SF30_EA133W-15-RP-0044_Amendment_0003.pdf

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. Name and Title of Signer (Type or Print) 16A. Name and title of Contracting Officer (Type or Print)

Timothy Wampler

AWIPS Contracting Officer

15B. Contractor/Offeror 15C. Date Signed 16B. United States of America

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

16C. Date Signed

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070 30-105 STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

PREVIOUS EDITIONS UNUSABLE Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. Contract ID Code Page of Pages

1 17

2. Amendment/Modification No. 3. Effective Date 4. Requisition/Purchase Req. No. 5. Project No. (if applicable)

0003 SEPT 18, 2015 NWWH0000-15-04009

6. Issued By Code AJ930073 7. Administered By (If other than Item 6) Code SEE BLOCK 6

NOAA/EASTERN REGIONAL ACQUISITION DIV

200 GRANBY STREET

8TH FLOOR

NORFOLK, VA 23510

8. Name and Address of Contractor (No., Street, County, and Zip Code) (X) 9A. Amendment of Solicitation No.

X

EA133W-15-RP-0044

9B. Date (See Item 11)

10A. Modification of Contract/Order No.

10B. Date (See Item 13)

Code Facility Code

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended X is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copy of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDG-

MENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT

IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. Accounting and Appropriation Data (if required)

N/A

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACT/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

(x) A. This change order is issued pursuant to: (Specify authority) The changes set forth in item 14 are made in the Contract Order No. in item 10A.

B. The above numbered Contract/Order is modified to reflect the administrative changes (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

Set fourth item 14, pursuant to the authority of FAR 43.103 (b)

C. This supplemental agreement is entered into pursuant to authority of:

D. Other (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, X is required to sign this document and return one (1) copy to the issuing office.

14. Description of Amendment/Modification (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

Amendment 0003 to EA133W-15-RP-0044 (1) Incorporates Questions and Answers and makes changes to (2) Request for Proposal (RFP)

Section G.16 Task Order Request for Proposal (TORP) Preparation Costs, (3) Request for Proposal (RFP) Section L.6(b)(1)(F), (4) 4) Request for Proposal Section L.6(b)(2)(i)(D), (5) Request for Proposal (RFP) Section L.6(b)(2)(iii)(B), (6) Request for Proposal (RFP) Section

L.6(b)(2)(iii)(C), (7) Request for Proposal (RFP) Section L.6(b)(2)(iv)(E), (8) Attachment J.1 - Statement of Objectives, (9) Attachment J.3 -

Contract Data Requirements List, (10) Attachment J.7 - Product Improvement Pricing Schedule, (11) Attachment J.8 - Government Furnished

Property.

1) EA133W-15-RP-0044 Amendment 0003 incorporates the following Questions and Answers:

Industry Question 1)

Mission Assurance Manager” and “Network Control Facility Manager” - The labor category descriptions for these two labor categories are identical. Please confirm that it was the Government’s intent.

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 1)

Yes, this is the Government’s intent.

Industry Question 2)

J.1. – Statement Of Objectives – Table 2, Objective 1 indicates capabilities developed by the AWIPS prime contractor as well as integration of capabilities developed by other organizations.

On average, how many of the incorporated projects each year will be developed by the prime contractor and how many will be developed by other organizations based on the existing ranges for large, medium, and small enhancements?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 2)

Attachment J.1 – Statement of Objectives, Table – 2 Mandatory, but subject to adjustment based on the Offeror’s proposed solution, Number 1,provides an estimate of the number of large, medium, and small enhancements to expect to integrate per year. The distribution of enhancement products developed by the prime contractor and other development organizations varies per year based on the requirements, available resources, and funding available.

Industry Question 3)

Statement of Objectives (SLA-1) - Title: On-Time delivery of Contract Deliverables without any changes or modifications. Definition:

Delivery of all contract deliverables on-time and accepted the first time by the Government Acceptance Performance Level: 100% accepted on-time, first time each month.

On Mandatory SLA 1, on-Time delivery of Contract Deliverables without any changes or modifications, are all of the CDRLs to be included or only the CDRLs included in the monthly delivery in-line with the APL?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 3)

All CDRLs involving tangible deliverables are to be included.

Industry Question 4)

Section J.3 - Although J.1, 4.1.11 states that the incumbent contractor is responsible for AWIPS until Phase-in is complete, at which point system responsibility will be turned over to the incoming contractor, J.3, CDRLs, specifies a due date for initial submittal of multiple CDRLs that falls within the 90-day Transition period.

Given that the incumbent contractor would still be responsible for AWIPS and the related CDRLs during transition, can the government confirm that the due date for initial submittal of the referenced CDRLs (i.e., PM-09, Performance and Availability Reports; IT-02, Vulnerability Scan Report; and IT-03, Patch Report) should be understood to mean “Initial: Transition Complete + 60 days”, rather than

“Initial: Contract Award + 60 days”?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 4)

No. CDRL due dates are as specified in Attachment J.3 – Contract Data Requirements List and should be consistent with the

Offeror’s proposed Transition Plan. See Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044, Amendment 0003, Attachment J.1

– Statement of Objectives, Section 4.1.11.

