List of Qs and As SHEPheRD IDIQ.pdf

SHEPheRD IDIQ Questions and Answers (Qs & As)

RFP General

1. Question: Can the government review our portfolio and determine if we are eligible or competitive for this requirement?

Answer: No. All Offerors that are registered in SAMs, and their work falls under the NCAIS codes listed are elgible to apply.

2. Question: Are foreign vendors elgible to apply?

Answer: All Offerors that are registered in SAMs, and their work falls under the NCAIS codes listed are elgible to apply.

3. Question: Can you provide the titles and brief summaries of the task orders awarded under the previous SHEPheRD IDIQ awarded in 2016? Public records indicate 29 task orders but many lack titles or descriptions.

Answer: Previous task orders awarded can be viewed at www.fpds.gov.

4. Question: Will at least one award be made in response to each sample task order? How many awards do you anticipate making in response to each sample task order?

Answer: Multiple awards can be made from each of the sample task order in FY21. However, all awards are subject to the availability of funds.

5. Question: Do you anticipate future task orders may include quantitative analysis of secondary data? What secondary data sources are likely/anticipated (e.g. NHSN, Medicare/Medicaid claims)? Would this work be issued under domain 1, domain 3, or potentially either domain?

Answer: At this time, we cannot anticipate specific data analysis needs unless specified within the domain overview or sample request for task order proposal (RFTOP). Data source and analysis needs are not limited to NHSN or Medicare/Medicaid claims or one specific domain.

Multiple domains could include task order requirements for this type of analysis.

6. Question: Is there an average number of qualified staff included for application for vendors?

Answer: There is no average number of qualified staff required for proposals. Offerors should staff according the level of effort and proposed scope of work.

7. Question: Regarding the SHEPheRD master contract overall. We would like to confirm that being an existing pre-qualified CDC contractor under the NOFO CK:20-2003 does not already allow us the opportunity to submit bids for RFTOP contracts that would be offered to organizations awarded contractor status under the SHEPheRD program.

Answer: Award under a Cooperative Agreement (e.g. CK20-2003) or another contract mechanism is not a qualification for inclusion within the SHEPheRD 2021-2026 IDIQ. Only those organizations awarded as a prime vendor under SHEPheRD 2021-2026 will be eligible to submiidit bids for RFTOP under their IDIQ contract. Note: Any vendor can be a subcontractor to an exisiting SHEPheRD prime vendor.

http://www.fpds.gov/

8. Question: We would like to know if a consortium of organizations could apply together as a single vendor, or if there needs to be a single organization that acts as prime contractor with the others as subcontractors?

Answer: Only one Offeror will be awarded as a prime vendor under the SHEPheRD 2021-2026 IDIQ and will be eligible to submit bids for the RFTOP.

9. Question: Regarding the Past Performance Questionnaires. There is some apparently conflicting instructions in the main RFP document. On page 8 (section C3) it is stated that each domain must have “at least 2 past performance references specific to each domain”. However later in the RFP (page 100, section L.2.14) states that “Offerors shall submit a list of up to three (3) Government contracts (prime and major sub-contracts) in performance”. These appear to be incompatible if more than 1 domain is being applied to. How many past performance references are actually necessary for each domain, and how many can be included in the overall SHEPheRD master contract application? Additionally, must a certain number of past performance references be unique to each domain, or can past performance references be shared between domains as long as there are a prescribed number of references submitted for each domain?

Answer: Offerors should submit a minimum of two (2) but no more than three (3) past performances references per domain. Past performance references should include work of similar scale and/or scope relevant to each domain. Offeror can provide the same reference for multiple domains, as long as they highlight the past performance unique to each proposed domain.

10. Question: We would like to know if past performance references can or cannot include federal grants of similar size and scope to the SHEPheRD contracts, as well as contracts with the federal government?

Answer: Past performance references can include federal grants or contracts of similar scale and/or scope but relevant to respective domain. Past performance in contracting will make the proposal more competitive.

11. Question: Given that certain sections are noted as being able to be shared among the applied domains. I would like to confirm which sections can have information shared between domains, referencing the proposal format starting on Page 91 (section L.2.12).

Answer: Please refer to page 8, “When applying for multiple domains…”. See change 3 and 4 of Amendment 1. When proposing for multiple domains, Offeror shall provide a separate Parts C1, D1, E2, and F1 for each domain proposed. All other Parts, A-1, A-2, B-1, and E-1 are combined for all domains proposed.”

12. Question: Are Co-Principal Investigators/Co-Directors allowable on the IDIQ contract (e.g., Volume I Technical Proposal)? The lead contract PI/Director is employed at the prime site.

Answer: Offerors must specify Key Personnel and respective Labor Categories of personnel who will carry out the requirements of the prime vendor and task orders scope and deliverables.

13. Question: On future task orders released under SHEPheRD, are prime sites allowed to engage with subcontractors not named in the IDIQ Technical proposal?

Answer: Yes. Prime vendors may propose subcontracting services, existing or newly established, as appropriate to future requests for task order proposals (RFTOP).

