Amendment 3_25R00007.pdf

AMENDMENT #3, RFP No. 75N93025R00007 Page 1 of 13

Amendment No. 3

RFP No. 75N93025R00007

“Management and Operation of the Mali Service Center (MSC)”

Solicitation Number:

Amendment Number:

Amendment Issue Date:

75N93025R00007

Three (3)

January 17, 2025

Response Date:

January 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM, Local Time (unchanged)

Issued By: Sevag Kasparian Contracting Officer

OA/NIAID/NIH/DHHS

Points of Contact: PRIMARY:

Sevag Kasparian, Contracting Officer Sevag.Kasparian@nih.gov Phone: 240-669-5177

SECONDARY:

Rosemary Gomes, Contracting Officer Rosemary.Gomes@nih.gov Phone: 240-669-5374

The purpose of this amendment is to provide responses to questions from potential offerors regarding the solicitation. Also, the following additional Section J Attachments are provided and incorporated:

Attachment 13_NIH2706-Financial Report Attachment 14_Employee Separation Checklist Attachment 15_NIH2043 - Proposal Summary and Data Record

Offerors must acknowledge receipt of this amendment by identifying this amendment number and date of the amendment on each copy of the proposal submitted. Failure to receive your acknowledgement may result in the rejection of your proposal. Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

AMENDMENT #3, RFP No. 75N93025R00007 Page 2 of 13

Responses to Questions from Potential Offerors:

Question 1:

RFP Page 6: Human Resources and Performance Management, For the IDIQ Statement of Work, can NIAID provide a historical list of labor categories and compensation rates for the Malian staff?

Response to Question 1:

Business proposals should indicate fully loaded hourly rates for each Labor Category and skill level at what the offeror believes to be a fair market rate.

Question 2:

SOW for IDIQ. Section 5 requests a comprehensive Staffing Plan with role descriptions and level of effort (LOE). The SOW does not specify the format or level of detail needed (e.g., FTE counts per labor category, hours/month, or percentage of time). For the Staffing Plan, can the Government clarify how granular the Offeror’s LOE breakdown should be (e.g., LOE by labor category, by task, or by project), and whether a staffing matrix (showing which person is assigned to each task) is recommended or required?

Response to Question 2:

A percentage of time for LOE would be sufficient. The LOE could be broken down by task or project (based on the offeror’s preference), and a staffing matrix is not required.

Question 3:

What is the current status of the incumbent IDIQ? It appears to have ended on October 31, 2023.

Under what contracts and task orders is the current work being done under? Please give a list of the contract/task order numbers.

Response to Question 3:

There are 2 active Task Orders under the incumbent IDIQ contract.

1. HHSN272201700050I_75N93024F00001 currently through 04/30/2025.

2. HHSN272201700050I_75N93024F00002 currently through 04/30/2025.

Question 4a:

Base IDIQ SOW, 4 Transition Plan, p. 14, and RFQ, "Phase In/Phase Out Period", p. 11:

Please confirm that the 30-day transition period starts on the first day of the period of performance.

Response to Question 4a:

Confirmed.

Question 4b:

Is the incumbent or the awardee formally responsible for performance (i.e., operation of the Mali service center) during the 30-day transition period?

Response to Question 4b:

The awardee.

AMENDMENT #3, RFP No. 75N93025R00007 Page 3 of 13

Question 4c:

Does the Government have any specific requirements for when key personnel are required to be onboarded during the 30-day transition period? For example, is it sufficient all key personnel are onboard by day 30, or must they be onboard by day 15?

Response to Question 4c:

The primary objective is to ensure continuity of services provided by the MSC during a transition.

Staff should be fully onboarded by the contract start date, or the offeror should have a plan in place to ensure work needs are still being met during a phased onboarding approach.

Question 4d:

Please confirm that the "Final Transition Plan" governs the transition-out of the awardee at the end of its period of performance.

Response to Question 4d:

Confirmed.

