W91249-20-R-0003-00001 Amendment.pdf

0011266223-0005

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30-105-04EXCEPTION TO SF 30

APPROVED BY OIRM 11-84

STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev. 10-83) Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

The purpose of this Amendment is to:

1. Post Government responses to vendor questions.

2. Update the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

See SUMMARY OF CHANGES for further details.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

S 1 100

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

BY 17-Dec-2019

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA15C. DATE SIGNED15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of Contracting Officer)(Signature of person authorized to sign)

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State and Zip Code) X W9124920R0003

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

21-Nov-2019

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offer is extended, X is not extended.

Offer must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(B).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

10A. MOD. OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO.(If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

17-Dec-2019

CODE

MICC - FORT GORDON

271 HERITAGE PARK LANE

BLDG. 35200

FT GORDON GA 30905

W91249 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6)

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

CODE

See Item 6

FACILITY CODECODE

EMAIL:TEL:

W9124920R0003

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION SF 30 - BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

The following have been added by full text:

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

G6 Solicitation W91249-20-R-0003 Question and Answers

1. Please clarify Paragraph 1.5’s Period of Performance to resolve conflicting narrative in Para 1.5 which states a base of 9 months and dates 29 March 2020-28 March 2021 (12 months). The pricing sheet also indicates 9 months.

Government Response: PWS para 1.5, Period of performance and attachment 8 pricing sheet is updated to reflect base of 12 months.

2. Is there an incumbent? If so, could you provide the company’s name and contract number?

3. Government Response: No, the Government cannot provide or confirm that information.

4. From Page 101, para. (c) - The file name shall be “Company Name – Initial” for the first submission. The file name of later submissions (if necessary), shall be “Company Name – Revision X’ with X indicating the number of the revision. Q: Does the Government want all volumes on 1 cd or a separate cd for each volume and if separate will the government accept a file name similar to “Company Name-Initial-Volume 1-General” etc?

5.

Government Response: All volumes can be on 1 CD or separate CD

6. Can you confirm that the incumbent is Dawson Federal Inc?

Government Response: No, the Government cannot provide or confirm that information.

7. (G6 IT Attachment 8_Pricing_Spreadsheet_Template) 1.6.8 and Technical Exhibit 3: The Web/Database Administrator is not listed on the pricing attachment. Is this position to be added to the spreadsheet?

Government Response: Attachment 8 pricing spreadsheet is updated with Web/Database Administrator

8. RFP pg 60 of 117 Project Plans/Schedules/Technical Briefings/Reports (CDRL A008): Does the CDRL refer to only projects under this effort or does it refer to projects potentially under other contracts? If under other contracts, will an OCI mitigation plan be allowed?

Government Response: This is not required, but will be allowed. All vendors and their employees will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement..

9. Is the Army willing to consider granting Interim clearances for vendor personnel? The Army is looking for personnel with very technical skill sets and certifications, which the Army has recognized that higher rates of pay may be needed to recruit/retain personnel on contract. Personnel with the right technical background and presently possess the right clearances may present a challenge given the place of performance. Is the Army willing to provide an estimated FTE number? There were at least five FTEs identified as key personnel. How many additional FTEs does the Army expect?

Government Response: The Government’s historical staffing data is provided under Technical Exhibit 3 (Estimated Workload Data) and information on Interim clearances are provided under 1.6.7.6. of the

PWS.

10. In the Technical Capability Factor 1, Subfactors 2,3,4 and 5 require a detailed understanding of CVTN. This evaluation factor heavily favors the incumbent as other contractors would not have the expected understanding of the CVTN. Would the government consider changing the evaluation factors to make it a level playing field?

Government Response: A base description of the training network (CVTN) is in 1.4.1.a of the PWS the vendor should be able to extrapolate from listed technologies to provide a best business practices model of an environment that provides the listed capabilities.

11. Would the government consider resumes from personnel who currently do not have a TS/SCI but are eligible for a TS/SCI? The said personnel is familiar with the program.

Government Response: Interim clearances information is provided under 1.6.7.6. of the PWS.

12. (Section 5.3.5.4 Web/Database System, pg 47) Is the Government requesting a full stack developer, an administrator, engineer, or a combination of all three. The experience referenced in Section 5.3.5.4 conflicts with what is captured in Section 1.6.8.14, and industry standard responsibilities for a web/database developer vs web/database engineer vs web/database administrator. Is the government looking for a developer, engineer, or administrator? Is this a senior position or junior level position?

Government Response: There is no experience requirement in 5.3.5.4. If you are referring to the skills required vs minimum experience level, please provide a solution that meets the minimum skills required.

i.e. if you can provide a person with all of the mandatory skill sets and 3 years that is acceptable. As to engineer/developer/admin updated section 1.6.8.14 and Technical exhibit 3. As to seniority the Government’s minimum standards are in 1.6.8.14, the vendor is capable of providing whatever level of seniority they desire as long as it meets the Government’s minimum standards.

13. (Section 1.6.8.14, bullet 1, pg 25) The Government indicated in the title that this is an administrator position, but bullet 1 indicates the web/database administrator must have 3 years of experience in database engineering?

