Attachment L - RFP Questions and Answers_0001.pdf

# Region # Documen t Ref.

Page Section Contracting or Technical?

Question Government Response

1 All RFP 3 B.2 Description of Services Contracting

Will the Government kindly confirm that the proposed annual Time and Materials (loaded) labor rates are to be the established billing rates for the life of the project as opposed to the evaluation rate for the proposal?

The proposed labor rates for each labor category will be the final established rates for the life of this contract.

2 All RFP 3 B.2 Description of Services Contracting Will the Government please confirm that loaded labor category rates may be renegotiated if key personnel must be substituted for any unforeseen reason?

The Government will not renegotiate rates if key personnel must be substituted. If Key Personnel must be substituted, the rates at award will be used.

3 3, 4, 8, 10 RFP 13

C.4.1 Constraints Surrounding Staff Requirements

Contracting

Given the COVID-19 Pandemic and the status of institutions of higher education, is the government going to institute flexibility and/or an adaptation of expectations regarding required items such as documentation of degrees’ received, courses taken, conferences, seminars, transcripts etc. in light of the grave public health crisis.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Government extends the submission of diploma and/or transcripts to June 1, 2020. However degree titles and award dates should be noted in the resumes. Courses taken, conferences and seminars should also be noted in the resumes. All awards will be subject to the Government’s verification of diplomas and transcripts received.

4 All RFP 47 G.2 Invoice Instructions Contracting

This section includes instructions for FFP CLINS. However, the contract type stated on the SF33 and Section B.2 on page 3, is T&M. The FFP language appears to be a carryover from a prior solicitation and not applicable to this effort. Would the Government please revise the solicitation to remove the FFP language and provide invoice instructions for T&M CLINS?

IPP Invoicing Clause corrected to reflect T&M Contract Type - See Amendment #1

5 6, 8 RFP 47

G.2, Invoice Instructions, Final Invoice

Contracting

This section states the final invoice is due within 60 calendar days of acceptance and/or completion of services for each awarded order. The RFP does not reference that there will be orders issued under the resultant contract. Would the Government please clarify if this is intended to be a task ordering type contract, or if this language should be removed?

IPP Invoicing Clause corrected - See Amendment #1

6 All RFP 48 G.5 Department of Labor Wage Determination

Contracting Please confirm that all offerors are to use the Wage Determination Occupational Code "01020 - Administrative Assistant" when pricing the Administrative Assistant labor category.

Yes.

7 All RFP 51 H.6.1 Key Personnel Designation

Contracting As the Administrative Assistant is not identified as a Key Person in H.6, are resumes, transcripts, copies of degrees, and letters of commitment required for the Administrative Assistants?

No.

8 All RFP 51 H.6.3 Personnel Performance / Replacement

Contracting Are we required to submit copies of diplomas? If the transcript is specific about the type of degree awarded and the date of award a copy of the diploma is not required.

9 All RFP 51 H.6.3 Personnel Performance / Replacement

Contracting Will the government consider requesting transcripts from the key personnel post-award since there is a cost associated with requesting certified transcripts?

REGIONS 1-12

No, transcripts are required to be submitted in the proposals.

10 6, 8 RFP 54 I.I.2 HHAR

Clauses

Contracting

Section I of the RFP includes HHSAR 352.237-75 - Key Personnel. The language contained in this clause regarding personnel substitution is inconsistent with what is outlined in H.6.1 - Key Personnel. To ensure there is no ambiguity regarding the requirement, would the Government please remove this Section I clause?

Section H.6.2 updated to be consistent with the HHSAR Clause.

11 3, 4, 8, 10 RFP 60 I.2 Clauses Contracting

Regarding FAR 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract, (a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor any time prior to contract expiration; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 3 days before the contract expires. Will the Government consider "at lease 30 days before the contract expires"?

No.

