QUESTIONS_AND_ANSWER_SINLEC16Q0080_(3).pdf

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

DNA RFQ SINLEC16Q0080

§1.3 (p2) says that the electronic copy, upon the opening and display on the computer monitor, shall appear exactly as the printed hard copy quote submission with the same font size restriction. Earlier, the same section says that offers should be submitted by e-mail.

Question 1: Should a hard copy quote submission be sent, and if so, to what address? Not required. See section 1.3

Question 2: What is the font size restriction and are there other document requirements, such as margin sizes? Is there a particular style format or Template that INL prefers for responses to an RFQ? If so, where can it be found? See section 1.3.

• §1.4 (p3) Question 3: A prospective subcontractor on our proposal may be applying for a different grant or grants from the same agency unrelated to this RFQ?

Does that constitute any sort of Organizational Conflict of Interest? No if it is a different requirement.

• §1.5 (p3) This is an FFP contract involving international travel. This section specifies that no contingent, alternative values be included, and we do not know what time of year we will be traveling or how much lead time will be available to purchase tickets. We traditionally only charge any of our clients the true cost of travel. Question 4: How does DOS prefer that airfare costs be estimated? If we use worst-case costs in our proposal (generally tickets bought within 7 days of travel), and we are able to get less expensive tickets because we have more time (e.g., > 21 days lead time for travel), shall we submit the reduced cost to DOS to modify price? Is there a different standard practice we should adhere to? INL will provide 20 business days of notice prior to training.

• § 2.2.1 (p5) states that "The offeror shall provide two laptop style computers which contain DNA analysis software. The computers shall be delivered, one each, to the INL offices in the US Embassies in El Salvador and Honduras," which indicates clearly that one computer will be delivered to each country, El Salvador and Honduras. §2.3 (p8) (Base Requirements) specifies "One DNA forensics system and software, includes computers, installation, warranty and training." Yet, section §2.5 (p9) (Deliverables) states (using CLIN001 as an example), "As specified on section

2.2.1 two (2) computers for El Salvador within 30 days of NTP. One DNA analysis software program/system per computer within 30 days of NTP." Similarly, the solicitation document SINLEC16Q0080 indicates Quantity 2 (2 computers and software) for each country. (Page 3 of 36) Question 5: Is the request for one computer + software system for each country, as indicated in §2.2.1 and §2.3, or two computers + software for each country, as indicated in §2.5 and the solicitation form?

Confirm number of computers One computer per country, up to twenty users per computer. See revised RFQ.

• Related to Question 5, above Question 6 is relevant only if the request is for 2 copies of M-FISys per country. If only one computer is to be delivered, this Question 6 can be ignored: Question 6: Is it intended that a) the two software and computer systems shall be completely independent, like for example, two copies of Microsoft Word at two different locations and not sharing a common file system, or b) that this will be a network, shared database with two computers that can have their own private databases or share a common database on a server that both laptops can access over a local area network [LAN]? An example of the behavior of option

b) is a computer connected to an inkjet printer on your desk, but also connected to a common laser printer in the center of the office; while two computers can both access the common printer on the network, it is possible to have a private connection that is not shared to your own, local printer. Note, for security reasons, the M-FISys shared database is designed not to be shared over the internet or in The Cloud, but only over a LAN, just as the most common configuration for a laser printer is only designed to be accessed from computers in the same office. These are two different configurations, a and b, above, are two different configurations of the M-FISys product. If two people are to be manipulating, searching and annotating the same database at the same time sitting at two different computers, the network version (b, above) is required and will require a third, server computer. Only one copy per computer per country. See revised RFQ

• §2.2.3 (p6-7) The first paragraph under this section specifies training "for groups of up to 12 participants." The second-to-last paragraph in this same section specifies training "for up to 20 law enforcement officials per country." Question 7:

What is the ceiling on the number of people that will be in each training session? 20

• §2.2.3 (p7) refers to training of "law enforcement officials" without defining that term. Question 8: What level education and what level of scientific and laboratory experience can we expect from the attendees of the training? Basic lab technician and basic computer skills.

• §2.2.3 (p7) (last paragraph of section) requires 24/7 Technical Support in

Spanish Language for all units. Question 9: Over what period of time is 24/7 technical support to be provided? Section 2.2.3 The offeror shall propose and price 24/7 technical support for one year, with option years.

• §2.2.3 (p6-7) The list of training topics includes topics that would be covered in several semesters of University-level training. With 80 hours of training, only an overview of the topics can be provided, regardless of the value of the award.

