Q___A_2_Continuation_0002.pdf

Solicitation Number: 140P5225Q0002 - Strategic Planning Consulting Service

United States Department of the Interior

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Contracting Operations (ConOps) East (5200 PSW) 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway

Tupelo MS 38804

QUESTIONS and ANSWERS (continuation)

15. Does NPS anticipate GUIS Senior Leadership Team members will be interviewed individually during Milestone #4 to address new positions/PDs?

NPS Response: SLT member may be interviewed individually (30 min-1 hour) and then the entire group again to develop a staffing model post draft strategic plan.

Milestone 4 work may also involve recommendations on position changes to better align the staffing model with the new strategic plan, but due primarily to HR restrictions, all reformatting and recreation of PDs will be accomplished by NPS staff in consultation with HR.

16. In order to structure the content of work, what major topics (e.g., Milestones #1-4, past performance, pricing) should be included to address in our submission?

NPS Response: Consultants may address how they will meet NPS requirements of each Milestone, and so the submission should include sufficient details about how consultant(s) will accomplish each task and how similar requirements were achieved in the past so NPS may make a past performance confidence assessment.

17. Can the Government confirm that no hybrid sessions will be required (partial online/partial onsite)?

NPS Response: All sessions (Milestone Task #1 thru #4) will be held in person on-site at Gulf Islands National Seashore. All four three-hour feedback sessions will be held virtually using MS Teams or Zoom platform.

18. Can the Government confirm planning sessions can be held virtually?

NPS Response: No, see response in 17 above.

19. Can Government confirm that the NPS will provide session results and goals “all staff”?

NPS Response: Consultant shall lead each session and from NPS input draft a Vision Statement, Session notes, Goals, Objectives, and Strategic Action Plan. All submittals will be shared with the SLT and park staff members as applicable.

20. Can Government confirm all staff feedback will be gathered and reviewed by the Government for inclusion and change into the goals and objectives?

NPS Response: Consultant shall collocate all planning sessions results for inclusion in the draft and final deliverables. NPS SLT will gather staff recommendations for each session restricted to SLT members.

21. Can Government clarify who is responsible for facilities, logistics, and participant management (invitations, read ahead, logistics packages, etc)?

NPS Response: Most sessions will occur on NPS property. Any off-site logistics will be managed by NPS staff, such as arranging local resources, such as community center conference room in Gulf Breeze for example.

22. Can the Government clarify Milestone 3 expectations. Is it five separate one day sessions consecutively or will there be one consecutive five-day session?

NPS Response: NPS expects consecutive five-day sessions. ½ day sessions may be held for smaller divisions (AM or PM sessions) and full day for large divisions.

23. Can the Government clarify if the “dedicated 1–2-day session with the SLT” is part of Session 4’s 3.5-day in-person meeting or in addition to the 3.5-day session?

NPS Response: Part of. Consultant shall dedicate 1-2 day session with the SLT pertinent to position management. This critical portion is part of the Milestone 4 3.5 day sessions. The position management plan developed during this phase will be incorporated into the strategic plan deliverable.

24. What are the plan, design, and deliverable requirements for the feedback sessions?

NPS Response: The feedback sessions primarily will be used to provide NPS feedback to the consultant. NPS staff will answer questions, provide backup information, data and update Consultant so Milestone tasks are completed prior to the next session(s).

25. Is there a maximum number in-person “Optional Additional Meetings”?

NPS Response: No. Additional meetings (optional) will be determined by need as the process moves through the steps.

26. Will Government clarify the Period of Performance. There seems to be a conflict.

• SOW state all work, including review and approval of final end products shall be completed on or before December 31, 2025.

• Standard Form 1449 Period of Performance: 02/10/2025 to 11/28/202 NPS Response: The POP dates are placeholders until the actual schedule is approved post-award. NPS reasonably expects all session work can be completed within nine months after contract award. Final deliverable due within 1 month of completion of Milestone 4, but not later than December 31, 2025.

27. What is the contract value?

NPS Response: To be determined (TBD) based upon contract award amount.

Whereas the acquisition budget falls between micro-purchase threshold (MPT) $2,500 and simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) $250,000.

28. Other than Microsoft Office, what software and systems does the NPS GUIS Staff and SLTs use for communication and project management?

NPS Response: MS Teams for communications. Outlook for email. NPS specific programs like Project Management Information System (PMIS), and Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) to name just a few.

29. Will contractors have access to the interests and concerns of the GUIS staff and SLTs prior to the initial meeting/Milestone Meeting?

NPS Response: Yes. NPS expects contractor will have contact with the park staff (principally SLT and POC prior to the start-up).

30. Are there limitations to the number of subcontractors? All subcontractors will be vetted based on their acumen, preparedness, capabilities and compliance practices.

NPS Response: Not applicable. FAR clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting apply when acquisition is set aside for small business and the contract amount is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

31. How does the NPS’s GUIS Staff and SLTs define “methodology”? Other than SWOT

Analysis, Utilization of Road Mapping software, CPM, and general strategic action planning practices

NPS Response: Term is not defined in SOW. Consultant should select a methodology well-suited for the GUIS organization (federal land management agency). Balance Scoreboard and or Strategy Mapping are but a few of the nationally recognized methodology used in strategic planning. Whereas a SWOT analysis is a strategic planning model that may be used to begin the strategic planning process.