RFP 140D0420R0017 Questions and Answers

12 6, 8 RFP 72-73 L.1 (c)(2) Contracting

FAR 52.215-1(c)(2), which is included in the solicitation, requires that the first page of the proposal must show five types of information (items i through v). Are Offerors to provide this information on the Cover Sheet specified in Section L.3, in a transmittal letter, or somewhere else in the response?

Please include this information in the Cover Sheet.

13 All RFP 75 L.2.1 General Instructions Contracting What is the file size limit of your emails/servers?

5MB. Files in excess of this should be sent through multiple emails using the subject line: "RFP 140D0420R017 - [Company Name] [Region #] - Email X of X" - Section L.2.1 updated to reflect this information.

14 All RFP 75 L.2.1 General Instructions

Contracting Will receipt of response confirmations be sent from Contracting Officer (CO)? Yes, the CO will provide confirmation of receipt.

15 All RFP 75 L.2.1 General Instructions

Contracting Do volumes need to be sent as separate files attached on the same email or can each volume be sent separately via separate emails?

Volumes may be separate files attached to the same email.

16 All RFP 75 L.2.3 Deadline for Receiving Proposals

Contracting Is there a file size restriction for the email submission? If so, can Offerors submit their package in more than one email? See answer #13.

17 All RFP 76 L.2.3 Deadline for Receiving Proposals

Contracting Does the agency foresee any impacts or delays in submission timeline, review, or award due to COVID-19 response? REGIONS 1-12 At this time, we do not anticipate any delays caused by COVID-19.

18 6, 8 RFP 76

L.2.3 Deadline for Receiving Proposals

Contracting

Since some of the proposal files to be submitted are likely to be very large (in part due to requirement for transcripts, commitment letters, etc. for proposed staff) and may exceed the file size limit for the Government's email system, does the Government have a preference for how files should be broken up and how the multiple emails transmitting those files be labeled?

See answer #13.

19 6, 8 RFP 76

L.2.3 Deadline for Receiving Proposals

Contracting May offerors submit "zipped" files or use Dropbox if the files are too large to email? See answer #13.

20 All RFP 76 L.3 Proposal Contents Contracting Can the government please confirm that our email submission should contain six separate files (Cover Sheet, Completed SF-33, and Volumes 1-4)? Offerors may combine their coversheet, SF-33, and Volume 1.

21 All RFP 76 L.3.1 Cover Sheet Contracting The Cover Sheet requirements state "...The cover sheet shall also indicate the offerors classification of their proposal by Region, Type, and State(s)." Can the government please provide clarity on what 'Type' is referring to?

This text has been updated. Please see RFP Amendment #1

22 All RFP 76 L.3, L.3.3 Proposal Contents Contracting Is there a standard format that we should follow when naming each volume of the proposal response?

The file name should reflect the Offeror name, Region, and Volume number at a minimum.

23 6, 8 RFP 76 L.3 Proposal Contents Contracting

The RFP states that the Cover Sheet, Technical/Management Proposal, Past Performance Information, and Price Proposal shall be submitted as separate documents. It also lists the completed SF-33 and Volume 4 (Additional Proposal Documentation) as required elements. Does the Government also require that the SF-33 and Volume 4 be submitted as separate documents, or are there alternate instructions for how to submit them?

See answer #20.

24 6, 8 RFP 76 L.3.2 Completed SF-33 Contracting

The instructions for completion of the SF-33 indicate an original signature in block 17 is required. Since this is an electronic delivery versus hardcopy delivery, would the Government please modify section L.3.2 to allow for electronic signature on the documentation?

Electronic signatures are acceptable on the SF-33.

25 6, 8 RFP 76-77 L.3, L.3.3 Proposal Contents Contracting

May offerors include a title page / transmittal letter (that includes the confidentiality information from FAR 52.215-1) that is not subject to the stated page limits? If so, may we include that in the document with the required cover sheet?

Please include this information in the Cover Sheet.

26 6, 8 RFP 76-77 L.3, L.3.3 Proposal Contents Contracting

Would the Government please confirm that the completed Attachment F 508 assessment template is excluded from page limits for Volume 1: Technical / Management Proposal??

