Ammendment_1_QuestionsTELLComments.docx

Amendment 1- Questions and answers for combined synopsis #17-100-SOL-00009

QUESTION 1- Would the Government please clarify whether a Program Manager or Project Manager is expected to be a labor category for this effort? If so: Would the government clarify where in the pricing volume the offeror should provide a rate for this category?

ANSWER - Insert all of the labor categories you deem necessary for the tasks in the SOW in one column of the pricing schedule and then in a column in that same row insert the rate for that category for all years. You may edit the pricing schedule to change what you think the labor categories should be. However, the government will provide a Federal Employee to be program manager for each of the tasks.

QUESTION 2- May offerors include tables of contents (for Sections II, III and/or IV) that are not subject to page limitations?

ANSWER - The page limitations includes any cover pages, table of contents etc.

QUESTION 3- Reference: Section 52.212-2 – Evaluation – Commercial Items (Oct 2014), Factor 5 – Price/Cost Factor. The referenced section of the RFP indicates that the “Government will also evaluate the offeror’s proposed labor categories and hours to determine that they are realistic for the work to be performed….” As this is an RFP for a BPA, it is difficult for offerors to estimate hours when no specific task orders are described in the RFP. Also, the spreadsheet in Attachment 4 does not request hours. Would the Government please confirm that bidders are not required to submit estimates of hours and that the evaluation of price will not include hours data? If this is not the case, would the Government please clarify the requirement for data re: hours (e.g., what data is required, on what basis should offerors estimate hours, where/how should it be submitted, and how will it be evaluated)?

ANSWER- The Government has changed “The Government will also evaluate the offeror’s proposed labor categories and hours to determine that they are realistic for the work to be performed” to, “The Government will also evaluate the offeror’s proposed labor categories to determine that they are realistic for the work to be performed”. Hours have been deleted. Pricing is only needed per hour (1 hour). See attached amendment 1 to the combined synopsis.

QUESTION 4- May additional labor categories be added to Attachment 4? This approach will allow the Government additional flexibility in contract execution.

ANSWER- Yes, labor categories maybe added or deleted to Attachment 4, Pricing Schedule, to what the offeror thinks is needed for the task.

QUESTION 5- Will contractors be able to request or specify new labor categories at the task order level?

ANSWER- Once prices and labor categories are set for the basic IDIQ; they will be set for the task order level. The labor categories will not change at the task order level. The SOW is broad enough to allow insight into what work needs to be done under this requirement, and as a result the possible labor categories needed.

QUESTION 6- Should offerors designate key personnel in proposal, or are there certain positions that the Government deems to be key?

ANSWER- Offerors are required to submit resumes. See provision 52.212-2 -- Evaluation -- Commercial Items, under Factor 2 – Qualified Personnel. Factor 2 states to include the quality of the proposed project personnel. This would include key personnel.

QUESTION 7-Are landscape pages (11”x8.5”) permitted for tables and graphics?

ANSWER- Yes 11”x8.5” landscape of portrait is acceptable.

QUESTION 8- Reference RFP paragraph 2.c. (section B) and clause 52.216-1 (Type of Contract). CLIN structure includes Task 8: Travel. However, CLIN structure narrative describes Firm Fixed Price, Time and Materials and/or Labor Hours task orders). Does the government intend to include Cost Reimbursable CLIN for Travel and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)?

ANSWER- Yes the travel CLIN will be cost reimbursable.

QUESTION 9- Reference Attachment 3 (SB Subcontracting Plan) attachment 4 (Pricing Schedule). Attachment 3 includes requirement to provide small business goals based on estimated dollar revenue for the contract (pages 3-5). However, Attachment 4 requires only labor category rates for each of the 16 government labor categories listed. Please clarify what dollar amount should be used to calculate the Small Business goal percentage.

ANSWER- The small business goals will be based on estimated dollar revenue for the contract. Attachment 4, Pricing Schedule, does not have anything to do with the small business goals, since this will be an IDIQ contract; the pricing is per hour for each labor category. You will need to make an estimate per year using the Maximum/Minimum IDIQ Limitation: The basic IDIQ maximum dollar amount will be $6.9M for the base and four (4) option periods. (There may be more than one award, however, for planning purposes please use the $6.9M amount).

QUESTION 10- Reference RFP paragraph 8, clause 52.212-1a – Instructions to Offerors. The RFP specifies the format for Sections I, II and III (8.5” x 11”, 1” margins, single sided, single spaced, 12 point font). Please provide format instructions for Sections IV, V and VI.

ANSWER- Section IV: The offeror shall submit their past performance information, a maximum of fifteen (15) pages in length (includes any cover pages), and/or use the past performance questionnaire (Attachment 2). There are no other formatting instructions for section IV. Section V: The offeror shall fill out Attachment 3- Small Business Plan and submit with the proposal. There are no other formatting instructions for section V. Section VI: There are no page limitations for section VI-Price/Cost Factor. The offeror should fill out Attachment 4- Pricing Schedule with their proposal. There are no other formatting instructions for section VI.

