Questions and Answers

SOLICITATION: OPM32-11-R-0018 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 1 OF 2

1Q Can you please clarify how many proposals you want for STA 3?

1A There are STAs and Sub-STAs. RFP Section E of the solicitation provides a breakdown of all STAs and Sub-STAs, of which some are set-aside for small businesses. The RFP page 4 states "Offeror may propose on multiple STAs, but each STA shall have a separate proposal." Offeror is asked to read section D to determine what STAs, Sub-STAs your company intend to propose on.

2Q How many awards are anticipated to be made for each STA? Or how many were previously awarded?

2A The RFP states multiple awards will be made. See RFP Section E.2.2 (4) (d)

3Q What is the anticipated spending for each STA?

3A Anticipated spending is not available at this time.

4Q How will the task orders be released after the contract is awarded?

4A This is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). As a result, BPA Calls may be competed or sole-sourced as determined by the Contracting Officer.

5Q Pg. 125 E.3.1 VOLUME I: TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

In the evaluation factors for section 2 it is listed as: Factor 1, Factor 2 and Factor 4. Is there a Factor 3, or was it intentionally omitted?

5A Factor 3 is Past Performance data and shall be included in Volume II of the offerors proposal. Volume I should address Technical Factors 1, 2 and 4.

6Q We are 8a/SDB certified small business. However we are not small business under NAICS Code 518210. So are we eligible to submit bid as small business?

6A No. The solicitation requires that the prospective offeror be registered under the associated NAICS code in the RFP.

7Q One of condition mention in RFP is “No contractor shall sub-contract to a firm that serves as a subcontractor to another contractor under this BPA” So does this mean we can’t subcontract to 2 vendors in two different STA’s. Can vendor work subcontractor to Vendor A in STA 1 and sub to Vendor B in STA 2/ 7A Please provide the solicitation reference, section or paragraph that you are referring to. I am unclear what you are asking.

8Q If applicable labor categories for the STA are not included in Attachment V, should the offeror use the labor categories and qualifications from their GSA schedule?

SOLICITATION: OPM32-11-R-0018 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 1 OF 2

8A Attachment V is a sample only and identified as a sample. Each offeror is requested to propose the labor categories required to perform the services in the RFP. Page 4 of the solicitation states the same.

9Q Which is correct? Is the offeror to submit its proposal materials double-spaced or single-spaced?

9A Single spacing is required with double-space between paragraphs.

10Q Which numbering scheme should be used for the proposal volumes?

10A Roman Numeral or Numeric is fine. As long as the Volume contains the data required for that Volume.

11Q Thank you for the clarification amendment. One clarification question: If we are interested in going after STA 3.1.1 and STA 3.1.2 do you want two separate proposals or just one at the STA 3.1 (i.e. sub-STA) level?

11A STA is changed under modification 00002 to remove reference to STA 3.1.1 and 3.1.2.

12 Q Section B (pgs. 5 – 23). Section B of the RFP provides pricing tables for STAs and sub STAs. Amendment 1 and these pricing tables, seem to confirm that offerors may choose to submit a single proposal for the entire scope of work (excluding small business set-asides) associated with a single STA as opposed to providing separate proposals for each sub-STA. Please confirm if that is the case.

12A Mod 000002 will be issued to clarify what technical areas require a separate proposal and the functional area that will be evaluated.

13Q Ref: Section E.4. How do you intend to compare proposals that are submitted at different levels? For example, if one offeror submits a proposal for STA

3.0 (50 pages across each) and another offeror submits proposals for STA 3.1, 3.2, and 3.4 (150 pages for the same content), how will OPM compare the content?

13A There will be no comparison of proposals. Each proposal will be evaluated separately on its own merits. The Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP) will be looking at the offerors technical approach and associated labor categories to ensure that they have an understanding of the required work.

14Q Ref: Section E.4. If an offeror submits a proposal at the STA level, are they eligible to receive awards at the individual sub STA levels or are they only considered for award across the entire STA (with the exception of set-aside portions)? In other words, can OPM select the offeror for a portion of sub STAs within the STA they bid?

14A Offerors may submit a proposal and receive consideration under a single STA, multiple STAs.

SOLICITATION: OPM32-11-R-0018 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 1 OF 2

15Q Ref: Section E.4 (pg. 127). Factor 2 of the evaluation criteria instructs offerors to provide resumes of proposed key personnel and supporting personnel.

We assume these do not count against the page limitations of the proposal. Please confirm.

15A The 50 page limit does not include resumes.

