GCSS-Army_Step_1_Q A.XLSX

GCSS-Army DISCOPS Step 1 2021

NAICS: Subsector 541 – Professional, Scientific and Technical Services / 541519 -- Other Computer Related Services

Question:

Please clarify that a single individual does not have to sign and submit.

Clarification No Change.

Response: Confirming the instructions as written. To clarify, an individual with authority within the Prime Offeror Organization must sign.

Question:

Can we present this as an option for evaluators so they can actually see, in person the "Unique Features and Benefits" (PPO S.1.6.1 Table 7) of the solution?

Clarification No Change.

Response:

No, the Offerors shall follow the published instructions. They shall not contact the Government Evaluators. The Government Evaluators will not run any software on any mobile devices.

Questions:

a) Is there a third assessment item to be provided?

b) Can the Army please provide the missing assessment items as soon as possible?

Clarification Change Made.

Response: a) & b) This was a typo error there are only two elements.

The PPON will be revised text in SE.1.1 to read: "… will be based on assessment of the two elements in the presentation .."

In addition, the PPON will be revised text in SE.1.4.1 to read: "The Oral Presentation has two elements:"

4 SoN_Encl_A_GCSS-Army_Disconnected_CONOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 3 2.1b Comment #1: Solicitation text: "Solution must be able to interface and synchronize to current and future SAP ERPs using but not limited to: SAP Work Manager framework SAP Mobilink."

Question: Is the solution required to use SAP Work Manager and/or SAP Mobilink if that is present in the GCSS architecture?

Comment #2: There are several ways to interface with SAP that do not require this and in some cases this may make the solution overly complex by adding in unnecessary components to the architecture.

Comment #3: Clarify the wording to ensure that the connection to these SAP products is not required even though GCSS may be using them for some other applications.

Clarification Change made.

Please see Statement of Need (SoN) p. 3, and Enclosure A, CONOPS p. 3.

Response: No. The Government has removed "utilizing, but not limited to: SAP Work Manager Framework, SAP Mobilink, and SAP Gateway".

The SoN and CONOPS have been updated to remove words giving technical direction with the integration of the ERP. Specifically this applies to SAP Work Manager and/or SAP Mobilink.

5 SoN_Encl_A_GCSS-Army_Disconnected_CONOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 6 4.1 a-h Comment: Solicitation text: "The following disconnected operations scenarios will be used to demonstrate the capabilities: (this lists a-h capabilities)" Questions:

a) Is there an evaluation priority assigned to these capabilities giving the demonstration of some higher importance than others?

b) If there is a priority it will assist respondents in focusing their efforts in areas of most importance.

c) If there is a priority please articulate the order of importance of these scenarios for the demonstration.

Clarification No Change.

Response:

a) Not at this Step 1 in the Acquisition process. Please read the posted file "OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf". Sections S.1.6.1 - S.1.6.5 provide the Instructions and Sections SE.1.1. - SE.1.5 provide the Evaluation Criteria.

b) See a) above. Please re-read the PPON for Step 1 Instructions and Evaluation Criteria.

c) See a) and b) above.

6 SoN_Encl_A_GCSS-Army_Disconnected_CONOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 10 4.2.2.2 Comment: Solicitation text: "This solution must be affordable for the deployment to the Sustainment Enterprise consisting of over ~70,000+ total active system users (estimated at this time)"

The definition of affordable is tied to the evaluation factors that further define what the Army considers to be affordable.

Question: Please provide a definition and parameters around the definition of affordable. Clarification No Change.

Response:

Please re-read PPON Section SE.2.3.2 Volume II, which provides the criteria that will be applied for Price.

7 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf 17 S.1.1.1c Comment: Solicitation text: "Include the appropriate statement as applicable:

“The GCSS-Army Disconnected Operations Prototype Solution proposed includes a Cloud Solution approved with a Provisional Authority at Impact Level 5.”

Or – “The GCSS-Army Disconnected Operations Prototype Solution proposed includes a Cloud Solution approved with a Provisional Authority at Impact Level 4 with the capability to achieve IL5.”

Or – “The GCSS-Army Disconnected Operations Prototype Solution proposed includes a Cloud Solution approved with a Provisional Authority at Impact Level ‘#’ [insert approved level], with a plan and to achieve IL 5.”

