Questions and Answers - RFQ 19H08025Q0051 .pdf

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

Questions and Answers

RFQ 19H08025Q0051

Public Opinion Research Program

1. In one part of the TOR it says phase 2 should have 10 focus groups and in another it says 15 – which is it?

Fifteen focus groups (6–8 participants each) in high illegal immigration region.

2. In terms of selecting focus group participants, the TOR has conflicting information. Ine some parts it wants this to be guided by youth, unemployment, low-income and in others it wants to hear from all ages, high income, and employed. Which is it?

Participant selection guided by illegal immigration vulnerability indicators.

3. Should the focus groups be spread throughout the country or just account for rural vs urban?

Spread throughout the country with an emphasis on areas of high illegal immigration.

4. Will the survey involve showing participants images, videos, etc?

Yes

5. What is the anticipated length of interview for the survey?

That should be determined based on the number of questions and number of participants.

6. Page 35 of the RFP requires the contractor show “Evidence that the offeror/quoter operates an established business with a permanent address and telephone listing;

in Honduras.” Can this requirement be met if an offeror’s subcontractor maintains a permanent address and telephone listing in Honduras?

The justification provided in the offer explaining why this criterion cannot be met will be reviewed and taken into consideration during the evaluation process. The Government will assess whether the alternative arrangements you have in place adequately fulfill the intent of the requirement, which is to ensure reliable and verifiable points of contact.

7. Page 7 of the RFP states that the project will include “Thirty focus groups total:

fifteen for Phase I (content testing), fifteen for Phase II (postcampaign).” However, page 6 states that Phase II will include ten focus groups. Could the Embassy clarify if Phase II will consist of ten or fifteen focus groups?

For continuity, we will have fifteen focus groups for phase 1 and fifteen focus groups for phase 2.

8. Page 6 of the RFP states that “PDS staff may observe [focus groups].” Would PDS staff prefer in-person or virtual observation? In some cases, in-person observation may not be feasible due to lack of facilities or privacy issues.

a. In addition, would PDS staff require simultaneous translation?

If PDS Staff attendance cannot be possible due to lack of privacy issues that is a conversation that we will have with the vendor that is selected for this project. PDS staff will not require simultaneous translation.

9. Does the Embassy use a specific model for evaluating campaign performance?

No.

10. Does the Embassy have a preferred report model and length for the Phase I and Phase II reports, analytic reports, and final comprehensive report?

No.

11. Invitation cover letter:” Offerors shall be registered in the SAM database…. No further consideration will be given.” Would it be possible to waive the registration and use the DUNs instead? Or in any case, allow for the SAM process to be completed?

Quoters shall be registered in the SAM (System for Award Management) database at https://www.sam.gov prior to submittal of their offer/proposal as prescribed under FAR 4.1102. Failure to be registered at time of proposal submission may deem the quoter's proposal to be considered non-responsible and no further consideration will be given. Therefore, quoters are highly encouraged to register immediately if they are interested in submitting a response to this requirement.

12. As per the “firm-fixed price. Please inform of the “Terms of Payment” for this

SOW.

A purchase order will be issued to the awardee, with payment terms of net 30 days beginning upon submission of a proper invoice through the MyILMS Payment Portal.

The Contractor is required to submit all invoices via the portal, and detailed submission instructions will be provided to the awarded contractor. To be considered proper, each invoice must include all elements required under FAR 32.905(e).

Phase I . Content Testing

13. “Assess the effectiveness of different illegal immigration-related message themes, images, and text styles in influencing Honduran perceptions.

Evaluate distinct messaging themes across both short-form and long-form content:

• Border enforcement.

• Deportation and prosecution.

• Messages from U.S. Government officials.

• Stories of failure by other illegal migrants who tried to cross the border

• Stories of success from illegal immigrants who have returned to Honduras.

Identify which words, phrases, and visuals (images, graphics, videos, quotes) resonate most strongly with Hondurans from high illegal immigration areas and have the greatest impact in deterring illegal immigration.”

Are these materials to be provided by TGUBids?

Some of these such as messages from border enforcement and messages from U.S.

government officials will be provided by the PDS team. Stories of failures and success of Honduras for the focus group will need to be provided by the chosen vendor.

Phase II - Post-Campaign Perception

14. Following the implementation of a nationwide Embassy illegal immigration messaging campaign (executed under a separate project), measure post-campaign perceptions, effectiveness, and shifts in sentiment. Provide analysis of how

Honduran public opinion has changed regarding illegal immigration risks, deterrence factors, and awareness of local opportunities.

Could be possible to provide the implementation schedule?

Implementation schedule will be implemented once vendor is selected

Quantitative Study (Survey)

15. “Stratified by four regional strata: northern, central, southern, and capital (±4% regional margin of error).”

Can it be possible to know the specific locations and samples per site at which the survey is to be applied? Or will the contractor suggest the distribution?

As per the stratification, this is to be determined by the Embassy or can the contractor suggest the distribution based on the population and its characteristics?

The contractor can suggest the distribution.

16. “Surveys conducted within two weeks of questionnaire approval.”

The n = 2,400 survey is to be conducted at the Phase I? or during Phase I and II?

Phase 1 and Phase 2

Qualitative Studies (Focus Group)

17. “Fifteen focus groups (6–8 participants each) in high illegal immigration regions.”

Are there any specifically desired locations for surveys to be applied (as per towns?)

Are there any specific desired locations for focus groups to be held?

For the contractor to determine based on research of regions in Honduras that have a high index where people want to illegally immigrate to the United States.

Phase II Post-Campaign:

18. “Ten additional focus groups to measure perception shifts after campaign rollout.”

In this phase, these are to be ten or fifteen focus groups?

Confirmation, is it 25 or 30 focus groups in total?

15 focus groups in Phase 2, 30 in total.

Deliverables:

19. “Final comprehensive report synthesizing Phase I and Phase II findings with actionable recommendations.”

Question: Please, need to know the implementation plan.

The final report will provide an overview of phase 1 and phase 2 findings and will determine recommendations what type of messages reasonate with the individuals in the focus groups.

20. “On Section 3, A2, Permanent address and Telephone listing.”

Please note that for a couple of years we have been operating hybrid and we do not longer have the need to maintain our office in Centro Morazan. This has not been a problem for our customers; is this an issue with US government?

The justification provided in the offer explaining why this criterion cannot be met will be reviewed and taken into consideration during the evaluation process. The Government will assess whether the alternative arrangements you have in place adequately fulfill the intent of the requirement, which is to ensure reliable and verifiable points of contact.