Questions_and_Answers_for_Advisory_Board_Requirement.docx

Questions and Answers for Advisory Board Requirement

1. K.1 (a) indicates that the NAICS code for this acquisition is 541690, and that the size standard is $6.5 million; however, SBA’s website indicates that the size standard for 541690 is $14 million. Please clarify.

ANSWER: The SBA website’s number is correct.

1. Section L, Special Notes (2) indicates that “Offerors are to assume annual funding of $3.5M…” However, M.1.a indicates that the “award will be made to the Contractor(s) whose proposal offers the best overall value to the Government.” Since all the cost proposals are supposed to assume funding of $3.5M per year, how is price/cost a factor?

ANSWER: This is guidance to “assume annual funding of $3.5 million”. This does not mean they have to propose a budget of $3.5 million. It only means they should not propose a budget above $3.5 million.

There are many different texts characterizing “best value”. Cost is inherent to all of them. The essential concern of the government is to receive performance that meets the government’s requirement at the least cost. Performance is also characterized diversely but productivity (a combination of quantity and quality) and timeliness are essential factors of performance.

1. Section M.1.a says that “Award will be made to the Contractor(s) whose proposal…” Is the government planning to award to more than one offeror?

No, the government intends to award only one contract for this requirement.