06-06-18_Amendment_2_Questions_and_Responses.pdf

NQIIC IDIQ

75FCMC18R0016 Amendment 2 Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

Question Document, Section, Page Number

Question/Comment Answer

1 If an offeror does not have a federal Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, can the federal de minimis rate of 10% be used for this proposal rather than describing and suggesting our own potential rate?

No. The Offeror must propose using its company’s own budgeted and forecasted indirect cost rates.

2 If our indirect rate proposal is in process and won't be completed by the due date, are we okay to use our latest approved provisional billing rates?

Yes

3 What type of system approval is required for a company that had previously an adequate accounting system but chooses to upgrade or replace its accounting system?

You would need a new post award accounting system audit.

4 Attachment J.12(a) Business Proposal, Indirect Cost Rate, pg. 7

Can a reduced, indirect cost rate CAP be proposed for the sample task order in lieu of actual indirect cost rate?

You should use an actual if your organization has them established.

5 RFP, Section L.15.E.3 CAS Disclosure Statement, p.

Does the CAS Disclosure Statement need to be submitted for the Sample SOW Business Proposal Volume III?

If an organization has it available, CMS is encouraging the submission. If it is not available, it is not require to be submitted with Volume III.

6 RFP document, Section G.16.A.1, p. 35

The solicitation states that a copy of the Contractor's current provisional rate letter must be submitted with each interim voucher. Does this mean a copy of the rate letter should be submitted monthly?

The RFP is clear as written

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

7 NQIIC RFP Section L.15 Subsection E Other Administrative Data Item 3

Item 3 states “A CAS-covered contract may not be awarded until a determination is made that a required Disclosure Statement is adequate.”

Is CAS Disclosure Statement adequacy determination required for IDIQ award or Task Order award?

Required for a task order not the IDIQ.

8 RFP document, Section K.9, p. 119

Can a successful NQIIC offeror utilize a GSA schedule (https://www.gsa.gov/acquisition/purchasing-programs/gsa-schedules) in lieu of Cost Accounting System (CAS) for future cost based Task Orders?

No.

9 RFP document, Section G.16.b, p. 35

This section required submission of a "well-supported" billing rate; to take the place of an interim/provisional rate, within 6 months of contract award. The IDIQ contract by itself has minimal value; documentation to create a well-supported billing rate isn't likely to be available until a cost-reimbursement task order is awarded. The task order(s) will generate actual costs/expenses incurred that might form the basis for a well-supported billing rate.

Might CMS consider rephrasing this as 6 months following the first task order award?

Updated to read Task Order.

10 Can a BFCC Prime also be a QIN-QIO sub and vice versa? No 11 Can a contractor be a sub on BFCC and a sub on NQIIC now or at any time in the future?

No

12 If I propose on NQIIC and don’t receive an award. Can I be a BFCC?

You can propose on both a BFCC and NQIIC, however, you cannot be awarded both.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

13 CMS has consolidated the current oversight and evaluation work under BFCC National Support Contractors.

This makes sense for a small volume of contractors working on similar work activity. That is not the case in NQIIC. There are significant opportunities for consolidation of work across the networks but specialty areas (e.g., ESRD, QIN, etc.) require defined support and the availability of certain expertise. Can CMS please confirm.

The support contract is still under development

14 Is application development organizations working on CCSQ quality systems (Hospital Quality Reporting, ESRD Quality Report System, ..etc) would be considered as having a conflict with the work under this IDIQ?

This would need to be evaluated on a case by case basis on the task order level. While it isn’t an outright conflict, may need to provide information in your OCI submission and potentially provide a mitigation plan.

15 Pediatric PTN in the TCPI Portfolio. Are Medicaid and pediatrics are eligible to apply for this NQIIC opportunity

Yes they are eligible. However, every offeror will be reviewed on a case by case basis for potential COIs.

16 Are small businesses that focus on IT eligible to be on an NQIIC to team if they do IT work as a MAC, RAC, BFCC?

No. The same requirements under section H.1 apply.We do not have privity with subcontractors after award and cannot monitor the COI situation.

17 At the IDIQ level, does the PCI need to be completed for the board members or key personnel for any future task orders?

Complete at IDIQ level and will need to fill out separately for each TO

18 Will proposers who are eliminated in Phase 1 be notified when they are eliminated?

Yes

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

19 The Offeror must identify for CMS, in its written proposal, which [CPARS] evaluations are being referenced for this solicitation." and "When providing CPARS/non-CPARS information, the Contractor shall provide…" and then a list of 10 bullets follows.

We understand requiring the bulleted contract info for non-CPARS contracts; however, given that CMS can access the contract information in CPARS, it seems unnecessary and redundant for Offerors to provide that information for CPARS contracts. Will CMS please reconsider requiring the bulleted contract information for CPARS contracts. For example, we have 15 contracts in CPARS and this would make the past performance section unwieldy to create and unnecessarily long for CMS to evaluate.

Please refer to the amended solicitation

20 Do you have to have the System Award Management (SAM) registration completed for the proosal or by the time awards are made in December?

Registration in SAM must be completed by the time of contract award.

21 Do proposal volume need to be 508 compliant? Proposal submissions for the IDIQ do not need to be 508 compliant. This will occur at the future task order level.