QUESTION 11- Reference RFP paragraph 8, clause 52.212-2, Factor 3 – Qualified Personnel. Please clarify Item 7 (minimum experience requirements for the tasks) – the guidance refers to lead person for tasks 4-7 but does not refer to a lead person for tasks 1-3. Are offerors to designate a “lead person” for each task?

ANSWER- The word lead seems to be confusing. It is meant to mean the proposed project personnel. The combined synopsis, clause 52.212-2, Factor 2- Qualified personnel, item number 7, is CHANGED:

CHANGED FROM: Minimum of 5 years’ experience for Tasks 1, 2, and 3. Minimum of 3 years’ experience for the lead person on Tasks 4, 5, 6 and 7.

CHANGED TO: Minimum of 5 years’ experience for Tasks 1, 2, and 3. Minimum of 3 years’ experience on Tasks 4, 5, 6 and 7.

QUESTION 12- Reference RFP paragraph 8, clause 52.212-2, factor 4. Please clarify the intent of requirements One and Two regarding award of set aside for Task 2. Does the government intend to make one of the IDIQ awards to a small business IF a qualified small business submits an offer for Task 2 only?

ANSWER-Task 2 is set a-side for small businesses. If a small business can perform task 2, then a small business will be awarded task 2. All of the other tasks are open for any business whether small or large (full and open/unrestricted). A separate award may be awarded to each task or all tasks maybe awarded to one offeror depending on the outcome of the source selection.

QUESTION 13- On the first page of the SOW it states: The NAICS code for this effort is 611430 “Professional and Management Development Training”, $11M size standard in millions of dollars. This requirement is solicited as a partial Small Business Set a-side. Task #2 of the Statement of Work (SOW) set a-side for small business. Is this for the whole solicitation or is it just for Task 2? If not for the whole contract then is there a size standard for the rest of the solicitation?

ANSWER- The size standard is the same for each task, NAICS Code 611430, $11M size standard in millions of dollars. The Statement of Work is for all of the tasks, not just task 2.

QUESTION 14- The proposal is to be submitted by e-mail. Does the Government have a file size limitation so know if our response has to be broken out into multiple e-mail submittals? If so, and if any of our six sections exceeds that size, may we split it into clearly labeled multiple parts?

ANSWER- Our system only allows for a maximum of 25MB for external incoming emails. Any email exceeding 25MB will not be delivered. Yes, the sections may be split into multiple parts.

QUESTION 15A- Regarding instructions for past performance, if CPARS input is not on file for a contract we are using to demonstrate past performance, we are instructed to request that our client complete the past performance questionnaire provided in RFP Attachment 2. The sample language in the Attachment 2 “Request for Past Performance Information” states that we are to ask the client to submit the completed survey form “within ten (10) working days to carol.allen@hhs.gov.” Does this mean that the completed past performance questionnaire is due to Ms. Allen within 10 days of the proposal due date, or must the questionnaire be submitted by the proposal due date?

QUESTION 15B- Regarding the past performance form, there is a sentence on the first page that requests that forms be returned within ten (10) working days. May we edit that sentence to include the due date for proposals, or will past performance forms be accepted beyond the proposal due date?

ANSWER- Attachment 2, Request for Past Performance Information, has been changed FROM: “In order for our team to compile its evaluation, we request that you complete the attached survey form and email it, and any other pertinent information, within 10 working days”, CHANGED TO: “In order for our team to compile its evaluation, we request that you complete the attached survey form and email it, and any other pertinent information, before 4 PM EST on 23 February”. See attached Amendment 1 to Attachment 2. If the request for past performance has already been sent out and is received by our office by the due date, it is not necessary to redo the form.

QUESTION 16- Is a Small Business allowed to answer to ONLY Task 2 of the effort?

ANSWER- Under provision 52.212-2 it states: (a) one or more IDIQ’s may be awarded. No more than one (1) offeror will be awarded for each task. Under Factor 4 – Small Business it states, the Government will evaluate the contractor’s small business subcontracting goals as well as the dollar value of the small business goals offered. The contractor shall fill out Attachment 3, Small Business Plan and submit with the proposal. Requirement one which includes tasks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 will be unrestricted. Requirement two which includes task 2 will be set-a-side for SB. If no small business submits a proposal then requirement two will be awarded unrestricted. Therefore offerors should propose on all 7 of the tasks. Task 2 will not have a SB evaluation unless no small businesses submit an offer, then it will be evaluated. Therefore you may propose on one or all (or any) of the tasks.

QUESTION 17- Combined Synopsis – Section B: Will the Government award all tasks at the IDIQ award, or will each task be awarded separately, at different times?

ANSWER- Task orders will be issued when the Government has a need for the requirement. Task orders will be issued separately at different times, to the vendors that were awarded that task.

QUESTION 18- Combined Synopsis – Section VI, Price/Cost Factor: states “The rate for overtime hours will also be included.” The RFP also includes FAR 52.237-10 Identification of Uncompensated Overtime. Is the offeror required to propose overtime rates for labor categories staffed with employees exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act?

