VA118-10-RP-0052_QandA2.doc

T4 Questions and Answers # 2

1. Is work already lined up when the award for this contract is made? If YES, what work?

RESPONSE: Yes, and the work will be within the general technical functional areas defined in the PWS.

2. Will other departments / agencies be able to use the contract? If YES, what departments / agencies?

RESPONSE: Contractor-provided solutions may support the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its joint initiatives, other Federal Agencies, and if so authorized by specific Legislation (e.g. Public Law 108-136 Section 803), tasks for State and local Governments involving information technology and telecommunications that are federally funded.

3. Who (individual) is driving this effort in the issuing organization?

RESPONSE: The T4 is a joint effort primarily sponsored by the Office of Information and Technology and the Technology Acquisition Center.

4. Which individuals are on the source selection team?

RESPONSE: The source selection team will be comprised of knowledgeable, experienced personnel with expertise in the appropriate technical and contracting disciplines.

5. Does the issuing organization perceive any vendor as the leader and the favored supplier (for reasons other than price)? If YES, who?

RESPONSE: No. All offerors will be evaluated in accordance with evaluation criteria set forth in the solicitation. A draft solicitation will be provided at a later date. You should be checking FedBizOps for the latest information.

6. Has any vendor helped shaped the issuing organization's need as outlined in the draft solicitation? If YES, who?

RESPONSE: The performance work statement has been drafted by VA personnel with the assistance of the MITRE Corporation. MITRE is a federally funded research and development center, not-for-profit organization, co-sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Veterans Affairs, with expertise in systems engineering, information technology, operational concepts, and enterprise modernization. MITRE will not be bidding the T4 acquisition.

7. Experience has shown many solicitations end with no buying activity whatsoever. Does this activity equal more of an exercise in information gathering versus a real budgeted project?

RESPONSE: The forthcoming solicitation is intended to result in a five (5) year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Multiple Award Task Order (MATO) contract.

8. Could the issuing organization make the decision to do internally or perform the service itself and therefore not award a contract?

RESPONSE: The T4 acquisition covers work for which the VA intends to seek contractor assistance.

9. Is there a compelling reason for the issuing organization to make a buying decision (awarding the contract) the second business quarter in 2010?

RESPONSE: The RFP release date has not been determined. Please continue to check FedBizOpps for the latest information.

10. Will the issuing organization actually award a contract to a vendor and not take an alternate choice outside of the solicitation boundaries (i.e., use any existing contract vehicle)?

RESPONSE: The T4 contract will be a primary IT services contract vehicle for the VA; however, it is not planned that it will be the exclusive IT services contract vehicle.

11. When will the RFP be released?

RESPONSE: The RFP release date has not been determined. Please continue to check FedBizOpps for the latest information.

12. What is the solicitation's budget and do you feel it is adequate?

RESPONSE: The VA intends to fully fund all work competed under the T4 acquisition.

13. Do any roadblocks exist for this solicitation, beyond the control of the issuing organization?

RESPONSE: Market research and early involvement with industry and other stakeholders are planned to mitigate the risk of any unforeseen delays in the RFP process.

14. Will mandatory small business set-asides be part of this solicitation?

RESPONSE: The VA is a proponent of small business participation and an advocate of the Veterans First Program. While the T4 acquisition strategy has not been determined, the TAC is committed to provide the maximum opportunity for small business participation at both the prime and subcontractor level.