1.  Appendices- B- please verify if NOAA has permanent or long term
    temporary offices outside the US and its possessions that will be
    supported by this contract. If so indicate the agency and location

    1.  Not at this time

2.  Will there be a need for talent management and succession planning
    during this process of change?

    1.  Nothing specific

3.  As the transformation advances, how will cultural change and
    business process issues be managed?

    1.  Same as our current IT governance process.

4.  How will the new workforce with integrated functions, missions,
    systems and portfolio management be designed and managed from a
    human capital perspective?

    1.  Same as our current process.

5.  Will there be a need to perform a workforce strategy with
    organization design, gap analysis and skills assessment up front and
    during the transformation?

    1.  Yes

6.  When will the comprehensive Human Capital Strategy be developed that
    aligns people with current and future missions?

    1.  Still be vetted.

7.  Is there an internal training office currently supporting the IT
    department in their development needs? Are there training authoring
    tools we should be aware of? LMS?

    1.  Not at this time.

8.  Approximately how many users? Will this be a phased approach?

    1.  N/A

9.  Who will be the overall sponsor for the effort?

    1.  NOAA CIO

10. What is the overall desired timeline to achieve the transformation?
    What are the primary drivers for the transformation? Are there
    external drivers which may influence the timeline?

    1.  Transformation is a continual process. Legislation, policy and
        direction are the key drivers.

11. A list of the current NOAA-certified standard business software, as
    well as a description of the process by which application become
    NOAA-certified should be provided to the bidders.

    1.  Our standards are based on FEA and FDCC.

12. The pillar associated with Leveraging Resources should include
    environmental stewardship requirements related to the acquisition,
    operations and disposal of IT assets (as is mentioned under the
    Strengthen Strategic Partnerships pillar).

    1.  N/A

13. Conflicts of Interest: Keep an eye out for the potential conflicts
    of interest, which will have to be addressed in your Acquisition
    plan, for instance, Risk associated with 1) Option of selecting 1
    vendor to manage the entire program with multiple vendors award
    components of progam; or 2) multiple awards and the need for all
    vendors to work seamlessly together. There are other areas where
    OCIs occur which also must be thought out. Work with your legal team
    to identify. Something you can reference for awareness of OCI issues
    is this article:
    http://www.ncmahq.org/Publications/CMMArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=3888
    {Babs says its long but a good article}

    1.  N/A

14. The draft Statement of Requirements offers vendors the opportunity
    to provide a wide variety of solutions. The RFP's evaluation
    criteria should be broad enough to allow for innovative solutions
    yet have enough standards in place to evenly compare the range of
    responses.

    1.  N/A

15. Can the companies that take part in the development and deployment
    of NOAALink bid in response to solicitations issued from the system?

    1.  N/A

16. Does the Government contemplate reengineering these processes as
    part of the scope of the NOAA Link project?

    1.  Yes

17. Can this documentation be made available to the bidders as part of
    the solicitation?

    1.  Yes

18. Is there documentation addressing NOAA's current business processes
    that are relevant to NOAA Link?

    1.  No

19. What form of performance based contract(s) is/are contemplated?

    1.  N/A

20. Which elements of NOAA Link will be multiple awards?

    1.  N/A

21. What are the scopes (tasks, deliverables and duration) of Phases 1
    and 2 of NOAA Link?

    1.  N/A

22. Strategic Sourcing requires the integration of enterprise technology
    with end-to-end asset management and integrated logistics system
    technology. Will the government award the same Prime contractor
    responsible for Technology Infrastructure implementation with the
    award to implement Strategic Sourcing, asset management, and
    integrated logistics systems if more than one award is made?

    1.  N/A

23. The NOAALink paradigm states that the design, deployment, operation,
    and transformation of NOAA's metasystems must function as an
    integrated complex system. With this paradigm shift "operational
    (mission) needs constrain and drive technical solutions, not vice
    versa". This statement creates a conflict. Lines of Business will
    view their parochial interests as "operational (mission) needs" and
    resist the standardization and efficiency that accompany enterprise
    architecture. How will NOAA leadership present standardization (and
    the accompanying efficiencies) as non- negotiable across the NOAA
    Lines of Business?

    1.  Through the Enterprise Architecture.

24. Under the Shared One NOAA Vision, how will the government ensure
    that the technology infrastructure for the NOAA enterprise will be
    compatible with Value Added Services, Capabilities (e.g.,
    eSourcing), Web-based Transaction capability, Network services,
    Database services, Workstation services, and Security requirements
    if the NOAALink contract is awarded to multiple Prime contractors?

    1.  Through the EA

25. NOAA has stated that it is looking for innovative solutions. Service
    excellence and low cost is available through technology that is
    provided in exchange for reduced number of contractor personnel
    sitting at workstations. For exceptional service level performance,
    does the government require the same number of seats to be filled
    with contractor personnel in order to fund the contract adequately;
    or will the government accept high performance technology with
    drastically seduced contractor FTEs?

    1.  Yes

26. NOAA has stated that it is looking for innovative solutions. One of
    the best practices for technology integration is the Service Tower
    approach. Does the government view that the Service Tower approach
    to technology integration for NOAALink is preferred?

    1.  N/A

27. Performance measures that are described as "customer satisfaction"
    measures are viewed favorably in proposals, but have specific costs
    that the government customer views as excessive. How important to
    NOAA are customer satisfaction measures that would become part of
    the service level agreements established for the NOAALink contract?

    1.  Very important

28. We recommend NOAA follow best practices in requiring that all
    bidders should stand alone on competing for NOAA Link. Contractors
    in the 517110 NAICS code should be able to support NOAA Link without
    relying on a team of large business subcontractors. We believe that
    the prime contractor should have to show their ability to meet all
    of the requirements and have past performance of similar size,
    scope, and complexity to prove their capability. This strategy gives
    NOAA the ability to thoroughly evaluate the prime contractor's
    capability to meet the requirements, form a partnership with the
    Government and lead a team of contractors during task order
    execution. NOAA also should require proof of the contractor's
    ability to perform, instructing the offeror to demonstrate where the
    company has managed other subcontractors successfully and where the
    company has partnered with the Government to support Government lead
    initiatives. This procurement strategy will allow prime contractors
    to build a very specific team for each task order allowing them to
    leverage other companies' capabilities to best meet the
    requirements, allowing NOAA to get the best value, latest technology
    advances and keeping NOAA's best interest first and foremost.

    1.  N/A

29. Executive Summary Part III, Table 1: Will any conflicts of interest
    exist between management components, which would exclude a vendor
    from participating as Prime or Sub on other management components?

    1.  Acquisition question

30. Executive Summary, Part I, 2nd paragraph, Last sentence: Does the
    government intend to award to multiple vendors? Will there be
    multiple awardees by service area requirement?

    1.  Yes

31. Executive Summary, Part I, 1st paragraph, Last sentence: Would NOAA
    please fully explain what is meant by the phrase --"the project
    leverages the capabilities of other key contractual vehicles"

    1.  We want integration, to the extent possible, to gain economies
        of scale across contract vehicles.

32. STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK: This section should also provide enough
    emphasis on the subsequent integration of services to all the line
    offices across the different regions in the country.

    1.  N/A

33. Page 11 of 44 Part II, Section 1, Paragraph 2: Develop Information
    Technology Capabilities-- This section refers to "Capability
    Maturity Model® Integration (CMMI)" but does not mention an
    appraisal level. We recommend that a level-3 appraisal should be a
    requirement. A level lower than three is insufficient to assure
    system development quality.

    1.  N/A

34. Page 6 of 44 Section 1 Paragraph 2 Strategic Intent -- "As part of
    this effort, NOAA seeks to establish a performance-based contract
    that unifies a myriad of individual contracts in the NOAA
    environment for delivery of IT operations." Please provide
    additional clarification on what is meant by "unifies a myriad of
    individual contracts"?

    1.  Economies of scale, automation, and tight integration to improve
        IT service delivery.

35. Will there be a need for talent management and succession planning
    during this process of change?

    1.  above

36. As the transformation advances, how will cultural change and
    business process issues be managed?

37. How will the new workforce with integrated functions, missions,
    systems and portfolio management be designed and managed from a
    human capital perspective?

