C2SES_III_Q A_I.pdf

C2SES III Industry Day Questions & Answers

8 June 2016

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C2SES III

FA4600-16-R-0007

Industry Day Q&A

This Question and Answer (Q&A) does not supplement or take place of the Request for

Proposal (RFP). Answers to questions, RFP clarifications, requirements, and other pertinent documents are subject to change without written notice to potential offerors. Please refer to the final RFP (when posted) for all C2SES III requirements.

Q1: Can the Government provide an estimated release date for the Final RFP and an estimated due date for final contractor proposals?

A1: The government anticipates the following schedule (the schedule is subject to change):

o Release of Incentive Plan in June 2016 (Date has been changed to July 2016) o Release of Pricing Model in June 2016 (Date has been changed to July 2016) o Release of RFP mid-August 2016 on FedBizOpps o Proposals due 30 days after positing on FedBizOpps o Anticipated Award date of August 2017 o Transition Period beginning 1 September 2017 o Full Performance beginning 1 November 2017

All interested parties are encouraged to monitor FedBizOpps for upcoming announcements and information. All question and answers will be posted to FedBizOpps.

Q2: Will feedback on the evaluation of submitted sources sought package broken out for each of the 9 areas listed in the sources sought announcement be provided?

A2: The government intends on providing feedback to each offeror as a result of this request.

Q3: What were the key drivers that prevented the acquisition strategy from becoming a small business set aside?

A3: The government utilized the sources sought responses to determine the capability of small business to compete for the C2SES III requirement. The rule of two small business was not met.

Therefore, the requirement will be full and open.

Q4: Within the current goal of 15% for small business, will the prime have to cover multiple or all socioeconomic categories?

A4: The government will not dictate the socioeconomic categories that are required to make up the 15% of small business subcontracting. The prime contractor may choose which socioeconomic categories to use (if any) as long as the prime contractor meets its small business goal.

Q5: Given that SBs are working to increase participation on current programs, would you consider increasing the percentage to 23%?

A5: The government is currently reviewing this request.

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Q6: How do you envision balancing the importance of having meaningful work by small business in light of covering multiple socioeconomic categories if all have to be met?

A6: Multiple socioeconomic categories will not be required of the prime contractor.

Q7: Table L2.0 and L4.2 both show a section for Quality Awards as part of the Past

Performance Volume. However, there is no further guidance in L regarding this section and M does not mention how this section will be evaluated. Could you please clarify if you intended for a Quality Awards section, and if so, what is to be included and how will it be evaluated?

A7: The government has determined that the quality award will be removed from the RFP.

Q8: Are the C2SES development and test environments inside the government facility using government furnished equipment and networks? Is that expected to change?

A8: There is no GFE. The contractor will be expected to provide an equipment custodian to account for all equipment being utilized under this contract during performance. However, the government still maintains overall responsibility of the equipment. The PWS has been updated.

Q9: Beyond MS Office, what are the government furnished tools and versions supporting C2SES

TS and SIPR development and test environment systems engineering – if any (see chart):

Purpose GFE tools/ version

Requirements management

Configuration management

Risk management

Architecture development and maintenance

System modeling and design

Software and Database version control

Test Management

Lab Management

A9: This information will be included in the Bidders Library

Q10: We have experts that are not local that would be valuable in supporting the proposal effort. Can any materials of the Bidders Library be opened up for remote access to companies out of the local area?

A10: The government is determining the best way of providing fair access to the bidder’s library. A majority of the documents reside on SIPRnet, but a few are on the TS network that will require physical access at USSTRATCOM.

Q11: What percentage of the tasking is anticipated to be new software development versus sustainment of existing code baseline?

A11: There is currently minor development for current systems and will be based on requirements from the functional managers. The majority of the requirement focuses on sustainment of existing baselines. However, the mission could change depending on real world issues. The IDIQ will have the capability to support any development that is required.

Q12: Will Source Code be made available as part of the Bidders Library?

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A12: The source code is considered controlled classified information and will not be included in the Bidders Library.

Q13: Will Interface Control Documentation be made available?

A13: This information will be included in the bidder’s library.

Q14: Are there any 3rd party SW components to be integrated in to the system?

A14: This information will be included in the Bidders Library

Q15: Are there any CMMI requirements?

A15: There are no CMMI requirements

Q16: Are there any ITIL qualification and certification requirements?

