36C10D26Q0134 0002.docx

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

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:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; 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 is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.

is not, 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.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

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.

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

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

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

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

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

VA

07-13-2026 00101 Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration Acquisition Directorate 1800 G Street NW Washington

DC

20006 00101 Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration Acquisition Directorate 1800 G Street NW Washington

DC

20006 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C10D26Q0134 06-29-2026

X X X N/A X A. The purpose of this amendment is to post the Questions and Answers.

Edward D. Bradford Contracting Officer

VA-VBA-2025-0009

CONTINUATION PAGE

Questions and Answers

Q - Is a current or predecessor contractor performing this longitudinal study?

A - Yes, a current contractor is currently performing on the Longitudinal Study contract.

Q - Will the Government make prior annual reports and the existing survey instrument available to offerors, or to the awardee, as reference A - The Annual Reports are available https://www.benefits.va.gov/VOCREHAB/VRELongitudinalStudy.asp

Q - Can the Government provide the approximate annual sample size, and the total VR&E Chapter 31 cohort and population size(s) to be surveyed, to inform data-collection planning and pricing?

A - Cohort 1 – 10,791 Veterans, Cohort 2 – 15,396, Cohort 3 -21,082. Note this information is included in the annual reports.

Q - What GFI will be provided at award, for example the sampling frame, veteran contact data, the current survey instrument, historical response rates by mode, and the current sampling methodology?

A - The government will furnish the Cohort Data for the survey fielding, and the Administrative Data, and VA Life Insurance Data for the Annual Report.

Q - Is there a currently OMB-approved survey instrument and control number, or is OMB re-approval anticipated during the base period? Tasks 6 and 7 are identified as optional; please confirm whether OMB support and survey and sampling design work are expected to be exercised within the base year.

A - OMB Control # 2900-0786 if tasks 6 and 7 are exercised the vendor will be notified.

Q - Is the contractor expected to perform all physical survey distribution and collection (mail and print, telephone, and web), or will any collection infrastructure or mailing be Government-furnished?

A - Yes. The contractor is expected to complete all distribution and collection; the government is not part of this process.

Q - Per PWS Section K, is the VA VR&E subject-matter-expert key person a mandatory requirement for a compliant quote, or a preferred and scored qualification?

A – It is not a mandatory requirement. Per the PWS, if capable the Contractor shall provide at least one key personnel with VA VR&E subject matter expertise (SME).

Q - In addition to company Past Performance Questionnaires, will the Government consider the directly relevant experience of proposed key personnel when evaluating past performance?

A – The Government will consider the PPQs received, along with the past performance relevant references listed in the submitted quotes.

Q - Are key-personnel resumes counted within the applicable 5-page technical-factor limits, or may they be submitted as a separate appendix not subject to those limits?

A – Key-personnel resumes would be considered separate from the 5-page technical factor limits.

Q - Please confirm the basis for award (lowest-price technically acceptable versus best-value tradeoff) and the relative importance of the technical factors, past performance, and price.

A – Basis for award is best value utilizing a comparative evaluation of quotes. Technical, Past Performance, and Price will be factors used to evaluate quotations. Technical and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than price.

Q - Is performance primarily remote, or is on-site presence at a VA facility required? If on-site, at which location and at what frequency?

A - Yes, this is remote or at your facility of your choosing.

Q - Optional Task 6 (OMB) is included for every year of the study. Given the expiration date of the current OMB clearance package, we anticipate needing to request OMB clearance no more than two times during this contract. To align with the previous RFP from 5 years ago, can VA consider restructuring the Price Schedule to account for two OMB ICR submissions rather than a yearly submission?

A - Optional task 6 has not been funded in the past and upon the need for an OMB ICR submission package should it be exercised, the vendor will be notified.

Q - Optional Task 7 (Survey and Sampling Design and Methodology) is included for every year of the study. To align with previous RFP from 5 years ago, can the VA consider restructuring the Price Schedule to account for a single sample redesign?

A - The VA would consider exercising task 7 during option year 4, due to the conclusion of the study.

Q - Are resumes required for key personnel?

A – Yes

Q - Can VA confirm that this project is the final 5-year component of VR&E's 20-year Longitudinal Study?

