36C10X23R0006 0003 Questions and Answers 2023-03-07.pdf

Question # Page # RFP Section

Reference Question Government response

1 29 & 74 8.0. KEY PERSONNEL

I. VOLUME I - TECHNICAL Will the Government consider creating a separate volume and therefore evaluation factor for Key Personnel?

See Solicitation Section E, Volume I for Technical Volume submission instructions.

2 77 E.2 52.212-2 EVALUATION

— COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES

Will the government consider revising Submission Volume and Evaluation Factor requirements to reflect the following?

Volume I - Technical Volume II - Key Personnel Volume III - Past Performance Volume IV - Media Planning Volume V - Price

Factor 1 - Technical Factor 2 - Key Personnel Factor 3 - Past Performance Factor 4 - Media Planning Factor 5 - Price See Solicitation Section E for submission instructions.

3 29 8.0. KEY PERSONNEL

Given emphasis on Veteran lives, health and wellbeing ,would the government consider requiring Key personnel labor categories for Creative Director, Education and Training Specialist, Project Manager (1), Clinical Psychologist and Epidemiologist to have direct experience/ experience work with the Veteran demographic?

See Solicitation Section E, Volume I for Technical Volume submission instructions. Per the Solicitation Section E, Tab B, the Offeror shall propose key personnel positions it considers essential to the successful completion of the requirements of the SOO.

4 76 Tab C - Project Management Approach

Would the government consider rephrasing bullet #2 to read “The Offeror shall describe potential problems or risks that may occur during the performance of the task will be mitigated/managed.” As written the bullet appears repetitive with the requirements outlined in the technical proposal. The Government did not include this language within the SOO. Please see

Solicitation Section E for submission instructions.

5 22 5.2.2.A ENHANCING CRISIS

CARE AND FACILITATING

CARE TRANSITIONS

Will the Offeror or the Government be responsible for generating the synthetic data for modeling?

The Offeror's proposed solution should show how they will identify, obtain, and create data where it does not exist within the VA environment.

6 72 SECTION E - SOLICITATION

PROVISIONS Will the government consider revising or removing the below statement as it contradicts instructions stated in Tab D- Innovation? "The use of hyperlinks in quotes is prohibited."

The use of hyperlinks in quotes is prohibited. Section E - Tab D has been updated under Solicitation Amendment 0003 to remove the reference to links.

7 74 Tab B – Key Personnel "The Offeror shall propose key personnel positions it considers essential to the successful completion of the requirements of the PWS, however at minimum the Offeror shall propose the key personnel positions contained in 11.0 of the PWS."

Will the government consider increasing the page count of Tab 2 from 20 to 30 to accommodate additional key personnel profiles (outside of positions contained in 11.0 of the PWS) that the offeror considers essential for this effort? Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated in Solicitation Amendment

0003.

36C10X23R0006 Questions and Answers - Responses Provided Under Amendment 0003

8 29 8.0. KEY PERSONNEL Will the government consider revising the "Project Manager 1" LCAT ? We propose the following edits:

Program Director Description: Requires at least 20 years of experience in managing multifaceted, high visibility products in the suicide prevention field or in a related area in the behavioral health and suicide prevention field. Must be familiar with a variety of suicide prevention concepts, practices, and procedures in the Federal sector (e.g., Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, etc.).

Years of experience: 20

See Solicitation Section E, Volume I for Technical Volume submission instructions. Per the Solicitation Section E, Tab B, the Offeror shall propose key personnel positions it considers essential to the successful completion of the requirements of the SOO.

9 29 8.0. KEY PERSONNEL Will the government consider revising the "Project Manager 2" LCAT into two roles? We propose the following edits:

Program Manager 1:

Description: Requires at least 10 years’ experience in the development, implementation, and evaluation of large-scale health care access systems. Must have experience in the Federal sector (e.g., Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, etc.)

Years of Experience: 10

Program Manager 2:

Description: Must have experience in the evaluation and assessment of national-level media campaigns of mental health and / or suicide related prevention concepts, practices, and procedures. Must have experience in managing national-level communication products in the suicide prevention field. Must be familiar with a variety of suicide prevention concepts, practices, and procedures in the Federal sector Years of Experience: 10

See Solicitation Section E, Volume I for Technical Volume submission instructions. Per the Solicitation Section E, Tab B, the Offeror shall propose key personnel positions it considers essential to the successful completion of the requirements of the SOO.

10 22 5.2.2.A ENHANCING CRISIS

CARE AND FACILITATING

CARE TRANSITIONS

The Government references monthly Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) Operations reports as something the Offeror needs to create, but these are not further defined. Is this report an existing report with defined data elements or something the Offeror is expected to define and co-create with the Government and then maintain on an ongoing basis through the period of performance?

If this is an existing report, could the government share details and/or metric definitions an appendix item? The Government has transitioned to a SOO. See Solicitation Section E, Volume I for Technical Volume submission instructions.

11 76 II. VOLUME II –PRICE Given the nature of the commercial services being requested, will the Government also include the option to propose fixed rates based on weekly team bundles as well as hourly labor rates. Some commercial companies price on a fixed price weekly rate vs. a fixed hourly rate to offer access to a full suite of services and expert resources and maximize the value to the Government.

