DA01--Market Research Request Geographic Information System Support

Modification to a Previous Notice Amendment to a Previous Notice Page 8 of 8 Amendment to a Previous Notice Page 1 of 8 The purpose of this amendment is to respond to a vendor question. The response date and time remains unchanged. We understand that we need to respond to the 22 sections under the Requested Capability Information and answer the 10 questions under Response Instructions. Given that the page limit is set to a maximum of 10 pages, can the government be a little flexible on the page count. Response: The page limit is amended to 15 pages. What level of clearance does personnel need to have for this contract? Response: A VA background check is required. Can we provide candidates who are eligible to get clearance, but do not have active clearance? Response: Yes Should the offeror have the ability to provide security clearances to the personnel being provided? Response: As stated in question 2, a VA background check is required. However, if an offeror is required to provide security clearances for the personnel being proposed, this requirement will be clearly identified in the solicitation PWS Section 5.2.2 outlines requirements for advanced database administration and geodatabase maintenance. Does the current ArcGIS implementation within the Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) heavily utilize standard ESRI out-of-the-box system tables, or are there significant schema customizations and proprietary extensions that the contractor will be required to maintain? Response: EGT s databases are SDE enabled and use the standard out of the box schemas and tables.� However, EGT also uses SQL/SSIS to create views, query data, ETL data, and modify it without the use of ArcGIS Pro.� All our databases are within CDW and follow CDW rules.� We are required to support geospatial needs and data requirements with and without ESRI.� Expert knowledge in SQL especially the ST functions is a must. PWS Section 5.2.1 and Section 5.2.3 reference troubleshooting and integrating interfaces between ArcGIS Enterprise and third-party systems. Could the Government provide a specific list of these external IT platforms, databases, or application names referenced in Attachment 3? Response: Power BI is one of the key systems we support.� We also must support researchers who use Python and R outside of ArcGIS to do analysis.� We also feed our data into other key applications via the ArcGIS REST API.� This allows users to embed our web maps in web applications outside of the ArcGIS Portal framework. The RFI requests experience with ArcGIS Indoors, and the PWS references creating indoor floor plans using CAD, BIM, and LAS datasets. Does the VA currently have a standardized data model and schema established for facility footprints across its administrations, or will the contractor be tasked with establishing the initial spatial framework and data pipeline definitions for these facility layers? Response: VA uses the ESRI ArcGIS data model for indoor and 3D data.� For 2D utility and facility data VA uses a customized version of the Spatial Data Standards for Facilities, Infrastructure and Environment (SDSFIE). � All other data (such as Census) is typically in the format that the creator publishes it as. PWS Section 5.4 outlines migrating and consolidating multiple VA ArcGIS instances into a unified platform within the VA Enterprise Cloud (VAEC). To assist in accurately projecting workload, what is the approximate size (e.g., in terabytes or record counts) of the geospatial datasets slated for cloud migration and consolidation? Response: Currently the existing data is within the 10-20 TB range for all systems.� This includes databases, files on SAN drive, and portal contents. � However, we are expecting significant growth of 10-20 TB per year for the next several years to support ArcGIS Indoors. Example metrics: sPatient addresses: 249,932,233 NCA: 5,429,154 graves features 4,136,039 markers features Common data: EGT data: 70 tables ORNL data: 78 tables EGT Portal contents: 2,015 items GSSC Portal contents: 3,714 items PWS Section 5.2.1 states that incident volume can trend between 15 to 20 incidents per week. Is there an existing backlog of data anomalies, mismatched data features, or unresolved help desk tickets, or is the incoming contractor expected to focus primarily on steady-state operations? Response: Currently, tickets are completed in 1-2 days and no backlog exists. PWS Section 5.1.5 notes that the contractor must track all requirements, testing results, and risks in project management tools like Jira. Does the Government currently manage an enterprise-wide instance of Jira with pre-configured workflows for the Product Engineering Service (PES), or will the contractor be responsible for setting up and managing the team s workspace and traceability matrices? Response: Yes, the PES has our own Jira instance.� Usage has been on and off over the years but is used to track metrics for leadership.� Contractor will be able to use these Jira boards. PWS Section 4.5.1 lists four critical labor categories as Key Personnel (GIS System Admin, GIS DBA, GIS Analyst, GIS Programmer) but does not define the full required headcount. Is the Government expecting a 1-to-1 staff allocation for these roles, or are contractors expected to propose a scalable staffing mix based on incident volume, and if so, will all personnel be considered key if there are more than one per LCAT? Response: Currently, VA has 2 SA (1 senior, 1 junior), 1 senior DBA, and 1 Analyst, with a vacant programmer contractor position.� VA will be expecting to need 2 additional analysts in year 1 to meet expected workload.� Additional staff may be needed in later years. PWS Section 5.1.5 mandates tracking code coverage and risks using Agile tools. Will the VA GIS program operate under an enterprise Agile Release Train (ART), or will it run on� localized Scrum/Kanban teams? Response: VA uses Github for code storage and issue tracking.� We do not run formal scrum/kanban teams/processes at this time.� PWS Section 5.2.2 tasks the contractor with database storage management, trend analysis, and geodatabase archiving. Does the VA currently utilize third-party tools for data optimization, and what are these third-party tool names, or are these workflows built entirely using native SQL Server/ESRI tools? Response: VA has several customer scripts that check for things like long running queries.