B09 73351024R0007 Amendment 0001.pdf

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 items 8 and 15, and returning or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT 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 letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

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

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUISITION NUMBER 5. PROJECT NUMBER (If applicable)

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

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

FACILITY CODE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended. is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

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

NUMBER IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

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

15C. DATE SIGNED

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

16C. DATE SIGNED

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

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

CODE

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

Previous edition unusable

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

Amendment 0001 issued to 73351024R0007 for the following:

1) Respond to questions received - see attached.

2) Addition of SBA 242-70 Post-Award Evaluation of Contractor Performance (MAR 2022) - see attached.

3) Revised Price Schedule - see attached.

DENVER FINANCE CENTER

721 19TH STREET

SUITE 301

DENVER ACQUISITION OFFICE FOR SBA

DENVER CO 80202

73351024R0007

07/16/2024

07/01/2024

X

X 1

Questions Answers

What type of support or resources does the SBA provide to applicants during the application process?

SBA hosted a webinar discussing the solicitation on July 9. The slide deck from the webinar is available on the solicitation page on SAM.gov. SBA responded to all questions submitted during the 11-day question period in writing with answers posted on the solicitation page on SAM.gov.

Can you clarify key dates and deadlines, especially around the submission period and expected decision timelines?

All offers must be submitted by July 26, 2024, at 1 PM ET. All awardees will be notified by September 30, 2024.

Based on the period of performance, should a 12 month or 5- year plan be built?

Attachment 2 includes the price schedule template. Offerors shall identify all proposed costs for all years - the base year and the four options years - to include labor categories, labor rates, and number of hours.

What is the page limit for the overall proposal?

The overall file size limit for the offer is 10MB.

Evaluation factor 1 has a limit of 10 pages, evaluation factor 2 has a limit of 10 pages, and evaluation factor 3 has a limit of 5 pages. Evaluation factor 4 and materials requested in Table A.2 do not count towards the page limit but do count towards the file size.

Does SBA plan to continue releasing RFPs approx every 2 years?

The release of solicitations for the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative is contingent on the availability of funds as appropriated by Congress.

Will the appendix table required in evaluation factor 1 be uploaded in the attachments section?

Table A.2 listing the required documents and information of offeror is on page 12 of the solicitation packet. The materials listed in Table A.2 should be included as an appendix in the offer, the materials do not count towards the page count for evaluation factor 1 but do count towards the overall file size. File size is not to exceed 10 MB.

Are Letter of Support required? Encouraged?

Letters of support are not required. If letters of support are included in either the Cluster Qualification and Key Personnel or Technical Approach and Performance Work Statement, they will count towards the page maximum of each section.

How should we account for indirect costs in the budget forms?

The Pricing Schedule allows cost estimates for Labor, Other Direct Costs, Travel, Events.

Possible ODC’s may include subcontracts for supplies or incidental costs for which there is not a labor or expense category specified in the contract. These expenses should not include the "costs of doing business". All proposed costs must be justifiable and reasonable.

For the CPARS and the submission directions “Completed Past Performance Questionnaires shall be sent directly to RICinitiative2024@sba.gov no later than the response deadline with 73351024R0007 PPQ in the subject line,” seemingly suggesting it’s submitted separately from the main application?

Only one file should be submitted by each offeror. CPARS or the Past Performance Questionnaires should be included in the file, there is a five page limit for this section of the offer.

What size font is needed for each evaluation factor?

The solicitation does not specify application formatting beyond listing the required information to be included for each evaluation factor. SBA requests offerors be reasonable in font size, spacing, and margins to aid in the review of all offers.

For the annual report in table A.2, do you want entire annual report in the packet of listed items or a link or other way to attach?

Offers should include the most recent annual report in the appendix, links will not be considered responsive and will not be reviewed. The annual report will not count towards the overall page limit but will count toward the file size limit.

What is the regional strategic plan?

A regional strategic plan should demonstrate the economic development or industry goals for the region to be covered by the cluster. SBA recognizes the region identified by the offeror could extend beyond political boundaries and therefore the strategic plan does not have to apply to the entirety of the region to be served by the cluster.

Application Logistics

When will the answers to the questions be posted?

SBA will respond to all questions received by the question deadline period of 1 PM ET on July 11. SBA will provide answers in a timely manner for offerors to review and consider when preparing their offers.

For the business support services section, are these funds to be used to support industry specific small businesses or are broader programs accepted?

The support provided to small businesses should be industry specific. The entrepreneurs or small businesses served should be interested in or already involved in the industry.

For mature clusters, what is a long standing partner? How many years defines them as long standing?