ANSWER - Yes, overtime rates are required to be included in Attachment 4-Pricing Schedule.

QUESTION 19- Combined Synopsis – Factor 2 - Qualified Personnel: In addition to reviewing that personnel have the appropriate education, background and experience to accomplish the work outlined in the SOW in a Public Health and Medical focused environment, how will the Government evaluate representative resumes for the specific LCATs included in Attachment 4 - Pricing Schedule?

ANSWER- The Government will look at labor categories in the context of years of experience and educational level.

QUESTION 20- Combined Synopsis – Factor 2 - Qualified Personnel states: “Minimum of 5 years’ experience for Tasks 1, 2, and 3. Minimum of 3 years’ experience for the lead person on Tasks 4, 5, 6 and 7.” Are the minimums referring to overall years of experience for personnel working under those tasks or minimum years of experience specific to the stated task?

ANSWER- Don’t understand the question but we are asking that lead individuals proposed for each task have the required amount of years of experience specific to the stated task.

QUESTION 21- Attachment 3 – Small Business Subcontracting Plan: Will the Government allow a company to submit their own format of the Small Business Subcontracting Plan, which is more extensive and compliant to FAR 52.219-9.? Attachment 3 was revised in 2015 and does not include required language regarding ANCs and Indian Tribes.

ANSWER - Our office uses this standard template (Attachment 3) for all solicitations. Please use this form.

QUESTION 22- Attachment 1 – Task 6: What methods and/or frameworks are used in the ASPR/OEM Corrective Action Program (CAP)?

ANSWER- We have based our methodology off of the HSEEP guidelines.

QUESTION 23- Attachment 1 – Task 6: Will the Government provide a description (software platform, functionality of the data base, user interface) of the web based Corrective Action Program (CAP) Tool that ASPR/OEM uses?

ANSWER - Yes, upon contract award.

QUESTION 24- In Attachment 1, page 11, Contractor Performance: there appear to be no Program Director and Program Manager listed in the LCATs. How does the government anticipate that the tasks will managed, coordinated, executed?

ANSWER - The government will provide a Federal Employee to be program manager for each of the tasks.

QUESTION 25A- Combined Synopsis - Factor 2: Will the personnel under this contract be deemed qualified only if they have worked in a “Public Health and Medical focused environment” vs. similar projects in scope and size in a commercial environment? Please specify.

QUESTION 25B- The offeror submits evidence they have personnel with appropriate education, background and experience to accomplish the work outlined in the SOW in a Public Health and Medical focused environment.” Does this mean HHS requires a background in medical and/or public health projects in order to be considered?

ANSWER- Experience in the task itself is more important than experience in a public health and medical focused environment.

QUESTION 26- Attachment 1 – Other Requirements: Can the government please verify if Section II – Technical should address the items under Other Requirements in Attachment 1?

ANSWER The only items that need to be addressed in Section II-Technical are listed in the combined synopsis under the provisions 52.212-1 and 52.212-2.

QUESTION 27- Reference SOW Task 2 - Development of Web-based Training Modules; Page 5. What level of interactivity is required? Level I, II, III, or level IV)?

ANSWER - Minimum Level 2 (II) interactivity.

QUESTION 28- Reference SOW Task 5 - Development of Web-based Training Modules; Page 7. What level of interactivity is required? Level I, II, III, or level IV)?

ANSWER – Minimum Level 2 (II) Interactivity.

QUESTION 29- Reference Combined Synopsis, Section 52.212-2 -- Evaluation -- Commercial Items, First Paragraph, Third Sentence. States, “No more than one (1) offeror will be awarded for each task.” Does “task” refer to a task order or an individual task from the list in Section 2c?

ANSWER - The tasks are listed in the Statement of Work starting at the bottom of page 4, Task 1 through 7.

QUESTION 30- Reference SOW, Page 5, Task 2. Will computer/web-based training modules require facilitation by contractor instructor personnel?

ANSWER – No.

QUESTION 31- Reference SOW, Page 9, Task 7. What CAP Management Tools are currently used? Are they COTS or contractor developed?

ANSWER - Contractor designed applications running on federal servers.

QUESTION 32- Reference General. Will there be a phase-in period for the incoming contractor to assess current status of projects and needs with outgoing contractor?

ANSWER - If time is available yes, but do not plan on it.

QUESTION 33- Reference SOW – Task 2/page 6. Does HHS prefer a specific authoring tool for web-based courses, or is the vendor able to recommend the best tool?

ANSWER- Yes, Adobe Captivate.

QUESTION 34- Reference SOW – Task 2/page 6. Is HHS able to host modules that contain high- definition streaming video?

ANSWER- Yes-file size limit of 100MB.

QUESTION 35- The Contractor, with input and guidance from ASPR/OEM, shall conduct an organizational training needs assessment to identify performance requirements and the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by the OEM workforce to meet all federal requirements and those needs to achieve EMAP certification requirements.”