However, section L.15 has been amended to address in your proposal submission whether you meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards

22 For volume II/cost realism, lmust we use actual costs/salaries of our organization at this time?

Yes, Propose on the sample task order as if it is an actual task.

23 If I choose not to propose at this time, will I be able to "Ramp On" at a later date.

There is no guarantee when or if a ramp on will occur. If you are interested in being an NQIIC contractor, you are encouraged to propose at this time.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

24 What will be the negotiations in August? There will be no dollars before task order.

Negotiations will be based on the evaluation of the the phase II technical response and the business proposal response.

25 Is there a limit to the amount or type of past performance that a small business can use?

All offerors are required to follow section L.14C for past performance submission.

26 Can CMS define the anticipated set-aside work so a small business vendor can make an informed decision?

We don’t have confirmed set-aside work for future task orders.

27 Does CMS expect to make a small business award on each Task Order under the NQIIC vehicle? If not, which task orders will have small business set-aside opportunities?

What is the percent of small-business set-aside or sample work share for SB?

Small businesses will be able to compete on most task orders, however, a determination of specific task orders that may include any small-business set-aside work will be determined at the task order level. With the IDIQ type contract, the scope of work is more general and there is no certainty of all the task orders that will be established over the next 5 to 10 years. It is difficult to put a % for SB at this time. However, this will be a consideration for each new task order requirement.

28 If a small business work is not awarded or another opportunity presents itself that may represent an unmitigated conflict, may the small business elect to off-ramp from the vehicle in order to accept work on another contract vehicle?

CMS reserves the unilateral right to ramp off a contractor. The intent of the "ramp off" is not to immediately remove a contractor from award in order to allow them other opportunities. The timing of other opportunities may present themselves sooner than the issuance of task orders under the NQIIC.

At least two awards will be reserved for small businesses and CMS would like the small business awardees to continue under the NQIIC contract.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

29 Can CMS confirm there will be small business set-asides with the National Support Contractors Work?

The National Support Contract is currently under development and information cannot be provided at this time.

30 Please explain how CMS will achieve its small business goals if there are no set-asides for the National Support Contractors?

The National Support contractors are not part of this NQIIC IDIQ.

31 From what I heard at the NCMA meetings, it appeared that CMS was promoting the use of teaming agreements and joint ventures, especially with SBA companies. Why are joint ventures not encourged.

Joint ventures are allowable, if they are legal entities. What is discouraged is companies to be creative and develop a joint venture for the sole purpose of this work.

32 If we are not interested in applying to specific task orders, how will our appliction to be an NQIIC be evaluated? In addition, would it be preferable to explicitly mention that we will not be applying to specific work in our proposal?

The task orders that you choose to propose on is at your discretiona and will not impact the award decision of the IDIQ. The IDIQ is based on your demonstration of being an NQIIC contractor. Please follow the procedures in Section L for what to propose.

33 Will the overarching support contract(s) be a separate contract vehicle?

Yes, the suppot contract is not part of this NQIIC IDIQ

34 If subcontractors are being used for sample task orders, do actual subcontractors need to be named and do their actual cost need to be included as part of the response and business proposal?

Yes, please treat the sample task order as if it was an actual task order.

35 Is the separate narrative for each task order reported in

ESRS?

Yes

36 Explain "Small Business Reserve" under the procurement presentation.

CMS anticipates awarding at least two IDIQ contracts to qualified small businesses.

37 Are subcontracts determined during the proposal process or after the IDIQ contracts have been awarded?

Subcontracts may be proposed with your IDIQ proposal submission but the

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018 intent is to provide subcontract consent at the task order level.

38 Contractors must comply with eligibility requirements to compete at TO level. Can the prime contractor use subcontractor qualifications to meet eligibility requirements?

Prime contractors will be able to use subcontractor qualifications to meet eligibility requirements at the task order level.

39 RFP, L.14 D. Management & Personnel Plan, pg. 146

Bullets 3 and 6 read: "Quality assurance - use of appropriate CIQIP tools (This will be required at the task order level; included here for informational purposes)" and "A Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), contingency planning for extended loss of service, identification of risks, and mitigation strategies (This will be required at the task order level; included here for informational purposes)."

Would CMS confirm if the Offeror is required to submit its CIQIP tools and Continuity of Operations Plan in this proposal? If required in this proposal, will CMS perfmit both documents to be included as Appendices and not be counted towards the volume's page count?

No, this is not required at the IDIQ level.

It will be required at the task order level.

40 RFP, Section L.2.(c)(2), p

This section details includes some of the information that must be included on the Cover Sheet of each volume of the proposal. That information includes "a signature of a person authorized to sign the proposal."

Usually, a signature is included via the transmittal letter, submitted on company letterhead.

Should we submit a transmittal letter (on company letterhead) in addition to the required Cover Sheet, OR should we only submit the signed Cover Sheet and no transmittal letter?

The cover letter is required under the Business Proposal section and should include signtature of a person authorized to sign the proposal. All other references to the cover sheets should include the information provided in Section L.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

41 RFP, Section L.7.D, p.

129, presolicitation conference WebEx

This RFP states, “…offerors must submit an HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template…” During the presolicitation conference, we were instructed to disregard 508 compliance requirement for this solicitation.

Please confirm that we are not required to submit the above-referenced template with the IDIQ and Sample TO.

The solicitation has been amended to clarify that the Template is required at the task order level and is NOT required for the sample task order.

