W -- Kiosk Machine Leasing

May 4, 2007 To: All Small Business Potential Offerors Subject: TIRNO-07-R-00011 - Amendment 2 Reference: Synopsis/Solicitation number TIRNO-07-R-00011 ? Kiosk Machine Leasing The purpose of this document is to amend reference synopsis/solicitation. Part I represents questions and answers to potential offeror concerns. Part II represents language that is deleted and/or added. Please note the following: 1) The closing date and time have been extended ? Part II see changes below. 2) In accordance with FAR Part 52.212-1(k), offerors must be currently registered in the Central Contractor Registration system in order to receive a government award. Go to www.ccr.gov or call 1-888-227-2423 for more information. Part I: - Below are IRS? answers to timely received industry questions. Question 9: We want to clarify the timeline expectations for the development phase of the project. Because the application will require custom development we anticipate a development time of 10 weeks. During this period of time, [our company] will meet with the Internal Revenue Services? project team to finalize the business processes. We will design and build the User Interface and reporting documentation. These applications will then go through a process of Quality Assurance and Testing. Answer 9: See Part II, Section II changes below below. Question 10: Section (e) Performance Work Statement, #2 Performance Work Statement (page 8). The fourth paragraph requires that every morning the kiosk have at least 75% of the total amount of receipt paper and money order paper available. It also states, that the kiosk machine has no more than 25% of the total capacity of money in the currency acceptor. We will be unable to comply with this requirement during the initial phase due to the potentially wide variance in payment volumes and the unknown issues of payment amounts and the corresponding bill count. [Our company] proposes that we address the issue of service level availability in Attachment A ? Performance Matrix. It is our expectation to maintain the kiosks at an uptime rate of 98% or greater. The Deduction Schedule lists a variety of schedule levels with associated penalties for non-compliance. [The company] understands the need for and is committed to delivering the highest level of service possible to the Internal Revenue Service. Presently, our service levels expectations are very similar to those specified. However, due to the uncertain nature and potential variability of the initial phase of the Base Year of May 2007-September 30, 2007, we will request the financial penalties be suspended. It is our goal to work closely with the Internal Revenue Service in delivering a solid program and to track closely to the performance matrix. But, based upon our past experience with other self-service projects, we anticipate there will be modifications to the project that may impact the service levels. Answer 10: In accordance with FAR Part 37.601(b), the government must have measurable performance standards and a methodology of assessing those standards. Therefore, IRS is unable to remove the performance standards. With respect to the ?unknown issues of payment amounts and the corresponding bill count?, see Amendment 1 to this synopsis/solicitation for more information on IRS? estimated cash transactions. Question 11: Section (e) Performance Work Statement, #3 Product Specification (page 8). The seventh line item requires the kiosk ?Be handicap accessible; ADA compliant and Section 508 compliant.? Our kiosks will be in compliance with the physical access specifications as described. However, during the initial phase of the Base Year of May 2007-September 30, 2007, we will not be able to comply with the audio access specifications for the visually impaired. It is our intent to develop the audio portion as quickly as possible but, we want you to be aware that we will not be able to deliver the initial kiosks with this feature. Answer 11: The ADA does not require that these machines have audio capability. More specifically, the discussion relative to auditory output at 1194.25 does not require audio capability it even though it gives guidance for when it is used. Question 12: Section (e) Performance Work Statement, #4 Kiosk Locations (page 8-9). The fourth sentence states ?The contractor shall ensure to have each kiosk machine delivered and operational at the specified location within two weeks of notice.? We request the delivery date be changed to ?within four weeks of notice?. In addition, we will request the notification form contain installation information such as power and telephone line access, accessibility information such loading dock information and hours of availability. Answer 12: See Part II, Section II below. Question 13: I found the solicitation on FBO and also pulled it up from the IRS procurement website. In doing a quick read through it appears some documentation (company name, POC, etc) was due yesterday by 11:00 am if we were interested in responding. If we did not submit that, are we still qualified to respond to the RFP? Question 13: The closing date and time for receipt of your submission has been extended. See Part II, Section IV below. Part II: 1) In Section I ? Supplies or Services and Prices A) ADD the following description to CLIN 0001, Kiosk Machine Leasing: ?The estimated total price represents the price of leasing two kiosk machines and is calculated as follows: Unit Price x Estimated Quantity x 2 machines.? B) ADD the following description to CLIN 0004, Kiosk Machine Leasing: ?The estimated total price represents the price of leasing ten kiosk machines and is calculated as follows: Unit Price x Estimated Quantity x 10 machines.? 2) In Section II ? Contract Terms and Conditions make the following changes A) In paragraph number 3(e)(4) ? Performance Work Statement, Kiosk Locations: DELETE ? ?The contractor shall ensure to have each kiosk machine delivered and operational at the specified location within two weeks of notice. Notice is defined as acquisition award and the IRS? exercise of optional services. At the sole discretion of the IRS, the IRS may decide to exercise the option to add the kiosks identified as the Optional Kiosk locations (See Attachment B) to the services provided herein.? ADD ? ?With respect to the two kiosk machines listed as Basic Kiosk Locations, these machines must be delivered and operational at the specified location within ten weeks of contract award. With respect to the remaining eight machines identified as Optional Kiosk Locations, the contractor must have these machines delivered and operational within four weeks of IRS? exercise of the options, if the options are so exercised (see Attachment B ? Kiosk Locations/Security Status). It is the IRS? sole discretion to exercise the option to add the kiosks identified as the Optional Kiosk locations. B) In paragraph number 3(e)(9) ? Performance Work Statement, Deliverables: ADD - ?C) Not withstanding other language found herein: 1) Initial kiosk machines ? the contractor shall provide two kiosk machines to the locations identified in Attachment B ? Kiosk Locations/Security Status, Basic Kiosk Locations and in accordance with the pricing set forth in Section I ? Supplies or Services and Prices. 2) Optional Machines ? the contractor shall provide eight kiosk machines to the locations identified in Attachment B ? Kiosk Locations/Security Status, Optional Kiosk Locations and in accordance with the pricing set forth in Section I ? Supplies or Services and Prices.? C) In paragraph number 3(e)(10) ? Performance Work Statement, Responsibility of the Government: ADD ? ?(c) IRS will ensure that active telephone lines are accessible by all kiosk machines. The contractor is responsible for providing the appropriate telecommunication speed to ensure quality and timely service.? 3) In Section IV ? Solicitation Provisions make the following changes: A) In paragraph 7, subparagraph (2): DELETE ? ?The closing date and time for submissions is 2:00pm, Eastern Standard Time, May 7, 2007.? ADD ? ?The closing date and time for submissions is 2:00pm, Eastern Standard Time, May 9, 2007.?