Copy_of_Question_Amendment_3.xlsx
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- Automated Track Inspection Program (ATIP) Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- DTFR5316R00382
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| Source | Clause/Reference | Question | Answers | |
| Appendix A | LOT-1 DOTX216 & LOT-2 DOTX221 | Would it be possible for prospective contractors to visit and view DOTX216 and DOTX221 within the next week for evaluation? | This is not a possibility; however, drawings of each car are provided in Attachment N, Car Drawings. | |
| Appendix A | The contractor shall operate and maintain the government-furnished FRA geometry car safely and efficiently, accurately record track geometry data, perform corrective and preventive maintenance work, make the necessary adjustments and all activities required to keep the geometry car’s equipment and instrumentation in an operational, safe, clean and orderly condition. The functional element of the FRA geometry car Operations Task is the manpower and materials necessary to support one (1) inspection mile. | |||
| The contractor shall furnish and be responsible for all necessary management, labor, supervision, management support, transportation, equipment, and materials (except as specified herein as government-furnished) to provide satisfactory service of ATIP operations and maintenance. Additional services or equipment required by changes in mission assignments shall be affected by written contract modifications. | Who will be in charge of the training? What certification must the personnel must have? | Each contractor will be responsible for their own training. We will not require any certification, however it will be expected that if you claim to have a certified mechanical inspector that individual will maintain that certification. | ||
| Appendix A | Appendix A | How many miles on average are inspected in 12 hour operations? Please provide the expected miles of manned and unmanned survey per year for each vehicle/car? This information is needed to help the prospective contractor better understand the maintenance costs associated with the cars as well as the potential amount of inspection data to be handled from manned and unmanned survey operations annually. | This varies from day to day. The cars a scheduled to go from a point A to point B. How many miles that is just depends on why that route was selected. On average the daily ATIP mileage is 150 miles. Unmanned operations will follow a similar path. | |
| Appendix A | Page 13, LOT-1 DOTX216 | What is the mission statement for DOTX216? What are its annual objectives in terms of time spent doing manned or unmanned compliance testing and time spent doing R&D research projects? When in unmanned configuration, what type of power source has been used for the systems? | All of these operations are determined at the time the schedule for the year is created. There are times that the schedule changes due to unforeseen events and will be handle at the time these vents occur. The DOTX216 is unique in that it is the only high speed car that the FRA owns. The power source used will be the 480 provided with the train consist. | |
| Appendix A | Page 13-15, LOTS | Along the same line as the previous question, Are there mission statements and annual objectives for each of the different LOTS? Are there anticipated utilization rates for each one of the inspection cars? Example, car is used 100% of the time outside of the 2 month annual maintenance shutdown and the 1 week maintenance shutdowns that follow each 3 week service period with no other anticipated outages. | On occasion a car is dedicated to 100% of something. For example the 218/220 is dedicated to 100% energy and oil routes. Once again this is determined at the time of scheduling and the car may vary base on regional and headquarter needs. | |
| Appendix A | Appendix A | For manned operations, additional historical data would be necessary for efficient operations. Data would include past information on railroad operations, such as crew change locations, fueling locations. Additional information would include vehicle manufacturer's or component supplier's recommended maintenance intervals. (HVAC, sanitary, generator, etc.) | Historically the contractor has worked with the railroads to gather this information to determine and maintain a library of things such as crew change points. These do change from time to time and the contractor is expected to maintain these. FRA will help with contact information. The majority of the equipment owned by the FRA is no longer under warranty and generic intervals for things such as HVAC would be fine for estimating level of effort. If a part of component fails the FRA will provide funding for that part and it will not expect the contractor to pay for a part out of its pocket. | |
