Amendment 1_Questions and Answers for RFP 280-21-0561.pdf

OMB No. 0990-0115

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

1 9

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 3. EFFCTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (if applicable)

Amendment 0001 See Block 16C

6. ISSUED BY

CODE

280-21-0561 7. ADMINISTERED BY (if other than item 6)

CODE

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration

Division of Contracts Management, OFR

5600 Fishers Lane, 17E85C

Rockville, Maryland 20857

Same as Item 6

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code) () 9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

To All Prospective Offerors

RFP Titled: Training and Technical Assistance to Native Connections Grantees

X

280-21-0561

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

March 3, 2021

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER

NO.

10B. DATE (SEE ITEM 13)

CODE FACILITY CODE

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, X is not extended.

Offers must acknowedge 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 retuming __1___ copies of the amendment, (b) by acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) by separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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 telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

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

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO.

IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation, date, 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)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, X is required to sign this document and return ___1__ copies to the issuing office.

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

The purpose of this amendment is to provide Questions and Answers to RFP 280-21-0561 and provide an updated RFP to reflect the proper numbering for the evaluation section.

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

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print) 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

Danny Uhr

Contracting Officer

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 16C. DATE SIGNED by (Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070 30-105 STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

03/04/2021

RFP No. 280-21-0561 Amendment 1

Questions and Answers for RFP 280-21-0561

1. Section I.6 FAR 52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video

Surveillance Services or Equipment. Where do responses to this belong in the proposal: in

Volume I Technical Proposal as an appendix, or in Volume II Business Proposal?

Answer: Include the response in the business proposal.

2. Section K.1, FAR 52.204-8, ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (MAR 2020).

Where do responses to this belong in the proposal: in Volume I Technical Proposal as an appendix, or in Volume II Business Proposal?

Answer: Include the response in the business proposal.

3. Section L: “The technical proposal must not exceed 60 pages in length, including the executive summary and technical discussion.” Will offerors be allowed to include the “Government

Handling Notice” as the very first page of our technical volume and exclude it from the page limitations?

Answer: The Government Handling Notice will not be included in the 60 page limit.

4. Will offerors be allowed to include endnotes as an appendix and exclude them from the page limitations?

Answer: No, “endnotes” will be included in the 60 page limit.

5. Will offerors be allowed to include “Other Considerations” as an appendix and exclude it from the page limitations?

Answer: No, “Other Considerations” will be included in the 60 page limit.

6. Will offerors be allowed to include staff loading charts in an appendix and exclude them from the page limitations?

Answer: No, “staff loading charts” will be included in the 60 page limit.

7. Will offerors be allowed to include a cover letter and inside cover and exclude them from the page limitations?

Answer: Please refer to Section L, Pg. 58 which states that the cover page and table of contents are not included in the page count for the Technical Proposal.

8. Will offerors be allowed to include the required “schedule for completion of the work and delivery of items specified in the SOW for every year of the project” in an appendix and exclude them from the page limitations?

Answer: No, “schedule for completion of the work and delivery of items specified in the

SOW for every year of the project” will be included in the 60 page limit.

9. Will offerors be allowed to include appendices using less than 12 point font?

Answer: Please refer to pg. 58 which states that the size of the font should be NO smaller than the size of Times Roman 12pt for the Technical Proposal and NO smaller than the size of Times Roman 8pt for Exhibits and Graphics but the offeror can utilize any legible font style.

10. For the three contracts and subcontracts completed, will the government allow offers to submit information for contracts still in process where an option year has been completed?

Answer: Yes, for contracts that are similar in nature to the solicitation work scope.

11. Will Attachment 12 be required to be submitted for all contracts currently in process, or just for the last three contracts completed?

Answer: This is required for contracts that are similar in nature to the solicitation work scope.

12. Should the IT technical approach be included within the Volume I Technical Proposal? If yes, will offerors be allowed to include as an appendix and exclude it from the page limitations?

Answer: The IT technical approach is to be included in the business proposal. The 60 page limitation includes all appendices.

13. Will the executive summary be assigned any points for evaluation?

Answer: Points will be assigned based on the evaluation factors set forth in Section M, on page 70 of the RFP.

14. Will the required “schedule for completion of the work and delivery of items specified in the

SOW for every year of the project” be assigned any points for evaluation?

15. Will the required “Corporate Capabilities, Facilities and Equipment” section be assigned any points for evaluation?

16. Will offerors be required to address the General Requirements described in Attachment 1b within our proposals? If yes, will this be required to be included within the Volume I Technical

Proposal?

