TTA for State Councils QA.docx

Solicitation No. 7571MN26R00028 / SAM.gov Training_and_TA Q&As

“State Councils on Developmental Disabilities Training and Technical Assistance T/TA Contract”

“Questions and Answers”

1. Is there any incumbent/recompete or this is a brand-new project? If yes, could you please provide us with their award number or even if the customer bought similar services in the past.

Answer: There is an incumbent; the incumbent contract number is 75P00121C00067.

2. Please clarify the required format and level of detail for the Business Volume price proposal. In addition to the completed Section B tables, should Quoters submit a separate detailed cost/pricing spreadsheet and accompanying price narrative? If so, is Excel the preferred format for the spreadsheet?

Answer: Quoters shall submit completed Section B, including pricing for each Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) and the cumulative price for the entire contract, in accordance with Section L. The solicitation does not require a separate detailed cost/pricing spreadsheet or price narrative. Accordingly, no separate Excel format is required. The SAM.gov solicitation states that the Business Proposal must include completed Section B pricing for each CLIN and the cumulative contract price.

3. Section B identifies estimated labor hours by category, but the “CLIN Ceiling (Not to Exceed)” amounts are blank. Section B.6 states that the ceiling for each CLIN is identified in Section B. Please clarify whether Quoters are expected to propose the dollar ceiling amount for each CLIN based on their proposed labor rates, materials, and pricing, or whether the Government will provide CLIN ceiling amounts by amendment.

Answer: Quoters are expected to complete the pricing in Section B, including the total proposed amount for each CLIN based on the proposed loaded labor rates, estimated hours, materials, as applicable, and other requirements of the solicitation. The resulting proposed total for each applicable CLIN shall serve as the proposed ceiling amount. The Government will not provide separate CLIN ceiling amounts by amendment. Section B provides estimated labor hours and requires loaded rates and estimated totals. It also states that the Government will not be obligated to pay above the applicable CLIN ceiling.

4. Section L.7 requires the Technical Volume to be double-spaced. Please clarify whether text within tables, charts, and figures may be single-spaced, provided the 12-point minimum font and 1-inch margin requirements are maintained.

Answer: Yes. Text within tables, charts, and figures may be single-spaced. All other Technical Volume text shall be double-spaced. The 12-point minimum font and 1-inch margin requirements remain applicable. Tables, charts, and figures must be legible and may not be used to circumvent the solicitation’s page limitations.

5. Indirect Cost Rate: Our current provisional cost rate expires 30 September 2026. We understand there is a delay and the Cost Allocation Services unit anticipates reviewing our documents in November. Should we submit our email communications with PCS/HHS (as an attachment to our application for solicitation #7571MN26R00028 - Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) Contract for State Councils on Developmental Disabilities) to demonstrate our efforts to secure an updated IDC?

Answer: Yes. The Quoter may submit relevant correspondence with HHS Cost Allocation Services documenting the status of its request for an updated indirect cost rate. If an updated provisional or final indirect cost rate is not available at the time of proposal submission, the Quoter shall identify the indirect cost rate used in its proposal and provide supporting documentation for the proposed rate. Submission of correspondence regarding a pending rate determination does not constitute Government acceptance or approval of the proposed indirect cost rate. Proposed rates will be evaluated in accordance with the solicitation.

6. C.1.1 – DD Act / Statutory Framework - Please confirm whether the Government expects offerors to demonstrate direct prior experience interpreting and applying the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act), or whether comparable experience supporting Federal statutory and regulatory compliance programs will be considered relevant.

Answer: The solicitation does not establish direct prior DD Act experience as a separate eligibility requirement. Relevant experience will be evaluated in accordance with Sections L and M. However, the successful Contractor must demonstrate the subject matter expertise necessary to perform all PWS requirements, including specialized knowledge of the DD Act, Council governance, Federal reporting, fiscal stewardship, and applicable compliance requirements.

7. C.1.2–C.1.5 – National DD Council Network / Specialized T/TA - Please clarify the minimum level of developmental disabilities subject matter expertise the Government expects within the proposed team, including whether such expertise may be provided through key personnel and/or subcontractors.

