Attachment J-2 - Questions and Answers_V2 dated 2.12.26.pdf

Attachment J-2 Question and Answers for 75D301-26-Q-78814:

Q1. Is there currently an incumbent for these roles listed in the RFQ 75D301-26-Q-78814?

If so, are you able to provide the current contract number or awardee?

A1. The original contract HHSD20020179304C, was awarded on 5/16/2017 as an 8(a) sole source direct contract to General Informatics. Follow-on contract, 75D30120C07864 was awarded as an 8(a) direct sole source to Johnsons Consulting, LLC (dba Cetechs) on 09/01/2020 and expires on February 28, 2026.

Q2. Is there an opportunity for this to be awarded to an 8(a) firm as it was in the past?

A2. At this time, the notice has been issued as a total set-aside for SDVOSB. As part of our market research, if we do not receive responses from at least two qualified SDVOSB firms, we will evaluate other small business programs, including the 8(a) program, to determine the most appropriate acquisition strategy. The final approach will be based on the results of this market research.

Q3. Attachment J-1 references Wage Determination 2015-5831 for DeKalb County, Georgia, while Section 6 identifies the primary place of performance as Cincinnati, Ohio. Please confirm which geographic location the Government intends to use for the applicable Wage Determination.

A3. The wage determination for Cincinnati, Ohio applies. Wage determination 2015-4719 will be included within the solicitation and Wage Determination 2015-5831 will be removed.

Q4. We noted references to different deadlines for submission of questions (February 3, 2026, and February 11, 2026). Please confirm the correct due date and time for submitting questions.

A4. Questions related to the Sources Sought Notice are due by February 4, 2026, which aligns with the response date for the Sources Sought. Questions related to the final solicitation (once issued) are due by February 11, 2026. Quotes are due by February 16, 2026.

Q5. Please advise whether the government anticipates any page limitations or formatting requirements for quote submissions.

A5. There are no specific page limitations for Volume I Price Proposals. There is a 25-page limit for Volume II Technical Proposals. See Section L instructions within the solicitation.

Q6. Please confirm whether offerors are expected to submit past performance information as part of their response, or if past performance is not anticipated to be a factor for this requirement.

A6. Evaluation for this requirement will be conducted using the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) source selection process. Past performance will not be considered as an evaluation factor, and offerors are not required to submit past performance information as part of their response. However, offerors are encouraged to provide relevant experience to demonstrate their capability to meet the requirements outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Q7. Please confirm whether the Government anticipates designating any positions as Key Personnel and whether resumes or similar documentation would be helpful or expected as part of an offeror's response.

A7. No. The Government will not designate any positions as Key Personnel for this requirement. Therefore, resumes or similar documentation are not required as part of an offeror’s response. However, offerors are encouraged to provide relevant employee experience to demonstrate their capability to meet the requirements outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Section L.4(b) has been updated to remove “key personnel” language.

Q8. For planning purposes, is the Government able to provide an estimated range of hours associated with initial onboarding training and annual refresher training for contractor personnel?

A8. Contractors should propose any anticipated or relevant training hours within their proposal to ensure adequate planning and resource allocation for meeting all contract requirements.

Q9. Please confirm the Government’s intended approach for accounting for time spent completing mandatory training activities (for example, whether such time should be considered within overall labor hour planning).

A9. See A8.

Q10. Will the Government change Block 10 from “SMALL DISADV BUSINESS 8(a)” to

SDVOSB?

A10. Yes.

Q11. Will the Government confirm that this contract will be a Firm Fixed Price services contract?

A11. Yes. As stated within Section A of the RFQ, the Government intends to award a single Firm Fixed Price purchase order (which will constitute a contract upon acceptance).

Q12. Will the Government change CLIN 4001’s period of performance from “03/01/2029 to 02/28/2030” to 03/01/2030 to 2/28/2031?

A12. Yes.

Q13. When does the Government anticipate awarding the contract?

A13. Award is anticipated on or before February 27, 2026.

