Comment Resolution Matrix_Jun24 RFI_Response_to_Industry (26AUG2024).pdf

UNO MA IDIQ RFI RESPONSES TO INDUSTRY

# Doc Name Doc Ref Page # Question or Suggestion? Answer

1 General N/A N/a How many IDIQ Contracts does the Government anticipate awarding in each of the 6 Pools?

The Government is still determining how to maintain effective competition to accomplish requirements in combination with ensuring a managable number of vendors in each award pool.

2 General N/A N/A Will vendors who were selected to participate in the UNO OTA competitive prototye efffort, investing in months of prototype development, be afforded a fast track opportunity to earn an award under the Production IDIQ? If so, which of the Pools will be qualified in Phase 1? Will the respective Challenge Scenario be waived in Phase 2?

The UNO IDIQ will tentatively provide follow-on production to the UNO OTA and ICAM OTA prototypes (via separate TOs); strategy is to take initial prototypes, enhance them, and field the initial (and follow-on) minimum viable capability releases (MVCR) (from TEM XII). The UNO OTA will tentatively utilize the Tactical NetOps award pool for follow-on production. All vendors must compete for an IDIQ award.

3 General N/A N/A Would the Government please provide the full list and qualifications of the labor categories prior to the release of the Final RFP?

The Government is intending to provide a preliminary set of LCATs for pricing purposes for the IDIQ. However, each TO will include its own LCATs for competitive pricing.

4 General N/A Is there an anticipated timeline or roadmap for the solicitation, award, and task order announcements? The Government is tentatively planning to release the solicitation for the Base IDIQin 2/3QFY25.

5 General NA NA Is a pre-UNO MAC IDIQ RFP Industry Day at APG planned? If not, will the Government consider it?

The Government will continue to use its Technical Exchange Meetings to provide information and communicate its requirements with industry. TEM XIII is tentatively planned for 1QFY25.

6 General Overall NA

Given the complexities associated with integrating all of the various aspects of UNO into working capabilities in the field, we recommend the addition of an Integration Award Pool. The offerors contending for the Integration Award Pool should have demonstrated past performance with managing and integrating diverse and related capabilities into an integrated solution. The governance associated with managing the different and related activities would be a key capability within this award pool.

The Government is currently planning for a Management Data and Software Integration award pool where integration capabilities will be covered.

7 General When does the government expect to release the final solicitation? The Government is tentatively planning to release the solicitation for the Base IDIQin 2/3QFY25.

8 General How many awards does the government intend to award for each award pool?

The Government is still determining how to maintain effective competition to accomplish requirements in combination with ensuring a managable number of vendors in each award pool.

9 General Will there be a certain amount awarded to large business and a certain amount awarded to small business?

No. The Government is anticipating a partial small business set aside within the Data Analytics and Software Adaptation award pool. There may additional opportunities for small business based on task order level market research.

10 General

Based upon our review, we were unable to identify a pool for the Systems Integrator to be able to properly scale and integrate capabilities that are brought in as was discussed at TEMs 10 through 12.

Recommendation: Consider adding a 7th Award pool for Systems Integration. This award pool would provide the following capabilities but not limited to:

a) Governance and Standardization: Establishes/publishes baseline standards for UNO and interface requirements while ensuring all capabilities from the Task Orders are able to meet standards before deployment.

b) Cybersecurity/A&A Functions: Executing the RMF process and maintaining UNO System Accreditation.

c) Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Providing trade-off analysis of proposed capabilities to be added or replaced. Maintaining a holistic view of the TCO for UNO as capabilities are added, swapped and/or removed

d) Ensuring an integrated CONOPS for both the tactical and strategic networks.

The Government is currently planning for a Management Data and Software Integration award pool where integration capabilities will be covered.

11 General Recommendation: As a follow up to the recommendation under #3, consider releasing, as the first Task Order, to establish the baseline Enterprise and Tactical NetOps Architecture along with the standards and interface requirements to which all future capabilities must strictly follow from the proposed 7th SI award pool.

The establishment of the Enterprise and Tactical NetOps architecture is included in the UNO OTA currently being competed. Future IDIQ TOs may include the enhancement and product support for this UNO Enterprise/Tactical baseline.

12 PWS 2 6

Question: Does the government expect this scope to include acquisition of hardware/software and licenses of existing tools or potential new tools in any of the scope areas? If so, which ones?

The PWS currently includes a requirement for both hardware and software (including licenses) acquisition. Specific requirements for these activities will be included in individual TOs.

13 PWS 3 6

The government indicates there are multiple individual tools, software applications, and software suites that provide NetOps capabilities. Can the government provide more details on the specific tools and technologies currently used for NetOps that UNO will replace or integrate with?

More details on specific tools/technologies will be provided in task order requirements.

14 PWS 4.4 8

The Government lists the required endorsement for each level of ACAT Program. Is UNO still considered an ACAT II Program? Will each TO need sign off? Can the Government please provide more clarification on this?

There are multiple acquisition programs following the Software Acquisition Pathway (i.e., DODI 5000.87) that will provide the capabilities that make up UNO. Capability requirements documents have been approved for these programs. We are unclear on what is meant by signoff.

