R3114361_Q A_document_03_11_2011_AE_ITT.pdf

U.S. ARMY, EUROPE (USAREUR) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRAINING (AE-ITT) PROGRAM

Contractor Questions/ Gov't Responses (R3114361)

Contractor Questions/ Answers in Response to GSA Contract: Reference # R3114361 Amendment 03

U.S. ARMY, EUROPE (USAREUR)

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRAINING (AE-ITT) PROGRAM

Updated: March 11, 2011

GSA Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), Mid-Atlantic Region The Strawbridge Building 20 North 8th Street, 10th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107-3191 Attn: Debra Stuart, Contracting Officer

Q1. Could you please provide the contract number and award date for the incumbent contract?

A1. Contract number W912CM11C0001 awarded on September 22, 2008

Q2. Reference RFP: M.4, Factor 2 Customer Training Past Performance (Go/No Go) The offeror shall complete the table below, demonstrating the contractor’s experience developing at least 5 (five) Programs of Instruction (POI) in IA or IT, each of a duration of 5 days instruction or more and then subsequently updating and maintaining these programs. For each POI, the offeror shall list:

a. the course title

b. the name of the organization, client reference (first and last name) with for which the POI was developed an the reference’s phone number and email address.

For each Program of Instruction, the offeror shall provide a Proof of Acceptance signed by an accepting official Q: Many government customers seek cost effective custom content projects that typically result in course durations of less than 5 days. Will the government accept POI projects that while less than 5 days in duration each, add up to a total of at least 20 days of custom content?

A2. The Government will accept POI projects of any duration that demonstrate experience developing at least 5 POIs in IA or IT, and then subsequently updating and maintaining these programs. The Go/No Go have been revised to reflect this.

Q3. Reference PWS: 3 Training Services

The Contractor shall provide all manpower, management, equipment, supplies, materials, transportation, facilities management, and supervision required to meet the requirements and objectives outlined below.

and 3.1.1

The Contractor shall provide all commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) course materials, instructor slides, exercises, and classroom set up guides.

Q: Does the government want the contractor to provide equipment only for courses they don’t have equipment for currently. Section 3 and 3.11 conflict with each other.

A3. Yes. The Contractor shall provide equipment based on course requirements. Any requirement for specialized equipment outside the scope of basic IT training will be reimbursed under CLIN 0012.

Q4. Reference PWS: 3.0 (3) PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES, GOALS AND OUTCOMES The AE-ITT Program requires a solution that provides for the following:

Certification Voucher Services (Paragraph 3.3) - Administer and provide certification vouchers for applicable AE ITT courses including registration and verifying student eligibility.

Learning Management System (LMS) Operations and Maintenance Support and Update (Paragraph 3.4) – Operate and Maintain (O&M), and update the Government provided Learning Management System (LMS) database/Web portal to ensure accurate, valid, and consistent records/registrations of the AE ITT system. The LMS is written in .NET language using SQL server.

Q: is the contractor responsible for just the data or the coding and customization of the Government Furnished LMS system?

A4. In Accordance with paragraph 3.4 The Contractor shall maintain, administer, upgrade, and support the LMS system which may include coding and customization.

Q5. Reference PWS: 3.3.A.2 Certification voucher services As part of the training effort the contractor is responsible for administering and providing certification vouchers for applicable AE ITT courses. This also includes registration and verifying student eligibility for classes that students plan to enroll in. More specifically the voucher services will require the vendor to provide the following:

A. Provide commercial certification vouchers as required

i. Certification vouchers for CCNA, CCNP, BSCI, Microsoft, ITIL, PMP, APM Comment: the BSCI certification no longer exists

A5. BSCI was provided as an example. BSCI will be deleted from the PWS.

Q6. Reference PWS: 3.4 LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS) OPERATIONS AND

MAINTENANCE SUPPORT AND UPDATE

The AE ITT currently utilizes a LMS that is a centralized depository for the management and administration of the total training activity and training results for the AE-ITT program. The Government will furnish the current LMS to the Contractor as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) and shall be utilized, maintained, and upgraded by the Contractor. The government owns the rights, license(s), and upgrades to the LMS.

Q: Is it the government’s intent for the contractor to provide full time programmer support for the government’s LMS?

A6. The Government’s requirement is for services to be provided under paragraph 3.4. The Contractor must determine the level of effort required to provide acceptable services. The

PWS, Paragraph 3.6.6, the first sentence changed to read “The Contractor shall provide web administrator services to ensure the operational readiness of the AE-ITT website. The Government does not require on-site support.”

Q7. Reference PWS: 3.6.3 Site Coordinator Services

The Contractor shall provide site coordination support services. Site Coordinator support services shall:

A. Be responsible for classroom/facility maintenance and security, student enrollment for an AE-ITT classroom location and hosting students in the classroom. Site Coordinators are also responsible for administration of certification testing and post-class follow up with students to track their certification process.

B. Steps, process and procedures of the duties and responsibilities of the Site Coordinators are outlined in the current Standard Operating Procedures.

Q: the Program Administration section of the PWS (Section 3.6) shows that some staff positions are required full time Mon-Fri but not all positions state this requirement. Based on the site coordinator services required, site coordinators appear to work full time. Does AEITT require a full time site coordinator; if not, what are the government expectations regarding daily site coordinator role/activity?

A7. The Contractor shall determine the personnel required to meet site coordinator services. Historically the site coordinator services have not required a full time position at each location.

