Questions_and_Answers.pdf

LIVESCAN HSSCCG-15-R-00024

Questions and Answers

1. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.16: The camera shall be able to be positioned on either the left or right side of the cabinet, as determined by the operator.” We intend to propose an ergonomic solution where the face capture is performed from the same position of the individual where fingerprint capture occurs. That is, the person does not need to move around for the face capture, while the height of the camera is automatically adjusted to the person height. The camera is always located in the center of the cabinet and does not have to be moved left or right. Would this solution be acceptable?

Answer: The camera must be able to be positioned on the left and right sides of the LiveScan system. This is required due to the varied physical layouts of the Application Support Centers.

2. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.29: The camera shall include drivers that allow an external application to control the camera remotely (i.e. allow the Livescan application to control the zoom, pan, tilt, etc. of the camera).” There are no point-and-shoot cameras on the market that have remote control of pan and tilt since the cameras are attached to a stationary mount or a tripod. Please advise if a separate pan and tilt mechanism is required, or if the we can use a purpose-built face capture camera that adjusts in height to the eye level of the individual via its drivers thus ensuring

ISO-compliant neutral pose capture.

Answer: SOW 3.3.1.29 shall be revised.

3. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.28: The camera shall include drivers that allow an external application to control the camera remotely (i.e. allow the Livescan application to control the zoom, pan, tilt, etc. of the camera).” While the remote capture triggering via USB drivers has been available 5-10 years ago from Canon, Nikon and Olympus, the support of that feature has been universally discontinued in the point-and-shoot form factor. The modern cameras supporting remote capture are only of SLR type, bulky, cumbersome in use and not satisfying requirements of size and weight. Please advise if an SLR camera can be used, or if we can use a purpose-built face capture camera that ensures ISO Standard compliant capture and operates automatically, without requiring any manual adjustments.

Answer: SOW 3.3.1.28 shall be revised.

4. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.32: The camera shall include a built-in flash.” Our purpose-built face camera utilizes a set of powerful computer-controlled LED lights that turn on during the capture to illuminate the face from multiple directions. The intensity from different directions is dynamically adjusted to compensate for the non-uniform ambient lighting as per ISO Standard requirements, while the use of LEDs prevents blinding people and the annoyance to office occupants. Will this solution be acceptable?

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.1.32 shall be deleted.

5. Question “SOW 3.4.26 Threshold: the Livescan application shall include basic photo editing capabilities (pan, crop, zoom, brightness, contrast, sharpness, etc.) so that the operator may make adjustments to the photo(s) prior to submission; Objective:

the Livescan application shall, in addition to threshold capabilities, remove background artifacts and noise such that photos are suitable for facial recognition and card production.” Face photographic capture guidelines for documents, such as visas or passport, discourage any post-processing of images as it may distort the photographic likeness of the person, as well as can make the photograph unusable in face recognition databases they are used for deduplication and watchlist applications. The ISO Standard in particular stipulates: “8.4.2 Post-acquisition processing. No other post processing than in-plane rotation and/or cropping and/or down sampling and/or multiple compressions shall be applied to derive a Full

Frontal Face image from a captured image”. Assuming that our system already automatically produces images in accordance with the ISO Standard, with the face eye positions properly centered, does USCIS still require manual editing operations?

Answer: Manual editing capabilities are required.

6. Question: “SOW 2.0 Scope…: As USCIS requirements evolve, the Livescan systems provided shall be capable of capturing and transmitting additional biometrics data

(e.g., iris, pressed 2-print images, etc.) with minor component and configuration changes.” Please elaborate on the “pressed 2-print images” since the Livescan systems would already have a FAP 60 fingerprint scanner which is capable of capturing 2-print images.

Answer: A FAP 45 or FAP 60 scanner would allow for pressed 2-print image capture, however, the Livescan application would also need to allow for this type of capture.

7. Question: “FAR Clause 52.216-19 Order Limitations”: Please advise what the

$12,000,000 maximum value refers to:

a. The initial order for 540 cabinets, 5 card scanners and 180 mobile systems with their support for year 1 and the removal of old equipment, or

b. The entire contract, including 675 cabinets, 6 card scanners, 225 mobile systems, as well as the removal of old equipment and maintenance and support in Options 1-4, or

c. The lines 0001-0004 of the Schedule of Services, including 675 cabinets, 6 card scanners, 225 mobile systems and the removal of old equipment but NOT including maintenance and support in Options 1-4.

Answer: The dollar value listed in paragraph (b)(1) of FAR clause 52.216-19 refers to the value of any single order issued under the contract above which the contractor is not obligated to honor. This may include items from any of the line items available during a given ordering period.

8. Question: What standards should the facial image capture process be compliant with? Our understanding is that captured image is to be used for Green Card production and also for submission to the FBI NGI, Canadian, Indian, UK, Irish and other visa processing systems. Image submission for all these applications requires

Full Frontal photographic image type in compliance with ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37

Biometrics 19794-5, Biometric data interchange formats – Part 5: Face image data

Standard, which specifies uniform lighting, neutral pose, resolution and other image parameters. The ISO Standard is based on its predecessor ANSI/NIST Standard of

2004, while the ICAO requirements for the travel documents photo capture, such as those in visas, directly borrows from the ISO Standard. Please confirm that the compliance with the ISO industry-accepted Standard is at the core of the photo capture requirements.