14. Question: Is it considered a disadvantage, in terms of evaluating and scoring the IDIQ Technical proposal, to not include a wide breadth of subcontractors or potential research partners on future task orders?

Answer: Offerors may propose subcontracting services, existing or newly established, as appropriate to future requests for task order proposals. Ability to demonstrate success with proposed subcontractors and ability to establish appropriate subcontracts to accomplish work with the respective domain and subsequent requests for task order proposals (RFTOP) should be of focus.

15. Question: Pg.89 (L.2.7): Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our offices are currently closed and we do not have access to printers, copiers and office supplies. Can the requirement to mail a hard copy be waived due to the pandemic? If a mailed copy is required, can pages be printed double-sided?

Answer: All offerors is required to submit one hard copy and upload an electronic copy to (see amendment 1, L.2.8 and L.2.9 of RFP pages 90-91)

16. Question: Pg. 102 (L.2.16): What back-up documentation is required to verify the proposed Fully burdened (Loaded Labor rates) (FBLR) in the sample task order?

Answer: See Attachement 9, Pricing Breakout Worksheet Example

17. Question: Pg. 92 (L.2.12): Can biosketches and other support pages be included as Appendices in Technical Volume I, part B?

Answer: Key personnel biosketches and other support pages as listed on page 91 can be included as Appendices in Technical Volume I, Part B-1. See change 5 and 6 of Amendment 1.

18. Question: Section C.3 says that “CDC will have final approval regarding publications, presentations and products developed as a result of this contract.” This same language was in the previous SHEPheRD RFP, and CDC clarified in its answer to questions at that time that the language referred to “publications, presentations, and products developed as deliverables in the contract” and that “contractors who wish to publish their results in peer reviewed literature will be encouraged to do so…[but] the proposed publication or disclosure shall be provided to CDC for review thirty (30) days prior to submission to assure that proprietary/Confidential Information is protected.” Can CDC confirm that its position is the same in RFP 2021-R-71721 as it was previously?

Answer: Unless specificed otherwise in the individual task orders, CDC will have final approval regarding publications, presentations and products developed as deliverables under this contract.

19. Question: Section G.8, CDCA_G001 – Invoice Submission (Jul 2017), p. 20. If the invoice is submitted to FMOAPINV@CDC.GOV, is cc’ing the CO sufficient to meet the requirements of section (b)?

Answer: Invoices should be submitted electronically to FMOAPINV@CDC.GOV and any one identified in the RFTOP (i.e. the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or the CO.

mailto:FMOAPINV@CDC.GOV

20. Question: Section G.8, CDCA_G001 – Invoice Submission (Jul 2017), p. 20. In section (c), neither box is checked. Should the Contractor submit the invoices to the COR? If submitting electronically, is cc’ing the COR sufficient to meet the requirements of this section?

Answer: Invoices should be submitted electronically to FMOAPINV@CDC.GOV and any one identified in the RFTOP (i.e. the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or the CO.

21. Question: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, please confirm the hard-copy submission requirement is not applicable. Submission is via email only.

Answer: All offerors is required to submit one hard copy and upload an electronic copy to (see amendment 1, L.2.8 and L.2.9 of RFP pages 90-91)

22. Question: It is stated explicitly at the bottom of p.90 that the proposal must have two volumes – Volume I (Technical Proposal) and II (Business Proposal). However, p. 100 indicates in C-1 “This volume shall be organized into the following sections:” Is the past performance to be a separate volume from Volumes I and II?

Answer: Reference to volume in C-1 description has been replaced with Part. See change 7 of RFP Amendment 1.

23. Question: On pages 91-92, the Basic IDIQ Technical Proposal is outlined as having sections A-1 and A-2 (General); B-1 (Demonstrate Expertise and Experience; Infrastructure and Capacity; and Appendices); C-1 (Sample Task Orders for Each Domain); and D-1 (Past Performance). However, following A-1 and A-2 on p. 93-94, on p. 95 reference is made to B-1 (Factor 1, Expertise and Experience); on p. 97, B-2 (Factor 2, Infrastructure and Capacity); on p. 99, B-3 (Factor 3, Sample Task Orders); on p. 100, C-1 (Factor 4, Past Performance); and on p. 101, Part D, no information displayed. Is there a preference as to how these sections are labeled?

Answer: See RFP amendment 1 changes 7-10 correcting the labels for each Part.

24. Question: Please confirm that the NDA(s) need to be completed and signed after award and do not need to be submitted with the Offeror’s proposal. This item is listed in Section A-2.2, however our understanding is that NDAs will not be needed until award and prior to commencement of work.

Answer: We do not need NDAs with proposal. They can be provided after award from the successful vendor.

25. Question: Letter of Support are to be included in the Appendices of section B-1. Should the Offeror also include Letters of Support from partners and subcontractors specific to each Sample Task Order in the Appendices of each Sample Task Order response?

Answer: Offerors may include letters of support from partners and subcontractors specific to each sample task order in the Appendices of each sample task order response.