Q8. Reference: 6.1.1. Periodic training sites Periodically, the Contractor will be required to provide training in additional locations, including but not limited to: Bamberg, Germany; Garmisch, Germany; Livorno, Italy; Schweinfurt, Germany; Ansbach, Germany; and Schinnen, Netherlands; Italy; Ramstein, Hohenfels, Grafenwöhr Germany; or other locations in Europe. These sites are located in the geographical vicinity of the permanent training sites listed above. In the event training is required at any of these sites, the associated travel costs for instructors is the responsibility of the contractor, and shall be included in the training day pricing offered.

Reference: 3.1.1 & 3.1.2 Training Services for the Information Technology Training Program

(ITTP)

If a class must be conducted at an offsite location (other than Government provided) the Contractor will be reimbursed for these costs.

Q: Does the Government intend to pay for all costs to remote sites that are not part of the AEITT training center? If no, clarify reimbursement policy please.

A8. For any location not listed in paragraph 6.1 the Contractor shall be reimbursed under CLIN 0012 for allowable costs.

Q9. Does the contractor need to provide computer equipment for training sites?

(Refer to PWS: Page 33 of 41 labeled IV-Procedures A.)

a) Chievres, Belgium

b) Schwetzingen, Germany

c) Kaiserslautern, Germany

d) Stuttgart, Germany

e) Vicenza, Italy

f) Wiesbaden

A9. No. Paragraph 17 lists Government provided equipment. Computers are part of the equipment for presenting classes.

Q10. Will training facilities have High Speed internet access?

A10. All Government provided training facilities have high speed internet access.

Q11. Performance Work Statement (PWS) refers to ‘COURSE VOUCHER SERVICES” (PWS: Section 3.07) does that mean the potential of a class to be delivered as a one on one or INSTRUCTOR to

STUDENT.

A11. We assume you mean paragraph 3, subsection 7. The Government requirement is that the Contractor will arrange for a local course or provide the training whichever is more cost effective.

Q12. Will the permanent site be available to contractor for access on non-class weeks?

A12. Yes. All facilities are available to support the requirement.

Q13. Will the permanent site need to be staffed on non-class weeks?

A13. The Contractor shall provide all required services per the PWS.

Q14. Will office(s) be provided on-site for PM, Web Administrator? (PWS: Section: 3.6.1 & 3.6.6)

A14. Yes. The current location is Schwetzingen, Germany.

Q15. Are testing centers required to be available on non-class weeks for open testing?

A15. Yes. All open testing is scheduled with the Contractor based on trained students needing to test/certify.

Q16. Are the Maximum class students and minimum class students listed in PWS page 4 of 41 and 5 of 41 exact numbers?

A16. Yes. Each type of class listed under 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 has a minimum and maximum class size.

Q17. What is the exact definition of ‘GOVERNMENT PROVIDED” Pearson VUE/Prometric in the PWS page 5 of 41 section 3.2.1 Testing Services?

A17. Definition means the Contractor shall provide certified testers. The Government has a contract with Pearson VUE and provides the certified testing facilities/equipment at each location. The Government has ongoing contract coordination for Prometric. The Contractor shall provide Prometric testing as required.

Q18. Does each permanent site already have an existing furnished testing center?

A18. Yes.

Q19. Section 3.1.2.E, page 5 of the Performance Work Statement (PWS), IATP COTS Training (Contractor furnished courseware) – Microsoft Official Curriculum (Certification Courses), does not indicate maximum and minimum student counts (for example, 3.1.2.D states “Contractor prepares and distributes all courseware materials for up to 12 students and a minimum of 9 students”).

Please clarify maximum and minimum numbers, if applicable.

A19. The reference/row was omitted. The PWS will be updated and will include “Contractor prepares and distributes all courseware materials for up to 12 students and a minimum of 9 students”.

Q20. Section 11 subsection B, page 13 of the PWS, Deliverables, states “Project Management Plan (PMP) – The PMP shall be submitted with the RFP. Upon award AE ITT, GSA, and the Contractor will mutually agree on changes and the final PMP will be incorporated in the award within 30 days.”

In the Solicitation Section M.4, Evaluation Factors, Factor 4, Approach, makes no mention of a PMP to be included in the 15 pages reserved for Factors 3 and 4. However, Section 8, page 12 of the PWS, PHASE IN – PHASE OUT TASKS, states “The Contractor shall provide a Program Management Plan no later than 30 calendar days after contract award.”

Please clarify if a Project Management Plan (PMP) is required as part of the response or if the Project and Program Management Plans are the same document, due 30 days post contract award.

If the PMP is to be provided with the response, please clarify if the PMP is to be provided in addition to the response document (15 pages) or included within the 15 page response limitation.

A20. A PMP is not required as part of the response, however, it will be required after contract award. The Project and Program Management Plans are the same document, due 30 days post contract award.

Q21. Section F.4, Scheduled Services – Holidays, of the Solicitation states “For scheduled services, work shall be performed on local Host Nation* holidays occurring during the normal workweek.” However, Appendix G of the PWS states “Work Shall Not be performed on local Host Nation* holidays occurring during the normal workweek.”

Please clarify whether services shall or shall not be performed on local Host Nation holidays during the normal workweek.

A21. Services shall be performed on local Host Nation holidays. Appendix G will be updated to read “Work Shall be performed on local Host Nation holidays occurring during the normal workweek.”

Q22. Reference: 3 Training Services "The Contractor shall provide all manpower, management, equipment, supplies, materials, transportation, facilities management, and supervision required to meet the requirements and objectives outlined below...."

