AWIPS_Industry_Day_Technical_Questions.pdf

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC

ADMINISTRATION (NOAA)

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE(NWS)

ADVANCED WEATHER INTERACTIVE PROCESSING

SYSTEM (AWIPS)

INDUSTRY DAY TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Industry Day Technical Questions and Answers

The following responses reflect the Government’s answers to questions raised by prospective Offerors who attended the NOAA AWIPS Industry Day event held on 03-05

February 2015. Items prefaced by numbers beginning “CQA” refer to questions related to contractual and administrative issues; items prefaced by numbers beginning

“TQA” are technical in nature. Please note that all references to the AWIPS Technical Library pertain to the following URL:

https://vlab.ncep.noaa.gov/web/awips-technical-library

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question

TQA1.

Ref SOO Section C.2 subpart d Does vendor assume that the transition to

AWIPS II of 2 Million lines of plug-in has happened?

Yes

TQA2.

Is Vendor to assume that there will be no need to support AWIPS I in proposal?

Yes

TQA3. Is AWIPS II a new federal project or a continuation to AWIPS I?

AWIPS is the NWS Program. AWIPS II Migration is a software project.

Once the project is deployed, the whole system will be referred to as

AWIPS.

TQA4.

Ref SOO—What is the status of and plan for completion of the 6 AWIPS

Extended projects? If not completed by contract award, will the new contractor assume responsibility?

The plan is for the development of most extended projects to be complete by contract award. The new contract's prime contractor will assume

O&M support for these baselined projects, since they will be part of the operational AWIPS baseline. Any projects still in development at contract award will be transitioned on a case-by- case basis.

TQA5. Will AWIPS I and AWIPS II run concurrently?

No. AWIPS II is a software replacement of AWIPS I legacy software baseline. AWIPS II is expected to be fully deployed by September 30, 2015.

TQA6.

Ref SOO—It seems hard to figure out the baseline—is there a way to mitigate that? How do vendors find a way to figure out what is too much and what is too little?

Please refer to the tech library and submit any technical questions in writing to Contracting Officer.

TQA7. Will it be a transition to Big Data Initiatives? The AWIPS Program is fully informed about NOAA’s “big data” https://vlab.ncep.noaa.gov/web/awips-technical-library

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question initiatives and will adjust strategies as those initiatives mature.

TQA8.

Please clarify SOO section C. Is it reasonable to ask NOAA to align

SOO/SOW (there is a section called SOW in RFP) to CLINs in order to match incentives?

There no one-to-one relationship between the objectives and CLINs

TQA9.

Ref SOO Section C.5 item b states current WAN bandwidth that is available.

What is the Government’s plan for the evolution of the Government provided

WAN capability?

NWS' Office of Dissemination is establishing a path forward for upgrading current telecommunications capabilities. The AWIPS Program will be working with the Office of Dissemination to incorporate AWIPS requirements in the plans.

TQA10. Are there any plans for LAN/WAN updates/upgrades?

NWS' Office of Dissemination is establishing a path forward for upgrading current telecommunications capabilities. The AWIPS Program will be working with the Office of Dissemination to incorporate AWIPS requirements in the plans.

TQA11. Who supplies the terrestrial interconnect to teleport?

Currently, the terrestrial communications from the AWIPS NCF to our

Master Ground Station (MGS) is maintained by the AWIPS NCF. The circuits are 2x 100 Mbps fiber links to the Globecomm fiber ring. Circuit to the backup MGS is through NOAA support (N-Wave) using fiber at

1G.

TQA12.

How constrained is the current bandwidth? As there is an AQL related to Data

Latency, does it cause delays in the delivery of products? With the responsibility for these circuits now residing with the Dissemination Group, is it the contractor’s responsibility to monitor these circuits for capacity/delay issues? How has the performance of the Dissemination Group been responding to request for changes to the AWIPS infrastructure?

NWS' Office of Dissemination is establishing a path forward for upgrading current telecommunications capabilities. The AWIPS Program will be working with the Office of Dissemination to incorporate AWIPS requirements in the plans. The NCF monitors the circuits for up/down status, which enables them to provide performance metrics for availability. Latency is only measured through data products via the

SBN; capacity/thru-put isn't measured except for the SBN

TQA13.

Please comment on current Acquisition Strategy and the end date of the current contract.

The current contract was extended by the government to February 2016.

The estimated date of award of August 15, 2016. The Contracting Office will ensure that sufficient time is allotted between the current contract and the new contract for an effective transition.

TQA14.

