RFQ_19H08026R0006_Questions and Answers.pdf

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

RFQ 19H08026R0006- Physical Messaging Campaign Development and

Execution

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QUESTION 1 — OFFEROR ELIGIBILITY AND IN-COUNTRY PRESENCE

Section 3, Addendum to 52.212-1, paragraph (a)(2)(b) requires "evidence that the offeror operates an established business with a permanent address and telephone listing;

in Honduras." Clause 652.242-73, Authorization and Performance, further requires the Contractor to warrant that it has obtained authorization to operate and do business in Honduras and holds all necessary licenses and permits, while paragraph (b) of that same clause extends those requirements to a subcontractor or joint venture partner actually performing the work.

(a) May a U.S.-based prime contractor satisfy the requirement at (a)(2)(b) through a Honduran subcontractor that itself holds a permanent business address, telephone listing, and all required Honduran licenses and permits?

Answer: Yes. A U.S.-based prime contractor may satisfy this requirement through a Honduran subcontractor.

(b) If so, what documentation should the offeror submit with its proposal to evidence the subcontractor's in-country presence and authorization?

Answer: The offeror must provide the subcontractor’s RTN, valid Operating Permit, permanent business address, and telephone number.

(c) If not, does the Government intend this solicitation to be limited to offerors legally established and registered within Honduras?

Answer: Please refer to the response to item (b).

QUESTION 2 — BASIS OF AWARD

Section 4, 52.212-2, states that award will be made to the lowest priced, acceptable, responsible offeror. However, the Continuation to SF-1449, Description/Specifications/Work Statement, sets out weighted Evaluation Criteria of Technical Approach (40%), Past Performance (25%), Key Personnel (20%), and Cost (15%). Please confirm which methodology governs the evaluation and award of this requirement.

Answer: Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal conforms to the solicitation and represents the best value to the Government, price and other factors considered. The Government may award to an offeror other than the lowest-priced

2 | P a g e offeror when the evaluated benefits of the higher-priced proposal justify the additional price. Technical Approach, Past Performance, and Key Personnel, when combined, are significantly more important than Price.

QUESTION 3 — CLIN QUANTITIES VERSUS PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The monthly quantities for CLINs 0001 through 0005 total fifteen (15) months, while the stated period of performance is twelve (12) months. The deliverable phases appear to overlap. Please confirm how offerors should price CLINs covering overlapping months.

Answer: The Government confirms the discrepancy. The RFP will be amended to reflect the revised quantities and clarify the applicable periods of performance for CLINs 0001 through 0005. Offerors shall use the quantities and pricing schedule provided in the forthcoming amendment when preparing their proposals.

QUESTION 4 — CLIN 0003 SCOPE

In the pricing schedule, CLIN 0003, Physical Media Production, is described as creative concept, messaging adaptation, artwork/design(s), mockups, revisions, and final production-ready files. In the Work Statement, the corresponding deliverable is production of direct-to-household physical media products and an approved distribution strategy. Please confirm whether CLIN 0003 includes the physical manufacture of the media items, or design services only.

Answer: CLIN 0003 includes both design services and the physical manufacture/production of the items. The Contractor must include all creative development, adaptations, prepress, as well as the complete physical manufacturing costs for the direct-to-household items within CLIN 0003.

QUESTION 5 — REPORTING FREQUENCY

CLIN 0006 specifies monthly progress reports over twelve (12) months. The Reporting Requirements section specifies bi-weekly progress reports. Please confirm the required frequency for pricing purposes.

Answer: Both reporting requirements apply and are complementary. The contractor shall submit monthly progress reports detailing progress toward achieving the required

3 | P a g e deliverables, as specified under CLIN 0006 and on page 7 of the Description/Specifications/Work Statement.

In addition, the contractor shall provide brief bi-weekly progress reports summarizing campaign progress and the status of deliverables. The format and submission schedule for these reports will be coordinated with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Offerors shall include both reporting requirements in their proposed pricing.

QUESTION 6 — PERFORMANCE THRESHOLD

The Quality Assurance and Surveillance Plan states the standard as "no more than one

(2) customer complaint" per month. Please confirm whether the threshold is one (1) or two (2) valid complaints per month.

Answer: The correct performance threshold is no more than two (2) valid customer complaints per month. The reference to “one (2)” is a typographical error and will be corrected through an amendment to the solicitation.

QUESTION 7 — SECTION 3 PROPOSAL CONTENT

Section 3, paragraph (a)(4), requests "the offeror's strategic plan to conduct a public opinion research program services." Given that the requirement is a physical messaging campaign, please confirm whether this paragraph applies as written, and whether the capability at paragraph (a)(3) to conduct a nationwide survey in Honduras is limited to the baseline and post-campaign data collection described in the Work Statement.

