ATTACH_A_Call_and_Reponse_PWS.pdf

Attachment A June 2013

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Database “Call and Response” Services

1.0 OVERVIEW

The Department of Defense (the “Department”) has a number of Big Data (BD) and Business Intelligence (BI) software platforms. These technologies allow one to collect, navigate and distill information from vast amounts of data. Although BD and BI methods range from simple queries to complex algorithms, this capability is only useful if the right information is given to the right person at the right time. Accordingly, the Department seeks Information Logistics (IL) services or, to be more specific, database “call and response” services.1

Database “call and response” services refer to commercial technologies that enable individuals or “users” to get information within a well-defined database in a simple, stylish, no frill way without use of a visual interface (e.g., a web portal). Though not a comprehensive solution, this service provides a lite, sleek, and economical capability to a large number of users without significant training. Service models vary, but the basic approach follows this general outline:

Step 1:

A user puts together a list of unique identifiers (i.e., contract numbers) in Microsoft Excel®.

The user then emails the Excel® file as an attachment to a special address. This is “the call”.

Step 2:

Once received, a computer program strips the attached file and creates a subordinate database.

Step 3:

The program then checks the subordinate database and matches the unique identifiers submitted (i.e., contract numbers) to those in the significantly larger primary database. The program then creates pre-defined, formatted data reports with visualizations (i.e., data, charts, maps).

Step 4:

The program then emails this personalized report back to the user. This is “the response”.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

The goal of IL is “to deliver the right product, consisting of the right information element, in the right format, at the right place at the right time for the right people at the right price...”2 In order to achieve this goal, the Government’s objectives for this contract are to:

- Provide users a simple, self-service tool that calls specific records from a primary database

- Automate bulk creation of information products commonly used by managers

- Expand communication channels by leveraging the database in innovative ways

- Determine the extent at which a primary database can be relied on or needs improvements

1 This contract is separate and distinct from BD and BI services, and does not require these high-powered platforms.

2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_logistics

The contractor will help the Government achieve these objectives by providing a service that lets users call the contractor’s copy of the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) database using an email with an attached Excel® file of unique identifiers. A unique identifier (or combination thereof) is any data attribute or attributes that can be used to filter results for desired elements within the FPDS (e.g., contract number, DUNS, PSC).3 The service then responds to the user’s call by retrieving, organizing and emailing a report of select FPDS contract records.

3.0 DATABASE “CALL AND RESPONSE” SERVICE

In order to be successful, the contractor must become familiar with FPDS; the primary database for this requirement.4 The FPDS database schema includes over 200 procurement data attributes used by the Government and both public and private sectors.5 Contractors may freely access and download publicly available FPDS data at USAspending.gov.6 Although FPDS is a well-defined database, performance of this contract does not require prior FPDS experience, and contractors may increase their value proposition by augmenting this data (e.g., adding a taxonomy).7

3.1 CAPABILITY

The contractor will provide “call and response” services on commercial terms.

This service will include the following functionality within 30-days of contract award:

- Executes programmed commands (i.e., select, join, sum) to create pre-defined reports o Retrieves select contract records based on matches and filters of unique identifiers o Gathers information from the past four Fiscal Years (FY) and available FY-to-date o Generates a report of publicly available data and produces select visual aids o Structures reports logically (e.g., Tab 1 = “Notes”, Tab 2 = “Data”, Tab 3 = “Charts”)

- Data Import and Export Process o Extract, Transfer, Load a syndicated feed (i.e., ATOM) from USAspending.gov o Produces “responses” that report data and data visualizations based on user “calls” o Emails “responses” (i.e., XLS, PDF) to addressees within the content of a “call” email o For files < 25 MB, ensures that response times to “calls” do not exceed five minutes

The contractor will add the following database functionality within 45-days of award:

- Data Import and Export Process o Adds a user’s custom Excel® column from the “call” to the end of the “response” table o Anticipates and corrects common user input errors and minor variations o Sends an error notice when a record is not found (e.g., unique identifier not recognized) o Provides an alternative download method for large files (i.e., FTP for files > 25 MB)

3 A combination is necessary since some require a second identifier (i.e., task order “contract_number” and “PIID”) 4 https://www.fpds.gov/downloads/Manuals/FPDS-NG_Overview.ppt 5 https://www.fpds.gov/downloads/Manuals/FPDS_NG_Users_Manual_V1.4.pdf 6 Note: This public release of FPDS data delays contract actions funded by the Department by 90-days.

