The file's text, extracted by GovTribe without its formatting.
QUESTION #
| DOCUMENT |
| HC102813R0015Amd0004 |
| SECTION NO. |
| 2.2.4 and 4.2.1 |
| SECTION NAME |
| Format and Specific Comment (4.2) and Cross-Referencing (2.2.4) |
| SECTION TEXT |
| 4.2.1: The Proposal Format is the technical/management volume. All information for your approach will be identified directly in the Proposal Format (RFP Attachment J-2). |
2.2.4: Cross-referencing within a proposal volume is permitted where its use would conserve space without impairing clarity. The Offeror should fill out the cross reference matrix at Attachment L-1 of this Instruction to Offerors indicating the proposal reference information as it relates to the RFP, PWS, and CLIN/SLIN numbers references found therein.
| QUESTION |
| To allow offerors to more precisely complete the cross reference matrix and allow cross referencing within the Technical/Management Volume, may offerors include section numbering within the Proposal Format (Attachment J-2)? |
| ANSWER |
| Offerors should not include section numbering within Attachment J-2 Proposal Format. Offerors should follow the template provided with Task numbers referenced in the cross reference matrix. |
| SECTION NAME |
| Additional Storage Capabilities |
| SECTION TEXT |
| Private cloud capabilities should include a storage solution to store disaster recovery backups and archival data for long retention periods. This solution will encrypt data in ‘flight’ and at rest with FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption. Solution should include reporting and management interfaces for DISA administrators to use in day to day operations. |
| QUESTION |
| It appears no solution exists that meets all four levels of FIPS 140-2 certification (please see information at http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/STM/cmvp/documents/140-1/140val-all.htm). The four levels of FIPS140-2 are intended for differing situations, and in the case of levels 3 & 4, apply to physical characteristics and not to software. Level 4 protection is designed to physically protect data devices that are in all cases, already protected by government security procedures ("gates, guns and guards), as well as by the environmental protections to which every DECC is subject (temperature controlled and managed power protection). Further, it is this offeror’s understanding that no disk storage providers, SAN switch providers, and/or encryption appliance providers, standing on their own or combined, can provide a solution that meets all FIPS 140-2 levels 1 through level 4. |
Considering these facts, there are two questions.
First, for these reasons, will DISA remove the requirement for level 4?
Second, because level 3 is not generally available, requiring level 3 will limit competition. For this reason will DISA remove the requirement for level 3?
| ANSWER |
| The Government requires a minimum capability of FIPS 140-2, level 1 compliance. Offerors may provide solutions to provide higher levels of compliance. This answer supersedes all previous answers related to FIPS 140-2 compliance. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-1_Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS)_RFP_Amd_4 |
| SECTION NAME |
| Enterprise Class Storage Solutions |
| SECTION TEXT |
| Enterprise class storage solutions. External controller based redundant array of independent disks (RAID) solutions that meet all of the following criteria: |
- Use multi-controller architecture
- Supports 256 GB of cache
- Supports controller cache mirroring
- Supports heterogeneous data migration which is non-disruptive to ongoing operations
- Supports 32,000 Logical Unit Numbers (LUNs)
- Supports active / active controllers with symmetric access to LUNs
- Supports 3 way replication of data
- Support mainframe (z/OS, z/VM, and z/Linux) and open system architectures
- Support fibre connectivity (FICON) and fibre channel (FC) host connectivity
- Support synchronous data replication internal to the array, point-in-time and snap shot copies
- Supports space recovery reclamation
- Advanced redundant array of independent disks (RAID) capabilities (RAID 10, 5 (3+1), 5 (7+1) etc.)
- Supports multi-tenancy
- Thin provisioning virtualization of storage resources to attached servers. This includes a common storage “pool” and presenting logical storage capacity to a server while minimizing the physical storage resources consumed and allows for non-disruptive scaling (up and down) and reconfigurations.
