Questions and Answers - amendment 2.pdf

Questions and Answers – Solicitation #75H71526Q00025

IHS, Nashville Area - Child Maltreatment Identification and Reporting TTA Services

Q.1. Schedule of Trainings. Who schedules the trainings and how far in advance? Nashville, Cape Cod, and Lockport, NY, all have "high" seasons where lodging is considerably more expensive. Are we able to schedule the training presentations to avoid the high seasons to keep costs down? The further in advance that we know the dates, the better able we are to incorporate them into our trainers' schedules.

A.1. The contractor will schedule the trainings with the service unit leadership at each location to determine the best timing for the overall staff. Trainings must be completed annually and may be scheduled weeks to months in advance. Trainings may be completed virtually so travel is not required. The government will not provide any additional funding for travel.

Q.2. Location of 7th training. The RFQ lists six localities, but requires seven training presentations. In order to accurately project expected travel costs, where will the 7th training be delivered? If one of the listed locations will have two training presentations, can they be delivered in the same trip, or would it require a second trip?

A.2. The 7th training is the Nashville Area Office. Again, this may be delivered virtually as not all Area staff would be on site.

Q.3. Virtual Trainings. In our experience, in-person training presentations are preferred, as they provide better engagement, retention and outcomes. While our bid will include a 4% increase in each subsequent year to accommodate rising costs, some expenses such as fuel, and airfare can vary greatly. If a proposed training presentation became cost prohibitive for some reason, would we be able to request switching it to virtual to stay within budget? Does IHS have a preference between virtual and in-person presentations?

A.3. IHS would prefer at least one training be presented virtually to allow recording for staff that are unable to attend at a specific date/time. Virtual training is always an acceptable option.

Q.4. Printed Materials. Are there printed materials we are required to give attendees? If yes, are those materials provided by IHS, or do we need to plan for them in the budget?

A.4. IHS Service units have local reporting flow charts that should be reviewed and updated annually as needed. Printed materials may refer to any other training or technical assistance materials the contractor develops for the purposes of this scope of work.

Q.5. Equipment, Internet. The RFP states that the training may be delivered in person at federal service units or the area office. Will those training locations provide projector, screen, sound system, etc.? Will training locations have Internet access?

A.5. Training locations will have internet access, but the availability of other training equipment would vary with the location.

Q.6. Recording. The Statement of Work states, "A recorded version of the training will be made available to any staff unable to attend the live training." Is the trainer responsible for recording the training session?

A.6. IHS will provide a platform to record the training.

Q.7. Wage Determination Schedules. The wage determination schedules do not list a comparable position to a Child Forensic Interviewer Expert Witness/Trainer. We will submit an SF-1444 request for classification. Should that be submitted at the same time as our bid?

A.7. The wage determination schedules are included in the solicitation for reference. It is the responsibility of the contractor to comply with DOL wage rates, as applicable.

Q.8. Indirect Rate. We have a Negotiated Indirect Cost Agreement (NICRA) issued by the U.S.

Department of Justice. The U.S. Department of Health and Social Services previously accepted this NICRA for a grant issued to us by the Administration for Children and Families. Will IHS accept this NICRA as the basis for our indirect costs under this contract?

A.8. All costs must be specifically detailed in the quote response for evaluation.