38. Will there be a need to perform a workforce strategy with
    organization design, gap analysis and skills assessment up front and
    during the transformation?

39. When will the comprehensive Human Capital Strategy be developed that
    aligns people with current and future missions?

40. Is there an internal training office currently supporting the IT
    department in their development needs? Are there training authoring
    tools we should be aware of? LMS?

41. Approximately how many users? Will this be a phased approach?

42. Who will be the overall sponsor for the effort?

43. What is the overall desired timeline to achieve the transformation?
    What are the primary drivers for the transformation? Are there
    external drivers which may influence the timeline?

44. Have there been internal discussions regarding the agency's
    Information Technology Goals? Can you disclose this information so
    industry can better understand the direction of NOAALink and what
    the expectations are for NOAA Link?

    1.  Yes, and updated 500-Day Plan will be published when fully
        vetted.

45. Reference: Page 24: Section d. Assumptions and Constraints. Point 2.
    Help Desk consolidation begins with NOAA HQ (Silver Spring, MD)
    service desks and then expands incrementally to other NOAA regional
    and field offices. Questions: Does NOAA already have an existing
    service desk that they plan to use as the foundation for your Help
    Desk Consolidation? If so, would NOAA consider utilizing a new
    Service Desk if it was more fully integrated into the contract
    management system, asset management, and service catalog functions
    described in the Statement of Requirements.

    1.  NOAA does not have a preferred service desk today, and would
        consider other options.

46. Reference: Page 7, Point 4: Two Phased Implementation. NOAA mentions
    2 phases to the project. The first phase refers to the development
    and implementation of a centralized acquisition vehicle and the
    second phase refers to implementing a transition plan. Questions:
    Are the service areas that will be part of the transition
    prioritized as far as which areas will come first? What is the
    timeframe during which NOAA expects completion of the transition?

    1.  No

47. Reference: Page 7, Point 4: Two Phased Implementation. NOAA mentions
    2 phases to the project. The first phase refers to the development
    and implementation of a centralized acquisition vehicle and the
    second phase refers to implementing a transition plan.

    1.  N/A

48. Will NOAA limit software development work to T&M since it would be
    very difficult to propose a firm fixed price (as defined in FAR)
    Statement of Work that is specific enough for a adequate response?

    1.  Acquisition question

49. Appendices: A.4 Other References of Interest (page 42) a) Question:
    Why is "ISO/SEC 20000 listed as Other References of Interest" versus
    a required standard that will provide NOAA additional assurances
    that the contractor can implement quality processes and
    documentation throughout the performance period?

    1.  Vendors can propose other standards.

50. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 2: Customer Care, 1. d.
    4 (page 22) a) Question: What is the status of the NOAANET
    implementation? What is the status of moving to MPLS? In particular,
    what is the status of moving the comprehensive AWIPS Frame Relay WAN
    and its associated services to the NOAANET (NWSNET) Sprint PIP MPLS
    network? What is the status of moving to IPv6? For the purpose of
    the NOAA Link acquisition, what can be assumed relative to the
    implementation of the three technologies listed above? For instance,
    what can be assumed for IPv6 conversion and transition? Will it
    essentially remain as an IPv6 compatible/capable effort for the near
    future, or is an IPv6 operational capability imminent? Would a
    commitment to IPv6 operations entail an expedited move to a true
    IPv6 backbone or would dual stack mechanisms and/or IPv4 tunneling
    services (e.g., 6to4) provide extended use of IPv4 backbone clouds?
    Is there a timetable for completion available?

    1.  N/A

51. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 1: Strategic
    Management, 2. a (page 17) a) Question: Can you provide logical and
    physical layouts of the "as is" architecture? b) Question: Where can
    the NOAA Enterprise Architecture Plan be found? c) Recommendation:
    Suggest including Business Process Management software needs to
    improve Business Architecture.

    1.  N/A

52. Part II: Enterprise Requirements, Section 1: Foundational Pillars,
    item 2. 6 (page 11) --"Strengthen NOAA's capability to support those
    members of its workforce with disabilities." a) Question: What is
    NOAA's current capability (or ability) for supporting those members
    of its work force with disabilities? Is there documentation
    available for reference purposes?

    1.  Yes, but not available at this time.

53. Part II: Enterprise Requirements, Section 1: Foundational Pillars,
    item 2. 1 (page 11) -- "Employ
    best-practice..................Capability Maturity Model Integration
    (CMMI)........ a) Question: What level of CMMI certification is
    required of Prime contractor? What level is required for the entire
    team? Suggest CMMI level 3 minimum.

    1.  N/A

54. Section 1: Introduction, 4. Two-Phased Implementation (page 7) --
    Implementation of the project is divided into two phases..... a)
    Question: Will NOAA Link be a multi award contract? If so, please
    describe how the awards will be structured. b) Question: If this is
    a multi- award contract, how many prime team awards are
    anticipated? c) Question: Will a Program Management Office (PMO) be
    contracted for separately? If so, will the PMO have to be a small
    business? If contracted for separately, will the PMO be barred
    (conflict of interest) from bidding on task orders as a prime? d)
    Question: Can you please describe your anticipated task ordering
    process from a PMO or government contracting office?

    1.  N/A

55. Section 1: Introduction, 3. Complementary Relationships with other
    Contractual Vehicles (page 6) -- "This initiative leverages the
    capabilities of other contract vehicles already in use to support
    NOAA mission and operational programs." a) Question: What other
    contract vehicles are being referenced here? Are these contracts
    being transitioned to NOAA Link? b) Question: What is the schedule
    when existing contracts will transition to c) Question: How do you
    envision the NOAA Link contract working in concert with the GSA
    Network contract?

    1.  N/A, and vendors to propose solutions.

56. Part 1: Strategic Framework, second paragraph (page 2) a)
    Clarification: Please confirm our understanding that Phase 1 is the
    NOAA Link pre-award phase and Phase 2 is the post-award phase.

    1.  N/A

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
1.  Executive Summary (page 2) --"These requirements form part of a
    larger contract vehicle for acquiring IT products and
    services\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--" a)Is this referring to the NOAA Link
    contract? If not, what is the larger contract vehicle referred to
    here?

    a.  Yes

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
57. NOAA requires a Data Analysis Software solution to be implemented;
    does NOAA have any existing Data Analysis Software tools available?
    If so, could these assets be shared to vendors?

    1.  N/A

58. Does NOAA have any documentation on AS-IS business process for
    legacy applications?

    1.  N/A

59. Does NOAA have any data model and entity relationship diagrams for
    the existing databases? What is the approximate size of each
    database?

    1.  Yes, in the EA and we do not have approximate size.

60. Does Mission Support Systems require external interfaces (data
    sharing, data exchange, and workflow)? If so, does this include
    real-time or periodic feeds from other applications or databases?

    1.  Yes

61. What classes of service are required and how can we assure proper
    levels of service without gold plating?

    1.  Vendors will provide solutions.

62. Has the government considered what "appetite suppressants" may be
    necessary to assure that "anytime anywhere access to IT support" is
    properly aligned with mission requirements, while remaining
    sensitive to departmental budgets?

    1.  Yes

63. Has the government considered the establishment of an enterprise
    level risk management board? The risk and mitigation strategies
    must, by necessity, be considered from an enterprise perspective to
    properly assess their potential impact or likelihood.

    1.  Yes

64. Has the government thought about a share-in-savings approach?

    1.  Yes

65. P. 30 Refers to the NOAA data center. Is this referring to a
    specific administrative data center or all NOAA data centers such as
    the National Geophysical Data Center, the National Climatic Data
    Center, etc?

