USIBWC SCADA Lifecycle Support

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (Amendment 0002) clarifies the Performance Work Statement (PWS) for the USIBWC SCADA Lifecycle Support solicitation. It consolidates questions and answers received to ensure equal access to information for all offerors.

Key clarifications include:

• Multiple Offers: Offerors may submit multiple offers reflecting different technical or staffing approaches.

• Personnel Count Limitation: The listed personnel count is a minimum baseline; additional qualified personnel may be proposed.

• Background Investigation System: USIBWC uses eAPP for background investigations, and the prime contractor will coordinate subcontractor personnel submissions.

• Alternate and Backup Personnel: Additional cleared or clearance-eligible personnel may be proposed for continuity and emergency coverage.

• CLIN 003 Software Scope: Solutions must meet FISMA, FEDRAMP, NIST, and CISA standards. The system is intended to be air-gapped with limited exceptions.

• Endpoint Quantity: The quantity of 20 reflects current configuration endpoints.

• Tier 4 Timing: Personnel requiring administrator privileges must possess Tier 4 clearance on day one of award.

• Emergency Labor Pricing: Offerors may propose hourly emergency labor rates with severity-based estimates.

• Clearance Leveraging: A prime SDVOSB may leverage clearances from a teaming partner if the proposal is responsive and compliant.

• On Call Coverage: Most emergencies can be handled during business hours; disaster events may require after-hours response.

• Remote Versus On Site Support: For Nogales SCADA, the estimate is 75% remote and 25% on-site, with potential shifts as the system transitions. Other IBWC systems are primarily remote.

• Transition In Period: There is no formal transition period; IBWC will assist with documentation, access, and adjustment time.

• Software Licensing Responsibility: No additional recurring licenses are required beyond Government-provided Rockwell licenses.

• Set Aside Requirement: This requirement is set aside for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) per FAR 19.14.

• SCADA Audit Scope: Audits will be a joint effort between the contractor and IBWC.

• Endpoint Protection and Patch Management Tools: Offerors should assume no tools are in place. Endpoint protection is not required, but an optional patch management tool may be proposed. The contractor is expected to track CISA KEVs and CVEs and implement patching.

• Patching Approach: Automated patching is acceptable, provided systems remain operational and patching occurs during approved maintenance windows.

• CLIN 003 Boundary: CLIN 003 applies to all devices within the IT and OT boundary.

• Government Furnished Equipment: The Government will provide devices required for contractor personnel to connect to equipment.

• Monitoring and Response: The contractor is responsible for both monitoring and response, consistent with an air-gapped architecture.

• Insurance Requirements: Insurance requirements apply only when contractor personnel are physically present at IBWC locations.

• GSA MAS Requirement: The solicitation does not require a GSA MAS contract; IT Schedule 70 is for pricing basis only.

• Vulnerability Assessment Scope and Execution: Vulnerability assessments will be non-intrusive and paperwork-based. The contractor will keep current with CISA Binding Operational Directives and CVE vulnerabilities for the Nogales site only. Flexibility exists in how specialized cybersecurity support is provided.

• Performance Work Statement (PWS)

• Price Sheet

• Classification Section of the Solicitation

• FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors

• FAR 52.228-5

This amendment does not change the scope of work, evaluation factors, period of performance, or submission due date. All other terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged unless specifically stated above.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment clarifies language in Section 12 of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) regarding "FFP As a Service Pricing in Orders." Specifically, it clarifies that the reference to IT Schedule 70 is for pricing benchmark purposes only. Offerors are not required to hold a GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract to be eligible for award. The Government may consider commercially available pricing, including schedule-based pricing, to support price reasonableness. The solicitation is not being conducted under FAR Part 8 and is not limited to GSA MAS contract holders.

• Section 12 of the Performance Work Statement (PWS)

• This amendment does not change the scope of work, evaluation factors, period of performance, or submission due date.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To safeguard and secure the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) SCADA environments against evolving cyber-attack threats. This includes utilizing managed services for specialized functions such as cyber vulnerability assessments, risk management, continuity of operations, incident response training, and implementing effective SCADA system maintenance and emergency call-out programs.

• Provide SCADA Systems maintenance and improvements for the NIWTP SCADA System.

• Perform software and firmware patching and remediation.

• Conduct software upgrades, parts, and component replacement.

• Perform IT Security control assessments and improvements.

• Enhance functionality through Ignition SCADA software.

• Provide emergency repair of Systems.

• Act as an agency Subject Matter Expert (SME) for reviewing and providing feedback on upgrade design and implementation plans.

• Support includes remote troubleshooting and on-site emergency response.

• Specific tasks include diagnosing SCADA system issues, adjusting plant control functionality, troubleshooting equipment problems (up to PLC/HMI), and resolving network issues.

• Experience required in migrating legacy PLCs and SCADA/OT project management.

• System Documentation: Complete and submit all required system documentation by the end of the performance period (100% AQL).

• Patching Operations and Maintenance: Initiate patching operations and maintenance as required (100% AQL).

• Emergency Response to Incidents and Operations Issues: Respond to emergency incidents and operations issues within 8 hours (100% AQL).

• Project Management: Provide necessary project management support, including biweekly technical status meetings, project management documentation, and trip reports (100% AQL).

• Critical Vulnerabilities: Shall be completed within 14 days of notification.

• Period of Performance: 365 days from date of award, with further renewals probable (Base Year plus 3 Option Years).

• Place of Performance: Primarily focused on the NIWTP SCADA System, with specific tasks for Nogales and San Diego locations.

