SwISS_RFP_Question_and_Answers_FINAL.pdf

SwISS W15P7T-17-R-0009 RFP Questions and Answers

1. RFP "Section B - 5": Will CLIN 0010 be applicable in the option period?

Section B-5 states CLIN 0010 is for the Base Ordering period only, however it includes the CDRLs for the Management Plan, Work Breakdown Structure and Supply Chain Risk Management Plan

ANSWER:

No, CLIN 0010 (base ordering period) is not applicable in the option period. Per Section B-5, line items 0001-0007, CLIN 0010 and all associated ELINs, and CLIN 0012 apply to the Base Ordering Period. CLINs 1001-1007, CLIN 1010 and associated ELINs, and CLIN 1012 are optional ordering period CLINs. CLINs 0008, 0009, and 0011 are applicable to both the base and optional ordering periods.

Per Section L.2.5, Volume V, Part 1; the Government will establish ceiling prices for CLIN 0010, CDRL's C001 - C003 which shall be valid for 365 days from the date of contract award.

However, in order to give the Government the ability to order these CDRLs during the optional ordering period, an amendment to the solicitation has been made to add CLIN 1010 and associated ELIN's (C001-C003) to Section B-5 and incorporated in the CLIN structure within Section B to be utilized in the optional ordering period. Option CLIN 1010; during the optional ordering period may be utilized when updates or modifications are required for ELIN's C001 - C003 and or to perform an on-ramping activity. Section L.2.5 does not request vendors to propose prices for CLIN 1010.

2. RFP Section I-192: How will the Earned Value Management System be implemented? Will the $100M threshold be a per order basis or cumulative?

ANSWER:

EVMS shall be implemented IAW the requirements of DFARS 252.234-7002. EVMS shall be applicable to individual Task Order or Delivery Orders greater than $20M. The threshold requirements will be applied at the order level, and shall not be cumulative.

3. RFP L.2.5 Volume V, Part 2: Will there be a maximum Firm Fixed Price Profit decided upon based on the proposal, or is this only for CPFF type contracts? The RFP states the fees proposed on the Sample Task Order shall establish the maximum fee, but there is no specification on Profit for FFP contract types

ANSWER:

No. The maximum fee mentioned in sections L and H of the solicitation refer only to CPFF contract types. There is not a maximum profit incorporated into the base contract for FFP contract types.

4. RFP Section L.2.5: Part 1 of Volume V states the three CDRL's will be proposed as Firm- Fixed-Price. What does it mean later in the paragraph that it will be incorporated into the base contract as ceiling prices for the first year? How are the three CDRL's going to be awarded?

Through a separate task order or with the first task order awarded to the vendor? The language seems to be a combination of FFP and Cost-Reimbursement type contracts.

ANSWER:

The proposed prices for the three Firm Fixed Price (FFP) CDRLs shall be valid for 365 days from the date of contract award, incorporated into the base contract and utilized in the total evaluated price in the award determination. The ceiling price here means that a vendor may not submit a price for the FFP CDRLs, as part of a task order proposal, in excess of that price incorporated into the contract. Additionally, pursuant to Section H-6.1 the CDRLs may be awarded as a delivery order after contract award to all successful awardees without holding an order competition, and potentially being the first order issued against the contract. Section L.2.5, Volume V, Part 1 is only applicable to the FFP CDRL’s.

5. RFP Section L.2.5; Page 96: Can the Government provide information on anticipated future task orders for use in developing the Small Business Utilization Plan? Lacking this, it will be extremely difficult for prospective proposers to agree to the Government's small business goals, since industry would have no information regarding what skill sets and resources would be required to complete the future task orders, and whether these skill sets and resources could be obtained via small businesses. Additionally, given the unique requirements for this contract, it will be very difficult to subcontract discrete portions of work to multiple firms that meet not only the Small Business requirements, but also Small Disadvantaged Business, Women-Owned Small Business, HUBZone and Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. The Contractor requests that the Government relax the small business contracting requirements, at least at the sub-category levels.

ANSWER:

At this time the Government cannot provide additional information on future task orders. The proposal should be based off the requirements of the solicitation to include the PWS found in Section J, attachment 0001. RFP section L.2.4 speaks directly to an offeror proposing lower small business participation percentages than the Government percentages identified in the solicitation.

