Biometrics Operations and Support Services Restricted (BOSS-R) RFP - 3rd Set of Questions and Responses

Question # 1
Subject: RFP No: W91QUZ-08-R-0033. Reference: RFP Section L, Paragraph(s) L1. Proposal Submission, Page(s) 57, the RPF states The due date for communications and questions concerning the RFP is 15 August, 2008. It further states the Proposal Due Date and Time is 1600 hours (Eastern Time) on 22 August 2008. This timeline does not appear to provide the government adequate time to review, evaluate and respond to vendor submitted questions that could result in format or requirement changes and allow vendors adequate time to revise proposals. Would the government consider revising the questions due date to August 1, 2008?

Response # 1
15 August is when the Government will stop accepting RFP questions. Questions are answered within a couple days of submission via modifications of the Pre-Solicitation. The question due date will not be changed at this time.

Question # 2
Reference: RFP Section L, Paragraph(s) L.2.2.3 Part 3 Past Performance, 5) Past Performance Assessment Questionnaire, Page(s) 62, the RPF states The offeror shall complete Part II, A and B of the Past Performance Assessment Questionnaire and e-mail the questionnaire to both the Contracting Officer for this procurement, and to the Government or company POC responsible for the past/current contract. Can you please clarify the term the Contracting Officer for this procurement? Is the government seeking two past performance questionnaires for each past/current contract, one from the Contracting Officer and one from the Federal manager (indentified as a POC)? Or are Offerors to provide William Giles a copy of the partially completed questionnaire?

Response # 1
The Contracting Officer for this procurement is William L. Giles (william.L.giles@us.army.mil). Offerors shall provide William L. Giles with a copy of the partially completed Past Performance Questionnaire that the offeor submits to the past/current contract POC to complete. The Contracting Officer for this procurement then will receive a partially completed Past Performance Questionnaire from the Offeror, and a completed Past Performance Questionnaire from the Offerors POC.

Question # 1
Reference: RFP Section L, Paragraph(s) L.2.2.3 Part 3 Past Performance, Page(s) 61, the RPF states Offerors shall submit a description of all Government contracts (prime contracts and major subcontracts) performed during the past three (3) years that are relevant to the efforts required by this solicitation. A 5 page limit does not provide sufficient page count for submitting a description of all government contracts similar to this procurement. Would the government consider the most relevant past performance?

Response # 1
Please refer to Amendment A0001, Section L.2.2.3 of the RFP posted on the ASFI and FedBizOps on 07/23/08.

Question # 1
Reference: RFP Section L, Paragraph(s) L.2.2.3 Part 3 Past Performance, Page(s) 62, the RPF states (3) Section 3 Subcontracts. Offerors shall provide the above required information for any proposed subcontractor who will perform a portion of the effort. Offerors shall also identify the work to be assigned for performance within the offerors corporate entity and among each of the proposed subcontractors. A 5 page limit does not provide sufficient page count for submitting descriptions of the prime contractor and any proposed subcontractor government contracts similar to this procurement (especially with the potential for multiple proposed subcontractors). Would the government consider the most relevant past performance from the prime and any proposed subcontractors (realizing that Offerors may not submit past performance for all proposed subcontractors due to page limitations)?

Response # 1
Please refer to Amendment A0001, Section L.2.2.3 of the RFP posted on the ASFI and FedBizOps on 07/23/08.

Question # 1

Subject: RFP No. W91QUZ-08-R-0033
Reference 1: RFP Section L.2.2.3 Part 3 Past Performance, (3) Section 3 Subcontracts, Paragraph(s) #1 (of Section L.2.2.3 (3)), Page(s) 62.
Reference 2: RFP Section - L.2.2.3 Part 3 Past Performance, (5) Section 5 Past Performance Assessment Questionnaire, Paragraph(s) - #1 (of Section L.2.2.3 (5)), Page(s) 62.
Reference 3: RFP Section - M.4.3 Past Performance Factor (PP), Paragraph(s) - #2 (of Section M.4.3), Page(s) 68.