42 RFP, Section L.10 (a, b) p.

131 and Section L.12, p. 137

The titles of the five volumes vary in these sections. Please confirm the exact titles of the five volumes.

Please refere to the amended solicitation

43 RFP, Section L.14.D, p.

This section falls under Volume II: IDIQ Corporate Capacity and Oversight and is titled, "Management & Personnel Plan." Please confirm that there are no key or other personnel requirements for the IDIQ.

Correct - there are no key personnel at the IDIQ level. A Staffing matrix would include personnel labor mix in order to better understand the personnel types that would be available for future task order work. (i.e. program manager, quality improvements specialist, analysts etc). Please refer to amendment.

44 RFP, Section L.15.C, p.

Must we include proof of subcontracting agreements at the IDIQ and/or Sample TO levels? If yes, what would be considered proof? A teaming agreement?

Consent to subcontract, attachment J.2, will be sufficient proof. This will occur at the task order level unless a small business proposing as a prime will be relying on a subcontractor and requests subcontract consent at the IDIQ level.

45 RFP, Section L.15.D.d.1,

p. 149

Please confirm that the "Individual Subcontracting Plan" is the same as the "Small Business Subcontracting Plan referenced in the overall section.

Yes, it is the same.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

46 RFP, Section L.16, p. 152 Please confirm whether large businesses are required to submit Volume IV information for any of its subcontractors for the sample task order.

Large businesses are not required to submit volume IV information for its subcontractors. Refer to amendment.

47 NQIIC IDIQ G. 4 pg. 22 Will CMS include FAR 52.232-40 accelerated payments to small business subcontractors?

FAR 52.232-40 requires that if the government provides accelerated payments to the prime, then the prime must provide accelerated payments to its small business subs. The clause does not provide for accelerated payments to the prime.

48 NQIIC IDIQ G. 8 pg 26 Do small businesses need to have subcontracting plan and meet small business goals also?

No, Subcontracting Program and Reporting is not required for small businesses

49 NQIIC IDIQ G16A2, B

pg 36 & 37

States ceiling rates will be determined at the task order level - does this mean that CMS does not want in our business proposal ceiling rates for the IDIQ at this time - so no penalty for not including with the IDIQ?

Correct.

50 NQIIC IDIQ H1 pg 46 Personal conflict of interest - since this is a sample task order for a hypothetical virus so no way to know if a 'person' has COI etc. does a personal COI need to be completed or just the company Conflict of Interest?

No, a personal COI does not need to be completed for the sample task order.

51 NQIIC H10 pg 76 Clarification: does CMS require the proposal IDIQ and/or Sample TO or a 'sample documents' to be 508 compliant or will this potentially be a requirement at the individual Task Order level?

This will be a requirement at the individual task order level.

52 NQIIC I12 P98 Is this needed at the IDIQ level or sample TO or only as appropriate for upcoming real task orders?

Only as appropriate for real task orders.

53 NQIIC RFP, Section K Do we need to submit a copy of Section K, Reps and Certs for both the prime and subcontractors for this RFP or will an active and updated SAM.gov account be sufficient?

Subcontractors need not fill out Section K of the solicitation; any information for the sbucontractors will be reviewed in SAM.gov

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

54 Attachment J.7_Ktr_Personal_COI_Fin ancial_Disclosure

For the IDIQ RFP, do we need to complete the personal COI for just the key personnel for the Sample Task Order or a key personnel for the IDIQ?

J.7 does not need to be completed for personnel under the sample task order.

The J.7 attachment will be specific to the future task orders. It is not necessary to complete for the IDIQ proposal submission.

55 Attachment J.8_Ktr_Bus_Ethics_COI_ and_Compliance_Prog_R eq

For the IDIQ RFP, do we disclose all active/known contracts or only those that could give rise to a COI to potential future task orders?

Given the uncertainty of requirements of the future task orders, most COIs will be reviewed at the task order level. For the IDIQ RFP, please disclose any contracts referenced in the Contract Limitations chart in Section H.1 of the solicitation that may be a potential conflict.

56 Attachment J.11(a)_Sample Task Order_Statement_of_Wo rk, Section 4 Personnel Requirements, p. 4

Is the Task Order Lead the key personnel for the IDIQ or just this sample task order?

Just the sample task order.

57 Attachment J.12a_Business_Proposal _Instructions_Final, Other Consultants/Subcontract s, p. 4

Do all subcontractors need to submit a business proposal volume or only those with estimated amounts above the consent to subcontract threshold?

Only subcontractors with estimated amounts above the consent to subcontract threshold need to submit a business proposal. For the sample task order, subcontractors that are proposed to perform more than 25% of the total proposed effort would need to submit a business proposal.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

58 Attachment J.12a_Business_Proposal _Instructions_Final, Indirect Costs, p. 5

If our FY19 indirect rate proposal is in process, can we use our latest approved provisional billing rates for this sample task order?

Yes

59 Attachment J.12a_Business_Proposal _Instructions_Final, Labor

If the personnel is a current employee, do we need to provide a pay stub or employee record to show salary or would a HR representative certification/narrative be sufficient?

HR certification/narrative used for support information is acceptable.

60 RFP Section L. page 142 Volume IIA Section C.

Personnel

Are resumes required for Volume IIA only (i.e., not for IIB)?

Should resumes be provided for both the task order specific personnel as well as the personnel required for infrastructure, support etc?

