Questions and Answers Posted Solicitation.doc

TAMS 2008 Full and Open

May 2, 2008

Questions from Solicitation 2008-N-09699

From April 4, 2008 – April 22, 2008

Notice: The Question and Answer Period for 2008-N-09699 is now over.

1. Question: We are a small minority firm (SBD certified by the SBA). We will be part of a larger firm's bid on this IDIQ and were wondering if this is the type of procurement in which one can bid both as part of one team and also as an individual firm, i.e. with our own separate proposal.

Answer: We are not restricting your ability to bid as a partner or to bid with your own separate proposal.

2. Question: Sec. B, Item 0001 Is it the intent of the government that the contractor provide price data for the three RFTP responses in Section B, Item 0001 of the solicitation # 2008-N-09699 Business Proposal?

Answer: Please provide cost or pricing data which will support a determination of price reasonableness for each RFTP in the business volume of the RFTP.

3. Question: Sec G.3, Payments Is the contractor to provide cost information for the three RFTP responses here, in the solicitation # 2008-N-09699 Business Proposal?

Answer: Please provide cost or pricing data which will support a determination of price reasonableness for each RFTP in the business volume of the RFTP.

4. Question: Sec H.12(g) Does not indicate whether the Certification and Accreditation (C&A) requirements of the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) applies. Do the C&A requirements of FISMA apply to this solicitation?

Answer: Although systems implementation is not a direct activity of this contract, the vendor may be required to implement a system in order to meet the requirements of a specific Task Order, for example an electronic system to collect data in order to perform an evaluation of a state or local health program. In such a scenario, C&A requirements may apply. Development or implementation of an electronic information system or any electronic data collection effort conducted in the performance of this contract must be submitted to the NCCDPHP Office of Informatics and Information Resources Management prior to implementation for review of relevant data security and capital planning requirements. Such requirements may include a data Privacy Impact Assessment, system Certification and Accreditation, enterprise architecture alignment, NCCDPHP standards, and other federal or CDC policies.

5. Question: Sec J.03 Contractor Performance Report Do we mail this form to our contract references for the relevant contracts we cite? Please clarify.

Answer: The Contractor Performance Report is the mechanism the CDC will be using to capture performance data on these contracts as referenced in the Performance Based Matrix. This information will be generated by our officials and put into the Contractor Performance System maintained by NIH.

6. Question: Sec J.07, J.08, J.09 Instructions to Contractors states to email RFTP. Should these proposals be submitted per Sec L.8 (f) instructions that do not allow emailed proposals?

Answer: See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 2008.

7. Question: Sec. J.07, J.08, J.09 Response Date listed as 19 May, 2008. Do you want the RFTPs before the proposal due date of 21 May, 2008?

Answer: See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 2008.

8. Question: Sec. J.09 RTFP No. #3 Task Order #3 refers to four “Attachments” (A through D) but these were not provided in the RFP. Please provide the attachments or references to where they may be obtained.

Answer: See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 2008.

9. Question: Sec. C.1 Does the Performance Work Statement limit the TAMS contract to support NCCDPHP only ?

Answer: No, the TAMS 2008 contract will be evaluated and utilized in the best interests of the Government.

10. Question: Sec L.12 Technical Proposal Instructions Appendices and resumes are excluded from page limitations; can we assume that the Table of Contents and List of Figures are also excluded?

Answer: When deciding what information to include in the Technical proposal, understand that we will be looking at the first 50 physical pages. Please guide your proposal decisions accordingly.

11. Question: Task Order #3 refers to four “Attachments” (A through D) but these were not provided in the RFP. Please provide the attachments or references to where they may be obtained.

Answer: See Amendment No 00001 dated April 17, 2008.

12. Question: In Request for Task Order Proposal No. #3, Task 2, subparagraph 3 states that the selected contractor “shall prepare a plan to accomplish the following:” Develop, maintain, and update systems and security documentation of procedures and computer programs to process the data received from state and territorial cancer registries. Maintain sufficient internal documentation for all systems and computer programs to allow for easy and prompt changes and resolution of any problems identified. For the system of computer programs, provide manuals that include at a minimum: (a) a sample of all output documents generated by the system, and (b) test data and test results. (Test data will be supplied to the Contractor by CDC.) Create and maintain data dictionaries of all data files. Also, Task 3, subparagraphs 1 through 3 (a to e) each reference specific products (highlighted in bold text) that are required for the routine submission of data from State and territorial cancer registries to CDC-NPCR each January. These products include:

• NPCR-CSS Doc-Server HYPERLINK https://www.npcrcss.org/docserver/ https://www.npcrcss.org/docserver/ no log-in required to get to NPCR-CSS utilities; see link at bottom of Web page

• Data Submission Specifications HYPERLINK https://www.npcrcss.org/utilities/npcrcss.htm https://www.npcrcss.org/utilities/npcrcss.htm

• Data Utilities HYPERLINK https://www.npcrcss.org/utilities/ https://www.npcrcss.org/utilities/

• Data Monitoring System - see attached documents

• Data Evaluation Reports - see attached documents

• Data Quality Indicator System - see attached documents

• Analytic Database flowchart for process for generating standard status report and analytical file

• Public Use Data Sets HYPERLINK http://www.cdc.gov/uscs http://www.cdc.gov/uscs and HYPERLINK http://wonder.cdc.gov/cancer.html http://wonder.cdc.gov/cancer.html

• Restricted Access Data Sets none available currently due to confidentiality of data.

