RFQ 19GT5025Q0048 - Monitoring Services for Digital Platforms - Questions and Answers.pdf

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

RFQ 19GT5025Q0048 – Monitoring Services for Digital Pla�orms

1. Is a company currently performing this work, or is this a new requirement? Yes

a. If so, who and under what contract number? 19GT5024P1410

2. Is the work required to be performed in Guatemala, or can the work be performed from within the United States? The work does not require physical presence in Guatemala.

3. Will the Embassy be providing access to the digital pla�orms? No

a. If so, which pla�orms are currently being used? This is part of your business proposal.

b. If not, please confirm that acquiring digital pla�orms is the responsibility of the third-party contractor. This is part of your quota�on and business proposal.

4. On average, how many tailored reports are requested per week? one per week, 52 total per year.

5. Per the submission guidelines, vendors are asked to provide “Addi�onal informa�on as required in the RFQ.” Can you please confirm whether there is a preferred format to accomplish this, within the stated file types (MS Word 2007/2010, MS Excel 2007/2010, or PDF)? Are detailed White Papers appropriate? You can use any format that answers how the services are to be provided.

6. Addi�onally, is there a page limit for addressing the proposed tasks outlined in 'Sec�on IV: Scope of Work'? There is no page limit.

7. Can the Embassy please confirm no security clearances are required for this contract? Not required.

8. Does the Embassy have specific personnel qualifica�on requirements? This is part of your business plan to detail how and who will be responsible for the performance of this service.

9. Page 2, Sec�on III. Pricing notes a quan�ty of 12 in column three. Can the Embassy please confirm this represents the 12-month period of performance? Yes, 12-month period.

10. Page 2, Sec�on III. Pricing. Can the Embassy please confirm proposal budgets must be submited in USD? Your offer shall be submited in the currency you have a capacity to provide an invoice. USD is acceptable.

11. Page 2, Sec�on III. Pricing. Can the Embassy confirm Offerors should propose a deliverable and payment schedule in the proposal budget? Please refer to item 8 on page 4 Payment terms.

12. Page 3, Sec�on IV. Scope of Work, 2. Repor�ng. Given the poten�al of limited weekly varia�on, would the Embassy be open to bi-weekly reports?

The Embassy prefers weekly reports, as this frequency has proven effec�ve in previous experiences for ensuring �mely and ac�onable insights. That said, the Embassy is open to discussing specific repor�ng needs during certain periods, including tailored requests.

13. Page 3, Sec�on IV. Scope of Work, 3. Cer�fica�on and Exper�se requires Offerors to “update cer�fica�ons of the big-data tools to be used for monitoring and analysis.” Can the Embassy please confirm if this requirement refers to big-data tool cer�fica�on updates the Embassy requires under the Contract, or is this a requirement for Offerors to demonstrate their big-data tools are cer�fied to date as part of the proposal process? Can the Embassy clarify which type of cer�fica�on they require?

Offerors must demonstrate that the big-data tools they intend to use are currently cer�fied and up to date and if possible, provide official evidence as part of their proposal. If cer�fica�ons cannot be provided at the �me of bidding, Offerors should be ready to submit any required informa�on once the contract is awarded. A�er the award, the contractor will be responsible for maintaining and upda�ng cer�fica�ons throughout the contract period to ensure the tools remain effec�ve, secure, and compliant with industry standards.

14. Page 4, IV. Scope of Work, 7. Period of Performance, the RFQ says the Period of Performance of the contract will be one year, but given �me needed to design and ramp up the system (and then begin issuing the contractually required 52 annual reports), would the Embassy consider extending the Period of Performance to 14 months to allow �me for the tailored design and development process?

You can include a plan in your offer.

15. Page 4, VI. Addi�onal Requirements, the RFQ request that “the company must provide clear and verifiable evidence that its income is derived from lawful ac�vi�es and is not associated with drug trafficking or criminal organiza�ons.” Can the Embassy confirm if company’s most recent audited or reviewed financial statements suffice as “clear and verifiable” evidence? It is acceptable.

16. Font requirements (type and size) for narra�ve text and textboxes/tables/images. You can format your offer as needed to provide an offer in response to this RFQ.

17. What type of document is acceptable for the technical proposal submission (i.e., PDF, word document, etc.). Please refer to invita�on leter, paragraph 4.

18. The service will be remote or on-site? In the case of a hybrid work arrangement, how many in-person visits will be required during the term of the contract? This is part of your business proposal, however, we anticipate services can be provided remotely.

19. We understand the infrastructure will not be provided, would we be required to propose it? Should we be considering an on-premise or a cloud-based infrastructure? This is part of your business proposal to provide the services required.

20. Are we expected to propose the digital platforms for monitoring, or will you be providing a list of those that should be monitored? You are required to provide it within your business proposal on how you will be providing/performing the services required.

21. Is it required for the monitoring analysis to be conducted in real-time?

It is not required for the monitoring and analysis to be conducted in real-�me as part of the regular repor�ng process. However, there may be specific occasions where the Embassy requests rapid responses or live tracking to address emerging issues or �me-sensi�ve developments. These instances will be communicated as needed, and the contractor should be prepared to accommodate such requests.

22. Will there be a template for the weekly thematic report?

There is no pre-established template for the weekly thema�c report. Offerors are encouraged to suggest alterna�ves for the report format as part of their proposal, ensuring it aligns with the objec�ves outlined in the Scope of Work. The final format will be determined collabora�vely once the contract is awarded.

23. Also for the weekly thematic report, what topic could be covered? Or will the analyst decision?

The specific themes to be covered will be provided by the Embassy once the contract is awarded. These themes will align with the objec�ves outlined in the Scope of Work and may include topics such as migra�on, transna�onal crime, and other issues relevant to U.S.

interests in Guatemala and the region.

24. Will monitoring and analysis be done solely on publicly available sources, or might the Embassy need to connect to other private sources?

Monitoring and analysis will primarily focus on publicly available sources, as outlined in the Scope of Work. However, if the Embassy iden�fies a need to incorporate insights from private sources during the course of the contract, this will be communicated to the contractor, and any adjustments will be discussed and agreed upon in alignment with the project’s objec�ves.

End of Ques�ons and Answers.