Do you think the current contractor will be able to complete the remaining planned AWIPS II deployments prior to the current contract end date of

August 15, 2015? If the currently planned deployments are not completed by that date, will NOAA still move forward with the award to a potentially new

The Government has extended the current contract to ensure AWIPS II is fully deployed. The AWIPS Program is actively managing the schedules associated with these deployments, and is stabilizing the baseline to

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question contractor? If NOAA intends to extend the current contract until all deployments are completed, what is the likely decision point timeframe?

minimize risks in the start of the new contract.

TQA15. For pricing purposes, what is the Start Date of the contract (by CLIN) The estimated date of award of August 15, 2016.

TQA16.

Ref SOO AWIPS SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS TABLE 1. Is the

Government confident that the existing AWIPS software baseline being inherited by the Contractor is sufficiently mature that it is free of Critical DRs?

AWIPS meets all operational requirements.

TQA17. How many resources are working on this contract? NOAA will not disclose information regarding incumbent performance.

TQA18. Please provide us with a POC for the incumbent. NOAA will not disclose information regarding incumbent performance.

TQA19. What are the incumbent current subcontracting goals?

NOAA will not disclose information regarding incumbent performance.

For subcontracting goals in the new contract, refer to the RFP.

TQA20. Please comment on the spending level for the current contract? NOAA will not disclose information regarding incumbent performance.

TQA21.

What is the current methodology used for continuous technology refresh options? Are ISO practices currently being implemented?

NOAA will not disclose incumbent performance information.

TQA22.

What are their most common challenges at NOAA/AWIPS today with code migration from dev to test to production?

NOAA will not disclose incumbent performance information.

TQA23. Please provide historical data on hardware orders for O&M pricing. NOAA will not disclose incumbent performance information.

TQA24. Please comment on incumbent performance. NOAA will not disclose incumbent performance information.

TQA25. What is the current staffing breakdown by CLIN? NOAA will not disclose incumbent performance information.

TQA26. What is the current staffing for the SBN? NOAA will not disclose incumbent performance information.

TQA27.

Please comment on deployment delay for the current contract and how it hindered performance.

NOAA will not disclose information regarding incumbent performance.

TQA28. Vendor understands that Raytheon is the incumbent. What are your comments on the previous Small Business group and the one that will be participating in NOAA will not disclose information regarding incumbent performance.

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question the recompete?

TQA29.

Please provide more information on current state or current capabilities –

FTEs.

NOAA will not disclose information regarding incumbent performance.

TQA30.

Can the government provide recency, scale of relevancy and the rating of performance confidence for past performance?

Please refer to the Request for Proposal (RFP). We have taken vendors’ concerns into account, and addressed them in the forthcoming solicitation.

TQA31.

Ref SOO C.3.1.b—Please provide a description of the AWIPS Recompete software configuration for the 22 Center Weather Service Units requiring

24/7/365 O&M support as indicated in C.3.1 b) of the 28 January 2015 Draft

SOO.

Each CWSU has a standard AWIPS Linux Workstation that runs CAVE

Thin Client. The CAVE Thin Client accesses meteorological data from the "parent" WFO over a FAA T1 circuit. The Thin Client connects to a proxy server that resides on WFO's PX1f server.

TQA32. Can you explain the CWSUs and how they work?

They are connected with WFOs through an FAA comms link. The use of

AWIPS Thin Client allows CWSU users to connect to AWIPS. For more details on the CWSUs, visit http://www.nws.noaa.gov/aviation/pages/CWSU/CWSU.php

TQA33. Does NOAA sees any value on the use of external environmental data?

Non-NOAA environmental data is of potential interest. However, security, access and reliability of such data would need to be carefully accessed. Currently there are no requirements for access to such datasets.

TQA34. Are there any standard data formats for transport?

NOAA has standards for data over the SBN. On the back end NOAA has text messages; internally NOAA has hdf-5 and NetCDF. In addition, all data format information is publicly available.

TQA35. Please comment on standardized headers.

Please refer to the WMO standards:

http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/ois/Operational_Information/Publi cations/WMO_386/WMO_386_Vol_I_2009_en.pdf

TQA36.

What are the current disaster recovery and contingency plans? How do these differ from the COOP and backup plans?

NWS Directives, including those for Backup Operations, may be found at the following location:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/directives/010/010.htm The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network

Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added the AWIPS Technical Library.

http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/ois/Operational_Information/Publications/WMO_386/WMO_386_Vol_I_2009_en.pdf http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/ois/Operational_Information/Publications/WMO_386/WMO_386_Vol_I_2009_en.pdf http://www.nws.noaa.gov/directives/010/010.htm

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question

TQA37. Please provide a list of DR’s. Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA38. Please provide a history of DR’s. Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA39.

