MIDS_IDIQ_Ques_and_Resp.xlsx
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- Measure and Instrument Development and Support (MIDS) Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 75FCMC18R0019
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MIDS IDIQ SOW Questions and Responses
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Sheet1 Measure and Instrument Development and Support (MIDS)
| Subject: IDIQ | |||
| Question # | Document, Section, Page Number | Question/Comment | CMS Response |
| 1 | RFP - General | Has CMS reserved the right to make multiple awards under Task Orders 0002, 0003 and 0004 to multiple IDIQ awardees OR will there only be a single Task Order award for T.O. 0002, 0003 and 0004 to one or more IDIQ awardee(s)? | CMS anticipates multiple IDIQ awards and single Task Order (TO) awards. |
| 2 | Attachment J.1 IDIQ SOW, Chapter 2.C, p. 6 | What contractor entity serves as the "National Consensus Development and Strategic Planning for Healthcare Quality Measurement"? | National Quality Forum (NQF) is the contractor for the "National Consensus Development and Strategic Planning for Healthcare Quality Measurement" contract. |
| 3 | Attachment J.1 IDIQ SOW, Chapter 2.D.1, p. 12 | For literature reviews, one source listed is peer-reviewed journal articles. Often, access to these articles on-line require subscriptions/fees. Are these costs reimbursable? | CMS prefers contractors to use cost effective methods when executing an Environmental Scan. In this case, if the rates for an on-line subscription are negotiated and approved prior to the contractor actually incurring costs, then yes, the contractor would be allowed to bill CMS for those subscription fees. However, CMS should only be billed for costs incurred for a specific task order. |
| 4 | Attachment J.1 IDIQ SOW, Chapter 2.D.1, p. 8 | Is the CMS Project Management Oversight Point of Contact a member of the PM3 contractor team, the Measures Management Contractor team, or is this a CMS point of contact relevant to a task order? | The CMS Project Management Oversight Point of Contact is a CMS point of contact relevant to a task order. More than likely it will be the TO Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). |
| 5 | General | Does an IDIQ award trigger the required IT deliverables? | There are no deliverables for the IDIQ. |
| 6 | General | Does a Task Order award trigger the required IT deliverables? | If a contractor is planning to propose on a TO, the contractor shall be prepared to respond to all of the deliverables in that specific TO Statement of Work (SOW) and Schedule of Deliverables (SOD) |
| 7 | General | Will the MIDS work be conducted with federal equipment (server, computers, and government provided software), or should the contractor utilize its own corporate equipment and purchase its own software for this work? | Contractors shall furnish the necessary services and qualified personnel (defined as personnel with the skills and expertise to follow the best practices relevant to the work of the project), facilities, equipment, materials, and supplies unless otherwise instrcuted by the Government. |
| 8 | General | What is required from the Offeror at the IDIQ level's business/pricing information? | There is no pricing and no business proposal at the IDIQ level. |
| 9 | General | Can CMS provide guidance around appropriate honoraria or stipends for TEP members? | Honoraria or stipends for TEP members are handled on a case by case basis at the TO level. |
| 10 | General | Can a small business submit its own proposal, and be named as a subcontractor under another company's proposal too? If yes, could CMS accept both proposals, or would it at most only accept one or the other? | A contractor can submit as both a prime and as a subcontractor on another proposal. |
| 11 | General | The intellectual property that we would use in our proposal has a patent pending, and with or without a patent, is our proprietary technology. If CMS accepted our proposal, would we lose ownership or control over our technology that we use performing the proposal (i.e. be unable to enforce our patent if granted, be required to disclose specific algorithms in our platform, etc.)? If so, how much ownership and/or control would we lose, and to who? Would the answer be the same for patents filed and proprietary technology developed after filing our proposal and/or performing work under it? | The government owns all intellectual property for any contract or task order that they fund. Example: If an algorithm is developed for a MIDS task order, CMS would own it. |
Refer to FAR 52.227-11 and 52.227-17.