Or – “The GCSS-Army Disconnected Operations Prototype Solution proposed does not include a Cloud Solution.”

Question: Is there a requirement for the solution to have already been approved at IL4 or IL5 in order to be considered for selection for Step 2 in the procurement process?

Clarify the wording to allow solutions that have currently build security controls, but have not been through the formal certification process to be included and equally considered in the process. No Change.

Response: The GCSS-Army Solution is on schedule to be in the cArmy (Mil-cloud) IL4 before the end of FY21 and the Disconnected Solution will need to integrate with it.

8 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf 21 S.1.6.5 d) Question:

a) Will the live demo [Demo #1] be done on an Army device or should it be done on a vendor-supplied Windows 10 device?

b) If an Army device, when/where can we get one?

Clarification No Change.

Response:

a) No Army devices. Please re-review the instructions for Step 1. at S.1.6.4 "How (Technology Demonstration #1) and "Table 8 – Technology Demonstration #1 Topics". There are no "Topics" that involve any Government data or devices.

b) See a) above. No Army devices.

Technology Demonstration #1 Required Software Solution Capabilities Applicable to the Following Areas: Dispatch Equipment; Manage Maintenance Stock Inventory and Manage Property Book Inventory:

Question: Can the Gov't add additional detail on what areas from 4.1 of Encl A are covered by the 'Manage Maintenance Stock Inventory' portion? Clarification No Change.

Response: No. The requirement documents and information posted are those that the Government determined are needed for the Solicitation.

10 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf 6 A.1.1.1 / Line 5 Comment: "enterprise service-wide implementation of the GCSS-Army Disconnected Operations Solution capability to support ~70,000+ total active system users (estimated at this time) or accomplish a particularly favorable or unexpected result that justifies the transition to production. "

Question: Out of the ~70,000 users how many will use the system as their primary job function, and how many will be secondary users? Design and infrastructure considerations No Change.

Response: Active users are defined as "unlocked" users, any of whom could be assigned to a role, which can operate communications challenged/disconnected-enabled devices for the in-scope subset of transactions.

11 SoN_Encl_A_GCSS-Army_Disconnected_CONOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 3 2.1/ Line d) Question: Is the solution required to use SAP Work Manager framework, SAP Mobilink and SAP NetWeaver Gateway? Design and infrastructure considerations Change made.

Please see Statement of Need (SoN) p. 3, and Enclosure A, CONOPS p. 3

Response: No. The Government has removed "utilizing, but not limited to: SAP Work Manager Framework, SAP Mobilink, and SAP Gateway".

The SoN and CONOPS have been updated to remove words giving technical direction with the integration of the ERP. Specifically this applies to SAP Work Manager and/or SAP Mobilink.

12 SoN_Encl_A_GCSS-Army_Disconnected_CONOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 5 Figure 4: GCSS-Army Disconnected Operations Prototype (Non-Aviation) Question: Which existing tools and software are available for the offerors to use for the DISCOPS solution examples (PI/PO layer, NetWeaver Gateway with oData channel)? Design and infrastructure considerations No change.

Response: To clarify, all vendors awarded an agreement will have access to a copy of the GCSS-Army ECC to support their development/configuration. The components identified are part of that baseline configuration.

equipment)"

Questions:

a) Can you please confirm the estimated data size of the equipment inspection plan data?

b) What will be the max data storage capacity on the Disconnected devices? Design and infrastructure considerations No Change.

Reply to Comment: The file cited is not current and not valid. Please refer to the posted (active) solicitation.

Response: No response.

ability to search for and select Equipment Record ID/Material Numbers (NIIN) associated with my unit when I create/update Notifications."

Questions:

a) Will disconnected devices be updated with the Unit's Equipment Records before deploying on a mission?

b) If yes, what might be maximum data size for equipment records? Design and infrastructure considerations No Change.

Reply to Comment: The file cited is not current and not valid. Please refer to the posted (active) solicitation.

Responses a) & b): The Government has no response.

15 2_Encl_B_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS-Reqmnts_2021_02_09%20.pdf General N/A Questions:

a) Are you considering multiple Disconnected Devices for a particular Unit instead of one device?

b) If yes, whom in the unit are you considering providing devices to (ex. ERPS Clerk, Mechanic and/or Maintenance Manager, etc.)? Design and infrastructure considerations No Change.