Question 5:

RFQ, "HHS SECURITY AND PRIVACY LANGUAGE FOR INFORMATION AND IT

PROCUREMENTS", Section J, p. 10 (also again on p. 33): The solicitation states, "The following position sensitivity designation levels apply to this solicitation/contract:: Tier 1: Low Risk, Non-Sensitive, including HSPD-12 Credentialing." Please confirm that in-country and local personnel will not require Government-issued personnel clearances. If this is not accurate, please specify the type of personnel clearances required for in-country and local staff.

Response to Question 5:

No government-issued personnel clearances are required for this contract.

Question 6:

RFQ, "SECTION L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Bidders", Section J.i, p. 11: The solicitation states, "...Contractor must return all identification badges to the Contracting Officer or designee." Will any of contractors staff be issued Government badges?

Response to Question 6:

Contractors will not be issued U.S. government badges.

Question 7:

RFQ, "4. ON-SITE CONTRACTOR ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT PROPERTY", for purposes of this contract and its Statement of Work, is the Mali Service Center location considered "Government site"?

Response to Question 7:

No.

Question 8:

. RFQ, "c. Proposal Summary and Data Record (NIH-2043)", p. 66: "The Offeror must complete the Form NIH-2043, attached..." Will this project be reviewed by an Institutional Review Board

AMENDMENT #3, RFP No. 75N93025R00007 Page 4 of 13

(IRB)? Please provide a copy of form NIH-2043 or state that it is not required to be included in offerors' proposals because there will be no IRB review.

Response to Question 8:

This project will not be reviewed by an IRB.

Question 9:

RFQ, "e. Page and Formatting Limitations", p. 67: "The substudy proposal section of the Technical Plan (included within the 30 page limit) shall not exceed 8 single-sided or 4 double-sided pages". Please confirm that the "substudy proposal" refers to offeror's response to the Sample Task Order.

Response to Question 9:

See Amendment 1, question 5 for Sample Task Order Proposal instruction for page limit and formatting.

Question 10a:

RFQ, "a. Offerors shall submit the following information as part of their Business proposal", p. 70: The solicitation states , "Contracts listed may include those entered into by the Federal Government, agencies of state and local governments and commercial concerns..."

Please confirm that contracts with foreign governments is also acceptable, given the nature of this work.

Response to Question 10:

This is acceptable.

Question 10b:

Please confirm that contracts with foreign commercial concerns is also acceptable, given the nature of this work.

Response to Question 10b:

This is acceptable.

Question 10c:

Solicitation states, "Offerors may also submit past performance information regarding predecessor companies, key personnel who have relevant experience or subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement when such information is relevant to the instant acquisition." What is the minimum number of past performance references required of the Prime contractor (vs. major subcontractors)?

Response to Question 10c:

As stated on RFP page 70, a list of the last 3 contracts completed during the past 3 years and all currently being performed that are similar in nature to the solicitation workscope… For the purposes of this solicitation, a "major subcontract" is defined as $750,000.00.

AMENDMENT #3, RFP No. 75N93025R00007 Page 5 of 13

Question 11:

RFQ, "A. Statement of Work" and "B. Personnel", pp. 71-75. These instructions are more appropriate for a research proposal. For example, on this contract, key personnel should not include single or multiple principal investigators. Also, the Government has already provided an IDIQ Statement of Work, so offeror Statement of Work does not seem useful. Please confirm that the instructions of these particular sections and pages do not need to be followed as long as offeror is following the instructions given in Attachment 5- Additional Technical Proposal Instructions.

Response to Question 11:

RFP pages 71-75 specifically regarding research and development does not apply.

Question 12:

RFQ, "e. Page and Formatting Limitations", pp. 66-67 and Attachment 1, "B. Page limitations",

p. 2: RFQ, "e. Page and Formatting Limitations" states, "This page limitation does not include the cover sheet, abstract, table of contents, personnel, facilities, equipment and resources, other considerations, schedule, other support, cost information, and literature cited...Appendices shall not exceed a total of 50 single-sided pages..." However, Attachment 1, "B. Page limitations" states, "Total page count does not include: a. Title and Back Page; Table of Contents; Section Dividers that do not contain information other than title of Section; and b. The Human Subject and Clinical Trial Information Form, if required by the solicitation." Please clarify what is actually excluded from the page limitations.

Response to Question 12:

Refer to Attachment 1 for formatting and page limitations that apply.

