Questions and Responses 12.23.2020.pdf

50310221R0010-0001

Conflict Resolution Services

QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

SECTION/

DESCRIPTION

QUESTION GOVERNMENT’S

RESPONSE

Go/No-Go Factor Would the SEC consider a Juris Doctor degree as an applicable substitute for having an undergrad degree related to HR or Conflict/Dispute Management undergrad degree?

Yes. A Juris Doctor degree is acceptable.

Go/No-Go Factor The term Conflict/Dispute Management related degree could be vague and given the importance of this qualifier, could the SEC please list some applicable degrees (e.g., Psychology)?

The SEC will consider any degree in social sciences, which may include behavioral sciences, human resources, law, or law enforcement.

Overall Is there an incumbent for this requirement? If so, who is the incumbent?

What are the contract numbers?

There is no incumbent for this requirement, as this is a new requirement.

10. (SEC 6010.01)

KEY PERSONNEL

(JUNE 2020)

The key person is TBD, could the SEC please confirm the key individual is the one designated in the go/no-go factor criteria? If not, could they clarify?

Key Personnel is the person that the contractor will identify as being responsible for carrying out the required services. The Key Personnel is the individual that would be proposed in the Go/No-Go Factor.

Factor 2- Corporate Experience and Education (Exceeds/ Met/ Does not Meet)

For the experience deemed relevant, with a minimum of five years, could the SEC clarify if this is corporate experience (bidding company) and/or key personnel having 5 years’ experience as detailed in the Go/No-Go Factor?

The recent and relevant experience is pertinent to the company submitting the quote and the Key Personnel.

Factor 3-Past Performance (Exceeds/Met/ Does not Meet/Neutral)

Would the SEC consider changing relevant experience to include relevant to the SEC and not just general federal conflict resolution services? We believe that demonstrating working in the SEC, understanding the federal staff and the work culture can illustrate significant experience examples to exceed the needs of requested services.

The minimum requirement for recent and relevant experience remains unchanged.

Go/ No-Go Factor Regarding Key Personnel and resumes, how interested would the SEC be in

This solicitation will result in a non-personal services contract.

receiving a small number of practitioner (e.g., 2-3), that the SEC could select the desired Key Personnel for providing the required conflict resolution services (one site office hours, training, etc.)?

As such and in accordance with Section 9d, the Contractor is responsible for selecting its employees. Therefore, as it pertains to this solicitation, the Quoter must present its best quote for the Government’s consideration (evaluation), which includes selecting and proposing Key Personnel who meet the requirements.

Performance Period Are we correct in understanding the Base Period and each Option Period 1 through 4 are one calendar year in duration?

The base and each option period, if exercised, will be for a period of 12 months from the beginning date.

The CO anticipates contract award in January. In the event that the contract start date is Feb 1, 2021, the performance period for each year (base and each option) will be Feb 1 – Jan 31.

Factor 3: Past Performance

We assume that submitting past performance for the prime and any teaming or sub-contractor partners is acceptable. Please confirm or explain further, as appropriate.

The prime’s recent and relevant experience will be accepted for Factor 3: Past Performance.

Section II - 3.1

Place of Performance

Is the SEC open to providing this conflict resolution consulting services virtually or does it need to be done in person?

In accordance with Section 3.1 Place of Performance, the primary place of performance is at the SEC’s Headquarters’ Office in DC. However, the contractor shall have the ability to carry out the services remotely, as remote services may initially be required.

Section II – 2

Period of Performance with Option Years

When does the SEC expect to begin providing these services?

The Government anticipates contract award and the start date to be Jan 25, 2021 and Feb 1, 2021, respectively.

Section II - 3.1

Place of Performance

How does the SEC feel about virtual mediation and training through 2021 perhaps?

In accordance with Section 3.1 Place of Performance, the primary place of performance is at the SEC’s Headquarters’

Office in DC. However, the contractor shall have the ability to carry out the services remotely, as remote services may initially be required.

Section II – 2

Period of Performance with Option Years

How long is the contract for? The contract’s overall performance period will likely be Feb 1, 2021 – Jan 31, 2026, if all options are exercised.

One 12-month base period and four 12-month option years

Quote Can we provide a case manager/intake person + one or two mediators?