A16: There are no ITIL requirements

Q17: Observation: The requirement for 5 Past Performances may limit competition.

A17: The government is adjusting Past Performance as follows: Prime: 5 maximum contracts, 3 minimum contracts, Sub: 3 maximum contracts, 1 minimum contract.

Q18: What are the primary concerns with the support being provided today?

A18: The government interprets this question to be delving into the performance of the incumbent and is unable to provide a response.

Q19: Why isn’t there a more defined transition plan requirement for this opportunity? With such a critical system, it seems the transition plan should be a key, critical evaluation factor for this opportunity. Currently, there is only one requirement under Program Management addressing transition in Section M.

A19: M3.1.4.3.8, 3.9, 3.10, and 3.1, M3.2.2.2.2.3 address transitioning. The technical team has determined that the standards within these sections are sufficient to determine vendor viability for a transition.

Q20: Is a 30 day transition period realistic for a critical command and control nuclear software/hardware system if the Government is really looking to encourage competition for this program while maintaining the integrity of the program? We recommend awarding the contract earlier to provide a 60 to 90 day transition period in the event the incumbent tries to convince their long time employees to stay with them to force the new winner to bring them on their team.

This will allow the winner to hire and train personnel on the various applications. Thirty days for this type application introduces risk to the Government and the contractor.

A20: From a technical perspective, the government believes 30 days is sufficient for a transition period. However, the government has changed the transition period to 60 days to allow more time for potential offerors to complete the transition. This change is pending review and approval by the government.

Q21: In the PWS, the Government states that “C2EDB data is replicated to the TS C2EDB via low-to-high cross security domain process using the Secure Message and Routing Terminal Next

Generation (SMART.neXt) system. The SMART.neXt provides a two-way file exchange

Page | 4 capability that the L2HCDS uses to transfer C2EDB data and process status message between the Secret and TS-C security domains.” We understand the SMART.neXt system is a Northrop

Grumman proprietary system. Does the Government have a license for this software? How will the Government handle utilizing a Northrop Grumman proprietary system in C2SES if the contract is awarded to another vendor? Will the winning vendor be expected to work a contract with Northrop to provide support for the SMART.neXt?

A21: No, the contractor will not be expected to maintain and sustain SMART.neXt.

SMART.neXt is only a means in which data is transferred.

Q22: In Section M, Para M3.1.4.1.2, the Government states, “The Subfactor will be deemed technically acceptable if the proposal clearly conveys an understanding of the system, software, targeted environments, and the impacts and external dependencies and relationships required to identify external COTS, GOTS, and platform impacts.” Only the current incumbent contractors have this depth of knowledge required to meet the standard unless the Government provides the information in the Bidder’s Library which will level the competition playing field. Will the

Government provide this information in the Bidder’s Library for C2SES? Otherwise, only the incumbent will meet this standard.

A22: The Bidder’s Library will contain the information necessary to assist offerors with this requirement.

Q23: The Government refers to the System Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) for C2SES in several of its Evaluation Standards (M3.1.4.1.1, M3.1.4.1.2.12). Will the Government make available the C2SES SEMP to the Vendors in the Bidder’s Library?

A23: The SEMP will be included in the Bidder’s Library.

Q24: In the PWS, the Government states, “Administrator personnel shall meet Information

Assurance Technical (IAT) Level I qualification requirements as outlined in DOD 8570

(Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program) upon initial hire and obtain Level II within 6-months of hire.” What Information Assurance Technician Level(s) do you require on this contract for the programmers? For Systems Engineering positions on the contract? Other

Positions?

A24: IAT will not be required for programmers however DoDI 8570.01-M requirements apply

(reference PWS 4.5.3).

Q25: Para M3.2.2.2 Relevancy, the Government states it will use “scope, magnitude, and complexity of efforts performed on the contract being reviewed to those of the C2SES III requirements.” Para M3.2.2.2.1 states further that it “must have been essentially the same scope and magnitude and complexities that is being proposed to perform the C2SES III requirement.” Small businesses will not have past performance contracts the size and magnitude of C2SES III, yet the Government is asking for three past performances from major subcontractors. Table 3.0 - Past Performance Relevancy Ratings gives a different picture in that

Very Relevant asks for a magnitude of effort greater than or equal to $1.5M. This is much smaller than the current C2SES contract. Which is correct – para M3.2.2.2 or Table 3.0?