Please see Solicitation Section E, Volume II, for Price proposal instructions which requires proposed labor hours and fixed hourly rates in a separate spreadsheet from the Section B.3 Price/Cost Schedule.

12 26 5.2.3.E: Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: For Priority 3, the approach shall address, at a minimum:

A. Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy training for the pilot group(s)

Can the Government specify if there is a preferred "therapist facilitated online CBT training" model it would like offerors to model their CBT training after?

The Government has transitioned to a SOO. See Solicitation Section E, Volume I for Technical Volume submission instructions.

13 26 5.2.3.F.: SUICIDE RISK

REDUCTION FOR PTSD

PATIENTS: For Priority 3, the approach shall address, at a minimum:

A. PTSD Treatment Plan B. PTSD Treatment Model C. PTSD Treatment Program Evaluation

Are there identified residential programs that should be included in the pilot or will the contractor identify the sites?

Does the government believe that an IRB would be required in order to evaluate the "longer term outcomes" of the protocol implementation?

The Government has transitioned to a SOO. See Solicitation Section E, Volume I for Technical Volume submission instructions.

14 31 9.0 Other Direct Costs Can contractors and their subcontractors be allowed to apply Overhead/G&A to ODC costs in accordance with their CAS Disclosure Statement?

The solicitation no longer includes Other Direct Costs.

15 31 9.0 Other Direct Costs NTE $150,000.00 seems low considering the effort, can contractors and their subcontractors be allowed to be reimbursed based on prior approval and actual costs as incurred? The solicitation no longer includes Other Direct Costs.

16 27 5.2.3.G Zero Suicide initiative The Zero Suicide website (ZeroSuicide.com) shows no record of a 10-week training program. Can the Government provide more detail on the “10-week program” referenced as related to H.R. 6273 – VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2021?

All references to Zero Suicide has been removed. The Government has transitioned to a SOO. See Solicitation Section E, Volume I for Technical Volume submission instructions.

17 27 5.2.3.G Zero Suicide initiative Can the Government confirm if it expects offerors to complete all or some of the Zero Suicide initiative program over a 10 week period?

All references to Zero Suicide has been removed. The Government has transitioned to a SOO. See Solicitation Section E, Volume I for Technical Volume submission instructions.

18 27 5.2.3.G Zero Suicide initiative Can the Government make past suicide and mental health related data from the 18 pilot sites available to offerors?

The solicitation does not include Government Furnished Information (GFI). Per Solicitation Section E, Offerors proposal assumptions, which may include GFI to be considered but not guaranteed by the Government, should be submitted with Volume V.

19 27 5.2.3.G Zero Suicide initiative Can the Government confirm if the 18 pilot sites will receive a waiver to collect data related to this project which might be different than current VA-driven suicide and mental health metrics? And will these be made available to the contractor?

The solicitation does not include Government Furnished Information (GFI). Per Solicitation Section E, Offerors proposal assumptions, which may include GFI to be considered but not guaranteed by the Government, should be submitted with Volume V.

20 23 5.2.2.B TECHNOLOGY

FOCUSED SOLUTIONS - A

Can the Government confirm if Offerors will need to use VA login facilities or can offerors implement their own? The Government has transitioned to a SOO. See Solicitation Section E, Volume I for Technical Volume submission instructions.

21 23 5.2.2.B TECHNOLOGY

FOCUSED SOLUTIONS - A

Do the tools, resources, and places to link exist already or does the government anticipate the Offeror would create these materials if not otherwise specified in this PWS? The Government has transitioned to a SOO. See Solicitation Section E, Volume I for Technical Volume submission instructions.

22 71 D Can the Government please provide Attachment C-Past

Performance Questionnaire.

Solicitation Attachment C has been posted to SAM.gov with the initial release of the Solicitation on February 9, 2023.

23 73-75 11, E The RFP states that at minimum, the Offeror shall propose the key personnel positions contained in 11.0 of the PWS.

Tab B should include resumes that shall not exceed two pages in length, and a letter of commitment is required for each key personnel. But Section 11.0 includes 11 key personnel, and Tab B has a page limit of 20 pages. Should offerors include a resume not to exceed two pages plus a letter of commitment for each key personnel, even if the total number of pages exceeds 20? Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated in Solicitation Amendment

0003.

24 N/A

Attachment 3 “Key Personnel Spreadsheet”

Attachment 3 “Key Personnel Spreadsheet” asks that “Offerors shall propose labor hours in accordance with their proposed approach” based on the KP positions and SOO workstreams presented in the Attachment. Should Offerors complete a column for each of the individual key personnel, or should all hours by role be summed by SOO workstream?

Solicitation Section E, Tab B, Paragraph 2 has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

25 70

Tab D - Innovative Experience

Tab D states that links could be used to demonstrate innovative work, but hyperlinks are prohibited in the submission format. Can the government please clarify if and how hyperlinks are allowed or not allowed?

The use of hyperlinks in quotes is prohibited. Section E - Tab D has been updated under Solicitation Amendment 0003 to remove the reference to links.

26 67

Section E - Solicitation Provisions

The overall page limit for the technical submission is 120 pages, but adding the tab page limits results in 130. Would the government please clarify the page limit for the technical submission?

Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

27 18

Section 6.1.6

SOO Section 6.1.6 for priority 3 repeats examples of potential pilot activities from the previous section. Does the government anticipate access to care pilots related to the technology solutions (e.g., second suicide prevention app and smart responder bot) objective or based on the evidence base detailed as the objective of the section? SOO Section 6.1.6 has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

28 69

Tab B – Key Personnel

Given the page length requirements, would the government consider allowing letters of commitment for key personnel to be an appendix and/or not count against the page limit?

Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

29 N/A

Attachment 3 “Key Personnel Spreadsheet”

In the key personnel attachment where we are supposed to list hours by SOO section, some key personnel are indicated singular and some are indicated plural. Does the government have a specific number of these plural roles in mind?

The Government does not have a specific number of Key Personnel in mind.

Offeror's proposed Key Personnel should align with their proposed solution to the SOO. Solicitation Section E, Tab B, Paragraph 2 has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

30 N/A

Attachment 3 “Key Personnel Spreadsheet”

At a minimum, the government is requesting 13 key personnel (8 identified roles, 5 of which require multiple key personnel), which would be at least 26 pages (1 page resume, 1 page letter of commitment). Would the government consider extending the page limit for key personnel resumes and letters of commitment to accommodate this number?

Solicitation Attachment C contains the Government suggested labor categories and does not dictate a minimum Government requirement. Per Solicitation Section E, Tab B - Key Personnel, The Offeror shall proposed key personnel position it considers essential to be successful completion of the requirements of the Statement of Objectives. Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

31 24

Section 8 Transition Planning

The government states “It is anticipated that a significant number of components of this contract will result in services that should continue upon conclusion of the pilot (or beta) phase, however, sustainment and operations work is not within scope of this contract. Additionally, in Volume V (6) it states "the prime and any/all subcontractors, on this task order shall, for the contract’s entire period of performance, plus three years after completion of the contract be restricted from participating in any procurements and/or requirements which stem and / or arise from any recommendations developed under this contract" Can the government clarify if the Prime and its Subcontractors will be allowed to compete on future solicitations for ongoing research, feasibility planning, and capability building that could support VA with its ongoing sustainment and operations.

In accordance with Solicitation Section E, Volume V, Paragraph (6), if future solicitations for ongoing research, feasibility planning, and capability building stem from and/or arise from any recommendations developed under this contract, then the prime contractor and any/all subcontractors shall be restricted from participating for the entire contract's period of performance plus three years after completion of the contract.

32 25

B.3 Price/Cost Schedule

It appears that the FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN CLIN was removed from the price cost schedule. Can the government clarify where offerors should identify costs associated with the FA&IP deliverable that are over and above the individual tasks?

Cost associated to complete the Feasibility Analysis and Implementation Plan should be included within the proposed prices for the CLINs contained in Solicitation Section B.3 Price/Cost Schedule.

33 N/A

N/A Can the government confirm that offeror Table of contents and Acronym glossary are excluded from the page count?

Yes, per Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h), the cover page, table of contents, and/or a glossary of abbreviations or acronyms will not be included in the page count of any Volume.

34 67

Volume II- Price

The government requests that "SF 1449, SF 30s, & terms and conditions and/or assumptions" be included as part of the cost volume however this information is also requested in Volume V. Can the government confirm the most appropriate location for "SF 1449, SF 30s, & terms and conditions and/or assumptions" to be inserted?

Solicitation Section E, Volume II has been updated to remove the SF 1449, SF30s, & terms and conditions and/or assumptions under Solicitation Amendment 0003. Please see Solicitation Section E, Volume V, for SF 1449, SF 30, & terms and conditions and/or assumptions proposal instructions.

35 6

Draft Solicitation Questions and Government Response (Question 62)

While the Q&A indicates that the Tier 4 / High / BI security designation in the draft solicitation “is a necessary requirement due to the nature of the work and access to sensitive information and remains unchanged,” there actually is no similar table in the RFP that was released. Can the government clarify the security and background check requirements and to which tasks they are applicable to?

Tier 4 / High / BI security designation is still a requirement of this contract. Security requirements have been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

36 22

7.1

Will any work associated with the feasibility study deliverable trigger adherence to the Paperwork Reduction Act? If yes, has the government initiated the OMB application process?

And/or would research associated with VA's feasibility study qualify for the PRA fast-track process?

Yes, it is likely that work associated with the feasibility study deliverable will trigger adherence to the Paperwork Reduction Act. Per Solicitation Section E, Offerors proposal assumptions, which may include adherence to the Paperwork Reduction act based on an Offeror's proposed approach, should be submitted with Volume V.

37 71

III. VOLUME III – PAST

PERFORMANCE

Are CPARS acceptable in place of past performance questionnaires (PPQs)?

CPARS is not an acceptable replacement for PPQs. PPQs provide much more detail regarding the applicability of the work to show capability as well as current points of contact. In addition, PPQs can be sent to industry customers of which no CPARS would be available.

38 10 6.1.1 PRIORITY GOAL 1:

IMPROVE LETHAL MEANS

SAFETY and 6.1.2 PAID

MEDIA PLANNING

Please confirm that all work leading up to actual media purchasing, to include but not limited to media planning, assets development, and testing should be proposed in the technical volume and priced as part of Goal 1, and not recovered through the $39M media plan buy budget?

