MCTA - Amendment 00001.doc

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

PAGE OF PAGES

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

00001

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

07/02/2008

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

000HCAJG-2008-52112

5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

FORMTEXT

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PGO)

Office of Director

2920 Brandywine Road, Rm 3000

Atlanta, GA 30341-5539

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PGO)

Office of Director

2920 Brandywine Road, Rm 3000

Atlanta, GA 30341-5539

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

X

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

2008-N-10241 9B. DATED (See Item 11) 06/10/2008

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (See Item 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 0 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEGMENT

TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT

IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A.

THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN

B.

THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C.

THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D.

OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

a. The purpose of this amendment is to extend the closing date and time for receipt of offers to 24 July 2008, 2:00 p.m., (EST) local time; provide clarifications in Sections H, L, and M, and to provide responses to questions from vendors in response to the solicitation.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16A. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

15C. DATE SIGNED

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BY ___________________________________________

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

16C. DATE SIGNED

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

PREVIOUS EDITION UNUSABLE

30-105 Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

b. Section H is revised to add a provision for Key Personnel at para. H.17:

H.17 FAR 352.270-5 Key Personnel (Jan 2006)

The key personnel specified in this contract are considered to be essential to work performance. At least 30 days prior to diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs or contracts (or as soon as possible, if an individual must be replaced, for example, as a result of leaving the employ of the Contractor), the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and shall submit comprehensive justification for the diversion or replacement request (including proposed substitutions for key personnel) to permit evaluation by the Government of the impact on performance under this contract. The Contractor shall not divert or otherwise replace any key personnel without the written consent of the Contracting Officer. The Government may modify the contract to add or delete key personnel at the request of the contractor or Government. The On-site Manager and Inspectors or similar positions of responsibility are considered to be “Key Personnel” for this contract.

(End of clause)

c. Section L, para. L.3(c) is revised to identify the three parts of the proposal as follows: Business Proposal, Volume 1; Technical Proposal, Volume 2; and Sample Requests for Task Order Proposals, Volume 3. Para. L.3(d), General Instructions, is revised to require the number of copies of the proposal to be submitted, to read 5 copies versus 3.

d. Section L, para. L.4, Business Proposal Instructions, is revised to include the following documents as part of the Business Proposal: (d) Past Performance Synopses as required by Section L, para. L.7; (e) Resumes (curriculum vitae) for labor categories specified at Attachment J1; (f)Amendments to the solicitation; (g) Section K, (Representations, Certifications, and other Statements of Offerors, and (h) a copy of the letter from the Small Business Administration (SBA) showing proof of Section 8(a) status. Also, further guidance is provided concerning submission of bid pricing as follows:

“(b) The resulting awards will be firm fixed price indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity and adequate competition is expected. Therefore, submission of cost or pricing data is not required. However, the contracting officer reserves the right to require such data if unable to determine the reasonableness of the proposed price or to resolve any apparent unbalanced pricing.

Attachment J1, Supplement to the Bid Schedule, shall be submitted fully completed and error free. It shall contain the offeror’s loaded labor rates for the labor categories stated. The offeror is cautioned to complete all blanks (proposed unit price and extended prices) for the base contract period and all option periods.

Offeror shall provide the latest available and complete financial statements for the most recent fiscal year and a detailed statement of any financial aid now in existence in order to provide adequate information to make a responsibility determination in accordance with FAR 9.105-1(c).”

e. Section L, para. L.5, Technical Proposal Instructions, is revised to provide further clarification concerning Technical Area A, Understanding of Requirement/Proposed Technical Approach as follows:

Offeror shall provide basis or methodology for determining adequate numbers for staffing, productive hours, effective use, and adequate supervision of personnel. The offeror’s staffing will be compared for a proper mix of hours and classifications against an independent Government estimate. Discussion of the proposed staffing methodology should be in sufficient detail to validate the proposed staffing and to clearly indicate how each task in the Performance Work Statement will be met.

f. Section M, para. M.1 is revised to provide additional information on evaluation of price as an evaluation factor, as follows:

Price Evaluation – The Government will evaluate the offeror’s total price, to include the basic performance period and all options, using price analysis techniques identified in FAR 15.404-1. Price will be assessed for completeness and reasonableness as follows:

Completeness. To be complete, the offeror must provide all pricing data that is necessary to support the proposal. The Government will assess the extent to which the price proposal complies with the content and format requirements set forth in this solicitation and exhibits traceability of estimates.

