A16_WISEWOMAN Data and TA contract vendor QA_deidentified list_FINAL.pdf

WISEWOMAN Data and Technical Assistance Services - RFQ 75D301-23-R-72670 Vendor Q&A – CDC Responses in RED

1. I realize the solicitation has been posted, but would your team still consider a WOSB set-aside or sole-source?

CDC Response: A set-aside or sole source is not being considered for this solicitation.

2. To aid in the proposal development, could you provide a total ROM or NTE for the contract? This would help us determine what the Government’s size expectations are for this contract. Thanks CDC Response: An OVERALL rough order of magnitude (ROM) or not to exceed (NTE) amount are not being provided for this contract. However, and NTE is provided for travel costs and proposal estimates for travel cannot exceed the NTE amount listed in Section B - Supplies Or Services And Prices/Costs within the solicitation. The government will assess Offerors’ proposed pricing to ensure it is reasonable and in alignment with the requirements as outlined in the Cost Data Information section (c1 – c-9) of the solicitation and on requirements outlined in section M.2.1 Price Evaluation.

3. Would you please consider an extension to the response due date?

CDC Response: No, an extension to the response due date is not being considered.

4. May you please share the information on the incumbent?

CDC Response (08/21): There is no incumbent performing the same tasks as will be required in this new contract.

5. Who is the current incumbent responsible for the WISEWOMEN data management system 50?

CDC Response: There is no incumbent performing the same tasks as will be required under this solicitation.

6. Does the WISEWOMEN data management system 50 currently reside on CDC's on-premise infrastructure?

CDC Response: The WISEWOMAN Data Management System 50 is expected to reside in CDC’s IT infrastructure.

7. How do recipients (STLT) share data with the CDC? Is it through SFTP, API, or another method? How often is data shared, especially if it's batch-type?

CDC Response: The WISEWOMAN Data System 50 must have the capability and functionality as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement, Task 1 and Task 2 of the solicitation.

8. Are there any ongoing MDE data quality checks? If so, could you provide details on whether it's done manually or through automated programming?

CDC Response: The WISEWOMAN Data System 50 must have the capability and functionality as indicated in

9. Is there a need for manual data verification and an approval workflow?

CDC Response: The WISEWOMAN Data System 50 must have the capability and functionality as indicated in

10. Is this a new requirement? If not, please identify the incumbent.

CDC Response: There is no incumbent performing the same tasks as will be required under this solicitation.

11. What are the Total Obligated dollars for this project?

CDC Response: An OVERALL rough order of magnitude (ROM) or not to exceed (NTE) amount are not being provided for this contract. However, and NTE is provided for travel costs and proposal estimates for travel cannot exceed the NTE amount listed in Section B - Supplies Or Services And Prices/Costs within the solicitation. The government will assess Offerors’ proposed pricing to ensure it is reasonable and in alignment with the requirements as outlined in the Cost Data Information section (c1 – c-9) of the solicitation and on requirements

12. Is the clause on Page 33 of 77 a contractor expense? A security control assessment must be conducted by a FedRAMP third-party assessment organization (3PAO) for the initial ATO and annually thereafter or whenever there is a significant change to the system’s security posture in accordance with the FedRAMP Continuous Monitoring Plan4. ?

CDC Response: The government will assess Offerors’ proposed pricing to ensure it is reasonable and in alignment with the requirements as outlined in the Cost Data Information section (c1 – c-9) of the solicitation and on requirements outlined in section M.2.1 Price Evaluation. Additionally, proposals should account for all components under C.11 – Special Considerations, i.e., Information Security Requirements, Requirements for Government Information Processed on Government or Contractor Owner Systems, Requirements for Utilizing Cloud Services, Requirements for Other IT Related Procurements.

13. Will the CO/COR / EDAV Team entertain analytics tools that may not be part of the Enterprise Data Analytics and Visualization (EDAV) portfolio?

CDC Response: CDC’s Enterprise Data and Visualization (EDAV) Platform should be used for projects with analytics and visualization needs. Proposals should account for all components under C.11 – Special Considerations, i.e., Information Security Requirements, Requirements for Government Information Processed on Government or Contractor Owner Systems, Requirements for Utilizing Cloud Services, Requirements for Other IT Related Procurements. The successful Offeror will be expected to consult with the EDAV team to identify opportunities for integration or use of enterprise services.

