Questions_and_Answers_Solicitation_17825.pdf

Q&A – Solicitation No. 2016-N-17825

Questions and Answers for Solicitation No. 2016-N -17825. This document includes questions submitted at the pre-proposal conference and question submitted by email from the FedBizOpps website.

PLEASE NOTE: None of the questions submitted at the conference were answered at the conference.

Section B Questions:

1. Section B.2. Contract Type and Services: Is it the Government’s intent to request an assist audit for HUBZONEs without a federally reviewed accounting system for cost reimbursable contracts?

Answer: No

2. Section B.4. Can you clarify the differences in the minimum amounts used in B4 ($10,000) vs.

I.6. ($25,000)

Answer: The Government does not intend to issue a task order for less than $10,000.00. In the event that a task order is issued for less than $10,000.00, the contractor does not have to respond to the Request for Task Order Proposal. The dollar value in I.6. has been changed to $10,000.00

3. Section B.7.2. Cost Reimbursement Note:

Approved Accounting System – The only way to have an approved accounting system is to have gone through a DCAA audit. Contractors cannot request this on their own. My question is: Will the CDC request a pre-award suit in order to ensure the system is compliant?

Reason: If not only contractors that have been through a DCAA audit will be eligible if an

“approved” system is required. Our firm is 100% “compliant” but we have never been audited

Answer: No, the CDC will not request a pre-award suit in order to ensure the system is compliant. The Government may never issue a cost type contract but in the event that the

Government does issue a cost type task order contract then all rules applicable to cost type contracts will apply. The Government will take into consideration the awardee’s ability to respond to a cost type contract and make a decision at that time. This is not a stand-alone cost type contract. This is a hybrid IDIQ contract with the ability to issue all contract types at the task order level.

4. Section B.7.2. Does the prime contractor need to possess DCAA approved accounting system?

Answer: It is not a requirement for the prime contractor to have an approved DCAA accounting system to be awarded the basic IDIQ contract. In the event that the Government issues a cost type contract at the task order level then yes, the prime contractor must have a

DCAA approved accounting system.

5. Does this mean each awardee is guaranteed a minimum of $10,000

Answer: Yes as explained in Section B.5.

6. Section B.7.2. Being that DCAA is currently delaying audits, will the CDC accept a statement that the company follows DCAA standards or some other confirmation?

accounting system to be awarded the basic IDIQ contract. If the Government issues a cost type contract at the task order level then the prime contractor must have a DCAA approved accounting system.

7. With the understanding that the Government may award single or multiple basic contracts based on quality of proposals received, what is the anticipated number of awards CDC intends or would like to make to meet the projected demands of Branch 2, OAS?

Answer: The Government intends to make one or more awards. There is not a predetermined number of awards we intend to make.

8. Ref. Section B.2, p.3. “The intent is to issue two task orders (see Attachments J6 and J7and

Section L herein) upon award of this IDIQ.” Please confirm the Government intends to award

Task Orders for Attachment J6 and J7, respectively, as submitted with the MAPSS proposal, and that no other negotiations pertaining to the two Task Orders will take place after award of the

MAPSS contract.

Answer: The MAPSS contract and the Task Orders will all be awarded at the same time. If necessary all negotiations will take place prior to award.

9. Ref. Section B.4, p.3. Please clarify if the Maximum Order Amount should state $45,000,000 or is it the Government intent that a single Task Order cannot exceed $5,000,000 in value.

Answer: $45,000,000.00 is the Maximum Contract ceiling, the maximum contract value of the IDIQ. $5,000,000.00 is the maximum task order amount meaning the Government will not issue a single task order over $5,000,000.00

10. Ref. Section B.7.2, p.3. “Contractors are required to have a Federal approved cost accounting system for Cost Reimbursable type Orders.” Does the prime contractor have to possess a DCAA-approved accounting system or can a subcontractor with a DCAA-approved accounting system be used for cost-reimbursement Task Orders? If it’s required, can contractor put one in place within

30 day of award?

Answer: It is not a requirement for the prime contractor to have an approved DCAA accounting system to be awarded the basic IDIQ contract. If the Government issues a cost type contract at the task order level then the prime contractor must have a DCAA approved accounting system. Putting one in place within 30 days cannot be determined at this time.

That’s a decision that DCAA will make and they may or may not be able to approve an accounting system within 30 days.

11. Section B.2, Page 2: What is the projected number of basic IDIQ contract awards that CDC will make?

Answer: The Government intends to make one or more awards. There is not a predetermined number of awards we intend to make.

12. B.6 Maximum Contract Value (Page 3): If the ceiling value of $45 million is reached during the

Period of Performance of the IDIQ, will the government increase the celling value?

13. Section B.7.2, page 3: What documentation is required to support the requirement that offerors have a federal approved cost accounting system and provisional billing rates?

Answer: At time of basic contract award nothing, if a cost type contract is issued, this information will be requested at that time.

14. Can the government confirm where this information should be provided in the business proposal?

Answer: Not Applicable

15. Section B.7.3, page 3: Can the government confirm that rates developed and presented in

Attachment J5 are to be based upon T&M/LH?