Price Reasonableness. The offeror’s proposed price factors will be evaluated to determine if any are unreasonably high or low in relation to the offeror’s technical approach and are in line with the market value for similar services being currently performed and the Independent Government Estimate (IGE).

g. Section M, para. M.5, Basis for Award, second sentence is revised to read as follows:

“When making the source selection decision, the Source Selection Authority will compare the competing offerors on the basis of the evaluated technical and business capabilities, proposal risk assessment, performance risk assessment, and price.”

h. Section M is revised to add the criteria for proposal risk assessment as follows:

M.6 Proposal Risk Assessment. Proposal risk represents the Government evaluation team’s judgment of the likelihood of an offeror successfully accomplishing the proposed effort based on their proposed technical approach. Criteria for proposal risk assessment is as follows:

High Risk. Approach has weaknesses that are likely to cause significant disruption of schedule, increased price, or degradation of performance even with special contractor emphasis and close Government monitoring.

Moderate Risk. Approach has weaknesses that can potentially cause minor disruption of schedule, increase in cost/price or degradation of performance; however, special contractor emphasis and close Government monitoring will probably minimize difficulties.

Low Risk. Any proposal weaknesses are minor and have little potential to cause disruption of schedule, increase in cost/price of performance or degradation of performance. Normal contractor effort and normal Government monitoring are expected to overcome any difficulties.

i. Section M is revised to add definitions as follows:

“Strength” An aspect of the proposal that deserves recognition as outstanding, innovative, etc. that can be used to discriminate among offerors’ proposals; appreciably decreases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance or that represent a significant benefit to the Government.

“Weakness” A flaw in the proposal that increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance. A weakness is less than a material failure and may be viewed as either “minor” or “significant.” The impact of evaluated weaknesses depends upon the degree of weaknesses identified, and the subjective determination of the evaluators regarding the relative importance of the weakness.

“Significant Weakness” A flaw in the proposal that appreciably increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

“Deficiency” A material failure of a proposal to meet a Government requirement or a combination of significant weaknesses in a proposal that increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance to an unacceptable level.

“Item(s) for Clarification (IFC)” Limited exchanges between the Government and the offerors that may occur when award without discussions is contemplated. Offerors may be given the opportunity to resolve minor or clerical errors.

Questions and Answers for Sol No. 2008-N-10241

Set 1

Statement of Work Q1: Performance Work Statement, Specific Requirement #5, it read "Provide technical assistance to recipients of a CDC Organizational Components funds…" Are the recipients of these funds, internal CDC recipients, (i.e., CDC Divisions, branches, or programs) or are these recipients external to CDC, (i.e. CDC grantees)?

A: No. Further clarification…Formerly, the term ‘CIO’ was used: Centers/Institute, Offices. This was the generic nomenclature used to denote internal CDC organizational components..now called CDC organizational components.

Q2: Performance Work Statement, Specific Requirement # 6, please clarify and provide an example of the services required for "domestic and international public health and material management projects". From the description it is not clear what type of work may be entailed under this requirement.

A: Examples of task order projects: Domestic: Evaluation of Diabetes Prevention Center; International: International Micronutrient Malnutrition Prevention and Control (strategic planning); Material management: Technical Assistance and New Vaccine Implementation Support.

Q3: Please provide clarification on how Requirement #6 differs from Requirements #14 and #15. How do the tasks/activities under these areas differ?

A: Requirement 6 focuses on specific strategic involvement with any of the specific disease, epidemiologic, prevention, surveillance, scientific (mission direct) functions that relate back to examples of task orders shown in Question 2. Requirements 14 and 15 focus more on (mission support) functions of advisement and assistance to ‘CDC program operations.’

Q4: Performance Work Statement, Specific Requirement #7, please clarify what type of services is requested under "technical and analytical support". Is this technical assistance to programs or information technology (IT) support?

A: The description of ‘technical and analytic support’ refers only to public health support. Information technology support is not suggested or specified as a part of this requirement.

Q5: Performance Work Statement, Requirement #14, it reads "Advise and assist with the preparation, update, and maintenance of data relating to the procurement, maintenance, and disposition of material managed by a particular CDC program". It is not clear what type of services may be requested in relation to this requirement. Please clarify and please provide an example of the type of work that may be requested.

A: The answers to Questions 2 and 3 address Question 5.

Q6: Performance Work Statement, Requirement #15, it reads "Advise and assist with the transportation and material management aspects of CDC program operations". It is not clear what type of services may be requested in relation to this requirement. Please clarify.

A: The answers to Questions 2 and 3 address Question 6.

Q7: Please clarify how Requirement #14 differs from Requirement #15.

A: Requirement 14 involves advisement and assistance in the logistics, acquisition, procurement, and material management functions and management of information related to those functions. Requirement 15 focuses similarly on transportation support, vehicle acquisition/management associated with aspects of CDC program operations.