14. On Page 69 of 77, The reference” Your proposal should indicate that the proposal is predicated on the terms and conditions of the IDIQ contract number [INSERT YOUR COMPANY’S IDIQ CONTRACT NUMBER]; is valid for a period of 60 days” seems to indicate a proposer should have an existing IDIQ. Please clarify if that is true or false.

CDC Response: False, the proposal should reference the solicitation number.

15. The Performance Matrix includes a Desired Outcome titled “Cost Control”. As this is an FFP type contract, cost overruns are not reported to the government. As such we request this line in the matrix be removed.

CDC Response: The language in the solicitation will not be removed.

16. The Period of Performances vary between these two sections – Can the Government please confirm which is the correct PoP?

CDC Response: The Period of Performance will start on Monday, September 25, 2023.

17. Will the Government allow the VPAT to become an Appendix in the Technical Volume, and not count against the page limit?

CDC Response: The VPAT can be included in an appendix and will not be counted toward the Technical Proposal page limit.

18. Our understanding is that this is not issued under a GSA schedule. As such could the Government please confirm the reference to RFTOP and IDIQ should be replaced with Solicitation or removed, respectively?

CDC Response: Language replaced

19. Would the Government allow for 10 more pages to the Technical Volume so that the Offerors can respond comprehensively to all of the Tasks/Sub-Tasks and other Requirements?

CDC Response: The page limit for the Technical Proposal is 20 pages and is referenced in the amendment.

20. The RFQ includes business proposal instructions for both cost reimbursement (L.6) and fixed price (L.7) proposals.

Section L.2 states the contract will be awarded as Firm Fixed Price. Should the offeror follow the business proposal instructions in section L.7 for fixed price contracts?

CDC Response: Offerors should follow the instructions in section L.7 for a firm fixed price contract.

21. The proposal instructions for the Price Proposal are to include the Cost Reimbursement (L.6) is the Government expecting the Offeror to propose its own Travel and the Travelling Details (i.e., Corporate Travel Policy etc.) for each trip or use the NTE value as a plug number?

CDC Response: Offerors should provide the cost of travel including destination, duration, purpose, per diem, transportation, and the basis for the proposed costs. A copy of the offeror’s corporate travel policy shall be submitted with the proposal if travel costs have been proposed. Travel costs cannot exceed the NTE amount listed specifically for travel within Section B - Supplies Or Services And Prices/Costs of the solicitation.

22. The solicitation is listed as 75D301-23-Q-72670 as well as 75D301-23-Q-76171. Will the Government please confirm that the solicitation for this opportunity is 75D301-23-Q-72670?

CDC Response: The Solicitation is 75D301-23-Q-72670

23. Will the Government allow for the Technical section’s Detailed Timeline to become an Appendix so that we can provide it in a landscape format for easier readability and not count against the page limit of the Technical Volume?

CDC Response: A succinct timeline can be included in an appendix.

24. Will the Government verify that Resumes are to be limited to 2 pages?

CDC Response: Individual resumes for key personnel are limited to two pages.

25. Can the Government please clarify if they are expecting the Offeror to provide a total of 5 pages of Sample Translation Products or up to 5 pages for each Sample?

CDC Response: Each sample translation product should be up to 5 pages in length.

26. Will the Government allow for the Sample Translation Products (5 pgs.) to become an Appendix and not count against the page limit of the Technical Volume?

CDC Response: Two to three sample translation products, up to 5 pages each, should be included within an appendix.

27. Will the Government allow for the Labor Category and Hours to become an Appendix and not count against the required page limit but still be evaluated?

CDC Response: Offerors should include labor information in the Business Proposal. There is no page limit for the Business Proposal. The page limit for the Technical Proposal is 20 pages and is referenced in the amendment.

28. Can the Government please clarify what contract number they are expecting to see in the foots of the proposal?

CDC Response: The footer in the offeror proposal must include the company name; RFP number, (i.e., solicitation

no. 75D301-23-R-72670), and Page # of # Pages.

29. M.1 requests resumes of “assigned personnel” whereas M.1.1, under Staffing Plan, requests the resumes of Key Personnel.

CDC Response: Please include resumes for all key personnel that will play a critical role in accomplishing all tasks as outlined in the solicitation.

30. The instructions under L.6 on page 70 of 77 includes Business Proposal Instructions for Cost Reimbursement which are different than the instructions under L.7 with Business Proposal Instructions for Fixed Price. Please confirm offerors should follow the instructions under L.7 and disregard L.6.

