Questions - 1.docx

75D301-20-R-68011 Questions #1 (Updated)

1) What exactly do we need to submit for this to be a valid submission? Is there any more detailed information you can provide, particularly regarding the necessary components of Volume II - Business Proposal.

a. Instructions on the business L.9 Proposal Contents & Page Format

2) pg. 61, Section J - List of Attachments. These do not appear on beta.sam.gov - can you provide them?

a. Section J, attachments are in the Attachment/Links section.

3) pg. 76, Section L.5 Past Performance Information. This survey has not been provided (see: Section J list of attachments). Is it a requirement of this RFQ to provide three of these surveys and if so, please provide the survey.

a. Past Performance Survey is the file labeled attachments in the Attachment/Links section.

4) Question is whether the survey could be filled out for performance of a federal grant, as opposed to a contract (ie, can it be for either grants or contracts?). And can the survey be from other non-governmental funders?

a. Yes, you can use other government agencies and other non-governmental to fill out the performance survey.

5) On page 8, under TASK 2, it says: “The contractor is expected to conduct the following analyses pertaining to average annual estimates during 2011 – 2015….The total number of alcohol-attributable deaths among working-age adults in the U.S. overall and by state, using two methodologies: first, based on the ARDI methodology; and second, based on a methodology that adjusts for the underreporting of alcohol consumption in surveys using per capita alcohol sales information.” Our understanding is that the current ARDI is based on 2011-2015. Can you clarify that CDC indeed would like the contractor to re-estimate the 2011-2015 number of attributable deaths and YPLL, using the same methodology?

a. ARDI currently estimates average annual alcohol-attributable deaths during 2011-2015 for the US population. Task 2 pertains to analyses that specifically focus on working-age adults (aged 20-64 years) rather than the entire US population

6) Does CDC anticipate other (non-publication) types of dissemination, such as conferences, webinars, infographics, etc.? If yes, does CDC have guidance on budgeting for these activities?

a. CDC has access to web conferencing platforms and in-house graphic design services, which can be used to assist with the dissemination of findings, so vendor does not need to budget for these items. Applicants may choose to (but does not have to) budget to attend up to one conference per option year to disseminate findings.

7) Is there an incumbent on this contract or an outside organization who has performed similar work for the CDC?

a. There is no incumbent for the full scope of the tasks in this solicitation; however, contractors have performed selected tasks similar to some of those in this solicitation.

8) The beginning of the RFQ and the deliverables tables request 3 manuscripts, but all tasks 2 through 7 reference manuscripts. Can you clarify whether it is 3 manuscripts or 6 manuscripts produced from analyses under this contract?

a. The contractor will be expected to lead the development of 3 manuscripts (e.g., serve as the lead author, conduct the analyses, lead the drafting of the text, respond to reviewer inquiries). The contractor will be expected to submit results from analyses conducted to CDC for 3 additional manuscripts that will be led by CDC. The contractors will be invited to participate as a co-author on those 3 CDC-led manuscripts, but contractors will not be expected to take the leading role in drafting those 3 CDC-led manuscripts, nor serve as the lead or corresponding author.

9) Would CDC consider extending the deadline to accommodate enough time to incorporate answers to these questions into the response?

a. No deadline extension will be given.

10) Would CDC consider extending the deadline to accommodate enough time for clients to complete and submit the performance questionnaires since there was a delay in posting the attachments on beta.sam?

a. Performance questionnaires be submitted up until award.

11) Can CPARS evaluations be used in place of the past performance questionnaire?

a. CPARS evaluations can be used. However, past performance questionnaires are encouraged.

12) Per the deliverables schedule, the contractor generally has 1.5 months between submitting the analytic plan and results delivery to the CDC. How long will it take for CDC to approve the analytic plan after it is received?

a. CDC will review analytic plans promptly and either send feedback via email or discuss suggestions on a phone call with the contractor. If CDC requires longer than one week to review an analytic plan or if it requires multiple rounds of revisions, a mutual agreement between the CDC and the contractor can be arranged to extend the results deliverable deadline.

13) On page 31 of the RFQ, it states that “the contractor shall perform the work onsite.” Does CDC require the contractor to be onsite at the CDC offices in Atlanta?

a. Contractor will NOT perform work onsite at CDC offices in Atlanta. Contractors are not expected to relocate to perform the work for this solicitation.

14) Does the CDC have an estimated level of effort or price for this contract?

a. CDC cannot provide pricing estimates.

15) The Task 7 manuscript is scheduled to be submitted to a journal between 7/28/2023 and 9/28/2023. The second option year ends on 9/29/2023. Does CDC have any guidance on budgeting for possible revisions and resubmissions after the contract ends?

a. If the Task 7 manuscript requires revisions after 9/28/23 and the contractor is unable to address the revisions and resubmission, the CDC will work to assure the completion of the study.

16) The solicitation states a fixed price contract type is contemplated, however, the cost data and details required in Section L.11 Business Proposal Instructions as well as Attachment 3 are extensive and typically required for a cost reimbursement type contract versus a fixed price contract. Can CDC please confirm the cost data requirements are accurate for this fixed price procurement?

a. Yes, cost data is needed to ensure that the government is getting fair and reasonable prices even with firm fixed price.

17) Does the government have an estimated level of effort?

a. Estimated level of Hours

i. PI and research supervisor - 750.00 hours

ii. Research assistant - 1000.00 hours

iii. Research analyst - 500.00 hours

18) Would the government consider an extension on the proposal submission date?

a. No extension will be given.