The evaluation factors and statement of objectives (SOO) does not list a specific year by which to judge "long standing" partners.

Offerors shall demonstrate the cluster’s historical and existing partnerships, or ability to develop partnerships between business and industry groups, economic development organizations, federal and state resources, entrepreneurial development programs, and training initiatives reflecting an industry-specific focus and collaboration, and experience/ability to convene, coordinate, and represent the identified cluster participants. The offeror should demonstrate how historical partnership assist businesses in matching innovative technology to industry needs and increase the number of innovative small businesses and entrepreneurs in the nation’s supply chain.

For table A.2 the statement of if we are an emerging or mature cluster, will we need to provide additional narrative or just simply a statement on which cluster we are choosing?

Offerors should state if they define themselves as an emerging or mature cluster.

Additional narrative of why the selection was made is allowed in the appendix but not required. An offeror's designation as an emerging or mature cluster should be supported by the materials and narrative provided under evaluation factor 1 - Qualifications of Cluster Administrator and Key Personnel.

Is there one on one meetings available to discuss this opportunity?

No. SBA will respond to all questions in writing and provide answers to all questions on the solicitation page.

To follow SBA's activities related to Investment and Innovation Ecosystem Development, you can register for the monthly Innovation Ecosystem Network call:

https://www.americasseedfund.us/ecosystem

Are we putting together a budget for 1 year or more?

Attachment 2 includes the price schedule template. Offerors shall identify all proposed costs for all years - the base year and the four options years.

Attachments appear to be missing from the RFQ, can you please release the Attachments 3-5?

Attachments 1 - 6 are included on pages 30 - 55 of the full solicitation packet.

Attachment 1 is available on pages 30 - 35.

Attachment 2 is available on pages 36 - 40.

Attachment 3 is available on page 41.

Attachment 4 is available on pages 42 - 45.

Attachment 5 is available on pages 46 - 53.

Attachment 6 is available on pages 54 - 55.

Can you clarify is this an RFQ or an RFP? As the solicitation number specifies a Q but the form is P?

This is a request for quotation (RFQ).

Does the Statement of Objectives (SOO) encompass the 10 pages per section for the Qualifications of Cluster Administrator & Key Personnel & Technical Approach? or are these separate write ups and then an additional SOO

There is a 10-page limit for evaluation factor 1 - Qualifications of Cluster Administrator and Key Personnel - and a 10-page limit for evaluation factor 2. Within each section, the offeror should respond to the requested information and the corresponding components of the Statement of Objectives (SOO). The narrative for evaluation factor 1 should address the Cluster Management and Oversight and Report Development sections seen under the performance-based objectives, i.e. required results seen in the SOO. The narrative for evaluation factor 2 should address the Small Business Support Service Delivery in Specified Industry and Creation and Expansion of Cluster Network in Specified Industry sections seen under the performance-based objectives, i.e. required results seen in the

SOO.

Offerors do not need to submit an additional SOO.

Can you share examples of past successful quote submissions?

Past quote submissions are confidential information and SBA is not able to provide.

Does there need to be a title for the proposed cluster?

SBA would like to see a title for the proposed cluster. The cluster title is not included as an evaluation factor. Under the performance-based objectives, i.e., required results section of the Statement of Objectives (SOO), the SBA asks the offeror to describe their Cluster Management and Oversight. The cluster title could relate to overall project management and membership engagement and management.

If an organization runs two emerging clusters in two different locations in two different industries, can that organization apply twice? Or should they pick one?

No. In accordance with 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items of the Solicitation, Offerors cannot submit multiple offers against the solicitation

Are appendices part of the page limits, or in addition to the page limits? I.E., in Table A.2, it says "The following documents are required to be submitted as an appendix" in Part 1. Part 1 has a 10-page limit. Does the 10-page limit include Part 1 AND its appendices, or can the appendices be in addition to the 10 pages?

The required documents listed in Table A.2 should be submitted as an appendix to Evaluation Factor 1 and they do not count towards the 10-page limit. The appendix will contribute to the overall file size which should not exceed 10 MB.

Is a mature cluster an existing RIC?

A mature cluster does not have to be a cluster that is currently or previously received funding through the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative. Mature clusters have experience building and implementing programming to support small businesses in their designated region and industry and the RIC Initiative will enable them to increase the effectiveness of programming and operations to reach more small businesses and strengthen existing and build new partnerships.

Can you be a partner on multiple submissions?

It is at the discretion of the offeror to develop the partnerships to best serve the small businesses in their designated industry and region. There is no limitation on one organization working with or partnering with multiple clusters or being involved on multiple offers. Please note, an organization can only be the lead applicant on one submission.