CDC Response: Offerors should follow the instructions in section L.7 for a firm fixed price contract.

31. L.7(b) requires “detailed pricing information” which is loosely defined as “specific labor categories, hourly rates, overheads, ODCs, et al.” This requirement for cost build up information, specifically overhead, is in contradiction with L.7 (d) which states cost and pricing data is not required with initial proposals. L.7(d) is consistent with the FFP acquisition approach and price reasonableness evaluation criteria. Please confirm disclosure of overhead is not required and a labor price breakdown comprised of fully burdened rates by labor category will satisfy the requirement for L.7(b) CDC Response: Offerors should include detailed pricing information with the Business Proposal as directed in in L.7(b). Section L.7(d) will be removed through amendment to this solicitation. The government will assess proposed pricing to ensure it is reasonable and in alignment with the requirements as outlined in the Cost Data Information section (c1 – c-9) of the solicitation and on requirements outlined in section M.2.1 Price Evaluation.

32. Is the government considering granting an extension for this proposal?

CDC Response: No, an extension to the proposal response due date is not being considered.

33. Can the government provide clarification regarding the number of labor category FTEs that would be required for the base year and option year periods for this project?

CDC Response: Offerors should propose labor categories, hours, and staffing requirements to successfully complete the required tasks and services in accordance with Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement.

34. Will the government be providing a pricing worksheet template for the Business Proposal?

CDC Response: No, a pricing worksheet template will not be provided.

35. Does the government have a ballpark estimate for this project?

provided for this contract. However, and NTE is provided for travel costs and proposal estimates for travel cannot exceed the NTE amount listed in Section B - Supplies Or Services And Prices/Costs within the solicitation. The government will assess Offerors’ proposed pricing to ensure it is reasonable and in alignment with the requirements as outlined in the Cost Data Information section (c1 – c-9) of the solicitation and on requirements

36. Does the government have a preferred website platform for this project, or are vendors allowed to propose their own?

CDC Response: The WISEWOMAN Data System 50 must have the capability and functionality as indicated in

37. Is there an incumbent vendor currently supporting this project?

CDC Response: There is no incumbent performing the same tasks as will be required under this solicitation.

38. Does the government have a preferred data management system or are vendors able to propose their own COTS software solution?

CDC Response: The WISEWOMAN Data System 50 must have the capability and functionality as indicated in

39. Are there any internal or external integrations with other Data Management systems or supporting applications that the WISEWOMAN Data Management System will interact with?

CDC Response: The WISEWOMAN Data System 50 must have the capability and functionality as indicated in

40. Is there an incumbent contractor? If there is an incumbent, can the government provide the name and contract/task order number for the incumbent? Is the incumbent eligible to bid on this project?

CDC Response: There is no incumbent performing the same tasks as will be required under this solicitation.

41. Will the majority of the work be performed on-site at the government’s site location or can the contractor personnel work at our facility?

CDC Response: As stated in section C.7 Place of Performance, this work is to be performed off-site at the contractor’s remote location(s). For certain work-related activities or meetings, select contract staff will need to be in person at an Atlanta-area CDC campus.

42. Is the government expecting a number of Key Personnel? If so, could the government provide more guidance around Key Personnel expectations.

CDC Response: Offers should propose key personnel critical to the successful completion of tasks and requirements as indicated in the solicitation.

43. Does the government expect travel for the contractors? If so, is there a travel budget and what are the site locations that the contractor will be required to travel to?

CDC Response: The Offeror should account for costs ensuring requirements for capability and functionality have been met as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement, Task 1 and Task 2 of the solicitation. The government will assess Offerors’ proposed pricing to ensure it is reasonable and in alignment with the requirements as outlined in the Cost Data Information section (c1 – c-9) of the solicitation and on requirements outlined in section M.2.1 Price Evaluation.

44. What is the historical total number of Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) and number of FTEs per task?

CDC Response: This is a new requirement.

45. Can the government state the current number of FTE(s) currently supporting the tasks listed in the PWS?

46. What tools and technologies are being used on the current contract?

47. Will the government clarify monthly, quarterly, and annual metrics that shall be tracked and reported?

CDC Response: The successful Offeror shall furnish the government items outlined in Section C.8 – Deliverables/Reporting Schedule.