Responses a) & b): The file cited is not current and not valid. Please refer to the posted (active) solicitation. The Government has no response.

16 SoN_Encl_A_GCSS-Army_Disconnected_CONOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 4 & 5 2.1 Functional capabilities: bullet points d) & e) Comment: “d) Solution must be able to interface and synchronize to current and future SAP ERPs

e) Solution must also be able to connect to non-SAP systems”

Question: What are the preferred protocol standards that the SAP, or Non-SAP systems, need to interface with and synchronize with the back end ERP solutions (ex. REST, JSON, JMS, XML, etc.)?

Design and infrastructure considerations No Change.

Response: The Government has posted the requirements sufficient for Offerors to provide a proposed response.

Vendors can propose any protocol standards that may be beneficial to the Army solution.

17 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf 21 Table 8: Technology Demonstration #1 Topics Comment: “3. Error Handling: Capability to identify and manage errors introduced by users (entry errors), Synchronization Errors during connectivity”

Questions:

a) By “Synchronization Errors during connectivity” what kind of Errors are we referring to?

b) Are these the Errors on the Platform in ‘Disconnected’ mode in the field and/or the Errors between the proposed Platform and GSS Gateway/ESB? Design and infrastructure considerations No Change.

Response:

a) Any node of the vendor design

b) Any node of the vendor design

18 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf 21 Table 8: Technology Demonstration #1 Topics Comment: “3. Error Handling: Capability to identify and manage errors introduced by users (entry errors), Synchronization Errors during connectivity” In an error scenario the proposed platform sends transactions to back-end GSS ERP systems for processing. Only the notification of receipt is received from the ERP.

Question:

Is the expectation that the back end ERP is the only system of record requiring updates to resolve processing errors?

Design and infrastructure considerations No Change.

Response: No, any node of the vendor design. This includes client machine, any middleware and any ERP database. The Army prefers error resolution as close to the source as possible.

Response: Partially correct. Please refer to the title, "Table 8 – Technology Demonstration #1 Topics". The term "topics" is not a synonym for the word "requirements".

20 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf .pdf file page 24-25 Table 8 - Technology Demonstration #1 Topics Questions:

a) Is there a relationship between the requirements in Table 8 and the requirements in Enclosure A?

b) If so, how do the requirements in Table 8 relate to the requirements described in Enclosure A? Clarity of requirements No Change.

Response:

a) There is not a direct relationship.

b) The Evaluation Criteria for the Technology Demonstration #1 are in Section SE.1.3. While adhering to the Step 1 Instructions, Offerors may relate the Topics in Table 8 to any context of the Statement of Need or its Enclosures.

Response: No. See the posted file "OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf", pages 20 - 21 "Table 8 – Technology Demonstration #1 Topics".

22 SoN_Encl_A_GCSS-Army_Disconnected_CONOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 3 2.1 Functional Capabilities Comment: Ref. To SAP ECC.

Question:

Does the Tech Demo 1 need to demonstrate integration to ECC or S/4HANA? Clarity of requirements No Change.

Response: No. See posted file "OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf", pages 20 - 21 "Table 8 – Technology Demonstration #1 Topics".

23 SoN_Encl_A_GCSS-Army_Disconnected_CONOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 6 4.0 Disconnected Prototype Capabilities Questions:

a) Can you explain the level of detail expected around the demonstration scenarios between Tech Demo #1 and Tech Demo #2?

b) Specifically expectations in the level of data elements, interaction between different users in the scenario, etc.? Clarity of requirements No Change.

Response:

a) Yes. Tech Demo #1 is before Agreement Award and will not include Government Data or Government Devices, whereas Tech Demo #2 is after Agreement Award and will include the use of Government Data and Government Devices.

b) For "expectations", see the instructions and evaluation criteria in the posted file "OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf". Sections S.1.6.1 - S.1.6.5 provide the Instructions and Sections SE.1.1. - SE.1.5 provide the Evaluation Criteria.

in the posted file "OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf", pages 20 - 21 "Table 8 – Technology Demonstration #1 Topics" and page

Response: No 25 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf 19 Question:

a) Will all Phase 1 requirements need to be shown in presentation (QTY=75)?

b) If not, which ones are most critical to be shown? Presentation time not adequate for all 75 requirements No Change.

