QUESTIONS_-_ANSWERS_-_SOL._16904.docx

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

Solicitation 2015-N-16904

1. Page 22 indicates that performance will be evaluated in accordance with CDC’s Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan and that a performance metrics matrix is provided in the solicitation. Please advise where that matrix may be found or is that the same thing as the deliverables and Timeline for Key activities provided as Attachment J.3.?

Answer: Solicitation 2015-N-16904 is not a performance-based contract. Consequently, the third paragraph (This is a performance-based contract. The contractor’s performance shall be evaluated in accordance with CDC’s quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. A performance metrics matrix is provided in this solicitation.) on page 22 is hereby removed from the solicitation (see amendment).

1. Page 29 notes the plan to convene ten (10) expert panels and consultants periodically throughout the contract period. For budgeting purposes should we assume that we will be responsible, under the contract budget, for a stipend/fee charged by these experts as well as their travel costs (room, board and per-diem)?

Answer: Yes

1. On Page 31 (E5.1) the RFP requires “Technical assistance” including 12 “sessions” per performance period and then again on Page 35 G.1 “Technical Assistance Support” refers/requires up to 20 “sessions” per performance period. Can you please describe what is envisioned and what the difference is between these two requirements? Are they different meetings/sessions? Do they overlap to any degree? What constitutes a “session”?

Answer: Subsection E.5.1 technical assistance refers solely to formative research related activities as outlined on page 31. Subsection G.1 technical assistance support refers to technical assistance in a broad capacity as outlined on page 35. A session can constitute many tactics such as abstract development, presentation material development, webinars, workshops, and continuing education to heath care providers and public health professionals, to name a few. Some content overlap may occur.

1. It is stated that you will use CPARS to evaluate Past Performance. Does that mean we are not to submit other proofs of past/prior performance other than the required response for Similar Experience?

Answer: Yes, you do not have to submit other proofs of past/prior performance other than the required response for Similar Experience.

1. We note only one reference to the page limit of the Technical Proposal. May we include a separate appendix? If so, is there any page limit on the appendix?

Answer: The entire technical proposal has a page limitation of 50 pages. Yes, you may include a separate appendix with no page limits.

1. The RFP asks, on page 92 for hard copy submission, but also specifies sending an electronic copy of the Technical Proposal and Business Proposal as two separate Microsoft WORD documents. May we submit PDFs in place of Microsoft WORD documents for this part of the requirement?

Answer: Yes

1. On Page 31 of the RFP, Section E.5., it says that offerors shall also include the development of print publications, peer-reviewed publications, one-pagers, overview documents, presentations, and other products and services such as technical assistance. How many print publications, peer-reviewed publications and presentations are anticipated to be developed?

Answer: Up to 15-20 per performance period.

1. Regarding the review of data, the solicitation states on Page 2 that “the CDC Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) must review any materials or data generated under this contract prior to dissemination, release or publication by the Contractor. Review and approval shall be performed in accordance with the current CDC policies and procedures.” Is there a source where CDC policies and procedures can be reviewed?

Answer: No, there is not a single source where CDC Policies and procedures can be reviewed. When a Contractor is awarded a contract they can receive more information concerning this issue from the responsible COR.

1. Regarding the dissemination of information, Page 3 states that “No information related to data obtained or collected under this contract shall be released or published (including all publications) without the prior written consent of the CDC Contracting Officer and COR or their designee.” Would CDC consider providing the added flexibility to allow publications and deliverables to be disseminated as a statement of confidence in the quality and independence of the report results by only requiring prior CDC review and comment as opposed to requiring CDC’s prior written consent? This approach is consistent with the terms prescribed in HHSAR 352.227-70, referenced on Page 78. No confidential or proprietary information will be released without CDC consent.

Answer: Inherent in CDC review and clearance of publications and deliverables is written consent typically by way of email.

1. The solicitation references both FAR 52.227-14 and 52.227-17. It also references in Section A.4.1 that all work conducted under the contract will be considered and becomes property of CDC. For copyright ownership of data first produced in the performance of the contract, which clause applies? For clarity, we are not referring to any material that is preexisting Government property.

Answer: FAR clause 52.227-14 is hereby removed from the solicitation (see amendment).

1. Please confirm that while the prime contract is a cost-reimbursement, individual subcontracts may be structured in any manner that is mutually acceptable to the prime and sub.

Answer: Yes, individual subcontracts may be structured in any manner that is mutually acceptable to the prime and sub.

1. Please provide copies of SF 1034 and 1035.

Answer: All Government forms can be easily downloaded from the internet http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Reference-Shelf/forms.shtml

1. (8) Burden – page 60 Pending establishment of final contract indirect cost rates for each of the Contractor’s fiscal years, the Contractor will be reimbursed based on his submittal of provisional rates as set forth in the contract. The contract may provide for more than one type indirect cost rate, such as overhead rate, and general and administrative expense rate, in which case the direct cost bases (e.g., direct labor, total direct cost, etc.)…” This sentence is incomplete. Please clarify.

Answer: Please add the following: shall be clearly shown on each invoice (see amendment)

1. When are the Negotiated Indirect Cost Rates (G.5) to be completed?

Answer: CDC will complete clause G.5 when the contract is awarded.

1. When can we expect responses to the questions? Will they be emailed to interested bidders?

Answer: All questions and answers will be posted in FedBizOpps

1. What research or results from the current campaign already exist that can be used to support the next ad buy in the base year?

Answer: Reference pages 15-18 of the solicitation.

1. If an agency is currently engaged for state-funded or tobacco lawsuit funded anti-tobacco campaigns, is this considered a conflict of interest?