A25: Section M, relevancy ratings, has been updated to remove the dollar amount.

Q26: Most small business contracts do not require small business participation. Past

Performance Subfactor 4 – Small Business Participation -- requires a breakdown into the

Page | 5 various small business types and meeting goals. How will the Government evaluate small business partners’ past performance that will not have this information since they are a small business and had no such requirements?

A26: Small business are not required to submit a subcontracting plan, but they are still required to submit a small business participation plan IAW DFARS 215.304. If a small business does not have past performance information regarding meeting small business participation, it will be considered as unknown.

Q27: Was the acquisition strategy approved for Full and Open Competition?

A27: The acquisition strategy has been approved for full and open competition due to the capability packages not meeting the rule of two during evaluations.

Q28: Are major changes to the base code anticipated in the future?

A28: This is a maintenance and sustainment contract, but still subject to providing major and minor releases per the PWS.

Q29: Is there a sample task order requirements?

A29: A sample task order will not be part of the RFP. To evaluate future growth requirements, the fully burdened labor rates provided by the contractor in the cost model will be evaluated.

Q30: Are interdependencies well documented?

A30: Interdependencies are documented in the CM Plan and SEMP, which are both included in the bidder’s library.

Q31: What CM processes are being used today to capture the baseline, changes, new updated baselines, etc.?

A31: The CM Plan will be included in the Bidder’s Library.

Q32: The Government refers to the J864 C2 Mission Portfolio Configuration Management Plan in M3.1.4.2.7 and states “Contractor CM procedures must include government integration/touch points that align with J864 C2 Mission Portfolio Configuration Management Plan processes.”

We need to see those processes in order to include them. Will this document be in the Bidder’s

Library?

A32: The C2 Mission Portfolio Configuration Management Plan will be included in the Bidder’s

Library.

Q33: What are the key metrics being collected on the systems and software today? Will actual metrics collected over the past 3 years be made available in the Bidder’s Library?

A33: Stakeholder request backlogs, Deficiency Report backlogs, Task backlogs and defect profiles are the major metrics being collected. Information will be included in the Bidder’s

Library.

Q34: How many system trouble tickets are processed each month? What systems have the most trouble tickets? What is the current backlog of trouble tickets?

A34: This information will be included in the Bidder’s Library.

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Q35: What is the current backlog of software change requests and deficiency reports?

A35: This information will be included in the Bidder’s Library.

Q36: What major projects are currently on the books for development that the new contractor will take over upon contract award and start? Are there specific projects that will be in progress at the time of transition?

A36: Once the Successful Offeror is announced, the new contractor will meet with the government prior to starting the transition to discuss any ongoing efforts. Major projects are not expected to cross to the new contractor.

Q37: Is most of the new programming today being done in C++ or some other programming language? How often is Fortran and ADA being used to perform maintenance on the legacy software? Are Fortran and ADA being used to develop new software modules?

A37: FSAM and FSR use mostly Java. However, NPES requires Fortran and ADA in addition to Java for the web interface.

Q38: Is the Government looking to transition the Fortran and ADA software into C++ or other more modern programming languages?

A38: No. Transitioning to modern programming languages is not part of the scope of this contract.

Q39: What does your schedule for releases both major and minor, as well as patch updates for

IA look like?

A39: PWS 3.4 defines the Software Lifecycle Management. Typically there are 2 major releases and 2 minor releases a year. The schedule will be included in the bidder’s library.

Q40: Do you have scheduled release dates for software or are releases ad hoc or a combination of both?

A40: The schedule is relatively set, with changes due to on-going operations or exercises. The schedule will be included in the bidder’s library.

Q41: What do you foresee as any prevailing issues with the new contract?

A41: There is a learning curve with the systems during the transition period. The Government anticipates that all tasks on the current C2SES II contract will be completed before the new

C2SES III contract begins.

Q42: Who is involved in scheduling releases?

A42: Each Program Manager for each system works in conjunction with their Functional

Manager to coordinate release scheduling.

Q43: Is this requirement moving from a waterfall toward an agile environment?

A43: Historically, the government has followed a waterfall methodology. However, agile is a desired model that may be utilized for future taskings and sustainment, which is dependent on constraints involved (i.e. security, testing, etc.).

Q44: Does the government see innovation as a risk to the tasks?

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A44: Reference M3.1 and M3.1.3 for Technical Risk

Q45: What are the greatest risks to the systems?