Answer: Rates provided in Attachment J5 shall be used for both firm-fixed-price and labor hours/time and materials task orders.

16. In your statement of work, section B.7.2 Page Number 3 Paragraph 2, you reference that awardees must have a “Federal Approved Cost Accounting System”. You do not specify that the contractor must have a DCCA written certification. Should bidders assume that a DCCA certification is not a requirement, and that in lieu of a DCCA certification we must provide proof by an accounting firm experienced in government contracting that our systems meet federal accounting system guidelines. NITACC recently used this approach in their CIO-SP3 Ramp-on for small, administratively sound, businesses and it was quite effective.

Answer: It is not a requirement for the prime contractor to have an approved DCAA accounting system to be awarded the basic IDIQ contract. In the event that the Government issues a cost type contract at the task order level then yes, the prime contractor must have a

DCAA approved accounting system. The Government will take into consideration the awardee’s ability to respond to a cost type contract and make a decision at that time.

17. Section B.7.2 Paragraph 2 Page 3 – In order to have a Federal approved cost accounting system, a company must have already participated in cost reimbursable type orders and been audited.

However, until such an order and audit has been performed, a contractor cannot meet the

“Contractors are required…” section of this paragraph, precluding their being able to compete for cost reimbursable task orders.

Will the government modify the requirement for a Federal approved cost accounting system by adding the following: If a contractor does not yet have a Federal approved cost accounting system, the contractor shall describe in detail its cost accounting methodology and how it would meet the requirements of FAR 15.4 and FAR 16.3 in its price submission. Once a cost reimbursable task order is issued, the government will order an audit and the contractor agrees to correct any findings such an audit may find.”

Answer: The CDC will not request a pre-award suit in order to ensure the system is compliant. The Government may never issue a cost type contract but in the event that the

Government does issue a cost type task order contract then all rules applicable to cost type contracts will apply. The Government will take into consideration the awardee’s ability to respond to a cost type contract and make a decision at that time. This is not a stand-alone cost type contract. This is a hybrid IDIQ contract with the ability to issue all contract types at the task order level. It is not a requirement for the prime contractor to have an approved

DCAA accounting system to be awarded the basic IDIQ contract. In the event that the

Government issues a cost type contract at the task order level then yes, the prime contractor must have a DCAA approved accounting system.

18. How many awards are contemplated?

Section C Questions

1. In Section C.4. Should the proposal address all three task areas or can it focus on one or two or all three?

Answer: The proposal must address all three task areas at the basic contract level.

2. Security Page 8, what percentage of tasks are anticipated to require Clearance?

Answer: This will be determined at the task order level.

3. Security Page 8, given the urgency of some task orders, will some type of interim clearance be granted while security clearance is processed

Answer: This will be determined at the task order level.

4. C.6.K. refers to employees who provided services under other contracts. Are there specific contracts or CDC IDIQ vehicles that the Government intends to replace with this contract? Please provide the contractors and contract numbers

Answer: No. This is a new requirement.

5. C.6 (d) Security. Does the prime contractor need to have Security Clearance or just the personnel we provide? If the offeror DOES need to have security clearance would it count if our

Subcontractor has security clearance?

Answer: All personnel whether prime or subcontractor should have security clearance if required at the task order level

6. Section C.1, C.3, Page 5-6: Are the CIOs listed on pages 5 and 6 the only CIOs that will use this

IDIQ contract?

Answer: Yes

7. Section C.6.L, page 10: Can the government provide a list of incumbent contracts and resultant task orders that will be transitioning to the MAPSS IDIQ contract vehicle? This is required for awardees to comply with the section requirements.

Answer: No. This cannot be determined at this time. The only known task orders at this time are Attachment J6 and J7. There is no incumbent for Attachment J6. The incumbent for Attachment J7 is Deloitte.

Section F Questions

How do onsite at CDC FTEs affect HUBZone status?

Answer: Questions about the HUBZone status should be addressed with SBA to make sure you are compliant within the terms and conditions of your HUBZone certification.

Section H Questions

1. Section H.40. HUBZone Joint Venture: Do both parties have to be HUBZone? If SBA changes rules before proposal will it change for this contract? i.e. if it becomes okay for one party to be

HUBZone and one not HUBZone for joint venture, will that apply to this contract?

Answer: Both parties must be HUBZone. If SBA changes the rules, whatever the effective date of the change will determine if it will apply to the award. The offeror is advised to read

FAR 19.1 – Size Standards

2. Section H.32. How will the Government evaluate the overhead rates for onsite and offsite rates required?

Answer: The Government will not evaluate each cost element. The Government will do a price analysis.

3. Section H.40. HUBZone Joint Ventures – Are you going to allow HUBZone joint ventures to submit proposals for this opportunity?

Answer: Yes, so long as both parties are in compliance with the HUBZone rules for joint

Ventures. The offeror is advised to read FAR 19.1 – Size Standards

4. H.10 Additional Labor Categories, pg 26. Attachment J4 - Labor Categories, Descriptions/Duties, and Qualifications/Education. Will the contracting officer provide a full list of basic labor categories to which the offeror appends specific additional labor categories needed to meet the stated and anticipated task work?

Answer: No, the offeror should propose ALL labor categories it deems necessary to perform all required task per Attachment J4.