All of these features above shall be included in the base costs for all enterprise storage solutions. Additional optional priced features for enterprise class storage solutions will include:
- Support asynchronous data replication
- Support synchronous data replication external to the array
- Supports automated multi-tiered life cycle management architecture that is configurable / tunable and has flexibility in its data protections options
- Supports data erasure / shredding compliant with DoD 5220.22-M
- Encryption of data at rest that complies with all levels of the FIPS 140-2 standard
| QUESTION |
| “Supporting” 256GB of cache and “Supporting” FICON and FC connectivity are not the same as being thusly configured. DISA has provided separate SLINs for cache and channels. Will DISA order the amount of cache and channels it determines are needed to support the requirement, or is there a “base” cache and channel configuration which DISA presumes is provided and the SLINs for cache and channels are only to augment the “base”? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government will order the amount of cache and channels required to support the workload based on government workload requirements. The offeror is free to offer any level of base configuration. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-1_Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS)_RFP_Amd_4 and |
J-6_Question_Answer_Submission_026_thru_122
| SECTION NO. |
| 6.1.1.1 and Question 47 |
| SECTION NAME |
| Enterprise Class Storage Solutions |
| SECTION TEXT |
| Enterprise class storage solutions. External controller based redundant array of independent disks (RAID) solutions that meet all of the following criteria: |
- Use multi-controller architecture
- Supports 256 GB of cache
- Supports controller cache mirroring
- Supports heterogeneous data migration which is non-disruptive to ongoing operations
- Supports 32,000 Logical Unit Numbers (LUNs)
- Supports active / active controllers with symmetric access to LUNs
- Supports 3 way replication of data
- Support mainframe (z/OS, z/VM, and z/Linux) and open system architectures
- Support fibre connectivity (FICON) and fibre channel (FC) host connectivity
- Support synchronous data replication internal to the array, point-in-time and snap shot copies
- Supports space recovery reclamation
- Advanced redundant array of independent disks (RAID) capabilities (RAID 10, 5 (3+1), 5 (7+1) etc.)
- Supports multi-tenancy
- Thin provisioning virtualization of storage resources to attached servers. This includes a common storage “pool” and presenting logical storage capacity to a server while minimizing the physical storage resources consumed and allows for non-disruptive scaling (up and down) and reconfigurations.
All of these features above shall be included in the base costs for all enterprise storage solutions. Additional optional priced features for enterprise class storage solutions will include:
- Support asynchronous data replication
- Support synchronous data replication external to the array
- Supports automated multi-tiered life cycle management architecture that is configurable / tunable and has flexibility in its data protections options
- Supports data erasure / shredding compliant with DoD 5220.22-M
- Encryption of data at rest that complies with all levels of the FIPS 140-2 standard
| QUESTION |
| The response provided by DISA to Question #47 appears to fall short of permitting an offeror to propose one Enterprise storage system with mainframe and open systems support, and a different Enterprise storage system with only Open Systems support. The response that the “current PWS allows the vendor to split offerings as long as all requirements listed in Section 6.1.1.1 are me,t” requires that the Enterprise system(s) proposed support both mainframe and open systems. An Enterprise-class system supporting Open Systems only cannot pass the requirements of 6.1.1.1. |
For DISA to properly evaluate and the vendor to obtain credit for separate Enterprise class systems, the evaluation quantities applicable to the mainframe environment would need to be separated from the evaluation quantities applicable to the Enterprise systems supporting the Open Systems environment.
Will DISA expand the J-3 Cost Model to support the proposal of two (2) Enterprise class storage systems – one which supports both mainframe and Open Systems environments, and the other which supports the Open Systems environment only?
| ANSWER |
| SLINs 0001AS and 0003AS have been added for Enterprise mainframe class disk storage (CONUS and OCONUS). |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-1_Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS)_RFP_Amd_4 |
| SECTION NAME |
| 6.11.6 Pricing |
| SECTION TEXT |
| The unit pricing per SLIN at award WILL BE the maximum rates used for the life of the contract. |
| QUESTION |
| If we charge $.80 per TB per day in Year 1, can we charge $1 per TB per day in Year 2, or does Year 2 have to be $.80 or less for the entire systems life? If we charge $.80 in Year 1 and $.50 in Year 2, can we charge $.75 in Year 3? What are the specific guidelines for the increase and decrease of unit price annual discount levels? |
| ANSWER |
| The unit pricing per SLIN at award will be the maximum rates used for the life of the contract. SLIN pricing will not increase for each storage class when new technologies replace existing solutions offered in the B-Table. Offerors may propose pricing models that incorporate discounts or other cost advantages, provided the base SLIN unit prices do not increase over the life the contract. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-2_Proposal_Format_RFP_Amd_4 |
| SECTION NAME |
| Provisioning, Management, and Reporting Infrastructure |
| SECTION TEXT |
| 6.4.2 Subtask 4.2 – Provide a single integrated storage resource management (SRM) solution to provide business process and lifecycle management, which fully supports all storage services provided under this solicitation and maximizes the integration with DISA ESD’s current installed inventory… THROUGH Deliverable/s: A single integrated storage resource management solution that fully supports all the solutions pro-vided under this solicitation and its ability to support DISA’s current storage architecture. |
AND
Provide a single integrated storage resource management (SRM) solution that fully supports all storage services pro-vided under this solicitation and maximizes the integration with DISA ESD’s current installed inventory… THROUGH Deliverable/s: A single integrated storage resource management solution that fully supports all the solutions pro-vided under this solicitation and its ability to support DISA’s current storage architecture.