Q: Is the contractor responsible for providing additional hardware (for example Cisco or Microsoft labs) and if so which CLIN would this fall under?

Q: If hardware is to be provided by the contractor how does the cost reimbursement work out for shipping to non AE-ITT government training offices (eg UK or Turkey)?

A22. Yes. The Contractor will be reimbursed for all allowable cost under CLIN 0012 after approval by the COR/PM.

Q23. Reference Section 3.2.1 The contractor is responsible for administering testing through Government provided Prometric and/or Pearson VUE and must also be certified to deliver any exams in that capacity. For testing services, the Contractor is responsible for site set-up, student coordination, and proctoring of DoD and Army required certification tests with Pearson VUE and Prometric testing at all AE IT Training sites. Testing services will also require the following:

A. Provide any US/International rated exam vouchers for computing environment certification where government requires them to do so.

B. Provide mobile testing capabilities for both Pearson Vue and Prometric to support offsite mobile testing where required.

Q: As this section currently reads, the contractor is responsible to provide offsite & mobile testing equipment. Please clarify what costs are to be reimbursed (travel, shipping, test proctor sourcing, etc.)

beyond the contractor providing the actual US/European test vouchers.

A23. All allowable cost will be reimbursed under CLIN 0012 after obtaining prior approval from the COR/PM.

Q24. PWS Paragraph 3.6.3 Site Coordinator Services (PWS Page 9-10 of 41): "The Contractor shall provide site coordination support services. Site Coordinator support services shall:

A. Be responsible for classroom/facility maintenance and security, student enrollment for an AE-ITT classroom location and hosting students in the classroom. Site Coordinators are also responsible for administration of certification testing and post-class follow up with students to track their certification process.

B. Steps, process and procedures of the duties and responsibilities of the Site Coordinators are outlined in the current Standard Operating Procedures.”

Question(s): Please clarify as to whether the Site Coordinators are Government personnel stationed at the sites or if they are to be furnished by the contractors. If the site coordinators are Government personnel, does the contract "assist" with the functions listed under A and B above, or do they maintain overall responsibility for the functions?

A24. Site coordinator is in accordance with paragraph 3.6.3 which requires the Contractor to provide site coordinator services.

Q25. PWS Paragraph 8.0 PHASE IN – PHASE OUT TASKS (PWS Page 12 of 41):

The RFP and PWS documents are unclear about whether the 30 day Phase in/Phase out plan is included in the Base Year period of performance.

Question: Does the base year begin with a 30 day transition period or are transition activities to be conducted prior to the start of the base year?

A25. The 30 day transition period shall be included in the base period of performance.

Q26. RFP Section B.5 Billing (RFP Page 4 of 32) / and Pricing Template (Attachment #2):

Question: The RFP Section B.5 (B Table) shows CLIN X009 to be CR, but the pricing template labels that CLIN as FFP. Which contract type is this CLIN?

A26. The correct CLIN type for the pricing template should be Cost Reimburseable (CR).

Q27. RFP Section G.1 Billing / Payment Instructions (RFP Page 11 of 32):

Section G of the RFP indicates that travel expenses are to be itemized for billing purposes. There is no CLIN listed in the Section B or the pricing template where travel costs would be paid to the contractor.

Question(s): Are travel expenses to be included under the FFP quotes? Will a Travel CLIN be added to the Section B or pricing template?

A27. Travel shall be included as part of the FFP quotes.

Q28. General Questions:

a) What type of contract was awarded to the current incumbent? FFP? T & M? Cost Plus Fixed Fee?

b) Was the incumbent’s contract a GSA Schedule Task Order or a Full and Open contract?

c) What is the contract value of the incumbent’s contract?

d) Can bidders propose GSA Schedules to satisfy the requirements of the PWS?

A28. This PWS reflects current requirements and projected future requirements which vary from the previous contract therefore the two are not comparable.

a) Firm Fixed Price

b) GSA Schedule Task Order

c) The contract value was $10.1 million over three years.

d) This requirement is being solicited via open market procedures. If your schedule can meet all requirements without modification, it may be proposed.

Q29. Reference Pricing Template, Base Year Breakdown, CLIN 0009 ITTP/IATP COTS TESTING, Testing Vouchers, "Cost of 1 voucher in this CLIN, Estimated Amount of vouchers for this CLIN (for Evaluation Purposes Only), Total Cost for CLIN 0009".

Question: There is a significant difference in the cost of testing vouchers. Prices can range from 150 USD to 500 USD for vouchers. There is not a standard voucher rate. Can contracting provide sub clins (one for each voucher that will be required) with an estimated number of vouchers that will be required.

This will allow contractors to provide appropriate pricing for the appropriate vouchers and have pricing evaluation be equal.

A29. CLIN 0009 is cost reimbursable the Contractor shall be reimbursed for the cost of the voucher.

Q30. Reference Solicitation, Page 27 of 32, L - Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Bidders, L3 Proposal Instructions, "Technical Proposal: The technical proposal shall be presented in writing, limited to a total of fifteen (15) one-sided, letter size (8.5” x 11”) pages. Any content in excess of fifteen (15) pages will be ignored. Number the pages consecutively and use an 11 point (or larger) font size in an easily readable font, such as Arial or Times New Roman. The title page, table of contents, and response to go/no-go Factors 1 and 2 do not count in determining compliance with page limitations."