5. Ref. Section H.7, p.24. Please confirm there are no Key Personnel required for the MAPSS contract, but instead, Key Personnel are designated at the Task Order level.

Answer: Key Personnel should be determined at the contract level to manage the basic contract. Key personnel at the task order level should be different and only be applied at the task order level

6. Ref. Section H.9, P.25. “The “total loaded rates” (consisting of base salary, overhead, Fringe, G&A and profit rates) provided as attachment 5 and 6 will be utilized for submission of task order proposals during the entire contract period (including option periods).” Please clarify if the reference to “attachment 5 and 6” should be Attachment J5. Otherwise, please provide attachments 5 and 6.

Answer: See revised Solicitation to provide the correct Attachment number which should only be Attachment J5.

7. Ref. Section H.32, p.39. Please clarify in which proposal volume the Government wants Offerors to include the Overhead rate tables.

Answer: It should be listed in the Business Proposal

8. Section H.9, page 25: Does the government mean total loaded rates provided for Attachment 5 instead of Attachments 5 and 6?

Answer: See revised Solicitation, to provide the correct Attachment number which should only be Attachment J5.

9. Section H.32, page 38-39: Can the government confirm that the table provided in this section is the same as Attachment J5?

Answer: No. The table provided in this section addresses overhead rates. Attachment J5 are the contractor’s fully loaded rates for both fixed price and time and materials contracts.

10. Page 25 of 87, Section H.9, Personnel Rates Table, states: “The “total loaded rates” (consisting of base salary, overhead, Fringe, G&A and profit rates) provided as attachment 5 and 6 will be utilized for submission of task order proposals during the entire contract period (including option periods).

These fixed hourly rates must be used when preparing a proposal for submission to the

Government. The rates will apply to both firm-fixed-price task orders and time and material task orders. Therefore, the offeror should provide a separate table for the firm-fixed price rates and a separate table for the time and material rates. Proposed labor categories should only include labor anticipated to support the types of requirements described in the performance work statement for the basic contract (see Section 'C' of the solicitation)” Attachment J5 states: “The following labor categories and fully burdened labor rates shall be used for all firm-fixed price (FFP) and time and material/labor hours (T&M/LH) task orders issued under this IDIQ contract.” First question:

Attachment 6 is not a labor rate table. Should it be taken from Section H.9? Please clarify. Second question: Is an offeror to submit two separate Attachment 5s, one for FFP task orders and one for

T&M/LH task orders? Please clarify.

Answer: See revised Solicitation, to provide the correct Attachment number which should only be Attachment J5. Attachment J5 are the contractor’s fully loaded rates for both fixed price and time and materials contracts.

11. Page 39 of 87, Section H.32, Facilities, states: “Each task order will stipulate whether on-site or off-site performance, or both, is required as well as fixed price or time and material. Different locations may affect an offeror’s overhead rate. Consequently, the Offeror shall complete the table below providing both on site and off site overhead rates for both fixed price and time and material rates.” Below this statement are two tables, one for Fixed Price Overhead Rates and one for Time and Material Overhead rates. Is a contractor required to complete these tables and submit them with the original proposal to the Government? Please clarify. If they are to be submitted, where specifically are they to be submitted? Please clarify.

Answer: Yes, It should be listed in the Business Proposal

12. Section H.38 (a) places a salary limitation on the direct salary that a contractor can use contract funds to pay. The salary limitation is the Federal Executive Services Schedule Level II in effect.

For 2015, that salary maximum is $183,300. The Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2015 reports that the average compensation for Physicians in the United States are in excess of that figure, with a low of $189,000 for a Pediatrician, and a high of $421,000 for an Orthopedic

Specialist. This salary limitation will make recruiting qualified physicians, especially those with certain specialties, extremely difficult. We recommend that this clause be removed from the solicitation.

Answer: No, this is a mandated clause and cannot be removed from the solicitation

13. H.43 states “the Government also reserves the right to on ramp new HUBZone contractors. Will the on ramping occur through a competitive process? If not how will firms be selected for on ramping?

Answer: Yes. That process will determined at a later time.

14. Are there any personnel that the government deems key to this requirement?

Answer: Key Personnel should be determined at the contract level to manage the basic contract. Key personnel at the task order level should be different and only be applied at the task order level. It is up to the offeror to determine key personnel

Section I Questions

1. FAR Clause 52.232-20 is not listed;

Answer: This clause is listed under Section I in the Cost-Reimbursement Clause section.

2. FAR Clause 52.219-14 Limitation on Subcontracting –

a. Will the 50% rule be applied to each task order, or to the entire contract? Specifically, can an individual task below 50% if the entire contract is above 50%?

Answer: The 50% rule will be applied to the IDIQ level.

b. Is it required at the Contract level as opposed to the Task Order level? Example: one Task

Order might fall below 50%, however, the overall Contract Level is above 50% (due to other task orders).

c. Is it OK to fall below 50% as long as there is a corrective action plan? Example: Surge staffing requires the use of a staffing firm. Traditional staffing arrangements have staffing firm ‘own’ the person for 6 months, at which point the individual is converted to Prime

Contractor at no fee. This initial 6 month period could fall below the 50%, but then jump back above the 50% after the 6 months.

d. Will this be tracked / reported on an annual basis?