For the Conflict of Interest Certification - is this required for all Key Personnel or just a single “Offeror” who is submitting the response?

If awarded a contract, the organization's signature on the contract warrants that, to the best of the Contractor's knowledge and belief, there are no relevant facts or circumstances which would give rise to an organizational conflict of interest, as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5, and that the Contractor has disclosed all relevant information regarding any actual or potential conflict.

If I desire to have clusters in multiple states - like one in Texas and one in Indiana is that possible?

A region may cross municipal, county, and other jurisdictional boundaries. The region in which a cluster will administer services can include multiple localities across multiple states. Currently, all the regions served by the current clusters funded through the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative are contiguous.

The RIC Initiative currently defines a regional cluster as a geographically concentrated, interconnected network of synergistic or complementary businesses, suppliers and associated organizations engaged in or with a particular industry sector, with active channels for business transactions, communications, and dialogue that share specialized infrastructure, labor markets and services.

Please confirm packet organization. 10+10+5+pricing = 26 pages. but does the page limit need to be no more than 14 pages for everything?

The overall file size for the offer is 10MB.

Evaluation factor 1 has a limit of 10 pages, evaluation factor 2 has a limit of 10 pages, and evaluation factor 3 has a limit of 5 pages. Evaluation factor 4 and materials requested in Table A.2 do not count towards the page limit but do count towards the file size.

Should our proposal be in the form of a slide deck or word document?

Proposal should be submitted as a PDF or word document.

What happens if adding the appendix size exceeds 10 MB?

The max file size for this submission is 10 MB. It is incumbent on the offeror to stay within the page limits for each section of the offer and the overall file size.

Do we submit all MOUs or simply list they exist? MOUs can be submitted as a component of the required documentation listed in Table A.2.

How do you want the submission organized? By the four evaluation factors or by SOO outline?

The submission should be organized by the four evaluation factors. Evaluation factor 1 - Qualifications of Cluster Administrator & Key Personnel - should address all outlined components in the Cluster Management and Oversight and Report Development sections under the Performance – Based Objectives, I.E., Required Results in the statement of objectives (SOO). Evaluation factor 2 - Technical Approach - should address all outlined the components in the Small Business Support Service Delivery in Specified Industry and Creation and Expansion of Cluster Network in Specified Industry sections under the Performance – Based Objectives, I.E., Required Results in the SOO. Evaluation factor 3 should include CPARS or the Past Performance Questionnaire. Evaluation factor 4 should include the price according to the pricing schedule in attachment 2.

For anticipatory partnerships- is mention of organizations/ institutions sufficient or would we need to demonstrate formal support- via support letters?

Formal letters of support are not required. Mention of organizations/ institutions is sufficient.

For larger documents in the Appendix A.2, could we include links to those documents to help reduce file size capacity?

Required documents listed in Table A.2 should be included in the appendix. Links will not be considered responsive and will not be reviewed.

Would you need formal letters of support to demonstrate evidence of partnerships? Or is mention of past work sufficient?

Formal letters of support are not required. Mention of past work is sufficient.

Are there margin size specifications we have to follow?

The solicitation does not specify application formatting beyond listing the required information to be included for each evaluation factor. SBA requests offerors be reasonable in font size, spacing, and margins to aid in the review of all offers.

Are the cover page and table of contents excluded from page count?

Yes, cover page and table of contents are excluded from the page count but they will count towards the overall file size limit of 10 MB.

What exactly is meant by the SOO as part of the appendix?

This SOO is provided in lieu of a Government written Statement of Work (SOW) to provide potential offerors the flexibility to develop and present cost-effective solutions and innovative alternatives for meeting the Government’s stated objectives. Section 5 of the SOO, Performance-based objectives, i.e., required results list the responsibilities of a cluster administrator. All responsibilities outlined in section 5 of the SOO, Performance-based objectives, i.e., required results should be addressed in the offer.

I see the page limits for each section, but is it correct that you then want ONE PDF document file with all the underlying component parts in it?

Yes, each offer should be submitted as one file. File format can be PDF or Word.

Can the submitted package be provided as a *.ZIP file? If so, can the “UNZIPPED” package be greater than 10MB, as long as the “ZIPPED” package attachment is less than

10MB?

Zipped files will not be accepted.

Are there any requirements for the document types (i.e., Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Adobe PDF, etc.)?

Proposal should be submitted as a PDF or word document.

Are there any requirements for text font type and/or point for any/all of the Evaluation Factor documents?

