Questions_and_Responses_1.doc

SSA-RFP-13-0017

Amendment 01

Answers to Questions – June 19, 2013 Question #1

Section C-3.2.11-Table 2 Question/Request: This request is for revisions to Table 2. Usable Storage is requested to be revised to match orderable storage increments for the base configurations. The transfer rate per interface (MB/second) is requested to be added to Table 2 as shown below. These revisions are determinant of the transfer rate per VTL type. Interface (VTE) quantity per VTL is:

VTL1 – 8

VTL2 – 6

VTL3 – 6

The transfer rate for VTL3 is requested to be revised to 2700 MB/second to reflect eight (8) VTEs at 340 MB/second. The storage increment is requested to be revised to reflect standard configuration increments. (Note: Table 2 revisions are highlighted in yellow and proposed additions are highlighted in green)

Hardware upgrades

Software

Government Response:

The Government accepts these changes and additions. The Government has modified the attached RFP to reflect the above changes and additions.

Question #2

Section C-3.2.11-Table 2 & C-3.4.1.7 Observation/Question: Table 2 on p. 16 of the RFP indicates that VTL1 and VTL2 do not require de-duplication. However, requirement 3.4.1.7, as written, conflicts with this table since it states that “[t]he VTLs must have the capability to support data de-duplication.” Did the Government intend to specify that only the VTL3 offering must include the de-duplication software? If yes, would the Government please update requirement 3.4.1.7 so that it is consistent with Table 2?

Government Response:

The Government intended to specify that only VTL3 must include de-duplication software. The Government has amended the requirement in C-3.4.1.7 to reflect this.

Question #3 Section C-3.4.1.3 Request: The Government states, “Each virtual tape drive must support a minimum (read/write) data transfer rate of 100 MB/second.” It is requested that the Government revise this requirement to the following, “Each set of 256 virtual tape drives must support an aggregate (read/write) data transfer rate of 340 MB/second.”

Government Response:

The Government has amended the requirement in C-3.4.1.3 to read, “Each virtual tape drive must support a minimum (read/write) data transfer rate of 60 MB/second for a single stream. Each set of 256 virtual tape drives must support an aggregate (read/write) data transfer rate of 340 MB/second.”

Question #4 Section C-3.4.1.8 Request: Please revise this requirement as follows, “The virtual tape solution must have the ability to interface with eight-Gbps multi-vendor switches and directors provided by the commercial market.”

Government Response:

The Government has amended the requirement in C-3.4.1.8 to read, “The virtual tape solution must have the ability to interface with eight-Gbps multi-vendor switches and directors provided by the commercial market.”

Question #5

Section C-3.4.1.5

Question: Did the Government intend to request FICON speeds of at least four-Gbps per second?

Government Response:

The Government has amended the requirement in C-3.4.1.5 to read, “All VTL subsystems must have the ability to connect to IBM z/OS computer systems with end-to-end FICON Express channels, in dedicated and shared mode, with at least four Gbps.”

Question #6

Section C-3.4.4.1 & C-3.4.4.2

Question: Will the Government accept the refined increments below, per our requested revisions to Table 2 in Question 1 above?

3.4.4.1 The Contractor shall provide a configured storage subsystem with the following minimum quantities of usable storage:

3.4.4.1.1 Storage Subsystem MF–VTL-1: 500 640 TB of usable storage,

3.4.4.1.2 Storage Subsystem MF–VTL-2: 500 640 TB of usable storage,

3.4.4.1.3 Storage Subsystem MF–VTL-3: 280 282 TB of usable storage, including in-line data de-duplication.

3.4.4.2 The storage subsystems must be expandable to, at least, the following quantities of storage in 100 TB 80 TB/80 TB/47 TB increments, as shown in Table 2, respectively for VTL1/VTL2/VTL3:

3.4.4.2.1 Storage Subsystem MF–VTL-1: 1 PB of usable storage,

3.4.4.2.2 Storage Subsystem MF–VTL-2: 1 PB of usable storage,

3.4.4.2.3 Storage Subsystem MF–VTL-3: 560 TB of usable storage.

Government Response:

The Government accepts these changes. The Government has modified the attached RFP to reflect the above changes.

Question #7 Section C-3.4.4.3

Question: In order to provide the Government with improved ordering granularity, will the Government accept the proposed changes below, matching the increments requested in Table 2?

3.4.4.3 The Contractor shall provide upgrades in the following minimum increment quantities of usable storage:

3.4.4.3.1 Storage Subsystem Type MF–VTL-1: 100 80TB of usable storage.

3.4.4.3.2 Storage Subsystem Type MF–VTL-2: 100 80TB of usable storage.

3.4.4.3.3 Storage Subsystem Type MF–VTL-3: 100 47TB of usable storage.

Government Response:

The Government accepts these changes. The Government has modified the attached RFP to reflect the above changes.

Question #8

Section C-3.4.4.4 & 3.4.4.4.1

Request: Please make the requested change below, which reflects the proposed change to Table 2.

3.4.4.4 The storage subsystems must deliver the following minimum aggregate (read/write) data transfer rates (prior to compression):

3.4.4.4.1 Storage Subsystem MF–VTL-1 3000 2700 MB/second

Government Response:

The Government accepts this change. The Government has modified the attached RFP to reflect the above change.

Question #9

Section C-3.4.4.5

Question: Can the Government please revise this requirement as follows, “The Contractor shall provide a virtual tape solution that has the ability to interface with an eight-Gbps (or better) FICON switch or director?”

Government Response:

The Government has amended the requirement in C-3.4.4.5 to read, “The Contractor shall provide a virtual tape solution that has the ability to interface with an eight-Gbps (or better) FICON switch or director.”

Question #10

Section C-3.4.5 – 3.4.5.10.4

Question: Can the Government please confirm that the reporting requirements are for backend storage on the VTL? As Section 3.4.5 relates to the VTL configurations, did the Government intend to ask for a “set of tools” that provides all of the information requested in 3.4.5.1 through 3.4.5.10.4?

Government Response:

No, the reporting requirements throughout Section C-3.4.5 are not only for “back end storage on the VTL.” The Government requires a software reporting/SRM tool or “set of tools,” that relates to the entire VTL subsystem and that accomplishes or performs all the requirements listed in Section C-3.4.5.1 through C-3.4.5.10.4. To be technically acceptable, an offeror’s proposed tool or “set of tools” must provide all the information requested in Section C-3.4.5.1 through C-3.4.5.10.4.

Question #11 Past Performance Reference Questionnaire

Question: All of the questions in Parts 1 and 2 of the reference questionnaire are the same for both the EDSIS mainframe and EDSIS open systems solicitations; however, some of the Government ratings in Part 3 (“Contractor’s Overall Performance) of the reference questionnaire have been changed (i.e., “Excellent” changed to “Exceptional” and “Good” changed to “Satisfactory”) in the mainframe reference questionnaire. If we are using the same references for the mainframe solicitation that we used for the open systems solicitation, do these references need to submit brand new reference questionnaires?

Government Response:

Yes, direct all references are to submit the attached mainframe reference questionnaire as instructed in Part 5 of Section F-2.2 of the solicitation document.

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