B09 73351023Q0275 Amendment 0001.pdf

(x)

73351023Q0275 x x

1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT

THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

DENVER CO 80202

208050

SUITE 301

721 19TH STREET

DENVER FINANCE CENTER

DENVER ACQUISITION OFFICE FOR SBA

06/07/20230001

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

05/22/2023

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

Amendment 0001 issued to 73351023Q0275 for the following:

1) Respond to questions received - see attached.

2) Extend response date to 1PM EST on June 15, 2023.

3) Add Attachment Four Conflict of Interest Statement that shall be included with all offers.

Research of relevant characteristics of business owners engaging in entrepreneurial endeavors in rural, tribal and other underserved communities for the National Women's

Business Council.

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

TEL: EMAIL:

73351023Q0275 Women's Entrepreneurship in Rural, Tribal and

Other Underserved Communities

Questions Responses

What is the expected level of effort (LOE) that will be required to complete PWS Task A ?

This is a firm‐fixed price contract ‐ labor hours are not being requested.

What is the expected LOE that will be required to complete PWS

Task B ?

This is a firm‐fixed price contract ‐ labor hours are not being requested.

What is your current budget for this study? It is the responsibility of the offeror to determine the appropriate price based on your proposed technical approach and the tasks identified in the SOW.

What are the anticipated job categories or descriptions for this work effort?

This is a firm‐fixed price contract ‐ labor hours are not being requested.

The “INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS” section in the solicitation specifies that the Technical Approach Narrative shall include your company’s experience with conducting a detailed literature review and descriptive data analysis; developing innovative research methodology; executing the methodology and preparing final reports…”

Does this imply that you only need our prior experience conducting this work in the Technical Approach section of our offer? Is it correct that you do not need a description of our approach and methodology to conduct PWS Tasks A and B anywhere in our offer?

Yes, you prior expereience conducting this works shall be included in your technical volume. We would also like a description of your approach and methodology to conduct PWS Tasks A and B in the technical volume as well.

Is it correct that the “Attachment 3 Limitations on Subcontracting

Template” does not need to be completed and submitted with the quote?

The LOS Template needs to be be completed at the end of the period of performance in accordance with the

Deviation.

Do the technical and price quote volumes need to be submitted in separate files, or can they be submitted in the same file? If in separate files, do they need to be sent in separate emails?

Please include a price volume and a technical volume.

There is a maximum capacity of 10MB that can be received. Please limit your responses to one email and the 10MB threshold.

The “INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS” section in the solicitation mentions that “Offerors shall have an active SAM registration at time of offer, have a complete copy of their representations and certifications in SAM.gov, and shall indicate as such in their offer.”

Do you want us to indicate this in our technical quote by completing paragraph (b) of FAR 52.212‐3 Offeror Representations and Certifications ‐ Commercial Products and Commercial Services

DEC 2022?

Yes ‐ it will be cross reference with what is reflected in

SAM.gov

Who is the NWBC representative that will liaison with the contractor project team for this work effort?

The Communication Specialist, National Women's

Business Council

Who are the NWBC Staff & Members that will oversee/review the contractor work products/deliverables?

The Communication Specialist, National Women's

Business Council

Is there an incumbent or previous contractor that performed this work or similar work for you? If so, please identify them and the contract number/s.

No incumbent for this requirement.

Have you had discussions with other vendors relating to this RFP?

If so, please identify and indicate if they will be allowed to bid.

NWBC generally discussed the office’s research needs while conducting market research.

Do you have a preferred vendor in mind for this work? If so, please identify and explain the context in which they are preferred.

The offeror shall be an SBA Certified WOSB. There are no preferred vendors for this requirement.

Can you provide more information about the timeline for the contract, including the anticipated date of award and the start date? What is the estimated duration of the contract as in " Task A

– to be completed not more than six months from the date of award" is six months from execution of contract and "Task B – if option period is exercised, to be completed not more than nine months from the date of exercise is the

The period of performance is reflected on the price schedule 07/01/2023‐12/31/2023 for the Base and

01/01/2024‐10/01/2024 for Option Period One.

Are there any specific requirements or qualifications for the contractor's team members who will be working on this project?

Prior experience of three(3) requirements of similar size and scope that include a similar audience.