Answer: The Government has not established a minimum number of developmental disabilities subject matter experts beyond the staffing and performance requirements identified in the solicitation. Quoters shall propose a staffing approach sufficient to meet all PWS requirements. Required expertise may be provided through qualified personnel and subcontractors, as appropriate, provided the prime Contractor remains responsible for successful contract performance. The Contractor must have sufficient expertise to provide specialized, expert-level T/TA across the DD Council network.

8. C.1.5 – Specialized T/TA / Council Capacity - Does the Government maintain an existing baseline assessment, maturity model, or other data describing the current capacity, organizational maturity, or priority T/TA needs of the 56 State and Territory Councils that will be made available to the awardee?

Answer: No Government-furnished baseline assessment or maturity model is identified in the solicitation. The Contractor will be responsible for establishing appropriate baseline measures, benchmarks, and performance indicators as part of the Five-Year Strategic Plan and ongoing performance management activities, in consultation with the COR. The PWS specifically requires the Contractor's Strategic Plan to establish baseline measures, benchmarks, and performance indicators.

9. C.2 – Purpose / Performance-Based T/TA - Please clarify whether the Government has established target performance levels or baseline measures for the four stated contract outcomes, or whether the Contractor will be expected to establish proposed baselines and targets during the initial performance period.

Answer: The solicitation establishes certain minimum performance targets. The Contractor shall establish additional baseline measures, benchmarks, and performance indicators necessary to measure short- and long-term outcomes as part of the Five-Year Strategic Plan and performance measurement framework.

10. C.3 – National-Scale T/TA Delivery - Please provide, if available, historical workload information for the current T/TA program, including approximate annual volumes of individualized T/TA requests, group training sessions, webinars, site visits, peer-learning events, and other recurring activities.

Answer: Historical workload information is not provided as part of this solicitation. Quoters shall develop their technical and staffing approaches based on the requirements, minimum service levels, deliverables, estimated labor hours, and performance requirements contained in the solicitation.

11. C.3 – Concurrent Support to 56 Councils - Does the Government have an anticipated minimum staffing level, labor mix, or dedicated staffing expectation necessary to support all 56 Councils concurrently, or may offerors propose the staffing model they determine best meets the PWS performance requirements?

Answer: Except for the labor categories and estimated hours identified in Section B and any specific staffing requirements identified in the PWS, the Government has not prescribed a minimum staffing level. Quoters shall propose a staffing model sufficient to meet all PWS requirements and support the 56 Councils concurrently. The PWS expressly requires the Contractor to demonstrate the capability to manage multiple simultaneous T/TA activities across all 56 Councils while maintaining quality, consistency, and timeliness.

12. C.3.1 – Project Management and Evaluation - Please clarify the Government’s expectations for the Five-Year Strategic Plan, including whether an existing strategic plan, framework, template, or prior-year plan will be provided to the Contractor as a starting point.

Answer: The Contractor shall develop and submit the Five-Year Strategic Plan within 60 calendar days after contract award in accordance with Section C.3.2. The solicitation does not identify an existing strategic plan or prior-year plan that will be provided as the required starting point. Government templates, policies, or forms may be provided after award as applicable. The required contents of the Strategic Plan, including goals, objectives, baselines, staffing, risks, performance measures, and data-tracking processes, are specified in the PWS.

13. C.3.1 – Performance Monitoring - Please identify the Government systems, data sources, or reporting repositories, if any, that the Contractor will be required to use or integrate with for performance monitoring, evaluation, and contract reporting.

Answer: The solicitation does not identify a specific existing Government performance monitoring system or repository that the Contractor must use. The Contractor shall establish and maintain the performance management and reporting capabilities required by the PWS and coordinate implementation with the COR. The PWS requires a secure, interactive, real-time performance management and reporting system that provides Government program staff full access and integrates data across T/TA activities.

14. C.3.1 – Evaluation / Logic Model - Please confirm whether the FY27–31 Logic Model provided with the solicitation represents the final Government performance framework or whether the awardee will be expected to refine measures, indicators, targets, and data-collection methods in collaboration with ACL.

