Question_Set__7.docx

Question Set #7

1. QUESTION: (Further clarification to Question #1 of Question Set #6) The A-10 specialized style sheets provided by the government TMSS office are designed to work only with DLComposer accompanied by the use of Omnimark. Please provide the DLComposer and Omnimark software required to complete the Sample Tasks.

EXPANDED ANSWER: There are no “A-10 specialized style sheets”. The style sheets and DTD’s provided with Question Set #3 were downloaded directly from the TMSS website. TMSS is a USAF-wide system that manages MIL-SPEC documents. Such documents can be applied to any airframe and are not unique to one.

The documents provided are not “designed to work only” with one software. They are standard requirements. The Government will not provide, nor have they dictated, specific software package(s) to be utilized by the offeror. Per PWS section 3.1, the contractor shall provide the support services and skills required to produce an acceptable Technical Order (TO). While several software suites have been mentioned by those asking questions, and while the incumbent utilizes a specific set of packages, any software chosen by a specific offeror may be utilized. The Government simply requires the deliverable.

The style sheets, Document Type Definitions (DTDs), and FOSIs in TMSS are not A-10 specific. They are developed for use across multiple platforms. The FOSIs and style sheets that are part of the Digital Support Suite (DSS) are provided by TMSS as examples. The offeror may or may not use these samples. It is the DTD that is required for the type of TO/FM being worked to meet SGML output requirements. It is at the discretion of the offeror to determine the software suite(s) needed to provide final and fieldable TOs to the Government.

2. QUESTION: Can the Government confirm that with respect to composer tools, the set of ArborText, DLComposer and Omnimark alone are enough to utilize the files provided by the Government with the amendment that Question Set #3 was a part of? That the provided files were not intended for use with any other software tools in addition to these three?

ANSWER: No. The offeror may utilize whichever software/composer tool(s) or development method they select, as long as each resultant TO be in accordance with the relevant TMSS MIL-SPEC. The Government will not provide, nor have they dictated, specific software package(s) to be utilized by the offeror. For further clarification please see the expanded answer to question #1 above.

3. QUESTION: Please clarify the answer to question #3, set #6 – The new name per TO 00-05-15 for the TO Management Plan is now called TO Life-Cycle Management Plan (TOLCMP).

ANSWER: The reference in the original answer for question #3, set #6, was incorrect. The correct reference is TO 00-5-3 and NOT 00-05-15 (TCTO). Section L, Paragraph 4.4, SubFactor 4 (1) has been changed to reflect TO Life-Cycle Management Plan (TOLCMP) rather than TOMP. For further clarification please refer to the updated Section L; and to PWS paragraph 2.1.7.

4. QUESTION: Can you please verify that you are requesting both a TOLCMP and TOLCVP?

ANSWER: For this effort for SubFactor 4 the Government is NOT requiring a TO Life-Cycle Verification Plan (TOLCVP) as part of the TOLCMP. The offeror is responsible for validation (which should be a part of the TOLCMP). The Government is responsible for the verification. The contents of the TOMP and the TOLCMP are the same, only the title has been changed, and this should not require additional time for the contractor to develop.

5. QUESTION: The Solicitation (ITO Section 2.8) states that “The content and page size of electronic copies must be identical to the hard copies.” Does this include the sample task files? If so, we will need to add FAR 52-215-1(e) markings on the sample job guides and checklists and include FAR 2.101 and 3.104 on the print out of the sample tasks and print in accordance with the applicable MIL-STD. Is this the Government’s intent?

ANSWER: Section L, 2.1, Table 1 – Organization, and Section 2.8 Electronic Offers, require one (1) virus-free CD-R or DVD-R, and three (3) hard copies; under Factor 1, Technical.

Per FAR 52.215-1(e), “Offerors that include in their proposals data that they do not want disclosed to the public for any purpose….shall…” Therefore, the determination of whether or not to include markings is up to the offeror. Should the offeror determine that these marking are desirable, the markings shall not be included in page limitations, shall not interfere with the legibility of the proposal elements, and shall not alter page size and format (recommend being placed within the margins). Again, inclusion of, or lack of inclusion of, said markings is at the discretion of the offeror.