questions_For_RFQ_16743.docx

· On page 1 of the RFQ, the due date for responses is August 13, 2014, but on FedBizOps (https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=bf883c1f0ed8f101ed8c82dbfc9072e8&tab=core&_cview=0), the due date is stated as August 14th by 12:00 pm. Can CDC please clarify? Due date has been changed to August 19, 2014 @ 12:00pm

· The RFQ does not provide a page limit for the proposal. Is there a page limit? No page limit

· The RFQ does not provide specific evaluation criteria for the technical proposal with assigned point values (discussed in general on page 11). Can CDC please provide guidance on evaluation criteria? Proposal will be evaluated on technical merit, past perfomrnace in the context of environemtal or public health systems, and staffing plan.

· The RFQ does not provide any requirements for key personnel. Can CDC please confirm that there are no key personnel requirements? No key personnel requirements

· The RFQ does not provide guidance on requirements for the business proposal. Can CDC please clarify? For example:

· Is this a time and materials or firm fixed price contract? Fixed price requirment

· Does the CDC want cost breakdown by labor category and task or another format?yes

· Is there an independent government cost estimate (IGCE) for this work? If so, can CDC please provide? The government does not provide IGCE to contractors

· Does CDC anticipate needing OMB clearance for usability testing (i.e.is it a requirement that testing be conducted with more than 9 participants)? OMB PRA clearance is required and an ICR (i.e., New; Revision; Extension; Reinstatement with/without change; Violation/Bootleg; or 83-E) will be submitted to ICRO for review and processing.

· On page 5 of the RFQ, 508 compliance is discussed including preparing an HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template. Based on the SOW, we are unclear how 508 compliance applies to this work. Can CDC please clarify? Any reports produced should be 508 compliant.

· The cover page of the RFQ states the due date for the proposal as Aug. 13 COB. The FedBizOpps listing states it as Aug. 14, noon. Which is accurate? FBO notice extended to closing on August 19, 2014 @ 12:00pm

· The cover page of the RFQ indicates this is NOT a small business set-aside. The FedBizOpps listing shows under General Information “Set-aside: N/A,” yet at the same time in the body of the listing it says, “This acquisition is set aside for small businesses under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339113 and small business size standard 500.” Which is accurate? This is not set-aside for small businesses

· Pages 8 and 9 of the RFQ refer to the cover page being SF1449. The actual cover page is SF18. Which are we to submit as part of the proposal? Please disregard that and submit the RFQ

· What evaluation factors will be applied in evaluating proposals? The evaluation section on page 11 of the RFQ appears to not be filled in. We couldn’t find a discussion of evaluation factors anywhere else.

Proposal will be evaluated on technical merit, past perfomrnace in the context of environemtal or public health systems, and staffing plan.

· There is very little information provided in the SOW to allow a scoping of the intended size of this project. Can you provide information regarding the ballpark budget allocated, or the numbers of participants anticipated to test the application, or the number of audience groups anticipated to be represented among the test participants? The program has several user groups. These would include scientist, policy makers, advocay groups, and the general public. It is not expected that large numbers of indivudals will be tested from each identified user group.

· There is a section on page 5 of the RFP regarding Section 508 compliance, yet it is not clear what aspects of 508 apply to this procurement. Presumably no software is to be delivered, just design recommendations. Is the intention that the proposal itself and the eventual report of findings and recommendations is to be 508 compliant? yes

· Given that the answers to these questions will certainly influence our decision whether or not to bid, and likely will influence the effort required to complete our proposal, will CDC please extend the due date for the proposal by a few days? Yes

· How many uniques user groups (user roles) use this site? The program has several user groups. These would include scientist, policy makers, advocay groups, and the general public.

· Does CDC allow compensation of usability test participants? Professionals will be spending their time particiapting in usabilty studies. Reasonable compenation would be allowed for the particiapants time.