15 PWS 5.1 10 Does the Government intend to request pricing for the full five (5)-year base PoP? Or will it be a shorter period of time?

The Government is still contemplating the pricing scenario that it will include for competition of the base IDIQ Highest Technically Rated Offer (HTRO) evaluation.

16 PWS 5.1 16 Will their be any Requirements that will require the Prime to establish an ITAR?

Contractor place of performance may include various locations Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS).

Specific place of performance or ITAR-related requirements will be included in individual TOs. The contracting officer will provide the applicable solicitation provisions for this area.

17 PWS 5.4 10

To optimize the participation of Large System Integrators (LSIs), Small Businesses, and Non-Traditional Defense Contractors within this MAC IDIQ, the Government will need to remove barriers that could dissuade/constrain their ability to participate. We recommend adding detailed guidance that would provide Industry with additional insight and better prepare them to bid to the respective task areas / Award Pools that best suits their core capabilities. While the UNO OTA Prototype is focused on the production and deployment (most likely from an LSI prime), the most optimal ways to maximize Industry participation for this MAC IDIQ is assign the Award Pools as either FFP or CPFF (or Cost Plus Award Fee, Incentive Fee, etc.) contract types to enable cost transparency. We recommend the following assignments:

Award Pool - Data Analytics and Software Adaption: FFP Award Pool - Tactical NetOps: CPFF Award Pool - Enterprise NetOps: CPFF Award Pool - Managed Data and Software Integration: FFP Award Pool - ICAM: CPFF Award Pool - Digital Support Services: CPFF

This revision would enable Non-Traditional Defense Contractors and commercial product vendors to bid on TOs within the Award Pools that are better suited to provide software-based product solutions. This also maximizes participation of LSIs as they can bid both FFP or CPFF/CR type contracts while providing venues for Small Businesses to openly compete as Prime for TOs.

Thank you for your recommendations. The Government does not intend to limit the contract type for each award pool.

Contract type and the capable vendors to include in the competition for each TO will be analyzed prior to solicitation.

18 PWS 6 20

Will the Intellectual data rights developed under SBIR prograsms be maintained with the Prime Offeror and the Government office that sponsored said technology/innovation? Can the Government expand and discuss this area.

SBIR data rights continue throughout the 20-year protection period and are subject to restrictions on Government disclosure.

19 PWS 6 20

The government describes their rights and ownership of the intellectual property for technical data and computer software. What is the government's approach to standardize the deliverables across the multiple task orders to foster collaboration using standard templates?

The Government will standardize the deliverables using methods detailed at the Task Order level.

20 PWS 11 25

Will each Prime Contractor have to adress all requirements contained within Part 3, Requirements of just the paragraphs that align with the specific Pool they are bidding? Or does each prime have to adress the Pool they are bidding and each area in section 12?

Sections L & M give instructions on the evaluation approach and how Offerors should propose.

21 PWS 11 25

Considering a holistic view of UNO, with the Prime Mission Areas doubling as Award Pools, would the Government clarify its primary objective in this procurement? The 6 award pools seem designed to attract proposals from many vendors, particularly smaller businesses, which have capabilities in one or two prime mission areas. These small business may very well produce high-quality software modules for UNO; however, they would be unlikely to serve well as system integrators. Whereas, large system integrators with capabilities in most if not all of the Prime Mission Areas and who build vendor teams with depth of capabilities across the full range of UNO requirements might be dissuaded by having to produce six PP volumes and Orals Presentations for six Challenge Scenarios. If the government wants to attract numerous small vendors and evaluate many PP volumes across six award pools before getting to a manageable number of vendors in Phase 2, the six vendor pool approach is ideal. If the Government wants to attract vendor teams with deep capabilites across all requirements including system integration, the Government may want to condider having a large business track where vendor teams must demonstrate capabilities in all six prime mission areas.

Thank you for your observations and recommendation. The Government conducted extensive market research and is looking to maximize effective competition to meet capability requirements.

22 PWS 11.4 25

Comment: How does the Army envision capturing the relationship or interdependencies between UNO and the Data management capabilities between the tactical and enterprise environments (for example, how will Army Data Platform (ADP) 2.0 data products interact with battlefield functional area data products or the LEAP/LTAC system) ?

More details on specific tools/technologies will be provided in task order requirements.

23 PWS 11.4 25

How will the UNO Prototype Winner (Awardee) interact with the Managed Data and Software Integration Award Pool? Can the successful Prototype awardee also be awarded under the Pools or will these be inherently separate efforts?

1. All contractors under the IDIQ across all award pools will be required to interact with each other with integration of products / solutions being developed or fielded in different award pools.

2. The Tactical NetOps award pool will tentatively provide follow-on production to the UNO OTA prototype.

24 PWS 11.5 26

Would the Government consider broadening the scope of the ICAM Pool to ensure it covers a wider scope of the cybersecurity discipline? The "Required Competencies" includes relevent activities such as Cybersecurity Engineering, RMF Support, and DevSecOps, which may not be fully represented in the existing Pools.

Cybersecurity (as an example) may be covered in any or all of the award pools.

