CAT_Solicitation_Questions_ _Responses_12-20-2013.pdf

Credential Authentication Technology (CAT)

HSTS04-14-R-ST4000

Questions & Responses 12/20/2013 (v1)

Solicitation Questions:

12/20/2013

1. For the Representations and Certifications, (Part E, Section I, FAR 52.212-3) the “certificates regarding exemptions from the application of the Service Contract Act” (paragraph (k)) does not indicate whether (k) (1) or (k) (2) apply to this solicitation, please clarify.

Response: Neither (k) (1) nor (k) (2) apply to this solicitation. When completing the Representations and Certifications requirements of the proposal (Volume III, Tab 4, FAR 52.212-3) it is not necessary for the offeror to provide certifications for (k) (1) and (k) (2).

2. The SOW reflects delivery of the Prototype unit (to be used for STIP testing) within 120 days after issuance of a DO. The SOW further states that a minimum of two (2) LRIP-1 units, to a maximum of twelve (12) units, are to be delivered 30 days under a separate DO. Please confirm that the LRIP-1 units are not required to be delivered before the Prototype unit.

Response: The prototype system and LRIP-1 are parallel efforts delivered under separate DOs.

Depending on the timeframe proposed for delivery of the prototype unit, TSA anticipates that the LRIP-1 units may be delivered prior to the prototype unit. Because CAT is considered a commercial item, it is expected that the proposed solution (as demonstrated in Volume I through the self-certification matrix, schematics, and screen images) will be in a production-ready state upon contract award, allowing for the LRIP units to be delivered before the software integration development is completed for the STIP-enabled prototype unit.

Pre-Proposal Conference Questions (12/18/2013):

1. Can a list of airports where the CAT systems will be installed be provided? Is there a draft schedule available?

Response: The intent is to deploy CAT systems to all federalized airports. TSA is unable to provide any estimates for number of units per airport, a tentative schedule, or the locations for LRIP testing at this time.

2. Are the draft documents sufficient to respond to the RFP?

Response: It is recommended that if your company has been cleared to view SSI, the 4 documents marked as SSI should be requested. Several key requirements are redacted in the draft versions of the documents. If you are unsure of your SSI vetting status, please contact Jason.Richards@tsa.dhs.gov.

3. When will TSA post answers to the questions received?

Response: TSA will attempt to post responses as soon as possible. Because questions are due only a week before the proposal, it is recommended that questions be submitted as they arise, and TSA will post responses as they become available prior to the cutoff date. If a particular question may cause a significant impact on a proposal, it is recommended that the question be posed immediately.

4. Can you please clarify the distinction between Tier 1 and Tier 2 devices?

Response: Detection of documents in Tier 1 of the FRD are required. Tier 2 is intended to be a future state of the CAT system.

5. To provide a lower-cost overall solution, is it acceptable to provide two models as part of the base solution – one more suited to locations that require battery-only operation and one that’s optimized for AC power, but capable of battery-backed operation?

Response: Due to the ever-evolving nature of the checkpoint and on-going upgrades to infrastructure across the nation, TSA needs maximum flexibility of deployed systems. Although not prohibited, like many other elements, the tradeoffs should be considered. Having multiple models of the system may realize cost savings, but limits deployability and introduces configuration management issues.

6. Is the prototype unit subject to FAT and SAT?

Response: If the prototype unit is deployed to the field, it will be subject to FAT and SAT.

7. Does CLIN 0009 (Travel) include all travel for implementation?

Response: Yes, all travel is covered under this CLIN.

8. Are optional CLINs (CLIN 0007 – Warranty) to be priced into the overall number, or priced separately?

Response: Warranty pricing is a per year cost (see Price Evaluation Template) that will roll into a total cost per unit for a maximum of 7 years.

9. Are engineering services CLINs above and beyond the $85M contract ceiling?

Response: No, the $85M includes all costs under the contract.

10. For RMA, CLINs 0003 and 0003A may be reduced by 5% or 10% if performance standards are below expectations. Can the CLINs be reduced to a negative amount if reduced enough?

Response: No, the RMA reductions are applied to a maximum of 10% per category (20% total) if the standards are not met. This will be applied per delivery order, and will never result in a negative amount.

11. If a delivery/task order is mailed, can an electronic copy be sent at the same time in case the mailed copy is slow in arriving?

Response: All orders and modifications will be issued electronically.

12. Is the document control number a contractor-specified number or is it provided by the

Government?

Response: The document control number is contractor-specified.

13. Section 3.3.5: “The Contractor shall deliver all Government paperwork to the specified for location identification.” Is this a typo?

Response: It should read “… to the specified Government Property Administrator for…”

14. Section B.3.5.1, “The Contractor shall be reimbursed for travel costs associated with this contract.”

Is this CLIN 0009 (Travel)?

Response: Yes this is referring to CLIN 0009.

15. Section B.3.5.17, “Personnel performing work under this contract shall not: (a) solicit new business while performing work under this contract.” Does this mean that an employee working part time on this project cannot work on a proposal for another project?

Response: No. This is referring to standards of conduct where a contractor employee may not solicit or perform other work specifically when they are performing under this contract.

16. “Non-STIP CAT Production Units” Do the non-STIP units need to have the same hardware provided podium as the STIP units? What about the UI?

Response: It is strongly recommended that the hardware and UI are the same between the STIP and non-STIP units to reduce the time/cost required to upgrade these units to the STIP-enabled state, and to reduce configuration management issues.

17. Does the software distribution agent use TSANet? Is TSANet available to push vendor software updates to the CAT units?

Response: Yes, the agent communicates with hosts through TSANet. Indirectly, yes, vendor updates will be pushed through STIP (via TSANet) once they are formally tested and approved by the Government. There will not be a direct connection between the vendor and the CAT units.

18. The Self-Certification matrix is 4 pages, only leaving 6 pages for additional substantiation across 17 requirements. Can this limit be relaxed?

Response: The 10 page limit is for substantiation in addition to the matrix. Please fill in the matrix and attach the substantiation separately.

19. Evaluation for Factor 2 – Ability to Manage, Deploy, and Maintain Units mentions a communication plan, but it does not appear to be a deliverable, please clarify.

Response: “Communication plans” are not a formal deliverable. In evaluating Factor 2 the Government will examine the offeror’s managerial process, to include organizational structure, reporting, key personnel, and how the offeror intends to handle communication within the organization.

20. Some sections in the Statement of Work (SOW) are not listed for discussion in Section E (proposal requirements), does this mean not to dedicate discussion sections to these topics? Quality Assurance is mentioned as a discussion item in Section E, but does not have a standalone topic in the SOW.

Response: Use discretion in determining which areas to address in your proposal. Ensure that all requirements in Section E are addressed, as this is how the Government will evaluate your proposal.

Quality Assurance, specifically, should relate to several areas of the SOW.