283-12-1000 Questions and Answers.doc

RFP 283-12-1000 - SAMHSA IDIQ Questions and Answers

1. If we apply for one or two Domains now, is it possible to add more Domains at another time within the 5-year period of performance? (NOTE: I see that Section C.16 indicates that SAMHSA may add Domains and those current contractors may bid on new Domains or current Domains that “the Government elects to reopen for competition.” However, my question is whether a contractor can voluntarily elect to submit a proposal for an additional Domain during the post-award period.) The offeror needs to propose all the Domains they are interested in at this time we will not add additional Domains post award.

2. For the purposes of this RFP and determining which category we would fall into, what are the definitions for a Large Business and a Small Business? A couple of things - the NAICS codes relates to the size standard - Small Business need to be considered such under the Small Business Administration.

3. Do the definitions for both the Large and Small Business categories include not-for-profit entities, i.e., is a nonprofit eligible to apply? Not for profit - will be considered LARGE.

4. Because of the proprietary nature, a subcontractor does not wish to disclose unloaded labor rates or the current negotiated indirect rate agreement to the prime contractor. Can a subcontractor provide a sealed package with that information so that it is only disclosed directly to SAMHSA for their review? Yes a subcontractor can provide a sealed package - it needs to be included in the PRIME proposal that way there is not a mix up or issue with DCM matching SUBs with PRIMEs.

5. A subcontractor has concerns regarding the award fee nature of the prime contract. Can the prime contractor propose a cost plus fixed fee and/or a time and materials type of contract for a subcontractor? Under the specific RFTOPs it is NOT the norm but we have negotiated other than CPAF subcontractor agreements - it depends on concerns raised, work, and dollars.

6. In each Domain it is anticipated that there will be a total 20 awards divided between large and small awardees (Domains 1-4) or 8(a) or SDVOSB (Domain 5). Is it anticipated that some task orders will be released for bids and be set-aside under a specific Domain for only one of the following: small business, 8(a) or SDVOSB? Correct - each Domain will have 20 - The Request for Task Orders can be issued under Domains 1 thru 4 as just SMALL or SMALL and LARGE. Under Domain 5 is it anticipated that the RFTOP will be issued to both 8(a) and SDVOSB

7. On page 65 in the SAMHSA IDIQ RFP the following paragraphs are included: "In no instance shall two or more IDIQ contract awardees form a “team” or “joint venture” to bid upon any task order, whether or not the awardees are approved for the same or different domains."

7A) Does this mean that a 8(a) or SDVOSB can bid on and be awarded a contract under Domain 5 but not be a subcontractor on a large business bid on Domains 1,2,3, and 4? Or subcontractor on a small business bid in Domains 1, 2, 3 & 4? No, they can be a subcontractor under any large or small businesses under Domains 1 thru 4.

7B) Can a 8(a) company bid on Domain 5 as a 8(a) Prime with a SDVOSB as one of their subcontractors. Can the same SDVOSB contractor bid on Domain 5 as a SDVOSB Prime and have the 8(a) firm on its list of subcontractors. If both companies submit winning bids, will both be eligible to be awarded contracts? Yes they can each be on each others proposal and if they both win then they will have to decide who would propose under an issued RFTOP.

7C) Please clarify. Can two large businesses within the same domain form a team and be partners for that domain if only one of them is bid as the prime? Yes; Can a large business that is prime on one domain team with another large business that is prime on another domain? Yes; Can large and small businesses team within and across domains? Yes 7D) Does this restriction only apply to formal ventures (i.e. legal organizations formed by the two or more IDIQ awardees)? No; If the answer to #1 is NO then the following questions are offered for further clarification.

· May an IDIQ awardee include another IDIQ awardee as a subcontractor on a task order proposal when the awardee included as a subcontractor on the proposal has not submitted a proposal to be a prime contractor for the task order request for proposal? Yes

· May an IDIQ awardee include another IDIQ awardee as a subcontractor on a task order proposal when the awardee included as a subcontractor on the proposal has submitted a proposal to be a prime contractor for the task order request for proposal? Yes

· May a company submitting a proposal under the RFP include another company as a subcontractor on their proposal even though the company to be included as a subcontractor is also submitting a proposal to be a prime contractor under the same domain? Yes

· May a company submitting a proposal under the RFP include another company as a subcontractor on their proposal even though the company to be included as a subcontractor is also submitting a proposal to be a prime contractor under a different domain? Yes

8. Will descriptions be provided for the Labor Categories listed in Section B.4? No there are no descriptions that will be provided - the companies need to do their best in determining those positions.

9. What is the description for the “Senior Consumer” labor category in Section B.4? As stated above descriptions are not being provided - you need to determine what positions you will require for this project.

10. Section B.4 (pg.5) states “The Contractor must propose labor rates for all categories that they determine are applicable to the Domains they are proposing for.” while Section C.1.B.i (p.70) states “A labor rate for all the labor categories listed in Section B.4 Labor Categories should be provided in a spreadsheet format.” Which guideline should be followed? We want each offerer to determine which positions are needed for the Domains that they are proposing for. Provide rates for those personnel proposed.