Answer: Yes. Offerors are required to respond to any pertinent portions of the General

Requirements (Attachment 1b) associated with the PWS.

17. If the answer to Part 2 of Question #16 is yes, will offerors be allowed to include response to the

“General Requirements” as an appendix and exclude it from the page limitations?

Answer: Responses shall be included within Volume II, Business Proposal.

18. Will offerors be allowed to include the draft IT plan as an appendix to the technical and exclude it from the page limitations?

Answer: Please refer to section L of the RFP, page 58 which states that resumes letters of commitment, and Information Technology Plans are not included in the page count.

The offeror shall provide a separate labeled section for the purpose of resumes, letters of commitment, and Information Technology Plan and this section will not be included in the page count. Resumes should be placed in alphabetical order.

19. Please clarify if the Technical Volume should be single or double spaced.

Answer: It is up to the offeror whether to use double spacing or single spacing.

20. Do resumes go in the Technical or Business Volume?

Answer: Resumes are to be included in the Technical proposal. Please refer to section

L of the RFP, page 58 which states that resumes letters of commitment, and Information

Technology Plans are not included in the page count. The offeror shall provide a separate labeled section for the purpose of resumes, letters of commitment, and

Information Technology Plan and this section will not be included in the page count.

Resumes should be placed in alphabetical order.

21. For Task 3.1 – “Develop a draft plan for production and dissemination of findings and work products” – what findings does this refer to and where can we access them?

Answer: Findings would include any trends or information on training, technical assistance, or grantee performance that warrant a report, presentation, fact sheet, or other work product. These trends and information shall be identified by the contractor, in conjunction with the COR/ACOR and pertinent subject matter experts.

22. Does Task 9 apply to Native Connections grantees that are “graduating” or have reached a higher level of performance? How does this differ from the TTA afforded under Task 2 and how are the up to 30 recipients selected?

Answer: Task 9 is the same TTA provided under Task 2, there is no difference. Task 9 is designed to cover one grantee and allows the government to provide TTA to more than the initial grantees covered under Task 2.

23. Is Task 9 a new effort under this recompeted contract?

Answer: No, a similar optional task was included in the previous contract.

24. For Optional Task 8 – What is the “SAMHSA-supported data collection platform” and what role will the contractor have in interacting with the platform beyond submitting data?

Answer: The SAMHSA data collection platform is the same one used by grantees to enter their data. No other interaction with the platform, beyond submitting data, will be necessary.

25. What is SAMHSA’s Meeting/Conference Approval Policy and where can we access it?

Answer: Federal staff members manage the meeting approval process internally.

Meetings are approved prior to the awarding of a contract. The COR/ACOR will manage issues related to the Meeting/Conference Approval Policy and instruct the contractor if any action is needed.

26. As was the case with the incumbent organizations, can we have co-project directors?

Answer: There is no prohibition against co-project directors. An explanation of this proposed staffing structure should be included in the proposal.

27. The RFP references a work plan on page 58 and a Schedule on page 59 to be included in the proposal. Are the work plan and schedule the same requirement?

Answer: The schedule is part of the recommended technical proposal format that you may use.

28. Does the technical volume submitted as part of our response need to be 508 compliant?

Answer: Yes.

29. Is there an existing ATO in place for any system components that would be transferred to the new contractor?

Answer: The SAMHSA IT Security Team determined that an ATO was not needed for the existing contract.

30. Is there an existing data collection system platform or system already being used that would be transferred to the new contractor?

Answer: SAMHSA manages the data collection platform. The contractor should include a system for efficient and accurate data collection in the proposal.

31. The section references Attachment 18 as an example of a subcontracting plan, however it was not included. Can the government provide?

Answer: This plan does not apply as this solicitation is set aside for 8a businesses.

32. Since this is an 8a set-aside, is this section requiring a subcontracting plan valid?

Answer: This plan does not apply as this solicitation is set aside for 8a businesses.

33. The RFP states that offerors should direct all communications to the attention of the Contract

Specialist or Contracting Officer cited on the fact page of the RFP, however these names are not listed. Can the government confirm?

Answer: Please refer to the Cover Page of the RFP. The Contract Specialist is Heather

Orandi, Email: Heather.Orandi@samhsa.hhs.gov.

34. The attachment states that Font size must be NO smaller than the size of Times Roman 12pt for the Technical Proposal and NO smaller than the size of Times Roman 8pt for Exhibits and

Graphics but the offeror can utilize any legible font style. Will the government allow font in tables to be no smaller than 10pt font?

