73351019Q0064_RFQ_Q&A.pdf

SOLICITATION: 73351019Q0064

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

RESEARCH ON SMALL BUSINESS TOPICS USING DATASETS

Question: Are the degree requirements a hard requirement?

Answer: Per the Statement of Work (SOW), Quoters should have advanced technical training related to the subject matter. However, a specific level of education or training, such as a Ph.D., is not a requirement. Quoters should demonstrate their qualifications and ability to perform the research requirements of the SOW. A combination of education, training, field of expertise, years of experience, and prior work in the subject matter would all be considered relevant.

Question: What is the incumbent contractor information?

Answer: This is considered a new requirement.

Question: Is there a unit of analysis (state level or national) requirement for the research proposals?

Answer: National analysis is not required, and state or regional analysis will be considered.

Quoters should demonstrate how their technical approach best accomplishes the objectives and requirements of the SOW. As a research office in the federal government, quoters should demonstrate, in their technical approach, how a state or regional analysis is relevant in a national context.

Question: Are there guidelines on the page length for each of the proposal sections/parts?

Answer: No, length of proposal sections is up to the discretion of the Quoter.

Question: Would you be able to share a new link or examples of successfully awarded projects?

Answer: Examples of past research projects can be found here: https://advocacy.sba.gov/category/research/economic-reports/economic-studies/.

Question: Do we just submit for one solicitation or can we submit for more than one?

Answer: Quoters mays submit responses to as many Requests for Quotes that they choose.

Question: Are we supposed to pick a sample topic and elaborate on it? Or is this just a section in our Proposal discussing the research methods we will employ?

Answer: The technical approach section of the proposal should describe the research methods to be employed. The writing sample should be work authored by the proposed research team on the topic or a related topic that demonstrates the proposed research team’s writing ability.

Question: Regarding the pricing, about how much is the Government paying for this research?

Is there a maximum or range for the dollar amount the Small Business Administration will award?

Answer: The Government does not intend to disclose the budget for this requirement. It is the responsibility of the Quoter to ensure that the proposed price is an accurate representation of the proposed technical approach to the research. There is no standardized pricing guideline that the

Quoter must follow. However, all proposed costs must be allocable, allowable, and reasonable in accordance with FAR 31.201-2, 31.201-3 and 31.201-4.

Question: Can independent researchers submit proposals?

Answer: Independent researchers are eligible for award if they are registered entities in the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov), and meet the small business size standard for the Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities industry (NAICS classification 541720) of not exceeding $20.5 million in annual revenue.

Question: Can one researcher be on two teams for two different proposals?

Answer: Quoters can submit proposals to multiple solicitations or multiple proposals for the same solicitation

Question: Could you provide a range of reasonable rates for labor categories?

Answer: Price reasonableness cannot be predetermined. Please see FAR 13.106-3(a) for how the Government will determine price reasonableness.

Question: Do you have an expected starting date for awardees?

Answer: Performance would be anticipated to start on or about 09/23/2019.