• CSS System Documentation see attached

• CSS Security Plan and - we have attached a summary. The full plan could permit infiltration of security systems and is confidential under our requirements to protect the confidentiality of the data.

• Request Tracking System - this is a system to track requests to the contractor and contains confidential information. It is not accessible.

We assume that these requirements were also included in the current contract for maintenance of the NPCR-CSS and that the incumbent contractor has produced and submitted deliverables that include documentation, manuals (including sample output), and data dictionaries for all listed products.

Although all such materials are the property of the US Government, they are not included among the four Attachments (A through D) referenced in the RTOP (but not yet provided). Please see attachments to Q&A which will be posted as separate PDF documents.

In the interest of fairness, we request that the most current versions of all materials listed above as requirements in RTOP No. #3 be provided to all prospective offerors.

Without public distribution of these materials produced under the current contract, the incumbent contractor will have a pronounced advantage as the only firm with knowledge of the characteristics of materials that were accepted as compliant with contract requirements. In addition to a technical advantage, an incumbent contractor would have a distinct cost advantage as a result of having exclusive possession of accepted versions of materials produced with contract funding.

13. Question: With respect to the RFTOPs is there a requirement to bid on any of them?

Answer: See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 2008.

14. Question: The Q&A from March 19 indicates that it is not necessary to respond to all task orders, but are vendors required to respond to any or can we just respond to the IDIQ RFP?

Answer: See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 2008.

15. Question: Is there a page limit for the RFTOPs?

Answer: Not more than 35 single spaced typewritten pages.

16. Question: Is the due date for the RFTOPs May 21 as indicated on the RFP or May 19 as indicated on the RFTOP cover pages?

Answer: See Amendment No. 0001 dated April 17, 2008.

17. Question: As we continue to review the RFP we may have additional questions. Is there a deadline for questions?

Answer: In accordance with Section:L.5, the deadline for questions is April 22, 2008

18. Question: On page 66, section L8 of the IDIQ, it states, “Your proposal must be prepared in three parts. A technical proposal, a business proposal, and 3 RFTPs.” On p. 36, it states “Contractors are not required to respond to each RFTP.” We would welcome clarification on the requirements for responding to RFTPs 1, 2, and 3. Are all required for compliance with the RFP or is it appropriate to submit the RFP with fewer than all 3 RFTPs?

Answer: See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 2008.

19. Question: When will 2008-N-10240 be published?

Answer: 2008-N-10240 was published on April 17, 2008.

20. Question: We are planning on partnering with another small business to submit a proposal in response to the above-noted announcement. Our partner will be the lead, is owned by an ethnic minority and they have submitted their Section 8(a) application. My question is whether we can apply, given that their application is in progress and has not yet been approved?

Answer: The 8(a) certification has to be approved prior to award of the contract. Firm needs to contact SBA as to the status of the application before putting proposal together, which may be costly.

21. Question: I am writing to inquire about the status of the partial 8(a) set-aside RFP, 2008-N-10240 for TAMS 2008. We see that the Full & Open RFP 2008-N-09699 has been released, however we cannot locate the 8(a) solicitation in Federal Business Opportunities. Has it been released as well? If not, when does the government anticipate releasing it?

Answer: 2008-N-10240 was published on April 17, 2008.

22. Question: I wanted to check in to see if the RFP for 2008-N-10240 has been released? I have been unsuccessful in locating it on FBO.

Answer: 2008-N-10240 was published on April 17, 2008.

23. Question: Regarding this RFP, I wondered if you can confirm (1) that bids on all 3 of the sample tasks are not required, and (2) the 4 attachments to task 3 were not included in the RFP. We really need the confirmation on question 1 right away so we’ll know if we need to start work on all 3 sample tasks.

Answer: See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 2008.

24. Question: We still have not seen the update or any postings. Is this correct?

Answer: 2008-N-10240 was published on April 17, 2008.

25. Question: I am writing to inquire if there is a separate RFP for the above reference solicitation. We see a posting for the Full and Open Opportunity but nothing for the small business set a-side. Please advise.

Answer: 2008-N-10240 was published on April 17, 2008.

26. Question: 1. The Full and Open Large Business RFP (2008-N-09699) was posted on April 4 with a due date of May 21, but this RFP was posted on April 14 with a due date of May 15. Considering the delay in posting the 8a Set-Aside RFP, will CDC considering extending the due date?

Answer: Yes, the 8(a) RFP due date will be extended. Please check that solicitation for the latest amendment.

