Solicitation Amendment 00001.doc

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

PAGE OF PAGES

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

00001

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

04/16/2010

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

FORMTEXT

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PGO)

Procurement and Grants Office

2920 Brandywine Rd, Rm 3000

Atlanta, GA 30341-5539

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PGO)

Procurement and Grants Office

2920 Brandywine Rd, 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.

2010-N-11535 9B. DATED (See Item 11) 03/31/2010

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 _ is extended, X_ is not extended.

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 1 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 letter, provided each 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.)

Amendment 00001 is hereby issued to address the following regarding solicitation 2010-N-11535:

1. Respond to questions receievd by April 12, 2010;

2. Replace the term “best practices” with “leading practices” throughout the solicitation;

3. The proposal due date has not been extended.

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

Leonard M. Mutter III

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

Amendment 00001 is hereby issued to respond to questions submitted to solicitation 2010-N-11535:

1. Page 58 of 67 RFP states: (b) Contract Form, Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, and Representation and Certifications: “For the overall contract, the offeror shall submit, only once, the contract form found in Part I, Section A, and the completed Representations and Certifications contained in Part IV, Section K, of this solicitation. The contract form and the Representations and Certifications must be executed in the indicated places by an official authorized to bind the offeror.” CDC directed that I “submit, only once, the contract form found in Part I, Section A,” I did not find it. Could you please provide it to me?

Answer: Part I, Section A is actually the 1st page of the solicitation blocks 14 through 18.

2. It is our understanding from the RFP document that the CDC expects offerors to submit one 75-page proposal in response to RFP 2010-N-11535. Yet, on page 54, L.5, it is stated that “offerors submitting one proposal for multiple task areas will not be considered”. Please confirm that offerors are expected to submit one 75-page proposal that is comprised of the following sections:

1. Understanding of the problems and performance work statement

2. Technical approach and methodology

3. Personnel and management plan/corporate capabilities/experience

4. Responses to each of the three sample task order requests

Answer: L.5 (a) states that “your proposal will be prepared in two parts: a) Technical Proposal and b) Business proposal. L.5(c) states that you will provide one original technical proposal and three (3) copies of the technical proposal. This totals four (4) technical proposals. Each of the (4) technical proposals will be in separate binders…not one (1) binder with the four technical proposals in it. The original Technical proposal and each of the three (3) copies of the technical proposal will be limited to 75 pages each. The 75 page limitation includes the three individual requests for task orders. No additional pages are authorized for them.

The “responses to each of the three sample task order requests” requires three separate responses (proposals)…one for each task area. They cannot be combined into one response (proposal). They must be responded to individually within the 75 page technical proposal limit. That is why we put in “offerors submitting one proposal for multiple task areas will not be considered” above.

An example of a technical proposal is as follows:

1. Offeror demonstrates the Understanding of the problems and performance work statement.

2. Offeror provides write up of the Technical approach and methodology

3. Offeror demonstrates their Personnel and management plan/corporate capabilities/experience

4.a Offeror responds to Task #1 – Business Services in Mozambique

4.b Offeror responds to Task # 2 – Training in Zimbabwe

4.c Offeror responds toTask # 3 – Program Activities in Kenya

All the above make up the technical proposal and are limited to 75 pages.

3. Please clarify the number of cost proposals and budgets that are required in response to this RFP. It appears that offerors must submit three budgets with supporting documentation, but only one copy of representations and certifications.

Answer: The Business Proposal is what you are talking about. L.5(d) states one original and three copies…Total of four.

4. On page 54 of the Solicitation, under General instructions, the Solicitation indicates that: (b) This solicitation covers three task areas. Offerors’ proposal shall cover all three task areas. A separate technical and business proposal shall be provided for each of the tasks. The proposals for each task area will be evaluated separately. There will be up to three (3) awards made from this solicitation and each award will cover all three task areas. The Solicitation also indicates that the proposal must be prepared in two parts: a) Technical Proposal, b) Business Proposal. Each part shall be separate and complete in itself so that evaluation of one may be accomplished independently of evaluation of the other. Additionally, each part shall address information resulting from each of the three (3) Requests for Task Order Proposals (RFTPs) (Attachments J.1, J.2, and J.3). The sections of RFTPs that request information related to the technical criteria will be submitted as part of your Technical Proposal and the sections of the RFTPs that contain cost/price information will be submitted as part of your Business Proposal. At the bottom of page 54, however, the Solicitation indicates: “(g) A separate proposal must be submitted for each separate task area. Offerors submitting one proposal for multiple task areas will not be considered.”