12 General Will CMS obtain the data to give to the offeror on which to perform measurements (e.g. from HHS or another federal agency), or will the offeror need to obtain any required data from a private employer? Such data would include:
• Medical claims;
• Pharmacy claims; and
| • Human resource records, such as job description, payroll and time/attendance data, to match against the above. | Methods of collecting data will be TO dependent. In some cases CMS will provide the contractor with data and other times the contractor will be required to obtain data. This is handled on a case by case basis at the TO level. | |||
| 13 | General | Will the government allow a compliance matrix, table of figures and acronym table outside of page count? | Yes | |
| 14 | H.2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference, p. 45 | 52.234-4 Earned Value Management System. EVMS are expensive requirements. Please explain how CMS envisions applying an EVMS to the MIDS scope? | EVMS helps project managers to measure project performance. It is a systematic project management process used to find variances in projects based on the comparison of work performed and work planned. EVMS is used on the cost and schedule control and is useful in project forecasting. At the TO level, the complexity of the project will determine whether it is necessary. Contractors should have the mechanism to perform EVMS. | |
| 15 | H.2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference, p. 45 | Do we budget the additonal costs of an EVMS to each task order or will CMS fund the system at the IDIQ level? | Task Order | |
| 16 | IDIQ SOW Chapter 3., Section 3.A. Environemtal Scan, page 12 | The SOW describes the requirement to produce "a report of the Environmental Scan activities." Is this the same as Deliverable 3-1 (Information Gathering Report) described in Section 3E. on page 13 or is it an additional deliverable? | All deliverables are clearly marked in the SOW. Deliverable 3-1 (Information Gathering Reports) shall include a summary report of the Environmental Scan and Empirical Data Analysis and other information. Additional text and information in each chapter shall be used as supplemental information when proposing. | |
| 17 | IDIQ SOW, 2.D.1., page 8, 1st full paragraph | Can CMS clarify what is meant by "professional project manager"? | CMS wants a project manager with the requisite experience and a person who has the skills and expertise to follow best practices for the management of a project including the development of a formal work breakdown structure (WBS), timeline, project milestones, critical path, and risk factors. The project manager shall be responsible for collaborating weekly with CMS’ Project Management Oversight Point of Contact, to indicate actions, refinement and progress relative to this contract’s tasks and team responsibilities. | |
| 18 | IDIQ SOW, 2.D.1., page 8, 1st full paragraph | Regarding the professional project manager description, is this for the IDIQ level or the task order level? The description describes project milestones, etc., which sounds like task order-level. | In H.3 - Key Personnel, of the RFP, CMS is requesting a Program/Project Manger as Key Personnel at the IDIQ Level. The professional project manager referenced in the IDIQ SOW 2.D.1. will be used at the TO level. | |
| 19 | IDIQ SOW, 2.D.2. page 9 | The SOW indicates that at the kickoff meeting the contractor will work with MCS to develop a PMP. The kickoff is due within 30 calendar days of award, but the Final PMP is due within 15 days. Can CMS clarify the timing and expectations for the PMP and kickoff? | Each TO SOD will dictate the amount of time a deliverable is due. Therefore, the Kickoff Meeting could be held less than 30 calendar days after award. At the Kickoff Meeting, the MIDS Contractor shall work with CMS personnel, not the MMC, to develop and/or refine a PMP, if it has not been already been finalized. Depending on the timing and the TO SOD, the PMP is usually finalized and ready for discussion at the kickoff meeting. Depending on the discussions at the kickoff meeting, the PMP could be revised. | |
| 20 | IDIQ SOW, 2.D.2. page 9 | Is there a POC from the measures manager contractor that should be invited to the kickoff? | Once a TO is awarded, the COR of that TO will provide the awardee the name of the MMC POC who should be invited to the kickoff meeting. CMS will also provide the name of the MMC TO COR. | |
| 21 | IDIQ SOW, 3.E., page 13 | Can CMS specify what types of activities would fall under deliverables 3-7 and 3-8? This will be important for pricing. | The deliverables, in the deliverable chart at the end of chapters 2-12, that indicate "TBD, if necessary" are simply place holders for individual TO SOW/SOD's that need to have additional deliverables in a chapter. Each TO will dictate if additional deliverables are needed. | |
| 22 | IDIQ SOW, 3A, page 12 | In the first full paragraph, CMS references the CMS Quality Measurement Task Force Goals, but does not indicate further what those are. These do not appear to be publicly available. Can CMS please specify? | The CMS Quality Measurement Task Force Goals are below: |
-Establish and operationalize policies for program-specific and CMS-wide measurement development and implementation -Align and prioritize measures across programs where appropriate -Coordinate development of new measures across CMS -Coordinate measure implementation, development and measurement policies with external HHS agencies
| 23 | IDIQ SOW, 4.A., page 15 | Is there supposed to be an "AND" in between items c and d? | Yes. Please review the revised attachment J.1 |
| 24 | IDIQ SOW, 4.A., page 16 | Is there supposed to be an "AND" in between items a and b? | Yes. Please review the revised attachment J.1 |
| 25 | IDIQ SOW, 4.A., page 16 | Is the "AND" intentional between items iii and iv? | Yes. Please review the revised attachment J.1 |
| 26 | IDIQ SOW, 4.A., page 16 | Under item b.v., can CMS please indicate how they prefer practical or clinical significance be determined? | The contractor needs to propose this as part of their business case. |
| 27 | IDIQ SOW, 4.A., page 16 | Are both statistical and practical/clinical significance required for measurement efforts to move forward? | The contractor needs to propose this as part of their business case. CMS would expect the contractor to assess whether there is an important, meaningful difference for what is being developed and that the statistics also support this. |
| 28 | IDIQ SOW, 4.A., page 17 | Is the inclusion of "evidence of overall less-than-optimal performance" intentional here? It seems to fit in Impact. | The inclusion of "evidence of overall less-than-optimal performance" is intentional and located in the correct part of the SOW. |