Q8: Performance Work Statement, Requirement #19, it reads, "Convene groups of people, as needed, to conduct technical assistance activities". How does this requirement differ from Requirement #1 which reads, "…seek advice and consultation from a wide variety of domestic and international entities and individuals….set up and manage meetings…" A: Specific Requirement 1 focuses more on conference planning activities versus Specific Requirement 19 that could include, for example, formation of focus groups, strategic planning task forces, organizing fact-finding subject matter experts, and the like.

Proposal Instructions Q9: Are the responses to the two Requests for Task Order Proposals to be submitted in one volume as one document, or in two volumes as two separate documents?

A: The two Requests for Sample Task Order Proposals may be submitted in one volume(Volume 3).

Q10: Please provide additional instructions for completion of Attachment J1, Supplement to Section B. Are we to assume that all hours requested in Attachment J3 are to be providing on-site and off-site each year?

A: The anticipated contract type is an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity. As such, hours indicated in Attachment J3 represents the Government’s annual average only of hours, by labor categories ordered in the past. There is no guarantee that the quantities will be those ordered under the follow on awards.

Q11: In order to complete Attachment J1, please identify the hours requested in Attachment J3 that are to be provided on-site and the hours that are to be provided off-site.

A: This information is not known at this time.

Q12: It is not explained how the labor hour rates will be utilized in evaluating the proposal. Please clarify.

A: See para. f above.

Q13: It is not clear how the labor rates will be utilized once the contract has been awarded. Is the offeror required to perform all work under this contract at the proposed labor rates?

A: Yes. The bid schedule allows for pricing each contract year and the prices are fixed and will not be changed, except where a labor category may be subject to the Service Contract Act, in which, the contract will be modified annually, as required, to incorporate any revisions to the applicable wage determination.

Q14: Can the offeror propose multiple levels of rates? For example a Management Analyst/Consultant with 25 years of experience will cost significantly more than a Management Analyst/Consultant with 5 years of experience. It will be more cost-efficient to the government to allow multiple levels of each labor category when bidding on task orders.

A: No. At this time, offerors are requested to propose based on the labor categories cited at Attachment J1.

Q15: Will there be an opportunity to add new labor categories and labor category rates after the contract has been awarded?

A: There may be an opportunity to add new labor categories based on the customers’ needs.

Q16: Will there be an opportunity to revise labor category rates after the contract has been awarded?

A: See Response to Q15 above.

Q17: Will the labor category rates apply to all staff working on task orders (employees, consultants, and subcontractor staff) or only the prime contractor's employees?

A: The labor rates will apply to all staff working on the task orders.

Q18: Section L.5(c)(b) Corporate Capability/Experience, please define "coordinating multi-disciplinary consultations".

A: This reference implies that the offeror has the capability to successfully bring together public health professionals and subject matter experts of numerous disciplines, irrespective of their affiliation with federal, state, local, private organizations or the like to achieve strategic and operational objectives and stated deliverables.

Q19: Are the curriculum vitae requested in Section L.5(c)(4) included in the 50 page limit for the Technical Proposal?

A: No.

Q20: Are the Table Contents and List of Figures included in the 50 page limit for the Technical Proposal?

A: No.

Q21: For an 8(a) company, it is difficult to retain employees on payroll who are not fully committed to contract to carry out work. Is it acceptable for the offeror to present personnel that may be committed at the time of award of the IDIQ Contract (January 1, 2009), but would be available at a later date to perform work under a Task Order?

A: Yes.

Q22: In the presentation of personnel resources, is it acceptable to present individuals that are willing to become employees of the 8(a) company upon award of Task Orders in order to meet the requirement of 51% of the hours being completed by 8(a) company employees?

A: Yes.

Q23: The labor categories requested in Attachment J2 do not cover all of the work that has been requested in the SOW, for example, a Web Developer or Web Designer would be needed to support form in program content development for dissemination through web sites, but these categories are not included in Attachment J2. Is the offeror allowed to propose additional labor categories in their proposal?

A: Attachment J2 is not all-inclusive. Additional labor categories may be deemed necessary for performance of the work required by a particular task order. Any additional labor categories will be negotiated with the contractor and added to the contract.

Q24: Section L.9, Type of Contract – this section indicates that task orders may be issued on a fixed price or labor hour basis. Does the government contemplate fixed hourly rates only for the fixed-price portion of the resulting task orders?

A: Fixed hourly rates apply for fixed price or labor hour basis for the resulting task orders.

Q25: Section L.9, Type of Contract – this section indicates that task orders may be issued on a fixed price or labor hour basis. If the government contemplates fixed priced work other than fixed hourly rates, please provide information on the portions of work to be fixed price.

A: There is no information available presently to support the services to be ordered or whether the resulting task order will be fixed price or labor hour.

Q26: Will CDC extend the due date of the proposal to allow us enough time to finalize our proposal after receipt of the answers to these questions?