25 PWS 12.1 26 Does the Government currently use an Agile Management Tool suite? If so which tool suite does the command use? The Government is not prescribing a specific Agile approach for an Offeror as part of the base IDIQ requirement.

26 PWS 12.1 26 What contractual provisions will exist to allow agile scope adaptation for TOs? The Government will standardize the deliverables using methods detailed at the Task Order level.

27 PWS 12.12 29 What Help Desk trouble ticket system does the Government currently use. More details on specific tools/technologies will be provided in task order requirements.

28 PWS 12.2 26 What HSI tools are currently being used by the command? i.e HFACS, IPME, HEDD, possibly others? More details on specific tools/technologies will be provided in task order requirements.

29 PWS 12.2 26

For the User-Centered Design component, how will the Government take feedback from STPs and User Juries from the Prototype Phase? Will it also consider best practices for current software pathways programs?

The Government will take into account any existing data and best practices to form User-Centered Design.

30 PWS 12.3 27

What DevSecOps tools is the command currenly using to support (CI/CD Pipelines, Artifacts, CM, IaC, Monitoring, Collaboration and PM, Containerization/Orchestration and Compliance)

More details on specific tools/technologies will be provided in task order requirements.

31 PWS 12.3 27

Under which Award Pool will the implementation of a CI/CD pipeline fall? We recommend the Government consider the Award Pool for Managed Data and Software Integration.

Implementation of a CI/CD pipleline may be covered in any or all of the award pools.

32 PWS 12.4 27 Under which Award Pool will the Systems Engineering scope fall? Systems Engineering is a competency that is across all award pools.

33 PWS 12.5 28 What is the planned frequency of STPs, LBRRs, and other User Juries? Is the Government looking at a certain cadence? Those activities will be specified in individual TOs.

34 PWS 12.6 28 Can the Government provide its current DevSecOps strategy in the bidders library?

The Contractor shall understand that its DevSecOps strategy (required / implemented at the TO level) shall align with the then active DoD DevSecOps playbook.

35 PWS 12.7 28 Can the Government provide its current CPI assessment to include PPP? This will be provided within a TO requirement if applicable and required by sensitivity.

36 PWS 12.9 29 How will the Prime contractor be rehembursed for Specifically Hardware Procurement? If a TO requires specific hardware to be procured it would be reimbursed.

37 PWS

§12.4.3:

Cybersecurity Engineering

p. 27 Will this requirement be linked to the base IDIQ award or to a specific TO award? Section 12 of the PWS contains competencies/skills that will apply to the award pools and their respective TOs.

38 PWS §2: Scope p. 6

After reviewing the document, it is unclear whether many of the deliverables will become required once a Task Order (TO) is awarded to a vendor or starting when the base ID/IQ award has been granted. If the latter, then what amount of funding will be granted to vendors of the multi-award in order to manage these deliverables? The concern is if a vendor will be required to spend resources in order to produce the deliverables but could potentially never receive a TO award.

No deliverables are required for the MA IDIQ base award.

39 PWS

§5.1: Period of Performance

p. 10 Will individual TOs be able to be assigned so that their Periods of Performance (PoP) can extend beyond the PoP window of the overall IDIQ?

The Contracting Officer will make a determination on a case by case basis depending on the type of service provided and funding.

40 PWS §5.13.1 pp. 16-17 Will the USG please list out the potential Agile Certifications requirements that will be required and mapped to the years of experience?

Any required Agile or other certification requirements for the base IDIQ will be included as part of the LCAT requirements issued with the RFP.

41 PWS

§5.2: Place of Performance

p. 10 Will the USG please list out the specific locations where potential Temporary Duty could occur? Will some sites require more travel then others?

Individual TOs will specify applicable locations of service to be provided.

42 PWS

§7.1: GFP

Description

p. 22

Will the contractor be required to make purchases on any approved list or via specific sites (i.e., CHESS)? If yes, can the USG please provide that guidance (i.e., links to list for computer hardware, URL to sites for specific kinds of equipmet)?

IAW TO requirements, the Contractor may be requirement to purchase, adopt, or develop hardware infrastructure to develop or fielding UNO software solutions. (See PWS 12.9). Requirements for any HW will be provided at the TO level.

43 PWS 11.5 & 12.4.3 25-27

Question: Will the government share architecture information and/or a list of currently deployed tools for cybersecurity engineering, ICAM, and zero trust?

More details on specific tools/technologies will be provided in task order requirements.

44 PWS

11.6 - Digital

Support Services 26 What specific digital engineering technologies are expected to be leveraged under this contract? More details on specific tools/technologies will be provided in task order requirements.

45 PWS

11.6. DIGITAL

SUPPORT

SERVICES

11.6 three sub-bullets do not align to the description that states " This Mission Area involves identifying experience delivering digital engineering (DE) technologies that support / align to the DoD & Army's initiative to transform the way it conceives, designs, develops, delivers, operates, and sustains complex systems in a changing threat environment.", Recommend using exempfying bullets that are more aligned to the ASA(ALT)’s policy on digital engineering (e.g. replace documents with models and structured data as the foundation for knowledge management and communication of technical information in acquisition programs. )

The Government will standardize the deliverables using methods detailed at the Task Order level.

