Questions_and_Answers_02.pdf

FA4890-13-R-0003, Financial System Administrator Systems Support

RFP Questions and Answers, #2

QUESTION: I appreciate your response; however, I need some clarification. While paragraph 2.2.2.2 of the PWS discusses personnel clearances ("Prior to performance, all Contractor personnel shall be able to obtain a Secret Clearance and hold either an Interim or in place Secret security clearance."), I was referencing paragraph 7-3.3.2.1 of the RFP that states, "... An offeror that does not have a Secret Facility Clearance should not submit a proposal. Proposals submitted without a Facility Clearance will not be evaluated." If we are in the process of obtaining a facility clearance but do not have one as of the date of proposal submission, will our proposal be evaluated?

ANSWER: The contractor (prime or any subs) must have a Secret facility clearance in order for their employees to obtain a clearance. Would your company be able to provide properly cleared employees with an interim facility clearance by the contract start date? If so, recommend you include information within your proposal explaining how your company will be prepared to fully begin performance as of the contract start date. To be eligible for contract award the offeror must also have a Secret Facility clearance.

QUESTION: On page 1 of 38, size standard lists “5000”. Please clarify size standard.

ANSWER: Size standard should be listed as $14M. An amendment will be issued to make the change.

QUESTION: 1.3.2 Functional Skills states that contractor personnel assigned to this task should be familiar with the FM applications listed in Attachment 1. Are resume submissions required to demonstrate personnel familiarity with the FM applications?

o If resumes are required, can they be included within section 6-5.4.3 Pages Not Included in Page Count?

o If resumes are not required, how will the contractor demonstrate personnel familiarity with the FM applications?

ANSWER: The Government does not require resumes as part of the Financial System Administrator Support Services proposal. Section 6-7.2.1 of the PWS states items to address within the management/staffing plan.

QUESTION: Section 1.6 (page 11 of 38) references an Appendix A. Will the Government please provide Appendix A?

ANSWER: Language will be changed to read, "The contractor shall be responsible for delivering all end items specified within chart under paragraph 1.6.3.”

QUESTION: Please confirm the requirement in section 2.2.2.3. Is TS/SCI a requirement of this contract?

ANSWER: Paragraph 2.2.2.3 has been revised. Please see amendment 02.

QUESTION: 6-7.2.1 Technical Factor 1 states that the proposal shall provide a plan that identifies the personnel resources and skill sets available to fulfill the PWS requirements, specifically addressing knowledge and experience that is required to complete the tasks identified in PWS paragraph 1.2 and 1.3 and, the completion of all deliverables identified in PWS paragraph 1.6

a. When the Government states “personnel resources and skill sets available”, is the Government referring to existing contractor personnel and corporate knowledge?

b. Are resume submissions required to accomplish this?

ANSWER: The Government does not require resumes as part of the Financial System Administrator Support Services proposal. Section 6-7.2.1 of the PWS states the specific areas to address within the management/staffing plan. The management/staffing plan should reflect personnel the contractor plans to provide in support of the contract effort.

QUESTION: 6-7.2.1 Technical Factor 1 states 6-7.2.1 states that the proposal shall provide a plan that identifies all positions and indicate how the personnel that will be supporting the effort at each host-base Comptroller organization meets the experience and expertise identified in PWS 1.3.

a. Is the Government asking for named personnel and qualifications in this requirement?

ANSWER: The proposal should address experience level and expertise of the position since there is no guarantee that the individual the company purposes is the same individual that will be available at contract start.

QUESTION: PWS -- 1.6.1 -- FSA Collaboration and Knowledge-base. An online tool (requiring only a web browser) shall provide a forum for FSAs to cross-feed information amongst the ACC/FM team. Is there a current tool in place providing this service? If so, what tool is being used and how much data is currently being stored? Is this tool proprietary to the incumbent or can it be transferred as GFE following award (with the awarded contractor picking up the licensing fees)?

ANSWER: The current tool is managed by the incumbent using a SharePoint page. It cannot be transferred. The vast majority of the information residing on the SharePoint site are the "continuity" documents. But, it also allows the FSAs to collaborate on various issues and to assist each other with troubleshooting. A company who provides

IT service should be able to provide a web page/SharePoint page their employees can access to allow on-line collaboration and document sharing.