Database administrators are responsible for the upkeep and daily function of a database, while a database engineer, a type of software developer, work to refine existing databases or build new ones. Should this read "database administration"?

Government Response: Updated section 1.6.8.14 and Technical exhibit 3.

14. (Section 1.6.8.14, bullet 3, pg 25) The Government states in bullet 3, the web/database administrator must possess advanced IT administrator skills e.g., remote administration, remote desktop, Group Policy Object management, system backup and recovery, and monitor servers for performance evaluation and optimization. In an enterprise environment this worked is typically performed by a IT System Administrators versus web/database administrator. Does the Government also want its web/database administrator performing these functions?

Government Response: Updated section 1.6.8.14, for some functions. If the vendor chooses to support those functional requirements via another person/persons that is acceptable.

15. (Section 1.6.8.14, bullet 4, pg 25) The Government states in bullet 4 the web/database administrator shall have a strong understanding of virtualization, software defined storage, local area network, LANs, switching, and servers. Its unclear how this role aligns to what is captured in Section 5.3.5.4. The web/database administrator would work with the engineering/architect team when developing requirements to transition migration/refresh of servers. Its not clear why this is a requirement for a web/database administrator.

Government Response: If the vendor chooses to support those functional requirements via another person/persons that is acceptable.

16. (Section 1.6.8.14, Certification Requirement, bullet 4 and 5, pg 25) Is the Government indicating the web/database developer must have a certificate for Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 and Configuring Advanced Server. These are typical certifications for System Administrators. Is the web/database developer expected to also do the job of the system administrator as well?

Government Response: In order to have the necessary system level access to accomplish current functions the Web Server/Database Engineer (per updated title in 1.6.8.14) requires these certifications to meet access requirements. If the vendor chooses to support those functional requirements via another person/persons that is acceptable.

17. (Section 5.3.1.3 Provide Cyber Security Analyst Service, bullet 4 pg 38) The section reads as if the contractor will be providing CISO responsibilities. Will the Government be responsible for overall CISO tasks or the contractor?

Government Response: The Government will be overall responsible for CISO tasks. The task is to “Maintain the CCOE security posture with proper certification and accreditation procedures/documentation/mitigation through continuous monitoring of CAT Is and II/III findings.”

This task is to support the ATO by providing Continuous monitoring, not to serve as the CISO.

18. (Section 5.3.4.5 IT Inventory Management Services, pg 44) Will there by any specific requirement to involve the knowledge and/or skill of an Inventory Management System for the described service?

Government Response: Currently the Inventory system relies upon Tanium pulls and is validate via physical inventory of off network/closed network items. This is imported into an Excel document. If the vendor wants to propose an inventory management system that would be acceptable.

19. (Subfactor 3 – Technical Ability, Knowledge, and Understanding of CVTN pg 112) There is no mention of cabling within the PWS. Request government remove evaluation criteria.

Government Response: Assumption you are referring to subfactor 4 Technical ability, Knowledge, and Understanding of IT project management. This is on pg 113 and is the only mention of cabling, the cited example is of a IT project planned an managed by the vendor and is within scope for requirements in

1.6.8.8. and functions in 5.1.

20. (Page 17 Para 1.6.8.1) Possess and maintain an active Project Management Professional (PMP) commercial certification at start date. Is the PMP requirement needed at the time of proposal submission or the start of the contract?

Government Response: The start of the contract.

21. (PWS Section 1.6.8.) Will the government allow the Program Manager to also function as one of the labor categories?

Government Response: No, the Program Manager is a full time position.

22. (Proposal Preparation Instructions, Table 2, page 101) Table 2 states Volume II Technical Capability is limited to 35 pages. Volume II, Subfactor 1 requires resumes for all key personnel positions and letters of commitment. Please confirm that resumes and letters of commitment will not count against the page limit.

Government Response: Resumes and letters of commitment will not count against the page limit.

23. Reference: Solicitation, p.61, Technical Exhibit 3 Estimated Workload Data

Question: Web Database Administrator is included in the list of labor categories on page 61 of the solicitation, however, it is excluded in Attachment 8. Could the Government please clarify which document is correct?

Government Response: Attachment 8 is updated with Web Database Administrator.

24. Reference: Solicitation, p.109, Volume 5, Factor 3 b Question: Paragraph b. references Attachment 8 (Pricing Worksheet) Summary Sheet Tab that reflects the plug #'s for Travel and ODC. The Attachment 8 provided with the solicitation does not include a Summary Sheet Tab. Could the Government please provide an updated Attachment 8, which provides the Summary Sheet Tab and referenced plug #'s?

Government Response: Attachment 8 is updated with Summary Sheet Tab.

25. Reference: Solicitation, p.11. para 1.5 Question: The period of performance lists a 9-month base, but the dates for the Base Year indicate 12 months. Which one is correct?

Government Response: The period of performance is updated to reflect base year of 12 months.

26. Reference: Solicitation, p.18 and 22, paras 1.6.8.4 and 1.6.8.9 Question: Will a grace period be available for incumbent employees to achieve new certifications?

Government Response: If a certification is a new Government requirement, any incumbent will be granted 6 months for any new required certifications.