* We would like to request clarification regarding whether applicants should submit one two-part (Technical and Business) proposal that covers all three task areas and addresses each of the three Request for Task Order Proposals (Task #1 – Business Services in Mozambique; Task # 2 – Training in Zimbabwe; and Task # 3 – Program Activities in Kenya), or three separate proposals. It is our understanding that we should submit one proposal in two parts (Part 1 - Technical Proposal and Part 2 – Business Proposal). We also understand that the single Technical Proposal which covers all three task areas and each of the three RFTPs included in the Solicitation should be no longer than 75 double-spaced pages, excluding cover page, TOC and appendices. Is this correct? Or is each applicant expected to submit three two-part proposals (technical proposal and business proposal), one addressing each of the three task areas (and with a 75 page limit for each of the three technical proposals)?

Answer: No, Offerors are to submit the total number of copies required in L.5. In the Technical Proposal you will have three subparts of #4 “Responses to each of the three sample task order requests “ 4.a; 4.b; 4.c. Each subpart of #4 will be a separate request for task order proposal. The Business Proposal will have the appropriate three corresponding subparts which reflect the pricing of the individual sample task orders.

5. Regarding the number of volumes you would like us to submit and the page lengths, we want to make sure that we are clear about your needs.

a. Is it correct for us to submit 4 separate technical volumes: 1 for the overall solicitation and 3 separate technical volumes for each of the 3 RFTPs?

Answer: No, Please see above.

b. If 4 technical volumes is correct, is the 75-page double-space limit for just the overall RFP technical volume? Answer: NO. An example of a technical proposal is as follows:

1. Offeror demonstrates the Understanding of the problems and performance work statement.

2. Offeror provides write up of the Technical approach and methodology

3. Offeror demonstrates their Personnel and management plan/corporate capabilities/experience

4.a Offeror responds to Task #1 – Business Services in Mozambique

4.b Offeror responds to Task # 2 – Training in Zimbabwe

4.c Offeror responds to Task # 3 – Program Activities in Kenya

All the above make up the technical proposal and are limited to 75 pages.

c. If 4 technical volumes is correct, what is the page limitation for each of the 3 RFTP technical volumes? Are these single- or double-spaced pages?

Answer: See above answer

d. If these assumptions are not correct, please clarify the format and page length for the submission.

Answer: See above.

6. Should the Business Volume(s) also be in 4 separate volumes similar to the questions above?

Answer: Please re- read L.5(d)

7. I would change your #1 to the following: “Is the scope of the efforts covered under this ID/IQ exclusively related to PEPFAR-funded programs, or does the scope include any program supported by the Office of Global Health”. (the way it is currently worded is asking if PEPFAR is funding the ID/IQ).

Answer: The ID/IQ awards that result from this solicitation will support any technical assistance requirement supported through the Office of Global Health as well as The Department of State.

a. Is there currently a contractor (or contractors) performing any of the tasks identified within the scope of this ID/IQ or these three task orders?

Answer: No, this is a new requirement.

b. In section L.4 (b) of the RFP (page 54) indicates “This solicitation covers three task areas. Offerors’ proposal shall cover all three task areas. A separate technical and business proposal shall be provided for each of the tasks.” Can you please clarify that this means the offerors must submit three separate, 75-page technical proposals and three business proposals?

Answer: 1. Offerors cannot propose on only one or two of the “3 task areas”. If an offeror provides a proposal for this solicitation they MUST propose on all three task areas.

2. All the below make up the technical proposal and are limited to 75 pages. You must provide 1 original and three copies of the technical proposal.

1. Offeror demonstrates the Understanding of the problems and performance work statement.

2. Offeror provides write up of the Technical approach and methodology

3. Offeror demonstrates their Personnel and management plan/corporate capabilities/experience

4.a Offeror responds to Task #1 – Business Services in Mozambique

4.b Offeror responds to Task # 2 – Training in Zimbabwe

4.c Offeror responds to Task # 3 – Program Activities in Kenya

c. With regards to the Corporate Capabilities and Experience section within the Technical Proposal, and past performance/ references are to be provided in the Business Proposal, is it permissible that relevant client projects that are being used for the Business Proposal be also referenced in the Technical Proposal? Answer: Yes

d. Is there a minimal number of past experience/references that are to be included in each Business Proposal? If there is a client project in which more than one of the identified tasks in this RFP were performed, may that same reference be used in the Business Proposal submissions for each of the applicable task orders? Answer: No, as long as an Offeror can demonstrate to the Evaluation Board that they have adequate relevant past experience with the same size and complexity to this solicitation.

8. Who is there an incumbent vendor that provides these services currently? Is it Comforce Technical Services, Inc? Or a different vendor? Or is this a completely new requirement?

Answer: There is no incumbent. This is a completely new requirement.

9. Section L.5, Proposal Format. Item (a) indicates that "Your proposal must be prepared in two parts: a) Technical Proposal, b) Business Proposal. Additionally, each part shall address information resulting from each of the three Requests for Task Order Proposals. (Attachments J.1, J.2 and J.3)" Item (g) notes that "A separate proposal must be submitted for each separate task area." Could you please clarify whether only one Technical Proposal (75 double spaced pages) should be submitted that includes the offeror's overall approach to the three service tasks (business services, training, program activities), as well as the specific technical response to each of the three RFTOPs (J.1-J.3)?