QUESTION: page 3 of 38 -- CLIN Structure There is no CLIN for pricing the FSA Collaboration and knowledge-base. Would the government consider providing a CLIN for pricing this contract requirement?

ANSWER: No CLIN for FSA Collaboration and Knowledge-Base is anticipated at this time.

QUESTION: 6-2 -- Formal Communications Where is the COR or government program manager located? Is there government provided office space and provisions at that location for an FSA project lead and other function support (PWS 1.2)?

ANSWER: Office space is not provided for a Contractor project lead or function support.

QUESTION: PWS - 1.4 Travel Clearly travel is not anticipated, but could be a possibility to meet an urgent or surge requirement. Would the government consider providing a cost reimbursable CLIN with a plug number to facilitate official travel?

ANSWER: Travel is not anticipated to be significant. As such, a travel CLIN will not be incorporated.

QUESTION: In PWS 2.2.3.3. Visitor Group Security Agreement (VGSA). Enter into a long term VGSA through the host base Information Security Program Manager.

Provide the information requested by AFFARS 5352.204-9000, Notification of Government Security Activity and Visitor Group Security Agreements... In addition to the items required by AFFARS 5352.204-9000, the VGSA shall outline how the Contractor integrates security requirements for contract operations with the AF to ensure effective and economical operation on the installation, the use of security forms and conducting inspections required by DoD 5220.22-R, Industrial Security Regulation, and protection of high value pilferable property.

AFFARS 5352.204-9000, particularly section (b) suggests that a Visitor Group Security Agreement (VGSA) is only required when the contractor does not have a Facility Security Clearance. " (b) Prior to beginning operations involving classified information on an installation identified on the DD Form 254 where the contractor is not required to have a facility security clearance, the contractor shall enter into a Visitor Group Security Agreement (or understanding) with the installation commander to ensure that the contractor's security procedures are properly integrated with those of the installation."

Since an FSC is required on this contract could you please clarify the VGSA requirement in 2.2.3.3?

ANSWER: AFFARS 5352.204-9000, applies if the contract requirement does not require a facility security clearance. Contractors are required to have a facility clearance for this requirement.

QUESTION: 1.2.3.4 states that the contractor shall monitor trouble tickets submitted to the respective helpdesk. Will contractor personnel be given access to the base Remedy System?

ANSWER: No

QUESTION: 1.2.3.9 States contractor shall serve as the Comptroller Unit’s AF Portal content administrator. Can the Government please clarify specific software (i.e. MS Webserver, MS SharePoint, Apache Server, etc) and/or portal knowledge required to fulfill these duties? Can the customer also please clarify the organization level for which portal content administration is required?

ANSWER: The Air Force Portal is strictly content management. Requires appointment and permission/access levels be assigned. Training is available locally.

QUESTION: 1.3.1 states that all on-site contractors shall be IA Technician (IAT) Level I certified as defined in the DOD 8570.01-M. Per Para C3.3 of DoD 8570.01-M, IAT Level I position requirements state that personnel "Normally has 0 to 5 or more years of experience in IA technology or a related field" AND "Works under supervision and typically reports to a Computing Environment (CE) manager." PWS Paragraphs 1.2.3, 1.2.4, and 1.2.5 imply that the FSAs will have a significant level of responsibility across several diverse IT areas:

o AFNETOPS / comm unit compliance, o CSA, o ITEC, o "focal point" for identifying, reporting and resolving network issues/outages, o Office/Windows trainer, o advisor for HW/SW acquisitions and new technologies, o web portal admin, o "IT focal point for multiple Comptroller/Financial systems", o "technical point of contact for application/maintenance", install / maint / upgrade / troubleshoot Financial apps, o provide CSA support external to Comptroller squadron, and manage telecommunications capabilities (blackberries, VTC, cell phones, PDAs, conf room projection equipment).

The PWS also indicates in 1.2 that only One FTE is required at each Host Base Comptroller Squadron. This type of CE does not lend itself well to an IAT Level requiring zero years (minimum) of IA experience and FSAs do not appear to report to an onsite CE manager. Will the Government consider increasing the requirement to IAT Level II certification?

ANSWER: No. Although the FSAs do not “report” to an onsite CE manager, they must comply with current government IA policies and will work closely with the Wing IA office.