Yes, this is a correct interpretation. All work leading up to actual media purchasing, to include but not limited to media planning, assets development, and testing should be proposed in the technical volume and priced as part of Goal 1, and not recovered through the $39M NTE under CLIN 0006.

39 15 6.1.4 Priority Goal 2: Enhance Crisis Care and Facilitate Care Transitions

Please confirm that the monthly VCL Operational Impacts Reports are separate and distinct from the case studies that assess the impact of efforts on Veterans Crisis Line plans?

Correct. In addition, this is an example of work that could be considered to address "Enhancing Crisis Care and Facilitating Care Transitions." It is not a requirement and should not be interpreted as such.

40 19 6.1.6 Priority Goal 3: Increase Access to and Delivery of Effective Care

SOO states "contractor shall develop trainings for providers on "unique needs, drivers of risk, and intervention approaches that are proven most effective" with each of the specified subpopulations. Additionally task C requests training development - is this the same or two separate requirements? The SOO does not include a "task C."

41 19 6.1.6 Priority Goal 3: Increase Access to and Delivery of Effective Care

Protentional Pilot activities for the Suicide Prevention App and smart responder / bot system is addressed under SOO Section 6.1.5. Both the App and Bot is then again addressed at the end of SOO Section 6.1.6. Should industry address these pilots under both or one of the SOO sections and, in the case of the latter, which of the two SOO Sections? SOO Section 6.1.6 has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

42 25 B.3 Price/Cost Schedule May offerors propose an alternate B.3 Price/Cost Schedule that aligns to the SOO response, to address several task areas not currently listed in the schedule that are a part of the SOO?

Offerors may not propose a CLIN structure that is different than the CLIN structure found in Section B.3 Price/Cost Schedule of the Solicitation.

43 25 B.3 Price/Cost Schedule Please confirm that the paid media plan, as part of executing under the NTE $39M within CLIN 0006, shall only include activities post-Government approval of the media purchase to include the actual media purchasing, and associated improvement and administrative costs to successfully complete the purchasing?

All work leading up to actual media purchasing, to include but not limited to media planning, assets development, and testing should be proposed in the technical volume and priced as part of Goal 1, and not recovered through the $39M NTE under CLIN 0006.

44 67 Section E For Volume 1 under the Page limitations column, the Technical page limit total specified 120 pages. When adding the page limit for each tab it totals 130 pages. Would the Government please confirm the limit for the Technical Volume is 130 pages?

Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

45 73 Volume 5, Item (8) Would the Government clarify which VHA labor categories are applicable to Service Contract Labor Standards for this solicitation to perform the work encompassed in the SOO?

Should this not be applicable, will the Government consider removing this SCA requirement? Solicitation Section E, Volume V, Paragraph (8) has been updated in Solicitation

Amendment 0003.

46 22

6.1.10 Buddy Check Week

"VA seeks to create a plan for managing increased Veterans Crisis Line calls during Buddy Check Week that includes:

additional hour needs for staff, back-up and redundant call center services to ensure all calls - regardless of volume -are answered in a timely manner by a qualified responder."

Please clarify whether development and /or implementation of the plan for managing increase call volume to the Veterans Crisis line is a responsibility under the contract resulting from this solicitation.

There will be no implementation required on the contract resulting from this solicitation. This contract addresses the strategy layer of the Suicide Prevention Program.

47 67

SECTION E - SOLICITATION

PROVISIONS (h) page limitation table

Please clarify the page count for Volume I Technical. The instructions indicate a 120 page limit while the sum of the tabs in the Page Limitations column equals 130 .

Technical: 120 pages Tab A: 25 Pages Tab B: 30 Pages Tab C:10 Pages Tab D:15 Pages Tab E: 50 Pages Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated in Solicitation Amendment

0003.

48 20

SOO 6.1.8 Therapy Training Can the government complete the last sentence, "It is the VA's goal to include, at a minimum, an online"? The sentence seems incomplete. SOO Section 6.1.8 has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

49 67 Section E. (h) Volume I Technical has a maximum of 120 pages. The tabs listed under Volume I have page limitations; however, the total page limits for Tabs A through E are 130 pages. Can the government confirm the maximum page count for Volume I Technical?

Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

50 69 I. Volume I - Technical - Tab B Can the government confirm that the Letters of Commitment are not included within the resume page limits. Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated in Solicitation Amendment

0003.

51 70 I. Volume I - Technical - Tab C Would the government allow the Offeror to include the documents listed in Tab C as attachments and excluded from the page limitations for Tab C (10-page limitation)?

Documents listed include the following: IMS; Path Criticalities; WBS; Risks & Opportunities Matrix; Project Communication Plans; Change Request Management;

Example of a Cost-Benefit Analysis; and Lessons Learned Register

Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

52 67 71-72

Section E. (h) II. Volume II - Price Volume V - Signed Offer and Other Required Submittals

Can the government confirm that the signed SF1449 and all Amendments (SF30s) are to be provided in Volume V - Signed Offer and Other Required Submittals? These documents are also referenced in Volume II - Price.

Solicitation Section E, Volume II has been updated to remove the SF 1449, SF30s, & terms and conditions and/or assumptions under Solicitation Amendment 0003. Please see Solicitation Section E, Volume V, for SF 1449, SF 30, & terms and conditions and/or assumptions proposal instructions.

