Government_Responses_to_Draft_RFP_Questions-Comments_from_Industry_-_23_October_2018.pdf

Industry Questions and Government Responses to GARDEM Draft RFP as of 23 Oct 2018

Draft RFP Section Reference Questions/Comments Government Response 1 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors; RIK-L013 - Facility Clearance

Remove or reduce the number of required representative resumes, and names and SSNs for SCI personnel. An alternative option would be to request staffing plans and incentive-based staffing metrics to ensure the needs for the large number of distributed staff is met.

Given the nature of the work performed under this program and the importance of operational continuity, the Government needs to assure proper, cleared and complete staffing at all task orders will be secured. To do this, the Government needs to receive and review the number of resumes indicated to start, as well as an acceptable stand-up plan to be executed for the balance of the required individuals at the times specified. Per RIK-L006, the number of resumes are limited to no more than 40 (20 Technical volume, 20 Management volume).

2 Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award

Give each Task Order a separate set of evaluation criteria to allow teams to participate and specialize in one area of the effort.

The task orders included in the RFP are representative of the work, both technical and critical operational support, that will be executed throughout the life of the IDIQ. Although the successful offerors may be strong in some areas and not others, each offeror is required to demonstrate an acceptable approach towards execution across all task orders and present their approach indicating their ability to do so. It is certainly acceptable to propose a subcontractor/teaming arrangement that could support areas to supplement the offeror's area of expertise.

3 Section J - List of Attachments:

Attachment No. 17 - Draft Associate Contractor Agreement (ACA)

Ensure that Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) issues are addressed providing the winner of the Task 1 effort who will be supporting requirements definition for the work executed on Tasks FA8750-20-F-0003 and FA8750-20-F-0004.

Task order FA8750-20-F-0001 prime contractor will NOT be involved in requirements definition. Due to their on-site presence, the contractor will be responsible for gathering and forwarding of Change Requests (CRs) and Problem Reports (PRs) to the Government Program Management Office (PMO). The Government PMO is solely responsible for requirements definition and the decision on what CRs and PRs will be funded. The acquisition team is looking into documenting the flow/process of requirements, in order to show further transparency. Please note, given this is a multi-award IDIQ, it is necessary to incorporate an Associate Contractor Agreement (ACA) for the acquisition. The nature of the program is such that constant communication, collaboration, cooperation and interaction is necessary between the parties working on the separate task orders. It is critical and essential for the success of this program. With that in mind, the Government has drafted an ACA to assure that happens. It was stated multiple times at Industry Day that all awardees working on GARDEM are expected to be open, share, communicate and cooperate with the other awardees. In addition, communication and cooperation is included as a performance objective in the Service Summaries.

4 Technical Read Library Will the following documents be added to the Technical Library? C- RAM, CG-EIF, LRA, CBD, CAA, CAKB, ISSA Suite of Tools?

No, the Government will not be adding the documentation for the capabilities identified in the question. These apps are supported by the base capabilities already in the library. However, please note the Government does not feel these deliverables are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

5 Technical Read Library Will the following source code be added to the Technical Library?

CIDNE, WE, Topic Builder, MAAP TK, C2Core, WISDom, CG-EIF, LRA, CBD, CAA, CAKB, and ISSA Suite of Tools?

CIDNE, WE, Topic Builder, MAAP TK and C2Core are in the primary suite of tools and the source code is available (and has been) on DI2E per FBO GARDEM announcement. The WISDom, CG-EIF, LRA, CBD, CAA, CAKB, and ISSA Suite of Tools are supported by the base capabilities already in the library. RIK-L024 - Technical Read Library captures the details of the Technical Read Library Notice posted to FedBizOpps.

6 Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award

Referencing Section M, is Stand-Up the same as Transition? The stand-up plan, evaluated under Factor 1, Subfactor 3, is the offeror's approach to fully staff each order within a 60 day period, which includes the transition of work representing an overlap of 60 days, at the start of the each order. Attachment No. 16 addresses transition of previous efforts.

7 Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award

Referencing Section M, will transition be excluded from Total Evaluated Price (TEP)? In order to ensure the incumbent does not have a cost advantage, recommend AFRL exclude Stand Up (Transition) as part of the cost evaluation.

