SOURCES SOUGHT
D -- Automate Road Test
- Notice Date
- 12/19/2007
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 491110
— Postal Service
- Contracting Office
- United States Postal Service, Supplies and Services Purchasing, Information Technology CMC, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW Room 4541, Washington, DC, 20260-6238, UNITED STATES
- ZIP Code
- 20260-6238
- Solicitation Number
- 12182007
- Response Due
- 1/18/2008
- Point of Contact
- Sheila Redmond, Purchasing Specialist, Phone 202-268-4895, Fax null, - Donald Hadley, Purchasing and Supply Management Specialist, Phone 202-268-3698, Fax 202-268-3677
- E-Mail Address
-
sheila.redmond@usps.gov, donald.w.hadley@usps.gov
- Description
- Request for Information: Portable, Automated Exam Data Collection Postal Service Background The United States Postal Service (USPS) administers and maintains a number of pre-hire and post-training examinations for purposes of evaluating applicants and employees? job-related qualifications and training. Included among those examinations are three that require examiners to observe examinees performing specific job-related activities and record observed behaviors: the Initial Road Test (Examination 804), the End-of-training Road Test (Examination 806), and the Automotive Bench Test (Examination 941). The USPS is interested in automating the recording of examination behaviors, in order to further expedite data capture and scoring. Scope and Objectives of Request for Information The USPS wishes to obtain information about innovative, portable automated solutions for recording and transmitting assessment data. The USPS does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to pay for the information solicited. This solicitation is issued for the purposes of obtaining general information about products, services and suppliers. A formal request for proposals may be developed based on responses to this Request for Information (RFI). Request for Information Process Synopsis (e.g., how questions will be answered) Suppliers may submit questions to the USPS within ten business days of the posting date of this RFI. USPS will respond to the questions within five business days. Suppliers must then submit RFI responses to USPS no later than 10 business days after the USPS question responses are posted. USPS may follow-up with suppliers to request additional information. A structured process will be used to allow all suppliers to respond to questions where appropriate. Instructions to Suppliers for Filling out Request for Information (format and templates for certain information) The following are instructions for formatting responses to this RFI: ? There is no limit on the response length, but responses should be concise and focused on the information requested in this RFI. ? Responses must be formatted using the questions under ?Questions for Suppliers to Answer? as sub-headings. Information Requirements In addition to responding to the RFI questions, please provide the information requested below. Company and Contact Information 1. Company name and address 2. Contact name, title, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address 3. Organizational history and capabilities statement Capabilities: 1. Provide a summary of your company?s relevant experience in similar or related projects. Provide at least two client references, including contact information and a brief description of contracts or related projects applicable. 2. Describe and provide examples of your company?s experience with the design and administration of automated assessment solutions. 3. Provide a brief summary of quality assurance procedures used in similar or related projects undertaken by your company. Questions for Suppliers to Answer Suppliers must respond to question #1 and/or question #2 below. For each question addressed, responses to probes #a-f must be included. Responding to question #3 is desired but optional. 1. What hardware solutions are available and could be used for administering these exams? a. How does the hardware work? b. What is the expected per-unit cost? c. What are the benefits and limitations of this hardware solution? d. Would there be complications with using the hardware for other purposes, in addition to the exam? e. What steps would be necessary to implement such a solution, and how long does each of these steps generally take? f. What other information is available regarding this hardware solution that we should consider? 2. What software solutions are available and could be used with the available hardware? a. How does the software work? b. What are some examples of user interfaces? c. How is information transferred from the software to another database? d. How is information security typically maintained? e. How does this software differ, if at all, from other software used for examination purposes? f. What steps would be necessary to implement such a solution, and how long does each of these steps generally take? g. What other information is available regarding this software solution that we should consider? 3. What additional questions should we be asking regarding potential software/hardware solutions? Postal Service Information The U.S. Postal Service currently has three work-sample examinations that are administered in a one-on-one environment, where the examiner observes the examinee and records observed, exam-related behaviors. Currently, the behaviors are recorded on a scannable form, then the form is scanned and a score is generated. We are interested in seeking solutions to automate this process. Two of the examinations are driving exams, where the examiner is riding in the passenger side of a moving vehicle while recording observed behaviors. The third examination is an automotive maintenance exam, where the examiner is observing the examinee in a workroom environment. Because of the mobile nature of the examination administrations, it is important that the automated solution also be mobile, such as a laptop, electronic notepad, digital pen or handheld display device. Further, the driving exam form includes over 100 behaviors and the behaviors are not performed sequentially. Therefore, the form or interface needs to allow for examiners to easily view and read test items, quickly navigate among and locate the appropriate items, and record them while sitting in a moving vehicle. An examinee?s score is calculated by combining the values of the behaviors observed (or not observed), following a pre-determined scoring algorithm. Examinees pass or fail as a result of their exam score, based on a pre-set passing score. We are seeking an automated solution to use for administering these examinations. We are interested in learning about automated solutions that offer one or more of the following benefits: 1. A portable device that can be held, carried, viewed and accessed in a moving vehicle and in a work room. 2. A user-friendly interface for examiners to view behavioral statements and mark when observed or not observed. 3. Automated exam scoring. 