The file's text, extracted by GovTribe without its formatting.
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| QUESTIONS: RFP No. 36C77620R0015, Clinical Decision Support (CDS) Services | | | | |
| # | RFP Document / Pg# | Section Title | Question | Government Response |
| 1 | 36C77620R0015 | Part I, Volume V - Price and Part II, Volume B - TO1 and D - TO2 Price | The RFP directs that the file name for the Price Proposals be "Price.xls." May offerors submit this item in the later version of Excel (.xlsx)? | Yes |
| 2 | 36C77620R0015 | Part I, Volume VI - Signed Offer and Other Required Submittals | The RFP says that "Multiple files for this Volume may be Titles as follows: OSubmittalCA.pdf; OsubmittalB.pdf; OSubmittalC.pdf." May offerors submit all of the required submittals in one Volume VI pdf file, organized with an accessible Table of Contents? | Yes |
| 3 | ATTACHMENT 1 - PWS - CDS IDIQ - FINAL_plus kbs edits to section 6 | 3. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS | Item "CC. Veteran-focused Integrated Process (VIP) portal (https://www.voa.va.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DocumentID=4371 )" is boxed and shaded. Please advise if this formatting indicates specific requirements for offerors to address. | Suggest the offeror checks to make sure they are working from the most current version of the PWS posted on beta.sam.gov. Neither the PWS version originally posted nor the revised version (Attachment 1 PWS CDS IDIQ "Rev 2") contain a shaded box. |
| 4 | ATTACHMENT 1 - PWS - CDS IDIQ - FINAL_plus kbs edits to section 6 | ADDENDUM E. | Example of Task Order Performance Metrics. There are two numbered items in this Addendum: 1.1 Acceptance Site Process and Rules for CDS Artifacts and Other Deliverables, and 10.1 Review and Acceptance of CDS Artifact Deliverables. Please advise if there is significance to the non-sequential numbering or if other items were intended to be included. | The Government has posted a revised Attachment 1 PWS CDS IDIQ documenent (now labeled "Rev 2") that corrects the discreapancy cited, such that Addendum E now contains only one section. Within Addendum E, the section that was originally labeled "1.1 Acceptance Site Process and Rules for CDS Artifacts and Other Deliverables", was meant to be the entire Addendum E. Offerors should ignore the second section within Addendum E that was labeled 10.1 (this was included in the original PWS by error). Offerors should take note that Addendum E is intended to be a representative example of the kind of performance metrics that may be defined at a task order level. |
| 5 | ATTACHMENT 1 - PWS - CDS IDIQ - FINAL_plus kbs edits to section 6 | 6.1.6 Technical Writing Expertise and 6.1.5 Presentation Expertise | There is reference to a Deliverable for each of these sections, but none is identified. Please advise if there are deliverables required for these items. | Lack of any Deliverable was an oversight for Sections 6.1.5 and 6.1.6 of the PWS. A revised Attachment 1 PWS CDS IDIQ (labeled "Rev 2") has been posted to correct this oversight. |
The Deliverables for 6.1.5 Presentation Expertise are as follows:
A. High quality, highly polished professional presentation document(s) (e.g., powerpoint, visio, etc.) using muti-media where appropriate as defined at the task order level and encapsulating the content produced under the specific task order B. Skilful Delivery of high quality, highly polished presentation(s) by individual(s) experienced in synchronous and/or asynchronous online and/or in-person content delivery using multi-media, and question and answer facilitiation as specified under the task order.
The Deliverable for 6.1.6 Technical Writing Expertise is as follows:
A.Technically adept, error-checked and highly accurate professionally written document(s) appropriate to the audience and/or platform (e.g., general use in VA; professional manuscript for publication; etc.) and using format(s) as specified under the task order.
| 6 | ATTACHMENT 1 - PWS - CDS IDIQ - FINAL_plus kbs edits to section 6 | --Sections 6 and 9: Contractor Project Management Plan, Reporting Requirements, Technical Kickoff Meeting, and Status Meetings. | | | |
| --Section 6: Meeting and Conference Call Support | These requirements are repeated, with some differences, in Sections 6 and 9: (1) Contractor Project Management Plan, (2) Reporting Requirements (Monthly Report), (3) Technical Kickoff Meeting, and (4) Status Meetings. An additional requirement, (5) Meeting and Conference Call Support, is only included in Section 6. May offerors address these five items in a single section (with cross-referencing as appropriate)? If not, please clarify the distinctions you would like offerors to address between the duplicated items in Section 6 and Section 9. | Yes, Offerors may address in one single section (with cross-referencing as appropriate) the common items that appear both in Section 6.1 "Program/Project Management, Knowledge Management and Transfer", and in Sections 9.1 Contractor Project Management Plan, 9.2 Reporting Requirements (Monthly Report) , 9.3 Technical Kickoff Meeting, and 9.4 Technical Kickoff Meeting, as well as item 6.1.8 "Meeting and Conference Call Support". For consisitancy with section 6.1, we have revised the "Attachment 1 PWS CDS IDIQ" (now labeled "Rev 2") to include a new item "9.13 Meeting and Conference Call Support". Offerors should take note that although the content of Section 6.1 and Section 9 are very similar, the intent of the two sections is not the same. Section 9 "Additonal Requirements" applies to the entire IDIQ and flows down to any task order that may be awarded under the IDIQ. By contrast, Section 6.1 or any of its subsections identify those tasks that the Government may choose to order specifically on a stand-alone task order, or may choose to order as additional services on a task order that includes other item(s) from the IDIQ. | | | | |
| 7 | 36C77620R0015 | PART I, VOLUME II – SUBFACTOR B, SAMPLE TASK TECHNICALRESPONSE | Page 54/86 - says "The offeror shall submit a quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP) which will not count toward the page limits. (Reference Sample QASP, Attachment E)" - We could not find a sample QASP in Attachment E. Please provide one if there is a sample other than details provided in ATTACHMENT 4 - QASP_CDS IDIQ 02.docx | QASP attachment is now included | |