The solicitation does not specify application formatting beyond listing the required information to be included for each evaluation factor. SBA requests offerors be reasonable in font size, spacing, and margins to aid in the review of all offers.

We wanted to confirm if we can propose multiple industry sectors aligned with the proposed work under an overarching theme, and that we are not limited to one specific industry sector in the list provided.

It is at the discretion of the offeror to determine the industry(ies) they would like to support through the cluster. SBA is interested in proposals that are market-driven and demonstrate strong regional, bottom-up support.

Could you please clarify if table A.2 (page 12) is all included as an appendix or any part should be included in the Statement of Objectives Part 1? We are assuming that all items in this table are included in the Appendix but did notice this language related to part 1 “In Part 1 of its Technical Quote, Offerors must provide certain key information and documentation (*see Table A.2 below) for SBA to evaluate the entity’s ability to build and manage a regional cluster to evaluate whether the entity’s organization and personnel have the structure and expertise capable of representing an existing regional cluster or the ability to represent a regional cluster.”

The materials listed in Table A.2 should be included as an appendix in the offer, the materials do not count towards the page count for evaluation factor 1 but do count towards the overall file size. File size is not to exceed 10 MB.

What is expected of the “regional strategic plan” document

– should this be an internally created strategic plan or external plans such as the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) developed by organizations in our region

A regional strategic plan should demonstrate the economic development or industry goals for the region to be covered by the cluster. The regional strategic plan could be a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. SBA recognizes the region identified by the offeror could extend beyond political boundaries and therefore the strategic plan does not have to apply to the entirety of the region to be served by the cluster.

Can you please clarify which of the documents listed in the six attachments to the solicitation need to be submitted with our response? In particular, we would like to confirm if the “Limitations on Subcontracting Template” (Attachment

3) or the “QASP” (Attachment 5) are required at submission.

The QASP and Limitations on Subcontracting Template are included in the solicitation to inform you of what will be required. You do not need to include them in your response.

Is there a specific form that has be submitted? I have the solicitation in pdf as offered during the webinar, but I cannot seem to decipher it in terms of which parts are informational and which are the application to be filled.

Offerors shall sign the SF-18 and all amendments and include them in your response.

The submission should be organized by the four evaluation factors. Evaluation factor 1 - Qualifications of Cluster Administrator & Key Personnel - should address all outlined components in the Cluster Management and Oversight and Report Development sections under the Performance – Based Objectives, I.E., Required Results in the statement of objectives (SOO). Evaluation factor 2 - Technical Approach - should address all outlined the components in the Small Business Support Service Delivery in Specified Industry and Creation and Expansion of Cluster Network in Specified Industry sections under the Performance – Based Objectives, I.E., Required Results in the SOO. Evaluation factor 3 should include CPARS or the Past Performance Questionnaire. Evaluation factor 4 should include the price according to the pricing schedule in attachment 2.

What is the "complete copy of representations and certifications"?

All offerors shall have a completed Representations and Certifications (Reps and Certs) in SAM.gov. If there are items that have not been completed within your Reps and Certs it will delay possible award.

Should I include the CAGE Code with the UEI in the application?

Only the organizations UEI is required documentation, as listed in Table A.2.

Per the webinar overview yesterday, is there a recording and/or a copy of the deck that we may review?

The slide deck from the webinar hosted on July 9 is included as an attachment to the solicitation on SAM.gov.

Can clusters that are currently receiving state funding apply for this federal funding as well? If so, are there any specific requirements or disclosures needed regarding existing funding sources?

Yes, this is a full and open competition.

Clusters will involve public private partnerships that align federal, state, and local resources with regional strengths to catalyze technology innovation and economic growth opportunities in communities both within the region and beyond. SBA is interested in proposals that are market-driven and demonstrate strong regional, bottom-up support.

Offerors shall identify whether the proposed regional cluster is currently being supported as the prime awardee or sub awardee on any active federal awards.

It is the responsibility of the cluster to track activities and services funded through the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative.

How does the SBA define "emerging" versus "mature" clusters? How might a cluster's maturity level impact its eligibility or competitiveness for this funding?

It is at the discretion of the offeror to identify as an emerging or mature cluster. SBA anticipates making multiple awards for both emerging and mature clusters.

Emerging clusters and cluster administrators are those that have some partnerships already formed in the specified region and industry and are seeking to expand the size of their cluster. Additionally, emerging clusters are developing and deploying small business support services in their designated region and industry and the RIC Initiative will enable them to scale their current and future programming to reach more small businesses.

Emerging clusters and cluster administrators may also be building or creating more sophisticated project management and membership engagement and management practices to manage their clusters.