32. Are there particular capabilities and/or specialty certifications NPS seeks from the contractor's staff?

NPS Response: Because of the uniqueness of the NPS mission and its duality of purpose, experience with our operations is a critical factor, the NPS prefers Consultants with prior experienced with NPS/DOI strategic Plans. Whereas professional certifications from University or International Associations may help demonstrate credibility. While not mandatory, Consultant with Strategy Planning Professional (SPP) Certification — Level I or Level II will be considered more favorably than competitors without such qualifications.

33. Could you clarify the specific elements expected in the Strategic Action Plan

(e.g., Mission, Vision, Goals, Strategic Objectives, Timelines)? Are there any templates or examples from previous projects to guide formatting and content?

NPS Response: The SOW is rather clear. Templates or examples from previous projects are not readily available, but any qualified Consultant(s) should possess the necessary capability to complete all requisite Tasks of this scope.

34. Are there any particular site-specific issues or opportunities within the 11 units of

GUIS that you would like prioritized in the plan?

NPS Response: Refer to SOW page 2 Contributing operational dynamics for rationale or clues.

35. How does NPS envision stakeholder roles in planning process? For example, will external partners, local governments, or community organizations be involved?

NPS Response: Yes, on a limited basis. NPS staff will engage with primary stakeholders throughout the process as part of their normal operations.

36. Could NPS provide more details about staff engagement expectations during the in-person sessions and virtual feedback meetings (e.g., specific roles, preparation needed)?

NPS Response: The NPS Park Superintendent encourages all employees to participate in the development of this plan, especially in Milestone 3.

Consultant/planning facilitator will meet with each division, but all staff may be engaged with supervisors throughout the whole planning process.

37. Should the contractor plan for additional on-site time or virtual follow-ups beyond the outlined sessions for stakeholder or leadership meetings?

NPS Response: No, currently there are no plans for additional on-site time or virtual follow-ups beyond the sessions cited in SOW.

38. What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or criteria the NPS will use to evaluate the effectiveness of the Strategic Action Plan during implementation?

NPS Response: TBD. Budget savings, operational improvements, etc. could be used to evaluate effectiveness. The final plan will drive how the park evaluates success.

39. Are there specific elements of past performance (e.g., project scope, outcomes) that you recommend highlighting in our proposal to align with NPS expectations?

NPS Response: Recent and relevant of similar scope. Any prior involvement with NPS/DOI units will be helpful and specifics about what was accomplished. Prior experience with other land management agencies may be considered favorably.

40. Regarding the position management session, is there an emphasis on restructuring current positions or creating new roles aligned with the strategic plan? Should we address succession planning in this discussion?

NPS Response: Succession planning is an absolute. Yet all PD development will be accomplished by NPS staff post plan completion due to HR restrictions/policies.

41. Are there specific environmental issues (e.g., climate resilience, coastal erosion) or cultural resource priorities that should guide the strategic goals?

NPS Response: Yes, all of the above. There are numerous outside pressures that affect all NPS units. The vendor and NPS SLT will discuss the highest priorities once the selection is made.

42. Should the plan include measurable strategies for integrating climate change adaptation and sustainability efforts?

NPS Response: Yes, but other outside driving forces may affect the overall plan.

43. Are there any additional pricing formats or evaluation criteria beyond "Firm-Fixed

Price" like LPTA (lowest price technically acceptable) that we should consider for this proposal?

NPS Response: The NPS prefer a firm fixed price IAW FAR Part 12.207 Contract type, but Consultant may propose other terms, such as time-and-materials contract or labor-hour contract, whenever applicable. Contracting offices may conduct comparative evaluations of offers, and make an award decision based upon best value, price, technical approach and past performance factors considered.

44. Can you clarify whether supplemental materials like visual aids, GIS mapping, or other tools will be required or add value to the proposal?

NPS Response: Neither required, nor prohibited. A technical description of the services offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation will be sufficient.

45. After the Strategic Action Plan is finalized, will the contractor have any ongoing responsibilities, such as implementation support, monitoring, or follow-up consultations?

NPS Response: Unlikely. Responsibility for implementation, updates, etc. lie solely with the park staff.

46. Are there opportunities to propose innovative methods (e.g., interactive dashboards, data integration) for tracking progress on the plan’s goals?

NPS Response: Absolutely. Innovative methods may be used by the park staff during implementation, and tracking progress may assist the park in the long term.

47. Is there an existing contractor currently providing these services and, if so, the contractor's name.

NPS Response: No, new stand-alone requirement. In the past, NPS has performed Strategic Planning in-house. GUIS feels the need for outside source. The business environment is becoming increasingly complex. Strategic planning consultants who are skilled at working with a leadership team in the design and development of a strategic plan and will have additional resources to help with implementation across all functional areas. Strategic planning firms provide subject matter expertise that NPS may lack within its own organization.