Pre-solicitation_HC1028-15-R-0025_QA.pdf

PRE-SOLICITATION HC1028-15-R-0025

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question / Comment Answer

The Intel 5th Generation Chipset and processor is not released on the Intel Embedded Roadmap for long term availability and support. The vendor recommends that this be changed to 4th Generation or Higher.

The Government concurs and this will be reflected in the formal RFP.

The rate is high for a standard coin recycler used in COTS self checkout systems. Vendor recommends lowering rate of 6 coins per second.

Vendor recommends a single resolution requirement of 200DPI minimum, with a speed of 300mm/s minimum.

4 What is the color java and beige?

The Government defines java as Sherwin- Williams SW 6090 - "Java". The Government describes beige as color-matched to Pan- Osten's “Nevada Biege.”

Vendor assumes that the color requirement refers to the checkstand, ICSC, other furniture, and SCO chassis colors, and not the color of the equipment and peripherals (i.e. the POS terminals, displays, hand scanners, etc.).

What is meant by "Update Equipment Colors" at "No Additional Cost"? Vendor assumes that this refers to future manufactured units where equipment color updates are received at time of order, not for already deployed and/or installed equipment. Please clarify this requirement.

The color requirement refers to the cabinetry not the registers and applies to future equipment orders. The Government does not anticipate a color change; however, if a color change is requested, the vendor must add the color to the catalog for future purchases. This will be clarified in the RFP documentation.

Please elaborate on which scenario's will require CAC authentication via Smart Card (versus authentication via a bar code scan or MSR swipe). Specifically, this vendor assumes that for assisted service, the retail clerk will be required to insert their CAC into the reader; but for assisted service, that patrons would not need to insert their CAC, and instead would have their privileges validated by a scan of the CAC barcode or by swiping the CAC MSR Therefore no need for a patron smart card CAC reader. For Self- Checkout, this vendor assumes that bar code scanning or MSR strip is acceptable, and there is no need for a CAC smart card reader. Note that some DeCA patrons may not have CACs, including retirees and dependents. Please confirm and/or clarify this requirement.

The formal RFP will clarify the distinction between CAC enabled hardware for system users (commissary employees) and validation of shopping eligibility for commissary patrons.

Please elaborate on what is meant by an "Electronic and Manual Lock" This vendor assumes that the definition of Electronic Lock is for the cash drawer to be entirely controlled by the application software.

The vendor's assumption is correct; the electronic lock is controlled by the application software. The manual lock is a necessary to deal with conditions where the electronic control of the drawer is unavailable. This clarification will be included in the formal RFP.

Vendor recommends, for both operational and security reasons, that checks and WIC (and other non-scan able tenders) at SCO lanes be handled at the attendant register / RAP station by transferring the transaction to the attendant register once such a tender type is selected.

The suggested check payment operation reflects the commissary's current operation;

however WIC is not accepted at SCOs.

This vendor requests more elaboration on exactly what the hardware expectations of the mobile cart are. Specifically, what devices are in the cart, vs. what devices are built into the mobile terminal? Is the expectation that the cart includes spaces to mount a verifone style payment terminal, provide space for customers to write checks, etc.? What are the power expectation for this cart?

The Government will clarify/elaborate its mobile cart concept in the formal RFP.

As of 9/2/2015, a vendor does not see the drawings on the referenced web site.

Referenced images will be available on the technical library web page when the formal RFP is released.

Vendor assumes that DeCA is requesting traditional coin and bill counting equipment for some stores, and a more advanced automated cash management system for larger stores. Can DeCA please provide an estimate of how many locations are considered "larger" and may receive the more advanced cash management system? Does DeCA have an existing system in place today for automated cash management, and if so, can DeCA identify the provider / incumbent?

The vendor's assumption is correct. For estimated number of locations, please reference the estimated pricing quantities in Attachment J-3. The advanced cash management system is a new requirement;

therefore, there is no incumbent. The commissaries currently use Cummins coin and bill counting equipment.

Please confirm that second printer for all back office functions is a traditional laser page printer, rather than thermal.

DeCA's current back office printers are laser printers, not thermal printers.

The vendor is not clear on the type of thermal printer being requested to print shelf labels.

Printing 4000 labels in 20 minutes does not seem like a typical use case for a portable (belt) thermal printer. Please elaborate on the portable printing requirements vs. the desktop printer requirements.

The Government is not dictating the solution offered by vendors, each vendor should propose a solution that meets the technical requirements. The formal RFP will clarify that the minimum performance is associated only with the desktop printer.

The vendor's SCO automatically turns on and off the lane light. Will a manual switch be required for SCO lanes?

The Government is not dictating the solution offered by vendors, each vendor should propose a solution that meets the technical requirements.

What is the DeCA Retalix10 deployment plan?

For planning and pricing purposes, on what date (or in what quarter of what year) will DeCA begin to deploy Retalix10 for the first 25% of the enterprise.

When responding to the RFP offerors should plan deployment to begin in FY 2017.

In what CLIN do we price the "automated tool to view, track, and control the POS hardware"?

