MODIFICATION
R -- Technical and Analytical Support for the US Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs
- Notice Date
- 7/2/2010
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- Contracting Office
- NBC - Acquisition Services Directorate 381 Elden Street, Suite 4000 Herndon VA 20170
- ZIP Code
- 20170
- Solicitation Number
- N10PS18256
- Response Due
- 7/14/2010
- Archive Date
- 7/2/2011
- Point of Contact
- Kimberly Luke Contracting Officer 7039643628 kimberly.luke@aqd.nbc.gov;
- E-Mail Address
-
Point of Contact above, or if none listed, contact the IDEAS EC HELP DESK for assistance
(EC_helpdesk@NBC.GOV)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- TECHNICAL QUESTIONS In the RFP the Government indicates that the contractor will "maintain the Air Force Toolbox of future weapons systems and capability descriptions for use in these games to include testing the existing database to determine the extent and scope of the problems with the Toolbox."Question 1. Are there currently problems with the Tool Box's operation, performance and/or technologies (database)? If so what are they?Answer 1. The toolbox is difficult to update. There are less than 1,000 entries in various states of currency. The Tool Box requires a special script run by administrators due to software updates to server. The current Toolkits don't run correctly Question 2. When was the last time the Tool Box was tested and what were the results?Answer 2. The Tool Box has not been tested. Only band aid repair has been accomplished. In the RFP the Government indicates that the contractor will be responsible for "updating the system [Tool Box] to ensure compatibility with Air Force relational database management systems and servers"Question 3. Is the Tool Box currently incompatible with AF RDBMS and servers? If, so in what way?Answer 3. The Tool Box is currently incompatible due to software changes. Only administrators have authority to run scripts. These scripts are often hit or miss. Software is cold-fusion and an oracle database. Question 4. What version(s) of information technology are the Tool Box's component parts developed from?Answer 4. Oracle relational database running on a cold-fusion backbone server. Access is web-based. In the RFP the Government indicates the contractor will provide "training to database users and providing technical documentation and additional training to allow AF/A8XC to assume control and maintenance of database upon completion of task" Question 5. What type of database is the Tool Box? Answer 5: Oracle relational database running on a cold-fusion backbone server. Access is web-based. Question 6. Approximately how many users will be trained and when?Answer 6. Not more than two should receive training. Training should be made available within 2-3 months of contract award. It is preferred to have the vendor develop a step-by-step user guide for both administers and users. Question 77. Does "assume control and maintenance" mean that the contractor will train the Government to technically maintain the database? to maintain the data within? or both? Answer 7. It is intended that the contractor will maintain the integrity of the program to run correctly during the contract period. Routine maintenance should be done quarterly to update the database as information becomes dated. In the RFP the Government indicates that contractor efforts will generate the cause and the extent of Tool Box errors, "resulting in the modification of the current application or in the development of a replacement system"Question 8. Is the modification of the current Tool Box database system within the scope of this effort?Answer 8. It will be up to the contractor to determine to extent of errors and correct them, and subsequently maintain the integrity of the program and perform quarterly updates and maintenance. The contractor should be ready to present options to the government of courses of action to repair the system and maintain health during the contracted period. Question 9. If required, is the replacement of the Tool Box within the scope of this effort?Answer 9: Replacement is within the scope of this effort. Question 10. What skill sets and numbers of personnel (by skill set) currently support the Tool Box?Answer 10: A GS-12 position is dedicated to support day-to-day operations of the toolbox. Statement of Work Paragraph 4.1, page II-2 and 6, page II-8Question 11. Do the workshops and seminars require discussion of classified data?Answer 11: Yes, the workshops often require discussion of classified data. The information in the database is currently unclassified and access is via unclassified. The Government normally request users to have a.mil address. Section II, Page 6 refers to the CIPL and EA databases. Question 12. Would the government please provide explanations of these databases?Answer 12. The Combatant Commander Integrated Priority List (IPL) database is the AF's assessment of program support to the IPLs. The database is updated annually and includes COCOM IPL capability gaps, and support ratings/rationale and program support for each IPL. The database is used to inform program deliberations and advocate the AF program. Executive Agent (EA) database lists the information for all the AF's DoD Executive Agent designations. The database is used for reference and to provide the data behind the abstracts for the AF's EA responsibilities on the OSD EA website. Question 13. Does CIPL stand for COCOM Integrated Priorities List and does EA stand for Executive Agent database? Answer 13. Yes Section II, page 9 states the contractor shall "ensure full functionality of all user and administrative tools present prior to the award of this contract." Question 14: Does the Government require Offerors to perform work prior to contract award? If not, what does this mean?Answer 14: Contract award must occur first, and full functionality of all user and administrative tools would follow. It is important for offerers to state when functionally is projected to occur. The toolkit must be fully functional NLT 1 Nov 2010. Question 15. Is there an estimate of the percentage of work that will be on-site (in an A8 office) vs off-site (contractor facility)?Answer 15: This is dependent on the task order requirements. Section 1 - Page 2 of RFP indicates "Significant experience with Application Design, Planning, Integration, Operations and Support" required. Question 16. Does the work involve designing, planning, and integrating Applications?Answer 16: With regard to the AF Toolbox, designing and planning are envisioned as a part to improve the performance of the Toolbox. Section 1 - Page 2 of RFP indicates "Significant experience with Large Volume, High Transaction, Complex Systems". Question 17. Which Complex Systems are referred here?Answer 17: There are many systems that may need to be addressed at the Task Order level. The contractor must show experience in complex systems. Question 18: Will the customer provide the IT system required to support the Futures Capabilities Game events or will this contract award include the design and procurement of the IT system?Answer 18. The government retains the option to place task orders requesting IT support for the futures game. Procurement of an IT system is not envisioned. Question 19. What is the current database architecture of the Air Force toolbox?Answer 19: The toolbox database resides on a cold-fusion server containing less than 15M of active data. Back-up services are essential. There is archive and other data available summing to less than 100M but expandable to 500M. It is available to users via a web-based application. Question 20. I do not see any technical attributes like SharePoint or MS Surface?Answer 20: This would be based on the Contractor's technical approach to the task order statement of work provided. Section II 4.1 paragraph for it states that the working groups are to be created and managed by the contractor, however the location is not mentioned. Question 21. Do the sessions travel or are they at a fixed location.Answer 21: Yes, there is travel involved with the various locations in CONUS. Question 22. If they are at a fixed location then is this a contractor supplied or government supplied location?Answer 22:. Facilities are a mix of contractor and government provided. Each will be determined at the task order level. 5.3 Paragraph 4 states that contractor will provide press releases (applicable to A8PS).Question 23: Are these briefings also require a lecture or meeting to the members?Answer 23: This will be determined at the task order level. Question 24: Please clarify the requirement regarding "facility clearances" within the solicitation document.Answer 24: Facility clearances will be determined at the task order level dependent on the requirements of the Statement of Work. Question 25. Is the Air Force sponsoring SCIFs for this program? Answer 25: This will be determined at the task order level. Question 26: Are potential offerors required to maintain a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility? If so, will the government offer sponsorship for SCIF accreditation and other clearance processes required under this program?Answer 26: This will be determined at the task order level. Section II, page 5 refers to A8PL. The May 2010 organization chart for A8 does not show A8PL.Question 27: Is this a new division or a disbanded division? Answer 27: A8PL was disbanded. However, A8PB (a brand new division in A8) subsumes most of the responsibilities and A8PE consumes the rest. Question 28: Would the Government please provide further explanation of A8PL and how it should be addressed in the RFP? Answer 28: A8PL is now disbanded. A8PB now takes these responsibilities (per II-5):- [A8PB] "Produces timely and efficient quantitative