191N6026Q0006-PR16144890 - Answers to Vendor questions.docx

Solicitation No.: 191N6026Q0006 – PR16144890 Title: U.S.-India Technology Cooperation for Innovation growth Workshop series

VENDOR QUESTIONS:

Question 1:

What is the budget range for the project?

Consulate Answer:

Please note that we are unable to share our internal budget estimate for this project as part of the solicitation process. We encourage you to submit your proposal based on your own cost analysis and understanding of the requirements outlined in the solicitation documents.

Question 2:

What is the required start date? Is the timeline flexible?

The requested start date is Oct / Nov 2026 for the first activity of the workshop series. Wherever required, timelines can be adjusted based on consultation with the U.S. Consulate General Chennai’s designated Point of Contact (POCs).

Question 3:

Who is responsible for the selection of the participants and what is the selection process?

The vendor is responsible for selection of the participants. The selection process should include target participant institutions as mentioned in the SOW (Refer #2- Selection of Participants). U.S. Consulate General Chennai’s designated Point of Contact (POCs) will clear the selected list of participants.

Question 4:

Could you provide the initial rights and data provision? How will vendor materials and workshop recordings be used / disseminated after this project?

Consulate Answer:

The Government's rights in data produced under this contract are governed by FAR 52.227-14, Rights in Data—General and other applicable provisions, which will be incorporated into the resulting contract. Under this clause, the Government generally retains unlimited rights to data first produced in the performance of this contract, including workshop materials, findings, notes, presentations, and final reports, unless the offeror identifies specific data subject to limited rights, restricted rights, or copyright protections in accordance with the clause's requirements.

All data, records, and materials generated during the performance of this contract — including but not limited to workshop proceedings, participant input, research findings, and summary reports on intellectual property rights (IPR) — are considered U.S. Government property and official records. As such:

· The vendor must provide the Government full and unrestricted access to all such materials upon request and at contract completion.

· The vendor may not use, publish, or disseminate this data externally (including to third parties, other clients, or the public) without prior written authorization from the U.S. Consulate General Chennai’s Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

· Following completion of the project, the Government retains full discretion over how the materials are used, published, or disseminated, consistent with applicable Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act requirements, as well as any other applicable disclosure restrictions as applicable.

· If the vendor anticipates using any pre-existing proprietary data, tools, or methodologies in performance of this contract, the vendor must clearly identify and mark such materials in accordance with the data rights clause and include these details in the proposal submitted, so the Government can assess any resulting limitations on its rights prior to contract award.

Question 5:

Are we permitted / encouraged to use an India-based implementation partner or subcontractor for local logistics, participant engagement and delivery? Are there any limitations or criteria for partners or sub-contractors who may assist locally?

Consulate Answer:

India-based implementation partners may be sub-contracted for local logistics, participant engagement and delivery. Such partners should be identified before signing of contract and cleared by U.S. Consulate General Chennai.

Question 6:

Is there a particular preference for the location of the in-person workshop?

Consulate Answer:

The preferred location of the in-person workshop is Chennai, India.

Question 7:

Is there a timeline for the release of the "report on barriers affecting U.S. companies, universities or research partners?" In the Remarks section it mentions basing the report on the results of the workshop sessions (indicating the report would come after the workshops), but the second sentence reference addressing the "gap report" by the workshops (suggesting the gap report would come before the workshops). Can you clarify?

Consulate Answer:

A gap report will be produced before the start of the workshop series. Refer Service #1 & Deliverable 1.2 A recommendation report will be produced based on the results of the workshop sessions. Service # 5 & Deliverables 1.9 & 1.10