A: The due date of the proposal is changed by this Amendment 0001 to read 24 Jul 2008.

Request for Task Order Proposals Q27: The instructions in both task order requests provide instructions for Price Evaluation of "The offeror shall prepare a price proposal as instructed in Section L of RFP 2008-N-10241". There are no instructions in Section L for preparing the cost proposals for the Task Order, please provide these instructions.

A: Loaded labor rates, by labor category, are required to be submitted with the sample task order request for proposals. Section L is amended to provide additional instructions to offerors on Price Evaluation (see para. f above).

Q28: Are the cost proposals for the task orders to be submitted in the Business Proposal volume or the Task Order Proposal volume?

A: Price proposals for the sample task orders may be submitted with the sample task order proposal information in Volume 3.

Q29: For Sample Task Order 1, is the contractor expected to consult with state and local health departments during this project?

A: The Background, Purpose and Scope of Work information are very definitive regarding placement of CDC personnel on-site with State Partners within the Health Departments. Local heath departments are vital components of the total public health networks as well; consultation is inherent in the project title.

Q30: For Sample Task Order 1, is CDC expecting the contractor to conduct a needs assessment and implementation recommendations for placing public health professionals in the field? Or is CDC expecting the contractor to provide implementation recommendations only?

A: Offerors must analyze and decide the best: technical approach(es), consultation and implementation methodologies, and proposed recommendations that best fit ‘placing CDC Public Health Professionals at off-site locations.’

Q31: For Sample Task Order 1, the current period of performance (8 months) does not allow enough time for OMB clearance which usually takes 4-6 months to complete. Should the contractor assume that OMB clearance has already been obtained for this project or can we propose and period of performance that extends beyond 8 months?

A: The CDC organizational component requesting the contract is responsible for OMB Clearance requirements for the project.

Q32: For Sample Task Order 1, is it acceptable for the contractor to propose an approach that fully conducts a needs assessment but does not require OMB clearance?

A: The offeror can propose approach(es) that might be considered’ innovative’ but must be fully compliant with all guidelines, and rules pertaining to and required by government acquisition regulations. Also, See response at Q31.

Set 2

Q33: Are the price evaluations for the Sample Task Order Proposals included in the Business Proposals? Attachment J5 and J6 refers to Section L. Section L does not specifically address the price evaluations for the Sample Task Order Proposals.

A: Loaded labor rates, by labor category, for the sample task orders, are required to be submitted with the sample task order request for proposals in a separate volume from the Business Proposal volume.

Q34: Would the Labor Category Rates be equivalent to the Price Evaluation for the Sample Task Order?

A: Yes.

Q35: Would there be a specific section/layout in the Business Proposal to address the price evaluations for each Sample Task Order?

A: No. Offerors are required to provide loaded labor rates as part of the response to each sample task order in Volume 3.

Set 3

Q36: It would seem that the CDC is asking for one rate per individual labor category. However the written description of each labor category allows for a wide range of individuals. Would CDC consider a range of rates per labor category instead of a single rate to allow for the contractors to provide the proper level individual?

A: No. At this time, offerors are requested to propose based on the labor categories cited at Attachment J1.

Q37: For 8(a) contractors that do not have a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) in place, will the CDC accept the contractors bid their GSA rates for the labor categories?

A: The NICRA rate does not apply for this procurement. GSA rates are acceptable.

Q38: What certifications and/or supporting documentation are required for any subcontractor?

A: Subcontractors must be registered in the Contractor Central Registration (CCR) database. Also, see Para. L.7 regarding past performance information. Offerors are responsible for reading the solicitation in its entirety to ensure that all requirements for responding to the solicitation have been met prior to submission of an offer.

Q39: Section L3c states there are three volumes. Are both technical task order and cost proposals to be included in the same volume?

A: The sample task order proposals, along with respective pricing, will be included in Volume 3; the business proposal (which includes Attachment J1 for pricing) in Volume 1, and the technical proposal in Volume 2.

Q40: Do the cost proposals for each of the two sample task orders get included with the overall IDIQ cost proposal? Or do they get included with the volume for the task proposal? Or are they a totally separate volume? If they are a separate volume, should it be 2 separate volumes (one for each sample task order)?

A: The sample task order proposals and associated pricing may be submitted in one volume(Volume 3).

Q41: Are the RFTPs sample tasks for evaluation purposes only or will they be awarded?

A: The RFTP sample tasks are for evaluation purposes only.

Q42: On attachment J2, CDC provides a list of Labor Categories. Must we respond to each labor category or may we add or substitute labor categories?

A: Offerors must respond to each labor category. No additions or substitutions at this time.