Answer: Yes, this is tracked and reported by SBA. SBA determines how often this information is tracked and reported. Please consult SBA for this answer.

e. Is there any restriction on use of Large Business subcontractors or teammates?

Answer: Please refer to FAR 52.219-14(c)(1).

Section J Questions

1. For Attachment J.2. Does the past performance need to be all from prime contractors or is subcontractor past performance acceptable.

Answer: It’s up to the offeror to decided what past performance to provide

2. Is it necessary that the offeror have prime contractor past performance? This would help to differentiate start-up HUBzone companies from established “serious” firms. Please clarify

3. For Attachment J.5. Does the offeror need to have approved provisional rates from the

Government? Firms with approved cost accounting systems should have indirect rates approved by the Government?

Answer: All rates should be approved by DCAA

4. Section J.2. Can we submit more than 3 past performance references

Answer: Three are required but more can be submitted. For each narrative submitted there should be a corresponding past\present performance questionnaire. The narrative can be from the prime contractor or the subcontractor. The page limit for the narrative is 5 pages total regardless of the number of narratives described or if the narrative is for the prime contractor or the subcontractor. Therefore, submitting more than 3 narratives within the required 5 page limit is acceptable and submitting more than 3 corresponding past\present performance questionnaires is also acceptable.

5. Section J.7. Is there a preference for local ventures? What is approximate percentage of contractors working on site?

Answer: The Government has no preference in regards to local ventures. Place of performance for Attachment J7 is off-site and at an Atlanta CDC office as needed.

6. Attachment J6 & J7: Do contractors have to bid on both task orders?

Answer: Yes

7. Is it necessary to respond to both task orders? Could we choose between one of the task orders?

Answer: The offeror must propose on both task orders

8. Do we need to submit past performance separately for both Attachments J6 & J7 task order for the IDIQ?

Answer: Per Section L.15, past performance is only required for the Basic Contract

9. Do past performance need to be specific to task areas in general or specific task order (e.g. past performance for PM consulting be submitted for Task Area 1 or 2 or TO B)

Answer: Per Section L.15, past performance is only required for the Basic Contract

10. Can subcontractor/teammate past performances be used? Will prime contractor past performances be rated higher? If not, what would prevent a HUBZone company from just being a front for other companies? Could at least 2 past performances be required of the Prime? (HubZone companies)

11. On the references table-what/who’s info are you requesting for “business name of ref and address and who is the POC?

Answer: Your past performance reference information should go here. Whoever you ask to send a past performance reference this is where their information will go

12. Can you please provide the specific location of work for Attachment J6 & J7?

Answer: For Attachment J6 the location is at an Atlanta CDC office. For Attachment J7 the specific location is at the contractor’s site and at an Atlanta CDC office as needed

13. What are the total number of references allowed?

Answer: Three are required per proposal submission but more can be submitted. It is up to the offeror to decide if past performance information will come from the prime or the subcontractor or both. For each narrative submitted there should be a corresponding past\present performance questionnaire. The narrative can be from the prime contractor or the subcontractor. The page limit for the narrative is 5 pages total regardless of the number of narratives described or if the narrative is for the prime contractor or the subcontractor. Therefore, submitting more than 3 narratives within the required 5 page limit is acceptable and submitting more than 3 corresponding past\present performance questionnaires is also acceptable

14. Can all 3 references come from teaming partners?

15. Task Order A (Attachment J6) Title: Professional, Technical and Scientific Support Service for the Arthritis and Epilepsy, pg. 73-74. What proportion of actual task work will employ the specific skills and subject matter expertise of epilepsy and arthritis named in Sample Task Order

A?

Answer: Offeror should be knowledgeable of the capabilities in order to complete the tasks outlined in the SOW.

16. Task Order B (Attachment J7) Title: Division of State and Local Readiness (DSLR) Strategic

Planning Support Services. Page 74. What proportion of actual task work will employ the specific knowledge and capabilities of DSLR named in Sample Task Order B?

Answer: Offeror should be knowledgeable of the capabilities in order to complete the tasks outlined in the SOW.

17. Attachment J4. Labor Categories, Descriptions/Duties, and Qualifications/Education. Do the

Labor Categories supporting Tasks A and B require professionals and specialists trained and certified in the named specific diseases? One interpretation of the RFP could mean that an experienced epidemiologists and/or biostatisticians could suffice to perform the required support services of analysis and reporting on existing data.

Answer: The RFP states examples of what categories of services may be included. It is up to the offeror to include ALL labor categories it identifies as necessary to perform all tasks.

Please refer back to Attachment J4.

18. Ref. Attachment J6, p.2-6. Please clarify if Offerors are to propose a firm fixed price in Section B of Attachment J6 for Task Order A.

Answer: Yes, this is a firm-fixed-price type task order contract

19. Ref. Attachment J6. Given Task Order A is a firm-fixed price Task Order, would the Government provide historical or anticipated workload data for Task Order A to enable Offerors to scope out the level of effort and staffing in order to be responsive to RFP requirements?

