36C25923Q0708_2.docx

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Network Contracting Office

NCO 19

6162 South Willow Drive, Suite 300 Greenwood Village CO 80111

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contracting Officer Edward Emerson Edward.Emerson@va.gov 303-712-5720

NCO 19 Services 1

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Eastern Colorado Health Care System

1700 North Wheeling Street

Aurora CO

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE POSTED ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AS WELL AS THE UPDATED SOLICITATION DOCUMENT IN THE “ATTACHMENTS/LINKS” SECTION.

Rocky Mountain MIRECC Website, Promotional, and Technical Support The contractor shall provide Website, Promotional, and Technical support for the Rocky Mountain Mental Illness and Research Clinical Center (RM MIRECC). Please see the solicitation for a detailed Statement of Work.

See attached document: 36C25923Q0708 - Updated Solicitation.

1. The SAM.gov listing for this solicitation lists it as an SDVOSB Sole Source. Can the Government clarify if this is, or is anticipated to be, a Sole Source?

· This is not a sole source. SAM will be updated.

2. Can you tell us if there is an incumbent and who they are?

· The previous contractor for Suicide Risk Management is Dynamic Integrated Services; however, this requirement is substantially different than the previous contract.

3. If there is an incumbent, can you share the total contract value for their contract?

· The total contract value was $1,349,832.02; however, this requirement is substantially different than the previous contract.

4. Can the Government confirm if NCVFWB has an existing developed brand or whether this will be a required task for the Contractor (section 3.B, Page 8)?

· The National Veterans Financial Resource Center (FINVET) is currently operational. This contract will build on the current brand identity and marketing efforts.

5. Can the Government provide an estimated LOE for SRM and CPG monthly website updates (section 4.A.1, Page 9)?

· The level of effort might be different based on the experience of the contractor, so we are not able to adequately quantify that into a number. Text, images, and links for the lecture series will be updated monthly for both websites. We estimate that routine maintenance of both sites will also include minor content changes (e.g., fixing broken links or altering text) made monthly. More significant changes (e.g., creation of a new page, updating images, changing navigation) may be made up to quarterly during the contract year. Additionally, all recommendation pages for the CPG website will need to be re-developed following the release of the updated CPG (likely calendar year 2024).

6. Does the Government have an existing MIRECC-branded GovDelivery/Granicus template or is this a required task for the Contractor?

· We already have an existing MIRECC-branded GovDelivery template.

7. Can the Government provide more specificity on what graphic design support will be needed for the NCVFWB SharePoint site?

· The contractor will expand upon existing site.

8. Can the Government provide clarity on whether the listed Option Period Additional Resource NTE amounts should be treated as plug numbers and added to the Contractor’s Option Year pricing?

· The NTE’s have been removed.

9. The solicitation mentions that the Contractor must be “well versed in the Rocky Mountain MIRECC’s website…” Is it the Government’s intention that only Contractors with existing MIRECC website experience are qualified to be awarded this contract?

· The contractor does not need existing MIRECC website experience to be qualified for this contract.

10. If there is an incumbent, can the government provide the contract number?

· 36C25918C0338, however, this requirement is substantially different than the previous contract.

11. Would the government consider a week extension from resulting answers to questions?

· The government will not be extending the solicitation.

12. Pg. 10 - 4.B Specific Tasks – National Center for Veterans Financial Well-Being – 4.B.2 – The government states “Provide proposal within 90 days after review of initial concept for short video.” Does this mean the offeror can provide pricing for this item at a later date? If yes, this would likely provide cost benefits to the VA, so that offeror can appropriately scope and price video requirements / (actors/animation/voice over/shooting locations. etc,) once initial concept is approved by VA.

· Pricing for the base and all option years needs to be submitted with your proposal.

13. Can the government provide additional information on the following requirement: "The contractor will provide a performance appraisal." Does this mean that the Contractor will evaluate the effectiveness of its marketing campaign and provide a report to the Government? 3.A Scope – Clinical Core

· Contractor to advise on and work with client to determine scope of metrics and produce easy to follow reports based on Google Analytics such as: number of users, number of sessions, session duration, pages per session, pages views per session, new vs returning visitors, bounce rate, average time on page, exit rate, top and bottom pages, traffic sources, top queries in search, device type, user location. This also includes other online content (e.g., products) disseminated through GovDelivery as well as recommendations for changes in our marketing approach.