QUESTION: 1.4.1 states that travel to attend meetings shall not be separately reimbursed. Will travel be required to perform PWS services be cost reimbursable? If not, can the government provide the estimated mileage required to complete PWS services per location per year?

ANSWER: All such meetings/requirements will only be conducted on the installation.

QUESTION: 1.5.4 After Hours states that occasional after-hours support may be required based on customer needs.

a. Should bidders include the cost of cell phone or pager for employees in our bids?

Please verify CLIN?

b. If costs should not be included, how will employees be contacted after hours?

ANSWER: Personal home/cell phone. If the local Comptroller believes this will be an extensive requirement (unlikely) they have the flexibility to provide a government issued cell phone/blackberry.

QUESTION: 1.6.1 FSA Collaboration and Knowledge-base: Is this collaboration tool provided and paid for by the Government, or should the cost of providing this tool be included in our FFP bid? Please verify CLIN?

ANSWER: The contractor is expected to provide this capability. No separate CLIN will be established.

QUESTION: Deliverables table on page 12 requires Trouble Call Summary on a monthly basis. Will contractor personnel be given access to the trouble call database?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Section 5352.204-9000 on page 26 of 38 states that prior to beginning operations involving classified information on an installation identified on the DD Form 254, the contractor shall… (a) at least thirty days prior to beginning operations, notify the Information Protection Office shown in the distribution block of the DD Form 254…

a. What is the Government’s anticipated transition timeline for this requirement?

b. Is a transition plan required as part of this proposal submission?

1. If a transition plan is required, can it be included within section 6-5.4.3 Pages Not Included in Page Count?

2. If a transition plan is required, how will it be evaluated?

QUESTION: 7-3 Evaluation Factors starting on page 36. This contract appears to have an intrinsic Transition risk based on the geographically dispersed locations with 1 FTE at each location; will the Government evaluate Transition Risk as a factor in determining the acceptability of a contractor’s Management / Staffing plan?

ANSWER: The Government is reviewing options to include a transition plan. This information will be included in an amendment to the solicitation.

QUESTION: PWS - 1.2.6.1 Historically an average of 50-100 PCs or peripheral equipment can be expected to be added, moved, upgraded or patched weekly. Is the number provided in the RFP the total number of actions across all ACC locations or an average of the weekly actions at each location?

ANSWER: Estimate based on each location. Movement/upgrades are normally on exception basis as new hardware is purchased to upgrade aged/non-serviceable hardware. Patches to comply with IA policies occurs on a daily/weekly basis.

QUESTION: PWS - 1.2 -- One FTE is required at each Host Base Comptroller Squadron. Please clarify if the one FTE requirement is a minimum or maximum requirement.

1.2. TASK REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall provide the necessary Full Time Employee (s) (FTEs) and functional support required to fulfill this contract, as described within this PWS. One FTE is required at each Host Base Comptroller Squadron.

ANSWER: It is up to each contractor to submit a proposal that identifies the number of personnel necessary in order to successfully complete the contract requirements. The Government needs at least one contractor employee at each location at a minimum.

QUESTION: 1.2.4.7 States the contractor shall create and maintain a library of tools to facilitate the sharing and distribution of financial application and administrative materials among the ACC FSAs. Will the government be providing a SharePortal to facilitate contractor this requirement? If not, does the contractor have to provide a secure external portal that meets current security standards and bear the associated cost?

ANSWER: The government will not provide a portal for this effort. Yes, the contractor is expect to provide a secure portal that meets current security standards and bear the associated costs.

QUESTION: 1.3.2 states that contractor personnel assigned to this task should be “familiar” with the FM applications listed in Attachment 1. The requirements of the PWS require contractor personnel to be the IT technical focal point for all Comptroller / Financial systems. Many users of these systems can claim familiarity, but will not understand how to troubleshoot issues or administer them. Can the Government please define the term “familiar”? Do bidders and proposed employees require direct knowledge and experience troubleshooting these systems?

ANSWER: Familiar can be as low as a user level. Direct knowledge and experience with troubleshooting these systems is not necessary as we have continuity documentation on troubleshooting issues to assist new employees as they transition.

ALL QUESTIONS TO THIS RFP MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN 11 MAR

2013 IN ORDER FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE RESPONSES TO ALL

POTENTIAL CONTRACTORS. THE PROPOSAL DUE DATE IS NOT ANTICIPATED

TO CHANGE.