Questions_&_Answers_2_for_Solicitation_1364GC19QNAAJ0001.pdf

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR SOLICITATION 1364GC19QNAAJ0001

Please note that the question and answer period will end 11/08/2018, 4PM EST.

Q1: Does the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation posted as solicitation number 1364GC19QNAAJ0001 on FBO contain requirements similar to a[n] existing contract or will this be a new requirement? If possible, please provide the current contract number. A1: This is a re-compete of an existing requirement. The previous contract, DOCRA133013SE0970, ends in November 2018. The re-compete is now being set aside for small businesses (100%).

Q2: Will small businesses be allowed to use subcontractors to pursue this solicitation? Can the subcontractors past performance be referenced as the team's past performance? A2: Yes, subcontractors will be allowed and their past performance can be used for consideration.

Q3: Does the solicitation require a specific number of key personnel? Section B price schedule doesn't clarify to the amount of FTE's preferred for 820 employees, but rather just the "1 job". I want to make sure we're proposing an agreeable amount of key personnel to support the program office. A3: The solicitation does not specifying any number of FTE needed to provide services, that is up to the vendor to determine what is needed to meet the services requested in the SOW, such as phone availability, appts scheduled within one week, program POC, etc. Campus usage is not high enough to support a full-time counselor and varies widely month to month. The need is for a wide range of availability and accessibility, such as accessibility to counselors with hours that fit user schedules and/or immediate needs.

Q4: I notice that there was no instructions as to the format of proposal. Based on the evaluations, is NOAA only looking for one past performance and price? Who is the current incumbent and are they able to bid? A4: Please submit a firm fixed price quote for the services outlined in the solicitation. Per the evaluation criteria, submit at least one reference for a similar project. The incumbent is the University of Colorado, which is not categorized as a small business. This solicitation is 100% set aside for small business.

Q5 – Q10:

Q5. What is the historic Utilization rate for the last two years? Please provide copies of Utilization Reports for the last two years. A3: Please see Attachment 1.

Q6. In reference to item II.A.9 (pg7 of 26) - Which insurance(s) will employees most likely be covered under? A6: Most employees would probably have a Federal Health Plan such as Anthem Blue Cross, GEHA or Kaiser

Q7. In reference to item II.D – How many times in the last two years have onsite Counseling for Tragedies been requested? A7: In past 2 years we have had one request for onsite group session for co-workers of employee who died unexpectedly. We also had one non-urgent request for an on-site group session to address Stress issues.

Q8. Can responses be submitted electronically, if so are these to go to your e-mail also? A8: Yes;

please submit to Karen.w.jones@noaa.gov by the due date.

mailto:Karen.w.jones@noaa.gov

Q9. Does the Veteran’s Day Holiday on 11/12/18 impact the due date of the response? A9: The quotes will be due on 11/16/18 at 04:00PM EST.

Q11: It looks like the program office wants a 6 session model. Is this certain? A11: As stated in the SOW, no more than six sessions of one hour each per fiscal year (October thru Sept.) shall be made available to covered participants for each distinct problem presented.

Q12: [Are] other services such as work/live, legal/financial, online resources, training, supervisor consultation and others of need for this requirement? A12: All requirements are as stated in the SOW.

Q13: What is the magnitude of this opportunity? A13: Please refer to the SOW.

Q14: Are there any incumbent employees already working, if yes can we reach out to them? A14: This information is not available to other potential vendors.

Q15: The SOW states a requirement for training to staff concerning EAP services but it is very general.

How many training sessions are required and in what format? For example, some customers desire quarterly wellness seminars of various topics given live face to face. Some desire monthly or quarterly employee orientation sessions either live or via webcast. Some desire supervisory training to be provided. So what is required and can these be delivered via webcast/webinar? What delivery method chosen will affect pricing. A15: Webinars would be acceptable. Orientation to EAP services once a year (should also provide flyers/handouts listing services and contact info), plus one session per year on topic related to emotional well-being. There could be an occasional need for an on-site group session, if an issue arose within a particular division, once a year at most.

Q16: Also are all employees located at the one facility listed in the announcement? A16: The vast majority of employees work on the Boulder Labs campus or within the Boulder area, with just a very few people (less than 10) located in Fort Collins.

Q17: What is the due date and time for proposal/bids? The first page says 10/18/18 at 12pm est. A17:

The due date for quotes is 11/8/18, 12PM EST

Q18: Under section II.F “Optional Services” (page 9) a reference is made to the guidelines in “Part I, Section H.5 of the contract” – Where can these guidelines be viewed, as we are not finding them in the body of the solicitation? A18: This wording is in error and will be removed. A corrected SOW will be posted to the web site to remove "Part I, Section H.5 of the contract."

ATTACHMENT 1: UTILIZATION CHART