A - Yes. We can confirm that this is the final 5-year component of the VR&E 20-year Longitudinal Study.

Q – Is this a new contract or a follow on? Can I find out the incumbent contract’s name and contract number?

A – This is a follow-on contract. Advanced Survey Design – 36C10D21P0015

Q - Please identify the incumbent contractor currently performing the VR&E Longitudinal Study requirement, including the contract number, period of performance, and current contract value.

A - Advanced Survey Design, LLC. PoP 09/29/25 - 09/28/26 Current contract value for current PoP: $564,325.00

Q - Is there a currently valid OMB clearance for the survey instrument? If so, please provide the OMB control number and expiration date.

A - OMB Control #2900‑0786, expiration date: 03/31/2027.

Q - If the OMB clearance expires during the period of performance, does the Government intend to exercise optional Task Six, and in which period?

A - If the government decides to exercise optional Task Six, it would be exercised during the base year based on the current expiration date.

Q - If no valid OMB clearance exists at award, how should Quoters reconcile the 30-day survey commencement requirement with the OMB approval timeline?

A - Thirty‑day notices need at least 150 days prior to the expiration date, if applicable.

Q - What is the current count of active participants in each cohort (2010, 2012, and 2014)?

A - Cohort 1 – 10,791 Veterans; Cohort 2 – 15,396 Veterans; Cohort 3 – 21,082 Veterans

Q - Please provide historical response rates by cohort and collection mode, including any response rate targets the Government considers necessary to achieve a statistically valid sample.

A - For historical response rates please view previous Annual Reports at the following website: www.benefits.va.govVOCREHAB/VRELongitudinalStudy.asp

Q - Please clarify whether the reference to "up to 50,000 survey respondents" represents the total study population or the anticipated number of completed survey responses.

A - It represents the total study population. Cohort 1 – 10,791 Veterans, Cohort 2 – 15,396, Cohort 3 -21,082.

Q - If new data sharing agreements must be established after award, will the March 5 Annual Report due date be adjusted?

A - No, March 5th due date is required due to needing to get the Annual Report to Congress by July 1st.

Q - Task 1A requires the PMP within ten business days of award, while Exhibit A Deliverable 1A states 30 calendar days. Which due date governs?

A - It is for 10 days.

Q - Section H.1 requires monthly progress reports by the second workday following each month, while Exhibit A Deliverable 3A states the 5th calendar day of each month. Which due date governs?

A – Monthly progress reports will be due no later than the 5th calendar day of each month.

Q - Is a complete OMB/PRA submission package anticipated in every contract period, or only in the period(s) when clearance renewal is required?

A - A submission package would not be required unless a significant change occurred and required a resubmission

Q - Please describe (1) any anticipated transition requirements and (2) identify what historical data, methodologies, systems, documentation, and study assets will be provided to the awardee to ensure continuity of the longitudinal study.

A - The government will furnish the Cohort Data for the survey fielding, the Administrative Data, and VA Life Insurance Data for the Annual Report. They can be found at: www.benefits.va.gov/VOCREHAB/VRELongitudinalStudy.asp.

Q - What is the actual annual survey sample size per cohort (2010/2012/2014) versus the cumulative ~50,000 total?

A - See previous Annual Reports.

Q - Is the incumbent's PMP being provided to offerors as a baseline, or is it expected that a new PMP be generated?

A - A new PMP must be generated.

Q - Will editable source files (Word, PowerPoint, graphics, templates) from prior Congressional reports be provided to the successful contractor?

A - No. The government requires the report to be in a word document so that it is editable.

Q - Are participant incentives (e.g., gift cards for survey completion) government-funded or contractor-funded?

A - No participation incentives are given for the survey.

Q - Can the Government provide historical survey response rates by collection method (web, mail, and telephone) and historical annual help desk call and email volumes for the previous three survey cycles to support accurate staffing and pricing?

A - The government is not involved with this process.

Q - Approximately how many annual help desk calls and emails has the incumbent received over the past three years?

A - The government is not involved with this process. This is the sole responsibility of the contractor.

Q - Will the existing contractor-hosted survey platform, website, respondent database, survey instruments, and associated programming be transitioned to the successful contractor, or should offerors assume redevelopment and migration are required?