Question/Comment: In L.2.2.3 (3) on page 62 (as referenced above), the RFP states: Offerors shall provide the above required information for any [emphasis added] proposed subcontractor who will perform a portion of the effort. In M.4.3 on page 68 (as referenced above), the RFP states: The Government will conduct evaluations based on the quality, relevancy and currency of the offerors past performance, as well as that of its major [emphasis added] subcontractors, as it relates to the probability of successful accomplishment of the required effort. Thus, this leads us to believe the intent is for past performance to be included from the prime and major subcontractors only. Please note that since there is no limit on the number of contracts that are to be submitted for past performance (other than they most be recent and relevant), by not limiting the subcontractor contracts to major subcontractors only, the Government could be looking at receiving a substantially large number of references for each proposal submission.

(1) Is our assumption that the Government requires past performance information from major subcontractors correct? If so, please add the word major following the word any in L.2.2.3 (3) on page 62 (as referenced above).

(2) As per the requirement in L.2.2.3 (5) on page 62 (as referenced above), it asks that the offeror provides a list of POCs for all referenced contracts within 7 days of the release of the RFP. Can the Government please provide clarification on this question as soon as possible?

Response # 1
Please refer to changes in Section L.2.2.3 of Amendment A0001 of the RFP.
The 7 calendar day deadline for submitting the list of past performance references has been extended to 14 days.

Question # 2
Subject: RFP No. W91QUZ-08-R-0033
Reference 1: RFP Section L.1 Proposal Submission, 3) Proposal Preparation & Organization, d) Proposal Content, Paragraph(s) N/A, in table, Page(s) 59.
Reference 2: RFP Section L.2.2.3 Part 3 Past Performance, Paragraph(s) #1 (of Section L.2.2.3, Page(s) 61.

Question/Comment: In L.1, 3, d on page 59, Volume 2 - Part 3 (Past Performance) is limited to 10 pages. However in L.2.2.3 on page 61, the RFP states: Offerors shall submit a description of all Government contracts (prime contracts and major subcontracts) performed during the past three (3) years that are relevant to the efforts required by this solicitation. This means that offerors are required to submit detailed past performance information for all recent and relevant contracts for both themselves and their subcontractors. Given the amount of information required, the 10-page page limit is highly restrictive. This offeror recommends that only up to ten recent and relevant contracts be submitted in the 10-page Volume 2 Part 3 (Past Performance) section.

Response # 2
Please refer to changes in Section L.2.2.3 of Amendment A0001 of the RFP.

Question # 3
Subject: RFP No. W91QUZ-08-R-0033
Reference 1: RFP Section Section A Standard Form 33, Paragraph(s) N/A, Page(s) N/A.
Reference 2: RFP Section Section K Representations and Certifications, Paragraph(s) N/A, Page(s) 55 and 56.

Question/Comment: Section A requires Standard Form 33 and Section K requires Representations and Certification information. Which Volume(s) should this information be included in?

Response # 3
It should be submitted along with your proposal and should not be a part of the volumes

Question # 4
Subject: RFP No. W91QUZ-08-R-0033
Reference: RFP Section J-5 Pricing Model, Paragraph(s) N/A, Page(s) N/A Sheets Base 1, Base 2, Base 3, Opt 1, and Opt 2.

Question/Comment: In sheets Base 1, Base 2, Base 3, Opt 1, and Opt 2 of the J-5 workbook, cells H12 have the wrong formula. Currently, the cells sum H7 H11. They should sum H6 H11.

Responses # 4
Change has been made to correct the formula in H12

Question # 5
Subject: RFP No. W91QUZ-08-R-0033
Reference 1: RFP Section H.18 Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), Paragraph(s) - #1 (of Section H.18), Page(s) 31.
Reference 2: RFP Section J-6 Certification of Non-Disclosure, Paragraph(s) N/A, Page(s) N/A.

Question/Comment: On page 31 (as referenced above), the RFP states: A non-disclosure certification (Attachment J-6, Certificate of Non-Disclosure) shall be signed by all Contractor employees assigned to perform services under a TO prior to any work commencing on the TO. Does this mean that J-6 DOES NOT have to be executed for the proposal?

Response # 5
Correct

Question # 6
Subject: RFP No. W91QUZ-08-R-0033
Reference: RFP Section J-7 Certification of No Conflict of Interest, Paragraph(s) N/A, Page(s) N/A.

Question/Comment: Does J-7 (Certificate of No Conflict of Interest) need to be executed as part of the proposal? If so, in which volume should this be included?

Response # 6
The Certification of No Conflict of Interest will be executed at the Task Order level and is not required as part of the proposal.