Industry Question 5)

Section J.8 - Government Furnished Property (GFP)

The referenced GFP List does not include VSAT equipment. Is it the government’s intent to include VSAT equipment in GFP?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 5)

Yes, there is Government Furnished Property (GFP) associated with the VSAT equipment. See Request for Proposal (RFP)

EA133W-15-RP-0044 Amendment 0003, Attachment J.8 - Government Furnished Property.

Industry Question 6)

Section - L.6(2(i), General L.6(2(i),(B)and L.6(2)(iii), Specific Areas to be addressed - In the General instructions, it states, “…the type and quantity of labor and materials is to be included in Volume II - Technical Proposal, without any associated cost information.” (no related specific instructions)

Although the General instructions indicate that the type and quantity of labor and materials are to be included in Volume II - Technical

Proposal, the subsequent instructions for Specific Areas to be Addressed do not specify these items. Was it the government’s intent to specify these items in either Factor 1 or Factor 2? If so, please clarify where we should provide this information and indicate whether it pertains only to the O&M CLIN, given that the PI labor is provided in J.7.

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 6)

Offerors may include in their proposal Volume II – Technical Proposal the type and quantity of labor and materials to be used in their solution. Offerors shall not include any associated price/cost information in their Volume II – Technical Proposal.

Industry Question 7)

H.18 DOCPM 201403 SUPPLY CHAIN RISK ASSESSMENT INFORMATION (MAR 2014) -

Clause H.18 requires submission of corporate officers’ names and dates of birth with the proposal. This is Personally Identifiable Information, which needs to be handled appropriately, including secure or encrypted transmission by the contractor and appropriate handling, storage and use by the Government in accordance with the Privacy Act.

We recommend that the Government provide directions on how such information may be securely transmitted to a designated official separate from the proposal to ensure compliance.

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 7)

The Department of Commerce (DOC) policy on electronic transmission of personally identifiable information is that if sensitive PII must be electronically transmitted, then it shall not be sent unless it is specifically protected by secure methodologies such as encryption, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), secure sockets layer (SSL). Non-sensitive PII may be transmitted in an unprotected form. The transmission of sensitive PII, even if it is protected by secure means, must be kept to a minimum.

Offerors are allowed to include only the names of their corporate officers in their proposal response. Offerors are allowed to transmit directly to the Contracting Officer any personally identifiable information (PII) in a secure, encrypted fashion.

The Government wants to be very clear: regardless of the information being transmitted the Government will safeguard all personally identifiable information per Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memoranda, M-06-15, and will protect all such information consistent with applicable law including, but not limited to, the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Freedom of

Information Act.

This request for corporate officers’ names and dates of birth is a Department of Commerce Policy, see Procurement

Memorandum 2014-03 and Section 515 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014.

Industry Question 8)

G.10 and Attachment J.8 Government Furnished Property –

G.10 and Attachment J.8 Government Furnished Property states that “The contractor shall be accountable for, and have stewardship of, the property in the performance of this contract. . .”

Given that this may mean property is located within the Government facilities and/or other facilities, not within the Offeror’s control, to what extent does the Government expect the Offeror to be responsible and liable for such property?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 8)

The equipment listed in Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044, Amendment 0003, Attachment J.8 – Government

Furnished Property, does not include any equipment currently located in Government facilities. The Offeror is fully responsible and liable for any Government property located in the Offeror’s facilities.

Industry Question 9)

RFP instructions for Factor 1 – Technical Solution state that “The Performance Work Statement shall include a level of detail sufficient to show how well the work will be managed and performed in producing the associated deliverables. The Performance Work Statement will delineate the Offeror’s capabilities and how it intends to perform contract requirements”. However, Table L.6.2 indicates that the PWS is to be included in Factor 2 – Management Solution.

Can the government confirm that the Technical Solution is where a discussion of contractor’s technical capabilities and technical approach is desired rather than including that discussion in the PWS? Can the government confirm that the PWS is to be provided in Factor 2 –

Management Solution?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 9)

The Technical Solution is where the Offeror will address how it intends to meet and satisfy all the program objectives set forth in the AWIPS Statement of Objectives (SOO), (Attachment J.1 - Statement of Objectives).

The Performance Work Statement (PWS) is to be included with the Offeror’s Management Solution, see Request for Proposal

(RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044, Section L.6(b)(2)(iii)(B).

Industry Question 10)

Line 5, Labor Category for “Enterprise System Architect – IV” is associated with a minimum experience of 6 years.

Enterprise System Architect – IV is an important labor category to the program. As defined in the description this person is “Responsible for designing architecture for an organization on an enterprise level.” However, the experience level for this role is only 6 years or more. In order to be able to assign a properly qualified individual to the program, would the government consider raising the minimum experience to 10 years rather than the stated 6 years?