53 71 III. Volume III - Past Performance

Can the government confirm that the three (3) examples of Past Performance are for the Offeror, which includes any major subcontractors. This is correct. Please see 52.212-2 Section 1.2 of the Solicitation.

54 24 8. Transition Planning

The SOO includes a 30-day transition plan. Can the government confirm what CLIN this work falls under?

Cost associated to complete the 30-day transition plan should be included within the proposed prices for the CLINs contained in Solicitation Section B.3 Price/Cost Schedule. The Offeror should build transition planning into the Section B.3 Price/Cost Schedule CLINs as they see the most appropriate.

55 N/A N/A - Government Concurrence

Can the Government clarify what concurrence process and timeline is expected for the Plan and is that included in the POP for the deliverable?

There should be an iterative review and concurrence process beginning with the first program review/kickoff of the contract through not to exceed 30-months per the period of performance listed in Section 5 of the SOO.

56 Multiple Multiple - Data Can the Government provide additional detail about the VA and non-VA data sources that the offeror would need to reference and/or collect and create for this effort?

The Offeror is expected to identify all VA and non-VA data that they believe is needed to meet the requirements in the SOO based on the Offeror's proposed approach.

57 Multiple Multiple - Pilots and Testing Can the Government provide guidance and/or clarification as to the desired scope/scale of the referenced pilot and testing activities noted in the SOO to inform reasonable and appropriate pricing of the proposed solution?

The Government is interested in the solutions the Offeror proposed solution regarding potential pilot activities in order to meet the requirements in the SOO.

The Offeror should consider what they believe would make the most impact to a reduction in Military and Veteran suicide rates. Solicitation Section E Volume II - Price has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

58 N/A Attachment B - Key Personnel Can the Government clarify what changes were made to the updated attachment? In review, the document appears the same as the first version.

The Attachment 3 tab remains unchanged. Attachment 3 - Key Personnel issued on February 9, 2023 must be deleted by any party who downloaded the attachment. Please send confirmation of deletion of Attachment 3 - Key Personnel issued on February 9, 2023 to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer listed in the solicitation.

59 14

Objective 6.1.4

Does the anticipated scope of objective 6.1.4, enhance crisis care and facilitate care transitions, include national coordination of appropriate stakeholders, both internal and external to VA?

The Government agrees that a strategy level approach would include national coordination of appropriate stakeholders, both internal and external to VA.

60 18

Objective 6.1.6

Objective 6.1.6 states that the Contractor shall research unique cultural and evidence based treatment needs for certain Veterans and that the Contractor shall develop evidence-based practice approaches that are informed by, and inclusive of, the unique needs of these groups and drivers of risk. Is the intent for the Contractor to independently develop evidence-based treatment or solely approaches to access to care?

The Government is interested in the solutions the Offeror proposed solutions in order to meet the requirements in the SOO. The Offeror should consider what they believe would make the most impact to a reduction in Military and Veteran suicide rates.

61 67

Volume II - Price

Currently the Price Volume is a .doc or .pdf format.

However, in the instructions for Volume II on page 71, government is requesting a .xls file type. Please clarify what is to be submitted and in what format for Volume II.

Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated to add .xls to the file name type for Volume II under Solicitation Amendment 0003.

62 71

Volume II - Price

RFP states "Offerors must propose pricing for each fixed price line item according to the quantities listed in the Price Schedule within the SF1449 and must propose fixed hourly labor rates and proposed labor hours for all key personnel labor categories. Proposed labor hours and fixed hourly rates shall be submitted in a separate excel workbook as part of the Price Volume."

Please clarify which Price Schedule is being referred to "within the SF1449?"

Solicitation Section E, Volume II has been updated under Solicitation Amendment 0003. Please see the updated Section E Volume II proposal submission instructions.

63 71

Volume II - Price

RFP states "Offerors must propose pricing for each fixed price line item according to the quantities listed in the Price Schedule within the SF1449 and must propose fixed hourly labor rates and proposed labor hours for all key personnel labor categories. Proposed labor hours and fixed hourly rates shall be submitted in a separate excel workbook as part of the Price Volume."

1. Please confirm if the Price/Cost Schedule referred to above is the one that can be found on page 25 of the RFP.

2. If so, can offerors make changes to the Price/Cost Schedule to include the above requested information (labor hours and fixed hourly rates for key personnel?

Solicitation Section E, Volume II has been updated under Solicitation Amendment 0003. Please see the updated Section E Volume II proposal submission instructions. Offerors may not propose a CLIN structure that is different than the CLIN structure found in Section B.3 Price/Cost Schedule of the Solicitation.

64 71

Volume II - Price

RFP states "Offerors must propose pricing for each fixed price line item according to the quantities listed in the Price Schedule within the SF1449 and must propose fixed hourly labor rates and proposed labor hours for all key personnel labor categories. Proposed labor hours and fixed hourly rates shall be submitted in a separate excel workbook as part of the Price Volume."

Does Government only want hours and fixed hourly rates for key personnel, OR for ALL personnel proposed (both key and non-key?

The fixed hour rates and labor hour instructions contained in Solicitation Section E, Volume II, applies to all personnel proposed.

65 24

Section 9 - Deliverables

While we understand that products developed during the POP will be incorporated into the one deliverable, does the Government have any interim due dates for other products that can be added to the solicitation?