26. Question: It is stated in the second bullet on p. 8 that “The combined past performance section must include past performance relevant to each domain applied for, including at least 2 past performance references specific to each domain. “ Per the example in the first bullet on p. 8 of application to 3 domains, does that mean that at least 6 past performance projects are required? If application is made to only 1 domain, would only two past performance references mailto:FMOAPINV@CDC.GOV be required? Will all past performance references be placed only in Part D of the Technical Volume 1?

27. Answer: Per the example given on page 8 for proposing to multiple domains, at least 6 past performance references would be required. Offeror can provide the same reference for multiple domains, as long as they highlight the past performance unique to each proposed domain. A minimum of 2 past perforamnce references are required when applying for each domain, and a maximum of 3. Past performance references should be listed in Part D-1, but can be referenced throught the proposal where necessary.

28. Question: May offerors submit as a prime contractor and join another prime’s proposal as a subcontractor?

Answer: Offerors may submit a response as a prime vendor and be subcontracted under another proposal as appropriate to the scope of work and subcontracting FAR clasues listed in the RFP.

29. Question: Does the government intend to fund and award the sample task orders (Attachments

1-5) with the award of the IDIQ contracts in September 2021?

Answer: Awarding of the sample task orders is subject to availability of funds

30. Question: Re: access to a constituency of professional healthcare workers through a formalized society, would providing a letter of support from a professional society be sufficient documentation to meet this requirement?

Answer: Yes

31. Question: Related to the number of contracts to be included in the past performance section (page 100) and the requirement that offerors must include at least 2 past performance references per domain (page 8), is the prime offeror to include a total of up to 3 for itself and up to 3 for each major subcontractor?

Answer: Major subcontractor, for the purposes of the past performance factor 4, is a subcontractor on a contract that has performed a significant portion of the contract work, either by percentage (>50%) or significance (i.e. subcontractor as principal investigator). The list of up to three government contracts is to demonstrate the abilities of the prime Offeror, when the prime offeror’s role has been as a prime or subcontractor on a government project.

Past performance of a proposed subcontractor is not required.

32. Question: Re: “The combined past performance section must include past performance relevant to each domain applied for, including at least 2 past performance references specific to each domain.” (page 8): If an offeror is submitting on two domains, this would require 4 past performance contracts. May offerors assume that this requirement may be met by using the prime’s and subcontractor’s past performance?

33. Question: For past performance, how does CDC define a major subcontractor?

Answer: Major subcontractor, for the purposes of the past performance factor 4, is a subcontractor on a contract that has performed a significant portion of the contract work, either by percentage (>50%) or significance (i.e. subcontractor as principal investigator).

34. Question: For past performance, under Section I, Contract Descriptions, “a. Government contracting activity, current address, Contracting Officer’s name, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers”: Whose address is being requested?

Answer: The entity whose reference is being requested.

35. Question: For past performance, under Section I, Contract Descriptions, f and g request the delivery schedule. Is CDC asking for the period of performance?

Answer: Both period of performance and delivery schedule

36. Question: Re: submitting past performance contracts that are “in performance or awarded during the past three (3) years,” may offerors include past performance examples of contracts that ended within the past three years?

Answer: Yes.

37. Question: If evaluations of contracts in the past performance section are in CPARS, must offerors also request and submit Past Performance Assessment Questionnaires?

38. Question: When are offerors to email the Contract Specialist a list of all the POCs who were sent a Past Performance Assessment Questionnaire?

Answer: with the proposal,

39. Question: A-1 in Table 1 (page 91) references the Domain-Specific Cover Letter but no cover page. L.2.13 references a cover/contact page with specific requirements (page 93) and a cover letter (letter of transmittal) (page 93) that should only list the enclosures. Would CDC verify that offerors are to include (1) one transmittal letter with a list of enclosures and (2) one cover/contact page (with name and title of POC, telephone number, other POCs, solicitation name/number, proposal domains, and proposal volume) for the entire Technical Volume I?

Answer: Correct, the proposal shall have one cover letter and one cover/contact page with contents listed on page 93. See changes 4 and 12 of Amendment 1. The RFP has been amended to remove the mention of a “Domain-specific cover letter” and clarify the requirements of the cover letter/ transmittal letter.

40. Question: In addition to the transmittal letter and cover/contact page, may offerors include a cover with contractor name, logo, volume #, proprietary data notice, and other relevant information?

Answer: The transmittal letter and the cover/contact page will not count against the page limit. Any additional covers will count against the page limits.

41. Question: A-1 General I, states that the transmittal letter “shall include all enclosures being transmitted and shall be used only to transmit the proposal and shall include no other information.” Would CDC confirm that offerors are not to include the information from Part E, #7, page 102 (“Your proposal must stipulate that it is predicated upon all the terms and conditions of this RFP. In addition, it must contain a statement to the effect that it is firm for a period of at least 250 days from the date of receipt by the Government.”) in the transmittal letter?

Answer: See page 93, and add the information (from page 102) to the cover page. See change 13 of Amendment 1.

42. Question: Must the proposal documents be 508 compliant or will the government make any necessary Section 508 conversions?

Answer: The government will not make any necessary Section 508 conversions.