46 PWS

12.2 User-

Centered Design

Recommendation: The PWS should specifically require skills and capabilities with Organizational Change Management. This could be included in section 12.2, User-Centered Design, but should probably be a separate line under Section 12, Required Competencies. This should go beyond identifying user personas and seek to understand the reasons stakeholders would resist implementing and/or using UNO, and ensure this information is factored into the requirements development and the decision-making process. Contractors should advise on and implement action plans with the government to proactively overcome resistance to change to enable greater adoption of UNO and support more rapid integration.

Thank you for your recommendtion. Based on market research the identified competencies aligned with the primary mission areas, with User-Centered Design listed in its most concise form. With the employment of Agile the Government believes that the pace of activities will require all contractors to embrace change to be successful.

47 PWS

12.2. User

Centered Design

Can the Government provide more detail related to the execution of UNO Human Systems Integration (HIS) Program planning activities?

More details will be provided on the execution of HSI.

48 PWS 12.4.1. MOSA 27 Are there specific standards tha the Government will utilize for MOSA? Thank you. This section is being revised and will be provided with the RFP.

49 PWS 12.5.1 28

Under developmental test and Evaluation, can the Government expand on what the Training requirements and support will include? Its unclear.

This training refers to training related to testing of UNO solutions.

50 PWS 12.8.1 - Training 29 The PWS requires the contractor to create and maintain user training as specified in the individual TOs. Can the government provide examples of training systems that will be leveraged as part of the individual task orders?

Vendors should be prepared to propose training systems that meet specific task order requirements.

51 PWS 3. Background Page 6 Can you please provide a description of Tactical ICAM? Tactical ICAM is described in the PWS background.

52 PWS 5.13.1 16 Can the Government list the nesessary Agile qualifications they desire each Prime Contractor to use or employ?

Any required Agile or other certification requirements for the base IDIQ will be included as part of the LCAT requirements issued with the RFP.

53 PWS

5.13.1. Agile

Qualifications

Is the determination of necessary Agile certifications to be determined by the contractor, or will the Government provide minimum criteria that must be met?

Any required Agile or other certification requirements for the base IDIQ will be included as part of the LCAT requirements issued with the RFP.

54 PWS 5.13.3 17

Replacement of Key Personnel within 10 or 15 days is unrealistic. These are typically highly specialized and experienced people.

Identifying comparable replacements and executing the screening, hiring, and onboarding process to ensure the optimal candidate takes more time in a competitive employment environment. We recommend at least 30 days to propose a substitute candidate.

Thank you for your recommendation. We will review this further. The requirement(s) for Key Personnel may be invoked at the TO level and the specificity for those requirements will be provided in TO requirements.

55 PWS 5.13.5 17

Section 5.13.5 states "Orders under this contract may require systems engineering, technical direction, specifications, work statements, and evaluations services. Therefore, some restrictions on future activities of the Contractor may be required IAW FAR Subpart 9.5 and Clause H.9 of this contract, OCI."

Recommendation: Government should consider releasing potential OCI requirements early in the task order acquisition cycle to allow the Government to determine if there will be enough bidders to ensure adequate competition.

Thank you for your recommendation. This will be considered on each TO.

56 PWS 5.14.1 18

Can the Government specifically name the required DoDD 8570.01 certifications required for this opportunity? Is it IAT Level I, IAT Level II or IAT Level II? It is unclear based on the requirement.

Cybersecurity certifications will be noted in each TO requirement as applicable.

57 PWS

5.14.1 ARMY

TRAINING

CERTIFICATION

TRACKING

SYSTEM

(ATCTS), 5.14.5

INFORMATION

ASSURANCE (IA)

TRAINING, and

15. Reference

Documents

18, 19, and 35 DoDM 8140.03 was signed on 15 February 2023, cancelling DoD 8570.01-M. Consider replacing or adding DoD 8570.01-M as the reference.

Thank you. References updated in PWS.

58 PWS 5.8.4 12 Is their a Minimum FCL required for each Prime and its Subcontractors to bid this opportunity? Thank you for your recommendation. PWS revised accordingly

59 PWS 5.8.4 12 Is their a Security Safeguarding Requirement for this Opportunity? Each TO will have applicable safeguarding requirements contained therein.

60 PWS

6 Intellectual Property (IP) -

Technical Data and Computer

Software Rights

The Government states that it will have unlimited rights in all data, including technical data, generated and software developed and funded under this MAC and in form, fit, and function data, etc. The Government also states in the same paragraph that specific requirements for IP data rights will be discussed in each individual order. Can the Government issue a clarifying statement on the desired data rights from offerors on this solicitation?

The Government desires unlimited rights in IP data rights. However, IP data rights will be discussed / negotiated at the task order level.

61 PWS Appendix A 37 Will all CDRLs be required for each TO an Offeror is selected to deliver, or will the Government and Offeror meet prior to TO execution and mutually agree upon the required CDRL(s)?

Each TO will require CDRLs. Situational dependent discussions for CDRLs on TOs may be considered and discussed.

62 PWS Appendix A 37,38

The presence of 25 separate software-related deliverables can indeed seem overly burdensome and may limit the flexibility required for effective project management.

