RFP_Questions_and_Responses_-_Set_2.pdf
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- Attached to
- Information Security Support Services (IS3) Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- FA703719RA001
About this file
This document contains questions and responses related to solicitation number FA703719RA001 for Information Security Support Services (IS3) issued by the Department of the Air Force Air Combat Command. The solicitation seeks contractor support for cybersecurity training, authorization support, integrated defense security operations, and other information security tasks. Questions from potential offerors clarify details around past performance submissions, page limits, font requirements, training types, and other solicitation details. The government provides responses to clarify that no hard copies will be accepted, foldouts count as one page, Times New Roman font at 12 point size must be used throughout, and that historical data was used to develop level of effort forecasts.
Questions received by the Government since issuance of question set #1 with associated answers. Note that several questions received during this period are still being researched by the Government and will be discussed in question set #3.
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Text version
Questions Responses ‐ Set 2
DATE
QUESTION
GOVT RESPONSE
20‐Jun‐19 Attachment 02 – Past Performance Questionnaire, in the Instructions, says:
“…Responses are requested no later than XX June 2019. Attachment 8 does not clarify the due date for the PPQs to be received by the Government
Questionnaires are due 15 July 2019. Attachment 02 was updated to reflect this date via Amendment 0001 to the Solicitation posted to FBO on June 24, 2019.
20‐Jun‐19 Attachment 8: Addendum to FAR 52.212‐1: Instructions and Notices to Offerors;
(d)(1) , pg. 1 of 9, and (f)) The submittal table (d)(1) Table 1 indicates in the left column the “# of Copies. In (f) it states: “No hard copies of the proposal will be accepted”. Request the Government please clarify that proposal submittal is only via email per paragraph (d) and (f) and that no copies are required per Table 1.
Yes. No hardcopies will be accepted.
20‐Jun‐19
Attachment 8: Addendum to FAR 52.212‐1: Instructions and Notices to Offerors and Attachment 05 – Conformance Review Checklist. Paragraph (e) states: Page format. Each page of the proposal, other than foldouts, will be typed on 8 ½ by 11 page and will use Times New Roman, 12 pt. font….”
However, Attachment 05 – Conformance Review Checklist shows only page size as 8 ½ by 11. Request the Government please clarify whether 11 x 17 foldouts are allowable. Also, clarify whether foldouts count as one or two pages.
The only acceptable use for 11x17 foldouts will be Graphs and or Charts.
These will count as 1 page.
20‐Jun‐19
Attachment 8: Addendum to FAR 52.212‐1: Instructions and Notices to Offerors and Attachment 05 – Conformance Review Checklist. Paragraph (e) states: “…use Times New Roman, 12 pt. font”. Request the Government please clarify the use of TNR 12.
Does this include tables and graphics as well other than narrative text, (e.g., call‐ out boxes and action captions for tables and graphics) or can the offeror provide tables and graphics in another font and font size? We would recommend Arial Narrow, minimum font size of 10.
The Government has reviewed this request and determined that Times New Roman, 12 pt. font should be utilized throughout the document, including tables and figures.
20‐Jun‐19
Exhibit 1 PWS Page 51. Appendix C ‐ Support Services Data : Forecasted Level of Effort 1) The Government has provided a forecasted level of effort in the PWS at Appendix C. Can the government clarify the basis on which the forecast was developed?
Forecast was developed based on historical data and new projected requirements.
20‐Jun‐19
Exhibit 1 PWS, Page 11. Section 2.4 Authorization Support Page 19 Integrated Defense Security Operations Support
The Government notes throughout the PWS that much of the training to be provided by the Contractor under Task 2.6 Integrated Defense Security Operations Support will be "informal" or "on‐the‐job" training. However, the training requirements under Task 2.4 Authorization Support (specifically sub‐task area
2.4.4.15 Cybersecurity Training) are not referred to as "informal" or "on the job" training.
1) Can the government clarify if and/or how the trainings contemplated under Task
2.6 and Task 2.4 are different?
