ID11190004_-_FINAL_GOVT_ANSWERS_TO_KTR_QUESTIONS.xlsx

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GOVERNMENT ANSWERS

ID11190004 - Ginnie Mae Digital eVault Pilot Closing Date for Questions: August 9, 2019 @ 11:00AM Solicitation Questions and Answers

No.Technical/-Contracting QuestionSection/TitleQuestionsGovernment Answers
1ContractingFBO.GOV Posting of Combined/Synopsis Solicitation for ID11190004 - Ginnie Mae Digital eVault PilotI am hoping to find out if there is an incumbent contractor currently performing these services, if similar services have been performed in the past, or if this is a new requirement. If there is an incumbent, could you please provide the contract or task order number?This is a new requirement, which does not have an incumbent contractor. No similar services have been performed in the past.
2ContractingSection 12.5.1, Pages 65-66 - Proposal PartsIn our review It appears we are missing an instructions document.

On page 65 it refers to Part I of the proposal.

12.5.1 PROPOSAL PARTS

The proposal shall be in two parts.

Part I consist of the written Price proposal and shall contain the following:

a. Solicitation, Offer and Award (SF 1449) (TAB A)

b. Section B –Services and Prices (TAB B)

c. Price Supporting Documentation (TAB C)

d. Organizational Conflict of Interest Statement (TAB D)

e. Offeror Representations and Certifications (TAB E)

We think there are instructions or a template that contains 5 tabs. Tab A, B, and C we would complete, and Tab D and E would be some form of documents we would acknowledge. Can you please verify if there is an additional instruction document containing Tabs A though E?Your PART I - Price Proposal, response should contain the required information identified on page 65 for Tabs A-E. For example, your package must include: TAB A - SF-1449 - Signed by company authorized official. TAB B - Each Contractor's Prices for all products and services specified in Section 2.2 - Pricing Tables found on pages 4-8. TAB C - Price Supporting Documentation, such as, commercial price list, internal price list and/or brochures containing pricing of the items proposed in Section 2, pages 4-8. TAB D - Organizational Conflict of Interest Statement consists of a letter that addresses whether an OCI exists in accordance with FAR 9.5. TAB E - 552.212-4 - Certifications and Representations your SAM.GOV registration or completed Attachment D.
3ContractingAttachment E - SF-1449I do not see a deadline for the proposal in the RFP. I see references to dates on the SF 1449 but the SF 1449 page is blank. I saw a date for when questions are due, but not the overall proposal.The proposal due date is identified in Block 8 of the SF-1449.
4ContractingSection 2.0 - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs & 2.1 - General, page 3.In regard to Section 2.0 Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, Subsection 2.1 General, would a teaming arrangement be acceptable whereby the eVault solution would – at least initially – be provided by sub-contractor?No, the prime contractor must provide the eVault solution and be responsible for all terms and conditions under this requirement.
5Technical/ContractinglSection 2.0 - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs & 2.1 - General, page 3.In regard to “the ability to support eNote transactions at 15,000 per year in a secure vault”, stated in Section 2.0, Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, Subsection 2.1 General, please confirm that the minimum levels of 15,000 per year, would need to be demonstrated at the pilot launch? Furthermore, does the 15,000 number referenced include E-Notes alone or a combination of E-Notes, trailing docs, and other docs?The 15,000 per year is the best estimate of the number of eNotes transaction that could be processed in a given year. The number includes eNotes alone and this capability would need to be demonstrated ahead of the pilot launch.
6ContractingSection 3.0 - Statement of Work; Subsection 3.2 - Mission, page 9.In regard to “Ginnie Mae’s plan to launch a Pilot in 2019” stated in Section 3.0 Statement of Work, Subsection 3.2 Mission, what is the anticipated contract award date / contract start dateThe anticipated award date is early October 2019.
7TechnicalSection 3.0 - Statement of Work; Subsection 3.2 - Mission, page 9.In regard to “the viability of the Pilot” stated in Section 3.0 Statement of Work, Subsection 3.2 Mission, is there a post-pilot vision for the program or will the contract mature or terminate?It is anticipated that there will be a post pilot phase under another requirement at the conclusion of this contract.
8ContractingSection 2.0 Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs; Subsections 2.2.1.2 thru 2.2.1.5, pages 5-8.Please confirm the pricing details we are providing for CLINs 1001 – 4001 are solely related to the option years.Yes, the pricing details reference refer to the Option Years.
9ContractingSection 2.0 - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, pages 4-8.There are line items that will require travel to / from Ginnie Mae locations. Should we include any estimated travel expenses required in the applicable CLINs or is that to be handled separately in a Statement of Work, if necessary, after the contract is awarded?No, a Travel CLIN has been added and has a Not-to-Exceed amount of $5,000. Your response under the travel CLIN should reflect the $5,000 amount. Additionally, a travel section has been added to the RFP. Also, see the update in the "Invoicing Section" related to "Travel".
10Technical/ContractingSection 2.0 - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, pages 4-8.Are we allowed to edit the quantity and/or unit type in the CLIN tables if it makes more sense? For example, the reporting line item is more of a service offering than a platform charge and might not warrant 12 monthly payments.No edits shall be made to the quantity and/or unit type in the CLIN Tables. Please note that we have updated the CLIN Tables. Any additional costs, including annual eVault platform fees, if any, that are not itemized or reflected in the existing CLIN structure shall be included under CLIN 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, or 4001, as applicable. Any costs that are reflected in such CLINs shall not be reflected under any other CLINs.
11TechnicalSection 3 - Description/Specifications/Statement of Work; Subsection 3.5, pages 11-18.How do we address a possible professional services engagement to be performed that haven’t been defined yet? There are references in sections 3 that speak to custom reporting and possibly professional services related to API integrations, does this need to be referenced in one of the CLINs or will they be handled in Statement of Works?All references to professional services required for customization of API integrations have been deleted from the RFP. Also, please see Section 3.5.6.3, Post-Implementation Custom Reporting for the requirements for ad hoc reporting.
12ContractingSubsection 2.2.1.5.1 - Transition Out, page 8.CLIN 4009 is for the transition Out Services, but we are not required to deliver a transition plan until middle of the 4th option year. Is Ginnie Mae still expecting to get a FPP for this line item?Yes, all contractors will have to provide pricing for Transition Out on a FFP basis.
13TechnicalSubsection 3.5.4.2 & 3.5.4.5 - Data Security and System Availability Standards, pages 14-15.Both of these sections reference compliance and/or certification requirements with FedRAMP, FISCAM, and FISMA. Would you please clarify your requirements for compliance v. certification with each of these standards? If your requirement is for certification, is there an expectation of timing in which such certifications must be completed post contract award?Certification is the requirement. FedRAMP certified facilities will be approved by Ginnie Mae within 30 days of contract award. FedRAMP certification will cover both FISCAM and FISMA requirements If the platform hosting the SaaS solution is FedRAMP certified, then it satisfies Ginnie Mae's requirements.
14TechnicalSubsection 3.5.4.3 - Cloud-Based Dynamic Storage, page 14.The requirement states: 'This platform shall be installed behind the institution’s firewall and tightly integrated to existing processes, while allowing authorized, third-party access.' Who is the 'institution' being referenced, GNMA or vendor/contractor?Please see revised language to subsection 3.5.4.3 clarifying the idenity of the institution and firewall requirements. "This platform shall be installed behind a firewall and tightly integrated to existing processes, while allowing authorized, third-party access."
15TechnicalSubsection 3.5.4.3 - Cloud-Based Dynamic Storage, page 14.Please define/describe the 'existing processes'.The existing processes relate to the MERS eRegistry process and any other existing vendor processes for performing transactions within the eVAult.
16TechnicalSubsection 3.5.4.5 - Data Security and System Availability Standards, page 14.Please confirm who is the 'servicer' referenced in this section?The servicer is the entity providing the FedRAMP certified platform.
17TechnicalSubsection 3.5.4.5 - Data Security and System Availability Standards, page 14.What are the 'required service levels'?99.99% availability as stated in Subsection 3.5.4.5.
18TechnicalSubsection 3.5.6.2 - API Integrations, page 16.Please clarify requirement: 'The contractor shall ensure that no data/functionality is exposed’All references to API have been deleted from the RFP. Also, the referenced Section has been deleted.
19TechnicalSubsection 3.5.9 - Transition Out Services, pagePlease clarify expectations during a transition - is the expectation to support the ability to transition out of the Cloud Platform to another Cloud Platform? If that is the case, how are a-h applicable as all services delivered through this contract would terminate and transition to the new provider?Yes, the transition out may be from one cloud provider platform to another or back to the Government. The expectation during transition is that the Evault contractor will work with the Government to implement the approved Final Transition-Out Plan. The implementation of the Final Transition-Out Plan will take place approximately 30 days prior to expiration of the contract.
20TechnicalSubsection 8.6.1.1 - Right to Audit Statement, page 32.Are itemized records related to hours worked and other expenses relevant for the fixed-price aspect of this RFP?No, itemized records related to hours worked and other expenses are not relevant for FFP.
21TechnicalSubsection 8.6.1.2.1.C - Federal Information Technology Security, page 33.Please describe an “independent SA&A” – is this an onsite audit? How many days? What are the requirements? What would we be contractually obligated to comply with for the audit findings/remediation plan?An independent SA&A is when Ginnie Mae's Security contractor conducts an independent audit based on NIST standards. The audit is performed for a period of 2-3 days onsite and is repeated once a quarter. For a FedRAMP certified environment a copy of the Plan of Action Milestones (POAMS) will be provided to the SA&A Contractor for review based on the findings of the audit. The Contractor would be responsible for addressing any findings or recommendations for remediation.
22TechnicalSubsection 8.6.1.2.1.E - Federal Information Technology Security, page 33.Please confirm User Guide(s) are the expected system documentation in support of this project.Yes, User Guide(s) are the expected documentation to support this project.
23TechnicalSubsection 8.6.1.2.1.G - Federal Information Technology Security, page 34.can you define “mixed or financial system”?Yes, Mixed systems have some financial information and non financial data. The Security controls are higher for Financial systems.
24TechnicalSubsection 8.6.1.2.1.H - Federal Information Technology Security, page 34.can you define “mixed or financial system”?Yes, Mixed systems have some financial information and non financial data. The Security controls are higher for Financial systems.
25TechnicalSubsection 8.6.1.2.1.J - Federal information Technology Security, page 35.Who is reviewing and presenting the Ginnie Mae System Security Plans? Contractor?Ginnie Mae is responsible for reviewing the security plans submitted by the contractor in accordance with Section F of this clause.
26Technical/ContractingSubsection 8.6.1.2.2 - Adherence to Federal Information Technology Security, page 36.Would Liquidated Damages be set forth in our contract?No liquidated damages will not be set forth in the contract.
27TechnicalSubSection 12.7.2 - Factor 2 - Past Performance, page 68Please confirm that your definition of 'registrations' refers to the initial registration that occurs at the point of eNote origination with the MERS eRegistry.We have revised section 12.7.2 to further define the evaluation criteria and the term "registrations."
28ContractingAttachment E - SF-1449, Block 8The RFP response is due on 9/3 at 11 EST. Please confirm this is the deadline for the soft copy to be received via email to Marion and Derrick and that the hard copies can be mailed to the address in section 12.5 and received the next day.The deadline is the same for the paper and softcopy proposals.
29Technical/ContractingSubsection 12.7.2 - Past Performance, page 69Past Performance; “The contractor shall also demonstrate that it has previously supported the transfer of a minimum of 1000 eNotes using eDelivery” - Is this 1000 enotes in a single bulk/batch (CLIN 0003a) ?No. For puposes of the Past perfromance requirements in subsection 12.7.2, the contractor does not have to show that it has previously used eDelivery for 1000 eNotes in a single bulk/batch so long as it can show that it has previously transferred at least 1000 eNotes using eDelivery even if it was done over multiple transactions. However, the extent to which a contractor is capable of performing bulk/batch processing will be evaulated as part of the technical requirements (i.e. CLIN 0003a)
30TechnicalSubsection 12.7.2 - Past Performance, page 69Are there stated performance metrics/SLAs for system responsiveness/performance not published in this RFP the contractor’s eVault would need to meet ?No, all applicable SLAs are published in the RFP.
31ContractingSection 2 - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, pages 5-8.If we have services (and fees) outside of the documented list, should we use the description, or add a new row? is there a SLIN# for "Other"?No. Please note that we have updated the CLIN Tables. Any additional costs, including annual eVault platform fees, if any, that are not itemized or reflected in the existing CLIN structure shall be included under CLIN 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, or 4001, as applicable. Any costs that are reflected in such CLINs shall not be reflected under any other CLINs.
32TechnicalSubsection 3.5.4.2 - Software as a Services (SaaS), page 14.Software as a Service (SaaS), is it stated that “The contractor’s eVault shall: Cloud Platform must meet and comply with all federal FedRAMP requirements.” - If the outsourced vendor (KTR's name omitted) utilizes for our Cloud Platform is FedRamp compliant, would that satisfy this requirement? Also, will the eVault implementation be designated as a Moderate or High baseline for FedRAMP?If the outsourced vendor utilizes a Cloud Platform that is FedRamp compliant, it would satisfy Ginnie Mae's requirement. The eVault will be designated a FedRAMP Moderate baseline.
33TechnicalSubsection 3.5.1.3 - Onboarding and Integration, page 12.Is there any data conversion required of existing eNotes from a GNMA system into hosted eVault?No, there are no data conversion requirements for existing eNotes. Please refer to the response under Question 1.
34TechnicalSubsection 3.5.9.a-h - Transition Out Services, page 17.Can you define the term technology more precisely? In particular, the scope of any hardware-related technology asset in the hosted environment.Yes, "a. through h." in this section relates to any initiatives, tools, or knowledge that the vendor performs, develops, or otherwise acquires exclusively in response to the requirements under the awarded Contract.
35ContractingGeneral QuestionGeneral ---- when will the award decision be made?The anticipated award date is October 2019.
36Technical/ContractingSection 2.0 - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, pages 4-8.Ginnie wants a firm fixed price on 15,000 eNotes, but wouldn’t a price per eNote be better? That way, Ginnie doesn’t pay for 15,000 eNotes if they only need 10,000 for the year.The 15,000 eNotes per year is the best estimate of the number of eNotes transaction that will be processed in a given year. Therefore, the Government requires pricing for the specified amount.
37Technical/ContractingSection 2.0 - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, pages 4-8.The pricing table states “12” as the quantity for line items Production eVault Platform Fee, eVault Environment for Testing Upcoming Code Releases, Reporting, Post Implementation API Integration, and Help Desk Technical Support Services. What does the 12 refer to? Does that mean 12 months of those services, or does it mean 12 separate environments?The pricing table no longer reflects "12" as the quantity for any line items. Please see revised pricing tables.
38Technical/ContractingSection 2.0 - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, pages 4-8.Does Ginnie just want firm fixed prices for eNotes in increments of 15,000, 30,000, 45,000, 60,000, and 75,000? Are we to assume this means annual increases of 15,000 or are these pricing bands so that if Ginnie needs 15,0001 then they are immediately paying the 30,000 eNotes price? What if Ginnie needs 15,001 in a year, but only 8,000 the next year, wouldn’t a price per eNote make more sense?Yes, the Government is seeking pricing for eNotes in increments of Base Period-15k, OY1-30k, OY2 -45k, OY3-60k, and OY4-75k. No, these are not bands reflective of paying for 30k notes when the Government needs 15,001. The contractor may assume that this reflects the registration of 15,000 new eNotes per year, and the need to store a copy of each of the eNotes such that the eNotes stored each succeeding year exceed the number of eNotes stored the previous year by 15,000 eNotes. Also, please see revised pricing tables.
39ContractingSubsection 3.5.2 - eNote Transaction Volume Requirements, page 12.It states 15,000 the annual minimum of eNotes that Ginnie will need. What if Ginnie only needs 14,000 in a year? This is why a price per eNote seems to make the most sense.The 15,000 eNotes per year is the best estimate of the number of eNotes transaction that will be processed in a given year. Therefore, the Government requires pricing for the specified amount.

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