| 8 | General | | We sincerly request a 2 weeks extension to the proposal submission deadline. | Not at this time | |
| 9 | ATTACHMENT 2 - CDS_IDIQ_TO1_PWS.docx | 3.1 | PERFORMANCE PERIOD | Page 4/29 says "The Period of Performance (PoP) shall be 6 months from date of award." But the spreadsheet provided for pricing is for 1 year. Please confirm the Period of Performance | The Period of Performance is for six (6) months. The spreadsheet provided for pricing of Task Order 1 has been updated (as Attachment 11, Rev 2) to reflect period of performance of six months (not 1 year). |
| 10 | All Price Templates excel sheets | | What is 'NSP', 'JB' and 'EA' means as its specified in the excel files. | NSP = Not Seperatly Priced, JB = Job, EA = Each | |
| 11 | ATTACHMENT 10 - IDIQ PRICE SCHEDULE.xlsx | Travel Price | Even though there is no travel for the task orders, are we expected to price the travel for IDIQ pricing, based on the "Sample of locations and estimated days of duration include the following provided in page 16 of the document "ATTACHMENT 1 - PWS - CDS IDIQ - FINAL_plus kbs edits to section 6.docx" | No, the Contractor is not expected to price travel for IDIQ pricing. Note that Section 4.4 of Attachment 1-PWS-CDS IDIQ-FINAL is intended to inform the Contractor that Travel may occur on a task order by task order basis. If such travel is required in an individual task order, Contractor may be required to include any estimated travel costs as directed at the time of task order issue. The table in Section 4.4 of Attachment 1_PWS-CDS-IDIQ-FINAL is intended to inform the Contractor generally of example locations that the Contractor may be required to go to and for what duration of time. | |
| 12 | ATTACHMENT 2 - CDS_IDIQ_TO1_PWS.docx | 8.3.4 | General Requirements | Page 77 says "This is a firm-fixed priced contract for the acquisition of commercial items in which cost accounting standards do not apply, therefore no profit or General & Administrative fees will be allowed on ODC costs. " Can we apply G&A on Travel? | No |
| 13 | 36C77620R0015 | 3. | Veteran’s Involvement Evaluation Approach | Page 58/86 - says "eligible service-disabled veteran-owned offerors will receive full credit, and offerors qualifying as veteran-owned small businesses will receive partial credit for the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-owned Small Business Status evaluation factor" Also says "Non-veteran offerors proposing to use service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses or veteran-owned small businesses as subcontractors will receive some consideration under this evaluation factor". Can government provide additional details on how these credits will be scored on the proposal? | The evaluation(s) will be documented and the credit will be assigned. Preference is given to offers received from VOSBs and additional preference to offers received from SDVOSBs. In this regard "credit" is not defined as a number on a scale. The catagories are full credit, paritial credit, some consideration, and none. |
| 14 | Admin | RFP Section B.2 Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Procedures, paragraph (f) Travel (page 6) | Solicitation states, “All travel costs associated with this requirement shall be included in the firm-fixed-price quote for each task order…The contractor shall include an itemized breakdown of travel expenses with the quote for each task order as a separate, cost-reimbursable “Not to Exceed” line item.” | |
| | | a. Please clarify the apparent discrepancy between these two sentences. | Travel expenses are not to exceed the firm fixed price on travel CLIN(s) at the task order level. |
| | | b. Given that a contractor will not know the exact travel costs associated with a task order before the task order is awarded, will the Government please provide a plug numbers for travel costs, for the purposes of evaluation of task order proposals? | Note that for the current Task Order 1 and Task Order 2, travel is not expected. For future task orders, when applicable the Government will to the best of its ability provide information regarding location and duration of travel at the time of task order. |
| 15 | Contractual | RFP Section B.2 IT Contract Security, paragraph 2e, (page 7) | RFP Section B.2 [there are two B.2s in the RFP] IT Contract Security, paragraph 2e, page 7 states, “The contractor or subcontractor must notify the Contracting Officer immediately when an employee working on a VA system or with access to VA information is reassigned or leaves the contractor or subcontractor's employ. The Contracting Officer must also be notified immediately by the contractor or subcontractor prior to an unfriendly termination.” | |
| | | a. Please clarify whether the Contracting Officer must be notified immediately following an “unfriendly termination” or prior to such termination. | Contracting Officer must be notified prior to such termination. |
| | | b. Please define what is meant by the term “unfriendly termination.” Does this refer to the termination of an employee for cause? | Termination of an employee for cause is an "unfriendly termination" |
| 16 | Admin | RFP Section C.4 FAR 52.216-22, Indefinite Quantity (Oct 1995), paragraph (a) (page 23) | RFP Section C.4 FAR 52.216-22, Indefinite Quantity (Oct 1995), paragraph (a), page 23 has been modified to state, “This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services specified. The ordering period for the IDIQ shall be for ten (10) years, and the effective period shall be for fifteen (15) years.” Paragraph (d), page 24 states, “Any order issued during the effective period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order. The contract shall govern the Contractor’s and Government’s rights and obligations with respect to that order to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract’s effective period; provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after the end of the effective/ordering period.” | |
a. Paragraph (d) indicates both that an order not completed within the effective period shall be completed within the time specified in the order AND that the Contractor is not required to make any deliveries after the end of the effective/ordering period. Please correct the inconsistency between the two sentences. The Government has revised last sentence to say, "provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after the end of the effective period.”