| 29 | IDIQ SOW, 4.A., page 17 | Under feasibility it reads as though CMS will not entertain proposals for new data collection tools or instruments. Is that accurate? | Under Feasibility, the SOW does not state CMS will not entertain proposals for new data collection tools or instruments. |
| 30 | IDIQ SOW, 4B4, 4.B.6, | These sections seem to be repeats of earlier sections of the SOW (e.g., 4.b.4=4.a.1, and 4.b.6=4.a.4) but do not match exactly. For example, the deliverables are different and/or described differently in the discussion of technical specifications and updates. Can CMS please clarify? | These sections may appear to repeat but are correctly worded and placed. The SOW is an all-encompassing document and certain sections require the contractor to use ideas, tools, deliverables, etc. from other sections in the SOW. |
| 31 | IDIQ SOW, B. Key Personnel Requirements, page 6. | The requirements for Project Director appear to include Project Management Professional (PMP) as a requirement. Can an individual with extensive project management experience but who is not certified as a PMP meet the qualifications for this position? | "Project Director" is not mentioned in the IDIQ SOW. In H.3 - Key Personnel, of the RFP, CMS is requesting a Program/Project Manger as Key Personnel at the IDIQ Level. The professional project manager referenced in the IDIQ SOW 2.D.1. will be used at the TO level. CMS wants a project manager with the requisite experience and a person who has the skills and expertise to follow best practices for the management of a project including the development of a formal work breakdown structure (WBS), timeline, project milestones, critical path, and risk factors. The project manager shall be responsible for collaborating weekly with CMS’ Project Management Oversight Point of Contact, to indicate actions, refinement and progress relative to this contract’s tasks and team responsibilities. It is the contractors decision to propose a PMP who is or is not certified. |
| 32 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 1, 1B, page 3 | Is CMS no longer referencing or using the Quality Strategy to guide measure development efforts? | CMS current approach references measure development based on quality priority areas supported by high-performing measures which are linked to improved patient outcomes called Meaningful Measures. The six CMS priorities areas: Patient Safety, Person and Family Engagement, Care Coordination, Effective Treatment, Healthy Living, and Affordable Care, which are an integral part of the Meaningful Measures Framework. |
| 33 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 1, 1B, page 4 | Can CMS please specify what they mean by "implement HHS/CMS's quality measurement strategic approach"? | Contactors may refer to the meaningful measures work: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/QualityInitiativesGenInfo/CMS-Quality-Strategy.html |
| 34 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 1A, page 2 | CMS appears to have omitted mention of the CMS Meaningful Measures initiative or Patients Over Paperwork in the IDIQ RFP. Should these be explicitly included in the RFP given CMS leadership has highlighted these initiatives as important in driving or informing future measure development. | Contactors may refer to the meaningful measures work: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/QualityInitiativesGenInfo/CMS-Quality-Strategy.html |
| 35 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 1B page 3 | Specific to the reference to potential measure development for Accountable Care Organizations, would this also encompass measure development for Alternative Payment Models (APMs), MIPS APMs, and Advanced APMs or would measure development for APM-specific measures be funded solely under MACRA-funded measure development cooperative agreement grants? | CMS uses multiple levers to support high quality measures. CMS will release measure development TO SOWs to MIDS contractors when it is appropriate. There are other sources of measures that are also used as appropriate. The Cooperative Agreements have been released on grants.gov for measure development use in the MIPS program. |
| 36 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 1B page 4 | Specific to the strategic reference to "Promote the integration of health information technology (HIT) (includes both standards promotion and payment for HIT results) into quality measurement programs", does CMS envision the timing of MIDS Task Orders in this area to be reasonably aligned with further advances in interoperability, data exchange and HL-7 standards? Otherwise, measure development in these areas may continue to be constrained to an extent. | CMS will release TO SOWs to MIDS contractors when it is appropriate. The TOs are still in the planning phases. IDIQ contractors will be notified when a TO RFP is released by CMS. |
| 37 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 2.D.1, pages 7-8 and Chapter 5.C, page 27 | There appears to be conflicting information specific to the PRA references on page 8 and 27. On page 27, CMS states: "Provide PRA submission documents as required for data collection implementation.". However, on page 8, CMS states "...(e.g. the MIDS does not require a PRA package to be developed)." Can CMS clarify whether PRA submission and/or PRA waiver request submission is required under the MIDS IDIQ, given MACRA excludes measure development-related activities from PRA requirements. | PRAs support is a typical part of collecting information for use in CMS programs. Depending on whether data collection and measure implementation is part of the TO, PRA support may be required. |
| 38 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 2F, page 10. | While CMS notes the number of ad hoc requests will be identified at the Task Order level, can CMS provide an average or estimate number of requests based on historical data from the current MIDS IDIQ? Also, is there an average service-level agreement for turn-around time on ad hoc requests or is this determined jointly between the COR and contractor team? | The number of ad hoc requests will be identified at the TO level. CMS will not provide assumptions for ad hoc tasks that may or may not be included in TO's that have not been released to MIDS contractors. |
| 39 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 3, page 11, page 12 | Specific to guiding criteria and aims of measures, CMS references the importance of the four IOM criteria of importance/relevance, scientific soundness, usability/actionability, and feasibility; and further references the importance of the six IOM Aims of Care: safety, timeliness, efficiency, effectiveness, equitability and patient centeredness. Does CMS consider the IOM criteria synonymous to the NQF measure evaluation criteria and the IOM Aims of Care synonymous with the CMS Meaningful Measures aims? | No, CMS does not consider the IOM criteria synonymous to the NQF measure evaluation criteria and the IOM Aims of Care synonymous with the CMS Meaningful Measures aims. Sure there is overlap; however, the are clear differences. |