Can the ASPR/OEM team provide all the background information needed to conduct the needs assessment or is prior knowledge of federal and certification requirements expected?

ANSWER- The expectation from ASPR /OEM is that the contractor is knowledgeable and experienced in conducting a well thought out, detailed training needs assessment that addresses all personnel with responsibilities in the ASPR/OEM Emergency Management Program, including key public officials. A broad knowledge of how the federal government and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response’s Office of Emergency Management operates in the emergency management environment is beneficial.

QUESTION 36- Reference PWS Page 9 - Task 7. The quoted sentences below seem to indicate that a web-based CAP system is already in place. Can the government please clarify, if one already exists or if the requirement is to build a new one from scratch? If one already exists, could you please indicate the technology platform being used (i.e., SharePoint, MS Access, Oracle, etc.?).

ANSWER- It already exists. There is no requirement to create one, only to maintain and improve the current platform/tool. It is built in dot.net and the operating system is windows server 2012R2 and the database server is SQL Server 2012.

QUESTION 37- If this is considered a new requirement, was this work being conducted under a different contract? If so, what is the contract number and who is the incumbent on that contract?

ANSWER- There are two contracts. Contract number HHSO100201100020I, incumbent is CNA Corporation. The other contract number is HHSO100201100022I, SAIC, INC.

QUESTION 38- Will the successful contractor need to provide audited or unaudited overhead rates to bid on task orders under the IDIQ?

ANSWER- Unaudited overhead rates.

QUESTION 39- We anticipate utilizing exempt salaried staff to complete this work. Although salaried, our employees are typically bonus eligible on an annual basis. Given this, what type of information should we provide related the potential issue of uncompensated overtime? Noting our current employment structure, are there any limitations or restrictions with respect to how we compute or complete the overtime labor category billing rates?

ANSWER- All pricing should be included in the labor hour price.

QUESTION 40- Regarding Task 1, does the government anticipate the task order award will be specific to one training, or will task order awards include development of multiple training courses?

ANSWER- One award will be issued for each task. Each task is different.

QUESTION 41- Regarding Task 2 and the small business set aside requirement, can a team offer a small business to support this task or is the government making an award for this task exclusively to a small business prime contractor? For example, if a small business Task 2 lead is included in a bid for all tasks and a small business plan to comply with all SBA requirements as it relates to that task, will the entire bid be evaluated or will Task 2 be evaluated exclusively?

ANSWER- Task 2 is set a-side for small businesses. If a small business cannot perform, then it will be awarded to a large business who may subcontract.

QUESTION 42- Regarding Task 2, this task language currently includes "support to the training and exercise planning process, participant conferences and training, exercise execution, and the after action review development process." Please clarify this requirement as it relates to the development of web-based training.

ANSWER- Webinar support

QUESTION 43- Regarding Task 7, is there a current corrective action tool being used by ASPR? If so, what is this tool?

ANSWER- Yes, we currently have a system that collects feedback via an electronic link with specific questions to be answered by the person that fills out the link. The tool is on dot.net operating system is windows server 2012R2 and the database server is SQLServer 2012. Once the task is awarded the recipients will get a full brief on the tool and its capabilities.

QUESTION 44- How does the government anticipate awarding contracts under this procurement? In the combined synopsis and solicitation, the government states:

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. One or more IDIQ’s may be awarded. No more than one (1) offeror will be awarded for each task.

However, separately the SOW states: This contract will be an IDIQ and individual Task Orders will be issued against it to fulfill specific requirements as related to the overall scope of this contract. The tasks described below shall be funded based on program needs and the availability of funds. A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) basic IDIQ contract with FFP, Labor Hours (LH) or Time and Materials (T&M) Task Orders shall be used to fulfill this requirement.

ANSWER- The basic IDIQ will be Fixed Firm Price (FFP). The tasks orders will be FFP, Labor Hours (LH) or Time and Materials (T&M) since the requirements are not known at this time.

QUESTION 45- The contract synopsis listed in Section C of the RFP includes Task 8: Travel. However, the SOW lists only 7 Tasks and Attachment 4, Pricing Schedule, doesn’t include a price section for Travel. Would the government please clarify whether a separate task for Travel should be included and priced in the response to RFP? If pricing for Travel is required, would the Government provide a plug number or additional details of anticipated travel requirements?

ANSWER- There will not be a separate task for travel. Travel will be included in the task order under a separate CLIN and will be cost reimbursable. The combined synopsis has been changed:

FROM: Task 8: Travel TO: (Note: Travel will be a Cost Reimbursable CLIN on the task order if travel will be required).

QUESTION 46- Could the Government please specify which learning management system (LMS) is currently used by HHS ASPR?

ANSWER- Yes, Moodle.

QUESTION 47- Could the Government please confirm whether SCORM compliance is a requirement for Task 2?

ANSWER- SCROM 1.2 (or higher) and AICC.