7 http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/ss/taxonomy.html

The contractor is required to submit a proposed “response” based on a “call” attached to the solicitation.8 The Government and the contractor will within 60-days of award finalize the data format and select visualizations (e.g., chart depicting small business utilization) to be included in a pre-defined “response” to user “call” emails.

The contractor will ensure that their service model maximizes the number of potential users to the extent the contractor determines practicable and reasonable. No design will require user authentication or credentials, or assume that any user-side system feature is operable or accessible given the variety of security restrictions in place on the Government and both public and private networks or systems. For example, designs that require users to have administrative rights would limit the user base; this excludes the use of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros and all executable (i.e., .exe) files that must be applied to a user’s computer.

3.2 MANAGEMENT

Contractors can flexibly design the service in a way that best fits the task using their own information technology systems. As part of the delivery of the database “call and response” service, the contractor is responsible for all aspects related to the performance of this contract, including design, implementation, maintenance, versioning, patches, quality, and security.

The contractor will manage both their FPDS data feed (“API”, “ATOM”, etc.)9 and copy of the FPDS database (i.e., five year archive),10 along with all derivative tables created through this service, to produce related reports for the Government and other users.

The contractor will deliver a monthly report that contains critical performance metrics. These metrics will reflect the “Service Level Agreement” submitted by the contractor as part of their proposal. These metrics are used to benchmark, assess, and communicate contractor performance and to gauge the extent to which the Government is achieving its objectives (e.g., numbers of users, response times, average file size transmitted, service availability, fails, etc.).

3.3 MARKETING MATERIALS

As part of the delivery of the database “call and response” service, the contractor will deliver within 30-days of contract award the following items for the Government’s use:

- A 90-second web clip demonstrating the service

- Screenshots that highlight use of the service

- A short summary of the service that explains how to use it and describes examples

- A short help guide (i.e., common user errors, calculation assumptions, limitations)

4.0 MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT

8 Sample originally provided in the solicitation as Attachment B 9 See tab labeled “API” at http://www.usaspending.gov/data 10 See tab labeled “Archives” at http://www.usaspending.gov/data

The contractor will provide customary support services to the Contracting Officer’s Representative to resolve issues as they arise over the contract’s period of performance.

In addition, the contractor will provide support services, as required. The purpose for such engagements will be to refine, improve, or leverage the service in innovative ways (e.g., quality, aesthetics, scalability, adaptability). These efforts may include tasks such as system enhancements, visual-designing, writing brief reports, or joining other publicly available relational database tables.

5.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS

The contractor will use FPDS data that is publicly available for download at USAspending.gov.

Should this data no longer be made available at that website, the Department will make a reasonable effort to provide an alternative source before terminating the contract.

The contractor is responsible for delivering database “call and respond” services without any equipment or software from the Government.

6.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The contractor will provide services from their own place of business.

7.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The base period of performance of this task is from July 17, 2013 to July 16, 2014. If exercised, the first option year period is July 17, 2014 to July 16, 2015 and the second one-year option period is July 17, 2015 to July 16, 2016.

8.0 TRAVEL

Performance of this contract does not require the contractor to travel.

9.0 SECURITY

The contractor will not require access to any Government facility or computer network.

Accordingly, there are no unique security requirements above a company’s commercial practice.

10.0 CONTRACTOR ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

A security clearance is not required for work performed under this contract.