Advisory Multi-STep Notification
(Incorporation and consolidation of Changes)

Request for Corporate Qualifications

1. Description
This Advisory Multi-Step (AMS) requests corporate qualifications from offerors responding to the Biometrics Operations and Support Services-Restricted (BOSS-R) acquisition, Request for Proposal (RFP) W91QUZ-08-R-0033. This pre-solicitation notice requests information from prospective offerors allowing the BTF/ITEC4 evaluation team to determine the likelihood of each respondents ability to provide the services and supplies needed to fulfill the BTFs BOSS-R requirements. Based on an evaluation of each prospective offerors response to this notice, the firm will be notified as to whether they are considered a viable competitor for the BOSS-R contract. Notification of a prospective offerors non viability is advisory, and offerors so notified can submit proposals to the RFP should they elect to do so.
The authority and basis for conducting the Advisory Multi-Step process is contained in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.202. The FAR describes the process as follows:

15.202 Advisory Multi-Step Process.
(a) The agency may publish a pre-solicitation notice (see 5.204) that provides a general description of the scope or purpose of the acquisition and invites potential offerors to submit information that allows the Government to advise the offerors about their potential to be viable competitors. The pre-solicitation notice should identify the information that must be submitted and the criteria that will be used in making the initial evaluation. Information sought may be limited to a statement of qualifications and other appropriate information (e.g., proposed technical concept, past performance, and limited pricing information). At a minimum, the notice shall contain sufficient information to permit a potential offeror to make an informed decision about whether to participate in the acquisition. This process should not be used for multi-step acquisitions where it would result in offerors being required to submit identical information in response to the notice and in response to the initial step of the acquisition.
(b) The agency shall evaluate all responses in accordance with the criteria stated in the notice, and shall advise each respondent in writing either that it will be invited to participate in the resultant acquisition or, based on the information submitted, that it is unlikely to be a viable competitor. The agency shall advise respondents considered not to be viable competitors of the general basis for that opinion. The agency shall inform all respondents that, notwithstanding the advice provided by the Government in response to their submissions, they may participate in the resultant acquisition.

2. Introduction
The Biometrics Task Force (BTF), in coordination with the Information Technology, E-Commerce, and Commercial Contracting Center (ITEC4), is seeking qualified offerors to support the DoD Biometrics Program.

The Army is seeking offerors who are willing to partner with the Army to meet its mission. The Biometrics Task Force (BTF), as per DoD Directive 8521 01E serves to act as the DoD proponent for biometrics, providing biometrics research, technology, and information management support to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commanders, the Military Services, the Defense Agencies, and other DoD Field Activities, as required. As such it:
1) Provides for the standardization of biometric data formats, technical interfaces, conformance methodologies, performance evaluations, and other related areas to permit interoperability, both internal and external to the DoD.
2) Develops and maintain the policy, processes, and procedures for the collection, processing, transmission, archiving, caching, and tagging of biometrics data and associated intelligence.
3) Develops the DoD Biometrics vision and strategy, in concert with the Military Services, Joint Staff, and Office of the Secretary of Defense.
4) Provides a means for unified acquisition and procurement of common biometrics systems and equipment.
5) Administers the DoDs Biometrics governance structure to enable the development and execution of common requirements, standards, architectures, and research and development initiatives to support common and joint requirements.
6) Manages authoritative DoD repositories of biometrics samples and acts as a hub for biometrics data sharing, to include providing for continuity of operations and disaster recovery in accordance with ASD(NII/CIO).
7) Coordinates all Biometrics program activities with identity protection and stakeholder organizations to ensure consistency with DoD identity management principles, directives, and vision.
8) Conducts Biometrics Science and Technology, research and engineering for DoD, and other US Government sponsors in support of the DoD S&T roadmap.
9) Designs, builds, fields, and sustains Biometrics solutions both in CONUS and OCONUS facilities.
The BOSS-R acquisition will be conducted under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15 Contracting by Negotiation. Performance-based contracting (as described in FAR Part 37.6) is the preferred method for acquiring services.
The DoD intends to issue multiple awards, for a performance-based, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract. The resulting contract has an estimated value of $124 million, and will have a three year base period with two one-year options. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the BOSS-R acquisition is 541611 (Administrative and General Management) under Sector 54 - Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, with a small business size standard of $6,500,000.00. The offeror will be required to support up to TOP SECRET security clearance.

