Response to Questions Full Proposals(1).doc

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington, DC 20528

April 21, 2008 RE: Solicitation No. HSHQDC-08-R-00011 This replaces the response to questions posted on April 21, 2008. The second paragraph has been corrected to reflect the deadline for questions in response to full proposals date of April 11, 2008, 12:00 noon, local time.

The following questions were received through FedConnect on or before the deadline for submission of questions on April 11, 2008, 12:00 noon local time regarding the submission of full proposals as required by the solicitation instructions. The questions are stated verbatim as they were posted at www.fedconnect.net . The responses to the questions received by the date/time specified in the solicitation are provided herein.

As stated in the Solicitation No. HSHQDC-08-R-00011, Section 7.1, the deadline for receipt of questions for full proposals was April 11, 2008, 12:00 noon, local time through FedConnect at www.fedconnect.net Questions received after that date/time and questions submitted through any other mechanism, as stated in the solicitation, will not be addressed.

The responses to the below questions does not in any way amend or change the solicitation. If any changes are made to the solicitation, an amendment will be issued.

1. Since draft Statements of Work are required for follow-on phases (Phases II-V), may the associated cost summaries in Volume II be rough cost estimates, with detailed proposals to be provided in each phase for the subsequent phase.

Response: There must be a direct relationship between a price/cost proposal and the applicable Statement of Work (SOW). If a SOW is in draft form, a related cost/price proposal cannot be finalized until the SOW is finalized. The subsequent Phases (Phases II-V) may or may not occur. If the government decides to pursue a subsequent Phase, a letter of invitation will be issued with clear instructions for submission of a cost/price proposal.

It is understood that due to results obtained, progress made, and unexpected development of new issues during phase I, out-phases may need to be adjusted in both effort and cost. Also, out-phase costs would become more clear as a program moves forward towards those out-phases.

2. The BAA mentions in section 4.2.3.2 Statement of Work to "Provide detailed statements of work (SOW), by task, for proposed Phase I work. Provide a draft Statement of Work for the follow on phases." If Phase I is a detailed statement of work, a firm quote for this phase should be expected. Since the follow on phases are just draft statements of works, which is the required type of quote for the follow on phases: a firm quote or a ROM (Rough Order of Magnitude) quote?

Response: Of the two types of quotes mentioned in the question, a ROM would be adequate for the out-phases; however, a more detailed quote would be required for the out-phases were the program to advance into the out-phases; this more detailed quote would be needed at the time a detailed SOW is created for each out-phase prior to advance into each out-phase.

3. We have a question concerning the subject BAA. On Page 39 of the proposal, there is a question about whether the IT requirement section 3052.204-70 "Security Requirements for Unclassified IT Resources" will apply to us? It requires us to write a security plan for all systems connected to a DHS network or operated by the Contractor for DHS, regardless of location. If we do not require any connection to the DHS network for conducting our proposed programs, we assume that this would not apply. Can you verify that our understanding is correct?

Response: The requirement for a security plan is based on more than whether a connection is made to a DHS network. The requirement is based more on security issues for sensitive information which may be included in such systems, irrespective of whether they are connected or not connected to a DHS network. Refer to Solicitation No. HSHQDC-08-R-00011, Section 8, Clause 3052.204-70, Security Requirements for Unclassified Information Technology Resources (JUN 2006).

4. DNDO anticipates awarding contracts with a base period and up to four option periods. No individual phase shall exceed 12 months so that the maximum total period of performance is five years. Is DNDO willing to accept and fund proposals in which any given Phase, and in particular Phase I, exceeds a 12 month period, and yet the overall project will be completed within 5 years?

Response: No.

5. We sincerely appreciate the Panel's positive review of our White Papers and their encouragement to submit Full Proposals. We are very pleased and plan to submit proposals. The Panel's comments, however, include a number of suggestions for the full proposals, consideration of which will require additional time. Combined with the fact that we received your notices on 2 and 3 April and key members of our team will be out of the office next week, we respectfully suggest a general extension of the due date for the full proposal until May 9.

Response: There will be no extension to the due date or time for receipt of full proposals.

6. Two questions on this solicitation. First, would DHS like proposers to utilize any particular company, brand, model, etc., of commercial CZT detector as the benchmark standard? Second, may a given firm submit more than one proposal?

Response 1: There is a little ambiguity in the question posed as it is not clear what this standard would be used for. Nevertheless, DHS does not at this time define a preference to any particular benchmark standard. However, it makes sense to use one of the better performing detectors since DNDO is pushing the performance of these detectors. Furthermore, whatever detector is selected, it should be made clear why that particular detector was/is chosen over other available products.

Response 2: Firms may submit more than one proposal, however, if more than one proposal is submitted, it must cover a separate topic area. Multiple proposals cannot cover the same topic area.

7. The BAA specifically states that National Laboratories cannot participate in this solicitation. Does this mean that we cannot prime the effort and have them on a team? Are there any vehicles that could allow participation and cooperation between us and a national laboratory regarding a subject of mutual interest described in this solicitation?

Response 1: This information is clearly addressed in Section 5, subsection 5.1 of Solicitation No. HSHQDC-08-R-00011. As specified in that section, National Laboratories may not propose directly as prime contractors, but may team/subcontract with other organizations. Prospective offerors are strongly encouraged to fully and completely read that section and the entire solicitation.

Response 2: No, not in this solicitation. However, Solicitation No. HSHQDC-08-R-00015

(CFP08-01) was issued on January 25, 2008 and allows national laboratories to team/subcontract with private industry and/or academic institutions on similar topic areas.

8. The following questions pertain to topic ERT-03: Active Integration, sub-topic 2.3.2 Advanced Sources. Specifically the questions are in regard to the ¿tunable, high-duty, monochromatic photon source with a selectable set of highly-repeatable energies with automatic energy selection.

Response: It is up to prospective offerors to make the case for their chosen source parameters in relation to the particular application venue(s) they are addressing.

9. Can you please indicate the maximum value of program that will be considered under this BAA?

Response: This information is clearly addressed in Section 1.4 of Solicitation No. HSHQDC-08-R-00011. There is no maximum value for any particular award. Each proposal will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria specified in Section 6 of the solicitation.

10.

We did not receive an email from Fedconnect that this BAA was posted.

Response: This is the same question posted for the white paper process. A modification to the Pre-Solicitation Notice was posted on Fedbizopps on January 28, 2008, which stated that Solicitation No. HSHQDSC-08-R-00011 was issued through FedConnect. In addition, a second modification was posted on Fedbizopps on February 4, 2008, which provided a direct link to FedConnect to access the solicitation. On February 11, 2008, the solicitation was posted on Fedbizopps at www.fedbizopps.gov . FedConnect is not a system that provides notifications to the business community. The original Pre-Solicitation Notice posted on Fedbizopps clearly advised prospective offerors that the solicitation would be issued through FedConnect and indicated that FedConnect was the only mechanism through which the solicitation, questions, white papers and full proposals could be submitted.

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