27. Reference: Solicitation, p.108, Past Performance Questionnaires

Question: We strive to reduce the onus on our Government clients who need to complete the same PPQs repeatedly for proposals. Also, contracting representatives are reluctant to (or even discouraged from) completing PPQ forms if formal performance CPARS evaluations have been completed. Will the Government please consider allowing offerors to submit completed CPARS evaluations or previously completed/signed PPQs in lieu of new PPQ forms?

Government Response: Yes

28. Reference: Solicitation, p.111, Key Personnel Letters of Commitment and Resumes

Question: Please confirm Key Personnel Letters of Commitment and Resumes are excluded from the page limit for Volume II Technical Capability.

Government Response: Resumes and letters of commitment will not count against the page limit.

29. Reference: Solicitation, p.103, para (b)2.e. Exceptions/Assumptions

Question: Please confirm Exceptions/Assumptions are excluded from the 35 page limit for Volume II Technical Capability.

30. Reference: Solicitation, Specific Relevant Contracts Sheet (Attachment 7) Question: Are offerors permitted to use their own format for the Specific Relevant Contracts Sheet (Attachment

7) while still addressing the Government’s requirements in Attachment 7?

Government Response: Yes, still addressing the Government’s requirements.

31. Reference: Solicitation, Specific Relevant Contracts Sheet (Attachment 7) Question: Are offerors required to include in their proposal the instructions that come before fill-in items on the first page of the Specific Relevant Contracts Sheet (Attachment 7)?

Government Response: No but the information provided on form must be relevant

32. (Table 2 on pages 101 and 102 indicate that the page limit for Volume IV, Past Performance, is “3 pages per reference.” However, the detailed instructions for a compliant Volume IV on page 107 states that Volume IV needs 1) Table of Contents, 2) Summary Page, 3) Consent Letters, 4) Client Authorization Letters (if commercial), 5) Organizational Structure Change History, 6) Specific Relevant Contracts (Attachment 7), and

7) Past Performance Questionnaires (Attachment 5). Clearly, the Past Performance Questionnaires are not page limited to the Offeror.

Please confirm our belief that the page limits for Volume IV are 3 pages per each Specific Relevant Contract(s) submitted (up to 5 such contracts) and that the other requirements for Volume IV listed (Table of Contents, Summary Page, Consent Letters, Clint Authorization Letters, and Organizational Structure History) are not page limited.

Government Response: They are not page limited.

33. At the bottom of page 102, Tab A, Exceptions/Assumptions, to Volume I states “Identification and explanation of any exceptions or deviations. Additionally, any assumptions used in the proposal preparation must be identified.” However, on page 103, with reference to Volume II, states, “The volume shall be organized according to the following general outline:

a. Table of Contents

b. List of Table and Drawings

c. Cross Reference Matrix

d. Glossary

e. Exceptions/Assumptions (Identification and explanation of any exceptions or deviations). Additionally, identify any assumptions used in preparing the proposal.”

May we eliminate from Volume II the requirement for Exceptions/Assumptions since it is identical to and a repeat of the information provided in Volume I, Tab A?

34. (Instructions to Offerors Pg. 105) Bullets a, b, and c ‘speak to history, intent, and purpose of CVTN’ and ‘potential innovations of CVTN’ and ‘potential process improvements’ with regard to CVTN. What innovations has the Govt previously attempted to implemented for CVTN? What is the current status of these implementations?

Government Response: In 2013 the CCoE purchased vCloud Suite and Servers. VMware deployed it and turned it over to the government, but it was never fully implemented as a system. In 2018 the System was reengineered and deployed in an operational state. In 2019 content from training sources was virtualized into the system with more content in the process of virtualization now.

Innovation, originally this was to place the CVTN/Training network into its own VRF within NIPR, drawing all Enterprise Services from the local NEC. Along with this was the deployment Cisco Modeling Labs to address the issue of virtualization if Cisco networking devices. Along with these changes we rebuilt the system completely and added engineering assets to assist with the development instead of simply relying on System Admins to figure out complex virtualization problems.

Other facets of this intent is to eliminate NATs, and other vulnerabilities introduced into the network because of the difficulties of training IT workforce under current rules of the DoDIN-A. Virtualizing this allows us to logically isolate the traffic and give elevated privileges to users allowing training to occur while complying with DoDIN and local NEC policies. The other goal is to eliminate stacks of physical equipment and "single use" classrooms, allowing us to move to a university concept where any course can be assigned to any room. This gives the flexibility on scheduling and efficiency of the schools.

35. (Instructions to Offerors Pg. 105) Bullets a, b, and c ‘speak to history, intent, and purpose of CVTN’ and ‘potential innovations of CVTN’ and ‘potential process improvements’ with regard to CVTN. Please provide a listing of previous innovations that the Govt has attempted to implemented to enhance the CVTN?

Government Response: See answer to Question 32.

36. (Instructions to Offerors Pg. 105) Bullets a, b, and c ‘speak to history, intent, and purpose of CVTN’ and ‘potential innovations of CVTN’ and ‘potential process improvements’ with regard to CVTN. Given the limited nature of publicly available information about the CVTN historical innovations previously implemented and the success/failure of each innovation, would the Govt consider changing this evaluation criteria to be less restrictive?