Ref SOO C.3.1.i. NOAA-NWS wants offerors to suggest how discrepancy reports can be significantly reduced. This item was also highlighted at Industry

Day. Please define Discrepancy report and whether these apply only to the

AWIPS application or to other levels of the infrastructure “stack” deployed for

AWIPS.

Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA40.

In the Industry Day handout, AWIPS Program Objectives, Bullet 9—develop a

“plan to significantly reduce the AWIPS II Discrepancy Report backlog.”

Approximately how many DR’s are in the backlog?

Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA41.

Can NOAA provide the statistics of DRs by category for the year 2014 at the various AWIPS sites?

Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA42.

Will the Government identify the backlog of open DRs along with associated severity levels and by sub-system? Non-incumbent Offerors must have some understanding of the quantity and severity of the existing open discrepancy reports to provide a valid plan to reducing the backlog.

Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA43.

Ref SOO—Section C.3.1 AWIPS Program Objectives, C.3.1.i— Section

C.3.1.i states, “Develop a proposal and implementation plan to significantly reduce the AWIPS II Discrepancy Report (DR) backlog without sacrificing the support for current operations and newly discovered DRs.” Can the

Government provide the current backlog for DRs, priorities, and estimated

Software Lines of Code for each? What is the current rate of A1 and A2 issues that arise within the AWIPS applications? Can the Government quantify the term “significantly”?

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives established in the SOO. Please refer to the AWIPS Technical

Library.

TQA44.

Ref C.3.1 i) AWIPS Program Objectives “i) Develop a proposal and implementation plan to significantly reduce the AWIPS II Discrepancy Report

(DR) backlog without sacrificing the support for current operations and newly discovered DRs. The plan should also detail how the Offeror expects to keep the DR inventory sufficiently low and prevent the DR backlog from significantly increasing over time.” Additional details on the DRs are needed in order to develop an approach to reducing the DR footprint over the life on the contract. What is the current DR backlog and DR priority allocation? Will the categorization definitions be made available to bidders?

Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question

TQA45.

Ref C.3.1 AWIPS Program Objectives/ C.5 CONSTRAINTS, TABLE 1 ‐

AWIPS SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS TABLE 1 ‐ AWIPS SERVICE

LEVEL AGREEMENTS i) “Develop a proposal and implementation plan to significantly reduce the AWIPS II Discrepancy Report (DR) backlog without sacrificing the support for current operations and newly discovered DRs. The plan should also detail how the Offeror expects to keep the DR inventory sufficiently low and prevent the DR backlog from significantly increasing over time.” “Measures software quality by minimizing DRs released to operational

AWIPS sites taking into account the DRs priority and impact on operations.

This metric measures new DRs introduced to operations by any release to operations, e.g., major content releases, emergency releases, patches, etc. It does not address backlog DRs. The classification schema for AWIPS DRs may be in the AWIPS Technical Library.” Specific DR information may include items such as: Origin of the DR, detailed description of the issue, problem setting, recommended solution (if any), priority, and operational impact if the

DR is not fixed. The above referenced information will provide equal opportunity to all bidders and will allow the bidders to propose solutions to resolve the open DRs. Will the Government provide details regarding the open

DRs in the technical library?

Please refer to AWIPS Technical Library

TQA46.

Ref C.3.1 (i) AWIPs Program Objectives—Please provide the current

Discrepancy Report (DR) Backlog database (with descriptions and categorizations).

Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA47.

Ref SOO C.3.1.i—Develop a proposal and implementation plan to significantly reduce the AWIPS II Discrepancy Report (DR) backlog. Please provide access to all AWIPS Discrepancy Reports.

Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA48.

During the industry day presentation, it was mentioned that there is still a significant DR backlog on the current AWIPS II system. Would NOAA consider providing a list containing a summary of each open DR within the

AWIPS technical library?

Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA49. What is the expected size of the DR backlog at the transition time? Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA50.

Ref Section L.7.3.1.1 Factor 1: Technical Solution, Software Maintenance and

Support Option—The Draft RFP states, “This includes a methodology for evaluating, validating high priority defects (incl. A1 and A2 DRs) against the

Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question current software baseline and defect backlog, and correcting existing software defects in a timely fashion.”— Is there an anticipated maximum number of unresolved DR’s to exist on transition/turn-key day?

TQA51.

Ref Section L.7.3.1.1 Factor 1: Technical Solution, Software Maintenance and

Support Option—The Draft RFP states, “This includes a methodology for evaluating, validating high priority defects (incl. A1 and A2 DRs) against the current software baseline and defect backlog, and correcting existing software defects in a timely fashion.” What is the current rate of A1 and A2 within the

AWIPS applications? What is the current backlog of A1 and A2 DRs?

Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA52.

