Responses to Questions - 11-233-SOL-00328.pdf

Questions/Responses Children’s Bureau Clearinghouse Services

RFP: 11‐233‐SOL‐00328

Question 1

Reference: Specific Tasks, Task 1, Collections & Maintenance, C.3.3, A. v., page 9 of 75. “The Contractor shall have a significant collection of non‐English publications, with the ability to translate when necessary”

Question: Please clarify what non‐English languages should be considered.

Non‐English refers, primarily, to Spanish.

Question 2

Reference: Specific Tasks, Task 4, Dissemination, C.3.3, page 19 of 75.

Question: Within Task 4, the subtasks go from Subtask C to E. Can you confirm that this is a typo?

Yes, this is a typo. It should be: C. Electronic & New Media and D. Listservs & Mailing Lists.

Question 3

Reference: Specific Tasks, Task 6: Program Support Services, A. Information Support, Page 20 of 75.

Question: Please confirm that this subsection should begin numbering with #1, as the first subtask is #2 instead of #1.

That is correct. The subsection under A. Information Support should begin with #1 (instead of #2).

Question 4

Reference: L.3 Technical Proposal Instructions (Page 57). “Responses must be submitted in Microsoft Word 2000 or a later version.”

Question: In order to protect the integrity of the desktop publishing of our document, would it be acceptable to submit a PDF version in addition to the required Microsoft Word version. The PDF can serve as master version in the event there is a formatting change due to printer configuration or other differences in environment.

It is fine to send in PDF format. There is no need to send 2 different versions. PDF only is fine and actually the preferred format.

Question 5

Reference: L.4 Past Performance Instructions (Page 58). “Offerors shall request past performance assessments from previous clients that are representative of the offeror’s capability to perform the services described in this solicitation. It is the offeror’s responsibility to ensure at least three (3) clients forward this information to the Government.

Question: Did the government intend to include a “past performance assessment” template that we are to forward to our references for completion or is it the government’s intent that offerors provide only the contact information for three references and the government will contact those references directly?

Attached is a Past Performance Questionnaire. Please ensure three (3) clients forward the completed form as soon as possible but no later than 9/6/2011. Proposals are still due on August 29, 2011 (1:00 PM EST).

Question 6

Reference: L.7 Subcontracting Plan (P.62) the Small Business subcontracts goals stated in this section are based on the “total subcontracting dollar of the contract” while Section L.8 SDB Participation Plan states that the SDB goals are “expressed as dollars and percentages of total contract value”.

Question: Please confirm that the Government requires contractors to present both plans using different basis (subcontracted dollars vs. total contract dollars).

Both plans should be based on the total subcontracting dollar value of the contract. Section L.8(3) is amended to read:

(3) The Offeror should stipulate SDB participation targets, expressed as dollars and percentages of the total subcontracting dollar value of the contract and per each applicable, authorized NAICS Major Groups; a total target for SDB participation by the Contractor (including joint venture partners and team members); and a total target for SDB participation by subcontractors.

The target goal for subcontracting with small disadvantaged businesses under the resulting contract is a MINIMUM of 5% of the total subcontracting dollar value of the contract.

Question 7

Reference: Page 58 of 75, Past Performance Instructions”

Question: May we provide 6 current contracts in lieu of any expired contracts. If not, is it correct to assume that the predecessor contracts of ongoing work are acceptable to use as “expired” contracts?

Current contracts are acceptable. Please provide only three contracts total. In section L.4, the first sentence of the paragraph at the bottom of page 58 is amended to read:

Offerors shall provide three (3) relevant contracts that are similar in nature to this scope of work.

Question 8

Reference: Task 2: Information Requests; page 14 of 75, Provide an area, in Washington D.C., that is identifiable as a media/reading room that is easily accessible to the public and provides sufficient space for storage of materials routinely requested.

Question: Please confirm that the reading room may be located in the Washington, DC area rather than within the city of Washington, DC.

Yes, the reading room may be located in the Washington, DC area.