Responses - 70FA2020R00000002 Questions and Answers - Final.pdf

702020R00000002 Questions and Answers

1. Do you require a transition plan?

Answer: A transition plan is not required.

2. Is the incumbent eligible for award?

Answer: This information is not available from the Government.

3. Can you clarify the differences between past performance and experience sections?

Answer: Experience is what you have done and past performance is how well you’ve done it.

4. Can we use the same examples from the past performance section to the experience section?

Answer: As long as they apply, yes. This is up to the offeror to determine.

5. Will there be an active task order issued with award of the IDIQ?

Answer: It is not anticipated at this time.

6. RFP p. 6 has a labor category named Program Manager–Master, but Attachment 4 has a labor category of Project Manager–Master. Should there be two labor categories, one for Program

Manager and one for Project Manager? Or should Program Manager hours be billed to the

Project Manager–Master category?

Answer: On attachment 4 it should be Program Manager- Master. This has been updated.

7. RFP p. 36, under Indefinite Quantity, the last sentence of paragraph (d) is incomplete. Can you provide the missing information at the end of the paragraph?

Answer: This has been completed on the attached updated version of the solicitation. The sentence has been completed as follows: 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 period of performance end date of the contract or of the applicable task order.

8. RFP p. 42 lists Project Manager and Deputy Project Manager as key personnel; however, PWS p.

8 states Program Manager and Alternate Program Manager as key personnel. Since the qualifications on PWS p. 9 are for Program Manager, may we assume that Program Manager and Alternate Program Manager are correct?

Answer: Yes. Corrected on the attached Solicitation.

9. RFP p. 63 states that “Volume 1, Technical Proposal, Sections 1 through 4 is limited to 100 single sided total pages.” However, (a) the next sentence and the next paragraph indicate, in bold, a

30-page limit for the Technical Proposal, and (b) the next paragraph indicates that Section 4 will not be counted towards the 30- page limitation of the Technical Proposal. May we assume that a 30-page limit for the Technical Proposal is correct, to include Sections 1 through 3?

Answer: Addressed in Amendment 0001. The limit is 30 pages for the technical volume.

10. RFP, page 64, second paragraph states that typewritten or printed letters shall be no smaller than 12-point font. Are typewritten or printed letters presented in tables allowed to be in a smaller font?

Answer: No smaller than 10 point font per pg. 64 of the Solicitation.

11. RFP p. 64, Section L.3.B. Factor 1.a states “business science” subjects; however, this term does not appear to be a subject within the HMA, FPM, OEHP, or IMRD programs, and this term is not listed anywhere in the PWS. Can you clarify the meaning of that term or if this term is not applicable? Also, the same questions apply to the other places this same term is used, i.e., on p.

65, fourth paragraph; p. 71, Factor 1.a; and p. 72, second paragraph.

Answer: This term has been struck from the solicitation. It is not a subject and does not apply.

12. RFP p. 64, Section L.3.B. Factor 1. The first paragraph states “…successful completion of all contract tasks and requirements” and “…successfully meet the objectives of the PWS and

QASP.” The main contract objectives and tasks cover training development, training delivery, and research and information analysis. While Factor 1.a (on pages 64 and 71) lists the training development objective to be evaluated, neither the training delivery objective nor the research and information analysis objectives are listed as objectives to be evaluated under Factor 1. Can you clarify whether these two objectives/contract tasks will be evaluated? If they will be evaluated, can these factors be listed as subfactors under Factor 1?

Answer: Factor 1 has been updated to include these elements.

13. RFP, pages 64 and 71, Technical Proposal, Factor 1 shows five, lettered subfactors (a, b, d, e, f);

however, letter c is missing from the list. Is subfactor c missing? If so, can you provide the missing text? Or does the listing just need to be adjusted to show a through e?

Answer: This has been corrected to a through e. As a clarification, these are not subfactors;

merely bullet points of information to address.

14. RFP, pages 64 and 71, Factor 1. d states “...ability to respond to multiple projects, across the nation concurrently.” Does this refer to responding to multiple training delivery projects across the nation concurrently, or does this refer to any type of training project?

Answer: Correct. This refers to work that occurs across the nation, concurrently.

15. RFP, pages 64 and 71, Factor 1.e states “…resources to meet the training schedules.” Does this refer to resources to meet the training delivery schedules, or does this refer to resources to meet any type of training project schedule?

Answer: This refers to resources required to meet every training requirement.

16. RFP, Staffing Plan and Key Personnel, pages 65 and 71 state that the offeror shall demonstrate the ability to “staff the contract in order to successfully meet all objectives of the PWS (including use of “key personnel,” other than key personnel, or subcontractors/consultants)” and “shall provide all required staffing and key personnel for the tasks identified in the PWS.” Since the positions of Training Specialists-ISDs, Subject Matter Experts, and Training Specialists-Instructors make up 55% of the estimated hours on the Attachment 4 Price/Cost Spreadsheet:

o How and where do we address the qualifications of these required labor categories? For example, should resumes be provided? Resumes shall be provided for all key personnel.

Letters of commitment shall also be provided for all key personnel not currently employed by the Offeror. Please note there is a 3-page limit for each resume.

o In what format should the offeror provide evidence of how staff classified as “other than key personnel” or as “subcontractors/consultants” can meet the objectives/tasks? For example, should resumes be provided? This is at the offerors discretion.

o How will the government evaluate the qualifications of Training Specialists-ISDs, Subject

Matter Experts, Training Specialists-Instructors, other than key personnel, and subcontractors consultants? Based on the information provided and please see new attachment 5 for labor category descriptions.

17. PWS p. 9, Section 15.5. In the first two bullets, there is a reference to knowledge and understanding of National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) grants. This seems to be a different program than the HMA, FPM, OEHP, and IMRD programs described in several places in the PWS, i.e., the Purpose (Section 1), Scope (Section 2), Background (Section 5), Contractor Tasks

(Section 6), and Qualifications (Section 13). Can you clarify whether the NDSP is applicable and necessary for the Program Manager’s qualifications?

Answer: Yes, knowledge of NDSP is necessary and applicable for Program Manager qualifications. NDSP has been added to the PWS.

18. In the PWS, Section 21, p. 10, indicates that the Contractor will be required to develop a comprehensive program of inspections and monitoring actions and document its approach in a

Quality Control Plan (QCP) that will be due within 10 days of the Project Kick-Off Meeting. The

RFP, pages 65 and 72, Factor 3-Quality Control Plan states the requirements for the quality control plan to be submitted with the proposal. Is the Quality Control Plan to be submitted in the proposal supposed to be the same QCP that will be submitted 10 days after the project kick-off meeting? Or is the information submitted to address Factor 3 intended to describe the proposed QCP that will be submitted later, 10 days after the project kick-off meeting?

Answer: A QCP will be required within 10 days of project kick-off meeting at the task order level.

FEMA also requires the offeror to submit a QCP as part of the Technical Proposal (Volume 1).

19. Attachment 1 PWS, pg 9. Section 15.5- We'd like to propose 15 years of experience with the FIMA grant programs in lieu of also needing the Master’s degree and PMP or FAC-C Certification.

Requiring a candidate that possess all three of these requirements will give undue bias to the incumbent.

Answer: See new Attachment 5 for additional information on the requirements for the different labor categories.

20. Solicitation pg.63. Section L.3.A- There is a discrepancy on whether Factor 4- Experience is included in page count. Will the government please clarify if Factor 4- Experience, is included in the page count limit for the technical volume?

Answer: The following is stated on pg 63 of the solicitation: Resumes of proposed key personnel (limited to 3 pages each) under section 2, the experience (limited to 5 pages each) under section 4, past performance (limited to 5 pages each) under section 5, letters of commitment, and front matter (see below) will not be counted towards the 30 page limitation of the Technical Proposal.

21. Solicitation pg. 66. Section L.3.B- Will the government please clarify if references included in Factor 5- Past Performance can only include prime references performed by either the prime offeror and its major subcontractors?

Answer: See second paragraph of Factor 5- Past Performance.

