73351019Q0065_RFQ_Q&A.pdf

SOLICITATION: 73351019Q0065

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

RESEARCH ON SMALL BUSINESS TOPICS ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP

DEMOGRAPHICS

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: Is this request open to proposals that seek funding for the collection of data from new, previously-untested sources (where the data collection will be mainly focused on minority and female entrepreneurs) with corresponding analysis? Or, does this proposal seek to fund only analysis of existing data?

Answer: Proposed analysis of existing data is generally preferred to proposed analysis of new data to be collected. New surveys or information collections require approval from the Office of Management and Budget, and are not generally feasible within a one year performance period. Proposals should identify and describe the data that will be analyzed, and demonstrate accessibility to the data. Proposals that incorporate new surveys or information collections should consider and demonstrate familiarity with the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Question: Does this Request for Quote seek proposals that are nationally representative?

Answer: The solicitation is open to proposals with national or subnational analysis. Proposals should document the representativeness of the data used in the proposed analysis, and the extent to which the expected findings can be generalized to the population if inferences are made. Proposals with subnational analysis such as by state or region should demonstrate its relevance in a national context. Proposals that incorporate surveys or information collections should consider and demonstrate familiarity with the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Question: Do you anticipate there could be different phases for the contract, or is there a possibility for renewal of funding at the project end period?

Answer: The anticipated performance period is one year. The Office of Advocacy is seeking proposals that can successfully complete the research requirements within that time period.

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.

Question: Is there a preference for a one or two-phase research approach. For example, do you prefer two phases so you can determine if the results warrant additional research?

Answer: Offerors should document the expected results of the proposed analysis, and demonstrate how it best accomplishes the research requirements of the statement of work.

Question: Do you have a preference for proposals that do not require small business owners to respond to surveys and instead use existing data sources?

Answer: Proposed analysis of existing data is generally preferred to proposed analysis of new data to be collected. New surveys or information collections require approval from the Office of Management and Budget, and are not generally feasible within a one year performance period. Proposals should identify and describe the data that will be analyzed, and demonstrate accessibility to the data. Proposals that incorporate new surveys or information collections should consider and demonstrate familiarity with the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Question: If we need to do a few interviews, is there an ideal number that you prefer us not to exceed?

Answer: Proposals that incorporate information collections should be compliant with the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Question: When do you typically announce contract winners?

Answer: The successful and unsuccessful Quoters are anticipated to be notified within 45 days after the RFQ closes.