Response:

a) No. Please see the posted file "OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf". Sections S.1.6.1 - S.1.6.5 provide the Instructions and Sections SE.1.1. - SE.1.5 provide the Evaluation Criteria for Technology Demonstration #1.

b) N/A, see response a) above.

26 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf 23 Comment: The Oral presentation has 3 elements: A) and B) are listed. There is no C) listed.

Question: What is 3rd element? Unclear oral presentation elements Change Made.

Response: This was a typo error there are only two elements.

Revised text in SE.1.1 to read: "… will be based on assessment of the two elements in the presentation .."

Revised text in SE.1.4.1 to read: "The Oral Presentation has two elements:"

27 SoN_Encl_C_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS-Reqmnts_2021_03_23.pdf

Response: No. Please see the posted file "OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf". Please re-review the instructions for Step 1. at S.1.6.4 "How (Technology Demonstration #1) and "Table 8 – Technology Demonstration #1 Topics". Topics". There are no "Topics" that involve any Government data or devices.

Response: Yes, the name for Enclosure 5. is a repeat of Enclosure 4 and is a typo. The PPON will be revised to read 5. Tablet Hardware Specifications.

29 SoN_Encl_B_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS-Reqmnts_2021_03_23.pdf 3 & 4 Comment: Reqs # 60, 66, 68- mention "like".

Question: Are these hard requirements or optional?

Unclear if requirement or optional No Change.

Response: Yes, they are hard requirements.

30 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf 5, 4 & 17 1.1/10 2.2.1 S.1.1.1 a)/4 Comment: OTA_PPON-GCCSS-Army_DISCOPS_V1-0_2021_03_23.pdf creates confusion about eligibility. Section 1.1, Paragraph 3 states "This PPON Solicitation is a Full and Open Competition.", Section 2.2 states eligibility is IAW 10 U.S.C 2371b(d) and S.1.1.1 a) asks to identify Small Business Category.

Question:

Is this full and open or an OTA as defined by 10 U.SC. 2731b(d) with all specified qualifications? Different guidance provided in different areas No Change.

Response: This Solicitation is a "full and open" Prototype Project Opportunity Notice under 10 U.S.C 2371b.

31 SoN_Encl_B_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS-Reqmnts_2021_03_23.pdf 2 131 Comment (No Question):

Concerned that current GFE used by GCSS-Army users can not hold sufficient data required for full disconnected functionality. For example, requirement #131 requiremes MRP, which is on ECC and for this to work ECC would need to be available within the unit area (e.g., inside of the CAISI communication area) No Change.

Response:

The Government cannot respond to the comment. The cited requirement number 131 is not a valid requirement.

Response: Standard Govt GFE Security

Response to Comment: To clarify, all human resource (HR) Transactions have to process first in data synchronization otherwise the other business area transactions would cause errors.

34 SoN_Encl_B_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS-Reqmnts_2021_03_23.pdf 1 Requirement #9 Comment: GCSS-Army DISCOPS RTM requirement #9 requires all Human Resources transactions must be processed prior to any other transactions process as part of the data synchronization with SAP ECC.

Questions:

a) Can the Government please provide a list or further clarification of the HR transactions in scope for this requirement?

b) Further, can the Government please confirm if this requirement relates to RTM requirements #85, #87, #88, #89 and #93? Solution Scope Clarification No Change.

Response:

a) No. Please review the referenced requirements.

b) Yes, except for 89 35 SoN_Encl_E_CUI_PSU_ARL_External_SIL_Services_2021_03_29_v2.pdf 2 General Questions:

a) Will appropriate access (e.g. developer, administrator, root) be granted to offers as necessary in all ARL provided systems/servers/applications?

b) Please provide as much detail as possible on the roles/responsibilities of ARL personnel.

c) For instance, will ARL perform network administration or are Offerors expected to do so? Roles and Responsibilities No Change.

Response: Additional information about the PSU ARL will be provided NLT than Step 2.

a) PSU ARL will retain certain administrative functions, while vendors will obtain certain administrative rights

b) ARL is host for the environment for which all vendors will operate. ARL will create developer keys and SAP access. Offeror will have local admin access to the provided VM's to install/configure as required.

c) Yes, ARL will perform network administration. As needed, ARL will support point-to-point IP connectivity to Offeror systems as needed. Nightly snapshot backups will be taken if restores are needed.