| 40 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 3D, page 13 | Specific to the risk adjustment and CMS' desire to "Provide evidence of evaluation factors that may influence measure performance, such as health literacy and social and demographic factors", does CMS envision any national registry sources (or similar sources) containing typical SES risk factor data to be made available to MIDS IDIQ awardees? | CMS will inform MIDS contractors if any national registry sources (or similar sources) containing typical SES risk factor data becomes available. |
| 41 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 3D, page 13, and Chapter 10.A, page 42 | At the beginning of the Data Analysis subsection, CMS states: "If data is available, the Contractor may be directed to conduct an empirical data analysis to provide statistical or other evidence to support the selection of the topics, conditions, or potential measures and to assist in the development of the business case for the topics, conditions or measures." |
| Given it can take an extended period for time for each MIDS IDIQ awardee to request and receive approval for data sources CMS houses internally, is there the potential for CMS to provide inherent pre-approved access to MIDS IDIQ awardees for a core/defined set of data assets within CMS purview (e.g. CMS EDB, IDR, CCW). | CMS will not provide inherent pre-approved access to MIDS IDIQ awardees for a core/defined set of data assets within CMS purview. CMS will inform MIDS contractors when any data sources CMS houses internally becomes available. | |||
| 42 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 3D, page 13, and Chapter 10.A, page 42 | Specific to the test site and data asset needs required to support empirical analysis as well as measure testing to support and inform feasibility, reliability and validity testing-- Typically, each individual measure-development contractor spends extensive time and ODC funding to enter into agreements with viable data suppliers to support these key measure development and testing areas. Will CMS consider reengaging with public-private stakeholders and leverage the prior traction and recommendations originating from the CMS National Test Bed and National Testing Collaborative to help mitigate these challenges? | ||
| CMS will consider helping mitigate the challenges referenced in the question. CMS will keep MIDS contractors in the loop of any updates. | ||||
| 43 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 3D, page 13, and Chapter 10.A, page 42 | Specific to test site and data asset needs required to support empirical analysis as well as measure testing-- Does CMS envision partnering or collaborating with NQF Measure Incubator initiative to make applicable Incubator data assets available to MIDS IDIQ awardees? | CMS understands the challenges referenced to data, in general. CMS will keep MIDS contractors in the loop of any updates. | |
| 44 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 4.A page 14 | Specific to the reference to electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) development, will CMS expect measure development across all care settings and programs to incorporate eCQMs, given the inherent challenges in adoption and use of EHRs in certain care settings (e.g. IPF facilities). Similarly, certain attribution levels (e.g. ACO, APM, Payor/Plan-level) may involve the use of multiple/disparate EHR systems. | CMS strives for high-impact measures that are least burdensome with primary sources of data. Different care settings have different capabilities as they relate to EHRs and CMS expects any measures produced to account for the feasibility of data collection while considering national priorities. | |
| 45 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 4.A page 14 | Specific to the reference to electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) development, will CMS expect all MIDS IDIQ task orders specific to (or including) eCQMs to be specified using Clinical Query Language? | Each TO will specify whether or not contractors should be using Clinical Quality Language. | |
| 46 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 4.A.5, page 23 | Within the consensus-based endorsement (CBE) requirements, CMS states: "The contractor shall present and support CMS measures NQF Steering Committee and CSAC reviews..." Can CMS clarify whether the deliverables around this requirement will be variable depending on the alignment of MIDS contract deliverable timelines vs. NQF Steering Committee and CSAC review timelines? (i.e. will the relevant deliverables be met if the MIDS contractual timelines only allow for submission to NQF, but not presentation to the steering committee and/or CSAC?) | CMS would ideally like the timelines to align; however, this is not always the case. All timelines will be discussed when the PMP is developed and finalized. And timelines may be adjusted, if need be, throughout the TO Period of Performance (POP). | |
| 47 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 5, page 26 | Specific to data collection instrument development and support-- In cases where patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are leveraged to support PRO-PM development and testing, does CMS envision entering into any national agreements with PROM tool owners to mitigate potential challenges specific to licensing or usage cost for any proprietary PROM tools? | If a process can be improved, CMS will explore all options to improve that process. CMS will inform MIDS contractors if CMS enters into any national agreements with PROM tool owners. | |
| 48 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 7G, pg. 35 | Does CMS expect measure development work to continue to be exempt from PRA requirements? | There are cases where development is exempt but this is not a good assumption for the overall IDIQ work. | |
| 49 | IDIQ SOW, Chapter 9B, page 41 | Does CMS have a preferred or required web-based content management platform/application to support the requirements of this task area? | No. CMS uses Percussion for online content of CMS web sites. | |
| 50 | IDIQ SOW, Consensus Based Entity Endorsement, Page 22 | Are other groups that meet consensus based entity definitions and requirements (e.g., CBEs certified under the Medicare data sharing program) acceptable alternatives to NQF for measure endorsement? | To the extent feasible, CMS uses the CBE under contract with the Secretary pursuant to § 1890 of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. The current "National Consensus Development and Strategic Planning for Healthcare Quality Measurement” contractor is the National Quality Forum (NQF). | |