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/memoranda/fy2006/m-06-15.pdf http://www.osec.doc.gov/oam/acquistion_management/policy/procurement_memoranda/documents/PM%202014-03%20SCRM%20Restrictions%20on%20IT%20Acquisitions%20-%20Interim%20Guidance%20(Phase%201)%20(signed%20April%2022%202014).pdf http://www.osec.doc.gov/oam/acquistion_management/policy/procurement_memoranda/documents/PM%202014-03%20SCRM%20Restrictions%20on%20IT%20Acquisitions%20-%20Interim%20Guidance%20(Phase%201)%20(signed%20April%2022%202014).pdf http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr3547enr/pdf/BILLS-113hr3547enr.pdf

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 10)

No. Six (6) years is the minimum experience. Offerors may propose a candidate with more than six (6) years of experience.

Industry Question 11)

Section B - CLIN 0001 and CLIN 1004 have a performance start date of "August 15, 2016, or date of award whichever occurs later...." Is it the

Government's intention to have the successor be responsible for O&M and Transition activities at the start of the contract? OR is it the

Government's intention to have the successor be responsible for O&M after the completion of the three month Transition? If so, would the revised performance start for CLIN 1001 be November 15, 2016 instead of August 15, 2016?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 11)

Yes. The Government intends for Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) 1001 Operations and Maintenance and CLIN 1004

Transition (Phase-in) to overlap.

Industry Question 12)

Attachment J.3 CDRL - Several CDRLs such as PM09 Performance and Availability Reports and PM11 Program Status Reports/Meetings require the (successor) contractor to have operational responsibility for AWIPS. However, the Initial Due dates for these CDRLs occur during the 90day Transition period (i.e. Contract Award + 30 days, 60 days). Does the Government intend for the Initial Due Dates to instead be

Transition Complete + 30 days, 60 days?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 12)

No. CDRL due dates are as specified in Attachment J.3 – Contract Data Requirements List and should be consistent with the

Offeror’s proposed Transition Plan.

Industry Question 13)

Industry Day Questions & Answers (CQA51) – Industry Question "The RFP is currently issued under a single NAICS Code 541511. In order to adequately cover the scope of the SOO in the DRFP vendor recommends that an additional NAICS code is added so that more qualified small businesses can be utilized to meet the small business/socio economical goals." Answer: "No. The NAICS code of the Prime Contract does not flow down to the subcontractors."

Given the response to the question concerning small business subs not falling under the Prime NAICS code requirement, is it safe to assume that the government will track small business goals at the Prime level under the Prime NAICS code regardless of what NAICS codes small business subs fall under, even if it is not the Prime NAICS?

Or, should Prime Contractors submit final proposals and include the additional NAICS that allow them to meet small business goals?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 13)

It is up to the Offeror to demonstrate how it plans to achieve its goals under this factor.

The Government will track the Offeror’s first-tier subcontractor’s small business size status based on its North American

Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and its self-certification in the System for Awards Management (SAM). The

NAICS code used should logically match the work being performed by the Offeror’s first-tier subcontractor.

Industry Question 14)

J.8 - Government Furnished Property – Attachment contains quantities of GFP equipment that substantially differs from NLSC spares v2.xls published 2/27/15 in the VLAB Technical Library. What artifact or artifacts should the bidders count on for the available quantities of spare equipment? Or shall the bidders assume sufficient spares of existing hardware types?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 14)

The items in "NLSC spares v2.xls" are located at the National Logistics Support Center (NLSC) (on government property), thus they are not listed in Attachment J.8 - Government Furnished Property. Offerors are to assume that sufficient spares are available for the existing hardware.

Industry Question 15)

Tech Library (A2_COTS.docx ) – The HP OpenView product is listed as one of the proprietary products that AWIPS uses per the technical library artifact. Will the government release the specific SKUs in use relative to the HP OpenView COTS product so that maintenance can be fairly priced?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 15)

The Government does not have this information. The list was given as guidance not a requirement please provide your solution.

Industry Question 16)

Section L.6.2, (C) - “Each of the Offerors proposed subcontractors that are expected to perform major or critical aspects of the …”

The reference to “major or critical” in the instructions is unclear. Please clarify what the criteria are for determining "major" or "critical" subcontractors?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 16)

Major or Critical subcontractors are those subcontractors which if they were to fail in the performance of their requirements, would seriously jeopardize the successful completion of the program within cost, schedule, or technical performance specifications. It is understood that throughout the life of the contract, major or critical subcontractors will change.

Industry Question 17)

Attachment J.31 – NOAA IT Security policy, manual, and guidelines.

Background: RFP Section J references Attachment J.31 – “NOAA IT Security policy, manual, and guidelines” and indicates that it is available at https://www.csp.noaa.gov/policies/.

When the Offeror goes to this website, a login window is displayed requesting a User-ID and Password. It also displays a message the following message: “The server www.csp.noaa.gov at NOAA Directory requires a username and password.”

Request: What is the process for gaining access to this site so that the Offeror can review the referenced attachment data?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 17)

Access instructions for artifacts relevant to Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044 are listed in the AWIPS

Technical Library document "DOC-NOAA IT Security Documentation Request v5 20150824.docx”.

Offerors only need to access 212-1302, which is found in Appendix L.9 - NOAA IT Documents.

The NOAA Enterprise Messaging Guidelines is in Appendix L.9 - NOAA IT Documents.

NOAA Web Policies, appears to have moved to the following location (accessible to the public):http://www.cio.noaa.gov/itmanagement/CIOW-1.htm

Industry Question 18)

In Section B.4 of Amendment #1, Schedule of Prices, three transition-out CLINs 6004, 8004 and 10004 have been added, even though only one transition-out will be required in execution.

