RFP Questions and Answers_0009.xlsx
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- Solicitation number
- 1605C5-21-R-00001
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- Not on record
About this file
This document contains questions and answers related to a Request for Proposal for the National Longitudinal Surveys. The RFP seeks proposals for survey administration and data processing services for the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 cohort through Round 30, as well as the 1997 cohort through Round 21. Key details include that the RFP involves firm fixed price contracts, with optional CLINs weighted at 20% for evaluation. Modes of interview may include in-person, phone, and internet options. The contractor will be expected to conduct outreach and request permissions to interview special population samples as possible. Proposals should include plans and budgets for incentive structures. Modifications to scope after award would require a determination review process. Data deliverables include public use files available after 14 months, with encrypted geocoded and zip code files due after 15 months.
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| # | Section of RFP | RFP Page Referenced | Description of Question | Question | Government's Response |
| 1 | 1.6.7 & |
52.216-1
p. 14 of 151 &
p. 140 of 151 Contract type Page 14 specifies a “Firm Fixed Price Contract,” while page 140 specifies a “hybrid contract with Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) and Labor Hour The Government intends to award a Firm Fixed Price Contract.
See updated RFP posted via Amendment 0005.
2 1.6.7 & 52.216-1
p. 14 of 151 &
p. 140 of 151 Contract type (LH) Contract Line Items (CLINs).” Will the Agency confirm that the type is ‘Firm Fixed Price’? The Government intends to award a Firm Fixed Price Contract.
See updated RFP posted via Amendment 0005.
3 1.6.13 Key Personnel p. 15 of 151 Does the Agency have any direction on what tasks to budget Principal Investigators’ time? Principal Investigators as a Key Personnel has been removed from the requirement.
See updated RFP posted via Amendment 0005.
| 4 | 1.6.13 Key Personnel | p. 15 of 151 | Project manager PMP requirement | Will a Master’s Certificate from a Project Management program be an acceptable alternative? | The language in the solicitation allows for an alternative. The Government would require more information about what program the certificate is from, the rigor of the program, and whether the curriculum matches that of the PMP if an alternative is proposed. |
| 5 | 1.6.18 Non-disclosure / Employment Restrictions | p. 16 of 151 | Conflict of Interest | We understand that BLS may be developing a new cohort of the NLSY for future implementation. Will the Agency confirm that the work done under this contract does not create any conflict of interest with respect to any future work related to the possible new NLSY cohort? | The Government does not see an immediate conflict of interest, as this solicitation does not cover any work associated with the new cohort. |
| 6 | 1.6.20 Data Rights | p. 17 of 151 | Transfer of data | Can the Agency confirm that in the event of a contractor-to-contractor transfer is required, a Data Use Agreement between the parties will be required? | Such an agreement is not necessary between a contractor and subcontractor. |
| 7 | 5.2.1.3 Worksite Location List | p. 26 of 151 | Within 30 days of the contract award, the Contractor shall provide the COR a list of all worksites for approval at the start of work provided for in this contract and subsequent task orders. | Can the Agency confirm that it is acceptable to work from secondary, temporarily primary, worksites due to the COVID-19 pandemic, provided that these secondary worksites are in compliance with the BLS Confidentiality and Security Requirements (Attachment 7) specified in the RFP? | The Government takes no issue with this request. |
| 8 | 5.4 Task 4: NLSY79 R30 Specific Activities, Design and Planning | p. 32 of 151 | The solicitation mentions multiple modes of interview to be considered in the design tasks, “The mode of interview (i.e. in-person, phone, internet, etc.), but the data collection tasks mention only CAPI/CATI requirements (no CAWI | Could the Agency clarify the expectations for web administration of the Rounds 30 and 21 interviews? | Offerors shall propose the mode mix that best meets the goals outlined in the solicitation. This may include internet. The Government does not have any specific expectation regarding the inclusion or exclusion of any one particular mode. |
| 9 | Subtask 6.4 Final report | p. 35 of 151 | Special populations (such as prison, military, etc.) need to be discussed in the final reports for each round | Does the Agency expect that the successful contractor will complete prison review board and other administrative processes to seek permission to interview all sampled respondents in group quarters or in other restricted settings? | The Vendor should plan to conduct outreach and request the appropriate permissions to interview respondents, including those in restricted settings, health guidelines permitting. |