22. Attachment 1 PWS Section 15.5- Does the Alternate PM require the same certifications as the Program Manager? Unless the requirements are lowered for the PM, it will be challenging to identify a second resource that meets the strict criteria for the PM, once again giving bias to the incumbent Answer: Sr. Training Specialist could serve as the Alternate PM. This position has the most similar education and qualifications.

23. Attachment 1 PWS pg. 4. The Government expects development of five (5) new courses per year. What kind of new courses are anticipated in terms of topics, systems, and/or business processes?

Answer: Topics will be determined at a later date.

24. Solicitation L3 B Factors 1 and 2: In both Factors 1 and 2 on pp. 64-65 of the Solicitation, what specifically does the Government mean by business science? Does FEMA mean building science?

Or is this referring to data analytics? Or is this referring to Grants Administration?

Answer: All reference to business science has been struck from the solicitation.

25. Solicitation L3 B Factors 1 and 2: In Factors 1 and 2 on pp. 64-65 of the Solicitation, what is FEMA’s definition of technical versus non-technical Hazard Mitigation Assistance? Does technical refer to Benefit-Cost Analysis and engineering effectiveness?

Answer: Technical Training teaches the skills needed to design, develop, implement, maintain, support or operate a particular tool, grant program or related application, product or service.

Non-technical training focuses on personal, interpersonal, team building, and leadership skills.

Solicitation L3 B Factor 5 – Past Performance: On Page 66 the items go from G to I and appear to skip H? Was something else omitted or is the numbering system incorrect?

Answer: This is an error and has been corrected.

26. PWS page 1, under paragraph 2 Scope, LCMS is referred to Learning Concept Management System. Later, LCMS is then referred to as Learning Content Management System. Please clarify.

Answer: This is a typo. It should read “Learning Content Management System”.

27. PWS 7.6: Which SCORM standard and version is anticipated for use, 1.2 or 2004?

Answer: Please refer to the following website regarding SCORM Standards:

https://training.fema.gov/devres/scorm.aspx

28. PWS 6.1.2: Of the required 5 new courses per year and the update of 3 existing courses per year, how many will be on line and how many will be classroom based. This makes a difference in scheduling and planning for resources.

Answer: This information is unknown at this time.

29. PWS 8.2: are the existing courses available for viewing at EMI indicative of the desired interactivity level for this solicitation? If not, what minimum interactivity level is desired and will all online courses have the same level of interactivity?

Answer: We anticipate reviewing your innovative approach designed to fulfill our need.

30. PWS 6.1.2 and PWS 8.2: If the number of online courses exceeds 3 per year, or if the level of interactivity is higher than Level 1, will the government consider increasing the hours in years 4 and 5 for the training development resources, SMEs and QA?

Answer: At this time, it is too far in the future to determine if the Government can or will increase hours in years 4 and 5.

31. RFP, Page 42 Key Personnel are listed as Project Manager and Deputy Project Manager but only the Project Manager is a listed Labor Category in the Price/Cost Spreadsheet. Which labor category is associated with the Deputy Project Manager?

Answer: This should be the Alternate Program Manager versus Deputy. This has been updated as previously noted. Please also see #22.

32. RFP, Page 42 Key Personnel. Can the Government confirm that the Key Personnel or only the

Program Manager and Deputy Program Manager? The Solicitation states the Contracting may add more key personnel. Will that be at the Task Order level?

Answer: The key personnel are the Program Manager and Alternate Program Manager. Also updated this section to say the contractor may propose additional key personnel.

33. PWS Section 7.3, Page 5 The Contractor shall be required to utilize FEMA’s LCMS for all course development and revision production. The LCMS is a web-accessible application that is used to manage EMI curriculum and all new courses and revisions made to existing courses will be uploaded by Contractor staff before the course is considered complete.

What is the name of the LCMS and are courses developed within this web-based application?

Can courses be developed using courseware tools such as Articulate 360 and Adobe Captivate?

