Amendment_5_Questions.doc

SOCIAL SECURITY

Office of Acquisition and Grants

November 26, 2012

TO:

All Interested Parties

FROM:

Christopher Mettee

Social Security Administration

Office of Acquisition and Grants

7111 Security Boulevard

Baltimore, MD 21244-1811

RE:

Solicitation SSA-RFP-12-1052 for Geospatial Information System Support Services, Amendment 5 To Whom It May Concern:

SSA provides Amendment 5 to the Solicitation SSA-RFP-12-1052 to respond to solicitation inquiries. The questions (in blue), with their respective response from SSA (in red), are as follows:

Question 1: On Page 8, it states that the OFM GIS pilot project was developed in December 2009. Is the developer of the pilot system eligible to bid on this proposal or, due to their additional knowledge, are they conflicted out of this solicitation due to their competitive advantage? If the developer of the pilot system is considered eligible to compete, what evaluation of its eligibility did the agency conduct, and how has the agency mitigated their potential unfair competitive advantage?

Answer 1: No. This competition is restricted to Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone small businesses. See Amendment 4 of the Solicitation at Addendum E, Section 2.2 (m) requiring Offerors to discuss any potential organizational conflict of interest issues and present any mitigation plan.

Question 2: What has the agency done specifically to address the issues raised in GAO Protest B-407186 and what corrective action was taken in this solicitation.

Answer 2: See Amendment 4 to the Solicitation published on November 19, 2012.

Question 3: On page 6, B.12 (c), the contract year has already started. Will this be amended for the award date or will the first period be from Award date until 29-Sep 2013?

Answer 3: We corrected the dates for the contract years at Addendum B, Section 1.2 (c). The anticipated period of performance is January 1 to December 31.

Question 4: On Page 9, highlighted portion for the SOCCS application interface – Can you provide a description of the 20 user functions?

Answer 4: The 20 user functions are as follows: 1) Map Layers; 2) Add Map Service; 3) Bookmarks; 4) Print Preview; 5) Print; 6) Zoom In; 7) Zoom Out; 8) Pan; 9) Zoom to Last View; 10) Zoom to Next View; 11) Zoom to CONUS; 12) Zoom Full; 13) Locate; 14) Draw; 15) Real Time Weather; 16) NOAA Watches/ Warnings; 17) USGS Earthquakes; 18) Incident Management; 19) View all Incidents; 20) Reports.

Question 5: On Page 9, highlighted portion for the SOCCS application interface – Are the code files .NET, database stored procedures, triggers? Please provide a description for the function for each of these code files and whether they are executed server-side or client-side?

Answer 5: Code files are .NET instructions, all executed server side. Overall, 61 code files make up the SOCCS application with a breakout of the complexity of each file as follows:

Question 6: On Page 9, highlighted portion for the SOCCS application interface – Is all the 64GB or 128GB virtual memory available for this application or are there other applications that utilize these resources?

Answer 6: 4 GB virtual memory is available for SOCCS and no other application is utilizing the resources.

Question 7: On Page 9, B-2.2 – The first bullet states that all problems identified by SSA must be fixed. Is this limited to the 35 issues detailed in B-2.3?

Answer 7: Yes. However, should the agency identify fixes not related to the 35 issues detailed in Addendum B, Section 2.3, it may negotiate a Task Order to resolve the problem in accordance with Addendum C, Section 6.12.

Question 8: Section B-2.3 – Issue 1: Are the new map services applied externally or internally to the SSA infrastructure? i.e. Google Maps as opposed to a service created using the ESRI ArcGIS application on internal SSA data sources.

Answer 8: New map services are applied internally to the SSA infrastructure.

Question 9: Section B-2.3 – Issue 2 to 35: Is the reference to the word “intermittent’ an indication that the application performs as desired some of the time, but not all of the time?

Answer 9: Yes

Question 10: Section B-2.3 – Issue 6: Is the definition of large prints referencing the size of the font or map on the application, or the ability to print the map to a large device such as a plotter?

Answer 10: Large prints specifically refer to the ability to print the map to a wide-format plotter or other printing device.

Question 11: Section B-2.3 – Issue 9: How many map data layers are there in total that are loading when requested?

Answer 11: There are 345 layers that presently load.

Question 12: Section B-2.3 – Issue 10: Is the USGS data feed a manually-launched feed or an automated feed run from a batch job? What is the total data set size in terms of records and bytes for the USGS data set?

Answer 12: The USGS data feed is a manual feed. The physical size of this feed varies.

Question 13: Section B-2.3 – Issue 13: What are the user profiles used in conjunction with this application? Are the user profiles application-driven or database-driven?

SSA approved four user groups currently. SSA will require additional groups as needed in the future. User groups are application driven.

Question 14: Section B-2.3 – Issue 15: Is the weather feed an external or internal data feed to SSA?

Answer 14: Weather information is from an external weather feed.

Question 15: Section B-2.3 – Issue 16: Is the Drive time utility an external or internal data feed to SSA?

Answer 15: The Drive Time Utility is from an external data feed.

