Parsons Interview Questions 6-17-16.docx

Procurement Confidential – Not a Public Document DRAFT 6/17/16 IM RFR PARSONS Interview – June 20, 2016

Opening Script: Sarah Zaphiris (MassDOT/RMV) and Christine Kirby (MassDEP) take turns Chairing

· Good morning, thank you for coming to meet with the Strategic Sourcing Team (SST) MassDOT/RMV and MassDEP staff.

· Why don’t we go around the room and introduce ourselves.

· The agenda for today is: your program manager will have 10 minutes to provide the highlights of your proposal. The SST has a series of 12 general questions for Parsons; a scenario and questions on data management; and questions on cost, financials and other areas (about another 5). We expect the questions to take about an hour. The SST will alternate asking questions.

· You will be given an opportunity to ask the SST questions before we conclude.

· Ready to go?

Bidder Presentation of Proposal Highlights – 10 minutes

Interview Questions (SST Voting Members take turns Asking Questions)

1. Describe the role of the Project Manager for contract startup and ongoing implementation. [Criteria 1.A.: Manage & Implement, Provide Staffing Plans; 5.0% weight; RFR 3.2.2.4.]

2. For the Project Manager, what is your management style? How do you expect to communicate with the Agencies on a day-to-day basis? [Criteria 1.B.: Develop & Implement Mgmt and Tracking Systems; 3.4% weight; RFR 3.2.2.4.]

3. Briefly describe your team’s overall expertise in implementing IM programs. [Criteria 1.C.: Depth and Breadth of Experience; 4.0% weight; RFR 3.2.2.5.]

4. How do you perceive the Massachusetts program as different from other programs you have been involved with? [Criteria 1.C.: Depth and Breadth of Experience; 4.0% weight; RFR 3.2.2.5.]

5. What do you see as the biggest challenge in implementing this program? What do you think needs to be done to make the program run smoothly? [Criteria 1.E.: Flexible to Potential Contract Changes; 3.4% weight; RFR 3.2.2.4, Paragraph 5]

6. For Parsons – Your proposal indicates you will be able to source new and refurbished opacity meters from your current Massachusetts provider. Since SGS Testcom currently provides equipment and equipment service in Massachusetts, would you please provide more specifics regarding the repair of opacity meters currently in use, and the provision of new opacity meters? [Criteria 3.A.1., Workstations; 7.5% weight; Criteria 3.B.: Provide Reliable Service and Maintenance for Workstations; 4.5% weight; RFR 3.2.1.3.F., Diesel Opacity Meter]

7. For Parsons – What do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of being a prime contractor who does not provide the equipment, but relies on others for the quality of those services? [Criteria 1.C.: Depth and Breadth of Experience; 4.0% weight; RFR 3.2.2.5.]

8. Our experience shows that prime contractors are often quite dependant on their subcontractors and vendors: how will you hold your subcontractors and vendors accountable? [Criteria 1.B.: Develop & Implement Mgmt and Tracking Systems; ; 3.4% weight; RFR 3.2.2.4.]

9. The continuation of the FMCSA equivalency certification for Massachusetts relies on the commercial inspector training program being at least equivalent to the current training program. What challenges do you see with developing this training program, and how would you address those challenges? Criteria 4.D.1.: Outline Inspector Training; 1.0% weight; RFR 3.2.1.7.C.; Criteria 1.E.: Flexible to Potential Contract Changes; 3.4% weight; RFR 3.2.2.4.]

10. Motorist Assistance Centers will be open more than 40 hours/week, given Saturday operations and some extended evening hours. Please explain how all MAC functions will be available during all open hours, given the staffing levels you have proposed. [Criteria 4.A.: Plan for Motorist Assistance Centers; 5.0% weight; RFR 3.2.1.11]

11. The RFR requires that motorist hotline call records be integrated into the database, and not be located in a separate application. This is to allow the complete history of a vehicle, including test results, video test records, waivers, extensions, VIN exceptions, and hotline calls be accessed from a single data source or application. Would you please provide your vision on how this is going to be accomplished? [Criteria 2.A.9.: Problem Tracking and Help Desk Software; 0.75% weight; RFR 3.2.1.5.H.]

12. How would you approach finding partners for your Supplier Diversity Plan (SDP)?

Data Management Scenario and Questions

1. Scenario: The volume of calls to the station support hotline rises sharply one morning with stations reporting they are unable to establish the Internet connection to the VID. The VID is being inundated with traffic because a protest group has launched a denial of service attack. What steps do you feel you should take as the network contractor?

2. How would you provide a redundant or backup connection to the MassDOT/RMV in the event a T1 line to the agency goes down?

3. Given the size of the inspection record, including its video component, how can you be sure that your proposed solution will be able to handle inspection volumes for the typical end-of-month rush?

Cost and Financial Questions

1. Please summarize how you calculated the per test fee.

2. For Parsons – You list total revenue as $43 million and total expenses as $50 million in Attachment J. Please explain how you derived your revenue estimate and discuss the apparent shortfall.

Wrap Up Question

1. Why are you the best contractor for Massachusetts?

Contractor Questions

Concluding Script

· Again, thank you for coming in to meet with us today

· We expect to let you know the outcome of our deliberations within a month