27. Question: In the Response to Questions from Industry Day, issued as modification#3 on March 19, 2008, the answer to question #10 indicates that “it is not mandatory to respond to all task orders.” In the RFP, section L.8.(c) (p. 66) says that bidders proposals will include “three (3) Request for Task Order Proposals (RFTPs).” Could you clarify whether bidders are required to respond to all RFTPs included with the RFP? May bidders choose not to respond to any RFTP and only submit a Technical Proposal for the IDIQ master contract? If so, how will this effect CDC’s evaluation of the proposal?

Answer: See Amendment No. 0001 dated April 17, 2008.

28. Question: The due date for the IDIQ master contract is set for May 21, 2008 at2 p.m.; however, the due date for all three RFTPs is May 19, 2008. Could you clarify which is the due date for the entire proposal, including any responses to RFTPs?

Answer: See Amendment No. 0001 dated April 17, 2008.

29. Question: Each of the RFTPs states that the proposal for the RFTP “shall be submitted via electronic mail (e-mail) by midnight (EST/EDT) of the day specified for receipt.” Section L.8(d) of the RFP says that proposals should be sent to the Procurement and Grants Office in hard copy (an original and 6 copies). Are proposals in response to the RFP to be submitted in hard copy and proposals for the RFTPs to be delivered electronically? If proposals for the RFTPs are to be delivered electronically, please provide the email address.

Answer: See Amendment No. 0001 dated April 17, 2008.

30. Question: Section L.15(b) of the RFP, Past Performance Information (p.73), does not indicate in which section to include past performance. Could you please clarify whether it should be part of the business or technical proposal, or a separate submission?

Answer: Past performance will be requested only of offerors in the competitive range as a separate submission.

31. Question: Section L.15(b) of the RFP, Past Performance Information (p.73), does not indicate how many contracts completed during the past three years to include. Please clarify the number to include.

Answer: Past performance will be requested only of offerors in the competitive range as a separate submission. When that time comes, please submit information on three to five contracts.

32. Question: Under the technical evaluation criteria of the Scientific and Technical Approach, the RFP (p. 69) states that “The offeror shall provide a detailed plan of their approach to responding to the DCPC workload, including the ability to respond to Request For Task Proposals (RFTPs) within a 14 day response time.” Is the intent of the RFP that contractors should demonstrate the ability to respond to the NCCDPHP workload in general, or only to the DCPC workload?

Answer: Please respond for NCCDPHP.

33. Question: For the IDIQ proposal, do the Executive Summary, Table of Contents, and List of Figures count toward the 50 page limit?

Answer: When deciding what information to include in the Technical proposal, understand that we will be looking at the first 50 physical pages. Please guide your proposal decisions accordingly.

34. Question: What are the page limits for each of the three RFTPs? Could you please specify what these page limits include and do not include?

Answer: Page Limitation is 35 single spaced typewritten pages.

35. Question: Please provide the name of the current contractor who is supporting the National Program of Cancer Registries – Cancer Surveillance System (RFTP #3). What is the annual value of this task order or contract?

Answer: Macro International holds the current task order 200-2002-00574 0013. The annual value is approximately $1.2 million.

36. Question: Regarding the NPCR-CSS (RFTP #3): (a) Will CDC transfer the current NPCR-CSS to the new contractor or is the new contractor expected to develop its own system? (b) Will the new contractor be expected to deliver the NPCR-CSS to CDC at the end of the task order? (c) Is it required that the system be non-proprietary?

Answer: (a) The current contractor will transfer NPCR-CSS documentation, data files, non-proprietary software, software licenses, and some hardware over to the new contractor that was purchased or developed specifically for this contract.

(b) Yes

(c). No

37. Question: RFTP #3 references a flow chart in Attachment A that provides a “general overview of data flow and management of the NPCR-CSS. Attachment A is missing from the documents sent out with the RFTP and RFP. Could you provide Attachment A to bidders?

Answer: See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 2008.

38. Question: RFTP #3 references Attachment B, which provides instructions for data submission, Attachment C, which is a sample data evaluation report, and Attachment D, which is the NPCR-CSS data release policy. Attachments B, C, and D are missing from the documents sent out with the RFTP and RFP. Could you provide these Attachments to bidders?

Answer: See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 2008.

39. Question: We believe there are attachments missing. Specifically missing attachments mentioned under Task #3 (Section J.09). the SOW refers to Attachments A – D under Subtask 1 and 2. We cannot locate these attachments. Can you please e-mail and/or post the attachments to FBO ?

Answer: See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 2008.

40. Question: We have been reading the RFP and there are missing attachments mentioned under Task #3 (Section J.09). the SOW refers to Attachments A – D under Subtask 1 and 2. Can you please contact the agency and ask for them. We cannot wait for the Q & A which doesn’t occur until the 22nd of April.

Answer: See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 2008.

41. Question: Was the PowerPoint from Industry Day ever posted? I do not see it.

Answer: The Powerpoint presentation from Industry Day was posted on the FEDBIZOPPS website the week of January 7, 2008.