Can the Government confirm that offerors must propose a full transition-out for each of the required CLINs (6004, 8004, & 10004) and that all three CLINs will be included in the total evaluated price?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 18)

Offerors are required to provide pricing for Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) 6004, 8004, and 10004.

CLINs 6004, 8004, and 10004 will be included in the total evaluated price.

Industry Question 19)

Amendment 0002 Section L.6(b)(2) iii (c ) Factor 3 - Past Performance Government Q&A#37 Appendix L.4 - Relevant Project Questionnaire

Section L language in Amendment 0002 and the Government response to Question #37 updated the requirements for Past Performance state that "For each project cited, respondents shall provide completed copies of Appendix L.4-Relevant Project Questionnaire, and Appendix L.3 -

Reference Data Sheet to be submitted directly to the Government by their references."

However, the instructions on Appendix L.4 - Relevant Project Questionnaire indicate that the Offeror is required to complete the form and submit with their proposal (not to be completed by our references).

It is our understanding that Appendix L.3 - Reference Data Sheet is to be completed by the Offeror's references and submitted electronically to the Government and that Appendix L.4 - Relevant Project Questionnaire is to be completed by the Offeror and submitted within Volume II, Technical Proposal, and not counted towards the page count.

Please confirm that Appendix L.4 - Relevant Project Questionnaire is to be completed by the Offeror and submitted with Volume II, Technical

Proposal as part of our response to Factor 3 - Past Performance.

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 19)

Appendix L.3 – Reference Data Sheet, page 2 is completed by the Offeror who then sends it to the person selected to provide past performance. This person will return Appendix L.3 – Reference Data Sheet, to the Contracting Officer. Appendix L.3 –

Reference Data Sheet will not count towards the Volume II – Technical Proposal Page limitation.

Appendix L.4 – Relevant Project Questionnaire is completed by the Offeror and included in the Offerors proposal submittal.

Appendix L.4 - Relevant Project Questionnaire will not count towards the Volume II – Technical Proposal Page limitation.

http://www.cio.noaa.gov/itmanagement/CIOW-1.htm

Industry Question 20)

Amendment 2 - Appendix L.3 Past Performance Reference Data Sheet

Amendment 0002 included a different version of Appendix L.3. In the instance where some of the offerors' references have already completed and submitted the original Appendix L.3 (to ensure on-time delivery), please confirm that the Government will accept information completed on the original form, since the data itself did not change. (Note: For those references who have not completed the original form, we have provided the updated form from Amendment 0002)

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 20)

Yes. The Government will accept information completed on the original forms.

Industry Question 21)

Amendment 2 Section L.6.(b)(2)(iii)(B) Factor 2 -- Management Solution was updated to add, "The Performance Work Statement shall include a level of detail sufficient to show how well the work will be managed and performed in producing the associated deliverables. The

Performance Work Statement will delineate the Offeror’s capabilities and how it intends to perform contract requirements."

The PMP and HRMP sections of the Management Solution address contractor capabilities and how it intends to perform.

The NOAA instructions (http://www.cio.noaa.gov/NOAALink/noaalink_forms_docs.html) for the PWS state that "The PWS should state requirements in general terms of what (result) is to be done, rather than how (method) it is done. The PWS gives the contractor maximum flexibility to devise the best method to accomplish the required result"; accordingly, we recommend restating this instructions to be, "The management solution shall include a level of detail sufficient to show how well the work will be managed and performed in producing the associated deliverables. The Management Solution will delineate the Offeror’s capabilities and how it intends to perform contract requirements."

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 21)

Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044, Section L.6.(b)(2)(iii)(B), has been updated.

Industry Question 22)

Amendment 0002 DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 37) Yes. Appendix L.3 - Reference Data Sheet and Appendix L.4 - Relevant

Project Questionnaire are submitted directly to the Contracting Officer by the Offeror’s reference.

Amendment 0002, Section L.6.(b)(3)(iii) is restated to read, "For each project cited, respondents shall provide completed copies of Appendix

L.4 - Relevant Project Questionnaire and Appendix L.3 - Reference Data Sheet to be submitted directly to the Government by their references."

Recommend restating the instruction to read, "For each project cited, respondents shall provide completed copies of Appendix L.4 - Relevant

Project Questionnaire with their proposal. Past Performance is excluded from page count. Appendix L.3 - Reference Data Sheet shall be submitted directly to the Government by their references."

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 22)

Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044, Amendment 0003, Section L.6(b)(2)(iii)(C), has been restated.

Industry Question 23)

L.6(b)(2)(iii)(C) – Factor 3 – Past Performance, Page 94 Appendix L-4 – Relevant Project Questionnaire, Page 1 of 6

Background: Section L.6(b)(2)(iii)(C) states: “For each project cited, respondents shall provide completed copies of Appendix L.4 – Relevant

Project Questionnaire and Appendix L.3 – Reference Data Sheet to be submitted directly to the Government by their references Appendix L.4

Instructions state: “For each contract identified for consideration . . . the Offeror shall complete the following worksheet, and submit it to the

Contracting Officer identified in the Standard Form 33 before the date and time specified in Box 9.” For Appendix L.4, the submission requirements seem to contradict each other.