This requirement has been removed from the RFP.

27 6, 8 RFP 77

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting It's our understanding that Letters of Commitment are excluded in the 50-page limit. Would the Government please confirm? Yes, letter of committment are not included in the 50-page limit.

28 3, 4, 8, 10 RFP 77

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting

The RFP requires that complete job descriptions covering all positions proposed for this effort be included in the Personnel Qualifications section. Given the limited number of pages permitted for this proposal (50 pages), would the government consider allowing job descriptions to be placed in the attachments with the resumes or in Volume 4?

The requirement to provide job descriptions has been removed. Please refer to RFP Amendment #1.

29 All RFP 77

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting

Can the “full job descriptions” be included in the Additional Proposal Documentation (and therefore not part of the 50 page limit), or should they be included in the Management Approach section and considered part of the 50 page limit?

See answer #29.

30 All RFP 77

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting Is the Past Performance Section included in the 50 page limit? No. Please see updated page limit requirements in RFP Amendment #1.

31 All RFP 77

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting

Due to the limited page count and expansive nature of the position descriptions for up to nine labor categories, we kindly ask that the detailed position descriptions not count against the 50 page limitation. This will allow us to adequately demonstrate how personnel meet the qualifications and address other subfactors in the detail required.

See answer #29.

32 All RFP 77

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting May Offerors include a detailed Executive Summary that summarizes their technical approach and qualifications that does not count against the 50 page limitation?

No.

33 All RFP 77

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting We kindly request the government increase the 50 page technical limitation to allow Offerors to fully address each requirement due to the complex nature of this work.

No.

34 All RFP 77 L.3 Proposal Contents Contracting

The RFP states that the offeror should adhere to a 50-page limit for the Technical/Management proposal. Please confirm that any works cited/references can be included as an appendix outside of the 50-page limit.

Works cited/references can be included as an appendix in Volume 4 and will not count against the 50 page limit

35 6, 8 RFP 77

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting May offerors include a TOC that is not subject to the stated page limits for Volume 1: Technical / Management Proposal?

A table of contents may be included and will not count against the 50 page limit.

36 6, 8 RFP 77

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting Would the Government please consider designating font sizes for text, tables, and graphics, such as 11 point for text, 10 point for tables, and 9 point for graphics and figures.

The RFP has been amended to reflect this requirements.

37 6, 8 RFP 77

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting The RFP states, "Proposals shall concisely communicate all assumptions .... " Would the Government please clarify what kinds of assumptions it seeks in the technical/management proposal (as opposed to the price proposal)?

Any assumptions made in the preparation of the Offerors technical/management proposal.

38 6, 8 RFP 77

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting

The RFP states, "Proposals shall concisely communicate all assumptions and the present its technical approach on how the Contractor will meet the Government's requirements. " Would the Government please confirm that Offerors should only include assumptions and not a technical approach in this section?

Assumptions should be kept separate from the technical approach in Volume 1

39 3, 4, 8, 10 RFP 77

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting

The Personnel Qualifications section states, "Proposals shall contain complete job descriptions covering all positions proposed for this effort..." However, SOW Section C.3.1 provides complete job descriptions. If an offeror were to provide any job descriptions other than these, then the offeror would be altering SOW.

This would violate the FAR in that different offerors would be bidding against different requirements. Will the government please remocve the requirement to provide job descriptions and simply require to meet the requirements of the job descriptions in the SOW?

See answer #29.

40 All RFP 77

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting What is considered an "accreditation" transcript? This was a typographical error. Amendment #1 removed "accreditation".

See RFP Amendment.

41 3, 4, 8, 10 RFP 78

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting

The Technical Approach, Organizational Experience and Capacity, has the following bullet, "o Providing a detailed staffing plan that demonstrates the offeror’s ability to recruit, retain, and timely replace qualified personnel with minimal disruption to service delivery." We propose that this information be included in the Management Approach, Staffing Plan and not in Organizational Experience and Capacity. Does the government concur?