3. BOSS-R Scope
The scope of this acquisition has been defined in broad terms to support the expansive mission of the Biometrics requirement, but with sufficient detail to allow vendors to ascertain BTF Biometrics program requirements. The Contractor shall provide the full range of biometrics services, technical and management expertise, and solution-related enabling products the functional categories to meet the mission needs of the BTF. The Contractors shall furnish the necessary personnel, materials, equipment, facilities, travel, and other services required to satisfy the ordered biometric capabilities and solutions. While the requirement identifies three functional categories, the suite of resulting contracts is intended to satisfy the full range of biometric related requirements. With the pace of change it is impossible to anticipate how biometric requirements and individual programs will evolve over the life of the contracts. It is intended that the BOSS-R contract remains current and continues to provide the full range of biometrics capabilities/solutions and emerging technologies throughout its life. The Contractor shall provide solutions for one or more of the following functional categories.

Functional Categories
The Contractor shall furnish the full range of solutions and services necessary to meet requirements of the contract as related to the functional categories described below. All solutions and services must meet BTF, DoD and commercial policies, standards, and procedures.

Functional Category 1 Management Support Services
The Contractor shall provide, as ordered, the full range of business and technical management services needed to support on-going program management and supporting technical activities. These services encompass but are not limited to
* Acquisition Management Support
* Liaison Services
* PMO support
* Policy, Procedure, Guideline, Directive and Standards Development
* Communications Management

Functional Category 2 Independent Validation and Verification
The Contractor shall provide the full range of independent test, validation, verification, and evaluation solutions to ensure that all biometric products and services meet BTF standards, and are performing to defined design, cost, schedule, and performance specifications/capabilities. The Contractor shall provide best practices, technologies, tools, and support to quality and operational assessments, to integration testing, and to system test and evaluation, including security certification and accreditation, for biometric systems. The Contractor shall also provide independent verification and validation through the monitoring and evaluation of projects via activities including, but not limited to, project assessments, process and procedure audits, project and performance management, and systems analysis and design.

Functional Category 3 Technology Management
The Contractor shall provide expertise to support the integration of proven newer biometric technologies into current DoD applications and to support the upgrading of existing application to meet current industry standards. The Contractor shall test biometric products against documented performance criteria. They will conduct an independent testing program, creating a Qualified Products List (QPL) that will certify biometric products suitable for security and access control and other security purposes. Other testing services will be provided to satisfy specific agency requirements and will be tailored for those purposes. The Contractor will support the analysis for future acquisition needs and provide technology forecasts involving technology development based on the DoDs future deployment strategies. This will involve the creation of technology prototypes for technology demonstration projects. The Contractor will provide the necessary strategy development for the ongoing forward planning for the integration of new technologies, concepts and organizations in support of the DoD biometric deployment strategy, implementation, integration, and software application maintenance.

4. Advisory Multi-Step
The AMS is being conducted to allow potential offerors to submit qualifying documentation demonstrating their corporate qualifications that will allow the Government to advise them about their potential to be viable competitors for a specific acquisition. The AMS process is accomplished at minimal cost to the vendors and government by asking the vendors to submit limited information that focuses on the vendors Corporate Capability and Experience. The Government will evaluate all responses in accordance with the published criteria, and advise each offeror in writing whether they will be invited to participate in the resultant acquisition or, based on the information submitted, they are unlikely to be a viable competitor (including a general basis for that opinion). Notwithstanding the advice provided by the government, offerors identified as unlikely to be viable competitors may still participate in the resultant acquisition, as long as they recognize the inherent risks of doing so.

5. Submission Instructions

5.1 Offeror Questions
The Contracting Officer for this acquisition is William L. Giles, 703-325-5770, william.L.giles@us.army.mil. Please contact the above for any questions pertaining to this corporate capability request.

5.2 Format for Submissions
Potential offerors are requested to provide the information outlined below. Information beyond that requested is neither desired, nor will it be considered in the assessment.
All page limitations are based on single sided pages, 8 X 11 inch paper, single spaced, Arial or Times New Roman typeface no smaller than 12-point (smaller fonts are acceptable for graphics, figures, tables, footnotes and legends), 1 margins. Costly, complex presentations are neither required nor desired. Offerors will not be reimbursed for the cost of preparation of response to this AMS notice.

5.2.1 Submission Date, Time and Location
Electronic submissions shall be received no later than 4:00 p.m. EST on 6 June 2008 at the following email address william.L.giles@us.army.mil.