The Government is not dictating the solution offered by vendors, each vendor should propose a solution that meets the technical requirements.

Please remove “If firmware cannot be updated to support software functionality through the life of the contract, the contractor must provide replacement hardware at no cost to DeCA.

(SPS2.5.1)". The CARTS R/M contractor has no control of the EBS software baseline and therefore this statement is open-ended and cannot be priced.

It is the Government's intent that the offeror must ensure that firmware and the OS continues to be updated throughout the life of the contract. The Government will clarify in the formal RFP.

Section L.2.2.1 and L.2.3.2 are conflicting.

L.2.2.2.1 states "The technical volume of the proposal is to be submitted as an MS Word 2007 or later version or Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Finder (PDF) document. ", while L.2.3.2 states "All proposal volumes shall be submitted in PDF. " Section L.7.1.4.1 states, "Offerors must submit, in Microsoft Excel, a Priced Solution." Please update.

Incorrect section number is referenced, should be 2.2.4.1 vice 2.2.3.3.

The Government concurs that section 2.2.1.4 of the SPS incorrectly refers vendors to section

2.2.3.3. This will be corrected to refer vendors

to section 2.2.4.1.

Request that DeCA change the Basis for Award from “Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA)” to “Best Value”.

The Government is committed to the current acquisition strategy.

Has the Government considered separating the CARTS R/M contract acquisition strategy into two contracts?

The Government is committed to the current acquisition strategy.

22 Is it LPTA or best value base on lowest price?

The Government’s acquisition strategy is best value based on lowest price technically acceptable.

Given the amount of risk around maintenance of the legacy, especially for someone who is not the incumbent, is there any chance that this will be T&M for at least the maintenance of the legacy? CART R/M is a firm fixed price contract.

24 Will there be a surge CLIN?

Yes, please reference draft Attachment J-3 of the RFP.

Is it the Government's intention to go with a blended model with depot and on-site maintenance?

Rather than dictating a solution, the Government requests that each vendor propose a solution that meets the technical requirements.

Is the hardware availability requirements (98%) for both the old and the new POS equipment?

Please reference the RFP, its attachments, and the technical library.

27 Can you share the metrics for the legacy CARTS?

Please reference the RFP, its attachments, and the technical library. It is the Government's intent that the contractor's sustainment maintain the current levels of CARTS performance.

What’s the Government's target for RFP issuance?

The Government anticipates the formal RFP release in 1Q FY2016.

Does the Government anticipate including a demo during the evaluation of this acquisition?

No, please reference Section M, Evaluation Criteria.

Does the Government anticipate including orals during the evaluation of this acquisition?

The Government does not intend to have oral presentations, please reference Section M for evaluation criteria. The Government intends to award without discussions, but the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if the Contracting Officer later determines them to be necessary.

How will the Government evaluate service level agreements? Please reference Section M, Evaluation Criteria.

What’s the Government's expected timeline to release the RFP?

The Government anticipates the formal RFP release in 1Q FY2016.

Will the Government accept the use of commercial past performances?

Please reference section M of the draft RFP.

Past performance is not part of the evaluation criteria.

Are you planning on having discussions with vendors prior to the release of the RFP?

No, the Government has completed its market research.

35 Can you explain best value LPTA?

The Government’s acquisition strategy is best value based on lowest price technically acceptable.

Will the Government evaluate price and price realism?

The offeror’s cost/price proposal will be evaluated, using one or more of the techniques defined in FAR 15.404 in order to determine if it is reasonable and complete. The Government will determine the reasonableness of the overall price using one or more of the analysis techniques as defined in FAR 15.404. For a price to be complete, all solicitation requirements must be priced, figures correctly calculated, and costs presented in the Government-provided pricing model. The Government reserves the right, but is not obligated, to perform a price realism analysis.

Will the Government include a list of all GFE with the formal RFP? Please refer to the Technical Library.

Is the Government replacing the furniture that the POS sit in?

Yes, The Government is planning to replace the lane in its entirety.

39 Would DeCA consider POS as a service?

No, the Government is currently not interested in POS as a service.

What are the clearance requirements for the OCONUS techs?

To be granted access to the DoD network personnel must meet DoD requirements for the appropriate ADP/IT level. In addition, most commissaries are on military bases and each base has its own requirements for entry.

41 Can non-citizens deliver and remove equipment?

Most commissaries are on military bases and each base has its own requirements for entry.

What is the Government's priority list for different mobile use cases?

The mobile solution must support all DeCA use cases: off site sales; case lot sales; line busters;

and Click2Go.

We recommend the Government consider including a requirement for key personnel in the formal RFP.

The Government concurs that there is a requirement for key personnel; this will be

Does the Government's current provider provide a 4 hour response time?

Yes, that response requirement is consistent with our current POS SLA.

45 Can you describe an ICSC?

Pictures of an ICSC will be included in the Technical Library.

Will the Government provide a list of inventory of all the legacy equipment to include your spares and where they are?

Please reference the Technical Library for a list of inventory of all legacy equipment. The Government does not own spares.