� We use standard SQL Server and ArcGIS tools for usage tracking. PWS Section 5.3.3 requires knowledge of CAD, BIM, and LAS data to maintain indoor floor plans. Are these source files centrally managed and standardized, or will the contractor be responsible for clean-up, projection conversion, and schema mapping from disparate local facility offices? Response: The local facilities will be required to clean up the contents (snapping, correct layer assignment, etc) all files before submitting to EGT.� Contractor may need to give guidance to local facilities should submitted files not be clean.� Contractor may need to project files and map CAD layer to feature class was part of normal duties. PWS Section 5.3.1 mandates a minimum of two training sessions per month and weekly virtual office hours. Could the Government provide the estimated number of cores vs. casual users to help appropriately size the training and customer support communication plan? Response: For weekly office hours, we have roughly 10-15 normal attendees.� Several have expert GIS knowledge while many are new to GIS.� New attendees are almost always new to GIS.� For larger training, typically it is within the range of 25-50 people, although we have had trainings top 300+ in the past. Attachment 3 is referenced several times in the PWS but does not appear to have been included. Can VA please provide Attachment 3? Response: Attachment 3 is a boiler plate text that was not removed. Can VA provide any additional details regarding the current ArcGIS Enterprise environment, including approximate number of environments, hosting locations, and whether the environment is currently federated/high availability? Response: Currently, the VA hosts 2 on-prem GIS portal (EGT and VACO Indoors) and 1 cloud GIS portal (GSSC).� EGT and GSSC are in the process of merging key GSSC applications into EGT.� However, the GSSC portal will not be fully merged into after the combined VA GIS portal in the VA cloud has been completed. EGT: Production and Test version Production: 2 ArcGIS Portal nodes 4 Federated ArcGIS Server 2 GeoEvent Server 1 2-node SQL Server 1 Street Map Premium ArcGIS Indoors 1 Portal node 2 ArcGIS Server Same SQL Server as other portal SAN drives for EGT and NCA. Clients: 6 ArcGIS Pro VMs for EGT 3 ArcGIS Pro VMs for NCA 2 ArcGIS Pro VMs for geoprocessing GSSC: Production and Test Production: 2 ArcGIS Portal node 2 Federated ArcGIS Server 1 Street Map Premium 1 SQL Server managed instance VACO Indoors Not sure on their server counts but I believe it is a minimum deployment. Can VA provide approximate operational metrics such as: Number of users Average monthly ticket volumes Approximate number of integrated systems/interfaces Response: Tickets are typically handled via email or MS Teams.� They are put into Jira as worked on.� Tickets volume is round 10-15 per week. EGT Portal users: 174 Content creators 5,471 Viewers GSSC Portal users: 322 Content creators 4,787 Viewers Regarding the planned GIS consolidation into the VAEC environment, can VA provide any additional detail regarding: Approximate number of GIS environments anticipated for migration/consolidation Whether migration sequencing or prioritization has already been established Response: 3 main environments will be consolidated: EGT, GSSC, VACO Indoors.� EGT and GSSC consolidation are already underway.� VACO indoors will be done last. Is ArcGIS Indoors/facility mapping expected to be a significant component of the operational environment? Response: Currently, no. However, expected growth is 5 VA Medical Center campus per year for the foreseeable future.� Each medical center is the size of a college campus and is estimated to take 5-10TB of storage each. Is ESRI software (ArcGIS Enterprise) the target for hosting and management of GIS data or is open-source technologies like GeoServer, QGIS, or other a potential for implementation? Response: QGIS and Mapbox both are approved for VA use but are not used within the EGT/GSSC/VA Indoor systems.� ESRI and SQL Server software will be used for this implementation. Will there be any data collection like GPS, survey, scanning, or remote sensing be included as part of this work? Response:� NCA has GPS collection efforts, and the contractor may be asked to assist with moving GPS data and photos from ArcGIS Online to VA GIS system.� However, no GPS, survey, scanning, or remote sensing will be part of the work for this contract. Regarding large datasets (100+ million records), approximately how many datasets/feature classes are in questions.� Or are these few datasets with very large tables? Response: Almost all large geospatial datasets are tied to addresses.� We are working to normalize this data to allow for 1-2 large tables with several reference/crosswalk tables to link things like patients and enrollees to the same address records.� Currently, there are 2-5 large addresses tables within VA for this.� CDW, which EGT is part of, has Trillions of records across all databases.� Many of these tables are related to patient care.� Contractor may be required to join and publish patient data with address to the portal.� Example: Join all prescriptions for X Drug to patient records and publish them to portal. Since the data is large, is the target database SQL Server?� Is other RDBMS optional like Oracle or PostgreSQL/PostGIS especially since replication and scaling may be necessary. Response: CDW runs SQL Server for almost all databases.� Other database is not viable option at this time. Can any of the work be processed at contractor s location like software development, testing, or data modification to improve performance and manageability? Response:� Limited work can be done on non-VA systems such as code develop.� All data must remain of the VA network due to Personal Health Information (PHI) concerns.� Will there be a need for onsite staffing for support? Response: No. All positions are remote.� Travel, if any, will be for training such as attending ESRI UC.� Is the GIS a single site or a multi-site implementation? Response: There are 3 current VA GIS systems within the VA and 1 ArcGIS Online instance.� This will be consolidated to 1 VA GIS system (Test and Production versions) and 1 ArcGIS Online instance. Is customer training to include vendor certified training like (ESRI)? Response: No certifications are required.� Is the Company Information section, Response Instructions items 1 10, included within the 10-page limit? Response: Yes, unless Company Information is included in the cover letter. Should the Industry Recommendations section, Question 22, Parts A G, also be included within the same 10-page limit? Response: Yes When referencing the "transmittal page," is the Government referring to the cover letter/transmittal letter accompanying the response? Response: The Government referring to the cover letter accompanying the response.