6. How will depth of vendor capability and experience be factored into execution risk evaluation, as it relates to cost realism, schedule risk, and performance risk?

ANSWER:

The vendor shall only be evaluated against the criteria outlined in the solicitation. Cost realism shall be performed in accordance with FAR 15.404-1(d) and section L.2.5 and M-2.2.5 of the solicitation.

7. PWS Section 3.3.1: What is the PdM WF Swiss Plan? The PWS states the Management Plan shall include adherence to the SwISS process as outlined in the PdM WF SwISS Plan, however that plan does not appear to be anywhere.

ANSWER:

The PdM WF SwISS Plan and other references are available to each authorized vendor and their subcontractors through the Joint Tactical Networking (JTNC) Product Manager Waveforms (PdM WF) Information Repository (IR) SwISS folder (http://www.public.navy.mil/jtnc/ir).

Instructions on how to obtain access are included in RFP attachment 0001 SwISS Base PWS Section 2.1.

8. RFP Attachment 0001 Base PWS, Table 2.2 Pages 6,7: Please provide the PdM WF System Engineering Plan (SEP), Version 2.0 and the PdM WF Software In-Service Support (SwISS) Plan (for Vendors), Version 2.0, as referenced in Section 2.2 of the PWS.

ANSWER:

These references are available to each authorized vendor and their subcontractors through the Joint Tactical Networking (JTNC) Product Manager Waveforms (PdM WF) Information Repository (IR) SwISS folder (http://www.public.navy.mil/jtnc/ir). Instructions on how to obtain access are included in RFP attachment 0001 SwISS Base PWS Section 2.1.

9. RFP Attachment 0001 Base PWS Table 2-5; Pages10,11: Please indicate which “security overlays” should be used with CNSSI No. 1253.

The security overlay information will be specified for each task order after contract award

10. RFP Attachment 0001 Base PWS; Section 3.1; Page 12: If there are multiple contractors working in parallel on the same software for maintenance, product improvement, etc.. How will this be coordinated? How will the changes be managed into the baseline?

This would be specified in the appropriate Task Order for that work.

11. RFP Attachment 0001 Base PWS; Section 2.1; Page 6: Can you confirm that access to the IR PdM WF and NS SwISS RFP folder will be provided to prospective proposers as referenced in Section 2.1 of the Base PWS?

ANSWER:

Yes. Instructions on how to obtain access are included in RFP attachment 0001 SwISS Base PWS Section 2.1.

12. RFP Table L-1 br: The 1st two rows of Table L-1 in section J of the RFP specifies a demonstration of p2r2p in SINCGARS. We note that this makes sense in SRW from which it appears to be duplicated but would require a 2 channel radio with bridging capability if performed in SINCGARS. SINCGARS does not support relay using a single channel. Is this a typo? Should the 1st two rows instead say “demonstrate voice with encryption” and “demonstrate data with encryption”?

ANSWER:

This is a typographical error. The solicitation should read p2p (Point-to-Point) (2 nodes). The solicitation has been amended to include an updated RFP Table L-1 section J.

13. RFP Table L-1 section J: The 2nd row of Table L-1 in section J of the RFP specifies a demonstration of unicast data. Unicast implies IPv4 or IPv6 traffic capability, traditionally provided by the SINCGARS internet controller (INC). Does this table entry intend demonstration with the INC or equivalent functionality or should it instead omit the term “unicast”?

ANSWER:

This is a typographical error. The solicitation should read p2p (Point-to-Point) (2 nodes). The solicitation has been amended to include an updated RFP Table L-1 section J.

14. RFP L.2.2.2 Page 92: Please clarify the requirement for demonstration cases. This paragraph states "The offerors assessment report shall demonstrate successful operation of at least 5 demonstration cases for the specified waveform" but in table L-1 each waveform has at least one of the five demonstration cases listed as N/A making it impossible to demonstrate 5 cases for a single waveform. Should this line be interpreted as requiring a report which demonstrates all the demonstration cases in Table L-1 which are applicable for the waveform or network service in question?

ANSWER:

Yes. The solicitation, section L.2.2.2 has been amended with changes to this section to clarify the instructions for potential offerors.