36 SoN_Encl_E_CUI_PSU_ARL_External_SIL_Services_2021_03_29_v2.pdf 2 General Questions:

a) Is the ARL environment hosted in a commercial cloud such as AWS or Azure?

b) If so, can offers propose utilization of additional cloud services in those environments? Technical Architecture Clarification No Change.

Response: Additional information about the PSU ARL will be provided NLT than Step 2.

a) No it is not a commercial cloud, it is an on-premises data center.

b) As Needed. If there are Offeror cloud resources required, ARL shall support direct firewall rules (IP/Port) allowing for those resource utilization. Please note that in Phase 3, Integration and Assessment, the offeror's solution will be hosted in the GCSS-Army cloud environment.

Response: Yes, but it's not a restriction

Response: No. The Government SoN does not identify "Key Functional Areas".

Response: The Government is intentionally not publishing any current screen shots as we prefer to see the offers' best solutions. After agreement award, all awardees will see the ECC screens when connected to the ARL environment.

Response: Applications vary in complexity.

Response: Please review to understand the work flows found in SoN Enclosure D OV-6 Diagrams, in addition, please review references cited in the SoN paragraph 4.2 to include 4.2.7-4.2.10.

Response: Yes

Response: Subscription is a standard part of the disconnected process to hold data from the ECC to the disconnected device. Subscription disconnected capability is up to the vendor.

Response: No

Response: Yes

Response: Dependent on solution capability, and user requirements. In the requirements we identified standard dashboard activities. Refer to Enclosure B, SoN, for specific callouts for "dashboard".

47 Rqmnt_Statement_of_Need_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 5 3.2.1 Question:

Comment: Presuming the “dashboard data” desired includes information about previously entered transactions/statuses (e.g. “designated Maintenance-related processes”) of that individual user as well as potentially of others in the respective unit (e.g. for visibility of a replenishment order that is previously queued to minimize order duplication, for instance), Question: Is it the case that that the enabling GFE is networked?

Architecture No Change.

Response: No 48 Rqmnt_Statement_of_Need_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 5 3.2.1 Question:

Comment: There appears to be a requirement, or perhaps benefit, to “network” these devices, Question: Would the government be open to a proposed solution architecture that includes a ruggedized, purpose-built (e.g. lightweight (under 5 lbs), simple, enterprise-grade, adapted to connect-to-cloud upon established comms) server rather than simply relying on the GFE detailed in Enclosure C?

Hardware No Change.

Response: No 49 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf 5 Section A.1 Acquisition Process Steps, Figure 1 Comment: Section A.1 Acquisition Process Steps, Figure 1. The Government Evaluation Criteria for Technology Demonstration #1 indicates that Error Handling and Security are to be evaluated.

Question: How would the USG like for these features, which are normally hidden from the user, to be demonstrated by offerors in a consistent manner? Clarification of requirements. No Change.

Response: Please review the posted file, "OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf". Sections S.1.6.1 - S.1.6.5 provide the Instructions and Sections SE.1.1. - SE.1.5 provide the Evaluation Criteria for Step 1.

50 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf 10 Section B.2.1.3 Offeror Due Dates, Table 1 Comment: Section B.2.1.3 Offeror Due Dates, Table 1.

Question: Will all offerors that submit the Step 1 GATE file and Oral Presentation Charts be granted an oral presentation and technology demonstration time slot? Better understanding of down-selection criteria. No Change.

Response: Possibly, no. Only the Offerors that submit a complete and compliant GATE file and Oral Presentation Charts will be provided a time slot.

51 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf 13 Section B.3.1 Step 1 and Step 2 Proposal Organization, Table 4 Comment #1: Section B.3.1 Step 1 and Step 2 Proposal Organization, Table 4. The last row in Table 4 indicates that the offeror will conduct Oral Presentation and Tech Demo #1 (60 minutes) in accordance with the detailed instructions provided with the Invite 1.

Question:

Since the charts cannot be changed, when will the instructions be provided?