2) Does the Government anticipate that any of the training to be provided by the contractor under Task 2.4 or Task 2.6 may also require examination, certification and/or CPE credits for Government personnel?
Task 2.4.4.15 is our formal Cybersecurity Training program, other references to training are geared to in‐house training to assist with staff development and share knowledge.
20‐Jun‐19
Attachment 9 Addendum to 52.212‐2 (a)(2) The Government notes that it intends to award one ISSS IDIQ contract and one initial ISSS firm‐fixed price Task Order concurrently.
1) Can the government confirm if a Statement of Work/Performance Work Statement for the initial Task Order was intended to be included in the solicitation package or if one will be posted to FBO.gov?
The government can confirm that the PWS for the initial task order was not included in the Solicitation. The initial task order will be the post award conference. Any subsequent task orders will have the PWS distributed after that time.
21‐Jun‐19 Addendum to FAR 52.212‐1 Instructions and Notices to Offerors, Attachment 08 2 Paragraph (e) Page Format Does a foldout page count as one page or two pages?
A foldout page counts as one page.
21‐Jun‐19 Addendum to FAR 52.212‐1 Instructions and Notices to Offerors, Attachment 08 2 Paragraph (e) Page Format Is there a file size limitation for each PDF?
There is no PDF file size megabyte limitation.
21‐Jun‐19 Addendum to FAR 52.212‐1 Instructions and Notices to Offerors, Attachment 08 2 Paragraph (e) Page Format If the PDF is too large to be sent via email, will the Government accept a zipped (compressed) PDF?
Yes. You may Zip the file if it is too large to be sent via email.
24‐Jun‐19 Does AF IC have a cloud service provider currently? If so, which vendor?
The AF IC does not have a specific cloud service provider. We use what is provided by the IC or DoD.
24‐Jun‐19 How many systems fall under the IC SCA?
The Government will be disclosing the number of systems that fall under IC SCA at the Task Order level.
24‐Jun‐19 Under the context of PWS paragraph 2.2, would ACC consider a tool other than Xacta to improve efficiencies?
The Government will consider all potential solutions to meeting its need.
24‐Jun‐19 Will the contractor provide training to government as well as contractor staff?
Yes.
24‐Jun‐19 How many personnel are expected to be trained?
See Appendix D.
24‐Jun‐19 Cybersecurity Exercise Development: Operating procedures shall be developed in coordination and review by government Integrated Defense Security Operations teams (ref para 2.6). How many exercises are conducted per year?
Currently there is one major exercise per year with multiple preliminary planning and practice events prior to the actual exercise.
24‐Jun‐19 Integrated Defense Security Operations Support Is this work done in a SOC?
Work is performed within the 625 ACOMS workspaces.
24‐Jun‐19 Can the government provide the current tool or toolset used for SIEM?
AF IC is currently using ArcSight
24‐Jun‐19
In PWS para 4.5 it states that the primary work locations will be with the ACC/A26 and 625th ACOMS both located at Joint Base San Antonio, which is Region 1. But In Attachment 03 instructions state to use Region 1 and Attachment 4 instructions state to use Region 3. Will the Government please clarify which Region they wish the services providers to use?
For Attachment 4, the use of Region 3 rates is desired by the Government for evaluation purposes.
24‐Jun‐19 Does the AF IC community comply with the ATO in a day fast track process or play with the Kessel Run initiative?
The AF IC does not currently use the AF fast track ATO process.
24‐Jun‐19 Are any of their systems considered PIT?
The Government will not comment on this prior to award.
24‐Jun‐19 Is the AO currently using the fast track ATO process?
The AF IC does not currently use the AF fast track ATO process.
24‐Jun‐19 Does the command leverage Kessel Run for development?
The Government notes that this question is not relevant/applicable to this acquisition.
24‐Jun‐19 How many systems are currently and/or planned to migrate to the cloud?
The Government will not comment on this prior to award.
24‐Jun‐19 Are they currently using the ongoing authorization process for any of their systems?