5.3 Content Requirements
All submissions must include the information described in Sections 5.3.1 and 5.3.3.
The response must be sufficient to permit an assessment of all criteria.

5.3.1 Corporate Capability
Provide a three-page corporate capability statement discussing why your company is well qualified to perform on the BOSS-R acquisition to include topics such as: organizational structure (to include company size, facility security level); management philosophy (to include methodology for employee recruitment, training, and retention); team management; and geographical scope. Indicate business classification (i.e., Small Business, 8(a), Woman-Owned Small Business). Does Company have facilities that could support provision of services in Washington Capital Area and Clarksburg, WV. Does offeror posses NAICS Code 541611?

5.3.2 Experience
The respondent shall identify contracts on which it has at least 12 months experience during the past three years. The functional categories as provided in paragraph 3.0 must be addressed in the discussion of Experience. Not all functional categories need to be addressed by a single contract. Each contract identified shall have at least a $500,000 annual dollar value (includes equipment and services). The contracts identified shall demonstrate the offerors performance, or responsibility for performance, of the functional categories (as further defined by the sub-functional categories) as stated in para 3.0 of this document.
a) For each identified contract, provide the following (this information may be provided in table format): PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED.
* Contract number
* Contract name
* Contract type
* Contract Period of performance
* Performance based (Y or N)
* Contracting Vehicle (i.e. ITES, GSA)
* Customer Agency (i.e.. Army, other DoD, other Federal Agency (i.e. DHS, FAA)
* Total dollar value of contract, to include Team members were responsible for; to include equipment and services
* Annual dollar value of equipment and services for each year
* Status on contract (prime or subcontractor)
* Geographic scope
* Summary of the contract (include depth and breadth of the work performed to include type of services performed under each functional category as listed in para 3.0.)
* Customer Points of Contact. (i.e. the program/project manager, contracting officer and a major end-user). Name, phone number, and e-mail address.
b) Page limit for Experience is not to exceed ten pages.

5.3.3 Company to Company Agreements
Use of Contractor Personnel in Support of the Advisory Multi-Step Evaluation
The Government may utilize Contractor employees in the Advisory Multi-Step Evaluation Process. They may have access to respondents-provided proprietary information provided in the Corporate Qualification submission. Respondents are required to enter into company-to-company agreements with the support Contractors, as provided in FAR 9.505-4(b), in accordance with which the support Contractors agree to protect the respondents proprietary information from unauthorized use or disclosure for as long as it remains proprietary, and to refrain from using the information for any purpose other than that for which it was furnished. Although the Government is not a party to these agreements between the companies, respondents must provide copies of such agreements to the Contracting Officer. The following Contractors will provide support for the evaluation:

Name of Company: Cogent Solutions
POC: Glen Adams
Company Address:
321 Wallace Street, Suite 2
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Phone: (540) 372-7707
GAdams711@Cogent-2000.com

Name of Company: Engineering, Management & Integration Inc. (EM&I)
POC: James Fitzwilliam
Company Address:
455 Spring Park Place, Suite 350
Herndon, VA 20170
Phone: (703)742-0585
james.fitzwilliam@em-i.com

Name of Company: RTEC SERVICES LLC
POC: Barbara Romiti
Company Address:
8775 Centre Park Drive, #427
Columbia, MD 21045
Phone: 410-480-9830

Offerors shall submit a copy of each signed non-disclosure to the Contracting Officer with the Advisory Multi-Step submission.
Support Contractors are prohibited from participation in this acquisition, as an Offeror, or team member or subcontractor to an Offeror, including participation in the resulting contract as a subcontractor or team member.

6. Evaluation of the AMS CQP
The Government will evaluate viability based on an assessment of Corporate Capability and the extent of Experience in the functional categories.

7. Viability Notification
It is the Governments intent to provide advice to each respondent by letter whether or not considered to be a viable competitor. Viability notifications will be sent to respondents within in advance of release of RFP.

Note: The date has been changed for the Advisory Multi-Step (AMS) Corporate Qualifications submission. Additionally, a requirement has been added to provide company-to-company agreements with Contractors who may have access to AMS submissions. Please read below for the new submission date and instructions for additional submission requirements.

Submission Date, Time and Location:

Electronic submissions shall be received no later than 4:00 p.m. EST on 6 June 2008 at the following email address william.L.giles@us.army.mil.

