Innovation Lab Consolidated QAs S202404015.pdf

Federal Agency: Department of the Air Force Program Office: 30th Contracting Squadron Call Title: Innovation Lab Call Type: One‐Step, Closed Call Call Number: FA4610‐23‐S‐C001, Call 0002 Call Release Date: 25 March 2024 Site Visit: 09 April 2024 at 9:00 AM PDT Proposals Due: 02 May 2024 at 9:00 AM PDT

Guidelines for Communication with Industry

Government will not replace the offeror’s original idea with the program office’s preferred approach.

Government will not lead or tell a prospective offeror how or what to propose.

Government will not share ideas or technical solutions provided in conversations, White Papers, pitches, or proposals to a competing offeror or anyone else outside the Government acquisition team.

If information is provided to one offeror that may be applicable to all, the information should be published as an amendment to the CSO. For instance, if an offeror is given information that expands/contradicts/retracts information in the published CSO, this same information must be made publicly available to all potential offerors by publishing an amendment to the CSO.

Should any potential offeror, in which a government acquisition team member or their immediate family has a financial interest, express interest in submitting a proposal in response to a CSO, the team member must immediately contact the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) and program legal counsel.

Consolidated Questions & Answers

As of 15 April 2024

Do you have an overall budget?

Our budget is between $100K ‐ $250K.

Can the government confirm estimated funding available for this call?

Our budget is between $100K ‐ $250K.

Is the proposal looking for a single vendor to act as a general contractor to design/outfit the entire facility, or for individual vendors to provide their solution.

The CSO call allows the flexibility to consider all variations of proposed solutions whether that be an integrated solution or a part of a solution. The CSO call can result in multiple awards, a single award, or no awards. The Government further reserves the right to award all, part, or none of the proposals received.

Please confirm whether the government will be making a single award as part of this call or multiple awards. If multiple awards, what is the max # of awards?

The CSO call allows the flexibility to consider all variations of proposed solutions whether that be an integrated solution or a part of a solution. The CSO call can result in multiple awards, a single award, or no awards. The Government further reserves the right to award all, part, or none of the proposals received. No maximum number of awards.

How many awards are you anticipating for this opportunity?

The CSO call allows the flexibility to consider all variations of proposed solutions whether that be an integrated solution or a part of a solution. The CSO call can result in multiple awards, a single award, or no awards. The Government further reserves the right to award all, part, or none of the proposals received. No maximum number of awards.

We saw the "Need" description for the Innovation Lab, but is there a list of priorities for capabilities that are desired?

Having a functional collaboration‐capable space is the highest priority (to include workstation setups and methods to collaborate). Second priority is the manufacturing/prototyping capabilities (such as circuitry development, 3D printing, laser cutting, etc.).

Would the government be able to provide insight on what some of the future “Area of Interests” might be?

No specific future requirements have been identified at this time. The strategic objectives driving our projects include but are not limited to the following: space launch and test range mission requirements, broader Vandenberg tenant organization mission support, quality of life improvements, and digital transformation/innovation initiatives.

Please confirm that as part of the AOI (Innovation Lab), the government is open to Software Solutions as well and not only Hardware solutions.

Yes.

Please confirm whether the govt. will be accepting information in the form of slick sheets or demos as part of the on‐site visit.

No. Refer to FA461023SC001 Call 0002 Table 1., Proposal Contents, for list of acceptable information to be submitted as part of the proposal.

For the pricing volume, please confirm whether the government is looking for FFP or T&M pricing.

The Government intends to award Firm Fixed Priced contract(s) resulting from this CSO call.

Please confirm that video demonstrations can be YouTube URLs.

Yes, video demonstration may be a YouTube URL.

Please confirm if multiple video demonstrations can be presented.

Only provide one (1) video. In accordance with (IAW) FA461023SC001 Call 0002 Table 1., Proposal Contents, the video shall not exceed five (5) minutes in duration.

Please confirm whether the Innovation Lab is interested in innovative ways for SLD 30 to manage their Chapter 10 data.

Not at this time.

For the pricing volume, please confirm whether the government would like milestone‐based pricing or labor category and number of hours‐based pricing.

Please itemize prices according to labor category, number of hours, and quantity of items, material, and equipment.

Please confirm whether the government is open to license‐based software products.

Yes. If part of solution, please indicate whether licenses are for cloud computing services [i.e.

Infrastructure‐as‐a‐Service (IaaS), Platforms‐as‐a‐Service (PaaS), and Software‐as‐a‐Service (SaaS)] accessible over the internet or for software that will require download onto the computer.