14. One of the requirements in 3.C. is "updating and editing code for existing materials". What is the programming language / software / platform related to this requirement? CSS? 3.C Scope – Education Core

· The existing materials were developed on the VA TeamSite content management solution (CMS) platform. Source code was written using HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and cascading style sheets (CSS). Design elements, colors, and style updates should be consistent with the VA digital content style guide (https://design.va.gov/).

15. As part of Factor 2 Past Performance, does the Government have a preferred format for the references? Are these expected to be PPQs, or are names, project descriptions, and contact information sufficient? Finally, is there a page limitation to the Past Performance references? 52.212-2

· Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information). There are no formatting requirements.

16. Confirming that the page limitation for the Technical Response is 5 pages. Is that correct? 52.212-2

· A copy of documentation responding to the technical evaluation factors described in FAR provision 52.212-2, EVALUATION – COMMERCIAL ITEMS, which is part of this solicitation. The documentation will be submitted in the same package as the proposal. The response shall not exceed five (5) 8-1/2”x11” double-sided pages in either Times New Roman font size 12, regardless of the method used to transmit the proposal package.

17. May we provide key personnel resumes as part of the submission? Will these be considered as part of the evaluation?

· You may provide key personal resumes. The only factors that will be considered as part of the evaluation are those outlined specifically in 52.212-2.

18. Pg. 42 Section E - Solicitation Provisions: The requirement states "response shall not exceed five (5) 8-1/2”x11” double-sided pages…" Since this is an electronic submittal, does this requirement mean the page limit is actually 10 pages (i.e. sides)?

· 5 double sided pages can be 10 single sided pages.

19. Pg. 42 Section E - Solicitation Provisions: The requirement states "response shall not exceed five (5) 8-1/2”x11” double-sided pages…" The evaluation criteria (Page 43, E.2 52.212-2) calls for three examples of past performance. Are the past performance narratives excluded from the 5 page count?

· That section refers specially to the technical evaluation.

20. Pg. 43 Section E - Solicitation Provisions: The requirement states "b. Past performance will be assessed through checks in CPARS and PPIRS as well as reviewing provided references." Will the government also allow the use of past performance questionnaires (PPQs), in order to receive a thorough assessment of contractor past performance? If yes, will the government provide a PPQ template?

· PPQs can be submitted but we do not have a template for them.

21. It is indicated that the contractor must have experiences working with Veteran issues and in the field of mental health. Will key personnel be identified? If so, will they include clinical subject matter experts?

· Key personnel from the Rocky Mountain MIRECC will be identified that are clinical subject matter experts. However, the contractor is still required to have experience working with Veteran issues in the field of mental health.

22. Is there a page limit for proposal response?

· Proposal response guidelines can be found in E.1 52.212-1.

23. Does the government anticipate need for clinical products for Suicide Risk Management (SRM) or will they be exclusively marketing deliverables?

· Anticipated products are as outlined in 4A.3 (e.g., infographics, educational materials). Mass production of clinical products is not in this contract.

24. Will the contractor be provided a VA platform to house quarterly metric reporting to include page views, downloads, and demographics of users?

· The contactor will work with Rocky Mountain MIRECC to determine and develop the best method within VA approved platforms to report on Google Analytics, Social Media and marketing metrics.

25. The Scope for the National Center for Veterans Financial Well-Being makes explicit that “the contractor will rely on the expertise of the National Center for Veterans Financial Well-Being team.” The scope for the Clinical Core makes no such statement and suggests that the contractor will “develop and produce Suicide Risk Management (SRM) and Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) products.” Does the Government require mental health subject matter experts, especially in the support of the development of SRM and CPG products?

· Key personnel from the Rocky Mountain MIRECC will be identified that are clinical subject matter experts. However, the contractor is still required to have experience working with Veteran issues in the field of mental health.

26. Will the government require all bidders to re-certify as small in the 541613 NAICS at the time of submission?

· No

27. Does the five-page limit only apply to Factor 1: Technical Data? Is there also a page limit for the Factor 2: Past Performance and Factor 3: Price volumes?