QUESTION 48- Reference Combined Synopsis. Page 7, section 2. Technical proposal instructions in the Combined Synopsis specify a maximum of 30 pages. Please clarify if offerors only responding to Task 2 (set aside for small business) are also permitted a maximum of 30 pages for their technical proposal. If there is a different maximum page count for offerors only responding to Task 2, please provide that page limit.

ANSWER- 30 pages is the maximum for any proposal.

QUESTION 49- Reference Combined Synopsis. Page 7, section 3. Qualified personnel/resume proposal instructions in the Combined Synopsis specify a maximum of 50 pages. Please clarify if offerors only responding to Task 2 (set aside for small business) are also permitted a maximum of 50 pages for their personnel/resume proposal. If there is a different maximum page count for offerors only responding to Task 2, please provide that page limit.

ANSWER- 50 pages is the maximum for any proposal.

QUESTION 50- Reference Combined Synopsis. Page 7, section 4. Past Performance information instructions in the Combined Synopsis specify a maximum of 15 pages. Please clarify if offerors only responding to Task 2 (set aside for small business) are also permitted a maximum of 15 pages for their past performance information If there is a different maximum page count for offerors only responding to Task 2, please provide that page limit.

ANSWER- 15 pages are the maximum for any proposal.

QUESTION 51- Reference Combined Synopsis. Page 7, section 4. Past Performance information instructions in the Combined Synopsis specify a maximum of 5 past performances. Please clarify if offerors only responding to Task 2 (set aside for small business) are also permitted a maximum of 5 past performances If there is a different maximum for offerors only responding to Task 2, please provide that number.

ANSWER- 5 past performances is the maximum for any proposal.

QUESTION 52- Reference SOW, page 5, task 2. Task 2 indicates that SMEs from ASPR, HHS components, and professional organization will review and approve course content. Will these SMEs also be available for consultation during the planning and development of new courses and materials?

ANSWER- Yes

QUESTION 53- Reference SOW, page 5, task 2.

ANSWER- Task 2 is identified as "Development of Web-based Training Modules." The description of the task and deliverables primarily speaks to such web-based training and supporting materials; however, the description also states that the task includes "support to...participant conferences and training, exercise execution..." Please clarify if this task is to include support for in-person and/or live training, exercise, and/or conference support.

ANSWER- Online webinar support

QUESTION 54- Can multiple labor rates be submitted for the same labor category? Or would the agency prefer one average rate?

ANSWER- One price per labor category.

QUESTION 55- Can we add subs to the team after award?

ANSWER- You can use subcontractors after award but pricing needs to be complete (including subs) in the proposal.

QUESTION 56- Will subcontractors be subject to the same fixed rates for each labor category?

ANSWER- The successful offeror (Prime) will be paid the labor category rate that is in the contract. The Prime is responsible to work out their subcontracts with their sub contractors.

QUESTION 57- Regarding task five: Will the Government provide the requirements document for this effort?

ANSWER- Our simulation capability is conceptual at this time. Part of the task will be development of a requirements document

QUESTION 58- Regarding task five: Will the Government provide a description of its current processes/methods, people, and tools used to enact a dispersed simulation?

ANSWER- Our simulation capability is conceptual at this time. Part of the task will be development of a requirements document.

QUESTION 59- Regarding task five: Has the Government completed any previous acquisition or design in support of developing the simulation tool?

ANSWER- No.

QUESTION 60- We assume that training is currently being conducted by the organization. Is it your intent to enhance the current training materials, or is there new content that will need to be developed? If enhancements, what types of changes need to be made? How many courses are currently in the curriculum?

ANSWER- Currently 8 courses and new content to be developed. Enhancements are updates.

QUESTION 61- How many hours of web-based training are currently in the curriculum? Do these courses need enhancement or are you anticipating all-new material will be developed?

ANSWER- About 30 hours in current curriculum spread over 8 courses. Anticipating new course development.

QUESTION 62- Are the web-based courses designed for virtual facilitated delivery or are they self-paced eLearning? If eLearning, what authoring platforms/software have been used to develop the current courseware?

ANSWER- Self paced for this task. Current authoring in ADOBE Captivate.

QUESTION 63- For the team assessment in Task 3, approximately how many roles in the organization need to be assessed?

ANSWER- The government is looking at approximately 42 roles. The number may change.

QUESTION 64- Can you define “Command Post”, “Full Functional” and “Full Scale” as used in Task 4?

ANSWER- The task should read, the full spectrum of exercise types as defined in HSEEP, (Seminar, Workshop, Table Top, Functional, and Full Scale).

QUESTION 65- Does the simulation described in Task 5 assume that a full gaming environment or virtual world will be built? Or does this simulation describe more limited simulations at a task level? Approximately how many scenarios need to be simulated?

ANSWER- The concept for a simulation capability envisions an end-state of a series of task level simulations executable within up to 4 threat scenarios.

QUESTION 66- It can be difficult to build a computer simulation that complies with Section 508 standards, since sight and hearing may be a requirement to evaluate all aspects of a virtual world scenario, and the available authoring tools may not accommodate 508 functionality. Will the government consider waiving some portions of this requirement for this particular deliverable?