| QUESTION |
| It appears that the old requirement for SRM was left in place after it was updated by Amendment 4 as it appears redundant. Please confirm that the non-highlighted SRM solution requirement is obsolete and should be deleted. |
| ANSWER |
| Attachment J-2 Proposal Format has been revised. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-2_Proposal_Format_RFP_Amd_4 |
| SECTION NAME |
| Delivery, Installation and Configuration Support. |
| SECTION TEXT |
| Provide current detail technical documentation for all provided solutions. |
Deliverable/s: Methodology for providing DISA personnel with access to technical documentation for all capacity.
AND
Provide current detailed technical documentation for all provided solutions. Offeror solution should include a document repository that is remotely accessible. The offeror will manage and maintain the solution outside of government facilities.
Deliverable/s: Methodology for providing DISA personnel with access to technical documentation for all capacity services provided in the offeror’s solution and utility pricing.
| QUESTION |
| It appears that the old requirement for technical documents was left in place after it was updated by Amendment 4 as it appears redundant. Please confirm that the non-highlighted technical documentation requirement is obsolete and should be deleted. |
| ANSWER |
| Attachment J-2 Proposal Format has been revised. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-3_Cost_Model_Amd_4 |
| QUESTION |
| In implementing the OCONUS SLINs and the drive type/size SLINs, the amounts being evaluated for Enterprise and Mid-Range storage did not change. However for nearly every other SLIN, the amounts being cost evaluated DOUBLED; the exception was in IBM Virtual Tape for Mainframe Solution where the entire original quantity remained in CONUS (as there are no OCONUS mainframe sites). The evaluated quantities for all SLINs excluding Enterprise and Mid-Range storage do not appear to represent a rational model as OCONUS storage assets in service are a fraction of the CONUS storage assets in service. We presume this is inadvertent. As currently written, the quantities being evaluated appear to skew the cost evaluation results being anticipated by the government. |
Please adjust/validate the CONUS and OCONUS quantities being cost evaluated for all SLINs to represent as true an operational picture as possible.
| ANSWER |
| SLIN quantities were updated in Amendment 5 for several CONUS and OCONUS SLINs. Refer to government responses to questions in Amendment 5 for details of changes to J-3_Cost_Model. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-3_Cost_Model_Amd_4l and |
J-6_Question_Answer_Submission_123_thru_249
| SECTION NAME |
| DESTRUCTION OF SIPR AND SCIF STORAGE ASSETS |
SECTION TEXT
| QUESTION |
| In the classified SIPR and SCIF environments, storage assets must be destroyed when the systems are deactivated. For the SIPR environment, this involves turning over all non-volatile storage devices (e.g., hard drives) to the local site for destruction. For the SCIF environment, this may involve turning over the entire subsystem (controllers; power supplies; racks; hard drives) for destruction. Please clarify what part of the storage assets must be destroyed when deactivated from the SIPR and SCIF environments, and provide either a separate set of SLINs for each security environment or SLINs for the destruction of the storage assets when deactivated from the SIPR and SCIF environments. |
The J-3 Cost Model issued with Amendment 04 contains new SLINs 0001AR – Drive Destruction – CONUS, and 0003AR – Drive Destruction – OCONUS. The pricing metric, “One-time Fee, per Drive”, is problematic, as normally a fee schedule based on the type of drive (15K/10K/7.2K/SSD) and the year in service when decommissioned and destroyed, would be provided. Will DISA expand the SLIN structure to reflect the type of drive being destroyed?
| ANSWER |
| The Government prefers to have a single SLIN evaluated in the cost model for drive destruction. Offerors may propose additional SLINs for 0001AR and 0003AR in the B-table as outlined in Amendment 4. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-6_Question_Answer_Submission_026_thru_122 |
| SECTION TEXT |
| The maximum number of Past Performance Information Sheet/Reference submissions is 4. |
The page limit for each Past Performance Information Sheet (Attachment L-2) is 4 pages. The page limit for each past performance effort submitted, to include the Past Performance Information Sheet, is 10 pages.
The Volume III Table of Contents is limited to 1 page. The Summary Page (per offeror, subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner) is limited to 1 page. The organizational change documentation is limited to one of the following: a 1-page summary, 1 pamphlet or 1 commercial document. The Table of Contents, Summary page and organizational change documentation page limits are in addition to the 40 page limits for past performance efforts.