Answer: Paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4) apply to this requirement, subject to the following clarifications:

The capability requirement in paragraph (a)(3) is limited to the baseline and post-campaign data collection required under the Performance Work Statement. Offerors must demonstrate that they have the qualified personnel, equipment, and financial resources necessary to conduct this research, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.

In paragraph (a)(4), the reference to “a public opinion research program” is incorrect.

Offerors shall submit a strategic plan for conducting the physical messaging campaign services described in the Performance Work Statement, including the required baseline and post-campaign research activities. The solicitation will be amended accordingly.

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QUESTION 8 — SITE VISIT

Provision 52.237-1, Site Visit, states that offerors are urged and expected to inspect the site of performance. Given that performance is nationwide across five priority municipalities, please advise whether the Government will host a site visit, or whether the virtual pre-proposal conference satisfies this provision.

Answer: The Government will not conduct a site visit for this requirement. The virtual pre-proposal conference held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. local time provided offerors with an overview of the requirement and an opportunity to submit questions; however, it did not constitute a site visit under FAR 52.237-1.

Because the services will be performed across five priority municipalities rather than at a specific Government installation, FAR 52.237-1 was included inadvertently and will be removed through an amendment to the solicitation.

QUESTION 9 —

Although our company does not intend to submit a proposal for Solicitation 19H08026R0006 because we do not have the in-country personnel and logistics required to perform the nationwide installation work, may we be considered for future Embassy requirements involving design and communications services? Additionally, may the Embassy introduce our company to the eventual awardee as a potential design subcontractor?

Answer: Thank you for your interest and for providing information regarding your company’s capabilities. For future requirements involving design, communications, outreach materials, publications, signage, graphics, or presentation support, interested vendors should continue to monitor SAM.gov and the U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa website. The Embassy cannot guarantee consideration for future requirements, and all acquisitions will be conducted in accordance with applicable procurement regulations.

Regarding Solicitation 19H08026R0006, the Embassy cannot recommend a particular subcontractor or facilitate an introduction during the competitive acquisition process.

The selection of subcontractors is the responsibility of the prime contractor. After award, and once the awardee’s information is publicly available, interested companies may contact the awardee directly to present their capabilities and business certifications.

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QUESTION 10- LAUNCH EVENTS

Which are the five main cities, municipalities or communities where the campaign will be implemented and directed to? This information is necessary to define the geographic strategy, logistics, material distribution, and cost structure.

Answer: For proposal and pricing purposes, offerors should assume major urban and peri-urban centers across Honduras with high rates of immigration to the United States (such as San Pedro Sula, El Progreso, La Ceiba, Choluteca, and Danlí or Comayagua) to estimate logistical, transportation, and event coordination costs.

QUESTION 11- LAUNCH EVENTS

Will the main launch event be held in Tegucigalpa?

Answer: Yes. The pilot launch event in Month 6 (CLIN 0004) is expected to take place in Tegucigalpa to facilitate direct participation from U.S. Embassy leadership and key national media outlets.

The remaining four (4) launch events planned for Months 7 through 10 will take place across four (4) additional selected municipalities in Honduras.

QUESTION 12- LAUNCH EVENTS

Which four communities or cities will host the remaining launch events?

Answer: The exact four (4) remaining cities/communities will be formally selected and approved by the U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) during the Campaign Strategy and Work Plan phase (Months 1–2) based on baseline data findings.

For proposal planning and budgeting purposes under CLIN 0004, offerors should base their logistical and cost assumptions on major regional urban and semi-urban centers in Honduras with significant migration activity (such as San Pedro Sula, El Progreso, La Ceiba, Choluteca, and Danlí or Comayagua).

QUESTION 13- LAUNCH EVENTS

What is the expected number of attendees for each event?

Answer: The launch events are designed as high-visibility public diplomacy and press engagement events rather than events for the public. There is no minimum attendance for the launch event—for example, a launch event could entail a facilitated walkthrough

6 | P a g e of a distribution site for representatives of key media outlets, supplemented by an interview opportunity for an embassy representative. Creative and outside-the-box thinking is encouraged in developing plans for launch events that will draw traditional and digital media coverage.

QUESTION 14- LAUNCH EVENTS

Are there any specific production, logistical, or institutional participation requirements that should be considered in the proposal?

Answer: Yes. The Contractor is responsible for the complete end-to-end logistical and technical production of all five (5) launch events. Specific requirements include:

• Embassy Protocol & Coordination: Coordination and scheduling with U.S.

Embassy Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) staff and Embassy leadership participation, when possible.

• Press Relations & Coverage: Media invitation, management, and coordination to ensure media presence on each event.

• Audiovisual Content Production: High-quality photo and video coverage and final product of each event, delivered to PDS for use in official U.S. Embassy social media platforms and digital communications.