Question 13:

Attachment 2: Is there a deadline for return of the proposal intent form?

Response to Question 13:

The earliest practical date.

Question 14:

IDIQ SOW, "B. Project Management", section 7, p. 5: The SOW states, "This is a high-volume contract which will require significant administrative oversight." Can the Government provide some workload metrics for the contract so that the offerors may properly estimate staffing levels required?

Response to Question 14:

See Attachment 6 - Additional Business Proposal Instructions, TABLE 1- Direct Labor- Level of Effort, for the cost assumptions provided.

Question 15:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW indicates the Contractor will manage multiple funding streams (e.g., DIR core funds, separate research program funds, DCR/UCRC funds, and extramural grants/contracts). It does not specify the approximate number of distinct bank accounts or sub-accounts required for each funding stream. To determine accounting staff hours and complexity, AMENDMENT #3, RFP No. 75N93025R00007 Page 6 of 13 can the Government clarify how many separate bank accounts or sub-accounts the MSC currently manages or expects to manage at any given time?

Response to Question 15:

See Attachment 6 - Additional Business Proposal Instructions, TABLE 1- Direct Labor- Level of Effort, for the cost assumptions provided.

Question 16:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW states there are approximately ten (10) field sites involved with ICER research activities, with the potential for more in the future. However, it does not provide any estimate of monthly or annual transaction volume (e.g., per diem payments, supply purchases) related to these field sites. For budgeting administrative labor hours and other direct costs, can the Government provide any historical or anticipated volume of field site–related financial transactions (e.g., procurement actions, per diem payments) per month or year?

Motor Pool Fleet: Maintenance and Repairs.

Response to Question 16:

For 11/01/23 - 10/31/24 the approximate total expenses for DIR research activities are approximately estimated at $1M. This can vary based on the field activities (multiple upcoming Phase II trials mean larger expenses potentially). The CORE costs on a slightly different timing schedule monthly are approximately estimated at $33k.

Question 17:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW mentions about 26 vehicles in the ICER motor pool and that the Contractor must manage repairs, licensing, and insurance. However, there is no quantification of the typical number of maintenance or repair actions per vehicle. To accurately project fleet management labor categories and potential ODCs, can the Government provide historical or expected annual maintenance/repair volumes per vehicle and indicate whether the number of vehicles might expand?

Response to Question 17:

For 2024, the approximate motorpool costs totaled $50k, and the expected cost to be +/- $20k of that number each year approximately. These costs are generally for new equipment, batteries, or other consumables as relates to car maintenance.

Question 18:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW indicates the Contractor will handle logistics for about 50 individuals per year traveling internationally from Mali to the U.S. or other locations, along with domestic trips for conferences, trainings, and meetings. However, it does not specify how many domestic/regional trips (within Mali or neighboring countries) are expected. To estimate travel coordination labor hours and travel-related ODCs, can the Government clarify whether it anticipates additional intra-Africa or in-country travel beyond the stated 50 annual international trips? If yes, what is the approximate annual volume?

Response to Question 18:

Intra Africa trips are considered international trips for the purposes of this contract. All domestic trips are generally for field site visits and therefore do not require additional labor hours and travel-related ODCs.

AMENDMENT #3, RFP No. 75N93025R00007 Page 7 of 13

Question 19:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW states that about 25–30 SOPs currently exist for MSC operations, and the Contractor will be responsible for maintaining and updating them. It does not provide a forecast of how many new SOPs might be created or how many SOPs might be updated in a given period.

For planning project management and technical writing labor, can the Government provide an estimate of how many SOP revisions or new SOP developments are expected per year?

Response to Question 19:

It’s not anticipated that a significant number of new SOPs will need to be created. Instead, the current SOPs need to be regularly reviewed and updated as needed. If new business needs arise, then new SOPs should be created based on those business needs.

Question 20:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW requires the Contractor to respond to ad hoc data requests (e.g., pipeline analyses, account balances) within two (2) business days, but does not indicate how many such requests typically occur. For scoping surge capacity and turnaround requirements, can the Government estimate the typical monthly or quarterly volume of these ad hoc requests?

Response to Question 20:

Ad hoc requests may be estimated at approximately one per month.