Question 16: Section B-2.3 – Issue 17: Is the data for the HAZMAT utility resident within the SSA framework of databases or is it obtained from a feed outside of SSA?

Answer 16: The HAZMAT Utility is from an external data feed.

Question 17: Section B-2.3 – Issue 21: What is the current browser used in conjunction with the application today? What version? Does the tool allow compatibility with multiple browsers?

Answer 17: SSA approved Internet Explorer Version 7. SSA anticipates approving Internet Explorer Version 9 in the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2013. Any other browsers proposed must undergo evaluation, testing, and subsequent approval by SSA.

Question 18: Section B-2.3 – Issue 23: What is the number of scripts to be enhanced?

Answer 18: SSA anticipates upgrading its GIS platform to Version 10.1 in the near future. Due to changes in the GIS platform, this Issue will no longer be an issue. We removed the requirement from the Solicitation.

Question 19: Which version of the Microsoft .NET framework is the SOCCS application currently running on at SSA? Which versions of the Microsoft .NET framework are approved by SSA?

Answer 19: SSA utilizes and has approved the Microsoft.NET Version 4.0 for the SOCCS application. Additional versions of .NET may be approved by SSA in the future.

Question 20: Please indicate whether it is SSA’s intent to continue to utilize the “out-of-the-box” ESRI Silverlight showcase app for the SSA SOCCS application or whether the contractor will have the latitude to develop a more stable and customizable solution based on the ESRI Microsoft Silverlight Application Programming Interface (API).

Answer 20: SSA approved the SOCCS application to utilize the Silverlight API; subsequent application releases will undergo a structured test and review through the SSA System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The ESRI Silverlight API can be utilized for an interim solution; SSA’s long-range plans are to transition from the Silverlight API to a HTML 5-compliant viewer API.

Question 21: For Issue #5, please clarify whether one “click” of the scroll wheel results in a zoom of eight (8) levels or whether one “roll” (i.e. move scroll wheel forward or backward) a single time results in a zoom of eight (8) levels. Please note that there is a difference between a scroll “click” and a scroll “roll.”

Answer 21: This issue is per click.

Question 22: In Issue #9, please indicate which data layers should be loaded by default in order to improve map load speed.

Answer 22: Map layers should only load on user demand per session.

Question 23: For Issue #11, please indicate which data attributes should appear for each USGS seismic alert and in which order they should appear.

Answer 23: Date, time, seismic magnitude, city, town, zip, and coordinates.

Question 24: For Issue #12, please identify whether the dataset layers resume functionality after they “freeze” upon the loading of the USGS earthquake data feed layer or whether the user is required to close out of the SOCCS application and reopen the application in order to restore functionality.

Answer 24: USGS dataset layer does not resume functionality from drop down but layer can be turned off from map layer drop down menu to resume functionality.

Question 25: For Issue #14, please clarify how the pan feature becomes “intermittent” after plotting a couple of incidents. Specifically, how many incidents are plotted before the pan feature becomes “intermittent”? How many incidents need to be plotted simultaneously while ensuring that the pan feature continues to function?

Answer 25: There is no constant rate of failure for this problem; once the instability occurs the only corrective mode of recovery is shutting down the viewer and reopening.

Question 26: For Issue 15, Figure 7 seemingly displays some type of weather feed within the SOCCS application. Which weather feed was used to generate this screen shot within the SOCCS application? Is this weather feed animated? If, in fact, this weather feed already exists within the SOCCS application, then does Issue 15 still exist? Please clarify.

Answer 26: SOCCS uses the NOAA weather feed; however, the feed is not animated.

Question 27: For Issue #20, please provide a list of the requested HSIP data layers that SSA would like to have loaded into the SOCCS application by default at startup.

Answer 27: All HSIP layers load presently at startup. SSA intent is for only the HSIP data layers to show at startup are ones specifically requested by the user.

Question 28: For Issue #22, please clarify which fields that appear in the print pop-up window and what SSA would like to have removed. Figure 8 is not clear and we cannot distinguish the fields that appear in the print pop-up window.

Answer 28: When using the print preview feature, the define extents print window feature does not work correctly. The feature will not allow the user to create a print extents window area. SSA needs a print preview function to print the area displayed in the print preview window. The error is not specific to a certain printer type.

Question 29: For Issue #26, please clarify whether Figure 9 represents the desired end state (after 30% reduction of tool and button space) or whether SSA would like the tool and button space to be 30% smaller than what is displayed in Figure 9.

Answer 29: SSA requires the tool and button space to be 30% smaller than display example.

Question 30: For Issue #27, please provide examples of “other local camera feeds” that SSA would like to have incorporated into the SOCCS application. Also, please indicate whether SSA will provide access to the camera feeds or whether the contractor will be required to coordinate with external entities to obtain this information.