Paragraph e has been changed to Paragraph D.
| QUESTION |
| The guidance as to page count for Past Performance seems in conflict. If the Summary page and Organizational Change documents are excluded, and the Past Performance Information Sheet is a maximum of 4 pages, the Subcontractor Consent Letter is a maximum of 2 pages, and the Client Authorization Letter is a maximum of 1 page, it would seem that 3 pages of the 10 page maximum for each performance effort submitted are unallocated. May the Past Performance Information Sheets responses be increased within the 10 page limit per effort or may supplementary material be included? |
| ANSWER |
| The Summary Page, Organizational Documentation, consent letters and client authorization letters are excluded from the 40 page limit for all past performance efforts. Past Performance Information Sheets are limited to 4 pages each. Offerors may provide additional information per past performance effort up to 6 pages for a maximum of 10 pages per past performance effort. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-1_Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS).docx |
| SECTION NAME |
| Provisioning, Management, and Reporting Infrastructure |
| SECTION TEXT |
| The offeror will provide a centralized management infrastructure solution to include provisioning capabilities, hardware diagnostics, hardware monitoring, virtualization management, event logging, performance management or additional back office processes required to reside in the ESD infrastructure to support the offeror’s technical solution. This solution is intended to support management of the offerors solution and infrastructure. This solution will be required to scale in a way that will support DISA’s storage environment and provide customizable, detailed reporting of infrastructure performance. |
Provided solution will facilitate and be capable of both local and remote (via a wide area dedicated DISA management network) centralized management. This includes operational control, performance and monitoring for storage and SAN switching networks. Solution will be required to send error and performance alerts to DISA’s IBM Netcool Omnibus system. Solution should provide role-based access control to limit access.
This offeror-provided infrastructure will be managed and maintained by the offeror under government operational control. Government personnel will have access to the solution.
| QUESTION |
| As with hardware can it be assumed that all software that facilitates any of the specified requirements in 6.4 Task 4 that all vendors to include the incumbent will be required to provide new licensing for the software components that would be utilized to meet this requirement? |
| ANSWER |
| Offerors providing technical solutions for this solicitation must provide new software and appropriate licensing to meet the stated technical requirements. All software provided by any offeror is licensed by the offeror through the software vendor(s) and the Government is not a party to or responsible for any software licensing within the scope of this contract. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-1_Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS).docx |
| SECTION NAME |
| 6.1 TASK 1 – Storage solutions and capabilities |
| SECTION TEXT |
| Enterprise class storage solutions. External controller based redundant array of independent disks (RAID) solutions that meet all of the following criteria: |
- Use multi-controller architecture
- Supports 256 GB of cache
- Supports controller cache mirroring
- Supports heterogeneous data migration which is non-disruptive to ongoing operations
- Supports 32,000 Logical Unit Numbers (LUNs)
- Supports active / active controllers with symmetric access to LUNs
- Supports 3 way replication of data
- Support mainframe (z/OS, z/VM, and z/Linux) and open system architectures
- Support fibre connectivity (FICON) and fibre channel (FC) host connectivity
- Support synchronous data replication internal to the array, point-in-time and snap shot copies
- Supports space recovery reclamation
- Advanced redundant array of independent disks (RAID) capabilities (RAID 10, 5 (3+1), 5 (7+1) etc.)
- Supports multi-tenancy
- Thin provisioning virtualization of storage resources to attached servers. This includes a common storage “pool” and presenting logical storage capacity to a server while minimizing the physical storage resources consumed and allows for non-disruptive scaling (up and down) and reconfigurations.