| Appendix A | Page 9, Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) | The contractor needs to know FRA requirements for performances as it relates to the DGPS and dead reckoning. | FRA expects that a contractors GPS system that creates a lat and long will be within the industry standard or off the shelve standard of 3 meters. The current ATIP operations pays for a more robust GPS service and the contractor is encourage to pursue this technology. The dead reckoning is used to fill in the gaps where GPS service is lost, such as tunnels. As long as the dead reckoning works to fill in these gaps we have no specific requirements. | |
| Appendix A | Page 12, Power Systems Requirements (RTGMS) | Can the FRA share with the contractor research on new power supply technologies, such as fuel cells, that may be utilized for unmanned operations as a backup of solar generation? Would it be possible to use an axle driven power generation system as the primary/backup power supply? | FRA would like the contractor to come with their own solutions as long as it meets the minimum standards in this RFP. We do not want to stifle technology by dictating what should or should not be used in this scenario. | |
| Appendix A | Page 15, LOT-4 DOTX221 | The contractor would like to know if there are any known problems associated with DOTX221 in terms of maintainability or replacement parts being that it is a 1954 car body. What are its annual objectives in terms of time spent doing unmanned compliance testing? What type of power source has been used for the unmanned systems? | The 221 does have one know issue and that is the couplers are of an older model and are beginning to be worn to limits. The rest of the car is still standards part s and are easily obtainable. The mission currently for this car is to perform the "Amtrak Assessment". This is a near complete test of the major Amtrak routes in the country. This is performed twice a year. | |
| Appendix A | Page 7, Equipment | If modification of an FRA inspection car is required to install prospective contractor's measurement systems, who is responsible for making the necessary car modifications such as stripping down the present systems? For the DOTX 216 and 221 to determine the cost and feasibility of installation of the systems we need the drawings of the rolling stock, in particular the under railcar drawings. | In this scenario if it is an Ensco system we would have Ensco remove the system. Same for any other company. Drawings can and will be provided. | |
| Appendix A | Appendix A | What is the required electronic format of the data being sent from the inspection vehicles to the ATIP data servers? Can these formatting requirements be shared with prospective contractors? | The format of the data is in a MySQL format. | |
| Appendix A | Appendix A | Is the contractor required to purchase Railroad Protective Liability insurance or other insurance coverage for the employees working on ATIP vehicles? If so, are the costs of these premiums billable to the FRA? | No. The employees are covered under the FRA. | |
| Appendix A | Appendix A | How would the unmanned inspection cars be operated? Would the contractor have to pay for a locomotive and crew to pull the car at a specific time over a specific distance or would the unmanned car be put into a train consist and potentially run 24-7? | There are 2 modes of operation that will take place with unmanned operations. The first is the Amtrak Assessment where the train is added to the back of Amtrak trains and test around the country. The second will be to put a car into freight service. This will have the car running at the control of the railroad and at times be running for a 24/7 scenario. | |
| Appendix A | Appendix A | LOT-4 DOTX 221, Will this car be used as a manned inspection car or unmanned inspection car? | This car currently has the capability to perform both and maybe asked to perform either at anytime. | |
| Appendix A | Appendix A | Would the FRA consider separating DOTX218 and DOTX220 for work independently? Could a detailed description of DOTX220 be provided for prospective contractors? | The 218/220 can be separated to work independently since they are 2 separate manned cars together. However it is the FRA's intentions to leave these cars together. If during the contract it is determined that these cars are separated more funding will be provided and details on the operation plan for each car. | |
| Appendix A | The ALD Channel Other features may be marked automatically on the chart when ALD equipment senses their presence magnetically (i.e., turnouts and wayside detection devices). This allows inspectors and host railroad representatives to easily locate exceptions from either the analog or video chart references at the time of occurrence. | Are there any sensors in the inspection cars that will automatically detect switches and mark the GPS coordinates in the GIS map? If so, would the FRA provide information on these systems to prospective contractors? | The only automatic detection is the ALD sensor. | |