Are the details on the open DRs available to all bidders? Specific DR

Information may include items such as: Origin of the DR, detailed description of the issue, problem setting, recommended solution (if any), priority, and operational impact if the DR is not fixed. This information will provide equal opportunity to all bidders and will allow bidders to propose innovative solutions to resolve the open DR’s.

Please refer to the Tech Library for a list of open DRs. The information provided there includes a brief description of the issue, a detailed description of the issue, the priority, the date found, and the DR status.

The operational impact can be derived from the priority by referencing the DR categorization document, also on the AWIPS Technical Library.

Open DRs generally do not contain recommended solutions.

TQA53.

Is the government looking to find a contractor for Evaluation and Validation of the system?

No.

TQA54.

Ref Section L.7.3.1.2 – Factor 2: Management Solution, Transition Plan

(Phase-In and Phase-Out) The Draft RFP states: “Transition plan shall include details to minimize disruption and start-up requirements. The transition plan shall include details of how the offeror plans to address staffing, including recruiting, hiring, training, and security requirements, and any other special considerations of the prospective providers to reflect a transition period of realistic length and requirements. The transition plan shall provide details of seamless transition of subcontracted services, logistics and maintenance (e.g.

SBN services, existing spares pool, etc.).” Please provide the NOAA, NWS and AWIPS Enterprise Architectures and technical reference models.

NOAA, NWS, and AWIPS Enterprise Architecture and technical reference models diagrams are not available. Available diagrams are posted on the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA55.

Please provide additional evaluation criteria, including relative weighting rating (i.e. quantitative points or color rating scale) for each factor and sub factor.

See updated SOO/RFP.

TQA56.

Draft RFP L.7.3.1.1 FACTOR 1: TECHNICAL SOLUTION states:

“Operations and Maintenance Solution The Operations and Maintenance

Solution shall include, but not limited to, the following: … Plan to provide and

See updated SOO/RFP.

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question manage Network Control Facility (NCF). The plan shall include sufficient detail to describe how the Offeror plans to manage the NCF on a 24/7/365 basis and address, at a minimum, the following: monitor central interfaces and telecommunication network; monitor all sites' AWIPS equipment; use NCF diagnostic capabilities to analyze site and network problems; operate AWIPS network help desk; generate request and periodic reports on network performance; support software and hardware upgrades and patch distribution;

and support the current NCF centralized archive function.”

OO Section C.5. Constraints states: “NOAA and NWS acknowledge the following constraints: … e) The NWS will not be able to make accommodations for any additional facilities (e.g., IT equipment, desk space, etc.) within their Government owned or Government-leased properties, beyond what is already in use by the 24/7 and maintenance support personnel.

Network Control Facility (NCF) is located on the 6th floor of the Silver Spring

Metro Complex – Building 2 (SSMC2) at 1325 East-West Highway, Silver

Spring, MD. The Backup NCF facility is located in Fairmont, WV.” Please clarify. Are NCF provided and managed by the government or the potential vendor?

TQA57.

Government says NWS will not be able to provide additional facilities (desks, PC, etc., beyond those for the 24/7 and maintenance support personnel. How many desks are currently available?

See updated SOO/RFP.

TQA58.

Ref SOO C.5.a "In order to facilitate face-to-face meetings between the

Government and the Offeror, preference will be given to Offerors who have

(or have plans to establish) a Program Management Office within 20 miles of

NWS Headquarters (Silver Spring, MD)." Is there a certain percentage of the workforce (or specific program personnel) that MUST be at the Silver Spring office? For example, can you plan to have the software support team located somewhere else?

SOO C.5.a refers to the Program Management Office. Regarding support staff, this is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603

(b). Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives established in the SOO.

TQA59. What are the proximity/location requirements for staff on the program?

SOO C.5.a refers to the Program Management Office. Regarding support staff, this is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603

(b). Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the established in the SOO.

TQA60. Please clarify Place of Performance The contractor is expected to operate the NCF located in Silver Spring, Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question

MD and when needed activate the BNCF located in Fairmont, WV. In addition, SOO C.5.a refers to the Program Management Office.

Otherwise, this is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR

37.603 (b). Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives established in the SOO.

TQA61.

Ref Section L.7.3.1.1 and SOO C.5.f—Section L states the contractor should plan to provide and manage the NCF. The SOO C.5.f states the location as

Silver Spring, MD. Please clarify the Contractor’s responsibility for the current NCF, is it government-furnished or contractor furnished? If government furnished, does the government have any plans to relocate the

NCF to the NCWCP facility in College Park.

The location of the NCF and BNCF is Government provided. The

Contractor is expected to operate the NCF/BNCF. The Government has made no determination as to the relocation of the NCF/BNCF at this point.

TQA62.

