S05 Request for Information Responses - Questions 1-11.pdf

Question: 1 – Is this RFQ for a new requirement, or is it a follow-on contract to an existing requirement?

Response: Yes, this Request for Quotation (RFQ) solicitation is a new requirement.

Question: 2 – As an SDVOSB and corporate entities, can team members' past experiences be included when describing past performance in our proposal?

Response: As indicated by Pages 64-65 and Pages 66-68 of the Request for Quotation (RFQ) solicitation, past performance that will be considered are either Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) data or two (2) Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs) if no CPARS data is available.

Question: 3 – Could you provide the minimum and maximum value of this contract?

Response: As indicated by Page 6 and Page 68 of the Request for Quotation (RFQ) solicitation, pricing shall be the aggregate total for 5,050 Aptitude, Interest, and Ability Assessments and an annual online portal fee.

Question: 4 – Could you provide more details on the expected volume and frequency of the 5,050 assessments? For example, will these be distributed evenly throughout the year, or are there peak periods?

Response: Consistent use over one year period.

Question: 5 – Are there any scoring preferences or additional considerations for SDVOSB or VOSB vendors beyond the verification requirements stated in the RFQ?

Response: Yes, refer to Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) 852.215-70 and VAAR 852.215-71, both clauses stated in the Request for Quotation (RFQ) solicitation.

Question: 6 – Could you please elaborate on the specific training requirements for VR&E counselors regarding the use of the online portal and assessment tools?

Response: User guides as well as training videos must be furnished to access, navigate, and troubleshoot the online portal. Training services are further preferred through the online portal with twenty-four (24) hour accessibility that will include walkthroughs on portal administration and interpretations of assessment results.

Training webinars may also be provided. Assessment tools selected must be familiar to Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling (VRC) staff for standardized vocational assessment.

Question: 7 – Are there any specific data security or privacy protocols beyond standard FedRAMP requirements that need to be addressed in our proposal?

Response: No.

Question: 8 – What is the government’s policy on teaming arrangements or subcontracting for this requirement, particularly for SDVOSB or VOSB businesses?

Response: Teaming arrangements or subcontracting for this requirement is at the vendor’s discretion.

Question: 9 – Would the government or the contractor host the web portal?

Response: Contractor.

Question: 10 – Could you provide typical assessment questions? Are these standardized and available online, or would they be provided by the government during the project execution phase?

Response: Standardized vocational assessment questions are available online.

Assessments questions are proprietary to each respective vendor.

Question: 11 – The period of performance is "one (1) year from the date of award".

How long does the contractor have to develop and deploy the web portal?

Response: The portal shall already be established. Once a contract is awarded, immediate access shall be provided to the designated agency by the vendor.