L14PS00888__Amend_4_Q A.pdf

Division of Information Resource Management

Document Title: Amendment 3 – Question and Answers

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Conforms To: FAR 2014, FAC 2005-76 Effective Date: 25 Aug 2014

Solicitation Number: L14PS00888 Date: Nov 6, 2014

Bureau of Land Management

Information Technology Support Services

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Table of Contents

1.0 QUESTIONS and ANSWERS

General 2

IDIQ Body 4

Attachment 1 - Performance Work Statement 9

Attachment 2 – Labor Categories 15

Attachment 3 – Pricing Worksheet 16

Attachment 4 – Related Technologies 16

Exhibit 1 – Mock Task Order 1 16

Exhibit 1 – Mock Task Order 1 – Attachment TO1-A Pricing Worksheet 22

Exhibit 2 – Project Non-Disclosure Agreement 23

Exhibit 3 – Past Performance Questionnaire 23

Exhibit 4 – Vendor Provisions Error! Bookmark not defined.

1.0 QUESTIONS and ANSWERS

Below are the questions that have been posed by industry with the subsequent answers provided by the BLM Program and Contracting. Of special note is the column labeled ‘Action’; this denotes one of the following:

1. Clarification – this indicates that the answer provided is for the purpose of making clear any items that may have been unclear. A clarification does not materially change the solicitation or contract.

2. Change – this indicates that the answer provided is for the purpose of materially changing the solicitation or contract.

3. Delete – this indicates that the answer provided is for the purpose of materially changing the solicitation or contract through the deletion of the item indicated.

ACTION QUESTION and ANSWERS

General

Clarification

Question:

Is this a follow-on requirement? If so, please provide the incumbent information (contract number and contractor)

Answer:

Yes, this is a follow-on requirement; incumbent is NexGen, contract number L10PC00595

Choose an item.

Question: What is the number of probable task orders?

Answer:

2012: 40 task orders; 2013: 38 task orders; 2014: 36 task orders.

Total over the past three years were 114 task orders.

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

ACTION QUESTION and ANSWERS

Clarification

Question:

Is the solicitation (L14PS00888) the same solicitation as the original (L14PS00341) with the similar name?

Answer:

L14PS00341 was a Sources Sought advertisement only which did not result in a formal solicitation. L14PS00888 is its own solicitation and does not include any reference, nor should it be referenced to, L14PS00341.

Clarification Question:

Does BLM still plan to release a solicitation under L14PS00341 to provide IT Support to the various regional offices of the BLM

Answer: Solicitation L14PS00341 will not be competed at this time.

Clarification

Question:

We would like to confirm that since this is an IDIQ we can add subcontractors on a task order basis?"

Answer:

Since this is a performance based contract you would be required to meet the needs of the task orders.

Clarification

Question:

Is there a Contractor currently performing these services? If so, can you provide the Contractor’s name and duration for providing these services?

Answer: Nexgen. The current contract expires 03/31/2015

Clarification

Question: How many Contractors will be selected for the IDIQ?

Answer:

The Government contemplates award of a Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) resulting in Firm Fixed Priced (FFP) and Labor Hour (LH) contract type task orders resulting from this solicitation.

Clarification

Question:

We didn’t notice in the solicitation the actionable ability to add subcontractors after award of Solicitation and subsequent TO. Q – Can subcontractors be add after initial award?

Answer:

The prime awardee(s) are responsible for the management of their selected sub-contractors.

Clarification

Question: How many contract FTE’s are supporting DIRM ITSS?

Answer: Approximately 70-100

Clarification

Question:

Who are the incumbents for this work? What is the historical Level of Effort for this program? Could you provide contract numbers for the previous contract?

Answer: Incumbent is NexGen, contract number L10PC00595

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

ACTION QUESTION and ANSWERS

Clarification

Question:

On the 1449 would the Government consider extending the Offer Due date in box 8 from the 24 th of November (which is a Monday) to the 26 th of November, which is a Wednesday, to allow Offerors to ship their proposals on a Monday instead of over the weekend?

Answer: Please refer to the date set forth within the solicitation

Clarification

Question:

For purposes of this solicitation, does Past Performance extend to to key personnel or experience of principles of the company at the prime and or subcontract level?

Answer: Refer to Amendment 3 & 4.

Clarification

Question:

I have a question for you on the Past Performance Questionnaires. One of our customers has a general rule that they don’t fill out PPQ forms but they do CPARS. Would you accept a PPQ filled out and then a reference to CPARS?

Answer: Refer to Amendment 3 & 4.

Clarification

Question:

Is there a Contractor currently performing these services? If so, can you provide the Contractor’s name and duration for providing these services?

Answer: Nexgen. 5 Years.

Clarification

Question: How many Contractors will be selected for the IDIQ?

Answer:

The Government contemplates award of a Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) resulting in Firm Fixed Priced (FFP) and Labor Hour (LH) contract type task orders resulting from this solicitation.

ACTION PAGE SECTION QUESTION and ANSWERS

IDIQ Body

Clarification 20 2.2

Question: What is the expected ceiling value of the IDIQ?

Answer:

Please refer to clause 52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity (Oct

1995) (ADDENDUM)

Change 29 5.1 Question:

Need corrected date for anticipated posting of Amendment regarding questions and answers.

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Answer: Anticipating a posting of Tuesday November 4, 2014

Clarification 33 5.2.6.c

Question:

Tab B – Past Performance - Can we change or add past performance after the pre-proposal conference?

Answer: Refer to Amendment 3 & 4.

Clarification 35 6.3.3

Question:

Regarding the Offeror’s written narrative describing the Organization’s overall corporate experience, will the Government allow a company to be the prime on one team and a subcontractor on another?

Answer: Refer to Amendment 3 & 4

Clarification 37 6.3.3 Question:

Does this indicate that subcontractor teaming partners may contribute past performance references?

Answer: Refer to Amendment 3 & 4

Clarification 37 6.3.3 Question:

Would first tier subcontractors need to have their customers complete past performance questionnaires? (due to the 10/16 timeline for questionnaires to go to BLM for distribution – this is time sensitive).

Answer: Refer to Amendment 3 & 4

52.212-4 (a)

Paragraph (a) indicates that reperformance or replacement of nonconforming supplies/services is required at no increase in price. Can the Government please clarify if that this is intended to apply to firm fixed price orders only and that price for rework on Labor Hour orders would be subject to the applicable Inspection Clause at FAR 52.246-6?

Answer:

Please refer to individual task order requirements after award.

(o) Warranty

In accordance with the FAR prescription for Warranty clauses at FAR 46.710, can the Government please clarify that the warranty on Page 12 for software deliverables would apply to FFP type orders only?

No warranty clause at FAR Part 46.710 was included and only 52.212-4 and addendum is included. Warranties apply to deliverables.

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS) r – EIT

In accordance with the FAR prescription for Warranty clauses at FAR 46.710, can the Government please clarify that the warranty on Page 12 for EIT would apply to FFP type orders only?

No warranty clause at FAR Part 46.710 was included and only 52.212-4 and addendum is included. Warranties apply to deliverables.

31of 38

TAB B

Do resumes count against the 25 page limit of section TAB B:

Quality Control Plan, Management Plan, and General Continuity of Services Plan?

Answer: No

Clarification 30 of 38 5.2.5

Question: Font Size: Is it permissible to use the industry standard Arial family of fonts not less than 8 points in graphics and tables?

Answer:

That is acceptable on graphics and tables but vendors are warned if text is unreadable or difficult to read it will not be evaluated.

52.216.22, (e), (2)

Is the $49,000,000 shown a ceiling for all awards for a ceiling per award?

$49M represents the total value of the requirement over 5 years

5.2.6.c TAB A

Does BLM have a preferred format for past performance citations or minimum required information?

An amendment will be posted addressing past performance

Clarification 30 5.2.5 a.1)

Question:

Font Size is specified as no less than 10pt font size, no larger than 12pt font. Does the font size limitation apply to headings and subheadings or just to body text?

Answer:

Body but vendors are warned if text is unreadable or difficult to read it will not be evaluated.

Clarification 33 Tab B: Past Performance

Question:

Past Performance: Since past performance questionnaires have already been submitted to the BLM, how should the Offeror complete this section of Volume III?

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Answer:

An amendment will be posted addressing past performance

Clarification 29

5.1 Formal

Communication, Pre-proposal conference schedule, Item d.

Question: Pre-proposal conference: Does the Government intend to limit the number of attendees on the teleconference line?

Answer: Please refer to Amendment 3

Clarification 29 of 38 5.0

Question: Is hand delivery of proposals acceptable?

Answer:

Please follow the delivery instructions set forth within the solicitation

Clarification 29 of 38 5.0

Question: To what mailing address should we send the complete proposal package?

Answer: Please refer to the upcoming Amendment 4

Clarification 31 of 38 5.2.6.a Volume

I - TAB B

Question: Do Volume I proposed key personnel resumes count towards the 25 page limit?

Answer: No

Clarification 31 of 38 5.2.6.a Volume

I - TAB B

Question: Do Volume I Signed Letters of Contingent Employment count towards the 25 page limit?

Answer: No

Clarification 32 of 38 5.2.6.b Volume

II - TAB B

Question: Do Volume II Signed Letters of Contingent Employment count towards the 10 page limit?

Answer: No

Clarification 30 of 38 5.2.5.a.1)

Question: Are section headings limited to the 10pt minimum and 12pt maximum font size restrictions?

Answer:

Body but vendors are warned if text is unreadable or difficult to read it will not be evaluated.

Clarification 19 of 38 52.216-18(e) Question:

The pricing matrix shows many of what look like part-time positions – 320 hours, 640 hours. Can the government confirm that these positions are indeed part time?

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Answer:

Please refer to the instructions set forth in solicitation

L14PS00888

Clarification 25 of 38, 52.212-1(h) and 52.216-1

Question:

This is a multiple award IDIQ. How many awards does the government intent to make? FBO.gov mentions it, but the number is not specifically addressed anywhere in the formal

RFP.

Answer:

The Government contemplates award of a Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) resulting in Firm Fixed Priced (FFP) and Labor Hour (LH) contract type task orders resulting from this solicitation.

Clarification 38 of 38 6.3.5 Price c.

Mock Task Order Price – “The offeror shall propose a total price for the Mock Task Order using the labor hour rates proposed for unit prices in Attachment 3. Mock Task Order price evaluation will focus on evaluation of proposed labor categories and quantities for each Offerors proposed Pricing Worksheet … to ensure proposal is realistic.”

Earlier on page 34 TAB C: Mock Task Order Price Proposal it is stated, “Offerors are encouraged to provide discounted labor rates for both onsite and offsite efforts at the Task Order level”

These are two different requests. Is the government seeking discounted rates on the Mock Task Order?

Answer:

The government is seeking to understand the capabilities and realism of vendors capabilities through their understanding and pricing of a mock task order. Pricing should be presented in the manner the vendor feels provides the government the best value possible in conjunction to their technical proposal and the requirements.

Choose an item. 14 of 38 52.212-5(b)(25)

Question:

52.219-28 is checked. How will Post Award Small Business Program Representation be implemented and enforced by the agency?

Answer:

The Contracting Officer will actively track for the life of the contracts.

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Choose an item. 18 of 38 52.216-18(d)(b) Question:

Historically, over the past five years, how many separate task orders are issued each year?

How many under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold?

How many exceeding the SAT?

How many exceeding $5M?

Answer:

Historically, over the past five years, how many separate task orders are issued each year? 40

How many under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold? 17

How many exceeding the SAT? 23 How many exceeding $5M? None

Choose an item.

5.2.6.b

Tab B: Management Plan and Support Team (under Volume II – Technical Approach – Mock Task Order Level), states "For proposed key personnel who are not yet employed by the Offeror, signed letters of contingency for employment must be included with their submission."

Given this is a Mock Task Order, would the government please remove the requirement to include signed letters of contingency for employment for key personnel? Signing a letter of contingency may put an individual at risk with their current employer if somehow their their current employer found out.

Asking an individual to sign a letter of contingency for a mock position may present undue risks.

The requirement for Signed Letters of Contingency will be removed from the mock task order; however, that requirement will be part of real task orders and is indeed still a requirement for the IDIQ proposals.

5.2.6.a.1.II

Does BLM require US citizenship for cleared contract personnel?

Answer: Yes See guidelines for NACI and MBI clearances.

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Choose an item.

Question:

Answer:

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Question:

Answer:

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Question:

Answer:

Attachment 1 – PWS Answer:

Clarification N/A N/A

Question:

Do we need to submit Actual Resumes for all the 62 Labor Categories?

Answer:

No; please refer to the IDIQ Body Section 5.2.6 for resume requirements.

Choose an item. 10 3.2.1.3

Question:

I noticed that opportunity L14PS00888 is very broad in scope and that it includes Security as a component, and even articulate a few analysts to do the job. Would a bid focusing on just that portion be accepted, or are you looking for a company that can do the entire task?

Answer:

Vendors are encouraged to bid the requirements as outlined in the solicitation and is seeking vendors that can complete all requirements listed

Choose an item. 3 1.2.5 Question:

What percentage of work can be done remotely? If remote is acceptable, will GFE be provided to allow for VPN access?

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Answer:

Currently a majority of the work is done onsite within BLM facilities. GFP requirements are addressed via Amendment 4

Choose an item. General General Question:

Who are the incumbents on the work covered under the IDIQ?

How many FTE per year support this work?

Answer: The incumbent is Nexgen.

Choose an item. General General Question: Are the incumbents eligible to compete on this effort?

Answer: Yes

1.2.10

Section 1.2.10 requires the use of ANSI-compliant EVM procedures. As DoD typically requires this for contracts in excess of $20M due to the complexity and cost, can DOI please clarify if full ANSI-compliant EVM will be required for all task orders, only some, or if EVM best practices can be used, which is more cost-effective. In addition, can DOI clarify if EVM will be required for FFP task orders, which is counter to DOD guidance and typically requires reporting of actual costs incurred?

EVM best practices and standards are expected on all task orders. Specifics on approaches will be handled at the individual task orders but for the IDIQ level vendors are encouraged to demonstrate the abilities to understand and apply EVM across multiple project types & approaches

Choose an item. General General

Can you provide a list of incumbents who are providing support for the current applications and related infrastructure

Answer: Nexgen is the current incumbent

Choose an item. 8 Section 3.1 Question:

Are there any preferred Cloud Hosting Vendors or solutions already identified (Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure etc.)?

Answer: DOI Cloud contract is the “preferred” : http://cloud.doi.gov/

Choose an item. 9 Section 3.2.1, part 1 Question:

What is meant by Mobile/Responsive Design Development, can you elaborate and provide details on what is meant by responsive?

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Answer:

When a system is responsive, the layout and/or content responds (or, adapts) based on the size of the screen it’s presented on.

A responsive system automatically changes to fit the device you’re reading it on.

A mobile app is a software application developed specifically for use on small, wireless computing devices, such as smartphones and tablets, rather than desktop or laptop computers.

Choose an item. 12 Section 3.2.2 part 4

Question:

Under Systems Engineering, please elaborate and provide details on what is involved in Telecom and Radio Communication Analysis and Support?

Answer:

The support of telecommunication and Radio Communication products, systems, and services either currently existing or as future solutions.

Choose an item. 12 – 18 Section 3.2.2

Question:

With regards to a variety of support services and activities are there any COTS tools currently being used for assisting with;

Use Case Development, Requirements Management, Systems Testing, Enterprise Architecture

Answer:

At the time there are no enterprise wide endorsements of tools to perform the specific work questioned. Over the life of the IDIQ this position may change.

Choose an item. 10 2

Question:

How many current Tier 2 and 3 services calls are occurring for the past 12 months?

Answer:

These statistics are not readily available at this time but further clarity is expected at the time of task order awards.

Choose an item.

12-18 of 22

5.2.6 Tab C, 2)

3.2.2

It is assumed that Offerors are to respond to the six requirements under Tab C 2) and that the Support Services Tasks in PWS section 3.2.2 are for informational purposes.

Correct?

Answer:

3.2.2 are provided as examples of services that may be pursued and per industry practices can align under one or more of the functional areas outlined in Tab C 2

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Choose an item. 21 4.3.2

Question:

The government states that the contractor is required to include a “review and monthly update to the Risk Management Plan

(Refer to 4.2.3 Risk Management Plan herein) unless specified otherwise in the Task Order.”

Section “4.2.3, Risk Management Plan” is not included in this PWS. Is the Contractor to assume a Risk Management Plan in Required at the IDIQ level? If so, will the government provide instructions on what is required in the IDIQ-level Risk Management Plan?

Typo – The statement should reference 4.3.3 not 4.2.3

Choose an item. 21 4.3.1

The government states that the contractor is required to, “As a part of the Contractor’s proposal submittal for each Task Order the Contractor shall deliver a draft schedule to for review.”. For compliance reasons, can the government tell contractors to whom the draft Project schedule should be sent?

Answer:

These are task order requirements and will be defined with each TO. At this time the generic answer is as part of the task order proposals so therefore see task order proposal instructions/deadlines/poc

Choose an item. 10

3.2.1 Functional

Area, 2.

Application Training and Help Desk Operations

Question:

Can the government supply an example(s) of specific equipment that would be covered under “Technical Equipment Support”?

Answer:

An example could be servers (dev, test etc), monitors, mice, ipads, cisco phones, printers etc.

Choose an item. 1 10 Question:

Document indicates that Security guidance will come from FISMA and NIST. Are BLM systems generally rated as FISMA high, moderate or low impact?

Answer: Low to Moderate is the traditional rating to date

Choose an item. 3 of 22 1.2.5 Question:

Can the government please clarify their expectations for housing staff on-site vs. off-site at contractor facilities? Does the incumbent staff currently provide both on-site and off-site support?

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Answer:

A majority of staff currently resides onsite within BLM facility but there are staff that reside full time and part time virtually. As the industry changes and capabilities become more readily available it is envisioned offsite support may become more popular and beneficial to the mission

Choose an item. 3 of 22 1.2.5

Question:

How many staff are currently housed on-site, and how many are currently housed off-site?

How many staff does the government anticipate housing on-site under the new contract?

Answer:

The answer to this question varies over time by customer requirements.

Choose an item. 6 of 22 1.2.13 Question:

Please provide some clarity as to what the government will be providing in terms of equipment, facilities and systems access,

vs. what the contractor is to provide. 1.2.13 Government

Furnished Property states “The need for Government Furnished

Property (GFP) will be identified at the Task Order Level. NOTE:

Work performed at the Contractor's facility likely will require access to the BLM infrastructure. Currently this can only occur through the use of Government provided laptops with Virtual

Private Network (VPN) connection; it is projected that this capability may change over the course of the contract yet is not guaranteed. Any access must be in compliance with Section

1.2.9 Security.”

Is the contractor to provide their own infrastructure in terms of development and test environments, software licenses, tools, etc. duplicating BLM’s technology stack?

Can the government clarify the ambiguity relating to only allowing access to VPN environments via Government provided laptops?

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Answer:

In order to access BLM current environment a BLM issued computer with VPN credentials is required. If the task order requires such access further information will be provided at the task order level. In general every task order has at least a minimal staff with access to the BLM so therefore there typically a small amount of GFP issued to every task at minimum.

Choose an item.

3 of 22 and 6 of

1.2.6 and 1.2.13

Question:

Can the government provide some additional information as to the tools currently being used to perform application and security testing, for tracking bugs/defects, configuration management and software version control, project planning and scheduling, EVM reporting, etc.?

Is the contractor to provide those tools, at no cost to the government, or will contractor staff be allowed to use BLM licenses and systems for these activities?

Which will BLM provide, which will the contractor be expected to provide?

If provided by the government, how will contractor access be provided for these tools given limitations of using GPLaptops to access BLM systems?

Answer:

Some examples of products used for the topics mentioned are : MS Project, Remedy, JIRA, Sharepoint, Subversion, McAfee Vulnerability Manager Foundstone, etc.

The use of licenses on products will be handled on a task order basis. When provided they will most likely be provided via VPN access and/or issued laptops.

3 1.2.5

What percentage of work can be done remotely? If remote is acceptable, will GFE be provided to allow for VPN access?

Answer: Please refer to Amendment 4

Attachment 2 – Labor Categories

All

All

Please define years of experience, certifications, educations for each category (especially Junior vs. Senior)

Answer: The government cannot state education level required.

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Choose an item.

Question:

Answer:

Attachment 3 – Pricing Worksheet

Clarification General General

Question:

There are nearly 70,000 hours/year listed in the pricing file. Is there a breakout of staff work location between client and contractor site?

No. The government requests each offeror to propose based on their stated ability to clearly and thoroughly demonstrate their abilities to efficiently manage and control a contract of this magnitude.

Clarification 1 N/A

The price worksheet at the IDIQ level requires offerors to split the BLM supplied hours into offsite and onsite hours. How should offerors determine how to split those hours?

Answer:

IDIQ Body Section 6.3.5(b): The Offeror shall insert their proposed unit labor hour price for each labor category for both onsite and offsite.

Attachment 4 – Related Technologies

Choose an item.

Question:

Answer:

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Question:

Answer:

Exhibit 1 – Mock Task Order 1

Clarification General General

Question:

Even though this is a mock task order, is this task order currently being performed by the incumbent? If so, what is the task order number?

Answer:

No; however, the mock task order represents commonality for types of work being currently performed. The O&M portion of the mock is being provided however the ticket work is potential future work that could be a real task order in the future

Clarification General General

Question:

What types of ERP systems are currently being used? Is BLM set with these types, or are you looking for alternatives?

Answer:

BLM does not see the value in answer this question in context of the mock task order.

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Clarification General General

Question: What is the “BLM” Data Registry?

Answer:

There is no BLM Data Registry referenced in the Mock task order.

Clarification General General

Question:

What tools are being used for Business Process Reengineering?

Answer:

Please see section 1.1 of the Mock task order and attachment 4 for technology being used for the subject mock system. Overall Business Process Modeling and Reengineering does not have a current “corporate” tool at

BLM

Clarification General General

Question:

What are some examples of BLM requirements in reference to PWS BG 14?

Answer:

The question is not clear (BG 14?) and therefore cannot be answered.

Clarification General General

Question: What CASE tools are being used?

Answer:

No formal CASE tool is being used from a corporate perspective within BLM. A mix of peripherals are independently used to perform the overall CASE concepts.

Clarification 9 4.4.1

Question:

How mature is the systems development lifecycle? Is there an SDLC being followed? What automation methods are being used for test, build, and deployment?

Answer:

Internal SDLC maturity level is currently low however our development partners have more mature SDLCs they utilize in delivering products. Multiple different SDLC methodologies are being used based on the need of the system/requirements.

Clarification General General

Question: How are software releases currently being performed?

Answer:

At the moment Primarily manually by a release management team operated by NexGen.

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Clarification 9 4.4.1

Question: How is source code currently being managed?

Answer: Subversion

Clarification 11-16 4.6

Question:

Do we need to provide a technical approach for each specific ticket in the mock task order, PWS Section 4.6?

Answer:

Please refer to the instructions regarding the mock task order

Clarification General General

Question:

Can the Government please clarify the contract type for the Mock TO?

The Mock Task Order is a “mock” Please refer to the mock pricing spreadsheet.

Clarification General General

Question:

Is the mock task order for evaluation purposes only or does BLM reserve the right to award a task order based on the proposals?

The mock task order will be utilized for evaluation purposes only.

Clarification N/A N/A

Question: Will the Mock Task Order be awarded to an offeror as part of the overall IDIQ contract award?

Answer:

The mock task order will be utilized for evaluation purposes only.

Clarification N/A N/A

Question: How many FTE’s are currently supporting the work outlined in the Mock Task Order PWS?

Answer:

The mock is not currently being performed in full and therefore the answer to this question is not readily available. Historically the system has seen support team range from 6-10 employees.

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Clarification N/A N/A

Question: Who is the incumbent contractor currently performing the work outlined in the Mock Task Order?

Answer: NexGen

Clarification 10 4.4.2

Will contractor need to provide and/or recommend security testing tools…or is there a standard toolset that is expected to be used? If toolset is predefined, please provide current tools used.

Answer:

Vendors are recommended to provide proposals they believe represent the best value to the government.

Currently the primary security tool used by the Security team is McAfee Vulnerability Scanning Foundation for pre and post scanning of products ready for operational releases.

Clarification 5 of 19 4.2

Question: What tools are currently used to track the bugs/defects, to perform testing and for software version control?

Answer: A combination of JIRA, Remedy, and other ad-hoc means

Clarification 5 of 19 4.2.4 Question: Maintenance Releases. How many releases are expected for a month?

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Answer:

To control and manage effectiveness of teams we strive to limit releases to quarterly releases however monthly or more frequent releases do happen depending on the severity of the bug/issue being addressed.

Clarification 5 4.2.6

Question: Data Cleanup Support. Is this support for data archive or for production data fixes or a combination of things?

Answer:

Primarily production date fixes but there are time it could be used for other purposes such as archiving.

4.2

For ePlanning operational & maintenance support, is the mock task order contractor responsible for of the physical infrastructure such as servers, storage and networking components? Or is the O&M for mock task order limited to the operational & maintenance at the operating system and ePlanning applications (Documentum, Arbortext, Back Office, Front Office, Comment Works, ESRI ArcGIS, Oracle11gR2) level?

the operational & maintenance at the operating system and ePlanning applications (Documentum, Arbortext, Back Office, Front Office, Comment Works, ESRI ArcGIS, Oracle11gR2) level?

However the application O&M vendor may interface with other vendors responsible for physical infrastructure such as servers storage and networking to ensure the overall best working system for the BLM customers

Section 4.2 Operational & Maintenance Support describes O&M services for 22 service areas. The ePlanning system consist of at least six applications (Documentum, Arbortext, Back Office, Front Office, Comment Works, & ESRI ArcGIS). Where applicable, will the government please provide metrics by service area and application? For example

Answer: No.

It states the contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, equipment, material and/or services.... What equipment and material will be required? Does this include servers and peripherals, etc.? Will this be considered an ODC?

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Answer:

For the sake of the moc task order assume all equipment is provided (Dev, Test, Prod servers, sever licenses, dev/tech team laptops). Additional items should be clarified at the time of the task order with specific direct questions.

4.1

Can you please provide the current FTE count supporting Program and Project Management for the ePlanning System?

From a contract perspective historically less than or equal to 1 at a given time.

Can you please provide the current FTE count supporting following applications: (Documentum, Arbortext, Back Office, Front Office, Comment Works, & ESRI ArcGIS)?

This question has been answered above but vendors are encouraged to propose their own technical approach they perceive as best value to the government.

What release management tool is used to manage requirements development and tracking?

Answer: Primarily Remedy, JIRA and other ad-hoc tools/products

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

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Exhibit 1 – Mock Task Order 1 – Attachment TO1-A Pricing Worksheet

Choose an item. 1 N/A

Question:

The Mock TO price worksheet requires offerors to split the hours into offsite and onsite hours. How should offerors determine this split? How much office space does the Government have available onsite to support this task order?

Answer:

Please refer to the instructions set forth within the solicitation

Choose an item.

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Exhibit 2 – Project Non-Disclosure Agreement

Choose an item.

Question:

Answer:

Choose an item.

Question:

Answer:

Exhibit 3 – Past Performance Questionnaire

Clarification N/A N/A

Question:

Part I is due on 16 Oct 14, yet we haven’t fully formulated our teaming arrangements; can this requirement be extended?

Answer:

No; we are not requesting past performance on teaming members.

Clarification N/A N/A

Question:

One of our customers has a general rule that they don’t fill out PPQ forms but they do CPARS. Would you accept a PPQ filled out and then a reference to CPARS?

Answer:

You may provide the information however appropriate to convey the information needed.

Clarification 2 B

Question:

Want to confirm that Part 1 and only Part 1 of the questionnaire is due on October 16, 2014 by 9AM MT

Answer: Per Section B, that is correct.

Change 2 B

Question:

Offeror Reference Background Information due 10 Oct at 9:00 a.m. and it states that the Word Doc shall be filled out, yet the document posted is a PDF; is this correct?

Answer:

Amendment 1 – Word Doc was uploaded and date for receipt of Part I was changed

Change 2 B Question:

Under Part 1 of the Offeror Reference Background Information, the Date to return Questionnaires to BLM NOC is 16 October 2014. Given that the Pre-proposal conference is scheduled for 30, October 2014 and that includes a review and answering of the questions posed, would the Government be willing to extend the due date for Past Performance Questionnaires to 31 October, 2014 or later or allow for Offerors to submit additional Questionnaires after the conference? This would allow Offerors to provide the Government with additional past performances that may be more appropriate and beneficial based on information shared during the conference.

Answer: Please refer to Amendments

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Change Question:

Answer:

Pre-Proposal Conference Questions 10/30/2014 and Post Pre-Proposal

Choose an item.

Question:

Is the work described in the PWS currently being performed primarily off-site?

Answer: Current work is performed primarily on-site.

Choose an item.

Question:

What are the Government’s expectations for transition time from to award to the contractor’s full operating capability of a remote site?

Answer:

The Government anticipates all task orders to be fully operational on 04/01/14.

Choose an item. Question:

Is the Government receptive to receiving hand-delivered proposals?

Answer: Please refer to the solicitation instructions

Choose an item. Question:

Given BLM’s interest in establishing long term business relationships and the expected level of IT expenditures have you considered a longer POP with a higher ceiling?

Answer: No.

Choose an item. Question:

With work at contractor facilities and 3 awardees do you anticipate issuing GFE computers, SW etc.? Also how do you anticipate addressing OCI concerns across companies/task orders? Do you expect off-site bid costs/pricing to be impacted as well?

Answer:

The Government did not state how many awardees; the Government stated multiple awards. GFE is required to access via VPN to BLM’s internal network.

Choose an item. Question:

What tools do you use for CM? What tools do you use for documentation and version control?

Answer: Remedy, EDMS, Subversion

Choose an item. Question:

What is the latest regarding “only government furnished computers can VPN info the network’?

Answer:

Current policy mandates access to the BLM network be achieved from only government issued computers.

Choose an item. Question: Will BLM be issuing BLM laptops to contractors or not?

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Answer:

In some cases yes. Clarity will be provided on each task order.

Choose an item. Question:

In particular, how will this work for multiple awardees, completing task orders and splitting up the workflow with multiple companies?

Answer:

Each task order will be competed among IDIQ awardees with instructions/evaluation criteria set forth in each task order solicitation

Choose an item. Question:

What are the historical distributions of task orders? Can you provide a list, with the size of each so the we can get an idea of the annual activity? ie…TO#, $, duration, FY issued

Answer:

Choose an item. Question:

Does BLM have any intention of exercising the mock task order post award?

Answer:

No. This is only a “mock” task order for evaluation purposes.

Choose an item. Question:

What is “BLM client awareness training”? Is this training focused on internal employees or is it external?

Answer:

Training that focuses on understanding and properly responding to the different clientele of BLM (internal and external) For example they may be a VIP lists for help desk support for the BLM Director and/or State Directors (SESs)

Choose an item. Question:

Please clarify the activities of “audit support” and “billing support” in the mock task order. What kind of audits are these?

Is billing part ePlanning?

Answer:

There is not billing support anticipated in the mock, this is a typo. Audits of IT systems are common and typically related to FISMA and other application security policies.

Choose an item. Question:

The PWS calls for a Risk Management Plan at the task order level. Should one be provided for the Mock task order? Will it count as part of the page count?

Answer: Please refer to the Mock PWS.

Choose an item. Question: Is there a BLM SDLC?

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Answer:

There is no official BLM SDLC currently published and endorsed BLM wide. Multiple methodologies are being used and BLM hopes to establish a widely adopted BLM SDLC methodology in the near future but in the meantime relies on their development partners and industry best practices.

Choose an item. Question:

Is there a desired place of performance? Government site or all contractor site or hybrid? Denver areas or additional locations(i.e. Boise, Portland, DC…)

Answer:

Initially a majority of tasks will likely require onsite primarily in the Denver and Boise areas as that’s the current status quo. As technology advances and the value can be demonstrated a more hybrid approach is expected.

On a task order basis if requirements permit hybrid and/or offsite capabilities vendors should consider such option in providing the best value proposal to the government.

Choose an item. Question:

Do you view the approach to the ePlanning project to be more agile or waterfall based on any constraints?

Answer: Currently… Waterfall…

Choose an item. Question: Can off-shore applications development resources be utilized?

Answer: Please refer to the solicitation.

Choose an item. Question:

What programming languages are being used to perform the application customizations?

Answer: See attachment 4

Choose an item. Question: How is the existing system documentations being stored?

Answer: EDMS/Documentum and Sharepoint

Choose an item. Question:

Answer:

Choose an item. Question: What is the PCMB?

Answer: Project Change Management Board

Choose an item. Question: What is the NTP, referenced on page 17?

Answer: Notice to Proceed

Choose an item. Question: What is the TBRR, referenced on page 19?

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Answer:

Test Baseline Release Report - The deliverable package that accompanies the products being sent to test.

Typically summarizes release, modified files, updated DB diagrams, etc..

Choose an item. Question:

Do BLM has template or descriptions for the deliverables described in the TO?

Answer:

There are templates available for a majority of the deliverables however BLM believe they are not needed at this time. Please use industry practices and clarification to other questions.

Choose an item. Question:

How long is the typical release cycle? We see that they like quarterly releases, but what is the project lifecycle length for each release. For instance, does a release project begin 9 months before its scheduled release date or does it start within 3 months of the schedule release date?

Answer:

The answer will vary based on the skillset of the technical teams, requirements, and overall resource availability.

Historically I’d say quarterly releases operate on a 3-4 month release cycle.

Choose an item. Question: Help Desk Support Hours?

Answer:

Will be clarified in individual TO that require help desk support otherwise use 6a-6pm MT for help desk specific items.

Choose an item. Question:

Technical equipment support under “ Application Training and Help Desk Operations” – what kind of equipment to be supported?

Answer:

Answered above and would receive further details in task orders as requesting this service

Choose an item. Question:

We are now limited to three (3) past performance citations vice the original five (5).

Answer: Please refer to amendment 4

Choose an item. Question:

We are to send the past performance questionnaires to our customers who will complete them and then they will return them to you.

Answer: Yes

Choose an item. Question:

Could you also clarify the note page 31? We interpret this to mean that if we have a multiple contracts with a customer that are applicable to this solicitation, we can have them submit multiple questionnaires to the BLM, but we are still limited to three (3) past performance citations? Is this correct.

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Answer: Please refer to Amendment 4

Choose an item. Question:

When referring to Past Performance of the offeror. Is the subcontractor past performance considered to be part of the offeror Past Performance or is only the past performance of the prime considered?

Answer: Please refer to Amendment 4

Choose an item.

L14PS0088_IDIQ

Body_Revised

5.2.6c. Tab B:

Past

Performance Question:

Given this is a small-business set-aside competition, it is unlikely that a small business would have multiple past performances that would be similar in scope and complexity to the BLM IDIQ.

In the interest of not restricting the competitive landscape, would the BLM consider evaluating Past Performance Surveys (PPS) of the first-tier (named) subcontractor as part of the evaluation of the overall past performance?

Answer: Please refer to Amendment 4

Choose an item.

L14PS0088_IDIQ

Body_Revised

5.2.6c. Tab B:

Past Performance

Question:

Government has indicated that it will only evaluate three (3) Past Performance Surveys.

Please clarify if offeror’s can submit Past Performance Surveys to BLM from first-tier subcontractors, joint venture partners, etc., as part of its three Past Performance Surveys.

Answer: Please refer to Amendment 4

L14PS00888 -

IDIQ Body - 9

Oct 14 page 28 4.2

Question:

52.216-1 - Type of Contract (Apr 1984)

The Government contemplates award of a Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) resulting in

Firm Fixed Priced (FFP) and Labor Hour (LH) contract type task orders resulting from this solicitation.

The original RFI contemplated awards to approximately three

(3) awardees. Does BLM plan to award multiple IDIQ contracts or a single IDIQ contract?

Answer: The Government anticipates the award of multiple IDIQ’s.

Choose an item.

L14PS00888 -

IDIQ Body - 9 Oct 14 page 30

5.2.5.a.1) Question:

What is the minimum font size that can be used in a graphic, illustration, or table?

Description: Information Technology Support Services (ITSS)

Answer:

Font Size: Typewritten or printed letters of no less than 10pt font size, no larger than12pt font.

L14PS00888 -

Exhibit 1 - Mock TO - 9 Oct 14

1.1

Question: Is Documentum use limited to WebTop?

Answer: No

Choose an item.

L14PS00888 -

Exhibit 1 - Mock TO - 9 Oct 14 page 2,3

1.1 Question:

What technology was used to develop Front Office and Back Office (e.g., Java)?

Answer: Primarily Java

Choose an item.

L14PS00888 -

Exhibit 1 - Mock TO - 9 Oct 14

4.2

Question:

Does BLM/support contractors currently utilize an agile approach?

Answer:

Yes however there are certain regulations we must comply with at times that impact/modify the traditional agile approach.

Choose an item.

Question:

Answer:

Choose an item.

Question:

Answer:

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L14PS00888 -

Exhibit 1 - Mock TO - 9 Oct 14

4.3

Question:

What documentation exists now and which documents need to be created?

All documents with the exception of TBRR and OBRR currently exist in some form for the mock task order.

Choose an item.

L14PS00888 -

Exhibit 1 - Mock TO - 9 Oct 14

4.4

Question: Does Mock Task Order exclude the C&A/ A&A?

Answer:

C&A and A&A have multiple meanings and without further clarification this question cannot be answered. The acronyms C&A and A&A are not used in the current Mock document.