Comment #2: It appears that Invite 1 with a date/time for oral presentation comes after the charts are submitted. Clarification of requirements. No Change.

Response: Please review the instructions. To clarify, "the detailed instructions provided in invite 1" will provide administrative information (e.g. assigned demo date/time) and will not change the content of Oral Presentation or Technology Demo #1.

52 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf 17 Section S.1.1.1 Offeror Letter, item a) Comment: Section S.1.1.1 Offeror Letter item a) lists NAICS 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services; and the Attachment 0001 - ABSC lists NAICS 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services; while the beta.sam.gov lists NAICS 541519 - Other Computer Related Services.

Question:

Which takes precedence? Clarification of requirements. Change Made.

Response: This was a typo. beta.SAM.gov provides the correct Cade: NAICS 541519 -- Other Computer Related Services.

The PPON will be adjusted to reflect the change in the Offeror Letter at Section S.1.1.1 a).

Response: The PPON will be revised to remove the reference of the Terms & Conditions in the Step 1 Offeror letter. The Terms and Conditions will be published prior to Step 2.

54 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf 17 Section S.1.1.2 Attachment 0001 – DD Form 2345, Italicized parenthetical text Comment:

Section S.1.1.2 Attachment 0001 – DD Form 2345, Italicized parenthetical text. The instructions: "(Provides details for connection to the GCSS-Army ECC at the Applied Research Lab (Pennsylvania State University)" identify how to get access to connection the GCSS-Army ECC at the Applied Research Lab (Pennsylvania State University).

Question: Is it expected that this connection be demonstrated in the Technology Demonstration for Step 1? Clarification of requirements. No Change.

Response: No. Please re-review the PPON Step 1 Instructions. Technology Demonstration #1 requires that Offerors use corporate / public data.

To add clarity, for PPON Step 1 & Step 2, there are no instructions, expectation, or permission for any Offeror to connect to or communicate with Penn State.

55 OTA_PPON_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_v1-0_2021_03_23.pdf 17 Section S.1.1.2 Attachment 0001 – DD Form 2345, PSU-ARL Comment: Section S.1.1.2 Attachment 0001 – DD Form 2345, PSU-ARL. The instructions identify how to get access to connection the GCSS-Army ECC at the Applied Research Lab (Pennsylvania State University).

Questions:

a) Is PSU-ARL support for this interface granted to all offerors equally during the six step program?

b) What level of support for customization, deployment, integration, and/or verification of interfaces with the GCSS-Army ECC at PSU-ARL are to be expected to cover PSU-ARL under funding that is not included in an Offeror cost proposal? Clarification of requirements. No Change.

Response:

a) Yes. Those Offerors that receive a Step 3 Agreement Award will be given the same access to the same GCSS-Army ECC environment (each Offeror's connection we be virtually separated).

b) To clarify, Penn State will not support an Offeror's Solution for "customization, deployment, integration, and/or verification of interfaces" and they are not funded to provide that level of assistance.

Response: The text will be revised to read "*** END of Step 2 Evaluation, End of Step 2 ***

Response: No. Please re-review the PPON instructions at 6.1.5:

"c) The Technology Demonstration #1 shall not contain gimmicks, embedded sound, music, videos, simulations or animations.

d) Live Demo: The demonstration shall use a running application(s) of live software and shall not use screen shots of static views. If a live demonstration is not presented, the solution will not be eligible for Upward Invite #1."

58 Rqmnt_Statement_of_Need_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 2 Para 1 No Para 1 on page 2 Question:

What are the processes currently being used? Possibly provide a brief overview of each process.

a. Goods Receipt

b. Putaway

c. Picking

d. Quality Inspection

e. Warehouse Transfers

f. Cycle Counts

g. Packing

h. Inquiry – by bin, material, etc.

i. Any other? Planning No Change.

Response: The Government has posted the requirements sufficient for Offerors to provide a proposed response.

59 Rqmnt_Statement_of_Need_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 2 Para 1 Questions:

a) What type of Distribution Center will be used for this project?

b) Will it be a Parts Warehouse or attached to a Production Floor?

Planning No Change.

Responses: a) & b) The Government has posted the requirements sufficient for Offerors to provide a proposed response.