Government Response: See answer to Question 32.

37. (Instructions to Offerors Pg. 105) Bullets a, b, and c ‘speak to history, intent, and purpose of CVTN’ and ‘potential innovations of CVTN’ and ‘potential process improvements’ with regard to CVTN. Would the Govt please enhance the historical information contained within the PWS about the historical information for the CVTN? Or provide reference to military publications or publicly available sources of information?

Government Response See answer to Question 32.

38. PWS 1.5 Period of Performance Section 1.5 lists the base year as 29 Mar 2020-28 March 2021 but states the base year is 9 months. Please clarify.

Government Response: the period of performance for the base year is 12 months

39. Who is the incumbent contractor for this effort?

Government Response: No, the Government cannot provide or confirm that information.

40. Can the government supply materials that describe the Cyber Training Virtualized Network (CVTN)?

Government Response: See PWS 1.4.1.a. Current infrastructure is Dell Servers, Cisco Modeling Lab, and VMware based.

Q# RFQ Ref Page # Question 41 Attachment 8

Pricing Template Rev1

Atch 8 This template worksheet includes a list of labor category titles for the Base Year and each Option Year, along with a “#CME” column that totals 38 CMEs. However, the worksheet fails to include the “Web/Database Administrator labor category that is described at PWS paragraph 1.6.8.14, and for which the “#CME” column would then total 39 CMEs.

Will the Government provide a revised Attachment 8 to include the “Web/Database Administrator”?

Government Response: Attachment 8 pricing spreadsheet is updated with Web/Database Administrator

42 C. Proposal Preparation Instructions

3. Proposal Content

(b) Volume II –

FACTOR 1:

TECHNICAL

CAPABILITY

Subfactor 2, c.

105 The Offeror’s staffing approach shall identify its proposed staffing (by number of personnel, by labor categories and by location) and any plans to cross-utilize or rely on reach-back, part-time or temporary personnel to perform this requirement.”

Based on the PWS all personnel are to be at Fort Gordon. What does the Government mean ‘by location’? Are the staff in different buildings across the Signal School and Cyber School? If so, will the

Government provide a complete listing the locations and buildings supported?

Government Response: The majority of work, under this contract, will be performed at CCoE on Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Due to the transformation efforts at Fort Gordon, and the CCoE’s current distribution across Fort Gordon there is the requirement to support at/but not limited to sixty five (65) buildings. The majority of the support is provided from/at Building 29718 (Winship Hall) with touch labor provided at all buildings in support of functions across the entirety of the services required under this PWS.

43 C. Proposal

Instructions

3. Proposal Content

(b) Volume II –

FACTOR 1:

TECHNICAL

CAPABILITY

Subfactor 3 & Subfactor 4

105 Subfactor 3: The Offeror’s shall demonstrate its technical ability, knowledge, and understanding of the CVTN. The Offeror shall clearly, explicitly, and concisely address the following:

a. The history, intent, and purpose of the CVTN based on consumption of publicly available presentations, papers, and other related materials.

b. Potential innovations that have not previously been considered by the Government that will improve CVTN capabilities/functionalities

Subfactor 4: a. The ongoing transformation efforts and temporary work locations/effort to provide IT support to these initiatives, using publically available presentations, papers, and other related materials.

The Government is evaluating offerors on publically available presentations, papers, and other related materials. Will the Government provide the links to this presentations, papers, and other related materials in reference to the CVTN and ongoing IT transformation efforts?

Government Response: See Response to Question 32.

44 C. Proposal

Instructions

3. Proposal Content Volume V – Factor 3: Price

At the indented subparagraph “b”, it describes what is required to complete Attachment 8 (Pricing Worksheet). Within this description it cites a “Summary Sheet Tab” and a linked “Pricing – Fully Burden” tab. However, the Attachment 8 Template – Rev1, does not include the aforementioned “Summary Sheet Tab”, and, also, the “Pricing – Fully Burden” tab is not specifically identified as such (although its content speaks to the individual rates).

Will the Government provide a revised Attachment 8 to include the Summary Sheet Tab along with the corresponding Pricing – Fully Burden tab?

updated with Fully Burden Tab

45 C. Proposal

Instructions

3. Proposal Content Volume V – Factor 3: Price

The indented subparagraph “c” speaks to the offeror pricing for the eCMRA requirement as part of the Attachment 8 (Pricing Worksheet).

The Attachment 8 Template – Rev 1, does not include a Summary Sheet Tab, so presently there is nowhere to post the eCMRA pricing.

Will the Government please provide a revised Attachment 8 or delete subparagraph “c”?

updated with summary sheet tab

46 C. Proposal

Instructions

3. Proposal Content

(b) Volume II –

FACTOR 1:

TECHNICAL

CAPABILITY

Subfactor 1 Instructions

104 The Government is requiring offerors to provide “Resumes/Curriculum Vitae (CV) of all key personnel along with letters of commitment”.

With the limit of 35 pages Factor 1 Technical Capability, will the Government allow the Resumes/Curriculum Vitae (CV) of all key personnel along with letters of commitment be outside of the page limit to provide offerors the ability to present their best value solution to Subfactor 1 without risking the space needed to also response to Subfactors 2-5 of Factor 1 Technical Capability?

