ISE_Phase_I_Questions_3.11.docx

Integrated Student Experience (ISE) Phase I Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Consolidated Questions & Answers

ED-FSA-13-R-0013

1. I wanted to follow up with you regarding the procurement “Integrated Student Experience” #ED-FSA-13-R-0013. As part of the evaluation, our team noticed a requirement for a CMMI Level III (or higher) firm. If the firm does not have the qualification, will that eliminate them from consideration?

Answer: CMMI Level III or Higher Certification is a Go/ No Go Factor therefore if a company is not CMMI Level III or higher, then their proposal will be deemed a No Go and will not receive further consideration.

2. Will respondents be considered responsive per 2.1 Go/No Go Factor if they propose project partners with the required CMMI Level III certification?

Answer: CMMI Level III or Higher Certification is a Go/ No Go Factor therefore if a company is not CMMI Level III or higher, then their proposal will be deemed a No Go and will not receive further consideration.

3. Will the government consider an extension of the submission deadline to Friday March 15 or Monday March 18?

Answer: The closing date of the solicitation remains March 13, 2013 @ Noon.

4. Can the Agency consider extension of the submission date?

Answer: The closing date of the solicitation remains March 13, 2013 @ Noon.

5. Could you provide the capabilities and staff experience within Agency for Drupal and other skills?

Answer: Key Personnel Requirements are listed in the DRAFT Statement of Objectives.

6. Is there any incumbent vendor currently supporting this scope of work?

Answer: Government employees perform the operations and maintenance of the current website.

7. If a an offeror which qualifies as a small business under NAICS 541511 and which is CMMI Maturity Level 3 but has not performed a Drupal contract of similar size and complexity, but instead can demonstrate Drupal expertise through the past performance of a teaming partner or subcontractor, will that small business offeror remain eligible for selection under Phase One for participation in Phase Two?

Answer: As stated in Section 3.0 of the solicitation, if partnering or subcontracting, the Primary Contractor must have at least one reference with a Drupal driven website and responsive design to be considered for Phase I.

8. In 3.0, item 4, the Government states, “Offerors must include an explanation of how the price was derived and any assumptions. The completed Table and Explanation shall not exceed 1 page.” Will the Government consider relaxing this one (1) page restriction to accommodate for the requested information?

Answer: The solicitation will be amended for Offerors to submit a 2 page price proposal.

9. Can an offeror update and reference their organization’s Representations & Certifications utilizing the System for Award Management (SAM) website (https://www.sam.gov/) given that the ORCA website is no longer in use?

Answer: The solicitation will be amended to instruct Offerors to update their Representations and Certifications in the System for Award Management (SAM).