• Contractor personnel requiring administrator privileges must possess a current Tier 4 (public trust) or higher background investigation.

• Personnel requiring access to programming code or field devices (non-administrator) require a Tier 2 Suitability level background investigation.

• All contractors and subcontractors must have U.S. citizenship.

• Compliance with specific regulations including FISMA, NIST SP 800-82, DHS guidance, and OMB memorandums.

• Data processed will be classified according to FIPS 199 standards (high for availability/integrity, moderate for confidentiality).

• Deliverables designated in the PWS shall be labeled "CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION (CUI)".

• Contractor must disclose any actual or potential Organizational Conflict of Interest (COI).

• Contractor personnel must execute a Corporate Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

Wage Determination

This document is a Wage Determination (WD 2015-5481, Revision No. 28, dated 07/08/2025) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division. It establishes minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for contracts subject to the Service Contract Act.

• Executive Order Applicability:
  • For contracts entered into or extended on or after January 30, 2022, Executive Order 14026 applies, requiring a minimum wage of $17.75 per hour (or the listed wage determination rate, if higher) for hours worked in 2025.
  • For contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022, and not renewed or extended after January 30, 2022, Executive Order 13658 applies, requiring a minimum wage of $13.30 per hour (or the listed wage determination rate, if higher) for hours worked in 2025.
  • These Executive Order minimum wage rates are subject to annual adjustment.
• Paid Sick Leave: Executive Order 13706 applies to contracts awarded on or after January 1, 2017, requiring contractors to provide employees with 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours annually. This leave can be used for various health-related reasons, including preventive care and issues related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
• Occupational Listings: The document provides a detailed list of occupations with corresponding minimum hourly wage rates and required fringe benefits. These include administrative support, automotive service, food preparation, health occupations, information technology, protective services, and many others.
• Benefits:
  • Health & Welfare: $5.55 per hour (or $222.00 per week / $962.00 per month).
  • Health & Welfare (EO 13706): $5.09 per hour (or $203.60 per week / $882.27 per month) for SCA-covered contracts also covered by EO 13706.
  • Vacation: 2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years, 4 weeks after 15 years of service.
  • Holidays: A minimum of eleven paid holidays per year.
• Hazardous Pay Differential: An 8% differential for positions involving high hazard with ordnance, explosives, and incendiary materials; a 4% differential for positions with a low degree of hazard.
• Uniform Allowance: Contractors must furnish uniforms or reimburse employees for their cost, including maintenance, at a rate of $3.35 per week, unless uniforms are "wash and wear" and do not require special cleaning.

Details are provided for contractors needing to classify employees for work not listed in the wage determination, requiring a Standard Form 1444 (SF-1444) submission for approval by the Wage and Hour Division.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a price sheet for the USIBWC opportunity. Bidders are to use this form to provide their pricing.

• The sheet outlines CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers) for General Labor and Emergency Labor for a Base Year and three Option Years.
• It includes quantities for each CLIN (e.g., 12 Months for General Labor, 20 Each for Emergency Labor and one-time costs).
• Fields are provided for "Unit Price USD" and "Total USD" for each CLIN.
• A "Total Sum" field is included at the bottom.
• Sections for "NAME OF COMPANY", "DATE", "UNIQUE ENTITY ID", and "POC" are present for bidder information.

Bidders must complete this pricing sheet accurately to submit their proposal. The "Price Disclosure" section emphasizes that pricing must exclude state and local taxes and that SAM.gov registration must be active at the time of quotation and award. The Unique Entity ID used in SAM.gov must match the entity submitting the pricing.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document outlines the "Applicable Terms and Conditions" for the solicitation. It specifies the clauses and provisions that are incorporated by reference and will have the same force and effect as if provided in full text. It also details specific clauses that are provided in full text.

• Incorporated Clauses: Lists numerous FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) clauses and provisions by number and title, including those related to annual representations and certifications, contract terms and conditions, simplified acquisitions, subcontracts for commercial products, personal identity verification, system for award management, safeguarding of information systems, prohibition on ByteDance applications, limitation of funds, accelerated payments, protection of government property, unenforceability of unauthorized obligations, options to extend services, affirmative procurement, ban on texting while driving, federal/state/local taxes, and limitation of liability.
• Full Text Clauses: Provides the full text for FAR 52.228-5, "Insurance-Work on a Government Installation," detailing insurance requirements and notification procedures.
• Telecommunications Representation: Includes FAR 52.204-24, a representation regarding certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment, outlining prohibitions and disclosure requirements for offerors.
• Evaluation Factors: References FAR 52.212-2, "Evaluation-Commercial Items and Commercial Services," indicating that award will be made on a "Best Value Tradeoff" basis, considering price and other factors. An addendum specifies "Best Value Firm Fixed Price."
• Funding Notice: A critical notice states that the requirement is subject to the availability of funds and incremental funding. The contract will be incrementally funded as funds are released, and no legal liability exists until the Contracting Officer provides written notice of available funds. Offerors are cautioned not to begin performance or incur costs before this notice.

This document is crucial for bidders as it defines the legal and contractual framework of the solicitation. Key elements include:

• Compliance: Bidders must understand and comply with all referenced FAR clauses and provisions.
• Insurance: Specific insurance requirements are detailed.
• Telecommunications Restrictions: Offerors must address the representation regarding telecommunications equipment and services.
• Evaluation Criteria: The "Best Value Tradeoff" and "Firm Fixed Price" evaluation method is specified.
• Funding Contingency: The notice regarding incremental funding and the prohibition on incurring costs before funds are available is a critical risk factor for bidders to consider.