Question 21:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW requires compliance with GAAP, FAR, and 2 CFR 200 audits but does not indicate how frequently audits occur, nor how extensive. To allocate audit support hours and possibly specialized auditing staff, can the Government provide the estimated number of audits or compliance reviews (internal or external) per year?

Response to Question 21:

The MSC undergoes an internal audit annually.

Question 22:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW requires staff to be fluent in French and English for coordinating with local Malian entities and U.S. Government personnel but does not give the anticipated total number of bilingual FTEs. To develop accurate labor categories and rates, can the Government clarify approximately how many bilingual positions are needed at any one time, and whether any specific labor categories (e.g., project manager, financial specialist) must be bilingual?

Response to Question 22:

At a minimum, the MSC Director and MSC Deputy Director should be bilingual. Local staff need to be fluent in French to conduct business in Mali.

Question 23:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW references payroll processing for Malian personnel, including those funded by USTTB and extramural grants, and not just the Contractor's own staff on its contract with NIH. However, it does not indicate how many local staff are typically on payroll or the frequency of that payroll (e.g., monthly, semi-monthly). For estimating labor hours in HR and payroll administration, can the Government provide an approximate number of Malian staff paid through the MSC, and confirm the standard pay cycle used?

AMENDMENT #3, RFP No. 75N93025R00007 Page 8 of 13

Response to Question 23:

The Support and services contract has approximately 250 people plus open positions available for hiring. Every month (at the end of the month) hours are submitted including any overtime.

Question 24:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW requires ensuring no individual exceeds 100% effort across multiple grants/contracts, yet does not state how many individuals typically split their time across multiple grants, nor how often changes in funding allocations occur. To gauge the complexity of timesheet/effort coordination, can the Government provide an estimate of how many staff typically have dual or multiple grant allocations, and how frequently these allocations are revised?

Response to Question 24:

Many Principal Investigators (PIs) have multiple grant allocations. Grants are typically 3-5 years in length. It can be estimated that allocations may be revised semi-annually or annually.

Question 25:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW references multiple recurring meetings: IRB (5–10/year), MSC Advisory Board (2/year), investigator/work-group meetings, and others specified in Task Orders. It does not quantify total meeting hours or how many require translation services. To budget administrative support and translator labor hours, can the Government estimate the total number of meeting hours per year, and clarify how many participants typically require simultaneous or written translation?

Response to Question 25:

Monthly investigator/work-group meeting duration would be approximately 1 hour in length, although this may need to change based on the needs of the lab. MSC Advisory Board meetings are approximately four hours in length. Meetings will be primarily conducted in English, however the offeror needs to have the capacity to facilitate translation as needed. Meeting minutes and agendas should be provided in French and English.

Question 26:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW discusses maintaining ICER and UCRC facilities, including a CAP-accredited lab, BSL-3 lab, and up to 10 field sites, but does not indicate the typical volume of maintenance requests or service calls each year. For forecasting facilities management labor and ODCs related to maintenance contracts, can the Government share historical or expected annual maintenance/repair request volumes?

Response to Question 26:

The contractor will be responsible for facilitating the establishment of maintenance agreements and procuring any supplies needed. The ICER and UCRC has technicians (through the “Support Services for the NIAID Mali ICER” contract) to conduct some of the maintenance work.

Question 27:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW states that progress review meetings will occur at intervals specified in each Task Order (e.g., weekly, monthly, quarterly). However, the SOW does not offer any historical or typical frequency. To plan meeting preparation (agendas, minutes, scheduling) labor

AMENDMENT #3, RFP No. 75N93025R00007 Page 9 of 13 hours, can the Government provide an approximate number of recurring progress review meetings the Contractor should expect to attend or organize per year (or per Task Order)?

Response to Question 27:

TO progress review meetings will occur monthly at a minimum, and additional ad hoc meetings may be scheduled.

Question 28:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW requires the Contractor to notify NIAID within 48 hours of significant deviations from the Project Plan and be prepared to hold an ad hoc meeting within 48 hours. It does not specify how often such deviations have historically occurred or are anticipated. Can the Government estimate how many significant plan deviations and related ad hoc meetings typically arise per year, so Offerors can account for surge support and associated labor?