| | | b. The last sentence of paragraph (d) is unclear as to whether the Contractor is not required to make any deliveries after the end of the effective period (15 years) or after the end of the ordering period (10 years). Please clarify this provision. | The Government has revised last sentence to say, "provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after the end of the effective period.” |
| 17 | Admin | RFP Section C.12, FAR 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999) (page 28) | RFP Section C.12, FAR 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999), page 28 states, “The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within .” | |
| | | Please include the time within which the Contracting Officer must provide written notice to the Contractor. | 30 days |
| 18 | Contractual | RFP Section C.11, FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) (page 28) and C.13, 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items (Jun 2020) (page 30) | RFP Section C.11, FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) contains FAR 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside, Alternate I. This clause is also checked in C.13, 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items (Jun 2020), page 30, without Alternate I. In accordance with Department of Veterans Affairs Memorandum, dated July 12, 2019, Subject: Class Deviation from the Federal Acquisition Regulation Regarding Limitations on Subcontracting for Small Business Concerns, CAAC Letter 2019-1 (VIEWS 00232029), contracting officers shall use 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (DEVIATION 2019-01) in lieu of FAR 52.219-6. “Contracting officers shall use this deviation clause with Alternate I to FAR clause 52.219-6 prescribed at FAR 19.508(C) when the acquisition is for a product in a class for which the SBA has waived the nonmanufacturer rule (See FAR 19.102(f)(4) and (5)).” | |
Please verify that the correct clause is included in the RFP. 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (DEVIATION 2019-01). IAW Class Deviation From the Federal Acquisition Regulation Regarding Limitations on Subcontracting for Small Business Concerns; CAAC Letter 2019-01 19 Contractual RFP Section C.11, FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) (page 28) and C.13, 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items (Jun 2020) (page 31) RFP Section C.11, FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) contains FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting. This clause is also checked in C.13, 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items (Jun 2020), page 31. In accordance with Department of Veterans Affairs Memorandum, dated July 12, 2019, Subject: Class Deviation from the Federal Acquisition Regulation Regarding Limitations on Subcontracting for Small Business Concerns, CAAC Letter 2019-1 (VIEWS 00232029), contracting officers shall use 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (DEVIATION 2019-01) in lieu of FAR 52.219-14.
| | | Please verify that the correct clause is included in the RFP. | 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (DEVIATION 2019-01) is the correct clause. |
| 20 | Contractual | RFP Section E – Solicitation Provisions, B. Factors to be Evaluated, Base IDIQ Contract (page 44) | RFP Section E – Solicitation Provisions, B. Factors to be Evaluated, Base IDIQ Contract, page 44 states that a rating of no less than “Acceptable” must be achieved at the overall Technical Factor level as well as for each of the Technical subfactors. | |
| | | Recommend establishing a 35% threshold to achieve an acceptable rating for the Veteran’s Involvement factor to be eligible for award? | Veteran's Involvement Factor Ratings defined as Full Credit, Partial Credit, Some Consideration, and No credit. |
| 21 | Admin | RFP Section C, #2, Past Performance Evaluation Approach (page 46) | Solicitation instructions state, “The instance provided will be considered recent if the past performance instance provided is within three (5) years of the date of solicitation.” | |
| | | Will the Government please confirm past performances will be considered recent if the work was done within five (5) years of the date of solicitation? | 5 years |
| 22 | Admin | RFP Section C, Evaluation Approach, 4. Price Evaluation Approach (Volume IV) (page 47) | RFP states, “Note: estimated quantities are provided for price evaluation purposes only; actual quantities required under this contract will be provided at the task order level.” Can the government please confirm where the “estimated quantity” is – Attachment 11 and 12 does not provide quantities. | Quantities (Qtys) have now been added to the Price Schedules for Attachments 11 (labeled "Rev 2") and Attachment 12 (labeled "Rev 2"). The quantities in Attachments 11 and 12 are actual quantities defined as requirements in Task Order 1 and Task Order 2, respectively. Offerors should note that RFP Section C, Evaluation Approach, 4. Price Evaluation Approach (Volume IV), addresses only the Attachment 10 IDIQ Price Schedule; the Government has now added a default estimated quanitiy of 1 into each line item deliverable in a revised Attachment 10 (labeled "Rev 2"). |
Also, the next statement, “Offerors are further advised that the Firm Fixed unit prices proposed by the Offeror for each CLIN shall be incorporated into the basic IDIQ contract and used as applicable pricing under same”. The question associated with this comment, and the answer to the question is on the line just below.