| Appendix A | Some of the cars have a VTI / RQMS system. Prospective contractors would need to know the frequencies for the algorithms to be able to detect the defects picked up by the accelerometers. Contractors would need detailed technical requirements for the VTI/RQMS and the algorithms employed in order to be in compliance of the Track Safety Standards, 49 CFR part 213, and the Passenger Equipment Safety Standards, 49 CFR part 238, applicable to high-speed and high cant deficiency train operations. | The requirements for for VTI/RQMS is within the CFR49 part 213.333. The company can create their own algorithms. | ||
| Appendix A | The contractor shall, as required, provide upgrades and supporting services integrated to the ATIP. The contractor shall provide DTN, GIS, and GeoEdit (similar tool) upgrades and support throughout the life of the contract. | Can it be assumed that the software DTN, GIS, and GeoEdit adopted by ENSCO (incumbent contractor) will not be used by the new contractors? Please confirm this is a valid assumption. If so, please provide a list of key mandatory user requirements to be addressed by the software tools similar to DTN, GIS and GeoEdit to be provided by the contractor? If this list cannot be provided, the contractor will make some assumptions on a minimum set of features to be provided based on past experiences. | This was mistakenly left in the RFP and will not be a requirement for any of the contractors. | |
| Appendix A | The contractor shall, as required, provide upgrades and supporting services integrated to the ATIP. The contractor shall provide DTN, GIS, and GeoEdit (similar tool) upgrades and support throughout the life of the contract. | Please specify the expected upgrade and support to be provided by the Contractor? | This was mistakenly left in the RFP and will not be a requirement for any of the contractors. | |
| Appendix A | Provide the capability to generate real-time geometry exception report for the entire surveyed area of operations, via the Internet. | Please confirm if the real time reports refer to the manned or unmanned data or both? By the Internet does it mean via email to a set of users (push mode) or by providing it on a web site (pull mode) or a combination of the two modes? | This would be for both modes of operations. This would be used in a push mode setting to a select group of people. | |
| Appendix A | Furnish data for FRA TDMS Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and ATIP applications; | |||
| • Support data transmission to FRA ATIP Website | Please provide the list of data types foreseen in these requirements and expected data format for each mentioned system (GIS, ATIP applications, ATIP Website) | All events that are captured with ATIP are shared with the GIS team here at FRA. There are times when GIS will tell ATIP what they need. | ||
| Appendix A | 1 SURVEY DIRECTOR |
1-2 DATA SPECIALISTS
1 TECHNICIAN (OCCASIONAL)
1 FORWARD OBSERVER
| (OCCASIONAL SUPERVISOR) | We understand this to mean the FRA expects a minimum of 3 contractor crew members on board a manned inspection at all times but would allow a maximum of 6 contractor crew members. Is this correct? | Correct. An example would be the 216 in man mode would only need a minimum of 3 crew members to operate but the 218/220 would need up to 6 crew members. | ||
| Appendix B | FRA has developed a secure Web site accessible at http://atip.fra.dot.gov to facilitate and improve communications. The site contains survey schedules and operational information. | can the Contractor access to this web site for an evaluation ? | Yes. The website requires a user name and password. One can be set up to allow you to look at the information on he website. | |
| Appendix B | The ALD channel is usually illustrated on the very bottom. Each milepost marking, track number, and current class of track tested is reported and assists in locating track exception. The curvature scaling with the file number (in the year, month, day, and file number format [yymmddxx] is posted on the right border. Location references consist of event message numbers that clearly indicate mileposts and other wayside features such as road crossings, bridges, and trackside detection devices (e.g., hot boxes and clearance devices) are detected and manually entered in the data stream by the contractor. Smaller and larger vertical lines indicate 100- and 1,000-foot track segment division, respectively. | |||
