19JM3726Q0012_Questions and Answers_Sept 23 2026.pdf

Mixed-Method Research Project

Notice ID: 19JM3726Q0012

Questions and Answers

1. Margin of error. CLIN 0003 specifies a nationally representative survey of 1,000 Jamaican adults at a 95 percent confidence level and approximately 3.1 percent margin of error. The approximately 3.1 percent figure corresponds to the conventional calculation for a simple random sample of 1,000 respondents. A clustered probability-based household design may result in a larger design-adjusted margin of error due to the design effect. Could you please confirm whether the 3.1 percent figure is intended as the nominal margin of error associated with n=1,000, or whether the Government requires an achieved design-adjusted margin of approximately 3.1 percent?

Answer: The approximately 3.1 percent margin of error is intended as the nominal margin of error associated with a sample size of 1,000 respondents at the 95 percent confidence level. DOS does not require an achieved design-adjusted margin of error of approximately 3.1 percent. Offerors should identify the proposed sampling design and any anticipated design effect or implications for precision in their methodological documentation.

2. Scope of analysis and reporting under the Base Requirement. CLIN 0003 provides for final handover of the survey data, methodological and fieldwork documentation, completed survey records, and supporting files necessary for DOS to conduct its own data analysis and reporting. Could you please confirm whether substantive analysis and reporting, such as a narrative findings report, subgroup analyses beyond required data preparation, tables/graphics beyond marginal frequencies, and messaging recommendations are excluded from the Base Requirement? If so, we understand the contractor's written Base outputs to consist principally of the methodological, fieldwork, QA/QC, dataset, codebook, processing, and related documentation specified in CLINs 0001–0004.

Answer: The Base Requirement is focused on research implementation, quality assurance, data preparation, documentation, and final handover to DOS for its own substantive analysis and reporting.

3. Structure of Optional Focus Group CLINs. Amendment No. 0002 describes the optional focus groups as increments of two groups and states that the Government may exercise options individually or in combination, while the pricing table identifies CLIN 0006A as two groups, 0006B as four groups, 0006C as six groups, and 0006D as eight groups. Could you please confirm whether 0006A– 0006D are alternative cumulative configurations (i.e., the Government would select the configuration corresponding to the total number of groups desired), or whether the CLINs are additive and may be combined; for example, 0006A plus 0006B to order a total of six groups?

Answer: CLINs 0006A–0006D are alternative configurations and are not additive. DOS would select the applicable CLIN corresponding to the total number of focus groups required. The CLINs should therefore be understood as follows: 0006A = 2 groups; 0006B = 4 groups; 0006C = 6 groups; and 0006D = 8 groups.

4. Allocation of costs under the amended CLIN structure. The amended pricing schedule no longer contains separate CLINs for certain cost categories included in the original schedule, including survey participant incentives, data-security/software/technical platforms, contingency/unforeseen fieldwork costs, and certain analysis/documentation activities. Should all costs necessary to accomplish the amended requirements that are not separately identified as CLINs be allocated to the applicable Base CLINs 0001–0004 and/or Optional Focus Group CLINs?

Answer: Yes. Offerors should incorporate all costs necessary to fully perform the amended requirements into the applicable Base CLINs 0001– 0004 and/or the applicable Optional Focus Group CLIN.

5. Scope of revised submission. Could you please confirm whether quoters should submit a complete replacement technical and price quotation in response to Amendment No. 0002, or whether the response should consist of revised pricing together with only those technical sections and other materials affected by the amendment?

Answer: Offerors shall submit new/revised pricing based on the amended requirements and revised CLIN structure in Amendment No. 0002, with costs clearly provided for each Base CLIN (0001–0004) and Optional CLIN (0006A–0006D). Technical information should only be revised where necessary to reflect the amended requirements.

6. Amendment No. 0001. Finally, could you please confirm whether Amendment No. 0001 was issued for RFQ 19JM3726Q0012? Our records currently contain the original solicitation dated August 26, 2026, the Questions and Answers document, and Amendment No. 0002, but we do not appear to have received Amendment No. 0001. If issued, we would appreciate a copy or confirmation of where it may be accessed.

Answer: We confirm that Amendment No. 0001 was administrative and was not issued for RFQ 19JM3726Q0012. The solicitation dated August 26, 2026, the Questions and Answers 01 document, and Amendment No. 0002 constitute the documents issued for this RFQ.