Use of Contractor Personnel in Support of the Source Selection Process:

The Government may utilize Contractor employees in the Advisory Multi-Step Evaluation Process. They may have access to Offeror-provided proprietary information provided in the Corporate Qualification submission. Offerors are required to enter into company-to-company agreements with the support Contractors, as provided in FAR 9.505-4(b), in accordance with which the support Contractors agree to protect the Offeror's proprietary information from unauthorized use or disclosure for as long as it remains proprietary, and to refrain from using the information for any purpose other than that for which it was furnished. Although the Government is not a party to these agreements between the companies, Offerors must provide copies of such agreements to the Contracting Officer. The following Contractors will be providing support during the evaluation:

Name of Company: Cogent Solutions
POC: Glen Adams
Company Address:
321 Wallace Street, Suite 2
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Phone: (540) 372-7707
GAdams711@Cogent-2000.com

Name of Company: Engineering, Management & Integration Inc. (EM&I)
POC: James Fitzwilliam
Company Address:
455 Spring Park Place, Suite 350
Herndon, VA 20170
Phone: (703)742-0585
james.fitzwilliam@em-i.com

Name of Company: RTEC SERVICES LLC
POC: Barbara Romiti
Company Address:
8775 Centre Park Drive, #427
Columbia, MD 21045
Phone: 410-480-9830

Offerors shall submit 3 copies of the signed non-disclosure to the Contracting Officer with the Advisory Multi-Step submission.

Support Contractors are prohibited from participation in this acquisition, as an Offeror, or team member or subcontractor to an Offeror, including participation in the resulting contract as a subcontractor or team member.

This Notice is being issued to make the following changes to the Advisory Multi-Step Instructions.

1) Paragraph 3 (BOSS-R Scope) has been changed to read:

The scope of this acquisition has been defined in broad terms to support the expansive mission of the Biometrics requirement, but with sufficient detail to allow vendors to ascertain BTF Biometrics program requirements. The Contractor shall provide the full range of biometrics services, technical and management expertise, and solution-related enabling products the functional categories to meet the mission needs of the BTF. The Contractors shall furnish the necessary personnel, materials, equipment, facilities, travel, and other services required to satisfy the ordered biometric capabilities and solutions. While the requirement identifies three functional categories, the suite of resulting contracts is intended to satisfy the full range of biometric related requirements. With the pace of change it is impossible to anticipate how biometric requirements and individual programs will evolve over the life of the contracts. It is intended that the BOSS-R contract remains current and continues to provide the full range of biometrics capabilities/solutions and emerging technologies throughout its life. The Contractor shall provide solutions for one or more of the following functional categories.

2) Paragraph 5.3 (Content Requirements) has been changed to read:

All submissions must include the information described in Sections 5.3.1 and 5.3.2. The response must be sufficient to permit an assessment of all criteria.


NOTE:

Contractors entering into teaming arrangements for the purpose of this requirement should develop their response to the Advisory Multi-Step based on the capability of the Team.

BOSS-R DRAFT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL and ADVISORY MULTI-STEP NOTIFICATION

Draft Request for Proposal W91QUZ8BOSSR and Advisory Multi-Step Notification were posted on 9 May 2008 pusuant to the release of Request for Proposal (RFP) W91QUZ-08-R-0033. The Draft RFP and instructions for the Advisory Multi-Step can be found on the Army Single Face to Industry (ASFI) website, at https://acquisition.army.mil/asfi/. Once at the ASFI website select, Contracting Opportunities Search, and in the Solicitation Number box enter W91QUZ8BOSSR. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select continue. Double Click on W91QUZ8BOSSR-0000 to gain access to the Draft RFP and Advisory Multi-Step documents.

The Draft RFP and Advisory Multi-Step Instructions will not be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website.

The Biometrics Task Force (BTF) in coordination with the Army Contracting Agency, Information Technology E-Commerce and Commercial Contracting Center (ITEC-4) intends to release an (RFP) for the Biometrics Operations and Support Services - Restricted (BOSS-R) requirement on 9 June 2008.

This Draft RFP is for informational purposes only. The Government will not accept offers as a result of this Draft RFP. This Draft RFP doesnt include the Sample Task Orders and Price Model to be incorporated in the RFP.

