Questions and Answers Second and Final Round_LC.docx

Questions and Answers Second and Final Round:

1. In the event of computational or technical challenges encountered during the performance of tasks, will the VA assign or make available an IT specialist or support personnel to assist the Contractor in troubleshooting and resolving such issues? If so, what is the process for requesting this support, and are there defined response times or escalation protocols?

Answer: Yes, the VA OI+T support mechanisms will be in place for the contractors. All government GFE is equipped with IT support capabilities.

2. What are the specific requirements for research certification as outlined in SOW paragraph 4.0?

Answer: This is an administrative process that ensures the proper trainings (including Human Subjects Protection Training, among others) are completed prior to conducting VA research. All instructions, processes, and requirements will be provided to contractor upon onboarding.

3. Could the Government please elaborate on how the Comparative Evaluation will be conducted under FAR 13.106-2(b)(3)? Specifically, what methodology or criteria will be used to compare quotations in the absence of defined evaluation factor weights?

Answer: Page 46-47 of Attachment 2 provides information on evaluation.

4. The RFP states: “Font size should be limited to 12pt.” Question: Can the Government consider allowing 10pt font size for graphics, figures, and tables?

Answer: No.

5. The SOW states: “Develop initial data models for interactive interface for the VA team to evaluate its utility for the clinical dashboard that enables clinicians to visualize relevant medical history to make informed decisions. Iteratively improve models and interface based on VA feedback until prototype established is acceptable to VA team as determined through meetings and mutual agreement.” Question: How will feedback from VA stakeholders (especially clinicians) be integrated into tool refinement throughout the development phases? (Attachment 1, SOW 2.7, P2).Q

Answer: Many of the VA researchers in the PHDS are also clinicians. We will engage with these physician researchers during weekly meetings to incorporate feedback. Additionally, we will leverage our collaborative networks to encourage testing at the appropriate time, including collecting written feedback to document strategies to incorporate the suggestions.

6. The SOW states: "Provide novel data models to VA team to enhance the process of developing EHR-based computable phenotype algorithms." Question: Please clarify the level of integration required for Omics data (e.g., genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) with EHR data? (Attachment 1, SOW 2.4, P1)

Answer: All omics data sources are expected to be integrated into the knowledge network alongside all clinical data sources. Specific level of integration will depend on the specific task at hand.

7. The SOW states: "Provide novel data models to VA team to enhance the process of developing EHR-based computable phenotype algorithms." Question: Are there specific datasets or bioinformatics tools that the VA team prefers for integrating these data types, or should tools be proposed that contractors have found most effective in previous projects? (Attachment 1, SOW 2.4, P1)

Answer: VA team is open to any tools that meeting the needs and requirements.

8. The SOW states: "Using novel methodologies and data use cases developed and utilized to achieve milestones, the Contractor will participate in generating manuscripts for publications as part of knowledge dissemination effort under current scope." Question: Can the Government provide further details on the expectations for publications and manuscripts as part of knowledge dissemination? (Attachment 1, SOW 2.12.2, P5)

Answer: Publications may be utilized at the appropriate times to release deliverables to the larger research community, including any relevant code repositories, tool interfaces, or methods pipelines developed. Publications may arise from the development of each milestone but are not inherently required. VA team will work closely with contractors to determine appropriate timing and content for publications as necessary.

9. The SOW states: "Using novel methodologies and data use cases developed and utilized to achieve milestones, the Contractor will participate in generating manuscripts for publications as part of knowledge dissemination effort under current scope." Question: Are there specific conferences or journals VA prefers, or would you like contractors to take the lead in identifying these opportunities?" (Attachment 1, SOW 2.12.2, P5)

Answer: Contractor is welcome to make suggestions based on journals appropriate to the content. Ultimately, journal submission and manuscripts will be lead by the VA team, in collaboration with the contractor.

10. The SOW states “Develop initial data models for interactive interface for the VA team to evaluate its utility for the clinical dashboard." Question: What are the expected scalability requirements for the clinical dashboard and knowledge network, especially as VA’s dataset grows over time? (Attachment 1, SOW 2.7, P2)

Answer: Data models and knowledge networks must be able to continuously incorporate new and priority data as the corpus of VA data expands.

11. The SOW states "Develop initial data models for interactive interface for the VA team to evaluate its utility for the clinical dashboard." Question: Should contractors prepare for specific changes in data volume or user load? (Attachment 1, SOW 2.7, P2)

Answer: Yes, contractors should expect the need to adjust models to incorporate additional data since VA EHR data is continuously growing.