Q_&_A_1232SB18Q0012.docx

Final Q&As (The period for Q&As has expired on 1/1/18) Q) How does the Government expect delivery of proposal responses, via email or hard copy delivery in Beltsville?

A) Offerors shall submit proposals electronically to Marcos.Ocadiz@ars.usda.gov

Q) Does the Government expect 2 volumes to be delivered, or may vendors combined Technical and Price volumes?

A) Offerors shall submit proposals in two volumes – Technical and Price.

Q) Does USDA ARS allow the use of their logo in vendor proposal materials?

A) USDA/ARS logo usage is not permitted on offeror’s proposal materials.

Q) Has the government considered directed/sole source award to avoid unnecessary expenditure by contractors?

A) The Government does not find this requirement to be a sole source and expects to receive adequate competition.

New Q&As

Q) What are the educations requirements for the writer/editor?

A) A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a science field is required. Because the work is exclusively focused on writing about science research and editing complicated, high-level science research documents, the person should hold an ELS certification (Editor in the Life Sciences, awarded by the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences—BELS).

Q) What are the graphic software or other software knowledge required for this position?

A) Graphic design activities are not part of the job. The writer/editor must have complete familiarity with the Microsoft suite of software (Word, Excel, and Publisher in particular) as well as knowledge of scientific databases (e.g., PubMed, PubAg, Agricola, USDA nutrition databases, ARIS) and familiarity with their use is necessary.

Q) When working on-site on an average of 1 day per week is the personnel working a full day or half day? If a full day, how will the work be dispersed for the work week? What are the hours of performance?

A) The 20 hours a week will be scheduled as Monday – Friday; 4 hours a day for each of the five week days. The hours will be 8am – 12pm ET for each day. On occasion contractor may be required to provide additional on-site coverage to fill in for other writing staff members who are scheduled to be away or unavailable, so the contactor may be required to come into the office more frequently than 1 (4 hour) day per week.

Previous Q&As

Q) Is this a requirement for Program Management support or Technical writing support or both?

A) This is for Writer/Editor services as per the SOW.

Q) NAICS code in the FBO says 541611 and the RFQ says 561990, please clarify.

A) The correct NAICS code is 541611. Please disregard the incorrect code 561990.

Q) Please clarify if USDA is seeking proposals from companies or individuals for this solicitation.

A) Offeror submitting a proposal must be registered in SAM with a DUNS.

Q) Is there an incumbent?

A) No, there is currently no incumbent.

Q) Is funding available?

A) This is a funded requirement. Additional option(s) will be funded if Government exercises option.

Q) Is this a small business acquisition?

A) This should be considered as a Small Business Set-aside.

Q) Will you please extend the due date to January 9th at 5pm EST instead of January 7th which is a Sunday?

A) At the moment, the Government does not anticipate a due date extension.

Q) Given the Section B provides a number of hours for the Writer/Editor, please provide the number of hours that should be bid for the Project Manager indicated as Key Personnel in Section C.7.

A) In this instance, the Project Manager should be considered as the Key Personnel providing Writer/Editor services.

Q) Does the pricing submitted have to conform with offerors’ applicable GSA schedule?

A) Offeror should provide their best fair and reasonable quote for this requirement.

Q) If an offeror is registered in SAM.gov, is the offeror required to submit section E.5?

A) An offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically via http://www.acquisition.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the System for Award Management (SAM) website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (o) of this provision.

Q) Is the 10 page limitation for both the combined Pricing and Technology responses?

Is the font to be Times New Roman?

A) Offeror shall submit its proposal limited to 10 single spaced pages (in 12 font), including charts, graphs, and exhibits as needed.

Q) Is "Past Performance" to be included in the Technical Proposal submission?

A) The proposal shall clearly and fully demonstrate the offeror’s capability and knowledge in regard to the requirements described in the RFQ, Attachment A, Statement of Work. The offeror shall have the capacity to meet the requirements of the statement of work. If offeror is proposing to use subcontractors to perform any part of this work, offeror must identify the subcontractor, explain their role, and discuss their experience and qualifications.

Q) Please confirm response deadline for this solicitation is due on Sunday 01/07/2018 @ 2359 (11:59) ET?

A) All proposals are due NLT Sunday 01/07/2018 @ 2359 (11:59) ET.

Q) Past Performance – Can we use our Corporate Past Performance or are you wanting Past Performance for the individual being proposed?

A) Describe two past or current contracts you have performed which are similar to this requirement in terms of size, scope and type of work performed. Applicants should have a minimum of 5 years’ experience writing for a scientific organization or publication. Given the technical nature of this work, direct experience providing services in a scientific research environment will be given more weight.

Q) Is a resume required to be submitted with the proposal or can we give an overview of the proposed candidate's abilities?

A) The proposal shall clearly and fully demonstrate the offeror’s capability and knowledge in regard to the requirements described in the RFQ, Attachment A, Statement of Work. The offeror shall have the capacity to meet the requirements of the statement of work. If offeror is proposing to use subcontractors to perform any part of this work, offeror must identify the subcontractor, explain their role, and discuss their experience and qualifications.