| Other features may be marked automatically on the chart when ALD equipment senses their presence magnetically (i.e., turnouts and wayside detection devices). This allows inspectors and host railroad representatives to easily locate exceptions from either the analog or video chart references at the time of occurrence. | Please provide a sample of data used for automatic track location? It is assumed that these will be used by the proposed localization system and the data are not manipulated by the operator on board. How often is this data updated by FRA and how often does this data have to be updated by the contractor? Can it be assumed that it is up to the FRA to periodically distribute the feature database to all the Contractors in charge of the service? | The ATIP cars do not have a means to detect automatic track detection. This is still a manual input from either the forward observer or by historical inputs. The features are part of the weekly upload into TDMS. | ||
| RFP | RFP | It is our parent company’s policy not to reveal internal cost breakouts, financial statements, or profit margins. We do not disclose Executive Compensation either. Can the FRA consider a fixed price offer at competitive market rates without such disclosure? Are there exemptions for small businesses and if so what are they? | FRA can not consider a fixed price offer. Additionally, no expemptions exist for small businesses. | |
| RFP | RFP | Would the FRA contemplate accepting any offer that has a greater than one-year initial base contract period? | No | |
| RFP | RFP | Would the FRA contemplate any offer to provide an alternative track inspection vehicle in place of one or more of the offered lots? | No | |
| Appendix B | In an effort to reduce paper consumption, inspectors can view ATIP geometry information electronically on GeoEdit software via CD-ROM, or it is viewable on the Track Data Management System ATIP Web site. The eight channels are selectable in any order on GeoEdit. Exception limits are shown in the left-hand margin. The video stripchart no longer needs a scale to measure analog readings because listed exceptions are displayed on the video stripchart. | Please provide more information on how to upload any new data on the ATIP web site. E.g. specification of the data format | At this time FRA is not using GeoEdit. We are considering bringing a newer version back. If and when that decision is made we will provide you with all of the information needed to support this. | |
| Appendix K | data integrity between "FRA in-house databases" and "ATIP testing system and database." The Contractor requires the access to the FRA in-house databases for updating purposes, and FRA Office of Safety requires the use of the Contractor’s testing, processing center and database, as approved and directed by Contract No. DTFR53-16-D-xxxxx to successfully carry out this mission critical project for FRA Office of Safety. The expected benefit of the interconnection is to expedite the processing of data within prescribed timelines. The communication medium is Virtual Private Network (VPN) and the speed requirement for ATIP Processing Center access is DSL or better. | Please provide more information on how the data from the "ATIP testing system and database" are supposed to be loaded to the "FRA in-house database"? | Upon awarding of the ATIP or portion of the ATIP contract you will be provided and IP address and a protocol on how to upload the data. This will be very similar to using an FTTP or WINSP to secure the connection and upload the data into the cloud server housing the TDMS database. | |
| Appendix K | Interaction among systems; the only systems involved are the ATIP Databases through the web interface for upload and retrieval of data. | Can it be assumed that the contractor is in charge only on the hardware on board of the vehicle and the IT infrastructure to post-process and review and process the data is provided by FRA? | Yes. | |
| Appendix K | The Contractor’s ATIP Processing Center will provide the proper technical and management personnel in order fulfill the Information Technology certification and accreditation requirements initiated by FRA in accordance with DOT mandates and conducted by DOT and/or FRA designee(s) vendor(s) paid for by the initiating office. | Please could you detail what are the expenses covered by the FRA and what is expected for the contractor to cover? | There are no expenses covered by the contractor. These will be all covered either by the FRA RAD-20 department or the ATIP contract. | |
| Appendix K | FRA will provide the mission critical server systems as specified in the Government | |||
| Furnished Equipment in the Performance Work Statement. | are all the ATIP data managed in a single database in house by FRA? Could you provide more details on the content of this database? Does it include only exceptions or also raw data? Does it include also strip charts? | Yes all the data is house in one single location. Everything that FRA collects from the geometry cars is stored in this database. | ||
| Appendix K | Compliance to DOT: |
(d) DOT H 1350.253, Departmental Guide to Certification/Accreditation of Information Systems.
(e) DOT H 1350.271, Departmental Guide to Information Protection for Senior Management.
(f) DOT H 1350.260, Departmental Guide to Protecting Information Technology.
(g) DOT H 1350.273, Departmental Guide to Information Protection for Contractors.
