Response to VENDOR Questions_Elderv2_MHB_JPEedits_posted.docx

VENDOR’S QUESTIONS

1. How many domestic and international reports are anticipated to be run monthly/annually? What countries?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The number of reports will likely vary based on CPO workload and number of applications/awardees at any given time, but users should have access to CHIPS-specific company information both in the U.S. and globally as necessary to evaluate incoming applications in addition to ongoing monitoring of awardees, per SOW.

2. Number of alerts for monitoring?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: This will vary based on applications received by CPO as well as number of awards ultimately granted. Could include several hundred companies for application evaluation or monitoring at any given time.

3. During the RFI, a small business partner was required. But I don’t see it listed for the RFQ… Is this still needed for this procurement?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: No.

4. Is there an anticipated start date for the service?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Shortly after contract award which will be before September 18, 2023.

5. Is this a new requirement?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes.

a. If not, who is the incumbent?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: N/A

b. What is the current contract #?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: N/A

6. We respectfully request the extension of the Quotation deadline to ensure comprehensive integration of information provided in the DOC-NIST Q&A responses.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: See solicitation amendment for revised deadline.

7. How many unique entities does DOC-NIST anticipate evaluating?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The tool must provide the capability to evaluate at least 500 unique entities.

8. Does DOC-NIST require the system of record to be able to search by Universal Entity Identifier (UEI)?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The Government is not familiar with Universal Entity Identifier (UEI), but is familiar with a Unique Identity Identifier (UEI). A UEI number is issued by the System for Award Management (SAM) to identify businesses and other entities that do business with the federal Government. To be eligible for a contract award the contractor must have a UEI.

9. Will DOC-NIST be searching foreign entities and if so, what is the anticipated percentage of foreign entities?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes; the percentage is unknown currently. However, CPO is seeking access to foreign entities globally.

10. What will be the main role of the DOC-NIST users who will be performing the research?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Performing credit/financial risk analysis on incoming CHIPS applications in addition to performing portfolio monitoring on existing CHIPS award recipients, per SOW.

11. Will the end user leveraging the product be a technical or non-technical user?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Users will be technical but not always with high levels of prior credit research experience; SOW requests support services when CPO deems necessary for this reason in addition to access to basic trainings/demos on use of the tools/software.

12. Does DOC-NIST envision any scenarios where the pulled report information will be shared outside of the CHIPS program office?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: No.

13. Does DOC-NIST have a budget requested or approved?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes, the Government has an approved budget, however, that information will not be shared as the Government is seeking interested vendors to provide a price based on the solicitation instructions.

14. Will DOC-NIST accept a combination of COTS and services solution?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: CPO expects a COTS solution with the addition of training/support services as needed, per the SOW.

15. How many option years does DOC-NIST anticipate, if any?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: One (1) option year.

16. Within the product will DOC-NIST require the ability for team members to collaborate across the department?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The CPO Risk team is required to collaborate and share general findings on its own work products across CPO that may be based on credit research findings, but do not intend on extending licenses/access outside of CPO Risk at this time.

17. How many company reports do you anticipate ordering per year?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Unknown currently; however, the Government requires a tool that allows for at least 500 reports per year.

18. The SOW indicates delivery will be “Within 1 business day of award date of subscription service.” Do you mean by this you require access to completed reports on the day following notification of receipt of the award? Or just the ability to begin ordering?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: At contract award a period of performance date will be established. The awardee will be notified on day of award and the period of performance will probably be noted to begin as the next business day. The ability to begin ordering/start using the COTS subscription service shall be on the beginning date of the period of performance or the next business day.

19. If the former, will you be able to provide the identifying details of these companies to your short list of potential contract winners prior to award issuance?

a. How many days in advance?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: N/A – see above

b. How many companies do you anticipate needing reports on, on the day following notification of receipt of the award?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Unknown currently. CPO will simply need access to the service following the day of award (see above).

20. Can you provide a rough geographic estimate of the geographic breakdown of reports, for example, 50% on companies in the US; 25% on companies in Asia/Pacific; 25% on companies elsewhere?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: This information cannot be determined at this time; CPO will need access to companies who apply for funding (and any affiliates) which may be located in various regions globally.

21. Will you only be requiring reports on CHIPS Incentives applicants or on other companies in the industry?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: CPO will require information on applicants but may need access to information to other companies in the industry as needed (see below).

a. If the latter, can you provide additional guidelines on which other companies?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Other companies’ information may be needed in situations where the CHIPS applicant is a subsidiary with support of a larger parent/affiliate or is part of a joint venture. Another example might include a project finance deal, where CPO may be interested in information on any related sponsor(s) or off-taker(s) involved in said project.

b. Will you also be requiring reports on companies legally related to the CHIPS Incentives applicants, such as their parent companies and/or international affiliates?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes – see above.

22. Do you require online ordering/delivery of the reports via a dedicated platform or is ordering/delivery via email with your POC acceptable?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: CPO anticipates that email is an acceptable mode of delivery, with ordering likely completed through existing COTS website/program provided by contractor.

23. “Labor market data on the semiconductor industry for detailed geographic areas” is mentioned in the opportunity details but not in the SOW: please confirm providing this information is not required for this contract?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: This information is not required for this procurement and has been removed.

24. Some of the larger manufacturers of semi-conductors are Public Listed Companies which release financials on both an annual and quarterly basis. If available, do you require quarterly financials to be supplied as well as annual financials?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Both are required, particularly for non-publicly listed companies, as well as having access to parent/subsidiary/affiliate financials.

25. Will all Authorized Users require access to reports on all companies, or just the ones they specifically have ordered/requested?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Users will require access to reports requested which are needed to carry out CPO’s mission; i.e., any companies (and associated affiliates/parents) that apply for funding or have received funding and require ongoing monitoring by CPO.

26. During the period of the contract, do you anticipate the ten (10) Authorized Users will require access to the SAME report on the targeted companies on multiple occasions?

Example:

TSCM is Taiwan's largest semi-conductor corporation;

They release quarterly financials;

Therefore, is it likely that one of more of the ten (10) Authorized Users would access the TSCM report at least four (4) times in the 12 month period of the contract to view the updated financials?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: This is correct.

27. Does CPO wish to receive an email notification when a report has been updated with the quarterly financials?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes.

28. Does CPO wish to receive emailed Monitor Alerts when an Adverse / Negative issue arises with any of the targeted semiconductor firms?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes. This should apply to any credit changes or events (either positive or negative).

29. If #28 is a desired feature of the service, and this contract will include not only reports on CHIPS Incentives applicants rather also other companies in the industry, would it be possible for CPO to provide the names and addresses/countries in which the targeted firms are located on day 1 of contract commencement?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: We are looking for a COTS service that will provide access to all companies in the industry.