Answer: USCIS uses the NIST standards that comprise the EBTS v10 specs.

However, pose, resolution, etc. are all configurations that can be set for different workflows within the LiveScan application. For example, USCIS images are captured at 96ppi, while UKVISA is 300ppi.

9. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.28: The camera shall be a digital point and shoot camera.” We intend to use a purpose-built camera that ensures fast and high-quality ISO-compliant photographic capture and also compensates for non-uniform lighting. The camera is fully integrated into the cabinet and mobile systems, no wires are exposed and no is tripod required, while still capturing quality photos of all categories or people including those on wheelchairs. Are we still compliant with the requirements?

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.1.28 shall be revised.

10. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.33: The camera shall have an optical zoom of 3X or greater.”

Our camera is purpose-built for biometric ISO-compliant capture. It insures fast and high-quality face capture without any zooming thus meeting anticipated business needs. Please confirm that this requirement would still apply.

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.1.33 shall be deleted.

11. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.34: The camera shall be able to capture 5.0 megapixel photos or greater.” Our camera is purpose-built for face biometric capture, and its mechanized height adjustment allows for capturing of high quality photographs with required ISO-compliant resolution without any post-processing. Does the megapixel requirement still apply?

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.1.34 shall still apply.

12. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.35: Threshold: the camera shall have a rechargeable battery;

Objective: the camera shall have a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.” Our camera is fully integrated into the cabinet and mobile devices and thus does not require any battery thus reducing the maintenance burden. Are we still in compliance?

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.1.35 shall be deleted.

13. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.37: The camera shall have a built-in tripod mount.” Please confirm that this requirement does not apply if the camera is fully integrated into the cabinet body and auto-adjusts in height.

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.1.37 shall be deleted.

14. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.8: The cabinet's fingerprint scanner shall be able to slide outward up to eight (8) inches from the cabinet towards an applicant, so that applicants in wheelchairs are easily accommodated for fingerprint capture.” If the cabinet is already ergonomically designed where the fingerprint sensor is extended outward by 8 inches from the cabinet body thus allowing comfortable fingerprinting of all categories of people including those on wheelchairs, then there appears no need for additional sliding mechanism. Please confirm that such design would be acceptable.

Answer: If the cabinet is designed where the fingerprint sensor is extended outward by 8 inches from the cabinet body, thus allowing comfortable fingerprinting of all categories of people including those on wheelchairs, then there would be no need for an additional sliding mechanism.

15. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.19: Fingerprint Scanner shall have dimensions no larger than

6 inches long by 6 inches wide by 3 inches tall. 3.3.1.20 Fingerprint Scanner shall weigh no more than one (1) pound.” There are no fingerprint scanners on the market that meet these requirements, to be best of our knowledge. The smallest FBI-certified or FBI-certification-pending scanner has dimensions of 5.2” x 4.5” x 3.3” and weighs 1.4 pounds. Please clarify this requirement.

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.1.19 shall be revised.

16. Question: “SOW 3.1 FBI Certification”: The fingerprint sensor that we consider using does not have FBI certification, but its certification is expected with high confidence by mid-July, 2015. Please confirm that the use of this sensor is acceptable, given our confidence in ensuring FBI certification by the time of the system deployment.

Answer: The fingerprint scanner must be FBI certified by the time of proposal submission.

17. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.40.1: The signature pad shall have a minimum cord length of ten (10) feet from the front of the machine.” We intend to place the signature pad next to the fingerprint sensor ergonomically in a location within reach of applicants including those on wheelchairs. Please confirm that this design approach is acceptable.

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.1.40.1 shall still apply.

18. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.13: The keyboard shall have adjustable height and angle capability in order to help prevent injuries to operators. SOW 3.3.1.43 USB Mouse.”

If the intended data entry is via touchscreen, with adjustable height and angled, do we still need a physical keyboard and the mouse?

Answer: The requirements at SOW 3.3.1.13 and SOW 3.3.1.43 shall still apply.

19. “3.3.1.43 USB Mouse”. Please advise if the mouse is needed if it is not required for operating the software where data fields are switched using the touchscreen of the keyboard.

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.1.43 shall still apply.

20. Does the cabinet require a shelf, a flat surface area or a clipboard for, possibly, holding applicant’s paperwork, or can the existing ASC furniture be used instead for those purposes?

Answer: The requirement that the cabinet may have a flat work area shall be added to the SOW.

21. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.41 Flatbed FD-258 card scanners (one per ASC): This device shall be FBI-certified.” Does the flatbed scanner need to be mechanically integrated with the cabinet, or can it be placed on the available ASC furniture and USB-connected to the cabinet?

Answer: The scanner shall connect to the cabinet via USB. The scanner shall not be integrated into the cabinet.

22. Question: “SOW 3.3.2.2: A windows-based tablet…” Would USCIS consider a fully integrated ruggedized suitcase-format device instead as an acceptable form-factor?

The device would utilize the same motherboard in the cabinet system thus reducing the number of maintainable components, as well as would have the same face acquisition camera and lighting mechanism.

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.2.3 shall still apply.