All of these features above shall be included in the base costs for all enterprise storage solutions. Additional optional priced features for enterprise class storage solutions will include:
- Support asynchronous data replication
- Support synchronous data replication external to the array
- Supports automated multi-tiered life cycle management architecture that is configurable / tunable and has flexibility in its data protections options
- Supports data erasure / shredding compliant with DoD 5220.22-M
- Encryption of data at rest that complies with all levels of the FIPS 140-2 standard
| QUESTION |
| It is assumed that any software licensing that is required to provide these feature (i.e. data replication) that is associated with the hardware would have to be provided as new as is the hardware and can not be transferred from one program to another even if the program was not hosted within a DISA facility. Is this a correct assumption? |
| ANSWER |
| Offerors providing technical solutions for this solicitation must provide new software and appropriate licensing to meet the stated technical requirements. All software provided by any offeror is licensed by the offeror through the software vendor(s) and the Government is not a party to or responsible for any software licensing within the scope of this contract. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-1_Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS).docx |
| SECTION TEXT |
| No storage hardware currently installed in DISA shall be used to satisfy the requirements of this solicitation. All hardware to support solutions brought into DISA locations for the first time must be new hardware. If the call order is later canceled, the hardware to support the service may be reutilized as long as the technology is not a product that the OEM has withdrawn from marketing/sale. |
| QUESTION |
| In DISA’s response for question 27 of the first set of Questions and Answers the response provided stated that “All existing capacity from the old contract must be removed and replaced with new hardware. Hardware is tracked by Serial Number and Bar Code that will be used to verify existing hardware is not being redeployed. Incumbent must provide new serial numbered assets that are not barcoded by the government.” Does this imply that vendors are allowed to utilize used equipment from other programs, projects or purchased as used can be provided for use on this contract provided it has not be utilized within a DISA facility or environment in the past or currently? |
| ANSWER |
| All existing capacity from the existing contract must be removed and replaced with new hardware, warranted as new from the OEM, and not previously sold, remanufactured, refurbished or otherwise used. All hardware must be new to the DISA environment. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-1_Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS).docx |
| SECTION NAME |
| 6.1 TASK 1 – Storage solutions and capabilities |
| SECTION TEXT |
| Mid-range class storage solutions. External controller based RAID solutions that meet all of the following criteria: |
- Use dual controller or cluster architecture
- Support UNIX, Windows, VMware, Linux operating systems
- Support fibre channel (FC) host connectivity
- Advanced RAID capabilities (RAID 10, 5 (3+1), 5 (7+1) etc.)
- Supports multi-tenancy
- Supports controller cache mirroring
- Virtualization of storage resources to attached servers. This includes a common storage “pool” and presenting logical storage capacity to a server while minimizing the physical storage resources consumed and allows for non-disruptive scaling (up and down) and reconfigurations.
All of these features above shall be included in the base costs for all mid-range storage solutions. Additional optional priced features for mid-range class storage solutions will include:
- Support asynchronous data replication
- Support synchronous data replication external to the array
- Supports data erasure / shredding compliant with DoD 5220.22-M
- Support synchronous data replication, point-in-time and snap shot copies
| QUESTION |
| It is assumed that any software licensing that is required to provide these feature (i.e. data replication, SNAP, etc…) that is associated with the hardware would have to be provided as new as is the hardware and can not be transferred from one program to another even if the program was not hosted within a DISA facility. Is this a correct assumption? |
| ANSWER |
| Offerors providing technical solutions for this solicitation must provide new software and appropriate licensing to meet the stated technical requirements. All software provided by any offeror is licensed by the offeror through the software vendor(s) and the Government is not a party to or responsible for any software licensing within the scope of this contract. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-1_Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS).docx |
| SECTION NAME |
| 6.1 TASK 1 – Storage solutions and capabilities |
| SECTION TEXT |
| Network attached storage (NAS) solutions. NAS solutions that meet all of the following criteria: |
- Support UNIX, Windows, VMware, Linux operating systems
- Support Network File System (NFS) and Common Internet File System (CIFS) protocols
- Advanced RAID capabilities (RAID 10, 5 (3+1), 5 (7+1) etc.)
- Supports multi-tenancy and multiple VLANs
- Virtualization of storage resources to attached servers. This includes a common storage “pool” and presenting logical storage capacity to a server while minimizing the physical storage resources consumed and allows for non-disruptive scaling (up and down) and reconfigurations.
All of these features above shall be included in the base costs for all Network attached storage (NAS) solutions. Additional optional priced features for Network attached storage (NAS) solutions will include:
- Support asynchronous data replication
- Support synchronous data replication, point-in-time and snap shot copies
- Supports data erasure / shredding compliant with DoD 5220.22-M
| QUESTION |
| It is assumed that any software licensing that is required to provide these feature (i.e. data replication, SNAP, etc…) that is associated with the hardware would have to be provided as new as is the hardware and can not be transferred from one program to another even if the program was not hosted within a DISA facility. Is this a correct assumption? |
| ANSWER |
| Offerors providing technical solutions for this solicitation must provide new software and appropriate licensing to meet the stated technical requirements. All software provided by any offeror is licensed by the offeror through the software vendor(s) and the Government is not a party to or responsible for any software licensing within the scope of this contract. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-1_Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS).docx |
| SECTION NAME |
| 6.1.6 Subtask 1.6 |
| SECTION TEXT |
| Provide storage area network (SAN) solutions that support common industry storage networking protocols such as Fibre Channel and Ethernet. Provide solutions for storage switching requirements priced on a per port basis. |
| QUESTION |