11. Regarding the concern above, are the key personnel positions to be included under each domain or only at the IDIQ level? Does this mean that more than one person can be bid in each of the key personnel positions? Yes, each Domain will have to be accountable with its own Key Personnel.

12. For contractors bidding on more than one domain, does SAMHSA expect that each domain will have its own project director and project manager, or does SAMHSA expect the contractor to propose an overarching management structure that provides oversight across all domains? Yes, that is correct.

13. Solicitation page 5, Section B.4: Please confirm that the terms “classes of labor,” “labor titles,” and “labor classifications” are synonymous with “labor categories” and that actual labor classes are not required. That is correct.

14. RFP page 5. Is the Government requiring resumes for all labor categories proposed or just for Key Personnel? The Government is requiring resumes for all the Key Personnel, those listed in Section B.4 that the offeror has determined are required and those other than those listed in Section B.4 that the offeror has determined are Key. However, if space permits, the offerors could also provide resumes for other than Key staff. By providing this information it could compliment documentation in the proposal.

15. What constitutes “payroll documentation” as required in Section B.4 and Section C.1.B.i? Documentation of what that person is being paid for those that are employees- if there are positions that not filled and you have historical information on what your company has paid for the positions provide that documentation. If that information is not available you can provide credible salary survey information and state position to be hired.

16. Is credible salary survey information sufficient for payroll documentation? If you don’t have staff in positions that you are proposing and you don’t have salary documentation to support a position then you can provide this information. However, that would indicate that this is the rate that you would be using if those positions are filled.

17. Section B.4 states “an actual labor rate… must be proposed”. Section C.1.B.i states that Direct Labor costs should include “salary and fringe benefits”. For the purposes of this RFP, how should labor rates be calculated? In the spreadsheet you will list the staff and their rates then after those are totaled the fringe is applied to total amount, then overhead is applied to the labor total and fringe benefits, the g&a is calculated and then fee.

18. Given that there is no specific Task Order for Domain I and V, on what basis should “Direct Labor hours, Supplies and Equipment, Travel, Consultant number of days, other Direct Costs, Indirect Costs and IT Costs” be estimated? Since there isn't a task order – the only costs that will be proposed are the salary and indirect costs. There will not be any costs associated to ODC's (travel, supplies, consultants, reproduction, postage and etc)- as for the labor position and hours you need to reflect the commitment of time. There are no IT costs at this time but there could be under the RFTOPS.

19. The Evaluation Criteria refer to “project direction and leadership.” Is such leadership inclusive of those marked as Key Personnel and described in the RFP, or are there other positions that could comprise project leadership? If there are other positions in which you determine should be KEY then you may propose it that way.

20. Is the percent of time available by key personnel for a specific task order expected to vary by task order, other commitments, etc. and can that be negotiated in the task order approval process? As the RFTOPs are issued the staff commitment can be negotiated. We realize that personnel are committed to current projects and as RFTOPs are issued then as a company you determine who should work on what project.

21. Solicitation page 64, Section L.2.B.I: Can you please clarify the content of each separate domain proposal? For example, if a business bids on two domains, would the business submit two separate proposals with 110 pages each for a total of 220 pages (with separate Corporate Qualifications, Management Capabilities, Key Personnel sections, in each Domain proposal) ? The separate proposals are necessary; each Domain will be reviewed by a separate Technical Review Committee.

22. Solicitation page 64, Section L.2.B.I.(b): “The table of contents shall clearly provide the location in the proposal of each domain being offered.” Should each domain be bundled under one cover with one table of contents, or should each domain stand alone with its own cover and table of contents? Each Domain has its own cover and table of contents.

23. Solicitation page 68, Section L.2.B.II: “Members of the subcontractor’s staff should make the portion of the oral presentation relating to their work its firm will be performing.” Does this mean that a representative from each subcontractor organization must be present at the oral presentation, or is this at the discretion of the priming organization and the subcontractor? It is not a requirement that each subcontractor must present, this is up to the discretion of the PRIME.

24. RFP page 66. Page 66 indicates that resumes, letters of commitment, subcontractor commitment letter, and cultural competence plan should be included in the Key Personnel section. Can the resumes, cultural competence plan, and letters of commitment be included as appendices? Yes, the pages for the appendices are to provide additional pages for this section. Please note that the 45 pages for the Appendices can be double sided (45 pages but 90 sides to reflect information).

25. RFP pages 64 and 67. It appears that the Government is requesting that the Technical Approach section of the proposal be submitted in the form of visual handouts not to exceed 15 pages (5 page overview and 10 page domain specific). If so, the space available to present content is limited. Does the Government expect that the 5 pages of handouts will be an overview and that 10 domain specific pages will be the fully explained technical approach? Due to the concerns raised at the Pre Proposal Conference on 12/12/11 regarding the slides and technical approach, further consideration has been made and the offerors will be provided an additional 10 pages to provide a technical approach narrative. These pages are in addition to the current requirements.

