RFP 277-22-0574 Amendment 1.pdf

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing items 8 and 15, and returning or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE

RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUISITION NUMBER 5. PROJECT NUMBER (If applicable)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

FACILITY CODE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended. is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER

NUMBER IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15C. DATE SIGNED

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

CODE

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

Previous edition unusable

Craig Sager, Contracting Officer

The purpose of this amendment is to provide responses to follow-on clarification questions submitted under the above cited solicitation (Attachment 1) as well as 1) update add the HHSAR 352.232-71 clause in Section H; 2) revise the appropriate sub-paragraph of Article G.3. Invoice Submission which removes the email submission of invoices and instead requires invoice submission through IPP; and 3) revise Section J. to remove Attachment 3 Voucher Review Sheet. The due date for proposals remains unchanged at April 20, 2022, 3:00 pm.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Division of Contract Management, OFR 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 17E77D Rockville, MD 20857

TO ALL PROSPECTIVE OFFERORS

RFP Titled "“Talk. They Hear You.” National Media Campaign to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking and Other Substances-STOP Act

Same as Item 6.

277-22-0574

1 3

See Block 16C

03/30/2022

RFP No. 277-22-0574

CONTINUATION PAGE

Page 2 of 3 Pages

Article G.3. Invoice Submission sub-paragraph G.3.a. is revised to read as follows:

G.3.a. The contractor shall submit invoices as follows:

1) All invoice submissions for goods and or services delivered to facilitate payments must be made elec-tronically through the U. S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform System (IPP).

2) Invoice Submission for Payment means any request for contract financing payment or invoice pay-ment by the Contractor. To constitute a proper invoice, the payment request must comply with the re-quirements identified in the applicable Prompt Payment clause included in the contract, or the clause

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items included in commercial item contracts. The

IPP website address is: https://www.ipp.gov.

3)Invoice/Financing Request Instructions for SAMHSA Cost-Reimbursement Type Contracts are attached and made part of this contract. The Billing Instructions (Attachment 4) and the following directions for the submission of invoices/financing requests must be followed to meet the requirements of a "proper" payment request pursuant to FAR 32.9.

Article G.3. Invoice Submission sub-paragraph G.3.b. is revised to read as follows:

G.3.b. Inquiries regarding payment of invoices should be directed to the designated payment office:

Department of Health and Human Services Program Support Center (PSC)/FMP/Accounting Services Bethesda Place 7700 Wisconsin Ave., suite 900 Bethesda, Maryland 20814

(301) 443-3020 phone

(301) 443-0562 fax Email: PSCInvoiceinquiries@psc.hhs.gov

Article G.3.c. is deleted.

SECTION H. has been revised to add H.15. ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS HHSAR

352.232-71 in full text as follows:

H.15. HHSAR 352.232-71 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS (February 2022)

352.232-71 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

Payment request means a bill, voucher, invoice, or request for contract financing payment with associ-ated supporting documentation. The payment request must comply with the requirements identified in

FAR 32.905(b), “Content of Invoices” and the applicable Payment clause included in this contract.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause, the Contractor shall submit payment requests elec-tronically using the Department of Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) or successor system. In-formation regarding IPP, including IPP Customer Support contact information, is available at www.ipp.gov or any successor site.

(c) The Contractor may submit payment requests using other than IPP only when the Contracting Officer authorizes alternate procedures in writing in accordance with HHS procedures.

https://www.ipp.gov/ mailto:PSCInvoiceinquiries@psc.hhs.gov http://www.ipp.gov/

RFP No. 277-22-0574

CONTINUATION PAGE

Page 3 of 3 Pages

(d) If alternate payment procedures are authorized, the Contractor shall include a copy of the Contract-ing Officer's written authorization with each payment request.

(End of Clause)

Section J- List of Attachments is revised to remove Attachment 3 Voucher Review Sheet.

(ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS REMAIN UNCHANGED)

RFP 277-22-0574

Attachment 1

RFP 277-22-0574 Questions & Answers

1. Question: Please advise if there would be only one award or multiple awards for this campaign.

Answer: There will be one award for this campaign.

2. Question: Please advise if there would be a 2nd round of question submission considering the RFP requirement. Answer: It is not anticipated to have a second round of question submissions.

3. Question: The cover letter states the due date is Tuesday, April 20, 2022. However, April 20, 2022 is a Wednesday. Please confirm that April 20, 2022 is the correct due date.

Answer: Wednesday, April 20, 2022 is the correct due date.

4. Question: On page 59 of the RFP, Section L.1.c states a 12-month base plus two (2) twelve-month option periods are anticipated. Please confirm if a 12-month base plus four (4) twelve-month option periods are anticipated as stated in the cover letter. Answer: A 12-month base plus (4) twelve-month option periods are anticipated.