Must the WOSB be assigned the NAICS code 541720?

The same small business regulations apply and shall be

SBA certified WOSB.

Can you clarify the anticipated duration of the project, including any potential extensions or option periods?

07/01/2023‐12/31/2023 for the Base and 01/01/2024‐

10/01/2024 for Option Period One. Options will be exercised in accordance with clause 52.217‐9.

Please clarify whether Technical including Prior Experience has a 10 page limit, or whether Technical including Prior Experience has a 20 page limit?

You may provide a technical volume and price volume.

There is a maximum capacity of 10MB that can be received. Please limit your responses to one email and the 10MB threshold.

Also please specify whether the Technical Quote page limit excludes the cover page, cover letter, Table of Contents, List of

Tables, and List of Figures?

here is a maximum capacity of 10MB that can be received. Please limit your responses to one email and the 10MB threshold.

The “INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS” section in the solicitation mentions that “Offerors shall have an active SAM registration at time of offer, have a complete copy of their representations and certifications in SAM.gov, and shall indicate as such in their offer.”

Do you want us to indicate this by completing paragraph (b) of FAR

52.212‐3 Offeror Representations and Certifications ‐ Commercial

Products and Commercial Services DEC 2022? Also, do you want us to indicate this in our technical quote or price quote? If in the technical quote, does this count towards the 10 page limit?

52.212‐3 does not count toward the page count.

For Task B, will travel to various regions to conduct in person qualitative data gathering activities be permitted? Is this at the discretion of the firm/proposal and their methodology?

If travel is necessary as part of your methodology it is subject to the Federal Travel Regulations and shall be included in your price. A full breakdown of travel costs will be required.

Would audio and/or visual records, pictures, or transcripts of qualitative data gathering activities need to be submitted to NWBC if they are conducted?

Yes.

Could you kindly confirm whether the analysis in Task A will be based entirely on secondary research? Is there a need for primary data collection. And if the option period is exercised, will Task B include collection of primary data based on the methodology outlined?

It may be based on secondary research or other methodological approaches proposed by the prospective contractor (i.e., leveraging and analysis of publicly available data and/or acceptable and NWBC‐approved private sector data). It could include collection of primary data if the prospective contractor builds in an acceptable plan and timeline to meet PRA requirements and ensure the final product is high quality and fully excuted on a timely basis. Although this an available option, NWBC is not the final approver and a PRA could be denied and would possibly be deterimental to the successful execution of this project. Focus groups would provide an alternative option to conducting surveys.

Can you provide more details on the available demographic and descriptive quantitative information that should be documented in

Task A?

As an Example: Rural, rural/immigrant/non‐English speaking, tribal/non‐rural, tribal/rural, underserved urban (i.e., HUBzone, Opportunity Zones, etc.) and communities predominantly of color (per U.S. Census

Bureau's most recently produced and available data).

NWBC is open to considering other demographic groups suggested by the prospective contractor.

Can you clarify the expectations for the innovative research methodology in Task B? What are the Council's specific interests and goals in this regard?

We seek to better understand prospective contractors' suggestions for innovative research, guage creativity and expertise in this regard.

Is there a preference for the type of data collection methods to be used in Task B's original research, such as surveys, interviews, or focus groups? Can these activities be conducted virtually as well as in‐person if needed? What is the sample size you are looking for?

Surveys and focus groups are acceptable as well as analysis of existing and publicly available data typically used by research professionals. If conducting surveys, please include an implementation plan and timeline to ensure timely clearance per the PRA. Although surveys are an available option, please note that NWBC is not the final approver and a PRA could be denied, which would possibly be deterimental to the successful execution of this project. Focus groups would provide an alternative option to conducting surveys.

Could you provide more information about the review and revision process for the final report or white paper? What are the expectations for incorporating feedback from NWBC and obtaining peer review?

There will be several rounds of review internally with staff and the contractor (on average 3 to 5). The contractor should then expect to help facilitate in a proposed peer review process. The contractor should expect two final levels of review following the peer review, one with NWBC Council Members, and a final by

NWBC staff. It will be important to track comments and impressions within each draft and in a separate matrix

(i.e. Excel or other acceptable tracking system available to

SBA employees).

Are there any specific evaluation criteria or performance measures that will be used to assess the contractor's performance?

