Q_A Doc RFQ 74330224R0045 Amendment 2.pdf

Number Topic Question Answer

1 Monitored keywords Do you have a list of keywords to be monitored? Can you estimate the number of keywords to be monitored?

Ref: Statement of Work, paragraph A-2: Upon signature of the contract, ABMC will give the provider a list of specific keywords to help target the relevant clippings for monitoring. This list will include the names of ABMC cemeteries, monuments and markers, but also the names of its spokespeople to monitor. ABMC may also send event-specific keywords - these may be temporary or permanent.

The list of keywords will include all the names of our cemeteries, monuments, and memorials; commissioners and senior leaders; military and agency-specific terms; event-related keywords, etc. In all this could be between roughly

100-150 keywords that could be evergreen or rotational.

2 Monitored keywords Can you estimate the number of keyword saved searches that will be needed? Approximately 25.

3 Media to monitor Do you have a list of publications that you are most interested in monitoring?

There are no by-name publications we are looking to monitor. This should be all-inclusive to capture available mentions.

4 Media to monitor In lieu of providing a comprehensive list, is it possible for ABMC to note their top tier or must-have publications for cross-reference? See Answer to # 3

5 Media to monitor Please elaborate on this requirement: "The service provider must give ABMC a list of monitored media and inform ABMC as soon as it has modifications, withdrawals, or additions."

We anticipate that the provider will start with the list of publications provided by ABMC immediately following award.

From there, the list should be increased as different publications are found through performing the service. The provider should keep ABMC informed if situations cause changes to those lists (modifications, removals, additions of specific publications) for whatever reason, on a regular basis.

6 Media to monitor

For the requirement: "The service provider must give ABMC a list of monitored media and inform ABMC as soon as it has modifications, withdrawals, or additions." Question: If we crawl a URL repetitively looking for modifications, withdrawals and additions, there is a chance that we might get blocked. Has consideration been given to this possibility?

The platform should provide ABMC optional, automated functionality to set up email alerts, notifications, etc. based on designated keywords and search terms when new media mentions are found, or when there are other changes.

7 Media to monitor Is a media contact database a requirement for this contract? Yes.

8 Media to monitor Will ABMC work with the eventual awardee to regularly validate publications so we can validate availability with our partners?

Ref: Statement of Work, paragraph A-7: The provider is expected to provide an comprehensove, up-to-date, searchable list of outlets and journalists (by filter), but there will collaboration with ABMC throughout the life of the contract.

9 Media to monitor

Does ABMC hold licenses with the paywalled publications of interest, inclusive of re-distribution rights for their users? If so, which publications do they currently have access to? If not, which publications are considered must-haves from a full-text standpoint?

Licenses, subscriptions, etc. will be the responsibility of the provider.

10 Media to monitor Is there an expectation to manage licenses for access to pay websites like YouTube or other podcast websites? See Answer to # 9

11 Media to monitor Can videos and audio be linked and not stored separately in order to not violate website terms of services? See Answer to # 9

12 Media to monitor Can you please elaborate on this requirement: "The platform must provide ABMC the opportunity to download the articles in PDF format for print and web [...] Articles behind paywalls should be accessible to ABMC users."

See Answer to # 9

13 Media to monitor

As per Scope: "Articles behind paywalls should be accessible to ABMC users." Question: Sources that are behind paywalls or subscription based will need to be paid for/subscribed per source. Is this what is meant by this statement? If so, who is responsible for these subscriptions? May we allow the ABMC to subscribe to these services and as part of the platform, connect their subscription/api (if present) to the service?

See Answer to # 9

14 Scope clarification Is ABMC looking for a marketing communications agency that can manage the media monitoring and provide the analysis, or are you just looking for access to the media monitoring tool?

The preference is to have a media monitoring tool to use independent from an agency. ABMC requires a usable tool, but also expects support from the provider in setting up automated alerts, basic reporting functions, and assistance throughout the life of the contract.

15 Scope clarification Is ABMC open to reviewing lower-priced proposals that include most but not all of the desired services?

ABMC intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror’s initial offer should address all the requirements stated in the Statement of Work and contain the offeror’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint.

16 Scope clarification As per Scope: "The service shall be all inclusive without additional (a la carte) pricing for additional functionality? Can you clarify this? See Answer to # 15

Q&A for RFQ 74330224R0045, Posted to SAM.gov as Amendment 2 on 6 September 2024

17 Scope clarification Data sources – English is assumed, but does the service need to monitor non-English sources as well? If so, will these need translation?

