Q_A_25-96-011.pdf

Question and Answers

California Department of Housing and Community Development

RFQ#: 25-96-011

Service: Oracle Cloud Credits

Posting: Informal Information Technology Request for Quote (RFQ) Solicitation through California State Contracts Registry

Item Questions(Q) and Answers(A)

Q.1 Could you kindly let me know what contract is intended to be used as the procurement vehicle for RFQ 25-96-011? Is this the CMAS bid for the OCI cloud renewal?

A.1 RFQ 25-96-011 is being informally solicited through the California State Contracts Registry (CSCR), it is open for all Contractors that are able to provide the services and return pricing. Typically, we don’t solicit CMAS solicitations through the

CSCR.

Q.2 Could you provide further details on the specific expectations for the Oracle Cloud Success Manager’s role in the provisioning process and subsequent support?

A.2 Expectation would be that HCD has access to the OCI credits and available to resources if there are any issues with access to the credits or OCI resources. OCI success manager should be able to provide regular credit consumption reports as well as provide feedback if needed.

Q.3 Could you clarify whether there are any limits or maximum rates on the Oracle Cloud credits, especially for services like Block Volume Storage or Autonomous Transaction Processing?

A.3 HCD is not aware of any limits or maximum rates.

California Department of Housing and Community Development: Division of Housing Policy Development 651 Bannon Street. Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95811

Q.4 Is it required for the Oracle Cloud credits to be used for all services listed under the RFQ, or can some credits be allocated based on department needs?

A.4 Usage of credits will be allocated based on department needs.

Q.5 Can you confirm if there are any specific requirements or qualifications for subcontractors to be used for Oracle Cloud-related services, particularly those involving data security?

A.5 There are no listed qualifications, however HCD intends to migrate from Commercial Cloud to Government Cloud. Subcontractors may be involved with this effort. The awarded Contractor and any Subcontractors must adhere to all of the HCD data security protocols.

Q.6 What specific performance metrics or KPIs will HCD use to evaluate the success of the Oracle Cloud credit usage throughout the contract term?

A.6 That HCD is able to use/consume the credits and be able to verify accurate credit usage through the OCI admin portal.

Q.7 Can you provide more clarity on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) WWU expects to be tracked for RCM services? Are there any specific reporting formats or templates that need to be followed, or is the contractor expected to create these from scratch?

A.7 HCD does not have specific reporting formats or templates. HCD and the awarded Contractor will mutually agree on what is acceptable.

Q.8 Is there a preference for all work to be conducted onshore, or can portions of the work be executed offshore? If offshore work is allowed, are there specific requirements regarding data security or compliance with California state laws?

A.8 HCD doesn’t anticipate that this will be applicable to this request.

Q.9 Will there be a requirement for onshore support during the Oracle Cloud provisioning process? If so, how many support hours are expected from onshore teams for each phase?

A.9 HCD doesn’t anticipate that this will be applicable to this request.

Q.10 Is there a specific expectation for the Oracle Cloud Success Manager to be available onsite, or can this role be handled remotely? If onsite support is required, what is the expected duration and frequency?

A.10 All work will be handled remotely.

Q.11 Could you clarify if the scope of work includes the configuration of all Oracle Cloud services listed, or if there are specific exclusions or limitations to certain services like Autonomous Transaction Processing or Exadata Storage?

A.11 HCD doesn’t anticipate that this is applicable to this request.

Q.12 How will the 93,000 Oracle Cloud credits be allocated across different Oracle services (e.g., database, storage, compute)? Is there flexibility in allocating credits as per HCD's evolving needs?

A.12 Credits will be primarily used for DB, Storage, Compute, VM resources, etc… If needed, yes the credits could be allocated for other needs.

Q.13 Are there any additional services or functionalities that HCD may need to consider adding to the Oracle Cloud setup after the initial contract term? If so, how will these be managed within the existing scope?

A.13 This contract renewal is strictly for credits and not services specifically. The credits will be used to purchase the services listed on the Cost Bid Table.

Q.14 Will any custom configurations or integrations be required for Oracle Cloud services, especially in relation to HCD’s current systems, or will these services be standard implementations?

A.14 See response to question 13.

Q.15 Given the fluctuating needs for Oracle Cloud services, is there room for negotiating the pricing or credits allocation if HCD’s usage exceeds the expected volume during the contract term?

A.15 All pricing negotiations must be provided during the solicitation.

Q.16 Could you provide a detailed breakdown of how the pricing for the Oracle Cloud services and credits is structured? Is there any cap on how much of the 93,000 credits can be allocated towards specific services?

A.16 The cap of specific services will be based on the awarded Contractor rates listed on the Cost Bid table.

Q.17 What are the key performance metrics HCD will use to evaluate Oracle Cloud credits usage, and how will these metrics impact future contract renewals or extensions?

A.17 If HCD can utilize the credits, and able to renew contract, this would be desired by

HCD.

Q.18 In the event that the original contract term is extended, will the pricing and terms for Oracle Cloud credits remain the same, or is there a process for renegotiation?

A.18 Per the Exhibit A, Scope of Work, Section 5, Amendments, HCD can add additional funds at the same rates and terms originally evaluated and considered.

Renegotiations are not allowed.

Q.19 Are there any specific compliance or data protection requirements that need to be met while using Oracle Cloud credits for storing HCD’s sensitive data?

A.19 Data should be protected by Encryption

Q.20 Does HCD expect regular progress reports or documentation regarding Oracle Cloud service usage, performance, and optimization? If so, how frequently should these reports be submitted?

A.20 Yes, minimally monthly or bi-weekly

Q.21 Can HCD confirm if the resume or qualifications of the proposed Oracle Cloud Success Manager are required to be submitted as part of the bid package?

A.21 All submission requirements are listed in Section C-Bid Requirements and Information, 3. Submission of bids.

Q.22 Are there any minimum experience or certification requirements for the Oracle Cloud Success Manager or other contractor staff?

A.22 Contractors should have ample experience and or certifications related to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure

Q.23 Can HCD confirm if there is an estimated contract value or budget ceiling for the Oracle Cloud credits (beyond the 93,000 credits)?

A.23 At this time HCD does not anticipate adding credits beyond the 93,000.

Q.24 Will the pricing for Oracle services remain fixed throughout the initial and optional extension terms, or is there a mechanism for adjustment?

A.24 Per Section A- Purpose and Description of Services of this RFQ, The period of performance for the Agreement will be 11/7/2025 or Upon HCD approval, whichever is later, through 11/06/2026, with the option to extend for two

(2) additional twelve (12) month terms at the original rates evaluated and considered.

Q.25 If HCD requires more than 93,000 credits, how will the pricing for additional credits be structured?

A.25 Per the Exhibit A, Scope of Work, Section 5, Amendments, HCD can add additional funds at the same rates and terms originally evaluated and considered.

Q.26 Does HCD expect vendors to include volume discounts or tiered pricing in the cost proposal?

A.26 HCD expects vendors to submit their best competitive rates using the Cost Bid table. There are no guarantees on the amount of Oracle Cloud Services that will be needed by HCD, therefore the Cost Bid table is capturing the price per metric of each services for a one year term.

Q.27 Can HCD confirm whether the Oracle Cloud Success Manager is required to hold any specific Oracle or cloud-related certifications?

A.27 It would be preferred but not required.

Q.28 Are there any mandatory industry certifications (e.g., ISO, SOC 2, FedRAMP equivalency, or California state-specific standards) required for the vendor or subcontractors?

A.28 It would be preferred but not required.