43. Question: Is a completed VPAT documenting adherence to the applicable 508 standards required as part of the offeror’s proposal submission? If so, what version of the VPAT is required?

Answer: The Section 508 Version of the VPAT, Version 2.0 or greater, meets the requirement.

44. Question: If a VPAT is required with submission of the proposal, may offerors submit it as a separate attachment?

Answer: Offerors may submit the VPAT, as required in the individual sample task orders, and/or as an appendices in Part C- Appendices.

45. Question: If a VPAT is required with submission of the proposal and offerors cannot submit it as a separate attachment, may offerors include the VPAT in the appendix, excluded from the page count?

Answer: Offerors may submit the VPAT, as required in the individual sample task orders, and/or as an appendices in Part C- Appendices.

46. Question: Must the hard copy be delivered to CDC by March 3, 2021, or postmarked by March 3, 2021?

Answer: Hard copy proposals have to be post-dated on or before the due date. Hard copies are not required to be received on or before the due date. Offerors are encouraged to send the hard copies by expedited methods that can tracked and offer receipt/ confirmation of delivery.

47. Question: May offerors use a commercial carrier for delivery of the hard copy, e.g., FedEx?

Answer: Offerors are encouraged to send the hard copies by expedited methods that can tracked and offer receipt/ confirmation of delivery.

48. Question: After award of the IDIQ, may prime contractors add additional subcontractors that are not part of the original IDIQ team to meet specific requirements for an individual task order?

49. Question: For the sample task orders, may offerors include the required staffing matrix in the appendix, excluded from the page count?

50. Question: Would CDC confirm that subcontractors may submit their confidential business information directly to CDC?

Answer: Yes, but must include sufficient identifying data for the CO to reccognize it as such.

51. Question: If an offeror submits proposals for more than one domain, is it possible for the offeror to be awarded only one of the domains?

Answer: Yes, it is possible that an Offeror submitting for more than one domain, will only be awarded in 1 domain. Awards are competitive and subject to availability of funds.

52. Question: Could the government provide additional guidance on when SA&A is required? For example, if we are using our computers and servers to store work products and data collected to develop task order deliverables, will SA&A and an ATO be required?

Answer: Yes, in the example given, SA&A and ATO will be required. All of the Offeror’s computers and servers would need to meet NIST SP 800-53 requirement. The IT requirements will be outlined for each task order and the requirements for SA&A and ATO will be clearly stated.

53. Question: What is the typical timeframe to apply for and receive an ATO? We need to determine the impact to the task order project timeline, if an ATO is required before data collection can begin.

Answer: It will vary based on the requirement and Offeror, and depends on where the system/application is hosted. You can’t collect data prior to receiving ATO if it’s required.

54. Question: Are there any existing commercial or cloud file storage systems that currently hold an ATO from CDC?

Answer: The federal government encourages Offerors to use FedRAMP approved cloud environment for their system(s) and the SA&A process will take a shorter time compared to using a commercial cloud environment. CDC provides multiple cloud environments that contractors can utilize.

55. Question: Is it permissible to compensate individuals hosting in-home site visits?

Answer: If the in-home site visits are a requirement of the current sample task orders, or future task orders, the Offeror may propose costs for compensating individuals hosting in-home site visits. The appropriateness of those costs will be evaluated based on the requirement and the offeror’s approach.

56. Question: Can the government further clarify how they define a “major subcontractor” for the purpose of providing past performance references. If we plan to provide past performance for a subcontractor, are we to provide 3 contracts for the prime and 3 contracts for each subcontractor? Or a total of 3 contracts including all of the prime and subcontractor contracts?

Answer: Major subcontractor, for the purposes of the past performance factor 4, is a subcontractor on a contract that has performed a significant portion of the contract work, either by percentage (>50%) or significance (i.e. subcontractor as principal investigator). The list of up to three government contracts is to demonstrate the abilities of the prime Offeror, when the prime offeror’s role has been as a prime or subcontractor on a government project.

Past performance of a proposed subcontractor is not required.

57. Question: The stated deliverable due date is before the proposal is submitted. Can the government provide an updated deliverable date based on the anticipated award date of the

RFTOP?

Answer: Yes, the deliverable due date has been amended.

58. Question: Will the webinars and online modules require CDC eClearance? If yes, how much time should we set aside in the project timeline for eClearance?

Answer: Webinars and online modules will require eClearance. Timeframe for clearances can take up to 3-6wks.

59. Question: Can the risk management plan be submitted as an appendix and excluded from the task order proposal page limit?

Answer: Yes, Risk Management Plan (page 21) can be included in Part C-1 Appendices. The plan is required as part of an acceptable proposals.

60. Question: Can you provide an example of the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan mentioned on page 12 of IDIQ?

Answer: QASP are required at the task order level, and only the Domain 1 sample task order has a QASP requirement. There is no specified format or template for the QASP in the sample task orders.

61. Question: Does the risk management plan count toward the 10 page limit to each RFTOP?

Answer: The Risk Management Plan (page 21) can be included in Part C-1 Appendices, which doedn’t count against the page limits. The plan is required as part of an acceptable proposals.