The Government will use Real O&M Task Orders FA8750-20-F-0001, FA8750-20-F-0003, and FA8750-20-F-0004, and Sample R&D Task Order FA8750-20-F-0002 to assess the Total Evaluated Price. RIK-L005 in the Draft RFP provides information as a benchmark (which includes scoped FTEs) for proposal submission. All offerors are required to price all requirements of the RFP, based on the period of performance in each individual task order. The Government feels that any potential cost advantage would be associated with travel and ODCs for stand-up, which is why those cost elements have been built into the Pricing Template as plug numbers.

8 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors

What is the Total Estimated Value of the real and sample task orders?

Recommend AFRL focus on Reasonable and Realistic Rates and Total Compensation Packages across all appropriate LCATs. As a means to evaluate the best value approach, recommend AFRL define in the RFP the Government’s total estimated value of the real and sample task orders. The estimate should include all elements of cost including Labor, Fixed Fee, Materials, Travel, all Indirect charges and Cost of Money. Offeror deviation from the Government’s total estimated value should be explained and any offeror proposal that is not within a reasonable range of this estimate (inclusive of all cost elements) shall be considered outside the outer boundaries of the Government’s cost independent realism model and ineligible for award. The benefits of such an approach are multiple: AFRL will be assured of adequate contract funding to accomplish the defined work, a contract award with minimal impacts caused by iterative proposal processes to get the numbers into an acceptable profile, the improved speed of negotiation closure, and elimination of evaluation difficulties driven by wide disparity in prices offered.

The Government will not be providing an estimate for the TO's. Proposals will be evaluated based on realism, reasonableness and balance. FTE estimates for the TO's are identified in Section L, RIK-L005, Program Effort, and plug numbers are provided for Travel and ODCs in the Pricing Template.

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9 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors Are resumes (either representative or by name) required with the proposal submission? If yes, how many and for which positions?

Recommend AFRL stipulate representative resumes vs. by name as the latter favors the incumbent and their existing staff. For security purposes, names of key personnel and those with security clearances can be provided at contract award.

Per Section L, RIK-L009, Proposal Preparation Instructions - Technical Volume, paragraph (c)(3) information must be provided to evaluate the offeror's technical approach regarding related experience and qualifications of proposed types of engineering/scientific personnel that the offeror considers central to performance. Up to 20 resumes may be included for this purpose. No specific names of personnel shall be provided on resumes. Given the nature of the work performed under this program and the importance of operational continuity, the Government needs to assure proper, cleared and complete staffing at all task orders will be secured. As stated in RIK-L006, in the Draft RFP, no more than 40 resumes (20 - Technical; 20 - Management) representative of the offeror's proposed team will be accepted.

10 Attachment 3, PWS AFRL/RI Supplemental Requirements, Paragraph 26

Paragraph (a)(2)(ix) of Ordering Procedures (Instructions to Contractors) is not aligned with Section M (Evaluation Factors for Award) Factor 2. Recommend AFRL align the two sections and remove the following statement: “(2) past performance on any previous GARDEM orders.” This statement favors the incumbent.

There are two sections of Ordering Procedures in the PWS Supplemental Requirements. The first section (paragraph (a)(1)) only applies to the awardee selection for the initial three real task orders. Past Performance, as it relates to the Prime Awardee selection and the awardees for the initial three real task orders, will be based on Past Performance as defined in RIK-L011 and RIK-M001. For future GARDEM task orders beyond the initial three real orders awarded with the IDIQs, the Government is looking into re-wording that section of the Ordering Procedures to consider a neutral rating for the potential of primes not having a task order beyond the minimum guarantee.

11 Section J - List of Attachments:

Attachment No. 17 - Draft Associate Contractor Agreement (ACA)

Will AFRL remove any verbiage which could be construed as causing an OCI? Recommend AFRL do this; particularly for the real O&M Task Order 1.

Task order FA8750-20-F-0001 prime contractor will NOT be involved in requirements definition. Due to their on-site presence, the contractor will be responsible for gathering and forwarding of Change Requests (CRs) and Problem Reports (PRs) to the Government Program Management Office (PMO). The Government PMO is solely responsible for requirements definition and the decision on what CRs and PRs will be funded. The acquisition team is looking into documenting the flow/process of requirements, in order to show further transparency. Please note, given this is a multi-award IDIQ, it is necessary to incorporate an Associate Contractor Agreement (ACA) for the acquisition. The nature of our program is such that constant communication, collaboration, cooperation and interaction is necessary between the parties working on the separate task orders. It is critical and essential for the success of this program. With that in mind, the Government has drafted an ACA to assure that happens. It was stated multiple times at Industry Day that all vendors working on GARDEM are excepted to be open, share, communicate and cooperate with the other vendors. In addition, communication and cooperation is included as a performance objective in the Service Summaries.