Answer: LCMS is FEMA’s Learning Content Management System. The FEMA EMI Developers

Resource Site contains links to required Distance Learning and Resident Course development standards (i.e., 508, SCORM, etc.) and templates (compliance letter templates, final exam, etc.)

as well as helpful course development FAQs and tips. This site is an external site thus available to external audiences via the internet. To access this site, complete an internet search using the following key terms: FEMA EMI Developers Resource Site.

All new course development and revisions must be completed in the Learning Content

Management System (LCMS). To begin development within the LCMS, you must complete our 2-day training session. After establishing a period of performance and successfully completing the

2-day LCMS Training, you may begin developing in the LCMS. As a developer, you will be granted access to the system for the project’s Period of Performance (POP). All course development will follow EMI’s Course Development Workflow and must pass all reviews prior to completion.

34. PWS Section 7.4, Page 5 Online courses shall be formatted in accordance with the EMI online course template as specified at https://training.fema.gov/devres/default.aspx. Can you provide a publicly accessible link to the template?

Answer: A link will be provided once a task order is provided.

35. PWS Section 6: Contractor Tasks, Page 3 Of the anticipated 5 new courses and 3 existing courses, is there an anticipated percentage of those that would be online vs. classroom?

Answer: This will be determined at a later date.

36. PWS Section 6: Contractor Tasks, Page 3 Are the online independent study courses simply online versions of classroom courses, or are different courses slated to be classroom and others slated to be online independent study?

Answer: No, they may be different courses.

37. PWS, Instructions to Offerors, Page 14 Is the ACR something that must be included in the proposal, or is that at the task order level?

Answer: ACR is addressed in the PWS and stands for Accessibility Conformance Report. This is at the task order level.

38. RFP, Section B.5 (rate tables) Which positions stated in the tables are subject to wage determination? Is it only the Graphic Artist?

Answer: It appears that only the graphic artist is covered by the wage determination. If the offeror sees something different, please let us know.

39. RFP, Section C of Proposal Instructions, item 3, Is the schedule of labor rates to show compliance with Attachment 3 a separate table than the cost breakdown of labor rates in the tables of Section B.5?

Answer: What the offeror proposes in B.5 must be in compliance with attachment 4, wage determination, if the wage determination applies to that category. The offeror shall propose their evaluated price based on the estimated hours and labor categories provided in Attachment

4 (excerpt from Solicitation, pg. 67 C.1.) Please fill out both B.5 and Attachment 4. B.5 is what will ultimately be in the IDIQ award and Attachment 4 rolls up to the total evaluated price.

40. Reference 6.2 of the PWS, the Government anticipates that Contractor support is required to instruct approximately fifty (50), two to four day instructor-led classroom training courses per year. Question: Please clarify, of the 50 courses to be delivered yearly, how many are two day courses and how many are four day courses?

Answer: This will be determined at a later date as it is not known at this time.

41. Page 8, Section 15 KEY PERSONNEL; 15.1 requires identification of a Program Manager and an Alternate Program Manager. On page 47, of the solicitation, Section 3052.215-70 (b), Key Personnel is defined as a Program Manager ad Deputy Program Manager. Please clarify if the Deputy Program Manager and Alternate Program Manager are the same?

Answer: It should be Alternate Program Manager. This has been corrected.

42. Question: Are resumes required for each? The labor categories on the price sheet does not include the alternate program manager.

Answer: Resumes shall be provided for key personnel. There is not a labor category for alternate. See #22.

43. PWS p. 9, Section 15.5. The qualifications listed for the Program Manager do not indicate knowledge, understanding, or experience in the field of training and adult learning. Since this is a training program/contract, is the Program Manager required to have experience in the field of training and adult learning?

Answer: Yes, this has been updated in the evaluation factors.

44. So that respondents can adequately address the RFP, PWS, and QASP requirements in the

Project Work Plan and Management Plan, Staffing Plan and Key Personnel, and Quality Control

Plan, can the 30-page limitation for the Technical Proposal be increased?

Answer: No.

45. RFP, H.1.5, Task Order Proposal Request (TOPR), Proposal Submission, and Task Order

Award. How many TOPRs does FEMA anticipate issuing per ordering period?

