ATTACHMENT_06_Q&A_20190828.pdf

The government plans to evaluate conforming quotes by eligible 8(a) Offerors solicited via FBO.

The work involves PL/SQL and Cognos. As to programming or DBA, we are not going to provide estimates of how much. Database developers will be writing functions, procedures and packages. This is a labor-hour contract, and estimated hours are provided in the PWS based on data from the performance of the current requirements. Yes, they would need Windows and UNIX. The PWS identifies they should be knowledgeable in at least one of these areas.

Every position is key. Offerors are advised to thoroughly review the RFP and attachments, and respond to the requirements with their best proposal.

Additionally, the Offeror’s personnel must be available to commence work no later than the contract effective date. Currently, the government plans for the contract effective date to be no earlier than 30 days after the date of contract award.

Generally, contractor personnel will not be expected to field calls. Offerors are advised to thoroughly review the RFP and attachments and provide their best proposal.

Is the incumbent permitted to compete?

Which positions are subject to this? Can they take this once on the contract? Related to this: INFORMATION ASSURANCE

CONTRACTOR TRAINING ANDCERTIFICATION (JAN 2008)

Are there specific skills and technologies – for the Subject Matter Expert roles ? (We did note the expected capabilities)

· Are they going to be programming or doing DBA (applications vs system) or architecture ?

· Are they going to be doing PL/SQL or T-SQL or Oracle Forms/Reports? Cognos?

· Database developers writing functions, procedures packages? Do they need Windows or Unix – just for basics or to be able to program in those operating systems?

· What do you mean by Oracle system interface and database focus? (having been a developer and an application DBA, it would help if you can clarify what is meant by this, in terms of required skills and experience). In the Subject Matter Expert position description: Oracle system interface and Oracle database focus; web architecture focus, SQL programming and database functions focus, Cognos Analytics software focus)

How much of the work / systems is with each of the database technologies: DB2 databases, Ms SQL and ORACLE?

(Meaning how much DB2 vs SQL vs Oracle) 1.2 Hardware and Software Environment:

· Is the DBA (database administration rather than analyst or programming) work for all three?

· Is the database work /access in the database (like PL/SQL and T-SQL) or in web services?

Is this saying that every position is Key? This means that 7 people must be preidentified and submitted with the proposal?

- How long from the time of submittal to the time of award? (because usually tough to get people to commit for up to months)

- Most programs want the vendor to agree to pick up existing consultants if the government likes them because of their institutional knowledge. – how can we make all positions key if DFAS would want some to continue?

What is the normal degree of complexity on the support calls? “DMO fields approximately 700 Production Support calls per year on a fluctuating schedule”.

· Are they quick fixes?

· Do most require program changes and emergency releases? (A 10 minute call versus several hours or days of work?)

· 700 calls - if not like minor issues like password resets, implies almost 3 per workday or two every day – o What kind of issues?

o Are we permitted to analyze and recommend and implement more structural/fixes to minimize problems/issues.

Can you confirm that the Database Analyst is not a full blown DBA and will be working with existing DFAS DBA’s – who will be responsible for most of the DB Administration and that the DB Analyst will be consulting, advising and recommending and working with the logical or applications issues more than being responsible for the physical structures and system side issues?

Given that the PM role is listed as very part-time – an average of 5.25 hours a week – and the description in section 4.1 Contract Program Management and in the deliverables in 6.2 - ATTACHMENT 2,

· is this more an Administrative and Reporting role rather than active project manager?

· If so, will our staff be taking direction from a DFAS manager? If not, who should be “managing the work” and making assignments?

· Or has this role been traditionally been more of a hands on-developer who also acts as a Lead or , and also does the Administrative Reporting?

· Are you flexible to either approach?

· If we have someone who worked with DMO previously who is trained in Lean6 and can also consult in the 4.2.4 Business Consulting role, would this be an option?

Is the labor mix / list of positions, fixed? Meaning – would there be a chance that other roles might be recommended or accepted? Sometimes, tasks like requirements gathering, problem solving, business consulting might not necessarily match up to those who are the best at C3, .net or unix or even normalization (these generally are done by business analyst or data analyst roles)

Price Proposal Template: Can you confirm that we are to use the hours supplied in attachment 3 for the completion of the Price Proposal? And is this for comparison purposes?

Confirmed.

DFAS views the Program Manager as an active role. Contractor staff does not take direction from the Government. Offerors are advised to thoroughly review the RFP and attachments and provide their best proposal.

Please review the PWS Section 6.4 -ATTACHMENT 4 Systems Information & Minimum Skill Sets and the entire RFP with all attachments for clarification.