Government Response: Yes

47 C. Proposal Preparation Instructions (e)

102 (e) Page Limit Includes: All appendices, charts, graphs, diagrams, tables, photographs, drawings, etc.

With this being a Best Value procurement, and the concise page limits provided in Volume II Technical Capability, will the Government please allow offerors to include an Executive Summary limited to 3-5 pages that is not included in the 35-page limit?

Government Response: Yes

48 C. Proposal Preparation Instructions (e)

101 All text shall be single spaced and printed black on white paper (Black and white requirement does not apply to graphics, photos, etc., Company stationery and logos are acceptable). Printing shall be easily readable (12-pitch type or 10 point proportional spacing.)

In these instructions, Contractors are restricted to having all text single-spaced and printed black on white paper with the exception of graphics, photos, etc. To keep with the Government’s request for the printing to produce a proposal that is readable, will the Government allow tables to have color headings with black text white background and be included in the graphics, photos, etc. requirement instructions.

Government Response: Yes

49 C. Proposal Preparation Instructions (e)

102 (h) Indexing. Each volume shall contain a more detailed table of contents to delineate the subparagraphs within that volume. Tab indexing shall be used to identify sections.

The requirement to use tab indexing to identify sections is vague and only Volume I identifies Tab/Indexed Sections. Will the Government please clarify if Indexed Sections are expected at the Subfactor level in Volume II or the first Heading level in Volumes III, IV and V?

Government Response: No

50 General N/A The PWS does not include any requirements for the phase-in/phase-out. Due to the extreme importance of the CCoE G-6 objectives, transformational goals, and goal of successful implementation of the CVTN to the Government, a low-risk Phase-in period is key to the incoming Contractor obtaining an effective AS-IS assessment and to baseline of the environment, and determine any improvements; a phase-in/phase-out with the incumbent contractor, and more to the overall success of the program.

With no knowledge of the current state of the inventory and the current projects, undefined Phase-in requirements in this PWS favors the incumbent.

• Does the incumbent contract have requirements for Phase-out to a new contractor?

• What are the requirements for phase-in for the awarded contractor?

Government Response: N/A

• Will the Government allow for a minimum of a 30-day Phase-In period?

• Will the Government also confirm the Phase-in Plan will be required for delivery within 10 working days after the start of the Phase-in period?

Government Response: The PWS does not call for a Phase-in plan

51 Part 4.1 34 The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this PWS.

The reference to Section 3 of the PWS appears to be referring to Part 3 of the PWS. Is this the Government’s intent?

Government Response: Yes, part 3 please see attached updated

PWS.

52 PWS 1.3

(Objectives)

10 One of the PWS Objectives is “Simultaneously managing multiple, diverse IT projects and IT Enterprise level solutions across multiple CCoE organizations”.

• Can you Government provide the historical number of IT projects that ran simultaneously over the last 6 months, last year, etc.

Government Response: Currently there are 14 projects running, several projects are multiyear efforts with only monthly requirements to ensure key stakeholders remain in synch with project progress.

• Can the Government please indicate how many projects historically have been in play simultaneously (e.g. month, quarter, year)?

Government Response: Currently there are 14 projects running, several projects are multiyear efforts with only monthly requirements to ensure key stakeholders remain in synch with project progress.

53 PWS 1.3

(Objectives) 10 One of the PWS Objectives is “Establishing, maintaining, and supporting the CCoE Training Network”.

• Can the Government please provide a description of the AS-IS state of the CCoE Training Network to include all cloud technologies that the virtual network resides in?

Government Response Currently the Training network is a Dell Server VMware based operational system.

• To what level has the cloud architecture been developed, etc.?

Government Response: Operational

• Does the CCoE Training Network data reside in Azure, AWS, etc.?

Government Response: Currently this is a VMware private cloud.

54 PWS 1.4.1.a 11 Training Network – The Training Network will expand over the next year to be a virtual environment to support Signal and Cyber School Programs of Instruction (POI) for up to 6000 simultaneous users.

This project consists of multiple phases and will continuously be evolving to support a world-class training environment.

Does the Training Network exist today? If not, does the government expect bidders to include the cost of implementing the Training Network in our bid or will this requirement be part of a surge CLIN?

Government Response: The Training Network is currently in place and functional.

55 PWS 1.4.1.a 11 The PWS indicates “As new requirements are identified by Signal and Cyber Schools there will be additional engineering, design, and implementation required to support this evolving environment”.

• Given this is a Firm-Fixed Price contract, offerors need to understand when or how often the government anticipates new requirements engineering, design and implementation support.

Will the Government please provide when or how often the government anticipates new requirements engineering, design and implementation support?

Government Response: On average one large scale change per year.

• Does the Government anticipate additional scope to this current PWS and future mods or working with the same LOE?

Government Response: None at this time.

• Will the Government allow for a surge CLIN to support the additional requirements?

56 PWS 1.4.1.a 11 What is the current process to obtain content from “various Schools” for virtualization on the CCoE Training Network?

Government Response: Government personnel request and provide the content to the incumbent vendor who virtualizes this content.

