Questions_and_Answers_as_of_13_11_07.doc

Questions and answers as of 07 November 2013

QUESTION 1. Attachment 5 of Request For Proposal (RFP) has tabs for Software Engineering Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) and Material CLINs, but no tabs for Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) support CLINs or DATA CLINs. Is there a specific manner the government would like the CLS Support CLINs or DATA CLINs priced, or is contractor format acceptable?

ANSWER 1. CLS Support CLINs and Data CLINS should be priced in a manner in accordance with Section M, Para 2, C, c., (1), Table 1.

QUESTION 2. Reference Performance Based Work Statement (PWS) Paragraph 4.9.9. Is it possible to get a copy of the Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO) referenced in paragraph 4.9.9 to better understand the Contractors role?

ANSWER 2. No. A TCTO will not be issued. Installation was initiated early, is underway, and being done as a T-1 Temporary Modification. It is anticipated M2MSA server installs will be completed by date of award for this contract.

Questions 3 thru 10 Reference PWS Paragragh 4.1, Government Security Requirements, General. Reads: “The System Integration Laboratory (SIL) and classified components of the Situational Awareness Systems Sustainment (SASS) CLS system shall be maintained in a secured area that meets the requirements for safeguarding "SECRET" level hardware, software, and data.

QUESTION 3.

a. Will a "Closed Area" meeting Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2050 requirements be needed to store the Server used to support the SASS, because of the size of the server?

ANSWER. No, a closed area meeting UL 2050 requirements is not needed because of the “size of the server”. The server is considered classified when the hard drives are installed. If the hard drives are removed the server is not considered classified. This allows the servers to be stored in an unclassified area (only if the hard drives are not installed). The Hard Drives must be stored as classified In Accordance With (IAW) the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM).

b. Does the Closed Area need to be approved for "open storage"?

ANSWER. Yes. The closed area needs to be approved for open storage.

QUESTION 4. Can a "Restricted Area" be designated within the SIL during classified operations/work, in lieu of establishing a Closed Area? (Assumption would be that the server is small enough to be stored in a General Services Administration (GSA) Security Container or a closed area used for storing classified material too large for a GSA Security Container)

ANSWER 4. No, a restricted area cannot be designated in lieu of establishing a closed area. The SIL can burn-in/operate up to eight (8) servers at one time. The new Government furnished software contains classified programs and must be protected. There is also a possibility of inadvertent exposure to classified mission data during the repair of the servers and hard drives. The entire SIL (command and control console and server racks) must be in closed/classified area.

QUESTION 5.

a. Are removable hard drives used interchangeably with the Server to support both unclassified and classified operations?

ANSWER. No.

b. Or, is the server always at the classified level?

ANSWER. The server is only considered classified when the hard drives are installed. If the hard drives are removed the server is not considered classified.

QUESTION 6. Does Chapter 8 of the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) apply to the Server and associated parts, components, and equipment, if classified?

ANSWER 6. Yes. The appropriate section of the NISPOM for the SASS components is 8-504.

QUESTION 7.

a. If Chapter 8 of the NISPOM applies will the Contractor be required to certify and get accreditation from the Office of the Designated Approval Authority (ODAA) within 30 days of contract award?

ANSWER. Yes. The Contractor will coordinate a waiver letter for certain Chapter 8 requirements with the Program Office and Defense Security Service (DSS) (i.e. auditing, no log-on banners etc.). The Government Program Office will provide support in developing the letter after contract award.

b. Who is the ODAA?

ANSWER. ODAA is the DSS office located at Hurlburt Field, FL QUESTION 8. As Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), is the server and associated hardware already certified and accredited by the ODAA and will this certification and accreditation be transferred to the contractor upon contract award?

ANSWER 8. Yes, the server and associated hardware are certified and accredited by the ODAA and certification will remain with the equipment. The contractor will be required to obtain their own accreditation for their classified/secure areas and procedures from DSS (Hurlburt Field, FL office).

QUESTION 9. Will/Are there any test components/equipment associated with the repair of Line Replaceable Units (LRU's) and other parts that will be classified?

ANSWER 9. No.

QUESTION 10. What size area is needed to house and maintain the Server and SIL equipment to support this program? What is the overall foot print of the SIL?

ANSWER 10. The physical dimensions of the SIL Control & Command console are in the SIL data and drawing package included in the RFP. The Government feels that 600 square feet is more than likely the minimum room size, but recommends that the Contractor look at the Command & Control console drawings, the GFE list and make their own determination of required space for the SIL. It is possible that some Contractors may feel that more or less room is required and the Government is not dictating any specific square footage requirements.

QUESTION 11. What are the power requirements for the SIL, if they are different from the standard 115VAC or 220 VAC?

ANSWER 11. The power requirements for the SIL are contained in the Interface Control Document (ICD) Paragraph 5.1, Power Distribution.

QUESTION 12. Will there be an external classified connection(s)?

ANSWER 12. No QUESTION 13. A number of existing documents are referred to in the PWS either directly or indirectly. These will be required to support the requirements of the PWS, but are not listed as Government Furnished Information (GFI). These include: Approved Acceptance Test Procedures (para 4.9.8 and 4.12.1); Technical Data Package (TDP) documents, baseline specifications, drawing packages, material and process specifications (para 4.13); Qualification and Environmental Stress Screening (ESS) documentation (para 4.15).

a. Is there a list available of documentation that will be provided as GFI?

ANSWER. No.

b. If not, what is the contractor to assume with respect to these documents that are required by tasks in the PWS?

ANSWER. The contractor should assume that all current available drawings, technical specifications, TDPs, procedures, etc. have been provided within the SIL data package or as attachments to the RFP.

QUESTION 14. PWS Paragraph 4.17.5 states in part; "The Plan shall include, but not be limited to the following contract elements: Support Equipment and Special Test

Equipment Management and repair". Is there a list of Support Equipment and Special Test Equipment that can be made available?

ANSWER 14. Refer to Appendix F of the PWS for available Support Equipment and Special Test Equipment.

QUESTION 15. Reference PWS Paragraph 4.13. Can you please provide some additional definition for the expectations for the following requirements of PWS paragraph 4.13: "These services includes Information Technology Consulting Services, such as Information Technology Architecture Design and Capital Programming, and Investment Control Support Services; and Software Services such as implementing a web-based, commercial off-the-shelf software product that is an integral part of a consulting services contract."

ANSWER 15. This is an overarching statement regarding the engineering and technical services support for the effort. As the C-ICP for the SASS system, the Contractor has engineering and technical responsibility. Most of the SASS components are commercial items and require the Contractor to develop support plans and recommendations to the Government to include replacement options (i.e. obsolescence issues). Refer to the task list at the bottom of Para 4.13 for examples of the tasks.