48. Is there any insight that can be provided to the current vulnerability management process?

49. Are there any specific pain points or challenges that the government has identified with this contract?

50. What is the anticipated start date of this contract?

CDC Response: The anticipated Period of Performance start date is Monday, September 25, 2023.

51. What is the anticipated total not to exceed financial capacity for this contract?

provided for this contract. However, and NTE is provided for travel costs and proposal estimates for travel cannot exceed the NTE amount listed in Section B - Supplies Or Services And Prices/Costs within the solicitation. The government will assess Offerors’ proposed pricing to ensure it is reasonable and in alignment with the requirements as outlined in the Cost Data Information section (c1 – c-9) of the solicitation and on requirements

52. In Section B Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, can the government provide clarification on the Data and Technical Services? Does the 1 Job refer to 1 FTE?

CDC Response: The Offeror should account for costs ensuring requirements for capability and functionality as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement of the solicitation. The government will assess Offerors’ proposed pricing to ensure it is reasonable and in alignment with the requirements as outlined in the Cost Data Information section (c1 – c-9) of the solicitation and on requirements outlined in section M.2.1 Price Evaluation.

53. Is there an incumbent who has supported WISEWOMAN with data and technical assistance services previously?

CDC Response: There is no incumbent performing the same tasks as will be required under this solicitation.

54. If there is an incumbent, please provide the name of the incumbent and the contract number who previously provided data and technical assistance services for WISEWOMAN?

CDC Response: There is no incumbent performing the same tasks as will be required under this solicitation.

55. Will the government consider an extension to the proposal due date of two days (to September 1st by 5pm) to allow the respondents sufficient time to consider the impacts of the answers to questions on our proposal response?

56. Can the government share their independent estimate of the level of effort including Labor Categories and Hours?

CDC Response: The Offeror should account for costs ensuring requirements for capability and functionality as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement of the solicitation. The government will assess Offerors’ proposed pricing to ensure it is reasonable and in alignment with the requirements as outlined in the Cost Data Information section (c1 – c-9) of the solicitation and on requirements outlined in section M.2.1 Price Evaluation.

57. In Subtask 3.5.a.1, the government notes that it expects minimal, minor updates to the existing manual. However, in the Task 3 deliverables (page 17), it notes that the contractor is expected to create a manual within 3 months of the award. Can you please clarify if there is already an existing MDE manual, or if the contractor will be creating one from scratch and editing the one which is created?

CDC Response: The successful Offeror will have access to the most recent version of the WISEWOMAN Minimum Data Elements (MDE) Manual and assess, in collaboration with CDC, parameters of a new or revision of an existing resource based on the requirements identified in this solicitation.

58. Would the Government please consider a 7-day extension (to September 6, 2023) to allow offerors to develop high quality proposals for CDC’s consideration?

59. Will the system be limited to users internal to CDC or will external users be expected to interface with the system directly?

CDC Response: Users, both internal and external to CDC, will be expected to interface with the WISEWOMAN Data System 50. Responsiveness to requirements for capability and functionality, as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement of the solicitation, will be assessed.

60. If the system will have users external to CDC, will their interactions with the system be limited to data submission?

CDC Response: Users, both internal and external to CDC, will be expected to interface with the WISEWOMAN Data System 50. Responsiveness to requirements for capability and functionality, as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement of the solicitation, will be assessed.

61. How many users will the system support? Will this number of users remain consistent across option years?

CDC Response: The number of users, internal and external to CDC, will be determined as a part of requirements gathering for both the initial system development and all subsequent option years.

62. Will the work involve data migration? Will historical data collected by the program be included in the system?

CDC Response: Responsiveness to requirements for capability and functionality, as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement of the solicitation, will be assessed.

Proposals should account for all components under C.11 – Special Considerations, i.e., Information Security Requirements, Requirements for Government Information Processed on Government or Contractor Owner Systems, Requirements for Utilizing Cloud Services, Requirements for Other IT Related Procurements.

63. Is there additional context or background related to the programs challenges and drivers for this system?

CDC Response: This is a new requirement. Responsiveness to requirements for capability and functionality, as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement of the solicitation, will be assessed. Proposals should account for all components under C.11 – Special Considerations, i.e., Information Security Requirements, Requirements for Government Information Processed on Government or Contractor Owner Systems, Requirements for Utilizing Cloud Services, Requirements for Other IT Related Procurements.