Quoters should propose its best solution for consideration (evaluation) while noting that within the description of services, the Government supplied the following information:

The Government anticipates no more than 8 hours per week on the performance of tasks in Section I 4(a) – (e) or 416 hours/year.

Section II - 3.1

Place of Performance

Does the SEC expect designated provider/s to be at SEC facilities?

In accordance with Section 3.1 Place of Performance, the primary place of performance is at the SEC’s Headquarters’ Office in DC. However, the contractor shall have the ability to carry out the services remotely, as remote services are now required.

Section II - 3.1

Place of Performance

What about one or two years from now? If vaccines are proved effective, will the SEC expect personnel to be on location?

We are not able to any assumptions on how the effectiveness of vaccines will play a part on any contract, including this one, one to two years from now.

In accordance with Section 3.1 Place of Performance, the primary place of performance is at the SEC’s Headquarters’ Office in DC. However, the contractor shall have the ability to carry out the services remotely, as remote services are now required.

Section III #5

Type of Contract

Can you clarify what you mean with a firm-fixed-price?

A firm-fixed-price is the total price for the contract that is not adjustable based on the contractor’s cost. As long as 100% of services required are rendered, they’ll be payable at 100%.

Evaluation of Quotes

Factor 4 Price

What additional clarification can you provide regarding our price proposal?

Quoters shall refer to Evaluation of Quotes, Factor 4 Price and submit price quote via Attachment 3 Pricing Template.

General Do we need to establish a specific schedule for the 8/week work period?

Quoters are not required to establish a specific schedule for the 8 hours/week work period.

However, if there will be hindrances or days that aren’t feasible, this should clearly be communicated in the quote.

Section III #5

Type of Contract

Is the SEC paying provider regardless of whether training/mediation took place during the week?

Yes. However, there is still a requirement to be, at a minimum, available for intake and consultation.

Section III #5

Type of Contract

What are the allowances for remote mediation and training services, until such time the public feels it can go back to former work routines/schedule/operation?

Please note that based on the situation, the contractor may be asked to work remotely or at the SEC’s Headquarters Office. As such, Quoters should take this into consideration when submitting their Price Quote, as the contract is not adjustable based on the contractor’s cost.

General How will you measure the success of this effort?

The SEC will measure the contractor’s success by its ability to meet the requirements of Statement of Work, in its entirety.

Measuring the success of the effort, as a whole, will be conducted internally by the Government.

Section II #2

Period of Performance with Option Years

When do you expect to make an award? As stated at Section II #2, the Government anticipates contract award on or about Jan 25, 2021.

Response Deadline Is there any change that you will extend the deadline for this opportunity?

Quotes are due no later than Jan 15, 2021 by 3:00PM.

The Government does not currently anticipate on extending the deadline for this opportunity.

Go/ No-Go Factor Please describe the types of proof that the SEC will accept for the 4-year higher educational degree requirement in Human Resources, Dispute Resolution or a related field for Special Attachment A? For example, does either a photo of a degree diploma, transcripts or confirmation from the college’s registrar suffice? Can you offer more examples?

All documents shall be submitted electronically.

A photo or canned copy of the diploma or confirmation from the registrar are acceptable.

Transcripts of the 40 hours of conflict resolution.

Section I # 2 Scope of Work

I don’t understand the last part of this clause: “however, the Contractor will not participate in EEO matters and/or other formal complaint processes, and the Contractor’s recommendations will not be binding on the Agency or employees.

The awardee will provide services against this contract in direct support of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and its employees on an advisory basis. Therefore, the awardee will not participate in EEO matters or any other formal complaint processes and the contractor’s recommendations which will not be binding on the Agency or employees.

Mediation process If the disputants achieve a mutually satisfactory resolution to their dispute in an agreement how will it be enforced if other decision-makers are required to ensure that the agreement is enforced?

The OIG or its representative(s) will decide on how the enforcement of agreements will be handled.

Mediation process Will those decision-makers be at the mediation table as necessary with the parties’ permission? Please clarify.

The OIG or its representative(s) may or may not be at the mediation table.

Section I #4a(1) and Section II #3.2 Deliverables

Does the 30 days mean 30 calendar days?

If not, please clarify. Also there was an un-redacted comment in yellow hiding the

30 calendar days from the date of award.

number of days, so indeed clarify it is 30 and which type.

