SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Independent Technical Assessment for the SAM Project
- Notice Date
- 7/21/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541512
— Computer Systems Design Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Veterans Affairs;Center for Acquisition Innovation-Austin;1701 Directors Blvd;Suite 600;Austin TX 78744
- ZIP Code
- 78744
- Solicitation Number
- VA798A10RI0331
- Response Due
- 7/28/2010
- Archive Date
- 8/12/2010
- Point of Contact
- Cory Price, E-mail: Cory.Price@va.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
correspondence.<br
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- INTRODUCTION: This is not a solicitation. As part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) market research process, this is a request for information (RFI) to assist us in developing an acquisition strategy for a potential future requirement associated with the Strategic Asset Management (SAM) pilot project. More specifically, VA is seeking industry input related to performance of an Independent Technical Assessment (ITA) of VA's Strategic Asset Management (SAM) pilot project. BACKGROUND: VA's SAM system is charged with establishing a centralized repository and tool for requisitioning, purchasing, tracking and disposing of assets, supply inventories and related work management in a single system accessible throughout the department. VA is implementing IBM's Maximo Enterprise Suite as its enterprise asset management platform for personal property assets, supply inventories, and work management. VA is currently working with a contractor on the development of a SAM pilot capability at VA facilities in Milwaukee, WI. The SAM pilot project has recently completed its critical design review and is scheduled to undergo a user review of the capability developed to date in August 2010. Assuming a successful user review a "Go Live" date of March 2011 is anticipated for the complete pilot capability. The scope of the anticipated task is to perform an ITA of VA's Strategic Asset Management (SAM) pilot project The functional areas of expertise required to perform this task include Acquisition Support, Measurement & Analysis, Performance & Dependability, Predictability by Construction, Process & Performance Improvement, Risk & Opportunity Management, Security & Survivability, Software Architecture, Software Product Lines, Systems Interoperability and Ultra-Large-Scale Systems. The contractor will support the SAM project office and VA senior leadership by conducting an ITA of the SAM system and SAM project management processes. The goal of this task is to assess risks related to system deployment and to provide recommended actions based on assessment of the risks. The areas explored by the ITA will be: (1) People including process knowledge, product knowledge, organization knowledge/context, and program history; (2) Process including technical processes and management processes; and (3) Product including usability, deployability, and maintainability. Specifically, the ITA shall examine: (1) Software engineering practices; conformance to the VA Program Management Accountability System (PMAS). (2) Relationship between project office, contractor(s), test community, user community; personnel stability and morale; acceptance and implementation of the project's operational structure. (3) Appropriateness of processes-including, but not limited to: CM/DM, systems engineering, document management, risk management, change management, integration, test, QA, contractor/subcontractor management. (4) Feasibility of and performance against current and proposed schedules; viability of test environment/test approach (informal, formal DT and formal OT). The ITA will require a post-award conference and a brief environment scan to familiarize the contractor with the project (operational structure, etc.) followed by a review of project documentation and interviews with key staff in Milwaukee, WI, Washington, DC and other VA sites where project support is provided. As part of the assessment, the assessment team may also attend a user review demonstration of the software in August 2010. The output of the assessment will include an interim briefing assessing risks related to system deployment and project management and recommended actions to be delivered to SAM project stakeholders within 60 day of award and a final written report assessing risks related to system deployment and recommended actions to be issued to SAM project stakeholders and senior VA officials within 90 days of award. The following items will be provided by VA for the ITA: (1) Current project office operational structure, phone lists and email addresses of project office staff and applicable contractor staff. (2) Temporary rooms to permit effective interviewing and document reviews. (3) Access to documentation. (The documentation may exist in hard copy, soft copy, tool extracts, etc.) (4) Access to project office, contractor staff and other key stakeholders for interviews as required. SAM project office involvement will be essential in conducting and completing this ITA. INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM INDUSTRY: Interested parties must provide information for the following areas: 1) An overview of the interested parties' ability to perform an ITA for the SAM project. 2) An overview of the interested parties' experience conducting similar ITAs, such as assessments of the development and deployment of major systems for other public concerns. Include expertise in the functional areas of Acquisition Support, Measurement & Analysis, Performance & Dependability, Predictability by Construction, Process & Performance Improvement, Risk & Opportunity Management, Security & Survivability, Software Architecture, Software Product Lines, Systems Interoperability and Ultra-Large-Scale Systems. 3) Interested parties must confirm their ability to provide an initial assessment within 60 days of award, a final report within 90 days of award and any follow on activities within 120 days of award. 4) Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) - Interested parties must identify all contracts or subcontracts that will have OCI implications which limit performance of the ITA. The ITA is considered advisory and assistance services subject to FAR Subpart 37.2. Interested parties are advised that in accordance with FAR Subpart 9.5 appropriate OCI provisions and clauses will be included in any acquisition resulting from this RFI which will restrict participation on any future acquisitions related to the SAM project. In performing the ITA, the contractor will occupy a highly influential position in determining the course of the SAM project which could put the contractor in a position to make recommendations or decisions favoring its own products or services. In performing the ITA, the contractor will obtain access to proprietary data belonging both VA and other companies. Access to proprietary information from other companies will require execution of agreements to protect their information from unauthorized use or disclosure. 5) A Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimate for accomplishing the ITA, with information on how the ROM was determined. 6) Available contract vehicles that would allow for the most expeditious means of award such as GSA schedules and GWACS. 7) Statement of whether your firm is classified as a large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, HUBZone business, woman-owned small business, veteran-owned small business or service disabled veteran-owned small business in the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 541512. SPECIFIC RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS: Please submit your response to this RFI in accordance with the following: (1) "White" paper format with no more than 5 pages (excluding transmittal page) Include the name, email address and phone number of the appropriate representative of your company; (2) Address each of the seven topics described above; (3) Submit your response via email to Diana.Armesto@va.gov and Cory.Price@va.gov; (4) Submit your response by 1:00 P.M. Central Time on July 28, 2010; (5) Mark your response as "Proprietary Information" if the information is considered business sensitive. ROAD AHEAD: White Paper responses submitted by interested firms will be used as part of market research by VA representatives to develop possible acquisition alternatives, should this announcement lead to an actual procurement. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Any contract that might be awarded based on information received or derived from this RFI will be the outcome of the competitive process. This announcement is based upon the best information available, is subject to future modification, is not a request for proposal, and in no way commits the Government to award of a contract. VA will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this RFI.
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