B3 RFQ Questions and Answers - 4.28.25.pdf

Request for Quotation 75D30125Q00092

Questions and Answers

4/28/2025

**Note: Some questions have been modified to remove information that may identify any one specific o�eror. In addition, some questions have been combined or restated if the same question was asked by more than one o�eror (in similar but di�erent wording). Please find the questions and answers below:

• Question 1: In reference to SF1449/RFQ document and PWS, Period of Performance (page

1), is this contract mandated, or intended, to be awarded and funded by the end of the fiscal year (i.e., September 30) or is there a possibility that the award decision may be extended?

- Answer: It is intended that this contract be awarded on or before 14 June 2025. If the circumstances of this requirement change, then the award date will be updated by amendment to this RFQ.

• Question 2: In reference to the RFQ Document, Contract Administration Data (page 10), “CDCG.08-Applicable Service Contract Labor Standards Wages Jul 2017” – is it possible to exempt this work from SCLS under the premise that this is considered bona fide executive, administrative, professional labor that is generally exempt under SCLS.

- Answer: At this time, the Government has not made a determination that the exemption for Executive, Administrative, and Professional services applies to this acquistion. In accordance with 29 CFR Part 541, “the employer bears the burdern of establishing the applicability of the exemption.”

• Question 3: In reference to the PWS, Section 2, Purpose/Objective (pages 2-3), if selecting the Young Adult Population Target Group, is there an expectation that that the Contractor should reach both a general population of young adults and identify a subpopulation of young adults?

- Answer: O�erors shall identify one Target Group in each Technical Proposal. O�erors shall identify any subpopulations on which they propose to focus O&E activities within their technical proposal. Selection of one or more subpopulations within the Target

Group is not required; however, if one or more are selected, then they must be identified in the Technical Proposal. This applies to the Young Adult Population / Target Group as well.

• Question 4: In reference to the PWS, Section 4, Task 1 (page 4), is the minimum outreach standard described on page 4 of the Performance Work Statement for both general and selected populations combined?

- Answer: The minimum outreach standard of 750 potentially eligible persons, including

250 novel potentially eligible persons (as defined in the PWS and the instructions) is for all outreach activities and subpopulations per proposal.

• Question 5: In reference to the Instructions to O�erors, Section I, clause 11 (page 2), for

Contractors submitting separate proposals for more than one target group, could CDC confirm whether the subject line for each email submission be, as specified, “[Company

Name] World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program Outreach and Education RFQ

75D30125Q00092 – Quote", or should the subject line contain any additional information to distinguish separate proposals from the same Company?

- Answer: The subject line requirement in item 11 on page 2 of ATT010 will be updated to state “[Company Name] World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program and Education RFQ

75D30125Q00092 – Quote – [Target Group Selected]”.

• Question 6: In reference to the Instructions to O�erors, Section II, clause 8, Price

Evaluation (page 10), the instructions indicate that price evaluations of HUBZone small businesses will have 10 percent added. Does this price evaluation preference apply only to prime bidders that are HUBZone small businesses, or to any prime or subcontract organization within a given bid that is a HUBZone small business? For example, if a prime organization is not a HUBZone small business but a subcontract organization is, would the bid receive the HUBZone small business preference?

- Answer: The exception at FAR 52.219-4(a)(1)(i) will apply to each o�eror (prime) based on that o�eror’s Hubzone representation. The application of the 10 percent addition to all non-Hubzone o�erors will be applied at on a line item basis in accordance with FAR

52.219-4(a)(2). No exceptions are provided for on the basis of subcontracted work to

Hubzone subcontractors.

• Question 7: We have read in public press accounts that the CDC Contract sta� has been fired. Who will be responding to vendor questions about this solicitation? Who will evaluate contract proposals?

- Answer: As of this time, the contact information for this RFQ remains unchanged. In the event that a new point of contact is needed, an RFQ amendment will be posted.

• Question 8: Please define “Active Engagement.” Will posting WTCHP info to a Facebook group, for instance, count as “Active Engagement”? [Page 4 PWS]

- Answer: “An actively engaged individual is one that received education that meets one or more of the components of acceptable O&E activities (also listed in Task 2):

o Promoting overall awareness of and interest in the WTC Health Program within the general and selected population(s), o Educating the general and selected population(s) about Program benefits, eligibility criteria, the application process, and any other relevant information about the Program, o Encouraging general and selected populations to apply to enroll in the Program, if eligible, and o Providing application assistance to those interested in enrolling as a member into the Program.

Examples of actively engaging individuals include, but are not limited to instances where individual:

1. Attended an informational session, webinar, or presentation,

2. Was provided with the Outreach Kit, or other educational materials to take with them,

3. Had conversations in-person, by phone, or over chat or email about the

Program, their eligibility, and/or application process, and

4. Was provided with application assistance.”

Page 3-4

Facebook posting is considered a passive engagement.

There should be some ability to describe and define what type of education about the

Program a person received, which Facebook posts alone are inadequate to do. The goal is for meaningful education and engagement with potentially eligible individuals that help guide them through the Strategic Member Journey.

• Question 9: In previous contracts, contractors have been required to produce detailed monthly reports, to update Strategic Outreach Plans, and to produce a Cumulative Report in draft and final form. A significant amount of the information in these reports is duplicative across the di�erent formats. Will the Program be requiring additional reporting for the next contract? If so, will the Program provide additional funding to cover the extra reporting work? [Page 5 PWS – Outreach Assessment Plan, Pages 9-11 PWS – Section 8 Deliverables

Reporting Schedule]

- Answer: The reporting requirements for this e�ort are outlined in Section 8 of the PWS.

The Government intends to award this contract utilizing a Firm Fixed Price pricing arrangement. The agreed upon prices for the work stipulated in the PWS is not subject to any adjustment on the basis of the contractor’s cost experience in performing the contract in accordance with FAR 16.202-1. The Contractor will only be required to perform and deliver the services and deliverables stipulated in the PWS at the agreed upon pricing. Any changes to the scope of work or specifications would require bilateral agreement in accordance with FAR 52.212-4(c) (as incorporated in the contract), and would be subject to a negotiated equitable adjustment.

• Question 10: What is the total amount of funding per year allocated by the Program to

Outreach and Education contracts?

- Answer: Funding information allocated to the program will not be publically released and does not impact the o�eror’s ability to respond to this RFQ. The anticipated budget limitations for each Target Group are outlined in section 13 of the Instructions to

O�erors and Evaluation Factors for Award attachment to the solicitation.

• Question 11: If an o�eror submits a quote for the Young Adult contract only, is the Program asking for the o�eror to bar parents of young adults from engagement activities? Is the

Program asking for us to exclude parents from event attendance and other engagement metrics? How will this work? It is not clear from the solicitation. [Page 4 PWS]

- Answer: O�erors may propose activities and outreach strategies that they think will reach their proposed target groups and identified subpopulations. This includes outreach to relatives or other word-of-mouth opportunities. It is expected that the majority of outreach will focus on reaching the target group and identified subpopulations directly.

• Question 12: If an oferror submits separate quotes for both the Survivor contract and the

Young Adult contract, will the o�eror be required to ‘actively engage” 1500 potentially eligible individuals per year? To the best of our knowledge, such numbers have never been achieved by any group doing outreach and education to survivors. Again, if this is the requirement, will the Program be providing the level of funding to create the sta�ing to reach this goal? [Page 4 PWS – Minimum Outreach Standards]

- Answer: The o�eror will be expected to meet the minimum outreach standards for each separate proposal. This means that the minimum outreach standard for:

o Survivor target group would be 750 potentially eligible individuals, including 250 novel potentially eligible individuals, and for the o Young Adult target group would be 750 potentially eligible individuals, including

250 novel potentially eligible individuals

The total for these two proposals and contracts would be 1500 potentially eligible individuals including 500 novel potentially eligible individuals for both proposals and, if awarded, contracts.

• Question 13: Young adults have told us that they are bombarded by social media ads from law firms seeking VCF clients. Has anyone in the Comms o�ice done an analysis of these

TV and social media ads or surveyed survivors so as to understand the impact? As a result of these ads and of WTCHP outreach work, 'naive subjects' for this population are hard to come by. Will the Program reconsider its requirement for engaging 250 survivors/year who are presumed to have never encountered 9/11 health and compensation information? We do not understand the utility of such a goal, given that in our long experience, it takes several encounters with survivors before they decide to apply to the Program. [Page 4 PWS

– Minimum Outreach Standards]

- Answer: The Program does not expect o�erors to reach individuals who have never encountered 9/11 health and compensation information previously. The Program identifies novel attendees as those who, to the best of the o�erors knowledge, have not attended or were previously contacted by the WTC Health Program (or its contractors).