57 PWS 1.4.1a 11 The Training Network will expand over the next year to be a virtual environment to support Signal and Cyber School Programs of Instruction (POI) for up to 6000 simultaneous users. This project consists of multiple phases and will continuously be evolving to support a world-class training environment. Training Network personnel will be required to engineer, install, deploy, operate and maintain the environment and ensure adequate resources are provided to support the requirements within the POI. The virtualization efforts will also include integrating tools such as Cisco Modeling Labs or an equivalent to allow physical labs to be replaced with virtual labs. The architecture is being expanded to support additional users, eventually growing to the ability to support 6000 separate virtualized sessions. The training network is required to virtualize content provided by the various Schools. As new requirements are identified by Signal and Cyber Schools there will be additional engineering, design, and implementation required to support this evolving environment.

• Will the Contractor be provided access to the Training

Development Capability (TDC) to migrate and manage learning content/POIs on the CVTN?

Government Response: See Answer to Q34 above.

• Will the Government provide access to the systems that include the Training Support Packages, POIs, and Course Administrative Documents (CADs) for CCoE Schools and Courses for migration to the CVTN?

Government Response: The Content is provided in electronic format via best available method. i.e. System snapshot, remote access, or other methods as deemed most efficient.

58 PWS 1.4.2 11 We understand the Government did not have a baseline inventory in March/April of 2019.

• Has the Government made any progress since March/April 2019 in obtaining a baseline?

• If so, will the Government provide a baseline of current inventory of all hardware and software “managed/maintained by the CCoE G6”?

Government Response: Inventory will be provided at contract start (due to system size) but includes approximately 16,000 client systems.

59 PWS 1.4.2 11 Is the contractor expected to be the primary hand receipt holder for the G-6 equipment accountable to the Property Book Office?

Or is this a Government primary task and the Contractor is expected to support the management and maintenance of the G-6 equipment alongside the Government Property Book Office?

Government Response: The inventory is to provide an IT baseline and to support functions specifically associated with this IT baseline i.e. lifecycle, mobile device issue, etc. The G6 is not the property book office but does coordinate with this office on equipment issue.

60 PWS 1.4.2 11 The contractor will conduct an annual IT inventory of all hardware and software components managed/maintained by the CCoE G6 and provide an updated IT inventory on a quarterly basis (CDRL A006).

In addition to using Powershell, can the Government provide additional insight into how IT inventories of all HW and SW components are conducted today at the various buildings and endpoints (e.g. discovery tools, etc.)?

Government Response: Primary discovery tool for the open networks is Tanium, closed networks require physical inventories.

61 PWS 1.6.14 27 This Other Direct Costs (ODC) paragraph includes several references to “travel”, however there is already a separate PWS Paragraph 1.6.13, that speaks to “travel” as a separate topic. We also note that “travel” and “ODC” have their own SF1449 Pricing CLINs (e.g., Travel at 0002, and ODC at 0003) and within the respective CLIN descriptions, the cost elements for ‘profit, G&A and handling fees are treated differently.

Will the Government consider deleting the “travel” references within paragraph 1.6.14, to avoid there being a potential ambiguity in how the aforementioned cost elements are handled for travel versus

ODC?

Government Response Updated 1.6.14 of the PWS

62 PWS 1.6.7.11

PWS 1.6.13

The PWS states “NOTE: Contractor personnel shall receive an AOR briefing when traveling OCONUS on TDY”.

PWS 1.6.13 indicates travel will be CONUS and the NCR.

Can the Government please confirm whether there will be OCONUS travel or remove it from the PWS?

Government Response: Updated PWS section 1.6.13

63 PWS 5.3.1.1 36 The government indicates that the contractor shall provide expertise with IT Risk Management within RMF processes leading to ATOs for JWICS and the Commercial Training Network.

• What is the difference between the Commercial Training

Network and the CVTN? Or is the Commercial Training Network and the CVTN the same?

Government Response: Currently their exists a Signal School Training Network (SSTN) – Commercial/NIPR/Closed, Cyber School Training Network (CSTN) – commercial, Secure Virtual Training area – Closed(mutli-classification), Cyber Virtual Training Network (CVTN) – NIPR. Eventually these will be consolidated into one ea Commercial, NIPR, SIPR, TS)

• Can the Government clarify if performing ATO support for other networks; i.e., NIPR, SIPR, CVTN is within the scope of the CCoE G6 IT Support task order?

Government Response- Yes

64 SF 1449 (Delivery Information)

PWS 1.5

c. Evaluation Criteria, Factor 3 – Cost Price

The SF 1449 CLIN 01 and PWS 1.5 Bullets indicate a Base POP of 12 months (29 MAR 2020 – 28 MAR 2021), although the narrative in PWS 1.5 Period of Performance indicates a Base year of 9 months.

Furthermore, the Pricing Evaluation Criteria state “The evaluation process will include as part of the best value assessment, the aggregate price for all services required by the PWS for the phase-in period, the base period, and all options” although no Phase-in CLIN was included the Attachment 8 pricing sheet or in the Section B

CLINS.

Can the Government please:

1. Revise the Solicitation SF1449 Section B CLINS , Attachment

8, and PWS 1.5 Period of Performance to include the Phase-In Period to be priced?