Correct, Resumes required for Volume IIA only. All other support personnel required for infrastructure and support can be described in your narrative.

61 RFP Section L. page 142 Volume IIA Section C.

Personnel

Should the "Skill Mix" requested for Volume IIA include the management and supportive personnel included for the IDIQ SOW, as well as the skills and personnel required for the task order?

No, just the sample task order.

62 RFP Section L. page 146 Volume IIB Management and Personnel Plan

The instructions in this section include providing a management plan that includes "Project schedule management." Should we include a project management plan for the Sample Task Order? Or, a more generic project management plan for task orders?

The project management plan applies overall to the IDIQ and future task orders, not the sample task order.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

63 RFP Section L. page 141- 146 Volume IIB in general

It's unclear whether this volume is applicable to the IDIQ only or the IDIQ and all Future Task Orders. Can you clarify?

This volume is applicable to the IDIQ and management of all future task orders.

64 NQIIC_2018_RFP_Section L.14 p. 142 and 146

Can CMS confirm that the staffing plan proposed should reflect the capabilities described in the NQIIC IDIQ and not the Sample Task Order? If this is the case, can CMS provide guidance on how contractors should estimate the staff requirements for the IDIQ, outside the context of task orders?

The staffing plan is a summary of the offeror's capability to perform QI work over the life of the contract. This does reflect capabilities of the NQIIC IDIQ or the sample task order.

65 SECTION K -

REPRESENTATIONS,

CERTIFICATIONS, AND

OTHER

STATEMENTS OF

OFFERORS OR QUOTERS,

pg. 102

Please verify that Section K is only required for the Offeror's organization and not for any Subcontractor organizations.

Section K fill ins is required only for the prime. Subcontractor information should be in SAM.gov.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

66 NQIIC IDIQ: Section

L.15.C BUSINESS

PROPOSAL

ORGANIZATION AND

CONTENT (VOLUME III) –

B. Contract Form SF-33 and Section K Representation and Certifications, and Sections G & H, as applicable, Pg. 147

The instructions include "Sections G& H as applicable".

However, Section G does not require any further information from the Offeror and Section H is the compliance information, which also seems to be requested in Attachment J.8, which is included in Volume IV. Please clarify what further information is required from Section G and whether content from Section H should be included in Volume III or in in Volume IV, per the instructions in Attachment J.8.

The sections in G that may apply include G.7, and G.14 (as it applies to the sample task order). Responses to H.1 should be in Volume IV.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

67 NQIIC IDIQ: Section L.16

BUSINESS ETHICS,

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

AND COMPLIANCE

PROPOSAL (VOLUME IV),

pg. 152

Please clarify whether Attachment J.7 and J.8 must be completed by subcontractors for the IDIQ response or if this is only required at the task order level. If that information is only required at the TO level, if an Offeror is proposing subcontractors on the Sample TO, is it required in this response that those proposed subcontractors submit the information in Attachment J.7 and J.8 at this point?

Attachment J.7 does not apply to the sample task order. Attachment J.8 applies to your overall proposal submission, not the sample. Any subcontractor submissions would be required at the task order level.

68 NQIIC IDIQ: Section L.16

BUSINESS ETHICS,

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

AND COMPLIANCE

PROPOSAL (VOLUME IV),

pg. 152

Please verify that Attachment J.7 is not required to be submitted in its entirety with the response, as is indicated in the instructions in the attachment itself, and that an attestation from the organization's Compliance Officer is all that is required.

Correct

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

69 Section L.14 IDIQ

CORPORATE CAPACITY

AND OVERSIGHT

(VOLUME IIB) (PHASE 2)

pg. 145

In the Phase 2 evaluation, can CMS clarify whether the instructions on pg 145 including "a list of all contracts and/or subcontracts and cooperative agreements for same or similar work (completed and/or currently in progress) within the last five (5) years shall be provided for the prime IDIQ offeror and any proposed subcontractors (those performing at least 25% effort or major aspects of the work)" and "Offerors should submit past performance information on relevant contracts performed by the offeror, its subcontractors, and/or joint venture partners" apply to all Offerors.

Correct

70 RFP, Section L.14.C, pg.

Can CMS clarify what they mean by "extent of subcontracting" for past performance? Does it mean percentage of contract dollars that go to subcontractors for a given contract?

Yes

71 RFP, Section L.14.D, pg.

Given that this is an IDIQ and the labor mix and number of staff bid on each Task Order will depend heavily on the needs of that particular task order, can CMS clarify what they expect in regards to the labor mix requirements in the Management and Personnel Plan section ('Staffing mix that includes personnel labor mix' and 'offeror's proposed labor mix and number of staff accurately reflects the offeror's technical approach')?

Describe how you will determine the labor mix and what factors will be considered in determining the appropriate labor mix for a task order.

I.E. what type of labor categories will be relied on. Not asking for labor hours but an approximation of the percentages of labor categories to be utilized.

72 RFP document, Section L.10 (b), p. 132

Under Section L.10 (b), CMS references a "Cover Page" and a "Cover Sheet." May offerors call it "Cover Page"?

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

73 RFP document, Section L.10 (b), 3.E, p. 132

For Volume IIB, what is the page limit for the Appendix? There is no page limit on the appendix

74 RFP document, Section L.13.C. Personnel, p. 142

May the staffing matrix for Volume IIA be included in the Appendix?