Answer: The offeror is asked to provide their best estimate in regards to level of effort and staffing for Task Order A.

20. Ref. Attachment J7, p.2. Please clarify if Offerors are to propose a Time and Material cost in

Section B of Attachment J7 for Task Order B.

Answer: Yes, this is a time and materials type task order contract

21. Ref. Attachment J7. Would the Government provide historical or anticipated workload data for

Task Order B to enable Offerors to scope out the level of effort and staffing in order to be responsive to RFP requirements?

Answer: The offeror is asked to provide their best estimate in regards to level of effort and staffing for Task Order B.

22. Task Order A: The solicitation indicates Task Order A should be conducted onsite. Is there any flexibility in this requirement?

Answer: Core Tasks must be conducted on-site. Optional Tasks must be conducted on-site

a. Would it be acceptable to conduct analyses of secondary data remotely from the contractor’s location?

Answer: Core Tasks must be conducted on-site. Optional Tasks must be conducted on-site

b. If analyses of restricted use data are required and remote access to these data is not permitted, could these analyses be conducted at the National Center for Health Statistics’ Research Data

Center?

Answer: The Epilepsy Program has no intention to use restricted data from the NCHS RDC in the proposed analyses outlined in the SOW.

c. If all work must be conducted onsite at CDC, could this work be conducted at either CDC’s

Washington (DC) office or at CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics campus in

Hyattsville, MD?

Answer: Core Tasks must be conducted on-site. Optional Tasks must be conducted on-site

23. For task order A, will the work be performed solely by the contractor or will other partners be involved (e.g., state health departments, national organizations, universities)? If so, what % of the effort will be performed by the other partners?

Answer: All tasks outlined by the Epilepsy Program in this SOW will be conducted solely by the selected contractor.

24. In Task Order A, Task 1, #h, how many student health profiles are needed? What is the frequency?

Answer: The task specifies conducting analysis on a survey called the School Health Profiles

Survey. Four epilepsy questions were included on the 2013 School Health Profiles Survey.

The contractor must obtain the dataset, and provide descriptive statistics describing the frequency of responses to the questions by state, school or school district type, and possibly

1-2 additional independent variables yet to be identified by the CDC Epilepsy Program.

The survey does not ask student-level data, and therefore no student health profiles are needed.

25. In Task Order A, Task 1, #e, is this new analysis or is it an update to previous analyses?

Answer: These are new analyses

26. In Task Order A, Task 1, #g, what is the total number of how many literature reviews it wants conducted?

Answer: As noted in the SOW, “a” literature review is needed, indicating one. The contractor will be expected to use PubMed, OVID, EMBASE, and Google to identify relevant articles from 2000-2016 to use in the environmental scan.

27. Given that Task Order A is firm fixed price, does the CDC want the optional tasks to be included in the pricing?

Answer: Yes.

28. For Attachment J6, Task Order A, who is the incumbent currently performing this work? Is the current incumbent allowed to bid on this work?

Answer: This is a new requirement. There is not an incumbent

29. For Attachment J7, Task Order B, who is the incumbent currently performing this work? Is the current incumbent allowed to bid on this work?

Answer: Deloitte. For the purposes of this IDIQ and any resultant task orders, only those who qualify as a HUBZone can bid on this IDIQ contract but teaming and subcontracting are allowed.

30. Can the government provide the incumbent contractor and contract number for the core and optional tasks defined in the Task Order A?

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

31. Task Order A - Reference Page 8, Section C.4., given the unknown number or reports required in section c.4.1.b and the unknown refinement required in section c.4.1.c can the government amend to the Task Order to be a Time and Materials based contract to ensure accurate and equitable pricing?

Answer: No, this is a firm-fixed-price type contract.

32. Task Order A - Page 8, Section C.4.1.i , can the government provide a date for the national epilepsy meeting?

Answer: Travel requirements are currently unknown. Therefore, an estimate of $2,000 per year has been allotted for travel expenses.

33. Task Order A - Can prime bidders utilize the past performance of subcontractors?

Answer: This is at the offeror’s discretion

34. Task Order A - Can the government provide an estimated cost range?

Answer: No, the offeror should provide its best cost estimate.

35. Task Order A - Core Task 1 item a – Does the client already have in-access to the data sets mentioned that will be available to the consultants?

36. Task Order A - Core Task 1 item a – Can the government provide some example of the sub-sets of data that may be needed to complete the required analyses?

Answer: Data subsets will include different epilepsy groups, for example, those with a history of the disorder, or those currently reporting seizures, or under treatment. These groups might be further subset by sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, sex, race-ethnicity), and access to care variables (eg., seen epilepsy specialist in the past year).

37. Task Order A - Core Task 1 item a – Is the government open to the use of other statistical software to complete these analyses, including open source tools such as R?

Answer: Yes if the offeror provides evidence of contractor’s independent expertise in use of software such as R, STATA, EpiInfo, etc. (e.g, peer-reviewed publications in which the offeror used R, STATA to analyze complex survey data). (CDC will not mentor contractor on statistical software syntax for project analysis.)

38. Task Order A - Core Task 1 item a – Can the government elaborate on the importance of, and desired methods for, visualizing the data, i.e., presentations, charts, etc.