The Program relies on its contractors and their reports and analyses to develop these goals and minimum standards.

• Question 14: In the course of our work as WTCHP contractors, we have provided enrollment assistance to approximately 100 eligible survivors per year and we have had attendance at our outreach presentations of fewer than 200 per year. We know that some of these people were not attending their first outreach event, but had not applied to the

WTCHP yet despite being eligible. This pattern is typical of many survivors. We are concerned that the new standard of engagement is unachievable. Is this contract substantially higher in value than outreach contracts the Program has awarded in the past decade? [Page 4 PWS – Minimum Outreach Standards]

- Answer: The budget limitations are addressed on page 5-6 of ATT010 “Instructions to

O�erors and Evaluation Factors for Award”. The Government anticipates that o�erors will be able to satisfy the minimum outreach standard within these budgetary limitations.

• Question 15: For example, the Program contracted with the RAND Corporation to run a process to engage "community partners" including young adult survivors in development of the Youth Research Cohort. With all the resources made available to RAND by the Program, including a contact list of some 7000 people who signed up for e-updates on the Youth

Research Cohort, RAND was only able to engage approximately 30 potentially eligible young adults, across the 4 webinar meetings it ran from January through March of this year. On what basis does the Program believe it is feasible to actively engage 750 young adults in the course of one year when RAND, with all the resources at its disposal, has engaged only 30?

Will the Program provide su�icient funding to enable outreach contractors to meet this new standard? [Page 4 PWS – Minimum Outreach Standards]

- Answer: The minimum standards were developed by the Program for this contract based on several factors, including the performance of current contractors. These standards are also updated to reflect reaching 750 potentially eligible people, including

250 novel potentially eligible individuals, across all O&E activities rather than specific events.

These minimum standards have been publicly available since 7/31/2024 when the

Program published a Request for Information for this solicitation.

• Question 16: We have been approached by several law firms to collaborate on survivor outreach events. We have declined because, as we understood, we are prohibited from working at any outreach events alongside law firms which stand to profit from signing up survivors as VCF claimants. Will the Program continue to prohibit collaborating with law firms in outreach events or other activities?

- Answer: Collaboration with law firms will not be is not permitted for this contract.

• Question 17: The recent Communications Pause generated significant confusion and created delays in outreach activities. If there is a Communications Pause, how will the

Program adjust contract requirements if contractors are again delayed in progress toward deliverables?

- Answer: “Acts of the Government” that cause default/non-performance constitute an

Excusable Delay in accordance with FAR 52.212-4(f). While the specific circumstances of any future event cannot be spoken to at this time, it would fall under the direction of

FAR 52.212-4 paragraphs (f) and (c). Paragraph (f) establishes the procedure for the contractor identifying, notifying the CO, and resolving any default / non-performance arising from an excusable delay. Paragraph (c) allows for bilateral changes (such as extensions to delivery dates), the need for which may arise from such excusable delays.

• Question 18: Are o�erors required to distribute the outreach materials attached to the solicitation? What market-testing has the Program done of these materials? What is the experience of those who created these materials with the 9/11 community? Does the

Program believe that handing survivors the folder is going to result in timely enrollments? It

Fris our experience that survivors want to be able to take in key details on their eligibility and benefits at a glance. That is the case for the outreach materials that are currently provided on the WTCHP website. Will we be able to opt for these prior materials instead? Will we be able to produce our own materials? [This question refers to the Folder and the Overview, as well as any other relevant documents attached to the RFQ.]

- Answer: O�erors are expected to use the materials provided by the Program. These materials are developed, updated, and more materials are regularly created based on input and feedback from Program contractors. O�erors, if awarded a contract, may develop their own materials if the needs for materials are not met by the current materials provided by the Program, or for specific events. All materials developed by any contractor must be approved by the Program prior to use according to the PWS and are only approved for individual-case use. Any repeat use of materials must be approved for each and every separate use.

• Question 19: 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: This is a follow-on requirement for World Trade Center Health Program

Outreach and Education services. The previous contract award numbers were

75D30122C14079, 75D30122C14080, 75D30122C14081 and 75D30122C14082.

• Question 20: In reference to ATT009 “Peformance Work Statement”, Section 4, Task 4, Page

6, does the Government expext o�erors to develop and provide outreach and education materials in multiple languages? If so, what languages?

