Responses_to_Questions_6-15-18GSB_comments.pdf

Responses to Questions on Request for Task Order Proposal 18-250-SOL-00090

Project Title: Newborn Screening Clearinghouse (MCHB 62 C 1513)

Below is a list of questions received before the deadline of 5/29/18 by 1:00 pm ET Contract Specialist: Anne Stephan

# Question Section for

RFTOP

Page

Government Response

Do you expect the offeror to have the proposed product developed and in use in order to be able to complete the PAT at time of submission?

L.4 Section 5098 PAT Instructions

The offeror shall respond to the PAT in a way that describes how their deliverables will be made compliant.

Is this an existing contract or new work?

If this is an existing contract, what is the contract number and incumbent’s name?

Is there an incumbent contractor currently producing content similar in nature to the requested Newborn Screening Clearinghouse content?

This is a new contract requirement.

However, a newborn screening clearinghouse was previously developed as part of a cooperative agreement with Genetic Alliance (end date August 31, 2018). That project is unrelated to this contract. The MCHB Newborn Clearinghouse that will be developed under this contract will be the exclusive property of the Government.

In addition to content development, will the contractor support for the Newborn Screening Clearinghouse as a hrsa.gov website:

a) Web design

b) Web development

c) Web security requirements

d) Web hosting and monitoring

If yes to any of the above, please clarify the level of support requested.

Attachment A, Section V

89-90

The contractor will produce content that will be hosted on HRSA’s MCHB website. The content must be in a format that is compatible with HRSA’s website requirements. It is anticipated that once the Clearinghouse website is fully developed, it will have its own navigation as a Drupal subsite.

The contractor should have the expertise to provide design suggestions to address the needs of MCHB’s audience and stakeholders.

If the contractor will not provide web development or hosting support for a government system, can the government clarify the applicability of Tasks 6 through 15 to the contractor’s proposed effort?

Attachment A, Section IV, Tasks 6-15

74-88

Tasks 6-12 are baseline security requirements. HRSA has removed tasks 13 through 16

Standard Form 33 indicates offerors are to provide an original and 1 copy of their proposals. Section L indicates offerors are to submit their proposals via email. Is submission via email sufficient or are hard copies also required?

Section L.1.3, SF33, Item 9

One signed electronic copy may be submitted.

Task 4.2 lists a number of potential information products “that are designed and vetted by the contractor.” This implies that the contractor is to curate some products and produce others from scratch. How many of each of the products listed (fact sheets, videos, webinars, education tools, infographics, and other products) should the contractor expect to produce from scratch each contract year?

Attachment A, Section IV, Task 4.2, Item d

72 See updated SOW

How many pages of content should offerors assume will need to be written in the Base Period? How many in each of the Option Periods?

Attachment A, Section IV, Task 4

71-74 See updated SOW

Task 4.9 states: “The contractor shall coordinate website content with organizations that work on newborn screening...” What is the intended scope of coordination: Is it HRSA’s intent that content included on HRSA’s site will be consistent with the information provided by those organizations, or does HRSA want the contractor to facilitate communications and collaboration with external partner organizations?

Attachment A, Section IV, Task 4.9

As noted on page 62, the contractor is required to have expertise on newborn screening stakeholders and newborn screening requirements in states across the nation. The intent of this task is for the contractor to participate in communications with stakeholders in the field to improve the efficiency of development of content for the Clearinghouse. HRSA will initiate the communication/collaborations with external partners but the contractor is responsible for the continued communication/collaboration.

Will content mockup templates provided by HRSA include details about the site's information architecture and website navigation, or will the contractor be expected to provide recommendations?

Attachment A, Section IV, Task 4.13

Content style guides and existing MCHB templates will be provided to the contractor. The Clearinghouse website is being set up as a Drupal subsite. The contractor is expected to provide recommendations that meet the needs of MCHB’s audience and stakeholders.

Will the contractor have access or rights to the content and data currently held by the existing Newborn Screening Clearinghouse? Examples include website content, website analytics, reports, evaluation data, education materials, etc.

H1-H5 Pg 21-23

No, the contractor will not have access or rights to the content or data developed under the previous cooperative agreement.

Will this program be in conflict with the NOFO MCHB Newborn Screening Family Program as some of the scope of work in this solicitation (ie bullet point 8, 9, 10 that refer to enabling parents and family members, expectant individuals to increase awareness, knowledge, and understanding of newborn screening and provide clear communication strategies, informational and educational materials, training initiatives, and other tools and information) are also deliverables under that NOFO?

If not how will conflict be avoided?

M5.2 Pg 62-63, No, there is no conflict between the contract and the Newborn Screening Family Education Program. The purpose of the contract is to develop content for the Newborn Screening Clearinghouse. The Newborn Screening Family Education Program will engage with and educate families, especially those in underserved areas, and their providers on newborn screening.

The Family Education Program may utilize materials developed for the Clearinghouse in their educational initiatives or may need to develop new materials specific to their activities.

HRSA will review materials to ensure that there is no duplication with the Clearinghouse.

Who is responsible for initiating and coordinating the coordination with Newborn Screening Family Education Program grantee?

4.3 Pg 72

The COR and the Project Officer for the Newborn Screening Family Education Program will initiate communication with the contract, the Family Education Program and HRSA.

Will there be similar stipulations for coordinating of activities with the HRSA MCHB Newborn Screening Data Repository program and if so when will those activities be coordinated?

4.3 Pg 72

The COR will initiate communication between the contractor and other national organizations focused on newborn screening such as the Newborn Screening Technical Assistance and Data Repository Program.