A45: There are security risks and the risk of losing key personnel throughout performance.

Q46: The Government states that the software is ADA, Fortran, C++. Will the Government provide a percentage breakdown as to how much of the software is ADA, how much is Fortran, and how much is C++?

A46: NPES is mostly Fortran and ADA. FSR and FSAM is mostly Java.

Q47: Approximately how many people are doing the work today on the contract as programmers? Systems Engineers?

A47: Providing this information could compromise proprietary processes of the incumbent.

Q48: What contract type will task order 0001 be?

A48: Task Order 0001 will be a Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) as stated in the pricing paragraph of Section L and again in Section M.

Q49: In the C2SES III Industry Day slide package, page 4, the last bullet seems unclear in regard to what proposals may be included in the competitive range. Can you provide clarification?

A49: Establishing a competitive range will ensure the government is having meaningful discussion and being fair to all offerors. Please review Section M1.2 Competitive

Range/Discussions for information on how the competitive range may be decided.

Q50: The briefing stated that 95% of the work is conducted at USSTRATCOM. Will off-site development at the contractor’s facility be entertained?

A50: Off-Site development will not be allowed. The 5% off-site pertains to the vendor providing program oversight/programmatic business at their facility (if they wish to do so at their facility).

Reference PWS 5.1

Q51: Please clarify what is chargeable to training in PWS 5.12 and 5.12.1.

A51: The contract is expected to have all the qualifications and training necessary to accomplish the work. If the government imposes a training requirement that is outside of the normal training for the labor category that is proposed (such as USSTRATCOM directed Information Assurance training), the Contractor may charge for training. The Government will review the PWS for clarification on this subject.

Q52: Who is considered “Key Personnel”?

A52: Reference PWS 5.3 for an updated list of key personnel

Q53: Page 2, Section 2. Scope, the first paragraph states that NPES support includes “System

Management and System Administration support.” System Management is going to be provided under a USAMS task and no mention of NPES system management duties follows in the remainder of the PWS. Are there system management duties to support other than database and system administration?

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A53: There are no system management duties to support other than database and system administration. The scope has been updated to state “development system management”.

Q54: PWS, Pages 10-11, Table 1. Will all of the technical documents listed in Table 1 – Major release documentation be available at the start of the contract for each application?

A54: Yes, all the documents will be available at the start of the contract for each application.

Q55: PWS, Page 35, Par 6.3. Does staffing replacement notification refer to key personnel only?

A55: Yes, PWS 6.3 has been updated. Contractors will be given 30 days to replace key personnel during the performance of the contract.

Q56: PWS, Page 35, Par 6.4. What does 5.11.3 – New Task Order Submissions refer to? What is the deliverable to be submitted?

A56: Additional "new" Task Order (T.O.) that are new must be submitted on time. The PWS will be updated to read “Task Order Deliverables”.

Q57: PWS, Page 2, Section 2, third bullet halfway down the page. The "G" in GADSS now stands for just "Global".

A57: It already states "Global" in GADSS. No change.

Q58: Page 7, Section 3, first paragraph. There is a reference to "Section 8 of this PWS"; there is no Section 8.

A58: The PWS is updated to state "Section 7". All references for Section 8 have been updated to state “Section 7”

Q59: PWS, Page 12, Section 3.5.1. This section is titled "FSR and GADSS Environment" but includes "FSR, GADSS, and FSAM". Is this correct?

A59: The 3.5.1 title is correct. The first line is updated by removing FSAM and states, "The environment for FSR and GADSS software maintenance…"

Q60: PWS, Page 13, Section 3.5.2. This section includes FSAM and bullet "a)" states "Perform all NPES, NSDL, and FSAM....in the dedicated NPES environment". Is this correct?

A60: Section 3.5.2 has been updated to reflect only for FSAM. 3.5.3 has been created for NPES and NSDL.

Q61: PWS, Page 13, Section 3.5.2. Bullet "d)" is the migration of FSAM but should it be in

3.5.1 or 3.5.2? Please clarify where FSAM should be addressed.

A61: 3.5.2 is solely for FSAM

Q62: PWS, Page 13, Section 3.5.2. There is no mention that the dedicated NPES is a TS-level environment and requires all personnel to have a TS-clearance.

