NRS FPL Publications Questions and Answers 12444825Q0018 11Sep2025.pdf

Q1. Is this a new requirement? If not, please provide the current contract number and incumbent.

A1. New Requirement

Q2. Is the scope of the PWS equivalent to the scope of the previous contract or have there been changes? If so, what changes have been made?

A2. This is a new requirement in which the requirements are being defined by a Statement of Work (SOW). This solicitation was not solicited as/and ultimate award will not be performance based ( PWS – Performance Work Statement). This requirement is specific to this SOW.

Q3. Will the contractor have to provide its own access to ArcGIS StoryMap, or will the contractor receive access to the government’s licenses?

A3. Contractor will be given necessary access to the ArcGIS StoryMaps as needed.

Q4. Please confirm that the scope of work does not require the contractor to provide graphic design services to build out images and publication layouts; rather this work is to be performed by government staff in consultation with the contractor.

A4. Correct, contractor does not need to provide any graphic design services. The contractor is responsible for editing images and checking figures for spelling errors, capitalizing, and proper formatting, but any changes will be made by the visual information specialist or authors.

Q5. Please confirm that Section 508 remediation of PDFs is not included in this scope, and that Section 508 services are limited to writing alt text and providing general consulting.

A5. Correct. The visual information specialist, not the editing contractor, is responsible for the 508 remediation. If there are issues with the 508 compliance (for example, missing alt text, figures that do not meet 508 standards), the VIS will work with the editor to resolve issues, which may require the editor writing alt text or working with the author to obtain additional information or revised materials.

Q6. Is there an incumbent performing this work? If so, can the government please provide their name and contract number? A6. No.

Q7. Is the contractor responsible for remediating the documents, or would we be working with another contractor or USDA remediator to ensure final files are Section 508 compliant? For instance, who is responsible for validating our drafted alt text meets legal standards?

A7. Editing contractor may be responsible for writing Alt text if it is not provided. Authors are responsible for checking alt text, and the visual information specialist is responsible for validating the text.

Q8. Are these projects laid out in InDesign and/or Word?

A8. The layout and design of the projects is done in InDesign by the visual information specialist. Contract editor is responsible for preparing the final files in Word, but the VIS is responsible for creating the layout in InDesign.

Q9. As the contractor is responsible for "overseeing" the layout process, does this include overseeing the 508 remediation of the final PDFs for web posting?

A9. The visual information specialist, not the editing contractor, is responsible for the 508 remediation. If there are issues with the 508 compliance (for example, missing alt text, figures that do not meet 508 standards), the VIS will work with the editor to resolve issues, which may require the editor working with the author to obtain additional information or revised materials.

Q10. For Project 3, do the appendices comprise already published material?

A10. Appendix 2 survey materials will include images of the survey pages. Other appendixes are new materials that require the editing of lists for consistency.

Q11. Some projects specify “web only.” Will any projects require print production support?

A11. No, print production support will not be required.

Q12. Does NRS have an in-house style manual/guide and/or branding guide that will be provided to the editor?

A12. We use the GPO Style Manual 2016 and also have internal style manuals and guidelines that will be provided to the contractor.

Q13. Are projects expected to be spread evenly across the year, or will there be peak periods (e.g., end of fiscal year)?

A13. Editing contractor will likely be working on more than one project at the same time, but there may limited breaks in the work as we wait for materials to be reviewed by the authors and returned to the editor.

Q14. Does performing this work require obtaining security clearance?

A14. No

Q15. Will the editor have direct contact with authors or will all communication be through NRS/FPL Production Services?

A15. The editor will be working with the author who is the designated point of contact for each project.

Q16. The solicitation references required documents (SF-1449, Price Schedule, Experience Questionnaire, etc.) but does not specify whether these documents should be submitted in separate volumes or as a single integrated package. Could the Government please confirm the expected submission requirements (e.g., pricing information to be submitted separately from the technical response)?

A16. As per FAR 52.212-1, all items listed in that provision are required to be submitted.

How you chose to combine/individually create and submit those requirements is your decision. PDF or Word documents are preferred. All documents will be evaluated equally.

Q17. The Experience Questionnaire requests an ‘estimate rate of progress (such as 2.0 acres per day).’ Since this appears to be a construction/land management metric, could the Government please confirm if this question can be voided?

A17. That is an example and a valid question. View this question and answer (if applicable) as it pertains to your business.

Q18. The Experience Questionnaire requests information on “major equipment used.” Since this appears to be oriented towards construction or field service contracts, could the Government please confirm if this question can be voided?

A18. I did not see anything citing "major equipment." Question 8c states "Specify equipment available for this contract." View this question and answer (if applicable) as it pertains to your business.