B-3 Amendment 0003.docx

Amendment 0003

The purposes of this amendment are to:

1. Extend the response date of this solicitation from November 19, 2019 at 11:59pm EST to November 25, 2020 at 11:59pm EST.

2. Publicly provide answers to inquires posed by interested parties.

Question 1 Computer

NIST Answer: No more than one computer will not be made available. The NIST computer’s purpose is chiefly to provide a method of sending graphics to the TPOC from a NIST-approved computer, thus eliminating potential problems with compatibility and security.

The SOW specifies products, not personnel. The amount of personnel proposed is up to the Contractor, but only one computer will be provided regardless of staffing proposed.

Question 2

3. Please clarify the wording of "no fewer" in the listed

DELIVERABLES VI. and VII:

No fewer than 12 explanatory animations at one of three complexity levels No fewer than eighteen (18) explanatory drawings and illustrations

Is there potential for more animations and/or illustrations? Will the cost be adjusted based on 'each' item's cost? What approval process will this entail?

NIST Answer: It means that we expect 12 animations and 18 drawings. Any fewer than that is unacceptable. There is no possibility of additional products.

Question 3 For the specification:

Following that, the Contractor shall produce storyboards – showing no fewer than four successive stages in the animation – for review by the TPOC and the relevant scientists who will provide direction to the Contractor by email. As the work proceeds, the Contractor shall provide refined storyboards and/or video clips as directed for the purpose of securing successive interim approvals while proceeding from initial idea to completed product. For each animation, this may entail no more than two additional rounds of message exchange as needed to provide direction for refining and/or modifying the animation, as determined by the TPOC and relevant NIST scientists. TPOC and relevant scientists will determine when a product is completed Does this mean the Contractor we will need to prepare at least 4 versions/iterations for each animation?

NIST Answer: No it does not mean there will always be 4 iterations. It is assumed that the TPOC and the Contractor will have an initial discussion by email or other means about the best way to depict the subject matter – before any work begins. That is, the parties will decide on the overall design of the product, the sequence and length of actions (for animations), and the degree of graphic sophistication required for each subject.

If necessary, there can be up to three rounds of changes: One following initial submission and receipt of the TPOC’s highly detailed instructions on revising the product, one following the revised submission, and (if needed) a third revision which will be the final version. No fourth iteration is required. If the vendor exactly follows the instructions from the TPOC, a second revision should not be necessary.

After the first revision, any subsequent changes are expected to be minimal. That is, no new objects or elements or motions will be required.

Question 4 Can we include hyperlinks in our proposal to demonstrate our past animation work?

NIST Answer: Yes. Links are greatly preferred. Vendors are discouraged from sending printed material or DVDs.

Question 5 For the specification:

Task 1: The Contractor shall produce a total of twelve (12) explanatory animations per year of lengths from 90 seconds to 180 seconds approximately and in no case to exceed 200 seconds, as directed by the TPOC. Animations shall be in color and made at three different levels of complexity – with the appropriate level for each product to be determined by the TPOC and the relevant NIST scientists – as follows:

Does this mean that EACH of the twelve animations needs to be created at three different levels of complexity (i.e., 12 animations times 3 versions for 36 total versions?)

NIST Answer: No this means that we expect each of the twelve (12) required animations to be between 90 to 200 seconds long.

Question 6 For the specification:

Task 3: The Contractor shall create and maintain a complete web-based online archive, organized in order by date completed, of all graphics products produced for Tasks 1 and 2 above that is accessible at any time by the NIST TPOC.

Will the government consider making this a monthly charge (i.e., a quantity of 12 and a unit of months?)

NIST Answer: No payment stipulation has been indicated for the tasks in this solicitation. Per the SOW the Contractor can propose their own payment terms.

Question 7 For the specification:

All property, data and information provided by the Government in the performance of this task remains the property of the Government and shall be surrendered to the government upon completion or termination of this requirement. Likewise, all deliverables generated under this requirement remain the property of the Government.

Can the government provide the specifications of this laptop?

NIST Answer: Please see document Amendment 0001 Question 1 for laptop specifications.

Question 8 For the evaluation criteria:

The Government will evaluate the Offeror's experience information and, if appropriate, its proposed subcontractors' experience to determine its relevance to the current requirement and the extent to which it (a) demonstrates that the offeror has successfully completed relevant contracts in the past three (3) years.

Can these past performance references be ongoing instead of completely completed contracts?

NIST Answer: Yes these can be ongoing if a contact can be provided for NIST to verify how the service is proceeding currently.

Question 9 Is there an expected dollar range for the contract?

NIST Answer: No

Question 10 Regarding Past Performance / Experience - Are we able to submit portfolio of scientific illustrations and animation work as a part of our submission? If yes - what format will you accept both images (PDF?) and animations? are there size / quantity limitations?

NIST Answer: Yes we can accept a portfolio. PDF and animations is acceptable. Size and quantity limitations are based on what is capable of being provided via email. Hyperlinks to animations or portfolio’s is preferred.