Yes

75 RFP document, Section L.14.D, p. 146

Should the proposed labor mix reflect 1) all resources an organization has available, or 2) only resources currently being used to conduct QIN/ESRD/HIIN/QPP-SURS work, or

3) those planned for the Sample Task Order?

What is applicable to the quality improvement work under NQIIC.

76 RFP document, Section L.14.D, p. 147

If CMS is to require a staffing matrix for Volume IIB, may it be included in the Appendix?

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

77 RFP document, Section L.16, Business Ethics, Conflict of Interest and Compliance Proposal (Oct 2015), p. 152 & Attachment J.8, Section B.2, pp. 1-2

Section L.16 states, “Where the Offeror/Subcontractor(s) indicates that no COI exists for a given contract, then for each indication, the Offeror/Subcontractor(s) shall provide rationale and facts in support of said indication.” This may indicate that every contract should be disclosed, including ones where no COI exists. Attachment J.8, Section B.2, asks for disclosure of only those contracts that could give rise to an actual, potential, and/or apparent COI. Should the offeror submit all contracts with Attachment J.8, or only those contracts that pose an actual, potential, and/or apparent COI?

This section has been amended in the soliciation. The intent is for those contracts that there is not a COI, we want you to address that they were reviewed by your compliance officer and ensure that proper due diligence was performed to make that determination.

78 RFP document, Section L.11, p. 136

Page 136 of the RFP states that "Each volume shall be submitted in one (1) PDF file with the exception of Excel spreadsheets;" however, page 2 of Attachment J.12a states that, for the business proposal, "The narrative supporting information can be in Excel2013 (or older) or Word2013 (or older) format." Please confirm that all business proposal documents can be submitted as a single PDF with the exception of the Excel spreadsheets.

Please refer to the amended solicitation

79 RFP document, Section L.14, p. 146

Regarding the requirement "Staffing matrix that includes personnel labor mix," would a list of all of the offeror's staff members and positions satisfy this requirement?

Only those applicable to future Quality Improvement work under NQIIC that would be available. We are not looking for a list of all staff members from an organization.

80 RFP document, Section L.16, p. 152

Please confirm that Volume IV information is only required from subcontractors performing more than 25% of the Sample Task Order work (as had been stated in CMS' response to questions regarding the draft solicitation).

Please refer to the amended solicitation

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

81 RFP Document, Section G.10, pp. 28-29

Section G.10.e requires CMS review for all reports or presentations that include data that is not covered under FOIA. CMS currently requires the HIINs to report on data submitted by all of their participating providers. Please indicate whether CMS believes that this information is covered under FOIA, and as a result, does not require CMS review prior to its use in reports or presentations.

CMS reserves the right to review all data, reports prior to their release. CMS operates in accordance with the Fredom of Information Act and bases its determination on releasable information based on the individual request.

82 RFP Document, Section M.3 B p. 155

Does a woman-owned, veteran owned, HUBZone, small disadvantaged or service disabled veteran owned small business receive additional "points" or other scoring support during the evaluation over any other small business?

No

83 RFP document, Section L.7 p. 129

Are offerors required to submit responses that are Section 508 Compliant in accordance with the HHS Compliance Standard? Or is the Section 508 Compliant requirement to complete a Product Assessment Template?

There is no requirement that the responses submitted for the IDIQ be 508 compliant. The requirement for the template will be at the task order level.

84 RFP document, Section M.4 p. 158

Is there a page limit for the resumes of proposed staff? No

85 RFP document, Section L.14 pp. 145 & 146

For the list of past performance within the last five (5) years is the information provided on page 145 the information that should be provided for each past performance within that list? Or is there a different format the information should be provided in?

The task order requests will define the specifications and accessibility standards for the order. In those cases, the Contractor may be required to provide a completed HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template.

86 RFP document, Section L.10 p. 132

The RFP indicates that the cover page is considered the first page of the proposal. Does that mean it counts toward the page limits provided on pages 131-132?

The cover page does not cout toward the page limits

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

87 RFP document, Section L.10 p. 132

Does the list of acronyms count toward the page limit? No

88 RFP document, Section L.10, p.131-132

The instructions for Volumes I, IIA, & IIB indicate inclusion of a List of Acronyms. The placement of this section varies between volumes -- either before or after the Table of Contents. Is this intended or may be sequence of each volume be standardized to 1) Cover Letter, 2) Table of Contents, 3) List of Acronyms -- followed by volume-specific sections (A, B, etc.)? Volumes III & IV have no explicit ask for a List of Acronyms. Might a list of acronyms, in order to standardize across all volumes and ensure target audience clarity be desirable to CMS? Please advise.

Each technical volume should include the list of acronyms as these volumes are indpendent of one another. They may consistently appear immediately after the Table of Contents and are not included in the noted page limits.

89 RFP, Section L.11.a.1, p.136

Must the font in graphics (e.g., diagrams, figures) also be Times New Roman? May it be something easier to read in this format, such as Arial, so long as it is no smaller than 10 point?

Graphics may in something easier to read as long as it is no smaller than 10 point.

90 If HINN work is funded as QIO activitiy, how does restriction on contracting with healthcare providers apply only to QIN-QIOs?

Fundng responses are not being addressed at this time.