A62: PWS Page 29 section 5.11.9 Para 1 and 2 states that clearances are required. However, this will be updated to say that TS is required for all personnel on this contract working at the

Government facility. A DD 254 will be attached to the RFP, which indicates that a TS clearance

Page | 9 is required. If a task order requires a clearance above the TS clearance, that task order will have its own DD254.

Q63: Section B of the draft documents contains a CLIN Structure for the base year and option periods with CPIF, CPFF, FFP, and FFP LOE CLIN types. These CLINS all contain the description of Technical Support. Can the Government identify which areas of the TO 0001

SOW will be applicable to each CLIN type?

A63: Since this contract will be an IDIQ, with the option to use CPIF, CPFF, FFP, and FFP-

LOE task orders, the specific technical requirements are not defined for all future task orders.

TO 0001 will be a CPIF task order, which a separate PWS has been provided for, therefore the

TO will be awarded utilizing CLIN 0001.

Q64: Draft Sections L and M contain references to several sections and attachments currently unavailable on FBO, including Section H and Attachments 12 and 17. Will the Government please consider releasing all remaining sections and attachments associated with the draft procurement package prior to final RFP release?

A64: Section H is being removed due to new policy. The government may post additional draft documents as they become available.

Q65: Bidder’s Libraries can often contain thousands of documents. To ensure offerors are able to effectively use the limited time available to review the Bidder’s Library, will the Government please provide a listing, by title and/or category, of the available documents?

A65: The government is currently reviewing this request.

Q66: Section L1.10 states “There is currently no Government Furnished Property.” However, Section M3.1.4.3.5. Standard states that an offer will be considered “…technically acceptable if offeror demonstrates an understanding of the Government provided facilities, equipment, and materials...” and PWS 5.7, p.25 provides a list of potential GFP. Question: Will the Government please clarify this apparent discrepancy and provide the list of GFP available to the awarded offeror?

A66: There is no GFP. The government will provide equipment that is incidental to the work environment. PWS section 5.7 will state “there is no GFP”. Section L1.10 will be updated to also include this information.

Q67: Section L, Table L2.0 indicates that a Table of Contents is only included for Volume II

Past Performance and limited to one page. Section L2.1.1 states that each page shall be counted except table of contents, cross-reference matrix… Further, Section L2.1.8 states that each volume shall contain a detailed table of contents. Will the Government please clarify this apparent discrepancy and confirm that the Volume II Past Performance Table of Contents is outside of page count?

A67: A Table of Contents will be required for each volume and will have no page limit, nor will it count towards the other page limits. Section L has been updated to reflect these changes.

A68: Section L, L2.1.2 states “Use at least 1-inch margins on all sides of each page. Pages shall be numbered sequentially by volume.” Will the Government please confirm that headers and footers, including page numbers, may be excluded from the 1-inch margin?

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B68: Headers and footers, including page number may be excluded from the 1-inch margin.

This is added to Section L, L2.1.2.

Q69: Section M3.1.4.2.7: Standard describes a document titled “J864 C2 Mission Portfolio

Configuration Management Plan,” and Section M3.1.4.2.18 describes a document titled “C2

Test Process Description.” Will the Government please clarify that these documents are available in the Bidder’s Library or will they be disseminated through other means?

A69: These documents will be available in the Bidder's Library.

Q70: Section M3.1.4.3.1 states “The offeror includes a listing of key personnel (i.e., those filling key positions) and qualification summaries, as they relate to the proposed positions and provides a resume (required ONLY for key personnel, not all personnel). The qualification summary shall not exceed one page per person. Reference H-32, Key Contractor Personnel for additional details.” Will the Government please clarify whether the one page qualification summary and the resume requirements are synonymous? If not, will the Government please expand on the definition of a qualification summary and if this requirement is for key personnel only? Finally, will the Government please consider removing the qualification summaries and resumes out of page count?

A70: The qualification summary and resume are synonymous. The government has added qualification summaries as a separate submittal under the Technical and Technical Risk volume.

The page limit will be one page for each key personnel.

Q71: The IDIQ PWS references Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) developmental tools such as

JIRA, Subversion, and Jenkins. Will the Government please provide a list of all COTS and

Government Off The Shelf (GOTS) hardware and/or software products used within the scope of this effort?

A71: All planned hardware are x86 class machines. A list of all software products will be included in the Bidder’s Library

Q72: Are the Cost Reimbursable CLINs (such as Travel) fee bearing?