ANSWER- Yes.

QUESTION 67- Is there a standard labor escalation rate for each contract year?

ANSWER- Please see the pricing schedule. It has pricing to be entered for the base and option years.

QUESTION 68- Regarding task one: If we are making changes/enhancements to existing materials, what percent of the materials does the agency estimate need to be changed?

ANSWER- The percentage of materials being changed is dependent on outcomes from training events, exercises and evaluations conducted by the government.

QUESTION 69- Regarding task one: If there are existing materials (even things that are being replaced), can we see the existing materials?

ANSWER- The successful offeror of the task will be allowed to view all materials. Materials will not be shared prior to award of the contract.

QUESTION 70- Regarding task one: If there are existing materials, can you tell us what you don’t like, or the kinds of things that need to be changed?

ANSWER- The training division would like to get away from classroom training and move towards experiential training.

QUESTION 71- Regarding task one: It mentions that there need to be ongoing updates to the materials. How often do they anticipate updating the materials? (Quarterly, yearly?)

ANSWER- Updates will be situationally dependent on the results from training events, exercises and government evaluations.

QUESTION 72- Regarding task one: Is there a need for Train the Trainer sessions?

ANSWER- No.

QUESTION 73- Regarding task 1: It refers to evaluating the materials and training. What level of evaluation is the agency looking for (using Kirkpatrick’s levels of evaluation)?

ANSWER- Kirkpatrick Levels I (1), Level II (2) and Level III (3).

QUESTION 74- Regarding e-Learning Courses and Games: Do we need to make these accessible on mobile devices?

ANSWER- Yes.

QUESTION 75- Reference PWS Page 9 - Task 7. The quoted sentences below seem to indicate that a web-based CAP system is already in place. Can the government please clarify, if one already exists or if the requirement is to build a new one from scratch? If one already exists, could you please indicate the technology platform being used (i.e., SharePoint, MS Access, Oracle, etc.?).

ANSWER- It already exists. There is no requirement to create one, only to maintain and improve the current platform/tool. It is built in dot.net and the operating system is windows server 2012R2 and the database server is SQL Server 2012.

QUESTION 76- Given the partial small business set-aside for Task 2, would a small business be permitted to bid ONLY on Task 2 if desired? If yes, and a small business bids ONLY on Task 2, are all six proposal sections required in the detail and within the page limitations specified under Section 52.212-1 (Instructions to Offerors)?

ANSWER- Yes, except a small business plan will not be needed for a small business.

QUESTION 77- If a small business bids as a subcontractor to a large business, should the Task 2 narrative and the Cover Page, Technical, Personnel, Past Performance and Price sections be included as an integrated part of the large business’s proposal, or as a separate proposal section/volume?

ANSWER- We will only receive a proposal from the prime contractor. The Prime contractor coordinates with any subcontractors separately and the Prime will include any subcontractors in their proposal if necessary.

QUESTION 78- Section 52.212-2 (Evaluation): It is stated that “One or more IDIQs may be awarded. No more than (1) one offeror will be awarded each task.” Could the government please clarify this statement?

0. Does this mean that separate IDIQ awards will be made for each task area?

ANSWER - one offeror may be awarded all tasks or different offerors may be awarded for each task. It will depend on the outcome of the source selection.

0. Will all task orders be competed among all IDIQ contractors?

ANSWER -No, only one offeror will be awarded per task.

0. How might tasks that overlap be addressed (e.g., Tasks 4 and 5)?

ANSWER There is only one award per task order.

0. Will all Task 2 work be competed and awarded separately from work on other tasks?

ANSWER -Yes.

0. How will task orders be competed? For example, will task orders be issued for bid only to the winner of each task?

ANSWER -There is only one award per task.

QUESTION 79- Section 52.212-2 (Evaluation), Factor 4 (Small Business): It is stated that tasks other than Task 2 are unrestricted. However, on the first page (Section A Schedule), it is stated that the NAICS code is $11M size standard, which would be a small business. Could the government please clarify?

0. Is that NAICS code meant only for Task 2?

ANSWER - The NAICS code is for all tasks.

0. If yes, what is the NAICS code and size standard for the remainder of the tasks?

ANSWER - The NAICS code is for all tasks.

QUESTION 80- How many small business awards are expected?

ANSWER- One.

QUESTION 81- How many full and open awards are expected?

ANSWER- There are 7 tasks. Task 2 is set a-side for small business. The rest are full and open/unrestricted. There could be one award or 6 awards depending on the outcome of the source selection.

QUESTION 82- When is the IDIQ expected to be awarded?

ANSWER- Approximately mid March 2017.

QUESTION 83- How soon after award of the IDIQ will task order RFPs be issued?

ANSWER- It depends on the need, we cannot predict.

QUESTION 84- Section 52.212-2 (Evaluation), Factor 5 (Price/Cost Factor): How will the government evaluate reasonableness of offeror’s price proposal based on labor rates only?