The estimates provided in referenced section of the PWS are based on historical data from the previous requirement contract performance. These are provided for guidance only. Offerors should propose their own hours using the template supplied.

Offerors may fill-in the required information on the SF1449 using ink. Additionally, the RFP requires Offerors to submit their price proposal using the template supplied.

Most of the work is maintaining the existing system. Offerors are advised to review the solicitation documents thoroughly and provide their best proposal to meet the requirement.

There is no mentoring of DFAS programmers involved in this effort. Offerors shall provide the resources necessary to perform the requirement of the PWS and the eventual contract.

Offerors are advised to thoroughly review the RFP and attachments and provide their best proposal.

All contractor employees must take the required "SPIRIT"' training. With respect to Information Assurance Certification, work on this effort does not involve information assurance functions at this time. Thus, it is not a current requirement for any contractor personnel at this time.

Can you explain the program manager would be rated more favorably having “ an extensive knowledge of the DMO or similar system” rather than a career of successful management with many government IT systems?

VENDOR QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT RESPONSES

Is this a new requirement?

Is there an incumbent contractor?

Are there any Contractors engaged now on any part of this work?

The government states “… Provide a narrative that demonstrates the Offeror’s possession of all the labor categories required…..” Please clarify what possession is and how we can sufficiently demonstrate that to the government.

The government states “All the Offeror’s key personnel …. must be available to commence work at the time of contract award.” Unless an 8A has incumbents already working on this contract at the site, it would not be feasible to have staff waiting for the award to happen. Even with contingent hires there is notice that must be given to the existing customer.

Can the government provide a phase in time for getting non-incumbent staff?

Can you please explain, “…possess an in-depth and detailed knowledge of DMO…and DMO’s capabilities”? The statement has been updated as follows: "DMO or similar system, such as a government entitlement and pay system utilizing C#, .Net, Cognos, and Oracle Database technologies hosted on Windows and Linux server environments.

It is in the best interest of the Government to rate a proposed PM who possesses an extensive knowledge of the DMO or similar system more favorably than one who does not. Similar system, such as a government entitlement and pay system utilizing C#, .Net, Cognos, and Oracle Database technologies hosted on Windows and Linux server environments.

We are requesting that you explain how your staffing plan will ensure all of the labor categories we seek will be provided.

No.

Yes.

Yes.

The Offeror’s personnel must be prepared to start performance no later than the contract effective date. Currently, the government plans for the contract effective date to be no earlier than 30 days after the date of contract award.

SOLICITATION # HQ042319R0049, DEFENSE MILPAY OFFICE (DMO) INTEGRATED SUPPORT - - RFP Attachment 06, Q &A August 28, 2019

SF1449 - This PDF is not a fill-able PDF

· Are we supposed to just sign and complete boxes 30 a,b,c ? 17?

· Pages 3 through 12 look like they are based on copying the information from the Price Proposal – but they are not fill-able. Are we supposed to duplicate this info?

By hand or do you have a fillable form?

· We tried to check some of the boxes on pages 21,24,25, 30, etc and they show up with a little colored blob and our text X shows up when you hover. Please advise if these are to be checked – is there a fill-able form?

Can we confirm/clarify There are 11 functional types of services? The question is because we see positions based mainly based on technical requirements (programming skills) more than on the analysis, consulting - and the request is for the three types of positions with a total count of 7 (plus a 1/8 time (part-time) PM)

· Technical assistance to programmers - does this mean mentoring / helping inhouse DFAS programmers?

Objective: … In accordance with this PWS, the contractor shall provide the following nonpersonal services: Software design

• Software development and test

• Database design and test

• Database administration

• Problem/performance analysis

• Data transformation and test

Is most of the work maintaining and supporting existing systems? If so can you provide any counts for planned or historical change requests?

How much work will be development? How much is handling trouble tickets for the base systems?

With respect to Information Assurance Certification, work on this effort does not involve information assurance functions at this time. Thus, it is not a current requirement for any contractor personnel at this time.

What is the Governments expected period of transition?

Is the Government rating the Program Managers ability to staff rapidly or the offerors ability to staff a rapidly.

Recommend the Government rate the offerors ability to staff not the PMs as companies have recruiters to ensure rapid staffing allowing the PM to maintain focus on quality performance. Also recommend making this part of the staffing evaluation factor.

Do all contractors supporting the PWS require DoD-approved information assurance workforce certifications per DoD 8570? Is so, what certification category is required for each position (e.g., IAM III, IAT II, etc.)?

Tables and figures (Graphics) may use lower font size to maintain structure. However, it is the Offeror's responsibility to ensure the tables and figure are clear and easily readable, as the Government will not consider text smaller than 12 point which is not clear and easily readable.