    1.  Vendors will provide proposals.

66. What is NOAA\'s current Software Development Life Cycle? p 32 C.16

    1.  N/A

67. How many new software applications are developed by NOAA each year?
    p 32 C.11

    1.  Unknown

68. What type of infrastructure monitoring tools is currently used at
    NOAA? p 31 C.4

    1.  Several different monitoring tools.

69. How many users are within NOAA? p 23 C.4.a

    1.  Approximately 18,000 users.

70. How many NOAA Help Desks are currently in use? How many are employed
    in each Help Desk call center? p 23. C.2

    1.  Approximately 39 help desks, and unknown number of personnel.

71. Is it the vision that Tier 0 help contain things that are totally
    customer driven i.e., FAQ, demos, etc.? p. 23. 4.

    1.  Yes, and much more.

72. Is the organization looking to develop a center of excellence (COE)
    around project/program/portfolio management? p. 19. 3.

    1.  Yes

73. Is Earned Value Management being considered in order to achieve
    tighter controls over cost and efficiencies? p. 17. C.1.C.

    1.  Yes

74. Does the organization foresee LiveChat help for its end users?

    1.  To be determined

75. Is the initiative funded for both phases?

    1.  Yes

76. Will your executive governance committees be comprised of state,
    federal, & private sector partners?

    1.  Not at this time.

77. Is the strategy still primarily to leverage small and disadvantage
    partners in this engagement?

    1.  Acquisition question

78. What are the current contracts vehicles NOAA is planning to leverage
    & consolidate under this initiative? What is the timeline?

    1.  Acquisition question

79. Will the organization foster a sharing environment so the
    appropriate participants can gain from each other while the
    organization gains as a whole?

    1.  Yes.

80. Are vendors' certifications e.g., PMP, 6-Sigma, etc. a direction in
    which the organization is moving?

    1.  Yes

81. Is remote Desktop support something that would be attractive to the
    organization?

    1.  Yes

82. Is virtualization of servers and desktops something that the
    organization is willing to explore to meet the cost constraints, and
    reduce server footprint substantially?

    1.  Yes

83. What are your current number of data centers and target number after
    consolidation?

    1.  N/A

84. Business Management a). Reference Section 4: Business Management,
    paragraph 1.b.1: This "area" list implies use of ITIL V3, not V2. Is
    the gov't specifying ITIL process in general or specifically V3 Will
    NOAA give contractors the flexibility to use V2? b). Reference
    Section 4: Business Management, paragraph 1.c.1.f: Can the gov't
    please expound/clarify what it means by "cost provisions" and "other
    parameters"? Is it the intent of the government to have contractors
    provide a breakdown of all the factors that determine overall costs
    to facilitate making resource constrained decisions? For example,
    the costs to deliver 99.999% availability are significantly higher
    than the costs required to provide 99.5% reliability due to the
    extent of back up servers, power supplies, required, as well as
    alternate routing, un-interrupted power etc.

    1.  ITIL v3 preferred, and yes we expect a cost breakout to show
        cost avoidance.

85. Infrastructure Management a). Reference Section 3: Infrastructure
    Management, paragraph 1.c.1.j: Is it the government intent to define
    "green technology" in a broad sense? In other words, is it the
    government's intent to have the contractor propose hardware and
    software technologies that reduce energy consumption such as LCD
    displays, server virtualization, low power CPUs, automatic sleep
    mode, etc. b). Reference Section 2: Infrastructure Management,
    paragraph 3.c.1: Can the Gov't clarify/please expound on the
    definition or characteristics of an "agile" system/application it
    desires? c). Reference Section 2: Infrastructure Management,
    paragraph 3.c.32: With reference to the level of resources to
    supplement existing staff and workload, can the Gov't provide the
    characteristics/nature of such surge requirements (i.e.; frequency
    of occurrence, and maximum duration) Please provide some typical
    examples. d). Reference Section 2: Infrastructure Management,
    paragraph 3.c.36: Can the gov't provide a list of the content
    management software it presently uses or a list of content
    management software it has in mind for this requirement? e).
    Reference Section 2: Infrastructure Management, paragraph 3.d.14:
    Please explain the use of the phrase "process ingested data" Does
    NOAA mean sensor acquired data, including human observations, that
    is processed from raw date into a format that readily allows
    analysis? Or does NOAA have some other meaning?

    1.  Yes, we are driving to "green technology".

86. Customer Care a). Reference Section 2: Customer Care: What is the
    current hardware and software being used to provide customer care?
    Will it be provided to the contractor as government furnished
    equipment if the contractor feels it is robust enough to service the
    entire enterprise? If the product is robust enough, this is an area
    where the government could save money. Recommend a complete
    inventory of hardware and software be made available so that the
    contractor can provide the most cost effective way to assist NOAA in
    achieving its strategic goals. b). Reference Section 2: Customer
    Care, paragraph 1.a5: Please clarify the reference to the
    "repository of IT requirements" is this to a Known error database
    (KEDB) or service catalog? Or is this envisioned to be a listing of
    unfunded requirements that the contractor maintains as known backlog
    that needs to be done if and when funds become available. c).
    Reference Section 2: Customer Care, paragraph 1.b.4: Please clarify
    what the government means by "adopting" provider-leveraged knowledge
    data bases? d). Reference Section 2: Customer Care, paragraph 1.c.6:
    Is this requirement similar to a known error database in which the
    contractor would have a database of corrections or workarounds for
    known problems? Please further explain what NOAA is seeking. e).
    Reference Section 2: Customer Care, paragraph 1.d.1: Please
    expound/clarify what the "call tree database" is? Is this basically
    a re-call or after hour roster of service personnel? Or is this a
    problem escalation database for identifying experts that can solve
    increasingly complex issues / problems in a tiered response
    approach? The government's desired approach has a significant
    bearing cost and organizational structure proposed by the
    contractor. f). Reference Section 2: Customer Care, paragraph 1.d.5:
    Please clarify the meaning of this sentence. Are we to infer that
    this is done for total cost of ownership calculations? If so, there
    are many factors that determine TCO beyond just labor time to
    service an incident or request. Will output from this calculation be
    used to evaluate contractor costs, or performance? How will this
    metric be used ? g). Reference Section 2: Customer Care, paragraph
    2.b.c: Will the Gov't provide (GFE) all the desktop management HW/SW
    needed to support the NOAA Desktop management Services environment?
    What is the current desk top configuration, HW and SW used ? Will
    contractors have the flexibility to recommend support tools in their
    proposal that aren't currently used within NOAA? h). Reference
    Section 2: Customer Care, paragraph 2.c.7.e: This statement implies
    the existence of a NOAA CMDB. Can the gov't identify the current
    CMDB software suite/product used? i). Reference Section 2: Customer
    Care, paragraph 2.c.8.b: Please clarify what is meant by
    "application virtualization". Does the government mean PC based thin
    client virtualization solutions such as CITRIX or server
    virtualization techniques such as VMWARE to reduce the number of
    servers in the data center or both? j) Reference Section 2: Customer
    Care, paragraph 2.c.8.g: Is it the government's intent to have the
    contractor propose a total asset management system? k). Reference
    Section 2: Customer Care, paragraph 2.c.10.c: Does "disposal"
    include actual physical removal of HW/SW to a disposal site? Please
    make available NOAA's computer and related hardware (servers)
    disposal recycling policy and disposal plans? l). Reference Section
    2: Customer Care, paragraph 2.d.5: Please expound/clarify what is
    meant by "optimize flexibility of choices"? Is it the government's
    intent to have the contractor propose a configuration managed and
    controlled desktop with policies and procedures to obtain approval
    to accommodate deviations to accommodate unique mission related
    situations on a case by case bases? m). Reference Section 2:
    Customer Care, paragraph 3.b.11: What is the DOC's standard for
    e-mail and calendaring? Is this software specific or is it format
    specific.