Q43: For Technical Proposal Instructions – Experience of Personnel, it requires CV’s that detail training and experience for each proposed person per labor category. Should complete resumes be included in the technical volume or should they appear in an appendix?

A: The offeror’s CV information may be included in the business proposal volume(Volume 1).

Set 4

Q44: The Cover Letter to the RFP states sending in proposals to "2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3209". The RFP in Section L.3 asks for proposals to be sent in to "Room 3000". Which room number, please?

A: The correct room number is Room 3000.

Q43: Sections B.1 - B.7 of the RFP come before Section B - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs. Is there a Part A to the solicitation, or is B.1 - B.7 considered part of Section B?

A: Paragraphs B.1 thru B.7 are considered part of Section B.

Q44: Section B.7 calls for offsite computer accessing CDC's network to meet CDC's standard software and security configuration. Is that configuration information referenced in the RFP?

A: No.

Q45: Section I.15 Subcontracts in (d) seems to cut off without specifying reasons for Contracting Officer consent.

A: See entire content of the clause with specific attention to the definitions at para (a).

Q46: What documentation of subcontractor relationship is required for submission, under this RFP, in the proposal?

A: Recommend the solicitation be read in total and provide documentation accordingly.

Q47: Section C - Other Requirement states “The Contractor shall follow all applicable CDC administrative and programmatic policies related to information security, physical security, safety, material management, science administration, etc as found at: http://aops-mas-iis/Policy/publicSearch.aspx. “ A: The website shown is an internal CDC Intranet not Internet site that will be made available to successful bidders/awardees of the contract. This information does not impact the value of your proposal.

Q48: When we tried to access this information we received the following error message “Unable to open http://aops-mas-iis/Policy/publicSearch.aspx. Cannot locate the Internet server or proxy server.” Please advise.

A: The website shown is an internal CDC Intranet not Internet site that will be made available to successful bidders/awardees of the contract. This information does not impact the value of your proposal.

Q49: Section L. General Instructions (c) states “Your proposal must be prepared in three parts: Business Proposal; Technical Proposal, and Sample Requests for Task Order Proposals. Each part shall be separate and complete in itself so that evaluation of one may be accomplished independently of evaluation of the other(s).”

Does this mean that both task order proposals are to be submitted in the Sample Requests for Task Order Proposals binder? Also, should the budget for each task proposal be submitted in the Sample Requests for Task Order Proposals binder or in the Business Proposal binder?

A: Yes, Sample Requests for Task Order Proposals shall be in a separate volume(Volume 3).

Q50: Section L.5 Technical Proposal Instructions states “The technical proposal must not exceed 50 pages, single-spaced, single-sided, standard 8 ½ x 11 inch pages of 12 characters per inch type, excluding appendices and resumes of key personnel. The technical proposal should “stand alone” with the appendices used only for clarifying or backup information.”

If we include a table of contents and list of exhibits will those pages be counted as part of the 50 page total or can they be excluded from the page count restriction?

A: Table of contents and list of exhibits are excluded from the page count restriction.

Q51: Please clarify 12 characters per inch. Does this translate to point? For example, would Times New Roman 12 and Arial Narrow 12 be acceptable?

A: Times New Roman 12 is acceptable.

Q52: Section L.6 Sample Request for Task Order Proposals states “The offeror shall respond to each sample Request for Task Order Proposal by providing a technical proposal and profile of the personnel to be assigned to the task. The proposal shall include a Person Loading chart. This chart shall indicate for each proposed labor position, the number of man-hours for accomplishment of the task order. Each offer will be evaluated on both technical and cost merits.”

For labor hours (as part of our response to each task) does CDC want that in both the business and technical proposals?

A: No. Response to the sample task order proposals shall be included in one volume(Volume 3).

Q53: For each task proposal, please clarify how the labor hours are to be provided. Does CDC want a summary of labor hours by category for all years plus a break out by year?

A: Contractors must complete Attachment J1 in total. For each task proposal, does CDC want labor hours by category broken out by task and subtask? A: Yes. We need to know exactly where CDC expects to see the labor hour breakdown and at what level of detail as it will impact our technical page limit.

Q54: Can we get the volume of email received thus far at the New Ideas mailbox and a breakout of the number of inquiries by Division-Program?

A: New ideas (1466) Total of all new ideas submitted since August 2002; Implemented (741) Includes those implemented because of new idea; Not Implemented (695) Includes new ideas not feasible or lacking merit and those that do not meet new ideas criteria. No breakout of number of inquiries available by Division-Program.

Q55: Section L.7 Past Performance Factor Requirements states “(b) The offeror shall provide information, in the format described below, on a minimum of three (3) contracts, which are currently on going or have been completed within the last three years.

Can we submit past performance qualifications of our subcontractors as well? If so, do they also need to submit questionnaires?

A: Yes.