Answer: Please see answers to questions 2,3,4,5 and 7(b) above.

Or does CDC require three Technical Proposals each focusing on a different service task area (i.e., one proposal for Business Services, one for Training and one for Program Activities (each with a 75 page double space limit), as referenced in L.6 (2) “Provide a discussion on the approach that will be utilized to accomplish the technical assistance activities in the service task for which you are submitting this proposal and the activities found in the Performance Work Statement (Business Services, Training, Program Activities)?

Answer: Please see answers to questions 2,3,4,5 and 7(b) above.

10. On pages 7 - 9, Section C.2 Technical Requirements, the 10th bullet under Task 1. Business Services: "Policy support - assist host governments and advocacy organizations in strengthening and enforcement of health policies with the goal of improving health systems and health outcomes" is similar to the last bullet under Task 3. Program Activities: "Assist host governments and advocacy organizations in strengthening and enforcement of health policies with the goal of improving health systems and health outcomes". Can CDC describe how these differ?

Answer: They are the same. This is part of building sustainability in countries which is a constant theme throughout international public health programs.

11. On page 59 Section L.7 e. Past Performance Information the RFP states that the offeror must provide a list of the five contracts completed during the last three years and a listing of all current contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements. We have many (e.g. more than 100) active contracts that are relevant. Does CDC want a complete list or a subset of active contracts?

Answer: Please provide all that are in the same size and complexity as this solicitation. If it is 100 then I will deal with it.

Also are proposed subcontractors required to submit past performance information and questionnaire's? Answer: If they are going to be listed as one of your prime subs then yes.

12. On page 56, Section L6. b Technical Proposal Instructions, the RFP notes that appendices shall only include resumes and requested literature. What is the requested literature that may be included as an appendix in addition to resumes?

Answer: Any information required for clarification or for back up. See the fourth sentence of L6. (b) Additionally on page 56, Section L6. d. 3 Personnel and Management Plan, it is required that a commitment letter from proposed subcontractors "detailing their willingness to perform as a subcontractor" is included. Due to the very limited page count, can commitment letters be included in the appendices?

Answer: Yes, just make sure that you say in the Technical proposal that they are included in the appendices.

13. Please clarify if we should provide resumes for all staff proposed in the staffing plan or just key personnel and those proposed on the task orders? Is there a page limit on the resumes required?

Answer: Key personnel only. No page limit. Include in the appendices..

Similarly, should we provide job descriptions for all staff proposed in the staffing plan or just key personnel and those proposed on the task orders? The job descriptions must contain a salary range. Will these salary ranges be fixed in the contract? Due to the limited page count, can the job descriptions be contained in the appendices?

Answer: Key personnel only. Salary range will vary according to the skill level needed on each task order. Job descriptions may be included in the appendices.

Also may letters of commitment from proposed staff members who not current employees be included in an appendix?

Answer: Yes

14. No labor categories are provided. Does CDC have guidance as to the labor categories?

Answer: For positions in the United States (Atlanta) they are attached. For positions overseas, no.

15. Our understanding of page 67 M.9 Award of the Request of Task Orders is that the Task Orders are for evaluation purposes but may be awarded. Please confirm that we are correct in our understanding?

Answer: That is correct. None, one, two or all three may be awarded.

16. Can CDC please clarify the statement on page 56 "Demonstrate the approach that will be utilized to resolve potential problems internationally with customs and immigration in support of arranging various training and or travel arrangements." Is this passport and visa support for internationals to travel to the US for training, US staff/consultant travel to foreign locations for training, or does it go beyond training to include shipment of goods/commodities? Answer: Beyond passport and visa to include shipment of goods/commodities and any other potential problem.

17. Can you please clarify or elaborate on the evaluation criteria for corporate capabilities and experience? On page 65, under Corporate Capabilities/Experience, the evaluation criteria only refer to "how financially qualified the offeror is". Does this mean we should focus exclusively on our financial qualifications, or should we also discuss our broader corporate capabilities and experience requested in the bullets on page 56 of the instructions? Answer: Discuss broader corporate capabilities and experience including financial qualifications.

18. Per Attachment 1: Task #1 Mozambique:

a. Have the 10 organizations referenced in the Option period of Task 2 in the attachment J.1 to receive capacity building been selected, can the names be shared?

Answer: The 10 organizations have not yet been finalized.

b. What is the estimated size and scope of the grants to be applied for by the organizations? This affects the complexity of the training/capacity requirements (e.g. if procurements of equipment or vehicles are required; infrastructure development, etc.).