| | | Can the government please explain what it’s meant by “each CLIN shall be incorporated into the basic IDIQ contract and used as applicable pricing under same”. | Each CLIN shall be incorported into the basic IDIQ upon award and the pricing on each CLIN will be used as pricing against those CLINS for the base year and all ordering periods. |
| 23 | Contractual | RFP Section D. Introduction (page 48) | RFP Section D. Introduction, page 48 states, “Award selection for Task Order 1 and 2 will be made using comparative analysis source selection procedures.” | |
| | | a. What is meant by “comparative analysis source selection procedures?” | The government will evaluate price for Task Orders 1 and 2 by comparing proposed prices to each other, to prices found reasonable on previous purchases, or to an independent government estimate. |
| | | b. Please provide the evaluation criteria for Task Order 1 and 2, including the evaluation factors for award and their relative order of importance. | The evaluation criteria for Task Orders 1 and 2 are contained in the RFP document. The evaluation criteria appear under "Section E. Proposal Files". For Task Order 1, evaluation criteria are detailed in the section labeled "PART II VOLUME A, TECHNICAL FACTOR, TASK ORDER 1". And evaluation criteria for Task Order 2 are detailed in the section labeled "PART II VOLUME C, TECHNICAL FACTOR, TASK ORDER 2". |
| 24 | Admin | RFP Section A, D Introduction, General Info (page 49) | Solicitation instructions state, “Offeror’s proposal shall consist of five (5) volumes for the IDIQ Contract and one (1) volume for Task Order #1.” | The IDIQ requires 6 Volumes: As per the Table titled "PART I: IDIQ Basic Contract Proposal Packet " in the RFP, Offeror’s proposal shall consist: of 6 volumes (which include the Sampe Task Technical Proposal) for the IDIQ; NOTE however that Volume II now has two parts - Volume II (Sample Task Technical Volume) and Volume IIa (Basis of Estimate for Sample Task, the template for which is a newly added Attachment H on beta.sam.gov). Additionally, Task Orders 1 and 2 require four Volumes collectively: as per the Table under "PART II: Task Order 1 & 2 Proposal Packet", two volumes for Task Order 1, plus two volumes for Task Order 2. |
| | | Please clarify the contents for the proposal shall be 5 volumes for the IDIQ, 1 volume for the Sample Task, and 4 volumes for Task Orders 1 and 2. | The IDIQ requires 6 Volumes: As per the Table titled "PART I: IDIQ Basic Contract Proposal Packet " in the RFP, Offeror’s proposal shall consist: of 6 volumes (which include the Sampe Task Technical Proposal) for the IDIQ; NOTE however that Volume II now has two parts - Volume II (Sample Task Technical Volume) and Volume IIa (Basis of Estimate for Sample Task, the template for which is a newly added Attachment H on beta.sam.gov). Additionally, Task Orders 1 and 2 require four Volumes collectively: as per the Table under "PART II: Task Order 1 & 2 Proposal Packet", two volumes for Task Order 1, plus two volumes for Task Order 2. |
| 25 | Admin | RFP Section E. Proposal Files, Part I, Vol I, SFa, Base IDIQ Technical Response (page 52) and Part I, Vol II, SFb, Sample Task Technical Response (pages 52-53) | RFP Section E. Proposal Files, Part I, Volume I – Subfactor A, Base IDIQ Technical Response, page 52 contains a part a. requiring offerors to address their overall understanding of the scope related to the technical functional areas of the IDIQ PWS. Part I, Volume II – Subfactor B, Sample Task Technical Response, pages 52-53 ask offerors to address clinical scenarios. Following this section are b. Key Personnel, c. Staffing Strategy, d. Labor Categories & Labor Category Descriptions, e. Project Management, f. Risk Management, g. Quality Management, and h. Technical Basis of Estimate. | |
| | | a. It is unclear whether these sections are to be addressed as part of Subfactor A or Subfactor B. Please clarify. | In the original version of Section E. Proposal Files text that was intended only for the Sample Task Order was placed erroneously into the middle of the paragraphs that were intended to address specifically the Base IDIQ Technical Response. An amendmetn to the RFP was posted, which corrects this error, and also contains corrected text regarding the Sample Task Order Technical Response. Offerors should take note of the RFP amendment. |
| | | b. Are parts b through h subject to the page limits for the applicable Subfactor? | Parts a through h in "Section E Proposal Files" of the RFP document all are subject to the page limits for the technical volume, but with one exception which is that any one-page resume (submitted for each Key Personnel) is not included in the page limits. In "Section E Proposal Files", immediately beneath the header "PART I: IDIQ Basic Contract Proposal Packet" is a page limitation table. The footnote immediately below the table itself indicates that the following items will not be included in the page count of the Technical Volume: cover page, table of contents, one page resume [per each Key Personnel], QASP, and/or glossary of abbreviations or acronyms. |
| 26 | Admin | RFP Section E. Proposal Files, Part I, Vol I, SFa, Base IDIQ Technical Response | Base IDIQ Technical Response states, “The Offeror’s proposal shall outline and demonstrate its understanding of the current issues and complexities surrounding the development and enhancement of Health Information Technology (HIT) across the areas listed in the PWS, and indicate how the Offeror will execute each of the tasks, especially in light of the VA’s plan to migrate its EHR from VistA to the Cerner platform.” | |
| | | Will the government confirm that this only refers to the predefined Section 5.0 Specific Requirements (p. 20-59) and does not include Section 6.0 General CDS Services? | Yes, the particular requirement that the Offeror cites only refers to the Section 5.0 Specific Requirements (and therefore does not inlclude Section 6.0 General CDS Services). |
| 27 | Admin | RFP Section E, Part I, Vol. II, SFb Sample Task Technical Response (page 52) | Solicitation, E. Proposal Files, "Part I: IDIQ Basic Contract Proposal Packet” table (p. 50) (Part I: IDIQ Basic Contract Proposal Packet) stipulates a 25 page limit to the Base IDIQ Technical Response volume; however, paragraph A on page 52 states, “The Offeror’s proposal shall outline and demonstrate its understanding of the current issues and complexities surrounding the development and enhancement of Health Information Technology (HIT) across the areas listed in the PWS, and indicate how the Offeror will execute each of the tasks, especially in light of the VA’s plan to migrate its EHR from VistA to the Cerner platform.” | |
| | | Would the government consider increasing the page limit to 40 pages given the detail required by the quoted statement above and that the government’s Task Statement descriptions alone (PWS Section 5) consists of 38+ pages of requirements and 20+ pages of deliverables? | The Government is increasing the page limit for Volume I Technical Volume of the base IDIQ to 35 pages (increased from the original page limit of 25). It may be helpful for Offerors to note with respect to PWS Section 5, that although the particular type of CDS knowledge artifacts addressed in Tasks 5.1.10, 5.1,11, and 5.1.12 do differ, there is nonetheless some repetition of some task categories (clinical knowledge research, information design, and intervention specification) in Tasks 5.1.10, 5.1,11, and 5.1.12 and all their subtasks. |
