REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON THE USDA NATIONAL FINANCE CENTER PAY ENGINE PROJECT.

Notice Date

September 22, 2000

Contracting Office

USDA, Office of Operations , Procurement Operations Division, Stop 9850, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9850

ZIP Code

20250-9850

E-Mail Address

Contracting Officer (michael.mcfarland@usda.gov)

Description

REQUEST FOR COMMENT. POC: Michael McFarland, Contracting Officer (ph. 202-720-4179) (fax 202-720-4529) (email michael.mcfarland@usda.gov). USDA is developing the acquisition and project strategy for the NFC Pay Engine. USDA issued a previous Request for Information (RFI) in April 2000, which sought suggestions, ideas and comments in response to the Project Overview and System Overview documents posted on the USDA Pay Engine web site. In response to the industry input received from the first RFI, USDA has produced documents providing clarifications and additional information about the project. On or about September 25, 2000, vendors may view the Response Letter to the RFI respondents and a revised Project Approach document on the USDA Pay Engine web site at www.usda.gov/da/payengine/. Additionally, the Draft Functional Requirements document for the USDA NFC Pay Engine will be posted on the web site on or about September 25, 2000. This notice is a Request for Comments soliciting vendor's technical expertise in the area of system requirements. All information submitted in response to this RFC will be used for planning purposes only. FAR Clause 52.215-3 applies. All information will be safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure. Please ensure any sensitive or protected information is clearly marked as such. All information received will be considered as the USDA develops the solicitation. This is not a formal solicitation under FAR Part 15 or a FAR Part 13 simplified acquisition, but a request for interested parties to provide information. No solicitation document exists and requests for a solicitation will be ignored. Interested companies whose core business is information systems development and integration are encouraged to review the Draft Functional Requirements document and Project Approach on the Pay Engine web site and provide questions and comments about the documents. USDA is particularly interested in the following areas: 1) Given the requirements as stated in the Draft Functional Requirements, is the system development process and the proposed schedule of initial implementation within 18 -- 24 months of contract award feasible?; 2) The suitability of commercial-off-the-shelf solutions for the envisioned system and the extent of the gap between the COTS solutions and the Draft Functional Requirements; 3) Examples of operational payroll systems of a similar size and scope. Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments and questions on any other areas/issues related to the NFC Pay Engine acquisition in their responses. Responses may be submitted via e-mail to michael.mcfarland@usda.gov or hard copy to the above address. All interested parties are invited to submit their responses to this RFC no later than October 25, 2000.

Web Link

Visit this URL for information on the USDA NFC Pay (http://www.usda.gov/da/payengine/)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20000926/SPMSC010.HTM (W-266 SN499614)