Q14. When is the transition/phase-in period?

A14. The solicitation has been updated in Sections L, M, and PWS to include the following requirement:

The Contractor shall provide a Transition/Phase-In Plan to ensure continuity of services during the initial 30-day transition period following contract award. The plan shall include activities necessary to assume full responsibility for contract performance without disruption to Government operations. The Contractor shall identify key milestones, staffing strategies, and risk mitigation measures to ensure a smooth transition. All transition activities shall be completed within 30 calendar days of contract award.

Q15. What are the Government’s stipulated Occupation Codes for the contract positions:

Data Processing Clerk II – Team Lead, Data Processing Clerk II –QC; Data Processing Clerk II, and Data Processing Clerk I?

A15. IAW the 2015-4719 Wage Determination No. 2015-4719, the Occupational Codes for Data Processing Clerks are as follows:

Data Processing Clerk II-Team Lead: 01052

Data Processing Clerk II-QC: 01052

Data Processing Clerk II: 01051

Data Processing Clerk I: 01051

Q16. In order to accurately calculate the PTO component of fringe costs what is each position holder’s seniority on the current contract?

A16. The Government does not provide individual employee seniority or Paid Time Off details (PTO). Offerors should rely on the applicable Department of Labor Wage Determination included in the solicitation and make any additional assumptions or calculations based on their own internal business practices when estimating fringe costs, in accordance with FAR 22.1002 and FAR 31.205-6.

Q17. Which Data Processing Clerk I (DPC I) performs on-government-site work? DPC I(a), DPC I(b), or both DCP Is?

A17. The Data Processing Clerk I (a) tasks will be performed off-site, while the Data Processing Clerk I (b) tasks will be performed on-site at the CDC facility.

Q18. What Data Processing Clerk I tasks are performed on-government-site and which are performed off-site?

A18. See A17.

Q19. Do the “(a) and the (b)” identifiers for each Labor Category indicate the Team to which they are assigned? i.e. Team a and Team b?

A19. Yes.

Q20. How many on-government-site desks/cubicles will the Government provide to the contractor workforce?

A20. One (1) desk/cubicle will be available for the on-site contractor workforce. If off-site personnel are required to come to the Government facility for meetings or other activities, additional desks and workspace will be made available as needed.

Q21. Will the Government confirm that the primary place of performance for the contractor workforce is a contractor-provided facility in or near Cincinnati, Ohio?

A21. Yes. The primary place of performance for the contractor workforce will be a contractor-provided facility in or near Cincinnati, Ohio. IAW PWS Section 6, Subsection A Place of Performance, “Contractor performance for all coders will be off site with the ability to visit CDC campus if necessary. The Data Clerk I shall be onsite at CDC facility three days per week.”

Q22. What radius in miles from the Alice Hamilton Laboratory is an acceptable distance for the contractor-provided facility?

A22. The Government does not prescribe a specific mileage radius for the contractor-provided facility. However, the facility should be located in or near Cincinnati, Ohio, to ensure reasonable proximity for any required on-site visits and coordination. Offerors should propose a location that supports timely access to the CDC campus at Alice Hamilton Laboratory, 5555 Ridge Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45213, and demonstrate in their proposal how they will meet performance requirements without disruption.

Q23. Will the Government clarify which tier level background investigation the contractor staff should have? Tier 1 or Tier 2S?

A23. Tier 1. See PWS Section 12, Section I: Training (15) Position Sensitivity Designations.

Q24. Will the Government place an “X” in Clause __ (25) 52.219-27, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the SDVOSB Program (Feb 2024) (15 U.S.C. 657f) as this solicitation is an SDVOSB set-aside?

A24. Yes.

Q25. Will the Government accept a 10-point font for tables within the Technical Proposal?

A25. Yes.

Q26. Will the Government change the proposal due date from 2/16/26 (Federal holiday) to 2/17/26?

A26. Yes. The proposal due date has been revised to NLT 3:00PM EST February 17, 2026.