42. Question: What is the deadline for questions related to the solicitation and specific task order descriptions.

Answer: Same as the RFP. In accordance with Section:L.5, the deadline for questions is April 22, 2008

43. Question: Consistent with Q&A # 10 from March 19th and the instructions in the individual RFTPs, can we assume that we are not required to bid all 3 sample task orders to be awarded an IDIQ contract under this RFP?

Answer: See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 2008.

44. Question: The first page of the sample tasks have a response date of May 19th and the main RFP has a due date of May 21st. Can we assume that sample task proposals are due on the 21st as well and should be submitted at the same time as the main proposal?

Answer: See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 2008. These are not sample task orders, but are actual task orders that will be awarded.

45. Question: Consistent with Q&A # 10 from March 19th and the instructions in the individual RFTPs, can we assume that we are not required to bid all 3 sample task orders to be awarded an IDIQ contract under this RFP?

Answer: See Amendment No. 0001 dated April 17, 2008. These are not sample task orders, but are actual task orders that will be awarded.

46. Question: RFP page 44 under H.12 (g) does not specify whether it “has been” or “has not been” determined that the FISMA requirements apply, please confirm.

Answer: Determination will be made on the basis of each Task Order requirement or if the vendor proposes the use of a system or electronic data collection during the performance of a Task Order.

47. Question: RFP page 26 section F.1 specifies that monthly progress reports are required for task orders. Sample task RFTP # 2 under “Description of Work” states that quarterly progress reports are required for this task order. Does this mean that this task order only requires quarterly reports and not monthly reports?

Answer: No. Monthly reports are required on all task orders to be submitted in accordance with F.1.

48. Question: Sample task order RFTP’s state that proposals should be emailed to the Government, whereas the main RFP states to mail hard copies of the proposal. Can we assume that we are not required to email the task proposals since the main RFP instructs to mail the proposals?

Answer: These are actual task order RFTPs rather than samples. See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 208 for submission instructions.

49. Question: Since the main RFP or the individual sample task RFPs do not appear to include any specific instructions to respond to the Performance Based Matrix located in RFP page 14 section C.5 and in each sample task RFP, can we assume that it is included for reference only and that the proposal response is not required to address the Performance Based Matrix?

Answer: This solicitation is for a performance based contract. The Performance Based Matrix (PMB) in the main RFP is the standard by which the contractor’s performance will be judged for the IDIQ contract. The PBM of each task order is the standard by which that task order’s performance is judged. The program office will either flow the PBM from the IDIQ contract to the task order if it is appropriate, or will create a separate PBM that fits the needs of the program office and the task order accordingly. In the case of task orders #1, #2 and #3, the program office has determined that the IDIQ PMB is appropriate. The proposal response should address how you will meet the performance requirements. The Task Orders are not sample task orders but are actual task orders that will be awarded to successful bidders.

50. Question: RFP page 13, last sentence states that the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP), attachment J.05, will not be included in the contract. However, the Performance Based Matrix (PBM) which is a large portion of the QASP is also included in the Statement of Work and in the individual sample task RFTPs. Since the RFP states the Performance Based Matrix in the QASP will not be part of the contract, can we assume that the identical Performance Based Matrix in the Statement of Work and Sample Tasks will not be included in the contract either? If this is not the case, will the contractor have an opportunity to negotiate the details of the Performance Based Matrix since as it reads currently the contractor must earn 100% in all areas in order to be paid fee?

Answer: The Task Orders are not sample task orders but are actual task orders that will be awarded to successful bidders. In order for the QASP to be a complete stand-alone document, it needs to mention the performance standards that are being measured in the PBM. The QASP is for internal government use. We are providing a copy of the QASP to potential vendors so that you will know how we intend to measure your performance. PBM standards are negotiable.

51. Question: RFP page 48 includes clause FAR 52.227-3 Patent Indemnity (APR 1984). Please explain the Government’s reason for including this clause in the contract? The clause does not seem to be appropriate for a technical and management support contract therefore the contractor requests the clause be removed.

Answer: We agree and will remove FAR 52.227-3 at the next update.

52. Question: RFP page 64 L.2 (b) states that the offeror is required to provide cost and pricing data in accordance with Table 15-2 of FAR as well as submit a Certificate of Current Cost or Pricing Data prior to contract award. FAR part 15 states cost or pricing data should not be obtained when adequate price competition exists. Contractor requests that the Government delete the requirement for cost or pricing data since this is a competitive procurement and RFP page 78 M.5 includes a scenario where price shall be the determining factor for award. If it is still determined that cost or pricing data is required then request that a certificate of current cost or pricing data isn’t required until the contractor and government reach agreement on price, which is the requirement of FAR Part 15.

Answer: The requirement for certified cost and pricing data is going to be deleted in the next update. However, in accordance with FAR 15.403-1(b), please provide information other than cost and pricing data to support a determination of price reasonableness or cost realism.

53. Question: RFP page 66 L.9 states offerors must include a copy of their systems security policies and practices. Should this be included in the business proposal or as an appendix to the technical proposal?

Answer: This can be submitted as an appendix.

