Question_Tracker_5.15.13.pdf

Solicitation HSTS04-13-R-CT3025 Question Tracker

Question No. Solicitation Reference Question Government Response

Section E.2.7.2.5, Tab 5 - Price Proposal

The RFP states that “the Government may evaluate realism by assessing how well the price and supporting pricing data tracks to the offeror’s technical ability.” In order for offerors to adequately substantiate their pricing methodology (e.g. demonstrate fair and reasonableness, show price realism, etc.), we ask that the Government allow for an accompanying cost narrative for Volume II - Section 5. See Amendment 0001.

Part D, Attachment 2, CDRL A010

Can the Government please confirm that the CDRL A010 Title should be changed back to “Quality Management Plan?” See Amendment 0001.

Section E.2.7.1.2 Part 2:

Management Approach (Factor 2)

“TAB 3 - Program Management Plan” references Section C.7.11 of Part C. Can the Government clarify if this reference is intended to be to Section C.7.1? See Amendment 0001.

Section E.2.7.2.5, Tab 5 - Price Proposal

Is it acceptable to provide the requested information for Transition and other cost explanation in a separate narrative section for Factor 5, or should all information be included within the Attachment D spreadsheet? See Amendment 0001.

Section A.2.1, Pricing Schedule and CLINs

What is the average number of daily service calls that are currently reported to the Service Response Center?

Attachment A of Part F provides the total annual number of services calls by technology by month, which is sufficient information to derive the average number of daily services calls.

Section A.2.1, Pricing Schedule and CLINs

Please provide a list of airports and corresponding number of systems at that location by model as well as the age of each system?

Attachment A of Part F provides the total number of systems by airport as of December 2012. Please see the revised Attachment A, which is available upon written request to ILSTeamMail@tsa.dhs.gov, where the average age of each technology is also provided.

Question No. Solicitation Reference Question Government Response

Section A.2.2, Fixed Unit Price CLINs

What is the time-phased OEM warranty status of each system?

When do OEM warranties commence?

TSA has separate product contracts that dictate the warranty terms and conditions for Transportation Security Equipment (TSE). Warranty of a system in most cases does not begin until Site Acceptance Test (SAT) when the equipment is placed in service at the airport.

Please see the revised Attachment A, which is available upon written request to ILSTeamMail@tsa.dhs.gov, where the following warranty information is provided: 1) the number of units anticipated to be in and out of warranty as of February 1, 2014 and 2) the anticipated date when all TSE will be out of warranty.

Section A.2.3, Firm-Fixed Price CLINs

Are systems purchased by TSA and stored in a warehouse under warranty?

Systems purchased by TSA are typically sent directly to airports for operational use. TSA may store systems at the TSA Logistics Center (TLC) on a case by case basis for deployment or re-deployment purposes.

Section C.8.11, TSA Service Response Center

Does the TSA Service Response Center (TSRC) section statement "… and providing technical support during the life cycle of all TSE owned by TSA,..." mean that the TSRC includes Checked Baggage Explosives Detection System equipment under this checkpoint contract? See Amendment 0001

Question No. Solicitation Reference Question Government Response

Section B.3.5.6, Contractor Responsibility

Is the incumbents transition plan available for offerors in order to understand the limitations thereof to better plan transition?

TSA did not experience a transition from one contractor to another as the incumbent was the successful offeror of the current ILS contract.

However, the incumbent has indicated that it will immediately turn over all TSA equipment under its control and aide the successful offeror in the transition.

11 Section C.1.1, Background Can TSA provide the warranty end dates for all TSE as part of the TSE Inventory List? See response to Question 7.

Section C.8.13, Security Technology Integrated Program

Please provide the process to “Verify connectivity to STIP Enterprise Manager by calling the STIP Help Desk to verify connectivity for any maintenance action that affects network connectivity.”

See Section C.8.13 of the updated RFP provided in Amendment 0002.

13 Part D, Contract Documents

A full Technical Data Package of all models would be very useful for the creation of a complete cost technical and cost proposal. Will full TDPs be provided for each model of equipment? Will OEM spare parts / FRU lists be provided? See Amendment 0001.

14 Part F, Solicitation Documents Will part usage history be provided on a per model basis?

Attachment A of Part F provides parts consumption by model for calendar year 2012.

15 Part F, Solicitation Documents Will all completed Engineering Change Orders be provided on a per model basis?

All available configuration data will be provided to the successful offeror after contract award.

16 Part F, Solicitation Documents

In regards to Attachment A, FailureCntMDL tab, please provide the number of units installed during each month, the serial numbers of each system and its installation date. See response to Questions 6 and 7.

Question No. Solicitation Reference Question Government Response

17 Part F, Solicitation Documents

In regards to Attachment A, please provide Average Preventative and Corrective Maintenance metrics as were provided with the Reduced Size-Explosive Detection System (RS-EDS) ILS RFP.

Preventive Maintenance (PM) metrics are not tracked as part of the current contract, except to verify completion in accordance with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) recommended procedures. However, please see the revised Attachment A, which is available upon written request to ILSTeamMail@tsa.dhs.gov, where average Corrective Maintenance metrics are provided.

18 Part D, Contract Documents Please provide Service / Maintenance Manuals for each model of equipment. See Amendment 0001.

19 Section E.2.5.4, Submission

There is a large amount of information that must be modeled and reviewed in great detail in order to provide a robust FFP cost proposal. Suitable time is needed to complete the analysis and a 75 day response time is requested for proposal submission.

Based on industry feedback submitted under the ILS Request for Information (RFI) in March 2012 and the draft RFP in March 2013, TSA determined a 45 day response time was adequate for offerors to submit responsible proposals.

20 General Are there any union agreements that bidders must be made aware of?

TSA's understanding is that union agreements do not have an impact on maintenance.

Section E.2.8, Wage Determination Information

Is there a Wage Determination for Call Center Representatives that should be used by bidders? See Amendment 0001.

22 Part F, Solicitation Documents

Please provide TSA Service Response Center (TSRC) data, such as the number of incoming and outgoing calls, the duration of calls, the time of the call (for example, the TSRC may receive more calls in the morning during equipment start up), the number of service tickets processed per day, month and year.

TSA does not possess this level of detail for the TSRC. TSA believes that adequate failure, call, and email data has been provided in Attachment A for potential offerors to make reasonable assumptions regarding TSRC call volume.

Question No. Solicitation Reference Question Government Response

Section B.3.5.10, Suitability Determination for Contract Employees/ Section B.3.5.11, Security Requirements for Contractor Emloyees Performing at Airport Locations

Please confirm our understanding that all contractor/vendor personnel have to complete suitability determination processing, acquire the required security clearances and site access credentials before they are permitted to do work on sites that involve access to the Transportation Security Equipment (TSE). See Amendment 0001.

Provision 3052.219-72, Evaluation of Prime Contractor participation in the DHS

Will the government consider, and evaluate in the same manner a Mentor-Protégé relationship between a Prime and its sub(s) that are not affiliated with DHS’s Mentor-Protégé program (e.g., DoD)? See Amendment 0001.

25 General

Given the four-month duration for contract transition specified in the RFP and, given that the SAFETY Act requires that an application be filed with, reviewed and specifically qualified by the DHS (allowing that a decision must be given within 120 days), request the Government indicate the amount of time required by the TSA for Offeror/contractor qualification under the SAFETY Act. Noted that, while not specifically a requirement in this RFP, SAFETY Act qualification by the DHS is required for prudent risk management measures to be taken by a prospective Offeror.

SAFETY Act qualification is not a requirement of this solicitation, and as such, there is no required amount of time to obtain SAFETY Act coverage.

However, TSA is investigating ways to provide offerors streamlined procedures if interested in applying for SAFETY Act coverage and has submitted a Procurement Pre-Qualification Request (PQR) for DHS review and approval. If determined that this contract involves the provision of an anti-terrorism technology or service, the successful offeror will be eligible for a streamlined application process for obtaining SAFETY Act coverage if desired. Any findings with regard to this solicitation will be posted on the SAFETY Act website at:

www.safetyact.gov. Offerors are advised that the application process is controlled by the DHS SAFETY Act Office and not TSA. While TSA will make reasonable efforts to facilitate application processing, it cannot guarantee timely review.

Question No. Solicitation Reference Question Government Response

26 General Will the Contractor be performing maintenance services during the four month transition period? See Amendment 0001.

E.2.7.2.3, Tab 3 - Socio- Economic Considerations (Factor 4)

The RFP states that “Large Business Offerors – prepare and submit a proposed small business subcontracting plan, in accordance with FAR 52.219-9.” On several occasions, the Individual Subcontracting Plan references a Master Subcontracting Plan. Can Large Business Offerors submit a Master Subcontracting Plan as an appendix and not counted towards the page count?

Yes, a Master Subcontracting Plan may be included as an appendix and will not be counted toward the page count. Offerors are advised that it is the offeror's responsibility to use clear references to connect proposal information to any appendix and should not assume the Government understands what information in the appendix is applicable to the offeror's proposal.

28 E.2.5.2, Paper Copies

The RFP states that “The printed letters shall be 12 point font. No reduction is permitted except for organization charts or other graphic illustrations.” TSA further states that “Large Business Offerors – prepare and submit a proposed small business subcontracting plan, in accordance with FAR 52.219-9. Offerors may use Attachment E, Small Business Subcontracting Template, to be compliant with this requirement.” In the sample Small Business Subcontracting Template provided in Attachment E, the font used throughout the body of the Attachment is 10 point. Can offerors provide their “Tab 3 - Socio- Economic Considerations” in 10 point font?

No, offeror's shall follow the instructions set forth in Section E.2.5.2, Paper Copies, if not using the provided Small Business Subcontracting Template (Attachment E).

E.2.7.2.3, Tab 3 - Socio- Economic Considerations (Factor 4)

The RFP states that “The Offeror is encouraged to participate in the DHS Mentor-Protégé Program in accordance with HSAR Clause 3052.219-71, and to provide a signed letter of mentor-protégé agreement from the DHS Office of Small Business and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)” as part of Section 3: Socio-Economic Considerations (Factor 4). Since Attachment E “Small Business Subcontracting Plan” already occupies 10 pages, can the signed Mentor Protégé letters be excluded from the page count?

Yes, a signed letter of mentor-protégé agreement from the DHS OSDBU may be included as an attachment and will be excluded from the page limit. Offerors are advised that it is the Offeror's responsibility to clearly identify where the attached letter is located in the offeror's proposal and should not assume the Government will know where to find this information in its proposal.

Question No. Solicitation Reference Question Government Response

E.2.5.2 Paper Copies / E.2.7.1.2 Part 2: Management Approach (Factor 2)

Due to the size and complex nature of this procurement, we respectfully request that the Acronym List and Resumes be excluded from the 150 page count limit for “Volume I: Technical Approach.”

Yes, offerors may provide an Acronym List and list of resumes in an appendix to Volume I if necessary which will be excluded from the page count.

Offerors are advised that it is the offeror's responsibility to use clear references to connect proposal information to any appendix and should not assume the Government understands what information in the appendix is applicable to the offeror's proposal.

31 General

May offerors include a “RFP Requirements Compliance Matrix” and have it excluded from the page count for ease of TSA proposal evaluation?

Yes, a compliance matrix may be provided in Volume II and will be excluded from the total page count.

Part D, Attachment 2, Data Item Description - OSC-ILS-009 / 10.2.3 ILS Program Functions

Attachment 2, Data Item Description states: “Describe the Contractor’s approach for establishing subcontract agreements with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to provide such things as repair parts, training, documentation and engineering technical support.” Will the Government confirm that refurbished or third party parts procured from non-OEM vendors are not allowed?

The TSA requires strict configuration control of Transportation Security Equipment (TSE); therefore, offerors are required to use identical parts that are part of the approved configuration for respective TSE which are typically obtained from the OEM. Any use of alternate parts, while not expressly prohibited, would require qualification and approval by the TSA Configuration Control Board (CCB) prior to use in any TSE. Refurbished parts may be used upon TSA approval provided they are tested and declared Ready For Issue prior to use.

E.2.7, General Proposal Requirements

As it relates to instructions for “Section 2 – TSA Service Response Center Plan,” should the CDRL reference read A019 versus A020 as written?

Yes, the CDRL reference should be A019. Please see the updated RFP provided in Amendment 0002.

Question No. Solicitation Reference Question Government Response

E.2.7.1.2(3), Part 2, Management Approach (Factor 2)

There are currently no specific instructions as it relates to submission of key personnel resumes within proposal Volume I, Tab 3 (e.g., page limit, format) and would like to provide as much information as possible regarding proposed personnel for the delivery of critical services under this contract. To support the incorporation of resumes, will the Government consider allowing Offerors to submit additional key or potential essential personnel resumes as an Attachment to Volume I, with a two-page per resume limit that falls outside of the overall 150 page limitation for the Technical Approach volume? See response to Question 30.

C.7.12, Quality Management Plan / Part D, Attachment 2, Data Item Description (DID)

OSC-ILS-001

The referenced PWS paragraph states: “The Contractor shall establish, implement, and maintain a quality management system in accordance with ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001:2008.” However, within the referenced Data Item Description, the Government states that ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001:2000 is the required standard. Can the Government confirm that ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001:2008 is the required standard?

Yes, ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001:2008 is the required standard. Please see Section C.2.2 in the updated RFP and associated DID provided in Amendment 002.

Part A, SF 1449, Item 8.

Offeror Due Date/Local Time / Pre-Proposal Conference Slide Deck, dated May 1, 2013, Chart #11

Reference (1) states that the time for delivery of proposals is 9 am Eastern, while Reference (2) states delivery time at 4pm Eastern. Is the Government intending to update the RFP with the 4pm Eastern delivery time as indicated at the pre-proposal conference?

No, the time listed in the Pre-Proposal slide deck is a typographical error. Proposals are due June 3, 2013 at 9am Eastern Time. Per Section E.2.5.3, Email Copy, the email copy of the proposal will constitute the official copy for timely receipt. Offerors are advised that emails received after this deadline will not be considered timely. If an offeror's proposal is received in multiple emails where some emails are timely and some are not, any attachments or other proposal information included in emails received after the deadline will not be considered timely and will not be evaluated.

Question No. Solicitation Reference Question Government Response

Part D, Attachment A, Maintenance Data

Can the Government provide a list of Maintenance Service Providers to be supported by the TSA Service Response Center (TSRC) other than the Contractor along with the supported equipment counts?

The TSRC supports requests for service under the manufacturer's warranty for all equipment manufacturers listed in Attachment A. In addition, the TSRC processes service requests for Morpho Detection, Inc., L-3 Communications, and SAIC Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) (approximately 1800 units distributed between the three vendors currently). Any future equipment purchases from any vendor would also be supported by the TSRC for maintenance trouble calls.

Section B.3.5.22 Security of Systems Handling Personally Identifiable Information and Privacy Incident Response

TSA systems determined to be processing Privacy Information and requiring a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) or SSI and requiring a Sensitive Security Information Impact Analysis shall maintain a minimum protective level of “Moderate-Impact Baseline” per FIPS

199. However, based on the data aggregation guidance from FIPS 199 and NIST SP 800-60, it is stated that the TSRC data environment must be “FISMA High” compliant. Will the TSA confirm that the data environment for the TSRC will be classified as “FISMA High?”

No, the data environment for the TSRC will be classified as “Moderate-Impact Baseline.” Please see the updated RFP provided in Amendment 002 which removes Clause B.3.5.22 Security of Systems Handling Personally Identifiable Information and Privacy Incident Response.

Part B, Section 1 - FAR Clauses, FAR 52.212-5(e)(1)]

Page 17 of the RFP includes FAR clause 52.212-5(e)(1), which requires the prime contractor to flow down FAR clauses 52.222-51 and 52.222- 53 for subcontracts for commercial items. One of our OEMs has requested exemption from the Services Contract Act based on the conditions prescribed in FAR 52.222-51 and/or FAR 52.222-53. Can the Government confirm that services (performed under CLIN 0001) provided by the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) satisfies the exemptions found in paragraphs (a)-(f) of 52.222-51, OR meets the prescribed condition of exempted services listed in 52.222-53 [and 22.1003-4(d)(1)(iv)]?

No, this solicitation is not exempt from the Service Contract Act (SCA); the conditions prescribed in FAR 52.222-51 and 52.222-53 are not applicable to this solicitation. Subcontractor organizations, including OEMs, are not exempt from this requirement.

Question No. Solicitation Reference Question Government Response

B.3.5.12, Insurance Requirements

Will the Government provide more specifications regarding the insurance requirements outlined in B.3.5.12. What type of insurance and indemnification values are required?

The intent of the clause recognizes that every airport in the nation may mandate insurance requirements for contractors who come onto the airport property for various kinds of work. TSA does not establish the individual airports’ procedures or insurance coverage elements or amounts. It is each prospective offerors responsibility to ensure that they have obtained up-to-date information directly from any airport that they will be working at, and to be in compliance with respective airport insurance requirements.

Section B.3.5.21- E, Surge Requirements

What CLIN will be used to support the potential surge requirement?

Should this be separately priced? CLIN X004 will be used to support this requirement.

42 Section C.1.2, Objective Please provide a complete list of all TSA Maintenance Service Providers (MSPs). See response to Question 37.

Section C.8.11, TSA Service Response Center (CLIN X002B)

At what point during the transition period will the current TSRC toll free number be transferred from the incumbent?

This should be addressed in the offeror's transition plan, as the time of transfer will depend upon the proposed approach.

Section C.2.1, Government Documents What version of DHS 4300A is the RFP referring to?

The most current version of DHS 4300A is version

9.1 dated July 24, 2012. Please see Section C.2.1 of the updated RFP provided in Amendment 002.

45 Section C.1.2, Objective

The RFP states, "The objective of this procurement is to obtain a performance based Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) contract with a Maintenance Service Provider (MSP or Contractor), relying on the Contractor’s experience and expertise to determine the best maintenance and support structure that meets or exceeds the performance requirement specified in Paragraphs C.7 through C.8.16 of this PWS." PWS paragraph numbering in Section 8 stops at 8.13.

Are paragraphs 8.14-.16 missing, or is this just a typo?

This is a typographical error. Please see updated RFP provided in Amendment 0002.

Question No. Solicitation Reference Question Government Response

E.2.7.1.2 Part 2: Management Approach / Tab 3, paragraph 3:

"Resumes are expected to demonstrate the capabilities of, at a minimum, key personnel."

Is it the government's intention for vendors to include the key personnel resume as part of the Program Management Plan. Is the resume for the key personnel included in the page count? See response to Question 34.

C.8.11, TSA Service Response Center (CLIN X002B)

How many tickets are generated per year? RFP attachments refer to calls.

The tab labeled "FailurecntMDL" of Attachment A provides the number of Corrective Maintenance events per year that generated a ticket, by equipment type.

C.8.11, TSA Service Response Center (CLIN X002B)

What is the distribution of emails? What is the driving force for the large increase of emails over the contract period?

Emails are primarily between the TSRC and the supported airports. The noted increase has been due to an increased use of email to provide both pushed and requested status updates on open work orders.

C.8.11, TSA Service Response Center (CLIN X002B)

Will TSA Agent data be made available to pre-populate our CMMS system?

TSA will provide all available contact information to the successful offeror.

C.8.11, TSA Service Response Center (CLIN X002B) Who is the certifying authority for the C&A?

The TSA's Information Assurance Division (IAD) will be the certifying authority for the C&A.

C.8.11, TSA Service Response Center (CLIN X002B)

Does the government C&A need to be completed prior to the 120 day post award date?

No, C&A does not need to be completed prior to the 120 day post award date.

C.8.11, TSA Service Response Center (CLIN X002B) Who is approval Authority? See response to Question 50.

C.8.11, TSA Service Response Center (CLIN X002B)

Does Government C&A need to be completed prior to the 120 day post award date? See response to Question 51.

Question No. Solicitation Reference Question Government Response

54 General

Attachment A, Maintenance Data, of Part F is not posted with the RFP Attachments under the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) announcement for Solicitation No. HSTS04-13-R-CT3025. Where can vendors obtain the maintenance data within Attachment A?

Attachment A is available to interested offerors upon written request to ILSTeamMail@tsa.dhs.gov as set forth in Part F of the RFP and the ILS RFP announcement description on FBO.

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