    1.  N/A

87. Project Management Services. a) Reference Section 3 Project
    Management Services, paragraph b.4: Please clarify and explicitly
    define the terms "light footprint" and "demand to delivery"; does
    NOAA desire for the contractor to provide the best services and
    features of a full blown Program Management Office without the large
    headcount and mission impeding bureaucracy associated with a large
    PMO? b). Reference Section 3 Project Management Services, paragraph
    c.1: Will this PMO be overseeing/providing direction to other
    contractors outside of what would normally considered within the
    scope of the NOAA Link contract? If not, will the PMO be primarily
    providing assistance and advisory services to government personnel?
    c). Reference Section 3 Project Management Services, paragraph
    c.1.c: Is it the government's intent to have the program management
    staff proposed by the NOAA Link contractor provide PMO services
    across all NOAA functions (ie. serve as the government
    representative) or just within projects that pertain to NOAA Link?
    d). Reference Section 3 Project Management Services, paragraph
    c.1.d.i: For consistency, we recommend the gov't consider moving
    this requirement under Section 4: Business management, Paragraph 2
    Training, Professional, and Consulting services.

    1.  Yes -- PMO will provide services across all NOAA functions.

88. Service Area Requirements: a) Reference the last sentence in the
    paragraph under Table 4, "..., nor should they be considered by
    vendors as areas of mandatory services." Please clarify/expound upon
    this statement. Does this statement mean that NOAA offices can
    accept or reject these enterprise service offerings and choose not
    to participate in service offerings provided by NOAA Link? Changing
    to an enterprise architecture has the potential to yield tremendous
    improvements in efficiency, stability, and reliability, while
    reducing costs. But this evolution will require change from the
    current way of doing business. It is human nature (especially within
    the scientific community) to resist change. Our experience based on
    leading virtually identical transformation efforts at Kirtland Air
    Force Base, The Air Force Research Laboratories, the Pentagon, and
    at Randolph Air Force Base is that NOAA is very unlikely attain the
    reliability, stability, efficiency, and economies of scale possible
    with an enterprise architecture if the program is not "mandatory"
    and or enforceable. Each one of the projects mentioned above were
    met with significant resistance by organizational leaders and work
    center personnel. It took a directive signed by the Secretary of the
    Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force to "motivate"
    organizations to evolve to an enterprise architecture. Has NOAA
    looked into the possibility of having the Secretary of Commerce
    issue a mandate to move to an enterprise architecture? b). Reference
    Section 1: Strategic Management, paragraph 2.0. Please
    expound/clarify the role of contractor(s) in the operation of the
    Office of Strategy Management (OSM). Will this be a gov't or
    contractor led group and if government lead then is contractor
    assistance part of the scope of work? c). Reference Section
    2.Enterprise Architecture Services, paragraph, paragraph a, first
    sentence "...support for NOAA e-Gov and related strategic
    initiatives." Can NOAA provide examples of e-Gov strategic
    initiatives that have been accomplished? d). Is there a specific
    format NOAA would like to see when contractors propose their vision
    for providing enterprise architecture services in the different
    service areas? e). Reference Section 2 Enterprise Architecture
    Services, and the statement in paragraph c.2.a: Please expound on
    this statement pertaining to "qualified businesses". What would be
    the qualification criteria? Is this a reference to previous
    experience performing required services? Does this mean identifying
    them in the initial proposal as part of a bidding team or being able
    to bring on businesses after award or both? f). Reference Section 2
    Enterprise Architecture Services, and the statement in paragraph
    c.3.b: "All Technologies" that "hold promise" seems like a very
    broad statement. How will NOAA monitor/enforce/measure this? Will
    contractors be penalized for not identifying certain technologies?
    g). Reference Section 2 Enterprise Architecture Services, and the
    statement in paragraph c.4.: Please clarify if the human capital
    referenced applies to gov't personnel or contractors, or both. What
    are the desired meaningful outcomes? Does NOAA intend for the
    contractor to propose training and educational programs such as
    computer based training or is the statement broader in nature in
    that the intent is for the government and contractors should form a
    cohesive team in which we each learn from each other.

    1.  N/A

89. The SOR identifies the desire to acquire hardware and software
    through the NOAA LINK contract after it is awarded. However the
    specific roles of contractor are somewhat unclear. Does NOAA desire
    to have the contractor represent the government as their "mini" PMO
    to provide lifecycle management of IT. Where we would help NOAA
    articulate requirements, obtain competitive bids, acquire goods and
    services, and then ultimately dispose of the outdated products when
    they no longer serve their purpose? Other areas identify the desire
    for the contractor to bid a catalog of goods and services that can
    be used. Under this model the contractor would have selected teaming
    partners for their ability to exclusively deliver goods and services
    based on pre-negotiated, competitive rates. If the government wants
    a streamlined acquisition process, a "mandatory use" catalog would
    be best. Of course, processes and procedures would be established
    for mission essential exceptions to the mandatory use policy. If
    NOAA wants the contractor to run the acquisition process start to
    finish than the contractor must know what is expected in order to
    properly identify the specific skill sets needed to meet
    requirements. Please clarify the roles of both government and
    industry partner in the acquisition process NOAA envisions. a). Does
    the government intend to own, or lease the infrastructure proposed
    by the contractor or does the government intend for the offeror to
    propose a solution? b). NOAA references both a menu of services and
    hardware and software from which NOAA organization may make
    selections. This would suggest that per unit costs for parts and
    labor hours would be determined before contract award and adjusted
    periodically to account for changing market conditions. Provisions
    would need to be made to have the government periodically audit
    prices to ensure cost competitiveness This approach would greatly
    streamline the acquisition process since it negates the need for
    completion post contract award.

    1.  N/A

90. The SOR identifies the desire to acquire hardware and software
    through the NOAA LINK contract after it is awarded. However the
    specific roles of contractor are somewhat unclear. Does NOAA desire
    to have the contractor represent the government as their "mini" PMO
    to provide lifecycle management of IT. Where we would help NOAA
    articulate requirements, obtain competitive bids, acquire goods and
    services, and then ultimately dispose of the outdated products when
    they no longer serve their purpose? Other areas identify the desire
    for the contractor to bid a catalog of goods and services that can
    be used. Under this model the contractor would have selected teaming
    partners for their ability to exclusively deliver goods and services
    based on pre-negotiated, competitive rates. If the government wants
    a streamlined acquisition process, a "mandatory use" catalog would
    be best. Of course, processes and procedures would be established
    for mission essential exceptions to the mandatory use policy. If
    NOAA wants the contractor to run the acquisition process start to
    finish than the contractor must know what is expected in order to
    properly identify the specific skill sets needed to meet
    requirements. Please clarify the roles of both government and
    industry partner in the acquisition process NOAA envisions.

    1.  N/A -- acquisition question

91. Will the Government require a small business subcontracting plan
    that includes the various strata of various socio-economic groups?
    What percentage of small contracting dollars will be required to go
    to small businesses aside from the prime?

    1.  Acquisition question

92. How does the Government recommend implementing a firewall between
    various C&A activities and the development/implementation of
    policies?

    1.  Vendor proposes.

93. Does the Government currently have a Security Operations Center
    (SOC)?

    1.  Yes

94. Is the Government considering issuing a separate contract for the
    Strategic Management function based on potential OCI issues?

    1.  Yes

95. If the government should award multiple contracts, how will
    "contractor gaps" be addressed across the various functions within
    the Management Framework?

    1.  By the PMO.

96. Will potential bidders be provided historical data regarding costs
    and potential dates that current contracts could matriculate into
    this contract? A listing of all current help desk contracts with
    expiration dates would be of value to accurately assess the TCO.

    1.  No

97. Will contractors be required to develop the PWS as part of their
    proposal submission?

    1.  Yes

98. Will NOAA require real time performance reporting information or
    will the vendor provide it on an established timetable (i.e. daily,
    weekly, monthly)?

    1.  Vendor will propose.

99. Will the selected vendor be required to provide ISO 20000 (ITIL) and
    ISO 9001 certified processes?

    1.  Vendor will provide solution.

100. Regarding the consolidation of the Help Desks, will NOAA want to
     leverage a vendor's multiple Help Desk locations while leveraging a
     single common set of tools?

     1.  Vendor will provide solution.

101. Is NOAA open to using a vendor's ITIL-based incident and problem
     management system to leverage available cost savings in licensing,
     maintenance, administration, and disaster recovery capabilities or
     will the vendor be required to use GFE tools?