16Q Ref :Attachment II (pgs. 104 – 111). Attachment II of the RFP provides a template for the offerors Small Business Subcontracting Plan. We assume that it should be included in our submission as part of the Price Proposal. Please confirm.

16A Yes.

17Q Ref :Attachment II (pgs. 104 – 111) RFP issued 9/20/11. Attachment II of the RFP provides a template for the offerors Small Business Subcontracting Plan. How will it be evaluated?

17A Subcontracting Plan will be evaluated in accordance with RFP clause 52.219-9. The Plan will be reviewed for adequacy, ensuring the required information, goals, and other commitments and assurances are included in the plan, prior to award. Also see FAR 19.704 for

18Q Ref: Attachment II (pg. 105) RFP issued 9/20/11. The Small Business Subcontracting Plan Outline included as Attachment II request estimated dollar values and percentages of planned subcontracting dollars to various types of business concerns. Since OPM has not provided an estimated dollar value or level of effort for the contract, we assume it is sufficient to only provide the estimated percentage of planned subcontracting dollars (and not the estimated dollar value). Please confirm.

18A Subcontracting goals should be set at a level that the parties reasonably expect can result from the offeror expending good faith efforts to maximize small business opportunities in each category.

19Q Ref: D.3.5.5.3 (pg. 93) – D.16 (pg. 103) RFP issued 9/20/11. As presently numbered, it appears that the content in sections D.3.5.5.3 through D.16 are only associated with STA 5. However, it appears that these clauses should apply to every STA. Please confirm that these sections apply to every STA and therefore should be renumbered to begin at D.4.

19A They apply to all STAs.

20Q Ref: Section E.3.1 (pg. 125) and E.4 (pg. 128) RFP issued 9/20/11. Factor 4 of the proposal instructions and the evaluation criteria specify the requirement that offerors “demonstrate corporate experience in the design, development, implementation, operation, management, and maintenance of human resources management IT systems.” We believe this instruction is too narrow to cover the full scope of work requested across all of the STAs.

Will the government revise the instruction and evaluation criteria to more broadly address all of the STAs?

20A Factor was revised under modification 00002

SOLICITATION: OPM32-11-R-0018 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 1 OF 2

21Q Ref: E.4 (pg. 128) RFP issued 9/20/11 RFP issued 9/20/11. Page 126. E.4 Evaluation Process (b) states “The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement” and page 128 states “Factor 5: Price- Not rated, but will be evaluated to determine fairness and reasonableness. Is it the Government’s intention to evaluate price solely by determining that an offerors’ proposed BPA labor categories and rates are balanced, fair and reasonable? If not, will the Government clarify how it will calculate total evaluated price for each offeror?

21A A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is not a contract. It is an agreement. A binding contract is formed at the BPA Call level. Price will be evaluated in accordance with Factor 5. Labor categories are related to the contractor's understanding of the technical requirements of the RFP and should relate to the offerors understanding of the labor required to perform the technical requirements detailed in Section D of the RFP.

22Q Ref: C.6 (pg. 49) and D.5 (pg. 98) RFP issued 9/20/11. Clauses titled ‘Information Technology Systems Security’ appear on both pages 49 and 98. On page 49, risk is determined to be “Moderate” while on page 98, risk is determined to be “High.” May OPM clarify which impact-level we are required to adhere to?

22A High

23Q Ref: Sections E (pg. 120) and E.3.3 (pg 125) RFP issued 9/20/11. On page 120, the Price Proposal is identified as Volume III while it is identified as

Volume II on page 125. Can the Government clarify which volume is the Price Proposal?

23A Page 125 is correct. Volume 1 (Technical), Volume II (Price) and Volume III (Past Performance).

24Q Ref: E.3.3 (pg. 126) and Attachment III (pg. 112) RFP issued 9/20/11. Section E.3.3 and Attachment III both include past performance instructions however, there are discrepancies between the two sections. For example, section E.3.3 states “you must provide a list of three (3) recent and relevant projects” while Attachment III states, “Offerors shall submit a list of 5 references.” We assume that the Proposal Preparation Instructions take precedence. Please confirm.

24A Attachment III is correct. Page 112 will be corrected by amendment to the RFP

25Q Ref: E.3.3 (pg. 126) RFP issued 9/20/11. At the end of the Proposal Preparation Instructions there is a statement about “Contractor Personnel” as well as a “Note” concerning resumes. Presently, these instructions fall underneath Volume III, Past Performance, where they are not applicable. Please clarify.

25A Reference to Contractor Personnel and Note will be removed by amendment to the RFP.

26Q Can a contractor bid on individual sub-STA's within STA 4?