54. Question: RFP page 70 L.13 (a) states to include a “completed section B” Does this mean to include the quantity, unit price, and extended price for the sample tasks? It is not clear as Section B currently does not contain anything to be completed by the offerors.

Answer: The task orders are not sample task orders, but are actual task orders that will be awarded. Each RFTP proposal will have section B and it should be completed by the contractor.

55. Question: RFP page 71 section L.13 (c) includes instructions for cost data to be submitted for the sample task orders, however, these instructions are in the main RFP. Does this mean that items 1 – 9 in this section are to be included in the sample task order proposals or included in the Business Proposal for the main contract?

Answer: The task orders are not sample task orders, but are actual task orders that will be awarded. Contractors should submit a technical and business proposal for each Task Order.

56. Question: RFP page 72 item e Subcontracting Plan does not specify where to include the subcontracting plan in the proposal. Should this be submitted in the Business Proposal or as an appendix to the Technical Proposal?

Answer: The Subcontracting Plan will be requested from the competitive range offerors.

57. Question: RFP page 73 L.15 Past Performance does not specify where to include past performance information. Should this be submitted in the Business Proposal or as an appendix to the Technical Proposal?

Answer: Past performance will be requested only of offerors in the competitive range as a separate submission.

58. Question: RFP page 73 L.15 Past Performance part (b) does not specify how many contracts completed during the last 3 years to include, please clarify.

Answer: Past performance will be requested only of offerors in the competitive range as a separate submission. When that time comes, please submit information on three to five contracts.

59. Question: RFP page 73 L.15 Past Performance part (b) states to include “all contracts currently in process for both the offeror and all proposed subcontractors”. This could potentially be hundreds or even thousands of contracts for some companies. Can the Government please specify a more specific number of current contracts to cite for past performance? Typically this is around 5-10 contracts for similar RFPs.

Answer: Past performance will be requested only of offerors in the competitive range as a separate submission. When that time comes, please submit information on three to five contracts.

60. Question: RFP page 44 H.15 states that the contractor shall prepare and submit a Non-Disclosure Agreement to the contracting officer prior to access of government information or the commencement of work at CDC. Can we them assume that we are not required to submit attachment J.06 Non Disclosure Agreement at the time of proposal submittal?

Answer: Yes. Submit the Non-Disclosure Agreements when awarded task orders where the NDA will be in effect.

61. Question: RFP page 61 at the top states “The first page of the proposal must show –“ and lists several items. Does this mean the first page of the Technical Proposal, the Business Proposal, the RFTP Proposals, or all of the proposals?

Answer: This information should be on the first page of the Business Proposal.

62. Question: Can you send me the link for the TAMS 2008 solicitation?

Answer: The 2008-N-09699 solicitation can be found on https://www.fbo.gov.

63. Question: Section L.8 of the RFP, General Instructions (p.66), indicates that “the proposal must be prepared in three parts: a “Technical Proposal”, a “Business Proposal”, and three (3) Request for Task Order Proposals (RFTPs)”. Could you please confirm that the Business Proposal volume should include IDIQ components as well as three separate Business Proposals, one for each RFTP? Could you also confirm that the RFTP volume should include only three separate Technical Proposals, one for each RFTP?

Answer: There should be separate technical and business proposals for the RFP and each of the RFTPs. The RFP volume should contain the Technical Proposal and the Business Proposal The RFTP volume should contain only the three separate technical proposals for the RFTPs and their corresponding business proposals.

64. Question: Does the CDC anticipate future task orders that would include a requirement for on-site contractor staffing at CDC offices in Atlanta?

Answer: The intent of the tasks to be currently performed under this contract is that the contractor have adequate facilities in which to conduct all work related to the individual tasks. The CDC reserves the rigth to manage future tasks in accordance with ever-changing priorities.

65. Question: RFTP #1 references a draft data collection instrument developed by CDC. Will CDC make this draft data collection instrument available to bidders? If not, would CDC provide a description of this data collection instrument, including to whom the survey will be administered, number of survey items, survey domains, and the estimated time required to complete the data collection instrument?

Answer: The data collection instrument is not a survey for primary data collection. This is the tool that will be used to collect data from the other sources such as behavioral factors from BRFSS, mammography facility locations for FDA, and mammography screening rates for the specific geographic locations. CDC will begin to draft the instrument to provide the contractor with some guidance, but the final tool will be developed along with the contractor. A description of the instrument can be provided.

66. Question: RFTP #1 states that the contractor will revise and finalize the data collection instrument, as well as complete data entry. However, the task order does not mention who will conduct data collection. Would CDC please provide clarification on this point?

Answer: There is no primary data collection. Data will be obtained from pre-existing datasets.

67. Question: RFTOP #1 states: "This project will not require OMB or IRB clearance because it only uses publicly available data that has already been collected and does not contain any individually identifiable information or linkable information". However, RFTOP#1 also references a data collection tool that the Contractor will develop with CDC. Would CDC elaborate on why this data collection tool would not require OMB or IRB clearance? What types of publicly available data does CDC anticipate will be collected through the data collection tool?