Potential offerors are encouraged to provide constructive comments to the Draft RFP. In order for comments to be considered, they must be received prior to posting of the RFP. All comments to the Draft RFP should be directed via electronic mail to the Contracting Officer, William L. Giles at william.L.giles@us.army.mil. Offerors will not be reimbursed for submissions of comments.

NOTE: The Government intends to utilize an Advisory Multi-Step process in accordance with FAR 15.202 to allow the Government the opportunity to adviseofferors about their potential to be viable competitors. In order to participate in the Advisory Multi-Step process, potential prime contractors will respond to the Governments request to submit qualifying documentation demonstrating their experience and capabilities. The details of the request to submit capability information is attached. Offeror for the BOSS-R acquisition are required to submit corporate qualifications in response to this Advisory Multi-Step (AMS) requests.

The requested information will allow the BTF/ITEC4 evaluation team to determine the likelihood of each respondents ability to provide the services and supplies needed to fulfill the BTFs BOSS-R requirements. Based on an evaluation of each prospective offerors response, the firm will be notified as to whether they are considered a viable competitor for the BOSS-R contract. Notification of a prospective offerors non viability is advisory, and offerors so notified can submit proposals should they elect to do so. Instructions for submissions are in the attached Advisory Multi-Step Notification.

The BOSS-R requirement will be to support the Department of Defenses (DoD) enterprise Biometrics goals and will be set-aside for small businesses.

A multiple award IDIQ type contract vehicle will be used to allow the flexibility to issue task orders for specific requirements while providing a competitive environment throughout contract performance. The BOSS-R contract will have a three-year base period with two, one-year option periods. The total estimated value for the BOSS-R requirement is approximately $124 million.

The acquisition will be conducted under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15, Contracting by Negotiation. Multiple awards are anticipated under this IDIQ contract vehicle. Individual task orders will be competed among all BOSS-R contract holders in accordance with FAR Part 16. Clauses will be contained in the IDIQ contracts to allow for the issuance of task orders on a FFP and T&M/LH, and Cost Reimbursable basis. The BOSS-R contract will be performance-based.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the BOSS-R acquisition is 541611 (Administrative and General Management) under Sector 54 - Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, with a small business size standard of $6,500,000.00.

It is projected that the solicitation will be released approximately thirty days from posting of the Draft RFP. Submissions to the Advisory Multi-Step will be due on 26 May 2008. The Government will release viability notifications within two weeks of submissions.

All prospective offerors must have a Commercial and Government Entity Code (CAGE Code) and be actively registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at www.ccr.gov.

This notice serves to amend the Pre-Solicitation Notice issued on 14 March 2008, for solicitation W91QUZ-08-R-0033.

The Biometrics Task Force (BTF) in coordination with the Army Contracting Agency, Information Technology E-Commerce and Commercial Contracting Center (ITEC-4) intends to release a Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Biometrics Operations and Support Services - Restricted (BOSS-R) requirement. The Draft RFP will be posted on Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website, as # W91QUZ8BOSSR. The Draft RFP is to be released by 9 May 2008.

This requirement will be to support the Department of Defenses (DoD) enterprise Biometrics goals. The scope of this acquisition encompasses all requirements for Biometrics services, supplies, and related hardware/software required to support the DoDs Biometrics program and implement/manage Biometrics solutions. The BOSS-R acquisition will be set-aside for small businesses.

A multiple award IDIQ type contract vehicle will be used to allow the flexibility to issue task orders for specific requirements while providing a competitive environment throughout contract performance. The BOSS-R contract will have a three-year base period with two, one-year option periods. The total estimated value for the BOSS-R requirement is approximately $124 million.

The acquisition will be conducted under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15, Contracting by Negotiation. Several awards will be made to contractors under this multiple award IDIQ contract vehicle. Individual task orders will be competed among all BOSS-R contract holders in accordance with FAR Part 16. Clauses will be contained in the IDIQ contracts to allow for the issuance of task orders on a FFP and T&M/LH, and Cost Reimbursable basis. The BOSS-R contract will be performance-based.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the BOSS-R acquisition is 541611 (Administrative and General Management) under Sector 54 - Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, with a small business size standard of $6,500,000.00.

NOTE: The Government intends to utilize an Advisory Multi-Step process in accordance with FAR 15.202 to allow the Government the opportunity to adviseofferors about their potential to be viable competitors. In order to participate in the Advisory Multi-Step process, potential prime contractors will respond to the Governments forthcoming request to submit qualifying documentation demonstrating their experience and capabilities.