| Can DISA clarify the purpose of the “Ethernet” requirement as to if this is for OOB only or if this meant to provide IP connectivity for other reasons such as FCoE or iSCSI? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government currently utilizes Fiber Channel switches that utilize Ethernet for OOB connectivity. The Government is looking for other available options and offeror should include the option to use FCoE or other Ethernet based technologies. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-1_Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS).docx |
| SECTION NO. |
| 6.2.3 Subtask 2.3 |
| SECTION NAME |
| 6.2 TASK 2 Additional Storage Capabilities |
| SECTION TEXT |
| Provide solutions for multi-site enterprise scale backup/data protection and archiving. Solution should cover all related aspects of backup and data protection, including server software components and host agents. Solution will include centralized management capabilities, robust reporting features, be easy to install and maintain. Solution must support email archiving, single instancing, compression, compliance archiving, eDiscovery (content indexing, search, export) and journaling. Solution should be able to support retention rates greater than one year. |
| QUESTION |
| In this requirement can DISA clarify the meaning of “multi-site enterprise” within this requirement? Does multi-site enterprise” imply that a primary site would back data up from a remote site via a network connection or have management only to remote sites with individual backup resources located at each site? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government currently uses both solutions and will continue to use both methods depending on workload requirements. |
| DOCUMENT |
| PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS) HC1028-13-R-0015 Attachment J-1 |
| SECTION NO. |
| 6.2.4 Subtask 2.4 |
| SECTION NAME |
| Additional Storage Capabilites |
| SECTION TEXT |
| Provide scalable, automated physical linear tape-open (LTO) tape solutions for specialized environments to include any hardware and software required to make the solution complete. |
Deliverable/s: Solutions for physical tape storage.
| QUESTION |
| Do you envision that all 17 sites listed in PWS Section 5.5 will have a local physical technology to support their backup environments for the open systems? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government intends to move to a backup environment that uses less tape capacity across the enterprise. The architecture for this will be dependent upon workload requirements. |
| DOCUMENT |
| PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS) HC1028-13-R-0015 Attachment J-1 |
| SECTION NO. |
| Additional Storage Capabilities |
| SECTION NAME |
| 6.2.6 Subtask 2.6 |
| SECTION TEXT |
| Provide solutions to allow for automated data tiering across different hardware devices for enterprise, mid-range, and bulk class storage offerings. Solution should virtualize storage locations so that changes to the data location are transparent to operating system and applications. |
Deliverable/s: Solutions for auto tiering between storage devices.
| QUESTION |
| Will all the DISA sites listed in PWS Section 5.5 be required to support this task including the remote sites? |
| ANSWER |
| Offeror should provide flexible solution to satisfy PWS requirement at any required DISA location. |
| DOCUMENT |
| PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS) HC1028-13-R-0015 Attachment J-1 |
| SECTION NO. |
| Additional Storage Capabilites |
| SECTION NAME |
| 6.2.3 Subtask 2.3 |
| SECTION TEXT |
| – Provide solutions for multi-site enterprise scale backup/data protection and archiving. Solution should cover all related aspects of backup and data protection, including server software components and host agents. Solution will include centralized management capabilities, robust reporting features, be easy to install and maintain. Solution must support email archiving, single instancing, compression, compliance archiving, eDiscovery (content indexing, search, export) and journaling. Solution should be able to support retention rates greater than one year. |
| QUESTION |
| Do you envision physical tape to be part of this solution for long term archive? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government intends to move to a backup environment that uses less tape capacity across the enterprise. Offeror's technical solution should provide capabilities to reduce tape capacity during the execution of the contract. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-3 Cost Model and J-1_Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS).docx |
| SECTION NAME |
| Enterprise class storage solution |
| SECTION TEXT |
| Advanced redundant array of independent disks (RAID) capabilities (RAID 10, 5 (3+1), 5 (7+1) etc.) |
| QUESTION |
| Now that the Cost Model allows for multiple solutions for the Enterprise class storage based on RPMs, can a bidder provide one speed of storage at RAID 10 and another speed of storage at RAID 5 to satisfy the requirement for RAID 10 and 5? |
| ANSWER |
| The offeror’s solution must support RAID 10, 5 (3+1), 5 (7+1) etc. The Government will order the drive speed that matches the government requirements, and will have it configured at the RAID level determined by the government. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-3 Cost Model Amd 4 |
| SECTION NAME |
| Enterprise Class Disk Storage |
| QUESTION |
| Pricing is requested is at the raw disk, cache and port level. Is the government willing to accept quantity minimums at this sub-component level to account for overhead like service processors, controllers etc.? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government will order the amount of cache and channels required to support the workload. Overhead required for base system configuration should be included in the price model and not priced separately. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-3 Cost Model Amd 4 |
| SECTION NAME |
| Enterprise Class Disk Storage |
| QUESTION |
| Ordering at the sub-component level (raw disk, cache, ports) does not provide any protection against either configuration errors (e.g. ordering more disks than the arrays support) or poor performance configuration (e.g. configuring with insufficient cache). In order to simplify ordering and improve service is the Government willing to consider complete standard configurations instead of ordering at the subcomponent level? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government will order the amount of cache and channels required to support the workload. Overhead required for base system configuration should be included in the price model and not priced separately. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-6_Question_Answer_Submission_026_thru_122.doc |
SECTION NAME
| SECTION TEXT |
| ‘Data in flight that leaves the premise routers must be encrypted’ |
| QUESTION |
| What is the demarcation point for premise routers? Does this mean only traffic within a given Data Center and same classification network does not need to be encrypted? Does this mean that traffic between two DISA Data Centers on the same Network classification is considered ‘in premise’ and this only applies to traffic for endpoints outside the respective DISA NIPR or SIPR networks? |
| ANSWER |
| Premise routers exist between all sites, and route all traffic leaving the site. Offeror's technical solution should provide encryption at any point before the routers; all data must be encrypted before it leaves the routers. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Request for Proposal - HC102813R0015.doc |
SECTION NO.
