ESBD_381393_1732049467220_Addendum_1_Q_and_A_580-25-RFQ-0001_BRACS_StoryMap.pdf

580-25-RFQ-0001 BRACS StoryMap Addendum 1 – Q&A Page 1 of 6

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS NO. 580-25-RFQ-0001

FOR

BRACS STORYMAP

ADDENDUM 1 – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Due to the late posting of this addendum and the extensive number of questions and answers included herein, to allow all respondents adequate time to consider the following information, the closing date of this solicitation is hereby revised to November 26, 2024, at 5:00 PM Central Time. Respondents may resubmit responses by this time but are not required to do so.

1. Multiple pages reference a Texas Taxpayer ID and the HUB plan also references State of Texas VID #, but we are a California Based company and we do not have a Texas Taxpayer ID number. Is this required to provide a response to the RFQ? We see there is a 2-3 week lead time for a permit. We filed for application today, but we are unsure if we will get it in time.

Vendor setup is not a prerequisite for responding to this funding opportunity and will be completed during the contract development process with the awarded contractor.

2. Is there any incumbent for this opportunity?

No.

3. If an incumbent exists, could you clarify the reason for seeking proposals from new contractors? Are there specific areas where the current solution or services have not met expectations?

Not applicable.

4. Can you confirm whether the incumbent contractor plans to submit a bid for this opportunity?

Not applicable.

5. What is the allocated budget for this opportunity?

See section 2.5 of the RFQ.

580-25-RFQ-0001 BRACS StoryMap Addendum 1 – Q&A Page 2 of 6

6. Reference to Section 2 – task 2: The link provided for sample dataset is inaccessible.

The link is accessible.

7. Is there any requirement for a CMS (Content Management System) to update dashboard content by officials from the water development board?

No.

8. Is the dashboard required to integrate with existing city systems?

No.

9. Could you clarify the types and formats of geospatial datasets that will be provided by the TWDB for this project? Will these datasets require pre-processing or transformation before integration?

Please refer to sample dataset provided under Task 2.

10. Are there specific performance benchmarks or cross-browser compatibility requirements to be met across desktop and mobile devices?

This will be discussed during the workshop (see Task 1).

11. We would like to request clarification on Section 2.2: B. which states “Experience in hydrogeology and subsurface geological data analysis related to Texas aquifers.”

This item refers to previous project experience with Texas groundwater and geology associated with Texas aquifers.

12. Would the completion of a neighboring Amite River project with complex data analysis of hydrology and how flooding impacted the Louisiana rivers and basins satisfy the #2 requirement and qualify a firm to respond?

No, however, because there are multiple components to the requirements included in the scoring matrix, all interested parties are encouraged to apply.

13. In Task 6 there is a point "Include data flow diagram, source code and load scripts, and instructions for updating content and maps as new information becomes available" Since this is an Esri based solution, what source code and load scripts are expected?

We understand that ESRI supports no-code solutions, however, we might receive a product with added custom functionality like styling, interactive

580-25-RFQ-0001 BRACS StoryMap Addendum 1 – Q&A Page 3 of 6 elements, embedded custom maps, etc. In this case we want to make sure everything is turned in.

14. Section II, 2.1, Task 2, page 5-6, “For access to the sample dataset...”

When is the actual data to be used in the project expected to be ready?

The actual data is ready.

15. Section II, 2.1, Task 2 “For access to the sample dataset...”

Will the final data have the same schema, file size, and folder structure as the sample dataset? If not, can the final schema and any additional information be provided beforehand? When can the final data be expected to be delivered? If delayed, will this project’s POP be extended?

Final data will have the same schema.

16. Section II, 2.1, Task 1 and 3, page 5-6, “Effectively communicate the findings...”, “Develop interactive features...”

Can you provide any examples or details on intended functionality and objective of the Data Dashboard?

The objective is to effectively communicate the findings from complex and technical BRACS aquifer study. This will be designed for public use to inform and engage stakeholders, utilizing clear visuals, storytelling, annotations, and more.

17. Section II, 2.1, Task 1 and 3, page 6 “Develop interactive features...”

Is the final deliverable required to include a 3D visualization component?

Not required.

18. Section II, 2.1, C, page 7, “At least one stakeholder meeting must be held” Can the stakeholder meeting be virtual? Or is a hybrid option required

Yes, a stakeholder meeting can be virtual.

19. Section II, 2.1, Task 2, “For access to the sample dataset...”

Will the final data have the same schema, file, and folder structure as the sample dataset? If not, can the final schema be provided beforehand?

Final data will have the same schema.