4. Data transfer to a central database. Schedule of Request for Information Time Frame Action Day 1 Request for Information (RFI) posted 10 business days Suppliers submit questions 5 business days USPS posts responses to supplier questions 5 business days Suppliers submit response to RFI 20 business days USPS reviews suppliers responses 5 business days USPS submits questions to suppliers 5 business days Suppliers submit written responses to USPS questions 5 business days If needed, USPS and suppliers attend online question & answer session, to allow suppliers to respond to USPS questions Standards and Guidelines The supplier shall comply with USPS standards and guidelines, Postal Service Security Policies, procedures and applicable federal laws. The Supplier shall comply with the USPS hardware and software standards as documented by the following USPS handbooks, management instructions, and documentation: ? USPS Handbook AS-353, Guide to Privacy and the Freedom of Information Act ? USPS Handbook AS-508, Section 508 ? USPS Handbook AS-802, Postal Computing Operations Standards ? USPS Handbook AS-805, Information Security ? USPS Handbook AS-812, Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) Naming Standards and Guidelines ? USPS Handbook AS-816, Open VMS Security ? USPS Handbook AS-820, Postal Computing Environment ? USPS Handbook AS-873, Telecommunications Services ? USPS Handbook AS-885, USPS.com Development Process and Standards ? Cisco Router Standards, Hardening ? Cisco Switches Standards, Hardening ? Oracle Standards, Server Hardening Standards for Oracle Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) CR1224600 ? Integrated Solutions Methodology (ISM) ? Administrative Support Manual (ASM), Chapter 8 ? Management Instruction AS-820-2004-6, The Advance Computing Environment ? Management Instruction AS-841-2004-11, ISM/System Development Life Cycle ? Management Instruction AS-850-2002-10, Information Technology Change and Configuration Management ? Management Instruction AS-850-2002-13, Naming Standards for Devices on the Postal Service Management Network Services (MNS) Network and Implementation of Asset Management ? Management Instruction AS-850-2003-12, Field Applications: Development and Retention ? Management Instruction AS-860-2002-6, Obtaining and Evaluating Information Technology Hardware and Software Products for a Trial Period ? Management Instruction AS-860-2003-2, Data Stewardship: Data Sharing Roles and Responsibilities ? Management Instruction AS-860-2004-11, Printers ? Purchase, Use and Maintenance ? Management Instruction AS-861-2004-12, Enterprise Architecture (EA) ? Management Instruction AS-870-2005-2, Electronic Messaging (e-mail) ? Management Instruction AS-885-2002-15, Managing Web Sites on the Corporate Internet ? Postal Bulletin 22154 (5/12/05), Managing Software Technology Solutions Database Security Requirements The supplier will ensure policies and corresponding safeguards are implemented that provide adequate and appropriate protection of information resources and a secure environment that protects information entrusted to it in accordance with privacy laws, regulations and due diligence standards for the protection of information resources and the information entrusted to it. The supplier will comply with USPS standards and guidelines, Postal Service Security Policies, procedures and applicable federal laws During the term of any Agreement, supplier will provide a copy of its computer security policy and any updates as requested by USPS. The supplier will confirm the existence and implementation of information security policies and procedures, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Effective security administration that implements management constraints, operational procedures, and supplemental controls established to provide adequate protection of information resources 2. Enforceable acceptable use standards 3. Access to information based on ?need to know,? ?least privilege,? and ?access by exception? 4. Access identification and authentication, including strong password protection 5. Effective access account management 6. Adequate facility and environmental security, including a site security review 7. Procedures and a process for automated purging of any and all stored, secure data including, but not limited to applicants? personally identifiable information, test-taker responses, and test scores. 8. Security awareness disseminations 9. Audit logging of operational and security-related events 10. ?Defense in depth Layered defense? architecture for information protection. The ?defense in depth? includes, but is not limited to, effective access account management; network perimeter protection via firewalls. intrusion detection system (lDS), optionally an intrusion prevention system (IPS); current anti-virus software on servers and workstations/clients, and remote access only via secure connections 11. Business continuity planning, including contingency plans, disaster recovery plans, and backup of information resources, which ensure high availability 12. Employees having access to the entrusted information will possess the requisite security clearance as required by United States Postal Inspection Service and USPS policy. Supplier will promptly report security incidents to USPS and the US Postal Inspection Service, including system/network intrusions, or installation of malware or other events that could compromise the privacy of the information entrusted to it. Supplier will purge the entrusted information, to include original or copied information, as instructed by USPS and will allow the USPS to visually and electronically audit and validate the purging process to ensure its conformity with USPS policies and standards. Suppliers who do not have direct access to the USPS ?Blue? network should contact the USPS Program Manager. The Program Manager can provide advice on standard and guideline applicability and interpretation. USPS Request for Information Provision A-2: Solicitation for Information or Planning Purposes (March 2006) A. The Postal Service does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to pay for the information solicited. B. This solicitation is issued for the purpose of: providing a hardware/software solution for exam observance. Instruction for the Preparation of Request for Information The contractor shall submit the written responses electronically in Microsoft Word 6.0 with a minimum font size of ten (10). The written response should be comprised of separate response to business solution/questions and any additional information required; response to provide cost is optional. Responses should not exceed ten (10) pages. Please use MS Excel format for submitting cost/price proposals. pricing. Proposals must be submitted by no later than 1/18/08. Send proposals to Sheila.Redmond@usps.gov. NOTE: THIS NOTICE MAY HAVE POSTED ON FEDBIZOPPS ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE ITSELF (19-DEC-2007). IT ACTUALLY APPEARED OR REAPPEARED ON THE FEDBIZOPPS SYSTEM ON 07-MAR-2008, BUT REAPPEARED IN THE FTP FEED FOR THIS POSTING DATE. PLEASE CONTACT fbo.support@gsa.gov REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
- Web Link
-
Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.fbo.gov/spg/USPS/SSP/ITP/12182007/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW Washington, DC
- Zip Code: 20260-6238
- Country: UNITED STATES
- Zip Code: 20260-6238
- Record
- SN01527634-F 20080309/080307231707 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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