Questions_and_Answers_v2_20_MAR_19.docx

Force and Asset Search Tool (FAAST) W912L7-19-Q -1302

Questions and Answers

Q: Could you please tell me if this is a new requirement, or if there is a current or previous contractor who has performed similar services? If available, can you please send along the incumbent contract or task order number?

A: This is a new requirement for the Tennessee Army National Guard

Q: Can companies from Outside USA can apply for this?

A: See Clause FAR 52.225-1 Buy American—Supplies for details of area. https://www.acquisition.gov/content/part-52-solicitation-provisions-and-contract-clauses#i1053372

Q: Whether we need to come over there for meetings?

A: Meeting location(s) will be determined as needed.

Q: Can we perform the tasks (related to RFP) outside USA?

A: See Clause FAR 52.225-1 Buy American—Supplies for details of area. https://www.acquisition.gov/content/part-52-solicitation-provisions-and-contract-clauses#i1053372

Q: Can we submit the proposals via email?

A: Yes per instructions of solicitation “Proposals are due in this office no later than 28 MAR 2019, THUR @ 1:00pm (CST)” and “The proposal should be emailed to danny.h.frederick.mil@mail.mil”

Q: Proposal states 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days per year access to FAAST.

--Is it understood that the system will not be available all the time due to scheduled maintenance and unforeseen network outages?

A: Yes, it is understood the system will not be available at all times; but, it is expected the system will not be offline more than 4 hours per month during normal duty hours (6 A.M. – 8 P.M).

Q: The tool shall be accessible from an available Internet connection and from non-military computers using the Common Access Card (CAC).

--FAAST is available on all NIPRNet connections. It is not available from .COM network.

A: VPN access is acceptable.

Q: off line for scheduled maintenance during off duty hours only (8 P.M. to 5 A.M. Central Standard Time (CST) --We usually start our scheduled maintenance at 6 AM CST (once a month) and then completed around 6:30 AM CST. We do this so we have employees working at G6 in case there are issues.

A: 30 minute scheduled maintenance, once a month, from 6:00 to 6:30 A.M, will still meet the requirement indicated in 1.4.2.1 (the system shall be off line no more than a total of four (4) hours during normal duty hours).

Q: Helpdesk Business hours defined as 6 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. CST --Current helpdesk business hours are 6 AM - 4 PM CST. Will this be an issue?

A: Helpdesk business hours between 6 A.M. and 4:30 P.M are only acceptable if the government calls prior to 4 P.M and the customer service is allowed to continue past 4 P.M. until resolved. We selected 6 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. CST to accommodate the two times zones in the state of TN; start time of 6 A.M. CST to accommodate those personnel in TN on eastern time zone and closing hours of 4:30 P.M to accommodate the central time zone personnel.

Q: a total of two (2), one (1) day training events --Is TN ARNG requesting 2 training events on the base year or 2 training events every year?

A: Two (2) training events on the base year only.

Q: the contractor will supply the Cage code, Duns Number, Tax ID and a schedule.

--Is this a schedule for the Transportation Module?

A: The schedule requested is to establish milestones for delivery of all requirements.

Q: The contractor shall provide real-time property book asset visibility of all TNARNG units, with 100% accuracy and equivalency to GCSS-Army data.

--We update the data daily and provide "near real-time" visibility (can't be real-time because we are not the system of record for property book).

A: Daily updates from the system of record will suffice.

Q: The contractor shall provide 24-7 access to the online help desk ticket (HDT) system.

-We don’t provide customers access to help desk system.

A: Clarification: Access to the HDT system refers to ability to key a help desk ticket 24-7; the ability to submit a HDT should not been confined to business hours.