The AF IC uses the NIST Risk management framework and ICD 503.
24‐Jun‐19 Would the government receive commercial Past Performance as equal to Government Past Performance?
The Government will allow relevant past performance from the commercial sector.
24‐Jun‐19 Is the Air Force 100% transitioned to RMF from DIACAP?
Yes. The AF IC never used DIACAP.
24‐Jun‐19 Is there a list of portfolios available and does that include sub systems?
The Government will not comment on this prior to award.
24‐Jun‐19 Does the Air Force want contractors to do penetration testing for classified systems?
Potentially yes.
24‐Jun‐19
Does the Air Force want five past performances total submitted for the Prime Contractor and its teaming partners/subcontractors or does it want five past performances submitted for the Prime Contractor and also five for each of its teaming partners/subcontractors?
The Government will allow up to five references for each significant subcontractor or partner. Note that Attachment 08 (3) (i) as contractor who will perform twenty five percent (25%) or more of the proposed effort based on the total proposed price/cost; or that will perform aspects of the effort the offeror considers critical to overall successful performance. Using this definition, a significant subcontractor could be doing less than 25% of the work if they are performing a critical task.
Depending on the arrangement among partners, ventures, and subcontractors, the offeror could have five (5) past performance statements for each member who falls into these parameters. It is conceivable that depending on the teaming arrangement, 20 past performance 1‐page citations could be allowed.
25‐Jun‐19 With questions due 5 calendar days before the posted closing date, does the Government anticipate an extension to allow time to receive and incorporate answers into our submittal?
The Government does not anticipate an extension into offeror's submittals.
25‐Jun‐19 Will the Government issue a DD254?
Yes
25‐Jun‐19 Will SSO Lackland be conducting the SCI indoctrination? Or will another USAF Security Office be conducting the indoctrinations?
The Air Force will be conducting SCI Indoctrinations and actual organization conducting may change based on organizational changes.
25‐Jun‐19 Will government customer be uploading the contract into the U.S. Army Contractor Support Element (CSE) since this is a SCI contract? And will the contractor be granted access to upload and monitor its personnel?
No and since not in system, the contractor will not be granted access to upload and monitor in CSE under this contract action.
25‐Jun‐19 If an employee has a Top Secret eligibility within JPAS but not a SCI DCID indicated, will SSO Lackland be the SCI SMO and request a SCI DCID? Is there a SCI Contractor Nomination Form? If so, it will be provided at award?
At this time, SSO Lackland 25th AF will be the SCI MO and will request a SCI DCID upon receipt of letter from successful offeror.
25‐Jun‐19 Will the government provide recommended labor categories for this Solicitation or provide labor categories from the previous contract.
No
25‐Jun‐19 Please confirm whether the Professional Compensation Plan is applicable to the subcontractor and if so, please confirm that the subcontractor can submit this information straight to the Government.
If the categories specified within the professional compensation plan are applicable to the subcontractor, the offeror shall fully complete Attachment 03. Only the prime's attachment 03 will be accepted. The Government will allow for evaluation purposes the prime to note on form category applies to subcontractor. In these cases, the prime does not need to provide fringe rate, just total compensation.
25‐Jun‐19 Will the Government please confirm that all offerors must propose the hours listed in the TEP Worksheet tab?
Yes
25‐Jun‐19
In the Hourly Base Rate from Salary.com column, the calculation shown is the median annual salary divided by 1,792 hours. Request that the Government update the calculation to reflect 2,080 hours, which reflects total hours in a year for the calculation of the Direct Labor Rate.
Attachment 10 was updated to reflect 2080 hours via Amendment 0001 to the Solicitation posted to FBO on June 24, 2019.
25‐Jun‐19 What does ‘Reserved’ mean listed in multiple sections within the Scenario PWS?
Those sections were reserved to maintain consistency within the document. There are no plans to use those sections of the document.
25‐Jun‐19 Does the Government require offerors to price the Scenario PWS? If so, how does the Government want offerors to price?
No pricing is required.
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