SSS Questions and Answers.pdf

1. The government issued a sources sought notice for the same opportunity last year that was due on August 16, 2024. Why did the government reissue the SSN?

a. The Government did release a previous sources sought synopsis (SSS)/request for information (RFI), Notice ID 75D301-24-RFI-OandE, back on July 31, 2024. The previous SSS/RFI requested information pertaining to activities, tools, and approaches for the World Trade Center Health Program to effectively reach target audiences; however, specific information was not requested pertaining to potential vendor capabilities. Therefore, it was determined that more information is needed in order to complete the Government's market research efforts in determining capable sources to inform its acquisition strategy.

2. Is the work currently being performed by a vendor or is this new work? If it is currently being performed by a vendor, who is the vendor, what is the contract number, and are they be eligible to submit a response?

a. There are four existing contracts that were awarded from the previous contract opportunity for Outreach and Education for the World Trade Cener Health

Program. The contract numbers are 75D30122C14079, 75D30122C14080, 75D30122C14081, and 75D30122C14082. Vendor information and eligibility will not be disclosed in response to questions to this SSS.

3. What is the planned acquisition strategy for the requirement (i.e., small business, unrestricted, women-owned small business, 8(a), etc.,)?

a. The acquisition strategy is still being finalized and is not available for public release. The set-aside status is also still being determined and will be announced with the posting of the synopsis and/or solicitation on SAM.gov. Please continue to monitor SAM.gov for the posting of the subsequent synopsis and/or solicitation.

4. What is the planned procurement release strategy (i.e., limited competition, direct award, invite only, etc.)?

a. The acquisition strategy is still being finalized and is not available for public release. Please continue to monitor SAM.gov for the posting of the subsequent synopsis and/or solicitation.

5. What is the planned contract type (i.e., firm fixed price, T&M, hybrid)?

a. It is anticipated that a Firm Fixed Price contract type will be utilized.

6. Does the government anticipate issuing multiple awards to support this requirement? If so, how many awards does the government anticipate issuing?

a. The acquisition strategy is still being finalized and is not available for public release. While the Government does anticipate the possibility of multiple-awards, it is unable to advise to the number of contracts/awards.

7. Will there be a separate CLIN, specifically for ODCs? If so, what is the not to exceed amount?

a. The structure, content and amounts of contract line items have not been determined at this time and their estimates are not subject to public release.

8. Experts estimate that around 400,000 people were impacted by the dust cloud and other adverse effects of the attacks in NYC; Program enrollment is currently only approximately 34% of that total. Is there a list that NIOSH maintains to validate these estimates? If so, what data elements are included in the list, and will it be provided to the vendor?

a. The Government does not keep a list of potentially affected individuals. This estimate is a result of two studies and is documented in the following link:

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/ss/ss7004a1.htm

9. Will preference for this opportunity be given to small businesses, 8(a) organizations, HUBZone, etc.?

a. The set-aside status and preference is still being determined and will be announced with the posting of the synopsis and/or solicitation on SAM.gov.

10. In order to consider how best to support this potential opportunity, is this the correct list of conditions covered by the WTC Health Program:

https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/conditions.html?

a. The official list of WTC Health Program covered conditions can be found at the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/regulations2.html

11. The Sources Sought notice states that “O&E activities may be targeted to the general population and/or to specific underrepresented population(s)”, but also appears to require that respondents target at least one underrepresented population (e.g., the Performance

Work Statement says “activities performed under this contract shall target one or more underrepresented populations”). Could you please confirm that it is a requirement that the proposed approach must reach 1+ underrepresented populations?

a. Yes, responses shall identify 1+ underrepresented populations that will be targeted. Specific activities performed by the contractor may be targeted to the general population and/or the underrepresented population(s). However, responses shall identify the underrepresented population(s) that the contractor wishes to target as specified on page seven (7) of the Sources Sought Synopsis attahment.

12. Would the activity of “helping individuals find/access the application form” or

“providing guidance on how to complete the application form” satisfy the requirement of

“Providing application assistance”?

a. Yes

13. The Performance Work Statement mentions a “Potential Member Needs” listed in the

“Strategic Member Journey”. Would you be able to share the “Strategic Member

Journey,” inclusive of the “Potential Member Needs”?

a. Yes, the Strategic Member Journey in its current format (subject to change prior to solicitation) has been added as an attachment to this notice.

14. The Performance Work Statement mentions that CDC will be able to share a PowerPoint presentation with Program information. To best prepare a response, would it be possible to receive this prior to the Source Sought due date (February 3, 2025)?

a. Yes, the “WTCHealthProgramOverview9-11PartnerUse” PowerPoint has been added as an attachment to this notice (subject to change prior to solicitation).

15. The Performance Work Statement notes that respondents must submit an HHS Section

508 Product Assessment Template. Is this required in response to the Sources Sought notice, or only when the official RFP is released?

a. This is only a requirement in response to a solicitation. No Section 508 responses are required in response to this Source Sought Synopsis.

16. If a solicitation/Request for Proposals is released for this opportunity, when do you expect it will be released given the June 1, 2025 base period start date?

a. Acquistion planning is still ongoing. An anticipated date of release for the request for proposal is not available at this time. Please continue to monitor SAM.gov for the posting of the subsequent synopsis and/or solicitation.

17. What is the amount of funding allotted for this 5-year contract?

a. Funding information will not be disclosed in the questions and responses of this

Sources Sought Synopsis.

18. Is the Government considering alternative NAICS codes other than or in addition to

813319 (Other Social Advocacy Organizations)? If so, can the Government give examples of the other NAICS codes?

a. No, the Government is not considering alternative NAICS codes.

19. Does the Government intend to include an “Economic Statement” with a not-to-exceed

(NTE) value in the upcoming solicitation?

a. No, the Government does not anticipate including an “Economic Statement” with a not-to-exceed value at this time. Please note, the acquisition strategy is still being finalized. Please continue to monitor SAM.gov for the posting of the subsequent synopsis and/or solicitation.