Q27. In Q&A #7, the Government states that resumes are not required but encourages offerors to provide “relevant employee experience” to demonstrate capability to meet the PWS requirements.

A27. The Government will not designate any positions as Key Personnel, and resumes are not required (See A7). However, offerors are encouraged to provide information that demonstrates their capability to meet the requirements of the PWS. This may include:

• A description of the general qualifications and experience levels for proposed labor categories (e.g., education, certifications, years of experience).

• Evidence of prior performance in recruiting, placing, and managing personnel who have successfully performed similar services under comparable contracts.

Offerors may present this information in narrative form, summary tables, or other formats that clearly demonstrate their ability to provide qualified personnel and successfully perform the work.

Q28. To support accurate staffing and pricing assumptions, could the Government please confirm whether the scope of work in the current PWS differs materially from the scope of work under the prior PWS for this requirement? If changes have occurred, please identify whether they represent additions, reductions, or modifications to the previously performed work.

A28. The scope of work in the current PWS remains substantially consistent with the prior requirement. There are no material additions or reductions. Offerors should base staffing and pricing on the current PWS as issued.

Q29. To further support reasonable pricing assumptions, could the Government please confirm whether any high-level historical staffing information, such as the approximate total number of FTEs previously supporting this requirement, is available for reference? If such information is not available, please confirm that Offerors are expected to propose staffing levels based solely on their interpretation of the current PWS.

A29. The Government does not provide historical FTE data for this requirement. Offerors are expected to propose staffing levels based on their interpretation of the current PWS, including workload assumptions and quality control needs. Proposals should clearly justify the proposed labor mix and hours to demonstrate an effective approach.

Q30. For the Pricing Volume submission, could the Government please confirm whether Offerors are required to submit:

(a) a Pricing Volume that includes the completed SF 1449 and any required representations and certifications, and

(b) a separate pricing spreadsheet detailing pricing for all CLINs and the total proposed price; or whether these elements should be combined into a single Pricing Volume submission?

A30. Offerors shall submit one Pricing Volume that includes:

a. Required representations/certifications.

b. Pricing for all CLINs and total price.

Section L of the solicitation is updated to remove the SF 1449 which is not required with the offer. The SF 1449 will be prepared and executed by the Government at award.

Q31. Could the Government please confirm whether DFSE anticipates significant fluctuations in workload volume over the period of performance (e.g., surge periods tied to studies, reporting cycles, or data backlogs), or whether workload is expected to remain relatively steady?

A31. The Government does not anticipate significant fluctuations in workload volume.

Workload is expected to remain steady and will be performed during normal business hours.

Q32. Could the Government please confirm whether all data entry, coding, records management, and FOIA support activities will be performed solely within Government provided systems and tools, with no requirement for contractor provided software or platforms?

A32. All activities will be performed exclusively using Government-owned equipment (e.g., barcoded laptops), software, and tools. Contractors are not required to provide any software or platforms. All Government-furnished equipment must be returned upon completion of the contract.

Q33. Are we allowed to fix the errors on the Pricing Table? "I" is missing on "ITEM", and Option Period 4's period of performance should be "03/01/2030 - 02/28/2031".

A33. Section B of the solicitation is updated to correct the typo and period of performance for CLIN 4001.

Q34. Do table of contents, tables, charts, and figures count toward the 25-page limit, or may they be included without counting against the page total?

A34. Yes. Section L.4(c) 25 page limit applies to all content, including tables, charts, figures, and appendices.

Q35. Is it possible to get a demo of the system prior to the proposal due date, or is there video, literature or articles you can point us to on the product?

A35. Yes. Section L has been update to include L.6 which provides instructions on how to request Attachment J-3 – NICOOS Training Manual and Video Demonstration.

Q36. Are there Government-defined performance thresholds beyond those stated in the PWS that will be used for performance monitoring or evaluation?

A36. No. The Government does not prescribe additional performance thresholds beyond those stated in the PWS and the Performance Matrix.