Question: The Go No Go Factors 3 and 4 require offerors to spell out their approach to recruitment, staffing and the rest of their overall approach. Is offeror authorized to provide appendices to support Factors 3 and 4? If so is there is a page limit for appendices?

A30. Factors 3 and 4 ARE NOT Go No Go Factors. Offerors are not authorized to provide appendices. The page limitation for technical proposals is 15 pages as specified in L-3 Proposal Instructions.

Q31. Reference Solicitation, 9 of 32, Section F - Deliveries or Performance, F.4 Scheduled Services – Holidays, For scheduled services which include the Program Administration CLIN only, work shall be performed on U.S. holidays occurring during the normal workweek. For scheduled services, work shall be performed on local Host Nation* holidays occurring during the normal workweek.

Question: The referenced four clauses contradict each other. Will the government specify? Will work be required for delivery on US Holidays? Will work be required on Host Nation Holidays?

A31. Courses shall not be scheduled on U.S. Holidays. Per above CLIN 0001 services shall be performed on U.S. Holidays. Courses and program administration support shall be performed on Host Nation Holidays.

Q32. Reference PWS, Page 12 of 41, 8.0 PHASE IN – PHASE OUT TASKS, Phase In Costs, 8.0 PHASE IN – PHASE OUT TASKS. Also reference Solicitation, Page 4 of 32, B.5 SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES CONT’D, CLIN X011, This to be priced as firm fixed. If incumbent receives the contract award this CLIN will not apply. Paragraph 8.0 listing phase in and phase out tasks are the only costs reimbursed under this CLIN.

Question: Since the incumbent will not be required to provide Phase In pricing will the Phase In costs be included in overall cost evaluation?

A32. The costs will be included in the overall cost evaluation. The statement that the CLIN does not apply to the incumbent has been deleted.

Q33. Reference PWS, 2 of 41, 3.0 PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES, GOALS AND OUTCOMES, Paragraph 2 Testing Services, "Manage and administer the Government provided and hosted Prometric and/or Virtual University Enterprise (VUE) Certification systems, site set-up, student coordination, proctoring, and testing administration. Manage and administer Contractor provided testing systems, to include site set-up, student coordination, proctoring, and testing administration via Contractor provided industry certifying organizations such ISC2, ISACA, CompTIA, and PMI, via certified training sites and/or on-line examination."

Question: Managing and administering the government provided and hosted test environments is clear.

What Contractor provided testing systems are being referenced? Is the Contractor expected to develop and deliver tests or just coordinate certification vendor testing?

A33. The Contractor shall provide all testing systems with the exception of VUE, ISACA, and ISC2. The Contractor shall coordinate for all certification testing.

Q34. Reference PWS, page 2 of 41, Paragraph 3.0 PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES, GOALS AND OUTCOMES, Paragraph 3, "The Contractor shall provide all manpower, management, equipment, supplies, materials, transportation, facilities management, and supervision required to meet the requirements and objectives outlined below. The Contractor’s course price will be fully loaded and include all the necessary manpower, management, equipment, supplies, materials, transportation, and facilities management. " Question: This paragraph in the Scope contradicts the Pricing document. Is the Contractor to provide all equipment for classes? Is Course pricing to be fully loaded to include Program Management? Is Course pricing to be fully loaded to include facilities management?

A34. No. The Contractor shall provide only specialized equipment, which shall be reimbursed under CLIN 0012. The pricing of each course shall not include program administration cost which are reimbursed under CLIN 0001. Paragraph 3.6 lists all program administration services. Facilities management is a site coordinator function under program administration.

Q35. Reference PWS, Page 3 of 41, 3.1.1.A ITTP COTS Training (Contractor furnished courseware)

ITTP COTS, PMP.

Question: The scope of work mentioned the training for PMP. Does the government require PMP Certified Training here?

A35. Yes.

Q36. Reference PWS Page 4 of 41 3.1.2 Information Assurance Training Program (IATP), Courseware,

a) The Government will furnish the courseware for IATP Government/Army-Specific Training.

Question: Contractors can interpret this to mean that the government will be providing the actual books for these courses. Please confirm that it is correct to assume that the government is actually providing one master copy of the courseware (instead of the actual books) .

A36. Correct. The Government will provide one master copy of the courseware. The PWS will be changed to read “The Government will furnish one master copy of the courseware for IATP Government/Army-Specific Training.”.

Q37. Reference PWS, Page 4 of 41, 3.1.2.C IATP COTS (Contractor furnished courseware), IATP COTS ITIL Courses.

Question: Does the Government require Vendor Certified ITIL Courses.

A37. The correct paragraph referenced should be 3.1.1.B for ITIL. The Contractor shall provide ITIL courses that will prepare students to pass ITIL certification/testing.

Q38. Reference PWS, Page 5 of 41, 3.1.2 Information Assurance Training Program (IATP), 3.1.2.E IATP COTS Training (Contractor furnished courseware), "Chart includes type of Courses and the class hours.

Every other chart has the phrase Contractor prepares and distributes all courseware materials for up to 12 students and a minimum of 9 students."

Question: Is it correct to assume that these classes will be for up to 12 students and a minimum of 9?

A38. The reference/row was omitted. The PWS will be updated and will include “Contractor prepares and distributes all courseware materials for up to 12 students and a minimum of 9 students”.

Q39. Reference PWS, Page 5 of 41, 3.1.2D IATP COTS (Contractor furnished courseware), CISCO Courses, CISCO Official Curriculum.

