36C24520Q0059 0001.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 NUMBERE

D 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 amendmen t, 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) None Department of Veterans Affairs

VA

Maryland Health Care System Contracting Officer (90C) P.O. Box 1000, Bldg. 101, Room 26 Perry Point MD 21902 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Maryland Health Care System Contracting Officer (90C) P.O. Box 1000, Bldg.

101, Room 26 Perry Point MD 21902 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C24520Q0059 11-27-2019

X X X December 6, 2019 at 11:00 am X

This amendment is issued to answer questions that were asked. Please see the attached pages.

The questions are in Black text and the answers are in Red text. The RFQ response date has been extened as a few questions s till need to be answered. The new response date is December 6, 2019 at 11:00 am.

Kami Hom Contracting Officer LDI Questions (Black) Answers (Red)

1. I am hoping to find out if the subject effort is a new requirement or a follow-on to an existing contract? If the latter, can I please find out the incumbent contractor's name and contract number?

· This is a new contract, which has been modified.

2. Who is the government’s intended audience (Top Management/Leadership only, Middle Management, Team Leaders, etc.)?

· Middle Management, Team Leaders, and Aspiring Leaders (GS 11 -13)

3. How many attendees does the government expect?

· Up to 50

4. What is the total training duration limitation (half day, 1 day, 1 week, etc.?)

· The draft schedule is attached

5. Is follow-up coaching contemplated?

· No

6. How many different locations does the government expect support? Where/ what are those locations?

· Location is at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum, Maryland for the classroom-led sessions

7. What course material does the government expect as a leave behind if any?

· Handouts, booklets, reading materials, etc.

8. Is there an incumbent contractor providing or having previously provided this training or similar services? If so, what is the most contract number?

· ZB Solutions has provided the service in the past, but the contract is being modified

9. What are the government’s desired/ minimum trainer qualifications?

· The trainers should at least have a master’s degree pertaining to education

10. Will you please provide a Sample Schedule?

· Yes – Draft schedule is provided

11. Will Invoices be paid net 30 days?

· Net 30 Payments

12. Will accelerated payments be provided?

· Net 30 Payments

13. Can the contractor be headquartered in another state?

· Yes, but out of the local driving area will add additional travel costs

14. How many classroom sessions are required within the year and can some of the classroom sessions be virtual via Google Hangouts within the classroom setting? Are the speakers expected to be virtual or in the classroom?

· Please see the attached draft schedule and the solicitation, which specifies the number of classroom sessions and webinars.

15. What are the expectations of the classroom sessions?

· Please see the draft schedule

16. The graduation Maritime cost states $1200 in the solicitation, should that be $12000?

· $80 x 150 = $12,000 ($80 is the maximum cost per person at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum, MD)

17. I would like to know the process steps for providing leadership development training for the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs.

· The varies by facility.

18. What is the funding ceiling amount for the Leadership Development Training?

· This is something that is unable to be answered

19. What is VAs anticipated payment cycle (e.g. net 30 or 45)?

· Net 30

20. Has the courseware been developed? If so, is the Contractor expected to provide input and/or revisions to VHA VISN LEAD Curriculum Components?

· The topics have been provided in the draft schedule, but the contractor provides/develops the courseware

21. Are the online discussions expected to be conducted in regular course fashion? In other words, daily facilitation is required.

· Yes – the facilitation of the webinar is expected

22. I do not see the time frame for course duration. I teach week long, 5-6 hours a day, courses that are the equivalent of a college or graduate program semester length.

· No more than 6 to 7 hours for the classroom-led sessions

23. I also provide 45 minute to 1.5 hour long seminars; and one, two and three day programs as well, customized to the customers needs.