| (h) DOT USER ACCESS AUTHORIZATION/REVOCATION form. | Please provide a copy of these documents. We looked online, but were unable to find current copies of these files. | As of January this year these were replaced. Please see attached directive. |
| Appendix K | Attachments: |
1) FRA Project Proposed Firewall/VPN Gateway Implementation (to be provided by the contractor)
| 2) Firewall/VPN Configuration Details (to be provided by the contractor) | Is the contractor required to provide these proposals in the initial offer to the FRA for the ATIP Program Management or may these details be provided after the award has been made? | These may be provided after the awarding. | ||
| Appendix K | Information Technology Memorandum of Understanding | If the contractor does not currently meet all of the certification and compliance requirements outlined in Appendix K, how much time would the FRA allow for the contractor to become compliant? Please consider that some of the certifications could require more than six months to complete. | FRA would consider allowing the contractor some time to get all of these certifications. FRA would work with the IT department and the contractor to determine an appropriate amount of time. | |
| Appendix K | Information Technology Memorandum of Understanding | Can the contractor assume that FRA will not need a secure remote access to the vehicles? The secure channels need to be established only between FRA and Contractor data centers. Please confirm this is a valid assumption. | ||
| This will not be needed since the main database will be housed within the FRA Cloud. | ||||
| Appendix K | Information Technology Memorandum of Understanding | Can the contractor assume that FRA will need a secure remote access to the contractor data center? Please elaborate more on why this access is required. Only for audit purposes? Also for accessing data that are still to be processed and transferred to FRA? | ||
| This will not be needed since the main database will be housed within the FRA Cloud. | ||||
| Appendix K | FRA Office of Information Technology Office shall provide permission for connectivity to a DOT-approved facility (reference the C & A and applicable only to the original location) specified in ATIP Processing Center – Site Location. | Please provide a list of what are considered the DOT-approved facilities to be considered by the Contractor for the purpose of the project. | If the contractor does not plan on housing any of the data outside of the cloud database this will not be required. If the contractor does plan to house data the FRA IT will perform a Physical Site Security Assessment. | |
| Appendix K | The Contractor requires access to the FRA in-house databases for updating purposes | Please describe the required procedures to update the FRA database and data types (e.g. defect, raw data, etc.) part of this update? What is available to the Contractor to update the database? Can the update occur with direct access to the database or it must occur by using existing services? what services are available? | Contractors that need access to the database will be given access. Since all of the data will be housed with in a central database the contractor may have access to their data collected to use for reporting or re-processing. | |
| Appendix K | ATIP testing system and database. | Please confirm if FRA requires the contractor to execute a back up of the "ATIP testing system and database." If so, please specify the minimum number of days of retention to be considered. | This will not be needed since the main database will be housed within the FRA Cloud. | |
| Appendix K | The Contractor requires the access to the FRA in-house databases for updating purposes | Please describe the timing by when the collected data must be transferred to FRA or railway operators. It is assumed that some reports produced by the on board software are taken directly on board (e.g. for attended systems), while others will be delivered to FRA within a number of hours. (for unattended systems). | We would like to have the contractor prepare a file that can be uploaded into the database daily after testing. This file will only need to have the same information as the paper report. Then on a weekly bases all the foot by foot data will need to be shipped to a location (unknown at this time) and uploaded into the database. The same process will be used for the unmanned testing. | |
| Appendix K | The Contractor requires the access to the FRA in-house databases for updating purposes | Does FRA has any preference or constraints in terms of where the processing occurs (on board vs off line) and by what time data must be ready for distribution? | FRA has no preference. | |
| Appendix K | Maintain security throughout implementation with VPN and PIX | Please confirm if FRA requires the contractor to use CISCO PIX router for VPN access or any other new firewall for this. | FRA will provide an appropriate VPN client for contractor use. Current client being used is CISCO's AnyConnect product. | |
| Appendix K | ATIP Processing Center |
– Name:
– Function: ATIP Contractor
– Headquarters Location:
– Site Location:
– Description of data, including sensitivity or classification: All ATIP Databases including but not limited to Accident/Incident databases, Railroad Inspection Databases, Grade Crossing Inventory
| Sensitivity: Sensitive but not classified | It is assumed that with multiple contractors involved in the ATIP program, all the data transfer will be between a contractor and FRA. No data transfer among different contractors are foreseen. | All data will be housed at FRA and will be granted to contractors as needed. | ||
