FBO Posting - Outline of Goals and Consolidation of RFP Revisions 010711.doc

SUBJECT: FA9422-11-R-0002 0004 (7 Jan 11) AMENDMENT 6 to Q&A

NUCLEAR ENTERPRISE TRACKING SYSTEM (NETS) - NEST

CS/Phone: Joe C. Castillo / 505-853-5137

Date: 07 January 2011

The purpose of this posting to FedBizOps is to: (1) clarify our goal and intent of the contract effort and (2) to consolidate a listing of the RFP revisions.

1. Due to the nature of the questions we have received during this pre-proposal and proposal process, the following information clarifies the goal and purpose of this contract effort:

(a) Investigate all the technology available that could be used to enhance asset tracking of AF components and materials as it relates to the product objectives and outcomes contained in paragraphs 3.0 and 3.1 of the SOO. The primary goal of the NETS effort is to investigate all available technologies industry has to offer.

(b) Award as many contracts as possible to offerors who meet the minimum requirements of the RFP.

(c) Based on current information, we have reason to believe there is not adequate competition to utilize the funds we have been given to meet our goals of awarding multiple contracts to see as many technologies as possible. Therefore, we highly encourage all offerors who have a product or product(s) that address any of the objectives and outcomes to propose. IAW the RFP, offerors are eligible for award if they offer a product that addresses at minimum a single objective and outcome.

(d) These are simple product technology demonstrations where the intent is for offerors to show the details of what their products can do today in a relevant environment. Relevant environment is defined as: simulation at a contractor facility showing the basic details of what the product can do to track assets and relate those details to the product objectives and outcomes it would satisfy. It is acceptable to accomplish the simulation within a single location. Bottom-line: It would be similar in nature to providing a demonstration and marketing pitch to a potential customer.

(e) Demonstrating bio-metric capability is only one product outcome of many that offerors can demonstrate. Biometrics is not a mandatory requirement since SOO paragraph 3.1 states we do not expect any one contractor will possess solutions that address all product outcomes. In addition, SOO paragraph 3.1.6 specifies biometric identification only as an example. The inability to demonstrate biometrics does not make an offeror ineligible for award.

2. In order to make it easier for you to see the RFP changes that have resulted from the questions, they are consolidated below and an RFP Amendment (#3) will be forthcoming. The consolidated list of revisions you see here will be the exact revisions you see in the forthcoming in RFP Amendment 3.

(1) Delete Attachment 2 (the DD Form 254) in the Contract Documents, Exhibits and Attachments section located on page 9 of the formal RFP. As a result, at time of contract award, Attachment 3, the Contractor Demonstration Plan and Schedule will be changed to read Attachment 2.

(2) SOO changes include:

(a) Paragraph 1.0. The last sentence will be changed as follows: “The AF is exploring the availability of technologies to support an enterprise tracking system to enhance the nuclear enterprise mission set for the USAF by combining a suite of tracking applications on a secure handheld computing device.”

(b) Paragraph 2.0. The definition of the term relevant environment is added. As a result paragraph 2.0 is changed to read as follows: “The contractor shall select an appropriate technology and conduct a technical demonstration in a relevant environment. Relevant environment is defined as: simulation at a contractor facility showing the basic details of what the product can do to track assets and relate those details to the product objectives and outcomes it would satisfy. It is acceptable to accomplish the simulation within a single location. The demonstration will exhibit an IT solution of synchronized position-finding of materials as well as exhibit the ability to provide real-time local/corporate command and control in tracking components.”

(3) Changes to Addendum to FAR 52.212-01, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (Jun 2008), include:

(a) Page 7 of 67, second paragraph under paragraph 1.0 is changed as follows: “Therefore, the USAF is exploring the availability of technologies to support an enterprise tracking system to enhance the nuclear enterprise mission set by combining a suite of tracking applications on a secure handheld computing device.”

(b) Page 7 of 67, paragraph 1.1, Budget/Funding Information, is changed as follows: “The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) in support of AFGSC intends to use Research, Development, Test and Engineering (RDT&E) funds for this effort. Pursuant to this RFP, AFNWC anticipates making several firm-fixed price contract awards The estimated cumulative cost for all contracts awarded is expected to not exceed $3.5M. ”

(c) Page 9 and 10 of 67, Table 2.2 is revised to reflect that Volume II, titled Technical Capability, is simply a “header” and there is no submittal – this submittal consists of Vol IIa and Vol IIb only. The first “Note” following the table is also revised to define product literature. The revised table and note are below.

Table 2.2 - Proposal Organization

Number

*Note: Offerors shall address Volume II (b), ITO paragraphs 4.2.4.1-4.2.4.3 through submission of the Demonstration Plan and Schedule described in CDRL A001 submission. The

Demonstration Plan and Schedule shall have a page limit of 15 pages. Offerors may also include product literature with an unlimited page count. Product/Literature is defined as marketing or technical literature that offerors currently have in use to either promote or sell their product. It is generalized marketing information that offerors would hand to any customer interested in learning more about their product(s).

(d) Page 14 of 67, Paragraph 4.2.3.2 is changed to read: “The offeror shall submit resumes (not included in the page limit) for all key personnel to describe the professional credentials, training and/or experience, qualifications, and applicability of experience as it relates to successful execution of the requirements and objectives/product outcomes listed in the SOO. Failure to submit resumes may result in an unacceptable rating.”

(e) Page 16 of 67, Paragraph 5.1.2, Cost/Price Information is changed to read:

“Information beyond that required by this instruction shall not be submitted, unless you consider it essential to document or support your cost/price position. ”

(4) Changes to Addendum to FAR 52.212-02 Evaluation—Commercial Items (Jan 1999) include:

(a) Paragraph b, Number of Contracts to be Awarded, on page 21 of 67 is changed to read: “The acquisition will be "full and open" competition with preference given to qualified small businesses. AFNWC anticipates making several firm-fixed price contract awards depending upon the number of proposals received that meet the minimum RFP requirements and depending on the availability of funds. The estimated cumulative cost for all contracts awarded is expected to not exceed $3.5M. ”

(b) Since the DD Form 254 is deleted, paragraph a.(1)(c) under M002 Evaluation Factors, on page 21 of 67 will be deleted from the RFP. As a result paragraph a.(1)(d) and a.(1)(e) will be renumbered as a.(1)(c) and a.(1)(d), respectively. In addition, paragraph a.(1)(d) is changed to read: “(c) Demonstrate the capability of performing a technology demonstration of a computing device in a relevant environment.”

(c) On page 23 of 67, the paragraph above Table 1-Technical Capability Ratings is changed to read: “We estimate awarding multiple firm-fixed-price contracts, depending upon the number of proposals received that meet the minimum RFP requirements and depending on the availability of funds. The estimated cumulative cost for all contracts awarded is expected to not exceed $3.5M. ”

(d) Since the DD Form 254 is deleted, on page 24 of 67, delete paragraph 1.1.3 under the Subfactor 1.1 Management Approach.