24. I hope there are provisions in the RFP that allow me to tailor programs to your internal customer needs.

· Yes

25. Under the Scope of Work (section #1), you state that the program must include:

· Self-assessment tool like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), DiSC, etc.; that will be approved by VA prior to implementation in the program (Contractor) This implies to us that we can recommend assessments other than MBTI and DiSC. However, in the Evaluation Criteria (section #8 and then also section E.4 52.212.2) it says “…The Contractor should be certified to provide the DiSC® assessment, 360 assessment, Myer Briggs assessment and deliver feedback to those that performed the assessment. …”

· Yes – The DiSC will be given, and the Myer Briggs results discussed; VA will provide the Myer Briggs. The contract will provide the DiS Can you please clarify on whether the selected contractor must be certified on both MBTI and DiSC (because these must be used) or if the section 1 scope of work would prevail and we could recommend for use other assessments (and not use the MBTI/DiSC)?

26. With regard to the information listed in Physical Location, section #4, you list that all classroom sessions and graduation must take place at the Maritime Institute of Technology and then provide some costs for “VISN 5”. I am unclear on whether the costs per person that you provided are to be included in our pricing (meaning, we should quote for any one session our standard fees plus the per person costs to cover the stated facility costs) or if the costs you cited was the actual per person fee structure you expected contractors to use (meaning, if we delivered a session to 50 participants, the maximum costs paid to contractor would be $72 X 50 in 2019)? Thank you for the clarification.

· Yes, the pricing should be included, because there is a contract in place.

27. Page 7 of 48 - 2. Background, 1st paragraph - it says "(3) 3-hour sessions to assist the teams with their projects

· Webinars are to provide the teams with Project Management tools

28. 50 students - How many teams?

· There are six medical centers, all the medical centers will be on the project calls

29. 3 hours EACH TEAM 3 TIMES???

· There are six medical centers, all the medical centers will be on the project calls

30. Can multiple teams be on the conference call at the same time?

· There are six medical centers, all the medical centers will be on the project calls

31. If each team has 5 people that is 10 teams X 3 hours X 3 times = that is 90 HOURS of Team Coaching - is that what you meant it to be?

· There are six medical centers, all the medical centers will be on the project calls

32. Page 7 also says APPROXIMATELY 7 face-to-face, 3 virtual learnings 3 X 3-hour assistance to team -- WHAT DOES "APPROXIMATELY" mean--it could be MORE than 7 - 3 & 3- or it can be LESS THAN &?

· There will be 7

33. Page 7 Also says under the bullet "Leadership Training Program Overview" 3rd line it says "Off-Site Experiential Learning Experiences" -- what does the VA expect - HOW MANY off-site experiential experiences? What type of activity, WHERE off-site will this be done?

· There will be no off-sites

34. Where are the students coming from this LDI session -- only from the VAMCs in the VISN or from everywhere.

· Only the VISN and VAMCs

35. Are any Field Trips to VISN 5 VAMCs planned?

· No

36. If we go on a "Field Trip" to a VAMC Is bus or van transportation available from the VA at no cost to the Contractor or students?

· If this was to happen, it will not be at the expense of the contractor.

37. What types of Graduation Mementos have been given in the past besides the Framed Certificates?

· Book, Leadership Lapel Pin, Candy….not costly items

38. Will the VA provide a FREE COPY of the 360 Assessment for each student AND the instructor - OR - do we have to buy one for each student - they cost approximately $350 EACH for Everything DiSC 360?

· VA provides the Myers Briggs and Contractor provides the DiSC

39. What are competencies identified by the VA’s six broad leadership competency categories?

· The draft schedule provides the information

40. What is a typical cost structure for a program like this per day or per student?

· I can not provide a typical cost

41. Is contractor expected to have personnel on site every day?

· Yes

42. Who provides the mentorship/coaching? How will this be done (onsite, online, etc…)?

· VA is responsible for mentor matching

43. What is contractor’s role/expectations with the mentorship/coaching program?

· VA is responsible for mentor matching

44. If the VA is responsible for the 360 assessment, coaching, and personal development plan (as listed on Page 6), how do they want the Contractor/Speaker to interface with them to meet objectives? Do they expect contractor to work with them outside the scope of the training program to align needs? If so, how much time is required? Who conducts the initial needs assessment?

· VA will provide 360, Myers Briggs, coaching, and personal development. Contract will provide DiSC and review the results with the participants and provide a review of the Myers Briggs/360 assessment

45. How are the individual projects assigned/chosen? How do they want the Contractor (or Speaker) to handle working with the participants on progress (individual vs. group)?