Question: What CISCO Courses will be included in the Statement of Work. The cost of delivery for CISCO Courses vary depending on level of difficulty. Will the government provide the list of CISCO Courses that will be required?

A39. If there are any additional costs, they will be reimbursed under CLIN 0012 and would require prior approval from the COR/PM. Historically the Government has provided the following CISCO courses: CCNA, ICND-1 and ICND-2, and CISCO DESGN.

Q40. Reference PWS, Page 5 of 41, 3.1.2D IATP COTS (Contractor furnished courseware), CISCO Courses, CISCO Official Curriculum.

Question: Will the government be providing the CISCO equipment required for these courses?

A40. The Contractor shall provide only specialized equipment, which shall be reimbursed under CLIN 0012.

Q41. Reference PWS, Page 6 of 41, 3.2 TESTING SERVICES, 3.2.1 (B), Provide mobile testing capabilities for both Pearson Vue and Prometric to support offsite mobile testing.

Question: Since Prometric and Pearson testing is tied to the Government testing sites. Are these sites approved for Mobile Delivery?

A41. The Contractor shall provide approved Mobile Delivery Testing sites in coordination with and approval from the COR/PM.

Q42. Reference PWS, Page 6 of 41, 3.2 TESTING SERVICES, 3.2.1 (B), Provide mobile testing capabilities for both Pearson Vue and Prometric to support offsite mobile testing.

Question: Is the Contractor required to provide the equipment and software for the mobile testing units?

If so, is the government authorized to provide the Contractor with the testing baselined software for the mobile units?

A42. The Government shall provide the equipment and software for Pearson VUE mobile testing units.

Q43. Reference PWS, Page 7 of 41, 3.4 LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS) OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT, Paragraph 6, Distribute, deliver, store and present education training products.

Question: Please define the training products that will be distributed, delivered and stored in LMS. Will the LMS be required to deliver SCORM Content? Does the LMS currently have that capability?

A43. The LMS does not distribute, deliver, or store training products. See paragraph 3.4 for the capabilities for the LMS.

Q44. Reference PWS, Page 7 of 41, 3.4 LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS) OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT, Paragraph 6,. Distribute, deliver, store and present education training products.

Question: Will the LMS be required to deliver Live Online Courses?

A44. No.

Q45. Reference PWS, Page 7 of 41, 3.4 LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS) OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT, Paragraph 6, Distribute, deliver, store and present education training products.

Question: Will the LMS be required to host online Labs? Will the Contractor be required to support third party developed training materials?

A45. No. There is no requirement for online training through LMS.

Q46. Reference PWS, Page 7 of 41, 3.4 LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS) OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT, Paragraph 3.4, The Contractor shall maintain, administer, upgrade, and support a Web enabled LMS-AE-ITT website.

Question: Will the government provide the Contractor access to the LMS source code and production database? Is the LMS system that the Contractor is expected to maintain, the system that is currently in production? Can the government provide a list of upgrades they require so that we might provide a quote associated with the level of effort required?

A46. The Government will provide access to the LMS source code and production database.

Contractors can contact a POC which will be designated post award. LMS is the current system supporting the program. The Government does not anticipate any upgrades at this time.

Q47. Reference PWS, Page 7 of 41, 3.4 LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS) OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT, Paragraph 3.4, 5. Monitor testing and student progress for reporting querying purposes.

Question: How does the LMS monitor testing? Is it integrated with testing providers? Will the contractor be expected to manage the integration?

A47. The LMS monitor testing by automatically registering test results in the student's profile on those exams delivered by the AE-ITT program. The LMS is not integrated with commercial test examiners such as CompTIA, ISACA, ISC2, etc, the LMS is a standalone test and storage system. At the moment there is no need to migrate the LMS with commercial test institutions, the Army and the AE-ITT Program use the Army Tracking and Certification Testing System (ATCTS) database to maintain commercial exam/certification records.

https://atc.us.army.mil/iastar/login.php

Q48. Reference PWS, Page 9 of 41, Paragraph 3.6.2, Help Desk Services, 33. Generation of student listing for Global Mentoring information to be sent to GM facilitator for..

Question: This is the first reference to a third party Contractor being involved in this program.

Is Contractor responsible for managing contract with Global Mentoring? Is Contractor responsible for providing mentoring services to students?

A48. Global mentoring services is not a separate institution. The global mentoring services are to provide additional support to those students that are not able to pass the commercial certification exam to meet DoD 8570.01M requirements. Some students will need extra-curriculum support besides the normal instructor led classroom instructions. The contractor should present options on how to provide mentoring services to students and enable them to be successful in meeting the certification requirements.

Q49. Reference PWS, Page 9 of 41, Paragpah 3.6.2, Help Desk Services, 6 Copies of lost certificates and/or transcripts.

Question: Are these certificates Army Certs or Certification vendor certs? CISCO manages their own Certificates and Contractor can facilitate communication to get replacements but cannot copy or provide certificates.

A49. The Contractor shall provide assistance to students who have lost their certificates/transcripts.

Q50. Reference PWS, Page 9 of 41, Paragraph 3.6.2 Help Desk Services, Help Desk Services. The Contractor shall provide Help Desk support from 0800-1700 Monday through Friday.

Question: Does the government have an estimated number of labor hours that will be required for Help Desk Services?

https://atc.us.army.mil/iastar/login.php

A50. The Contractor shall provide services 0800-1700 Monday through Friday.