23. Question: “SOW 3.3.2.16: The tablet shall be capable of reading 1D and 2D barcodes without an additional device (i.e. using the tablet's camera).” While tablet cameras easily capture 2D barcodes, 1D barcode capture is, in general, much less reliable.

Can the requirement be amended to specify 2D barcodes only since printing 2D barcodes may be enforced by USCIS at their web online application?

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.2.16 shall still apply.

24. Question: “SOW 3.3.2.18: The camera shall be the same make and model used in the cabinet Livescan version.” Some tablets have good quality face cameras that may be used for ISO-compliant face capture, thus negating the need of having a second camera in the Mobile solution. The same make and model of the camera cannot be reproduced in the cabinet form factor as it is tablet vendor proprietary. Please advise if the rear-facing tablet camera can still be used if we intend to use the same face image capture and quality assessment software and thus generating the same

ISO-compliant consistent quality face images.

Answer: The camera that is required with the mobile Livescan system shall be the same make and model as the camera required for the cabinet Livescan system. This is separate from the built-in tablet camera.

25. Question: “SOW 3.3.2.26: The system shall include a durable hard shell, four spinner wheeled carry-on suitcase (with telescoping handle) with cut foam inside, to store all components...” Can a shoulder strap be acceptable instead of wheels on the suitcase, given that the suitcase is relatively lightweight?

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.2.26 shall still apply.

26. Question: “SOW 3.3.2.26: The case shall meet the requirements of airline carry-on luggage and shall be no larger than 22 inches long by 14 inches wide by 9 inches tall.” The requirements for the carry-on size vary across US airlines and on average slightly exceeds the stated IATA recommendations, with Southwest being one of the most generous with 24”x 16” x 10”, while some other airlines only state the total

L+W+H dimensions. We have carry-on travel-tested our case around the world never experiencing any issues, including when checking the luggage was required on small aircraft. However, we may exceed the W dimension by an inch and a half. Will it disqualify our solution?

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.2.26 shall still apply.

27. Question: “SOW 3.3.2.23: The system shall include a physical mouse that can connect to the tablet wirelessly.” Since the Mobile device is to be equipped with a keyboard and a touchscreen, the mouse does not appear necessary or practical, and it is not required for operating our software. Please confirm if the mouse is required, and if it is, then in what circumstances.

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.2.23 shall still apply.

28. Question: “SOW 3.3.2.3: The tablet shall be ruggedized (or in a ruggedized case) that meets MIL STD 810G 516.6, and is durable for field use.” Please confirm that this

MIL 516.6 requirement does apply to the carrying case and the fingerprint sensor.

Answer: MIL STD 810G 516.6 is applicable for the tablet and does not apply to the fingerprint scanner.

29. What is the anticipated timing for the Phase 2 (demonstration)? How much time will be provided for the demo preparation after the submission deadline on June 29th?

Answer: Demonstrations shall be held once the government selects the offerors to proceed to phase 2 of the evaluation. A specific timeline cannot be provided;

however, offerors selected for a demonstration shall have one week to make arrangements.

30. The Technical Volume appears to be required as a part of the June 29th proposal submission. However, it is not intended to be reviewed until Phase 3. Can Technical

Volume be amended and enhanced during Phase 2?

Answer: The government reserves the right to hold discussions at any time during the evaluation. If discussions are held, offerors shall be given the opportunity to revise proposals. The government intends to make award without discussions.

Therefore, offerors are encouraged to submit their best proposals in their initial proposal submissions.

31. Question: Instructions to Offerors for Proposal Submission, Phase 1, pg. 28, Are a

Cover Page, Cover Letter, and Table of Contents included in the five (5) page count of the White Paper?

Answer: No, the Cover Page, Cover Letter, and Table of Contents are not included in the five (5) page count of the White Paper.

32. Question: SOW 3.2.4: What standard will be used while encoding demographic information onto the 2D barcode? Is it based on AAMVA?

Answer: The 2D barcode uses a custom schema, which will be provided after contract award.

33. Question: SOW 3.2.18: Please confirm that identity verification is not required in the off-line mode.

Answer: Identity verification is not required in the off-line mode.

34. Question: SOW 3.3: For external keyboard, please define the min/max height and tilt requirements.

Answer: Specifications for the cabinet external keyboard (minimum or maximum height, and angle of tilt) shall conform to standard commercial specifications.

35. Question: SOW 3.3.1: Would the government consider the UPS to be sized such that it allows for a graceful exit of the application? We think that limiting it to a 15-30 minute operation may be more appropriate.

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.1.3 shall still apply.

36. Question: SOW 3.3.1.41: In SF 1449 in Document HSSCCG-15-R-00024.pdf, there is no line item for individual card scan machines for each of the ASCs. However, Section 3.3.1.41 states “Flatbed FD-258 card scanners (one per ASC).” Since USCIS is expecting a single card scanner for each ASC, do you plan to place it on some existing piece of furniture within each ASC? Or it is expected to be an integrated part of one of the cabinet systems in each ASC?

Answer: A line item shall be added to capture the flatbed scanners.

37. Question: SOW 3.3.2.18: For the Mobile System requirement, it appears that USCIS wants to use a built-in camera for scanning the barcodes and a separate camera for taking the photographs. Please clarify if the understanding about the requirement to have two separate cameras is correct.

Answer: That is correct.