Answer: The data collection instrument will collect data from sources such as CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, FDA's Mammography Program Reporting and Information System, and CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program cost analysis project on specific geographical locations. There will be no primary data collection.

68. Question: For RFTP#2, could CDC provide a copy of the questionnaire, advance letters, and any other materials or documents that were sent to the physicians?

Answer: Questionnaire can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/what_cdc_is_doing/research/screening_capacity.htm

69. Question: RFTP#2, could CDC indicate what the final response rate was for the survey conducted in 2002?

Answer: The response rate for the previously conducted national capacity survey was 74.5%.

70. Question: RFTP#3 states, under task 4 (p.5), that “The contractor shall provide support for the annual production of United States Cancer Statistics (USCS), including…maps that indicate funding and population coverage; this task may be subcontracted with a graphics company.” Is there a particular graphics company to whom CDC would like contractors to subcontract for this work? Also, could CDC clarify what types and sources of funding would be mapped, and what is the relationship between this funding data and the data that will be submitted by grantees to the NPCR-CSS?

Answer: No required graphic company; the source of the funding data is CDC; there is no relationship between the data sets.

71. Question: RFTP#3, Task 4, item#3 references weekly conference calls and monthly meetings with national and state partners. Where will monthly meetings take place? How many partners participate in these meetings? How long are these meetings? For budgeting purposes, how many monthly meetings should be estimated each month? Also, how many conference calls will occur each week?

Answer:

72. Question: Will the contractor be responsible for data audits? What level of audits are conducted by the contractor? How are these audits conducted?

Answer: The contractor is not responsible for Data Audits. No audits are to be conducted by the contractor.

73. Question: How many contracts does CDC intend to award in response to this RFP?

Answer: We anticipate approximately four IDIQ contracts to be awarded.

74. Question: Are full proposals expected for all three sample task orders, or just one? Are those separately bound?

Answer: Yes. Each should be separate and distinct from one another.

75. Question: In which of the three sections of our proposal do we present the qualifications of our team? What is the format for that proposal?

Answer: The proposal format should be determined by the offeror.

76. Question: Is the due date for the proposal June 2, 2008?

Answer: Yes, currently, unless modified in subsequent modifications. See Amendment No. 00001 dated April 17, 2008.

77. Question: Does the 50 page limit apply to the overarching proposal, including the proposals for the task orders?

Answer: Proposal in response to the RFP is limited to 50 pages. Each RFTP proposal is limited to 35 single spaced typewritten pages.

78. Question: The review criteria on page 69 place substantial weight on the “scientific and technical” approach. Do these criteria apply to both the overarching proposal and the task orders?

Answer: The RFP criteria are found on Page 69 of the RFP. Evaluation criteria for each of the RFTPs is found within the RFTP.

79. Question: Will future task orders be set-aside for small businesses, and handled through the small business task order process? If not, do small businesses receive any preference in the competition process? What proportion of future task orders will be set aside for small businesses?

Answer: None. The RFP is full and open. Tasks will be competed among all contract holders. Companion solicitation 200-N-10240 is being set aside for 8(a) Small and Disadvantaged Businesses.

80. Question: Will Task Order #1, the mammography capacity project, be in the category of policy assessment, program assessment and evaluation studies, or conduct research and demonstration projects area?

Answer: Conduct Research

81. Question: Will Task Order #2, the SECAP project, be in the category of policy assessment, program assessment and evaluation studies, or conduct research and demonstration projects area?

Answer: Conduct Research

82. Question: Will Task Order #3, the cancer surveillance system project, be in the policy assessment, program assessment and evaluation studies, or conduct research and demonstration projects area?

Answer: Program Assessment

83. Question: Please define “key personnel” as referenced throughout the IDIQ.

Answer: The Key Personnel required by CDC for this IDIQ is the Project Director. See H.1. section C.4.3 – Provide a Project Director.

84. Question: Do the Executive Summary, Table of Contents, and List of Figures count toward the 50-page limit?

Answer: Yes.

85. Question: Do figures count toward page limits?

Answer: Yes.

86. Question: Section L.15.b (p. 73), for past performance, please specify the number of contracts desired.

Answer: Past performance will be requested only of offerors in the competitive range as a separate submission. When that time comes, please submit information on three to five contracts.

87. Question: Section L.15.b (p. 73), please specify which part of the proposal you would like the past performance included in?

Answer: Past performance will be requested only of offerors in the competitive range as a separate submission.

88. Question: Can the font size within tables and figures be smaller than 12 point font?

Answer: Yes. However, if it is not legible by our reviewers, you may lose credit for the information contained within the table or figure.

89. Question: Please describe the specific difference between “policy assessment,” “policy analysis” and “policy evaluation”.

Answer: Policy assessment and policy analysis as used in the Statement of Work can be used interchangeably. It is the study and collection of data on specific policy matters or issues.

A policy assessment or a policy analysis may be used to inform a policy evaluation to make a determination of the merit and/or worth of a particular policy.