     1.  Vendor will provide solution.

102. To minimize the impact of potential outages and service disruptions
     caused by acts of God, terrorism, or other would NOAA be inclined
     to staff the SPOC Help Desk at a vendor location away from more
     vulnerable areas like Washington, D.C. if the vendor has
     established disaster recovery capabilities?

     1.  Yes, vendor will provide solution

103. Asset Management Section 2.C.10 -- NOAA wishes an Asset Management
     solution to be deployed as part of this effort, does NOAA have any
     existing Asset Management tools or data regarding current assets to
     share?

     1.  Yes, but vendor will provide solution.

104. Section 2 Customer Care -- Does NOAA collect service center call
     volumes today? If so, could the statistics be shared pertaining to
     calls per day, calls per service type such as hardware, software,
     IMAC, network, etc.

     1.  Yes, but not available at this time.

105. What is the current process to identify and track inventory?

     1.  Yes we have current process, but vendor propose better
         solutions.

106. Would the Government consider making the entire Customer Care
     function FFP?

     1.  acquisition

107. Is automated discovery software being utilized today for NOAA's
     asset and configuration management and tracking? If so, does NOAA
     have an enterprise license agreement?

     1.  No

108. What is the proposed refresh period for desktops, laptops and
     network equipment?

     1.  Vendor proposes solution

109. Will potential COOP/DR equipment be GFE?

     1.  Yes

110. Can the government provide additional information regarding the
     type and frequency of IV&V activities? We believe that Decision
     Support, Enterprise Architecture, Hardware/Software recommendations
     and Portfolio Management services should be compartmentalized. How
     will potential OCI issues to be mitigated?

     1.  N/A

111. Given the service delivery paradigm is based on ISO 20000, we
     believe some of the activities better lend themselves to a single
     award such as Customer Care and Infrastructure Management because
     they are core O&M functions. These functions should be integrated
     because the performance metrics would have interdependencies. Other
     activities may better lend themselves to task competition such as
     Application Development and hardware/software procurement. How many
     contracts does the Government anticipate awarding? How will these
     be delineated? What is the composition of the proposed contract
     governance model to address potential conflicts between functions?

     1.  Acquisition question

112. How much of the NOAALink funding is under the control of each
     Line-Of-Business CIO?

     1.  N/A

113. Under the current management framework, which activities are
     currently funded?

     1.  N/A

114. Does NOAA plan to change the Primary NAICS code from 517110 (Wired
     Telecommunications Carriers) for the Small Businesses to bid as a
     prime?

     1.  N/A

115. Is this really going to be put out under NAICS code 517110 - Wired
     Telecommunications Carriers? I thought that the primary factor for
     selecting a NAICS code is the principal purpose of the products or
     services being acquired and the products or services accounting for
     the greatest percentage of the contract price. NAICS code 517110
     has the largest size standard allowed by the Small Business
     Administration, and no income limitation is placed on NAICS
     code 517110. Therefore, businesses receiving up to approximately
     \$700 million in yearly revenue can qualify as a small business
     under NAICS code 517110. I would like to request a more appropriate
     NAICS Code.

     1.  Acquisition and budget question

116. Risk: This schedule is dependent upon the availability and
     reliability of "qualified and dedicated" resources in order to
     compress the schedule by

     1.  N/A

117. Will the questions be posted on the site?

     1.  Yes

###### 

###### Part I - Strategic Framework (29)

1.  Executive Summary- Part I :Strategic Framework -- sentence beginning
    "Phase 2 " indicates the award to more than one " selected vendors".
    Has a multiword decision been made? If not suggest you use
    "vendor(s)" to allow for flexibility.

    a.  Yes

2.  Page 8; Part I, Section 2, Paragraph 3 It is stated that "Regional
    collaboration is aimed at integrating program activities to address
    NOAA's priorities at both the national and regional scale" Will the
    RFP specify current regional processes and their variance (if any)
    from those applied at HQ? Will the vendor perform work at the
    regions in support of the program integration effort?

    a.  Vendor will propose solutions and yes to regions.

3.  Page 8; Part I, Section 2: Are the staff offices clients of the
    CIO's? Will they have requirements in addition to those described in
    the Statement of Requirements for the Line Offices?

    a.  No

4.  Page 6; Part I, Section 1: 1st sentence: What contract vehicles are
    currently in place? What is their timetable for completion (and
    being folded in to NOAA link)?

    a.  N/A

5.  Page 7; Part I, Section 4: What are the scopes (tasks, deliverables
    and duration) of Phases 1 and 2 of NOAA Link?

    a.  N/A

6.  Part 1: Strategic Framework, Section 4: Does the government intend
    to award a PMO contract to assist in executing Phase 1? Will that
    vehicle winner be excluded from Phase 2?

    a.  Acquisition question

7.  Part 1: Strategic Framework, Section 3, 1st paragraph, Last
    sentence: What is are the criteria that the government will need to
    pass to allow offices to maintain existing contracts?

    a.  Acquisition question

8.  Part 1: Strategic Framework: Is there a Strategic Plan for IT
    systems within NOAA? How does NOAA Link support this Strategic Plan?

    a.  Yes and Yes

9.  Executive Summary, Part I: Strategic Framework page 2: Has there
    been consideration for having more than one contract and dividing
    NOAA Link into at least two different contracts: one for services
    and one for products? This would allow more bidders to emphasize
    their strengths, provide better service to the customers and support
    the Mission of NOAA as well as the potential for increased
    competition.

    a.  Yes

10. Are the governance bodies or groups to consist of shared performance
    responsibilities, or are these to be composed of NOAA OCIO, or Line
    Office representatives?

    a.  Yes

11. What are good examples of private sector or non-Governmental
    initiatives and opportunities which could be suitable for fostering
    strategic partnerships?

    a.  N/A

12. In leveraging economies of scale, to what does the Government expect
    to leverage existing systems or services? Are all IT systems or
    services, subject to replacement through new procurements, or are
    there some which are already subject to be leveraged by this new
    initiative?

    a.  Vendor proposes

13. Is CMMI the best example of Continuous Improvement in operations?
    Are there others which the Government has in mind?

    a.  Vendor proposes solutions.

14. What unique business requirements will need to be supported?

    a.  In SOR.

15. Is there a statement of business expectations to compare with?

    a.  N/A

16. Are the service requirements already in existence, or are these to
    be developed under a new task order agreement?

    a.  Yes and Yes

17. Are there any preferred industry best practices for this
    procurement?

    a.  In SOR.

18. Have you decided to put in an ERP system?

    a.  Yes

19. Do you still intend to award a Program Management Support task, and
    if so, when will that be released?

    a.  Acquisition question

20. What services will be acquired under this contract and what services
    will be acquired through other contract vehicles? How will you
    decide?

    a.  See SOR.

21. When do you anticipate being able to specifically identify which
    local support contracts will not be incorporated under NOAALink?

    a.  N/A

22. Does NOAA plan to tie into DOC Strategy? If so, how?

    a.  Yes

23. Can you elaborate on which existing contract vehicles are being
    considered?

    a.  No

24. Please elaborate on the 2 phase implementation process?

    a.  No

25. With respect to "Infrastructure" will NOAA consider "a fully managed
    secure and compliant hosting service"? (e.g., a commercially owned
    and operated data center)?

    a.  Vendor proposes solution.

26. Regarding framework requirements, what is the expectation for
    current contract holders with respect to the new award?

    a.  N/A

27. What current contracts do you currently have to buy IT hardware
    including Printers MFD'd etc? How do you plan to do it (above) in
    the future? How do you manage printers and print management?
    Supplies -- paper -- services?

    a.  Yes, but vendor proposes solution.

28. How will NOAAs Enterprise Architecture be supported to meet
    requirements of Strategic Framework, 1. Query based models that
    comprehend to be BPM effective in the budget planning Exhibit 300
    and budget process of years in the future for programs like GOES
    EOS, etc?

    a.  N/A

29. Given your stated objective to integrate and consolidate vast
    strategic, enterprise and services area requirements, across all
    NOAA line offices, will this result contract(s) be designated as a
    "Mandatory Use" vehicle for these required solutions and services?

    a.  N/A

###### Part II - Enterprise Requirements (17)

30. Part II- Section 2.1.d. Assumptions 2 and 3 may be attained mid
    contract, but a mix of desktops and operating systems must be
    supported until the migration to standard configurations is
    complete.

31. Reference: Page 10: Part II: Enterprise Requirements 2nd paragraph.
    NOAA states a desire to ensure continuous visibility into the
    activities of the procurement vehicle;...development, maintenance,
    and use of an actionable catalog of service offerings and practical
    Service-Level Agreements (SLAs) for delivery of products and
    services;...implementation of a comprehensive and integrated system
    to measure contract performance. Questions: Does NOAA intend to
    procure such a system referenced above or will NOAA require the
    awarded vendor(s) to provide and maintain this integrated system?
    Are any elements of this system or systems already in place in NOAA
    and would they be made available to the awarded vendor as Government
    Furnished Equipment?

32. It appears that this requirement centers on the development of an
    actionable catalog of offerings and practical Service Level
    Agreements (SLAs) for delivery of products and services? Is this a
    catalog of principals and practices, which will enable the products
    and services described in Section 1, above?

33. Are there present guidelines for contract management, which can be
    used as the basis of these principles and practices? Or are these to
    be developed as part of the initial task orders?

34. Will it be part of the requirement to add/subtract or modify this
    list of criteria? As criteria they should be measurable and
    objective. Can these criteria, as outlined in the Table 3, be stated
    more objectively?

35. Where can we obtain a list of these already established criteria?
    i.e. those based on the four perspectives: 1) User Satisfaction, 2)
    Business Contribution, 3) Operational Excellence, and 4) Future
    Orientation.

36. It appears that this requirement centers on the development of an
    actionable catalog of offerings and practical Service Level
    Agreements (SLAs) for delivery of products and services? Is this a
    catalog of principals and practices, which will enable the products
    and services described in Section 1, above?

37. Are the governance bodies or groups to consist of shared performance
    responsibilities, or are these to be composed of NOAA OCIO, or Line
    Office representatives?

38. In Foundation Pillar 1? Build Strategic Alignment, the requirements
    are to enable the NOAA OCIO and Line Office OCIOs to obtain products
    and services that maintain focus on the total enterprise and to
    directly support the vision and strategic priorities of NOAA. Is
    there implied here a catalog of services, which will enable
    procurement of these wide ranging services?

39. What commitments are being agreed to by all CIOs for funding based
    on unknown functions? Is it reasonable to expect an unequal cost
    responsibility against a disparate budget distribution? How much
    industry buy-in has this effort received? What is the succession
    plan that guarantees this long term endeavor? What metrics are
    expected for dynamic processes?

40. Will NOAA organizations and or mission areas be required to use the
    new contract?

41. Will there be a substantial training implementation of the new
    contract?

42. User satisfaction has been clearly defined. There is a NOAA tendency
    for "users' to be stakeholders with skin in the game rather than the
    USA public trying to manipulate petabytes of data without the tools
    to develop derivative data. Who is the user? What are their
    requirements?

43. Trust? What regulatory systems will be used to ensure development of
    a "trust" relationship?

44. You mentioned that the requirements encompassed NOAA field. How was
    that validated/included? Are we to assume each CIO's field offices
    are in the "enterprise" now or are they going to be included at a
    later date? Kansas City -- NWS Miami -- WFOs, Seattle -- Fish,
    Norman Regional, Boulder -- Research, Ann Arbor Labs?

45. How are you planning to staff and fund the strategic management
    functions (PMO, EA and Decision Support) that aren't currently done
    or funded centrally in NOAA? Or aren't even being done or funded to
    a very high degree by line offices?

46. Is NOAAlink funded in this FY?

###### Part III - Service Area Requirements (72)

1.  Page 27, Part III, Section 3: So that transition plans can be
    developed for proposals, can NOAA provide information regarding the
    IT environment(s), including legacy systems, descriptions of
    existing contracted support (scope of services, magnitude and
    duration), in-house equipment (models and age) and software
    COTS/GOTS products (names, purpose and release/version)?

2.  Part III, Sections 1-5: Will the services required by Part III -
    Services Area Requirements (Strategic Management, Customer Care,
    Infrastructure Management, Business Management and Information
    Security & Risk Management) be addressed in a single contract or by
    multiple contracts addressing one or more of services areas?

3.  Page19; Part III, Section 1: Will the PMO be granted a delegation of
    procurement authority to manage post award competitions?

4.  Page19; Part III, Section 1: Will the PMO have management authority
    over the service delivery contractor?

5.  Page 38; Part III, Section 5: Will the PMO be contractually
    responsible for performing the activities required by the
    requirements of Section 5 -- Information Security & Risk Management?

6.  Page 19; Part III, Section 1 Page 38; Part III, Section 5 What is
    the relationship between the Independent Verification and Validation
    (IV&V) responsibilities of the PMO, as described in Project
    Management Services in Section 1 - Strategic Management of Part
    III - Services Area Requirements, and the various requirements
    described in Section 5 -- Information Security & Risk Management?

7.  Page 34; Part III, Section 4: Will the PMO be contractually
    responsible for performing the activities required by the
    requirements of Section 4 -- Business Management?

8.  Page 19; Part III, Section 1 Page 34; Part III, Section 4 What is
    the relationship between the responsibilities of the PMO, as
    described in Project Management Services in Section 1 - Strategic
    Management of Part III - Services Area Requirements, and the various
    requirements described in Section 4 - Business Management?

9.  Part III, Section 5 -- Information Security and Risk Management,
    Subsection 2 -- Continuity of Operations and Disaster Recovery
    Services. Under Assumptions and Constraints, does a roadmap exist on
    when/if current data center facilities will be retired? If so, can
    that data be provided?

10. Part III, Section 5 -- Information Security and Risk Management,
    Subsection 1 -- Security Services. Do comprehensive device asset
    management inventories exist today for all hardware and software
    components?

11. Part III, Section 5 -- Information Security and Risk Management,
    Subsection 1 -- Security Services. What intrusion detection,
    security auditing, incident response, and reporting tools being used
    today?

12. Part III, Section 4 -- Business Management, Subsection 2 - Training,
    Professional, and Consulting Services. While this section title
    includes professional and consulting services, almost all of the
    section addresses training. Please clarify what is envisioned for
    the professional and consulting services.

13. Part III, Section 4 -- Business Management, Subsection 2 - Training,
    Professional, and Consulting Services, Paragraph b -- Objectives,
    Subparagraph 1, bullet a -- Training programs to support real world
    mission needs. This statement implies end mission support beyond the
    scope of IT enabled training and consulting. Does NOAA envision
    providing training support through this vehicle for mission support
    systems beyond the enabling aspects of the IT infrastructure? If so,
    please provide examples of the types of training envisioned.

14. Part III, Section 4 -- Business Management, Subsection 1 -
    Procurement/Catalog Services, Paragraph d -- Assumptions and
    Constraints, Sub-bullets 2) The Service Catalog will integrate
    effectively with many other service fulfillment engines. What is the
    identification of these other service fulfillment engines and where
    are they identified?

15. Part III, Section 4 -- Business Management, Subsection 1 -
    Procurement/Catalog Services, Paragraph d -- Assumptions and
    Constraints We recommend the list of procurement/catalog services be
    fluid and able to be updated to reflect evolving technologies over
    the life of the program to ensure NOAA is constantly offered Best in
    Class technology refresh.

16. Part III, Section 4 -- Business Management, Subsection 1 -
    Procurement/Catalog Services, Paragraph b -Objectives,
    Sub-bullets 2) Consolidate hardware, software and service into a
    actionable service catalog and 3) increase value through centralized
    control of ordering and provisioning. Will the resulting centralized
    control of ordering and provisioning be made mandatory throughout
    the NOAA line offices or only available as the line offices need to
    use it?