It is projected that the solicitation will be released approximately thirty days from posting of the Draft RFP. Submissions to the Advisory Multi-Step will be due on 26 May 2008. The Government will release viability notifications within two weeks of submissions.

All prospective offerors must have a Commercial and Government Entity Code (CAGE Code) and be actively registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at www.ccr.gov.

Vendors may access information and documentation regarding the BOSS-R acquisition through the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website, http://www.fedbizopps.gov/. If you require assistance with the FBO website please call 877-472-3779 or email fbo.support@gsa.gov.

The Biometrics Identity Management Agency (BIMA) in coordination with the Army Contracting Agency (ACA), Information Technology, E-Commerce and Commercial Contracting Center (ITEC4), intends to release a Draft Request For Proposal (RFP) for the Biome trics Operations and Support Services - Restricted (BOSS-R) requirement. This requirement will be to support the Department of Defenses (DoD) enterprise Biometrics goals. The scope of this acquisition encompasses all requirements for Biometrics services , supplies, and related hardware and software required to govern the DoDs Biometrics program and implement/manage Biometrics solutions. The BOSS-R acquisition will be set-aside for small businesses, and will result in a multiple award Indefinite Delivery I ndefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract vehicle.

It is projected that the functional and sub-functional areas will be as follows:

Technology Management
Technology forecasts
Analytical research into social impacts of biometrics
Trend s and patterns effecting acquisition and deployment of biometrics
Vulnerability assessments
Technology evaluation
Deployment and operational deployment analysis support
Prototyping

Independent Validation &Verification
Project assess ments,
Process and procedure audits
Project and performance management
Systems analysis and design

Management Support Services
Liaison Services
PMO support
Policy, Procedure, Guideline, Directive and Standards Development
Co mmunications Management

A multiple award ID/IQ type contract vehicle will be used to allow the flexibility to issue task orders for specific requirements while providing a competitive environment throughout contract performance. The BOSS-R contract will have a five-year base period with two, two-year option periods. The total estimated value for the BOSS-R requirement is $248 million.

The acquisition will be conducted under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15, Contracting by Nego tiation. Several awards will be made to contractors under this multiple award ID/IQ contract vehicle. The BOSS-R contract will be performance-based. Individual task orders will be competed among all BOSS-R contract holders in accordance with FAR Part 16. Clauses will be contained in the IDIQ contracts to allow for the issuance of task orders on a FFP and T&M/LH, and Cost Reimbursable basis.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the BOSS-R acquisition is 541611 ( Administrative and General Management) under Sector 54 - Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, with a small business size standard of $6,500,000.00.

NOTE: The Government intends to utilize an Advisory Multi-Step process in accordance wit h FAR 15.202 to allow the Government the opportunity to advise offerors about their potential to be viable competitors. In order to participate in the Advisory Multi-Step process, potential prime contractors will respond to the Governments forthcoming re quest to submit qualifying documentation demonstrating their experience and capabilities.

The Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) is projected to be released on 8 April 2008 along with the Advisory Multi-Step requirements. Submissions will be due on 7 May 2008. The Government will release viability notifications on 26 May 2008. These dates are subject to change.

All prospective offerors must have a Commercial and Government Entity Code (CAGE Code) and be actively registered in the Central Cont ractor Registration (CCR) at www.ccr.gov.

Vendors may access information and documentation regarding the BOSS-R acquisition through the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website, http://www.fedbizopps.gov/, or directly on the Army Single Face to Industry (ASFI) website, https://acquisition.army.mil/. To obtain pertinent information updates and notices to the acquisition as it progresses, please go to t he ATTACHMENTS link located at the bottom of the solicitation view page on the ASFI webpage. Each time information is updated on ASFI, the AMENDMENT NUMBER is incremented by one. If you require assistance with the FBO website please call 877-472-3779 or email fbo.support@gsa.gov.

To facilitate subcontracting, vendors seeking to act as subcontractors may provide their company name, POC, email, and phone number, and ask to be listed on the FBO website.

The Contracting Officer for this a cquisition is William L. Giles:

Army Contracting Agency/ITEC4
2461 Eisenhower Avenue, Room 984
Alexandria, VA 22331-1700
Phone: (703) 325-5770
E-mail: william.L.giles@us.army.mil:
FAX: (703) 428-9866