| 51 | IDIQ SOW, pg. 40 | Related to Chapter 9, is it expected that the vendor would calculate the provider-level measure scores that will be displayed on the Physician Compare and other websites. Or, is that task within the purview of other contractors. Please clarify the role of the MIDS contractor work to the development of the scores that will drive the Physician Compare and other CMS websites | It is expected that the MIDS contractor for a specific TO would calculate the provider-level measure scores that will be displayed on the Physician Compare and other websites. | |
| 52 | IDIQ, MIDS_RFP_75FCMC18R0019, Section L, 12.E, page 124 | Can the Government please confirm that the Past Performance of an Offeror's parent, subsidiary, or affiliate, which would contribute to the performance of the awarded contract, can be used as a Past Performance citation? Recent GAO rulings that define the Offeror to include parent, subsidiaries, and affiliates, allow the use of their relevant experience as long as they are proposed to perform work under the awarded contract. CMS has consistently allowed their use in other recent RFPs. | Offeror shall submit "relevant" past performance. If the parent or affiliate will be performing the work, then that would be deemed relevant. If an agency other than the prime offeror is listed, declare if they are a subcontractor/consultant. | |
| 53 | IDIQ, MIDS_RFP_75FCMC18R0019; Section L.12; E. Past Performance; page 124 | CMS indicates that Volume IA should contain past performance including significant subcontractor past performance. (Significant Subcontractor – A subcontractor performing major or critical aspects of the requirements relevant to the prospective contract. If a subcontractor is performing 25% or more of the work, they are considered Significant.) Does CMS have a recommendation on how to appropriately identify significant subcontractor at the IDIQ level versus the task order level as some subcontractors will be significant on a particular task order but not on another task order? | The relevant past performance information shall be supplied in a list format along with a brief summary of the relevance the contract has to the MIDS IDIQ SOW. The contracts, subcontracts and task/purchase orders may be with CMS, other federal government agencies, state agencies, local government and/or commercial firms for the same or similar services required by this solicitation. | |
| 54 | IDIQ, MIDS_RFP_75FCMC18R0019; Section L.12; F. Small Business Utilization; page 127 | Confirm the eSRS Reports (the eSRS Reports are typically 2-3 pages long) can be submitted as an attachment and not included in the page limit. | eSRS reports shall not be included in the page limit of 4 pages but shall be submitted in the same section and not in the Appendix. | |
| 55 | IDIQ,MIDS_RFP_75FCMC18R0019, Section I.1, page 72 | Will CMS please confirm that the services provided under the subject Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract and task orders to be issued as professional services which under 29 CRF Part 541 meets the exemption and is not covered under the FAR Clause 52.222-41 Service Contract Act (SCA) | The majority of the services performed are exempt. Any staff that are not deemed Professional per 29 CFR 541 are subject to the Service Contract Labor Standards. | |
| 56 | J.1 IDIQ SOW document, Chapter 3.D., p. 13 | "the contractor shall provide a narrative report of the information gathered (information gathering report- deliverable 3-1), to include, but is not limited to summary report of environmental scan findings; input from technical experts or other stakeholders; Empirical data analysis findings; business case for the concept, topic, condition and/or potential measure(s)". Is the summary report a separate deliverable beyond the individual deliverables associated with the categories listed above? For example, information gathering report is deliverable 3-1; business case is deliverable 3-5 and expert input report is deliverable 3-6 | This may or may not be a separate deliverable depending on the TO requirements. | |
| 57 | J.1 IDIQ SOW document, Chapter 9.C, p. 41 | 9.C. Provider Preview; Deliverable 9-2 (Pre-Posting Preview Report) . "If errors in measure results are determined to be the results of CMS programming or computational problems, then the Contractor shall re-calculate, re-generate, and re-disseminate measure results to providers based on a timeline and process approved by the COR." Please clarify whether the recalculation/dissemination is specific to claims-based measures or assessment-based measures as well." | The recalculation/dissemination is specific to claims-based measures or assessment-based measures as well. | |
| 58 | J.1 IDIQ SOW document, Chapter 9.E, p. 41 | 9.E. Measure File Production. "Calculate quality measures, both by provider and nationally and prepare hospital and/or discharge-level data files of the measure rates and/or demographic information suitable for posting on CMS website." Please clarify whether the recalculation/dissemination is specific to claims-based measures or assessment-based measures as well. | The recalculation/dissemination is specific to claims-based measures or assessment-based measures as well. | |
| 59 | L.12 Technical Proposal Instructions (Volume IA) | Is it correct to assume that the 60 page limit only includes: B. Technical Understanding and Approach; C: Management Plan and Corporate Capacity; and D. Key Personnel and Essential Staff. | Correct, the 60 page limit only includes: B. Technical Understanding and Approach; C: Management Plan and Corporate Capacity; and D. Key Personnel. | |
| 60 | L.12.C.4, p. 122 | Regarding the language under #4: Address the method to be employed for obtaining labor for this task order. This requirement falls under the IDIQ requirements, yet it states "for this task order". What task order is the RFP referring to? Are we to assume we are responding to "task orders" in general (as in, future hypothetical task orders) or are we to assume this is referencing TO 0001? Understanding that TO 0001 has its own response and requirements, we would assume this is intended to describe our process for obtaining labor for task orders in general, is this a safe assumption? Would CMS please provide additional language to clarify the requirement. | The language has been revised. | |
| 61 | L.12.D p. 123, Key Personnel, and M.3.D p. 144, Evaluation Criteria | Is the list of manpower requirements exhaustive, or are there additional personnel requirements (e.g., transitions of care, health IT)? | At the IDIQ level, the offeror shall only propose a Program/Project Manager. For the Sample TO, TO 0001, the offeror shall propose a Project Director and a Clinical Director (a Physician) for key personnel and other applicable staff. The RFP provides a list of the personnel requirements for the referenced key personnel. | |
