36C10G23Q0107 Questions and Answers.pdf

CONTINUATION PAGE 36C10G23Q0107- AMENDMENT 0001 Page 1 of 12

The following changes to Request For Quote (RFQ), questions, and answers to the Vendors for PTSD Decision Aid, are in the table :

Questi on # Section

Pa ge

Question / Clarification Answer / Clarification

Scope of Work

6 The PWS mentions delivering “content in markdown files” for compatibility with the NCPTSD app server. Does this deliverable mean static HTML files for web pages? If not, is there more technical detail about the “markdown” file format?

Yes, this refers to static HTML files for web pages.

2 Scope of

6 Does the VA expect its own staff members to be able to update website content using a content management system, or is this exclusively to be performed by the Contractor?

Updates will be performed exclusively by the Contractor.

3 Scope of

9 Understanding the NCPTSD will be providing the

Yes. The behavioral health expert will give feedback on clarity of language for a broad population including those with low health literacy.

clinical and patient facing content is the role of the behavioral health expert mainly one of review, interpretation, and adherence to “plain language” requirements?

4 Scope of

9 RFQ indicates that as part of the redesign, content offering could increase by approximately 25%. Is there any information or guidance available as to the types of features or functionality that could be added?

The features and functions would be largely the same as the existing Decision Aid, with the primary difference being that the updated version will need to function equally well whether on a desktop computer or a smart phone. In particular, this means that the comparison chart will need to have an updated format/functionality.

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/decisionaid/ compare.aspx We will collaborate with the vendor to decide on overall functionality to enhance user experience. Level of interactivity overall will be Level 2 or Level 3 (see https://community.articulate.com/articles/g et-to-know-the-4-levels-of-e-learning ) The existing Decision Aid has a provider guide to using the tool, but this exists as a separate PDF. We would like to include a provider “portal” as part of the DA itself, that would include the content from this user guide, along with general training in shared decision-making and possibly a way to tailor the comparison chart to be specific to their own practice.

5 Scope of

13 Is there any additional information or guidance that would help define the scope and

Most likely updates would happen on a quarterly basis or less (e.g., to update broken links, tweak information based on new research). It is possible (though not likely) that an additional treatment option would be added based on new research – if that were the case, it would not update https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/decisionaid/compare.aspx https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/decisionaid/compare.aspx https://community.articulate.com/articles/get-to-know-the-4-levels-of-e-learning https://community.articulate.com/articles/get-to-know-the-4-levels-of-e-learning frequency of updates for support and maintenance?

Is there an expectation that there would be additional content and/or functionality added during that period?

the basic functionality of the site, only add an additional option to compare.

6 Format

64 RFQ page 64 states “contractors shall not use hyperlinks or embedded files of any kind in any quote volume.

If included, these will not be reviewed or evaluated.”

However, instructions on page 66 for Volume I – Technical states “The Quoter shall provide links for up to three examples of their company’s work”; and page 73 of Past Performance Evaluation Approach states “The Past Performance will be

This is only in reference to any other links not requested specifically on the solicitation. You can use links when specifically requested.

evaluated based on the written narrative provided and other Government sources including Contract Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) and Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System

(FAPIIS) /

System for Award Management (SAM), and by information provided via links for up to three examples of previous work and given an adjectival rating.” Please clarify if hyperlinks should be used in the submitted Volumes.

7 Past Performa nce

64, 65, There are discrepancies regarding the numbering of the Volumes (Page 64:

Volume II –

Typo on the Table page 65. Please use the Instructions order for i. Volume I – Technical Past Performance

ii. Volume II – Past Performance

iii. Volume III – Price

iv. Volume IV – Solicitation / Representations and Certifications

Past Performance, Volume III = Price; page 65: Volume II

– Price, Volume III – Past Performance;

page 67:

Volume III – Past Performance, Volume III – Price). Please confirm the correct Volume numbers and order for Past Performance and Price.

8 Past Performa nce

67 Can Volume Past Performance include contracts/task orders led by subcontractor s?

Yes, if your company was the Prime and collaborated with the subcontractor in performing the contract.

9 Personne l

Are key personnel resumes included as an Appendix outside of the Technical Volume’s 10-page limit?

Resumes are Not part of the page limit for Volume 1

Volume

IV

68 Can we include our subcontract letters of commitment in Volume IV?

Yes

Volume

IV

Do subcontractor s need to complete the Representatio ns and Certifications, and should this be included in submission of Volume IV?