- Answer: The Program makes every e�ort to provide translated materials in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Polish. If specific Program materials are needed in one of these languages, the Program has a translation service they use. If the o�eror develops their own materials, they will be responsible for the translation of that material.

• Question 21: In reference to ATT010 “Instructions to O�erors and Evaluation Factors for

Award”, Section 1c “Technical Outreach Plan”, page 4, will the Government accept the completed Technical Outreach Plan Proposal Template to be included as an Appednix and not counted against the 15-page limit?

- Answer: No. However, if the o�eror would like to provide an Audience Analysis this will be accepted as an appendix. Also, if the o�eror would like to provide examples of outreach materials or activities in detail, they may include these as an appendix.

Enough detail should be included in the Outreach and Education Plan for full review, with these details used only to provide further explanations the o�eror would like included.

• Question 22: In reference to ATT010 “Instructions to O�erors and Evaluation Factors for

Award”, item 2 “Demonstrated Experience”, page 4, will the Government accept the 3

Demonstrated Experience examples to be included as an Appendix and not counted against the 15-page limit?

- Answer: Demonstrated experiences examples are exlcluded from the 15 page limit, per

Section 12 of the Instructions to O�erors and Evaluation Factors for Award attachment to the solicitation.

• Question 23: In reference to ATT010 “Instructions to O�erors and Evaluation Factors for

Award”, item 3 “Sta�ing Plan”, page 4, will the Government accept the resume for key personnel (project manager) to be included as an Appendix and not counted against the 15-page limit?

- Answer: Yes, the Government will accept the resume for key personnel as an appendix that does not count towards the Technical Proposal page limitation stipulated in item 12 on page 2 of ATT010. Resumes are excluded from the 15 page limit, per Section 12 of the

Instructions to O�erors and Evaluation Factors for Award attachment to the solicitation.

• Question 24: In reference to ATT009 “Performance Work Statement”, How will coordination across multiple awardees be governed, specifically in terms of geographic responsibilities, shared outreach channels, and message consistency?

- Answer: The coordination of multiple awardees is managed by the Program. There is a single Contracting O�icer Representative (COR) and Program subject matter expert assigned to oversee and support all O&E contractors. Outreach e�orts are coordinated across O&E and other Program contractors through a monthly Outreach Coordination

Call which these contractors are expected to attend. Since O&E o�erors propose to focus on target groups and identified subpopulations, geographic responsibilities are less of a concern. That is to say, that there are not “zones” which one partner may operate in and others cannot. Contracts are awarded, in part, to help ensure that as many target groups and/or subpopulations are being reached as possible. To help ensure message consistency, O&E contractors are expected to use Program materials whenever able. These materials are developed and updated regularly based on feedback from contractors and interested parties, and with a focus on Program message and branding consistency.

• Question 25: In reference to ATT009 “Performance Work Statement”, Section 1

“Background”, Page 2, Can you clarify how the government will prioritize among the three target populations—Survivor, Responder, and Young Adult—when awarding contracts? Are there specific enrollment or awareness KPIs tied to each population that we should align our proposed outcomes with?

- Answer: The Evaluation Factors for Award are spoken to in ATT010 “Instructions to

O�erors and Evaluation Factors for Award” and will be evaluated in accordance with

FAR 52.212-2 as tailored therein. Proposals for each individual Target Group will be evalutated and ranked separately. There is no preference that is stipulated or that is being utilized in the evaluation process amongst Target Groups. The o�eror will propose the metrics that they will use to track and report on their activities to the Program.

“Contractor shall track performance metrics for each O&E activity completed. These metrics shall include at least:

a. Total number of attendees,

b. Number of actively engaged attendees (actively engaged as defined above),

c. Follow-ups conducted or scheduled during and/or following activity, as applicable, and

d. Digital and print metrics including website visits, impressions, reach, click-throughs, placements, and circulation numbers., as applicable.”

ATT009 PWS Page 4

“Other possible metrics for measuring success include, but are not limited to:

a. Conversion rate from Introduction to the Interest, Preparation, and Application stages of the Strategic Member Journey (ATT003), attendees sharing their contact details for vendor follow-up,

b. Confirmation that incoming calls following events are from event attendees, and

c. Count of Program-related materials distributed at outreach events. Digital and print metrics including website visits, impressions, reach, click-throughs, placements, and circulation numbers.”