20. Section II, 2.1, C, page 7, “Stakeholder participation is critical to the success of the BRACS program…” Please describe the intended and expected stakeholders/audience of this project

Stakeholders might include groundwater conservation district staff, groundwater management area staff, landowners, consultants, attorneys, 580-25-RFQ-0001 BRACS StoryMap Addendum 1 – Q&A Page 4 of 6 and/or any member of the public who have an interest in brackish groundwater resources.

21. Section II, 2.1, Task 2, “For access to the sample dataset...”

Will all future BRAC studies have the same schema to ensure successful usage into the Data Dashboard?

Yes.

22. Section II, 2.2, #L, “…Vendor reference on similar project be sent directly to

TWDB…”

What information should be included in the correspondence from the vendor?

Reference should contain types of services vendor provided to client, especially if they pertain to the goals of this study; how many years & months vendor worked for client; timeliness/promptness of the service;

responsiveness of their service; and would they recommend using this vendor.

23. Section III, 3.1, page 10, “The Report must be designed with the general public as the audience.”

Please provide the estimated internal and external users who utilize this site

July 2024 Agency-wide: 40K All Users, 35K New Users, 116K Page Views

24. Section IV, 4.12, page 15 “Contract Award” TWDB is eligible to leverage the terms and conditions contained in the Master Purchase Agreement (State of TX DIR Contract No. DIR-CPO-4699) between Respondent and The State of Texas, acting by and through the Department of Information Resources (“DIR”) effective July 18, 2022 (hereinafter referred to as the “Agreement”). Respondent can agree to non-conflicting terms and conditions under the RFO. Will TWDB agree to purchase through the Texas State DIR

MPA DIR-CPO-4699?

Through the posting of this RFQ, TWDB has indicated that a DIR agreement would not be sufficient to address the needs of this study. However, TWDB might consider this possibility if Respondents would describe in detail how MPA DIR-CPO-4699 could meet the needs and requirements of this study.

25. Section V, 5.1, page 16, “TWDB will consider exceptions to terms and conditions during the contract negotiation phase”

Can TWDB confirm that they will take exception to terms such as section 5.23 “Ownership/intellectual property, including rights to data, documents and computer software”?

580-25-RFQ-0001 BRACS StoryMap Addendum 1 – Q&A Page 5 of 6

Consideration by TWDB would be predicated on knowing why Respondent is taking exception, alternate terms and conditions that Respondent proposes and determining how it impacts the study and TWDB’s rights.

Because of this, TWDB would not be able to state definitively whether we would allow an exception.

26. 2.1 SCOPE OF SERVICES REQUESTED: Task 1. Define the Solution. Task 1 - The first bullet point states "The envisioned data architecture comprises the storage of datasets within TWDB’s ArcGIS Enterprise server. Subsequently, the Interactive Data Dashboard will be hosted on ArcGIS Online, integrated into an ESRI Story Map or Experience Builder framework. Task 1. the second bullet point states "Propose a solution for the web-based Interactive Data Dashboard for geospatial data with intuitive user experience (e.g. ESRI StoryMap, ESRI Experience Builder) that will effectively communicate the findings derived from a BRACS Aquifer Study."

a. Have key workflows already been identified and defined by subject matter experts or will the successful respondent plan to guide the Board through a user experience assessment? Do wireframes already exist documenting these workflows or would that type of design be required by the respondent?

Key workflows have not been identified and wireframes documenting these workflows do not exist.

b. This says "Dashboard will be in ArcGIS Online, but datasets will all be hosted from internal ArcGIS Enterprise. Depending on the customization, often ArcGIS Online doesn't handle custom applications. Clarity in the final deliverable hosted location would be nice to understand or is it something we help to determine during the initial discovery workshops?

It's been determined by IT department that the storage of datasets is going to be within TWDB’s ArcGIS Enterprise server and Interactive Data Dashboard will be hosted on ArcGIS Online, integrated into an ESRI Story Map or Experience Builder framework. Additionally, we will conduct workshops to ensure that the delivered solution meets TWDB’s internal hosting requirements and to develop data storage strategy based on the hosting solution selected by TWDB.

c. Is the architecture for the ArcGIS Enterprise cloud based or on premises?

Cloud based

27. 2.2 REQUIREMENTS: “D. Experience with ESRI GIS and geodatabases.” -

a. What versions of Esri is TWDB currently using?

Our ArcGIS Enterprise components are version 11.3

580-25-RFQ-0001 BRACS StoryMap Addendum 1 – Q&A Page 6 of 6

b. Does TWDB use branch versioning or traditional versioning?

Currently no versioning set up

c. Are you still using ArcMap or is everything in ArcGIS Pro?

ArcPro 3.3.1

Please sign and submit this document in addition to your response to the solicitation, acknowledging your receipt of this Addendum.

This document will not count against the page limit of your response. Failure to submit a signed copy of this Addendum will not constitute automatic disqualification, due to the late posting of the document to ESBD.

Signature:__________________________________________