NWBC will evaluate the product based on the quality, thoroughness (i.e., validity, reliability, objectivity, generalizability, ethical considerations, etc.), completeness, and timely execution as well as professional presentation of the final deliverable(s).

When will the Kick‐off Meeting for the contract take place, and who should be present from the contractor's team?

No later than 7 to 10 business days of the award.

However, NWBC may request a meeting take place earlier than that if the contract awardee is available. Every member of the contract team should be available and ready to meet virtually.

For the Data Analysis (Task A), are there any special/specialized databases the firm will be granted access to?

No. None have been identified at this time. However, there is a public website with open data available to the contractor.

Please elaborate on what is meant by " Incorporate high‐quality sources of available data analysis". Is this related to any specialized databases in from the Data Analysis.

Acceptable sources in the field and those available to the public and research community. NWBC may consider specialized private sector databases available to the contractor.

Under the evaluation factors for award on page 10 of the RFQ, it is specified that Technical should include both Schedule and Prior

Experience and that “this section shall not exceed 10 pages.

However, on the same page Prior Experience is broken out and it is mentioned that “This section shall not exceed 10 pages.”

Prior experience may be up to ten pages and separately, a Schedule may be up to 10 pages.

Please confirm the evaluation performed will be a best value tradeoff.

Award will be made based on the best value, trade‐offs that meet the technical, prior experience and past performance requested in the Instruction for Offerors and Statement of work as it related to this solicitation.

This will be a comparative evaluation of all offerors.

Attachment 4

SOLICITATION 73351023Q0275

NOTICE TO ALL OFFERORS

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, RESEARCH OF RELEVANT CHARACTERISTICS

OF BUSINESS OWNERS ENGAGING IN ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVORS IN RURAL, TRIBAL

AND OTHER UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES FOR THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S BUSINESS

COUNCIL

CONFLICT OF INTEREST CERTIFICATION

All persons submitting offers to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) must sign the attached Conflict of Interest Certification. The first paragraph requires the Offeror to certify that: (1) it has no potential or actual conflict of interest that would prevent it from providing impartial services to SBA, or (2) if a conflict exists, the Offeror has informed SBA. The Offeror also must inform SBA of any unfair advantage it may have in receiving a contract award.

The second paragraph requires that an Offeror inform SBA if it has contracted to provide a list of previous SBA services provided to SBA, another government agency or to the private sector, or has had private sector employment (including consulting) within the past 12 months. This information will be used to determine whether providing such services results in the Offeror’s having a conflict of interest. If a conflict, apparent conflict, or potential conflict exists, SBA will determine whether it can award a contract to the Offeror.

Attachment 4

SOLICITATION 73351023Q0275

CONFLICT OF INTEREST CERTIFICATION

FOR SBA-RESEARCH OF RELEVANT CHARACTERISTICS OF BUSINESS OWNERS ENGAGING

IN ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVORS IN RURAL, TRIBAL AND OTHER UNDERSERVED

COMMUNITIES FOR THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S BUSINESS COUNCIL

CONTRACTORS

Offeror’s Name: __________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________

Telephone Number: ___________________________________________________

I, _________________________________________, (name of certifier), am the Offeror (or the officer or employee responsible for the preparation of the offer in response to this solicitation) and certify that I have inquired and to the best of my knowledge and belief, (a) no actual or potential conflict of interest or unfair competitive advantage exists concerning the data analysis and loan recommendation services to be provided under this procurement, or (b) any actual or potential conflict of interest or unfair competitive advantage that does or may exist concerning this procurement has been communicated in writing to the SBA Contracting Officer or his/her representative.

I further certify that if, within the 12 months preceding the date of this certification, the Offeror has rendered services to the federal government or to any other client (including a foreign government or person) concerning the same or substantially similar matter as this solicitation, the name, address, telephone number of the prior client(s), a description of the services rendered to the prior client(s), and the name of the responsible officer or employee who is knowledgeable about the services rendered to each client have been communicated in writing to the Contracting Officer or his/her representative. I also certify that each agency and contract number under which such services were rendered has been provided to the Contracting Officer or his/her representative.

Signature of Offeror Date (or the officer or employee responsible for this Certification)

Typed name, address and telephone number of person signing this certificate: