S06 - 36C24720Q0689 0001.pdf

Contract Opportunity

Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation

PRODUCT SERVICE CODE *

SUBJECT *

CONTRACTING OFFICE'S * ZIP-CODE

SOLICITATION NUMBER *

BASE NOTICE TYPE

RESPONSE DATE/TIME/ZONE

ARCHIVE DAYS AFTER THE RESPONSE DATE

RECOVERY ACT FUNDS

SET-ASIDE

NAICS CODE *

CONTRACTING OFFICE

ADDRESS

POINT OF CONTACT *

(POC Information Automatically Filled from User Profile Unless Entered)

DESCRIPTION * See Attachment

AGENCY'S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT'S EMAIL

ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

ADDRESS

POSTAL CODE

COUNTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

* = Required Field Contract Opportunity Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation

U099

Solicitation - SDVOSB set-aside - Questions and Answers Posted

30901

36C24720Q0689

06-17-2020 11:00 AM EASTERN TIME, NEW YORK, USA

N

SDVOSBC

611430

Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 7 Network Contracting Activity 501 Greene Street Hatcher Building - Suite 2 Augusta GA 30901

Contract Specialist Chaz D. Bowling chaz.bowling@va.gov

(615) 440-3018

Department of Veterans Affairs Carl Vinson VA Medical Center

BLD 6 RM 208

1826 Veterans Blvd Dublin GA

31021

USA

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)

1 8

0001 06-10-2020

None

Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 7 Network Contracting Activity 501 Greene Street Hatcher Building - Suite 2 Augusta GA 30901

Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 7 Network Contracting Activity 501 Greene Street Hatcher Building - Suite 2 Augusta GA 30901

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C24720Q0689

06-10-2020

X

X X

X 1

The purpose of this amendment it to post the timely questions and answers requested.

No terms and conditions of the solicitation are changed

Sheryl D. Harris Contracting Officer

1. What supplies/materials will be available to us in the classroom? For examples: Is there a whiteboard? Will an easel & pad be supplied, or should we bring them?

Training will be conducted in the facility auditorium. No whiteboard. Easel and writing pads will be provided.

2. Are there any pictures of the classroom setup?

Training will be conducted in the facility auditorium that hold up to 150 people.

3. Is there Wi-Fi Access?

Yes

4. Is there a projection setup available to deliver the class subject matter? Or do we need to provide all our own equipment (projector, computer, cable, screen, …)?

Projector, large screen and two large TV monitors available for use.

5. Is the classroom setup so that each student has access to a computer or can bring their own laptop?

No individual computer accesses.

6. In reference to task 4.1.1, will this cultural competency training be centered on the LGTBQ community?

It will focus on providing LGBTQ competency training to employees. Including administrative and clinical staff.

7. (3.1.2) Is government furnished equipment available such as computers, dry erase boards, projector / TV monitors for presentations and?

Projector, large screen and two large TV monitors available for use.

(4.2) Will the classrooms for this training be large enough to accommodate social distancing in accordance with CDC guidance for the max 35-students?

Training will be conducted in the facility auditorium. No whiteboard. Easel and writing pads will be provided.

8. Must the SDVOSB concern have a CTE certification or will SAMS assertion suffice?

You must be Vendor Information Portal (VIP) verified to be considered an SDVOSB or VOSB concern and be eligible for SDVOSB/VOSB set asides. This is also stated in the instructor to offerors amend.

9. Would the Government consider extending the due date from 6/17/2020 at 11:00am to 6/24/2020 at 11:00am to allow for incorporation of question responses and for adequate time to conduct a site visit.

This will be considered closer to the closing date.

10. Can the Government confirm whether there is a previous contract for this work? If so, who was the incumbent and what was the contract number/vehicle?

This is a new contract that has not previously been awarded.

11. If there is an incumbent, can the Government confirm if the incumbent(s) eligible to bid?

This is a new contract that has not previously been awarded.

12. The government has indicated that past performance is part of the evaluation criteria. Is there particular information regarding the past performance that the government requires?

You will need to provide past performance references (current or previous contracts being performed of similar service). These references may be Government or commercial entities. Prior to award a contractor responsibility determination will be performed which will utilize CPARS and the past performance you provide.

13. Will the government consider past performance that is not with the federal government:

for instance, commercial entities or non-profit organizations?

Yes

14. Are there any other requirements for the quote submission in reference to: page limitations, technical approach content, management plan, staffing plan, resumes?This is stated in instructions to offerors amend, please review.

15. Can the government confirm that the price structure is Firm Fixed Price and should be priced entirely on a per class basis? Should all costs be imbedded in the price of the class: content development, printing and other setup and logistics costs?

Please review the statement of work, but any time you’re pricing to perform a service you would naturally include all pricing to do said service.

16. Can the Government confirm the expected number of classes in the base year to be 43, or will the number expected be less to account for content creation? Is there a guaranteed minimum number of classes in the base year? Will most classes be filled to capacity (35)?

Most classes will be filled to 35 students.

17. Can the Government confirm the expected/desired length of class in days? For example, 1 day, 1.5 days, 5 days etc.?

1 day length

18. Can the Government confirm how the classroom will be equipped; in case a site visit is not possible before the response is due? Can the Government provide a list of equipment that will be provided, if any? For example, white board, easel and pad, markers, audiovisual equipment, projector, student computers, ... Can images of the classroom be provided?

Training will be conducted in the facility auditorium holds up to 150 people. No whiteboard. Easel and writing pads will be provided.

Projector, large screen and two large TV monitors available for use.

19. Can the Government confirm that it is sufficient for course materials to be provided as online only? Will students have access to online materials in class (for instance, computer/laptop availability for each student)?

No students will not have access to online materials.

20. Can the government provide an indication of the types of students that would require training? Is the preferred delivery mechanism entirely classroom training or should other mediums be planned (webinar, one on one etc.)?

21. It will focus on providing LGBTQ competency training to employees. Including administrative and clinical staff.

22. Can the government confirm that as part of the Experience of Personnel, they would like to evaluate the experience of the specific proposed staff versus similar experience of the vendor as it relates to other projects of similar scope, size and complexity?

Similar experience of the vendor as it relates to other projects of similar scope, size and complexity?

23. Will the Government allow for the pricing and tech approach to be the same document or should they be separate volumes with no pricing in the technical approach?

You will submit one document total with all the required information.

24. Does the Government have any learning analyses or needs analyses that were previously conducted to define the areas of focus for the training? If yes, can the Government share this information?

The Carl Vinson VA Medical Center is responsible for a workforce that is prepared to provide the best possible care to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender patients.

Emphasis is placed on training designed to achieve two key workforce goals: (1) Ensure that LGBT employees are treated in an inclusive and equitable manner; and (2) Ensure that all employees are able to provide equitable, competent, and welcoming care to LGBT patients and their families.

25. Does the Government have any policies, procedures, manuals, or materials they specifically want to be utilized for the course development? If yes, can these be provided?

No, but the following Human Rights Campaign, Health Equity Index resources are used as best practice guidelines.

https://www.hrc.org/hei/resource-guide

26. Does the government have any existing course materials related to the content requirements of paragraph 4.1, and its subparagraphs, or is the contractor required to produce all new materials?

No, but the following Human Rights Campaign, Health Equity Index resources are used as best practice guidelines.

https://www.hrc.org/hei/resource-guide

27. After contract award, will the Government make available a small team of experts to work with our course development team for defining the details and refining the course?

Yes

28. How does the Government define or intend to measure, “increase the participant’s ability to deliver results in ways that provides culturally competent patient centered care throughout the organization?”

Measured by participants responses to class evaluation as to whether the training met the objectives of the class.

29. Does the government require a minimum/maximum number of contact hours of instruction? Is there a prescribed length for the course (i.e., 1 day, 2 days, etc.)

Yes one day.

30. What is the Government’s timeline (expressed as days after contract award), for the contractor to finalize course content prior to the first class offering? When does the government require the course materials to be developed by? When does the government require the first class to take place?

First class by July 27, 2020.

31. Effective cultural training requires activities and interactions that extend beyond formal class time. Does the Government want to limit the course development to only activities within the class?

Yes

32. Will the government require recurring updates to the course materials (e.g., quarterly, semi-annual, etc.), or will the government require additional courses to be developed throughout the period of performance?

Yes annual updates

33. Must the contractor provide any of the audiovisual equipment referred to in paragraph 3.1.2, or will all audiovisual equipment be provided by the government at the training site? Would the Government consider providing a listing of any audiovisual equipment that is government property, which is incidental to the place of performance, and that will remain accountable to the Government (e.g., overhead projector(s), wall mounted Televisions or monitors for displaying presentations, tables, chairs, etc.)?

Training will be conducted in the facility auditorium that hold up to 150 people. No whiteboard. Easel and writing pads will be provided. Projector, large screen and two large TV monitors available for use.

34. What is the frequency that the contractor can invoice the Government? Is it for each course delivered, monthly, for the total of all delivered courses?

You will submit an invoice per month for the number of classes performed during that period.

35. Does VA have a specific class length in mind or are they expecting the contractor to recommend a class length? For example, would 2 or 2.5 or 3 days be acceptable? If the class is more than 1 day, do those days need to be consecutive?

1 day class.

36. If classes were 2 or 2.5 days in length, could two separate sessions of the class be presented in the same week back-to-back - or can only 1 class be presented per week?

1 day classes, up to 3 classes per week.

37. Must each class be taught by the same instructor(s)?

No

38. Can a team of 2 instructors teach each class?

39. Could 2 different teams of instructors teach classes on the same days in a given week?

No due to limited training space to accommodate up to 35 students.

40. Is instructor herself expected to have clinical experience in actually DOING the activities she would be teaching participants to do in items #4.1.2, 4.1.4, 4.1.5, 4.1.6, and 4.1.7?

No

41. Do training materials already exist in the VA for this course? If so what are they and can we see them?

No, but the following Human Rights Campaign, Health Equity Index resources are used as best practice guidelines.

https://www.hrc.org/hei/resource-guide

42. If such materials do not exist, is vendor expected to develop the following: (a) Instructor Guide,

(b) Participant materials, (c) hand-outs, and (d) assessment forms?

43. Is vendor expected to already have an off-the-shelf (COTS) course on this content that would be tailored for the VA?

No

44. What specific participant work is referenced in 3.1.4, which says that instructor will "Administer, correct, and review participants work as required for the program"?

Provide feedback to participants during interactive class discussions.

45. Section 1 Background in SOW (page 4) states "The goal of the CVVAMC medical center is to offer employees high-quality training that equips them with the tools to provide equitable, knowledgeable, and welcoming care for LGBT patients and their families." If so, why does the CLIN 0001-4001 on page 3 say the training services requested are for "Cultural Competency and Conflict Management"? Which of these correctly and accurately describes what the VA is looking to purchase?

The VA is looking to purchase both. The SOW identified Cultural Competency and Conflict Management training.

46. 3.1.15 (page 5) states "This training will provide the mindset, skillset and toolset that will measurably increase the participant’s ability to deliver results in ways that provide culturally competent patient centered care throughout the organization." This differs from the description in CLIN and in SOW. Which of these 3 should we focus our proposal response on?

The VA is looking to purchase both. The SOW identified Cultural Competency and Conflict Management training.

47. Regarding 3.1.14 "Provide instructor assessment and participant assessment instrument" - is the "instructor assessment instrument" the instructor's report to the COR on how the class went? Is the "participant assessment instrument" a Kirkpatrick Level 1 Reaction Instrument filled out by each participant? Will the VA provide either of these instruments? Are these the identical instrument or are they 2 different assessment tools? Will VA provide these or is contractor expected to?

Participant assessment instrument" a Kirkpatrick Level 1 Reaction Instrument filled out by each participant. The VA will provide one assessment.

48. If the VA wants 40-43 classes per year with a maximum of 35 participants/class, this would tally to 1400 to 1505 participants total per year - why does the RFP say the vendor should provide VA with "up to 2000 sets of user materials" per period? Does VA want 2,000 sets of materials for each CLIN?

Approximation based on current workforce of 1550 employees. The VA will be hiring new staff throughout the term of the contract.

49. What are sample job titles of those personnel to be trained? What are examples of job titles of those at the VAMC that are NOT included in this training?

All employees are included in the training. Sample job titles: Physicians, Nurses, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Social Workers, Business Managers, Medical Support Assistants, Senior Leadership, Human Resources, EEO Staff, Pharmacists. Etc.

50. Does the entire training need to be conducted on-site for each class? Or could the training be conducted in a blended mode, part of each session with an instructor on-site and part using a live instructor teaching virtually, as with Adobe Connect or Zoom?

Would VA entertain 4-to-5, 3-hour modules staggered over 4 to 5 weeks, allowing time for practicing new learning and on-the-job application between modules?

Yes, entire training needs to be conducted on-site.