Answer: The offeror will be expected to develop charts (e.g., bar charts; line graphs) or tables for use in peer-reviewed journal publications, Epilepsy Program web site, or in staff

PowerPoint presentations. The importance of data lies in conveying research findings visually for ease of interpretation by readers.

39. Task Order A - Core Task 1 item d – What is the timeline for creation from inception to deployment (right now it looks like 2 weeks)?

Answer: The timeline for an Epilepsy and Behavior “Epilepsy by the Numbers” draft feature should be 2 weeks. The feature generally includes 1-2 dependent variables (e.g., percent with activity limitation; percent with access to the Internet; percent who saw an epilepsy specialist in the past 12 months), and 3-5 independent variables (e.g., people with epilepsy by age; sex, race-ethnicity).

40. Task Order A - Core Task 1 item e – Can the government clarify that by the term “Apply these estimates to the latest U.S. Census estimates” you mean to extrapolate the estimates we find in the survey to the general population

Answer: The offeror will be expected to extrapolate estimates of epilepsy burden from national surveys to the general population in all US states and territories. The offeror shall use the latest U.S. Census estimates (July annual reports) to determine the state population

0-17 years of age (children) and 18+ years of age (adults). The offeror will apply epilepsy burden estimates by age to state populations (e.g., multiply 0.6% to the population of children living in one state; multiple 1.0% to the population of adults living in one state).

41. Task Order A - Core Task 1 item f – Will we be providing manuscript writing support for on-going investigations or will it begin with this project? Would this require working with data that is PHI/PII?

Answer: The offeror will work on new analyses. The contractor who will conduct analyses will be expected to develop the methods and results section of manuscripts (at minimum).

The contractor can, however, serve as a first author on publications should he or she wish to do so. As such, the contractor is expected to independently draft a manuscript. All writing should be in compliance with proper English grammar.

42. Task Order A - Core Task 1 item g – Can the government provide a rationale as to why they prefer mixed-methods (maybe provide historical or professional standard context) ?

Answer: Previously applied evaluation methods for community-based educational programs, and broad public awareness campaigns focused on limited, cross-sectional pre-and post-test designs.

43. Task Order A - Core Task 1 item g – Can the government clarify the scale of things they’d like to evaluate (what is the most granular level – people, projects, orgs, cities, etc.)

Answer: The offeror will be expected to provide consultation on the evaluation of educational programs such as the “Seniors and Seizures” Initiative which teaches adult day-care and senior-serving organizations about epilepsy. The initiative is implemented in communities across the country. The contractor will be expected to provide consultation on the evaluation of broad public awareness campaigns delivered via traditional and social media. For a detailed overview of the types of programs requiring evaluation, please see:

Price P, Kobau R, Austin J, Buelow J, Lowenberg K. Improving understanding, promoting social inclusion and fostering empowerment related to epilepsy: Epilepsy Foundation public awareness campaigns - 2001 through 2013. Epilepsy Behav. 2015;44;239-44. DOI:

10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.12.044.

44. Task Order A - Optional Task 1 item c – can the government clarify if the review we are to conduct is for publication or standard release to the public, i.e. directly though the CDC instead of through a research journal?

Answer: The review could be for release for either publication or to the public because both require an assessment of the adequacy of statistical methods used.

45. Task Order A - Education Requirements “beyond master’s degree” – can the government clarify if they are looking for experienced statisticians in addition to having a master’s degree or is the government looking only for PhD level statisticians? Or Statisticians with 5-7 years’ experience?

Answer: The Government is looking for statisticians with both proficiency and experience in the listed items. Such proficiency and experience is likely to occur after several years of statistical work and could be acquired at either degree level.

46. Task Order A - Education Requirements, we note that the government requires skill sets in interval-censored data. This method of survival analysis is easier to complete using tools in the R statistical suite; would the government be open to this tool set?

Task Order A - Answer: Yes, if it is compatible with the SAS programming that is the mainstay of the CDC programming we use

47. Task Order A - Education Requirements – can the government clarify what they mean by multilevel models; hierarchical linear models, nested models, etc.?

Answer: It means hierarchical linear models and nested models, including those required for analyzing complex surveys.

51. Can the government provide the incumbent contractor and contract number for the core and optional tasks defined in the Task Order B?

Answer: Deloitte; Contract No. 200-2013-F-56836

52. Task Order B - Can prime bidders utilize the past performance of subcontractors?

53. Task Order B - Can the government provide an estimated cost range?

Answer: No, the offeror should provide its best cost estimate

54. Task Order B - On page 5 the government indicates “iii. Support branch coordination through communication systems improvement (via SharePoint or other platform and training)”; does this mean by potentially posting information or videos on such a platform and NOT by conducting

SharePoint development to build sharepoint sites?

Answer: It means potentially posting and updating information on the DSLR SharePoint site.

55. Task Order B - On Page 5 under capabilities refinement, government indicates “4.Provide ongoing technical and operational support for the MCM ORR feedback survey to be collected from 62 awardees”… can you clarify if consultant is required to assist with developing or gathering data from the survey?