| 62 | L.12.D, p 123 | Section L.12.D states, in part, The offeror shall include educational background, professional experience, and special qualifications directly related to "the Task Order". The information shall also state if the key personnel is an employee of the prime, an employee of a proposed subcontractor, or a consultant; and how they will be integrated organizationally, their proposed responsibilities, and the percentage of time dedicated to "the Task Order." Question: Is this requirement directed at Key Personnel and essential staff proposed to function at the IDIQ level, or is it CMS' intention to have offerors quote this information based on TO 0001's SOW, which would be similar to the request already in TO 0001 requirements. Would CMS please clarify the language to show if the intention is to talk to the IDIQ USOW (and task orders in a general sense) or TO 0001 Task Order scope specifically? | The Solicitation has been revised. | |
| 63 | MIDS IDIQ Statement of Work, Section 2.D.1, Page 8 | The MIDS IDIQ RFP states that the contractor shall identify a professional project manager under Key Personnel. Would this include senior staff with extensive experience mangaging large and complex projects for CMS, including current MIDS task orders? | On page 123 of the RFP, CMS states the offeror shall propose a Program/Project Manager as Key Personnel at the IDIQ level. On page 8 of the MIDS IDIQ SOW, CMS states the Contractor shall identify, under Key Personnel (at the TO level), a professional project manager. CMS wants a project manager with the requisite experience and a person who has the skills and expertise to follow best practices for the management of a project including the development of a formal work breakdown structure (WBS), timeline, project milestones, critical path, and risk factors. The project manager shall be responsible for collaborating weekly with CMS’ Project Management Oversight Point of Contact, to indicate actions, refinement and progress relative to this contract’s tasks and team responsibilities. | |
| 64 | MIDS RFP 75FCMC18R0019.pdf, Section L.12, page 120 | Will CMS expect an Executive Summary to accompany our proposal response, and if yes, will this be included in the page count? | It is not required but, if it is submitted, it will count against the page limit. | |
| 65 | MIDS RFP 75FCMC18R0019.pdf, Section L.12, page 120 | Will CMS expect an Compliance Matrix to accompany our proposal response, and if yes, will this be included in the page count? | It is not required but, if it is submitted, it will not count toward the page limit. | |
| 66 | MIDS RFP 75FCMC18R0019.pdf, Section L.12.D, page 123 | The instructions state: “Key Personnel for the IDIQ shall include: Program/Project Manager” Could CMS please clarify the role of the IDIQ-level Program/Project Manager. How would this role differ from the Project Manager(s) proposed at the Task Order level? Are there any specific qualifications required for the IDIQ Program/Project Manager? | This section lists the role and type of experience expected. CMS did not list specific qualifications. |
On page 8 of the MIDS IDIQ SOW, CMS states the Contractor shall identify, under Key Personnel (at the TO level), a professional project manager. CMS wants a project manager with the requisite experience and a person who has the skills and expertise to follow best practices for the management of a project including the development of a formal work breakdown structure (WBS), timeline, project milestones, critical path, and risk factors. The project manager shall be responsible for collaborating weekly with CMS’ Project Management Oversight Point of Contact, to indicate actions, refinement and progress relative to this contract’s tasks and team responsibilities.
| 67 | MIDS RFP 75FCMC18R0019.pdf, Section L.12.D, page 123 | The instructions state: “For Key Personnel, the Offeror shall define the responsibilities, qualifications and prior experience in relation to the duties listed above and below. The Offeror shall indicate roles fulfilled by Key Personnel and essential staff.” Please clarify the difference between Key Personnel and essential staff. | Essential staff are personnel essential to the successful completion of the SOW. The Solicitation has been revised. |
| 68 | MIDS RFP 75FCMC18R0019.pdf, Section L.12.G, page 127 | The instructions state: “The Appendix section is limited to 35 pages. Include all items listed within the solicitation that should be included in the Appendix, i.e. resumes, letters of commitment, milestone chart, etc. Do not include marketing material or superfluous materials.” Can CMS please clarify exactly what materials are expected in the Appendix, other than resumes, letters of commitment and milestone chart. What materials are considered superfluous? | The items listed are the items expected to be in the Appendix. Superfluous items include marketing materials, brochures and any other items that will not assist CMS when making an award determination. The Appendix page limit has been expanded to 75 pages. |
| 69 | MIDS RFP Document, Section L.12.C, Pg. 122 | Can the staff loading chart used to meet the requirement of "hours committed to a 'key or essential' person by task be included in the appendix? | Staff loading charts used to meet the requirement of hours committed to a 'key or essential' person by task shall not be included in the Appendix and will be included in the page limit. |
| 70 | MIDS RFP Document, Section L.12.E, Pg. 124 | Can the past performance projects submitted under the IDIQ proposal be used for the Task Order proposals past performance? | Yes, if applicable. |
| 71 | MIDS RFP, L.12 Technical Proposal Instructions (Volume IA), page 124 | Could CMS clairfy whether the reference to supplying past performance for significant subcontractors refers to significant subcontracts on Task Order 1 or on the IDIQ? | Section L.12 A-G of the RFP is for the IDIQ, not the Sample TO 0001. Therefore, the past performance on page 124 is for the IDIQ. |
| 72 | MIDS RFP, Page 114, Section L.2 | Please confirm the number of small business awards that are contemplated for this IDIQ. | CMS is anticipating a minimum of 2 small business IDIQ awards. |
| 73 | MIDS RFP, Section K.17 (b)(3), page 112 | Section K.17 (b)(3) states "The Government will review and approve the offeror's plan for an EVMS before contract award." Does this mean before IDIQ award or before Task Order award? | The Government will review and approve the offeror's plan for an EVMS before award of the IDIQ contract. |