62. Question: How will the CDC score proposals that include more than 1 Domain? Will each factor be scored separately or averaged across all proposed domains?

Answer: Since each domain has unique requirements for capacity and capability, each applicant will be scored separately for each domain applied for.

63. Question: Will the CDC consider extending the page limits for those submitting proposals for more than 1 Domain? The current structure, creates a disadvantage for those who propose against more than 1 Domain as increasing number of proposed domains decreases the average number of pages allowed per domain (i.e. 10 pages per domain for 1 domain vs. 3.6 pages per Domain for all 5).

Answer: The CDC is not considering extending the page limits for those submitting proposals for more than 1 domain. The page limits were structured to create less of a burden for those who are qualified in multiple domains. A well summarized and organized response for Pat B- Basic IDIQ Technical Proposal, highlighting the most significant and unique accomplishments and capabilities of the Offeror, will be competitive.

64. Question: Given the unpredictable shipping schedules, due to COVID, will the CDC consider hard copy proposals dated on or before the due date to be on-time?

Answer: Hard copy proposals have to be post-dated on or before the due date. Hard copies are not required to be received on or before the due date. Offerors are encouraged to send the hard copies by expedited methods that can tracked and offer receipt/ confirmation of delivery.

65. Question: In light of COVID conditions, are there any special instructions in accessing the building, for those delivering a proposal by hand?

Answer: Proposals will not be accepted by hand.

66. Question: Section L.2.12, Table 1, Part A-2 lists NDAs as a requirement. Are NDAs required to be submitted if no on-site work at CDC is contemplated, or if it is unknown at this time?

Answer: See General question/anwers #24

67. Question: Section L.2.12, Table 1, Part A-2 lists a requirement for Offerors to complete Section K. For Offerors who complete the Representations and Certifications online at sam.gov, will the Client accept those Certifications in lieu of completing the form?

Answer: The Offeror is required to complete the forms as indicated in the RFP.

68. Question: Can CDC confirm that the business response can be submitted in one volume?

Answer: If applying for 2 or more domains, the offeror can submit the business proposals for the sample task orders in one volume.

69. Question: Attachment 7: Please confirm that labor categories included under Domain 1, may be added to other domains (example adding Assistant Program Manager to Domain 4).

Answer: Yes, labor categories can be proposed, as relevant to the work, in addition to proposing loaded labor rates for each labor category listed in the domain of interest.

70. Question: Given that travel is anticipated in support of task orders issued under the indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract, can the Government please confirm that contractors can incur costs in accordance with the applicable Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) as provided in H.22 Travel?

Answer: Contractors can propose costs for travel as outlined in section H.22. Only travel required by CDC to report on the task order progress shall be listed in a separate CLIN for travel and considered cost-reimbursable. All other travel ‘inherent to the performance of the task order’ shall be included in the same CLIN as other cost related to the requirement.

71. Question: Contractors will typically enter into a teaming agreement with any potential subcontractors in support of an opportunity. Can the Government please consider modifying the requirement to state “The offeror shall provide a copy of all pages within signed partnership or teaming agreements with subcontractors”?

Answer: Yes, the statement has been amended.

72. Question: In order to assist with the Government’s fair and reasonable analysis of an Offeror’s proposed sample task order pricing, would the Government please consider providing “plug” values for Other Direct Costs (ODCs), such as Travel, for each sample task order? Alternatively, would the Government please consider providing information relating to the frequency and location of potential travel under the sample task orders?

Answer: “Plug” values will not be provided for the sample task orders. Unless already noted, that government will not be providing additional information on the frequency and location of potential travel. The government however, does encourage innovation and efficiency in the Offeror’s approach to meeting the requirements.

73. Question: For the evaluation Factors, does the Government require that the prime contractor have specific expertise, experience, and/or infrastructure or will the Government consider the full proposed team to evaluate these factors?

Answer: The IDIQ is awarded to the Prime vendor, with full understanding that the subcontractors proposed may change. Therefore, a competitive proposal will highlight how the prime vendor meets the expertise, experience, and/or infrastructure required in the RFP.

74. Question: For the evaluation Factors, does the Government have requirements for labor categories that must be fulfilled by the prime contractor versus sub-contractors?

Answer: The IDIQ is awarded to the Prime vendor, with full understanding that the subcontractors proposed may change. Therefore, a competitive proposal will highlight how the prime vendor will fulfill the labor category requirements for the duration of the 5-year

IDIQ.

75. Question: Would the Government extend the due date by three weeks?

Answer: The RFP will be amended to extend the due date by 2-weeks.

76. Question: Can you provide a list of task orders currently projected or planned for this IDIQ? We would like to ensure our organization is a good fit for actual work planned under the SHEPheRD IDIQ. We note half of IDIQ award winners in 2016 did not receive any task order awards.

Answer: Task Order awards are public information and can be viewed at www.fpds.gov.

However, we will not be providing a list of previous or planned task orders. The scope of work as outlined in the RFP, and the sample task orders, are representative of projected work under the IDIQ. Planned task order awards are subject to the availability of funding.

