Questions_and_Answers_for_17-233-SOL-00355_6-13.pdf

17-233-SOL-00355 – Questions and Answers

1. Since this is a pilot program, I believe this is a new requirement? Or is there an incumbent fulfilling this work?

This is a new requirement.

2. Are there any potential COI with existing contractors or possibly a contract related to this program? If so, who is the contractor and what are the contract numbers that have potential COI aspects?

There is no existing contract related to this program; there is no contract for this specific program. However, it is possible, but unknown, whether other parts of the Department of Health and Human Services may have similar programs utilizing contractual support.

3. In Section 2.2 the RFP states "The vendor will develop ...as well as consistent methods for coaching and support." Can you describe what coaching and support is in detail?

Please refer to the solicitation document.

4. In Section 2.2 part aii, the RFP states "30 participants in both physical and virtual settings".

Will there be 30 participants in each setting or 30 in the combined settings? And what are the requirements of a virtual setting?

Up to 30 participants in the combined. All requirements are specified in the solicitation document.

5. What LMS do you use? What type of file would we provide for program tracking?

Please refer to Section 2.4 of the solicitation document. The offeror is welcome to propose any supplemental environment as long as it meets the requirements outlined in the solicitation document.

6. Will the HHS provide additional information around population roles and job descriptions?

Please refer to Section 2.2 of the solicitation document.

7. Will the HHS be looking to incorporate data leads and internal subject matter experts into the training experience?

HHS is open to your recommendations in your submission.

8. What is the budget allocated for this project? Or how much will pricing factor into the decision-making criteria?

Please refer to the solicitation document for the government’s evaluation factors.

9. This program is listed as a pilot. What size population do you expect this program to be expanded to?

Unknown.

10. Will the HHS consider bootcamps that haven't done government contracts before?

HHS will consider all serious proposals that attempt to meet the requirements outlined in the solicitation document.

11. What LMS do you use? What type of file would we provide for program tracking?

See #5 above.

12. Who would own the IP to: course syllabus, course material, skills assessment, performance standards and assessment, evaluation and reporting Please refer to the solicitation document Section 2.2 for requirements re: availability of course material. All IP produced by HHS participants are owned by the government. All work produced by HHS participants, including but not limited to that resulting from coaching and any other support provided by the vendor, shall be owned by the government.

13. Who is reviewing the curriculum and what does that process look like?

14. Can we host the curriculum on our enterprise Github repository?

Please refer to the solicitation document Section 2.2 for requirements re: availability of course material.

15. Would it be advantageous for us to propose multiple delivery options including on client site, on vendor site, or virtual?

The requirements are outlined in the solicitation document.

16. What, overall, is the background knowledge of the intermediate participants? What languages do the majority of participants have experience in (Python, R, SQL, etc)?

Please refer to the solicitation document Section 2.2.

17. Are the main objectives of the proposal more geared towards building software and data products or towards data analysis and modeling?

The latter, but the individual participant’s capstone project will drive the final output/outcome.

18. Are the hours suggested in the proposal going to take place during work hours or outside of work hours?

During work hours only (plan to fit within 8:30AM to 5:00PM EST window)

19. Are the capstone projects meant to be individual or small group projects?

The capstone projects are at the individual level.

20. What percentage of participants will be in a central, physical location and what percentage of participants will be attending the course in a virtual setting?

Most participants will attend in person. For pricing purposes, assume 20% virtual participants, but understand that this amount is not a guarantee and may fluctuate.

21. Is there a preferred internal content delivery system for the DHHS?

No.

22. Could you please confirm that R would be an acceptable substitute for Python? We believe that given your objectives, it may be a better choice for your staff as it will make them more versatile data analysts and visualizers without introducing the complexities of enterprise-scale software development.

23. Would Adobe Connect be an acceptable mode of delivery of any live streaming training?

Adobe Connect is acceptable.

24. Do trainers and teaching assistants need to be U.S. citizens?

25. Do both proposed pilots need to include the Intro and Advanced Level Modules? As we read it, both pilots will include all proposed intro and advanced concepts.

26. Will there be additional option years for the program?

That is not envisioned at this time.

27. Do resumes count against the 5-page max for the technical quote?

No.

28. Aside from the table in Section 1.4 of this RFQ, what additional details should be included in the pricing quote?

Please refer to the entire solicitation document.

29. Is HHS open to using an open source learning platform to house some learning content (in addition to what is provided on Git) and support a community of cohort alumni (in addition to Slack) or does HHS already have an LMS or other learning/collaboration platform that they would like us to leverage?

Please refer to Section 2.4 of the solicitation document.

30. Given that the technical quote is 5 pages in length, should we assume that the management plan should be included in these 5 pages along with the description of the proposed learning experience?

Please refer to Section 10 of the solicitation document.

31. In what section should past performance be included? Does the past performance count against the 5-page technical quote or is it counted as an addendum similar to the resumes?

Please refer to Section 10 of the solicitation document.

32. Does HHS envision a specific level of effort in mind with respect to number of coaches to supporting participants' projects? Is HHS open to these coaches being virtual?

Please state your approach in your solicitation document. The government is open to all serious approaches.

33. Will data challenges be solely individual or could some participants who work in teams to solve problems, facilitate peer learning, and contribute to building a data science learning community?

The capstone project shall be completed at the individual level even if some individuals work on identical or similar problems.

34. How much of the course is deemed classroom based vs. virtual?

See #20 above.

35. Is there a preference towards synchronous or asynchronous learning within the course? I.e. is the class expected to be together for specific lessons?

Synchronous learning is preferred.