91 Will there be a HIIN task order awarded in 2019? When does CMS anticipate releasing the HIIN Task Order?

The planning of the HIIN is underway, however, dates cannot be determined at this time.

92 Can CMS describe the range of revenue estimates for Small Business set asides to determine whether an offeror might want to bid on the schedule versus pursuing overarching contract support contractor work?

CMS cannot provide this information at this time.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

93 Are the two anticipated task order opportunities briefly introduced on slides 53 and 54 the only anticipated opportunities at this time, or are there additional opportunities that could be listed in a wave chart?

A new task order for the HIIN was also mentioned. It is currently under development and no additional information is available at this time.

94 Will you would accept commercial past performance for this

Evaluation of past performance will be based on the degree or level of relevancy of the past performance and the quality of that past performance.

Therefore, as long as the commercial past performance is relevant, it is acceptable.

95 Please explain "National Scope". For example, when a QIN-QIO bid on a task order, is the expectation that they address the task order for all states?

Geographical areas are not being assigned to IDIQ awardees.

96 What is the Task Order 0002 for clinicians most similar to under current structures; ie. TCPI, QPP-SURS?

The clinician based is a new requirement under the QIO program

97 What is an overarching support contract? A contract that provides support to contractors working towards quality improvement outcomes as a community of practice.

98 The BFCC IDIQ includes a document titled "Contractor- Furnished Equipment (CFE) Guidelines and Requirements Version 1.0, 04/17/2018." This document seems applicable to the NQIIC as well. Is it applicable and will it be released as part of this RFP or task orders?

Yes. Please refer to the solicitation amendment.

99 As a QIO like entity, will we have the opportunity to receive QIN-QIO task orders?

If you receive a NQIIC IDIQ, you will have the opportunity for the QIN-QIO task order awards.

100 If we are classified as a small business, are we allowed to subcontract for future task orders if needed?

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

101 Attachment_J.12b_Busin ess_Proposal_Template1 and Attachment_J.12a__Busi ness_Proposal_Instructio ns_Final p. 8 item # 5

The Business Proposal Instructions states include the indirect costs Form 719 BP (tab 719 BP). There is not a tab or form 719B, should the title of the section include state Instructions for CMS Form 719 rather than Instructions for CMS Form 719?

Please see Appendix I for the definitions and guidelines for each form.

102 Attachment_J.12b_Busin ess_Proposal_Template1 Tab 718 BP item #a 1- 4 and Attachment_J.12a__Busi ness_Proposal_Instructio ns_Final p 7 item #5

The Business Proposal Instructions states that the breakout of the proposed costs are listed for each category based on an automatic flow of the proposed costs from Form 719 BP (tab 719 BP). There is not a tab 719BP; however, Tab F719 and the resulting cells B15 through B19 include a reference error (#REF!). Should this data pull from the Staffing tab in the spreadsheet template?

Please see Appendix I for the definitions and guidelines for each form – F719 is the same as 719BP. Cells B15 – B19 are hidden and not required for this sample task order.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

103 Attachment_J.12b_Busin ess_Proposal_Template1 _general

Does Pass Thru cost refer in tab F719 cell AF35 to indirect costs applied to subcontracts and consultants that are entered in tab Subconts?

Pass-thru Costs - this line item includes payments to providers or vendors as specified and negotiated in the contract as being pass-thru costs. Examples are reimbursement for medical record reproduction costs and postage costs for mailing medical records from the provider to the QIO.

104 Attachment_J.12b_Busin ess_Proposal_Template1 _general

Will the Government permit Offerors to augment the Attachment_J.12b_Business_Proposal_Template1without changing its current format such that Offers may propose based on their disclosed cost accounting structure and approved accounting system and practices?

CMS would need to understand what adjustments are needed based on the cost accounting structure. CMS is open to title changes (ex: G&A vs Indirect) but not wholesale changes.

105 Attachment J.1_NQIIC IDIQ SOW_Background and Overview_p. 2

The IDIQ SOQ indicates that NQIIC will include statutorily required QIN-QIO work, statutorily required End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network work, hospital focused large scale improvement work, clinician-focused technical assistance work, and other quality improvement work. Can CMS share current contract holders for the contract vehicles that NQIIC will replace (e.g. QIN-QIOs, ESRD, HIIN, etc.) or share the total number of prime contractor holders for the vehicles that NQIIC will replace?

This is public information and can be found in FedbizzOpps

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

106 NQIIC IDIQ: Section

L.15.C BUSINESS

PROPOSAL

ORGANIZATION AND

CONTENT (VOLUME III) –

C. Business Proposal and Support Information and Schedules, Pg. 147

CMS states: “The cost estimate shall describe an estimated annual total dollar amount for direct labor, the types of labor categories estimated to be required, the total number of direct labor hours required, the annual total indirect costs (fringe, G&A, etc.), subcontractor direct labor amounts, and subcontractor indirect costs, in accordance with Attachments J.12(a) and (b).”

If CMS desires to compare costs per beneficiary and per provider on a relative-basis against each NQIIC submission, why aren’t ODCs factored into the proposed solution costs as we are directed not to report these costs in our business proposal (See J.12a III “Other Direct Costs (ODCs)”)?

The business proposal has been amended to require ODCs in the proposal submission, along with the inclusion of ODCs as part of the costs in Table 1.

107 Attachment J.12.a (Business Proposal Instructions), pg. 12

Can CMS clarify what they mean by "indirect labor hours" and "indirect leave hours?"

Indirect Labor Hours: Labor hours that are not readily or directly identified to the contract or a specific activity (i.e.

staff meetings, etc.). Indirect Leave Hours: This cost category was removed from page 12 as it was an error. By definition, indirect leave hours are hours associated with leave including vacation, sick, holiday, military leave, etc.

Accounting treatment of leave as an indirect cost must be consistent for all contracts or lines of business.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

108 Attachment J.12.b (Business Proposal Template1)

Can CMS confirm that Offerors can adjust the template as needed to align with their cost structure?

CMS would need to understand what adjustments are needed based on the cost accounting structure. CMS is open to title changes (ex: G&A vs Indirect) but not wholesale changes.

109 NQIIC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are the responses to the Frequently Asked Questions issued by CMS on May 11, 2018, in effect for the NQIIC submission?

The final RFP and the final questions/answers take priority over the Draft and FAQ's posted previously.

110 RFP document, Section H.12, p. 79

The solicitation states, "Any and all costs, proposed or incurred, for conferences, and travel to/from conferences (inclusive of per diem), are currently not authorized or allowed unless authorized in writing." Will separate written approval of conference and conference-related travel be required when this travel is included as part of an approved task order budget?

Yes.

111 Attachment J.12a, p. 2 Page 136 of the RFP states that "Each volume shall be submitted in one (1) PDF file with the exception of Excel spreadsheets;" however, page 2 of Attachment J.12a states that, for the business proposal, "The narrative supporting information can be in Excel2013 (or older) or Word2013 (or older) format." Please confirm that all business proposal documents can be submitted as a single PDF with the exception of the Excel spreadsheets.

Please refer to the solicitation amendment.

112 Attachment J.12a, p. 5 The attachment states that the offeror should not include fee on the business proposal spreadsheet, and that the percentage of fee will be established at the task order level. May offerors propose a fee for the Sample Task Order?

No, we are not evaluating fee at this time.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

113 Attachment J.12a, p. 5 The attachment states, "If ODCs are anticipated for this task order, they shall be referenced in the technical response but no costs are to be included in the business proposal." Can you please clarify how ODC costs should be included in the total budget amount but not included in the business proposal?

Please see amendment. ODCs are now required in the business proposal.

114 Attachment J.12a, p. 5 The attachment states, "There is no anticipated travel for this Task Order." Does this apply to the Sample Task Order?

Yes

115 Attachment J.12b, Tabs F721a-d

The first row of the title of each tab is "Indirect Direct Cost". Is this a typo?

The header was revised to reflect “Indirect Costs”.

116 NQIIC RFP, General Please explain the Clinician Task Order and the types of tasks you expect this to have. For example, is this related to QPP?

This task order is still under development.

117 RFP Document, Section M.3.C, p. 155

In this section CMS indicates it plans to make 65 awards.

Will future SAN and PTN contracts or cooperative agreements be awarded through NQIIC and should organizations that are interested in those programs apply to become an NQIIC prime? If those activities are excluded and in light of the fact that many potential NQIIC prime bidders currently hold multiple quality improvement projects, does CMS still anticipate making awards to approximately 65 NQIIC primes?

There will not be cooperative agreements under the NQIIC IDIQ contracts. However, any Quality Improvement work is expected to be awarded under this IDIQ. Therefore, anyone wanting to perform QI work should propose under the IDIQ.

118 Attachment J.12.a, Business Proposal Instructions

Attachment J.12.a, Business Proposal Instructions consists of instructions to complete the Excel file. Please confirm that offerors do not need to resubmit Attachment J.12.a in the proposal, but can address Section 3 on pages 4-6 of Attachment J.12.A, and include the budget tables in Section C of the Business Proposal.

Correct, you do not need to resubmit J.12a. CMS is requiring explanation and justifications for the business proposal costs within the business proposal.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

119 RFP document, Section L.15.C, p. 147

In the second paragraph, it states "Offerors need to provide a PDF version of the complete business proposal".

Does this refer to some document other than Volume III?

Is the "complete business proposal" an additional file -- in additional to the five volumes and the completed spreadsheet - that must be submitted? Please advise.

No the complete business proposal is not an additional file. It's referencing the business proposal in L.15. It should be a PDF version plus an excel version of the spreadsheet per L.11

120 Webinar recording - Slide 25; approximately 1 hour, two minute mark.

The speaker states that "consultants can not propose at the IDIQ level.

1) Was she referring to consultants in the sense that they could not apply as subcontractors? Or

2) Was she stating that a firm that provides consulting services can not apply to be the prime contractor at the IDIQ level?

3) How are "consultants" and "consulting firms" defined for purposes of the IDIQ opportunity?

A firm that would like to participate in the NQIIC program strictly as a subcontractor/consultant need not propose to be an IDIQ contractor.

121 It appears that CMS is requiring a FULL proposal for both phase 1 and phase 2 at time of submission on June 26, 2018 to include Volume 1, Volume IIA, IIB, Volume III, Volume IV. Please confirm if this is accurate.

Correct. All volumes must be submitted on June 26, 2018.

122 does personally-owned equipment include laptops provided by contractors? Must all connections go through

VPN?