60 Rqmnt_Statement_of_Need_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 2 Para 1 Question:

What is the organizational structure of the warehouses?

a. Plants

b. Storage Locations

c. Storage Types

d. Handling Units

e. Serialized vs non-serialized

f. Storage Units

g. Expiration Handling

h. Batch-managed Materials Planning No Change.

Response: The Government has posted the requirements sufficient for Offerors to provide a proposed response.

61 Rqmnt_Statement_of_Need_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 2 Para 1 Question:

What are you planned Material Mgmt processes?

a. Profiles Planning No Change.

Response: The Government has posted the requirements sufficient for Offerors to provide a proposed response.

62 Rqmnt_Statement_of_Need_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 2 Para 1 Question:

What are the Putaway Strategies?

a. Mixed bins

b. Fixed bins Planning No Change.

Response: The Government has posted the requirements sufficient for Offerors to provide a proposed response.

63 Rqmnt_Statement_of_Need_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 2 Para 1 Question:

What is the planned Warehouse Layout?

a. Interim Storage bins

b. Final Storage bins

c. Size of Warehouse – Number of Bins, Materials, etc.

d. Transaction Volume per process 1a-1h Planning No Change.

Response: The Government has posted the requirements sufficient for Offerors to provide a proposed response.

64 Rqmnt_Statement_of_Need_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 2 Para 1 Question:

What Customizations does the government prefer?

a. Share the Configuration Manual

b. List of Enhancements done

c. List of Core Mods

d. Version of SAP

e. Custom APIs for WH Processes

i. List of custom API Names and Details Planning No Change.

Response: The Government has posted the requirements sufficient for Offerors to provide a proposed response.

Response: The Government has posted the requirements sufficient for Offerors to provide a proposed response.

66 Rqmnt_Statement_of_Need_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 2 Para 1 Question:

What Reports or Printed Outputs are required?

a. Labels

b. Manifests

c. Formatted Reports

d. Etc. Planning No Change.

Response: The Government has posted the requirements sufficient for Offerors to provide a proposed response.

67 Rqmnt_Statement_of_Need_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 2 Para 1 Questions:

a) What is the desired setup of the Roles and Responsibilities?

b) Roles definition for Warehouse? Planning No Change.

Responses:

a) Offerors shall provide their best solution

b) Same

68 Rqmnt_Statement_of_Need_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 2 Para 1 Questions:

a) What the required Connectivity specifications?

b) Process Flows are Connected or Disconnected from each other? Interdependencies?

c) SAP Downtime – What is the general Availability window? Planning No Change.

Responses:

a) Follow standard GCSS-A interface protocols. Currently CAISI/VSAT or NIPRNet

b) Disconnected

c) 7X24 except for maintenance outages

69 Rqmnt_Statement_of_Need_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 2 Para 1 Questions:

a) Are you currently using SAP GUI?

b) Do you use 3rd party software or using direct SAP console? Planning No Change.

Response:

a) Yes

b) Yes, we use 3rd party software. No, we do not use direct SAP console.

70 Rqmnt_Statement_of_Need_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 2 Para 1 Questions:

Can the Government verify if we need to include the following deliverables for our solution;

a. User Manual for Desktop

b. User Manual for handhelds

c. System Configuration Manual Planning No Change.

Response: (a, b, and c) Yes. The Solution must include adequate user manuals or embedded information to meet the requirement.

71 No File Cited Not provided Not provided Comment: It is not clear how the government wishes for bidders to achieve its stated requirements. The requirements, as well as Q&A, clearly outline a request for a software-only solution (e.g. “This Prototype Project will not field new hardware. The DISCOPS Solution (software) will be loaded on existing hardware.” GCSS-Army_IndustryDay_Follow-on_QA.pdf). Enclosure C outlines the available enabling hardware specs. The requirements also request to “Provide Dashboard Data” (Statement of Need, Sctn 3.2.1).

Question:

What data needs to be available on the dashboard?

No Change.

Response: Dependent on solution capability, and user requirements. In the requirements we identified standard dashboard activities. Refer to Enclosure B, SoN, for specific callouts for "dashboard".

72 No File Cited Not provided Not provided Comment: Presuming the “dashboard data” desired includes information about previously entered transactions/statuses (e.g. “designated Maintenance-related processes”) of that individual user as well as potentially of others in the respective unit (e.g. for visibility of a replenishment order that is previously queued to minimize order duplication, for instance), then there is a presumption that the enabling GFE is networked.