We recommend the following considerations:

- Consolidate Deliverables: Identify opportunities to combine related deliverables into more comprehensive reports that still provide the necessary information without being overly repetitive.

- Critical Deliverables Only: Focus on deliverables that are critical for monitoring progress, assessing risk, and ensuring compliance with key requirements.

- Iterative Reviews: Implement an iterative review process that allows for regular check-ins and adjustments based on the current state of the project, rather than adhering strictly to a fixed set of deliverables.

- Gov't and Stakeholder Collaboration: Engage with both government and industry stakeholders to identify and agree on the most essential deliverables. This collaborative approach can help ensure that the oversight is effective without being excessive.

- Continuous Feedback Loop: Establish a continuous feedback loop to gather input on the effectiveness of the deliverables and make adjustments as necessary to improve the process.

By streamlining the number of software-related deliverables, the government can maintain effective oversight while allowing industry partners the flexibility to innovate and adapt to changing requirements.

The CDRLs listed in the PWS are representative of CDRLs that may be used. Not all CDRLs may be used in every task order. Specific CDRL requirements will be discussed and included in task order requirements.

63 PWS

Paragraph 12.12 Help Desk /

Service Desk Support

Requirement is to interface with the Governments Help Desk / Service Desk trouble ticket system. Is this system the Army Enterprise Service Desk (AESD)?

More details on specific tools/technologies will be provided in task order requirements.

64 PWS

Paragraph 5.13.2

Key Personnel 17 Will their be any key personnel requirements at the IDIQ level, such as a Program Manager? Key personnel requirements, if any, will be at the TO level.

65 PWS

Paragraph 5.2

Place of Performance

Can the Government clarify the primary location for the customer; i.e. APG, MD? It may be beneficial for the Program Manager and other key personnel to be in close proximity and time zone for meetings and other engagements. Or will their be multiple locations based on task order?

Specific locations will be specified at the task order level. Primary place of performance will likely be the contractor's facility. However, travel may be required for task order level activities (e.g., Soldier Touch Points). The Product Manager TCNO is located at APG, but there other customers may potentially use this contract vehicle.

66 PWS

Part 1: General

Information p.6 Will any portion of this be set-aside for small businesses?

The Government is anticipating a partial small business set aside within the Data Analytics and Software Adaptation award pool. There may additional opportunities for small business based on task order level market research.

67 PWS

Part 2: PART 2:

GOVERNMENT

FURNISHED

PROPERTY (GFP)

/ INFORMATION

/ SERVICE;

CONTRACTOR

FURNISHED

PROPERTY /

SERVICES

For all required Agile activities , recommend the governments roles and responsibilities be enumerated to set expectations as to how the government will participate and provide government furnished direction (e.g. product owner responsibilities)

The Government will standardize the deliverables using methods detailed at the Task Order level.

68 PWS

Part 3 :

Requirements

This section provides a general description of six (11.1-11.6) Recommend government align this section to the DAU requirements for a PWS "performance work statement (PWS) is a statement of work for performance-based acquisitions that describes the required results in clear, specific and objective terms with measurable outcomes"

This will be specified in TO level requirements. The IDIQ PWS only provides the broad scope of services / activities that will be required in individual TOs.

69 PWS

Part 3:

Requirements

The managed data and software integration requirements in PWS requirement 11.4 call for incorporating new and updated components or software from multiple vendors while ensuring the quality, security, and resilience of the aggregate software architectures. This requires process discipline in collaborative workflows and the PWS does not list any indication of these collaboration requirements. Can the government elaborate on the expected level of collaboration between the multiple awardees and the required assets that must be maintained within a collaborative workspace?

This will be specified in TO level requirements. The IDIQ PWS only provides the broad scope of services / activities that will be required in individual TOs.

70 PWS

Part 3:

Requirements 25-30

The PWS requires a broad range of disparate products across the six prime mission areas applying an even broader range of 17 required competencies. Presumably there will be a variety of companies providing these products and services. While applying rigorous best practices will provide some level of integration, there is no apparent mechanism or process built into the PWS to ensure that all products integrate into an operationally robust system of systems. The scope of overarching systems integration seems larger than the resources available within PEO C3T. We suggest a mission area specifically including Unified Network systems engineering to ensure that PEO C3T has access to adequate systems integration support in its role as lead system integrator.

The Government is currently planning for a Management Data and Software Integration award pool where integration capabilities will be covered.

71 PWS

Part 3:

Requirements 25-30

Phase 1 evaluation is based solely on a comparative evaluation of past performance relevance and recency. This will provide an unfair advantage to holders of recent OTA awards. Because the Unified Network is a relatively new initiative, few companies have direct performance with UNO requirements. A second tier would be original equipment manufacturers of network equipment, who would have experience with Unified Network components. Companies that have not won an OTA award and do not manufacture relevant network components, but have strong experience in key areas like system of systems integration, data engineering, and data centricity, could easily be eliminated at Phase 1, depriving PEO TCNO of the novel approaches it says it wants. We recommend expanding evaluation to include corporate experience with tactical network operations.

Past performance will be comparatively evaluated based only on recency, relevancy and quality of the experiences related to the Government's antificipated Award Pools within the IDIQ as indicated in Sections L and M.