| 74 | MIDS RFP, Section L.12, Page 121 | CMS provides an outline for the structure of contractor responses, including our overall technical approach to all tasks described in the IDIQ. Does CMS want contractor submissions to align with the areas listed in Section L.12, or should contractors respond to CMS based on the chapters listed in the IDIQ statement of work? | Contractors shall propose in the format listed in the RFP but also address every chapter in the IDIQ SOW. |
| 75 | MIDS RFP, Section L.12.C, Management Plan and Corporate Capacity - page 122 | In Volume IA, the solicitation requires "milestone measures by task, hours committed to a "key or essential" person by task, and a designation of what tasks will be performed by the prime, by a subcontractor, or by a consultant." Given that Volume IA is the Technical Proposal for the IDIQ and does not include task level of effort information, can CMS kindly clarify what is required to fulfill this requirement? | The Solicitation has been revised. |
| 76 | MIDS RFP, Section L.12.F.e., Small Business Utilization - page 126-127 | Item e requires Small Business targets expressed as dollars or percentage of total contract value for each Small Business participating, which will become part of the resulting contract. Given that Volume IA is the Technical Proposal for the IDIQ, can CMS kindly clarify if these percentages should be estimates at the IDIQ level, rather than specific to Task Order 1? | Estimates at the IDIQ level. They can be expressed in percentages instead of dollars. |
| 77 | MIDS_RFP, Section L.12.E.2, p. 124 | 1. Since this is an IDIQ we are unable to determine significant subcontracotor percentages on the overall umbrella contract. For the umbrella IDIQ may we demonstrate 3 past performances for each of our subcontractors past performance and qualifications, regardless of "significant" designation? | Offeror shall determine which subcontractors may be performing more than 25% of the work and submit past performance accordingly. |
| 78 | MIDS_RFP_75FCMC18R0019 H.12, p .67 | Please provide the definition of "Automated Data Processing Equipment" or provide the exact reference to the definition in FAR 31.001. The definition could not be located. | This sentence has been removed. |
| 79 | MIDS_RFP_75FCMC18R0019 H.17, p.69 | Post Award Conference section references attendance by an "Executive Director". "Executive Director" is not mentioned elsewhere. Is CMS looking for the Program Director/manager to attend or is CMS referring to an executive outside the immediate project team? | This section has been changed. |
| 80 | MIDS_RFP_75FCMC18R0019 L.12.E.2, p. 125 | There is a reference to the outcome of evaluation of proposed subcontractors within Past Performances. Is the gov't referring to a formal evaluation? If so, is there a defined formalism we should apply? | If the offeror submits a past performance evaluation using non-CPARS/PPIRS, the Offeror shall identify the methods and outcomes of its evaluation of proposed subcontractors. Please explain the method in which the subcontractor was evaluated and the outcome of the evaluation, if applicable. |
| 81 | MIDS_RFP_75FCMC18R0019 L.12.G p.127 | Is the government requesting a sample Milestone Chart as part of the IDIQ Volume IA Appendix? | If the offeror proposes a milestone chart, yes, that would be included in the Appendix. Page 70 of the RFP, in the Transition Plan section, a milestone chart is requested. |
| 82 | MIDS_RFP_75FCMC18R0019, H.11, p.66 | 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". Are all conference costs incurred as a direct or indirect expense considered unallowable unless approved in writing? | This will be determined for each Task Order. 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. |
| 83 | MIDS_RFP_75FCMC18R0019, H.8 p.62 | States that all contractors doing work under MIDS III must enter into a DUA. Requirements for TO2 state that Ch. 10 Access to Systems/Data is not required. Assume that DUA not required for all Tos. If Chapter 10 is not required at the Task Order level, will the Task Order awardee be required to enter a DUA? | Data Use Agreements (DUA) will be determined at the task order level, with CMS as the business owner. Gaining access to the CMS designated data systems may be key to contractor performance. |
| 84 | RFP document SF33 Solicitation, L.12, Technical Proposal Instructions, (Volume IA), E Past Performance, 2 Instructions, page 124 | This statement reads: "The list of directly related projects/contracts shall cover at least the last 6 months, but not more than the most recent three years." Our question. When does the six months start? If it starts on 4-9-18 when the RFP is submitted, an eligible contract would have to have started 11-9-17. If it starts when the contract is signed, the six months would be based off of that date? | When the proposal is submitted, April 9, 2018. |
| 85 | RFP Document, Section 2.C.2 p. 6 | "There is a restriction to the MMS TO. Given the purpose of the MMS, the MMS contractor may not hold a CMS TO for quality measure development." - Will a subcontractor on the prime's team be subject to this restriction as well? In other words, can a subcontractor appear on a measure development task order and also be part of a team that bids on the MMS task order (but not participate in and be firewalled from TO 0004)? | It would depend on what services the subcontractor is performing on a specific TO. This would be evaluated on a case by case basis. For example, the measures manager could use a measure developer that develops measures on a separate TO to help review/provide guidance on a specific section in the BluePrint. |
| 86 | RFP document, Section H.1, p. 39-40; and IDIQ SOW, Section 2.F, p. 10 | In Section H.1.c.1, the Contracting Officer has determined that "For the purpose of identifying entities with actual, potential or apparent COIs, at a minimum, the entity is one that-...(b) That processes claims for the Government and/or is affiliated or has a financial relationship, as these terms are explained above, with an entity that pays claims." In Section H.1.c.2, "CMS is proposing to restrain future Contractor activities as follows:...(b) Processing claims for the Government and/or is affiliated or has a financial relationship, as these terms are explained above, with an entity that pays claims." However, Section 2.F of the IDIQ SOW states, "For measures developed using complex statistical methodologies, the MIDS Contractor shall have staff with...working knowledge in CMS claims..." Question: Is it the Government's intent to exclude such companies from proposing for the MIDS IDIQ contract, or will this restriction only apply at the Task Order level? | H.1.c.1 conflicts are not mitigatable. |
H.1.c.2 conflicts may cause a restriction at the Task Order level but the Offeror must determine if it does.