12 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors

Will the Government require a proposal from all offerors on all of the task orders being released with the RFP? Currently, per the RFP, only the Travel task is described as mandatory.

Yes, the Government will require a proposal from all offerors on all of the task orders being released with the RFP, which include Real O&M Task Orders FA8750-20-F-0001, FA8750-20-F-0003, FA8750-20-F-0004, Sample R&D Task Order FA8750-20-F-0002, and the First Order that covers Travel to AFRL/RI in Rome, NY for a kickoff meeting for this effort. Both Section L and Section M make it clear that evaluation will be of all orders.

13 Section F - Deliveries or Performance The RFP states the effective period for this ID/IQ contract is from contract award through 84 months. However, it reads that the R&D and procurement tasks can run for 24 months post completion of the ordering period. Can the O&M options be exercised after completion of the ordering period?

Yes, the O&M options can be exercised after completion of the 60 month ordering period. Section F – Deliveries or Performance of the Draft RFP contains the following language in the Descriptive Data of the CLINs, “Options contained within the individual orders to extend the period of performance or any in-scope modifications to individual orders may extend the Order period of performance, however, shall not create a period of performance for said order beyond the overall effective period of this ID/IQ contract.” The overall effective period of the contract is 84 months.

14 SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR

SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS &

Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors

Will the Government include a Procurement (3080) task as part of the

RFP?

No, the Government will not include a separate Procurement funded Task Order as part of the RFP. The RFP includes Task Orders for O&M and R&D.

15 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors & Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award

Separate the IDIQ competition from the task order competitions, focusing the IDIQ competition on the Past Performance relevancy areas (Section M, Factor 2) listed on pp. 226-227 of the Draft RFP document. An "application challenge" (e.g., the Air Force's AOC LTMS Challenge Problem) to demonstrate offerors' Agile software development capability and ability to integrate with the WebTAS Enterprise platform would be beneficial for the Government to evaluate offerors' capabilities.

The task orders included in the RFP are representative of the work, both technical and critical operational support, that will be executed throughout the life of the IDIQ. Although the successful offerors may be strong in some areas and not others, each offeror is required to demonstrate an acceptable approach towards execution across all task orders and present their approach indicating their ability to do so. It is certainly acceptable to propose a subcontractor/teaming arrangement that could support areas to supplement the offeror's area of expertise. The Government is not in a position to require that offerors expend internal resources to support an application challenge in order to participate in proposing against this IDIQ.

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16 Section M - Evaluation Factors for

Award Develop task order-specific evaluation criteria for each task order competed under the IDIQ; remove requirements for a large number of representative resumes, and names and SSNs for SCI personnel;

evaluate stand-up plans as pass/fail, and remove GARDEM experience on previous orders as an evaluation factor, to minimize the incumbent's competitive advantage; and remove the provision for the submission of Secret and TS/SCI proposals unless all offerors will be provided the classified information upon which to base classified proposals.

The Government's planned task orders being released with the RFP are representative of the body of work over the life the IDIQ. Therefore, the offeror needs to be able to demonstrate an acceptable approach towards execution across all task orders and present their approach indicating their ability to do so. Establishing eval criteria for each individual task order would not alleviate the requirement to have an acceptable approach across the four task orders. Given the nature of the work performed under this program and the importance of operational continuity, the Government needs to assure proper, cleared and complete staffing at all task orders will be secured. To do this, the Government needs to receive and review an acceptable stand-up plan to be executed for the required level of cleared individuals at the times specified in RIK-L013. The ordering procedures for future GARDEM orders (not released with the solicitation), currently includes Past Performance eval factor relating to orders specifically under GARDEM. The Government is looking into re-wording the ordering procedures to consider a neutral rating for the potential of prime's not having a task order beyond the minimum guarantee. The Government is not providing classified information upon which an offeror can base their proposal. The option for classified submissions is available in the event an offeror had relevant experience that they felt pertained to GARDEM at a certain classification level.

17 Section J - List of Attachments:

Attachment No. 17 - Draft Associate Contractor Agreement (ACA)

Real O&M Task Order No. 1's work scope, that includes the collection and definition of requirements, creates an OCI for the performance of software development under Task Orders 3 and 4. The Government should specify that offerors who bid on Task Order 1 as a prime or subcontractor are ineligible to bid on Task Orders 3 and 4 as a prime or subcontractor.

Task order FA8750-20-F-0001 prime contractor will NOT be involved in requirements definition. Due to their on-site presence, the contractor will be responsible for gathering and forwarding of Change Requests (CRs) and Problem Reports (PRs) to the Government Program Management Office (PMO). The Government PMO is solely responsible for requirements definition and the decision on what CRs and PRs will be funded. The acquisition team is looking into documenting the flow/process of requirements, in order to show further transparency. Please note, given this is a multi-award IDIQ, it is necessary to incorporate an Associate Contractor Agreement (ACA) for the acquisition. The nature of our program is such that constant communication, collaboration, cooperation and interaction is necessary between the parties working on the separate task orders. It is critical and essential for the success of this program. With that in mind, the Government has drafted an ACA to assure that happens. It was stated multiple times at Industry Day that all vendors working on GARDEM are excepted to be open, share, communicate and cooperate with the other vendors. In addition, communication and cooperation is included as a performance objective in the Service Summaries.

18 Technical Read Library Make the Technical Library available electronically or via DVD shipment to all offerors in advance of the Final RFP to eliminate the need for in-person access.

Technical Library is and has been available electronically on DI2E for all interested parties to access. There will be no physical DVDs provided. RIK-L024 - Technical Read Library captures the details of the Technical Read Library Notice posted to FedBizOpps.

19 Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award

The Draft RFP contains multiple references to the desire for innovative concepts, technologies and approaches. Would the Government consider inclusion of a specific innovation sub-factor as part of Technical Factor 1?

The ability to propose/showcase innovative concepts is available per the R&D Task Order FA8750-20-F-0002.

20 Attachment No. 13 - Draft Real Task Order FA8750-20-F-0004

The bundling of a large number of mission applications under Real O&M Task Order No. 4 reduces the opportunity for IDIQ awardees to compete for and bring innovative approaches to the enhancement of these applications. Would the Government consider promoting competition and innovation by releasing multiple task orders for mission application enhancements with smaller numbers of applications?

In order to effectively manage all of the mission applications that the Government supports, the Government has grouped similar capabilities together. GARDEM has separate task orders for the mission applications and mission platform to promote innovation and competition. See Attachment No. 7, Anticipated Order Matrix for overview of future orders under GARDEM.

21 Technical Read Library Could offerors be provided any available documentation that defines systems engineering and software development processes followed by the current contractor, including: requirements/backlog management, development process, configuration management, testing, and deployment? Possible documents include a System Engineering Management Plan (SEMP), Software Development Plan (SDP), Configuration Management (CM) Plan, and/or Test Plan?

The Government is following the Scaled Agile Framework for Lean Enterprises (SAFe) for the development of current products. System Engineering documents have been provided in the Technical Read Library for each release of a capability; of which are provided on DI2E.

22 Technical Read Library Could offerors be provided any available roadmap for GARDEM and each of its constituent applications in order to help offerors better understand the operational and technical direction of the program?

All products are operational and the technical direction is defined by the operational tempo in the Areas of Responsibilities that the acquisition supports. Enhancements to the capabilities are established from requirements from our customers as the problem reports and change requests are received. These PRs/CRs go into a backlog and as the Government follows the agile development process using SAFe, the requirements are prioritized and addressed.

23 Technical Read Library What is the current state of each application's backlog and what issues are included in the backlogs? Is each application’s backlog being actively maintained and/or updated? For applications with current backlogs, could offerors be provided with those backlogs or a summary thereof?

Each application backlog is being actively maintained and/or updated due to the operational tempo always being a moving target. Being provided a snapshot of an application backlog will not be representative of future requirements. Backlogs contain problem reports and minor capability enhancements per customer requirements.

24 Technical Read Library What tools are currently used to manage the SDLC? The Government currently uses the Atlassian tool suite provided by DI2E to manage the SDLC.

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25 Technical Read Library What are typical mechanisms / processes currently used for obtaining user input and feedback (e.g., Joint application design sessions, working groups, etc.) for software applications?

Since WebTAS is a platform that is leveraged across many applications, does WebTAS maintain a dedicated service desk and governance process that aggregates, deconflicts, and prioritizes inputs across the applications?

The Government conducts site visits to interface with our users/customers and also holds Program Increment Planning meetings as part of the SAFe construct to obtain user input and feedback. The Government PMO acts as the Service Desk for process governance which includes aggregating, deconflicting and prioritizing requirements across all supported applications.

26 Attachment No. 1 - PWS for GARDEM What is the frequency of issues reported for each application, including deficiency reports (DRs) and change requests (CRs)?

The frequency is based on operational use of each capability and is undefined. Due to the fact that the capabilities are used operationally, the frequency of DRs and CRs is based on the dynamics of the mission space. Deficiency Reports and Change Requests ebb and flow based on mission requirements.

27 Pricing Template ODCs include HW/SW, should we assume these are direct (unburdened) costs? These items are often burdened with different indirect rates (Material Handling vs. G&A).

The ODC plug is unburdened, as set forth in the Pricing Template.

28 RFP Page L-18, L-008.(h).(2) & Pricing Template

Are ODCs/Materials/Subs fee bearing items? ODCs/Materials/Subs can be fee bearing items. Assessment of reasonableness of fixed fee should consider the lower cost, technical, and management risk associated with these items.

29 Pricing Template Subcontract costs are identified separately, but there’s no separate section for identifying subcontract handling. Identifying separate material, subcontract, ODC handling is a cost savings to the government.

The Government will add "Subcontract Handling" to the Pricing Template.

30 Pricing Template If “Fringe” is included in OH Rate, do we need to break it out separately?

No. Fringe does not need to be broken out separately if it's the company's business system practice to include with Overhead. Each contractor should be proposing the applicable indirect rates that adhere to their rate agreements/provisional billing rates.

31 RFP Page L-17, L-008.(e) & Pricing Template

Are 2nd Tier Subs allowed? 2nd Tier subs are allowed, and offerors must conduct an analysis of 2nd Tier subs (if applicable) in the prime's price/cost analysis of the subcontractor's proposal.

32 RFP Page L-18, L-008.(h).(2).6 – 8 & Pricing Template

Are material, travel and ODC quotes/specs required if we’re using the plug figure?

Since materials, travel, ODCs are plug #'s the Government will remove the request for quotes/specs from RIK- L008.

33 RFP Page L-5, L005.(a).(3).b.iv Should FTE be defined as 1920 hours per year for every position, or determined by position and contractor standards?

Section L defines FTE hours based on location and site requirements. For Task Order FA8750-20-F-0003, the Government estimate is based on 1920 hours/year for all positions. However, the amount of labor actually required by each individual offeror is a function of its technical approach, experience, background, method of management, accounting system, and other factors. For this reason, Offerors should use this information only as a benchmark in formulating an approach to performance. Offerors are neither expected nor encouraged to attempt to make their proposal precisely fit the Government's estimate. Award will be made on the basis of the selection factors in Section M of this solicitation.

34 RFP Page L-5, L005.(a).(1).b.vi Should lodging/lease costs be considered as part of the provided ODC fixed amount?

Yes, lodging/lease costs are considered ODCs.

35 RFP Page 164 The Associate Contractor Agreement specifies explicitly some aspects of SAFe, including role definitions. It also specifies that, "Associate Contractors will succeed as an agile, virtual team of peers with interdependence required between performers, as well as, a common reliance on ongoing, iterative user feedback. As a result, Associate Contractors need to work cooperatively.”

- Given this language in the ACA, does AFRL plan to manage GARDEM using the SAFe Solution Train construct?

If this is AFRL’s intent, should the contractor build in costs to host and/or participate in PI planning events multiple times per year?

AFRL plans to manage GARDEM using the SAFe Solution Train construct and the offerors are required to build in costs to host and/or participate in Program Increment planning events multiple times per year as set forth in PWS/PWD paragraphs 4.4.3.1, 4.6.3.1, 4.6.11, 4.6.13.

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36 RFP Page L-215 Item 5 States that the required preliminary software development plan should be drafted in accordance with the Scaled Agile Framework (or best commercial practices).

- This concept runs somewhat counter to the processes and concepts dictated by SAFe, which gives the appearance that the software development plan and the project work plan will be in conflict. In the final RFP, will the project work plan definition be adjusted to reflect SAFe concepts and processes? Is there a thought that the artifacts of Program Increment Planning will satisfy the requirements dictated by Section 4 of the PWS?

This statement is not referring to current PR's/CR's but to the overall process implementation plan for SAFe (or another agile methodology of offeror's choosing)

37 RFP Page 94, Section 4, Item 4.1 (Project Work Plan)

This section outlines several requirements for project work plans, including up-front requirements definition and assessment, cost estimates that are requirements-centric, and multiple CDRLs that run counter to SAFe (up-front SDDs, CCB’s, etc.).

- These concepts, activities and deliverables run somewhat counter to the processes and concepts dictated by SAFe, which gives the appearance that the software development plan and the project work plan will be in conflict. In the final RFP, will the project work plan definition be adjusted to reflect SAFe concepts and processes?

Would AFRL be willing to consider how the artifacts of Program Increment Planning will satisfy the requirements dictated by Section 4 of the PWS and the CDRL list?

The project work plan definition will stay the same with the understanding that on-site support does not include SAFe processes. The Government will take all other suggestions into consideration in defining the final RFP.

38 PWS, Pg 88,135,139 Combat Training Centers is shown as Combined Training Centers

- Change Combined to Combat

The Government will make that change.

39 PWS, Pg 146 Job description has years and degree spelled out. No other job descriptions do?

- Eliminate the years and degree qualifications.

Labor category qualifications attached to Section J of the Draft RFP, have been reviewed and revised to capture the required knowledge/skillsets/education. The labor category qualifications that required a specific number of years of experience (10 or 5 years) was changed to "relevant experience." The degree qualifications remain in effect.

40 PWS, Sec 1.0 - Purpose, Pg 86 There is no mention of field support and training; however, it is mentioned in Sec 2.1 on pg 87.

PWS, para 1.0 is just an overview. Not all technical requirements are captured in para 1.0.

41 PWS, Sec 2.2.2.7.2, Pg 91 What does AFRL define as automated solutions for Social Network Analysis and Group Detection?

These are analytical techniques.

42 Vol I, Section 5, Use of Gov Property RIK-L007 (a) (5) (iv) ends in the middle of the sentence.

- Can the government please provide the missing text?

RIK-L007(a)(5)(iv) was cut short in the Draft RFP. The paragraph should read, "(iv) An evaluation factor as set forth in FAR 45.202, Evaluation Procedures, will be used to eliminate any competitive advantage from the use of such property unless the Contracting Officer determines that the use of an evaluation factor would not affect the choice of Contractor." The RFP will be updated accordingly.

43 Reference: PWS item 4.12 indicates no GFP is anticipated. In our experience, GFP is required for other, similar, contracts.

Would the Government consider modifying this section (PWS item 4.12) to indicate GFP will be identified on a task order basis? This would then match item 10, Government Furnished Property, in the PWS Supplemental Requirements.

Government will modify PWS AFRL/RI Supplemental Requirements to state "None anticipated", however, the Government will leave the possibility open for future task orders.

44 Supplemental PWS 2.ix, past performance on any previous GARDEM orders.

We would like to request clarification with the section L Past Performance requirement. The supplemental PWS suggest past performance only applies to previous GARDEM orders.

There are two sections of Ordering Procedures in the PWS Supplemental Requirements. The first section (Paragraph (a)(1)) only applies to the awardee selection for the initial three real task orders. Past Performance, as it relates to the Prime Awardee selection and the awardees for the initial three real task orders, will be based on Past Performance as defined in RIK-L011 and RIK-M001. For future GARDEM task orders beyond the initial three real orders awarded with the IDIQs, the Government is looking into re-wording that section of the Ordering Procedures to consider a neutral rating for the potential of prime's not having a task order beyond the minimum guarantee.

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45 Section L, pg. 204 of 228 (a) “Page limitation, format. A proposal shall be prepared in separate volumes with the page limit and number of copies specified as follows. The table of contents and tabs are exempt from the page limits. No cross-referencing between volumes for essential information is permitted except where specifically set forth herein. The following volumes of material will be submitted:”

Given the distributed and electronic nature of typical evaluations, will the Government consider removing the hardcopy requirement for all volumes?

The Government requires the number of paper copies that have been requested in order to perform the evaluation.

46 RIK-L006 Proposal Preparation Instructions limits the Cost Volume to 50 Pages with a condition that "The 50 page cost proposal is a goal not a limit."

Recent similar RFPs issued by AFRL resulted in cost volumes of 150+ pages, we expect the cost volume to be greater for GARDEM and we request the goal of 50 pages be removed. Will the Government consider modifying the page limitation?

In accordance with RIK-L006, The 50-page cost proposal is a goal not a limit. The Offeror may use additional pages if necessary to comply with public law.

47 Pricing Template Will the offeror’s cost proposal be incorporated directly or by reference into the resultant award?

The offeror's cost proposal will not be attached to Section J of the awarded contract(s). The Pricing Template is provided to facilitate proposal evaluation.

48 Pricing Template It is our current understanding that services provided to the U.S.

Government will not be subject to VAT, consumptions, or other indirect taxes at the international host location. Should such taxes become due, will the government permit such taxes to be billed as ODCs?

Contractors are allowed to incur and bill for any actual cost that is allowable and allocable to the requirement under cost reimbursement type orders.

49 Attachment No. 1 - PWS for GARDEM;

Paragraph 2.1

In support of international travel to the locations listed in the PWS, will the government facilitate a process to issue immigration travel credentials and/or official orders to accommodate admission for contractors to these international locations?

The Government follows the processes issued by the countries/sites supported such as Department of Defense Contractor Personnel Office (DOCPER) or Letters of Authorization (LOAs). It is the contractor's responsibility to be familiar with any international travel requirements for applicable countries.

50 Section 2.1 lists the operating locations where "the SW" is installed.

Can the Government clarify what part of the SW baseline is operating at each location?

Linking the software to each location is FOUO and cannot be posted to FBO. The draft RFP includes operating locations as well as the capabilities without linking them together. However, the Government will create a list of the software at each site and will upload to DI2E by mid Nov.

51 Attachment No. 1 - PWS for GARDEM Can the Government further clarify if each SW program/tool has one baseline or are there multiple versions at the various locations? A listing of each baseline version in operations and at which location would help the contractor estimate the entire effort.

Multiple baselines are currently being supported. Linking the versions of software to each location is FOUO and cannot be posted to FBO. However, the Government will create a list of the software at each site and will upload to DI2E by mid Nov.

52 Technical Read Library What versions of Java were used to develop the various projects under GARDEM? For instance, MAAPTK, Legacy looks like Java 5 or 6, while Web App looks like Java 8. Need specific versions, at least the major version, to avoid false positives in the analysis.

The oldest version of JAVA currently being used is version 6 with ~80% of our capabilities on Java 8 while looking at alternative options going forward.

53 Technical Read Library MAAPTK, While trying to build the maaptk component, the source code has pointed to an “OpenID Provider” program that appears to be missing from the code base provided. Where can the OpenID Provider be found?

OpenID is open source and available on the World Wide Web.

54 Technical Read Library Is this an open source file? Yes, it is open source.

55 Technical Read Library If so, are there login credentials that are needed to be able to integrate this into the maaptk build?

The Government cannot provide technical support on debugging and installation services of the capabilities.

Please note, the Government does not feel these items are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

56 Technical Read Library MAAPTK, The maaptk boot readme file states that a user can run Postgres Data Docker in C2Core locally, however, the link in the provided file is not functioning. Could the Government please explain this discrepancy?

The Government provided source code and documentation in order to enable transparency into a large breadth of current baselines and to promote competition. The Government cannot provide technical support on debugging and installation services of the capabilities. Please note, the Government does not feel these files are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

57 Technical Read Library Is there an actual database associated with maaptk and if so, can the Government provide a copy of the schema and sample test data?

There is a small PostgresDB in the project, but is does not look to cover the entire dataset.

The Government is currently waiting to receive the current version of the deliverable. Once the current version is received, it will be assembled and uploaded to Technical Read Library. However, please note the Government does not feel these deliverables are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

58 Technical Read Library Can the Government provide copies of these setup SOPs to help complete a build of the maaptk component?

The Government is currently waiting to receive the current version of the deliverable. Once the current version is received, it will be assembled and uploaded to Technical Read Library. However, please note the Government does not feel these deliverables are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

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59 Technical Read Library Could the government please provide the default values for the environment variables in the setup read me file provided in the maaptk component (c2core-gen2-cdf-bootfull- docker readme file)?

The Government provided source code and documentation in order to enable transparency into a large breadth of current baselines and to promote competition. The Government cannot provide technical support on debugging and installation services of the capabilities. Please note, the Government does not feel these files are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

60 Technical Read Library Could the Government please provide the files necessary to build and stand up an instance of the maaptk legacy component?

The Government is currently waiting to receive the current version of the deliverable. Once the current version is received, it will be assembled and uploaded to Technical Read Library. However, please note the Government does not feel these deliverables are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

61 Technical Read Library MAAPTK, While trying to compile the maaptk component, the following error was identified which prevented a successful build: Non-resolvable parent POM for com.issinc.c2.web.maaptk:maaptk-web:0.0.3.1: Failure to find com.issinc.c2.web:web-parent:pom:0.0.1 in https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2 was cached in the local repository. This error has occurred because the parent POM file that is needed to allow for a successful build comes from a private repository which the source code does not provided access to. Could the Government please provide access to this repository or provide its contents?

The Government is currently waiting to receive the current version of the deliverable. Once the current version is received, it will be assembled and uploaded to Technical Read Library. However, please note the Government does not feel these deliverables are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

62 Technical Read Library Could the Government please provide the *external* dependency artifacts (e.g., JARs) that are required for *all* projects and nested subprojects?

The Government is currently waiting to receive the current version of the deliverable. Once the current version is received, it will be assembled and uploaded to Technical Read Library. However, please note the Government does not feel these deliverables are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

63 Technical Read Library C2 Core/C2 Core Cyber, There a common reference to folders named “lib” which should contain external dependency artifacts. Request a copy all of “lib” directories for all projects and subprojects, where applicable. Is the Government willing to provide?

The Government is currently waiting to receive the current version of the deliverable. Once the current version is received, it will be assembled and uploaded to Technical Read Library. However, please note the Government does not feel these deliverables are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

64 Technical Read Library C2 Core/C2 Core Cyber, In trying to compile one of the GARDEM components, there is a reference to a “TD3Service” external dependency. Could the Government please provide a copy of this dependency file?

The Government is currently waiting to receive the current version of the deliverable. Once the current version is received, it will be assembled and uploaded to Technical Read Library. However, please note the Government does not feel these deliverables are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

65 Technical Read Library In order to complete a full build of the webtas component, the full project structure of the webtas components with pom files included (i.e. a copy of the git/stash repositories that are referenced in the provided documentation).Is the Government capable/willing to provide?

The Government is currently waiting to receive the current version of the deliverable. Once the current version is received, it will be assembled and uploaded to Technical Read Library. However, please note the Government does not feel these deliverables are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

66 Technical Read Library Could the Government please provide access to referenced developer documentation:

(https://confluence.issinc.com/confluence/pages/viewpage.action?pag eId=90113728)

The Government will verify what is on the confluence page to ensure if it has been made available on DI2E as part of the Technical Read Library.

67 Technical Read Library Could the Government please provide the build scripts and setup documentation needed to setup a developer instance of the Webtas component?

Yes, the Government is currently waiting to receive the current version of the deliverable. Once the current version is received, it will be assembled and uploaded to Technical Read Library. However, please note the Government does not feel these deliverables are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

68 Technical Read Library Can the Government provide architecture diagrams of the Webtas component, as well as the other four Gardem components?

Yes, the Government is currently waiting to receive the current version of the deliverable. Once the current version is received, it will be assembled and uploaded to Technical Read Library. However, please note the Government does not feel these deliverables are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

69 Technical Read Library Could the Government please provide a complete version of the CIDNE component that allows for it to be successfully compiled and stood up?

Yes, the Government is currently waiting to receive the current version of the deliverable. Once the current version is received, it will be assembled and uploaded to Technical Read Library. However, please note the Government does not feel these deliverables are necessary to effectively compete on this acquisition.

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