Question:

Since there appears to be a requirement, or perhaps benefit, to “network” these devices, would the government be open to a proposed solution architecture that includes a ruggedized, purpose-built (e.g. lightweight (under 5 lbs), simple, enterprise-grade, adapted to connect-to-cloud upon established comms) server rather than simply relying on the GFE detailed in Enclosure C? No Change.

Response: No, it is stated that the Government will use existing GFE hardware.

Response: The GCSS-Army Solution is on schedule to be in the cArmy (Mil-cloud) IL4 before the end of FY21 and the Disconnected Solution will need to integrate with it.

Response: Yes, however, the requirement is for an IL4 solution to be available after Tech Demo 3.

Response: Vendor can propose any commercially available UI

Response: Context sensitive help and links to training materials.

Response: No.

Response: Vendor can propose any commercially available solution.

Response: Yes.

80 SoN_Encl_B_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS-Reqmnts_2021_03_23.pdf 2 33 Questions:

a) How is the time confirmation handled?

b) What are the implications of not syncing these until a later point? Requested in order to understand desired functionality. No Change.

Response:

a) Normal business GCSS-Army processes

b) Probability of errors or data collisions goes up. More frequent synching is better because it reduces the probability of errors.

Response: The Government expects to see the Offeror's best approach for displays.

Response: No.

Response: Yes

Response: Yes 85 SoN_Encl_B_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS-Reqmnts_2021_03_23.pdf 4 85 Questions:

a) Will this change require the user to have access to a new or different data set?

b) If so, is it acceptable that this would require being online? Requested in order to understand desired functionality. No Change.

Response:

a) Yes

b) No

Response: a) Yes b) No

Response: a) Yes b) No

Response: a) Yes b) No

Response: a) Yes b) No 90 SoN_Encl_B_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS-Reqmnts_2021_03_23.pdf 5 98 Question:

Is this describing a custom data loader scenario, as data-loading would require connectivity?

Requested in order to understand desired functionality. No Change.

Response: Yes

Response: Yes

92 SoN_Encl_B_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS-Reqmnts_2021_03_23.pdf 6 112 Questions:

a) Does this refer to an application or a dataset?

b) If an application does it have to remain a stand alone app or can this capability be embedded into the overall solution? Requested in order to understand desired functionality. No Change.

Response:

a) Yes, these are applications only, not data sets.

b) Either method will be considered. Offerors shall provide their best solution.

93 SoN_Encl_B_GCSS-Army_DISCOPS-Reqmnts_2021_03_23.pdf 6 113 Questions:

a) Does this refer to an application or a dataset?

b) If an application does it have to remain a stand alone app or can this capability be embedded into the overall solution? Requested in order to understand desired functionality. No Change.

Response:

a) Yes

b) No

Response: No, both

For requirements not specifically stating “while disconnected”, “ during DISCOP”, “during Disco”; is the vendor to assume the requirement is not required when executing disconnected operations?

Comment: Meaning it could be reliant on a connection to a server component. Technical No Change.

Response: The file cited is not current and not valid. Please refer to the posted (active) solicitation. The Government has no response.

a) What tools and/or external software are currently used for scheduling and dispatching of work orders/operations in SAP.

b) Will the same tools be required for DISCOPs. Technical No Change.

Responses a) & b): The file cited is not current and not valid. Please refer to the posted (active) solicitation. The Government has no response.

Response: Yes. Multiple users within a unit may use the same device.

Response: The Government expects the Offeror to propose its best solution.

99 SoN_Encl_A_GCSS-Army_Disconnected_CONOPS_2021_03_23.pdf 6 3.2 Questions:

a) Does the Government intend the DEDs to be multi-purpose, re-using existing devices in support of the GCSS-A Disconnected Operations solution?

b) Does the Government intend to use an existing process for installing, managing, and upgrading the proposed software solution(s) on these devices? No Change.

Response:

a) Yes

b) Yes

Response: No, the Government has posted the requirements sufficient for Offerors to provide a proposed response.

Responses a) & b): The file cited is not current and not valid. Please refer to the posted (active) solicitation. The Government has no response.

Response: There is…