38. Question: SOW 3.3.3.6: Please clarify if the 5 FD-258 flatbed scanners in the Service

Centers have to be identical to those in the 138 ASCs?

Answer: Yes, the 5 FD-258 flatbed scanners have to be identical (make and model) to those in the 138 ASCs.

39. Question: SOW 3.4.13: Does the statement "ability to control the speed of fingerprint capture" mean manual capture option for fingerprints? If not, can you please elaborate the statement?

Answer: Manual capture option is an appropriate definition of the statement.

40. Question: SOW 3.4.21: How long do the two sets of fingerprints have to be stored on the Livescan system? What workflow is used for transmitting the second set if the first set is returned from FBI as unclassifiable?

Answer: The two sets of fingerprints have to be stored on the Livescan system until either the operator deletes them or the Solid State Drive (SSD) becomes full and begins to overwrite the oldest records. The operator shall be able to retrieve a record via a search and then be able to resubmit using the 2nd set of fingerprints.

41. Question: SOW 10.1: How many training sessions does USCIS expect for on-site training of operators and supervisors? Will the 800 individuals be separated into batches?

Answer: Training shall occur on the same day that the new Livescan systems are installed. The individuals to be trained will be separated into groups by location.

42. Question: SOW 10.2: How many training sessions does USCIS expect for virtual training?

Answer: USCIS expects approximately 4 virtual training sessions.

43. Question: SOW 10.2: Please elaborate the training scope for the RAIO program.

Answer: The scope/content shall be the same as for the ASC Program. The training should explain the components of the system, how to use them, demonstrate how to use the system, and explain any precautions/maintenance necessary to keep the mobile systems in good operating condition.

44. Question: SOW 11: Will the government consider service requests to Saipan, Guam, and Virgin Islands on a T&M basis.

Answer: No, this procurement shall be Firm Fixed Price.

45. Question: SOW 11: Is there a transition period or does O&M support for the devices begin upon contract award, after each device is refreshed, or after the entire refresh is completed?

Answer: Operations and Maintenance support will begin once all Livescan systems have been successfully deployed.

46. Question: SOW 11: Can spare Livescan Systems be utilized during O&M repair activities?

Answer: Yes, however any spares must be part of the Contractor’s inventory, not that of USCIS. The SOW shall be edited to capture this requirement.

47. Question: SOW and Attachment D refer to Desktop Systems, with a requirement of

100 units. However, the SOW refers to these as Card Scan systems. Are they the same system? If so, are 6 units required (per SF1449), or are 100 units required (as suggested in Attachment D).

Answer: Desktop and Card Scan systems are not the same.

48. Question: Attachments D, F: When reviewing SF 1449, Attachment D and

Attachment F, some inconsistencies in the number of Livescan devices have been noted. For example, Attachment F states that 180 Mobile Systems and 540 Cabinet

Systems will need to be deployed, while Attachment D suggests that only 100 Mobile

Systems and 400 Cabinet Systems are required across the location. These numbers are different than those listed in the solicitation. Can the Government explain the discrepancy and provide an accurate number of how many units is needed per each type of system, respectively?

Answer: Cabinet systems will require installation at Application Support Centers (ASC), as identified in Attachment F. Mobile systems will not require installation at the ASCs, but will need to be delivered to the Biometrics Division Headquarters in Washington, DC, as specified in Attachment F. Attachment D shows current locations of systems, and has been revised to show 440 cabinet systems, 100 desktop systems, 185 mobile systems, and 5 Card Scan Systems (a total of 730 systems) for disposal.

49. Question: Attachment E: The data flow diagram shows that the card biometrics data from the ESB is sent to BBSS Central whereas 10-print transactions are sent to

BBSS Service Center. Do 10-print Transactions and Card Biometric Transactions relate to the biographic data and biometrics captured from Livescan and Card Scan systems respectively? We understand that 10-print Transactions have to be transmitted in the EBTS format. What is the format of the Card Biometric

Transactions?

Answer: The 10-print transactions and non-10-print transactions are both currently transmitted in the EFTS format and will need to be during deployment of the new Livescan systems. However, USCIS expects to move to the EBTS format shortly thereafter.

50. Question: SOW 14.0: This deduction shall be 3% per day, up to a maximum of 15% per billing cycle, for a service request that remains open beyond the required timeframes stated in paragraphs 11.7.2.4 through 11.7.2.8. Deductions shall be accounted for on the invoice submitted for the billing cycle immediately following the cycle during which the delay to performance occurred. In the case of the delay occurring during the last cycle of a performance period, the invoice corresponding to that cycle shall be delayed so as to account for appropriate deductions. The

Contractor may be required to amend the invoice to capture the deductions. The

Contractor shall not incur deductions when Acts of God (e.g. weather), Government actions (e.g., denial of facilities access), or other events outside of Contractor control prevent the Contractor from providing remedial action within the required timeframes. Exceptions to the timeframes stated shall be addressed on a case by case basis and adjudicated by the Government. Question - If USCIS intends to implement performance reductions, per 14.0, could you provide some clarification about how this would be applied to the Applicant Service Center contract?

Answer: The SOW applies to this requirement only.

51. Question: SOW 20.0, and Attachment B: Please detail which functions will require

EOD clearance and which will simply require a USCIS site escort. Some functions in question are: 1) hardware installation; 2) software installation; 3) onsite training; 4)

O&M support onsite; 5) remote software maintenance; 6) onsite remedial hardware maintenance; 7) preventative maintenance; 8) software enhancements; 9) technical support by phone; 10) disposal of old equipment; and 11) project manager

Answer: Any activities that require USCIS network access (which, is required to logon to a Livescan system), will require an EOD. Therefore, all of the above functions will require an EOD, except # 9, 10, and 11.

52. Question: SOW 20 and Attachment B: If any of the roles listed above require EOD'd personnel, would the Government be willing to delay deployment by 3-6 months to allow sufficient time to get resources cleared? Current conditions at OPM suggest that more time will be required to clear personnel.

Answer: The timeline in SOW 4.0 shall not be changed. The timeline allows for EOD of personnel.

53. Question: SOW 17.0: What is the purpose of WPaaS access and GFE for the awardee? Additionally, which functions will require access and GFE?

Answer: WPaaS and GFE allow access to the USCIS network, which is required for remote access to the Livescan machines and for using Configuration Manager to push patches and software updates to the Livescan machines.

54. Question: SF1449, Page 7, The SF1449 identifies this procurement as a full and open competition. On page 7, the clause associated with 52.219-4, Notice of Price

Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns, is not checked. Does

USCIS intend to apply the Price Evaluation Preference to potential HUBZone certified offerors?

Answer: The government shall not grant preference to HUBZone offerors.

55. Question: Instructions to Offerors for Proposal Submission: In reference to Phase 1 of the primary bid document, will past performance be evaluated based on the proposed equipment having already been deployed in the field in similar quantities?

Answer: Past performance submitted by offerors should consist of services performed or commodities provided similar to the requirements of this solicitation.

56. Question: Instructions to Offerors for Proposal Submission: In reference to Phase 1 of the primary bid document, will the Government require that the proposed equipment is (currently?) on a GSA contract schedule?

Answer: This is an open market solicitation. Items do not have to be on a GSA Schedule pricelist.

57. Question: Instructions to Offerors for Proposal Submission: In the Phase 1 section of the primary bid document, the instructions say that the White Paper should

“demonstrate that offeror can meet or exceed the requirements in….Section 3.1 (FBI compliance). Other than providing an FBI certification letter, how should this additionally be demonstrated in the White Paper?

Answer: FBI certification is required and may be demonstrated through an FBI certification letter or listed on the FBI’s website of FBI approved devices. In addition to FBI certification, a company may choose to list any of their product’s specifications that exceed those of the FBI’s minimum specifications required for certification.

58. Question: Instructions to Offerors for Proposal Submission: In reference to Phase 2 of the primary bid document, during the demonstration phase, is it expected that the products proposed are the exact products that must be demonstrated?

Answer: Yes, the products proposed must be the exact products demonstrated during the demonstration phase.

59. Question: In reference to Section 3.0 of the SOW, how will a fingerprint scanner’s performance and speed be evaluated?

Answer: Regarding requirement 3.2.3, during the demonstration phase, the government will time the demonstrator as he/she enters basic biographic information into the application and collects a full set of rolled fingerprints, a photograph, and a signature.

60. Question: In reference to Section 3.0 of the SOW, how will the Government evaluate a vendor’s ability to provide sufficient parts and supplies, and what will be considered acceptable manufacturing times?

Answer: The SOW reference does not correspond with the question. Sufficient parts and supplies will be evaluated as part of section 11 in the SOW and the vendor’s approach should be addressed in the written part of the technical evaluation.

Acceptable manufacturing times for the initial deployment of the Livescan systems are those that meet the timelines specified in section 4.0 of the SOW: the deployment period will begin approximately 11 weeks after award and must be completed within 6 months after award. Acceptable manufacturing times for replacement parts are those that would allow the Contractor to meet the timelines specified in section 11.7.2 of the SOW.

61. Question: In reference to Section 3.0 of the SOW, are all proposed components of a solution required to be generally available for sale to Commercial and Government customers at the time of bid response, at the time of demonstration, or at the time of delivery?

Answer: The proposed components of a solution (and the solution in its entirety) must be available and demonstrated at the time of the demonstration.

62. Question: In reference to Section 3.1 of the SOW, since the FBI’s Appendix F certification is basically the “floor” for quality required for submission of fingerprints, how will the factor of image quality from the fingerprint scanner be evaluated amongst FBI certified devices?

Answer: The government does not have a way to evaluate image quality beyond the FBI certification specs of 500ppi fingerprint scanners, as required in section 3.2.2 of the SOW.

63. Question: In reference to item 3.2.4 from the SOW, regarding 2D barcode scanning, is there a specific data encoding standard that is expected, such as AAMVA

(American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators)?

Answer: The 2D barcode schema is custom and will be provided to the winning offeror after award.

64. Question: In reference to item 3.2.15, what type of information should be collected for non-repudiation?

Answer: The type of information that should be collected for non-repudiation is: who viewed/created/edited/deleted a biometrics record at the application-level and at the Operating System (OS)-level, this data will automatically be captured through the OS and settings that are provided by the government.

65. Question: In reference to 3.3.1.30, do these size requirements also include housing for the pan and tilt mechanics, or is it simply the size of the camera body?

Answer: These size requirements are only for the size of the camera body.

66. Question: Item 3.3.1.7 of the SOW references the power adjustable height. Is there an acceptable height (from the ground) variance to accommodate this requirement, such as requiring that the enrollment deck must be adjustable from 30 inches to 48 inches from the ground?

Answer: Specific heights (i.e. distances from the ground) have not been determine;

however, the system must reasonably accommodate small children, handicapped individuals in wheelchairs, and individuals over 6 feet tall, as specified in section 3.3.1.7.

67. Question: In the SOW, item 3.3.1.11 states that the cabinet shall be able to physically restart and power on/off the computer from the outside rear of the locking enclosure; is the intent of this requirement that the cabinet does not need to be unlocked in order to reset the kiosk?

Answer: That is correct, the intention is that the cabinet will not need to be unlocked in order to reset the Livescan system.

68. Question: Item 3.3.1.15 of the SOW states that the camera shall be height adjustable to capture individuals at either standing or seated height; does changing the angle of the camera to accommodate height variances (tilt function) acceptable to meet this requirement?

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.1.15 shall apply. Changing the angle of the camera does not satisfy the requirement of height adjustable.

69. Question: In Sections 3.3.1.17, 3.3.1.18, 3.3.1.19, 3.3.1.20 and Attachment J, the device requested must be a FAP 60, FBI Certified device (Appendix F) that measures 6” x 6” x 3”, and weighs no more than one pound. In reviewing the FBI website of certified devices, there are no devices listed as FBI approved that meet this requirement. What is the underlying negative side effect of a device that is slightly heavier and taller?

Answer: SOW 3.3.1.18, 3.3.1.19, and 3.3.1.20 shall be revised.

70. Question: In reference to 3.3.2.2, is it acceptable to use Windows 8 on the mobile tablet, or must the tablet start with Windows 7 support?

Answer: Windows 8 is not yet an approved Operating System on the USCIS network and therefore, must start with Windows 7.

71. Question: In reference to item 3.3.2.20, in the mobile solution, if the camera is integrated into the tablet, is the tripod requested to hold the tablet itself?

Answer: The tripod is to support the external camera.

72. Question: In reference to item 3.4.13, what type of settings are being requested to control the speed of the fingerprint capture?

Answer: Offerors should provide a solution that could either slow down or speed up the fingerprint capture.

73. Question: In reference to item 3.4.23, since a single fingerprint at 1” x 1” does not meet the minimum size requirements of the FBI Appendix F standard (Table 41), should this instead be 1.5” x 1.6”?

Answer: SOW 3.4.23 shall be deleted.

74. Question: In reference to section 11.5 of the SOW, what is the intended notification mechanism to alert the contractor that a security patch has been released, and what are examples of third party software vendors in question?

Answer: The USCIS Image lab will provide email notice to designated application Points of Contact (POC)s that Microsoft security patches have been put on designated application test machine(s) and are ready to test. The application POC has 3 days to test and reply back to the email notice to the USCIS Image lab if the patch causes errors with their application. USCIS Change and Release Management provides monthly notification of approved and tested Microsoft security patches to be installed on production machines in that current month. This information shall be added to the SOW.

75. Question: In reference to Section 13.0 of the SOW, how will fingerprint scanners be evaluated for reliability from a technical perspective?

Answer: The individual Livescan system as a whole shall be evaluated for percent availability. If a component is inoperable the entire system (cabinet, mobile) is considered unavailable.

76. Question: In reference to Attachment H, the UK Visa transaction described mentions the use of type-7 records, however Attachment H describing the UK Visa transaction does not mention type-7. If type-7 is used, what type of data/images should be stored?

Answer: Type-7 is used and is required.

77. Question: Can you please confirm why FAR 52.225-1 was included? Given the acquisition will be over $204,000, isn’t the more appropriate domestic preference provision FAR 52.225-5?

Answer: The clause FAR 52.225-1 shall remain incorporated into this solicitation.

78. Question “SOW 3.3.1.19: Fingerprint Scanner shall have dimensions no larger than

6 inches long by 6 inches wide by 3 inches tall.” Suggestion: Request this be changed to 6 inches by 6 inches by 6 inches to increase competition and give government access to a wider range of products. There are currently no FAP 60, FBI-Certified devices on the market that fit these dimensions.

Answer: SOW 3.3.1.19 shall be revised.

79. Question: “SOW 3.3.1.20: Fingerprint Scanner shall weigh no more than one (1) pound.” Suggestion: Request this be changed to 4 pounds to increase competition and give government access to a wider range of products. There are currently no

FAP 60, FBI-Certified devices on the market that are at or below this weight. We are concerned that these requirements have drastically limited the field of competition to favor one and only one Fingerprint Scanner that is not yet FBI certified. These requested changes provide the government with access to a wider variety of products that are compliant to industry standards on quality capture, performance, and reliability characteristics of 10-print Livescan equipment, as evident by the FBI certified and approved equipment list. We understand the desire for consolidating on one Livescan device for cabinets, mobile, and desktop in order to minimize the management of various pieces. However, what might be gained by saving two to three (2-3) pounds on the Livescan device could have extensive negative repercussions on speed, capture quality, and device quality.

Answer: SOW 3.3.1.20 shall be revised.

80. Question: Will the Interface Control Document (ICD) be made available prior to scheduled demonstration?

Answer: Due to the sensitive nature, this information will only be provided to the awardee after contract award.

81. Question: Instructions to Offerors for Proposal Submission, Phase 1: The White

Paper shall not exceed five (5) pages. It is our assumption that the 5-page limit does not include the cover page and table of contents. Please confirm.

Answer: No, the Cover Page, Cover Letter, and Table of Contents are not included in the five (5) page count of the White Paper.

82. Question: Evaluation Factors for Award, Phase I: For purposes of the total evaluated price, only the base period CLINs and CLINs 1001, 2001, 3001, and 4001 shall be used to calculate total evaluated price. Evaluation Factor 5, 2nd para: Price will be evaluated on the basis of total estimated price submitted. The total evaluated price is defined as the base period plus the total estimated price of each option period. The total evaluated price shall not include pricing for CLINs 1004, 2004, 3004, and 4004. Based on the differing criteria for price evaluation what are the CLINs that price will ultimately be evaluated on?

Answer: Total evaluated price shall include the base period plus the total estimated price of each option period pricing submitted for CLINs 1001, 2001, 3001, and 4001.

The total evaluated price shall not include pricing for the remaining option period CLINs.

83. Question: Instructions to Offerors for Proposal Submission, Phase 2: If used, an offeror shall provide a blank questionnaire to references for completion. Each past performance questionnaire shall be returned directly to the government in accordance with the instructions provided. Should the references return the completed questionnaire by proposal submission?

Answer: Past performance questionnaires, if used, shall be returned by the time proposals are due.

84. Question: SOW 3.2.4: Livescan systems shall have the capability to read both 1D and 2D barcodes and allow specified biographic data fields to be entered through the use of 1D and 2D bar code scanners. What are the barcode and scanner format standards that will be used?

Answer: The 2D barcode schema is custom and will be provided at the time of the award.

85. Question: SOW 3.2.15: Livescan systems shall have the ability to provide non-repudiation, audit ability, and assurance of capture workstation operator identity.

Is there a specific policy or directive that sets the standard for non-repudiation?

Answer: DHS MD Number: 140-01 establishes the policy requiring non-repudiation and USCIS follows the NIST standards.

86. Question: SOW 3.2.15: Livescan systems shall have the ability to provide non-repudiation, audit ability, and assurance of capture workstation operator identity.

Will all Livescan operators have a PIV card?

Answer: No, Livescan operators will not have PIV cards. Authentication will occur through Microsoft Active Directory Accounts.

87. Question: SOW 3.3.1.19: Fingerprint Scanner shall have dimensions no larger than

6 inches long by 6 inches wide by 3 inches tall. Currently, there are no known products that are certified by the FBI as having been tested and found to be in compliance with the FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI) System Image

Quality Specifications and meet the physical sizes constraints requested. Will the

Government relieve this size standard to meet the technical specifications called for? (https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/fingerprints_biometrics/iafis/iafis_cert)

Answer: SOW 3.3.1.19 shall be revised.

88. Question: SOW 3.3.1.20: Fingerprint Scanner shall weigh no more than one (1) pound. Currently, there are no known products that are certified by the FBI as having been tested and found to be in compliance with the FBI’s Next Generation

Identification (NGI) System Image Quality Specifications and meet the physical sizes constraints requested. Will the Government relieve this size standard to meet the technical specifications called for? (https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/fingerprints_biometrics/iafis/iafis_cert) Will the government consider changing the requirement to a larger size, for example, 5 lbs.?

Answer: SOW 3.3.1.20 shall be revised.

89. Question: SOW 3.3.1.28: The camera shall be a digital point and shoot camera. Is it the intent of the government to limit the camera to just digital point and shoot camera or to also allow camera designed especially for the identity space to be offered?

Answer: The requirement at 3.3.1.28 shall be revised. The camera shall be the same make and model for both cabinet and mobile Livescan systems.

90. Question: SOW 3.3.1.29: The camera shall include drivers that allow an external application to control the camera remotely (i.e. allow the Livescan application to control the zoom, pan, tilt, etc. of the camera). Many digital point and shoot camera do not support external applications to control pan, tilt and zoom of the camera. Is https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/fingerprints_biometrics/iafis/iafis_cert the ability to control pan, tilt, and zoom required and is this requirement for all configurations? Mobile for example?

Answer: SOW 3.3.1.29 shall be revised.

91. Question: SOW 3.3.1.29: The camera shall include drivers that allow an external application to control the camera remotely (i.e. allow the Livescan application to control the zoom, pan, tilt, etc. of the camera). Is it the Government’s intent to have a physical pan, tilt and zoom or if the software can perform the functions inside the view of the camera is that acceptable?

Answer: SOW 3.3.1.29 shall be revised.

92. Question: SOW 3.3.2.18: The camera shall be the same make and model used in the cabinet Livescan version. Is it the intent of the government to limit the mobile camera to just digital point and shoot camera or to also allow camera designed especially for the identity space to be offered?

Answer: The camera shall be the same make and model for both cabinet and mobile Livescan systems.

