinZip MIMI Archive Parsing Buffer Overflow that affects v6.2 through v9 and the SANS Institute declares many vulnerabilities in versions as late as v10.0 prior to build 7245. Therefore, it is suggested that the Government please specify the most recent version of Winzip or other alternative means in addition to PKWARE to submit files in response to this solicitation.

This requirement has been removed from Section L. Please submit your proposals in hard copy, as well as CD.

6. Section L.1, indicates that Offerors are to complete the SF1449, however, SF1449 is not contained in the Solicitation.

The reference to the SF1449 has been removed, and replaced with the correct form name (SF33).

7. The SF33 indicates that 1 original and 4 copies of the proposal are required, which conflicts with the instructions of Section L.

The SF33 has been revised to reflect (SEE SECTION L). Please submit your proposals in accordance with Section L.

8. In Section L of the solicitation under line item (iii) Volume III – Price, it reads:

(iii) VOLUME III – PRICE. The offeror shall complete the Schedule of Supplies/Services page(s) of the Standard Form (SF) 1449, Continuation Sheet of the solicitation with pricing for the base and the option periods. The offeror’s price proposal should include a breakout of the proposed labor categories and the rates for each category.

Standard Form (SF) 1449 was NOT included with the solicitation file. Please clarify the contents of this line item.

The correct form is the Standard Form (SF 33).