77. Question: However, it does not appear if there is a section in the Technical Proposal, in either Part A or Part B, for Key Personnel and their resumes. Are Key Personnel only required in RFTOP responses?

Answer: Key Personnel requirements are mentioned in sections H.4, H.21, and the Demonstrated Expertise and Experience section of Part B. In addition to the RFTOP http://www.fpds.gov/ response/s, Key Personnel can be listed in the Demonstrate Expertise and Experience section of Part B, and resumes included in the Part B Appendices.

78. Question: Can the electronic version of the proposal be submitted in PDF format?

79. Question: Should this letter address all domains being applied for in a single cover letter or should there be a separate cover letter for each domain?

Answer: The one cover letter/transmittal letter shall identify all enclosures. The cover/contact page can include a list of all domains applied for in addition to the requirements outlined on page 93. The reference to a “Domain specific cover letter on page 92 has been removed in the amended RFP. See amendments 7 and 12.

80. Question: Is there a difference between the “Tab A-1, Domain-Specific Cover Letter” (page 91 &

93) and “The cover letter (letter of transmittal)” on Page 93?

Answer: The one cover letter/transmittal letter shall identify all enclosures. The cover/contact page can include a list of all domains applied for in addition to the requirements outlined on page 93. The reference to a “Domain specific cover letter on page 92 has been removed in the amended RFP. See amendments 7 and 12.

81. Question: Is the offeror only required to submit subcontracting plans if the total task order award is >$700,000?

Answer: The subcontracting plan, mentioned in Part A, is for the overall IDIQ and doesn’t specify a dollar threshold. The individual sample RFTOPs will note if a subcontracting plan is required.

Domain 1

1. Question: For the domain 1 sample task order, can we assume CDC would provide EHR data for testing? If not, what are CDC’s expectations for sample task order proposals with respect to accessing EHR data?

Answer: No. CDC does not necessarily intend to provide to vendors the EHR data necessary for completing of the task order. Vendor should describe their plan for obtaining the necessary data for the analysis (e.g. through commercially available EHR datasets, or EHR data made available through affiliation or collaboration with healthcare systems). Description of similar experience in which EHR data was obtained for previous successful epidemiologic investigations would be considered a strength.

2. Question: In Domain 1 sample RFTOP on pg. 23, there is text omitted related to years of experience needed for various roles. Could you please provide the omitted text?

Answer: There are no minimums for years of experience for key personnel listed in the Attachment 1 Domain 1 Sample RFTOP Staffing and Management Plan on page 23. The RFP has been amended to remove any reference to years eperience. See change Att1-1 to Amendment 1. However, labor costs should consistent with the qualifications and years of exerience of proposed staff. Refer to the Labor Rate Table Attachment.

3. Question: Domain 1 sample RFTOP: Do the Data Management Plan and Risk Management Plan both count towards 10-page limit for Technical Approach? Table on page 21 of Attachment 1 groups them separately from the Technical Approach.

Answer: Risk Management Plan (page 21) can be included in Part C-1 Appendices. The Data Management Plan (page 22, letter e) can be included in Part C-1 Appendices. Both plans are required as part of an acceptable proposals.

4. Question: Domain 1 sample RFTOP: Is the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan due with the Program Management plan (10 days after contract) or is it part of the Sample Task Order? If so, does it count towards the 10-page limit for Technical Approach? See page 5 of Attachment 1.

Answer: The Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan must be included in the Sample Task Order and can be included in Part C-1 Appendices.

5. Question: Domain 1 sample RFTOP: Is Technical Approach used interchangeably with Statement of Work (SOW)? See page 22 of Attachment 1.

Answer: No. The Offeror’s unique technical approach will be outlined in the SOW. The technical approach is developed by the vendor as a response to achiveing the Objectives in the Statement of Objectives (SOO). The SOW will also include other required elements as stated in the RFTOP. See statement of work requirements on pages 21 and 22 of the Daomin 1 Sample Task Order.

6. Question: Domain 1: Can the “scientific peer reviewed publications … to support evidence of demonstrated expertise and experience” be a collection of publications from the prime and its partners, or must it be limited to the primary Offeror only?

Answer: Scientific peer reviewed publications to support evidence of demonstrated expertise and experience of the primary offeror (i.e. publications from the primary offeror, as opposed to publications only from partners) would be a strength.

7. Question: Attachment 1 – Sample Task Order Domain 1 and other sample task orders have one Firm Fixed Price (FFP) CLIN per base period and option period. The Pricing Summary tab of Attachment 9 – Price Breakout Worksheet has a separate breakout of Labor, Travel, and ODCs.

Can the Government please clarify if Offerors are to propose separate CLINs for Labor, ODCs, and Travel? If Offerors are to propose separate CLINs, can the Government please clarify that CLINs for ODCs and Travel are on a cost-reimbursable basis?

Answer: Offerors required to submit Price Breakout Worksheet for evlautaion pupose. If the travel is to complete a task (i.e. data collection), the cost should be part of the core task(s).

When travel to CDC is needed, it will be identified in Section B of the RFTOP as a separate

CLIN.