What does that cover (equipment, furnishing, construction, etc.)? For example, a 3D printer can cost anywhere from $5,000‐$250,000+. Furnishings can also have a broad range.

Budget covers computer equipment, furniture, fixtures for collaboration, design and engineering equipment. This does not necessarily cover software licenses, but we will expect a need for estimates on this.

Would you like training to be included? If so, is there a preference for TDY, on‐site, or remote training? We provide training for 3D printers, 3D designs, intro to programming, building circuits, and running innovation programs.

Yes, please provide onsite training on specific unique complex equipment. We do not need intro to programming as that is offered to the AF/USSF personnel via Digital University. Please price training as a separate line item.

Is there a limitation on the types of computers and printers that are allowed to be connected to the

NIPR?

Yes, computers and printers must be NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) standards compliant and be on the DoD Information Network (DODIN) Approved Products List (APL) or under DISA review for addition to DODIN APL. If item is new technology/capability not currently listed on DODIN APL, then clearly identify item not listed on DODIN APL and indicate that it is limited to use on to commercial networks.

Provided items are subject to the following:

Clause at FAR 52.204‐23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab Covered Entities

Clause at FAR 52.204‐25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment

Clause at FAR 52.204‐27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application

Clause at FAR 52.204‐30 Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Prohibition

Does the quote need to include the commercial internet line ‐ cable lines and/or service?

No.

Can contractors submit a white paper, video, or power point? Or is one aspect required?

Contractors can submit all three (3) formats if they choose. Only the White Paper is required, the slide presentation and video are optional.

What are the measurements of the facility?

Bldg. 10363 drawings are available upon request, but Contractor will need to validate facility measurements.

Is the contractor expected to hire a group to run power, fix walls, et cetera? Or is that covered separately?

No. The electrical upgrades, finishes, and flooring are currently being accomplished by one of the SABER contractors.

What is the power provided in the building?

The building currently has standard 120v electrical outlets. Construction underway will increase number of electrical outlets and add 240v electrical outlets.

Will government cover all IT services or does the contractor need to provide IT?

The Government plans to provide its own network connection and IT support services. If the proposed solution requires OEM or contractor technical support provided under a license, warranty, subscription, or service agreement then please provide details in the Price Proposal.

Will this facility be contractor staffed or government staffed?

The facility will be occupied and managed by Government personnel.

Is the building going to have appropriate power supply and circuits installed to support all equipment prior to bid, or is that expected part of the bid?

Yes, one of the current SABER contractors is accomplishing Bldg. 10363 electrical upgrades.

Is backup power required in the event of power loss?

We would like redundant power at least for soft power down of servers and pause/interrupt 3D printers in the event of the loss of power. We desire to have the ability to operate basic computing functions for up to a day on backup power. We will only need backup power for relatively short, unexpected outages and we will govern the scope of our equipment to not exceed the limits of backup power.

How long will the backup power be required to run existing infrastructure?

No more than 10 hours for 3D printer and other equipment capabilities which should cover a necessary server power down. Up to 24 hours of power for standard computer‐based work activities

Will this site utilize raised floors or existing flooring?

The existing floors will be epoxied by one of the current SABER contractors.

Will cable trays or raceways be provided for cable routing our will this be part of the bid?

Cable trays or raceways should be included in the contractor’s proposal if part of solution.

Is fire suppression provided by customer?

Yes, fire suppression is provided by the Government.

Will grounded equipment racks be installed prior to bid or will that be expected part of bid?

Grounded equipment racks should be included in the contractor’s proposal if part of solution.

If racks required what are the dimensions of the rack that is required?

Contractor will need to validate measurements at the Site Visit.

How many racks or how many rack units of equipment will the racks need to support?

Contractor will need to propose a working solution to the Government.

What are the Power Distribution Unit(s) (PDU) requirements to support the rack (IEC C‐13, C‐19) and how many plugs?

Contractor will need to validate facility requirements at the Site Visit.

How will warm air from equipment be exhausted out of the Loud Room?

Contractor will need to validate facility requirements at the Site Visit.

Will any equipment like Chillers or Computer Room Air Conditioning units (CRACs) be required part of this bid?

Chillers or Computer Room Air Conditioning units (CRACs) are not required as part of the requirement.

If Chillers or other products are required for cooling environment, is plumbing set up for this prior to install?

Chillers or Computer Room Air Conditioning units (CRACs) are not required as part of the requirement.

Will the contractor be required to provide sufficient electrical supply to the building if it is old?

No. One of the current SABER contractors will be accomplishing electrical upgrades.

Will the contractor be required to upgrade the HVAC?