ATT009 PWS Page 6

The o�eror may propose other metrics they will track as well.

• Question 26: In reference to ATT009 “Performance Work Statement”, Task 3, page 6, can you elaborate on the anticipated process and timeline for obtaining Government clearance of outreach materials, and whether expedited review processes could be introduced for time-sensitive campaigns?

- Answer: In the Deliverables table, Section 8, page 8-9:

Draft and Final Versions of outreach collateral materials (including PSAs, fact sheets, presentations, Program talking points, etc.)*

One draft of materials must be submitted to

NIOSH no fewer than 14 calendar days prior to use and the final version with all edits incorporated must be submitted no fewer than seven calendar days prior to use.

Section 4, Task 2 and, if applicable, Task

The o�eror should expect and make every e�ort to adhere to this schedule. In extreme situations, the contractor, COR, and SME may agree to provide an expedited process, as they are able. This should only occur in extenuating circumstances for unplanned opportunities. Events that are planned, or can reasonably be anticipated, should use the schedule above and exceptions will not be made. As best as able, it is in the best of all to consider these the deadlines, and not the timeline. Contractors may, and are encouraged, to submit materials as soon as able, even if longer than 14 calendar days prior to use.

• Question 27: In reference to ATT009 “Performance Work Statement”, Task 3, page 6, to what extent will the government allow the use of digital platforms, influencers, and culturally-specific media channels that might require unconventional clearance pathways?

- Answer: It is unclear what “unconventional clearance pathways” means. The Program encourages a diverse and mixed-method approach that is appropriate and culturally-sensitive to reach their audience. The Program is ready to support new and innovative approaches to outreach, including the methods above. The contractor is responsible for any and all costs associated with their O&E activities, using the awarded amount.

• Question 28: In reference to ATT009 “Performance Work Statement”, Task 10 “Quality

Assurance Performance Matrix”, page 12, Section 10 and Strategic Outreach Plan, bullet 2 specifically reference as part of a performance metric, 250 of those who have “not been reached before”. Will real-time data be shared between multiple awardees and the government in determination of this performance metric and if yes, what technology will be utilized?

- Answer: This is based on the contractor’s best knowledge. The Program understands that this is a di�icult metric to gauge. It is the expectation that the contractor will make every e�ort to track and meet this target to the best of their knowledge and ability. The

Outreach Assessment Report (OAR) (Section 8, number 2, page 9-10) may also be used to track and report this.

• Question 29: In reference to ATT009 “Performance Work Statement”, Task 4 “Tasks to be

Delivered”, page 3, are there any requirements to track individuals by name, in addition to the requirement to track other metrics such as total number of persons reached, etc.?

Specifically, the Strategic Outreach Plan for Member Journey (ATT003) identifies the various stages of engagement. Is it the Government’s intention for the contractor to gather metrics by stage, if not by the names of the persons contacted?

- Answer: There is no expectation to track individuals by name, or necessarily by stage

(though this may be helpful to the contractor to maximize their impact and to complete the OAR, as they see fit). The Member Journey is intended to help O&E contractors focus their activities to maximize their impact and intended outcomes. It should be included in the Strategic Outreach Plan to indicate which stage a particular activity is intended to address.

“Contractor shall track performance metrics for each O&E activity completed. These metrics shall include at least:

1. Total number of attendees,

2. Number of actively engaged attendees (actively engaged as defined above),

3. Follow-ups conducted or scheduled during and/or following activity, as applicable, and

4. Digital and print metrics including website visits, impressions, reach, click-throughs, placements, and circulation numbers., as applicable

Contractor may propose alternative metrics to be considered and accepted by CDC via the Strategic Outreach Plan prior to implementation.”

ATT009 PWS Page 4

• Question 30: In reference to ATT009 “Performance Work Statement”, Task 4 “Tasks to be

Delivered”, page 6, what is the standard number of days (calendar or working days) that the

Government has in which to respond and provide comments to materials that the contractor submits in performance of its duties? As an example, under Outreach

Assessment Plan, reference Task 3: Obtain clearance and approval of all outreach materials and distribute select materials, developed as part of Task 2.

- Answer: Inspection and acceptance of deliverables will take place in accordance with

FAR 52.212-4(a), which does not specify a set number of days. The Government will inspect and accept/reject deliverables within a reasonable time.