Government Response: PWS para 1.5, Period of performance and attachment 8 pricing sheet is updated to reflect base of 12 months. Phase in period verbiage is deleted.

2. Clarify the length and PoP of the the Base Period in the SF1449

Section B CLINs, Attachment 8 Pricing Sheet, and PWS Section 1.5 PoP to reflect the correct Base Period?

Government Response: PWS para 1.5, Period of performance and attachment 8 pricing sheet is updated to reflect base of 12 months.

65 SF1449 5 Item Number “1002 Travel” is cited as “FFP”, whereas other Travel Items are cited as “Cost”.

Will the Government please clarify all Travel Items CLINS are “Cost”.

Government Response: CLIN 1002 is updated as Cost

66 SF1449

Continuation Sheet

Each CLIN for Travel and ODC, which are Cost, include the referenced statement “Profit, G&A and handling fees are not allowable”. It is a regular accounting practice for G&A and/or handling fees to be applied to travel and ODCs. Further under FAR Part 31, such indirect costs are allowable.

Will the Government please revise the CLINs to allow for G&A and handling fees to be applied to Travel and ODCs?

Government Response: G&A is authorized. CLIN has been updated.

67 Subfactor 2d 105 The Government requests of the offerors to describe how performance objectives will be met, including the “Development, operation, installation, and maintenance of the CVTN IAW Performance Work Statement.”

However, the CVTN is not mentioned within the PWS, only the evaluation criteria.

Will the Government clarify if the scope of work and the PWS specific tasks include the development, operation, installation, and maintenance of the CVTN?

Government Response: Updated 1.4.1.a. of the PWS

68 Technical Exhibit 1

PRS

53 In this Performance Requirements Summary, at the “Disincentive” column, the PRS cites the “Daily Rate” as the disincentive (i.e., penalty) for failing to meet the minimum requirements of the ALP or

AQL.

“Remedy” Column: With regards to PRS #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, the Remedy is the “Daily Rate” and with this contract being awarded on a firm fixed price basis, implementing financial penalties on a daily rate basis has the potential for detrimental impact to any Small Business (e.g. WOSB and 8(a), etc.).

Recommendation: Based on our preliminary assumption that the Government primarily requires high quality and timely staff and services in the performance of the PWS tasks at all times, as an alternative to the daily rate disincentive, we recommend the Government base a Contractor’s performance of PRS objectives on the quality of services provided, measured by the QASP and controlled by the QCP. In line with Contractor Performance being measured, will the Government revise the Disincentives to be negative CPAR ratings?

Government Response: No

69 Technical Exhibit 1

PWS 1.6.20

Provide Qualified Personnel: We understand the Government’s concern with personnel and have been extremely successful meeting this requirement for very similar customers.

Contractor Replacement: The contractor shall replace, within a minimum of ten (10) business days, any contract personnel found to be unqualified or otherwise determined unsuitable by the government. This ten-day timeframe also includes all contractors who submit their resignation under the current contract.

Although we ask the Government’s reasonable consideration of the following:

• Performance Standard: Can the Government please consider changing the 10 working days replacement requirement to at least 14-17 working days?

Justification: This provides the contractor at least reasonable 24- 48 hours to notify its back-up candidate of the opening and the candidate to provide the Industry Standard 2-week notice to its employer to join the CCOE G6 program. 10 working days requires 8a small business Contractors to keep/pay for back-ups to sit on overhead with no reasonable time to start a job; which is extremely costly.

Government Response: Updated Technical Exhibit 1 and PWS 1.6.20.

• Acceptable Level of Performance (ALP) or Acceptable Quality

Level (AQL): Can the Government please consider changing this requirement to a reasonable “3 calendar days per month period of interrupted service?”

Justification: This measure aligns and supports the request in bullet #1 and assures the Government what it requires from Contractors; 100% performance and uninterrupted delivery of services. This measure is jointly clear and measurable to the

Government and the Contractor. The alternative measure of 100% is not as clear a measure to success to the Contractor.

Government Response: Unsure what PRS requirement you are referring to but Updated PRS #10 for clarity

70 Technical Exhibit 2 Invoice CDRL A012:

60 Via WAWF and the contractor shall provide invoices in the following formats: CLIN 0001 format with monthly hours per person charged to the G6 task.

The Solicitation indicates this is a FFP contract. IAW DCAA requirements, invoices are typically aligned to Schedule B (CLIN Structure). As an alternative, will the Government allow Contractors to provide the level of detail of hours in a Monthly Progress Report A001 (upload to WAWF as an additional document), versus the invoice which supports compliance with DCAA guidelines?

Document Paragraph Page Question

71 Solicitation C.2.Table 2 101 Table 2 requires the Volume I - General and Volume IV - Past Performance submission as MS Word Documents. Will the government allow these Volumes to be submitted as MS Word or .PDF volumes? This allows digital signatures and minimal inadvertent editing.

Government Response: MS Word or PDF

72 Solicitation C.3.(a)Tab B 103 Can the SF 1449 be submitted in .PDF format and will a digital signature on the .PDF be considered an "original" signature?

Government Response: Yes SF 1449 can be submitted in PDF format. Yes digital signature will be consider an original signature.