87 RFP document, Section H.1, p. 39-40; and IDIQ SOW, Section 2.F, p. 10 In Section H.1.c.1, the Contracting Officer has determined that "For the purpose of identifying entities with actual, potential or apparent COIs, at a minimum, the entity is one that-...(b) That processes claims for the Government and/or is affiliated or has a financial relationship, as these terms are explained above, with an entity that pays claims." In Section H.1.c.2, "CMS is proposing to restrain future Contractor activities as follows:...(b) Processing claims for the Government and/or is affiliated or has a financial relationship, as these terms are explained above, with an entity that pays claims." However, Section 2.F of the IDIQ SOW states, "For measures developed using complex statistical methodologies, the MIDS Contractor shall have staff with...working knowledge in CMS claims..." Question: A teaming partner pays Medicare claims on behalf of the Government; their sole interest is in paying the claims correctly in accordance with the requirements of the Medicare program. Please clarify whether the Contracting Officer views this as an actual or potential conflict of interest, and if so, please state the nature of the conflict and whether it is, in the Contracting Officer's view, mitigatable. H.1.c.1 conflicts are not mitigatable.
H.1.c.2 conflicts may cause a restriction at the Task Order level but the Offeror must determine if it does.
88 RFP document, Section H.1, p. 39-40; and IDIQ SOW, Section 2.F, p. 10 In Section H.1.c.1, the Contracting Officer has determined that "For the purpose of identifying entities with actual, potential or apparent COIs, at a minimum, the entity is one that-...(b) That processes claims for the Government and/or is affiliated or has a financial relationship, as these terms are explained above, with an entity that pays claims." In Section H.1.c.2, "CMS is proposing to restrain future Contractor activities as follows:...(b) Processing claims for the Government and/or is affiliated or has a financial relationship, as these terms are explained above, with an entity that pays claims." However, Section 2.F of the IDIQ SOW states, "For measures developed using complex statistical methodologies, the MIDS Contractor shall have staff with...working knowledge in CMS claims..." Question: A teaming partner is an affiliate of a company that pays claims under Medicare Advantage and under its commercial health plans. Please clarify whether the Contracting Officer views this as an actual or potential conflict of interest and, if so, please state the nature of the conflict and whether it is, in the Contracting Officer's view, mitigatable. H.1.c.1 conflicts are not mitigatable.
H.1.c.2 conflicts may cause a restriction at the Task Order level but the Offeror must determine if it does.
| 89 | RFP document, Section H.1, p. 39-40; and IDIQ SOW, Section 2.F, p. 10 | In Section H.1.c.1, the Contracting Officer has determined that "For the purpose of identifying entities with actual, potential or apparent COIs, at a minimum, the entity is one that-...(b) That processes claims for the Government and/or is affiliated or has a financial relationship, as these terms are explained above, with an entity that pays claims." In Section H.1.c.2, "CMS is proposing to restrain future Contractor activities as follows:...(b) Processing claims for the Government and/or is affiliated or has a financial relationship, as these terms are explained above, with an entity that pays claims." However, Section 2.F of the IDIQ SOW states, "For measures developed using complex statistical methodologies, the MIDS Contractor shall have staff with...working knowledge in CMS claims..." Question: Please explain the apparent inconsistency between the requirement for a working knowledge of CMS claims and the potential exclusion for actually doing the work. | Being knowledgeable in CMS claims data does not necessitate being a claims processor. | |
| 90 | RFP document, Section H.5, p. 52 | Does CMS require an environment that has CMS' authority to operate (ATO) for storing and analyzing PII/PHI data? If so, what is the expected timeline for establishing this environment and obtaining CMS' ATO? Please indicate whether the answer pertains to both the IDIQ and the Sample Task. | The timeline for getting an approved ATO varies for every TO that needs one. An ATO is not needed for the IDIQ or for TO, T0001. At the IDIQ level, there are no compatibility requirements because no work is completed at the IDIQ level. | |
| 91 | RFP document, Section H.5, p. 52 | In order to ensure offerors are hosting data in a way that is consistent with required CMS/HHS security and operational controls (as described in section H.5 of the RFP), does CMS intend to provide access to an approved data center, hosting provider, or Cloud service provider? If not, how should bidders price their anticipated data storage, analysis, and access needs within their bids? | CMS does not intend to provide access to an approved data center, hosting provider, or Cloud service provider at this time. Offerors need to determine how they will propose in order to be in compliance with the CMS Information Security Clause. | |
| 92 | RFP document, Section H.5, p. 52 | Is the need for an ATO environment anticipated? If so, will CMS sponsor an ATO for this environment? What assumptions should the offeror make with respect to the timeframe in which CMS can work to grant this ATO and how would this effort be priced? | The timeline for getting an approved ATO varies for every TO that needs one. An ATO is not needed for the IDIQ or for TO, T0001. At the IDIQ level, there are no compatibility requirements because no work is completed at the IDIQ level. |
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