5. Question: Under Section L.4.k. (a), please confirm if offerors can include three contracts completed within the last 5 years. Answer: Offerors can include three contracts completed within the last 5 years if limited contracts are available from the last 3 years.

6. Question: In the RFQ, Section L.4.k. (a) requires offerors to provide all contracts currently in process that are similar in nature to the solicitation work scope. Would the government prefer to limit the number of contracts currently in process to 5 examples? Answer: No, please follow the instructions and submit ALL contracts that are similar in nature.

7. Question: Under Section L.4.k. (b), please confirm if a completed CPARS evaluation report will suffice for the past performance requirement instead of completing the required Attachment 10

– Client Letter and Attachment 11 – Contractor Performance Information Form. Answer: Please include Attachment 10 and 11 per the instructions in Section L.4.k. (b). CPARS evaluation reports can also be included for evaluation purposes.

8. Question: In Attachment 1a-PWS under subtask 2.7, the note to offerors states to budget for the development of ten (15) new web pages for the underage drinking website. Please confirm if offerors should budget for 10 or 15 new web pages. Answer: Offerors should budget for 15 pages.

9. Question: Under Attachment 1a-PWS under subtask 5.1, there is a requirement for an onsite staff writer. However, page 32 of the RFP, Section H.14. Personnel Background Investigations, states that no on-site contractor employees are anticipated. Please confirm which is correct.

Answer: Yes, this is correct-- The contractor shall provide an on-site (or virtual) staff writer to record the group proceedings and a subsequent detailed summary report of the proceedings from each meeting.

10. Question: Please confirm if offerors may use Times New Roman 10-point font for resumes.

Answer: Please use Times New Roman 12-point font as instructed in the RFP.

11. Question: Is the current incumbent eligible to bid on this opportunity? Answer: Yes, the current incumbent is eligible to bid on this opportunity.

12. Question: With Ramadan, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Passover overlapping with this opportunity, will SAMHSA consider extending the due date for this solicitation? Answer: The due date for this solicitation will remains unchanged.

13. Attachment 1a references curricula (e.g., Motivational Interviewing for School Administrators and Student Assistance Professionals, Motivational Interviewing for Parents and Caregivers, and This Life for Us) as well as product catalogues.

a. Question: Where can contractors find previous examples of these curricula and catalogues? Answer: The Curriculum is currently under development and not available at this time.

b. Question: Is SAMHSA happy with the length and format of these curricula and catalogues or is SAMHSA open to alternative formats and lengths? Answer: The Current length and formats for curricula and catalogues are acceptable to SAMHSA but would encourage offerors to put forward their own creative concepts for consideration.

14. Question: Attachment 1a lists a number of various media ad sizes, radio ads, PSAs and other products; however, it does not list how many media placements are expected or what the media buying budget is for this work except within the optional tasks. Can you confirm that the media buying budget is limited to optional tasks and should only appear in those sections?

Answer: The “Talk. They Hear You.” is an earned media campaign and paid medial placement other than for social media is done in task 7 under distribution. The campaign is currently in 25 Markets and all 50 states.

15. Question: Optional Tasks, such as Optional Task 11 mentions “radio networks.” Would SAMHSA be open to leveraging online/digital radio networks to enable more targeting regarding demographics? Answer: Yes.

16. Question: On page 48 of attachment 1a it mentions registration packets, name badges etc.

There is no mention of printing. Should the offeror include printing costs for these badges and registration packets or will printing be covered by SAMHSA? Answer: No, all printing needs are handled through a separate budgeting process through the Government Printing Office.

17. Question: Are there any geographic areas or travel that the offeror must consider as it relates to photography and videography shoots? Answer: No, not at this time. All photography, images and videography should reflect the whole of the United States and its population.

18. Question: Are you able to share what the award fee has been in the past? Answer: We are not able to share the award fee amount however, the combined base fee and award fee amount typically equates to 7%.

19. Question: On page 12 it says that consultant fees are not to be in “excess of $500/day.” In the recent SAMHSA IDIQ, SAMHSA increased this to $600/day. Would SAMHSA be willing to pay consultants $600/day for this proposal? Answer: Yes, the amount will be increased to $600.

However, while the offerors may propose $600 for consultant fees, the consultant fees will be negotiated during the contract.

20. Question: Attachment 2 includes a completed Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) which, according to page 25, the selected contractor needs to meet or exceed. Can you, therefore, confirm that offerors do not need to submit a QASP as part of this response?

Answer: Offerors do not need to submit a QASP as part of this response.

21. Question: As it relates to Attachment 1b, does SAMHSA expect that the selected contractor will need to use an Earned Value Management System (EVMS) for this work? Answer: SAMHSA does not expect that the selected contractor will need to use and Earned Value Management System for this work.