Answer: The goal is to train these organizations to be able to apply for and manage cooperative agreements of all sizes so a comprehensive training will be necessary.

c. Will the selected organizations in Task 3 of the Option period have access to other support which may be needed (external to the TO) over and above training and technical assistance (e.g. for computers, software, computer training, etc.)?

Answer: Contractor is expected to be able to carryout the tasks upon award of the task order. Task specific software will be provided as needed. Contractor will provide computers.

19. Per Attachment 2: Task #2 Zimbabwe, For the TASC #2/Zimbabwe, on page four CDC states at the top of the page that "The Contractor shall provide all necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and travel to perform the following activities. Under activity #1 "Design curriculum and course materials and implement one 3-4 day training course on HRH for 25 participants” the RFP states that CDC-Zimbabwe will arrange for the training facilities and equipment. Should we build the cost of the facilities and equipment into our TO budget or just the cost of our trainers, travel and per diem for participants and training materials?

Answer: CDC-Zimbabwe will issue a contract for the facilities and equipment via the Embassy.

20. On page 58 of the RFP the instructions indicate that, "A table of Contents listing the following shall proceed the Cover Page". Should the Table of Contents proceed after the Cover Page? And, is the Cover Page the SF 33? Answer: Please follow the order listed in L.7 (1)-(8) and (a).

21. Please forward the Contract Form, which is listed in Section L.7 Business Proposal Instructions on page 57 of the RFP.

Answer: You have it. It is the first page of the solicitation. You need to fill out blocks 14 through 18.

22. Should the Non-Disclosure Agreement for Contractor and Contractor Employees, Section H.12 of the RFP, be submitted with the proposal, or after award of the contract?

Answer: After contract award.

23. Is the definition of "NACI" National Agency Check and Investigation or National Agency Check and Inquiry (Section H.7 (a) (6) and H.7 (b) (1) of the RFP)? And should the NACI be submitted be submitted with the proposal, or after award of the contract (Section H.7 (b) (1) of the RFP)?

Answer: They both stand for the same thing in Section H.7, however NACI stands for National Agency Check with Inquires. They will be accomplished once contracts have been awarded.

24. Should the National Security Clearance be submitted with the proposal, or after award of the contract (Section H.7 (b) (3) of the RFP)?

Answer: After award of the contracts.

25. Section L.1 (pp. 50-51) lists items that should be included: "the first page of the proposal must show (i) solicitation number; (ii) the name, address, and telephone and facsimile numbers of the offeror (and electronic address if available), etc." Is this information required on the first page of both the Technical Proposal and the Business Proposal, or just the Business Proposal?

Answer: Just the business proposal. See L.7 (1)-(8).

26. Section L.5, Proposal Format, item (d) about the Business Proposal, indicates that "The electronic copy will only be accepted in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF format." This section also indicates that "The cost breakdown contained in business proposals will include MS Excel spreadsheets with formulas intact." Could the CDC please clarify whether the electronic copy of the cost breakdown should be submitted in MS Excel or whether Adobe Acrobat PDF format is acceptable for these spreadsheets?

Answer: For the electronic copy I will accept either one.

27. Section L.7 Business Proposal Instructions, item (g) Subcontracting Plan, indicates that "If required, the offeror, prior to being awarded a contract, must submit an acceptable subcontracting plan." Should this plan to be included in the Business Proposal?

Answer: Please read L.7 (7) and L.7 (g).

28. In regard to Small Business does this Final solicitation supersede Amendment 1 that is currently still posted on the fbo.gov website (please see attached)? If this is the case or not please advise if option a or option b is correct as we will tailor our response accordingly based on the information provided on the fbo.gov website: a. Submit our proposal specifically for the "Task Order for Zimbabwe-Training" posted November 23, 2009

a) Technical Proposal, b) Business Proposal = one (1) original + (3) hard copies= 4 copies X 2 documents= 8 packets + one electronic copy of each technical and business proposal = 2 electronic documents

b. Submit our proposal in two parts: a) Technical Proposal, b) Business Proposal. Each part shall be separate and complete in itself so that evaluation of one may be accomplished independently of evaluation of the other. Additionally, each part shall address information resulting from each of the three (3) Requests for Task Order Proposals (RFTPs) (Attachments J.1, J.2, and J.3). The sections of RFTPs that request information related to the technical criteria will be submitted as part of your Technical Proposal and the sections of the RFTPs that contain cost/price information will be submitted as part of your Business Proposal. (One hard copy of each technical and business proposal for each MATOC with RFTP individual packages submitted = one (1) original + (3) hard copies= 4 copies X 6 documents= 24 packets + one electronic copy of each technical and business proposal = 6 electronic documents) Task 1 MATOC Technical Proposal with RFTP J.1 - Task Order for Business Services- Local Partner Capacity-Building in Mozambique Task 1 MATOC Business Proposal with Detailed Estimated Cost and Supporting Documentation for RFTP J.1