Answer 30: SSA currently manages surveillance and detection systems through its security staff. SSA GIS project team will coordinate with local entities for Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Maryland Department of Transportation, and Maryland Emergency Management. The SSA GIS project team have met previously with representatives for those offices listed, and no formal agreements have been made, but all parties have agreed to partner with SSA in support of the agency emergency initiatives. SSA anticipates additional GIS development services will be required to integrate services for each locality. Select data sources will be restricted and the Contractor may not have access to camera feeds. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Contractor to work with these external entities to add the functionality.

Question 31: On Page 17 under Physical Security Feature Requirement (b), please clarify the final requirement stating that the contractor must “Provide localized command operations with Durham Office of Emergency Management, DHS, FEMA, and NWS.” Does SSA expect the contractor to provide staff/personnel to support these entities? If so, then please explain workload requirement and level of effort. If not, then please remove this requirement.

Answer 31: Refer to answer for Question 30. SSA GIS project team plans to establish partnerships with local law enforcement and Offices of Emergency Management OEM’s and Federal GIS user community tasked with emergency response. SSA will provide resources for Durham NC, Atlanta GA, and Dallas Texas. SSA anticipates additional GIS development services will be required to integrate services for each locality. Select data sources will be restricted. GIS project team will require support to develop messaging and notification feeds to specific users.

Question 32: On Page 18 under Establish SSA Enterprise GIS Infrastructure Services (d), please clarify what is meant by “common infrastructure used in existing SSA systems.” Specifically, please clarify common hardware, software, and network infrastructures that comprise the “common infrastructure used in existing SSA systems.”

Answer 32: SSA provided an overview of equipment utilized in the current GIS environment. Refer to Addendum B, Section 2.1 Introduction/Background and Section 2.7 Testing and Acceptance. SSA will provide additional IT information to the winning Offeror.

Question 33: On Page 18 under Establish SSA Enterprise GIS Infrastructure Services, please clarify the number and nature of “Geo-processing Tasks to support other GIS users at SSA” that are included within the scope of work. Specifically, please clarify whether the contractor is expected to include the entire list of examples provided in its cost proposal or whether the contractor will be asked to provide separate price quotes for individual geo-processing tasks including, but not limited to, the listed examples.

Answer 33: The Offeror’s firm-fixed price proposed under the Establish SSA Enterprise GIS Infrastructure Services Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) must include all of the examples identified. Any geo-processing tasks outside of the examples given, while within the scope of the anticipated contract, are not included in the firm-fixed price proposed for this feature’s line item (CE31). Should SSA require additional geo-processing tasks outside of the examples provided, it may issue a Task Order for the additional work.

Question 34: On Page 19, SSA references its Tririga platform for facilities management. Please provide the current version of the Tririga platform currently being used by SSA, the length of time that SSA has been using the Tririga platform, and any technical support support that SSA receives from IBM/Tririga for the Tririga platform.

Answer 34: Recent organizational alignments have changed integration initiatives for the GIS and Trirriga. SSA will not integrate its Trirriga initiative with the GIS application. We have removed this requirement from the Solicitation.

Question 35: On Page 19, SSA indicates that the “Developer must be capable of applying correct viewer API for 2-D analytical platform and 3-D interface for BIM applications.” Please provide a list of 2D and 3D applications used by SSA for which the developer will need to apply the correct viewer.

Answer 35: 3DS Max Design, 3DS Studio, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3-D, Revit, Revit MEP, Navis Works, Google Sketch-up Pro, and Light Wave.

Question 36: Under Section B-2.6 (Travel), please clarify whether the contractor should include travel costs in its cost proposal or whether these Travel costs will be accounted for separately within individual task orders.

Answer 36: The Offeror must include its travel costs in proposal for travel events specifically identified under Addendum B, Section 2.6. The agency will not reimburse travel less than 50 miles outside SSA headquarters in Baltimore, MD. For any additional travel, SSA will approve travel on a Task Order basis as a firm-fixed price.

Question 37: With regards to potential Organizational Conflict of Interests (OCI), please clarify whether the incumbent contractor (Ardent Management Consulting) is eligible to submit a response to this solicitation in light of their extensive involvement in developing the SOCCS application and defining requirements listed in this solicitation including, but not limited to: DHS HSIP data set requirements, NIST security standards requirements, and facilities management requirements pertaining to the Tririga application.

Answer 37: This competition is restricted to Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone small businesses. Any responsible HUB Zone small business may submit a proposal. See Amendment 4 of the Solicitation at Addendum E, Section 2.2 (m) requiring Offerors to discuss any potential organizational conflict of interest issues and present any mitigation plan. We will make a responsibility determination prior to award, including review of any possible OCI pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation Section 9.504 (e).

As a result of this Amendment, we made the following changes to the Solicitation:

· Extended the due date to November 30, 2012, at 5:00 p.m. EST;

· At Addendum B, Section 1.2 (c), changed the Contract Year period of performance;

· At Addendum B, Section 2.3 (a), removed Issue 23.

· At Addendum B, Section 2.3 (e), removed references to IBM Tririga.

Should you have any questions regarding this Amendment, please contact Christopher Mettee at Christopher.Mettee@ssa.gov.

Respectfully, Christopher Mettee

Contracting Officer

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION BALTIMORE MD 21235-0001