| Attachment A | The contractor shall ensure that track testing will include: safe operation, proper calibration, data acquisition, onboard maintenance of instrumentation, and preparation and distribution of survey results within established guidelines. | Are there any guidelines available for the contractor on the distribution of the survey results? | During manned surveys the Railroad and FRA will be provided a copy either digitally or a paper copy of the report. On unmanned both Railroad and FRA will be emailed a digitally copy only. Any request outside from the host Railroad and FRA must get permission from the ATIP PM. | |
| Attachment A | Therefore, the contractor shall ensure the geometry cars are scheduled and available to inspect railroad track for the equivalent of 150 days per year. | Is this valid for both attended and unattended/autonomous measuring system? What is the related figure for the unattended measuring systems? | See the new Appendix A. It addresses the minimum requirements for each. 150 manned and 200 unmanned. | |
| Attachment A | The contractor shall devise and report statistical information and processes to improve managing or possibly controlling operating time to FRA’s advantage (e.g., percentage of operational readiness; report and remedy excessive railroad delays such as, railroad crew reporting late for duty, or operational delays encountered because of not dispatching the geometry car in a timely manner and given priority status; unexpected and unreasonable operation restrictions, etc.). | It is assumed that the report required to cover this requirement is the one included in Attachment G "Sample Weekly Report for ATIP Fleet Operations." Please confirm this assumption. | Correct. | |
| Attachment A | Track segments are deemed invalid because of geometry measurement failure, instrument inaccuracy or damage due to snow, vegetation, or ballast level; | Are there any criteria adopted to establish when track geometry data are supposed to be invalid? | No, this will be looked at on a case by case basis. | |
| Attachment A | Data accuracy requiring editing and possibly verifying may be confirmed by system health monitors en route or by direct track measurements and instrument verifications, at periodic stops en route and at the conclusion of the test, supervised under proper on-track safety procedures. | 1) Does the data editing involves only (A) exception data or (B) both exception and measurement data? |
2) Please provide more details on the types of editing executed today or expected in the future. For example, the following types are available in the railway industry: (A) removal of an invalid file, (B) removal of an invalid exception from the exception list, (C) removal of invalid samples from a file and then re-calculate the exceptions, (D) alignment of localization data with a reference run or other data, etc.
3) For manned systems, is the editing occurring only on board inspection cars or also in the office/remote desk? what type of editing is mandatory to be completed on board and what type of editing is possible to be completed in office?
4) What data validation criteria (mandatory for FRA) must be adopted at minimum by the contractor on board and in office?
5) Does the contractor must recalculate either exceptions and/or TQI after either measurement or localization data editing?
6) Can it be assumed that the measurement data will be considered ready only? this means that FRA does not allow the contractor to modify the acquired data.
| All of these examples could apply during ATIP operations. During manned operations editing is need to remove the false positives from the TGIR. This would only need to be done on the car but could be performed in an office if something was found after testing. The minimum requirements for each channel of testing is provided in the SOW Appendix A. FRA does allow the contractor the ability to modify the data if an error has been found. The revised file will then be entered into TDMS. | |||
| Attachment B | ATIP cars offer advances such as crashworthiness protection, high-speed trucks, satellite communication, and asset management—including innovations in ride-quality accelerometer measurement and the differential global positioning system (GPS) for precise location of track exceptions. | We’d like to receive a confirmation on the fact that it is mandatory to use a satellite communication system (exclusively or coupled with a 3G\4G data system), for transmitting data from vehicles to TDMS. | A 3G/4G connection would be fine. |
| Attachment B | Download or enter GPS data (latitude and longitude) into a handheld GPS device such as a Digital Track Notebook (DTN). Follow GPS directions to the exception. GPS exception coordinates are listed in the TGIR. | Please confirm if the Contractor has to provide software tools for data access and/or review (e.g. by Track Inspectors) compatible with different Operating Systems (IOS, Android, Win). Could it be assumed that when the data are in the FRA database they will be then distributed to the final users e.g. track inspectors? | This will no longer be a requirement under this RFP. |
| Attachment E | Management of the TDMS | There was a solicitation published earlier in 2016 for management of the TDMS. To the best of our knowledge no bid documents were then published or the contract awarded. From the start of the new ATIP program next year, will there be a new contractor managing the TDMS? | Yes. TDMS will have its own contract. |
| Attachment E | These TQI’s may be used to further evaluate vehicle and track interaction by incorporating vehicle characteristics. They may also be used to study track geometry deterioration trends and rates. | a. Does FRA has already a software tool or an established practice to study track geometry deterioration trends and rates? |
b. How many years of diagnostic data are used to generate trends?
c. What is the unit of analysis for calculation of such trends (e.g. segment, track, region, railway network)
d. Are improvements due to maintenance and renewal works identified in these trends?