Answer: No

1. If the awarded firm has a state or tobacco lawsuit funded client, must the firm resign this work prior to signing a CDC contract?

Answer: No

1. It appears the contract for the CDC’s anti-tobacco campaign could have been simply extended for at least one more year with the current agency partners. The RFP state that the 2012 campaign results have been “impressive.” Why is the CDC not extending the existing agency relationship(s)?

Answer: The period of performance for the current contract is nearing expiration.

1. If research indicates a need to shift to a higher use of social/digital, will CDC still require Gross Rating Points to be a major measurement tool?

Answer: Yes

1. What digital/social execution has the incumbent been running that the CDC hopes to retain or build upon?

Answer: CDC does not understand this question.

1. On page 98, a page limit of 50 pages is mentioned. Is that page limit only applicable for one section or the comprehensive proposal? If it is only for one section, do the other sections have page limits? If so, what are they?

Answer: The entire technical proposal has a page limitation of 50 pages.

1. Are you able to share the approximate breakdown (%) of media spend that has historically been allocated to a national audience vs. local markets?

Answer: The national media buy has typically been in the 70-80% range.

1. Can you share a historical perspective on the targeted media buy subgroups (both psychographic and geographic)?

Answer: Targeted media buy subgroups have included Hispanic, African American, LGBT, Asian, and American Indian/Alaska Native audiences, as well as areas with higher smoking prevalence.

1. Will the formative research be subjected to peer or academic review?

Answer: Formative research publication may be subjected to peer or academic review.

1. Will the formative research utilize an existing baseline/aggregated approach, or is the contractor meant to start from a blank canvas of possibilities?

Answer: The Contractor is meant to start from a blank canvas of possibilities.

1. Do the existing partners in Anti-Tobacco have either a documented brand strategy or long-term objectives for the brand effort?

Answer: CDC does not understand this question.

1. If the formative research identifies market segments that might not engage through one master brand, is the partnership open to developing separate but equal brands to achieve their goals?

Answer: This decision is dependent upon review of the formative research deliverables beginning on page 10 of attachment J.3.

1. Can you please share the winning proposal from the last time this work was up for bid?

Answer: The incumbent contractor is Plowshare Group, Inc. – 1 Dock Street, Suite209 – Stamford, CT 06902. Prior proposals are unable to be shared as they are not public information. Additionally, the scope of work from which the prior proposal was developed was not identical to the current solicitation.

1. Can you break down outside costs vs. agency fees for the last cycle of implementation?

Answer: No

32. Is there an incumbent contract associated with this solicitation?

Answer: Yes, see answer to question 29.

33. Is this opportunity a re-competition or new requirement?

Answer: This requirement is a re-competition.

34. If there is an incumbent, is the firm eligible to bid on this opportunity?

Answer: Yes, the incumbent (Plowshare) is eligible to bid on this requirement

35. If so, please provide incumbent's name and past contract number.

Answer: See answer to question 29. Plowshare’s contract number is 200-2012-53469

36. Are there any opportunity gaps whereby subcontractors to the incumbent would be considered or needed?

Answer: Each Contractor (prime) must make a determination as to whether a subcontractor is necessary, i.e., is necessary to enter into a subcontracting agreement.

37. Would the Five (5) Year Roadmap, a communication and marketing plan, and a comprehensive, detailed work plan be due pre- or post-contract award?

Answer: Please see the deliverables table beginning on page 10 of attachment J.3

38. How much time does the contractor have from when the contract is awarded until the contractor would need to begin deploying media assets -

- cross-platform media assets?

Answer: Please see the deliverables table beginning on page 10 of attachment J.3.

39. Does the contractor manage all social media platforms/channels?

Providing twenty (20) images per month is understood, but does the contractor also manage the social media platforms/channels day to day or only provide the content?

Answer: The Contractor provides the content while CDC provides the day to day management of the social media channels.

40. Please further define “product development”.

Answer: Strategic creative materials and messages for all media including television, print, radio, out of home, digital, and online platforms.

41. Please clarify/confirm if the contractor responsible to stay abreast of other cessation, prevention and educational campaigns to foster collaboration and co-partnership/co-sponsorship OR will the client provide preferred partners to the contractor?

Answer: CDC may recommend campaign partners but it is also expected that that the Contractor stays abreast of other cessation, prevention and educational campaigns to foster collaboration and potential partnership work.

42. Is the "technical assistance / training" component a one (1) time effort at the launch of the campaign or will there be on-going training/technical assistance throughout the life of the campaign. Is it quarterly? Annually?

43. Approximately how often is contractor submitting articles and providing editing support to client? We want to ensure that we have fully understood the requirement of an on site writer/editor.

44. In Section M.4 of the Solicitation, page 97 of 102, the solicitation reads:

(d) SOW Organizational Conflicts of Interest: The contractor shall not have a history of nor shall it currently be doing business with tobacco and/or e-cigarette companies, as well as conducting business with organizations selling products or services for smoking cessation.

While we understand the first half of the sentence, we were hoping you could clarify the nature of the second (bolded). Specifically, we have partners with direct experience in the marketing and communication of smoking cessation aids, and feel that with their cooperation could apply direct insights into your target market that might be unavailable otherwise. We also feel that their relationship to us as a subcontractor would mitigate any concerns around conflicting interest in supporting your campaign. Would this partner’s presence on our team disqualify us from supporting this engagement?

Answer: The bolded language is referring to conducting business with organizations, such as pharmaceutical companies, that sell smoking cessation products. The government cannot directly or indirectly endorse one company or their products over another. Any affiliation with the company may imply endorsement. There may be other factors associated with doing business with the company that may influence the contractor to create a campaign that could favor one of the companies’ products.