Task 2 MATOC Technical Proposal with RFTP J.2 Task Order for Training- Training on Management of Human Resources for Health in the Public Sector in Zimbabwe Task 2 MATOC Business Proposal with Detailed Estimated Cost and Supporting Documentation for RFTP J.2

Task 3 MATOC Technical Proposal with RFTP J.3 Task Order for Program Activities- Protocol/Clinical Trial Monitoring Services in Kenya Task 3 MATOC Business Proposal with Detailed Estimated Cost and Supporting Documentation for RFTP J.3

Answer: Amendment 1 was for the sources sought announcement that was posted back in November/December time frame in order to help with market research. The solicitation (final solicitation) is what you want to follow. This is full and open. Not set-a-side for Small Business.

29. Is it to be understood from the final solicitation that there will be three awards and the J1, J2 and J3 task orders are subsequent country specific task orders that will only be awarded to one of the three contractors who are awarded the MATOC contract?

Answer: Once the “up to three master awards (ID/IQ) contracts” are awarded then it is possible that one, two or all three of the attached request for task order proposals will be awarded. It is also possible that none of them will be awarded. One awardee may win one, two or all three of them; however, ONLY the master contract awardees will be eligible for the task order awards.

30. As a small business we are registered with the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) but for this solicitation is it appropriate to include in our proposal the clause in Section 7. Sub-Contracting of the Business Proposal(s) -"No Subcontracting opportunities exist and/or a subcontracting plan is not applicable as award of the Multiple Award Task Order Contract to MLT Consultants would result in 100% award to a small business concern."

Answer: You may, however, once we see your size standard will know whether you will need to provide a sub-contracting plan or not.

31. Is this solicitation subject to The 8% Rule or is this considered an umbrella award? If so would each response to a task order be limited to $2,000,000.00 maximum cost quote/award?

Answer: No, the 8% rule you quoted is for Grants and Corporative Agreements…not Contracts.

32. Please confirm whether Applicants are requested to submit Past Performance Information for subcontractors, and if so, how many and in what format.

Answer: This is not necessary unless they are one of you prime/major sub contractors and your past prformance and relevant experiencs needs to be supported.

33. Please confirm that in response to bullet points 3 and 4 on page 56 of the RFP, 3. Personnel and Management Plan/Corporate Capabilities and Experience, applicants may submit a master personnel matrix that includes the names, titles, and brief description of duties of both long-term home office staff and illustrative task order staff within the body of the technical proposal, but that all accompanying information such as detailed personnel write-ups, job descriptions, and letters of commitment may be included in an annex.

Answer: Confirmed

34. Please confirm that the letters requested from subcontractors on page 56 of the RFP, 3. Personnel And Management Plan/Corporate Capabilities and Experience, bullet point 6, can be included in an annex.

Answer: Letters requested from subcontractors…yes.

Bullet point 6 (Personnel and Management Plan/Corporate Capabilities and Experience)…No.

35. Page 4 of Task Order 2 states that “The Contractor shall provide all necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and travel to perform the following activities.” The Task Order also states that “CDC-Zimbabwe will arrange for the training facilities and equipment.” Could CDC clarify what it means by “arrange” - is it securing the actual training space, or supporting the costs, or using CDC training facilities. Any additional details will be much appreciated.

Answer: CDC-Zimbabwe will issue a contract for facilities and equipment via the Embassy.

36. Page 14, section G.4. Applicable Service Contract Wages references attachment J.8 Wage Determination. Please confirm that these wages are only applicable to staff stationed in the State of Georgia, and not to technical and/or administrative support staff on potential task orders based overseas or to back stopping staff at a US HQ that are not stationed in Georgia.

Answer: Confirmend

37. On Page 40 of the RFP, Section I.5. on Option to Extend Services: we would like clarification on the applicability of labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor and how they apply to our provision of technical services on Task Orders requiring professional technical assistance .

Answer: The purpose of this clause is that IF the final option years was drawing down and the CDC needed to extend the services up to six months past the final date of the last option period it would be done by the unilateral right of the CDC and the contractor does not have the right to raise labor rates from the last option period.

38. Page 57 of the RFP states that “…offers are not required to submit cost or pricing data (certified) for the proposed cost with the business proposal. However, the Government reserves the right to request submission of this data at a later date if necessary.” However, page 58 of the RFP states that “Supporting Documentation for each proposed cost must be included (payroll records, indirect rate agreement, vendor quotes, etc.)” Could CDC please clarify whether Applicants are required to include cost documentation at the time of submission or should Applicants simply have this information on hand should CDC request it at a later time?

Answer: Certified Cost and pricing data is different from the supporting documentation. If there is adequate price competition than certified cost or pricing data will not be required. However, Supporting documentation MUST be included. This is relevant to the pricing for the three task orders.