Answer: Provide analysis of the data

56. Task Order B - On page 6, can you clarify how ‘i.Coordinate and support Grant Alignment

Project management activities of CDC with the IT Project Management activities conducted by

Agency for Children and Families (ACF) Grants Management Center of Excellence in the design, build and implementation of the “Program Solutions” program support software.” Aligns with implementation of Grants Solutions Grants Module activities?

Answer: This activity would assist program under grant alignment to ensure that the business needs of the division are captured and detailed in useable formats so our IT partners can use this information as our long-term solution is being developed. The outcome of this initiative is in support of an integrated system that would reside on the same framework as Grants Solutions and its associated modules such as Announcement and

Grants Management Modules.

57. Task Order B - On page 7, can you clarify that surge support is intended to be in addition to the current funding levels of the contract and if allowances will be made to scope completion based on potentially competing surge support activities.

Answer: Surge support has been removed from Task Order B.

58. Attachment J6 - Should the offeror add a travel CLIN to capture the $2,000.00 per year allocation?

Answer: A Travel CLIN was included in Section B for each year and should be added with you total cost for the task order

59. Attachment J6 - Is there an incumbent currently performing this work that potentially could transition over to a MAPSS awardee? If so, who?

Answer: No this is a new task order

60. Attachment J6 - What is the process to obtain a custodial account from the CDC property custodian?

Answer: This is not relevant for proposal submission. Instructions for obtaining a custodial account will be provided after award

61. Task Order J7 - Can the government confirm that there is no anticipated travel for this task order?

Answer: Yes, we can confirm there is no anticipated travel for this task order.

62. Attachment J-7 Is there an incumbent currently performing this work that potentially could transition over to a MAPSS awardee? If so, who?

Answer: Deloitte. For the purposes of this IDIQ, only those who qualify as a HUBZone can submit a proposal for this IDIQ contract and the resulting task orders but teaming and subcontracting is allowed.

63. Attachment J6 - Optional Tasks: Estimated Period of Performance: September 30, 2016 –

September 29, 2017. The periods of performance in the tables in Section B and in C.4 are different. Please clarify the periods of performance for the Optional Tasks for the Base Year and

Option Years.

Answer: Please see REVISED Attachment J6

64. Attachment J6 and J7: Where should Section B of the task orders be placed in the volume II -business proposal?

Answer: Yes, the Business Proposal

65. This question refers to Attachment J6 – Task Order A. Since this is an actual task order, is there an incumbent currently performing the work? If so, could you name the incumbent contractor?

Answer: There is no incumbent, this is a new task order

66. This question refers to Attachment J6 – Task Order A. Could you provide the level of effort expected for this task order? For example, the number of expected hours to perform this task order, the number of anticipated staff needed, and/or the quantity of work in each of the core work requirements.

Answer: Offerors should propose their best effort to what they determine to be the appropriate mix of hours, staff and quantity of work in terms of hours, anticipated staff and quantity of work

67. This question refers to Attachment J7 – Task Order B. Since this is an actual task order, is there an incumbent currently performing the work? If so, could you name the incumbent contractor?

Answer: Deloitte

68. This question refers to Attachment J7 – Task Order B. Could you provide the level of effort expected for this task order? For example, the number of expected hours to perform this task order, the number of anticipated staff needed, and/or the quantity of work in each of the core work requirements.

Answer: The offeror should provide its best estimate in terms of hours, anticipated staff and

69. Regarding Attachment J4 in Volume I – Technical Proposals (Section L.13 of the RFP):

a. Should the Attachment be placed within Subfactor 2 of A. General Contract?

Answer: Per the instructions in Attachment J4, it states that Attachment J4 should be included in Volume I – Section 1 – Technical Proposal Basic Contract

b. If not, should this be placed at the end of the Volume as an attachment?

Answer: Per the instructions in Attachment J4, it states that Attachment J4 should be included in Volume I – Section 1 – Technical Proposal Basic Contract

70. Regarding Attachments J6 and J7: each attachment features a pricing section (Section B –

Supplies or services and prices/costs) within the attachment.

c. Is the vendor expected to place the pricing features within a response?

Answer: Yes

d. If so, where shall the pricing information be placed?

Answer: In the business proposal

71. In Attachment J6 , page 2, our understanding is one professional is required towards the service for “Professional, Technical and Scientific Support Services for Arthritis and Epilepsy”, please confirm.

Answer: The offeror is encouraged to read the entire statement of work to determine how many employees are required to complete the required tasks.

72. Attachment J7, DSLR Strategic Planning Support Services, Section B, Supplies or Services and

Prices/Costs shows the Base Year period of performance as September 25, 1016 –September 26, 2017; First Option Year period of performance as September 25, 2017 – September 26, 2018; and

Third Option Year period of performance as September 25, 2019 – September 26, 2020. It seems as though September 25, 2018 – September 26, 2019 was skipped. Is this Task Order supposed to be only the base period with two option periods? Please clarify. If it is supposed to either have only two option periods or three or more option periods, could the Government please provide a revised

Section B for Attachment J7?

Answer: The period of performance is One Base Year and Two Option Years. The period of performance for Option Year Two should be September 25, 2018 – September 26, 2019. See revised Attachment J7

73. Can you provide funding ranges for the Task Orders?

Answer: No, the contractor should provide its best cost estimate

74. Attachments J6 and J7: Do these task orders reflect work being conducted under current contracts? If so, please provide the contract number(s).