SOO Page 6, C.3.1 AWIPS Program Objectives, Paragraph H, Open Source and AWIPS Data Rights “Maintain open source nature of AWIPS (including, but not limited to, source code, executables, related scripts, utilities, documentation, deliverables, and reports) by providing appropriate data rights and use agreements, as well as enable a smooth transition to another provider, to ensure continuity of service in the event of contract termination, or upon contract re-competition. These rights and agreements will include language which allows the Federal Government to freely distribute AWIPS software

(and related materials described above) to its partners and any other interested parties. The AWIPS full data rights should be provided to include all scripts and software needed to build, test, execute, and run the software.” There [is] a wide variety of different recognized open source licenses (e.g. Apache, BSD, GNU, MIT, Mozilla, etc. etc.), each conferring different rights and responsibilities. To which license does this paragraph refer?

The licenses referred to in the paragraph are any and all licenses required in order for the Federal Government to compile, build, test, distribute, and operate AWIPS II.

TQA63. Is NESDIS Geo Net Cast inside AWIPS or over SBN?

GeoNetCast is external to AWIPS, and the SBN It is currently handled by the OPS group, and delivered via separate satellite interface.

TQA64.

What is the anticipated government involvement level change from the current contract to the next? (e.g. IPTs) The Government expects to have the same level of involvement.

TQA65.

Which contracting vehicle will it transition to? Is this contracting vehicle an

IDIQ with vendors who have already been approved?

This will be a single-award IDIQ.

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question

TQA66.

Ref Section L.7.3.1.1 Factor 1: Technical Solution—Will the Government also provide sufficient detail and guidelines to price the effort in the Product

Improvement CLIN 0002?

The government intends to award a Single- Award, Indefinite Delivery

Indefinite Quantity contract. Task order issues against CLIN 0002

Product Improvement will be defined on a case-by-case basis. The government anticipates the use of a Cost-Plus-Award-Fee, Cost-Plus-

Incentive-Fee or Time and Material type of Task Order/Contract.

TQA67. What is the current status of the IPV-6 conversion?

IPv6 will need to be supported by the AWIPS Program and should be part of the new contract. All communications equipment, servers and workstations will need to be transitioned over to IPv6.

TQA68. Has ITIL been implemented? No.

TQA69.

The term “mission focus” is used in the DRAFT SOO. Please share your views as to the boundaries of the “mission.”

The "mission" is to fulfill the NWS mission as delineated in the RFP.

TQA70. Is there any need for support at NC’s that is different at WFO’s?

The National Centers (NCs) H/W configuration baseline differs from

WFO/RFC in order to account for additional data processing required.

All AWIPS baseline software must be supported at the NCs, just like any other site type. Please refer to AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA71.

Will the Government provide Offerors with a layout and description of the two

NCF facilities as well as current staffing? If not, will the Government allow bidders to perform a site survey?

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added the AWIPS Technical Library. No site surveys are authorized prior to award.

TQA72.

Ref C.2 (e) AWIPS Background and Concept—Please provide the Software

Licenses and Warranties, including quantities and renewal timelines, in use at the ANCF/BNCF.

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA73.

Ref Section L.7.3.1.1 Factor 1: Technical Solution—Will the Government provide list of average daily help desk calls, peak ranges, and average duration?

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA74.

Ref Section L.7.3.1.1 Factor 1: Technical Solution—Will the Government provide a description of the NCF diagnostic capabilities?

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added to the AWIPS Technical Library.

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question

TQA75.

Ref Section L.7.3.1.1—DRFP para. L.7.3.1.1 states "procedures for obtaining remedial maintenance." Please provide the Network Monitoring and Control

Facility documentation, including the Standard Operating Procedures for NCF operation.

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA76.

Ref Section L.7.3.1.1 Factor 1: Technical Solution, Operations and

Maintenance Solution, 5th bullet. The fifth bullet states, “Plan to provide and manage Network Control Facility (NCF)... and support the current NCF centralized archive function.” Can the Government share the details of the current NCF’s implementation including all hardware, software, tools and technologies (diagnostic, monitoring, analysis, service desk, reporting, and patch management)?

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA77.

Ref Section L.7.3.1.1 Operations and Maintenance Solution “…and support the current NCF centralized archive function”. Can the Government provide details on this archive (purpose, contents, size, frequency of updates, etc.)?

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA78.

Ref Section L.7.3.1.1—Please provide details on the current NCF operations including processes, procedures for maintaining hardware and software, number of personnel, trouble ticket process through completion.

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA79.

In order to better size the effort, will the Government arrange a visit to the primary NCF? Is the O&M of the NCF hardware included in the AWIPS

O&M CLINs? If so, will the Government provide the current asset inventory of all the equipment at the NCF? Does this include the general desktops, workstations, and servers etc. that are part of the NCF?