15. Attachment 3 Sample task Order: Is the government going to award the sample task or is it for evaluation proposes only? At the industry the government stated the Sample task was not going to be awarded, but the RFP does not state that.

The sample task order is not going to be awarded, it is for evaluation purposes only.

16. RFP Attachment 3 Sample Task Order Section B: Items 1 & 2 are listed as Cost Plus Fixed Fee however the Amount column is requesting an NTE total. Is this a typo? If the sample task order is awarded and the SLOC estimates vendors are directed to be use for the bid are understated, the estimated cost would be too low. If vendors will be held to an NTE, the estimated SLOC should be ignored and vendors should estimate the SLOC themselves.

ANSWER:

This is not a typographical error. The Government understands the concern, but because this is a sample task for evaluation purposes only and not an awardable task order, the Government provided SLOC estimates shall be utilized.

17. RFP Attachment 3 Sample Task Order Section C.2: Will the following documents be made provided and if not how should a Vendor find them? SINCGARS Waveform Functional Overview (WFO) – Cryptographic Modernization Initiative (CMI), Version 1.50, 17 October 2016 and Joint Tactical Radio System Surrogate Radio Assembly and Configuration Manual, Version 1.0, January 22, 2016. The two documents are important for the proposal effort.

ANSWER:

The references are available to each authorized vendor and their subcontractors through the Joint Tactical Networking (JTNC) Product Manager Waveforms (PdM WF) Information Repository (IR) SwISS folder (http://www.public.navy.mil/jtnc/ir). Instructions on how to obtain access are included in RFP attachment 0001 SwISS Base PWS Section 2.1.

18. RFP Attachment 3 Sample Task Order: Does the WDE currently support all the SINCGARS COMSEC and TRANSEC modes using the surrogate crypto card? Preexisting SINCGARS COMSEC functionality would lower the risk of additional costs.

ANSWER:

The SINCGARS v2.0 waveform operating on the current WDE (Joint Tactical Radio Surrogate Radio (JSR) Waveform Test Environment (WTE)) supports all data and voice modes of current SINCGARS and all TRANSEC modes, but it does not support the current SINCGARS COMSEC mode.

19. RFP Attachment 3 Sample Task Order: If the sample task order is to be awarded to a vendor, will it include both item 1 and item 2 corresponding to tasks 1 and 2 or might it include only one of them? Task 1 and 2 are somewhat intertwined, requiring the combination to complete each of them.

The sample task order is not going to be awarded, it is for evaluation purposes only.

20. RFP Attachment 3 Sample Task Order: Does the WDE currently support all SINCGARS modes of SINCGARS v2.0? Preexisting SINCGARS COMSEC functionality would lower the risk of additional costs.

ANSWER:

The SINCGARS v2.0 waveform operating on the current WDE (Joint Tactical Radio Surrogate Radio (JSR) Waveform Test Environment (WTE)) supports all data and voice modes of current SINCGARS and all TRANSEC modes, but it does not support the current SINCGARS COMSEC mode.

21. RFP Attachment 3 Sample Task Order Section C.4.2.1.1: Given the direction for vendors to bid sample task order tasks 1 and task 2 per the stated new and modified SLOC, what is the rationale behind the inclusion of the subtask descriptions - are they for CDRL estimation purposes only? Unclear purpose

ANSWER:

The Sample Task Order is representative of task orders the government intends to use the SwISS contract for. Subtasks are often used to provide the details of the work required and help provide a basis for technical evaluations.

22. RFP Attachment 3 Sample Task Order: Can the Government either provide copies of the existing SINCGARS and WDE technical documents that overlap (i.e. equivalent document title) with the sample task order CDRLs or provide the list of existing SINCGARS and WDE technical documents so the vendor can determine whether to estimate changes to existing documents or creation of entirely new documents?

Feedback on IR access to SINCGARS and CMI for this RFP indicates access will not be granted in time to bid.

ANSWER:

The references are available to each authorized vendor and their subcontractors through the Joint Tactical Networking (JTNC) Product Manager Waveforms (PdM WF) Information Repository (IR) SwISS folder (http://www.public.navy.mil/jtnc/ir). Instructions on how to obtain access are included in RFP attachment 0001 SwISS Base PWS Section 2.1.

23. Sample Task Attachment 3 Clause H-1 has a note saying it does not apply to the sample task.

Is there any requirement to address this in the proposal?

ANSWER:

No, this is just for information purposes and does not need to be addressed for the Sample Task Order in the proposal.

24. What are the test requirements for the sample task? Against what set of requirements should costs be estimated for validation and verification?

ANSWER:

The current SINCGARS SRS and RTM are available to each authorized vendor and their subcontractors through the Joint Tactical Networking (JTNC) Product Manager Waveforms (PdM WF) Information Repository (IR) SwISS folder (http://www.public.navy.mil/jtnc/ir).

Instructions on how to obtain access are included in RFP attachment 0001 SwISS Base PWS Section 2.1. The Sample Task Order defines the tasks, schedule, and CDRLs to develop, validate, and verify CMI incorporated into SINCGARS v2.0.

25. RFP Attachment 0003 Sample Task Order FOUO.docx - SINCGARS -v3.0: Cryptographic Modernization Initiative (CMI) Effort: Is the TSV for the Sample Task Order available from IR?

ANSWER:

The unclassified TSV reference is available to each authorized vendor and their subcontractors through the Joint Tactical Networking (JTNC) Product Manager Waveforms (PdM WF)

Information Repository (IR) SwISS folder (http://www.public.navy.mil/jtnc/ir). Instructions on how to obtain access are included in RFP attachment 0001 SwISS Base PWS Section 2.1.

26. RFP Attachment 0003 Sample Task Order FOUO.docx - SINCGARS -v3.0: Cryptographic Modernization Initiative (CMI) Effort: What is the scope for 5.2.1 mean & how do we bid?

ANSWER:

The Sample Task Order (RFP Section J Attachment 003) paragraphs are aligned with the SwISS PWS (RFP Section J Attachment 001). Paragraph 5.2.1 simply points to the scope of the sample task order as being SINCGARS.

27. RFP Attachment 0003 Sample Task Order FOUO.docx - SINCGARS -v3.0: Cryptographic Modernization Initiative (CMI) Effort: New and Modified SLOC are provided but what is the total SLOC count for this effort?

ANSWER:

The Total SLOC for SINCGARS 2.0 are:

General Purpose Processor (GPP): 89887 Digital Signal Processor (DSP): 23591 Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA): 34703

28. RFP Attachment 0003 Sample Task Order Section 2; Page 9: Will the SINCGARS Waveform Functional Overview (WFO), Version 1.50 be provided to prospective propsers? If so, please advise how industry can go about obtaining this document? If not, can the Government please confirm that this document has been previously been provided to any of the prospective providers, thereby providing a competitive advantage?

ANSWER:

These references are available to each authorized vendor and their subcontractors through the Joint Tactical Networking (JTNC) Product Manager Waveforms (PdM WF) Information

29. RFP Attachment 0003 Sample Task Order, Section 2; Page 9: Will the Joint Tactical Radio System Surrogate Radio Assembly and Configuration Manual, Version 1.0 provided to prospective propsers? If so, please advise how industry can go about obtaining this document?

If not, can the Government please confirm that this document has been previously been provided to any of the prospective providers, thereby providing a competitive advantage?

These references are available to each authorized vendor and their subcontractors through the Joint Tactical Networking (JTNC) Product Manager Waveforms (PdM WF) Information

30. RFP Attachment 0003 Sample Task Order Section 7; Page 20: What language is the DOD IR TSVCIS reference software code written?

C, C++, and Python

31. RFP Attachment 0003 Sample Task Order Section 5.3.1.2, 5.3.1.3; Page 15: Can the MELPe and Tactical Secure Voice Wideband 16K Vocoder implementations be provided as GFE/GFI with Government Purpose Rights?

ANSWER:

Yes, for the Sample Task Order Paragraph 7, assume that the MELPe and TSV Wideband 16K Vocoder implementations are provided with the TSVCIS v2.1 reference source code and technical documents as GFE/GFI with GPR.

32. In RFP Attachment 004 Labor Category Descriptions, the Description for Program Manager specifies: Education/Experience: BA/BS in a technical or managerial discipline and PMP with at least 10 years of experience.

Is there an expectation that the Program Manager (or Project Manager) have the formal Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI), or is the PMP certification simply one means of demonstrating the desired level of experience?

PMP certification is simply one means of demonstrating the desired level of experience.