Question 10: Is this a finalized list of General Forensics training subjects that must be included in the training agenda, or is it expected to be adjusted based on the necessities of the trainee population at each site? Is it expected that training will be to a level of expertise such that, for example, a student would be fully qualified to give courtroom testimony or excavate a clandestine grave? Will introduction to these topics be sufficient to meet these requirements? Introduction is ok. The goal is to teach the operators to input data and be able to use the computer and software.

• §2.6 (p10) Question 11: What is the definition of "GOM Personnel"? see revised RFQ.

• §2.5 (p9) and §2.7.2 (p10): These two sections require delivery of equipment within 30 days of contract award, and training within 30 days after that. It would be more cost effective to combine analysts from more than one country into a single training course, but the training will be more effective with smaller class sizes, so a priority must be set by the granting agency. Question 12: Since there is the possibility of doing training in 5 different countries, would it be acceptable for the granting agency to spread out the NTPs for different to allow all of the trainings to be done See section 2.2.3 consecutively more than four weeks? Question 13: If NTPs are to be released simultaneously for all countries, would it be possible for the government to modify the RFQ to allow for more than 30 days for vendor to provide the five, 2-week training periods? The training events can be coordinated if several NTPs for additional countries are issued simultaneously.

• §2.7.4 (p10) and §2.12 (p13) state INL and US Government generally will assist in gaining free entry permits and custom clearance/tax exemptions in the destination countries. Question 14: For purposes of estimating actual costs and preparing a quote, can vendor be certain that it will not be charged import duties for the computers and software? Yes. If import duties are charged, the USG will reimburse.

• §2.7.4 (p10) and 2.12 (p12-13) state INL and US Government generally will assist in gaining free entry permits and custom clearance/tax exemptions in the destination countries. For training purposes, we will bring additional laptop computer to the training and return with them back to the United States after the training. Question 15: Will INL and US Government assist in getting customs clearance/tax exemptions for training equipment that will be brought into the training destination countries? Yes.

• §2.7.5 (p10-11) lists destination for shipping configured computers. Historically, this vendor has brought the fully configured equipment to the client location at time of training and installed the computers at the location specified by the client. Question 16: Would it be acceptable to bring production computers to the client site at the same time that we bring the training computers?

Yes.

• Question 17: Please explain how many references are requested under §3.4.6

(p16). The requirement is limited to no more than five (5) references and also specifies a maximum of three (3) Past Performance Contact Profiles. See modified

RFQ.

• §1.4 (p3) states that DOS encourages the use of subcontractors. §3.4.6 (p16) limits the number of past performance references. Question 18: If this offeror will supply computers, software and analysis training, and a subcontractor will provide training on laboratory techniques, anthropology and other non-software topics, should both offeror and subcontractor submit past-performance profiles, even if this exceeds the maximum number of profiles? YES

• §3.4.6 (p16) refers to Appendix A for instructions on past performance documentation. Question 19: Where can I find Appendix A as references in §3.4.6 (p16)? Add appendix A

SOLICITATION DOCUMENT

• On page 20 of the solicitation document, section 52.227-18 states "Except as otherwise provided in this contract, the Contractor grants to the Government, and others acting on its behalf, a paid-up nonexclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license to reproduce, prepare derivative works, and perform publicly and display publicly, by or on behalf of the Government, for all the material or subject matter called for under this contract, or for which this clause is specifically made applicable." Question 20:

Since this contract involves commercial software, will it be possible for the contract to include a necessary limitation on the government such that the government will not reproduce the software for additional clients or additional copies of software for the specified end-users not contracted for under this grant? This is not a grant, this is a contract under FAR 12/13 for the scope of work outlined on this RFQ only. The government reserves data rights IAW FAR 52.227-18. In layman's terms, will the government obligate itself not to distribute what some would call "pirated" copies of our software under the right to reproduce? The USG has the data rights, but will not copy or transmit the data outside of the USG. This is a contract for the scope of work outlined on this RFQ only. Question 21: Will it be possible for the contract to include a necessary limitation on the government such that the government agrees to not study, reverse engineer, extract data schemas or make available to competitive software manufacturers the M-FISys software for developing or improving competitive products (commercial or otherwise).? The contract is under FAR 12/13 for the scope of work outlined on this RFQ only. The government reserves data rights IAW 52.227-18. See answer to Q20. In layman's terms, will the government agree not to use it's right to create derivative works to transfer the intellectual property and commercial value of M-FISys to other entities? See Q20.

§2.2.1 (p5) The hardware specification includes a CD/DVD drive. The M-FISys software does not require a CD/DVD drive and the modern versions of the typical computers as described to not come with such drives. Question 22: Does the hardware specification require a CD/DVD drive for reasons unrelated to the M-FISys software and, if so, will an external drive (such as a USB connected DVD drive) fulfill the requirement? Either internal or external DVD drives are acceptable. Internal is preferred.