26. RFP page 68. Can a contractor switch out a staff who are proposed as a presenters for orals but are not available when the dates/times for orals are confirmed? Yes

27. RFP page 69. What is the purpose of the breakdown of proposed estimated costs in attachment 8 as the RFP is requesting just labor rates? This document will become part of the contract and will apply to the RFTOPs.

28. Solicitation page 72, Section L.2.C.4: “Small Business Subcontracting Plan” indicates that a Small Business Subcontracting Plan is required “…for ALL RFTOPs for Large Businesses.” Please confirm that a Small Business Subcontracting Plan IS NOT required for the IDIQ submission and that Small Business Subcontracting Plans will be submitted only when responding to RFTOPs and only when required per the FAR dollar threshold. This will be required ONLY for the RFTOPs and not this IDIQ. In addition the amount has increased to $650,000.

29. Solicitation page 45, Section H.17.b: “Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan” indicates the requirement for the preparation of a Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan per FAR 52.219-25, yet Section L makes no reference to submission of such a plan with the IDIQ proposal. Is a Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan only required for RFTOPs greater than the FAR dollar threshold and not required for the IDIQ submission? Please clarify. This plan is NOT required for this IDIQ submission.

30. Solicitation page 69, Section L.2.C.1: “These elements will include, as applicable, direct labor, fringe benefits, travel, materials, subcontracts, ODCs, indirect costs and rate, and fee.” Is fee to be included, or will it be negotiated at first task order award? Yes, that is correct.

31. Solicitation page 69, Section L.2.C.1(A): “Indicate Domain number(s) proposed and whether small or large business (i.e., Domain 1L, 2L, etc.).” Please confirm that only one Business Volume is to be submitted that covers offeror’s bids on all domains? That is incorrect. 1 Business proposal will need to be submitted with each Domain.

32. Solicitation page 71, Section L.2.C.3: “Offerors (and subcontractors) should include the following information for past performance references: proposed key personnel that participated on the referenced project and a discussion on how the referenced work is similar to the proposed work.” Is this information to be provided at the Domain level or at the IDIQ level? If at the Domain level, there could be duplicate contractor performance requests. Are the past performance projects limited to those on which key personnel have worked? Yes this information is at the Domain level. The offeror is permitted to provide those that key personnel have worked and also those reflecting the organizations performance regardless of key personnel.

33. Solicitation page 69, Section L.2.C.1(B)(i): “Give the name, title, hours, percentage of effort, salary and fringe benefits for each employee.” By percentage of effort, does SAMHSA mean availability? Yes

34. Solicitation page 81, Section M Criteria 3; solicitation page 83, Section M Criteria 3; solicitation page 84, Section M Criteria 3: Does “availability” mean for the first year or throughout the 5 years? The offeror should reflect throughout the 5 years. The Government realizes that as each year passes with other projects proposed and awarded availability will change.

35. Solicitation page 66, Section L.2.B(2): “Flow charts and person loading charts are considered essential for clarity.” No hypothetical task orders are provided, so are person loading charts still required? Yes, the flow and person loading charts are required. The offeror can provide a hypothetical scenario under the domains to reflect clarity to the charts.

36. Solicitation page 80, Section M, Criteria 2: “The Offeror shall provide a staff loading chart delineating task and time responsibility.” Same question as above. Yes, the offeror is to provide the staff loading charts. The offeror can provide a hypothetical scenario under the domain and the charts can support the hypothetical.

37. Solicitation page 51, Section J: Attachment #2 Quality Assurance Plan is missing. Will this attachment be provided? This is for the RFTOPs.

38. Solicitation Cover Letter asks for one original copy of the Business Proposal, but Attachment 5 requests one original and one CD-ROM. Is a copy of the Business Proposal on CD required? Yes a CD is required.

39. Solicitation page 79, Section M, Criteria 1 says that a detailed Section 508 Implementation Plan should be included. Does SAMHSA want this plan included up front in Corporate Qualifications or in the Appendix? If space permits, it should be in CQ, however if not then place in the appendices.

40. Solicitation page 66, Section L.2.B.(3)(e): Cultural competency appears to be included in a listing of items for the Appendix. Does SAMHSA want this included up front in Key Personnel or in the Appendix? This can be in either location.

41. Solicitation page 80, Section M, Criteria 2: “The Offeror shall provide a Quality Assurance Plan…”; also on solicitation page 8, Section C.2.a: “The Request for Task Order Proposal shall include a statement of work, schedule of deliverables, quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP), technical evaluation criteria and additional instructions as needed for each individual Task Order to be issued under this contract.” Is a quality assurance plan required for the IDIQ proposal or at the time of a task order award? If part of the IDIQ proposal, does SAMHSA want this plan included up front in Management Capabilities or in the Appendix? The QASP referenced on page 8 is for the RFTOPS. The Quality Assurance Plan referenced on page 80 is part of the evaluation criteria and applies to this IDIQ. The offeror must respond to the evaluation criteria to receive weighted points.