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added to the AWIPS Technical Library.

Preaward NOAA/AWIPS site visits are not permitted.

TQA80.

In order to propose realistic FFP prices for the O&M CLINs the vendor requests NWS to provide all historical metrics related to NCF call/ticket volume, number of trouble tickets, average closure times and open ticket volume

Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA81.

Can the Government provide details on the current NCF centralized archive function? Is remote access into the NCF possible?

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA82.

Would the Government provide any current Continuity of Operations plans for the NCF?

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question documentation will be added the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA83.

What visibility does the NCF have into the AWIPS equipment at all sites?

How is this visibility achieved?

The NCF has the ability to remotely access AWIPS at each site manually or automatically. The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added to the AWIPS Technical

Library.

TQA84.

What parts of the current NCF is Government provided and what parts will be transitioned to the contractor? Can the Government provide the current standard operating procedure for NCF operations?

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA85.

Can the bidders assume that some amount of troubleshooting will be performed by the local WFO Government personnel? In order to propose realistic FFP prices for the O&M CLINs, will the Government provide all historical metrics related to NCF call/ticket volume, number of trouble tickets, average closure times, and open ticket volume?

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA86.

What type of support is required at the backup NCF? What are the expectations for continuity between the NCF and the Backup NCF?

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA87.

Ref SOO—Section C.3.1 AWIPS Program Objectives, C.3.1.b—Section

C.3.1.b states “Operational support shall meet or exceed the Service Level

Agreements (SLAs) specified in Table 1.” Can the Government provide details on how frequently do Level 1 and Level 2 sites experience downtime and for what reasons (i.e. scheduled outages, patches, network issues, etc.)? Does the

Government expect contractors to be on-site to handle service interruption?

How many help desk incidents are reported per day at each site type?

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related to the Network Control Facility. If deemed releasable, such documentation will be added to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA88.

“The Government intends to have one contract line item number (CLIN) for

Operations and Maintenance (to include SLINS – Hardware Refresh and

Software Maintenance) (FFP)…The Government will maintain a firm fixed price for the maintenance O&M task order which includes Software

Maintenance.” Is the O&M of the NCF hardware included in the AWIPS

O&M CLINs? Will the Government provide the current asset inventory of all of the equipment at the NCF? Does it include the general desktops, workstations, servers, etc. that are part of the NCF?

The Government is currently reviewing available documentation related documentation will be added the AWIPS Technical Library.

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question

TQA89.

Are there contractor personnel currently at National Centers supporting

AWIPS II?

There are no Prime Contractor personnel stationed at the National

Centers.

TQA90.

Ref C.5 CONSTRAINTS, TABLE 1 V)—AWIPS SERVICE LEVEL

AGREEMENTS, V. Average Message Timeliness; VI. Message Distribution to NDFD (WFO) “ Average Message Timeliness is defined as a performance metric to identify timeliness of weather products being delivered from a WFO to NWS customers via the Satellite Broadcast Network (SBN).” “Delivery time begins when the messages are received from the WFO through rsync to the AWIPS WAN and stored on the NDFD Servers at the ANCF/BNCF.”

What is the priority definition and average distribution of the messages?

The messages referenced in Table 1 Row V are delivered via the

Message Handling System and use priorities as defined on the AWIPS

Technical Library. Please refer to the current SLAs for specifics on timeliness. The grids routed to NDFD, referenced in Table 1 Row VI are rsync'd from the WFOs to a server at the NCF. There are no priorities, all rsync'd data are treated equally. There is no current SLA for the timeliness of these data, and the NWS has limited historical timeliness data for these grids.

TQA91.

Is the Hardware Maintenance GFP? Please clarify the warranty structure. Is this part of the SOO?

The National Logistics Service Center (NLSC) currently stores spare

AWIPS hardware. When AWIPS hardware fails at a site, the site orders a replacement from the NLSC via the NCF. The site installs the replacement and returns the failed hardware to the NLSC. The NLSC sends the failed hardware to the National Reconditioning Center (NRC) for QA. The NRC either repairs the hardware or returns it to the vendor for warranty repairs. The Contractor is currently responsible for providing hardware acquisition via the SLIN under the O&M CLIN. The

NLSC enters the hardware in their logistics tracking system and stores it in their warehouse.

TQA92.

NWS Hardware Maintenance: The use of Linux and commodity hardware has enabled NWS to use the NOAA logistics infrastructure. Could you elaborate on what is the NOAA logistics infrastructure and how it is used to support hardware maintenance?