Per Solicitation Section E, Tab C, Offeror's proposed project management approach should include an Integrated Master Schedule which should not exceed 30-months per the period of performance listed in Section 5 of the SOO.

66 N/A

Multiple Will VA provide the contractor with access to record-level Veterans demographic and military service history data?

The solicitation does not include Government Furnished Information (GFI). Per Solicitation Section E, Offerors proposal assumptions, which may include GFI to be considered but not guaranteed by the Government, should be submitted with Volume V.

67 N/A

Multiple

Will VA provide the contractor access to record-level data on VA health care and benefits utilization to include compensation and pension claim application data?

The solicitation does not include Government Furnished Information (GFI). Per Solicitation Section E, Offerors proposal assumptions, which may include GFI to be considered but not guaranteed by the Government, should be submitted with Volume V.

68 N/A

Multiple

Under Task 6.1, does VA have record-level demographic information to identify the 7 Veteran cohorts listed on page 10?

The solicitation does not include Government Furnished Information (GFI). Per Solicitation Section E, Offerors proposal assumptions, which may include GFI to be considered but not guaranteed by the Government, should be submitted with Volume V.

69 N/A

Multiple

Can the Government provide if there is a specific not to exceed budget associated with the development and delivery of the Plan, as this would significantly affect the scope and scale of the activities put forward to inform the development of the Plan?

Solicitation Section E Volume II - Price has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

70 67

(h)

The table identifies the total page limitation for Volume I – Technical as follows: “Technical: 120 pages, Tab A: 25 Pages, Tab B: 30 Pages, Tab C:10 Pages, Tab D:15 Pages, Tab E: 50 Pages” However, the components of the tabs equate to 130 pages. Please clarify which is correct and adjust the page limitations accordingly.

Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

71 67, 72-73

(h) and Volume V

The table on page 67 shows that Volume II – Pricing includes “SF1449, amendments (SF 30s) & terms and conditions and/or assumptions” and the description of Volume V – Signed Offer and Other Required Submittals on pages 72-73 also indicates offerors should include “SF- 1449, SF-30s (Amendments), and terms and conditions”.

Please confirm the correct location that offerors should provide these documents within their proposal response (i.e., Volume II – Pricing or Volume V – Signed Offer and Other Required Submittals)

Solicitation Section E, Volume II has been updated to removed the SF 1449, SF30s, & terms and conditions and/or assumptions under Solicitation Amendment 0003. Please see Solicitation Section E, Volume V, for SF 1449, SF 30, & terms and conditions and/or assumptions proposal instructions.

72 68-69

Volume I - Technical and Tab B - Key Personnel

The page limitation for Tab B: Key Personnel is 30 pages.

There are eight (8) key personnel labor categories identified in Attachment 3. Each key personnel resume is limited to 3 pages. Kindly confirm if offerors are to provide resumes for all eight (8) Key personnel labor categories (LCATs) identified in Attachment 3.

Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

73 68-69

Volume I - Technical and Tab B - Key Personnel

The page limitation for Tab B: Key Personnel is 30 pages.

There are eight (8) key personnel labor categories identified in Attachment 3. Each key personnel resume is limited to 3 pages. Please confirm that the three (3) page limitation for each key personnel resume includes the corresponding letter of commitment.

Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

74 70

Volume I - Technical and Tab D - Innovative Experience

The solicitation states, “Offerors shall provide examples of creating new value and gaining brand loyalty not by focusing on specific product features or design, but by reimagining the broader experience of how Veterans would Choose VA.”

Please clarify if “Choose VA” refers to a VA campaign within the health space or alternatively if it is referring to the VA’s intention to help Veterans access and enroll in VA healthcare.

Offerors proposed solutions should be a compliment to "Choose VA."

75 70-71

Volume I - Technical and Tab E - Performance Work Statement

The solicitation states, “The Offeror shall provide a Performance Work Statement addressing all of Section 6 paragraphs in the SOO, that aligns with the proposed approach… The Offeror shall provide a complete description of the technical approach that satisfies the requirements specified in the SOO. "Please confirm that offerors response to Tab E should provide a Performance Work Statement that only addresses SOO Section 6 subparagraphs and excludes all other SOO Sections (e.g., SOO Sections 7 & 8). Correct, per Solicitation Section E, Tab E, the Offeror's proposed PWS should address all of Section 6 of the SOO, which includes Section 6 subparagraphs.

76 71

Volume II - Pricing

The solicitation states, “Offerors must propose pricing for each fixed price line item according to the quantities listed in the Price Schedule within the SF1449 and must propose fixed hourly labor rates and proposed labor hours for all key personnel labor categories. Proposed labor hours and fixed hourly rates shall be submitted in a separate excel workbook as part of the Price Volume.” Please confirm that offerors should recreate the B.3 Price Schedule (found on Solicitation Page 25) in a MS Excel workbook and submit it as part of the Price Volume.

Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated to add .xls to the file name type for Volume II under Solicitation Amendment 0003. Per Solicitation Section E, paragraph (h), .doc, .docx, .pdf, and .xls are acceptable document formats for the Section B.3 Price/Cost schedule. Per Solicitation Section E, Volume II, proposed labor hours and fixed hourly rates shall be submitted in a separate excel workbook as part of the Price Volume.