ANSWER- The government will evaluate the reasonableness of the Offeror’s proposed price. The Government will evaluate whether the Offeror has completely and clearly addressed the proposed price for the base and option periods. The Government may determine that a proposal is unacceptable if the proposed prices are significantly unbalanced. The Government will also evaluate the offeror’s proposed labor categories and hours to determine that they are realistic for the work to be performed; reflect a clear understanding of the requirements; and are consistent with the unique methods of performance and materials described in the offeror’s technical proposal.

QUESTION 85- Attachment 4 (Pricing Schedule): Could the government please provide descriptions for each of the labor categories in Attachment 4 (including educational requirements and expected years of experience), so we are sure to provide the type of personnel the government intended and so equal comparisons can be made between offerors?

ANSWER- The offeror may suggest labor categories to which they think is appropriate for the work to be performed. Descriptions will not be provided.

QUESTION 86- Attachment 4 (Pricing Schedule): Task 4 specifies labor categories for Analyst positions at various levels, and Task 3 specifies labor categories for Training Developers at various levels. Is it possible that the labor categories have been misaligned to tasks such that Analysts should have been specified under Task 3 and Developers under Task 4?

ANSWER- No.

QUESTION 87- Attachment 4 (Pricing Schedule): There are many positions with anticipated overtime; however, these positions are mostly professional positions that are exempt from overtime according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Is it correct to classify some of these positions as exempt, thus the overtime should be left blank?

ANSWER- Exempt can be entered into the overtime column.

QUESTION 88- Attachment 4 (Pricing Schedule): Task 5 labor categories include Modeling & Simulation Specialist I and II. Which level is considered the more senior or experienced position?

ANSWER- Specialist II was considered the more experienced position.

QUESTION 89- Attachment 4 (Pricing Schedule): Based on this template, is it correct to assume that the government is not interested in identification of specific ODCs or pricing of those ODCs at this time?

ANSWER- ODC’s and any other costs should be included in the overall pricing in the labor hour pricing.

QUESTION 90- Attachment 4 (Pricing Schedule): Are subcontractors and consultants considered ODCs for the purposes of this bid or are their staff expected to be listed under the labor categories? If their rates are to be listed, can the prime, sub, and/or consultants have different rates for the same category?

ANSWER- All costs will be included in the labor categories. If you need to add labor categories to the pricing schedule then you may do so.

QUESTION 91- There are several references to staff working on a Government site in the RFP document. Section 52.216-22 (c) states that the Government may issue orders requiring performance at multiple locations. Section H.2 references contractors working onsite. In Attachment 1 (SOW) on Page 10, paragraph on Supervision, it says "The Contracting Officer (CO) may require removal from the job site, those Contractor employees deemed to be unsuitable to work on this contract, or those whose continued employment under the contract is deemed to be contrary to the public interest, or inconsistent with the best interests of the Government." However, the nature of the work described in the SOW implies that work would be performed at the contractor site. Could the government please clarify?

a. For pricing purposes, will there be instances where the contractor will be expected to work on site?

ANSWER - Not on a full time basis. The contractor will be expected to be on site periodically to participate in meetings and assist in conducting exercises and After Action Conferences.

b. If yes, where is that site located, how many staff should we estimate, and for what duration?

ANSWER - The majority of our exercises are conducted in the Washington DC area; however, HHS routinely conducts approximately 5 exercises per year in various locations across the country so staff will need to travel periodically under a cost reimbursable basis. On average travel outside the Washington DC area will be limited to approximately 2 contractors for planning meetings and up to 5 for exercise conduct.

QUESTION 92- Section 52.212-1 (Instructions to Offerors), Section IV (Past Performance): The past performance is to include "directly related or similar contracts… which are similar scope, magnitude and complexity to that which is detailed in the SOW". Are the past performances to be similar to the IDIQ SOW as a whole, or to one or more of the tasks within the SOW?

ANSWER- To which ever task you submit a proposal for.

QUESTION 93- Section 52.212-1 (Instructions to Offerors), Section III (Qualified Personnel): It states that this proposal section is limited to 50 pages. Are resumes required for each labor category or can multiple resumes be provided for some categories – or is that at the discretion of the bidder so long as the 50-page limit is not exceeded?

ANSWER- Only one resume per labor category. Please submit your best candidate.

QUESTION 94- Task 2: Has the Learning Management System (LMS) referred to already been developed?

ANSWER- Yes. Moodle.

QUESTION 95- Can the government provide more guidance on the location and scale of the field exercises that might be awarded under this contract? For example, how many staff could be involved from how many agencies? Are they potentially international in scope? How many exercises and games are expected to be conducted each year of the contract?

ANSWER- On average we conduct up to 8 exercises per year in the Washington DC area. Additionally we conduct approximately 5 regional and/or exercises per year in various locations across the country. On average travel outside the Washington DC area will be limited to approximately 2 contractors for planning meetings and up to 5 for exercise conduct.