Q51. Reference PWS, Page 9 of 41, Paragraph 3.6.3 Site Coordinator Services, Site Coordinator Services.

The Contractor shall provide site coordination support services.

Question: Does the government have an estimated number of labor hours that will be required for Site Coordination? Will Site Coordinators be required to travel? Will travel costs be reimbursable? If so under what CLIN?

A51. The Government will not dictate the number of hours required for Site Coordination.

The Contractor should propose their plan for covering all sites as required by the PWS.

Travel costs should be included in their costs under CLIN 0001.

Q52. Reference PWS, Page 10 of 41, Paragraph 3.6.8 Support and Coordination for other Government instructed training. "The Government may provide IATP/ITTP training from other Government agencies.

The Contractor shall provide site coordination support for training provided by other Government agencies at any AE-ITT training facility. Site Coordination support includes:"

Question: Does the government have an estimated number of labor hours that will be required to support these out of cycle courses?

A52. Based on historical information the Government estimates 5 labor hours per month.

Q53. Reference PWS, Page 10 of 41, Paragraph 3.6.4 Local Area Network/Wide Area Network (LAN/WAN) Coordinator Services, Question: Does the government have an estimated number of labor hours that will be required for Network Management? The Network Management team will be required to travel. Will contractor have the opportunity to bill for travel? If so under what CLIN?

A53. The Government will not dictate the number of hours required for LAN/WAN Coordinator Services. The Contractor should propose their plan for covering all sites as required by the PWS. These services have been provided remotely. Any Government directed travel would be reimbursed under CLIN 0012.

Q54. Reference PWS, Page 11 of 41, Paragraph 6.1 Training Program Permanent classroom locations permanent training sites, "The AE-ITT Headquarters is in Heidelberg, Germany. Classroom training locations are located throughout the Army Europe footprint with facilities in the following locations: a) Chievres, Belgium, b) Schwetzingen, Germany, c) Kaiserslautern, Germany, d) Stuttgart, Germany, e) Vicenza, Italy, f) Vilseck, Germany, g) Wiesbaden, Germany".

Question: Is the contractor required to provide full time Site Coordination support at each location?

Is the Contractor required to provide full time Help Desk Support at each location? Is the contractor require to provide full time network management support at each location?

A54. The Government will not dictate the number of hours required for Site Coordinator Services. The Contractor should propose their plan for covering all sites as required by the PWS. For Help Desk services see A50. For Network Management Support see A53.

Q55. Reference PWS, Page 12 of 41, Paragraph 8.0 PHASE IN – PHASE OUT TASKS.

Question: Will the contractor be required to have a full Program management staff (to include Help Desk, Site Coordination and Network Management? staff during Phase In Days?

A55. The Contractor shall provide the required personnel to accomplish the tasks in Paragraph 8.0.

Q56. Reference PWS, Appendix D, Class Schedule, , SNS Community Briefings, Question: In reviewing the class schedule there are multiple references to SNS Community briefings.

These briefings are not outlined in the required courses. Is this something the Contractor needs to be prepared to deliver?

A56. Please reference note at the top of Appendix D.

Q57. Reference PWS, Appendix D, Class Schedule, Question: How many of the classes on the schedule in Appendix D met the requirements to run? What was the average class size?

A57. Please reference note at the top of Appendix D.

Q58. FROM PWS, P. 3: It states the vendor should provide "Knowledge Management Training" and "Career Program Management 34 (CP-34)", but no additional information is provided. There is not enough here to determine what the requirement is looking for. Please advise.

A58. Examples of this training are found in the table at paragraph 3.1.1.a and 3.1.1.b.

Q59. FROM PWS, P. 3: It states: “The solution shall include providing commercially available instructor services to conduct technical training on Army-Specific curriculum furnished by the Government. Can the outlines for these courses be provided?

A59. Courses referenced in paragraph 3.1.1.a and 3.1.1.b are standard Commercial off the Shelf products and will be provided by the Contractor.

Q60. Can more details be provided on “Information Assurance Tools Courses”?

A60. These are commercial off the shelf course, an example of one of these courses is Retina Scanning tool.

Q61. Due Date March 3rd 3pm. Is this EST Time?

A61. Yes, this is EST.

Q62. THE Required Time Zones for the Support, is it based on local time in each area of delivery? Or just central European time zone?

A62. The required time zone for support is the Central European.

Q63. Is there any restriction on the nationality of On-site personnel? Must they be US citizens, or can they be from other countries?

A63. The Contractor must obtain installation access for all of their personnel. This process is listed in Section H of the RFP. Personnel from countries identified by the U.S. State Department as sponsors of terrorists are prohibited.

Q64. Reference RFP Appendix E, Workforce Training and Management System p.28 - Will this workforce management tool be provided to the new vendor as GFE, or will the new vendor be expected to employ their own unique system that replicates the listed key functionalities? If the new vendor is expected to provide their own unique system, will we have sufficient access to the incumbent’s workforce management tool so that we can conduct data conversion into our own system?

A64. See note at top of Appendix E. The requirements for this tool are listed in paragraph 3.4.

Q65. Reference RFP B.5 para p.3 - X009 (CR) ITTP/IATP COTS Testing. Why is “$_____ NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT” listed here in this paragraph? It is not listed on the Pricing Template.

A65. The Not to Exceed has been removed from RFP B.5.

Q66. Reference RFP B.5 para p.3 - Is there a way to get the breakdown of each CLIN (i.e. how many classes for A+, how many classes for Net+, etc.)?