Volume cover pages and TOC do not count towards the page limit.

The government plans for this to be a time and materials labor hour contract. Offerors are advised to thoroughly review the RFP and attachments and provide their best proposal.

Resumes are not required, but are highly recommended. Offerors are advised to thoroughly review the RFP and attachments and provide their best proposal.

The Government plans to evaluate corporate past performance information.

The Offeror's staffing plan should provide the road map to commence performance of this requirement. Currently, there is no transition plan requirement anticipated of the incumbent. The government doesn't plan for a transition overlap.

Currently, there is no transition plan requirement anticipated of the incumbent. The Offeror’s personnel must be available to begin performance no later than the date of the contract effective date. Currently, the government plans for the contract effective date to be no earlier than 30 days after the contract award date.

The Government expects the awardee to submit the forms immediately following contract award.

Currently, the Government does not anticipate an overlap period of new awardee over the incumbent. The Offeror’s personnel must be prepared to commence work no later than the date of the contract effective date. Currently, the government plans for the contract effective date to be no earlier than 30 days after the contract award date.

The Government will rate the program manager's ability to staff rapidly.

Attachment 02_Instructions to Offerors section 2.2.3 states that resumes “may be provided as separate attachments” and there is no specific requirement for resumes. However, the evaluation process described under Subfactor 2 – Staffing Plan indicates that personnel experience with subject systems will be evaluated. Are resumes required? If so, how many?

If not, how will experience with the military pay systems be evaluated?

Will the Government accept the past performance of the General Manager of the Prime 8(a) when considering past perform

Does the Government require a transition in plan or is this part of the incumbents responsibility?

Will the Government provide the transition out plan from the incumbent to inform the offerors transition plan?

When are the F-306 and fingerprint forms due to the Government.

Are volume cover pages and TOC pages included in the page count?

Page 7 of Attachment 3 (3.0. EVALUATION PROCESS) indicates this is a labor-hour contract. However, the pricing template (Attachment 05) is set up as a Firm Fixed Price template. Which type of contract/pricing will be used?

Will the government extend the due date to allow adequate time for response now that the geographic restrictions has been lifted which will provide fair competition for new entries.

The government plans to evaluate conforming quotes by eligible 8(a) Offerors solicited via FBO, not GSA.

The determination has been made to move the solicitation closing date from 9/6/2019 to 10/2/2019 based on the Government's schedule.

What are the main focus areas (in terms of technology) where we should expect the heaviest incremental development impact during the incoming contract term (for example, Oracle, DB2 or C# or Java script or Cognos)?

Offerors are advised to thoroughly review the RFP and attachments and provide their best proposal. The government does not plan to pay a premium for on-call services.

Yes

Offerors are advised to thoroughly review the RFP and attachments and provide their best proposal.

Please review PWS Section 6.4 for SME description. Additionally, historically telework has been limited to after hour and inclement weather.

The travel CLIN is only available if the Government needs to send the Contractor's resources somewhere outside DFAS' local commuting area to perform work on this contract. The travel estimate is provided as a Government plug-in number. Travel costs are reimbursed in accordance with applicable Government rules as stated in the requirement.

There is no incumbent transition plan nor overlap between the incumbent and this requirement. The Offeror’s personnel must be available to commence work no later than the date of the contract effective date. Currently, the government plans for the contract effective date to be no earlier than 30 days after the date of contract award.

The government has internal staff who also work on these systems/programs. The Government Point of Contact (GPOC) is the government's technical liaison to the contractor. The COR manages all of the financial and administrative aspects of the contract.

Yes

The instruction states "Provide no more than five (5) past or current contracts (including Federal, State, local government, or private entity) for efforts similar to this requirement performed as a prime contractor within the last 5 years."

The GPOC is a person with whom the contractor's Program Manager will discuss technical issues with. The COR manages all of the financial and administrative aspects of the contract.

Offerors may fill-in the required information on the SF1449 using ink. Additionally, the RFP requires Offerors to submit their price proposal using the template supplied.

Offerors are advised to thoroughly review the RFP and attachments and provide their best proposal.

Offerors are advised to thoroughly review the RFP and attachments and provide their best proposal.

Offerors are advised to thoroughly review the RFP and attachments and provide their best proposal.

What is a GPOC and how does it differ from a COR? Is it Government Point of Contact?

Will any of the staff working on the current contract be available for rehire by the selected vendor? The Government does not have that information.

Can tables and figures (graphics) have font smaller than 12-point?

DMO currently has a data warehouse, and currently there's no plan for migration. Work related to DJMS or other mainframe systems will be limited to interfaces.