Yes

123 Should subcontractor partners be named in the small business subcontracting plan?

The subcontracting plan should inlcude the rationale; i.e. how you are going to meet the percentages. Subcontractors should be named in the narratives, if possible.

124 RFP, Section G.9, p. 27 May an IDIQ contractor store CMS data on its corporate systems/computers?

Yes, however CMS data cannot be stored outside of the HCQIS environment without an authority to operate (ATO).

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

125 RFP, Section G.20, p. 39 Will additional software for use within the VDI environment (such as Adobe Pro, Visio, Project, etc.) be purchased with contract dollars, as is the case now?

Yes, please review the VDI SOP in the J attachment. The HCQIS ERB process is required for any HW/SW that will sit on the HCQIS environment.

126 RFP, Section G.20, p. 39 Will the current purchased software licenses carry over from the current 11th SOW to the 12th SOW?

11th SOW Existing GFE printers and laptops can be used only during the transition to the 12th Sow. CMS will specify a timeline in which awardees will fully transition to CFE.

127 RFP, Section H.4, p. 64 Referring to the linked CMS Information Security document, the document is no longer available on the CMS InfoSec library. It points to a max.gov login. May we receive a copy of the requirements?

Please visit for Security Docs https://www.cms.gov/Research- Statistics-Data-and-Systems/CMS- Information- Technology/InformationSecurity/Inform ation-Security-Library.html

128 RFP, Section H.4, p. 64 Referring to the linked CMS Information Security document, what is the expected systems security level:

low, moderate, or high?

The HCQIS environment, system and all data that resides is at a FISMA moderate level.

129 RFP, Section H.4, p. 64 Referring to the linked CMS Information Security document, is it expected that the contractor will host or develop a "CMS system" as it relates to Authority to Operate (ATO) and independent audits?

CMS does not expect the contractor to host/manage or store any federal data within a cloud space. If the contractor chooses to store CMS data outside of the HCQIS environment, the contractor must obtain an ATO. If the data is stored on the cloud, then the cloud instance must be FEDRAMP certified to obtain an ATO. The cost associated with obtaining an ATO will be the contractor’s responsibilities.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

130 RFP, Section H.4, p. 64 Referring to the linked CMS Information Security document, is the IDIQ considered a contract award as it relates to the security deliverables described at the end of this document?

Yes and please review the Security Docs https://www.cms.gov/Research- Statistics-Data-and-Systems/CMS- Information- Technology/InformationSecurity/Inform ation-Security-Library.html

131 RFP, Section H.4, p. 65 Is the contractor expected to meet the FedRAMP compliance requirement if no Federal data is stored in the cloud?

CMS does not expect the contractor to host/manage or store any federal data within a cloud space. If the contractor chooses to store CMS data outside of the HCQIS environment, the contractor must obtain an ATO. If the data is stored on the cloud, then the cloud instance must be FEDRAMP certified to obtain an ATO. The cost associated with obtaining an ATO will be the contractor’s responsibilities. If the information is not CMS data, but practice/ entity improvement resources, the cloud instance shall be fedramp compliant, but does not require an ATO.

132 RFP, Section H.4, p. 65 Is the contractor expected to meet FedRAMP compliance requirements for data stored on non-GFE?

CMS does not expect the contractor to host/manage or store any federal data within a cloud space. If the contractor chooses to store CMS data outside of the HCQIS environment, the contractor must obtain an ATO. If the data is stored on the cloud, then the cloud instance must be FEDRAMP certified to obtain an ATO. The cost associated with obtaining an ATO will be the contractor’s responsibilities.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

133 RFP, Section H.4, p. 65 Will CMS confirm that contractors may propose using FedRAMP cloud-based services for task orders? It has been our understanding that CMS preferred contractors to use CMS or contractor onsite infrastructure.

The contractor will need to be compliant to the extent necessary to fulfill the work specific to a given task order.

134 RFP, Section H.5, p. 65 Does this contract require contractors to have "routine physical access to a CMS facility and/or routine access to a CMS federally controlled information system" as it relates to HSPD-12 and PIV cards?

The Contract will NOT require routine contractor physical access to a Federally-Controlled facility. However, the IDIQ will have access to a Federally-controlled information system (HQIS).

The contract requires “Logical” access NOT “Physical” access. HSPD-12 general Federal policy where PIV is required to access federal networks. HCQIS currently does not have the capability to implement HSPD-12 at this point or by the start of the 12th SoW. Due to this limitation of the Infrastructure, there is no technical enforcement of the PIV requirements. PIVs may be required at a later time when the capabilities are enabled.

Questions and Responses 06/06/2018

135 RFP, Section H.5, p. 65 Does CMS envision PIV cards to be required for physical access to contractor facilities?

The Contract will NOT require routine contractor physical access to a Federally-Controlled facility. However, the IDIQ will have access to a Federally-controlled information system (HQIS).

The contract requires “Logical” access NOT “Physical” access. HSPD-12 general Federal policy where PIV is required to access federal networks. HCQIS currently does not have the capability to implement HSPD-12 at this point or by the start of the 12th SoW. Due to this limitation of the Infrastructure, there is no technical enforcement of the PIV requirements. PIVs may be required at a later time when the capabilities are enabled.

136 RFP, Section H.5, p. 65 If the contract will require use of the CMS VDI environment, will PIV badges be required at contractor facilities?

The Contract will NOT require routine contractor physical access to a Federally-Controlled facility.