A66. Historical information was provided in Appendix D. The estimated number of training days will be determined based on requirements.

Q67. Reference RFP B.5 para p.3 - How long does each class last? For example, does the government want an A+ as a 6 days Boot Camp or just a 5 days Boot Camp? They seem to lump them all together as 600 days without showing any breakdown which will impact the pricing model calculus.

A67. The Government requirement is a 5 day course.

Q68. Reference RFP B.5 para P.3 - Will the government want to hold classes over the weekend?

A68. No courses are taught on the weekends. Testing has been scheduled on the weekend previously. This is at the Contractor’s discretion.

Q69. Reference RFP B.5 para p.3 - When do they want the exams to be taken?

Do the exams need to be scheduled at the end of EACH class? In that case, if the class ends on Friday, do they want the exam to be taken on Friday or the following day (Saturday)? Having the breakdown of the classes and number of days and knowing if they are consecutive will help providing accurate pricing estimates; will the courses be taught consecutively?

A69. See Answer above.

Q70. Reference RFP H.1 para p.14 - Are there any restrictions or prohibitions from hiring local nationals to perform work under this contract? Are there any requirements for our employees performing work under this contract to possess a security clearance, if so, to what level?

A70. See A63. There is no requirement for Security Clearance.

Q71. Reference RFP I.2 para p.19 - Regarding the “NOTE” reference the LMS, will the existing LMS be handed over to the new contractor as GFE/GFM?

A71. LMS will be provided as GFE/GFM.

Q72. Reference RFP L.3 para p.27 - Are the response pages for Factors 1 and 2 to be included as attachments to volume 2 or listed separately in the Table of Contents of our Response?

A72. Responses to Factors 1 and 2 should be included in the Technical Submission. As listed in the RFP, the title page, table of contents, and response to go/no-go Factor and 1 and 2 do not count in determining compliance with page limitations.

Q73. Reference RFP M.4 Factor 1 para P.29 - We will have multiple team members on our Team. If one of our team members meets all the “Go” criteria for all five mandatory courses, may have another team member who has only performed the course(s) in CONUS deliver one of these five courses as well?

A73. The offeror must demonstrate that it meets the criteria for factor 1 for evaluation purposes only.

Q74. Reference RFP M.4 Factor 4.b para p.32 - Will the new contractor inherent the LMS from the incumbent? Or will the new contractor have to extract the data from the incumbent’s LMS and convert the historical data in our own LMS? Is the LMS hardware, software, and data considered GFE?

A74. LMS will be provided as GFE/GFM.

Q75. Reference PWS 3.1 1st para, last sentence p.2 - How far in advance will the contractor be notified of specific training courses, dates, and locations?

A75. The Government will provide 1st Qtr training schedule to the Contractor during the Phase In. This does not preclude any changes to the schedule. Course schedule will normally be provided 45 days prior to the class starting.

Q76. Reference PWS 3.1 2nd para p.2 - Will the government also provide hardware and LAN/WAN access inside the AE-ITTP Government classrooms?

A76. Yes.

Q77. Reference PWS 3.1 2nd para p.2 - Will the contractor be able to access their own training servers back in CONUS from inside the AE-ITTP Government classrooms?

A77. No. The Contractor will not be allowed access to their training servers from the Government network/classrooms.

Q78. Reference PWS 3.1 para p.2 - Does the government require Official Curriculum for each course? Or is Non-Official Curriculum acceptable? Official Curriculum will be a lot more expensive. For example, as a Cisco Authorized Training Center, our direct cost for CCNA official curriculum is around 6 times the cost per book compared to a NON- Official (Cisco Press) book

A78. The Contractor shall provide courseware that will prepare students to pass CISCO certification/testing

Q79. Reference PWS 3.1.1 1st para p.3 - Please elaborate and list what “technical training on Army- Specific curriculum furnished by the Government” is to include.

A79. See paragraph 3.1.2a.

Q80. Reference PWS 3.1.1 Note: para p.3 - When pricing the cost of training in Government furnished facilities, is it correct to assume that the classrooms will also include GFE (student computers) and therefore we will not need to provide nor account for that cost?

A80. Yes.

Q81. Reference PWS 3.1.2 1st para, last sentence P. 4 - PWS states - “Content includes but is not limited to the following courses:” but lists no courses. Please clarify.

A81. Will be answered by GSA Region 3. Last sentence will be deleted from PWS

Q82. Reference PWS 3.1.2 3rd para.c p.4 - What is the estimated page count volume of IATP Government/Army-Specific training material that the contractor is responsible for printing (and paying for)?

A82. The estimated page count as follows:

a. Government/Army Specific Training

1. Information Management Officer 400 pages

2. Telecommunication Control Officer 120 pages

3. Organizational Unit Administrator 100 pages

4. DoD IA Certification and Accreditation process 250 pages

5. Information Assurance Managers Course 480 pages (+handout 60 pp + cd)

6. Social Networking Services pages 134 + cd

Q83. Reference PWS 3.1.2 3rd para, 1st sentence p.4 - Will the government please list what equipment is typically included in a government furnished classroom?

A83. 16 computers, 16 monitors, printer, projector, projection screen, and instructor computer/server. All classrooms are air conditioned.

Q84. Reference PWS 3.2.1.B para p.6 - For “mobile testing capabilities” offsite, how many computer workstations are required?

A84. The Government will provide laptops to support the mobile testing capabilities based on testing/certification requirements.