Section III #5

Type of Contract

Is the development of a “process for the intake and resolution of employee complaints, concerns, and/or disputes” a separate project deliverable and can it be a separate line item charge or must it be prepared and submitted under the 416 hours of work? Please clarify.

This is a firm-fixed-price contract. As such, Quoters provide a quote that is inclusive of all services required.

There will be no individual line items for services under the resulting contract.

Section II - 3.1

Place of Performance

If all agency employees are working from home as of now due to the covid-19 pandemic, will the Contractor also work from home? Please explain.

The contractor shall work remotely, as long as it is required, which is likely to be as long as all agency employees are working remotely.

Since this is an evolving situation that cannot easily be forecasted, more information will be shared as it becomes available. This should be discussed during the contract kick-off meeting.

SECTION III #5

TYPE OF

CONTRACT

Am I correct that training can be developed and submitted for approval the Inspector General and can be billed as a separate line-item charge?

No. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. As such, Quoters provide a quote that is inclusive of all services required.

There will be no individual line items for services under the resulting contract.

SECTION I #4F Can the training products be electronic? Training materials should be electronic. However, the contractor may be required to present the training materials during training sessions (in-person or virtually).

SECTION III #5

TYPE OF

CONTRACT

Am I correct that the quarterly report findings submission can be developed and be billed as a separate line-item charge?

No. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. As such, Quoters provide a quote that is inclusive of all services required.

There will be no individual line items for services under the resulting contract.

GENERAL Can the report findings that the Contractor designs be trackable on agency dBase software that is accessible to the Contractor or will the contractor be required to use its own computer software to track case data that protects employee confidentiality?

The contractor will utilize the SEC’s database.

GENERAL Will contractor have access to the SEC’s IT Support staff for problems with implementation and functioning of any SEC secure software applications pertaining to the Contractor’s work for the

SEC?

Yes.

GENERAL Does the Contractor have any leeway to bring such types of concerns to the attention of the Contract Officer if they cannot be addressed within the 416 hours stated in the fixed contract?

The contractor always has the right to communicate contractual concerns with the Contracting Officer.

GENERAL Is there flexibility or is the Contractor working“one day per week” fixed? Also some disputes and concerns may take more than one session to resolve.

Therefore, can the Contractor work two days per week if the volume of cases is high and the preferred time meets everyone’s schedule.

Although this is a new requirement, the SEC believes that 8 hours/week is sufficient.

Changes, as a result of volume, can be discuss as situations arise.

PRICING Assuming I am correct at least on some line-item deliverables, do I add them up and include them on the Pricing Template attachment for the base year and subsequent years?

No. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. As such, Quoters provide a quote that is inclusive of all services required.

There will be no individual line items for services under the resulting contract.

PRICING Is the Aggregate price the grand total of the base year and all optional years? If not, could you define aggregate price so I ensure I complete this form accurately?

Yes, the aggregate price is the grand total of the base year and all option years.

PRICING May I also explain the specific charges for hourly fee and rationale for deliverables in my submission including the numerical value of each, or do I only submit the lump sum quote on the Pricing Template?

Attachment 3 Pricing Template requires yearly fixed pricing and an aggregate price for all performance periods.

Please note that annual amounts should be divisible by 12 since it will be paid in 12 monthly installments.

OTHER DIRECT

COSTS

Is the travel and parking to and from the location of the SEC headquarters a reimbursable expense?

This contract will not have an allowance for travel or parking.

QUOTE Are you aware of reference to government or other reputable websites that would provide a template for how a response to an RFQ/Combined Synopsis/Solicitation would look and any special numbers that must be included on it (e.g., Cage Code)?

There is no requirement on the format of the response to the solicitation. However, the response must clearly demonstrate the understanding of the requirement and should clearly demonstrate how the Quoter meets or exceeds all areas of the Statement of Work and ultimately the evaluation factors.

Ensure the Quote includes the Solicitation# 50310221R0010 Requirement: Conflict Resolution Services

DUNS Code, Point of Contact, and ensure the quote is extended for a period of at least 90 days.

GENERAL What is the level of effort (# of hours) per labor category does the Government anticipate for this position?

The SEC anticipates the receipt of quotes that on includes one proposed key personnel who will provide services, which are not expected to exceed 8 hours/week and 416 hours per year for services in Section I 4(a) – (e).

Section I 4(f) requires an additional 4 hours per year.