• Prior Review & Approval: All branding, press materials, backdrops, and promotional items displayed at events must be reviewed and approved by Embassy PDS prior to publication or public display.

QUESTION 15- GENERAL PROJECT DETAILS

Has the Embassy identified any vendors, partners or strategic allies —such as media outlets, printing companies, distribution and logistics providers, or catering services— that should be considered for the implementation of the project, or will it be the contractor’s responsibility to identify, select, and contract them?

Answer: No. The U.S. Embassy has not pre-selected, identified, or endorsed any specific vendors, printing companies, media outlets, logistics providers, or catering services for this campaign.

It is entirely the Contractor’s responsibility to identify, build strategic relationships, negotiate, select, and contract all private sector micro-logistics networks, small business owners, commercial brands, community merchant associations, printing vendors, media

7 | P a g e outlets, and event suppliers required to fully execute the Statement of Work across Honduras.

QUESTION 16- GENERAL PROJECT DETAILS

If any vendors have already been identified, could the Embassy please provide a list so that these costs are not duplicated or unnecessarily included within the proposed implementation budget?

Answer: As stated in the response to Question 15, the U.S. Embassy has not pre-identified, contracted, or funded any third-party vendors, suppliers, or media networks for this requirement.

QUESTION 17- GENERAL PROJECT DETAILS

For the baseline measurement and post-campaign evaluation, does the Embassy have a previously defined methodology, measurement instrument, sample size, or statistical criteria to demonstrate the required 30% increase in awareness, or is the contractor expected to develop and propose these elements?

Answer: The U.S. Embassy does not have a pre-defined survey instrument, sample size, or statistical methodology for this campaign.

The Contractor is expected to design, propose, and execute a comprehensive baseline and post-campaign evaluation methodology tailored to the five priority municipalities.

As outlined in Amendment 0001, offerors must demonstrate technical capability in monitoring and evaluation techniques to measure whether the performance standard of a 30% increase in awareness of official repatriation mechanisms is achieved.

All survey tools and evaluation frameworks must be submitted to Embassy PDS for review and approval during Months 1–2 (CLIN 0001).

QUESTION 18- GENERAL PROJECT DETAILS

Is there an estimated budget, budget range, or maximum funding ceiling approved for this project that can be shared with offerors, in order to ensure that the technical and cost proposals are developed in line with the Embassy’s expected scope and available resources?

Answer:

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No. The U.S. Embassy does not disclose estimated budgets, budget ranges, or funding ceilings for competitive solicitations.

QUESTION 19- MESSAGE

Could the Embassy please clarify specifically what is meant by “safe and official repatriation mechanisms” within the scope of this campaign, and which specific mechanisms, programs, or actions are expected to be communicated to the target audiences?

In particular, we would appreciate clarification on how the reference to CBP Home should be understood and communicated.

Answer: For the purpose of this campaign, the messaging scope is strictly focused on promoting CBP Home a safe and official mechanism for illegal immigrants in the United States to return to Honduras.

The campaign will not cover other general voluntary return or reintegration programs.

All messaging, physical media artwork, and campaign collateral will be exclusively designed to drive awareness and adoption of CBP Home as the authorized pathway.

The specific creative concept, messaging adaptation, and visual presentation for CBP Home will be developed by the Contractor and submitted for final review and approval by the U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) during Months 1–2 (CLIN 0001).

QUESTION 20- MESSAGE

Has there been any former campaigns or communication efforts to promote the CBP Mobile App in Honduras or Central America? If so, can you share insights to consider for our proposal

Answer:

U.S. Government public messaging across the region has previously leveraged traditional, digital, and innovative direct-to-household physical media channels to promote repatriation mechanisms. Notably, similar physical messaging interventions, such as branded food-grade packaging (Tortipapel) deployed in Mexico, have successfully communicated official migration mechanisms and promoted platforms like CBP Home directly at the household level.

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• https://www.excelsior.com.mx/nacional/piden-tortillas-que-migrantes-regresen-mexico

• https://oem.com.mx/elsoldezacatecas/local/campana-de-eu-para-migrantes-llega-a-tortillerias-de-guadalupe-zacatecas-31775083 https://www.excelsior.com.mx/nacional/piden-tortillas-que-migrantes-regresen-mexico https://www.excelsior.com.mx/nacional/piden-tortillas-que-migrantes-regresen-mexico https://oem.com.mx/elsoldezacatecas/local/campana-de-eu-para-migrantes-llega-a-tortillerias-de-guadalupe-zacatecas-31775083 https://oem.com.mx/elsoldezacatecas/local/campana-de-eu-para-migrantes-llega-a-tortillerias-de-guadalupe-zacatecas-31775083