90. Question: Will policy assessment seek examination of policy issues at local, national and international levels?

Answer: Potentially, some tasks may involve examination of policy at all levels. At this time, because the nature and scope of all tasks is unknown, we cannot say with reasonable assurance whether there will be any policy assessment tasks and at what level(s) they will be targeted.

91. Question: In the evaluation criteria under staffing and management, it states that “contractors should specify the Project Leader and Task Manager…” Are those required roles (e.g., key personnel), do they have responsibilities that are distinct from each other? If so, what are the differences?

Answer: These are not key positions. The staffing plan and responsibilities of the staff is at the discretion of the contractor, however, there must be a single person who has overall responsibility for execution of all work under a task order and to whom the Government’s Technical Monitor can provide technical direction.

92. Question: Would you approve the facilities plan being submitted in a separate volume (so appendix for technical approach is not unwieldy)?

Answer: The technical proposal is limited to a total of 50 pages which includes the facilities plan.

93. Question: Are there page specifications for Task Orders 1, 2, and 3? If there are page limits, do the page limits include staff resumes, appendices, figures, or exhibits?

Answer: The page limit for the entire contents of the Technical Proposals for RFTPs is 35 single spaced typewritten pages.

94. Question: Should the 3 RFTP business proposals be included in Part 3 [per section L.8 (c)] with their respective RFTPs or within Part 2 with the RFP business proposal?

Answer: There should be separate technical and business proposals for the RFP and each of the RFTPs. The RFP volume should contain the Technical Proposal and the Business Proposal The RFTP volume should contain the three separate technical proposals for the RFTPs and their corresponding business proposals.

95. Question: Should hard copies of the RFTPs be included with the IDIQ submission?

Answer: Yes.

RFTP #1/Mammography

96. Question:: Description of Work, Phase II: Is there any primary data collection involved by either government or contractor? Who is responsible for this data collection, if there is any?

Answer: There will be no primary data collection involved.

97. Question:: Special Clearances: “The project will not require OMB or IRB clearance…” Please confirm this.

Answer: This is correct. There will be no primary data collection involved.

98. Question:: Evaluation Criteria, Staffing and Management: “The CVs of all key personnel who will be affiliated with this task order should be provided in the appendices.” 1) To which appendices is CDC referencing – the overall IDIQ appendices or RFTP-specific ones? 2) Are appendices excluded from RFTP page limits (if RFTP page limits exist), as they are in the overall IDIQ instructions (page 68)?

Answer: Include Resumes in the appendices that accompany the RFTP. The appendices are not included in the 35 page limitation for RPTP proposals.

99. Question:: Evaluation Criteria, Staffing and Management: Are letters of intent referenced here excluded from the RFTP page limit (if there are any)?

Answer: No.

100. Question:: Instructions to Contractors: “Proposals are not to include any additional information regarding past performance, letters of reference, or corporate capability.” However, the Evaluation Criteria for this RFTP, Section C, Similar or Previous Experience, requires corporate capability information. Please clarify Answer: See Amendment No. 0001 dated April 17, 2008.

101. Question: Instructions, IDIQ RFP, L.14, RFTP Instructions, page 73: “RFTP proposals are to be separate from the Technical and Business proposals.” RFTP instructions cite email/electronic submission of RFTP proposals. (See reference in Question #9, above.) This requirement alludes to RFTPs also being submitted via hardcopy with the overall bid (yet bound separately). Are offerors to submit RFTPs both via email on May 19 as instructed in the RFTP, and again via hardcopy as part of the overall submission on May 21? Please clarify.

Answer: See Amendment No. 0001 dated April 17, 2008.

RFTP #2 Colorectal Cancer Screening Facilities

102. Question: The Description of Work Task 9 calls for “making screening calls to determine eligibility and to obtain the names and addresses of respondents” to occur prior to OMB approval. Is it definite that these screening calls do not require OMB approval?

Answer: The description of the tasks in Task 9 includes the following: “This task can begin while Task 8 is underway”, with the delivery date of the screening calls placement to occur immediately following completion of Task 8, OMB approval. Preparation for the screening calls (ie, drawing the sample, identifying the phone numbers, etc) can begin during the OMB approval process, but the calls can not be placed until OMB approval has been obtained.

103. Question: The Description of Work calls for a national sample of 2,100 facilities to be drawn in Task 9, yet Task 10 indicates that 3,000 questionnaire should be sent out. Later, in the deliverable schedule Task 9 calls for drawing a sample of 2,100 facilities for the national survey, and Task 10 calls for mailing 3,000 surveys (1,700 for the national sample and ~250 per state X 6 states, which adds up to 3,200 surveys). Please clarify what exactly the sample sizes should be?

Answer: We do not know the exact sample size at this time, but we are estimating that 1700 surveys will be sent out nationally, and 250 surveys will be sent out to 6 states, for a total of 3200 surveys mailed.

104. Question: During the last national survey, how many contacts were deemed to be ineligible (out-of-scope) for the survey? How many new contacts that were not on the list were identified?

Answer: During the last national survey, 5% of those surveyed were ineligible. The number of new contacts not on the list was low, but the exact number is not available.