Offerors are advised to thoroughly review the RFP and attachments and provide their best proposal.

Based on the amendment that was just released for the DFAS DMO Integrated Support opportunity, Solicitation# HQ042319R0049, can you clarify if this means that holders of the 8(a) STARS II contract are eligible to bid on this

Do we need to get approval from you (or our local SBA 8(a) office) for Comtech bringing in the teaming firm before sending our response proposal?

Teaming information is provided in Section 3 of RFP Attachment 2, Instructions to Offerors.

May we know what roles are the Key Personnel for this solicitation? All resources are key personnel on this effort What type of security clearance is needed for each of the roles in this solicitation? There is no requirement for a security clearance, however, a public trust investigation is part of obtaining a CAC card, and has its own requirements.

What is the total number of users supported by the system?

Did you receive the expected level of support from the historical allocation of resources (1Data Base Analyst, 2 New Technology Specialists, 4 Subject Matter Experts and part time Program Manager)?

Completion of the SF1449 – This is not an easily fillable PDF so I have a couple questions. Are we supposed to repeat the Price data from the Price Proposal Template, on the SF1449 – pages 3 through 12? – It does not appear to be editable?

In the section “4.2.3 Technical Support for Application Engineering it states: develop a plan to transition DMO’s transactions to a database or warehouse structure” and in other places it mentions migration. It would help if we understood, whether there are plans for a data warehouse or what kind of migration to which this refers?

· If these are the input systems input system of record for Defense Joint Military Pay System (DJMS), is there any work related to that and other mainframe systems?

· Is there any relation to DFAS work which in addition to DISA, deals with Wright Patt systems or NSA?

Is there any information available about the how much of the work requirements are for each of the systems defined in Hardware and Software Environment: The DMO system is composed of several interrelated web-based applications.

• Transaction Reporting Module (Web DMO) –

• Web MMPA –

• DMO-BI – DMO-BI is a Cognos Analytics software based Business Intelligence re

• MILPAYSAM –

• User Administration Facility What has been the historical numbers for - how often are people called after-hours? Weekends?

- How often have personnel been on call? Each person

– what kind of response time is required - are some system more time-sensitive than others?

– Is it mostly “batch” processes after hours? Are online systems 24x7?

– is any premium permitted ( like repeated calls in the middle of the night are not 1 for 1 on hours during the normal work day?) On-Call. The Contractor shall provide on-call and after-hours support for projects (i.e., DMO) under this PWS if requested by the Contracting Officer’s Representative. On-call means if a contractor should receive a telephone call at home after they have completed a normal workday or extended hours at the Government or Contractor Site, the contractor is required to perform project work to resolve a problem from their home. If the problem cannot be resolved from home the Contractor personnel working on DMO projects having to do with testing and production problems shall be required to return to the Government site to resolve the problem. The Contractor shall keep an after-hours log of the phone call(s) and time spent connected to DISA Mechanicsburg systems while researching the problem. Time spent working after hours will decrease remaining hours required by that resource in the next business day(s).

What will qualify as a subject matter expert & which will permit – some amount of telework? Under what circumstances has this been permitted? If the DFAS customers are telecommuting (do they), may our staff ever telecommute as well?

(of course after some initial period totally on-site). 1.7.3 Place of Performance and Delivery: The work in this PWS shall be performed at the following location: Defense Finance and Accounting Service Cleveland (DFAS-CL) All labor categories except the Program Manager are based at the DFAS-CL site. Travel to government facilities is only allowed when approved in advance by the COR. We allow the flexibility to have Subject Matter Experts (SME) telework when the circumstances dictate the need to telework.

Can you confirm how the estimated Travel budget may be used?

· May any of it be used for the PM if they are outside of the 50 miles? Or if a SME is outside of the area?· Or, is it only meant for any travel required to other DFAS, DISA or other government sites as required on the project?

· What has been the requirements for travel for the people on this program?

Do you / does the incumbent have transition plans and overlap in order to full train and transition to our team?

Does DFAS have internal staff who also work on these systems/programs; and in what roles? Are any technical?

What are the largest areas of concerns with the suit of the DFAS DMO applications?

What are your typical trouble tickets?

Can you confirm that the IT Infrastructure handled internally by DFAS/DISA?

Regarding the number of Past Performance as noted in the Instructions to Offerors and in the Evaluation_Factors documents: · Are 5 different references required or if we submit several or a couple which are larger would that be compliant? Can you see our Open Ratings – where we were rated for 8(a) and for our Schedule 70? (We know that the t b d t di t l t f t f h k b t t i l t l d

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