QA 693JF725R000005 Mental Health App support.xlsx Amentment two.xlsx

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2 Whether we need to come over there for meetings?

4 Can we submit the proposals via email? Yes per the RFP and also upload in SAM.gov.

5 Can you please tell me if there is an incumbent? If so, can you please share contract information? No. It is a new requirement.

6 Will the government allow more than one past performance example to allow us to fully meet the requirements and demonstrate the breadth and depth of capabilities we can provide DOT and the United States Merchant Marine Academy with our virtual mental health mobile app? Due to time constraints, DOT is only accepting one past performance example.

7 Will the government allow a maximum of 5-pages for past performance (consisting of more than 1 past performance)? Please include just 5 pages for past performance.

8 The RFP states that “Past performance will only be considered for projects where the offeror was the prime contractor.” Our team consists of a prime and a subcontractor. Can we include a past performance from our subcontractor where they were the prime contractor? Please only include the Prime Contractor’s past performance.

9 The RFP states that “The contractor’s providers must be insured for liability and or malpractice so that DOT/MARAD is not liable for any claims or complaints related to the care provided by the contractor or it’s providers.” Do individual providers need to hold personal liability and/or malpractice insurance or can a company’s malpractice insurance blanket coverage fulfill this requirement. Either approach is acceptable providing the coverage exempts USMMA from any liability or malpractice claims

10 The PFR states that “USMMA requests the bidder to provide any app installation/ setup instructions, and user training for Midshipmen who will be using the app.” How many new users will require user training in a year. What is the annual turnover of students? Approximately 270-300 new Midn Users will require training each year. There are approximately 1000 Midn needing training at initial startup. There are approximately 6 staff/non Midn who will also require training.

11 Can you confirm that you are looking for both an App and clinical provider services? Yes

12 Would you accept a proposal for the Mental Health App without the clinical/provider services included? No

13 Do all counselors have to be licensed, if through our evaluation of a client we find they need life counseling which does not required a licensed counselor? Rationale -- Licensed therapist/counselors can only practice in the state which they are licensed. But all therapist/counselors can practice under life counseling without required licensed. So, we need to better understand states that are involved and what the government means by “support by”. DOT/MARAD requires that providers be licensed and credentialed as either Clinical Psychologists (having earned a doctorate degree in clinical psychology or Doctor of Psychology), with a minimum of 3 years clinical experience or higher. Mental Health Counselor, Social Worker, or Clinical Social Worker (having earned a master’s degree in the appropriate aforementioned fields of study). All providers must be clinically experienced within a medical scope of practice that includes patients up to the age of 24. Providers with a minimum of 3 years ‘experience are preferred. Support would be required for 24/7/365 days, globally and within the United States. Within the United States means all 50 states. Need further clarification as to what "support by" references in the solicitation.

14 We are looking for “supported by” to mean, we have a bank of therapist/counselors in minimal state, but the licensed therapist will oversee other non-licensed (in any particular state) counselors “to support” client. Meaning a licensed therapist in California can supervise/support a counselor who may be licensed in Texas or not to counsel a client who only need that level a support. Can you confirm if this aligns with the government’s requirements? The requirement as written calls for any providers be licensed and credentialed as either Clinical Psychologists (having earned a doctorate degree in clinical psychology or Doctor of Psychology), with a minimum of 3 years’ clinical experience or higher. Mental Health Counselor, Social Worker or Clinical Social Worker (having earned a master’s degree in the appropriate aforementioned fields of study). All providers must be clinically experienced within a medical scope of practice that includes patients up to the age of 24. Providers with a minimum of 3 years’ experience are preferred.

15 Would the government consider extending proposal submission date by a week, to March 12 instead? This will provide sufficient time to review govt responses and allow industry to adjust approach where appropriate Due to time restraints, DOT is unable to extend the offer date.

16 What is the incumbent name, and current contract number This is a new solicitation for a new service at USMMA. There is no incumbent.

17 Does the government anticipate the app to be the primary resource, augmented by counselors where appropriate? Or is it the other way around? The app is anticipated to provide access to care during non-business hours for Midshipmen on campus when the primary resource (The USMMA Department of Health Services Counseling Office) is closed. For not on campus (Midshipmen at sea) the app would be primary at any time a Midshipman at sea is unable to connect with our providers on campus during normal operating hours or when closed for business.

18 What is the anticipated daily call volume to counselors, for routine calls as well as those requiring crisis intervention? Since this is a new requirement, there is no history to reflect on. Additionally, this app is designed to provide a service where none existed before meaning there may be needs for care that had no method for being addressed, especially when at sea. The app is designed to provide virtual access to care and fill this potential gap in access to care.

19 What is the anticipated daily call volume to counselors, for routine calls as well as those requiring crisis intervention? Our current sampling of typical encounter numbers for 2024 at our onsite office (this does not fully represent all activity and is not necessarily an indication of the volume to be expected for app usage) are Academic Stress, anxiousness/worry 51, Crisis Intervention 28, Relationship issues 72, Stressed/Overwhelmed 170, Suicidal ideations 6, Substance/Alcohol misuse 106, Time management 33, General counseling needs 44. There are approximately 60 & 240 midshipmen at sea at any given time within a year and approximately 760 on campus depending on the sea duty numbers. Not all Midshipmen are expected to use the services.

Note: Additional questions and answers are highlighted in yellow. No additional questions will be responded.