| This has not currently been a formal requirement of ATIP. This is something that FRA wants to get more involved in future operations. | |||
| Attachment E | Management of the TDMS | For the purposes of evaluating the current system’s features and functionality to facilitate the needs for data dissemination, can the contractor request a restricted access to the current TDMS during the response period? | Yes. We will provide you a user name and password. |
| Attachment E | Various methods are used to compute TQI’s from track geometry measurements and hence there exist different TQI’s in the railroad industry. The existing methods could be adopted for computing TQI’s. However, FRA method is better suited for segment-by-segment analysis. | Please confirm that it is not mandatory to adopt the FRA method and an alternative TQI computation (e.g. based on standard deviation) is also acceptable. | FRA will be open to any method and input the contractor has for TQI. |
| Attachment I | 24. Provide And Maintain FRA Inspector (Customer) Access To Geometry Survey Data (Including GEOEDIT, GIS, DIGISYSTEMS TRACK NOTEBOOK (DTN) DEVICE Platforms), | What IT infrastructure is available at FRA to install and provide a dedicated software platform for data review? Would it be possible to install a windows client/server application? | This was mistakenly left in the RFP and will not be a requirement for any of the contractors. |
| Attachment I | 24. Provide And Maintain FRA Inspector (Customer) Access To Geometry Survey Data (Including GEOEDIT, GIS, DIGISYSTEMS TRACK NOTEBOOK (DTN) DEVICE Platforms), | In terms of data delivery is FRA requiring a software to review the data or it would be sufficient to provide a set of data reports (e.g. raw data, defects, stripcharts, etc.) in an agreed format? | This was mistakenly left in the RFP and will not be a requirement for any of the contractors. |
| Attachment I | 24. Provide And Maintain FRA Inspector (Customer) Access To Geometry Survey Data (Including GEOEDIT, GIS, DIGISYSTEMS TRACK NOTEBOOK (DTN) DEVICE Platforms), | Is there any user not connected to the LAN located in a branch office connected (via WAN) to the server with a bandwidth lower than 10 Mbps and latency higher than 10 ms? | This was mistakenly left in the RFP and will not be a requirement for any of the contractors. |
| Attachment I | 24. Provide And Maintain FRA Inspector (Customer) Access To Geometry Survey Data (Including GEOEDIT, GIS, DIGISYSTEMS TRACK NOTEBOOK (DTN) DEVICE Platforms), | Is the IT department of FRA available to provide to the Contractor: |
remote access (via VPN or other secure channel)?
installation of a server provided by the contractor?
required network configuration for both server and client to be connect to the LAN?
support for power continuity for the server and back up services for data?
| FRA's Office of IT will work the contractor to provide remote access and system configuration and administration. Backups with be performed in the FRA cloud. | |||
| Attachment I | 24. Provide And Maintain FRA Inspector (Customer) Access To Geometry Survey Data (Including GEOEDIT, GIS, DIGISYSTEMS TRACK NOTEBOOK (DTN) DEVICE Platforms), | Is there any virtualized environment available at FRA that could be used for the server and/or client installation? | Yes. DOT/FRA Azure Cloud |
| Attachment I | 24. Provide And Maintain FRA Inspector (Customer) Access To Geometry Survey Data (Including GEOEDIT, GIS, DIGISYSTEMS TRACK NOTEBOOK (DTN) DEVICE Platforms), | Is there availability of a SQL Server on the same LAN to be used also for the application database? | Yes |
| Attachment I | 24. Provide And Maintain FRA Inspector (Customer) Access To Geometry Survey Data (Including GEOEDIT, GIS, DIGISYSTEMS TRACK NOTEBOOK (DTN) DEVICE Platforms), | Is there availability of remote access for data transfer (e.g. FTP) and installation/debugging (e.g. Citrix, Juniper) | Yes. SFTP. Microsoft Remote Desktop |
| Attachment J | Government Furnished Property | Is the contractor required to use the following facilities: |
ENSCO Editor ENSCO Video Stripchart ENSCO Database Server eSed Database?
| if so, can it be assumed that FRA will provide any training and support in the usage of such facilities? | No. We will allow the contractor to use their own software if they have it. | |
| RFP | RFP, Section B.3 (Page 2): This section indicates the CLINs in table in B.3 should include only those |
items specifically identified in the Section “Annual Deployment” in Appendix A SOW on pages 15‐17.