A72: Fee is not allowed on cost reimbursable CLINs such as travel. You may apply an indirect cost such as G&A.

Q73: Will the proposal be at the unclassified level?

A73: The RFP and proposal will/shall be unclassified.

Q74: Will the security classification guide be posted on the Bidder’s Library?

A74: The security classification guide will be available in the Bidder’s library.

Q75: In general, what are the top challenges?

A75: Mission changes and the unknown fiscal environment are the biggest challenges for this program. Also see Q45 above.

Q76: Does the government anticipate additional Task Orders?

A76: The availability of future task orders is unknown at this time. It is dependent on newly directed requirements and available funding.

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Q77: What are the nature of changes to the software? Is a biannual release sufficient? What are the severity levels of DRs?

A77: Enhancements, patches, and new requirements are the types of changes to the software. A majority of the programs have 2 major and 2 minor releases a year. DR severity levels will be included in the bidder’s library

Q78: How is the government recognizing innovation?

A78: During the Source Selection phase, technical is rated as pass fail. During the performance of CPIF Task Order 0001, innovation that leads to cost savings will be reflected in the Incentive

Fee.

Q79: What are the types of enhancements to software?

A79: Enhancements are changes to existing capabilities that improves functionality or performance.

Q80: What is the Integrated Product Team (IPT) relationship like with the government and contractor?

A80: The government and contractor team work together using the IPT process in discussing the requirements. The Contractor’s expertise is necessary to how the government operates. The team strives for a “badge-less” concept. The C2 SEMP in the Bidder’s Library describes the team organization and goals

Q81: Will the bidder’s library include the makeup of the IPTs and consider including IPT

Charters?

A81:The IPT Charters are included in the Configuration Management plan, which will be in the

Bidder’s Library.

Q82: The Bidder's Library contains controlled content and access is restricted based on availability and locality. Additionally, the documentation referenced within Sections L, M and the PWS relies on Bidder's Library access. In the interest of eliciting the most complete proposal responses and creating a level playing field for all offerors, will the Government please consider opening up the Bidder's Library as soon as feasible, prior to the RFP release?

A82: The government is in the process of finalizing the bidder’s library and will post information for bidder’s library access as soon as it is available.

Q83: Will the Government please clarify what the top programmatic or technical challenge facing the program office in the next few years?

A83: The complexity of the code continues to be a challenge.

Q84: Will the government please clarify the current cost pressures? What costs the program the most?

A84: Unfunded requirements are always a “cost pressure”. Development and testing cost are the most expensive.

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Q85: How does the Government intend to evaluate referenced innovations such as continuous improvement efforts?

A85: The technical evaluation is pass/fail. There is not an evaluation subfactor for innovation from continuous improvement efforts. Technical Risk being Low, Moderate, or High. The technical risk is part of the tradeoff evaluation.

Q86: As the Government interacts with industry, academia and other Government agencies, what technologies appear to be most crucial to C2SES III in the short term? Long Term?

A86: The largest technology goal for C2SES II was to transition from Sparc to x86 however no new technologies are planned for C2SES III at this time.

Q87: Will the Government please clarify how Past Performance is evaluated?

Will each Past Performance reference be individually evaluated for relevancy to individual subfactors or will the culmination of all references be assessed for relevancy to the individual subfactors? Please clarify how the integrated analysis is performed to calculate the single overall Performance Confidence Assessment rating.

A87: Each Past Performance record will be assessed for recency. If the record meets the recency criteria, it will then be assessed against the subfactors set forth in the Past Performance

Section M for relevancy and quality. Each record will then be given an overall relevancy and performance rating based on the past performance information provided and discovered by the government. Based on the overall ratings given for each record (i.e. past performance contract), an overall Performance Confidence Assessment rating will be given. If negative past performance is provided to or found by the government, the government may adjust the overall confidence assessment rating accordingly.

Q88: Does the Government anticipate any delays in award or additional scope added to the

PWS in the event that Common Computing Environment (CCE) migration does not complete prior to contract start?

A88: The Government does not anticipate any delays or added scope at this time.

Q89: Will the Government please clarify how the roles are divided between Government and contractor personnel? (integrated team, pure oversight, divided scope areas, Government-led project teams, etc.)?

A89: The teams are government-led project teams. IPT’s are greatly utilized for all programs.

Q90: Is there any support the Government is currently receiving that is unlikely to be needed in the future?

A90: Due to evolving missions and funding, requirements are always subject to change.