42. Location for the event portion? At this time there are no locations for the events. However, majority of the events (except for regional requirements) will occur in the Washington Metropolitan area.

43. How many participants? There is not a set number of participants, each event will have its own requirements.

44. What are the RFP’s stipulations as to what a successful Offeror must demonstrate? ( I cannot find those stipulations alluded to within the solicitation) The offerors will be evaluated on the Evaluation Criteria. Please read all the criterion (4) and sub-factors under each for the specific domain to determine what is required.

45. Please verify that each domain will present 16 total slides: 1 introduction, 5 overview slides, and 10 technical approach slides. The summary table following the description of required materials states explicitly that the technical approach will have 10 pages “[per] domain,” but the overview and presenter page does not explicitly state “[per] domain.”The overview and percentage page are per domain, they will be submitted in each domain proposal.

46. Section B.1.4.4 (p.67) states: “The Offeror may use up to 5 visual aid pages to provide an overview of the offer. The Offeror shall use not more than 10 visual aid pages per Domain to support the oral presentation.” What is the maximum number of visual aid pages that can be used for the Oral Presentation – five or ten? On page 69 it reflects both for the total - the 5 pages is an overview of the company - the 10 pages is the support on the Technical Approach.

47. Can the visual aid pages be in a multi-media in format (i.e. - contain movement, sound, etc.)? Sure - obviously the hard copy in the technical proposal will not be animated but they should be the same slides.

48. Can each page in the oral presentation contain only one PowerPoint slide? Yes

49. Can audio or video clips be included in oral presentation? Yes

50. For the oral presentation, can the text on a slide load one line at a time as the presenter speaks (via ‘animation’), even though the related visual in the application shows all the text for that slide? Yes

51. Will a screen be provided at the oral presentation and if so, what will the size of the screen be? No, the offerors will be responsible for whatever equipment they need for their presentation.

52. For the oral presentation, do the one-page presenter summary, the 5-page overview, and the 10-page domain approach need to be in a specific order? If so, what order? The offeror can present the slide presentation in the order that they determine is best for their team.

53. Is the one-page presenter summary in the oral presentation a description of who the presenters are or a one-page summary/overview of the entire oral presentation? The presenter page is a list / overview of the entire team presenting

54. There are currently no points assigned to the 5-page overview for the oral presentation. It appears that all 40 points are assigned to the 10 domain-specific visual pages. Is the 5-page overview scored? If so, what review criteria apply to those 5 pages? All of the pages are included in the 40 points for technical approach. In addition, information provided in the 5 page overview can also provide reflection on Criterion 1 & 2 depending on the presentation of the slides and orals.

55. What information described under ‘Approach’ and ‘Personnel’ on pages 68-69 (in II. ORAL PORTION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL) should be included as part of oral presentation? There are too many personnel, with too much detail about each, to present in the time allotted for the oral presentation. Please clarify what information to provide under Approach and Personnel, and how it is scored. The oral presentation compliments the written documentation / slides that are provided in the technical proposal. Between the written documentation and the presentation the offerors should address the sub-factors in the evaluation criteria.

56. Is the written proposal given a preliminary score prior to the oral presentation? If so, are the visuals provided as part of the Technical Approach section scored as part of the written review? Or, would the maximum possible points given prior to the oral presentation be 60, with a possible 40 only added at the time of the oral presentation? The written proposal is given a preliminary score prior to the oral presentation. The slides which are part of the technical proposal are included in that review. Due to the concerns raised at the Pre Proposal Conference on 12/12/11 regarding the slides and technical approach, further consideration has been made and the offerors will be provided an additional 10 pages to provide a technical approach narrative. These pages are in addition to the current requirements. The oral presentation compliments the written documentation. After the oral presentation and the question and answer period the reviewers will then meet and review the proposal as a whole (written documentation and presentation) and will discuss and revise their score. The Technical Approach section is worth a total of 40 of the 100 points.

57. Are the 40 points assigned to Criteria 4: Technical Approach awarded solely based on the oral presentation? To receive maximum points, does the oral presentation need to address all of the numbered or bulleted points in Criteria 4? The 40 points for Technical Approach are from both the slides and the oral presentation. Between the written documentation and oral presentation the offeror must address all the sub-factors. Due to the concerns raised at the Pre Proposal Conference on 12/12/11 regarding the slides and technical approach, further consideration has been made and the offerors will be provided an additional 10 pages to provide a technical approach narrative. These pages are in addition to the current requirements.

58. There are 3 bulleted evaluation criteria under Corporate Qualifications on page 79 that appear to be the same as the criteria that appear in Management Capabilities on page 80. The similar language is copied below. Please clarify what information related to previous corporate experience, staffing, and quality control/quality assurance should appear in Corporate Qualifications versus in Management Capabilities. Another question: is the guidance saying that we should repeat much of the narrative that appears in our Corporate Qualifications section in our Management Capabilities section?

