Q and A Final.pdf

PKB Instructor Led IT Training SOCCENT

Q & A

1. Is SBA8 a certification a mandatory requirement for this opportunity?

a. No

2. Is it necessary have a GSA contract to submit a bid for this notice?

a. GSA contract is not necessary.

3. We would like to know if this is a brand new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services.

a. This is a brand-new requirement.

4. Which Microsoft Course is the customer looking for? I know it states TBD, but is the customer looking for standard MD Office training for apps like Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint etc? These are standard one day classes and having this information will help us to provide the best solution and accurate pricing.

a. Looking for classes such as Microsoft Azure administrator, Microsoft Azure security engineer, Microsoft Azure network engineer, VMware. We are also looking for the option to pick and choose from a variety of in-depth Microsoft classes, we are not looking for basic standard basic Microsoft classes such as PowerPoint, words, etc.

5. Specifically which AWS certification is the customer looking for? Looking at the description of requirements, it sounds like AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate).

Can you please confirm?

a. AWS certified solutions architect associate.

6. which version of the following courses is the customer requiring?

VMware Deliver VMware vSphere training covering ESXi, vCenter, networking, and storage. Objectives: prepare for VMware certification and improve virtualization management skills.

This one sounds like VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [v8]

Network Automation

Provide training on scripting, APIs, and configuration management tools. Objectives: improve automation capabilities in network environments.

Not sure on this one. There are several courses that can cover the training requirements listed for your customer.

Network Automation v/Python and Ansible Boot Camp

CCNP Deliver Cisco CCNP-level training on architecture, virtualization, security, and automation. Objectives: prepare for CCNP certification and enhance advanced network operations.

Which core exam of the CCNP is the customer looking for?

There are several:

CCNP Tracks & Exam Options CCNP Enterprise Core Exam: ENCOR 350-401 – Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies Concentration Exams (choose 1):

ENARSI 300-410 – Advanced Routing ENWLSI 300-430 – Wireless

ENSDWI 300-415 – SD-WAN

ENWLSD 300-425 – Wireless Design ENAUTO 300-435 – Automation CCNP Security Core Exam: SCOR 350-701 – Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies Concentration Exams (choose 1):

SVPN 300-730 – Secure VPN SNCF 300-710 – Firepower Threat Defense SISE 300-715 – Identity Services Engine (ISE) SAUTO 300-735 – Security Automation CCNP Data Center Core Exam: DCCOR 350-601 – Implementing Data Center Core Technologies Concentration Exams (choose 1):

DCCCNM 300-610 – Data Center Design DCCOR 300-615 – Troubleshooting Data Center Infrastructure DCIT 300-615 – Troubleshooting Infrastructure DCAUTO 300-635 – Automation CCNP Collaboration

Core Exam: CLCOR 350-801 – Implementing Collaboration Core Technologies Concentration Exams (choose 1):

CLICA 300-810 – Collaboration Applications CLACCM 300-815 – Advanced Call Control and Mobility Services CLAUTO 300-835 – Collaboration Automation CCNP Service Provider Core Exam: SPCOR 350-501 – Implementing Service Provider Core Technologies Concentration Exams (choose 1):

SPVI 300-510 – Service Provider VPN Services SPVI 300-515 – Service Provider VPN Infrastructure SPAUTO 300-535 – Service Provider Automation

7. Is this training intended to be delivered primarily online, on-site, or a combination of both?

a. Training is intended to be delivered primarily online, however, if enough interested personnel can take the class at once we would like the option to conduct on-site training.

8. If the decision is "mission depending," what factors will determine whether specific courses are delivered online versus on-site?

a. Personnel Scheduling, temporary duty locations/deployments, operational factors and # of interested personnel all must be taken into consideration before determining online versus on-site.

9. Should our proposal include pricing for both online and on-site delivery options?

a. We are looking for a price that includes, Pre-course planning • All Instructor fees • Course materials • Logistics management

10. Are there any specific courses among the listed certifications (CISSP, etc.) that must be delivered in a particular format?

a. No, there is no format for identified courses.

b. For the CCNP requirement, the SOW lists topics covering Architecture, Virtualization, Infrastructure, Security, and Automation. These topics do not align exactly with a single CCNP track under Cisco’s current certification structure.

