R -- Request for Information on Security Convergence Requirements

The General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) Greater Southwest Acquisition Center is responsible for the products and services under Schedule 84, Total Solutions for Law Enforcement, Security, Facility Management Systems, Fire, Rescue, Special Purpose Clothing, Marine Craft and Emergency/Disaster Response. As part of this responsibility, we are reviewing current trends in the industry and in Agency requirements. The trends we are interested in are regarding changes in security approaches and the integration of security requirements with other requirements. Additionally, we are interested in whether the term Security Convergence is used to describe the integration of physical security, informational security, and other operational requirements into single contract actions. Specifically, the Greater Southwest Acquisition Center is requesting information from Industry, Academia, and Government Agencies regarding experience with contracts, task orders, Blanket Purchase Agreements, and contract requirements involving security and security convergence. SPECIFIC INFORMATION REQUESTED: The Greater Southwest Acquisition Center is requesting the following specific information from current or previous contracts and/or Task Orders: A. Definitions of Security Convergence or other terms used to describe requirements that cross functional or life cycle boundaries. .For example, is Security Convergence used to describe contract requirements that involve both Physical and Informational Security? What are the different requirements being incorporated in contracts along with traditional security requirements (such as facility/energy management and building maintenance)? Are Contingency of Operations (COOP) support efforts being integrated into security requirements? Are Life Cycle requirements being included in contract requirements and if so, how? B. How requirements are being met by the industry. Are formal or informal contractor teams being used? Are Prime / Sub-Contractor arrangements being used? How are all the various requirements across all the functional areas being addressed (such as physical access, surveillance, data, information security) if a specific vendor does not possess all the expertise required? C. Pricing structures being used in security/security convergence contracts. Are Fixed Price (FFP/FPIF), Time and Materials (T&M), Cost type (CPFF/CPIF/CPAF), or some hybrid pricing structures used? D. Information on the use of GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract Task Orders in fulfilling security requirements. Are Federal Supply Schedule contracts being used to meet security and/or security convergence requirements? If so, what Schedules and SINS are being used? If not, what are the roadblocks to using Schedules? If Schedules were used, what were the problems or issues (if any)? Is GSA E-Buy being used to facilitate the use of Schedule contracts, and if so, is it effective? E. Any information on facilitating or simplifying the contracting process for using Schedule contracts. Are there changes to systems such as GSA Advantage or E-Buy that would facilitate the use of those systems to contract for these requirements? Are there additional training or training materials (such as templates) that would assist in facilitating the contracting process? ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUESTED: The Greater Southwest Acquisition Center is also requesting the following information and examples: A. Examples of Contractor Teaming Arrangements or other formal documentation that outlines responsibilities among multiple-contractor teams. B. Examples of Performance Based Work Statements or Statements of Work for integrated security contracts or task orders. C. Identification of Federal Agencies utilizing integrated security / security convergence contracting. D. Information regarding commercial security and security convergence trends. Additionally, you are invited to provide any additional information regarding Security or Security Convergence not addressed above. Also, any suggestions that would improve the use and value of Schedule 84 to meet security and security convergence requirements will be greatly appreciated and is actively solicited. This Request for Information (RFI) is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. The Government does not plan to award a contract based on any responses or otherwise pay for the information solicited. Industry is encouraged to respond with information not constrained by proprietary data rights. However, if proprietary data is included in your reply, please mark it appropriately. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Replies to this RFI should be sent via e-mail to larry.mathias@gsa.gov with a subject line of Security Convergence RFI Response.