39. Page 57, L.7. Business Proposal Instructions, (7) Subcontracting Plan references attachment J.4 Subcontracting Plan. Can applicants submit Subcontracting Plans in their own format provided that the information presented fully covers the information requested in the CDC attachment J.4?

Answer: No. Please fill out attachment J.4

40. Page 58 of the RFP, on (2) Indirect Costs, requests that Applicants proposing Indirect Cost Rates “Show trends and budgetary data to provide a basis for evaluating the reasonableness of proposed rates”. Please confirm that Applicants with a NICRA need not provide this information.

Answer: Yes, offerors with an Negotiated Indirect Cost Recovery Agreement do not need to provide the above “Show trends and budgetary data to provide a basis for evaluating the reasonableness of proposed rates” but must provide the negotiated rate.

41. Are Subcontractors proposed on the Sample Task Order Budgets expected to submit all of the documentation listed in Section L.7 “Business Proposal Instructions”, or is it permitted to obtain a letter from proposed subcontractors stating their intent to work with the Applicant, and commit to providing all the information in Section L.7 should the Task Orders be awarded to an Applicant and implemented?

Answer: Only provide the pricing that the sub-contractor proposed in your proposal. Sub-contractors do not provide a business or technical proposal. Only the Prime Contractor does that.

42. If a Subcontractor is not included in the Task Order Budgets, but as an anticipated member of a prime’s consortium submits all of the documentation listed in Section L.7 “Business Proposal Instructions”, will approval to enter into a subcontract with the subcontractor be granted at the time of award?

Answer: Same answer as #41 above.

43. Please confirm that the geo code for all three Task Orders is 935.

Answer: To my knowledge CDC does not use geo codes.

44. Are we permitted to use smaller fonts in tables/graphics than the 12 point font specified for the text?

Answer: Yes but 10 point is the smallest.

45. Are 11 x 17 foldout pages allowed, and if so, will they count for two pages?

Answer: Not allowed.

46. Are we required to use double spacing even in table and graphics, or is single spacing permitted?

Answer: No you are not required to use double spacing in tables and graphics.

47. Para L.6 3. Bullet 5 states that a position description with amplifying information is to be included for each position:

a. Is this a request for a labor category description for all potential positions that might be required to support this contract, or only for those positions described in the sample task orders?

Answer: Key personnel for the overall contract and for each separate task order.

b. Are the signed employment letters that are required for non-current employees to be included in the appendix?

Answer: Yes

48. Para 1.7 (e) Past Performance Information, page 59, requires the submission of the last five (5) contracts, grants completed over the past three years and all contracts currently in progress for work similar in size and complexity to this acquisition.

a. Do you desire past performance on all of our current large IDIQ contracts?

Answer: It is the offeror’s responsibility that the evaluation board received enough past performance surveys to adequately demonstrate to the board that the offeror has the quality and quantity of past performance to be acceptable to the board. The past performance surveys must demonstrate the same size and complexity of services we are soliciting for.

b. Do you desire questionnaires on any contracts cited in the narrative

Answer: Yes. Also see a. above.

49. The solicitation state “The effective date of the contract will be the date of award”. Please provide a common effective date to use for cost proposal purposes.

Answer: The common effective date for the awards for price/cost proposal purposes will be 1 August 2010. Again, this is only for price/cost proposal purposes and is not to be interpreted as the actual award date.

50. Page 55, L.6 (b) states “Appendices shall only include resumes and requested literature…” it is not clear what other information has been requested. Please clarify what will be acceptable to include in the Appendices.

Answer: Please review all the questions where the answers state that the material may be added into the appendices.

51. Page 54, L.6, (c) (3) (d) indicates the technical proposal will include the “Three Requests for Task Order Proposals.” Page 54, L.6, (d) 4 states. “Offerors shall provide separate task order proposals for attachments J1, J2 and J3…” Please confirm that one only proposal is required and that it will include the three task order proposals within the 75 page limit.

Answer: All the below make up the technical proposal and are limited to 75 pages. You must provide 1 original and three copies of the technical proposal.

1. Offeror demonstrates the Understanding of the problems and performance work statement.

2. Offeror provides write up of the Technical approach and methodology

3. Offeror demonstrates their Personnel and management plan/corporate capabilities/experience

4.a Offeror responds to Task #1 – Business Services in Mozambique

4.b Offeror responds to Task # 2 – Training in Zimbabwe

4.c Offeror responds to Task # 3 – Program Activities in Kenya

52. Please provide the scope of “small local organizations” to be considered under this solicitation.

Answer: PEPFAR Local Partner definition:

A “local partner” may be an individual or sole proprietorship, an entity, or a joint venture or other arrangement. However, to be considered a local partner in a given country served by PEPFAR, the partner must meet the criteria under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) below within that country: *