A - Redevelopment and migration are required.

Q - Will the Government provide the incumbent's statistical analysis programs, weighting algorithms, survey programming, codebooks, and analytical documentation at transition?

A - No, the government will provide raw date only.

Q - Is one VR&E SME sufficient, or does the Government anticipate multiple SMEs supporting various task areas?

A - The contractor will be responsible for determining sufficient SMEs supporting the contract.

Q - What are the specific data security/ATO requirements for the contractor-hosted survey website?

A - The government is not involved in this process and expects all PII to be protected. Training is required.

Q - Travel is stated as "not anticipated," yet VA database/source review at VA locations is also required — please clarify.

A - Travel is not required.

Q - What existing data-sharing agreements with other agencies are currently active, and would they transfer to a new contractor or need to be newly established?

A - We have no data-sharing agreements for this contract.

Q - SOW Section K defines key personnel as “those persons whose resumes were submitted,” but the Volume 1 instructions request documentation of key personnel qualifications without expressly requiring resumes. Are complete resumes required with the quote and, if so, in which volume and within what page limits?

A - Yes, they are required with no limit. Submit with Volume 1.

Q - Please confirm that Volume 1, Technical, is limited to experience write-ups and qualification documentation addressing the four areas in 6.3.1.3, and that a technical approach, staffing plan, or work plan is not required. If a technical approach is expected, please identify where it should be included and the applicable page limit.

A – Quoters may submit documentation illustrating their technical approach, staffing plan, and/or work plan. If submitted, it should be in Volume 1, 6.3.1.3.5. (Page Limit – 5-Pages).

Q - Can CPARS be used in lieu of Past Performance Questionnaires for the project references provided in Volume 2?

A – The Government reserves the right to search CPARS records of Quoters, which will be considered separate from the PPQs.

Q - Section F.1 instructs the Contractor to complete the Delivery Date column in “Attachment A,” but Exhibit A already contains delivery dates. Are Quoters required to propose delivery dates and, if so, in which document?

A – No, the Quoters are not required to propose delivery dates. The government determines delivery dates and has already provided them on schedule.

Q - If in-person attendance is required for briefings, how should travel be priced, given Section I states travel is not anticipated?

A - In person attendance is not required. Meetings will be conducted virtually.

Q - What is the expected duration of the annual survey field period during which the survey website, toll-free telephone line, and web helpdesk must be operational?

A - The government is not involved in the fielding process; the contractor should determine the appropriate scheduling to meet all contract requirements.

Q - Could you please confirm whether the solicitation is currently active and accepting quotes, or if the opportunity remains in the pre-solicitation phase?

A – Yes, this solicitation is currently active. Quotes will be accepted up to the posted due date.

Q – What is the Government’s anticipated value for this contract over the five-year period of performance?

A – Between $1,000,000 and $3,100,000

Q – Will the Government please provide a copy of the most recent incumbent contract, including Statement of Work and pricing schedule?

A – No copy will be provided. The contract number is 36C10D21P0015.

Q – When is the next VR&E Longitudinal Study Annual Report to Congress due, and will the new awardee be responsible for producing it?

A – The report is due every 1st of July to Congress and the awardee will be fully responsible for producing it.

Q - For in-person meetings/briefings, where is attendance required? The VA VBA Acquisition Directorate at 1800 G Street NW, Washington, DC, a VR&E program office, or another site? Please also confirm whether this location is fixed for the full 5-year performance period or may vary by meeting.

A - Travel is not anticipated for the duration of the contract. The Contractor shall participate virtually in all required management status meetings and briefing presentations.

Q - How many management status meetings and briefing presentations does the Government anticipate per year (base and each option year), and what is the expected cadence/format for each (e.g., monthly virtual status call, one annual in-person briefing tied to the Annual Report)?

A - Microsoft Word acceptable format for report(s). Please refer to section B.4 Price/ Schedule. Information has been included in that section for each CLIN.

Q - Since this is a Firm-Fixed-Price contract and travel is stated as "not anticipated," should Offerors assume all meetings/briefings will in practice be virtual, or should travel costs for occasional in-person attendance be built into the fixed price of the applicable CLINs?

A - Travel is not anticipated for the duration of the contract. The Contractor shall participate virtually in all required management status meetings and briefing presentations.

Q - Is a VR&E-experienced SME a mandatory key personnel position, or is it optional/best-effort as "if capable" suggests? If optional, how will Offerors without a dedicated VR&E SME be evaluated under Factor 1?

A – Evaluation will be made on a comparative basis. Quotes will be compared against each other in a uniform and fair manner to determine which quote provides the best value to the Government.

Q - Will the Government provide the current PMP, survey instruments, codebooks, sampling documentation, weighting methodologies, and data dictionaries to the successful offeror at the time of award, or at some later point in the period of performance?

A - No, the government will provide raw data only.

Q - Can the Government identify the external agency data sources currently used and confirm whether the existing data-sharing agreements will remain in place and be available to the successful contractor, or whether the contractor will be responsible for establishing new agreements?

A – We have no data-sharing agreements for this contract.

Q - Will the Government provide current participant contact information (mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses) for the 2010, 2012, and 2014 cohorts, or will the contractor be responsible for locating and updating participant contact information?

A – The government will furnish the Cohort Data for the survey fielding.

Q - Does the 50,000 figure represent the total survey universe across all three cohorts, the anticipated sample size to be fielded each year, or the expected number of completed survey responses?

A - Cohort 1 – 10,791 Veterans; Cohort 2 – 15,396 Veterans; Cohort 3 – 21,082 Veterans

Q - Can the Government provide historical response rates for each cohort (2010, 2012, and 2014), broken out by survey mode (web, mail, and telephone), from prior study years?

A - Historical responses can be found at:VA.gov | Veterans Affairs The annual reports detail the demographics and program characteristics of the three cohorts in the study and assess each cohort’s outcomes to date.

Q - Beyond the 16 statutory data elements, are there additional reporting elements currently included in the annual reports that the contractor will be expected to maintain, and does the Government anticipate adding further elements during the base period of performance?

A - The Government does not anticipate any requirements beyond the currently identified data elements. At present, there are 16 statutory data elements, along with one additional reporting element currently in use. The Contractor will be expected to continue maintaining and reporting on these existing elements. While no further data elements are anticipated at this time, additional reporting requirements may be introduced if necessary to support program needs.

Q - Does the Government require that the existing weighting and analytic methodology be maintained to preserve trend comparability of estimates across prior reporting years, or may alternative methodologies be proposed and implemented upon VA approval?

A – Yes

Q - Has OMB approval previously been obtained for this study's survey instrument, and if so, what is the status and expiration date of the current OMB clearance package?

A - OMB Control #2900‑0786, expiration date: 03/31/2027.

Q - Is the Government primarily seeking validation and refinement of the existing survey and sampling approach, or is a full redesign of the methodology under active consideration?

A - No, the Government is not seeking validation or refinement of the existing survey and sampling approach, nor is a full redesign of the methodology under consideration. However, the Government may seek recommendations that support continued improvement and effectiveness.

Q - May the VR&E subject matter expertise requirement be satisfied through subcontractor personnel designated as key personnel, provided they meet the qualifications outlined in the solicitation, and if so, how will such personnel be treated for purposes of the limitations on subcontracting calculation?

A - Yes. The VR&E subject matter expertise requirement may be fulfilled through subcontractor personnel designated as key personnel, provided they possess the qualifications specified in the solicitation. However, in accordance with VAAR 852.219‑75, any labor performed by and paid out to subcontractor personnel from firms that are not certified SDVOSBs will be counted toward the percentage of work subcontracted to non‑SDVOSB entities and will be included in the limitations on subcontracting calculation. Accordingly, while subcontractor personnel may serve as key personnel, the associated subcontracted effort will be treated as non‑SDVOSB work for purposes of compliance with the applicable subcontracting thresholds.

Q - May one of the two past performance references and corresponding PPQs be from a proposed major subcontractor performing significant portions of the work, and if so, how will subcontractor past performance be weighted in the evaluation?

A - Submitted Past Performance should only be submitted for the Prime Contractor’s experience. If the Prime Contractor gained the relevant experience as a subcontractor, that experience can be submitted and will be considered.

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