22. Question: Attachment 1b says that a draft IT plan shall be included as part of the proposal. Can you please confirm where the draft IT plan should be located (e.g., Technical Proposal, appendix to the Technical Proposal, Business Proposal, etc.)? Answer: The draft IT Plan should be included in the technical proposal with a separate labeled section. This section will not be included in the page count.

23. Question: Page 3 of attachment 1b references the HHS Enterprise Performance Lifecycle (EPLC) template that contractors should follow. Can you please direct us to where we can find this template?

Answer: You can find this information at https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocio/eplc-lifecycle-framework.pdf.

24. Question: Page 70 of the solicitation states that offerors must submit a completed HHS Section 508 Evaluation Template. Can you confirm whether this can be placed as an appendix in the Technical Proposal? Answer: No, this is not an appendix. It is included in the technical proposal in the same section as resumes, letters of commitment and IT plan.

25. Question: Will appendices count towards the total page count? Answer: Offerors should not be adding appendices to the technical proposal.

26. Question: There is a separate IT budget breakdown sheet as part of this proposal application. If this work is awarded to a new offeror will there be any software, hardware, or licenses transferred to the new organization or should we assume all new purchases in our IT budget breakdown? Answer: Yes, mobile application code is owned by SAMHSA.

27. Question: Should photography and videography-related equipment be catalogued in the IT budget breakdown sheet or simply as general ODCs? Answer: It would depend on the type of equipment and its purpose, but generally it would be part of ODC’s.

28. Question: The Technical Proposal instructions only list one specific labor category (Project Director). Attachment 12, however, indicates that labor category and staff name and title should be included. Are there any other specific labor categories that should be applied to this application or is it at the discretion of the offeror to propose these? Answer: It is at the discretion of the offeror to determine which labor categories are best for their approach. Please complete Attachment 12 accordingly.

29. Question: Attachment 12 states that for each year of the contract, a detailed cost breakdown for each core task and each optional task identified in the PWS is to be provided. The template https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocio/eplc-lifecycle-framework.pdf https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocio/eplc-lifecycle-framework.pdf in attachment 12 only shows 4 tasks whereas the PWS has 19 tasks. Please confirm that attachment 12 is meant to serve as an example and not a template (since it would need to be modified to accommodate all PWS tasks). Answer: Attachment 12 is meant to serve as an example. Please provide a detailed cost breakdown for all 19 tasks (CORE Tasks and Optional Tasks) in the PWS.

30. Question: The solicitation general instructions state that no printing is permissible; however, in the reference material that is cited in the solicitation, there is discussion about previous campaign distribution of post cards, fact sheets, folder inserts, table tents, and branded flash drives at SAMHSA’s Annual Prevention Day. Should the offeror include printing costs in the solicitation or will any printing that may arise from this contract be handled directly by SAMHSA? Answer: No, all printing needs are handled through a separate budgeting process through the Government Printing Office.

31. Question: Attachment 14 is a sample summary of costs and hours spreadsheets. This only lists optional tasks 11-19. Should this include all tasks from the PWS or are contractors expected to edit this attachment to include all tasks? Answer: Please re-review Attachment 14 as CORE Tasks are also included as well as Optional Tasks. The amount for the “CORE” in this chart should include all CORE Tasks (Tasks 1-10), with the Optional Tasks (11-19) listed separately.

Contractors are expected to provide a summary of costs and hours for all tasks that are part of the PWS.

32. Question: Does SAMHSA expect that OMB clearance will be required as part of the formative research required under this work? Answer: The Campaign has several OMB packages approved or submitted, and is at this point beyond formative evaluation at this point.

33. Question: On the SAMHSA website, the “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign is referenced as a “Parent-oriented national media campaign.” In the RFP it refers to both a parent-oriented and a youth-oriented campaign. Can you confirm if the youth-oriented campaign components are new to this scope of work? Answer: Should SAMHSA and HHS decide to pursue a Youth Campaign, it would be a new scope of work.

34. Question: In the instructions, it mentions the acceptable font size for proposal copy, exhibits, and graphics. Are text boxes considered an exhibit or graphic and, if not, what is the acceptable font size for text boxes? Answer: The acceptable font size is 8 pt.

35. Question: Page 65 of the RFP under “Technical Proposal Format” mentions corporate capabilities, facilities, and equipment; however, this information is not included as a section under “Evaluation Factors” (found on pages 72-75). Please advise where “corporate capabilities, facilities, and equipment” information should be listed within the proposal and whether or not SAMHSA intends to award points for this information? Answer: Your proposal will be evaluated per the evaluation criteria under Section M therefor these will not be awarded points.