Section L.13 Systems Security states “Proposals must include a copy of the offeror's systems security policy and practices.” Can the Security Policy and Practices manual be submitted in the appendix?

A: Section L.13 is deleted by this amendment.

Q56: What is the timing required for submission of the Information Security Plan? Is the Information Security Plan in H.2 of the RFP separate and distinct from the Systems Security policies and practices found in L.13?

A. Paragraph L.13 is deleted by this amendment. Para. H.2 will be required for submission after award.

Set 5

Q57: General: We request an extension until July 24th to allow sufficient time to prepare given the extent of the tasks listed in the SOW A: New date for submission of offers is 24 Jul 2008.

Q58: Section L.5, Technical Proposal Instructions, Page 61: Must figures and tables be in 12 point?

A: No.

Q59: Section L.5, Technical Proposal Instructions, Page 61: Are the Executive Summary, Table of Contents, List of Figures, and Introduction included in the 50-page limit?

A: No.

Q60: Section L.13, Systems Security, Page 64: “Proposals must include a copy of the offeror’s systems security policies and practices.” Is this included in the 50-page limit of the technical bid or can it be considered an Appendix?

A: No. Section L.13 deleted by this amendment.

Q61: Section L.7, Past Performance Information, Page 63: Is the Past Performance Information included in the 50-page limit? Given that it will not be evaluated until after offerors are judged to be in the competitive range based on review of the business proposals and technical proposals (page 68), we encourage that it is not included in the page count.

A: No. Past performance information is not included in the 50-page limit.

Q62: Section L.7(b), Past Performance Information, Page 63: “(b) The offeror shall provide information…currently on going or have been completed in the last three years.” Is this only for the Prime or does this include past performance for the subcontractors?

A: Per above reference, information provided can include past performance for the subcontractors who will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement.

Q63: Section M.4(i), Past Performance Evaluation, Page 68: “Past performance will be evaluated for only those offerors remaining in the competitive range after completion of the review of the business proposals and technical proposals.” Given this, should Past Performance be separately bound from the technical, business, and RFTP proposals?

A: Past performance information shall be included in the Business Proposal volume(Volume 1).

Q64: Please describe in more detail the breadth of functions that will be performed by the public health professionals. What functions, tasks, or work will be performed by the CDC personnel who are assigned to the state health departments?

A: Offeror should rely on Corporate capabilities and/or past performance experience to define the role of public health professionals referenced in this requirements. Public Health Advisors have been a primary job series used in these roles; other medical and allied health specialties have also been used in these functional roles.

Q65: Will members of the Commissioned Corps be eligible for selection for offsite placement?

A: Refer to answer for Question 64.

Q66: Has a funding source(s) been identified to support the offsite placements? If so, what is the source?

A: Information is not available nor relevant to proposal submission.

Q67: To whom will the offsite personnel report?

A: Overall, the off-site personnel report to the CDC organizational component/program funding the project or public health support provided. Levels of direct, (special or contingency) supervision, chains-of-command will be established where needed to meet program goals and objectives Q68: Will CDC staff or officials be interviewed as part of this task? If so, how many and from what centers, institutes or offices?

A: Offerors should re-read the ‘Sample Task 1’ thoroughly and propose methodologies, technical approach(es), consultation, organizational analysis techniques, and evaluation factors to address the Specific Task and the stated deliverables.

Q69: Will state health department officials/staff be interviewed as part of this task? If so, how many and from what states?

A: Refer to answer for Q68.

Q70: What CDC office will lead the task?

A: The MASO.

Q71: Can the cost proposal for the sample task be placed in the same binder as the Business Proposal (they would be separated by tabs)?

A: Price proposal information for the sample task orders shall be included with the sample task order proposals in Volume 3.

Q72: Can we use the same binder for the two sample tasks?

A: Yes.

Q73: For the labor rates in attachment J1 can we use rates from a GSA schedule?

A: Yes.

Q74: Do we need to provide separate documentation showing how the rates were derived?

A: Yes. This information will be included in the Business Proposal volume(Volume 1).

Q75: The technical proposal asks for resumes of “key personnel”. However, the RFP does not define which positions/roles fall under this designation. Should the offeror make an independent determination as to which positions should be classified as "key personnel"?

A: Section H of the solicitation has been amended to add a provision entitled “Key Personnel” which refers to On-site Managers/Inspectors.

Q76: Experience of personnel is one of the evaluation criteria for the RFP. In the absence of specific requirements in the IDIQ RFP (since they will be detailed in the Task Orders), how many personnel credentials should be listed on the response? At least one for each labor category?

A: Yes.

Q77: Is there a page limit for the IDIQ appendices and resumes of key personnel?

A: No.