Ref: Statement of Work, paragraph A-1: Publications will need to be monitored throughout several non-English speaking countries. Translation is preferred, but not required.

18 Scope clarification Please confirm our understanding that the requirement is essentially for a platform-based monitoring service. This is correct.

19 Scope clarification Will ABMC also require social listening services? If so, which social media platforms are of interest (e.g X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.)?

This is a preferred function, but not essential. Ideally, this would include X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube.

20 Scope clarification Can you confirm if, in addition to viewing and sharing television and radio clips via links, users will require the ability to download television and radio clips?

Ref: Statement of Work, paragraph A-5: The platform must provide ABMC the opportunity to download the articles in PDF format for print and web. Audio and video formats for radio and television should have shareable functionality, not necessarily for download.

21 Scope clarification Will ABMC require access to a National or Global Media Contacts Database to perform outreach? Yes, global.

22 Scope clarification Would ABMC be interested in seeing a demonstration/sample product?

Please note - ABMC seeks a commercial solution, rather than a custom application built for this requirement.

Since this is a commercially-available service, a pre-award demonstration is not considered necessary. ABMC does expect to collaborate with the provider immediately after award to recommend any necessary changes and receive training.

23 Contract performance Can the Application use a 3rd party Machine Learning platform if needed to save time? We anticipate this will be a possiblity, however it should not interfere with the effective capture of media mentions.

24 Contract performance Should all alerts be sent via email? Yes, alerts should be sent via email on an opt-in basis for users.

25 Acquisition strategy Due to the complexity of the application and the requirements, is the ABMC open to alternative pricing models that might be more budget friendly and beneficial, rather than firm-fixed price (FFP)?

See Answers to # 16 and # 23. ABMC does not intend to change acquisition strategy at this time.

26 Acquisition strategy

Based on the requirement of this being a “service” we are assuming that ownership/source code will remain the property of the vendor and the award covers development and usage of the service by ABMC only? Or is something else implied?

This assumption is correct.

27 Acquisition strategy

We are assuming two phases of the project: (A) Developing/building the platform. (B) ABMC using the platform (the service).

Questions:

1. What does the period of performance (base plus option) actually cover?

2. If it does assumes both, what is the deadline for platform delivery?

3. If it assumes development time only in the period of performance, how long will the platform need to be used after it is launched and will that need to be included in the project price as well?

4. Assuming point 3 above, what is the required timeframe for use before a renewal/new extension will need to be negotiated for the service for extended usage?

Please note - ABMC seeks a commercial solution, rather than a custom application built for this requirement.

Since this is a commercially-available service, ABMC expects immediate usability following the award, and then to follow the regular commercial terms and conditions. The guaranteed base period is for one year, immediately starting upon award. The unguaranteed option would extend that timeframe by an additional six months. ABMC would have full use of the platform, reporting functions, etc. during this time period. ABMC anticipates to re-compete this requirement after 12 or 18 months and may modify the requirement after experience gained through this contract.

28 Acquisition strategy

Would ABMC accept different quotes for different pricing packages? For instance, if one package guarantees more uptime at one price, and another guarantees less for a lower price, should these be two different quotes or one quote with two price packages?

ABMC intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror’s initial offer should address all the requirements stated in the Statement of Work and contain the offeror’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, if a company believes that there are different options that would each meet the requirement, they are encouraged to provide more than one quote. Each quote will be evaluated independently.

29 Acquisition strategy Would ABMC consider extending the period of performance to include four option years to allow comapnies to include discounted multi-year pricing?

ABMC is only interested in a contract of up to 18 months at this time. Therefore, please quote in accordance with the Attachment 3 (Quote Spreadsheet).

30 Vendor details What specifics about our company should be included in the proposal? Attachment 3 (Quote Spreadsheet) requests some basic company information. You may also include information on similar projects that you have performed before, if applicable.

31 Previous contract details

Is there a previous or current contract for this service in place? Can ABMC provide details on the previous/current contract, contractor, estimated contract value, etc.?

Note - this row encompasses several similar questions received.

The estimate for this project is below the simplified acquisition threshold; therfore, this is a FAR 12 acquisition, supplemented by FAR 13 as appropriate. ABMC had a similar contract in the past; however, performance ended over 12 months ago. The requirement is not the same as before and there is no effective way to provide a sample of the product.

Note - this row encompasses several similar questions received.