Question: Please confirm that the Offeror is required to complete Appendix L.4 and not the reference POC; and that the Offeror submits

Appendix L.4 to the Government Contracting Officer.

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 23)

Yes. The Offeror is required to complete Appendix L.4 – Relevant Project Questionnaire and submit it to the Contracting

Officer.

http://www.cio.noaa.gov/NOAALink/noaalink_forms_docs.html

Industry Question 24)

L.6(b)(2)(i)(D)(2) – Appendix L.3 –Reference Data Sheet Appendix L-4 – Relevant Project Questionnaire, Page 84

Background: The RFP states, “Appendix L.3 – Reference Data Sheet and Appendix L.4 – Relevant Project Questionnaire will not count towards the Volume II – Technical Proposal page limitation.” The statement implies that copies of Appendix L.3 should be submitted in

Volume II – Technical Proposal

Question: Would the Government confirm that the Offeror is to complete Page 2 of Appendix L.3 for each reference and include it in Volume

II – Technical Proposal?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 24)

Yes. The Offeror is required to fill in the table on page 2 of Appendix L.3. - Past Performance Reference Data Sheet prior to sending to the reference.

Industry Question 25)

Attachment J.3 – Contract Document Requirements List, Pages 7 & 10

Background: The Government asks for several performance related CDRLs within the transition period. For example:

• PM-09 Performance and Availability Report due 60 days after contract award;

• OM-10, AWIPS Contingency Test Plans due 30 days after contract award;

• OM-11 Periodic AWIPS Government Property List Updates due 30 days after contract award; and

• IT-02 Vulnerability Scan Report due 60 days after contract award; and IT-03 Patch Report due 60 days after contract award.

Technically, until the transition is complete, the incumbent is responsible for performance deliverables.

Question: Would the Government change the due date for these deliverables to transition complete plus XX days?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 25)

No. CDRL due dates are as specified in Attachment J.3 – Contract Data Requirements List and should be consistent with proposed Transition Plan. See revised Attachment J.1 – Statement of Objectives.

Industry Question 26)

Attachment J.8 – Government Furnished Property

Background: Attachment J-8 provides a list of Government Furnished Property for the Testbed environment

Question: Will the Government consider a plug number for cost of GFE transfer for fair competition? Currently the incumbent has the full

BOM plus versions/licenses, etc., and will not have to transfer, and reinstall the testbed into a new facility.

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 26)

No. The Government will not provide Offerors with a plug number for Government Furnished Property (GFP) transfers. This is to be included in the Offeror’s Transition Plan.

Industry Question 27)

L.6(b)(1)(ii)(F) – Other Documentation, Page 82

Background: This section states: “Other documentation identified in Section (A) above.”

Question: Should this statement be removed since Section (A) already identifies the required information?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 27)

Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044, Amendment 0003, Section L.6(b)(1)(ii)(F) has been corrected and this language has been deleted.

Industry Question 28)

M.4.d.3, Page 104

Section B – CLIN 1004, Page 4

Background: Section M.4.d.3 states “Total evaluated pricing will be determined by the summation of all Ordering Period total amounts.”

Section B defines a CLIN 1004 Transition (Phase-in)

It can be reasonably assumed that the incumbent would have the lowest transition costs, as employees are already present and performing.

Other transition costs experienced by challengers would not be borne by the incumbent. Therefore, placing the transition cost within the total evaluated price places the incumbent at an advantage.

Question: Would the Government consider excluding this CLIN from the evaluated price or using another evaluation method that would be fair to all offerors such as a common budgeted amount for all offerors to use?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 28)

No. Contract Line Item (CLIN) 0004- Transition (Phase-in) is part of the total evaluated price.

Industry Question 29)

Section L.6(b)(3)(iv)(E) – Subcontracts, Page 98

Background: In Question 6 of the Questions and Answers provided with Amendment 2, the Government removed the requirement for detailed subcontractor pricing if prime offerors have a DCMA approved purchasing system. However, Section L.6(b)(3)(iv)(E) states: “If proposed, cost information for each subcontractor shall be furnished in the same format and level of detail as prescribed for the prime Offeror.“

Question: Please revise paragraph L.6(b)(3)(iv)(E) by removing this sentence for consistency with Question 6 or restate as follows: “For

Offerors without a DCMA approved purchasing system, provide cost information for each subcontractor in the same format and level of detail as prescribed for the prime Offeror.”

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 29)

Yes. Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044, Amendment 0003, Section L.6(b)(3)(iv)(E), has been corrected.

Industry Question 30)

Amendment 0002; page 6; Industry Question 27

The Performance Work Statement (PWS) and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) are included in the page count

Government’s response indicates that the PWS and WBS are included in page count but does not mention the WBS dictionary. Will the

Government please consider excluding the WBS dictionary from the technical volume page count

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 30)

Yes. The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) dictionary will not count towards the Volume II – Technical Proposal page limitation.

See Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044, Amendment 0003, Section L.6 (b)(2)(i)(D)(7).