| 28 | Admin | RFP Section E, Part I, Vol. II, SFb Sample Task (d) (page 54); Attachment 2, Attachment 9, Attachment 10 | RFP Section E. Proposal Files, Part I, Volume II – Subfactor B, Sample Task Technical Response, paragraph d. Labor Categories & Labor Category Descriptions, part i, page 54 requires offerors to propose “a comprehensive list of all the labor categories necessary to perform the work identified in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) in accordance with ATTACHMENT 2. Part ii states, “Offerors are encouraged to propose different labor categories than what is provided in the highlighted area of ATTACHMENT 9.” Attachment 2 is the PWS for Task Order 1. Attachment 9 does not indicate whether it is applicable only to Task Order 1, or whether it is also applicable to the base IDIQ and Task Order 2. | |
| | | A. Please confirm that the government would like to see rates for the IDIQ and Task Order 2 in addition to Task Order 1, or, | Yes, the Government seeks to receive from the Offeror hourly labor rates for the IDIQ (Attachment 10), and rates for Task Order 1 (Attachment 11), and rates for Task Order 2 (Attachment 12). Note that the Offeror will include Labor Categories (but not rates) in Attachment 9. |
| | | B. In Attachment 9, please confirm that offerors are only required to propose a comprehensive list of labor categories to perform the work identified in the PWS for Task Order 1, and not for the base IDIQ and Task Order 2. | With respect to Attachment 9, the Government seeks to receive from the Offeror a comprehensive list of labor categories for each of the following: the base IDIQ, Task Order 1, and Task Order 2. |
| | | C. Will the Government please clarify if they would like the Labor Categories and Labor Category descriptions included in the Sample Task Technical Response, Attachment 10 Pricing Spreadsheet, or as a completed Attachment 9? | Offerors must complete both Attachment 9 and the updated Attachment 10 (on beta.sam.gov). The purpose of Attachment 9 is to provide the Technical Evaluation Panel with a comprehensive list of all the Labor Categories (LCATs) but without pricing information, that the Offeror proposes to use during the life of the IDIQ. With respect to Attachment 10, the Offeror's LCATs list with labor rates added, should comprise the LCATs tab of Attachment 10 (now "Rev 2"). With respect to the Sample Task, Offerors shall submit along with their Sample Task Technical Response a Basis of Estimate (see new "Attachment H-BOE-SampleTask.xls") outlining what categories of the LCATs list the Offeror would use to carry out the work of the Sample Task along with an estimate of number of hours for each labor category. |
| | | D. If the Labor Categories and their descriptions are to be included with the Sample Task Technical Response, will they be outside of the page limit? | See answer above. For the purposes of the Sample Task Basis of Estimate (see new "Attachment H-BOE-SampleTask.xls"), Offeror should only list the subset of labor categories with estimated hours per LCAT that comprises the labor they would use if actually executing the Sample Task. Note that the Basis of Estimate for the Sample Task shall be completed and submitted by the Offeror as a .xls file, and it does not count against the page limit of the Sample Task Tehnical Volume. |
| | | Where is the template on how we present Labor Categories we want to provide - is it just part of Attachment 10? This looks like it’s only for one year? Can we escalate the rates year over year? | The Offeror shall provide labor categories and rates, escalating by ordering period in the format outlined in the "LCAT" tab of the revised Attachment 10 (now labeled "Rev 2") that is being posted to beta.sam.gov. |
| 29 | Admin | RFP Section E, Part I, Vol. II, SFb Sample Task (d), Labor Categories & Labor Category Descriptions ii | Solicitation, Part I, Volume II – Subfactor B, Sample Task, Labor Categories & Labor Category Descriptions ii. (p. 53) state, “Offerors are encouraged to propose different labor categories than what is provided in the highlighted area of ATTACHMENT 9. Rows 5 thru 11 (highlighted yellow) contain sample type labor categories and descriptions.” | |
| | | Can the government please confirm that Attachment 9 rows 12 through 25 represent final labor categories that the government would like for bidders to use, with rows 5 through 11 being the sample type labor categories that can be changed? | Offerors shall include in Attachment 9 all actual labor categories (without pricing information) that the Offeror intends to use to execute the work of the IDIQ consistent with their technical proposals. The Government pre-entered into Attachment 9 a representative listing of labor categories that might be identified to excecute the work of this IDIQ, and Offerors are free also to use these labor categories that the Government has pre-populated (if they apply). The representative LCAT listing by the Government also demonstrates the type of detail that the Offeror shall include when completing Attachment 9. Offerors must complete all columns A through G for each of their proposed LCATs. |
| 30 | Admin | RFP Section E. Proposal Files, Part I, Volume II – Subfactor B, Sample Task Technical Response, paragraph e. Project Management (page 54) | RFP Section E. Proposal Files, Part I, Volume II – Subfactor B, Sample Task Technical Response, paragraph e. Project Management, page 54 requires offerors to provide their “approach to risk management, including the processes and methodologies for identifying, mitigating and monitoring risks, including Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) risks.” Paragraph f. is titled Risk Management. | |
| | | Please confirm that offerors are required to address “risk management, including the processes and methodologies for identifying, mitigating, and monitoring risks, including Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) risks” in paragraph e. Project Management rather than paragraph f. Risk Management. | Yes. The focus in paragraph e. Project Management, is risk management at the IDIQ level. The focus in paragraph f. Risk Management, is on the Offeror's risk management strategy and processes as used in actual task order level work. The Government aknowledges that some offerors may use similar strategies and processes whether risk management is focused on the IDIQ level or on a singular task order level, while some offerors may use different strategies and processes to manage risk for each of these scenarios - and either of these approaches can be acceptable. The Government only seeks to understand how the Offeror plans to manage risk at both levels. |
| 31 | Admin | RFP Section E, Part I, Vol. III, Past Performance (page 56) | Solicitation instructions state, “Areas of relevance include all objectives addressed in the CDS Services IDIQ PWS (Section D, Attachment A).” | |
| | | Will the Government confirm they are referring to Attachment 1, Section 6? | The Government is not referring solely to Section 6 of Attachment 1 PWS. Areas of relevance for Past Performance include all objectives addressed in Section 5 and in Section 6 of the "Attachment 1 PWS CDS IDIQ" document (now updated as "Rev2" on beta.sam.gov). The Offeror's confusion may be stemming from similarities between the Project Title "Clinical Decision Support (CDS) Services IDIQ" as written on the title page of Attachment 1, and the title of PWS Section 6 "General CDS Services". |
| 32 | Admin | RFP Section E, Part I, Vol. V, Price (page 59) | Solicitation instructions state, “A sample BOE is provided in ATTACHMENT 14.” Attachment 14 does not appear to be the correct reference. | |
Please provide a sample BOE and update attachment number accordingly. Offerors shall complete the Basis of Estimate (BOE) for the Sample Task using "Attachment H-BOE-SampleTask.xls" that is being newly provided on beta.sam.gov. The text of the RFP (now labeled "Rev 2") document has been updated to reflect this change.
