Responses_to_questions.docx

Question 1:

To satisfy the requirement to “monitor global online coverage”, non-English internet content, journals, news media, etc., would be included. Is language translation required (a) from keywords, e.g., English to French, and/or (b) for content, e.g. translating German to English for USITC.

Answer 1:

No, language translation is not required. USITC is only interested in English-language foreign coverage.

Question 2:

The contractor shall provide an internet-based tool for up to 5 USITC staff:

· Is each staff member able to generate their own newsletter, thereby potentially 5 newsletters per day?

Is the tool required to support email distribution of a newsletter-like product by any of the 5 authorized staff?

Answer 2:

The USITC expects to generate a single news clip compilation newsletter each day, but it will be compiled by any of the 5 designated USITC employees. The tool should support distribution by any of the staff authorized to use the tool.

Question 3:

Regarding continuous monitoring and the frequency of content delivery, is the government willing to consider some adjustments, such as:

· In lieu of Saturday/Sunday delivery, the Monday delivery provides new relevant content since Friday. The same approach can apply to Federal holidays

· Different frequencies for the content source categories listed in 2.3.1.3:

· Magazine and Trade publications published weekly

· Journals published monthly

· Social Media covering a weekly period vice any daily change Answer 3:

Regarding sources that do not publish content on a daily schedule, the USITC would expect the Offeror to be able to provide information about such content timely after it goes live on the Internet.

Question 4:

The contractor shall provide an internet-based tool:

· (Not specified) Is the tool intended to support appropriate USITC personnel for content viewing, historical query, etc?

· The designate 5 USITC staff would have different user roles and capabilities.

Without this capability, other USITC personnel would only be able to view the selected newsletter content.

Answer 4:

USITC staff will select content to include in a newsletter-type product that will be provided electronically to up to 200 USITC Commissioners/staff. All recipients must be able to view the content provided in the newsletter.

Question 5:

Search term information:

· What is the average, or expected number, of keyword search terms (“USITC”, and each of the Commissioners would count as six (6))?

· What has been the range (minimum, average, maximum) for the number of separate content items provided each day?

What has been the average amount of content per day (e.g., 5 items may be 5 pages or 25 pages of content)?

Answer 5:

The USITC cannot specify an average or expected number of search terms; we expect search terms to vary widely and change frequently. The USITC will require the ability to conduct keyword searches on a wide range of topics and government officials involved in global international trade-related organizations, policies, and actions.

Question 6:

The offerer can provide multiple options for “premium content” focused on select geographic regions, company financials, and/or market sectors. The offerer defines “premium content” as a paid subscription for access, potentially affected by content download or number of searches. That said, “premium content” may not provide any additional value in terms of new content from the current sources. Can the government provide specific types of information it would like to, which may differ from the nine (9) content source categories listed in 2.3.1.3?

Answer 6:

The Commission is interested in content from subscription only type sources that could be behind a paywall. (i.e Wall Street Journal, The Economist, New York Times, etc.)

Question 7:

The offerer is proposing a tailored platform, automated back-end processing and front-end web-based user interface, to meet the USITC requirements. Therefore, the demonstration will be a proof of concept, with initial delivery of the platform mid base year. All USITC requirements will be met upon contract award through both manual processing and some automation. Is that acceptable OR must the tool be evaluation ready following the demonstration (6-13 November 2019)?

Answer 7:

The USITC must be able to begin to use the tool upon award; “initial delivery of the platform mid base year” would not be acceptable. We require a demonstration of the product prior to award to be able to evaluate the tool.

Question 8:

Can you tell me how many FTE are at the USITC that would require access?

Answer 8:

We require access for 5 USITC staff to be able to compile the daily newsletter, which will be disseminated to up to 200 USITC Commissioners and staff.

Question 9:

Is the intended use of the News Clipping service to be managed by a communication staff and disseminated throughout the USITC, or available for personalization by all FTE?

Answer 9:

USITC External Relations staff (access required for 5) will compile the daily newsletter, which will be disseminated to up to 200 USITC Commissioners and staff. Only the 5 External Relations staff members will create the daily newsletter. The 200 recipients will not alter the newsletter.

Question 10:

Is there an incumbent currently providing these services? If so, what is the current contract number?

Answer 10:

ITC-PO-14-0035 CustomScoop Question 11:

Is there a budget the Government would like to make vendors aware of for this project?

Answer 11:

The budget for this product is up to $30,000.00 for each year of the contract (base plus four option years).

Question 12:

Is there a need to access coverage prior to the PoP?

Answer12:

No need to access coverage prior to the PoP.

Question 13:

Does the government require access to a mobile app?

Answer 13:

We need to be able to deliver the final product via email to be read on a mobile devices. We do not require the ability to compile the final product via mobile app, but we note in our evaluation factors that we will consider “the flexibility of the tool provided to create the report/newsletter” and each Offeror will be evaluated on the capabilities and ease of use of the tools provided to USITC staff.