77 67, 71

(h) and Volume II - Price

The table on page 67 indicates that Volume II – Pricing includes “SF1449, amendments (SF 30s) & terms and conditions and/or assumptions” and that these documents should be provided in MS Word or Adobe PDF. However, the instruction for Volume II – Pricing on RFP page 71 states that “Proposed labor hours and fixed hourly rates shall be submitted in a separate excel workbook as part of the Price Volume”. Please confirm that the Government is seeking offerors to provide Volume II – Pricing proposal responses as two separate, distinct files as follows: Volume II – Pricing includes a 1-page Narrative in MS Word or PDF formats including: Acknowledgement of SF-30 Amendments (as provided RFP pages 3-4, Section B – Continuation of SF 1449 Blocks, B.1 Contract Administration Data); Pricing Terms and Conditions / Assumptions, if applicable. B.3 Price Schedule (as provided in RFP page 25, B.3 Pricing Schedule) in MS Excel format and as a separate attachment. If so, please revise the table on Page 67 to incorporate these revisions and kindly identify the file naming convention for the Price Schedule (in MS Excel).

Solicitation Section E, Paragraph (h) has been updated to add .xls to the file name type for Volume II under Solicitation Amendment 0003. Solicitation Section E, Volume II has been updated to remove the SF 1449, SF30s, & terms and conditions and/or assumptions under Solicitation Amendment 0003. Please see Solicitation Section E, Volume V, for SF 1449, SF 30, & terms and conditions and/or assumptions proposal instructions.

78 67

(h)

The table on page 67 indicates that Volume II – Pricing includes “SF1449….” And the RFP instructions for Volume II

– Pricing found on page 71 states “Offerors shall sign and return the SF1449 and all Amendments (SF30s) and Other Documents". Please confirm that the completed signed copy of SF1449 from page 1 of the RFP should only be provided in the Volume V proposal response .

Solicitation Section E, Volume II has been updated to remove the SF 1449, SF30s, & terms and conditions and/or assumptions under Solicitation Amendment 0003. Please see Solicitation Section E, Volume V, for SF 1449, SF 30, & terms and conditions and/or assumptions proposal instructions.

79 71

Volume III - Past Performance

The solicitation states, “The Offeror shall provide three (3) examples of Past Performance, along with the PPQ found in Attachment C, showing similar work showing capability within the past five (5) years. "Kindly confirm that offerors should include the three (3) completed PPQs (Attachment C) in their Volume III – Past Performance proposal response instead of having each signed/evaluated PPQ sent directly to the Government.

Solicitation Section E, Volume III has been updated under Amendment 0003 to clarify that the PPQ shall be submitted directly to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Please see Solicitation Section E, Volume III for Past Performance proposal submission instructions.

80 1

SF-1449

Would the Government consider providing a one (1) week extension to the proposal submission due date revising it from March 9, 2023 to March 16, 2023? This extension will allow offerors to adjust for forthcoming answers to questions / amendments and allow ample time for clients to return PPQs.

Solicitation Amendment 0002 extended the proposal due date to 3:00pm EST on Thursday March 16, 2023.

81 1-2

Attachment 3 - Key Personnel Spreadsheet

Please clarify if the Government would like offerors to complete/return Attachment 3 – Key personnel Spreadsheet with its offer. If so, please revise RFP page 67 to denote where/how it should be included in offeror’s proposal responses (e.g., as a separate spreadsheet as part of Volume I – Technical or included as a table within Volume I, Tab B – Key Personnel).

Solicitation Section E, paragraph (h) and Volume I have been updated with revised Attachment 3 - Key Personnel Spreadsheet instructions under Amendment 0003. Please see Solicitation Section E, paragraph (h) and Volume I for revised proposal submission instructions.

82 3

FAR Clause 52.232-16.

Per the solicitation Section B.1.3, Invoices, Offerors shall invoice in accordance with FAR Clause 52.232-16. Please confirm that all proposed prices across CLINs 1-5 shall be considered allowable for progress payments, and offerors are capable of proposing payment schedule in accordance with the FAR Clause, upon award?

FAR Clause 52.232-16 contained in the solicitation applies to all CLINs within Section B.3, Price/Cost Schedule. Please see 52.232-16(a) for the computation of amounts for payment under this clause.

83 10

PWS 6.1. Guiding Principles

Under Section 6.1. Guiding Principles in the SOO, a list of Veteran subpopulations is provided to be included in educational and training materials developed; however, a subset of this list of Veteran subpopulations is identified throughout the SOO (e.g., 6.1.7). Can the government clarify if they want all Veteran subpopulations included under Section 6.1 represented in all outputs or only the specific subpopulations identified in the specific SOO sections?

Section 6.1 applies to all Veteran groups and needs to include the unique needs of Veterans in the listed subpopulations. The Government wants at least those specific subpopulations to be included, but encourages more if the Offeror believes any have been left out.

84 11

6.1.1 PRIORITY GOAL 1:

IMPROVE LETHAL MEANS

SAFETY

The VA notes advertising campaigns around suicide prevention and lethal means safety; however, it also mentions that implementation is not part of this contracted effort. Can the government clarify if they just want a plan for these campaigns or if the contractor will be responsible for implementing these campaigns over the period of performance?