No.

Will the contractor be required to upgrade lighting?

No, one of the current SABER contractors will be accomplishing lighting upgrades.

Will the contractor be required to provide air exhaustion for equipment areas that require it?

Contractor will need to validate facility requirements based on their proposed equipment installations at the Site Visit and propose a working solution to the Government.

Will the contractor be required to replace signage out front?

The government plans to update signage; however, the method has not yet been decided.

Contractor may include this as part of their proposal for government consideration, but it is not required.

Will the contractor be required to do any work to the exterior of the building?

Part of this project includes outdoor collaboration areas. Proposals from the contractor on this part of the effort is encouraged but not required.

Essentially, as far as the above questions go, I'm wanting to know if we are expected to propose finishing out the room (paint, drywall, furnishings, etc.) and supplying all equipment necessary to create an innovation lab; or, if architectural, technical, and engineering preliminary work also needs to be done. If the latter is required, we will need architectural and engineering specifications.

Facility furnishings as well as paint/drywall should be completed via the government SABER contractors. The proposal should focus on filling out the room with the lab equipment, furniture, and collaboration tools necessary after the building refurbishment work is complete.

What is the network bandwidth being provided to the building via outside network provider (Carrier Circuit)?

This is to be determined.

What is the expected throughput of the Innovation Lab network?

We plan to have a revolving group of about 15 innovators operating within the lab. We plan to host at least two (2) training events per month, we do not have fidelity on the number of milled or CNC fabricated items.

How many users per day does the government anticipate being in this space?

We plan to have a revolving group of about 15 innovators operating within the lab.

How much storage is required to support the Innovation Lab activities?

Contractor will need to validate facility requirements at the Site Visit and propose a working solution to the Government.

How many servers are required to support the Innovation Lab activities?

Our initial server footprint should support at least 20 VMs, a load balancer, security logging, and a fixed solid‐state storage drive. Contractor will need to validate facility requirements at the Site Visit and propose a working solution to the Government.

If not determined please give us an understanding of either missions, software, or end capabilities that equipment will need to support so that a solution may be tailored.

Specific software is not determined. We will require the flexibility to add software for various CAD, coding, and development software suites as our lab projects are added.

What are the requirements for these workstations (CPU, Memory, Storage, GPU, NICs, Display interface, etc.)?

Contractor will need to propose a working solution to the Government. Generally, we desire laptops for most members. The workstations should include a hub to connect the laptops to various peripherals (screens, keyboard, mouse, etc.).

Will monitors be provided by customer, if not how many monitors are needed?

No. We desire at least two screens (or one ultra‐wide) setup at each workstation. Contractor will need to validate facility requirements at the Site Visit and propose a working solution to the Government.

What size, and resolution is required?

Contractor will need to validate facility requirements at the Site Visit and propose a working solution to the Government.

If requirements haven’t been established, what software programs or missions will these workstations support to get an idea of requirements?

We will require Adobe Creative Suite, SolidWorks, Standard O365 tools, Development IDEs, and are open to other on‐premises high‐speed computing software for AI/ML GPU related activities.

Will these workstations be connected to commercial/unclassified/classified network?

Workstations will be connectable to unclassified and commercial networks.

How many workstations?

Contractor will need to validate facility requirements at the Site Visit and propose a working solution to the Government.

How many workstations will be installed at each desk space?

Contractor will need to validate facility requirements at the Site Visit and propose a working solution to the Government.

Will these systems be required to have CAC login?

Yes.

Is the White board going to be a smart whiteboard with network connectivity?

Yes.

Will this space be expected to be VTC call capable?

Yes.

Any additional functionality to support collaboration?

Equipment similar to Microsoft Hubs would also be in scope.

Will this space be endpoint systems with services provided by the Loud Equipment Room?

Not sure what this question is asking.

Will there be equipment installed in the main lab space to run the Ed/Demo environment?

Yes.

How many desks or positions for Ed/Demo will be supported in this space?

Contractor will need to validate facility requirements at the Site Visit and propose a working solution to the Government.

Is there a specific Operating System expected to be supported in this environment?

We would like to have mixed mode of Apple OS, Microsoft OS and RHEL options.

Will this area support specific equipment or is there a list of functions that a solution will need to be provided upon bid?

Envisioned lab equipment may include 3D Printers, CNC, Laser cutters, circuitry/ soldering, etc. The government is open to proposals on equipment needed for prototyping activities.

If specific equipment what are the power/network requirements?

Contractor will need to validate facility requirements at the Site Visit and propose a working solution to the Government.

Site Visit Pictures