26A STA 4 is considered one piece of work not subject to sub-division.

SOLICITATION: OPM32-11-R-0018 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 1 OF 2

27Q Is there a pre-established amount that is set-aside for Service Task Areas 3.3.4 and 3.3.6? What dollar amount could a small business selected for each of these task areas stand to be contracted for?

27A The technical area identified is set-aside for small businesses. RFP page 1, block 10 shows 25% of the requirement is set-aside for small businesses.

28Q Within the small business set-aside task areas 3.3.4 and 3.3.6, is there any further preference or set-aside for 8(a) businesses, woman-owned businesses, and/or minority-owned businesses?

28A The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 requires “parity” among all Federal small business contracting programs. Subsequently, when awarding contracts that are set-aside for small businesses, contracting officers are free to choose among businesses owned by women and service-disabled veterans, as well as businesses participating in HUBZone and 8(a) programs.

29Q If a vendor wishes to bid as a small business only for service task areas 3.3.4 and 3.3.6, would the vendor have to submit two (2) separate proposals or only one considering that these are both part of the overall STA 3?

29A Technical has identified 3.3.4 and 3.3.6 as separate efforts and require 2 separate proposals that address the areas in those sections.

30Q Our understanding is that Attachment II (Small Business Subcontracting Plan) does not have to be completed by small businesses that are planning on bidding only for set-aside areas. Is that correct?

30A Yes.

31Q What level(s) of security clearances are required from proposed project personnel specific to service task areas 3.3.4 and 3.3.6?

31A High

32Q What were the hourly rates proposed by the previous successful bidder for service task areas 3.3.4 and 3.3.6?

32A Previous work was not broken out and rates are not available.

33Q As an approximate estimate, how many hours of work are planned for service task areas 3.3.4 and 3.3.6?

33A Unknown. Hours are based on the level of work required at the BPA Call Level.

34Q Do references have the option to submit the past performance questionnaires by e-mail or is physical submission mandatory?

34A Electronic Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) may be submitted by email to ITBPA@OPM.GOV.

SOLICITATION: OPM32-11-R-0018 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 1 OF 2

35 Q Does the Government want the contractor to use the same small business subcontracting goals?

35A A large business subcontracting plan shall include the contractor’s goals. However, if the contractor’s goals are less than the Government’s goals, a justification will be required and approval of the subcontracting plan will be above the Contracting Officer level. Subcontracting Plan will be evaluated in accordance with RFP clause 52.219-9. It is recommended that contractors thoroughly review FAR 19.704 for requirements.

36Q What is the assumed start date contractors should assume for pricing purposes?

36A January 2012

37Q Can Schedule B be modified by the contractor to provide the discounts as well as Contractor Site vs. Government Site rates?

37A Work will be performed at the Government site. However, based on the requirement of an individual BPA Call, travel may be required.

38Q It is our understanding that if the contractor will be utilizing a GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) in the pricing of this proposal, the contractor is not required to map their GSA FSS labor categories to the sample labor categories in Attachment V. Can you please confirm this assumption?

38A Attachment V is a sample only. The RFP does not require any mapping.

39Q Comment: Reference to OPM IT Systems Manager as a development life cycle methodology. This methodology is not included in the RFP.

Can the Government furnish a copy of the OPM IT Systems Manager (ITSM)?

39A Yes, CD Available upon request.

40Q Reference to OPM’s Information Technology Enterprise Architecture, Version 6 as basis for selection, approving and implementing IT projects. This document is not included in the RFP. Can the government furnish a copy of the Information Technology Enterprise Architecture?

40A Due to schematics of system vulnerabilities, only specific policy questions will be entertained and the document will not be made available. It is best to describe our environment in terms of our mainstream deployed suites of software so that vendors can provide best fit talent and propose additional options that align with or interface to our existing infrastructure:

OPM has a structured environment of Development Test Production (D-T-P) of HP Blade Servers (24 processors) that host Oracle 10g with

Remote Application Cluster)(RAC) and disaster recovery CITRIX supported access for remote desktop.

OPM has an Oracle ELA annual tru-up for the database, tuning, diagnostic, change and configuration management packs, partitioning, internet application server (IAS). IBM mainframe runs ZOS, Linux (Susie) ZOS COBOL VSAM, CICS, ADABAS with ELA (to be discontinued in FY 2016)

SOLICITATION: OPM32-11-R-0018 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 1 OF 2

Microsoft ELA for Desktop Suite, Systems Center, Exchange Server, limited number of VISIO, MS Project, Visual Studio, Visual Basic with annual true-up for full range of MS products including BING Microsoft Windows 7 with planned migration to Windows 10

Stand alone products include Serena Business Manager suite, Oracle BI Tool, Cognos 10 (in Dec 2011), JAVA

41Q Reference to OPM’s Technical Reference Model to guide hardware and software decisions. Can the government furnish a copy of the Technical

Reference Model?