Mature clusters and cluster administrators are those that have long standing partnerships in the specified region and industry. Mature clusters have experience building and implementing programming to support small businesses in their designated region and industry and the RIC Initiative will enable them to increase the effectiveness of programming and operations to reach more small businesses and strengthen existing and build new partnerships. Mature clusters and cluster administrators should have established project management and membership engagement and management practices. Additionally, mature clusters will support the RIC Initiative in developing and sharing best practices for the development of innovation ecosystems.

For states with existing cluster programs, how can applicants best demonstrate additionality - that federal funding would allow them to do things they couldn't accomplish with state funding alone?

Clusters will involve public private partnerships that align federal, state, and local resources with regional strengths to catalyze technology innovation and economic growth opportunities in communities both within the region and beyond. SBA is interested in proposals that are market-driven and demonstrate strong regional, bottom-up support. It is at the discretion of the offer to demonstrate programming and services to be completed through the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative.

How long can the SOO be?

Offerors do not need to submit an additional SOO.

There is a 10-page limit for evaluation factor 1 - Qualifications of Cluster Administrator and Key Personnel - and a 10-page limit for evaluation factor 2. Within each section, the offeror should respond to the requested information and the corresponding components of the Statement of Objectives (SOO). The narrative for evaluation factor 1 should address the Cluster Management and Oversight and Report Development sections seen under the performance-based objectives, i.e. required results seen in the SOO. The narrative for evaluation factor 2 should address the Small Business Support Service Delivery in Specified Industry and Creation and Expansion of Cluster Network in Specified Industry sections seen under the performance-based objectives, i.e. required results seen in the

SOO.

What is the SBA's definition of HubZones?

A HubZone is a Historically Underutilized Business Zones. More information on HubZones is available at: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program

What happens if the file is over 10MB?

Offers that do not conform to the 10MB threshold may not be received timely and will be blocked.

Do you by chance have fillable copies available for the Price Schedule and Conflict of Interest Certification attachments?

If so, could you share them with me?

Offers can request an electronic version of the price schedule or export to Excel

Can you please verify that 1.) the following list is comprehensive of the RFQ requirements, and 2.) that applicants should structure their submission as a single document in the following order:

Cover Page & Table of Contents Technical Approach Narrative Part I (Max 10 Pages):

Cluster Management & Oversight Project Management Membership Engagement & Management Oversight & Report Development Quarterly Reporting Annual Reporting Program Evaluation & Independent Assessment Studies Technical Approach Narrative Part II (Max 10 Pages):

Small Business Support Service Delivery in Specified Industry Small Business Support Services Provided Collaboration with other Clusters and Entrepreneur Support Organizations Support for Underserved Businesses Creation and Expansion of Cluster Network in Specified Industry Cluster Partners Cluster Coordination Cluster Expertise & Areas of Focus Price Schedule & Basis of Estimates/Assumptions (No Limit):

Base Award Year (From template) Years 2 - 5 (From template) Basis of Estimates & Assumptions Appendix (Information from Offeror - No Max, Except Resumes):

Mission Statement & Year Founded Outline of Management & Governance Structure Resumes of Key Personnel (Max 5 pages) Annual Report or Impact Assessment Report UEI Number Regional Strategic Plan List of Cluster Partners/Stakeholders & MOUs Prior Experience of 2-4 Similar Contracts Statement of Submission as Emerging or Mature Cluster 2- 4 CPARS or Completed Past Performance Questionnaire (Re: Prior Experience in Appendix - Max 5 pages) Completed & Signed Conflict of Interest Certification for SBA-Regional Innovation Clusters Initiative

Yes, those are the required documents and preferred order of offer.

The offer should be organized by the four evaluation factors. Evaluation factor 1 - Qualifications of Cluster Administrator & Key Personnel - should address all outlined components in the Cluster Management and Oversight and Report Development sections under the Performance – Based Objectives, I.E., Required Results in the statement of objectives (SOO). Evaluation factor 2 - Technical Approach - should address all outlined the components in the Small Business Support Service Delivery in Specified Industry and Creation and Expansion of Cluster Network in Specified Industry sections under the Performance – Based Objectives, I.E., Required Results in the SOO. Evaluation factor 3 should include CPARS or the Past Performance Questionnaire. Evaluation factor 4 should include the price according to the pricing schedule in attachment 2.

Can a vendor propose a simplified CLIN structure? E.g.

Project Management and Reporting are separate CLINs but due to the size of a RIC, all of this could be handled under one CLIN. Similarly for Quarterly and Annual Reporting.