Review Criteria Related to Previous Corporate Experience:

Corporate Qualifications, p. 79: “The offeror shall demonstrate its previous corporate experience and capability in managing projects of similar size, scope, and content, specifically demonstrating the ability to organize, staff, and manage a contract of this nature; one that is quick start-up, short duration, includes multiple delivery orders, and timely production of high quality deliverables.”

AND

Management Capabilities, p.80: “The Offeror shall demonstrate its previous corporate experience and capability in managing projects of similar size, scope, and content, specifically demonstrating the ability to organize, staff, and manage a contract of this nature; one that is quick start-up, short duration, includes multiple delivery orders, and timely production of high quality deliverables.”

Review Criteria Related to Staffing

Corporate Qualifications p. 79: “The offeror’s staffing plan is detailed, clearly presented, and appropriate to meet the performance requirements of the domains proposed. Flow charts, graphs, tables, lists, and other documentation and exhibits are used to clearly elaborate and display the proposed structures, the labor categories and names of personnel to be employed, their responsibilities, and how they will be utilized and managed. This plan shall include a clear articulation of any subcontractor relationships.”

AND

Management Capabilities, p.80: “The Offeror shall provide a staff loading chart delineating task time and responsibility; identify personnel and their qualifications for significant functions; and provide concise descriptions of the duties each shall perform under the contract.”

Review Criteria Related to Quality Control/Quality Assurance

Corporate Qualifications, p. 79: “Quality control procedures to assure that project deliverables and services are maximally useful to SAMHSA staff and participants in SAMHSA’s programs.”

AND

Management Capabilities—Quality Assurance, p. 80: “The Offeror shall provide a Quality Assurance Plan demonstrating soundness of company policies and procedures for planning, implementing, and assessing the effectiveness of its project teams. This plan shall include quality control procedures to assure that project deliverables and services are maximally useful to SAMHSA staff and participants in SAMHSA’s programs.”

This is an error. Section M, Evaluation Criteria has been revised and posted to the FBO on 12/12/11.

59. RFP page 19. In the SAMHSA IDIQ solicitation from 2006 hypothetical case studies were to be presented within the technical. Please confirm that for the 2011 solicitation a hypothetical case is NOT requested to be included. In the 2006 IDIQ there were proposals received that were for Domains that were written ONLY and Domains that were Oral. Hypothetical scenarios were required for the written only proposals. This IDIQ has only Oral proposals (which means written with an oral presentation). Hypothetical scenarios are not requested, however if the offeror determines that they want to present their proposal as a hypothetical to better demonstrate their ability and address the criteria then this is permitted.

60. RFP page 1. Should the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) be submitted as part of the IDIQ technical response or should the QASP be submitted in response to individual RFTOPs? The Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) will be required for the RFTOPs.

61. In section B of the Business Proposal Instructions (Pages 70-71), it requests a detailed budget, however, without a hypothetical or task order, it proves impossible to estimate costs such as level of effort, travel, supplies, etc. Would it be correct to assume only task orders will require a detailed budget? That is correct. For this IDIQ submission the offerors need to provide labor rates and indirect costs. ODC’s are not required.

62. Is there a page limit to the Business Proposal? No.

63. In section B.4 of the RFP, may offerors add categories not presently listed? Correct.

64. May an offeror propose new personnel categories when it responds to a RFTOP? When the awardees proposes on a RFTOP and they determine that other positions are needed then they can propose what they determine appropriate.

65. Are offerors required to propose rates and provide resumes for non-key personnel? Offerors should provide rates for all personnel but they are not required to provide resumes for non-key personnel. It was recommended in a earlier question that if space permits the offeror might want to provide additional personnel resumes. By providing this information it could compliment documentation in the proposal

66. May offerors exclude some of the categories marked with asterisks (Key Personnel) in section B.4 of the RFP if offerors do not anticipate utilization? The offerors should propose those staff that they determine is needed for the Domains that they are proposing for.

67. Should offerors inflate the Federal salary cap of $199,700 in subsequent option years? The offerors should not adjust the salary cap rate, it is undetermined at this time the rate it would increase for each year.

68. Should offerors assume the requirement to submit a Small Business Plan applies to task orders only? That is correct.

69. In several sections there are references to requirements from subcontractors in excess of $500,000. However, without a hypothetical or task order, how are offerors to determine whether a subcontractor will fall into this category? Offerors at this time do not need to focus on the total for their proposed subcontractors. This requirement is not applicable to this IDIQ. It will be for the RFTOPs.

70. Are IT forms and IT plans required for this proposal or only required for task orders? They will be required for the RFTOPs and not this IDIQ.

71. Are subcontractors required to submit IT plans, past performance data, Contractor Evaluation Forms, and ORCA? Subcontractors are required to submit past performance data for the Domains that they are subcontracting under as mentioned on page 72. Subs should also fill out ORCA and submit with their business proposals. IT plans are not required for this IDIQ.