Answer: There is no incumbent for Attachment J6. The incumbent for Attachment J7 is

Deloitte. The contract number is 200-2013-F-56836

75. Ref. Section C.12, p.12. “The QASP will be defined at the task order level.” Given the requirement to describe quality control plans for each Task Order (ref. Section C.9.a), would the

Government provide the QASP for Task Order A (Attachment J6) and Task Order B (Attachment

J7) as these are awardable Task Orders upon award of the MAPSS contract?

Answer: The QASP was provided for Attachment J7. The QASP will be provided for

Attachment J6, Task Order A. See revised attachment J6.

76. Page 11 of 87, Section C.9, Contractor Quality Control, second paragraph states: “A description of the quality control inspection plan shall be provide as part of the Offeror’s task order technical proposal.” It further states: “The plan must be included as part of the contractor’s proposal…”

Where in the task order proposal is the quality control plan to be included? Does this quality control plan count against the 10 page limit for the task order proposal? Is the quality control plan required to be submitted for each task order proposal? Please clarify.

Answer: The quality control plan is not required for Attachment J6 and J7 and has been removed from the Solicitation. The Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) was provided for Attachment J7, Task Order B on page 10. The QASP will be provided for

Attachment J6, Task Order A. See revised attachment J6.

77. Attachment J7 C.7 Government Furnished Property:"The government will not be responsible for providing office space allocation; there are limited hoteling spaces available (usually desktop computers are available at hotel spaces). The contractor will provide necessary on-site computer equipment and related software to complete work. Wireless Internet access is available at CDC campuses, however the contractor should come prepared with necessary technology in case of internet connectivity issues. "The 1st page of the task order says onsite. However, C.7 says workspace will not be provided. Please clarify on which site will work be performed.

Answer: Contractors should perform the work offsite unless needed to meet requirements pertaining to organizational analysis which may require onsite facilitation. Contract staff who do come onsite for these types of meetings will be able to have access to DSLR hoteling space. Work performed for CDC on the CDC campus should be done using a CDC desktop and via the CDC network. Work performed outside of CDC can be completed using the vendor’s computer equipment.

78. Attachment J5 – Can we provide this in MS Excel Format?

79. Attachment J5 - Should we insert period of performance dates in the columns?

Answer: This is at the discretion of the offeror

80. Attachment J7 - The 1st page of the task order says onsite. However, C.7 says workspace will not be provided. Please clarify on which site will work be performed.

Answer: Contractors should perform the work offsite unless needed to meet requirements pertaining to organizational analysis which may require onsite facilitation. Contract staff who do come onsite for these types of meetings will be able to have access to DSLR hoteling space. Work performed for CDC on the CDC campus should be done using a CDC desktop and via the CDC network. Work performed outside of CDC can be completed using the vendor’s computer equipment.

81. Will these task orders be awarded, or are they sample task orders for evaluation purposes only?

Answer: These task orders will be awarded. They are not sample task orders

82. Please identify any incumbents performing currently any services contained in Task Orders A and/or B

Answer: There is no incumbent for Attachment J6. The incumbent for Attachment J7 is

Deloitte. The contract number is 200-2013-F-56836

83. Attachment J2 - In the Reference Information Table, whose Business Name of reference & address is this referring to, and who should be listed as the POC

Answer: Your past performance reference information should go here. Whoever you ask to send a past performance reference this is where their information will go

Section K Questions

1. Firms could be HUBZone certified without the capability or resources to perform the work for this 45million dollar IDIQ. Would the Government verify that the certs and reps in Section K is compared against the SAM report and to determine the annual sales and number of employees for the offeror?

Section L Questions

1. In Section L.12(c) See Attachment 4, Where is Attachment 4?

Answer: Attachment 4 is the same as Attachment J4. Please see revised Section L.12.(c)

2. Section L 11:Text included in illustrations, charts, graphics, tables or diagrams may be no less than 8pt and shall not exceed 30 words. To answer Attachment J4 created we will exceed 30 words. Would you take the not to exceed 30 words? Our standard org chart exceeds 30 words.

Answer: No. Please note that Attachment J4 is not a chart. Attachment J4 is your listing of your proposed labor categories, description/duties, and qualifications/education for the procurement. So the 30 word chart rule does not apply here. Additionally, there is no page limit for Attachment J4 and no limit on the number of labor categories you can propose.

3. Section L.15. If we submit more than 3 past performance. Do we need to submit more than 3 references? In other words, do we have to submit references for past performance if we are submitting more than 3 past performances

Answer: Yes. For each narrative submitted there should be a corresponding past\present performance questionnaire. The narrative can be from the prime contractor or the subcontractor. The page limit for the narrative is 5 pages total regardless of the number of narratives described or if the narrative is for the prime contractor or the subcontractor.

Therefore, submitting more than 3 narratives within the required 5 page limit is acceptable and submitting more than 3 corresponding past\present performance questionnaires is also acceptable.

4. Section L, Subfactor 3: Is there a limit on the number of key personnel we propose?

5. Section…