36C10X19Q0080-0002002.docx

36C10X19Q0080 | HUD-VASH-PBV-TA

Solicitation Q&A

1. Page 44 states: “The Contractor’s quote shall consist of five volumes:” but there are only 4 items in the bulleted list. Should this be “four” or is there an item missing from the list?

Government Response: Yes, this is an oversight and has been corrected in the amendment. There should only be 4 volumes: Past Performance, Technical Approach, Price, SF 1449 and other attachments.

1. Is the government requesting any pricing estimates in relation to travel? Or are no travel estimates required because the government has provided a “Not To Exceed” amount?

Government Response: Travel estimates are not required as the Government has already provided the Not to Exceed Amounts. Reimbursement of travel costs, to include per diem, shall not exceed the rates and conditions of reimbursement set forth in the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) and will be reimbursed based on actual expenses (receipts must be provided).

Please refer to Section 13. TRAVEL of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) for details.

1. Can the selected contractor add G&A to travel costs incurred and submit those costs under Travel item numbers 0015, 1015, and 2015 (if options years are exercised)?

Government Response: No General and Administrative (G&A) fees or costs, and no other fees or costs shall be added to travel expenses. Section 13. TRAVEL of the PWS has been updated.

1. Are M&IE during overnight travel trips reimbursed at a flat per diem rate or reimbursed based on actual receipts only. For example, would a trip to Seattle be reimbursed at a flat $76 per day (75% travel days) for M&IE, or would contracted staff be reimbursed only for actual receipts up to $76. Contractor is considering how to get documentation of tips such as to hotel cleaning staff.

Government Response: Reimbursement of travel costs, to include per diem, shall not exceed the rates and conditions of reimbursement set forth in the FTR and will be reimbursed based on actual expenses (receipts must be provided). Please refer to www.gsa.gov/mie for M&IE guidance.

1. When is this contracted work projected to start?

Government Response: The Government anticipates a contract award in early May of 2019. The contract period of performance will be one year from date of contract award.

1. How many staff are required to be present at each of the following, or is it at the contractor’s discretion:

5. In Person Analysis

5. Site-Based Technical Assistance

5. Follow-Up Visits

Government Response: The number of staff would be based on the contractor’s discretion, as long as the deliverables are completed as required in the PWS.

1. Is the contractor able to schedule the dates of the visits or are the dates predetermined by VA?

Government Response:

The contractor would schedule the dates of visits. A timeline of the visits are outlined on page 18-19 Section A. Schedule of Deliverables. There are not exact calendar dates, but this section provides the timeline for when deliverables are expected to be completed.

1. If the 15 sites each year are predetermined by VA, does that mean that the sites have agreed to participate prior to contractor contact with site? If sites need to be replaced for any reason, will alternative sites be provided by the VA to ensure 15 completed per year?

Government Response:

Yes. The exact locations of those sites will be determined once an award is made. If the Government determines that it is the best interest to exercise the option, the Government will provide the locations at time of option award.

1. Page 21 states that trips will be “up to five business days.” Clarifying if this means 5 business days each for each of the three types of visits: In-Person Analysis, Site-Based Technical Assistance, and Follow-Up? So, potentially 15 business days per site per year. Or does that mean 5 business days cumulatively for each site per year, to include all three types of visits?

Government Response:

Each visit will be up to 5 days. Multiple visits may be needed to a specific site. VA estimates that up to 37 official overnight travel trips (from the Contractor’s location), each up to five business days, will be required to be completed by the Contractor. The site-based technical assistance that the Contractor is expected to provide will be conducted in several locations nationwide. The exact locations, at which technical assistance and other activities will occur, will be determined once an award is made.

1. Page 21 states that trips will be “up to five business days.” Does this include travel days or is it 5 on-site days plus 2 travel days?

Travel may be included in the 5 business days; however, time at the site must be sufficient to accomplish the purpose of the travel. Required deliverables from the contractor include agendas prior to site visits to ensure that the purpose of travel is accomplished during each site visit (See page 18-19 Section A. Schedule of Deliverables).

1. In reviewing the definitions of Subject Matter Expert 1 and Senior Trainer, we noticed that both include statements of being 'State Certified/Licensed to provide clinical services such as Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Nurse, Licensed Psychologist, Medical Doctor, and Licensed Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist.’ Do Senior trainers need to have these same clinical certifications as Subject Matter Experts?

Government Response:

Yes, Senior Trainers would need the same certifications as the SME; however, minimum number of years experience may vary, as indicated in the PWS.

1. On page 10 of the solicitation, the following requirement is listed:

The Contractor shall be a professional advisory services agency whose mission is to translate research into transformative human services toward the goal of finding solutions to society’s most difficult social problems such as homelessness, mental illness, and substance use.

On the SF1449 in Block #10, the requirement is set aside for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses. Is the SDVOSB also required to be a professional advisory services agency in order to qualify for this opportunity?

Government Response: In order to be considered in the SDVOSB tier, the SDVOSB must complete 51% of the work. That being said, it is left to the contractor’s discretion how the work is allocated.

1. On page 45 of the solicitation, the following requirement is listed:

Key Personnel Resumes and Samples of Work will not be included in the page limitation.

What types of work samples will the Government require for this opportunity?

Contractors should provide resumes and any additional documents to demonstrate experience related to the requirements in the PWS. The work sample should mirror the tasks the contractor will perform, including but not limited to training and technical assistance materials.