Industry Question 31)

Amendment 0002; page 6; Industry Question 32 and Attachment J-7

Offerors should use the Product Improvement CLIN for the Product Improvement Manager hours.

The revised Attachment J-6 provided in Amendment 0002 does not include the Product Improvement Manager labor category. Please clarify

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 31)

The Product Improvement Manager has been added to Attachment J.7 - Product Improvement Pricing Schedule. See Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044, Amendment 0003, Attachment J.7 - Product Improvement Pricing Schedule.

Industry Question 32)

Amendment 0002, 9) (B), page 23

The Performance Work Statement will delineate the Offeror’s capabilities and how it intends to perform contract requirements.

The Technical and Management Solution sections of Volume II should delineate the Offeror’s capabilities and how it intends to perform contract requirements, not the PWS. Recommend the referenced sentence be deleted.

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 32)

Industry Question 33)

Section L.6.b.2.iii.D; page 94

For each project cited, respondents shall provide completed copies of Appendix L.4 - Relevant Project Questionnaire and Appendix L.3 -

Reference Data Sheet to be submitted directly to the Government by their references.

Please confirm that only Appendix L.3 is to be completed by the references and sent directly to the Contracting Officer and that Appendix L.4 is to be completed by the Offeror and included in the Technical Proposal (outside the page limit).

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 33)

Appendix L.3 – Reference Data Sheet, page 2 is completed by the Offeror who then sends it to the person selected to provide past performance. This person will return Appendix L.3 – Reference Data Sheet, to the Contracting Officer. Appendix L.3 –

Reference Data Sheet will not count towards the Volume II – Technical Proposal Page limitation.

Appendix L.4 – Relevant Project Questionnaire is completed by the Offeror and included in the Offerors proposal submittal.

Appendix L.4 - Relevant Project Questionnaire will not count towards the Volume II – Technical Proposal Page limitation.

Industry Question 34)

RFP Section L.8 Proposal Due Date

Will the Government accept hand-delivery or an in-person delivery of proposal responses? If so, will an appointment be required?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 34)

Yes. Notify the Contracting Officer at least one (1) day prior to when you will be arriving. Provide the Contracting Officer with the names and titles of everyone who will be delivering proposals.

Industry Question 35)

Amend 0002, Q&A; DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 32;Amend 0002, Q&A; DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 28 And

Attachment J.7

Q-32: “Offerors should use the Product Improvement CLIN for the Product Improvement Manager hours”

Q-28: “…the categories and estimated level of effort in Attachment J.7. - Product Improvement Pricing Schedule are not to be modified or altered”

Please clarify response to Industry Question 32. There is no labor category in Attachment J.7 to price the Product Improvement Manager and

Question 28 indicates that Attachment J.7 cannot be altered.

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 35)

The Product Improvement Manager has been added to Attachment J.7 - Product Improvement Pricing Schedule. See Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044, Amendment 0003, Attachment J.7 - Product Improvement Pricing Schedule.

Industry Question 36)

Amend 0002, J-7 Product Improvement Pricing Schedule. The Chief Architecture Engineer is now listed in the Product Improvement CLIN labor category list.

Question: Since this is a Key Personnel position, is it expected that the 1,980 hours here are intended to cover that role in execution

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 36)

Yes. The 1,980 hours are to be used for pricing and estimation purposes.

Industry Question 37)

Amend 0002, J-7 Product Improvement Pricing Schedule. The Chief Architecture Engineer is now listed in the Product Improvement CLIN labor category list.

Was it rather the government’s intent to place the Product Improvement Manager category in this slot instead, consistent with the requirements of CLIN x002?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 37)

The Product Improvement Manager has been added to Attachment J.7 - Product Improvement Pricing Schedule. See Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044, Amendment 0003, Attachment J.7 - Product Improvement Pricing Schedule.

Industry Question 38)

In Amendment 2, the Government states that detailed subcontractor pricing information is not required “if the prime contractor has a Defense

Contract Management Agency (DCMA) approved Purchasing System.”

Question - Would the Government please revise Section L.6(b).3.(iv).E (Price/Cost Proposal, Subcontracts) to reflect that detailed subcontractor proposals are not required if the prime has a DCMA approved Purchasing/Procurement System?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 38)

Yes. Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044, Amendment 0003, Section L.6(b)(3)(iv)(E), has been corrected.

Industry Question 39)

Section L.6.(b)(2)(iii)(B) in Amendment 2 was amended to include the statement:

“The Performance Work Statement shall include a level of detail sufficient to show how well the work will be managed and performed in producing the associated deliverables. The Performance Work Statement will delineate the Offeror’s capabilities and how it intends to perform contract requirements.”

Suggest Section L.6.(b)(2)(iii)(B) be amended to read:

“The Performance Work Statement shall include a level of detail sufficient to show how well the work will be managed and performed in define and show the tasks necessary to perform, manage the work and in producing the associated deliverables.

The Performance Work Statement will delineate the Offeror’s capabilities and how it intends to perform contract requirements.”

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 39)

Industry Question 40)

L.8 Proposal Due Date - Request the Government extend the proposal due date to October 20, 2015, (2 weeks). The additional time will provide time for Government to respond to the questions of October 18, 2015, and will ensure offerors have sufficient time to address information provided by the response to questions and produce the multiple hard copies required for each volume.