and qualitative analysis of AF programs, resources, and capabilities using government-owned IT and web based tools. [A8PB] performs technical analysis to ensure that all aerospace vehicle disposition and migration plans and associated actions are accomplished." - [A8PB] "is responsible for ensuring all Force Activity Designator (FAD) and associated actions are accomplished and technical and analytical support to ensure maintenance of the classified CIPL database." - [A8PE] ensures maintenance of the USAF EA database by providing support to the AF EA corporate review process and preparing an AF EA analysis report. Ensure all Program Change Requests (PCRs) and associated actions are accomplished.Additional RFP-related items are: A8PB develops and maintains all databases and tools for AF/A8P. These tools are Basing Action Request Tracker, Aircraft Disposition Website, COCOM IPL website, Executive Agent website, Force Structure Announcement generator, Weapon System Roadmap generator, Corporate Structure Suite, and other applications. Section 5.2 (Page II-5) references AF/A8PL - Combat Support and Analysis Division. It is our understanding that this division is now A8PB - Strategic Basing Decision and includes responsibilities not included in the description on Page II-5.Question 29. Does the Government want a response to the section as written or can they provide a clarification focused on responding to the A8PB division's increased range of responsibility?AF/A8PB is a division that falls under AF/A8P. AF/A8PB, Strategic Basing Division: The Strategic Basing Division provides AF senior leadership with a strategic basing process that is defendable, repeatable and transparent. It supports SAF/IEI on all congressional basing inquiries, serves as SB-ESG secretariat, ensures all TFI and BRAC events are coordinated and synchronized, generates basing decision memoranda, provides policy and guidance, develops and maintains all databases and tools for AF/A8P, develops Weapon System Roadmaps, and assist Force Structure Announcement development. Additionally, it acts as the AF single point for all basing and hosts and facilitates Basing Request Review Panel. A8PB develops and maintains all databases and tools for AF/A8P. These tools are Basing Action Request Tracker, Aircraft Disposition Website, COCOM IPL website, Executive Agent website, Force Structure Announcement generator, Weapon System Roadmap generator, Corporate Structure Suite, and other applications (including developing applications that A8PB could use and interfacing with AF databases/systems). Question 30. Can the Government confirm that while they list several A8P divisions under Section 5 on Page II-4, are they only looking for a response related to the functions specifically covered under Paragraphs 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 of the RFP?Answer 30: Section 5.2 should include:5.2 AF/A8PB, Strategic Basing DivisionThe Strategic Basing Division provides AF senior leadership with a strategic basing process that is defendable, repeatable and transparent. It supports SAF/IEI on all congressional basing inquiries, serves as SB-ESG secretariat, ensures all TFI and BRAC events are coordinated and synchronized, generates basing decision memoranda, provides policy and guidance, develops and maintains all databases and tools for AF/A8P, develops Weapon System Roadmaps, and assist Force Structure Announcement development. Additionally, it acts as the AF single point for all basing and hosts and facilitates Basing Request Review Panel.- A8PB produces timely and efficient quantitative and qualitative analysis of AF programs, resources, and capabilities using government-owned IT and web based tools. [A8PB] performs technical analysis to ensure that all aerospace vehicle disposition and migration plans and associated actions are accomplished."- A8PB is responsible for ensuring all Force Activity Designator (FAD) and associated actions are accomplished and technical and analytical support to ensure maintenance of the classified CIPL database."- A8PB develops and maintains all databases and tools for AF/A8P. These tools are Basing Action Request Tracker, Aircraft Disposition Website, COCOM IPL website, Executive Agent website, Force Structure Announcement generator, Weapon System Roadmap generator, Corporate Structure Suite, and other applications (including integrating other AF databases/systems to build applications that A8PB could use).
- Web Link
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FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/affb26e5b0a7bc7ec537ab1ec61bd569)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Washington, DC
- Zip Code: 203301070
- Zip Code: 203301070
- Record
- SN02195550-W 20100704/100702234427-affb26e5b0a7bc7ec537ab1ec61bd569 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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