72 PWS

Part 3:

Requirements 25-31

What specific tasks does the government envision to be prioritized as part of the initial task orders within each Prime Mission Area?

As the first priority, the UNO IDIQ will tentatively provide follow-on production to the UNO OTA and ICAM OTA prototypes (via separate TOs) (from TEM XII)

73 PWS

Part 3:

Requirements

12.6 Program

Protection Planning

Consider deleting or moving (to 12.3) the second paragraph--appears out of place. " The Contractor shall propose a clear DevSecOps strategy and explanation of the continuous delivery pipeline. After contract award, the Contractor shall work with PdM TCNO to increase continuous integration and continuous delivery capability by progressively layering more sophisticated automation components into the continuous integration/continuous delivery pipeline while also reducing the time to move approved code from development to production."

Thank you for your recommendation. Relocated paragraph to PWS 12.3.

74 PWS

Part 3:

Requirements

PWS refers to prime mission areas. Sections L and M refer to Award Pools. All refer to the same topics. Suggest using consistent terminology across the whole RFP and/or cross walking the terms to avoid any ambiguity.

Thanks for your recommendation. Prime Mission Areas are intended to align to the Award Pools. The Government will further clarify its intent.

75 PWS

Part 3:

Requirements 11.6

Consider deleting "identifying experience" to read "This Mission Area involves delivering digital engineering (DE) technologies that support / align to the DoD & Army's initiative to transform the way it conceives, designs, develops, delivers, operates, and sustains complex systems in a changing threat environment. It is a broadly defined category that encompasses various aspects that align to the DoD's Digital Engineering Strategy, Army's Digital Engineering Vision & ASA(ALT)’s policy on digital engineering."

Consider adding as a bullet "The Contractor shall leverage a digital engineering ecosystem (DEE) with a baseline set of Digital Engineering Tools as well as a collaboration tool capability to connect the tools through digital threads. The digital threads will provide the ability for user to share and propagate data between the integrated tools. The DEE shall employ non-proprietary and open source interfaces to promote future tool integration and prevent vendor lock scenarios. The DEE, tools, and associated data shall be hosted in a Government owned cloud environment (e.g., cArmy or AC2SP) and/or in an on-premises Government server."

Thank you for the recommendation. This PWS section is being revised and will be provided with the RFP.

76 PWS Section 11.1 25 There is little or no information concerning External Data formats that need to be supported by the UNO solution. Data from TNIC and other agencies become foundational in integrating Division into the overarching dataset. Will external systems be expected to support MOSA APIs or are explicit Import/Export functions required?

More details on specific tools/technologies will be provided in task order requirements.

77 PWS

Section 11.2 and

11.3

Recommend these sections be renamed IAW DOD/Army prevailing doctrine (e.g. NETOPS replaced by DODIN OPS) and further use Integrated Tactical Network (ITN) and the Integrated Enterprise Networks (IEN) vice tactical and strategic

Thank you for the recommendation. This PWS section is being revised and will be provided with the RFP.

78 PWS

Section 11.2 and

11.3

These sections read like a definition vice a function description . Recommend rewording to ensure both sections describe both the objective state and relationship to the AUNP definition and scope

Thank you for the recommendation. This PWS section is being revised and will be provided with the RFP.

79 PWS

Section 11.5:

ICAM

See "<Vendor Name REDACTED> White Paper ICAM for NPEs in Army Tactical Environments" attached in Response Submission Email for recommendations for ICAM Mission Area

Thank you for your recommendation.

80 PWS Section 12 26

Recommendation: We recommend you add an additional required competency to section 12 of the PWS.

The title of the competency should be Digital Transformation and should include a variation of the following language:

As part of the overall Digital Transformation effort, the Contractor shall support the execution of the Government’s UNO Digital Transformation planning activities. These activities should include an exploration of the Government current Opportunities for Organizational Change Management in order to address pressing business challenges and to encourage innovation and teamwork.

Thank you for your recommendation. Based on market research the identified competencies align with the primary mission areas. With the employment of Agile the Government believes that the pace of activities will require all contractors to embrace change management to be successful. Additionally, PWS 11.6 has been modified to clearly include Digital Transformation.

81 PWS

Section 12:

REQUIRED

COMPETENCIES

Section 12 is described as "The skillsets listed below are required in aggregate to support the full scope of the MA IDIQ" but details

Thank you for your comment.

82 PWS Section 6 20 What are the intellectual property and data rights provisions for this contract?

The Government’s specific requirements for IP data rights will be discussed in each individual order as discussed in the

PWS.

83 PWS Sections 1-3

Recommend the PWS (sections OBJECTIVES, SCOPE, and BACKGROUD) be less conversational and aligned to approved DOD/Army requirements, strategies, and plans. Connecting to existing and approved documents will ensure uniformed interpretation and ultimately reduce confusion and need for government clarification e.g. AUNP, ATP 6-02.71, FM 6-02, https://cadie.army.mil/Cadie/ArchCatalog/Registration.aspx?ArchitectureId=8457

Thanks for your recommendation. The Government will take this under advisement.