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 40)

No. Given the number of evaluators and the scheduling involved in the evaluation of proposals the Government does not have any flexibility in its schedule to allow for an extension.

Industry Question 41)

Att. J.7 Product Improvement Pricing Schedule

The minimum years of experience required for the Procurement/Logistics Specialist (Level IV) is 2 years, which is not consistent with the requirement for the other Level IV labor categories of 6 years. Please clarify whether the years of experience for the Procurement/Logistics

Specialist (Level IV) should be 6 years.

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 41)

No. Two (2) years is the minimum experience. Offerors may propose a candidate with more than two (2) years of experience.

Industry Question 42)

SOO 4.1.11 and 4.1.13; Att. J.3 Contract Document Requirements List

Please clarify the direction for providing CDRLs that currently have submission due dates that fall within the 90-day Phase-In period, the period during which the incumbent is responsible for performance.

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 42)

No. CDRL due dates are as specified in Attachment J.3 – Contract Data Requirements List and should be consistent with the

Offeror’s proposed Transition Plan. See Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044, Amendment 0003, Attachment J.1

– Statement of Objectives, Section 4.1.11.

Industry Question 43)

Amend. 0002 Q&A Response #37; App. L.4 Relevant Project Questionnaire

Response to Q&A # 37 stated both App. L.3 and App. L.4 are to be submitted “directly to the Government by their references.” Please confirm the instructions for App. L.4 (page 1 of 6) are correct (i.e., the offeror is to complete L.4 Relevant Project Questionnaire and submit them with the proposal).

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 43)

Appendix L.3 – Reference Data Sheet, page 2 is completed by the Offeror who then sends it to the person selected to provide past performance. This person will return Appendix L.3 – Reference Data Sheet, to the Contracting Officer. Appendix L.3 –

Reference Data Sheet will not count towards the Volume II – Technical Proposal Page limitation.

Appendix L.4 – Relevant Project Questionnaire is completed by the Offeror and included in the Offerors proposal submittal.

Appendix L.4 - Relevant Project Questionnaire will not count towards the Volume II – Technical Proposal Page limitation.

Industry Question 44)

Amend. 0002 Q&A Responses #28 #32; Att. J.7 Product Improvement Pricing Schedule

Response to #37 directs offerors to use the Product Improvement CLIN for the Product Improvement Manager hours. The Product

Improvement CLIN does not include the Product Improvement Manager; please clarify whether offerors are to add the Product Improvement

Manager to J.7, which directs Product Improvement Schedule categories are not to be modified or altered.

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 44)

The Product Improvement Manager has been added to Attachment J.7 - Product Improvement Pricing Schedule. See Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044, Amendment 0003, Attachment J.7 - Product Improvement Pricing Schedule.

Industry Question 45)

H.18 – Supply Chain Risk Assessment Information; Amendment 002, Response to Industry Question 38

With respect to Industry Question 38, we do not question the need to provide the names and birthdays of corporate officers, but rather, the method of transmission of this personally identifiable information (PII). There are legal restrictions on how PII such as names, coupled with birthdates, are transmitted and handled. Therefore, we recommend that offerors be allowed to include only the names in the proposal response, and that the birthdates (w/names) be transmitted directly to the CO in a secure, encrypted fashion in order to ensure appropriate handling on both sides. Is this acceptable?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 45)

The Department of Commerce (DOC) policy on electronic transmission of personally identifiable information is that if sensitive PII must be electronically transmitted, then it shall not be sent unless it is specifically protected by secure methodologies such as encryption, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), secure sockets layer (SSL). Non-sensitive PII may be transmitted in an unprotected form. The transmission of sensitive PII, even if it is protected by secure means, must be kept to a minimum.

Offerors are allowed to include only the names of their corporate officers in their proposal response. Offerors are allowed to transmit directly to the Contracting Officer any personally identifiable information (PII) in a secure, encrypted fashion.

The Government wants to be very clear: regardless of the information being transmitted the Government will safeguard all personally identifiable information per Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memoranda, M-06-15, and will protect all https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/memoranda/fy2006/m-06-15.pdf such information consistent with applicable law including, but not limited to, the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Freedom of

Information Act.

This request for corporate officers’ names and dates of birth is a Department of Commerce Policy, see Procurement

Memorandum 2014-03 and Section 515 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014.

Industry Question 46)

Appendix L.4: Relevant Project Questionnaire

Will the Government allow the Contractor to convert the PDF form into word, without changing the form content in order to ensure proper font and size?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 46)

Yes.

Industry Question 47)

J.1. – Statement Of Objectives – According to 5.4., “the NWS will not be able to make accommodations for any additional facilities (e.g. IT equipment, office space, telephones, desk space, etc.) for the AWIPS contractor onsite at Government-owned or Government-leased properties, beyond those already in use by the 24/7/365 help desk and maintenance support personnel at the AWIPS Network Control Facility (ANCF), the

Backup Network Control Facility (BNCF), and the Silver Spring, MD facility. See attachment J.8… for a list if all Government furnished property.