Answer: Font size in a table shall be no smaller than the size of Times Roman 8pt.

35. Under the section titled Limitation on Size of Technical Proposal, the RFP states that the

Information Technology Plan, Resumes, and Letters of commitment should be included in a separate labeled section. However, these items are also listed under L.4 Business proposal instructions. Please confirm if these items should be included in Volume I. Technical Quote or

Volume II. Business Quote

Answer: Please include these items in the technical proposal. They do not count towards the page count

36. Can the government confirm that offerors are to list the last three (3) contracts and subcontracts each for both the prime and all major subcontractors? Is this a minimum requirement to submit only three for both the prime and subcontractor?

mailto:Heather.Orandi@samhsa.hhs.gov

Answer: Include up to 3 contracts and 3 subcontracts from the past three (3) years that would be considered similar in nature to this requirement. Include any currently active contracts that would fit this requirement as well.

37. Can the government confirm that if an offeror is submitting 10 key personnel (for example) under a newly formed entity, that each key personnel should include a list of the last three (3) contracts and subcontracts?

38. Can the government confirm that if an offeror is a newly formed entity, that the government will accept past performances submitted for each organization that is a member of the formed entity or key personnel proposed under the newly formed entity?

39. Can the government confirm that the HHS Section 508 Evaluation Template (Attachment 17) is to be submitted in Volume II: Business Proposal?

Answer: Yes, include attachment 17 in the business proposal.

40. Can the government confirm that offerors must submit resumes for all proposed staff or only key personnel?

Answer: As stated on page 72 of the RFP, the proposal must contain the resumes for all proposed staff, letters of commitment for proposed subcontractors, consultants, and staff whose hiring is contingent upon award of the contract.

41. Does “Spacing should be no more than 15 characters per inch. Within a vertical inch, there must be no more than six lines of text” apply to images?

a. Answer: Yes.

42. Does "exhibit=page" mean that exhibits count toward total page count or does it mean that each exhibit should be counted as a page?

a. Answer: Exhibits used (placed) in the technical proposal discussion will count as a page and should be numbered as such. Exhibits must be labeled and numbered.

43. Would the Government be willing to initiate an audit at award in support of the Performance-

Based, Cost-Reimbursable Type?

Answer: An audit will not be performed at the time of award.

44. Given the timeframe for questions and answers, and the level of effort required to respond, can the due date for submitting the RFP be extended beyond March 19, 2021?

Answer: The deadline for RFP submission will not be extended.

45. May the offeror submit more than three (3) contracts for consideration of Past Performance?

Answer: As stipulated in the RFP, the contractor shall supply the last 3 completed contracts or subcontracts within the past three (3) years. Additionally, all current contracts that are similar in nature to the current solicitation.

46. Will the Government consider the qualifications and experience of personnel as past performance independent of the contractor’s corporate past performance?

Answer: No, personnel experience will not be considered under the Evaluation Factor

3.

47. The PWS cites the number of consultants and costs for travel for TTAs and TAs to support learning communities and technical assistance. Are the consultants stipulated by the customer, if they are necessary, or are their services at the contractor’s discretion?

Answer: The consultants are selected by the contractor and approved by the customer.

48. Per Diem and travel rates to some regions (specially OCONUS regions) may exceed the numbers provided in the PWS. Can you please clarify these requirements and policy that enforces the amounts published in the PWS?

Answer: The per diem rates for regions such as Alaska were contemplated in the numbers provided within the PWS.

49. How many FTEs are currently on the contract?

Answer: This information is proprietary to the Contractor. The offeror should propose the appropriate FTEs to carry out the tasks in the PWS.

50. What is the historical number of FTEs under this contract?

Answer: This information is proprietary to the Contractor. The offeror should propose the appropriate FTEs to carry out the tasks in the PWS.

51. The cover letter states the following: This acquisition is solicited as a Certified 8(a) Small

Business Set-Aside under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990, All other Professional Scientific, and Technical Services with a small business size standard of

$16.5 Million. L.1.l Notice of 8(a) COMPETATIVE SET-ASIDE Section L states the following:

Offers are solicited only from small business concerns expressly certified by the Small Business

Administration (SBA) for participation in the SBA’s 8(a) Program. Bids or proposals received from others will be considered non-responsive. For clarification purposes, can a WOSB submit a proposal for this RFP?

Answer: This requirement is an 8(a) set-aside and only offerors that are Certified 8(a)

Small Businesses will be considered for this requirement.