84 PWS 16

Please provide details on expectation for: "Agile certifications and/or experience to perform their assigned roles to deliver functionality in compliance with the Contractor’s agile methodology, leveraging best practices of Agile software development

Any required Agile or other certification requirements for the base IDIQ will be included as part of the LCAT requirements issued with the RFP.

85 PWS p.6 Please define "Tactical ICAM" Tactical ICAM is described in the PWS background.

86 PWS 1 & 2 6

Will the Government please provide clarification as to the relationship between the UNO Prototype OTA award with this full rate production MAC IDIQ? Is it the Government's intent to procure support services to augment the Prototype, once awarded? Will the prototype winner be the lead software integrator?

There appears to be an overlap of SOW from Prototype to this MAC IDIQ. Can the Government please provide further clarification?

The UNO IDIQ will tentatively provide follow-on production to the UNO OTA and ICAM OTA prototypes (via separate TOs); strategy is to take initial prototypes, enhance them, and field the initial (and follow-on) minimum viable capability releases (MVCR) (from TEM XII). The UNO OTA will tentatively utilize the Tactical NetOps award pool for follow-on production. All vendors must compete for an IDIQ award.

87 Section L 2.1 8 Can the Government please confirm that the only requirement for Phase 1 of the Proposal will be Volume 1 - Past Performance?

Can the Government also please confirm that the vendor will submit all corresponding volumes only upon down-select? Parts of Section L in the current dRFP read as if all Volumes need to be submitted at the same time.

Responses to Volume 1 are the only Offeror requirement for Phase 1. All other volumes will be submitted if the Offeror is selected to move to Phase 2. Sections L & M are being revised and will be provided with the RFP.

88 Section L 3 11

When the Government states "The Offeror shall also submit the written consent of its major Subcontractors to allow the disclosure of their past performance information to the Offeror," is this in reference to the major Subcontractor(s) of the proposed solution in the Award Pool, or major Subcontractor(s) referenced in the vendor's past performance? In the event of the latter, can the Government please confirm if written consent is needed only if a Subcontractor on the program is named in the past performance narrative?

Offerors shall submit the written consent of its proposed Major Subcontractors to allow the disclosure of the Subcontractor's past performance information as part of the Offeror's proposal.

89 Section L 3.2 12 For the Performance Section, can Industry provide customer feedback as part of the narrative when it comes to meeting objectives and delivery of capability?

IAW Section L, Offerors can provide any information in the narrative that describes the objectives achieved and details how the effort is relevant to the requirements of this RFP. Past Performance Quality will be determined by CPARs and PPQ responses.

90 Section L 3.3 12 Major subcontractors are generally expected to perform 20% or more of a proposed effort (vs. 10%), recommend the Government consider increasing the threshold for a major sub to reduce the subcontractor data requirements for "major subs"

Thanks for your recommendation. The Government will take this under advisement.

91 Section L 3.5 13 Will the Government make available the PPQ prior to releasing the RFP? The Government will consider this request.

92 Section L 3.6 13

Can the Government please clarify that it will be an iterative proposal submission process with vendors only submitting Volume 1 for Phase 1; then, upon down-select, will submit Volumes 2 and 3 (Challenge Scenario and Small Business, respectively) for Phase 2; and then finally, upon successful completion of Phase 2, vendors will submit Volume 4 (Price) and Volume 5 (Certification)?

Responses to Volume 1 are the only Offeror requirement for Phase 1. All other volumes will be submitted if the Offeror is selected to move to Phase 2. Sections L & M are being revised and will be provided with the RFP.

93 Section L 5 14

As the current Section L.5 reads, an Offeror will be invited to submit to Phase 2 based of their internal past performance but in the Challenge Scenario the Offeror must show they can incorporate small business at a threshold of 35% or more than 1/3 of the current workshare. With the focus being on the technology capability required to implement an UNO solution, this seems to be contradictory towards the larger goal. We recommend the Government remove the small business requirement as part of the Challenge Scenario and allow offerors to innovate and provide a solution with a team as they see fit.

Thank you for your recommendation. The Government will take this under advisement.

94 Section L 6.1 14/15

The current wording of this section implies all Award Pools will be CPFF, which severely limits the ability of commercial companies to provide solutions and emphasizes a focus on labor hours instead of deliverables. We recommend the Government focus on the required capabilities desired and a total cost to meet each challenge scenario. This way the Government can compare total cost with the associated deliverable and evaluate Price Reasonableness as an equivalent comparison. Evaluation and assessment should be based solely on the cost to achieve the desired end result.

The language in 6.1 is provided as an example only. The Government will analyze each requirement (i.e., TO) to determine contract type.

95 Section L 6.1 15/16 How does the Government intend to include and evaluate software licenses? Does the Government intend to offer line items for license fees for commercial software at the TO level?

The Government may use CLINs or other contractual mechanisms to purchase software licenses on individual TOs.

However, this determination will be made per TO.

96 Section L 3.1.2 & 3.1.3 11 In the event that the PCO and/or COR fax number is unavailable, will a name, email, and phone number be sufficient for contracting contact details?

Thank you for your question. IAW Section L, applicable contact information is provided.

97 Section L 3.2.2 12 For this section, if the vendor is only listing software programs, would the response be N/A? How would the Government like to see Industry delineate between hardware programs and software-based programs?