8. Question: Can this experience come from the major subcontractor(s), or must it come from the Prime contractor?

Answer: The experience must be well-defined and meet the subcontractor requirements of the SOO and proposed SOW.

9. Question: Does “staff affiliated” with the offeror include staff employed by all members of the offeror’s team, including prime and subcontractors?

Answer: The staff must meet the requirements in the RFP. Key personnel should be included whether prime or subcontractors.

10. Question: Can you clarify if the government is expecting a manual medical chart review to be used as one of the “gold standards” by which the EHR-based definition is to be validated against?

Answer: CDC is not specifying what method should be used to establish the performance characteristics of EHR-based definitions in comparison to clinical diagnosis and the existing CDC surveillance definition. The scientific rigor and quality of the method used will be assessed in review of the proposal.

11. Question: What hospital types are of interest in this requirement in Domain 1 RFTOP?

Answer: For the sample task order for domain 1, using a large and diverse (e.g. diversity of size, teaching status) set of acute care hospitals in meeting the project goals would be considered a strength.

12. Question: The sample task orders ask for a risk management plan. Can this be included in an appendix and not count toward the 10-page limit?

Answer: Risk Management Plan (page 21) can be included in Part C-1 Appendices. Risk management plan is required as part of an acceptable proposals.

Domain 2

1. Question: For Domain 2, we would like to confirm that an established partnership with an owner/operator of multiple healthcare facilities (who would be functioning as a subcontractor for the purposes of these RFTOPs), certified by a MOU would be sufficient to meet the qualifications of being responsible for the clinical healthcare facilities network?

Answer: The vendor needs to be able to ensure implementation of the project and control for cross-facility changing policies as needed which includes maintaining enough control to ensure successful implementation without interruption throughout the project. The government is concerned with risk for funding a project where the vendor cannot exercise reasonable control or influence policy change throughout the project to ensure success. Should a vendor be able to substantiate the ability to control an intervention/implementation plan within the relevant facility(s) through a subcontract and/or letter of support or MOU, we would be willing to accept that, but we would be looking at the evidence provided to try to understand risk to the government.

2. Question: Domain 2 states that the offeror/contractor shall own or operate a clinical network/network of healthcare facilities. If the offeror/contractor is not the owner/operator of a healthcare network but includes subcontractor/collaborator who meets these qualifications, may we submit for Domain 2?

Answer: The vendor needs to be able to ensure implementation of the project and control for cross-facility changing policies as needed which includes maintaining enough control to ensure successful implementation without interruption throughout the project. The government is concerned with risk for funding a project where the vendor cannot exercise reasonable control or influence policy change throughout the project to ensure success. Should a vendor be able to substantiate the ability to control an intervention/implementation plan within the relevant facility(s) through a subcontract and/or letter of support or MOU, we would be risk to the government.

3. Question: If the vendor has a history of working with different large clinical networks on research studies; however, they do not “own and operate” clinical networks of healthcare systems (ACH, LTACs, SNFs, dialysis chains), would the vendor be eligible for domain 2?

Answer: The vendor needs to be able to ensure implementation of the project and control for cross-facility changing policies as needed which includes maintaining enough control to ensure successful implementation without interruption throughout the project. The government is concerned with risk for funding a project where the vendor cannot exercise reasonable control or influence policy change throughout the project to ensure success. Should a vendor be able to substantiate the ability to control an intervention/implementation plan within the relevant facility(s) through a subcontract and/or letter of support or MOU, we would be risk to the government. See change 14 to Amendment 1.

Domain 3

1. Question: For the small business subcontracting requirement in domain 3, is the requirement for 25% of the total prime award to be subcontracted to small business concerns, or for 25% of the subcontracted dollars to be subcontracted to small business concerns?

Answer: The requirement is for 25% of the total work and total award to be dedicated to small business subcontractors.

2. Question: Pg. 101 (L.2.15): Can additional labor categories be proposed for the Business Proposal and the Sample Task Orders, other than those categories included in Attachment 7, Labor Category Descriptions/Labor Rate Tables?

Answer: Yes, labor categories can be proposed, as relevant to the work, in addition to proposing loaded labor rates for each labor category listed in the domain of interest.

3. Question: For the small business subcontracting requirement in domain 3, is the requirement of 25% apply to each task order individually, or is it applied to the total across all the prime contractor’s task orders?

Answer: Since there is no guarantee that a vendor will be award multiple task orders in which to balance the 25% over all task orders, the 25% requirement will be enforced for each task order.

4. Question: For Domain 3, relationships with professional societies and health departments are preferential. Would a subcontract need to be in place for the application, or simply documentation that these relationships exist and are available for use?

Answer: No, a current subcontract relationship with professional societies and health departments is not a requirement. However, documentation of past or current subcontracting/ financial relationships would make the applicant more competitive.

5. Question: For Domain 3, we would like to know if signed letters of support between professional societies such as IDSA/SHEA/PIDS is sufficient evidence of established continuing relationships between these organizations.

Answer: Any documentation of an ‘established relationship” provided will be evaluated.

However, documentation of past or current subcontracting/ financial relationships would make the applicant more competitive.