17. Part III, Section 4 -- Business Management, Subsection 1 -
    Procurement/Catalog Services, Paragraph b -Objectives,
    Sub-bullets 2) Consolidate hardware, software and service into a
    actionable service catalog and 3) increase value through centralized
    control of ordering and provisioning. Does NOAA envision the
    bundling of various types of integration or analysis services into
    finite catalog line items?

18. Part III, Section 4 -Business Management, Subsection 1-
    Procurement/Catalog Services, Paragraph a -- Description,
    Subparagraph b. If the requirement is to integrate with NOAA\'s
    existing systems, will NOAA be providing an Interface Design
    Specification and other documentation to assist the Contractor in
    developing the required automation?

19. Part III, Section 4 -Business Management, Subsection 1-
    Procurement/Catalog Services, Paragraph a -- Description,
    Subparagraph b. Will the funding for the system be included in the
    contract, or separately provided?

20. Part III, Section 4 -Business Management, Subsection 1-
    Procurement/Catalog Services, Paragraph a -- Description,
    Subparagraph b. Since there are several financial-procurement
    processing systems used by various Government agencies, we have the
    following questions: Will the Contractor be required to update
    NOAA\'s existing financial system to incorporate such a system, or
    does NOAA envision that the automation required in Paragraph b will
    integrate with NOAA\'s existing financial-procurement system? If the
    former, will the Contractor be required to conduct a competition for
    such a system?

21. Part III, Section 3 -- Infrastructure Management, Subsection 3 --
    Application Management Services Items number 33 and 35 in the
    infrastructure requirements appear to indicate that the government
    will perform the configuration management function for the
    application management services. Please clarify.

22. Part III, Section 3 -- Infrastructure Management, Subsection 3 --
    Application Management Services Please clarify the intent of item
    number 21 listed in the infrastructure requirements.

23. Part III, Section 3 -- Infrastructure Management, Subsection 3 --
    Application Management Services Is it the intention of the
    government or is it possible to transition legacy applications to
    open architecture and or consolidate databases through the NOAA LINK
    contract independent of transitioning the infrastructure?

24. Part III, Section 3 -- Infrastructure Management, Subsection 2 --
    Data Center Services Can the government provide example(s) of the
    most cost effective approaches for managing data center assets
    contracted today by NOAA?

25. Part III, Section 3 -- Infrastructure Management, Subsection 2 --
    Data Center Services Will the government consider utilizing a
    vendor's facility to consolidate the infrastructure and support
    functions?

26. Part III, Section 3 -- Infrastructure Management, Subsection 2 --
    Data Center Services Please clarify the intention of the first
    objective to acquire data center and hosting services?

27. Part III, Section 3 -- Infrastructure Management, Subsection 1 --
    Data and Voice Network Services It is recommended that the final
    NOAA LINK solicitation have a mandatory percentage of equipment be
    "green.

28. Part III, Section 3 -- Infrastructure Management, Subsection 1 --
    Data and Voice Network Services Objective number 5 on page 28
    requires that the capacity projections are made before needs arise
    and performance problems are anticipated. The capacity planning
    process requires a solid baseline to achieve its objectives and
    goals. Are the current services running on the existing network
    baselined for throughput, network utilization, response times, etc.?
    If so, will NOAA make these available as part of the solicitation?

29. Part III, Section 3 -- Infrastructure Management, Subsection 1 --
    Data and Voice Network Services Objective number 5 on page 28
    requires meeting timing requirements. Please clarify the intention
    of timing requirements.

30. Part III, Section 3 -- Infrastructure Management, Subsection 1 --
    Data and Voice Network Services In reference to the statement "...to
    effectively establish a standardized mechanism and approach to
    transition to an integrated end-to-end voice network" that "requires
    services that can leverage operational scale and best practices to
    achieve optimum price performance for its users and consolidate
    voice networks..." economies of scale can be achieved but will
    require the as-is, requirements, design, planning and implementation
    approach for a sufficient number of contracts transitioning to NOAA
    LINK. Will the government work with the contractor to provide
    current data and voice network services and requirements for a
    minimum of 2 years out to enable the planning, designing and
    negotiation to effect expectations outlined in the description?

31. Part III, Section 2 --Customer Care, Subsection 2 -- Desktop
    Management Services, Paragraph c -- Requirements Can you provide a
    list of the NOAA-certified standard business productivity software
    currently being used?

32. Part III, Section 2 --Customer Care, Subsection 2 -- Desktop
    Management Services, Paragraph c -- Requirements To establish a
    baseline for modernization and efficiency improvement, will NOAA
    consider identifying tools and applications with which the
    contractor will have to interface (e.g., desktop support
    applications, remote management and deployment tools, and
    configuration management tools currently being used)?

33. Part III, Section 2 --Customer Care, Subsection 2 -- Desktop
    Management Services, Paragraph a -- Description Are there any
    virtualization or PC blade solutions currently in place?

34. Part III, Section 2 --Customer Care, Subsection 2 -- Desktop
    Management Services, Paragraph a -- Description What software and
    hardware platforms are currently being used at NOAA for the desktop,
    laptop and other end user devices?

35. Part III, Section 2 --Customer Care, Subsection 1 -- End-user
    Service Center Services, Paragraph b -- Objectives Are there any
    existing vendor-provided knowledge management systems or databases
    with which the contractor needs to interface? If so, what software,
    tools are currently being used?

36. Is the incident management limited to NOAA software and application
    environment service requests or will it be also used to record and
    track defects and new business enhancements needed to the various
    NOAA applications?

37. Part III, Section 2 --Customer Care, Subsection 1 -- End-user
    Service Center Services, Paragraph a -- Description Is there an
    existing incident management process in place? If so, will the
    contractor need to interface, reuse the existing process and
    software or develop a new one?

38. Part III, Service Area Requirements, Section 1: Strategic Management
    Enterprise Architecture Services Assumption and Constraints does not
    appear to require addressing NOAA's EA requirements within the
    overall context of Department of Commerce's EA. Since the DOC EA is
    a federated model, will the DOC Service Component Reference Model
    (SRM) and Technical Reference Model (TRM) data and artifacts be
    provided in order to respond to this RFP or is there existing SRM
    and TRM data for all of the IT investments within NOAA that is
    current that will be provided?

39. Part III: Service Area Requirements: It would be helpful if
    information could be provided as to more specific needs and desires
    for potential purchases as part of NOAA Link. Industry needs to have
    a more informed understanding of NOAA's goals and needs to be able
    too provide compliant and realistic systems to support the agency's
    missio

40. How many employees/contractors currently perform the service areas
    outlined in the Statement of Requirements? Please provide a
    breakdown by each service area.

41. How many employees/contractors currently perform the service areas
    outlined in the Statement of Requirements? Please provide a
    breakdown by each service area.

42. Section 1; Strategic Management indicates a set of assumptions and
    constraints. The use of proposed solutions to facilitate horizontal
    integration, including sharing knowledge widely leading to
    meaningful change, and collaboration. In fostering a set of
    solutions, to meet NOAA objective, it would be useful to have a set
    of problems, which are in need of solving. How can this problem set
    be better defined?

43. Section 1; Strategic Management talks about the system -- in terms
    of its programs, processes, tools and technologies. Where can this
    list of items comprising the system be obtained? Is it part of the
    OCIO procurement team's objective to begin with a set of tools,
    processes, practices, and then define a new set which are to replace
    the old? How can we better envision this progression in the
    development of NOAA's IT Strategy?

44. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 5: Information Security
    and Risk Management 2.3.3 (page 41) a) Question: What is the
    definition of timely manner for the disaster recovery (failover)
    activities for critical and non-critical hardware/software? Is there
    currently a defined business expectation?

45. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 5: Information Security
    and Risk Management 2.3 (page 41) a) Question: Is there a
    requirement for multiple "live" sites or can disaster recovery be
    supported by a passive site in the event of a disaster?

46. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 5: Information Security
    and Risk Management 1.c.2.c (page 40) a) Question: What application
    platforms (e.g. Java, .NET) will need to be supported by the
    application security services?

47. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 4: Business Management
    1.d.2 --"The Service Catalog will integrate effectively with many
    other service fulfillment engines" (page 36) a) Question: What other
    service fulfillment engines?

48. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 3.3: Application
    Management Services c.5 (page 32). a) Question: Per references to
    Open Source technology (e.g. Tomcat), are there current limitations
    on the use of Open Source for NOAA?

49. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 3.2.d: Data Center
    Services -- Assumptions and Constraints (page 31) a) Question: Per
    references to Operating Systems, are there current limitations on
    the use of any Operating Systems for NOAA?

50. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 3.2: Data Center
    Services b. 2 (page 30) a) Question: How do the current Line Offices
    procure assets (e.g. owning, leasing)?

51. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 3.1: Data and Voice
    network Services d.1.c (page 30) a) Question: Can this be
    interpreted to mean that there will be no specific requirements
    regarding pure IP vs. IP-enabled switch technologies and/or
    client/server vs. peer-to-peer signaling protocols. Can the
    environment comprise a hybrid of switching technologies and
    signaling protocols?

52. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 3.1: Data and Voice
    network Services c.6.e (page 29) a) Question: Is the Automatic Call
    Distributor (ACD) for the End User Service Center only or will other
    locations require an ACD?

53. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 3.1: Data and Voice
    network Services c.6.c (page 29) a) Question: Does Tier 2 and Tier 3
    support refer strictly to required contractor provided hardware and
    software support referenced on pages 22 and 23, or does it extend to
    service provider corrective and restoration response levels for
    network outages and/or anomalies?

54. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 3.1: Data and Voice
    network Services c.6.c (page 29) a) Question: Does Tier 2 and Tier 3
    support refer strictly to required contractor provided hardware and
    software support referenced on pages 22 and 23, or does it extend to
    service provider corrective and restoration response levels for
    network outages and/or anomalies?

55. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 3.1: Data and Voice
    network Services c.5.e (page 29) a) Question: Does this effort
    complement/include the LDAP directory services referenced on page
    27?

56. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 3.1: Data and Voice
    network Services c.5.b (page 29) a) Question: Is it correct to
    assume that high availability/survivable services must be included
    in the event of an IP WAN failure? Will traffic engineering
    mechanisms be required to detect and select lesser used paths in
    order to ensure that voice quality is not diminished when large
    numbers of calls enter the network?

57. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 3.1: Data and Voice
    network Services c.1.k (page 28) a) Question: Does converging
    sensing and telecommunications refer to the act of IP mimicking
    traditional telephony applications such as call signaling and voice
    mail. Can "VoIP" herein be used interchangeably with "IP telephony"
    or should "VoIP" be reserved for the transmission/transport of
    digitized voice and data over the IP network and "IP telephony" for
    voice applications such as call signaling, conference calling,
    call-waiting, etc.?

58. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 3.1: Data and Voice
    network Services c.1.i (page 28) a) Question: What does "Rolling out
    IPv6 across NOAAnet" imply? For instance, what can be assumed for
    IPv6 conversion and transition? Will it essentially remain as an
    IPv6 compatible/capable effort for the near future, or is the
    rollout of an IPv6 operational capability imminent? Will there be a
    commitment to IPv6 operations entailing an expedited move to a true
    IPv6 backbone or is it assumed that dual stack mechanisms and/or
    IPv4 tunneling services (e.g., 6to4) will continue to ride IPv4
    backbones?

59. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 3.1: Data and Voice
    network Services c.1.f (page 28) a) Question: Will WiMAX be used to
    replace traditional business-class DSL or T1 services and/or to
    provide last-mile coverage for Wi-Fi mesh networks? Can WiMAX be
    assumed to be Sprint's Xohm and will it be leveraged to
    inter-operate with NOAAnet's SPRINT PIP MPLS network. Note that the
    WiMAX (Xohm) maximum download speed currently is 10 Mbps, assuming
    there is an optimal line of sight to a base station located at a
    distance of up to 6 to 10 miles.

60. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 3.1: Data and Voice
    network Services a. (page 27) a) Question: Does Voice/VoIP here
    imply the inclusion of video conferencing/meetings (VTC) and/or
    perhaps video surveillance as referenced/alluded to on pages 25, 26,
    and 27? If so, then it must be noted that video can require 5 to 25
    times the bandwidth of a typical G.711 voice session.

61. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 2.3: Communication and
    Collaboration Services b. 13 (page 26). a) Question: What is the
    NOAA Document and Records Management Initiative? When and how will
    information be provided on the initiative?

62. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 2.3: Communication and
    Collaboration Services b. 11 (page 26) a) Question: What is the Dept
    of Commerce standard for email and calendaring? What is the status
    of the implementation of that standard? What will be the status of
    that implementation when the NOAA Link contract begins? b) Question:
    What is the status of the Dept of Commerce email system upgrade?

63. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 2.3: Communication and
    Collaboration Services b. 5 (page 25) a) Question: Requirement 5
    references both internal and external users; will external users be
    required to authenticate? Does the Enterprise Active Directory
    currently support external users? If not, will external users be
    required to authenticate in the future?

64. Part III: Service Area Requirements, Section 2: Customer Care, 1. d.
    6 (page 22) a) Question: What is the current status of the NOAA
    enterprise configuration management tool? Where can the
    documentation be located?

65. How important to "Green" IT computing at NOAA?

66. Will the statement of requirement be addressing FDCC/SCAP/FISMA
    compliance requirements?

67. Egov as per President's Mgt Agenda?

68. COI integration in NOAA, DOC, or government wide?

69. Specifically Adrian's metric question? (PM services/EA services)

70. Will NOAA define and enumerate all types of end user devices
    requiring support?

71. Are CTAs included in these requirements?

72. Apparently the NOAA Lo CIOs have come together to agree on a
    possible read map. To what extent have the LO Heads bought into this
    to what extent and possible lack of control?

###### Component 1 - Strategic Management (1)

1.  Section 1: Strategic Management -- The Requirements document
    provides focus on Portfolio management, EA and PMO, but it misses
    the mark on providing a strategic transformational service that will
    tie EA and IT service delivery through an effective implementation
    of IT Service Management (ITSM) and ITIL. Additionally the document
    will need to include a section describing services associated with
    identification and streamlining of business processes and ensuring
    end user business processes are not impacted. These two functions
    are not covered by any other requirement listed in this or other
    sections of the document.

###### 1.1 - Decision Support (1)

1.  Does NOAA have an IT Governance Model in place? Can you share this
    model with the prospective bidders?

###### 1.2 - Enterprise Architecture Services (5)

1.  III.1.2.c. Enterprise Architecture, Requirements, item 4 (page 18),
    "Developing human capital within NOAA..." seems to overlap the
    requirements of III.4.2, Business Management, Training, Professional
    and Consulting Services (pages 37-38) area. Does NOAA intend for
    training to be included in both areas?

2.  III.1.2.b Enterprise Architecture, Objectives: Has NOAA identified
    specific near term priorities eGov transformation and OMB
    compliance? If so can these be included in the requirements
    document?

3.  III.1.2 Enterprise Architecture Services (page 17): Does NOAA intend
    to standardize on a single Architecture Framework or will the
    Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework (FEAF), the Department of
    Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF), The Open Group Architecture
    Frame¬work (TOGAF), and the Zachman framework all be utilized?

4.  OMB 300 requirements as part of EA development?

5.  Will NOAA provide their current Enterprise Architecture and IT
    Strategy guidelines and documentation?

###### 1.3 - Project Management Services (5)

1.  III.1.3.b Project Management Services, Objectives (page 19). In
    Objective 1, are the NOAA customers defined as the NOAA employees as
    well as external users of NOAA services?

2.  III.1.3, Project Management Services (pages 19-20) includes a
    broad-scope list of requirements that appear to overlap with the
    requirements of III.4.3. Special Project Services (page 38). If this
    is not intentional, can the requirements be revised to provide
    differentiation?

3.  What is the current program and project management process? Will
    documentation be provided?

4.  What is the current IT portfolio management process? Will you
    provide documentation?

5.  How will the PMO for this initiative be handled? Will it consist of
    both government and contractor support? Approx how many people will
    comprise the PMO?