Please see RFP Amendment #1.

42 6, 8 RFP 78

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting

The RFP requests very similar staffing info in 2 places. Under Personnel Qualifications in the Management Approach, the Staffing Plan requires information about "Offeror's ability to maintain the required levels of staffing and the process for promptly addressing replacement of contractor personnel, in the event of contractor turnover of any of the labor categories identified as part of this requirement ." For Organizational Experience and Capacity under the Technical Approach, the RFP requires "... a detailed staffing plan that demonstrates the offeror's ability to recruit, retain, and timely replace qualified personnel with minimal disruption to service delivery ." GIven the stringent page limits, would the Government please confirm that it will permit cross-referencing between responses to the two sections?

Please see RFP Amendment #1.

43 All RFP 78

L.3.3 Volume 1:

Technical / Management Proposal

Contracting

How does the “staffing plan” description to be included in the Management Approach (see first hyphenated point on page 78), differ from the “detailed staffing plan” description to be included in the “Technical Approach/Demonstrate Organizational Experience and Capacity” (page 78, second bullet under Technical Approach section)?

Please see RFP Amendment #1.

44 All RFP 79 L.3.4 Volume 2:

Price Proposal Contracting

The solicitation states "The Offeror shall provide pricing for each performance period, including the additional 6-month option period identified in Section F.1 of the RFP." The pricing worksheet does not include a table for the additional 6-month option period - how would the Government like the contractor to submit this information?

See answer #61.

45 All RFP 79 L.3.4 Volume 2:

Price Proposal Contracting

Please confirm that the Price Proposal can be submitted/composed as 2 parts: (1) offerors assumptions in a Microsoft Word document, and (2) the completed Microsoft Excel Pricing Worksheet included with the solicitation.

Correct.

46 All RFP 79 L.3.5 Volume 3:

Past Performance Contracting

The RFP states that a maximum of three (3) performance references shall be submitted for contracts the Offeror has been performing within the past 36 months. Will the Government accept references from cooperative agreements and grants, in addition to contracts?

No; the Government will only accept references from contracts.

47 All RFP 80 L.3.6.1 Subcontracting Plan

Contracting The model Subcontracting Plan link is invalid. Would the Government please provide a correct link or provide a copy of the model plan? This information has been removed from the RFP.

48 All RFP 80 L.3.6.1 Subcontracting Plan

Contracting

L.3.6.1 references a model subcontracting plan. Would the Government please clarify if all offerors are to use this model plan, or if offerors are permitted to use their standard corporate template provided it includes all required elements of the model plan?

Corporate templates are acceptable provided it includes all required elements of a Small Business Subcontracting Plan as outlined in FAR 19.704.

49 All RFP 80 L.3.6.1 Subcontracting Plan

Contracting Will our Small Business Subcontracting Plan be evaluated as part of the proposal?

The Small Business Subcontracting Plans will not be evaluated but will be reviewed for completeness in accordance with FAR 19.704 and are required from large businesses for a proposal to be considered compliant.

50 All RFP 81 L.3.6.3 Representations and Certifications

Contracting Will the Government please provide a Microsoft Word version of the reps/certs that need to be completed so that offerors can complete and submit? The current PDF version is not easily manipulated.

Yes, the attachments have been updated to include a Word version.

51 All RFP 81 L.3.6.1 Subcontracting Plan

Contracting Item (4) requires "information on subcontractor's cognizant field audit offices".

Many small businesses have not been audited by a cognizant field audit office -how should subcontractors respond to this item?

If this information is unavailable, please state that.

52 All RFP 81 L.3.6.1 Subcontracting Plan

Contracting

Item (6) requires "a complete cost proposal in the same format as the Offeror's cost proposal." Can the Government please provide additional details on how they would like this submitted? Are subcontractors able to submit their proposals separately from the prime contractors? Additionally, should subcontractors submit a pricing worksheet similar to the prime contractors, or should the prime contractor's pricing worksheet include the cost of the subcontractor's costs? If the latter, can offerors adjust the pricing worksheet to include "Subcontractors" as an

ODC?