36. Question: The “Recommended Technical Proposal Format” (on pages 63-64) lists the Management Plan before Key Personnel; however, the “Evaluation Factors” (on page 74) lists Personnel before Management. Please clarify the correct order of the sections. Answer:

Please format the proposal per the instruction on pages 63-64 of the RFP.

37. Question: The PWS section states that a work plan is due 2 weeks after the kickoff meeting, but page 62 under Technical Proposal Instructions, it says “A detailed work plan must be submitted indicating how each aspect of the Performance Work Statement will be accomplished.” Is the work plan due as part of the proposal or is it due 2 weeks after the kickoff meeting? Answer:

The workplan would be due after the kickoff meeting.

38. Question: Do the optional tasks count toward the page limit? Answer: Yes.

39. Question: For optional tasks that match certain main tasks (but for different topics or audiences), may we refer the reviewers to the earlier task writeups or do we need to repeat our processes? Answer: Offerors may refer reviewers to the earlier task write up if their approach is made absolutely clear and the process is exactly the same.

40. Question: What exactly is meant by “camera-ready campaign products for tagging” in 2.2 of the

PWS? Where will the products get tagged? Answer: This is generally done as part of digital tagging and video PSA tracking.

41. Question: The RFP mentions formative research conducted via a survey. When was this research conducted? Answer: The original formative research was conducted from 2009-2012, with other elements of the evaluation conducted as needed.

42. Question: What areas for improvement, if any, have been identified with the current campaign?

Answer: This is a mature campaign launched in 2013, with new elements being created every year. The area of interest is moving to mobile and digital platforms.

43. Question: Is SAMHSA open to using additional social media platforms for campaign promotion?

Answer: Offerors should propose any creative idea and concepts that they feel is relevant.

44. Question: What is the preferred format/platform for the Health and Wellness Curricula? Are there opportunities to test the current curricula with the intended audiences and revise as appropriate? Answer: The current curriculum is under development and it is SAMHSA’s expectation that all curricula will go through product and focus group testing.

45. Question: When was the last time user experience (UX) testing was conducted on the TTHY mobile application and/or website? Would SAMHSA be open to UX testing of both the mobile application and website? Answer: UX testing is ongoing and currently SAMHSA is not likely to change the mobile application or website.

46. Question: Has the Screen4Success program been implemented in previous iterations of the campaign through the mobile app? Answer: No.

47. Question: Is the contractor responsible for evaluating the success of the referral program? If so, what metrics have been collected previously? Answer: This application is currently under development and there are no metrics currently.

48. Question: What has been the annual advertising budget for this campaign? (page 2, Brief Description of Supplies or Services) Answer: The campaign is an earned media campaign with paid distribution by the contract in various markets.

49. Question: What does your internal timeline look like for approvals? How long do approvals typically take? What steps are required? (page 63, 5-C Schedule) Answer: Generally, approval will vary widely depending on the product or effort.

50. Question: What KPIs are important to include in the impact and outcome evaluation? (page 73, Non-Cost Evaluation Factors) Answer: All information on the evaluation of the campaign can be found in Chapter 5 of the Report to Congress on the Prevention and Reduction of Underage Drinking. www.stopalcoholabuse.gov

51. Questions: Should bidders include traditional media experience and/or recommendations (e.g., TV, radio) within the proposal? (page 73, Non-Cost Evaluation Factors) Answer: This is an earned media campaign and offerors should include any expected costs.

52. Question: Are there existing internal or external partnerships that the Contractor will work with? (page 73, Non-Cost Evaluation Factors) Answer: Yes, there are more than 1400 current partners and licensees for the campaign as it is community driven.

53. Question: Can you provide additional demographic details for the target audience(s)? (page 73, Non-Cost Evaluation Factors) Answer: All expectations for demographic detail are listed in the

PWS.

54. Question: Are there specific target audiences that have been previously hard to reach with campaign messaging? (page 73, Non-Cost Evaluation Factors) Answer: This campaign should target the majority of the US population, and the offeror is expected to identify audiences that are a priority via the evaluation efforts.

55. Question: Are graphic services and/or multimedia production part of the SOW? Will the Contractor receive existing creative assets? (page 74, Non-Cost Evaluation Factors) Answer: Yes, all creative works will transfer to any new contract award as the campaign is trademarked and copyrighted.

56. Question: Under Section L.4.k. (b), it states that “completed forms from references are due 10 calendar days after the date proposals are due under this solicitation” which is April 30, 2022.

However, in Attachment 10 – Client Letter, it references a due date of April 20, 2022. Please confirm the due date of the completed reference forms. Answer: The due date is April 30, 2022, 10 calendar days after the proposals are due under this solicitation.

http://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/