Offeror should use the pricing schedule template provided. Please see contract amendment for updated pricing schedule template.

Option Year 1 and 2, CLIN structure is different than the base year. With two CLINs for Project Management. There is also additional CLINs for Design and Planning and Data Collection and Analyst. Are these not activities that are expected in the base year? + Reporting and Dissemination is a new CLIN. Are there dissemination activities that the government is expecting?

Please see contract amendment for updated pricing schedule template.

There is a CLIN for Program and Independent Assessment Studies. Do we need to charge the government for these services or are they services that government provides as oversight? If the vendor is to provide these services, is it expected that the vendor lay out the activities and charges?

Clusters will work with the COR and program office on yearly program evaluation efforts.

The program office contracts with a program evaluation contractor who prepares and administers surveys and conducts all analysis.

The clusters will be responsible for providing rosters of cluster members, including both small businesses and partner organizations. It is at the discretion of each cluster how they will conduct outreach for cluster members to complete surveys and each cluster can work with the program evaluation contractor on outreach.

Are MOUs/LOIs required for every formal partner named in the cluster?

MOUs can be submitted as a component of the required documentation listed in Table A.2. It is at the discretion of the offeror to provide the MOUs or Letters of Intent with formal partners as relevant to the proposed work under the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative.

Does “Annual Report or Impact Assessment Report” refer to the Prime contractor or the cluster? If this refers to the cluster, is this requirement applicable to emerging clusters?

Annual report or impact assessment report applies to the offeror, i.e. prime contractor.

Offers should include the most recent annual report in the appendix, links will not be considered responsive and will not be reviewed. The annual report will not count towards the overall page limit, but will count toward the file size limit.

Is the Prior Experience information requested in the Appendix the same as the Past Performance Information requested in Evaluation Factor 3? If not, how does it differ?

Please see solicitation amendment. Prior experience has been removed from the required documents in Table A.2.

So that offerors can properly price this SubCLIN, please provide additional information on Program Evaluation and Independent Assessment Studies such as the number of requests, types of requests, and typical level of effort

Clusters will work with the COR and program office on yearly program evaluation efforts.

The program office contracts with a program evaluation contractor who prepares and administers surveys and conducts all analysis.

The clusters will be responsible for providing rosters of cluster members, including both small businesses and partner organizations. It is at the discretion of each cluster how they will conduct outreach for cluster members to complete surveys and each cluster can work with the program evaluation contractor on outreach.

Each of these CLINS has two separate SubCLINs for “Project Management.” Is this duplication correct and if so, what are the differences between the two SubCLINS?

Please see contract amendment for updated pricing schedule template.

CLINS 1001, 2001, 3001, and 4001 have SubCLINs for Design and Planning; Data Collection and Analysis; and Reporting and Dissemination. However, CLIN 0001 does not. Please confirm that this is correct.

Please see contract amendment for updated pricing schedule template.

What is the difference in the SubCLINs for Quarterly Reporting/Annual Reporting versus the SubCLIN for Reporting and Dissemination

Please see contract amendment for updated pricing schedule template.

Please provide the Performance Based Objectives that align with the SubCLINs for Design and Planning; Data Collection and Analysis; and Reporting and Dissemination as they do not seem to be detailed in Attachment 1, SOO

Please see contract amendment for updated pricing schedule template.

Can you please clarify if anything is required from offerors as part of a response to Attachment 1: Statement of Objectives and Attachment 5: QASP? If I understand correctly: Attachment 2 is to be used for the Price Schedule;

Attachment 3 is only required if an award is made, as part of reporting; Attachment 4 is for use in the Past Performance response, if applicable; and Attachment 6 is required with all responses.

Offerors do not need to submit an additional SOO or QASP.

Offeror should review the evaluation factors and respond to the requested information and the corresponding components of the Statement of Objectives (SOO). The narrative for evaluation factor 1 should address the Cluster Management and Oversight and Report Development sections seen under the performance-based objectives, i.e. required results seen in the SOO. The narrative for evaluation factor 2 should address the Small Business Support Service Delivery in Specified Industry and Creation and Expansion of Cluster Network in Specified Industry sections seen under the performance-based objectives, i.e.

required results seen in the SOO.

The award has 4 12-month option years - do we need to highlight anything in the narrative about the project changing/evolving in those future years?

Offerors shall describe all means, methods, processes, and procedures it will use to perform the proposed cluster work outlined in the SOO. It is at the discretion of the offeror to describe their technical approach.

Can the contractor submit multiple RFQ responses? We have multiple emerging and mature regional deep-tech commercialization programs we'd like to establish as clusters.

