Amendment_1_-_Q A_for_RFP_FCC13R0006.pdf

Questions and Answers: RFP FCC13R0006

Question 1:

The second page of the Addendum to FAR 52.21201 [Tailored] document states: “Pages in each volume of an Offeror’s proposal shall be consecutively numbered. Volumes with structured sections shall be numbered consecutively, reflecting the section being numbered (e.g., in Vol. II, the fourth page of Key Personnel and Staffing section would be page 3-4).”

The third page of the Addendum document specifies that the Key Personnel and Staffing is

Section 4. In your example above, should the fourth page of Key Personnel and Staffing section be page 4-4 (not 3-4)?

Answer:

The above language page contained a typographical error and should have been shown as “page

4-4”. Please propose it accordingly.

Question 2:

On the third page of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 [Tailored] document, you provide a Table of Contents for Volume II - Technical/Management as follows:

Section 1: Software and Technical Support

Section 2: Implementation and Integration Plan

Section 3: Software Delivery Method Plan

Section 4: Key Personnel and Staffing

Section 5: Corporate Electronic Auction Experience

Based on the proposal instructions and evaluation criteria you provide in the Addendum document, it is not apparent where to include the requirements for Section 5.1 Contract

Management of the SOW. Where in Volume II should we include our response to the Contract

Management requirements?

Please include the requirements for Section 5.1 Contract Management in Volume II prior to any of the Sections listed above.

Question 3:

On the fifth page of the Addendum to FAR 52.212 [Tailored] document, in d) Section 4: Key

Personnel and Staffing, third bullet, you ask for a plan for pre-screening candidates. Does FCC have any pre-screening criteria in addition to the normal criteria for an OPM background investigation?

The Offeror’s proposed plan for pre-screening candidates should ensure that proposed candidates must be able to pass FCC’s background security check.

Question 4:

The sixth page of the Addendum to FAR 52.21201 [Tailored] document states: “Offerors shall provide a matrix that cross-indexes their Volume I proposal contents to relevant provisions in the

SOW, this addendum to FAR 52.212-1 [Tailored] and Section M-Continuation Sheet of the solicitation.”

a) “Offeror shall provide a matrix that cross-indexes their Volume I proposal contents to…”

Should “Volume I” be “Volume II”?

Please provide it in Volume II.

b) Can you please clarify what is meant by “Section M-Continuation Sheet” as we could not find this in any of the solicitation documents?

There is no Section M-Continuation Sheet. It was typed in as a mistake.

Question 6:

Page 1 of the Past Performance Questionnaire states “before the time set for receipt of proposals”

(which is Sept. 4), while p. 3 states August 23 so when is the deadline?

Please submit the Past Performance Questionnaire by September 4.

Question 7:

I would like to inquire about the FCC AUCTION BIDDING SYSTEM REPLACEMENT

(#FCC13R0006). I was hoping you would be able to tell me if this is a new requirement or there is a previous provider of this service? If so, could you provide the vendor and/or contract number.

This is a new requirement.

Question 8:

The SOW states that the system shall support HSPD-12 PIV card authentication (Requirement

#7.8 on p. 9 and Requirement #2.10 on p. 14). The Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 [Tailored] document states: “A description of the system’s security features and measures, including method of authentication (use of HSPD-12 PIV card authentication is preferred)”. Please confirm if HSPD-12 PIV card authentication is a must-have requirement or a preferred requirement.

System shall support HSPD-12 for administrative access. It is a requirement.

Question 9:

P. 13 of the SOW, 3.2 Hosting Services Requirements, Requirement # 1.5 states: “The system shall have the ability to "mount" snapshots as a running Auction with either full, limited, or admin only access, while other Auctions continue to run”. Please clarify what is meant by “with either full, limited, or admin access”.

Full means authorized bidders can log in as normal operation, limited means only a subset or specific authorized bidders can log in (normally test accounts), and admin access means no authorized bidders can log in; only administrative access is permitted.

Question 10:

P. 13-14 of the SOW, 3.2 Hosting Services Requirements, Requirements #2.1 and 2.10 both address FCC-approved two-factor authentication. Please specify what determinants are used in the FCC’s approval of two-factor authentication.

The approval refers to the implementation of the authentication mechanism and not only the mechanism itself. The implementation must be done in accordance with Federal security standards and the mechanism must be in compliance with OMB’s E-Authentication initiative.

Question 11:

P. 13 of the SOW, 3.2.1 Hosting Services Requirements, Requirement #1.8 states: “The service shall be engineered to sustain a 99.97% uptime”. With the stated outage allowances (two 2 hr and one 8 hr per quarter), the uptime is actually 99.45%.

a). Therefore, can we assume that this uptime requirement applies only during the period of conduct for a live auction?

b) If so, can we assume that the uptime for non-active auction is the standard? (99% extended business hours)

c) If not, can we assume that the actual uptime requirements is only 99.45%?

The solution shall be engineered to sustain a 99.97% uptime and this will apply during auction operation. Outside the above, FCC will permit a maximum of two 2hr and one 8 hour outage in any performance quarter.

Question 12:

P. 14 of the SOW, 3.2.1 / 3.1 General Information Security Requirements states regarding the hosted environment: “FISMA Assessment and Accreditation is required, including all required documentation, onsite audits, and other features of the process.” Will the FCC consider instead to allow the vendor to use an already authorized FedRAMP facility, thus minimizing the cost and time to the FCC of conducting an assessment?

Use of FedRAMP facility is strongly encouraged. FCC will still need access to the required documentation and may require onsite audit within the FedRAMP framework.