Response to Question 28:

These occur relatively infrequently but may arise a few times per year depending on changes made to ongoing research projects.

Question 29:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW requires an initial transition plan (from the incumbent) implemented within 30 days of contract award, but it does not detail the volume of equipment, records, or staff to be transitioned. Can the Government estimate how many assets (vehicles, equipment), staff, and records must be transferred within that 30-day window to facilitate a smooth transition?

Response to Question 29:

See Attachment 8 for equipment. All records should be transferred within that window. The primary objective is to ensure continuity of services provided by the MSC during a transition.

Staff should be fully onboarded by the contract start date, or the offeror should have a plan in place to ensure work needs are still being met during a phased onboarding approach.

Question 30:

IDIQ SOW: The SOW requires the Contractor to assign a Project Manager for each Task Order and to manage tasks at intervals defined in individual Task Orders. However, it does not specify how many Task Orders (TOs) the Government anticipates issuing under this IDIQ or how many might be active concurrently. For planning purposes, can the Government provide an estimate of how many Task Orders are likely to be issued per year and/or how many Task Orders may be active at any one time, so that Offerors may scope the necessary project management staff and labor hours?

Response to Question 30:

There is typically an average of 3-5 TOs active at any one time.

Question 31a:

Attachment 8 - List of Government-Furnished Property and Attachment 9_Breakdown of Proposed Costs: Attachment 8 shows property, some of which is in poor condition and obsolete.

Is the contractor responsible for acquiring replacements to the property in the GFP list which is obsolete or in poor condition?

AMENDMENT #3, RFP No. 75N93025R00007 Page 10 of 13

Response to Question 31a:

Yes.

Question 31b:

Should the contractor budget for replacements of such in the Attachment 9 pricing workbook over the period of performance?

Response to Question 31b:

Yes.

Question 31c:

If the contractor is responsible for budgeting for replacement, what is the replacement policy?

Should all poor and obsolete equipment be replaced? Should computers be replaced every 5 years? Please explain in some detail so offerors may budget properly.

Response to Question 31c:

Poor and obsolete equipment should be replaced. Offerors can provide an equipment lifecycle plan with the proposal.

Question 31d:

Besides replacements of equipment on the GFP list, what other equipment and ODCs should offeror budget for under this contract that should go into the equipment and ODC tabs of the pricing workbook?

Response to Question 31d:

Internet, telephone, and other communications; office supplies; postage and shipping; office maintenance, repairs, janitorial, and security; translation costs; and furniture.

Question 32:

The attached pricing workbook includes a dedicated section for “Consultants” (separate from the direct labor pages). However, the IDIQ SOW does not explicitly mention consultant support. In order to accurately budget for consultant labor and fees, can the Government clarify what types of consulting services or subject matter experts (if any) it anticipates might be needed under this contract (e.g., legal, specialized technical expertise, IT consultation, etc.)? If no consultants are required, can the Government confirm that entry in this category should be zero?

Response to Question 32:

If the offeror proposes consultants to perform the SOW requirements, this is the section to include it in the pricing workbook.

Question 33:

The pricing workbook separates “Materials and Supplies” from “Equipment.” The IDIQ SOW references procuring items such as office equipment, laboratory consumables, and field supplies, but does not clearly delineate which items would be considered “equipment” (capitalized) versus “supplies.” For correct cost classification, could the Government provide guidance on when an item (e.g., a higher-cost lab instrument) should be budgeted under Equipment versus under Materials/Supplies, along with any relevant thresholds or definitions?

AMENDMENT #3, RFP No. 75N93025R00007 Page 11 of 13

Response to Question 33:

See the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for information regarding equipment versus materials and supplies.

Question 34:

The pricing workbook includes a line for “Other Direct Costs (ODCs)”, but the IDIQ SOW lists a variety of costs (e.g., motor pool expenses, customs clearance, shipping, SOP updates) that may or may not qualify as ODCs. Could the Government clarify which types of expenses (beyond travel, equipment, and materials/supplies) it envisions Offerors placing under ODCs—especially given the unique nature of financial management, field site support, and logistical activities described in the SOW?