Subcontractor costs shall be included in the Prime Contractor's final price proposal, in the appropropriate area (Labor under the Labor, etc.).

Subcontractor labor may be included under ODCs only if the services are incidental (services for which there is not a labor category specified in the contract). Subcontractor's shall not submit separate proposals. In Small Business Subcontracting Plan, the subcontractor costs can be submitted using the Pricing Worksheet.

53 All RFP 81 L.3.6.1 Subcontracting Plan

Contracting If an offeror has a commercial/company-wide small business subcontracting plan approved by Government officials, can we submit that plan in lieu of an individual plan for this requirement?

Company-wide Small Business Subcontracting Plans will be accepted.

54 All RFP 81 L.3.6.2 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Contracting Please confirm that Attachment H - Disclosure of Lobbying Activities need only be submitted if the offeror has engaged in these activities.

Correct. Only Offeror's that have engaged in these activities are required to submit this form.If an Offeror has not engaged in these activities, please state so in your cover page.

55 All RFP 85 Factor 1:

Management Approach

Contracting Do transcripts that indicate "degree awarded" meet the requirement for "copies of the degrees"? If not, what document would satisfy that requirement? See answer #8.

56 6, 8 RFP 85 M.1, Factor 1 Contracting Would the Government please confirm that the copies of degrees required in this section are excluded from the 50-page limit for Volume 1?

This is correct. See RFP Amendment #1 for clarification on page limits.

57 All

Attachme nt F - 508 Assessme nt Template

Contracting May we place 508 Assessment Template in Volume 4 (Additional Proposal Documentation)? Since no location is given in the directions? See answer #26.

58 All

Attachme nt F - 508 Assessme nt Template

Contracting Can the government please confirm that Offerors are not required to complete Attachment F 508 Assessment Template with their proposal package? See answer #26.

59 All

Attachme nt I - Pricing Workshee t

Contracting Will the Government please clarify if applicants are required to submit only the provided Pricing Worksheet to meet budget requirements? Or shall we submit any additional detail?

The Pricing Worksheet will be the official price proposal. All information included in the pricing worksheet shall be accurate and complete.

60 All

Attachme nt I - Pricing Workshee t

Contracting If an applicant is to submit only the Pricing Worksheet, will the Government please confirm that the Offeror may insert lines for approved indirect costs applicable to proposed ODCs and travel.

The ODC and Travel plug-in numbers are provided by the Government.

Per the Pricing Sheet instructions, any deviations from these numbers shall be justified in the Offeror's Pricing Assumptions section. Other than adjusting the NTE price on the ODCs and the LOE for the labor categories, Offeror's are not to change any other elements of the worksheet.

61 All

Attachme nt I - Pricing Workshee t

Contracting

We note that solicitation instructions state that all applicants must include pricing detail for the potential 6-month extension (in addition to the base and option period). Kindly note that the Pricing Worksheet does not contain the 6-month optional period. Will the template be modified? If not, can you please clarify how all applicants should modify to ensure proper evaluation across applicant bids?

Offerors will not provide pricing for the option six-month extension under FAR 52.217-8. The RFP has amended to reflect how the optional six-month extension will be evaluated. See Amendment #1.

62 All

Attachme nt I - Pricing Spreadsh eet

All tabs All tabs Contracting Will contractors be able to apply their approved General & Administrative rate/costs to the Other Direct Cost line items?

No, all billing of ODCs should reflect actual costs justified with back up documentation

63 1

Attachme nt I - Pricing Spreadsh eet

OHS

TTA -

Region 1 Tab

Column A - Contract Line Item Description

Contracting Can an organization whose fringe does not accrue vacation, holiday, etc. set the LOE based on 2080 hours in a normal year (1907 in the base year, 2088 in leap year)?

1920 hours reflects a full year of productive labor hours after the subtraction of the 10 Federal holidays and two weeks paid leave. Offerors shall include these fringe benefits in their fully burdened labor rates.