73 Solicitation PWS 1.5;

Attachment 8

11 Period of performance states base year is 9 months - but period shows 29 March 2020 to 28 March 2021. The pricing spreadsheet does appear to indicate nine (9) months at 1440 hours.

Will the Government please clarify if base period is nine (9) months or one (1) year?

Government Response: base period of performance is 12 months

74 Price Spreadsheet and Solicitation

C.3.(g)1) b. 109 The Paragraph describing Attachment 8 refers to a "Summary Sheet Tab" reflecting travel and ODCs and a tab titled "Pricing - Fully Burden".

The Attachment 8 has a sheet titled "Sheet1" and only a list of LCATS and hours without ODC or Travel Costs. Will the government confirm the Offeror is required to build the "Summary Sheet Tab" and "Pricing-Fully Burden" tab?

Government Response: Attachment 8 is updated with "Summary Sheet Tab" and "Pricing-Fully Burden" tab

Question Solicitation Reference Section Reference Details Question

75 PWS Section 1.6.4 – Hours of Operation, Bullet: Enterprise (Page 12)

Enterprise: Staggered coverage required between the hours of 0700-1730. Two Contractor personnel must remain present for duty with a minimum of one during the hours of 1130-1300.

• Additionally a minimum of two Contractor personnel must be present for duty at the Cyber Training Facility (CTF), which is a Sensitive Compartmented Facility (SCIF) between the hours of 0700-1630 with at least one present during the hours of 1130- 1300.

a) Will the government please confirm that the requirement for ‘two contractor personnel to remain present for duty with a minimum of one during the hours of 1130 – 1300 is the same 2 personnel being required under the first subbullet where it states “Additionally a minimum of two contractor personnel must be present for duty at the Cyber Training Facility

(CTF)?

Government Response:

ESD at a whole has 2 persons in Winship Hall from 0700-1730, 2 persons in the CTF between 0700- 1630, and one Linux Admin at the CTF not counted in the above numbers.

b) Will the government confirm that the hours should be 0700 to 1630 or 0700 to 1730 as the first subbullet under “Enterprise” states 1630?

Government Response:

Please see Response to Q55.a.

76 PWS Section 1.6.8.14

– Web/Database Administrator (Page 25)

Attachment 8 – Pricing Spreadsheet

The Labor Category Web/Database Administrator is listed in the PWS;

however it is not included in Attachment 8 Pricing Spreadsheet.

Can the Government please clarify if this position is to be included in the proposal Level of Effort? If so, how many FTE’s?

Government Response: Attachment 8 Pricing Spreadsheet is updated with the Labor Category Web/Database Administrator

Question Solicitation Reference Section Reference Details Question

77 Attachment 8 – Pricing Spreadsheet

There are 5760 hours listed for the 5 Senior System Administrators. Will the government please modify the hours to reflect 9600 (which is 1920 x 5 FTEs)?

Government Response: Attachment 8 pricing sheet is updated with 9600 for the 5 Senior System Administrators.

78 PWS Section 1.5 – Period of Performance (Page 11)

The Hours in Attachment 8 Pricing Spreadsheet reflect a 9-month Period of the Performance; however, the RFP reflects a 12 Month Base. Can the Government please clarify the Base Period of Performance?

Government Response: The period of performance is updated in PWS section 1.5 and attachment 8 pricing sheet.

79. Please confirm that applicable indirect costs (i.e. G&A and/or Material Handling) may be applied to incurred travel costs in accordance with the contractor's standard accounting practices and/or disclosed accounting practices.

Government Response: G&A is authorized. CLIN has been updated

80. Please confirm that applicable indirect costs (i.e. G&A and/or Material Handling) may be applied to incurred ODCs in accordance with the contractor's standard accounting practices and/or disclosed accounting practices.

Government Response: G&A is authorized. CLIN has been updated

81. Please confirm that each offeror is required to propose the $15,000.00 not-to-exceed (NTE) dollar amount specified for CLINs 0002, 1002, and 2002, exactly as presented.

Government Response: Yes

82. Please confirm that each offeror is required to propose the $25,000.00 not-to-exceed (NTE) dollar amount specified for CLINs 0003, 1003, and 2003, exactly as presented.

Government Response: Yes

83. Please confirm that CLIN 1002, Travel, is intended to be a cost-type CLIN, consistent with CLINs 0002 and 2002.

Government Response: Yes, the CLIN is updated.

84. Please clarify if the Base Year is 12-months or 9-months in duration.

Government Response: Yes, Base is 12 months

85. "Base Year" implies 12 months. If the Base Year is 9-months, please consider changing the "Base Year" reference to "Base Period."

Government Response: Yes, Base is 12 months

86. If the Base Year is 9-months, please clarify the specific dates covering each contract ordering period.

Government Response: Base is 12 months

87. The cited PWS references indicate that the scope of work to be performed under the resultant contract is envisioned to expand / increase. Given that the resultant contract will be firm-fixed-price, will a Surge CLIN be established to support the requirements associated with the envisioned scope expansion / increase? If not, please clarify specifically how the costs for this envisioned scope expansion / increase will be handled.

Government Response: What cited PWS References? If the reference is to 1.4.1.a.