Could you clarify:

Are you requesting a specific CCNP track (e.g., CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Data Center, CCNP Security)?

We would like the ability for our students to be flexible with their options.

Or do you require a custom mix of content from multiple CCNP tracks? If the latter, will oƯicial CCNP certification be required, or is the training intended to be non-certification custom content?

11. There are references in other sections to quantities like “EA 5, 4, 2,” which could mean number of classes, number of course iterations, or number of days.

Question: Does “24 personnel” mean all will attend all courses, or are these 24 students split across courses? If split, please provide the student count per course.

a. QTY 5. Example would mean we would like to purchase 5 classes or 5 vouchers so 5 students could take the course.

12. Course Scheduling The documents require a detailed training schedule for each certification, with flexibility for operational needs.

Question: Should we propose a single delivery window for all courses or independent schedules per course? Are there preferred months or sequencing for specific courses?

a. Courses would be scheduled per the individual. We are looking for class vouchers, with no expiration, that the indidvidal can schedule on their own accord. Unless, we have enough interested parties and scheduling allows us to conduct an in-person class. Each specific class should oƯer a detail individual schedule.

13. Certification Exam Delivery

Question: Is there a preferred default exam delivery method for pricing purposes?

Also, should exam vouchers be included for all courses listed, including vendor-agnostic ones like Network Automation?

a. Yes, exam voucher should be included for all courses listed.

14. Training Content Requirements The PDF SOW includes detailed topic lists for each certification (e.g., CISSP’s eight domains, CCNA’s networking fundamentals, etc.).

Question: Should we use the detailed topic outlines from the PDF as the binding curriculum, or will the KO provide updated outlines for each certification?

No, the pdf is not a binding curriculum

15. Duration of Courses Question: Can you confirm the expected duration per course so we can plan delivery and cost accordingly? Can we assume that for any course we list, we should use the standard duration (i.e. VMWare VSphere Install is 5 days, Cisco CCNA is 5 days etc.)

a. class durations should use the required amount of time determined by the appropriate level and educational requirements for the certification.

16. If per student, then would the expectation be for the Contractor to deliver a single private class for all 5 students or would it be permissible to register students for an existing open enrollment class?

a. Students may register in an existing open enrollment class. Students should be given the options of open class dates throughout the calendar year and allowed to enroll in classes that has open seats that best fit their schedules.

17. Certification Exam: States training shall be conducted via a secure, online virtual training platform or mission depending, can conduct training on-site at a SOCCENT provided facility. Shall the pricing for each CLIN assume that the primary delivery would be via a secure, online virtual training platform and that any travel would be invoiced separately?

Otherwise, we would have to assume travel for all deliveries which may result in a higher than required quote.

a. Yes, pricing should be online delivery primarily, however, with travel invoiced separately if needed to fulfill SOW of training provided on-site if required.

18. Is exam proctoring required, or just exam access via a voucher? SOW states

“Provide and administer the oƯicial certification exam onsite at SOCCENT, online, or an agreed upon certification location by the participant upon completion of the training. This includes providing exam redemption codes to each participant”.

a. Exam vouchers shall be provided to all participants.

19. Are all CLINs required to have an accompanying certification exam? For example, Network Automation may not have a recognized industry-wide certification.

a. If there is no accompanying recognized industry-wide certification for that specification, a general IT certification of high caliber would suƯice.

20. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP): Are the specific course titles known for the areas of Cisco CCNP? For example, there are 5 Cisco CCNP tracks each with a core course and a selection of concentration courses.

a. Given the above, would each student need 2 course vouchers and 2 exam vouchers for their desired CCNP track?

b. No specific course titles for CCNP at this time, seeking courses vouchers/class enrollment options to give our students the options to seek CCNP certifications at their choice.

21. Cisco’s maximum class size for these courses is 16 students. We can deliver two sessions of each course, either split evenly or with up to 16 in one and the remainder in the other. Would you prefer the sessions run simultaneously or staggered, and if staggered, how much Ɵme would you like between them?

a. Most of our students will require online enrollment independently. If an in-person class is required, 16 or less students would suffice.