Q85. Reference PWS 3.2.2 para p.6 - When the contractor provides its own sponsored systems and services via commercial certification providers from a Government furnished classroom environment, will there be any constraints or limitations gaining network access to external servers from the .mil environment?

A85. The Contractor will not be allowed access to their owned sponsored systems and services from the Government network. Current vendor uses commercial ISP.

Q86. Reference PWS 3.3 para p.6 - Section 3.3: Certification Voucher Services--It is not clear what the government is asking here. Do they want the contractor to issue a “Certificate of Completion” for each student after they meet the criteria (attendance, etc.) or do they want something else? The use of “voucher” is throwing us off a bit here. Please clarify.

Q86. The Contractor will issue the commercial certification voucher allowing students to take the certification test.

Q87. Reference PWS 3.4 para p.6 - Is the listed Web enabled LMS-AE-ITT website defined in para 3.4 as GFE the same as the tool described in Appendix E, Workforce Training and Management System? If these are in fact two distinctly different tools, will the Government provide as GFE/M the Workforce Training and Management System as described in Appendix E? Or is the Workforce Training and Management System tool the incumbent’s proprietary property?

A87. Yes, the Workforce Training and Management System is the web enabled LMS-AE- ITT website. Please reference note at the top of Appendix E.

Q88. Reference PWS 3.5 1st para p. 7 - “These POIs were designed to improve the Army in Europe IT/IA professional knowledge via effective instruction (step by step) delivered by carefully selected subject matter experts (SMEs).” Please provide the names, rates, subject areas, etc. for the “carefully selected” SMEs.

A88. These Government subject matter experts provided the required subject expertise in the development of the Programs of Instruction (POI). These Government employees were selected based on their position, experience and availability during the development of the POI. Future SMEs for the development of future POIs will be selected in the same manner.

Q89. Reference PWS 3.6.2 p.8 - Will the Government provide government furnished office space for the Help Desk Services that is collocated with or in the vicinity of the PM in the Headquarters of the AE-ITT facility in Germany?

A89. Yes.

Q90. Reference PWS 3.6.3 p.9 - Will the Government provide government furnished office space for each of the seven (7) Training Site Coordinators that is collocated with or in the vicinity of their respective classroom(s) for which they are responsible for?

A90. Yes.

Q91. Reference PWS 3.6.4 p.10 - Will the government provide government furnished office space for the LAN/WAN Coordinator collocated with or in the vicinity of the PM in the Headquarters of the AE-ITT facility in Germany?

A91. Yes.

Q92. Reference PWS 3.6.6 p.10 - Will the government provide government furnished office space for the LMS-AE-ITT Web Administrator collocated with or in the vicinity of the PM in the Headquarters of the AE-ITT facility in Germany?

A92. Yes.

Q93. Reference PWS 5.0 p. 11 - Do we price the 30 day transition period as part of the base year?

A93. No. The 30 day transition shall be priced as part of CLIN X011 for each year as there is possibility of Phase-Out activities each year if an option period is not exercised.

Q94. Reference PWS 11.B. and C. p.13 - The PMP shall be submitted with the RFP seems to conflict with para 8.0 on the previous page. Please clarify. Same for the QCP.

A94. Please see Question 20. QCP shall be submitted after award.

Q95. Reference PWS 17. p.17 - Workspace with desk, computer, printing capabilities, and telephone will be provided for how many contractor personnel (by duty position)? Does this also include the Training Site Coordinators?

A95. Yes. Site Coordinators are provided workspace with desk, computer, printing capabilities, and telephone.

Q96. Reference PWS Appendix E p.28 - “The contractor (incumbent) provided a DIACAP approved solution (Workforce Training and Management System) that was hosted by Army Europe.” Is this the same GFE furnished LMS system as described on page 14, para 17, the first bullet?

A96. Yes, with modifications.

Q97. Is a site survey for this requirement possible or planned?

A97. A site survey is possible, coordination will be required

Q98. Was the incumbent contract W912CM-11-C-0001 for a single base or for all of them?

A98. W912CM-11-C-0001 is a 6-month bridge contract. The previous contract was for 1 base year and 2 option years. W912CM-08-F-0072.

Q99 and A99 added with Amendment 3

Q99. Q29. Reference Pricing Template, Base Year Breakdown, CLIN 0009 ITTP/IATP COTS TESTING, Testing Vouchers, "Cost of 1 voucher in this CLIN, Estimated Amount of vouchers for this CLIN (for Evaluation Purposes Only), Total Cost for CLIN 0009".

Question: There is a significant difference in the cost of testing vouchers. Prices can range from 150 USD to 500 USD for vouchers. There is not a standard voucher rate. Can contracting provide sub CLINs(one for each voucher that will be required) with an estimated number of vouchers that will be required. This will allow contractors to provide appropriate pricing for the appropriate vouchers and have pricing evaluation be equal.

A29. CLIN 0009 is cost reimbursable the Contractor shall be reimbursed for the cost of the voucher.

Given the answer to the question this is an ODC and should be treated as such. Structuring it as a CLIN on which vendor proposals will be evaluated for best cash value impacts fair evaluation of cash value.

While we understand that the government will reimburse the contractor for costs associated with test vouchers (thus it should be an ODC) given the current structure we have to provide the government a cost for evaluation purposes.

A99. For evaluation purposes, the flat amount for the Voucher CLIN is $100,000.00 for each year of performance. The pricing template has been updated to reflect this change.

END of QUESTIONS and ANSWERS