93. Question: SOW 3.3.2.18: The camera shall be the same make and model used in the cabinet Livescan version. Many digital point and shoot camera do not support external applications to control pan, tilt and zoom of the camera. Is the ability to control pan, tilt, and zoom required and is this requirement for the mobile camera?

Answer: SOW 3.3.1.29 shall be revised (the reference is incorrect).

94. Question: SOW 3.3.2.18: The camera shall be the same make and model used in the cabinet Livescan version. Is it the Government’s intent to have a physical pan, tilt and zoom or if the software can perform the functions inside the view of the mobile camera is that acceptable?

Answer: SOW 3.3.1.29 shall be revised (the reference is incorrect).

95. Question: SOW 3.3.1.30: The camera shall be no larger than 4 inches long by 3 inches wide by 1 inch thick. Currently, there are no known cameras that are listed as FBI-certified to FIPS standards that meet the physical sizes constraints requested. Will the Government relieve this size standard to meet the technical specifications called for?

https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/fingerprints_biometrics/iafis/iafis_cert

Answer: SOW 3.3.1.30 shall be revised. The camera does not have to be FBI certified.

96. Question: SOW 3.3.1.31: The camera shall not weigh more than eight (8) ounces.

Will the government consider changing this weight requirement as well?

Answer: The requirement at SOW 3.3.1.31 shall be deleted.

97. Question: SOW 3.4.7 and 3.4.9: Will the Government please provide a sample set of business processes and workflow as examples? These will be used to develop the system for demonstration.

Answer: Due to the sensitive nature, this information will only be provided to the awardee after contract award. For demonstration purposes, the vendor may choose to demonstrate how multiple workflows may be created and/or demonstrate fictitious workflows, in lieu of actual USCIS workflows.

98. Question: Attachment I, R11: Ability to capture data from the Biometrics

Instruction (BI) letter in 2D barcode format. Attachment I, R12: Ability for the user to modify data captured from the BI. Will the government make a sample BI letter available prior to award?

Answer: The 2D barcode schema is custom and will be provided to the winning offeror after award.

99. Question: Attachment I, R34: The USCIS Biometric Collect Solution must capture fingerprints that conform to standards developed in the Interface Control

Agreement by USCIS and CIC. Will the government make the Interface Control

Agreement available prior to award?

Answer: Due to the sensitive nature, this information will only be provided to the awardee after contract award.

100. Question: After review of the FBI Approved Product List, we do not believe there is a

FAP 60 (3.3.1.18) fingerprint scanner on the list with the physical dimensions noted in 3.3.1.19 and 3.3.1.20. We recognize that the FAP 60 FBI certification is an appropriate requirement. Can the Government please confirm that any fingerprint scanner with FAP 60 FBI certification is eligible, regardless of its dimension and weight?

Answer: SOW 3.3.1.18, 3.3.1.19, and 3.3.1.20 shall be revised.

101. Question: In order to provide sufficient time to develop an appropriate response that meets all FBI requirements, would the Government grant a due date extension to

July 13, 2015?

Answer: Offers shall be due at the date and time identified in this amendment.

102. Question: Schedule of Supplies/Services: Block 20 states, "The quantities specified in the schedule are estimates only", while Type of Contract is Firm Fixed Price.

Since the cost of components required varies based on bulk quantity purchased at one time, providing a FFP for a quantity that may vary from that listed in the RFP could expose bidders to significant risk of loss. Would the government allow bidders to provide a schedule of prices that vary depending on the quantities actually ordered?

Answer: The type of contract anticipated is a firm fixed price requirements contract.

The government identified its known requirement, but actual quantities order may vary based on future requirements.

103. Question: The RFP does not specify when the government will return answers to questions. The SOW contains a substantial number of new requirements that may be affected by responses to questions, and bidders will require time to assess and respond to any changes. Will the government consider an extension to the response due date that corresponds to the days awaiting responses to provide bidders the opportunity to address the answers to these questions in their submissions?

Answer: Answers to questions submitted shall be posted to the Federal Business Opportunities Website once they are answered. Offers shall be due by the time and date specified in this amendment.

104. Question: CLIN 0004 lists 725 disposals, however there are only 602 items identified on Attachment D, could you please clarify where the other units are and what they are?

Answer: Attachment D has been revised to show 440 cabinet systems, 100 desktop systems, and 185 mobile systems (a total of 725 systems) for disposal.

105. Question: CLIN 0001 & 0003 list 900 installs, however Attachment D only lists 600 devices, Attachment F includes only 540 “planned” deployments could you please clarify the discrepancies?

Answer: 540 Cabinet systems will require installation at Application Support Centers (ASC), as identified in Attachment F. 180 mobile systems will not require installation at the ASCs, but will need to be delivered to the Biometrics Division Headquarters in Washington, DC, as specified in Attachment F. The CLINs have been revised to provide additional clarity – identifying base and optional quantities.

Attachment D, has been revised to show 440 cabinet systems, 100 desktop systems, 185 mobile systems, and 5 Card Scan Systems (a total of 730 systems) for disposal.

106. Question: Instructions to Offerors for Proposal Submission: The RFP states "The offeror may submit no more than three (3) past performance references each for the offeror and for each major subcontractor." Does this mean three (3) total for the team/RFP response, or does it mean no more than three (3) from the prime and three

(3)…