33 Admin RFP Section E, Part I, Vol. V, Price (page 58) Solicitation instructions state, “The Offeror shall fully complete the labor rate matrix located in Section B of the solicitation for each contract period.”
| | | Will the Government please provide the referenced Section B labor rate matrix tables? | The Section B labor rate matrix tables appear in the LCATs tab of updated Attachment 10 (now labeled "Rev 2") provided on beta.sam.gov. |
| 34 | Admin | RFP Section E, Part I, Vol. VI, Solicitation, Offer and Award (#7) (page 59) | Solicitation instructions state, “7) Vets 4212 Compliance.” | |
| | | Will the Government please provide additional guidance on what is required for Vets 4212 compliance? | see 38 U.S.C.4212 |
| 35 | Admin | RFP Section E, Part I, Vol. VI, Solicitation, Offer and Award (#8) (page 59) | Solicitation instructions state, “8) Signed letters of commitment.” | |
| | | Will the Government please clarify if it is seeking letters of commitment from Proposed Key Personnel and/or proposed subcontractors? | Both. The Government is seeking letters of commitment from Proposed Key Personnel, and letters of commitment and/or written teaming agreements from proposed subcontractors. |
| 36 | Admin | RFP, Part II Vol. B, Task Order 1, Price (page 62); Vol. D, Task Order 2, Price (page 64) | Both price sections for the Task Orders include the following statement, “Offerors are advised that labor categories and rates provided in the Offeror’s BOE shall be incorporated into and made part of the terms of the basic IDIQ contract.” | |
| | | Will the Government please remove this language as it is not applicable to the Task Orders? | The language at issue applies to Task Order 1 and Task Order 2. To complete the BOEs using Attachment 11 for Task Order 1, and using Attachment 12 for Task Order 2, the Offeror shall use labor categories that the Offeror also has provided in Attachment 10. Therefore, the language at issue merely reinforces the Government's intent that those labor categories, as part of the list in Attachment 10, will be made part of the basic IDIQ contract upon award. |
| 37 | Admin | RFP, Part II Vol. B, Task Order 1, Price (page 62) and Attachment 11 | RFP Section E, Proposal Files, Part II Volume B, Task Order 1, Price, page 62 states, “For Task Order #1, the Offeror shall submit pricing for all Contract Line Items identified in ATTACHMENT 11. The Government will evaluate proposed prices by adding the Offeror’s total proposed price for the base year and all periods.” Attachment 11 appears to cover only the base period (September 30, 2020-September 29, 2021). | |
| | | Please clarify what is meant by “and all periods.” | "All periods" refers to all periods of performance as defined in a particular Task Order. With respect to Task Order 1, there is only one period of performance (the base period) with no additional option periods. Therefore the Offeror shall complete Attachment 11 with respect to that one period of performance only. See revised Attachment 11 (now labeled "Rev 2") posted on beta.sam.gov. |
| 38 | Admin | RFP, Attachment 11 and 12 | Attachments 11 and 12 seem to list out all deliverables in the Base PWS and looks the same as Attachment 10 IDIQ Price Schedule. | |
| | | Can the government please confirm if Attachments 11 and 12 are correct? | The Government is providing Revised Attachments 11 (now labeled "Rev 2") and 12 ("Rev 2") which are Pricing Volumes for TO 1 and TO 2, respectively, in which the number of rows in each spreadsheet have been collapsed down to those that the Offeror needs to popuate and/or needs for reference to populate adjacent rows. Also note that the Government has now added Quantitiies (Qtys) to revised Attachments 11 and 12; the quantities are consistent with the requirements stated in each task order. |
| 39 | Admin | RFP, Part II Vol. B, Task Order 1, Price (page 62) and Attachment 11; Task Order 2, Price (page 64) and Attachment 12 | Will the Government evaluate the price proposals as Pass/Fail given the disclosure of market research data in each of the task order spreadsheets? | No, the disclosure of the data was inadvertent, and the data that was disclosed may not be accurate/true. |
40 Technical RFP Section E. Proposal Files, Part II, Volume C, Technical Factor, Task Order 2 (page 63) RFP Section E, Proposal Files, Part II Volume C, Technical Factor, Task Order 2, page 63 requires offerors to “outline the steps and resources they propose to use to carry out each task outlined in the Task Order 2 PWS, with sufficient detail and clarity as to demonstrate their understanding of the HL7 FHIR Specification and its various strengths and weaknesses.”