• Question 31: In reference to Page 4, ATT010 – “Instructions to O�erors and Evaluation

Factors for Award”, will the Government accept demonstrated experience examples of projects that are in progress in addition to those that have been completed within the past three years?

- Answer: Yes.

• Question 32: In reference to Page 4, ATT010 – “Instructions to O�erors and Evaluation

Factors for Award”, for the Sta�ing Plan, the instructions specify to include, “A resume of the key personnel (project manager), listing experience and, where relevant, educational background.” Is there a reason why “project manager” is specified in brackets?

- Answer: This is provided as an example of key personnel. Any identified key personnel should be able to demonstrate the experience and ability to manage the projects and activities required by the proposal.

• Question 33: In reference to page 5, ATT010 – “Instructions to O�erors and Evaluation

Factors for Award”, can the government confirm the location of “section B of the solicitation”?

- Answer: Yes. This reference to Section B of the contract is in the Standard Form 1449, with the heading “Supplies or Services and Prices/Cost”. It begins on page 3 and ends on page 5. An RFQ amendment will be executed to update this language to reference the correct heading.

• Question 34: In reference to pages 1-2, ATT010 – “Instructions to O�erors and Evaluation

Factors for Award”, can the Government confirm whether or not there will be three separate subcontracting plans through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Small Business Customer Experience (SBCX) system specific to the three separate target populations?

- Answer: A separate Small Business Subcontracting Plan is required to be submitted for each quote if the o�eror is other than a small business o�eror in accordance with item 9 on page 1-2 of ATT010, and shall be submitted electronically using the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Small Business Customer Experience (SBCX) system at http://osdbu.hhs.gov.

• Question 35: In reference to pages 1-2, ATT010 – “Instructions to O�erors and Evaluation

Factors for Award”, can the Government confirm that a Cover Page and the Table of

Contents do not count against the 15-page limit in the technical proposal?

- Answer: Yes, the Government confirms that the Cover Page and Table of Contents does not count toward the 15-page limitation for the technical proposal. An ammendment will be executed to update ATT010, pg. 1, item 12 to reflect this.

• Question 36: In reference to page 1, ATT010 – “Instructions to O�erors and Evaluation

Factors for Award”, the instructions for o�erors states that “O�erors must submit separate and distinct proposals for each Target Group to which they are proposing.” Given the potential for significant operational e�iciencies across populations, could CDC clarify where in the proposal(s) o�erors should describe cross-cohort e�iciencies or benefits that would result from being awarded multiple cohorts?

- Answer: For this requirement, the Government has determined that it is in its best interest to evaluate proposals separately by population. Therefore, each proposal will stand alone and multiple Target Groups cannot be combined in a single proposal.

• Question 37: In reference to page 6 of ATT009 – “Performance Work Statement”, Task 3 states that “materials will be delivered to the Contractor after award for print distribution.”

Are there any new outreach materials CDC anticipates the Contractor may need to develop to supplement existing outreach materials?

- Answer: In general, the Program expected contractors to use Program materials as much as possible. There may times for specific events or needs that new materials are needed. In these instances the contractor is responsible for developing these materials.

If a contractor believes that a new material is needed for more general Program use to improve its O&E ability, they may propose this to the Program at any time. If agreed, the

Program will develop the material. Program-developed materials may take time to fully create, design, and clear through all channels.

• Question 38: In reference to page 6 of ATT009 – “Performance Work Statement”, Task 2 specifies the contractor will place paid and donated PSAs on relevant channels. Can CDC provide a sense of the magnitude for paid advertising costs that should be included as part of the budget?

- Answer: This section provides examples of O&E activities that the contractor may choose to conduct, and should not be considered required by the contractor.

“A non-exhaustive list of examples of potential O&E activities and associated measurements of success are listed below; other appropriate and culturally sensitive activities may be proposed in the Strategic Outreach Plan (Task 1) and submitted for approval by the Program.” ATT009 Page 5, emphasis added

• Question 39: In reference to page 3, ATT010 – “Instructions to O�erors and Evaluation

Factors for Award”, the Outreach and Education section specifies that if the o�eror would like to conduct an audience analysis, it can be included in the proposal. Can CDC specify what audience analysis activities have already been conducted to date to help inform our approach?

- Answer: The Program has limited data on potentially eligible individuals. The Program relies on its contractors to identify and meet the O&E needs and markets of potentially eligible individuals in their target group(s) and any identified subpopulations.