6. Question: For Domain 3, we would like to know if health department letters of support for trainees involved in a program created by our organization is sufficient evidence of relationships with public health departments, or if letters of support specifically listing support for our organization is required.

Answer: Any documentation of an ‘established relationship” provided will be evaluated.

However, documentation of past or current subcontracting/ financial relationships would make the applicant more competitive.

7. Question: The Domain 3 description on page 10 (Section C.4.3) describes that this domain is suitable for small businesses with a small business set-aside. We would like to ask if for the purposes of the SHEPheRD contract non-profit Professional Organizations can be considered small business if they are under the small business administration size standard of $15 million or less, of if they are excluded from this designation for the purposes of this contract.

8. Question: Domain 3: The pricing table for Domain 3 states that there is a “small business subcontracting requirement for large businesses (25% of work must be for small businesses;

Indirect cap of 10% when subcontracting with small business).” Please confirm that the 10% cap refers to the Offeror’s total indirect costs that the Offeror applies to small business (SB) subcontractors (i.e., total indirect costs applied to the SB subcontractors’ price to the Offeror must be 10% or less of the SB subcontractors’ price to the Offeror.

Answer: Correct, the 10% cap refers to the Offeror’s total indirect costs applied to the small business subcontract costs. For example, $200,000 task order with $50,000 SB subcontract, would have a $5,000 indirect cap for the SB contract. The remaining $150,000 could be broken into $75,000 cost with 50% indirect of $75,000.

9. Question: Domain 3: Is it acceptable to have an expert panel member from the same institution as one of facility locations for the needs assessment?

Answer: Yes, it’s acceptable that a panel member can be from the same institution of the facility that needs to be assessed.

10. Question: Is there a specific guideline or rate (i.e., fee) for compensation of experts that serve on expert panels or focus groups for Domain 3 or other domains, e.g., $100 dollars per hour or $100 dollars per focus group or expert panel meeting?

Answer: No, the CDC is not specifiying a specific guideline or rate for compesation of experts.

Offeror should consider innovative and efficient approaches to conducting expert panels and focus groups in-person and virtually.

11. Question: For Domain 3, Sample Task Order, the SOW indicates that the panel/group must “observe at least 4 facilities.” It also states that “at each location … perform numerous observations in the facility and multiple (at least 3) patient homes(s)...” Does this mean, for each of the 4 facilities visited, the contractor should budget to visit 3 patient homes, for a total of 4 places per facility and 16 sites total (4 dialysis facilities and 12 patient homes)?

12. Question: For Domain 3, Sample Task Order, are specific positions required as key personnel?

Or should the offeror recommend key positions/staff to successfully accomplish the tasks?

Answer: There are no specific key positions required for Domain 3, all position should be relevant to support the work proposed. An offeror should recommend position(s)/staff(s) that are required to accomplish the task.

13. Question: For Domain 3, Sample Task Order, may site visits be conducted within a local region or are they required to be conducted across multiple states or nationwide?

Answer: Yes, they can be within a local region as long as the sites selected appear to be representative of an average population.

14. Question: The CPARS point of contact form is included in Sample Task Orders for Domains 3 and 5 (pages 22-23 Domain 3 and 36-37 Domain 5), yet Table 1 in L.2.12 (page 91) indicates the form should be included in the General section of the Technical Volume I. Should offerors include the CPARS point of contact information only in the Part A General section of Technical Volume I?

Answer: The CPARs contacts for the General Section Technical Volume and the sample task orders can be different. Therefore, please provide the CPARs contact for Domains 3 and 5 within the response to the sample task order, and the CPARs contact for the overall IDIQ award in the Technical Volume I.

15. Question: FAR 52.204-24, Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment, is included in the Sample Task Orders for Domains 3 and 5.

Since this section is incorporated into Section K, do offerors need to include it in Part C of Technical Volume I with the Sample Task Orders or only in the Part A General section of Technical Volume I?

Answer: The representatives for the General Section Technical Volume Section K and the sample task orders Part C can be different. Therefore, please provide the Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment for Domains 3 and 5 within the response to the sample task order, and for the overall IDIQ award in Part A of Technical Volume I.

16. Question: Throughout the IDIQ period of performance, is CDC planning for multiple task orders >$250,000 under Domain 3 that will be open to large business?

Answer: The scope of the domain is inclusive of work suitable for large businesses and above $250,000. If CDC had planned to only have task orders under $250,000, we would have required that the entire domain be small business only. Note: All projected work under an IDIQ is subject to the availability of funds.

17. Question: For the IDIQ, is the offeror expected to demonstrate relationships with individual experts and with professional societies or can the offeror plan to have access to experts through professional societies?

Answer: Demonstrating through documentation access to experts through professional societies is adequate.

18. Question: For the IDIQ, is there an expectation of the types of professional healthcare workers (e.g., nurses, clinicians, social workers) to which an offeror needs to demonstrate access?

Answer: Proposals that demonstrates access to a variety of healthcare workers will be strongly considered during evaluation.

19. Question: For the IDIQ, is there an expectation of the types of specialties (e.g., infectious disease, cardiology, nephrology) to which an offeror needs to…