| SECTION NAME |
| Section I – Contract Clauses |
| SECTION TEXT |
| 52.223-16 - IEEE 1680 Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products DEC 2007 |
| QUESTION |
| The scope of work does not require the contractor to provide Personal Computer Products as that term is defined in FAR 52.223-16. Accordingly, the clause is not applicable. Will DISA consider removing this clause from the solicitation and resulting contract? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government will remove FAR 52.223-16, IEEE 1680 Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Request for Proposal - HC102813R0015.doc |
SECTION NO.
| SECTION NAME |
| Section I – Contract Clauses |
| SECTION TEXT |
| 252.225-7012 Preference For Certain Domestic Commodities FEB 2013 |
| QUESTION |
| The scope of work does not require the contractor to provide any end products or components. The resulting contract is for services only. Accordingly, DFARS 252.225-7012 is not applicable. Will DISA consider removing this clause from the solicitation and resulting contract? |
| ANSWER |
| After review, the Government considers this clause applicable to Capacity Services contracts; the clause will remain in the solicitation. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Request for Proposal - HC102813R0015.doc |
PAGE
| SECTION NAME |
| Section I – Contract Clauses |
| SECTION TEXT |
| 252.225-7039 Contractors Performing Private Security Functions JUN 2013 |
| QUESTION |
| The scope of work does not require the contractor to perform any private security functions as defined in DFARS 252.225-7039. Accordingly, this clause is not applicable. Will DISA consider removing this clause from the solicitation and resulting contract? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government will remove DFAR 252.225-7039, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Request for Proposal - HC102813R0015.doc |
SECTION NO.
| SECTION NAME |
| Section I – Contract Clauses |
| SECTION TEXT |
| 252.237-7019 Training for Contractor Personnel Interacting with Detainees JUN 2013 |
| QUESTION |
| The scope of work does not require the contractor personnel to interact with detainees in any manner. Accordingly, DFARS 252.237-7019 is not applicable. Will DISA consider removing this clause from the solicitation and resulting contract? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government will remove DFAR 252.237-7019, Training for Contractor Personnel Interacting with Detainees JUN 2013. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Request for Proposal - HC102813R0015.doc |
SECTION NO.
| SECTION NAME |
| Section I – Contract Clauses |
| SECTION TEXT |
| 52.232-25 Prompt Payment OCT 2008 |
| QUESTION |
| By its terms, this clause is not supposed to be inserted in contracts and solicitations in which FAR 52.212-4 applies. Now that the solicitation has been amended to include FAR 52.212-4, FAR 52.232-25 should be removed. Will DISA remove this clause from the solicitation and resulting contract as required by FAR 32.908(c)? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government will remove 52.232-25, Prompt Payment OCT 2008. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Request for Proposal - HC102813R0015.doc |
SECTION NO.
| SECTION NAME |
| Section I – Contract Clauses |
| SECTION TEXT |
| 52.249-8 Default (Fixed-Price Supply & Service) APR 1984 |
| QUESTION |
| This clause, addresses matters that are also addressed in FAR 52.212-4(f) and (m) (excusable delays and termination for cause, respectively). Thus, inclusion of this clause at best creates ambiguity and at worst, creates a conflict with FAR 52.212-4. To avoid such ambiguity and/conflicts, will DISA consider removing this clause? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government will remove FAR Clause 52.249-8 Default (Fixed Price Supply & Service) APR 1984. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Request for Proposal - HC102813R0015.doc |
SECTION NO.