Answer: The FY27–31 Logic Model establishes the Government's performance framework for this requirement. The Contractor shall align its performance management activities with the Logic Model and, in consultation with the COR, establish and refine the baseline measures, indicators, data-collection methods, and other implementation details necessary to demonstrate performance against the required outcomes and targets. The PWS requires performance management to be explicitly tied to the Logic Model while also requiring the Contractor to establish baselines, benchmarks, and performance indicators.

15. C.3 – Knowledge Development and Performance - Please clarify whether the Government expects the Contractor to develop entirely new T/TA curricula and knowledge products or to maintain, update, and expand existing Government- or incumbent-developed materials.

Answer: Both. The Contractor shall develop and disseminate T/TA tools and resources necessary to meet the requirements of the PWS and shall review and update existing tools and resources, as appropriate, at least annually to maintain accuracy, accessibility, relevance, and alignment with current ACL priorities and Council needs. The PWS expressly requires development of resources as well as annual review and updating of existing tools.

16. C.3 – Collaboration / Stakeholder Engagement - Please identify the principal Federal, State/Territory, DD Act network, and other stakeholder organizations with which the Contractor is expected to maintain recurring coordination and clarify whether ACL will facilitate initial introductions following award.

Answer: Required collaboration includes the Administration on Disabilities, Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OIDD); the 56 State and Territory Councils; Protection and Advocacy (P&A) entities; University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs); relevant DD Act-funded entities; ACL-funded contractors and grantees whose activities intersect with Council priorities, including Independent Living Programs; and other partners identified by ACL. The solicitation does not commit ACL to providing initial introductions. Coordination will occur in consultation with the COR. The stakeholder requirements are further identified in Sections C.3.10 through C.3.12.

17. C.3 – Information Management - Please clarify whether the Government currently uses an information management, learning management, customer relationship management, knowledge repository, or T/TA case-management platform that the awardee will be required to operate, maintain, transition, or replace.

Answer: The solicitation does not identify a specific existing platform that the Contractor is required to operate, maintain, or replace. The Contractor shall establish and maintain the information-management capabilities required by the PWS, including the T/TA website, listserv, and performance management/reporting system, in consultation with the COR.

18. C.3 – Information Management / Technology - If a new or enhanced technology platform is required, please clarify whether hosting must occur within an HHS-approved environment and identify any applicable security, privacy, records-management, data-retention, or Authority to Operate requirements beyond the Section 508 requirements stated in the solicitation.

Answer: Any technology used under this contract shall comply with all applicable HHS and ACL security, privacy, records-management, accessibility, and information-system requirements stated in Sections C.3.17 through C.6. Where an information system requires an Authority to Operate (ATO), the Contractor shall support and complete the applicable Assessment and Authorization requirements in coordination with ACL.

19. Section L.2.1 / C.3 – Section 508 - For electronic training materials, digital platforms, webinars, and other ICT deliverables, please clarify whether HHS expects an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR/VPAT) for each applicable product/platform and whether any Government-furnished accessibility tools or testing services will be available.

Answer: All applicable ICT, electronic content, and digital deliverables shall comply with Section 508, 36 CFR Part 1194, WCAG 2.1 Level AA, or the current HHS-required standard. Final deliverables shall include appropriate Section 508 compliance documentation unless otherwise approved in writing by the Contracting Officer or COR. The solicitation does not specifically require an ACR/VPAT for every individual deliverable and does not identify Government-furnished accessibility testing tools or services.

20. C.1.5 – Five-Year State Plans / PPR - Please clarify the Contractor’s expected role in supporting Council Five-Year State Plans, annual work plans, amendments, and Program Performance Reports, including whether support is advisory/T&TA only or includes formal quality review prior to ACL submission.

Answer: The Contractor shall provide structured and individualized T/TA supporting Five-Year State Plans, annual work plans, amendments, and Federal reporting requirements, including reporting checklists, performance-measure guidance, and related capacity-building assistance. Contractor review does not constitute Government approval or acceptance of a Council submission.