• Question 40: Will there be an opportunity to ask questions about the RFQ? May we set a call with you?

- Answer: Yes, in accordance with item 10, page on page 2 of ATT010 “Instructions to

O�erors and Evaluation Factors for Award”, inquiries concerning this RFQ should be submitted in writing by email to the Contract Specialist no later than 4:00 PM EST/EDT on 4/7/2025. No phone calls or virtual sessions will be held for questions regarding this

RFQ.

• Question 41: Does the selection of NAICS code 813319 “Other Social Advocacy

Organizations” limit competition to only those contractors who are considered Social

Advocacy organizations?

- Answer: No. This RFQ utilizes full and open competition. The selection of NAICS code

813319 establishes the Small Busines Size Standard for this requirement and whether an o�eror will be considered a small business or “other than a small business” based on this size standard. This does not restrict competition to organizations who typically do business within the NAICS code 813319.

• Question 42: Is the only acceptable proposed budget one that is presented in Attachment

ATT008?

- Answer: Yes. ATT008 must be utilized in accordance with ATT010 “Instructions to

O�erors and Evaluation Factors for Award”, page 5, Item 13n.

• Question 43: The contractor respectfully requests an extension of the proposal submission date/time to Friday May 02 at 4:00 PM EST/EDT.

- Answer: The Government is not able to grant an extension at this time.

• Question 44: Is the $250,000 amount per contract year intended to be split among multiple contractors, or should our proposal reflect the full $250,000 as the budget for a single contract year?

- Answer: The Government’s anticipated budget limitation as stipulated within ATT010

“Instructions to O�erors and Evaluation Factors for Award”, pages 5 and 6, does not stipulate the number of contracts that will be awarded for each population and associated budget limitation, but is intended to provide o�erors with the following guidance:

“O�erors are instructed that their proposal (inclusive of the travel costs) for any particular Target Population should not exceed the budgetary limit for that Target

Population.”

• Question 45: For the solicitation face page, should we fill in item 17a with our UEI or CAGE code?

- Answer: Please provide your organization’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

• Question 46: For the solicitation face page, item 24, should we provide the total contract value (Base + Option Years) or just the initial Period of Performance (Base Year)?

- Answer: For the inputs for items 19 – 24 on the solicitation facepage, the text “See

Schedule” has been input. In accordance with ATT010 “Instructions to O�erors and

Evaluation Factors for Award”, page 5, item 13l, please complete Section B of the solicitaion with the heading “Supplies or Services and Prices/Cost”, pages 3-5 with this information.

• Question 47: Could you please confirm that we should not sign the solicitation document, page 13 or 14, regarding “Identification of Non-Government Employees”?

- Answer: In accordance with CDCH.16(a), “The contractor and contractor employees shall prepare and submit Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA) to the Contracting O�icer prior to access of government information or the commencement of work at CDC.” As such, the NDAs are not required at the time of proposal submission; however, they would be required prior to the contractor commencing in performance of the work, period of performance anticipated to bein 15 June 2025.

• Question 48: Though an updated link for the small business subcontracting plan submission in SBCX was posted within the 3rd amendment to the solicitation, the link only allows for one submission of a subcontracting plan. How would you like these plans submitted if the o�eror is seeking to provide responses for more than one population/target group?

- Answer: Solicitation Amendment 0004 is being released to provide individual Small

Business Subcontracting submission links in SBCX for each population (Survior, Responder and Young Adult). Contractors shall upload their small business subcontracting plan (if applicable) to the link associated with the population/target group selected within its proposal as stipulation in ATT010 “Instructions to O�erors and

Evaluation Factors for Award”, pages 1-2, Item 9.

• Question 49: Per the instructions of ATT010, we need to upload a subcontracting plan or

“an explanation of why no subcontracting opportunities exist by other than small business o�erors.” But when we open the subcontracting plan for the WTC program, and maneuver to

“Subcontracting goals” to try to upload something, it is asking to add a dollar amount under the dialog box named “Eligible Subcontracting Dollars” to proceed to Step 2. Specifically, it says “Please provide the eligible subcontracting dollars amount.” If we do not plan to spend any dollars on a subcontractor, how should we proceed?

- Answer: If the o�eror is opting to submit an explanation as to why no subcontracting opportunities exist, that explanation can be submitted in the o�eror’s own format as a separate attachment within its proposal submission email and will not submit a small business subcontracting plan through SBCX.