Q A_156322.pdf

Questions and Answers: Solicitation # 15-233-SOL-00535

1. For what audience(s) and purpose(s) is the white paper intended?

The purpose of this white paper is to identify, review, and analyze integrated approaches for preventing suicide, intimate partner violence, and substance abuse within American

Indian and Alaska Native communities, with particular attention given to approaches that address all three behavioral outcomes.

The paper is intended to benefit Native American tribes and Alaska Native communities, with a particular focus on the following audiences: Native American tribes and Alaska

Native communities and stakeholders who work with them to enhance the health of those communities; tribal and federal policymakers and government agencies; service providers; Native Connections and Garrett Lee Smith grantees; Native Aspirations communities; and tribes and villages served by SAMHSA’s Tribal and Technical

Assistance Center.

2. In sections 1.4 and 1.5 the solicitation discusses a “ceiling” in terms of level of effort and overall costs. Can you please clarify the amount SAMHSA estimates would be required for the scope of work in terms of labor hours by categories and overall cost?

This action is within the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in FAR 2.101(b).

Respondents should estimate the level of effort and overall costs based on their understanding of the statement of work.

3. Labor rates are described in Appendix A and elsewhere in the solicitation. Can you clarify if the response to this solicitation needs to comport with these requirements in terms of category and corresponding hourly rates?

The categories and corresponding hourly rates are taken from the U.S. Department of

Labor Wage determination for the Washington DC area. While this wage determination was provided as an example, all interested vendors should review their applicable location’s wage rate determinations to ensure that their listed personnel meet their location’s wage rate determination minimum wage rate. Please visit http://www.wdol.gov/sca.aspx to determine your applicable wage determination.

4. Labor costs are described in Appendix A and elsewhere in the solicitation. Can you clarify if these hour rates are inclusive of indirect costs?

These rates are intended to reflect fully-loaded rates.

5. On Page 55, the solicitation mentions Attachment A, a Section 508 Evaluation Template but that attachment appears to be missing. Can you please direct us to the template you would like us to use in our response?

We apologize for the omission. Attached is the Section 508 Evaluation Template.

http://www.wdol.gov/sca.aspx

6. What is the government’s anticipated level of effort for this procurement?

This action is within the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in FAR 2.101(b).

7. What is the estimated contract dollar value of this procurement?

This action is within the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in FAR 2.101(b).

8. Is there an incumbent contractor for this procurement and are they eligible to bid on this procurement? If yes, would you please identify the incumbent contractor(s)?

This is a new task order. There is no incumbent.

9. Is there an expectation that the contractor will conduct original research, such as interviews and/or focus groups with tribes? If so, how many (with specific consideration to

OMB approval requirements)?

The contractor may use interviews and/or focus groups as a part of its work, but may not conduct more than nine of these activities and may not conduct them in a way that requires OMB clearance.

10. The Solicitation notice indicates that we are to examine the evidence for effectiveness for identified approaches or interventions. Are they requesting a review of evidence-based interventions only or is SAMSHA open to other practice- or culture-based interventions

(PBIs/CBIs) as well?

Yes, the approaches should include evidence-based interventions, culture-based interventions, and practice-based interventions.

11. The notice specifically states examining Native Connections grantees’ selected of integrated approaches. Can we also include an examination of the previous 65 AI/AN Native

Aspirations Community Prevention and Sustainability Plans (CPPs/CSPs), as well as the 14

(to date) Intensive CPPs/CSPs—which have been developed to address youth violence, bullying and suicide (Native Aspirations) and mental and substance use disorders, suicide, and the promotion of mental health (Intensive). Although, the approaches or interventions for these aren’t integrated approaches—as is the Native Connection model.

Native Aspirations focused on suicide and bullying prevention, and did not address intimate partner violence or substance abuse. Therefore it should not be included as a part of this task order.

12. Will the contractor be required to assist SAMHSA with preparing and submitting concept clearance forms to the Office of Communications for the white paper?

No.

13. Are there any specific style guides to be used for the development of the white paper— other than the HHS Guide to Document Preparation?

Yes. These will be given to the contractor at the kick-off meeting.

14. Any specific branding/graphic needs?

Yes. These will be given to the contractor at the kick-off meeting.