No, an organization can only be the prime applicant on one offer.

How should we demonstrate partnerships? Letters of support / past performance together?

MOUs can be submitted as a component of the required documentation listed in Table A.2. It is at the discretion of the offeror to provide the MOUs or Letters of Intent with formal partners as relevant to the proposed work under the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative.

Letters of support are not required. If letters of support are included in either the Cluster Qualification and Key Personnel or Technical Approach and Performance Work Statement, they will count towards the page maximum of each section.

Current and anticipated partnerships - formal and informal - should be discussed under evaluation factor 2.

Questions Answers Approximately how much funding is available through the solicitation? How many awards does the agency intend to make?

SBA plans to award up to 17 contracts with a $5.9M budget for this fiscal year. It is at the discretion of the offeror to define themselves as an emerging or mature cluster and price their services/ activities accordingly.

Is there a maximum $ amount?

SBA plans to award up to 17 contracts with a $5.9M budget for this fiscal year. It is at the discretion of the offeror to define themselves as an emerging or mature cluster and price their services/ activities accordingly.

Is there a generally accepted budget an applicant should pursue in the application?

SBA plans to award up to 17 contracts with a $5.9M budget for this fiscal year. It is at the discretion of the offeror to define themselves as an emerging or mature cluster and price their services/ activities accordingly.

What are the median award sizes for a 1-year period?

SBA plans to award up to 17 contracts with a $5.9M budget for this fiscal year. It is at the discretion of the offeror to define themselves as an emerging or mature cluster and price their services/ activities accordingly.

What was the average award amount in the last round?

The average award amount for cluster awards made in FY 2023 was $500,000. Please note, previous award amounts do not reflect the agency's intention for awards in this solicitation.

Are overhead rates allowed to be included in the budget proposals?

Allowable indirect costs are permitted, and that percentage shall be included in the rate for the appropriate subclin(s). All proposed costs must be justifiable and reasonable.

Budget and Price Quote: Is there a difference in what is considered acceptable as a price quote for mature clusters versus emerging clusters? For example, are mature clusters allotted a larger budget or given more flexibility in their pricing structures compared to emerging clusters?

SBA plans to award up to 17 contracts with a $5.9M budget for this fiscal year. It is at the discretion of the offeror to define themselves as an emerging or mature cluster and price their services/ activities accordingly.

The solicitation does not make it clear if the funding tiers in the above slide are for the one year with option years that would be funded in a similar fashion or are the funding amounts a total for the grant to include all option years.

Offerors should use the pricing template - attachment 2 - to demonstrate their budget for each year of the award - the base year and all four option years. It is at the discretion of the offeror to determine their pricing as needed to execute on their proposed work through the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative.

Will this award cover any indirect overhead?

Allowable indirect costs are permitted, and that percentage shall be included in the rate for the appropriate subclin(s). All proposed costs must be justifiable and reasonable.

Budget

Should the price/budget narrative be an excel sheet or written and if it is an excel sheet are there any templates for this?

The pricing schedule template is attachment 2 in the solicitation packet.

Can office or construction cost be added to pricing?

A contractor is responsible for accounting for costs appropriately and for maintaining records, including supporting documentation, adequate to demonstrate that costs claimed have been incurred, are allocable to the contract, and comply with applicable cost principles in this subpart and agency supplements. The contracting officer may disallow all or part of a claimed cost that is inadequately supported.

Questions Answers

What are the reporting and accountability requirements for funded clusters?

Clusters are required to provide quarterly and annual reports to the SBA. Clusters are also required to participate in annual program evaluation efforts. See page 5 of attachment 1 - Statement of Objectives.

Please also see the Clauses and Provisions as well as the SBA Terms and Conditions section of the solicitation.

Is the SBA insistent on only firm-fixed price contracts, or is there flexibility to consider other pricing models such as Time and Materials (T&M)?

This is a firm fixed priced contract.

Do the eligible use of funds include only labor costs, or can we establish a revolving loan with these funds for those identified industries

Funding from the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative is focused on providing programming and assistance to small businesses. Cluster administrators can use their funding to provide grants, not loans, to small businesses who are members of the cluster.

The cluster administrator would need to work with SBA to ensure any RIC funding provided in the form of a grant is for an allowed purchase or activity and that the purchase or activity the grant is funding is completed within the same period of performance as the contract dollars used.

Is there a cost share or match for these funds? No cost share or matching funds are required to receive an award under this solicitation.

Can funding be used to hire administrative staff to assist with SBIR/STTR grant writing?

Yes, RIC funding can be used to hire staff. If staff becomes key personnel, the cluster is required to receive advance approval from SBA.