Yes. Warranty returns are not relevant for software items.

98 Section L Award Pool -

Enterprise NetOps

We request the Government consider 511210 as the Primary or a Secondary NAICS for this Award Pool area because so much of the eventual UNO solution may likely be composed of COTS software components.

Thank you for your recommendation. The identified Award Pool areas are based on market research.

99 Section L Award Pool -

Tactical NetOps

We request that the Government consider 511210 as the Primary or a Secondary NAICS for this Award Pool area because so much of the eventual UNO solution may likely be composed of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software components.

Thank you for your recommendation. The identified Award Pool areas are based on market research.

100 Section L L 3.5 Page13 Can we get a draft copy of the PPQ? The Government will consider this request.

## Section L L.2 4

If vendors are selected and invited to participate in Phase 2, proposal documentation for Volumes 2 – 5 will be requested prior to the Phase 2 evaluation;

Recommendation: Since certain bidders may qualify to respond to all the pools, allow at least 60 days after invitation for Phase 2 proposals to be submitted.

Thank you for your recommendation.

## Section L L.2 4

The draft states: "The Offeror shall address all requirements as stated in the Performance Work Statement (PWS), Contract Data Requirements (CDRLs), and the various Attachments as provided by the Government. Non-conformance with the instructions provided in this Information to Offerors may result in removal of the proposal from further evaluation." Question: Will the Government clarify to which Phase this requirement is applicable? This seem more appropriate to a traditional written proposal with Management and Technical volumes than to a two-phase procurement focusing on Past Performance and an Oral Presentation of a solution to a Challenge Scenario.

Section L has been revised to make it explicitly clear what is in Phase 1 and Phase 2, and the respective Volumes.

103 Section L L.2 4 Has the Government considered providing a minumum time that is expected between the anouncement of Phase 1 results and the executino of Phase 2?

It depends on the number of proposals received for Phase 1 evaluation.

## Section L L.2 5 Award Pool – Data Analytics and Software Adaptation (Potential SB Set-Aside for limited size / complexity TOs);

Comment: We interpret this to say "this Award Pool is Open to both LB and SB but some specific Task Orders, based on size and complexity, may be set aside for SB only. Is this correct?

Yes that is correct. There may additional opportunities for small business based on task order level market research.

## Section L L.2 5 The draft states: "Offerors may choose to compete for each and/or all of the six (6) Award Pools." Question: Performance on large contracts may include work in more than one primary mission area/award pool. May offerors cite the same contract in past performance submissions for more than one award pool?

An Offeror may submit the same past performance for each award pool submission. However, a separate past performance submission is required for each award pool to which an Offeror proposes.

106 Section L L.2 5

Recommendation: We understand the unique nature of Army and Defense businesses; however, we strongly encourage all federal qualifications be weighted and evaluated equally. As the Army continues to modernize acquisition and technology it will benefit from new market entrants who have performed similar work, in terms of scope, scale, and complexity, across Federal organizations.

The Government has stated the relevancy for past performance in Section L.

## Section L L.2 5

Award pools for Data Analytics and Software Adaptation specifies areas related to modeling and simulation (M&S), machine learning (ML), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The pool description goes on to also include modifying and adapting existing software and UNO Component development as areas within scope. Inclusion of the latter capability areas significantly broadens the scope of this pool beyond AI/ML and introduces overlaps with the Managed Data and Software Integration pool. We recommend the Government clarify that M&S, ML, and AI qualifications will be weighted most heavily for this pool.

Thank you for your recommendation. The identified Award Pool areas are based on market research.

## Section L L.2 5 Will the Government allow an additional page (a 13th page) for each Award Pool to utilize for a summary introduction for each Pool?

Thank you. This section is being revised and will be provided with the RFP.

109 Section L L.2 7 Recommendation: The Government should specify approximately how many days "in advance of the presentation date" offerors should expect to be given to prepare for Phase 2.

Vendors will be provided the pool specific challenge scenario approximately one week before oral presentation materials will be due. The Government will clarify this language in Section L.

## Section L L.2 7 Will the Government provide any further specific instructions on the content of the briefing slides for Volume 2, Factor 1, Challenge Scenario?

It will be the Contractor's discretion to provide information that answers the Challenge Scenario.

## Section L L.2 4 & 5

If an Offeror intends to utilize multiple Subcontractors to support a Pool, are they limited to documenting their respective Past Performance collectively in a total of three (3) pages or 3 pages for each individual major Subcontractor Past Performance?

Recommedation: Allow the Offeror to utilze the twelve (12) pages allocated for Past Performance where the Offeror must provide a minimum of one (1) Past Performance reference up to a maxiumum of three (3). The remaining pages may be allocated for any / all major Subcontractors, no more than a total of three (3) pages for each Subcontractor. Total page count for Past Performance Volume 1 shall not exceed twelve (12) pages. Allowing for additional page count for major Subcontractors will better represent full potential of the team to achieve 35% Small Business Participation goal.

Thank you. This section is being revised and will be provided with the RFP.

112 Section L L.2 5, 6

The Award Pool for Tactical NetOps states "...NetOps solutions to plan, manage, and secure Army's tactical…