· The VISN/Medical Center Leadership choses the project. The contractor assists with providing project tools.

46. What does this program reference mean (Page 6): · "Course based on VHA VISN LEAD Curriculum Components (VA/Contractor)" Can we see what these components are?

· The draft schedule provides the information

47. Who is meant to conduct the "Leadership Training Program Overview" introductory class?? Page 7.

· The is the class to go over the requirements of the programs and to discuss their DiSC

48. How much detail is contractor expected to provide in terms of topics/learning outcomes covered in each session on the proposal? Do VA just want to see a basic outline of proposed session dates/topics, or lesson plan?

· Lessons plans will be developed after the contract has been awarded, but all the topics listed in the draft schedule must provided by the contractor.

49. VA mentioned 7 in person sessions, 3 virtual sessions, and 3 meetings about projects. Do multi-day programming counts as an in-person session? Is that correct? (i.e. A 2.5 day meeting in March, 2.5 in May, 2 day in July = 7).

· The are 3 days in March, 2 days in May and 2 days in July = Total 7

50. Are the 7-day sessions 7 consecutive days?

· The are 3 days in March, 2 days in May and 2 days in July = Total 7

51. If there are 50 students per session and 150 expected graduates. It appears to be 3 sessions per year. What is the duration for each session?

· No more than 6 to 7 hours for the classroom-led sessions

· The graduation usually starts at 10:00a.m. and ends at 2:00p.m.

52. VA is asking to include rental of the facility, with the cost being factored at $72/per person x 50 attendees (going up to $80/pp in subsequent years). Is that per day for each in-person session, or total for each multi-day meeting? ($4000 for 50 participants per session for 7 sessions, 7 x $4000= $28,000)

· Yes…this is correct

53. What are all the approved conference apps that can be used for virtual learning sessions?

· We have used Adobe in the past

54. Do the Contractor, need to be certified in the assessments (see Page 13, Section 8) or can a certified subcontractor or joint venture with a certified partner meet contracts requirement?

· You can have a joint venture with a certified partner

55. How do VA account for and reimburse travel expenses?

· This needs to be included in your bid/proposal – can be specified in the overall bid.

56. Participants schedule their own meeting with the coach/mentor assigned, complete their own personal development plan and conduct their own independent experiential activity. If the client needs more time or falls behind what is the policy on billing for this? Pg. 9

· Contractor will not be involved in this process, so no additional billing will be required

57. This introductory class presents a complete overview of the course content and yearlong learning objectives. There is a facilitated and guided discussion of learning objectives, expectations of the research project, offsite experiential learning experiences, and the overall outcome expectations of the LDI Program. Concerning the research project is this a predeveloped project provided be the VA or does the contractor develop it? Pg. 8

· Developed by VA, Contractor assists with providing project tools

58. The program could be extended out to a 12-month program if future needs change. How will this effect the overall hours and pay of this project? Pg. 9

· There will not be additional days added to the course outline, but the timeframe may need to be changed.

59. The Contractor will review the participant’s development plans and provide feedback What is required in the participant’s development plan? Pg. 14

· The VA POC will be responsible for this

60. VA staff will oversee the Class Management System. What does this refer to? Is this the online portion using Adobe Connect? Pg.14

· Class Management System is where we enter the names of participants for tracking purposes – the contractor is not involved

61. The Contractor will review all the assessment tools (such as the 360) with the participants and answer their questions. Is the review in a group or individual setting? Pg. 14

· Group Review

62. Internal speakers provide the instructional design and its implementation during their presentation; the VISN 5 Representative will identify internal speakers. When will the internal speakers be identify? Pg. 14

· They will be identified and in January 2020

63. The virtual training sessions will be conducted through Microsoft Lync, Adobe Connect, or any other VA approved Web Conferencing software. What is the complete list of approved Web Conferencing software? Pg. 13

· There is not a complete list, if the contractor is using a different format, we need to make sure it is compatible with VA computer systems. If not, the contractor will need to probably secure Adobe Connect