Q78: If of no fault of the offeror, the Program Manager / COR completing the Past Performance Questionnaire does not submit the completed questionnaire to Sandra Mack by June 27, 2008, will the Government consider accepting the completed questionnaire for consideration with the evaluation if it arrives within a reasonable amount of time after June 27th?

A: Past performance questionnaires not submitted, at least by the time for receipt of proposals, will not be considered.

Q79: Can the Past Performance Questionnaire’s be submitted via email to Sandra Mack? (PGO) A: Yes. SMack@cdc.gov Q80: Attachment J6 – Can the government please clarify who they mean by “program management officials”?

A: A title used to denote Center/Division level leaders; called senior program management officials at the Division level.

Q81: Attachment J6 – under Specific Tasks it states “implement suggestions received to respond to specific program management needs” – However, without knowing what the actual suggestions that the offeror will be asked to implement the offeror will have a difficult time identifying the appropriate resources and period of performance. Can the government please provide further clarification concerning this implementation requirement?

A: Firstly, the period of performance is provided in the Sample Task: Period of Performance: September 01, 2008 through June 30, 2009. The offeror should focus on the ‘process deliverables; the number and type of the specific New Ideas is unknown at this time.

Q82: Attachment J6 - Is the Milestone Tracking System to track the progress of the offeror’s task order tasks or the progress of implementing recommendations submitted through the CDC New Idea’s E-Mailbox?

A: The Milestone Tracking System tracks both instances.

Q83: Under Specific Requirements, Item #10, you state that the contractor will “advise and assist with program content development for public dissemination (e.g., web page design and maintenance)” – should the offeror infer that also means that we may be called to help create the actual program content that may be placed on a web page or distributed to the public in another fashion?

A: Yes, this is a possibility.

Set 6

A: Plan is due after award.

A: No. It should include as part of the Business Proposal volume(Volume 1).

A: Yes.

A: The offeror shall respond to each sample Request for Task Order Proposal by providing a technical proposal and profile of the personnel to be assigned to the task.

Set 7

Q89: Are all incumbents eligible to bid?

A: The incumbents are ineligible to submit an offer as an 8(a) vendor.

Q90: In section B.5 Notice of 8(a) set-aside, it is stated that "The Small Business Size Standard is $6.5 million." Does the mean that 8(a) businesses with annual revenues exceeding $6.5 million are ineligible to bid?

A: Firms exceeding the size standard will be ineligible.

Q91: Should the Past Performances be included in the technical proposal as an appendix?

A: No. Past performance information shall be included in the Business Proposal volume(Volume 1).

Q92: Are the Past Performances included in the page count of the technical proposal?

A: No.

Q93: The response date on the solicitation RFP is July 10th and the response date on the website www.fbo.gov is July 9th. Is the response date July 10th or July 9th?

A: Response is revised by amendment to the solicitation to read 24 July 2008.

Set 8

Q94: Attachment J3 – Historical Workload Data: Do the “total person hours” shown in the chart represent an annual average number of hours or is the number shown cumulative for the four years?

A: Five years: base contract period plus four one-year options.

Q95: Section L-5: The introductory note for this section mentions resumes for key personnel but we could not locate any positions that are designated as “key personnel”. Are there any key personnel requirements?

A: Section H of the solicitation has been amended to add a provision entitled “Key Personnel” which refers to On-site managers/inspectors.

Q96: Section L-5, paragraph (4) Experience of Personnel states that “offeror shall include curriculum vitae that detail relevant training and experience for each proposed person……so that it is clear that each individual has adequate qualifications to perform the duties to be assumed. Given the large variance in the “total person hours” shown by individual labor category, how many resumes for each labor category must be included in the technical proposal? Can independent consultants be used to meet the resume requirements of this section?

A: Subcontractors may be used to the extent permitted by the Limitations on Subcontracting, FAR clause 52.219-14.

Set 9

Q97: Please define “profile of the personnel to be assigned to the task”. Reference page 62, L.6, instructions for Sample Request for Task Order Proposals.

A: Resumes are required with each sample Request for Task Order Proposal. See Question 88.

Past Performance Questionnaires

Q98: Will CDC consider extending the submission deadline for past performance questionnaires to the proposal due date?

A: Response is revised by amendment to the solicitation to read 24 July 2008.

Q99: Attachment J4 indicates that past performance evaluators may either mail or fax their completed questionnaires. However, page 63, L.8 indicates that the questionnaires should be submitted by US mail. Please confirm that fax submission is acceptable.

A: Fax submission is acceptable. The fax number is 770 488-2671.

Q100: Will CDC consider accepting questionnaires by email as well?

For individuals wishing to mail the completed questionnaires, please confirm which address block should be used for Ms. Mack, the one included on J4 or the one included on pg. 63?