105. Question: During the last national survey, what was the response rate associated with the mailings, and what was the additional response rate due to telephone follow-up?

Answer: The overall response rate to the earlier capacity study was 74.5%. The response rate to the mailed survey was ~49%. The response rate increased an additional ~11% after a postcard reminder, and then an additional ~14% after telephone follow up.

106. Question: Could you provide more details on what is involved in the report? As we interpret it, it includes only descriptive statistics for each item in the questionnaire, along with response rate information. Are there questions that need to be addressed about the interrelationship among the variables, or is that out-of-scope of this task? Are standard errors required in the reporting?

Answer: The report will include descriptive statistics as described in Task 15, to include standard errors.

107. Question: In the last national survey, do you have information on the number of facilities that required telephone follow-up?

Answer: Please see response to question #105 above.

108. Question: Please confirm that the Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan (section M.3, page 75 of 78) should be submitted as a separate volume and should not be included in the Technical or Business volume.

Answer: It can be included in the Business proposal and does not need to be a separate volume.

109. Question: Please confirm that the Past Performance information (section M.4, page 76 of 78) should be submitted as a separate volume and should not be included in the Technical or Business volume.

Answer: Past performance will be requested only of offerors in the competitive range as a separate submission.

110. Question: Per section M.4, are offerors responsible for sending past performance evaluation forms to contractors or will the Government send the forms following the technical and cost evaluation?

Answer: Past performance will be requested only of offerors in the competitive range as a separate submission. When that time comes, please submit information on three to five contracts.

111. Question: Is there a page limit for the individual task order proposals?

Answer: The page limit for the entire contents of the Technical Proposals for RFTPs is 35 single spaced typewritten pages.

112. Question: Section C.2.a (page 4 of 78) specifies that the IDIQ will serve as a mechanism for the CDC Coordinating Center for Health Promotion to obtain required services. However, the background information within section C.1 refers specifically to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Could you clarify the level at which this IDIQ will reside?

Answer: This RFP is for the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. However, in view that NCCDPHP is part of CoCHP, CDC reserves the right to issue task orders in support of the best interests of the Government.

113. Question: Will current methodogical or operational reports for the NCPR cancer surveillance system activities be made available to offerors?

Answer: See Answers to Question 12.

114. In the RFTP for Task Order #1, under Phase I, 3. Finalizing the data collection instrument indicates that there is a draft data collection instrument developed by CDC that the contractor will be responsible for revising within 4 months. Further, under Phase II, 5. Data entry and database management, the RFTP indicates that the contractor will be responsible for starting data entry and have data entry completed within 27 months of task award. However, under Special Clearances, the RTFP indicates that OMB and IRB are not required because no data will be collected (only publicly available data that have already been collected will be used). Furthermore, the data sources listed in the Overview/Background seem to indicate that all data necessary to complete the scope of work are already collected and available for use. Please clarify and confirm that the contractor is expected to collect data for this project. If so, what types of data is the contractor expected to collect? If we are not to collect data, please clarify the timeline for completing the project.

Answer: The contractor will not do any primary data collection. All data will be derived secondarily from already existing publicly available datasets such as the CDC's BRFSS and FDA's Mammography Program Reporting and Information System. Several data elements will be combined from the different datasets into one collection tool based on specific geographic locations in order to do our analysis. We will also use data from other completed CDC projects such as geographic mammography cost from the CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program cost analysis and county-level population estimates from a joint project with the CDC and the U.S. Census Bureau. The timeline will not change.

115. Question: In the Task Order #2 RFTP, in the Deliverables table on page 6, Task 10 refers to six states. Can you clarify the six states to which this refers?

Answer: The process to select states has not yet begun so this information is not yet available.

116. Question: In the Task Order #2 RFTP, in the Deliverables table on page 6, Task 9 states the national sample is 2,100, but Task 10 says 1,700. If one adds the numbers in parentheses of the Task 10 line, one would come up with a sample of 3,200. Please clarify the sample size of facilities.

Answer: We do not know the exact sample size at this time, but we are estimating that 1700 surveys will be sent out nationally, and 250 surveys will be sent out to 6 states, for a total of 3200 surveys mailed.

117. Question: Regarding the Task Order #2 RFTP, can CDC provide a copy of the national survey instrument? What work is needed to “create a single updated instrument” in Task 4? Are there sections of either the national or state-specific survey instruments that CDC already knows that it does not want to incorporate in the single updated instrument?

Answer: Here is the link the previous SECAP surveys: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/what_cdc_is_doing/research/screening_capacity.htm Two surveys are available at that link, one previously used for the national study and another used for the state studies. As part of this contract, these two surveys will be combined into one survey to be used nationally and at the state level. The process to combine and refine these surveys will begin once the contract is in place, so the information in this question is not yet available.

118. Question: Regarding the Task Order #2 RFTP, in the original study there were four manufacturers (Fujinon, Olympus, Pentax, and Welch-Allyn) that provided lists, but Task 2 mentions only three. Are there three or four?

Answer: Task 2 describes the following: The contractor shall work with the Technical Monitor to obtain current sales and…