(1) an individual must be a citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident of and have his/her principal place of business in the country served by the PEPFAR program with which the individual is or may become involved, and a sole proprietorship must be owned by such an individual; or

(2) an entity (e.g., a corporation or partnership): (a) must be incorporated or legally organized under the laws of, and have its principal place of business in, the country served by the PEPFAR program with which the entity is or may become involved; (b) must be at least 51% for FY 2009-10; 66% for FY 2011-12; and 75% for FY 2013 beneficially owned by individuals who are citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents of that same country, per sub-paragraph (2)(a), or by other corporations, partnerships or other arrangements that are local partners under this paragraph or paragraph (3); (c) at least 51% for FY 2009-10; 66% for FY 2011-12; and 75% for FY 2013 of the entity’s staff (senior, mid-level, support) must be citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents of that same country, per sub-paragraph (2)(a), and at least 51% for FY 2009-10; 66% for FY 2011-12; and 75% for FY 2013 of the entity’s senior staff (i.e., managerial and professional personnel) must be citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents of such country; and (d) where an entity has a Board of Directors, at least 51% of the members of the Board must also be citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents of such country; or

(3) a joint venture, unincorporated association, consortium, or other arrangement in which at least 51% for FY 2009-10; 66% for FY 2011-12; and 75% for FY 2013 of the funding under the PEPFAR award is or will be provided to members who are local partners under the criteria in paragraphs (1) or (2) above, and a local partner is designated as the managing member of the organization.

Host government ministries (e.g., Ministry of Health), sub-units of government ministries, and parastatal organizations in the country served by the PEPFAR program are considered local partners. ** A parastatal organization is defined as a fully or partially government-owned or government-funded organization. Such enterprises may function through a board of directors, similar to private corporations. However, ultimate control over the board may rest with the government.

The Global AIDS Coordinator may waive the above criteria where justified to address the circumstances in a specific case.

* HHS will only implement paragraph 2 (entity) of the definition.

53. Please provide the scope of “private organizations” to be considered under this solicitation (e.g. clinical sites, pharmacies, private practices).

Answer: non-government organizations

54. Page 56, L.6, (d) 3 states “The staffing plan should include proposed professional personnel, key personnel, non-professional personnel, consultants, and key subcontracts/subcontractor personnel with related international experience who may be available to work on task orders.” This list could be extensive and will make meeting the 75 pages limit challenging. Is CDC interested in: 1- the proposed staff involved in managing or directly supporting the project, 2-a robust list of illustrative examples of our Team's TA providers or 3-just the names of those available to work on the three task orders. Please provide guidance on how CDC would prefer us to present this list. Will this list be acceptable as an Appendix?

Answer: Key personnel for the overall contract and key personnel for each individual task order. Resumes and job descriptions may be included in the appendices.

55. Page 54, L.6, (d) states “For all proposed subcontractors, include a letter from the subcontractor detailing their willingness to perform as a subcontractor for specific duties, what priority the work will be given and how it relates to other work, and the amount of time and facilities available to this project.” Please explain what is meant by the amount of time and facilities available to this projects. As task orders issued under the contract will determine the work and involvement of partner organizations, it is difficult to anticipate the amount of time and facilities available. Please confirm if CDC would accept a letter stating partners will make significant time and facilities available to the project. Will these letters be acceptable as an appendix?

Answer: Letters are acceptable as appendices. Contractor must demonstrate the availability and commitment of sub-contractors they propose to work under this contract.

56. Page 54, L.6, (d) states “For all proposed subcontractors…” Does CDC want this letter from all subcontractor named in the proposal or only major subcontractors?

Answer: If you are naming them for the contract then all of them. If you are only proposing major/prime subs then only them.

57. Does CDC have any guidance for offerors regarding the inclusion of monitoring and evaluation strategies in the proposal, apart from what is required in the task order components?

Answer: NO

58. TO #1 includes support for transferring Track 1 partners to local partners. Please clarify the CDC definition of "local partners" in this context. Does this term here include the MOH and government facilities at the national or provincial levels? In Mozambique, the majority of care and treatment for HIV/AIDS -especially clinical services- is provided at government facilities (for example, district or primary health facilities).

Answer: see the answer to #52

59. Task 1, Business Services (p.8) states "Assist organizations and local governments with development of protocols, protocol reviews, and approvals through the required stages within HHS/CDC."

In this section, is the term "protocol" intended to mean one or more of the following?

development and approval of protocols for research studies clinical service delivery protocols (aka clinical guidelines or treatment algorithms) protocols in the sense of standard operating procedures or policies (for grants management)

Are "required stages within HHS/CDC" referring to clinical ART practice, or the development of research protocols, or policies and procedures for administration and business management (e.g. grants management or procurement)?

Answer: Being able to write an acceptable protocol and following it through the CDC approval process is part of the needed business acumen. The task order is referring to programmatic protocols and human subjects issues.