QUESTION 96- Task 4: The SOW states that the contractor will “Coordinate the full spectrum of event planning to support the planning and conduct of exercises.” Is the Contractor’s role one of providing professional/technical guidance and support or does it also include providing administrative and logistics support?

ANSWER- The task includes technical support, administrative support and logistics support.

QUESTION 97- Task 7: Are there requirements or preferences for where the web-based CAP tool management system will be hosted?

ANSWER- Yes, it is already being hosted on government servers.

QUESTION 98- Given the short turnaround for this IDIQ response, the short amount of time between receipt of questions by the contractors and the due date, and the number of questions we have about pricing scope and labor categories, is an extension possible?

ANSWER- the combined synopsis close date has been extended until 27 February 2017 at 08:00 AM.

QUESTION 99- Are appendices (e.g., 508 compliance template) included in the page limitations for each section? If so, would it be acceptable to provide documentation upon request?

ANSWER- Everything is included in the page limitation, including the 508 compliance.

QUESTION 100- Task 1: Is this task intended to be exclusively classroom trainings or include field and table exercises as well? Or are all the field exercises and table top exercises in task 4?

ANSWER- Training is expected to be both classroom and field.

QUESTION 101- Will IDIQ task orders be limited to the labor categories listed under each task in the pricing sheet? Or will offerors be able to use labor categories from across the pricing schedule for IDIQ task orders?

ANSWER- IDIQ task orders will be limited to the labor categories listed under each task in the pricing sheet.

QUESTION 102- The solicitation documents describe that some personnel will be located Government-site at the ASPR TELL program office, depending on the needs of the task order. Should offerors plan to offer Government-site rates as part of the IDIQ proposal, or should offerors expect to be able to include additional Government-site labor categories as part of specific task order responses?

ANSWER- The offeror should plan on using the DC Capitol rates. The majority of work will be conducted at contractor’s home office. Contractor will be required to help execute exercises, trainings and other duties as assigned at different locations when required for a finite amount of time.

QUESTION 103- Is the maximum IDIQ value $6.9M per year or the total value over the base and four option years?

ANSWER- Yes for the base and 4 options.

QUESTION 104- SOW Task 1: Should the training courses be designed to be compatible with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute standards?

ANSWER- Yes.

QUESTION 105- SOW Task 1 & 2: “Included in all training must be, but is not limited to: 1. Development of Course Curriculum (Subjective, Objective, Methods...)”

a. Do “subjective” and “objective” refer to best practices in needs assessments?

b. If not, please clarify the intended operationalization of “subjective” and “objective”.

ANSWER- Subjective and objective performance metrics toward task analysis and evaluation.

QUESTION 106- SOW Task 2 “Using the principal Learning Management System (LMS), the Contractor shall develop, maintain, facilitate and evaluate new on-line training modules…”

a. Who is ASPR’s LMS provider?

b. Must interactive features of the web-based trainings be designed in the principal LMS or can they be designed outside the LMS and imported in?

c. If not required to be built in the LMS, is there a preferred format that should be used when developing the web-based training?

ANSWER- a. Contractor FEI using Moodle.

b. Designed in the web-based trainings or within LMS only.

QUESTION 107- SOW Task 2: “Coordinate the full spectrum of event planning to support the planning and conduct of training courses. “While this requirement falls under Task 2, will this also be required under Task 1?

ANSWER- Yes.

QUESTION 108- SOW Task 4: The schedule of deliverables for Task 4 references an “ASPR Exercise Plan” (SOW, p.7). What is the scope of that plan? Is it multi-year or only for a single year?

ANSWER- The scope of the plan is for multi-year.

QUESTION 109- SOW Task 6: “The contractor shall also assist with executing after action conferences where applicable and provide additional support for real world and exercise events.” Does “additional support for real world and exercise events” apply exclusively to after-action and CAP activities, or is it intended as broader support for response activities? (e.g. Government-site support at an operations center)

ANSWER- Intended for broader support for response and training and exercise activities. Contractors may be asked to sit in the operations center to collect data or travel to impacted area to collect data. A decision will be made on a case by case basis.

QUESTION 110- SOW Task 7: Does the government wish to, or currently host, the CAP tool database?

ANSWER- The government currently hosts the CAP tool.

QUESTION 111- SOW Task 7: Can the government please clarify what is meant by “web based and in person tools”?

ANSWER- Web based refers to our CAP tool and in person tools refers to paper based materials and one on one or group discussions.

QUESTION 112- SOW Task 7: Does the government wish to develop interfaces or dashboards to monitor information in the CAP tool database for senior leadership or custom analyses?

ANSWER- Yes, we are looking to analyze trends that may appear in the feedback that is collected.

QUESTION 113- SOW Task 7: Can the government provide an estimate of the number of unique corrective action entries to be hosted in the CAP tool database?

ANSWER- It varies in scope and scale for every event. Typically for smaller events, (such as State of the Union Address) there are approximately 10 corrective actions. When we participate in larger events (such as Hurricane Sandy) there were approximately 36 corrective actions that resulted from that event.