A: Questionnaires may be submitted by email at SMack@cdc.gov Q101: On page 61, Section L.4, Business Proposal Instructions, (b), Labor Category Rates indicate that submitted rates must be fully loaded. However, the second sentence in this clause indicated that the submitted rates should include “wages, overhead, general and administrative expenses, and profit.” Fringe Benefits, which are normally reflected in fully loaded rates, are not listed. Should fringe benefits be included in the general and administrative expenses?

A: The loaded hourly rates should include all costs associated with providing services under the contract. How the breakdown is done is up to the contractors.

Attachment J1 includes labor categories and projected hours.

Q102: Are RFTP budgets restricted to only include the labor categories listed in J1?

A: Not necessarily; however, for the purposes of proposal submission, the RFTP budgets includes only the labor categories in Attachment J1..

Q103: Are the number of hours listed in J1 a maximum for the seven year contract, if awarded?

A: Hours listed are the Government’s estimate only of the anticipated hours for performance. There is no guarantee that the Government will require all of the hours nor that the Government may require additional hours to those listed.

Q104: Will CDC consider expanding the labor categories in J1 to account for multiple skill levels and rates. This will allow offerors to more accurately estimate pricing for task orders which require multiple skill levels within the same labor category.

A: No. At this time, offerors are requested to propose based on the labor categories cited at Attachment J1.

Q105: Attachment J.2 provides descriptions of labor categories for offerors. In addition to those provided in J.2, can offerors propose additional labor categories?

A: No. At this time, offerors are requested to propose based on the labor categories cited at Attachment J1.

Q106: Are we required to respond to both sample tasks?

A: Yes.

Q107: Offerors are required to develop proposals for both sample RFTPS in addition to developing a proposal for the IDIQ. Given the level of effort required for small businesses to develop competitive, quality proposals for this solicitation, will CDC consider extending the due date to July 24, 2008?

A: Yes.

Q108: Section C, Page10, Requirement 6, states that the offeror shall “conceptualize and/or organize and help with the actual conduct of various domestic and international public health and material management projects and tasks in support of a particular CDC program.” How does CDC define public health and material management projects?

A: Examples of task order projects: Domestic: Evaluation of Diabetes Prevention Center; International: International Micronutrient Malnutrition Prevention and Control (strategic planning); Material management: Technical Assistance and New Vaccine Implementation Support.

Q109: Section C, Page 10, Requirement 12, states that the offeror shall “advice and assist with dealing with the management of document security issues unique to several CDC programs whose responsibilities involve them in the receipt and issuance of sensitive material.

How does CDC define “processes that are sensitive”?

A: Sensitive Data: Any data that requires a degree of protection and that shall not be available to unauthorized persons.

Q110: Is CDC specifically interested in paper or electronically sensitive information?

A: Both media.

Q111: How does CDC define document security?

A: The protection, safeguard of information that is sensitive, confidential, and classified from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, integrity, and availability.

Q112: Are subcontractors required to submit all of the information the prime is required to submit for the IDIQ proposal? For example, are subcontractors required to submit past performance, pricing, Section K?

A: Information submitted from subcontractors should be specifically referenced to the prime contractor. Proposals will be received only from 8(a) small business concerns. Information submitted relating to past performance, pricing and Section K should be that of the prime or on behalf of the prime.

Q113: Page 44, I.15 FAR 52.244-2 Subcontracts (Jun 2007), Subcontracts, (c)(2)(ii), says “For contracts awarded by a civilian agency other that the Coast Guard and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, either the simplified acquisition threshold or 5 percent of the total estimated cost of the contract.” Does “total estimated cost of the contract” refer to the IDIQ contract?

A: Yes. This includes the base period and all subsequent option periods.

Q114: Please confirm that the sample RFTPS will be priced as firm fixed price task orders in accordance with Section B.2.

A: The sample RFTPs will be priced as firm fixed price task orders.

Q115: Are we required to submit Attachment J1 (Supplement to Section B, Labor Categories and Projected Hours) for subcontractor with our proposal?

A: Attachment J1 should represent the prime contractor’s pricing which should incorporate the subcontractor’s pricing. The breakdown of information provided to support pricing should identify pricing by the subcontractor.

Q116: If we are not required to submit subcontractors rates with ours in the IDIQ proposal and we are awarded an IDIQ contract, if our subcontractor submits rates higher than ours, can we use the subcontractor’s rates?

A: No. See response at Q115.

Q117: Upon award of the IDIQ contract, are we allowed to use subcontractors not included on our IDIQ submission?

A: Yes. However, the contractor may be required to request consent from the Contracting Officer to subcontract for any new subcontractors after award.

The following questions are about RFTP 2008-Q-0002, Attachment J6:

Q118: Please provide clarification on the scope to…