The Offeror should provide a media plan and ideas for outreach to meet the SOO with the understanding that they will need to prove its viability in the Feasibility Analysis and Implementation plan that fits within the CLIN 0006 NTE.

85 11

6.1.1 PRIORITY GOAL 1:

IMPROVE LETHAL MEANS

SAFETY

Is the government suggesting that the contractor will create pilot campaigns to assess outreach modalities? Will those be used to inform a broader feasibility analysis and implementation plan with recommended outreach to targeted communities?

Per SOO Section 6.1.1, the Government anticipates the support contractor will undertake a variety of methods to gather sufficient data to formulate and submit to VA a recommended Feasibility Analysis and Implementation Plan for reducing and preventing suicide within the military and veteran populations. This may include the use of pilots in order to meet the requirements of the SOO.

86 11

6.1.1 PRIORITY GOAL 1:

IMPROVE LETHAL MEANS

SAFETY

The government requests a recommended Feasibility Analysis and Implementation Plan "for reducing and preventing suicide within the military and veteran populations." Can the government clarify its definition of "military populations" to be addressed in this plan?

Please see the White House Plan for Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide in addition to the Solicitation SOO.

87 11

Priority Goal 1: Improve Lethal Means Safety, 6.1.1

The solicitation notes several pilot activities the offeror may utilize to assist VA in its efforts to maximize suicide prevention and LMS messaging awareness among target audiences, including developing two national TV commercial-grade PSAs, developing a lethal means safety website and developing advertising material for a national LMS, safety campaign, among others. Can the government clarify if they expect the offeror to complete these activities during the pilot?

The Government is interested in Offerors proposed solutions regarding potential pilot activities in order to meet the requirements in the SOO. The Offeror should consider what they believe would make the most impact to a reduction in Military and Veteran suicide rates.

88 11

Priority Goal 1: Improve Lethal Means Safety, 6.1.1

Can the government confirm if the PSAs, website and advertising pilots are intended to be short-duration, targeted pilots rather than full production national TV commercial-grade PSAs?

The Government is interested in Offerors proposed solutions regarding PSAs, website, and advertising pilots in order to meet the requirements in the SOO. The Offeror should consider what they believe would make the most impact to a reduction in Military and Veteran suicide rates.

89 12

Priority Goal 1: Improve Lethal Means Safety, 6.1.2, Paid Media Planning

The solicitation indicates that the offeror may provide strategic media plan suggestions and VA approved paid media buys for testing purposes. Can the government clarify if these suggestions and buys differ from those recommended in Volume IV - Media Planning?

The Offeror's proposal should include the plans and ideas the Offeror deems necessary to reduce Military and Veteran suicide.

90 12 Priority Goal 1: Improve Lethal Means Safety, 6.1.2, Paid Media Planning

Will the offeror be placing the $39 million worth of media as outlined in Volume IV, Media Planning?

The Offeror should provide a media plan and ideas for outreach to meet the SOO with the understanding that they will need to prove its viability in the Feasibility Analysis and Implementation plan that fits within the CLIN 0006 NTE.

91 14

6.1.3 Lethal Means Safety

Education

Can the government clarify if the offeror will be expected to facilitate training sessions or solely develop recommended materials, as part of the pilot?

The Offeror's proposal should include the training development process the Offeror deems necessary to reduce Military and Veteran suicide.

92 17

6.1.5 Tech Focused Solutions

The current SOO objectives which are oriented more towards research and analysis, and not deployment of a technology solution, do not seem to be in alignment with the referenced White House plan "ideas" for a pilot. Does the VA still anticipate development and deployment oriented pilots related to suicide prevention apps, chatbots, or other technology solutions as mentioned previously in the Draft RFI PWS? If yes, would the VA consider providing a list of technology "products" it anticipates will require development, testing, and action research under the current SOO?

The Contractor will not be performing any deployment, sustainment or operations focused work on this awarded contract.

93 19

6.1.6 Priority Goal 3: Increase

Access to and Delivery of Effective Care

Can the government explain the difference between the piloting of a suicide prevention app, and the prototyping of a smart responder bot outlined in this paragraph compared to the activities associated in 6.1.5 on page 17 paragraph five where the government has asked us to explore technology focused solutions, including a suicide prevention app, and a smart responder bot?

The suicide prevention app and smart responder bot are examples but not required activities. The Government is interested in the Offeror's proposed solution in order to meet the requirements in the SOO. The Offeror should consider what they believe would make the most impact to a reduction in Military and Veteran suicide rates.

94 19 Priority Goal 3, 6.1.6: Increase Access to and Delivery of Effective Care

For Section 6.1.6 in the SOO, can the government confirm if the italicized text belongs to this section given it doesn't align with the information. SOO Section 6.1.6 has been updated in Solicitation Amendment 0003.

95 19 Priority Goal 3, 6.1.7

INTERVENTION

IDENTIFICATION AND

DEVELOPMENT FOR

UNDERREPRESENTED

VETERAN POPULATIONS

Can the government clarify if the research on Veteran subpopulations in section 6.1.7 is restricted to the identified groups or if the full list identified in the Guiding Principles should be considered?

Section 6.1 applies to all Veteran groups and needs to include the unique needs of Veterans in the listed subpopulations.