72. In order for an offeror to receive evaluation points for subcontracting with an 8(a) company, must the 8(a) company be qualified for the NAICS code of the relevant domain? Yes

73. Without a hypothetical or specific scope of work, how will SAMHSA determine cost effectiveness? SAMHSA will be reviewing the salary rates loaded and unloaded.

74. Please confirm only one original Business Proposal is required for each domain proposed. Correct one an original business proposal is required for each domain proposed.

75. Under the Performance Based Contract Plan on page 36, reference is made to a small base fee and award fee. Please provide a range for both the incentive and award fee that would be acceptable to SAMHSA. The base and award fee will be determined with the first task order that is awarded.

76. Are resumes required in both the Technical and Business proposals? Resumes are only required in the technical proposal.

77. What if an offeror submits an application as a small business and outgrows the category before awards are made? We were under the impression that as long as the organization doesn’t graduate before the due date of the proposals then they are considered a small business. A question was raised during the Pre-Proposal Conference regarding this issue. We inquired and the response we received was “Currently the regulations state that they must recertify at the five year mark of a contract. Therefore, even if they out grow the NAICS code they are considered small for the life of a 5 year contract. The contractor remains small under a small business set aside until they are required to recertify at the end of the 5th year of the contract. Thus, options can be exercised and count towards small business goals.

78. May contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements be listed under past performance? Yes

79. Is supporting payroll documentation required of all subcontractors? Yes, and they can provide it in a sealed envelope with the PRIME’s proposal.

80. Are labor rates for evaluation purposes only, or will offerors be held to these labor rates during the life of the contract? Labor rates are for evaluating but if they are actual rates and RFTOPs are issued soon after awards then they would be expecting to propose the actual rates.

81. Should both the Technical and Business proposals contain letters of commitment? Yes

82. Awards will be made to provide an efficient competitive environment (Page 56, #4). What criteria will be considered when reviewing an application? How will the government consider and/or calculate cost and/or value? The Government will be reviewing, evaluating and analyzing the labor rates and indirect costs.

83. Does current salary information need to be provided only for key personnel, or also for other personnel named and described but not key personnel? The rates are provided for all staff not just key.

84. Please clarify the sections that comprise the technical approach.

a. Specifically, confirm that there is no written narrative section dedicated to a technical approach to the domain (as is typically the case in other types of RFPs). Rather, the written narrative sections include only Corporate Qualifications (10 pages), Management Capabilities (15 pages), and Key Personnel (20 pages plus 45 appendix pages). It appears that the Oral Technical Approach Documentation is comprised only of presentation materials. Please confirm. That is correct.

b. Please clarify what materials are acceptable for the Oral Technical Approach Documentation. The RFP references a maximum of 15 “overheads” or “visual aids” which includes 5 pages of an overview plus 10 additional overheads/visual aids per domain. Should offerors assume that this translates into a maximum of 15 slides to be shown during the presentation? If not, are copies of all presentation slides expected to be a part of the 15 pages of Oral Technical Approach Documentation? If so, is there a limit to how many slides can be printed on each page? The 15 pages that were provided in the technical proposal are the pages that are also used during the presentation. 5 pages of an overview of the offeror and 10 pages for the technical approach.

c. Should the presenter page include brief bio’s of the presentation team or any other information other than name and title? The presenter page should not have any bio information.

85. Please confirm that offerors will be expected to prepare and conduct fully separate Oral Technical Approach presentations for each domain. That is correct.

86. Please clarify the expected elements of the cost proposal.

d. It is clear that labor rates are to be provided for proposed staff. However, page 69 notes that “As appropriate, the basis of estimate should be provided for the following cost elements, and an agreement to bid actual task orders with the following cost element information should be indicated.” Please clarify this statement in terms of what cost elements are required in the business proposal in response to the current RFP, as opposed to what will be required in future Task Order Proposals. For the business proposal, labor rates and indirect costs should be provided. Other direct costs will not be required.

e. If offerors are expected to propose actual costs for travel, subcontracts, and other direct costs at this time, how should we develop these cost estimates in the absence of a Request for Task Order Proposal description? These are not required.

f. The RFP instructs offerors to include staff loading charts, and consultant letters of commitment that specify number of available days are required. In the absence of a specific Request for Task Order Proposal, how should offerors anticipate level of effort? The offerors are to provide the consultant letters of support. The number of days will be required under the RFTOPs. Staff loading charts are required for this IDIQ.

87. Are offerors required to submit the IT Worksheet (Attachment 14) for this RFP or only on future Task Order Proposals? IT worksheets are not required for this IDIQ but will be required for the RFTOPs.

88. Can proposed key personnel be a part of a subcontractor’s staff or an individual consultant? If a consultant, will prior invoices be an acceptable substitute for payroll records? If not, please recommend an appropriate form of documentation of rate/salary. Yes, key personnel can be part of the subcontractor’s staff. As for a consultant, prior invoices can be acceptable to document that rate specified.