41A It can be found at www.opm.gov/egov/documents/architecture/index.asp

42Q Reference to OPM’s Information Technology Security Policy to guide security compliance. Can the government furnish a copy of the Information

Technology Security Policy?

42A Yes, PDF available upon request.

43Q Reference: STA1, STA2, STA3, STA4, STA5. Can OPM furnish a more complete list of applications, solutions, network components, architecture items, etc.?

43A We have already furnished as much information on applications, solutions, network components, architecture items as will be made available.

44Q Reference: STA 3.1, A “Full applications development support and maintenance using the development lifecycle methodology defined in the OPM IT

Systems Manager (ITSM) for OPM Lines of Business including retirement, insurance, financial management, investigation services and all other program offices.” Is the contractor required to use the OPM ITSM or can the contractor propose an agile methodology for life cycle development.

44A Yes. The contractor may propose an agile methodology for life cycle development

45Q Reference: STA 3.1. Is the contractor required to provide 24x7 support, 12 x 365 support, 8 x 365 support? What are the requirements for on-call support?

45A Work may require multiple shifts to include day, evening and night shifts. Shift requirements will be tied to defined OPM standards specified in respective calls.

46Q Reference 3.1.1.a Desired Skill Sets. Are contractor proposed Project Managers required to have a minimum number of years project management experience?

46A There are no minimum years of project management required, but project managers must be skilled in complex, distributive environment with multiple platforms and geographically disbursed staff.

SOLICITATION: OPM32-11-R-0018 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 1 OF 2

47Q Reference: Factor 1-3 and Factor 2. Comment: The contractor requests clarification on “provide a plan for staffing” and “as well as a staffing plan”.

Does OPM consider these two items to be the same requirement? If they are the same, does OPM want response in both factor 1 and 2?

47A Yes.

48Q If contractor facilities are utilized due to space limitations within OPM sites, will OPM reimburse for local travel to the government site for meetings, etc.?

48A Occasionally, meetings may be convened at TRB and contract staff will be expected to participate. All travel will be approved in advance of the travel reimbursed in accordance with the Government’s Travel Regulations.

49Q Is the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) intended to be part of the proposal submission? If so, where should it be placed?

49A Yes. Technical Volume

50Q Is there a page limit on the QASP?

50A No.

51Q How many systems are in the OPM FISMA Inventory? How many are HIGH, MODERATE, and LOW?

51A 63. High (3), Moderate (60), and Low (0)

52Q When Task Orders are issued against this BPA, does OPM intend to designate labor categories for each task, or publish objectives, leaving the staffing mix to the bidder?

52A When a BPA Call is requested, Contractors will be required to propose labor categories and rates in their BPA based on the requirements of the work.

Contractors are required to review the technical areas carefully and propose labor categories/rates required to accomplish the work of the propose to perform

53Q Who is the incumbent contractor currently performing the Web Development/Support Services (STA5) work described in Section D.3.5.5

(page 91) of the RFP?

53A RMCI

54Q How many contractor staff are currently supporting the Web Development/Support Services (STA5) work described in Section D?

54A 18

SOLICITATION: OPM32-11-R-0018 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 1 OF 2

55Q Would STA5 (Web Development/Support Services) work be performed at an OPM site or contractor site?

55A OPM SITE

56Q In addition, would the Government please identify any incumbent contractors performing this work?

56A IBM, EXCELLA, BOOZ ALLEN, DAKOTA

57Q Reference D.3.4.6.b.ii. Would the Government clarify the term some ‘specialty servers’ – does this imply hardware, operating system and/or application specially and in what way?

57A Legacy hard and software operating systems and applications.

58Q D.21 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND RESTRICTIONS a. No contractor shall sub-contract to a firm that serves as a subcontractor to another contractor under this BPA.”Could the government please provide additional explanation of this restriction? We’re not able to discern the government’s intentions with respect to this clause based on the language provided.

58A A subcontractor can not be a sub for more than one prime contractor for services required in this RFP.

59Q With regard to Section D; Attachment I, Performance Work Statement; D.3.1; can the government please clarify if there is a plan to replace the legacy systems built w/ older technology (such as COBOL, MQSeries etc.)?

59A Currently there are no plans to replace the Legacy system.