Answer: This will vary and is not known at this time.

46. RFP, L.3.B, Technical Proposal Instructions/Content (Volume 1). Please clarify the distinction between Factor 4 – Experience and Factor 5 – Past Performance as the A through G requirements for both are exactly the same.

Answer: See response to #3.

47. PWS, 6.1.

a. In 6.1.1, FEMA requires the offeror to provide bi-lingual Spanish and English course developers. In 6.1.2, FEMA anticipates the offeror developing five (5) new courses per year and revising and updating three (3) existing courses per year. Of these eight (8) courses per year, how many of them require content in both Spanish and English?

Answer: This will be determined at a later date.

b. In 6.1.2, what are the course codes and/or titles for the five (5) new courses anticipates developing per year? If unknown, can FEMA provide an estimate of how many would be online/distance vs. live/instructor-led, and the approximate number of hours for each course?

Answer: This will be determined at a later date.

c. In 8.2, FEMA lists fourteen (14) existing courses. What is the revision and update schedule for these existing courses over the next five (5) years?

Answer: This will be determined at a later date.

d. 6.1.2 states a requirement for five (5) new courses and three (3) updated courses per year . However, the number of estimated hours for the course development personnel (ISDs, SME, Technical Editor, QA/QC Officers, and Senior Graphic

Artist) drops from 19,000 in Ordering Period 1 to 7500 in Ordering Periods 2-5 (about 40% of OP1). Please clarify how FEMA expects the number of courses delivered to change per year to reflect the lower number of labor hours (for example, fewer total courses in OP2-5, or a shift in balance to more updated courses vs. new ones).

Answer: There is an anticipated shift in balance to be determined at a later date.

e. For the online courses, what is the expected interactivity level? See https://elearningindustry.com/levels-of-interactivity-in-elearning-advantages-4 for reference.

Answer: This will be determined during the evaluation process. We look forward to evaluating your innovative approach to online course development.

f. Are the online courses expected to include narration and/or animated videos with character or narrator voices? If so, since voice talent is not included in the Labor Categories, would the offeror be expected to include those costs in ODCs?

Answer: We look forward to seeing the approach you will take.

48. PWS 6.2.

a. Of the fifty (50) planned course deliveries per year, how many of these deliveries cover new courses versus existing courses?

Answer: This will be determined at a later date.

b. How many instructors are currently required for delivery of each residency course (E, K, L, V)? Does FEMA expect the number of instructors here to increase, decrease, or remain the same?

Answer: Your innovative approach to course delivery will determine the number of instructors needed.

49. PWS 6.2.3. While FEMA requires the offeror to provide bi-lingual Spanish and English instructors for in-person classroom delivery, the RFP only includes a labor category (LCAT) for Training Assistant Mid, Bilingual. Suggest FEMA also include a LCAT for Training Instructor Mid, Bilingual and a commensurate number of hours per year based upon the number of instructional delivery hours required in Spanish per course.

Answer: This need will be determined at the task order level. The number of hours needed cannot be determined at this time.

50. PWS 6.7. Is surge support handled within an existing task order award, or will FEMA issue a new, separate task order for surge support?

Answer: FEMA anticipates issuing a task order for surge support.

51. PWS 21. In the contract deliverables table, FEMA requires the offeror to provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) within ten (10) days of the project kick-off meeting. However, in L.3.A of the RFP, FEMA also requires the offeror to submit a QCP as part of the Technical Proposal (Volume 1). Please clarify.

Answer: A QCP will be required within 10 days of project kick-off meeting at the task order level.

FEMA also requires the offeror to submit a QCP as part of the Technical Proposal (Volume 1).

https://elearningindustry.com/levels-of-interactivity-in-elearning-advantages-4 https://elearningindustry.com/levels-of-interactivity-in-elearning-advantages-4

52. Attachment 4. Given the award is IDIQ, are the hours shown per ordering period solely presented so FEMA may perform its trade-off process? Or do the hours shown represent the limit for each LCAT?

Answer: See Solicitation pg. 67 #1.