89. Will the IT Plan and ISSP be due after award of the master IDIQ contract or a specific Task Order? These will be required for the RFTOPs and not this IDIQ.

90. Please clarify the requirement on page 68 to identify a single Project Director and to propose his or her time to be spent on the project. In the event that one or more Task Orders may require other key personnel to serve as Project Directors with more availability or different expertise, how will the single Project Director proposed now impact future Task Orders? Further, how should offerors anticipate level of effort for an overall Project Director? The offeror can propose a PD for the overall project or by specific Domains. Remember that each proposal represents one specific domain. The offerors if proposing multiple domains should remember to mention or reflect the overall and individual PDs as appropriate. Regarding the level of effort for the master IDIQ the offeror can review the RFP to determine the level.

91. The evaluation criteria for Corporate Qualifications – specifically the second and fourth listed criteria list below - seem to reference content that is to be addressed in Management Capabilities. Please clarify if offerors should align the required section content according to the Statement of Work or the Evaluation Criteria.

g. Referenced items on page 79:

i. The offerors staffing plan is detailed, clearly presented, and appropriate to meet the performance requirements of the domains proposed. Flow charts, graphs, tables, lists, and other documentation and exhibits are used to clearly elaborate and display the proposed structures, the labor categories and names of personnel to be employed, their responsibilities, and how they will be utilized and managed. This plan shall include a clear articulation of any subcontractor relationships. (3 pts)

ii. Quality control procedures to assure that project deliverables and services are maximally useful to SAMHSA staff and participants in SAMHSA’s programs. (2 pts) There was an error in the Evaluation Criteria and a revised Section is going to be posted on FBO.

92. The evaluation criteria for Project Management (page 80) indicate that the offeror will be evaluated on its approach to planning and implementing project activities. Should offerors describe these capabilities in a generic way or pose a hypothetical project as an example to illustrate a project management strategy? However the offeror determines to reflect the information and respond to the sub-factors of the evaluation criteria. However, as mentioned previously if the offeror determines that they propose a hypothetical to reflect all the sub-factors then they may do so.

93. Does SAMHSA have a preferred binding (e.g., staples, spiral bound) and printing (e.g., single-sided or double-sided) format for the proposal copies? No

94. Does SAMHSA support social media vehicles to develop collective knowledge that can result in TTA materials? Again it depends on the requirements of the SOW

95. In regard to Domain V, are subcontractors also required to be small businesses certified in the 8(a) Program and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses, or are large companies able to be subcontractors if the prime contractor is a certified small business or Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business? Large businesses can subcontract. The only companies that MUST be 8(a) and SDVOSB is the PRIME.

96. In regard to Domain V, does SAMHSA foresee the possibility of requiring contractors to have experience developing and delivering Web-based meetings or events such as trainings or Webinars? It depends on the SOW’s in the RFTOPs

97. Regarding the text in Section L.2.B, Technical Proposal Instructions, Section I, “Written Portion of the Technical Proposal - For All Domains,” Subsection (d), Please clarify the meaning of the second part of the following text: “The offeror can propose the use of subcontractors within the domain(s) for which it has submitted bids. If an offeror is not awarded a prime IDIQ contract, that offeror can be recommended for inclusion as a subcontractor to an IDIQ contract awardee, with prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.” This language seems to suggest that, regarding offerors who submit bids as prime contractors but who are unsuccessful, that other, successful prime contractors can later request that these unsuccessful primes be added to their Team as subcontractors. The intent of this statement is unclear; please clarify the intent of the statement. As RFTOPs are issued if a PRIME determines that they need to add another subcontractor during the life of the SAMHS IDIQ they are permitted to do so and will need to provide the appropriate documentation.

98. Re Section L.2.B, Subsection (3), Item 9 (c), Letters of Commitment, may the required letters of commitment from consultants and personnel to be hired be excluded from the 45-page limit for the resume appendix or provided in the Offeror’s business proposal instead? No. For the 45 pages in the appendices the offeror can print on both sides of the pages. The letters of commitment are to be provided in both technical and business proposals.

99. Will SAMHSA allow the submission of charts in the technical proposal on paper that is larger than letter size for graphics that require this, such as matrices showing the areas of content knowledge and skill sets for Key Personnel and other professional staff? All pages in the technical proposal are to be letter sized.

100. Will Offerors who are submitting proposals for more than one Domain be invited to come to SAMHSA for separate oral presentations on each Domain, or will the expectation be that they will address all of the Domains to which they responded in one, consolidated presentation? The Offerors will be invited to attend separate oral presentations.

101. May offerors submit pages in the Business Proposal that are larger than 8 ½” x 11”? Yes.

102. For the Small Business Awards, the only NAICS code domain that allows for “medium to large-sized” small firms to bid is Domain 2. Is it SAMHSA’s intention that firms exceeding the $7M size standard must compete against large firms in every other domain? That is correct.