Can contract money be used for grants and/or venture capital investments?

Funding from the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative is focused on providing programming and assistance to small businesses. Cluster administrators can use their funding to provide grants, not venture capital investments, to small businesses who are members of the cluster. The cluster administrator would need to work with SBA to ensure any RIC funding provided in the form of a grant is for an allowed purchase or activity and that the purchase or activity the grant is funding is completed within the same period of performance as the contract dollars used.

Are we able to fund any CRADAs out of the program's funds?

Is this allowed by this solicitation?

SBA funds cannot be sent to another federal entity. SBA does encourage cluster administrators to develop partnerships that align federal, state, and local resources with regional strengths.

For the 4-year extension, are these fairly guaranteed or competitive, have organizations failed to have the grant extended in the past?

Funding for the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative is administered via contracts, not grants. The option years are not extensions but a component of the contract. Exercise of any option years will be at the sole discretion of the SBA. The total term of the contract, including all extensions, shall not exceed 60 months.

Are members of the cluster, other than the offeror, expected to perform any expected actions? Should those be included in the application?

The cluster administrator is ultimately responsible to SBA for programming and actions.

In the offer, offerors should address how the cluster network and any partners will work collaboratively to coordinate their efforts to expand services.

Do all of these administrative activities need to be equally distributed (25%,25%,25%25%)?

No. It is at the discretion of the offeror to determine their pricing and the distribution of costs across all required activities.

As you use the term "member", are those organizations required to pay a fee to participate? Or, do you mean it in the broader sense of the term?

The term "cluster member" refers to those small businesses and partners that receive or participate in cluster programming or services in some way. Organizations should not be required to pay a fee to the cluster to be considered a cluster member.

Contract Execution

As an administrator, can you use consulting services in the region cluster to provide services if you are a non-profit?

Cluster administrators can work with consulting firms to provide services to small businesses. It is at the discretion of the offeror to develop the partnerships to best serve the small businesses in their designated industry and region. While each regional cluster is unique in size and services, demonstration of building and maintaining partnerships within the designated region is an integral cluster qualification.

Are SBA funds permitted to be deployed directly to tech startups, or are they for administrating programs only?

Funding from the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative is focused on providing programming and assistance to small businesses. Cluster administrators can use their funding to provide grants to small businesses who are members of the cluster. The cluster administrator would need to work with SBA to ensure any RIC funding provided in the form of a grant is for an allowed purchase or activity.

Would love to also understand the difference between grant and contract and if we have “sub awards” in this case it’s probably considered “subcontracting.” All we need to do is update the LoS doc?

Grants are not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation and referred to as Financial Assistance in SAM.gov. Contracts are subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation and do not include grants or cooperative agreements covered by 31 U.S.C § 6301, et seq. Offerors will be considered non-responsive if the entity has an active SAM.gov registration for Financial Assistance Only at time of offer.

Are subcontractors and subawardees considered the same for contracts vs. grants and is all we have do to beyond the budget to fill out the LoS form?

Offerors are considered the prime contractors. The prime contractor means the entity ho has entered into a prime contract with the United States. This is a contract -- not a grant.

It is subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulations which are incorporated into this solicitation using the SBA Terms and Conditions, Clauses and Provisions. The contracting officer and the contracting officer representative shall communicate directly with the prime contractor.

Is the reporting for all partner activities or just for the activities related to the funding?

The quarterly and annual reporting should be reflective of all activities completed using RIC funding, including any funding provided to partners/ subcontractors.

To clarify for the price, services provided with subcontractors (or independent contractors) that 50% does not affect the other 50% of the budget that would go with staffing, marketing outreach, supplies, CRM/IT/software and travel?

All services provided will be in accordance with SBA 219-70 Limitations on Subcontracting (Deviation) included in the solicitation. The subcontractor cannot do more than 50% of the work.

Are there any travel expectation with the SBA that we need to expect?

SBA will not require any travel of cluster administrators. Travel is an allowed expense, and it is common practice for cluster administrators to travel to achieve the performance-based objectives.

Regarding allowable expenses, wages for key personnel are allowable, but to what extent are things like travel expense reimbursement, marketing expenses or offering a mini grant fund to cluster participants allowable?

The Pricing Schedule allows cost estimates for “Labor, Other Direct Costs, Travel, Events”.

Possible ODC’s may include subcontracts for supplies or incidental costs for which there is not a labor or expense category specified in the contract. These expenses should not include the "costs of doing business". All proposed costs must be justifiable and reasonable.

Cluster administrators can…