| 10 | Subtask 7.2 Created Variable | p. 36 of 151 | The Contractor shall also deliver to the COR the creation program used for each created variable | The solicitation mentions creation programs for each created variable. Does the Agency expect that created variables are exclusively derived through statistical software programs, or does the Agency expect the offeror to undertake manual review of data in order to reduce missing values for created variables? | The Government anticipates a manual review of data. |
| 11 | Section 5.12 Task 12: NLSY97 Round Specific Activities, Post Data Collection & Technical Exhibit 1 | p. 35 of 151 |
p. 36 of 151
p. 42 - 45 & p. 60 in the Technical Exhibit 1
PRS# 12.4.2 The Contractor shall make the public-use data available on the internet at nlsinfo.org Public use data file [Standard = 14 months after the end of data collection] PRS #12.4.3 The Contractor shall produce encrypted Geocode data file CDs for which access is restricted [Standard = 15 months after the end of data collection] PRS #12.4.4 The Contractor shall produce encrypted Zip Code/ Census tract data file CDs for which access is restricted [Standard = 15 months after the end of data collection]
| The RFP lists the end of the final period of performance (Option Period III) as January 2025 but the Standard in the Technical Exhibit 1 indicates that the releases are due 14 and 15 months from the end of the field period. While the release date is dependent on the length of the field period, these dates will almost definitely fall beyond the contract end date, most likely by at least 9 months. How would BLS like us to approach this issue? | Reference updated RFP posted via Amendment 0005 for changes to CLIN structure. | |||
| 12 | 5.17. Task 17: NLSY97-R21 Cognition Survey Phase 1- Planning and Design | p. 46 of 151 | Would the Agency please provide guidance on incentives to be budgeted for data collection efforts? | Offerors shall propose an incentive plan that helps achieve the goals laid out in the solicitation and a target response rate of 60 percent. |
Offerors shall note that the incentive plan is subject the review and approval of OMB.
| 13 | 5.17 Task 18 – NLSY97 – R21 Cognition Survey Phase 2 | P. 48 of 151 | Will the Agency modify the price of this task if the Task 17 Phase 1 work for the Cognition Survey results in a different scope from what is originally budgeted? | Potential future changes to scope after award of this contract shall undergo a scope Determination Review. Any resulting approved changes in scope shall be subject to negotiation and will be executed bilaterally. | |
| 14 | 5.21. Task 21: Census PIK File | p. 51 of 151 | This dataset will be sent to Census on an encrypted CD using Census approved FIPS 140-2 encryption software | Can we coordinate with Census to establish a secure data exchange rather than a shipment of a CD for this deliverable? | Offerors who request to use something other than a CD, will be required to work with the BLS to submit a Security Panel Review application. If the application is approved, the proposed data exchange be allowed to be used. |
| 15 | 52.217-5 Evaluation of Options | p. 140 of 151 | The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. | The Price Proposal Worksheet seems to indicate that optional CLIN prices are only weighted at 20% in the price evaluation. Can the agency explain how the price of optional CLINs will be evaluated? | Optional CLINs will be evaluated in accordance with "Evaluation and Basis for Award" as detailed in Section V of the RFP. |
| 16 | 6 – Volume Submission | p. 143 of 151 | Specification of filenames, e.g., xxxxTECH.docx | Does the Agency have direction on what should be substituted for the XXXX in the preferred filenames for submission volumes, e.g., xxxxTECH.docx for the Technical? | The "XXXX" shall be replaced with the Offeror's name. |
| 17 | 6.1 Volume 1 Factor 1 Technical Capabilities |
| p. 144 of 151 | If the Offeror is proposing more than one method to meet the criteria of the Performance Work Statement, then separate and complete responses for each must be submitted in response to this solicitation. | The Solicitation includes instructions for submitting alternative approaches to meeting the criteria of the Performance Work Statement. Does the Agency have further instructions of how offerors should provide pricing information for alternative technical approaches? For example, can an offeror provide an alternative technical approach and price for a single CLIN? | The Government does not have any further instructions for Offerors who submit alternative approaches. |
| 18 | 6.1 Volume III – Factor 3 – Price | p. 144 of 151 | One (1) electronic copy submitted |
as attachment in accordance with the instructions stated in Section 3.
Must be Excel and Microsoft
| Word (2013)Compatible) | Will the Agency also accept PDF as an acceptable file-type for delivery? | The Government will accept a PDF of the price proposal, however, the excel version shall also be submitted. | ||||
| 19 | 6.2 Volume II – Past Performance | p. 146 of 151 | c. Submit information in accordance with the PPIS (Attachment 2). Past Performance Information shall be submitted on three (3) contracts that you consider most relevant in demonstrating your ability to perform the proposed effort, same or similar work in terms of size and scope within the past three (3) years | Will the Agency accept past performance on grants for Volume II Past Performance, or are only contracts acceptable? | While contracts are preferred, grants are acceptable. | |
| 20 | Section 6.3 Volume III | p. 147 of 151 | “…propose the amounts for each of the below non-severable CLINs mentioned in points 1 through 4,… | The text refers to ‘points 1 through 4’ but there are only points 1 through 3 in the later text. Could the Agency clarify whether there is a point 4 missing from that page? | See updated RFP posted via Amendment 0005. | |
| 21 | ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1, 6.3.3 | p. 148 of 151 | The price proposal shall separately identify the detailed pricing for each task as specified in Section H.2 CONTRACT PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS. | The RFP does not include Section H.2. Can the Agency provide the detailed pricing requirements? | The information is in Contract Payment Requirements in Section IV. |
See updated RFP posted via Amendment 0005.
22 Sub-Factor 1.1.7 p. 149 of 151 in amendment 2 from 12/23
p. 146 of 151 from original PWS
(7) Describe the Offeror's ability to disseminate data files and documentation in a timely manner and providing support services to data users. Could the Agency indicate what activities in the Statement of Work correspond to the sub-factor 1.1.7 language regarding, “providing support services to data users?” Item 7 of Subfactor 1.1 is not relevant to the scope of this contract.
See updated RFP posted via Amendment 0005.
| 23 | Attachment 1, the Price Proposal Worksheet_Updated.xlsx | p. 117 | Could the Agency clarify the Period of Performance for the contract? The worksheet specifies a period of performance from 12/30/2020 to 12/31/2025. Item 1.5 Period of Performance of the Performance Work Statement specifies that Option Period III ends 1/30/2025, which is consistent also with the statement on p.117 which reads, “The optional line items represent work to be completed throughout the life of the contract which is expected to end on or around January 30, 2025, if all options are exercised.” | The period of performance for all work is 1/30/2020 to 12/31/2025. |
| 24 | Attachment 1, the Price Proposal Worksheet_Updated.xlsx | Could the Agency provide an updated Attachment 1 Price Proposal Worksheet that provides the 1) task numbers, 2) associated CLIN numbers, and 3) periods of performance for each task that offerors should use in budgeting? | See updated RFP posted via Amendment 0005 containing revised Attachment 1. | |
| 25 | Attachment 1, the Price Proposal Worksheet_Updated.xlsx | Could the Agency confirm that offerors are to complete only the ‘CLIN Structure’ tab of the Price Proposal Worksheet? If Offerors are also to complete the ‘Proposal Total’ tab, could you please provide instructions for the IGCE columns? | This is correct. Offerors will only have to complete the CLIN Structure tab. The Proposal Total tab should automatically generate. |
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