| | | Please confirm that offerors are only required to address the areas outlined in 5.0 Specific Tasks and Deliverables of the PWS for Task Order 2 – Conversion of Clinical Content to FHIR Artifacts. | Yes, this is correct. Offerors need to address the FHIR standard with respect only to the tasks and deliverables outlined in Section 5 of the PWS. |
| 41 | Admin | RFP Section E. Proposal Files, Part II, Volume C, Technical Factor, Task Order 2 (page 63) | RFP Section E, Proposal Files, Part II Volume C, Technical Factor, Task Order 2, page 63 states, (Note: NO PRICE INFORMATION IS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE TECHNICAL VOLUME.)…Pricing: BOE.” | |
| | | What is the significance of the inclusion of “Pricing: BOE” in this section? | The inclusion of "Pricing: BOE" is un-intentionally somewhat vague. The intent was to remind the Offeror that they must include a completed BOE (Basis of Estimate) for Task Order 2. The Offeror shall complete the BOE tab in the updated Attachment 12 (now "Rev 2" posted on beta.sam.gov). Offerors also should see the new Amendment to the RFP document on beta.sam.gov. |
42 Admin RFP Section E. Proposal Files, Part II, Volume C, Technical Factor, Task Order 2 (page 63); Attachment 12 Section E, Proposal Files, Part II Volume D, Task Order 2, Price, pages 63 states, “For Task Order #2, the Offeror shall submit pricing for all Contract Line Items identified in ATTACHMENT 12. The Government will evaluate proposed prices by adding the Offeror’s total proposed price for the base year and all periods.” Attachment 12 appears to cover only the base period (September 30, 2020-September 29, 2021).
| | | Please confirm that the government will be updating Attachment 12 to include the base year and all periods to evaluate proposed price or that the total proposed price evaluation is limited to the base year. | The Government is providing a Revised Attachment 12 (now "Rev 2") which is the Pricing Volume for TO 2 and which now contains two tabs which are labeled TO2_Period 1 and TO2_Period 2. Offeror shall complete both tabs. |
| 43 | Technical | Volume I, Base IDIQ PWS Task Area 5.1.1 | There is an inherent difference fundamentally and structurally between KNART and FHIR given that FHIR is API-driven by design. For example, profiles are needed for FHIR due to the extension paradigm of FHIR Resources. | |
44 Volume II, Sample Task How does KBS plan to navigate the paradigm shift of transitioning from a specification such as KNART to a specification that is more contemporary like FHIR? With respect to the Sample Task, the Government directs the contractor to newly create three CDS artifacts using the HL7 FHIR specification and pursuant to Sections 5.1.10, 5.1.11, and 5.1.12 of the PWS CDS IDIQ. There is no intent or requirement on the part of the Government to have the Offeror address transitioning from the HL7 KNART standard to the FHIR standard in the Sample Task. As stated in the CDS IDIQ PWS, to date the VA has used the term "KNART" to refer any CDS artifact created in compliance with the HL7 Knowledge Artifact Specfication (KAS) release 1.3. If the Offeror's question refers to the CDS IDIQ generally, then we direct the Offeror to review Background Section 1.4 and Section 5.1.1 of the PWS (Attachment 1 PWS CDS IDIQ Rev2) for this IDIQ.
| | Volume C, Task Order 2, Task Order 2, Phase 2 | | |
| 44 | Technical | Volume 1, Base IDIQ PWS Task Area 5.1.1 & 5.1.14 Volume C, Task Order 2, Phase 1 | Our understanding is that we will have access to KBS CDS SMEs, KBS Terminology SMEs, KBS Standards and Specifications SMEs, and KBS Informatics Architecture SMEs; can Offeror’s assume access to EHRM Cerner SMEs to verify that CDS artifacts and tooling are interoperable and able to be integrated in both Legacy and Cerner systems? | While the Government will make best efforts to failitate access to relevant SMEs needed for a specific task order, the Government cannot guarantee such access to SMEs, including EHRM Cerner SMEs, at any specific time due to competeing demands for their time within VA. In the event that such EHRM Cerner SMEs are not available at a relevant time, the Contractor and the Government shall explore possible alternatives and work together to achieve those alternatives where feasible. |
| 45 | 49 | Offeror’s proposal shall consist of five (5) volumes for the IDIQ Contract and one (1) volume for Task Order #1 | The RFP states "Offeror’s proposal shall consist of five (5) volumes for the IDIQ Contract and one (1) volume for Task Order #1." However the submission table under E.c Lists six volumes. Can the Government please clarify? | The IDIQ requires 6 Volumes: As per the Table titled "PART I: IDIQ Basic Contract Proposal Packet " in the RFP, Offeror’s proposal shall consist: of 6 volumes (which include the Sampe Task Technical Proposal) for the IDIQ; NOTE however that Volume II now has two parts - Volume II (Sample Task Technical Volume) and Volume IIa (Basis of Estimate for Sample Task, the template for which is a newly added Attachment H on beta.sam.gov). Additionally, Task Orders 1 and 2 require four Volumes collectively: as per the Table under "PART II: Task Order 1 & 2 Proposal Packet", two volumes for Task Order 1, plus two volumes for Task Order 2. |
| 46 | 51 | *Note page limitations: The cover page, table of contents, one page resume, QASP, and/or glossary of abbreviations or acronyms will not be included in the page count of the Technical Volume. However, be advised that any and all information contained within any Table of Contents and/or glossary of abbreviations or acronyms submitted with an Offeror’s proposal will not be evaluated by the Government. | Please confirm resumes are limited to one page and do not count against the page count in volume II. | Any one-page resume (submitted for each Key Personnel) does not count against the page limit. Resumes that exceed one page will not be read. |