| Should the pricing provided in this table include all efforts to support each Lot such as Maintenance, IT Security, Engineering and Programming, Management and Administration, and Railroad Provided | ||||
| Services (Technical Exhibit III) Costs as described on other pages of Appendix A SOW? If not, please identify where these costs should be provided? | Yes. We would like all costings per car to be included. | |||
| RFP | RFP, Section B.4 (Page 4): This section indicates both CPFF and FFP task orders will be awarded. | For pricing purposes, please clarify which work requirements under each CLIN will be CPFF and which will be FFP. | For proposal purposes, the offeror shall provide a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (FFP) estimate but at the time of each Task Order it will be open for negotiation. | |
| RFP | RFP, Sec. L.8 “NOTE” (Page 31): The NOTE states 7 hard copies, one original, and one electronic |
(email) copy of the proposal are required. On RFP Sec. L.9(b) (Page 32) states one original, 3 hard
| copies, and one electronic copy are required. | Please clarify the required number of copies required. | This error has been corrected. | ||
| RFP | RFP, Sec L.13 (Page 33): RFP states “The Technical Proposal shall include the following sections (listed | |||
| in descending order of importance):” | Please provide the list of sections that should be included in | |||
| Volume I in order of descending importance. | The sections "listed in descending order of importance" are those items with headings labeled "Factor 1" and "Factor 2". | |||
| Synopsis | The original synopsis dated identified an ATIP fleet of five railbound geometry vehicles with an estimated contract value range of $50 - $70 million. The RFP issued idenifies 7 lots of manned and unmanned vehicles. | What is the new estimated contract value range that corresponds with the RFP issued? | No change is anticipated | |
| RFP | RFP Sec M.1 (Page 39): states that FRA will utilize a “trade‐off” process for evaluation. | Please provide the evaluation ratings for technical evaluation factors listed in Section M2, for example what constitutes an “Outstanding”, “Good”, “Acceptable” or “Not Acceptable” technical proposal. | The rating methodology is for internal use only. | |
| Appendix A | Appendix A SOW, (Pages 14 and 28): States “The contractor shall have an option to purchase the GFE |
with a fair market trade‐in value for the equipment provided by the government so that the contractor can operate the requirement specified in this document as a Contractor‐Owned Contractor‐Operated (COCO) operation mode.” Does the government assert it intends to sell this equipment at contract award or any time during the performance of this contract solely based on the contractor exercising the option to purchase? If yes, please provide the fair market value for the GFE
| in each of the Lots and the terms of the COCO agreement. Alternatively, should offeror assume that this option should not be priced in offeror’s proposal and the purchase of the GFE will not be assessed for evaluation/award purposes? | This is standard language that is within the contract if the government would like to exercise this option. Currently we do not plan to exercise it. We will contact you directly if we do. | ||
| Appendix A | Appendix A SOW (Page 16): Under “Annual Deployment for Unmanned Operations”, the offeror is | ||
| required to operate a Remote Desk. | Please provide functional requirements for this mode of | ||
| operation. | FRA is not outlining how this must be done. It is expected of the offeror to bring their business model to the RFP. | ||
| Appendix A | Appendix A SOW (Page 20): Under “Deliverables Required”, states the contractor shall assign a | ||
| workforce to support furnishing data to centralized FRA data management system. | Please provide the scope of the technical requirements and work load estimates for this function. | This is refering to the section of the SOW for Management and Reporting. FRA will leave it up to the offerer to determine the level of effort needed to peform this. | |
| Appendix A | Appendix A SOW (Page10): Lots 6‐7 do not have inspection systems provided. | For pricing purposes, please confirm that the technology is required and that the offeror should propose this technology in | |
| its offer. | The only technology that FRA is requiring in the unmanned operations is what is listed in the Appendix A page 34, 35. | ||
| Appendix A | Appendix A SOW, “LOTS” (Page 9‐10): Lots 1‐ 5, and 7 contain inspections systems not described in | ||
| the SOW. | For pricing purposes, please provide the complete list of systems to be operated and maintained and the required number of operators for each Lot. | The only platform that will have a technology that is different from the rest of the cars will be the DOTX218 and that would be GRMS. There are other systems that are on the cars that are run by the FRA's Research department. These either require no involvement form the ATI Contractor or the Research team will have a contract separately to work on those systems. The number of crew members will vary from lot to lot and the FRA wants to hear the offerors proposal on what they feel each lot should have. The only requirement that has been established is that the manned lots will have no less than 3 crew members. |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .