RFI questions and answers 18OCT2024.pdf

Questions Answer Draft PWS Paragraph dated 14 AUG

Draft PWS Paragraph dated

16 OCT 2024

Would the Government sponsor a contractor's clearance requirement for M68909-25-I-7600, if a contractor does not have a Secret Facility Clearance

We will not sponsor the contractor for a facility clearance

How many Security personnel do you need?

What is the length of time do need them and do you require security clearance?

We need one full time employee. They will need to be on site weekdays (excluding federal holidays) 8 hours a day, no telework is authorized. They will need to come to us with an active SCI clearance

Is the contractor’s PM (PWS 1.2.1) required to be on site at Camp Pendleton? The Program Manager requirement is removed from the PWS -see revised PWS dated 16 OCT 2024.

1.2.1 Deleted

Is the contractor’s PM a full-time position? If not, how many hours per year are allocated on the contract for the PM?

The Program Manager requirement is removed from the PWS -see revised PWS dated 16 OCT 2024.

How many FTE does the Government require to fulfill ASSO/CMDSAPSO Duties IAW PWS 1.2.2 / 3.2.2?

We only require one FTE to perform the ASSO duties. 1.2.2 / 3.2.2 1.2.1/3.2.1

What is the performance start date for the contract, if awarded? The start date would be approximately 2 to 3 weeks after award.

Is an incumbent contract or contractor associated to the requirement? If any, please provide the contractor's name and contract number.

No incumbent.

Could the government please confirm if this is a new requirement. Yes, new requirement Overall If a contract is awarded for this effort, what is the anticipated period of performance?

One 12 month base year and four 12 month option year Overall

Since MCTSSA provides 24/7 global technical support, will contractor employees be expected to work 24/7 at any time? Will the Government clarify any circumstances that may require contractor shift work to support 24/7 coverage?

No, this position is for normal work hours (M-F) from 8 am to 4:30pm, excluding federal holidays. 24/7 coverage is not required for this position

1.1

Reference the list of training courses in the draft PWS, will the government expect contractor employees to complete all courses prior to starting on the contract or will they be able to complete the courses once on contract during the mobilization period using government systems?

Contractor personnel are authorized to receive training on government systems and software when training is not available in the commercial sector. The Cyber Awareness Challenge and PII training must be completed on MarineNet (https://www.marinenet.usmc.mil/my.policy) before an e-mail account is issued

3.1.14 3.1.13

Will there be any telework or remote work allowed for this effort? If so, please clarify.

This position is not eligible for telework or remote work 3.1.8 3.1.7

Without any historical workload data and clearly spelled out division of duties by labor category, it will be hard to estimate number of FTEs by skill and labor categories need to support the requirements. It will also be hard to estimate labor costs and effectively recruit appropriately skilled contractor employees.

Will the government provide the # of FTEs required and a breakout of specific skills by labor category? It is not clear if a PERSEC skilled contractor employee will be expected to perform TSCM duties; typically performed by a TSCM certified technician. Also, a TSCM skilled/certified individual is a higher cost labor than a PERSEC skilled Security Specialist.

This position is for one FTE. They must have working knowledge of how to operate a SCIF and run a compliant SCI program.

3.2 3.2

Please confirm that the Program Manager position is onsite and billable? The Program Manager requirement is removed from the PWS -see revised PWS dated 16 OCT 2024.

3.2.1 Deleted

Under ASSO/CMDSAPSO duties, it appears that #13 and #19 conflict. In #13, personnel will be *conducting* TSCM and TEMPEST actions, whereas in #19, the contractor employees request and coordinate TSCM Surveys with OSI. It is not clear, if OSI will be doing the TSCM surveys and the contractors are simply requesting/coordinating; or if the contractor is doing the TSCM surveys and informing OSI as part of a coordination process. Will the government provide clarification as to whether or not ASSO/CMDSAPSO personnel are required to conduct TSCM surveys/TEMPEST actions. These TSCM duties are also listed Appendix C-Performance Requirements Summary pages C5.

They will assist the government employee. They must have a working knowledge of the TSCM and TEMPEST processes in order to request, assist, coordinate, and support the SSO in these efforts. See revised PWS dated 16 OCT 2024.

3.2.2 (13 & 19)

3.2.1 (13 & 19)

Please spell out which TSCM and TEMPEST "actions" the ASSO/CMDSAPSO is expected to conduct.

See answer above 3.2.2 (13) 3.2.1 (13)

Will contractor employees that conduct TSCM/TEMPEST actions be required to have TSCM and/or TEMPEST certifications?

See answer above 3.2.2 (13) 3.2.1 (13)

If contractor employees are required to perform TSCM/Tempest, will the government be providing the equipment to conduct TSCM Surveys? Please clarify.

See answer above 3.2.2 (13) 3.2.1 (13)

Will the mobilization period be billable? Yes 3.1.12.3.1 3.1.11.3.1 This paragraph states ASSO/CMDSAPSO must have attended and completed a formal SSO Certification Training. The only personnel that are able to obtain this formal training certification are normally military or government civilian and a few select government contractors which limits the available candidate pool for these requirements. Will the government accept an alternate certification or allow for this training to be obtained within a certain period of time after award of contract?

Yes. The contractor must have an SSO certification upon contract award.

3.2.2 3.2.1

This paragraph states the contractor will respond to and troubleshoot after-hours alarm issues when required. This suggests there are positions with 24/7 on-call. Will the government consider providing a 24/7 CLIN for billing additional time when personnel come in after working 8 hour shifts? This is how after hour alarms are billed on other Government contracts with the same requirement.

Section 3.2.2 (23) has been deleted - see revised PWS dated 16

OCT 2024.

3.2.2 (23) Deleted

States the contractor shall provide all personnel tools, materials. Please expand on the types of tools and materials that the contract is expected to provide at their cost.

Section 3.1.5 has been deleted from the PWS - see revised PWS dated 16 OCT 2024.

3.1.5 Deleted

3.1.5.3 States the "Contractor Representative will transfer the contractor-owned laptops…..3.1.5.3 non-government owned internal/external hard drives shall become property of the US Government........" Please clarify if the Contractor is to purchase and supply laptops to their employees to perform government duties on this government contract. This is not a normal practice.

The Government usually issues government accredited laptops. If the contractor is to purchase laptops, should the cost be factored into overall pricing or will there be a ODC CLIN. Will the Government then assist in getting them accredited for Government use?

Contractors are to provide their own laptops. A list of laptops authorized to be attached to the MCEN is provided in document "MCEDS 1.0.11.0 Supported Models Oct2".

3.1.5.2 3.1.5.3

3.1.4.2 3.1.4.3

States government property incidental to the place of performance remains the responsibility of the government. This conflicts with paragraph 3.1.5.3.

Wouldn't government property include desktops or laptops?

See answer above 3.1.13 3.1.12 Government Property 3.1.13 Government- Furnished Information

(GFI)

Q and A