Combined_Answers_to_Clarification_Questions.pdf

QUESTION: Since a 30 day Phase‐in period is no longer required, should the 1 month Phase‐in Cost CLIN 0001 (as shown in Attachment 9) “not be” required?

A - The phase-in requirement has not changed and CLIN 0001 needs to be completed with your company’s proposal.

QUESTION: In turn, due to no phase in/transition, should the final option year of 11 months now be cost proposed at 12 months vs. 11 months?

A - As mentioned above, the phase-in is still required; therefore, the final option period will remain as 11 months.

QUESTION: And lastly, the PWS clearly refers and defines to 4 task areas, however, on the cost template there is a CLIN 5 or task area 5 for DMR functions. If this is correct, can you define a task area 5 for the requirement?

The X001 CLINS are for GDSS C2SS functions, not to include DMR functions. The X005 CLINS are for GDSS C2SS for DMR functions, which is addressed in the PWS.

What Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) products (i.e., enterprise service bus) are currently being used?

A - GDSS and Mobility Enterprise Information Services (MEIS)v3.3.3 do not use SOA products.

However, GDSS and MEIS4 are “interconnected” and reliant on each other to accomplish task and provide timely important data to mission partners. There may be troubleshooting, work to be done to support both equities.

MEIS is the United States Transportation Command’s (USTRANSCOM) and Air Mobility Command’s (AMC) initiative to provide net-centric services as an enabler for new, modernized and current Mobility Air Force (MAF) Command and Control (C2) applications and capabilities supporting the USTRANSCOM and AMC’s global mission. MEIS provides a framework for sharing reusable common Information Technology (IT) services and software products and components in a common infrastructure to make these shared resources available.

In response to the question, “Would the government allow for an FCL sponsorship if the current vendor did not have the required FCL,” the answer provided is, “FCL sponsorship is not permitted.”

There is no stated requirement within the solicitation for a company’s facility to have an FCL prior to contract award. However, within the Performance Work Statement, it is clear that the contractor facility(ies) used must have an FCL for the Secret-clearance contrator personnel who support the GDSS C2SS program. Section 8.2 of the Performance Work Statement states that “Facility and employee security clearances are obtained according to DOD 5220.22M”.

The referenced document, DOD 5220.22M, Section 2-100, states, “Contract award may be made prior to the issuance of an FCL. In those cases, the contractor will be processed for an FCL at the appropriate level and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.”

Prior to issuance of Amendment 2 it was our understanding that, should award be made to a contractor without an FCL, an FCL would be processed for the awarded contractor.

Please clarify:

1. Is an FCL required prior to contract award?

A – Yes, an FCL is required prior to award. This has been added to para 8.2 of the PWS.

2. If an FCL is required prior to contract award, is the offeror required to hold the FCL for the specific facility (within 50 miles of Scott Air Force Base) that the offeror proposes to support the GDSS C2SS program?

A – Please note, a facility clearance (FCL) is a term meaning a contractor meets the requirements set forth in the National Industry Security Program (NISP). The functionary for awarding an FCL is the Defense Security Service (DSS). As with a personal security clearance, an FCL means a company has been granted authority to work on contracts that require the contractor to access classified information.

3. If an FCL is required for the specific facility prior to contract award, can the offeror meet this requirement by proposing to use a subcontractor’s facility with an FCL?

A – No. The prime contractor must be cleared at or above the level required on the DD254, afterwhich the company can subcontract.

4. Alternatively, if an FCL is required for the specific facility prior to contract award, can the offeror meet this requirement by renting space in another contractor’s facility with an FCL?

A – No, the requirement cannot be met by renting space in another contractor’s facility with an FCL.