Q91: Are there any specific C2SES processes/activities that the Government values more than others, with respect to current operations?

A91: Testing and Configuration Management are a major processes to the SDLC.

Q92: What concerns does the Government have in terms of Organizational Conflicts of Interest

(OCI) that might arise by companies that historically conduct business with USSTRATCOM or support other USSTRATCOM contracts?

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A92: The vendor has a responsibility to provide an OCI mitigation plan if it believes there is a

OCI.

Q93: Can you confirm that anticipated requirements for CMMI will be maximum of Level 2 for subcontractors?

A93: There are no CMMI requirements.

Q94: Do you anticipate releasing an executable Task Order as part of the RFP?

A94: Task Order 0001 will be proposed to and awarded with the IDIQ award. No other Task

Orders are planned to be released with the IDIQ award at this time.

Q95: Will transition be part of the Total Evaluation Price (TEP)?

A95: Currently transition costs are a part of the TEP. The government is considering various avenues to ensure equal evaluation of transition costs across all offerors.

Q96: From the government's vantage point, what is the priority of order of the C2SES III systems/software applications called out in the PWS?

A96: The government does not prioritize one program over another and all programs are considered equal. Each has a set of requirements that must be fulfilled.

Q97: What are the top three areas you would like to see the next contractor cover that the current contract was not able to do?

A97: The government declines to answer as this question is delving the performance of the incumbent. However, an issue the government always faces is drastic requirement changes driven by real world situations and funding concerns.

Q98: What are the risks the government sees on funding being available to execute deliverables beyond the sustainment tasks?

A98: The fiscal environment is always subject to change. New Task Orders (other than TO

0001) are based on the availability of funds and new requirements.

Q99: What are the plans for modernization and timeline to moving C2SES to a virtual environment and using the new building Virtual Infrastructure?

A99: As of now, all systems will be in a virtual environment at C2SES III award.

Q100: Does the program have any plans to migrate services to a cloud based technology, to include Production, Test and /or Development?

A100: C2SESIII plans on complying with the DoD CIO memo and STRATCOM guidance regarding Cloud Computing.

Q101: How does the current contact value relate from the government perspective?

A101: The sustainment budget for C2 programs has not changed drastically over the years. The budget for the new C2SES III IDIQ is $98M. Reference L1.3.1 for program budgets.

Q102: How does NPES Modernization relate to this requirement?

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A102: Maintenance and Sustainment is the purpose of this contract. Minor Development or enhancement may be a small portion. NPES Modernization is not anticipated to be on this contract at this time.

Q103: Is Smart.neXt technology a part of this effort or separate?

A103: No, Smart.neXt is government equipment. It a system the C2SES III contractor will interface with but not maintain.

Q104: What are the expectations of new systems for the new building? How does this relate to this effort?

A104: Transition issues may arise. A future task order could be issued for any additional work required from the C2SES III contractor. That work will be defined in a new Task Order PWS.

Q105: Per Para M3.2.1 the Government states, “…the Government will not evaluate more than five offeror provided references and three from each major subcontractor.” In 3.2.2, the

Government further explains that “major subcontractors performing 10% or more of the effort.”

So any teammate or subcontractor performing 10% or more of the effort will be required to submit three past performances. Correct? Does the 10% refer to 10% of the total contract revenue or 10% of the FTEs bid?

A105: The substantial partner, 10% listed in the Past Performance of Section L is determined by contractor estimated cost (to include any government populated amounts) of the entire C2SES III contract. The RFP is being updated to require one past performance for each major subcontractor, with a maximum of three.

Q106: Will you publish a pricing model?

A106: Tentative Release of Pricing Model is currently in July 2016; Tentative Release of

Incentive Plan in July2016. Comments and questions are encouraged from industry.

Q107: USAMS Task Order 16-0202-is this effort related to this Task Order? Could a potential

OCI occur?

A107: If the contractor believes there is a potential OCI, they must submit an OCI mitigation plan.

Q108: Will the NPES piece that is on the current contract be removed?

A108: The NPES Operational Support has been removed from the C2SES II contract, effective mid-July. NPES maintenance and sustainment is remaining on the C2SES II contract and, as of now, will be included on the C2SES III contract.

Q109: Will you post an interested parties list?

A109: A list will be posted on FedBizOpps. Only companies/names that have authorized their information to be included on the list will be available.