73351021R0008 QA v2.pdf

Questions and Answers Solicitation 73351021R0008

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data

1. How do you wish for the data to be collected?

Offerors should determine and propose the data that is most appropriate for their proposed analysis. As stated in the Statement of Work (SOW), Section 3.3, the proposed analysis can use a variety of economic datasets to address the proposed research topic. Proposals should identify the economic dataset(s) that will be analyzed, and offerors are expected to have expertise of the proposed data. Information collections are not preferred over using existing data when existing data is applicable. As stated in the Instructions to Offerors (Attachment 3), if an information collection is proposed, offerors should demonstrate familiarity with survey procedures, provide details on the collection method and process, and timeline in relation to the deliverables timetable including the clearance process required under the Paperwork’s Reduction Act (PRA) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If an information collection is proposed, it is the offeror’s responsibility to prepare any materials necessary to obtain PRA clearance associated with the work to be performed.

Because the anticipated performance period is 12 months, it can potentially be difficult to conduct a data collection and meet all of the deliverables within that timeframe.

2. Do you prefer the development of a survey? If yes, which geographical area are you focusing on?

Information collections are not preferred to existing data when existing data is applicable. As stated in the Instructions to Offerors (Attachment 3), if an information collection is proposed, offerors should demonstrate familiarity with survey procedures, provide details on the collection method and process, and timeline in relation to the deliverables timetable including the clearance process required under the Paperwork’s Reduction Act (PRA) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If an information collection is proposed, it is the offeror’s responsibility to prepare any materials necessary to obtain PRA clearance associated with the work to be performed. Because the anticipated performance period is 12 months, it can potentially be difficult to conduct a data collection and meet all of the deliverables within that timeframe.

3. With the possible topics provided, which are you most interested in?

The Government does not have preference to a particular topic. The topic of the proposal should be of current relevance within the scope of the SOW and incorporate aspects of understanding the economic impacts of the pandemic on small businesses. Preference will be given to the proposal that best shows a strong technical knowledge of the issue to be researched, demonstrates the policy relevance of the research and potential findings, and presents a clear, concise, and feasible research plan. Offerors are expected to have expertise of the topic proposed.

4. Can a small business submit multiple proposals, each addressing a different research question?

Yes, offerors can submit multiple proposals for the solicitation, each addressing a different research question.

5. What is the maximum funding available for an individual research project?

The Government cannot disclose its specific budget estimate. However, the Government intends to procure a firm fixed price contract, below the simplified acquisition threshold, using simplified acquisition procedures. Quotes from offerors should include all costs needed to perform the requirements of the statement of work and be commensurate with the work outlined in the proposal.

6. How many projects will you be funding during this cycle?

This procurement is intended to fund one proposal.

7. Do you intend to have a study for the entire U.S. or one can focus on regions such as the Great Lakes or one particular state such as Indiana?

Proposals with a national scope are preferred but including geographic and regional differences are acceptable and can be important when understanding national trends.

8. Is the focus only on secondary data analysis and modeling? Do you accept proposals incorporating secondary data and primary surveys as well?

New primary surveys are not preferred over using existing data when existing data is available and applicable. As stated in the Instructions to Offerors (Attachment 3), if a new information collection is proposed, offerors should demonstrate familiarity with survey procedures, provide details on the collection method and process, and timeline in relation to the deliverables timetable including the clearance process required under the Paperwork’s Reduction Act (PRA) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If an information collection is proposed, it is the offeror’s responsibility to prepare any materials necessary to obtain PRA clearance associated with the work to be performed. Because the anticipated performance period is 12 months, it can potentially be difficult to conduct a data collection and meet all of the deliverables within that timeframe.

Offerors should determine and propose the data that is most appropriate for their proposed analysis. As stated in the SOW, Section 3.3, the proposed analysis can use a variety of economic datasets to address the proposed research topic. Proposals should identify the economic dataset(s) that will be analyzed, and offerors are expected to have expertise of the proposed data.

9. Will contractors be given access to data that is not yet published? For instance, most of the national databases referenced in the RFP only have data out for 2018, or maybe 2019.

No, offerors must be able to access and obtain all data to be used in the proposed analysis.

The Office of Advocacy does not have special access to economic data not yet published. If offerors propose to use data that requires special access, they should document their plan and process to obtain the data, and impacts to the deliverables timetable if any. The data sources provided are examples of economic datasets used when researching small businesses, and other economic datasets not listed could be used if within the scope of the statement of work.

10. Will the contractor be given access to the 2020 or current 2021 data for a specific dataset if requested?

Offerors must be able to access and obtain all data to be used in the proposed analysis. If offerors propose to use data that requires special access, they should document their plan and process to obtain the data, and impacts to the deliverables timetable if any.

11. Is this an individual or an institutional contract?

The solicitation is anticipated to result in a firm fixed price small business contract.

12. Would the contract cover universities' indirect costs?

Offerors should include all applicable costs required to perform the statement of work, however, payments will be processed on a firm fixed price basis. Institutes of higher education and non-profits may partner with a small business to partake in the research but the small business must complete 51% or more of the work.

13. Is the table presented in the Requirement Information section of the request for proposals, a budget outline?

The table is a breakdown of the price quote requested by deliverable.

14. Besides this solicitation, will the Office of Advocacy release other research solicitations this fiscal year?

The Office of Advocacy does not anticipate releasing other research solicitations this fiscal year.

15. Does the Government think there will be an ongoing interest in these topics maybe next year?

Planning for FY22 is still ongoing. New solicitation opportunities will be made available via SAM.gov.

16. Is the proposal to be submitted through SAM.GOV?

All proposals should be submitted via email to Rachelle.Colon-Serna@sba.gov by 19 August 2021 at 5:00pm ET.

17. Can additional details regarding the application process be provided?

Detailed instructions are included at Attachment 3 of the PDF.

18. Are institutions of higher education and/or non-profits eligible to respond?

Institutes of higher education and non-profits may partner with a small business to partake in the research but the small business must complete 51% or more of the work.

19. Although the solicitation generally emphasizes small businesses in the COVID pandemic, in the list of 16 different topics of focus only the first two explicitly mention COVID. Does this mean that you will consider non-COVID topics, or are the other 14 topics to be analyzed in the COVID context as well?

Possible topics are provided as examples, and areas of focus could be related to the ones provided or others within scope of the statement of work. Proposed analysis that is related to the context of the pandemic are preferred.

20. What is the timeline for decision making and the beginning of the award?

The potential start date of the contract, if awarded, is expected to be on or about 30 September 2021.

21. The RFP states that it “is not intended specifically for evaluation of SBA programs.”

Does this mean an evaluation is discouraged, or does it simply mean it is not required?

Proposals can include analysis of government programs, and proposals that include analysis of SBA programs will be considered. The purpose of the study is to increase understanding about a small business economic issue of current relevance to provide policymaking insight, such as policies set by Congress, the White House, and federal agencies. Program analysis could provide important context and policy implications at the discretion of the offeror.

Evaluation of SBA programs is not handled by the Office of Advocacy, and, as an independent office within the SBA, informing SBA policy decisions is not the Office of Advocacy’s main objective.

22. How will the proposal be formatted, what are the components, and what is the total length requirement?

Detailed instructions for proposal content and page limitations are included at Attachment 3 of the PDF.

mailto:Rachelle.Colon-Serna@sba.gov