| 47 | 45 | "The instance provided will be considered recent if the past performance instance provided is within three (5) years of the date of solicitation." | Please clarify if it is 3 or 5 years. | |
| 48 | 58 | The Offeror shall fully complete the labor rate matrix located in Section B of the solicitation for each contract period. | Please confirm if there is a matrix format that is supposed to be in Section B. No labor matrix is mentioned in Section B. | |
| 49 | 46 | A major subcontractor is defined as one which will be providing more than 20% of the total proposed price or more than 25% of the total labor force. | Is that measured at any individual task order level or across the entirety of the 10 year IDIQ? | Across the entirety of the IDIQ |
| 50 | 23, 47 | | There are 10 Ordering periods specified in Attachment 10. There is a 6 month option referenced in core RFP (page 47), but not listed in attachment 10. On Page 23 of core RFP it says “The ordering period for the IDIQ shall be for ten (10) years, and the effective period shall be for fifteen (15) years.” Where do we price the six month option period and the (potential) additional 5 years? | The six month option period can be included at the end of attachment 10. The additional 5 year effective period is there to cover any potential TO's that may have PoP/Options that need to be exercised beyond the first 10 years of the basic IDIQ. The pricing for such TO's would be based on the existing periods 1 though 10, thus there is no need for additional pricing. |
| 51 | 60 | 8) Signed letters of commitment | Are letters of commitment required for all subcontractors or just the major subcontractors? | The Government is seeking letters of commitment from Proposed Key Personnel, and letters of commitment and/or written teaming agreements from all proposed subcontractors. |
| 52 | 53 | Offerors are encouraged to propose different labor categories than what is provided in the highlighted area of ATTACHMENT 9. Rows 5 thru 11 (highlighted yellow) contain sample type labor categories and descriptions. The Offeror shall ensure that all anticipated labor categories required to perform the entire range of the PWS are included and these labor categories shall serve as the minimum requirements/standards throughout the life of the contract. | May offerors submit a revised Attachment 9 and exclude it from the page limit? | Offerors must complete Attachment 9 and should use the most recent version (Attachment 9 "Rev 2"). Attachment 9 does not count against the page limit of the separate IDIQ Technical Volume. The purpose of Attachment 9 is to provide the Government's Technical Evaluation Panel a comprehensive list of all the Labor Categories (LCATs) but without pricing information, that the Offeror proposes to use during the life of the IDIQ. Offerors shall include in Attachment 9 all actual labor categories (without pricing information) that the Offeror intends to use to execute the work of the IDIQ consistent with their technical proposals. The Government pre-entered into Attachment 9 a representative listing of labor categories that might be identified to excecute the work of this IDIQ, and Offerors are free also to use these labor categories that the Government has pre-populated (if they apply). The representative LCAT listing by the Government also demonstrates the type of detail that the Offeror shall include when completing Attachment 9. Offerors must complete all columns A through G for each of their proposed LCATs. |
| 53 | 51-54 | Paragraphs b. through h. are more appropriate to Part I, Volume I – Subfactor A, Base IDIQ Technical Response and not to Part I, Volume II – Subfactor B, Sample Task Technical Response. | We assume that responses to paragraphs b. through h. are to be included in Part I, Volume I – Subfactor A, Base IDIQ Technical Response. Is that correct? | Yes, responses to paragraphs b. through h. are to be included in Part I, Volume I – Subfactor A, Base IDIQ Technical Response. | |
| 54 | 51-54 and 54-55 | There are two sets of instructions for the sample task. | Will the Government please clarify the requirements for the sample task? | The Government has clarified the requirements for the sample task in the newly amended RFP.(posted on beta.sam.gov) | |
| 55 | 51-54 | Paragraphs b. through h. are more appropriate to Part I, Volume I – Subfactor A, Base IDIQ Technical Response and not to Part I, Volume II – Subfactor B, Sample Task Technical Response. . | If the answer to the previous question is "No", will the Government increase the page llimit by 10 pages to permit adequate responses? | The Government has clarified the requirements for the sample task in the newly amended RFP.docx (posted on beta. sam.gov) | |
| 56 | 56 | (3) | Section 3 – Subcontracts. Offerors shall provide an outline of how the effort required by the solicitation will be assigned for performance within the Offeror’s corporate entity and among the proposed Subcontractor. The information provided for the prime Offeror and each proposed major Subcontractor must include the entire company name, company address, CAGE Code, DUNS Number and type of work to be performed by citing the applicable Government PWS paragraph number. | Will the Government please confirm that this paragraph only applies contracts submitted for subcontractors? | Deleted paragraph in Section 3, and added the 2 phrases "CAGE Code" and "DUNS Number" onto the end of paragraph Section 1. |
| 57 | 58 | The Offeror shall complete a Basis of Estimate (BOE) with sufficient price detail to support the proposed Firm-Fixed-Prices (FFPs) proposed for the sample task order and both of the Task Orders (ATTACHMENTS 11 & 12). A sample BOE is provided in ATTACHMENT 14. The Offeror shall also explain the estimating processes and methodologies used in estimating the quantities of labor hours and the types of labor categories required for successful performance. | Attachment 14 is not a Sample BOE. Will the Government please provide a Sample BOE? | | |
This is the start of the file's text. The full file is on GovTribe.
