Qs&As_Russian.pdf

19GE5018R0099 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Ladies and gentlemen, Below please find the first questions and answer for this solicitation.

All will be collected and added as a new attachment to the contract document.

Q1 The SOW requires minimum of two native speakers of Russian language. Would it be acceptable if the Social Media Experts are from Ukrainian nationality considering the fact that all of them will have native knowledge of the Russian language?

A1 It would be acceptable. Nationality does not matter, they do have to be native Russian speakers.

Q2 The Pricing Section requires prices for Consultation, Twitter Promotion, Facebook

Promotion, Youtube Promotion. The Unit of Measure is defined as lump sum however it is not clear if this lump sum refers to the overall service during the entire contract period or lump sum as single task/activity. Also, the quantity of these line items is not clear i.e. what does this quantity refers to (2 x consultation per contract period, 5 x Twitter promotions per contract period and so on). Would you be able to provide more details on the unit and quantization of these 4 line items?

A2 Consultations refers to the visits received by the contractor or visits from the contractor to our offices (most likely Brussels). It is the offerors’ business decision how to organize this / to come up with a plan for social media promotion and to present funding allocations for the respective platforms. Last year we spent an estimated 10,000 USD combined on those.

Q3 Section 3.8 (Consultation) defines the requirement for the contractor to make representatives available to meet with visiting U.S. officials in Brussels, Washington DC or other city. Will these meetings require the Russian-speaking Social Media Experts to be present at the meeting location or does this refer to any representative that the contractor will assign as Project Manager?

A3 We would strongly urge that one of the Russian-speaking Social Media Experts would be present for the consultations as they are at the heart of the operation. In the past, at least one was always present, when we have met in the city of the contractor or in Brussels. We intend to stick to that policy for the future.

Q4 Q3 refers to Russian-speaking Social Media Experts being present at the meeting location, specifically when it comes to meetings in Washington DC, would the USG support short stay US visa processing considering that the Russian-speaking Social Media Experts may not be US Citizens or have previously obtained US visa? This question does not apply in case the contractor can assign someone from its senior management for these meetings considering that nationalities and travel authorizations for the senior staff of our company.

A4 If necessary, we can help the Russian-speaking Social Media Experts in need of a visa through the process. We don’t envision meeting in Washington, but if we decide on that, we would work to make it a successful meeting.

Q5 Ref: A. Summary of Instructions, (page 47 of 67)

Will the Government confirm by what date all questions are due? Furthermore, we suggest extending the due date of this solicitation to 14 September to allow for an adequate question and answer period.

A5 There is no fixed date but unless we receive one or more questions that require research or a rewrite of the requirement, the USG will not extend the due date for receipt of proposals.

Q6 Ref: SF 1449, box 10. Is this solicitation unrestricted or a set-aside?

A6 This solicitation is unrestricted.

Q7 Would you be willing to share any of the following information?

Confirm whether this is a new effort; if there is an incumbent, share name and contract number Government estimate of most probable cost

A7 No, the Government does not divulge this type of information.

Q8 Ref: Section 4 – Evaluation Factors, 52.212-2, part a (page 50 of 67) Will the Government confirm this solicitation is being evaluated as best value? The section referenced above states that “Technical and past performance and cost/price are equal”.

A8 The solicitation document fulfills the requirements per below FAR references. The

USG does not intend to go into detail regarding this matter.

FAR part 15.304 Evaluation factors and significant subfactors.

(d) …The rating method need not be disclosed in the solicitation.

(e) The solicitation shall also state, at a minimum, whether all evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are—

(1) Significantly more important than cost or price;

(2) Approximately equal to cost or price; or

(3) Significantly less important than cost or price (10 U.S.C.

2305(a)(3)(A)(iii) and 41 U.S.C. 3306(c)(1)(C)).

http://uscode.house.gov/uscode-cgi/fastweb.exe?getdoc+uscview+t09t12+37+408++%2810%29%20%252 http://uscode.house.gov/uscode-cgi/fastweb.exe?getdoc+uscview+t09t12+37+408++%2810%29%20%252 http://uscode.house.gov/

FAR part 15.304 Evaluation factors and significant subfactors.