| SECTION NAME |
| Section I – Contract Clauses |
| SECTION TEXT |
| DFARS 252.203-7001 - Prohibition On Persons Convicted of Fraud or Other Defense-Contract-Related Felonies |
| QUESTION |
| By its terms, this clause is not supposed to be inserted in contracts and solicitations for commercial items. Now that the solicitation has been amended to include FAR 52.212-4, DFARS 252.203-7001 should be removed. Will DISA remove this clause from the solicitation and resulting contract as required by DFARS 212.502(a)(vii)? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government will remove DFAR 252.203-7001, Prohibition On Persons Convicted of Fraud or Other Defense-Contract-Related Felonies. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Request for Proposal - HC102813R0015.doc |
SECTION NO.
| SECTION NAME |
| Section G – Contract Administration Data |
| SECTION TEXT |
| 52.215-8 Order of Precedence--Uniform Contract Format |
| QUESTION |
| Now that DISA has clarified its intent to execute a commercial item purchase and has amended the solicitation to incorporate FAR 52.212-4, FAR 52.215-8 is no longer applicable. By its terms, this clause only pertains to the FAR part 15, not FAR Part 12 acquisitions. Will DISA consider removing this clause? |
| ANSWER |
| The SF 33 Solicitation was issued in order to use the Uniform Contract Format and due to constraints in the Government contract writing system, this will not be changed. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Request for Proposal - HC102813R0015.doc |
SECTION NO.
| SECTION NAME |
| Section I – Contract Clauses |
| SECTION TEXT |
| 52.249-2 Termination For Convenience Of The Government (Fixed-Price) |
| QUESTION |
| This clause addresses issues covered in FAR 52.212-4(l), Termination for the Government’s convenience. Having two clauses addressing the same issue in different ways only serves to create ambiguity in the contract. Will DISA consider removing this clause in light of the recent incorporation of FAR 52.212-4 into the solicitation? |
| ANSWER |
| FAR 52.249-2 will remain in addition to the information in paragraph (l) of FAR 52.212-4. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Request for Proposal - HC102813R0015.doc |
SECTION NO.
| SECTION NAME |
| Section I – Contract Clauses |
| SECTION TEXT |
| 252.243-7001 Pricing Of Contract Modifications |
| QUESTION |
| As this is a solicitation for commercial items, costs and the cost accounting standards, should not apply, will DISA consider removing this clause? |
| ANSWER |
| After review, the Government considers this clause applicable to Capacity Services contracts; the clause will remain in the solicitation. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Request for Proposal - HC102813R0015.doc |
SECTION NO.
| SECTION NAME |
| Section I – Contract Clauses |
| SECTION TEXT |
| 52.246-20 WARRANTY OF SERVICES (MAY 2001) |
| QUESTION |
| By its terms, this clause is not appropriate for contracts for commercial items. FAR 52.246-20 is to be inserted in accordance with FAR 46.710. However, per FAR 46.710, FAR 46.709 prescribes the warranties for commercial items. Thus, FAR 52.246-20, which is not in line with industry commercial warranty standards, should not apply. In addition, FAR 52.212-4 (o) contains a warranty clause for commercial items. In light of the recent incorporate of FAR 52.212-4, will DISA consider removing FAR 52.246-20? |
| ANSWER |
| After review, the Government considers this clause applicable to Capacity Services contracts; the clause will remain in the solicitation. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-3 Cost Model Amd 4 |
| SECTION NO. |
| 001AJ and 001AK |
SECTION NAME
SECTION TEXT
| QUESTION |
| When tapes are used as part of a solution (e.g. Backup and Archiving, or Linear Tape Open), does the government want media to be provided or will the government purchase media separately outside of this contract? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government will purchase tape media outside of this contract. |
| DOCUMENT |
| J-3 Cost Model Amd 4 |
| SECTION NO. |
| 001AJ and 001AK |
SECTION NAME
SECTION TEXT
| QUESTION |
| How does the government want to handle consumables with respect to tape (cleaning tapes etc.)? Should this be bundled into base pricing or a separate SLIN created? |
| ANSWER |
| The Government will purchase tape media outside of this contract. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Request for Proposal - HC102813R0015.doc |
SECTION NO.
| SECTION NAME |
| Section I – Contract Clauses |
| SECTION TEXT |
| 52.242-17 Government Delay Of Work APR 1984 |
| QUESTION |
| This clause, by its terms, is inserted in contracts for supplies other than commercial or modified commercial items”. (See Far 42.1305(c). Accordingly, will DISA consider removing this clause from the solicitation? |
| ANSWER |
| After review, the Government considers this clause applicable to Capacity Services contracts; the clause will remain in the solicitation. |
Defense Information Systems Agency