RFP 2011-N-13417 QUESTIONS ANSWERS ROUND 6.docx

July 14, 2011

Questions and Answers: Round 6

RFP 2001-N-13417, Evaluation of Rapid HIV Self-Testing among MSM in High Prevalence Cities

Question1: I would like to know if grantees will be expected to purchase the testing kits, or if they will be provided by the CDC.

ANSWER: Please be advised that this requirment is not a Grant. Contractor is responsible for acquiring test kits. CDC will not be providing test kits.

These following questions are for the subject RFP:

1. Can CDC provide clarification regarding the opportunity for the contractor team who will involved in this project to be able to participate as investigators?

1. Is there an opportunity for data-sharing?

1. Can team members submit concepts or proposals for research projects involving the data collected?

1. Is there an opportunity to work with CDC to formulate research concepts, with the specific intent of producing reports for academic meetings and peer-reviewed biomedical research journals?

ANSWER: The tasks described in questions 1-4 are not within the scope of work for this contract, and funds for preparation of publications and presentations should not be requested.

The primary publication will be led by CDC staff and may include non-CDC staff. Due to the richness of the data it is anticipated that there will be opportunities for multiple presentations and publications from the data.

1. Is there an opportunity to develop a well-characterized observational patient cohort, the data generated from which could be made available (with approval from the CDC), with participating investigators who have specific research questions?

ANSWER: Proposals will be scored based on the criteria described in the solicitation. Any additional proposed activities that fall outside of the solicitation would need to be approved by CDC and may require a modification to the contract post-award. Applications that fail to address stated requirements of the solicitation will be considered nonresponsive, regardless of whether or not add-on activities are proposed.

Question: What are the 10 cities that are eligible for this announcement?

Answer: This requirement is not a Grant, so there is no annoucement. However, Offerors should select cites from the following list: New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. If a city is proposed other than these ten, a justification for the selections should be provided.

Question: Also, are there any guidelines as to how much funding we should request? Is there a maximum amount?

Answer: This requirement is not a funding request. Funding requests are associated with Grants.