· The page limit only applies to the Technical Data.

28. Are the cover page, table of contents, and appendices included in the page limit?

· No

29. Section E – Solicitation Provisions Pg. 42: Will the government permit a font size smaller than Times New Roman 12-point for graphics, tables, and supporting information (header, footer, figure / table titles, etc.)?

· The font can be bigger than 12-point, but not smaller.

30. Section E – Solicitation Provisions Factor 2: Past Performance Pg. 43: The solicitation states “Past performance will be assessed through checks in CPARS and PPIRS as well as reviewing provided references.” Do offerors need to provide CPARS as an attachment or will the government access these reviews independently?

· The Government will access CPARS independently.

31. Section B2 – Statement of Work. 8c. Pg. 12: Can the government please clarify how many rounds of review they anticipate will be required “prior to final version of website edits, SRM and CPG products, and SRM and CPG promotional materials”?

· Up to three rounds of reviews are expected, depending upon the quality of the initial submittal.

32. Section B2 – Statement of Work. 2B Pg. 7: Has the government already sought and/or received approval from public affairs to create a new, custom logo/brand identity mark? Will offerors be required to assist with this process?

· The government will seek internal approval for any new custom logo/brand identity mark.

33. Section B2 – Statement of Work. 4.B.1 Pg.9: Can the government please clarify whether reference to “website/SharePoint” includes SharePoint site creation as part of the task or if it refers to graphics to be used in existing website/SharePoint site(s)?

· This refers to graphics to be used in existing website/Sharepoint sites.

34. 4A Specific Tasks – Clinical Core: Please confirm if SRM lectures mentioned at Clause 4A.2 are conducted every month and the promotional materials i.e 2 GovDelivery emails and Social Media graphics are required every month for each lectures after 180 days of contract start.

· The lecture series is to begin immediately after contract start, a continuation from an existing series. It is monthly and each month requires website updates as well as GovDelivery emails and Social Media graphics.

35. Clause 4.B Specific Tasks – National Center for Veterans Financial Well-Being: How many promotional flyers/products are anticipated to be designed at 4.B.1.

· Three unique designs are requested. Mass promotion flyers/products is not in this contract.

36. Is the National Center for Veterans Financial Well-Being website an internal site. If not, can the link be provided.

· The website will be external. It is currently going through the clearance process.

37. Is the site development process transparent? Are there additions?

· The Rocky Mountain MIRECC team is committed to making the site development process as transparent as possible with our subject matter experts and internal web designers that can be available for discussions.

38. Should the site be developed on a particular CMS? Would Webflow System be ok for you?

· The site should be developed using the existing VA Content Management System (CMS) which is currently TeamSite. If VA changes the CMS (From contract p10 4B3 “Any changes in design should be in compliance with VA standards and compatible with future content management systems (e.g., Drupal).”

39. What metrics must What metrics must be connected and tracked on the site?

· Contractor to advise on and work with client to determine scope of metrics and produce easy to follow reports based on Google Analytics such as: number of users, number of sessions, session duration, pages per session, pages views per session, new vs returning visitors, bounce rate, average time on page, exit rate, top and bottom pages, traffic sources, top queries in search, device type, user location.

40. Do you have any design references? For example: the Hamburg media school website www.hamburgmediaschool.com has the similar navigation as mirecc, but looks clearer and friendlier.

· Navigation must fall within VA Guidelines and CMS capabilities (see https://design.va.gov/). We appreciate innovate website designs that will still be familiar for VA users. Existing website examples are Whole Health Home (va.gov) and PTSD: National Center for PTSD Home (va.gov).

41. What SM are involved? Is SMM provided by a 3rd party or by us? Who’s responsible for information updates and how does communication work?

· The contractor is responsible for producing Social Media materials and a Marketing Campaign for National Center for Veterans Financial Well-Being (from contract pp7 and 8) and Social Media materials and marketing for SRM/CPG (from contract pp8 and 9).

42. Are we responsible for people engagement on educational programs?

· No

43. Are marketing and promoting funds paid separately? Or should we estimate how much media buys is needed over the course of the contract?

· The purchasing of marketing and promotion items are not in this contract.

44. Has the scope of work changed from the previous contract?

· This is a new contract.

Modification to a Previous Notice