Remaining PMOSS Questions

Remaining PMOSS Questions and Answers dated 5 May 2009

Question 1: Is budget performance modeling and simulation RFI “Linked” to this opportunity?

Answer 1: No, the PMOSS contractor will not be responsible for performance modeling and simulation. The PMO is acquiring another contractor to provide that support.

Question 2: Will you be driving accountability through use of performance budget processes and modeling in SBI, both to account for value added and to address systems engineering and priority “changes?”

Answer 2: Ultimately, yes. Part of our overall initiative for the next couple of years will be to create a more structured and quantitative approach to defining and measuring performance. We are also in the process of creating sets of tools to support activities like cost/benefit analysis, mission area analysis, analysis of alternatives, and operational effectiveness.

Question 3: One of the line items concerns performance management and metrics tracking. Can you elaborate on the need for this item, specifically, what metrics will be traded or at least how many and how are they currently tracked?

Answer 3: At present, we track and report a relatively limited number of metrics in a formal way. Those include things like earned value management metrics, some technical performance measures, and financial execution (obligations and expenditures against targets). However, as we build our capability and competency, we will drive to make much more extensive use of available metrics—especially by increasing the use of technical performance measures, risk tools, and more detailed status measures (e.g., production, mission capability and other reliability measures, discrepancies, change trends, etc.)

Question 4: What standard tools are currently in use for budgeting, program control, requirements management, and related disciplines that you want to continue to use going forward?

Answer 4: We use a variety of tools including DOORS, SAP, WorkLENZ, Microsoft Project, and a DHS program status tool known as nPRS. As we continue to develop, we will also be looking at adopting other tools based on our needs.

Question 5: What current efforts are going on to design the organization and the governance model for the SBI end state?

Answer 5: We have structured an organizational construct focused on the core competencies of business operations, systems engineering, and contracting. We are currently executing a human capital strategy to hire and retain adequate personnel for the organization. We have strengthened the governance structure, which consist primarily of a CBP Executive Steering Council composed of key senior executives. The ESC meets bi-weekly to review program status and make key decisions.

Question 6: What is the business architecture; what technology standards are being referred to? Are they available and can they be obtained?

Answer 6: References to business architecture and technology standards are conceptual. SBInet is still defining many of the specific tools and standards it will use going forward. The ultimate PMOSS contractor can support this effort by having a broad awareness of enterprise architecture concepts as well as types of tools or approaches that could support SBInet goals.

Question 7: Does the Government anticipate adding any software tools that relate to the PMOSS contract scope? Can you provide the names of currently preferred tools by type or name? (Ref: C.1.2; Pre Solicitation Questions and Government Answers #73) Answer 7: Please see Government response to question number four (4).

Question 8: Please review the document posted to ensure that it is complete, or in the alternative, provide some type of mechanism to facilitate small businesses such as mine contacting potential primes contractors.

Answer 8: The SBI Acquisition Office did not register attendees to the PMOSS Industry Day electronically; therefore, the AO did not capture specific names, telephone numbers, email addresses, etc. The Government reviewed the Excel file and found the file as you described. Although the file does not contain the information you desire, it identifies numerous companies, and was intended to be sent in that format. In other words, other information was not inadvertently left out. This requirement has been posted in FedBizOpps.gov and the DHS “ Fido.gov/DHS “ Advance Acquisition Plan since June 2008. The Government has made every effort to inform and include Small Business as much as possible.

Question 9: “Where may I locate the solicitation in regards to the efforts discussed under HSBP1209R2270?”

Answer 9: You must go to FedBizOpps.gov; and register as a user. https://www.fbo.gov/. After you register, you may then access information regarding the PMOSS procurement at the link below. On the right-hand column, you will see many attachments, including the draft RFP and other program artifacts. https://www.fbo.gov/?mode=form&id=f501ebd2dfaa2d9663c8c674967f2eac&tab=ntype. If you have difficulty finding the link, try searching by solicitation number HSBP1209R2270; if that doesn’t work try HSBP1209R2340. You may also perform a search by Department/Agency.

Question 10: To help Contractors plan to write a high quality proposal in response to the SBI Program Office Support RFP, can you please inform contractors of the expected number of days contractors will have to respond to the RFP (e.g., 45 days)? The Draft RFP discusses the importance of past performance, besides the brief description in the Past Performance Survey there is no section or request for detailed presentation of a firm's relevant past experience. Can you please explain why there is not a past performance volume or at a minimum a section for presenting relevant experience? If more information than that which is currently required in the Past Performance Survey is desired, can you please explain where you would like to have this information presented in the proposal?

Answer 10: The Government anticipates that after release of the formal RFP, offerors will be given thirty (30) days to respond to the RFP. The Government believes that the past performance survey is sufficient to address the past performance evaluation factor in section M.4.3 of the solicitation. The Government doesn’t require the offeror to provide written descriptions of the past performance qualifications in the body of the proposal. The RFP only requires submission of the past performance surveys. No additional past performance information is required. Offerors are not encouraged to provide additional information beyond that which is required because that information will not be evaluated. Only the three past performance surveys discussed in Attachment 6, Past Performance Questionnaire, will be evaluated.

Pre-Solicitation Responses to Questions, Question 140 is incorrect as it reads “However, offerors may provide additional information at their discretion.” The correct response to Question 140 should read “Offerors are not required to submit past performance surveys for their subcontractors. Section L.7.3 has been revised to remove the requirement for subcontractor past performance surveys. The Government doesn’t require the offeror to provide written descriptions of the past performance qualifications and points of contact in the body of the proposal. The RFP only requires submission of the past performance surveys.” Offerors are not encouraged to provide additional information beyond that which is required because that information will not be evaluated. For evaluation purposes, only the three past performances discussed in Attachment 6, Past Performance Questionnaire will be evaluated.

Question 11: Your updated draft RFP indicates that proposals are due on May 26. Should we consider this the FINAL RFP or do you plan to amend the date?

Answer 11: The Updated Draft RFP dated 23 April 2009 is not the Final RFP. The RFP proposal due date will be determined by the date the RFP is officially released.

Question 12: With regard to the above-referenced solicitation, do you anticipate posting Q&A to FBO prior to releasing the RFP? The answers would help us to continue to prepare our draft response. I'm certain that other offerors would benefit similarly.

Answer 12: The Government released responses to Industry questions on 20 March 2009 via FBO.

Question 13: Do you intend to release the RFP today?

Answer 13: No.

Question 14: Please clarify whether the period of performance for Task Order 1 and Task Order 2 is for multiple years, and if so how many? Are options being considered under these task orders? If so, are they part of this solicitation request?

Answer 14: The term of task order (TO) 1 is one year. The period of performance is from Date of Award through 12 months. TO 2 (Tactical Infrastructure) is no longer a requirement under the IDIQ contract. Options will not be considered in TO1. However, the IDIQ contract will include 2 one-year options. The IDIQ labor rates for the option years will be evaluated for price reasonableness.

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