60. Are budget notes required in the cost proposals for the three fixed price task orders?

Answer: Yes

61. Page 60 (e) (3) Past Performance Survey (3) is states “… a consent letter shall be completed by the major subcontractors/teaming partners or joint ventures identified in your proposal.” What constitutes a “major” subcontractor for this solicitation?

Answer: A subcontractor you intend to use. I would suggest that if you are going to provide the names of sub-contractors you would want to provide past performance surveys on them.

62. Does CDC want each of the three TO proposals to start and stop on a separate page from the remainder of the proposal? If so, will unused space on these pages count toward the 75 page limit?

Answer: Please see answers to questions 2,3,4,5 and 7(b) above.

63. Reference L.11 Subcontracting Plan. To what extent does the contracting office /customer anticipate that task order performance will occur in the United States? Can you give an estimated percentage?

Answer: That will depend on the individual task order. I cannot give you an estimate.

64. Regarding the number of volumes you would like us to submit and the page lengths, we want to make sure that we are clear about your needs.

a. Is it correct for us to submit 4 separate technical volumes: 1 for the overall solicitation and 3 separate technical volumes for each of the 3 RFTPs? b. If 4 technical volumes is correct, is the 75-page double-space limit for just the overall RFP technical volume?

c. If 4 technical volumes is correct, what is the page limitation for each of the 3 RFTP technical volumes? Are these single- or double-spaced pages?

d. If these assumptions are not correct, please clarify the format and page length for the submission.

Answer: Please see answers to questions 2,3,4,5 and 7(b) above.

65. Should the Business Volume(s) also be in 4 separate volumes similar to the questions above?

Answer: Please see answers to questions 2,3,4,5 and 7(b) above.

66. B. L.5 (d). says “ [Y]ou must submit one electronic copy of your Business Proposal via electronic mail and send to Mac Mutter at: iwd4@cdc.gov . The electronic copy will only be accepted in Microsoft

Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF format. The cost breakdown contained in business proposals will include

MS Excel spreadsheets with formulas intact.”

a. Should the MS Excel spreadsheets be in a separate document? Or should they be embedded in the

Word document? Is there a way for formulas to be “intact” in an Acrobat document?

Answer: A separate attachment. I don’t know?

67. Will the 3 RFTPs be awarded or are they solely for evaluation purposes?

Answer: Please read the first sentence in M.9

68. In RFTP #1, should the budget be only for the Base Year or for the Base Year + Option 1?

Answer: both the base year and Option 1 – listed separately

69. In RFTP #1, is the organizational assessment intended to be a pre- or post- training? It is described as a “pre-training” task, but says it’s for those who participated – past tense – and refers to topics covered – also in the past tense. Please clarify.

Answer: It should be given to the participating organizations prior to the training.

70. In RFTP #1, it states that CDC-Mozambique will provide “facilities and equipment for the training course”. Will CDC-Mozambique also provide copies of the participant training materials, handouts, etc?

Answer: No. The contractor is responsible for all training materials.

71. In RFTP #2, there is a discussion of participants managing a post-training project. It is clear that the contractor should provide guidance and follow-up, but to what extent is the contractor responsible for helping determine the projects?

Answer: None. The participants and CDC will determine the projects.

72. Please describe the types of situations in which work permits would be needed for work overseas.

Answer: This answer should come from the Offeror. CDC expects the contractor to be the expert in determining when work permits are needed and obtaining them.

73. Will CDC support the work permit/visa applications of employees assigned to long-term positions by providing the necessary paperwork for filing and any letters of support that are needed?

Answer: We don’t anticipate long-term positions overseas but when needed the CDC will provide letters of support.

74. Is there an estimated start date for the IDIQ? For budgeting RFTP 0001, 0002 and 0003, what start date should be used?

Answer: The common effective date for the awards for price/cost proposal purposes will be 1 August 2010. Again, this is only for price/cost proposal purposes and is not to be interpreted as the actual award date.

75. On RFP page 58, under Supporting Cost Information for RFTP 0001, 0002, and 0003, Section (1) Direct Labor requests that applicants “Provide a weekly breakdown of labor hours, rates and cost by appropriate category, and furnish bases for estimates.” Is it acceptable to provide labor hours, rates, and cost by appropriate category annually rather than weekly?

Answer: No.

76. If the work on future task orders under the IDIQ requires it, will we be able to add subcontractors who were not on our original proposal team?

Answer: Yes

77. On RFP page 56, in Section L.6(d)3, the sixth bullet refers to letters from subcontractors confirming their willingness to perform. Please confirm that these letters can be submitted in an appendix and that these letters are not counted toward the page limit.

Answer: Yes

78. If a future task order request requires the evaluation of a program with which we are working as part of a consortium in a particular country, will our proposal team be excluded from bidding on that task order request or would we…