CommunicationsSpecialist_QandA.pdf

Reference Question Answer 1 What is the anticipated base period and number of option periods? 1 base period plus 4 options 2 What is the estimated annual number of labor hours? Amount of hours will be based on our annual budget of $90k

Does USPS OIG anticipate one full-time specialist, a part-time specialist, or an on-demand communications team?

One (1) Part-time specialist

How many days per week should personnel expect to work onsite in Rosslyn?

A recurring weekly on-site presence is a firm requirement. Contractor is expected to maintain an average availability of 2 to 3 days per week but number of days in Rosslyn may vary according to project needs.

5 Are fixed onsite days required, or may the onsite schedule vary according to project needs? See Answer to Question #4 6 What is the anticipated number and average length of white papers published annually? The team plans on publishing 10 to 12 white papers over the next 12 months.

What volume of presentations, podcasts, infographics, newsletters, and interactive web features should offerors anticipate?

The primary scope of work centers on the editing, publication, and post-publication communications for about 12 white papers. Additionally, offerors should anticipate support for ad hoc events as well as ongoing efforts to refine internal processes and enhance team communication skills.

Must the proposed specialist already have experience with Shorthand, or will experience with comparable interactive-storytelling platforms be acceptable? Experience with Shorthand is preferred, but experience with comparable tools is welcome.

Will USPS OIG provide licenses for Shorthand, Adobe Creative Cloud, podcasting tools, and other required software? Yes

10 Will Government-furnished computers and system access be provided? Yes 11 What background investigation, suitability determination, or badging requirements are anticipated? A Postal Sensitive or Moderate Background Investigation would be required. Added to the SOW.

Will the contractor handle law-enforcement-sensitive, procurement-sensitive, or other controlled information?

The contractor will handle publicly-available data and information, and proprietary Postal Service data.

13 Are U.S. citizenship or residency requirements anticipated for contractor personnel? Only U.S citizens are eligible for clearances. Added to the SOW.

Will subcontractor and individual key-personnel experience be considered when evaluating corporate capability?

Submitting prior efforts performed by Subcontactors will be considered when evaluating Relevant Project Experience.

15 What minimum qualifications and years of experience are anticipated for the Communications Specialist? The SOW has been amended to include minimum quals and exp required.

16 Does USPS OIG require a dedicated backup specialist? See Answer to Question #3 17 Should the future proposal include fully burdened hourly rates by labor category? Yes 18 Will travel outside the Washington, DC area be required for events or stakeholder engagement? No

Is Section 508 compliance required for all multimedia and digital products?

Yes, all public-facing electronic content published by USPS OIG, for example, white papers, must conform to Section 508 accessibility guidelines, but 508 compliance will not be performed by the Communications Specialist.

20 Will the future competition be limited exclusively to companies responding to this RFI? Please read the "Disclaimer" on page 1 of the RFI Instructions.

Could you provide additional detail on the expected on site schedule in Rosslyn, VA (example: a set number of days per week/month, or on site presence tied to specific events such as the kick off meeting and leadership briefings)? See Answer to Question #4

Would the Government consider a remote supplier (based outside the DC metro area) who commits to regular, scheduled travel to Rosslyn for required on site activities, provided continuity and responsiveness are maintained? See Answer to Question #4

On site cadence. The Statement of Work states that performance will be conducted in Arlington (Rosslyn, VA) on a hybrid status, but does not specify a frequency. Can the OIG indicate the expected minimum on site presence, for example a set number of days per week, or on site for the kick off meeting and periodic reviews only? This materially affects which suppliers can perform. See Answer to Question #4

Remote performance. Related to the above: would the OIG consider a supplier who performs the work remotely and travels to Rosslyn for the kick off meeting and for scheduled on site periods, or is a recurring weekly on site presence a firm requirement? See Answer to Question #4

Suitability or background investigation. As the OIG is an independent federal law enforcement agency, will contractor personnel be subject to a background investigation or suitability determination? If so, at what level, and must it be in place at award or may it be obtained after award? See Answer to Question #11

Level of effort and platform. Is the OIG able to indicate an estimated number of labor hours and a period of performance for the Labor Hour contract? Separately, SOW 3(b) names Shorthand; would the OIG provide the licence, or is the supplier expected to hold one?

Contractor is expected to maintain an average availability of 2 to 3 days per week, but number of hours per week may vary according to project needs within annual budget of $90,000. OIG to provide license.

27 What is the anticipated period of performance? Performance to start as soon as possible.

28 What is the estimated number of hours required per week?

Contractor is expected to maintain an average availability of 2 to 3 days per week, but number of hours per week may vary according to project needs within annual budget of $90,000.

29 What hybrid schedule is expected, including the number of days in Rosslyn? See Answer to Question #4

30 What review and approval process applies to public-facing messaging, and who will serve as the principal content approvers?

The Communications Specialist will be supervised by Research Project Lead or Manager. Key deliverables, such as public-facing products, generally require senior OIG leadership approval.

31 Will USPS OIG provide access to design software, templates, brand standards? The Communications Specialist will have access to the software, templates and other tools available to the OIG's Research team.

32 Are there minimum security and background investigation requirements for contractors? See Answer to Question #11 33 Will this firm be responsible for directing the market research initiatives of the department? No. The Comms specialist will support research led by the OIG and will be supervised by Project Leads and Research Managers.

34 How large is the department? The Research directorate of the Research and Insights Solution Center contains 12 - 15 people