103. Page 10, of the RFP states, “The Government may, if appropriate, streamline the task order proposal process so that only new information is solicited from the Contractor. Information submitted for the IDIQ award and any subsequent updates will be linked to each specific task order proposal submitted by the IDIQ Contractor.” How will this streamlining affect the task order proposal process? For example, will Contractors not be required to submit information that has been previously submitted such as Contractor/Subcontractor resumes? How will updates to information submitted for the IDIQ award will be made? This is dependent on the RFTOP and what the requirements are. The process might be shorter to receive a proposal. In addition, the proposals pages could be reduced.

104. Is the 5-year ceiling of $900,000,000 applicable to all SAMHSA awards under the IDIQ or to each award holder? All SAMHSA awards

105. If the Government were to extend the proposal deadline, would the Government also extend the letter of intent deadline, or does the Government regard these two deadlines as unrelated? These are 2 different deadlines

106. Page 70: Please clarify what is meant by “cognizant field audit offices.” Cognizant field audit offices are those offices that are performing / providing the offerors indirect rate agreements.

107. Page 72 states that completed past performance information forms are due 10 days after the proposal deadline of January 12, 2012. However, Attachment 12 states that these forms are due on January 12, 2012. Please specify the correct deadline. Since there are dates that conflict – SAMHSA will have the later date are the due date – 10 days after 1/12/12, which would be 1/22/12.

108. B.7.e on page 6: Do the “benefits provided by airlines” that shall be applied to the contract include personal Frequent Flyer Miles? If staff or the offeror receives benefits due to the travel under the contract (i.e, frequent flyer miles) then the miles earned should be applied back to contract.

109. B.7.e on page 6: Are fees for luggage reimbursable, as they greatly exceed the allowable Incidental Expenses portion of Per Diem? They are costs incurred and are reimbursable.

110. On page 86, Domain IV – Technical Assistance and Training. Must any Domain IV offeror be able to conduct all possible Training and Technical Assistance? It is difficult at this time to determine what will be included in the Training and Technical Assistance. However if you are a selected awardee under this Domain you will have the ability of reviewing the SOW and determine if you can perform the tasks.

111. On page 66, describing the Key Personnel section of the technical, SAMHSA requires Letters of Commitment for consultants and subcontractors. On page 70, letters of commitment are to be included in the business proposal. May letters of commitment be referenced in the technical, but placed in the business proposal? If they are also required as part of the technical, will they count against the established page limits? Letters are required in both proposals. They do count against the page limit. Please note that for the 45 page appendices the offeror can print of both sides of the page.

112. On page 65, under Corporate Capes, a section 508 Compliance Plan is required, and the Plan is listed as criteria for evaluation on page 79. The RFP also requires addressing Section 508 Compliance in the business proposal on page78. Should the “Plan” be included in both the technical and business proposals? Does the detailed Plan as noted in the Technical proposal, count against the 10 page limit in that section, or can it be placed in an Appendix? Yes the plan should be in both and it can be placed in the appendices.

113. Will SAMHSA or the offeror be responsible for the travel costs associated with the oral presentation? The offeror.

114. For the Oral Portion of the Technical Proposal, can you describe/define what a “visual aid page” is? Is the slide or presentation.

115. If we are submitting multiple proposals (bidding on more than one domain), are we required to make separate oral presentations? Yes

116. Under Base of Award, page 88, language is used stating that “paramount consideration shall be given to technical quality and past performance.” How will SAMHSA ensure that a first-time, large offeror with competitive qualifications be given paramount consideration compared to large offerors that have more experience and capabilities than a former small business bidding as a large contractor for the first time? The evaluation criteria are the bases of the evaluation. Each offeror MUST review the criteria and respond to those sub-factors. There is not a criterion or points provided for experience at SAMHSA. It is how the proposal is scored.

117. If the IDIQ is a qualifying vehicle, what is the rationale for limiting the number of awards to 10, instead of as many as 15 (as in the 2006 solicitation), thereby possibly limiting the number of winning competitors? 10 awards is a minimum number there can be more.

118. How will SAMHSA determine the eligibility of a contractor, selected for a sole source contract? If there is a Sole Source RFTOP, the announcement of it will be issued to the specific Domain and those awardees will have an opportunity to provide a response to justify why they can also perform the work.

119. What criteria will be used to determine if a Contractor can provide a service designated unique or highly specialized? Are the specialized areas included in this RFP- 283-12-1000? More details will be provided in the specific RFTOPs.

120. Will a contractor’s eligibility for a sole source Task Order be based on responses received from this RFP? No.

121. Under the evaluation criteria’s subtotal technical points, Criteria 3 is listed twice for 20 and 40 points, respectively. It appears that the second Criteria 3 (40 points) should be Criteria 4 (Technical Approach). Is this correct (See Evaluation Criteria: pages 82,83,85,86, and 87.) You are correct it should reflect Criteria 4.

122. Will all the questions and answers from the pre-proposal conference be provided to all attendees in writing after the conference? If so, how do we access the information? The questions and answers will be issued in FBO

123. Section H.11. Ownership of…