No

12 Can we provide screenshots as an appendix outside of the Volumes?

Yes

13 Would you consider extending the deadline for proposal submission?

Unlikely to extend closing date.

14 What are the contractor’s requirements for obtaining an Authority to Operate (ATO)for the new website?

What is the expectation for a date for having the new site publicly available (outside VA firewall) on VA server?

An Authority to Operate will not be required for the Decision Aid.

The Decision Aid will be completed at the end of OY1 and will be posted at www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/decisionaid at that time, replacing the current Decision Aid.

15 What is the operational period of ATO? Will

No ATO is required.

contractor be responsible for renewal in option years?

16 Is there an incumbent contractor for this requirement? I f yes, could you provide the contract number?

This requirement, as solicited now is completely new.

17 The deliverables in the contract focus mostly on the design and build of the Decision Aid. Can the Government confirm that clinical or technical writing experts or other health SME staff are not required to assess the content, provide input on presentation from a health standpoint or other health or clinical experience is not required of the contractor staff? Will the VA Team be responsible for ensuring clinical accuracy?

Confirmed that the VA team will be responsible for ensuring clinical accuracy.

Feedback is requested to inform plain language wording and clarity of language for a broad population including those with low health literacy, to include “presentation from a health standpoint” – but not specific expertise or clinical knowledge in PTSD.

18 Content editing for search and information architecture is not mentioned in the statement of work. Does the Government seek to make the Decision Aid SEO optimized, to assist with matching searchers for

PTSD

resources with the information in the Decision Aid?

Yes, the government seeks to make the DA SEO optimized, and as such, expertise and feedback in search and information architecture would be desirable.

19 Given that the Decision Aid will not be publicly available for at least 22 months after contract award, should the contractor assume that the Section 508 update will be in place for WCAG 2.1 or other potential forthcoming changes to the Section requirements?

In other words, if the Decision Aid

The Decision Aid will need to be 508 compliant per the regulations that are in place at the time of delivery of the completed product.

must be fully compliant, will it need to be compliant with the current law when the Decision Aid is published in the future, or the current requirements as they stand in August of 2023?

20 If the vendors who are responsible for developing new videos, promo tional and guidance materials, provide these materials and they are not 508 compliant, will it be the contractors responsibility to follow up with the responsible vendors or to alert the VA of the deficiencies?

Will the Government audit these materials to ensure 508 compliance be fore they are submitted for inclusion in the decision aid?

The Government will submit the videos, promotional, and guidance materials to the 508 compliance office and the vendor(s) who create them will be responsible for any remediation.

The vendor who creates the Decision Aid will NOT be responsible for 508 compliance for these items.

21 It says NAICS code is 54168 which has $19M threshold but it also says it has not been set aside and is Unrestricted.

Pls clarify if it’s Unrestricted, as we are above the $19M threshold.

Requirement is Unrestricted. NAICS is for informational purposes as the vendors do not have to be under a specific NAICS code to be considered SB or SDVOSB as it is Unrestricted and not a set-aside.

22 Can you let us know if there is a budget for this solicitation?

No Budget information will be shared.

23 Would like to ask for your consideration in extending the solicitation deadline by one week.

This extension would enable us to submit the highest quality proposal possible?

Unlikely to extend closing date.

24 Scope of

6 1.2 Background last sentence of the paragraph reads, “Additional needed enhancement s will include new videos

All videos will be developed by a separate contractor. The scope does not include video production.

that answer questions about the additional treatment(s) recommended in the Guideline…” Can you please confirm if all new videos will be developed by a separate contractor, or if this scope includes any video production?

25 10 3.1, reads “The Decision Aid will also incorporate information from a survey that NCPTSD is conducting on treatment preferences among people with PTSD.”

Can you please confirm if the survey results will be made available to the awardee within 4 months of contract award date, so that they can be incorporated into the 3.1.2 design

Yes, survey results will be made available to awardee within 4 months of contract award date.

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26 If there is an incumbent and if there is one, who is it?

This requirement, as solicited now is completely new.

27 Will there be any data storage to retain records or to perform analytics? Is there a FedRAMP requirement?

There is no FedRAMP requirement.

28 Is there a requirement for a responsive design that will work on a desktop, tablet, and phone or will there be separate development for an app?

There is a requirement for a responsive design that will work on a desktop, tablet, or phone. There will not be a separate app.