The National Logistics Service Center (NLSC) currently stores spare

AWIPS hardware. When AWIPS hardware fails at a site, the site orders a replacement from the NLSC via the NCF. The site installs the replacement and returns the failed hardware to the NLSC. The NLSC sends the failed hardware to the National Reconditioning Center (NRC) for QA. The NRC either repairs the hardware or returns it to the vendor for warranty repairs. The Contractor is currently responsible for providing hardware acquisition via the SLIN under the O&M CLIN. The

NLSC enters the hardware in their logistics tracking system and stores it in their warehouse.

TQA93.

Ref SOO—Section C.2 AWIPS Background and Concept, Hardware -The

Draft SOO states, “Commodity hardware has enabled NWS to use the NOAA logistics infrastructure, including the National Logistics Support Center

(NLSC) and NOAA Research Council (NRC). AWIPS hardware is warrantied

The National Logistics Service Center (NLSC) currently stores spare

AWIPS hardware. When AWIPS hardware fails at a site, the site orders a replacement from the NLSC via the NCF. The site installs the replacement and returns the failed hardware to the NLSC. The NLSC

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question and on a continuous (staggered) refresh cycle.” Can the government provide details on the role of NLSC and NRC in terms of AWIPS hardware management and refreshes? How does government foresee the AWIPS contractor integrating with NLSC and NRC for hardware refreshes?

sends the failed hardware to the National Reconditioning Center (NRC) for QA. The NRC either repairs the hardware or returns it to the vendor for warranty repairs. The Contractor is currently responsible for providing hardware acquisition via the SLIN under the O&M CLIN. The

NLSC enters the hardware in their logistics tracking system and stores it in their warehouse.

TQA94.

Ref SOO C.2.e AWIPS Background and Concept – Hardware—Please clarify the role of NLSC relative to AWIPS? Is the AWIPS contractor responsible for purchasing all Hardware? What is the relationship between NLSC and the

AWIPS contractor?

The National Logistics Service Center (NLSC) currently stores spare

AWIPS hardware. When AWIPS hardware fails at a site, the site orders a replacement from the NLSC via the NCF. The site installs the replacement and returns the failed hardware to the NLSC. The NLSC sends the failed hardware to the National Reconditioning Center (NRC) for QA. The NRC either repairs the hardware or returns it to the vendor for warranty repairs. The Contractor is currently responsible for providing hardware acquisition via the SLIN under the O&M CLIN. The

NLSC enters the hardware in their logistics tracking system and stores it in their warehouse.

TQA95.

Ref Government Furnished Equipment/Property Will there be any

Government furnished equipment? Will vendor have spares and/or warehouse to store spares? Can NOAA provide vendor with data on Spares

The National Logistics Service Center (NLSC) currently stores spare

AWIPS hardware. When AWIPS hardware fails at a site, the site orders a replacement from the NLSC via the NCF. The site installs the replacement and returns the failed hardware to the NLSC. The NLSC sends the failed hardware to the National Reconditioning Center (NRC) for QA. The NRC either repairs the hardware or returns it to the vendor for warranty repairs. The Contractor is currently responsible for providing hardware acquisition via the SLIN under the O&M CLIN. The

NLSC enters the hardware in their logistics tracking system and stores it in their warehouse. Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA96.

How will AWIPS integrate with NOAA Link? Will AWIPS continue to have its own platform/infrastructure?

NOAALink is an overall contract, and does not maintain an infrastructure or platform. AWIPS will not utilize the NOAALink contract for the objectives stated in the SOO.

TQA97.

Attachment J-4 listed 22 CWSUs and 3 Centers not yet using the AWIPS II baseline. Will offerors need to propose the transition of these CWSUs to the

AWIPS II Baseline?

At the contract award date, the NWC will have two AWIPS RFC systems installed (one for operations and one for development). Each

TWC will have two AWIPS WFO systems installed (one for operations and one for development), and the CWSUs will be using the AWIPS

Thin Client software. For all three of these office types, the Offeror

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question should assume that O&M will begin on the contract award date.

See updated SOO/RFP.

TQA98.

Attachment J-4 lists NWC, Tsunami Center and 22 CWSU as not being on

AWIPS. Does vendor assume that this transition would be finished by contract award?

At the contract award date, the NWC will have two AWIPS RFC systems installed (one for operations and one for development). Each

TWC will have two AWIPS WFO systems installed (one for operations and one for development), and the CWSUs will be using the AWIPS

Thin Client software. For all three of these office types, the Offeror should assume that O&M will begin on the contract award date.

See updated SOO/RFP.

TQA99.

Ref SOO—Please provide current status of AWIPS II implementation in

CWSUs, Tsunami Warning Centers, and the National Water Center. Please provide in the tech library any software specific to these centers.

