Questions and Answers.pdf

Questions and Answers for Integrated Library System (ILS)

RFQ: FA2517-21-Q-6097

1. Is this procurement looking for four ILS systems – one for each library?

Answer: Yes, the requirement is to provide four separate autonomous systems in accordance with revised SOW dated 1 June 2021.

2. Is this procurement looking for one ILS that all four libraries will share?

Answer: No

3. Are all four libraries currently sharing a single ILS now, or are they each using their own ILS?

Answer: There are four separate autonomous systems.

4. If each library has their own ILS now – does the USAF realize that means four migrations into either four new ILS systems; or four migrations into a single shared ILS?

Answer: Yes.

5. Does the USAF realize that ILS industry standard practices over several decades acknowledge that a successful migration from one ILS to another ILS is a 2-3 month process?

Answer: Yes. The requirement is to have migration, if needed, completed prior to 1 Aug 2021.

6. When does the USAF intend to award a contract for this procurement?

Answer: The timeline for award will depend on how many quotes are received, completeness of quotes, time to evaluate according to the solicitation, reviews for the award, pricing, etc. However, the anticipated award is mid-June.

7. On the first page of the Synopsis there is a table requiring pricing. CLIN 0001, titled ‘Migration costs’, has a POP Date of ‘Before 1 Aug 21’. Nowhere in the SOW is there a description of what migration is required.

Can the USAF describe what they expect to be delivered under the heading of Migration costs, and how they expect that to be done before 1 Aug 21?

Answer: Per revised SOW dated 1 June 2021, 100% migration of current data completed successfully prior to 01 August 2021. The migration strategy can occur in a manner where the vendor(s) will meet the requirement for the migration. If the current system will remain the same, then a migration plan would not be necessary.

8. “Subscription Requirements’ subsection 1.1 references a ‘Virtual Content Space Builder’. That phrase is grouped with other entries such as ‘Circulation Control’, ‘Academic Reserves’, ‘OPAC’, etc. – all of these are known ILS modules or submodules, but ‘Virtual Content Space Builder’ is not. Can the USAF describe what functionality they expect from a ‘Virtual Content Space Builder’?

Answer: “Virtual Content Space Builder” is a rather inclusive description of a public end-user web interface. In library speak, often referred to as the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC). Through the OPAC patrons are able to search or browse collections, limit by location, audience, genre, format, i.e., books, videos, games, etc. The OPAC plays a critical role as a launchsite for access to licensed content.

The AF library program promotes access to 40+ licensed databases. The OPAC facilitates authentication to resources such as Overdrive, Safari, and numerous Gale and EBSCO databases.

9. It appears that the response should include a simple migration plan and pricing for each year. What would be the start date of the simple migration plan timeline, since it appears that the end date is 01 August 2021?

Answer: The migration plan will start after contract award anticipated mid-June. If the current system will remain the same, then a migration plan would not be necessary.

10. Is there any other submission information required for the response other than the company name, DUNS number, Cage Code, number of employees, total yearly revenue, NAICS business size support, the simple migration plan timeline, and the pricing per year?

Answer: For the Government to determine technical acceptability, submission of DoD Information Technology Security Certification and accreditation (DITSCAP) is required.