BPS_Questions_and_Responses.pdf

Boarding Pass Scanners (BPS)

HSTS04-14-R-CT2043

Questions & Responses 09/11/2014

Solicitation Questions:

1. According to Air Canada, they are still finalizing the procurement of their certificates and therefore do not have a public or private key available currently. As a result they are not currently integrated with a digital signature in firmware. If this status does not change before the bailment units are due should boarding passes from Air Canada that are supposed to be digitally signed be considered “Not Valid” or because they are on the “White List” of Pre™ airlines would they still be considered “Valid”?

Response: If you are able to obtain the key, then Air Canada should be considered valid. If you are unable to obtain this key, please inform TSA, and do not validate electronic Air Canada Boarding Passes.

2. There are some public keys from airlines that are not currently on either list within the FRD. Do integrated airlines in the firmware have to match exactly the lists from FRD section 2.1.1? i.e. Silver Airways, Cathay Pacific, Northwest, KLM, Porter, Continental, AeroMexico, or others.

Response: From the time that the FRD was developed, additional airlines may have joined the Pre™ and mobile boarding pass programs. Additional keys/airlines are encouraged if they are in either of these programs despite not being listed in the FRD.

3. In regards to RFP Section B.3.4, Shipping, is it possible to get a detailed delivery plan (locations) for the first 600 - 700 units prior to the due date of the RFQ? Will there be any requirements to ship to states or US Territories outside of the 48 contiguous US states?

Response: Locations will be specified in the delivery order because they have not yet been finalized. A draft of the airports that will receive units is provided as an attachment to these responses. No anticipated quantities are available. Note that this list is subject to change. Units may be shipped to any federalized airport within the 50 States or other US Territories depending upon needs.

4. Regarding Section C.2.0, BPS Hardware Requirements, does TSA also require additional power supplies for AC power usage?

Response: TSA does not require additional AC power supplies. If additional power supplies are required due to damage or failure, they will be covered by warranty, extended warranty, or excepted maintenance.

5. In RFP Sections C.2.2-C.2.4, for the requirements for Additional Batteries (CLIN 0002), Additional Battery Chargers (CLIN 0003), and Additional Stanchion Mounting Brackets (CLIN 0004), when are these additional items to be delivered? Will this be in one lot or spread out over the project and per station?

Response: These additional items may be ordered throughout the period of performance depending upon need, and not necessarily at the same time as BPS units. Note that the BPS units ordered under CLIN 0001 must already include these items.

6. Regarding Section C.4.1, Quick Look Report (QLR), because the QLR will be used to determine the beginning of the warranty period, typically how long does it take until the completed QLR will be delivered back to the contractor by the authorized TSA airport POC?

Response: Completed QLRs will be returned as soon as possible. QLRs will be completed by TSA designated individuals when systems are installed. Note that the warranty period will begin on the date that the QLR is completed, not the date when the QLR is returned to the contractor.

7. Section D.4.0, Property Control, indicates PHS&T special handling clauses in the Property Requirements Document. What is this document and how do these clauses impact handling of equipment?

Response: The Property Requirements Document is an internal TSA document that does not include any requirements supplemental to those in the RFP, and is not necessary for Offerors to satisfactorily handle equipment.

8. For the Bailment Unit provided as required in Section L.3.2, should the Bailment unit be configured to a specific airport code and date?

Response: The bailment unit should be configured for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and have the current date.

9. For the Bailment Unit provided as required in Section L.3.2, is a potential vendor permitted to submit more than one BPS unit, or more than one variation of a unit, for consideration? If so, would each unit be required to be submitted as a bailment unit? Would a Bailment Agreement be required for each Bailment Unit? If more than one unit is permitted does this require an RFP response for each unit or can multiple units be included in one response to the RFP?

Response: Yes, a vendor is permitted to submit more than one BPS unit or variation of unit. Each variation of the BPS requires its own bailment unit. Each bailment unit needs its own bailment agreement. Each unit/variation will also require its own separate proposal.

10. Air Canada is listed in the Pre™ list, but not the Mobile Boarding Pass List. Given this status, is it correct that any Air Canada Mobile Boarding Pass should be rejected? We have been told by Air Canada that their Public Key is not yet available, so until that is available the only boarding passes that should be approved for Air Canada would be the “Print at Airport” boarding passes, is that correct?

Response: If a key is not currently available for any airline, all mobile boarding passes should be rejected for that airline. See response to question #1. As noted in the RFP, TSA will evaluate all requirements in the FRD, but Offerors that have provided sufficient proof that specific keys could not be obtained before September 10 due to forces beyond their control will not be negatively impacted.

11. Regarding authentication of Boarding Passes (FRD 2.1.1), the issuer/carrier code (IATA Res. 792, item 21) of the boarding pass is used to identify the airline. What is to be done with boarding passes if the issuer code is not set? Should we reject such boarding passes?

Response: This field is populated by all TSA Pre™ and mobile boarding pass carriers so this scenario should be not occur.

12. Regarding authentication of Boarding Passes (FRD 2.1.1), the boarding pass source (IATA Res. 792, item

14) is used to classify the boarding pass type (electronic or paper). What is to be done with boarding passes if boarding pass source is not set? Should it be assumed to be paper or electronic or should it be rejected?

Response: It is TSA’s understanding that this field is consistently populated among the Pre™ and Mobile Boarding Pass Program carriers and should not be an issue.

13. Can an extension be granted on the delivery date for the bailment unit for testing?

Response: Due to the urgency of this requirement and the sufficient time that the FRD has been available, no extension will be granted for delivery of the bailment unit or written proposal.

14. FRD 2.2.2, Configuration, states “Unacceptable activities include configuring BPS using a computer or external device or updating firmware or software version.” Please confirm the TSA will provide the airport location for each unit purchased, so unit can be configured for departing airport prior to shipment to TSA.

Response: TSA will provide the airport location for each unit purchased, so units can be configured for departing airport prior to shipment.

15. FRD 2.2.5, Obsolescence, states “BPS shall allow for system updates. System updates could include new software/firmware that add additional functionality or updating public keys on the system.” Does this only apply to units under warranty coverage or extended warranty?

Response: Yes, the software updates will only apply to units under warranty coverage or extended warranty.

16. RFP Section M.1.2, First Delivery Order Award, states TSA anticipates the first delivery order will be 600- 700 units. Please clarify if this delivery order will be awarded to a single Offeror or multiple Offerors?

Response: TSA anticipates a single delivery order award, but reserves the right to award to multiple Offerors if it is in the best interest of the Government.

17. In attachment J.12, Price Evaluation Template, Part A asks for pricing for 2100 units. As the delivery orders maybe for different quantities and split between Offerors, are price breaks for QTY of delivery order permitted?

Response: Price reductions above specific quantities will be considered in the price evaluation and, although adjectival ratings are not assigned to Price, may be positively considered. Any Offeror that intends to offer quantity discounts must clearly indicate the reduction(s) and at which quantity(ies) in a separate table or worksheet in attachment J.12. When completing the highlighted unit price cells indicated in Part A, enter all pricing without any discounts, as this unit price is intended to be applied for orders at any quantity between 1 and 2100.

18. Attachment J.8 , Delivery Schedule, requests maximum production capability monthly starting November 2014 and totaling 2100 over 12 months. Does the TSA plan to order all 2100 units in the 1st year?

Response: TSA does not necessarily intend to order all 2100 units in the first year, and reserves the right to place orders at any time throughout the period of performance. Attachment J.8 demonstrates the Offeror’s ability to deploy units for the first delivery order. The 12 months listed in the attachment are just an example, and Offerors may add or remove months to reflect the actual rate at which units can be shipped.

19. Does the TSA have information regarding the quantity or anticipated award date for additional delivery orders?

Response: TSA does not have this information at this time.

20. RFP Section C.3.3, Mean Time Between Critical Failures (MTBCF), indicates a requirement of 1,994 hours. Is this for a one-year period?

Response: This requirement is not tied to a specific unit of time. The unit should maintain or exceed the 1,994 hour requirement throughout the warranty or extended warranty period.

21. RFP Section L.3.2, Bailment Unit, requires the bailment unit to be delivered to the TSIF. Is it permissible to hand deliver the unit?

Response: The bailment unit may be hand delivered, but the bailment agreement and TSA Form 251 must still be signed and approved. If the bailment unit will be hand delivered, please coordinate with the TSA COR indicated on the bailment agreement prior to delivery.

22. In Section L.4.1, Technical Proposal, please clarify the page limits for Tabs 2 & 3 (1 page total), and Tabs 6 & 7 (3 pages total).

Response: The proposal requirements for Tabs 2 & 3 are brief enough that, when combined, should not exceed 1 page in length total (or approximately ½ pages each). Likewise Tabs 6 & 7, when combined, should not exceed 3 pages in length total. It is up to the Offeror to determine how best to split the information provided for Tabs 6 and 7 across the 3 pages (e.g. 1 page for Tab 6 and 2 pages for Tab 7, or 1½ pages for each, etc.). All tabs of the proposal should be concise and ensure that the requirements and evaluation criteria in RFP Sections L and M are addressed.