21. C.1.5 – Fiscal Management and Compliance - Please clarify whether Contractor T/TA concerning fiscal requirements, allowable costs, and financial oversight is expected to include Council-specific review of financial documentation or is limited to general training, guidance, and technical assistance.

Answer: The Contractor shall provide comprehensive and specialized T/TA concerning Federal fiscal requirements, allowable costs, budget development, financial oversight, and related compliance requirements. Assistance may be tailored to individual Council needs as required. The Contractor is not being engaged to perform audits or exercise Government approval authority over Council financial documentation.

22. C.3 – Travel / On-Site Support - Please provide the Government’s estimated annual number and geographic distribution of required in-person Council visits, conferences, meetings, or other travel events for purposes of developing a consistent staffing and price estimate.

Answer: The Government has not established an estimated annual number or geographic distribution of in-person Council visits beyond the specific activities and deliverables identified in the PWS. Quoters shall develop their staffing and pricing approaches based on the solicitation requirements and propose travel, if necessary, to accomplish the required work.

23. C.3 / Section H – Transition / Government-Furnished Information - Please identify the data, training materials, knowledge repositories, historical T/TA records, stakeholder/contact information, performance data, and other Government- or incumbent-maintained artifacts that are expected to be transitioned to the successful offeror at contract start.

Answer: The solicitation does not identify a specific inventory of Government- or incumbent-maintained artifacts that will be provided at contract start. Following award, the Government will coordinate with the successful Contractor regarding Government information and materials available and appropriate for performance of the contract. The Contractor remains responsible for establishing and maintaining the systems, resources, and deliverables required by the PWS.

24. Section H – Incumbent Transition - The solicitation references transition from an incumbent Contractor. Please identify the incumbent contractor, current contract number, period of performance, and, if releasable, current contract value and staffing/labor mix to support offerors in developing realistic transition and staffing assumptions.

Answer: The incumbent contractor is the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD). The contract number is 75P00121C00067. The period of performance is September 30, 2021 through September 29, 2026. Information regarding the incumbent’s staffing and labor mix will not be provided. Publicly available information regarding the incumbent contract, including award information, may be obtained through SAM.gov.

25. Section H / C.3 – Incumbent Systems and Intellectual Property - For materials, curricula, databases, websites, tools, platforms, or other resources currently used by the incumbent, please clarify which assets are Government-owned or Government-licensed and will be available to the successor Contractor, and identify any assets that the successor will be expected to replace.

Answer: The solicitation does not identify specific incumbent assets that will be transferred to the successor Contractor. Rights to Government-owned, Government-licensed, or Contractor-developed materials will be handled in accordance with the applicable contract terms and Federal law. Quoters shall base their proposals on the requirements of the solicitation and should not assume access to incumbent-owned systems or intellectual property unless expressly identified by the Government.

26. Could you please confirm whether this solicitation is open to any qualified vendor operating under NAICS Code 541611, or whether an interested prime contractor must already be an awardee under the specific IDIQ or other contract vehicle referenced in the solicitation?

Answer: This solicitation is open to any qualified vendor operating under NAICS Code 541611.

27. If participation is restricted to existing contract holders, please confirm whether subcontracting or teaming opportunities are permitted for otherwise qualified vendors.

Answer: Participation is not restricted to existing contract holders.

28. Are CPARS required for all periods of each reference contract?

Answer: Quoters shall submit the past performance information required by Section L. Where CPARS reports are available for a referenced contract, Quoters should provide the available CPARS documentation. A separate CPARS report is not required for a period for which no CPARS evaluation exists.

29. If CPARS are not available for all periods, should applicants submit the available CPARS, and questionnaires for the periods without CPARS?

Answer: Yes. Quoters should provide available CPARS evaluations for the referenced effort and, where CPARS information is unavailable, provide the past performance questionnaire or other documentation required by Section L for that reference. Quoters should not omit an otherwise relevant reference solely because a CPARS evaluation is unavailable for a particular period.