64 1

Attachme nt I - Pricing Spreadsh eet

OHS

TTA -

Region 1 Tab

Column A - Contract Line Item Description

Contracting Should all key personnel in a labor category (e.g. ECS) be listed in column A after the colon? That is not necessary.

65 1

Attachme nt I - Pricing Spreadsh eet

OHS

TTA -

Region 1 Tab

Column A - Contract Line Item Description

Contracting Please verify that a single rate should be established per labor category (e.g.

ECS); not per key person. Yes, a single rate should be established per labor category.

66 n/a n/a n/a Our response to this requirement for Regional TTA will be as the prime contractor. We have plans to be a subcontractor to a prime contractor for the National Monitoring contract. Is there any conflict in the two roles?

Yes, a conflict of interest would exist. Awardees for the TTA Network contracts may be excluded from award of the National Monitoring contract.

Attachme nt I - Pricing Spreadsh eet

Each Regional Tab

Attachment I - Pricing Worksheet - The LOE column appears to be calculating the number of annual hours for each employee. The figure used is a total of 1920 annual hours (48 weeks x 40 hrs/week). We are accustomed to 2080 (52 weeks x 40 hrs/week). What is the basis for the 4 week discrepancy?

See answer #63.

68 RFP 77 L.3.3 Personnel Qualifications

Since the RFP details a significant majority of the position requirements and job duties for required personel, can the Job Descriptions be exempt from the 50-page limit?

See answer #29.

Attachme nt I - Pricing Spreadsh eet

Each Regional Tab There are 3 ODC categories identified. Please clarify where offerors should propose quantities and pricing for materials, such as office supplies, cell phone reimbursement and equipment costs.

Office supplies, equipment, etc. should not be captured in the ODCs for this requirement. These are indirect costs and are not reimbursible. Please refer to FAR 16.601 for more information on Time and Materials contracts.

70 RFP 79 L.3.4 Volume 2:

Price Proposal

Please clarify whether the fully burdened labor rate includes materials, such as computer, office supplies, equipment and cell phone costs or these costs are to be included in the ODC categories.

Please refer to FAR 16.601(b)(1) for the defintion of direct labor under Time and Materials contracts.

71 6, 8 RFP 6 C.3.1.1 (f) Technical Would the governement please explain the difference between the "professional development framework" for GS in C3.1.1 (f) and the "professional development" for GS in C3.1.3(c) p.7?

The word “framework” is a typographical error and is deleted from section C3.1.1 (f). See RFP Amendment #1.

72 6, 8 RFP 8

C.3.1.5, Early Childhood Specialist

Technical

Would the governement confirm that a requirement of the Early Childhood Specialist is to "develop and provide effective presentations and training on" topics within the ECS SOW? This clause is listed as a requirement for GS, FES, and HS but is omitted from the EC requirements.

The government confirms that Early Childhood Specialists are required to develop and provide effective presentations and training on topics within the Early Childhood specialist SOW.

73 6, 8 RFP 11

C.3.2.6, Subtask 6 - Other Direct Cost (ODC) Prior to Approval Request

Technical What is the Advance Understanding Ceiling that Consultants are subject to?

Please define Advance Understanding Ceiling.

The Advance Understanding Ceiling is a set dollar amount related to subcontracting costs negotiatied with the Government prior to award.

Under Title 48-Subcontracts, Section. 52.244-2, a contractor is authorized to incur costs up to the determined ceiling amount without further negotiation with the Government. The language has been amended to more clearly reflect this. See RFP Amendment #1

74 All RFP 13 C.4.1 Technical To prove that an individual has remained current if their highest degree was awarded more than 10 years ago, is it sufficient to list dates and titles of courses, conferences, seminars attended or relevant work experience in the resume?

It is sufficient to list dates and title of courses, conferences, seminars or relevant work experience in the resume in order to demonstrate that an individual has remained current in their field.