64. Is the intent for CDC to develop a frontend system that states, territories, and tribes use to collect and manage their data? Or does the scope of the system assume those jurisdictions are responsible for their own data collection and management?

CDC Response: This is a new requirement. Responsiveness to requirements for capability and functionality, as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement of the solicitation, will be assessed. Proposals should account for all components under C.11 – Special Considerations, i.e., Information Security Requirements,

65. The system will need to support MDEs plus “customizable fields for recipient use.” Will CDC expect to harmonize customizable fields across jurisdictions?

CDC Response: This is a new requirement. Responsiveness to requirements for capability and functionality, as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement of the solicitation, will be assessed. Proposals should account for all components under C.11 – Special Considerations, i.e., Information Security Requirements,

66. Will the system be required to automatically identify data quality issues and notify submitters?

CDC Response: This is a new requirement. Responsiveness to requirements for capability and functionality, as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement of the solicitation, will be assessed. Proposals should account for all components under C.11 – Special Considerations, i.e., Information Security Requirements,

67. Given the emphasis on North Star Architecture, does CDC expect that jurisdictions will use the Shared Data and Analytics Zone (SAZ) or is the project limited to EZ + Front Door?

CDC Response: This is a new requirement. Responsiveness to requirements for capability and functionality, as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement of the solicitation, will be assessed. Proposals should account for all components under C.11 – Special Considerations, i.e., Information Security Requirements,

68. The section states “Your proposal should indicate that the proposal is predicated on the terms and conditions of the IDIQ contract”. Please clarify the IDIQ contract referenced here.

CDC Response: The reference to IDIQ is replaced with RFQ in the amendment.

69. Page 70 Proposal Content. Would the Government increase the page limit for the Technical Proposal to 20 pages to allow for thorough presentation of the approach?

CDC Response: The page limit for the Technical Proposal is 20 pages and is referenced in the amendment.

70. Page 70 Proposal Content. Please confirm that sample translation products are excluded from the page count.

CDC Response: Two to three sample translation products, up to 5 pages each, should be included within an

71. Page 70-71 (Cost Data Information) Would the Government allow firm fixed price buildup based on fully loaded rates (using GSA schedule as reference to demonstrate fair and reasonable rates) in lieu of the detailed cost build up (items c1-c9)?

CDC Response: Offerors should follow the instructions in section L.7 for a firm fixed price contract. The Offeror should account for costs ensuring requirements for capability and functionality have been met as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement, of the solicitation. The government will assess Offerors’ proposed pricing to ensure it is reasonable and in alignment with the requirements as outlined in the Cost Data Information section (c1 – c-9) of the solicitation and on requirements outlined in section M.2.1 Price Evaluation.

72. Page 76 (Staffing Plan) Would the government confirm that the requirement to include percentage time on the project and percentage time on other projects (outside of the contract) for technical personnel only applies to key technical personnel?

CDC Response: The Offeror should account for costs ensuring requirements for capability and functionality have been met as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement, of the solicitation. The government will assess Offerors’ proposed pricing to ensure it is reasonable and in alignment with the requirements as outlined in the Cost Data Information section (c1 – c-9) of the solicitation and on requirements

73. According to the RFP, “cover letter, table of contents” are included in the page count limit of 20 pages. Would CDC be willing to exclude the cover letter and table of contents from the page limit?

CDC Response: The cover letter and table of contents are excluded from the 20 page limit for the Technical Proposal. The page limit for the Technical Proposal is 20 pages and is referenced in the amendment.

74. Under Task 3b, the RFP states “the contractor shall develop and submit a DMP as part of its proposal in response to this solicitation”. Please clarify if the submitted DMP is included in the overall page limit.

CDC Response: Responsiveness to requirements for capability and functionality, as indicated in Section C - Description/Specification/Work Statement of the solicitation, will be assessed.

Proposals should account for all components under C.11 – Special Considerations, i.e., Information Security Requirements, Requirements for Government Information Processed on Government or Contractor Owner Systems, Requirements for Utilizing Cloud Services, Requirements for Other IT Related Procurements. Offerors may include a preliminary DMP within an appendix.

75. Under “Similar Experience”, the RFP requests that contractors should provide “2-3 examples of relevant translation products.” Please clarify if the sample products are included in the overall page limit.

CDC Response: Two to three sample translation products, up to 5 pages each, should be included within an