Upon review of the statements above and the J.8. reference, how much office space, telephones, desk space, etc. is available for AWIPS contractor personnel associated with the 24/7/365 help desk and maintenance support personnel at the ANCF/BNCF, based upon the in use footprint and layout?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 47)

Within the Silver Spring, MD facility (NWS Headquarters Building/Silver Spring Metro Complex Building 2), the AWIPS

Network Control Facility (ANCF) occupies 1,056 square feet (sq. ft.) which includes server/computer space, open area for 24/7 operators, and office space. Another 1,310 sq. ft. of office space is available within the Silver Spring, MD office. The Backup

Network Control Facility (BNCF) occupies 2,400 sq. ft. in the Fairmont, WV facility which is comprised of server/computer area, open area for 24/7 operators and office space.

Industry Question 48)

The RFP reference cited (I.7, I.8, I.9) does not address CDRL PM-12 Corrective Action Plan and Reports.

Can the government confirm that the correct reference in Attachment J-3, Table 8.3 – PM-12 for RFP Ref should be RFP section G.12 (d) (1), G.12 (d) (2), G.13 (e), and G.14 (e)? Cited RFP section I.7 does not address Corrective Action Plan or Reports. Sections I.8 and I.9 do not exist.

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 48)

Yes. See Request for Proposal (RFP) EA133W-15-RP-0044 Amendment 0003, Attachment J.3 Contract Data Requirements

List for updated references for PM-12.

Industry Question 49)

CDRL OM-10 Title in Table 8.4 is “AWIPS Contingency Test Plans”, but the CDRL Data Item Description title for OM-10 is “AWIPS

Network Control Facility Contingency Plan”.

Can the government clarify the correct CDRL Title and confirm that the desired deliverable is an AWIPS Network Control Facility

Contingency Plan?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 49)

Yes the desired deliverable is an AWIPS Network Control Facility Contingency Plan. See Request for Proposal (RFP)

EA133W-15-RP-0044 Amendment 0003, Attachment J.3 - Contract Data Requirements List for corrected document name.

Industry Question 50)

Can the government provide information on the consumption of spares in order to enable offerors to estimate the cost of maintaining the spares inventory at the Logistics Support Center?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 50)

Spares are purchased with each hardware refresh based on the expected life of the equipment being procured. The

Government provides the number of expected spares for each hardware refresh project. The spares at National Logistics

Support Center (NLSC) for the current operational equipment should be assumed to be sufficient. Any maintenance done is completed by NLSC staff. The process: Site request spare from NCF via TT =>NCF request transfer of spare to site from

NLSC => NLSC sends spare to site => site installs equipment with support from NCF.

http://www.osec.doc.gov/oam/acquistion_management/policy/procurement_memoranda/documents/PM%202014-03%20SCRM%20Restrictions%20on%20IT%20Acquisitions%20-%20Interim%20Guidance%20(Phase%201)%20(signed%20April%2022%202014).pdf http://www.osec.doc.gov/oam/acquistion_management/policy/procurement_memoranda/documents/PM%202014-03%20SCRM%20Restrictions%20on%20IT%20Acquisitions%20-%20Interim%20Guidance%20(Phase%201)%20(signed%20April%2022%202014).pdf http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr3547enr/pdf/BILLS-113hr3547enr.pdf

Industry Question 51)

O&M Solution. Item #4.) The Offeror’s solution for providing hardware maintenance, refresh and logistics support services for all installed

AWIPS hardware, to meet AWIPS operational availability requirements.

Can a metric be provided that indicates the average number of trouble tickets, over a specified period of time, issued requiring a technician to be dispatched to a site to correct a non-SGS related hardware issue?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 51)

Non-SGS hardware related issues are handled by NLSC and does not require a technician to be dispatched to the site.

Industry Question 52)

The Offeror’s solution for Satellite Broadcast Network, point to multi-point distribution. This strategy shall include details on O&M and all logistics necessary to support the Master Ground Station, Backup Master Ground Station, and Site Ground System equipment.

Can a metric be provided that indicates the average number of trouble tickets, over a specified period of time, issued requiring a technician to be dispatched to a site to correct a SGS related hardware issue?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 52)

There has been an average of 22 tickets over the last two (2) years.

Industry Question 53)

This capability provides connectivity to the NCF during a major communications outage via a deployable VSAT. These kits must be pre-deployed to locations where there is a high risk of a major communications outage due to extreme weather conditions or other circumstances.

Dedicated satellite space segment is provided for up to four (4) deployments during a given year. In addition, this capability supports the Radar

Operations Center sending remote radar data to the WFO.

Can the Government provide industry with an average or typical length of a VSAT deployment?

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 53)

The average time VSAT is employed on site is around a week to 10 days.

Industry Question 54)

The NOAAPort Link Budget indicates that CONUS SGS C-band Receive-only antennas are 3.7M or 3.8M; CONUS fringe are 4.5M, and AK, HI, and PR are 7.3M.

Can the Government provide a complete listing that provides for each SGS site; (a) size of antenna, (b) whether antenna is fixed or motorized.

DOC/NOAA Response to Industry Question 54)

All of the NWS Satellite Ground Stations are currently fixed mounted.