75 11 RFP

C.4.2 Constraints Surrounding Staff by Region

Technical

The RFP states that both the EC Managers and GS Managers are required to attend meetings in RO once per month with number of days to be determined by RO. This would equate to 48 trips per year, that would have a very significant impact on the budget and takeaway from service to the grantees. Could this be accomplished by virtual meetings (Microsoft Teams, Zoom), with in-person meetings happening when managers are in DC for conferences and meetings?

The Early Childhood and Grantee Specialist Managers for Region XI are not required to attend in-person meetings at the Regional Office on a monthly basis. They will be required to attend in-person meetings with the Regional Office on a quarterly basis with these meetings scheduled to coincide with Region XI Quarterly Meetings or National Professional Development meetings. Virtual meetings will be held for the remaining eight months. Therefore, the requirement that both the EC Managers and GS Managers are "Required to attend meetings in RO once per month with number of days to be determined by RO" is deleted from Section C.4.2 (page 26) for Region XI and both are replaced by "Required to attend RO meetings on schedule determined by the RO". See RFP Amendment #1.

76 11 RFP 26

C.4.2 Constraints Surrounding Staff by Region

Technical The RFP states the Administrative Assistant (PO1) must be stationed at the RO.

Is it possible to have the AA come in for meetings at the RO (to be determined by the RO) and have telework/remote opportunities available?

The Administrative Assistant for Region XI is not required to be stationed at the Regional Office but will be required to attend meetings at the Regional Office on a monthly basis with the number of days to be determined by the Regional Office. Therefore, the requirement that the Adminstrative Assistant be "Stationed at the Regional Office" is deleted from Section C.4.2 (page 26) for Region XI and is replaced by "Required to attend RO meetings on schedule determined by the RO". See RFP Amendment #1.

77 11 RFP 26

C.4.2 Constraints Surrounding Staff by Region

Technical

The RFP states the TAC must be stationed at the RO (DC). It is possible to have the TAC operate like Region 12, with being in the RO once a week or like Region 9 and others, where the TAC comes to the RO for meetings (to be determined by the RO)?

The TTA Coordinator for Region XI is not required to be stationed at the Regional Office but will be required to attend meetings at the Regional Office on a monthly basis with the number of days to be determined by the Regional Office. Therefore, the requirement that the Regional TTA Coordinator be "Stationed at the Regional Office" is deleted from Section C.4.2 (page 26) for Region XI and is replaced by "Required to attend RO meetings on schedule determined by the RO". See RFP Amendment #1.

78 4

RFP

(Region 4 Only)

C.4.2 Constraints Surrounding Staff by Region

Technical Please define the following: "All (ECS) must have experience working across the birth to five spectrum." Does this mean actual work with children birth to five or does experience with TTA qualify?

The requirement that all Early Childhood specialists have experience working across the birth to five spectrum may be met through the provision of TTA specific to programs serving children from birth to five as well as through direct work with children in this age group.

79 2

RFP

(Region 2 Only)

C.4.2 Constraints Surrounding Staff by Region

Technical Please verify the need to have four fully bilingual Grantee Specialist positions in PR versus three stationed in NJ/NY.

Three fully bilingual Grantee Specialists will be stationed in Puerto Rico.

Grantee Specialists stationed in NJ/NY do not need to be bilingual

80 5

RFP

(Region 5 Only)

C.4.2 Constraints Surrounding Staff by Region

Technical The Draft SOW that was published in February 2020 included the Systems Specialist position. Please confirm that this position was indeed eliminated.

The Government confirms that the Systems Specialist position was eliminated in Region V.

81 4

RFP

(Region 4 Only)

C.4.2 Constraints Surrounding Staff by Region

Technical

The RTTAC position is required to be stationed in the RO with telework/remote work available. Please define "telework/remote work available". Would a staff person be able to live outside of Atlanta, GA and work in the Regional Office 2 times a month?