At the contract award date, the NWC will have two AWIPS RFC systems installed (one for operations and one for development). Each

TWC will have two AWIPS WFO systems installed (one for operations and one for development), and the CWSUs will be using the AWIPS

Thin Client software. For all three of these office types, the Offeror should assume that O&M will begin on the contract award date. Please refer to the AWIPS Technical Library.

TQA100. Please clarify any critical requirements from an oversight point of view.

AWIPS is under constant and effective scrutiny by numerous agencies, and meets all oversight-level requirements.

TQA101.

The video presentations at Industry day showed a number of operational collaboration scenarios (between WFO’s, WFO to NCs, and WFO’s to external communities). Is this a representative expression of the scope of collaboration services under this AWIPS procurement? What is the government vs. the AWIPS Contractor role?

The NWS video presentations at AWIPS Industry Day provided a high-level view of the diversity needed to support and maintain AWIPS. The

Government and the successful Offeror will partner in this effort.

TQA102.

Is it the contractors or NOAAs role to maintain DOC strategic goals and WRN roadmap – adding new science?

The responsibility is shared between the Government and the Contractor.

In general, the Government's role is to ensure compliance, and the

Contractor's role is to enact mechanisms to remain compliant.

TQA103.

Ref SOO C.3.1.g "…increase by a magnitude of at least 12 while meeting…"

Please explain how the AWIPS program which will be under the Processing branch and the Dissemination branch will work assuming the Dissemination branch will be responsible for the 12 times greater data during the contract period.

The AWIPS Program is currently coordinates, and will continue to coordinate, all of its efforts with the other NWS offices to ensure that alignment and proper planning is accomplished.

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question

TQA104.

The DRAFT SOO Introduction states “it is not the intent of the Government to provide detailed requirements or to describe how the work is to be accomplished.” This is a departure from the present contract. Please share the

“thinking” behind this statement.

The AWIPS Program currently coordinates, and will continue to coordinate, all of its efforts with the other NWS offices to ensure that alignment and proper planning is accomplished

TQA105.

Ref Section L.7.3.1.1 Factor 1: Technical Solution —Does the Government have a minimum number of onsite help desk personnel requirement for any given time?

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives IAW with the SOO.

TQA106.

Software Maintenance and Support – is NOAA looking for open source CM tools exclusively?

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives Established by the SOO.

TQA107.

Does the requirement “maintain open source nature of AWIPS” refer to only the software foundation on which AWIPS is built (e.g. Linux, Apache, J2EE, etc.), or does it refer to the entire AWIPS product, as delivered for installation according to contract?

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives established by the SOO.

TQA108.

Ref Section L.7.3.1.1 Software Maintenance and Support Option mentions

"open software packages and COTS" for Configuration Management. Are you saying you are only looking for open source CM tools?

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives established by the SOO.

TQA109. How often are the Software Releases?

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives established by the SOO.

TQA110.

Section L.7.3.1.1 Software Integration and Test Solution mentions "major releases, maintenance releases and emergency releases". How often is AWIPS software released?

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives established by the SOO.

TQA111.

Please comment on the expected strategy for DR levels during transition. The vendor states a surge can be an alternative to keep numbers down. Otherwise, the new contractor would be inheriting the backlog.

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question objectives established by the SOO.

TQA112. Please provide clarification on DRs. Will the backlog carry over?

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives Established by the SOO.

TQA113.

As part of expanding Agile development methodologies, are there any specific approached that NOAA is considering for the AWIPS program, to reduce/remove constraints on the Agile development process- specifically, systems constraints, data constraints, cost constraints and parallel dev constraints and help DevOps gain velocity?

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives established by the SOO.

TQA114. How will the Software Development be managed under the new contract?

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives established by the SOO.

TQA115. Please comment on the feasibility of implementing cloud based solutions.

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives established by the SOO.

TQA116.

Please comment on NWS expectations in terms of teams’ expertise and strengths.

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives to meet the objectives established by the SOO.

TQA117.

As AWIPS modernizes their most important IT applications, how does

NOAA/AWIPS envision taking advantage of shifting left their entire SDLC?

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives established by the SOO.

TQA118. Please comment on NOAA expectations on Innovation.

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

objectives established by the SOO.

Number Industry Question NOAA Response to Industry Question

TQA119. Please comment on priorities (collaboration vs analytics).

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose innovative solutions that allow NOAA to meet the objectives established by the SOO.

TQA120.

This is a 10 years effort. In this time horizon, technology is going to change a lot. Please comment on the balance between risk and innovation. Vendor wants to find the right balance, but SOO does not address this issue.

This is a Performance Based Acquisition. NOAA will not direct or limit the use of any particular technology or solution IAW FAR 37.603 (b).

Industry shall propose…