Q37. What specific quality metrics will the CDC use to determine ‘95%’ performance standard for tasked projects and assignments listed in the Performance Matrix?

A37. IAW PWS Section 7 Subsection A, the Government will monitor performance using system-tracked metrics such as the number of records reviewed, validated, or modified on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Additionally, progress toward established project deadlines will be assessed through regular status meetings and reporting. Surveillance will include inspection of data entered in accordance with project-specific quality control plans and review of contractor-provided weekly status reports detailing entry and error rates, as appropriate.

Q38. The RFP states that the Data Clerk I labor category shall be onsite at the CDC facility 3 days per week. Does this requirement apply to all personnel assigned to that labor category, or is the requirement satisfied by at least one Data Clerk I performing onsite work?

A38. See A17.

Q39. May responsibilities such as team supervision and quality oversight be performed by personnel within the approved labor categories (e.g., Data Processing Clerk II – Team Lead), or does the Government expect distinct functional roles beyond the listed categories?

A39. The Government does not require separate functional roles beyond those listed in the labor categories. The Data Processing Clerk II – Team Lead and the Quality Control Lead are expected to provide leadership and coordination for the team, including facilitating workflow and supporting day-to-day operations, in addition to performing the duties outlined in the PWS.

Q40. Is the Government expecting a fixed staffing level, or may staffing scale dynamically based on workload demand, provided performance requirements are met?

A40. This requirement will be performed on a Firm Fixed Price basis. The Government does not anticipate significant fluctuations in workload demand. Based on current requirements, a staffing level of approximately seven personnel is expected to be sufficient to meet performance objectives during normal business hours, consistent with the Government’s operating schedule. Offerors should propose an approach that ensures all requirements are met within the fixed price structure.

Q41. Will all the protocols required to mitigate failures from NIOCCS be provided to the team?

A41. Yes. The Government will provide all necessary instructions and protocols for addressing NIOCCS errors or system downtime to ensure continuity of operations.

Q42. Will the contractor personnel handle any PII (Personally Identifiable Information) or other sensitive information? If yes, what is the required background investigation level by labor category?

A42. No. Contractor personnel will not handle PII or other sensitive information. All data provided for this effort will be fully de-identified.

Q43. What level of Machine Learning expertise do you expect the coders to have or do the human coders just need to understand the ML-assisted workflow well enough to account for the error residual and do the QC on each other?

A43. No Machine Learning expertise is required.

Q44. What time of ad hoc research and clarification for the low-confidence or ambiguous cases are you expecting the coders to execute?

A44. Coders should limit ad hoc research to a brief review and decision-making process.

Typically, no more than 1–3 minutes should be spent per case before selecting or validating a code.

Q45. Does the CDC need any tooling to help parse structured data and surface those edge cases? If so, would it like the time to stand-up a query engine and wire and engine to it to execute this, or is that out of this scope?

A45. This requirement does not include the development or implementation of additional tooling. Standing up a query engine or similar functionality is out of scope.

Q46. How long (much longer) does CDC intent to utilize this ML product, and is there a plan for eventual upgrade or migration to the new system? If so, what is that timeline and will it impact the duration of this scope?

A46. The Government anticipates continued use of the current ML-assisted system for the foreseeable future. Enhancements and upgrades will be implemented periodically;

however, there are no short-term plans for migration to a new system.

Q47. Would the government like the team to build an LLM to augment existing automation depending on what the current protocol for selecting cases it gives humans to handle out-of-band?

A47. No. The contractor will not be required to develop or implement an LLM. Data coded by the contractor team will be used to support training and retraining of the ML auto-coding models; however, all model refinement activities will be performed by Government IT staff and are outside the scope of this requirement.

Q48. Does the agency expect the Program Manager or any other key personnel to be on-site and if so what would be the expectations? Will the travel expense be paid separately or is that to be included in the price quote?

A48. The Government does not require a Program Manager to be on-site. No travel is required under this contract.

Q49. Is on-site parking free?

A49. Yes. Parking is free and adequate.