Question 14:

Does the government require access to a media database and press release tool?

Answer 14:

We do not require access to a media database and press release tool.

Question 15:

Our industry provides licensed access to the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform on a yearly subscription basis. Can you please revise the Qty to “1” and the Unit to “Year” or “Lot” or “Each”?

Answer 15:

Please see updated SOW.

Question 16:

2.3.1.1 In regards to the global coverage, is there a need to monitor content in multiple languages and foreign characters in addition to English? (Japanese, Chinese, Hindi, Arabic, Hebrew, Cyrillic, etc...)?

Answer 16:

We do not require the ability to monitor in languages other than English. We are interested only in English-language foreign coverage.

Question 17:

2.3.1.4 In 2.2, USITC notes that “ the contractor shall not submit material that infringes existing copyrights or licenses” , but the requirement notes several outlets (WSJ, NYT, etc.)

that are paywall protected. Is USITC planning to maintain subscriptions to these publications so that they can read and understand the full text or would the ideal solution for USITC be a vendor that can provide access to these premium sources?

- If the latter, some of the sources listed here would be more appropriately priced under the “OPTIONAL CLINs” (CLINs X0002) How can proposers make this clear that they can support the requirements, but only if the Government purchases the “Optional CLINs”?

Answer 17:

As noted in 2.3.1.4, “The USITC understands that the Contractor may not be able to provide access to articles/mentions/citations on sites that require subscription and/or registration; however the USITC shall be informed that content exists on such sites through the Contractor’s monitoring.” As further noted in 4.3.1, “Offerors must include information if they are able to provide optional access to “premium content” or “top tier’ sources’ content. The Offeror is expected to fully describe what is being proposed and any additional price(s) associated with access to this optional premium or top tier content.

Question 18:

2.3.2.1 Is USITC looking for a professional services type of approach, whereby Contractor has a human review and select a number of key relevant articles to deliver by 7am? Or rather an automated report that gets delivered at 7am, with the clips accessible in a software platform for USITC to complete the Requirements as described in 2.3.3?

Answer 18:

No, the Commission is not requesting these services.

Question 19:

2.3.3 - Does USITC require all five staff to be able to access the platform simultaneously?

Answer 19:

It is not required for all 5 staff members to be able to access the tool simultaneously.

Question 20:

2.3.3.1 - We note the requirement that “USITC reserves the right to adjust the number of USITC staff members that are allowed access to the newsletter”. While this is possible, if USITC takes on “premium content” or access to copyright full-text content, this content is priced on a per-reader basis. So while USITC would be able to adjust the number of staff who have access, the cost would increase. Can USITC revise this requirement or the pricing to accommodate for this please?

Answer 20:

If the Commission determines this needs to be distributed to more than 200 Commissioner’s and staff members, a modification will be issued to reflect the change in pricing.

Question 21:

2.3.3.2 - What specific metrics/KPIs is USITC looking to measure? As much additional information as you can provide will be helpful in providing an accurate quote.

Answer 21:

Currently the Commission uses metrics such as reach, sentiment, or type of media.

Question 22:

2.3.4.1 - Will an email response be acceptable in lieu of a telephone call? Will USITC also accept a “live chat” feature that has a 5 minute response time instead within the platform?

Answer 22:

2.3.4.1 – No, USITC requires the ability to reach the Contractor by telephone for urgent matters.

Question 23:

2.3.5 - can you please confirm that no CD-ROMs are required as part of the deliverables?

Answer 23:

No CD-ROMs are required as part of the deliverables.

Question 24:

Do Technical and Price Volumes need to be submitted as separate PDF files or one file?

Answer 24:

Please submit pricing separate from technical capabilities as these two factors will be evaluated separately.

Question 25:

Will submission of a VPAT and GPAT be viewed advantageously? Will submissions that only submit either JUST a VPAT or JUST a GPAT be evaluated with lower consideration?

Answer 25:

The USITC will accept either VPAT or GPAT. There is no need to submit both.

Question 26:

This solicitation is listed under NAICS 519190 – All Other Information Services; in prior decisions, the GAO has ruled that companies whose SAM profile registration did not match the solicitation NAICS codes were not automatically deemed technically unacceptable.

Answer 26:

The Commission will accept quotes from vendors with different NAICS codes.

Question 27:

May companies from Outside USA can apply for this?

Answer 27:

Yes, vendors from outside the USA may submit a proposal.

Question 28:

Do companies need to come over there for meetings?

Answer 28:

There is no need for in person meetings. The demonstration may conducted via webinar. The Commission needs to be able to contact vendor via telephone for urgent matters.

Question 30:

Can we perform the tasks (related to RFP) outside USA?(India or Canada)

Answer 30:

These services may be performed outside of the US.

Question 31:

Can we submit the proposals via email?

Answer 31:

Yes, proposals may be submitted via email.