60Q With regard to Section D; Attachment I, Performance Work Statement; D.3.1.a.; Page 50; and D.3.1.1.b; Pages 52-56, can the government please clarify:

The main applications that they currently utilize more than others (i.e., is it more financial etc.), 60A Retirement, Healthcare and Insurance, Financial, and Investigation Clearance applications

61Q With STA 1, are they looking for mostly enhancements to current apps, or new apps to be provided altogether?

61A OPM is looking for both enhancements and new solutions.

62Q Section D; Attachment I, Performance Work Statement; Page 51, third bullet requests that the offeror “[provide] statistical analyses based on system performance and activities.” Can the government please clarify if the existing systems currently have that capability, or will it be expected that the vendor will implement and configure these reports?

62A It is expected that the contractor will implement and configure these reports.

63Q Section D; Attachment I, Performance Work Statement, paragraph 3 and subsequent bullets describe the CONNECT file transfer software. Can the

Government please describe: What sterling CONNECT direct products are in use?

63A Connect:Direct is licensed software from IBM’s Sterling Commerce Division. FTP is also used for some data exchange.

SOLICITATION: OPM32-11-R-0018 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 1 OF 2

64Q What types of applications, databases, or servers is CONNECT connecting to?

64A It consists of Connect:Direct software running on IBM’s z/OS, RedHat & SuSe Linux, and Windows Operating Systems. It supports Personnel

Investigation Processing (PIPS) Operating Systems using Adabas database, as well as various distributed systems (e.g., eQIP, OPIS) using Oracle and possibly external systems using other RDBMS. However, that data exchange is always via flat file.

65Q What services are being used (e.g., server-based software file-transfer solutions etc)?

65A Connect:Direct provides for secure data exchanges between Connect:Direct servers located within OPM to other Connect:Direct servers located both internal and external to OPM

66Q Are there any service-level agreements (SLAs) associated with CONNECT?

66A Connect:Direct from IBM’s Sterling Commerce Division is a Commercially Off-the-Shelf software product which OPM maintains and pays for subscriptions & support services from the vendor. There may be SLAs for support to internal and external customers. Such SLAs, if they are determined to exist, will be provided after award.

67Q Section D; Attachment I, Performance Work Statement; Paragraph 3; Page 54, states that the offeror must “[provide] 1st Tier support for application issues/problems.” Can the government please clarify if this includes staffing a help desk call center? If so, will 24 x 7 support be required?

67A Work may require multiple shifts to include day, evening and night shifts. Shift requirements will be tied to defined OPM standards specified in respective

Calls.

68A With regard to Section D; Attachment I, Performance Work Statement; Designated Base Work Site; Page 56, what is the anticipated percentage of staff at each location (i.e., TRB, Ft. Meade, FIS offices in PA, et al.) identified in the SOW?

68Q Staff location is determined only at the time of the BPA Call

69Q With regard to Factor 2: IT Resources/Personnel Qualifications/Staffing; Page 127; Can the government please specific which personnel the Offeror should propose as key personnel?

69A The Government can not advice a contractor on their key personnel. However, key personnel are those person (s) critical to the performance of the contract.

70Q Within the small business set‐aside task areas 3.3.4 and 3.3.6, is there any further preference or set‐aside for 8(a) businesses, woman‐ owned businesses, and/or minority‐owned businesses?

70A In accordance with new “paritiy” rule all socioeconomic categories are equal and will receive equal setaside consideration.

SOLICITATION: OPM32-11-R-0018 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 1 OF 2

71Q Page 120: do title pages, table of content pages, and tabbed section dividers count against the page limitations for the Technical and Past Performance Volumes?

71A No.

72Q Section B has a column labeled “Item”. Is the “Item” the same as the STA #? Or does it map to some other factor in the PWS?

72A Line item or other identifier for the labor category that the contractor proposes.

73Q What level(s) of security clearances are required from proposed project personnel specific to service task areas 3.3.4 and 3.3.6?

73A High

74Q The Contract Clauses states that the Government contemplates award of a Firm Fixed Price contract resulting from this solicitation. How does OPM plan to award a firm fixed price contract if the contractors are only required to provide a labor category and a labor rate?

74A See Amendment #2 for correction. A BPA is an agreement. A contract is formed at the BPA Call level, during which services are provided at the rates and labor categories proposed in the offeror's proposal. The number of hours, type of labor categories required will be based on the performance work statement.

75Q Can the government furnish a copy of the Information Technology Security Policy?

75A See amendment #3, Attachment “Information Security and Privacy Policy Handbook.