The TTA Coordinator for Region IV is not required to be stationed at the Regional Office but will be required to attend meetings there twice a month on a schedule to be determined by the Regional Office. Therefore, the requirement that the Regional TTA Coordinator be "Stationed at the RO with telework/remote work opportunities available" is deleted from Section C.4.2 (page 20) for Region IV and is replaced by "Required to attend RO meetings on schedule determined by the RO". See RFP Amendment #1

82 3

RFP

(Region 3 Only)

20 C4.2, Region III Technical Regarding the requirements for Region III Early Childhood Specialist, the last bullet says, "at least two one must be fluently bilingual." Would the Government please clarify the number of bilingual ECSs required for this Region?

One of the Early Childhood Specialists proposed for Region III must be fluently bilingual. The word "two" in the bulleted sentence (page 20) is a typographical error and is hereby deleted. See RFP Amendment #1

83 All RFP 32-33 C.5 IT Security Requirements (B) Training

Technical Please confirm that all trainings listed will be performed during normal work hours and/or reimbursable expenses.

The trainings are available online and on-demand on the Government's website and should be performed during normal work hours. The trainings are free of cost; there are no training expenses to reimburse.

84 All RFP 44 F.4 Observance of Federal Holidays Technical

There are 10 Federal Holidays that are listed; however, there are some counties in these regions that observe 11 Holidays. Please confirm that we should follow the regional/local laws in addition to Federal laws.

Only the 10 Federal Holidays should be considered.

85 All RFP 51 H.6.3 Technical What "additional documentation" do you require to prove that an individual has remained current if their highest degree was awarded more than 10 years ago? See answer #75.

86 All RFP 85 M. Factor 1 Subfactor 1.B Personnel Quals

Technical

For positions that require submission of accreditation transcripts and degrees: If transcripts specify that a specific degree was awarded, will the Government accept this as sufficient evidence of qualifications and waive the need to submit a copy of candidate’s diploma?

If the transcript is specific about the type of degree awarded and the date of award a copy of the diploma is not required.

87 All RFP 85 M. Factor 1Subfactor 1.B Personnel Quals

Technical For positions that require the submission of only candidate degrees: Will the Government accept transcripts that confirm specific degrees were awarded in lieu of diplomas?

See answer #87

88 All Attachmen All tabs All tabs Technical The Government is using 1920 hours/FTE/#KP. Can offerors adjust this number based on their estimated productive hours per FTE/#KP? Yes, offeror may adjust the estimated productive hour per FTE.

89 3, 4, 8, 10 RFP 85 M.1 Technical

Subfactor 1.B: Personnel Qualifications - Each of the bullets listed in that section require that copies of the degrees be included in the proposal response. Is a copy of an official transcript confirming completion/award of a specific degree sufficient? Or, is the government requiring a copy of a diploma for each degree earned, in addition to the transcripts?

See answer #87.

90 All n/a n/a n/a Technical Is there a VPN for remote workers who would be housed outside of their regional office? If not, how will their data be accessed by remote workers? Only staff with Government issued laptops will be provided VPN.

91 All RFP 31-32

C.5.A.10 IT

Security Requirements

Technical Is there a preferred method of encryption for laptops, thumb drives? All sensitive federal data and information should have a FIPS 140-2 validated encryption solution.

92 n/a n/a n/a Technical Will the work from home staff be given e-mail addresses from the government as well?

No. Only staff with Government issued laptops will have a Government e-mail address. Staff working remotely will have their employer's corporate e-mail address.

93 RFP 50

H.5 Special Contract Requirements

Technical

In Section H.5 of the solicitation, it states: “The Government will provide workstations, laptops, telephones, access to shared printers and office supplies to the contractor’s TTA staff who are co-housed (located on-site) full time at an ACF Regional Office. Please refer to section C.4.2 for specific Regional Office labor categories impacted by this accommodation. The Contractor shall provide all other equipment and facilities necessary for Retrieving data. Wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again. Are offerors allowed to include as a direct cost the equipment needed for staff who are not located at an ACF Regional Office?

No; offerors may not include equipment costs for staff not stationed in a Regional Office as direct costs.

Q&A