Response to Question 34:

See the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for information regarding other direct costs.

Question 35:

The workbook includes a “Professional Travel” category, and the SOW describes various travel scenarios (e.g., 50 international trips per year, potential domestic/regional travel). It also references field trips to local sites and attendance at investigator meetings. To ensure we propose realistic travel budgets, can the Government provide additional travel assumptions or guidelines regarding the frequency, duration, and class of travel (economy vs. business) for budgeting “Professional Travel” costs?

Response to Question 35:

Travel class is economy. Frequency, duration, destination, and number of travelers are dependent on the ongoing research projects and vary from year to year. Travel is typically to the United States or locally to field sites within Mali. Some trips are also taken to neighboring countries in West Africa.

Question 36:

There is a section in the workbook for “Patient Care Costs,” but the IDIQ SOW does not explicitly mention inpatient or outpatient clinical costs as part of MSC responsibilities. The SOW focuses primarily on financial management, procurement, and logistical support. Could the Government confirm whether “Patient Care Costs” are anticipated under this requirement (for example, if clinical trials occur under the ICER or UCRC programs) or if this line item can be omitted from the cost proposal?

Response to Question 36:

Patient Care Costs is a templated section of the workbook. Costs that do not apply to this RFP should not be included. Patient Care Costs are not anticipated under this requirement.

Question 37:

The pricing workbook references up to seven (7) “periods” for pricing (e.g., Period I through Period VII). The IDIQ SOW does not explicitly define how many performance periods or option years may be exercised. For a consistent pricing approach, can the Government confirm if Offerors should assume a base period plus six option periods (for a total of seven), or if Offerors

AMENDMENT #3, RFP No. 75N93025R00007 Page 12 of 13 should structure the spreadsheet differently to align with the SOW’s intended period of performance?

Response to Question 37:

See RFP Section F.1 Period of Performance: offerors should structure the workbook based off Section F.1 that reflects a period of performance of 5 years with an option for 6 additional months to extend services.

Question 38:

The workbook includes rows for subcontracts, whereas the IDIQ SOW mentions the possibility of local vendors, service providers, and other third-party collaborations in Mali. However, it is not clear which relationships the Government would consider subcontracts vs. vendors or “MSC clients.” Could the Government clarify which types of external agreements (e.g., with local Malian service providers, specialized equipment installers, or U.S.-based institutions) should be budgeted as “subcontracts” rather than as ODCs or vendor purchases?

Response to Question 38:

External agreements with local Malian service providers, specialized equipment installers, or U.S.-based institutions in support of the research activities would typically be budgeted at ODCs or vendor purchases (not sub-contracts). If the offeror entered into an agreement with a company to provide translation services for the MSC, then it should be budgeted as a subcontract.

Question 39:

Both the workbook and the SOW mention direct labor—in either an hourly or percent-of-effort format—but the SOW does not specify which approach is preferred for this contract type. Could the Government clarify whether Commercial (hourly) or Non-Profit (percent-of-effort) pricing structures are expected? If either method is acceptable, do Offerors need to separate staff (e.g., some by hours, some by effort) or consolidate under one standard format?

Response to Question 39:

See Attachment 6 - Additional Business Proposal Instructions, TABLE 1- Direct Labor, that shows the assumed Level of Effort. For the workbook level of effort would be the preferred approach.

Also, note that in Attachment 6 on the top of page 1, it states that the Table of Labor Rates must be included as part of the offeror’s business proposal. The labor rates must be fully loaded, as in each per hour rate must include applicable costs for fringe benefits, overhead, General and Administrative (G&A), profit, etc…

Question 40:

The workbook requires supporting documentation (e.g., payroll registers, pay stubs, or wage tables) for labor rates. The IDIQ SOW indicates some positions may be filled locally in Mali or may be “to be hired” staff. In cases where local hires or “to be named” positions will be onboarded after contract award, what documentation does the Government consider sufficient to support proposed rates (e.g., local labor market surveys, or average pay ranges for similar roles in Mali)?

AMENDMENT #3, RFP No. 75N93025R00007 Page 13 of 13

Response to Question 40:

The offeror would need to ensure they are compensating based on local market rates for similar roles in Mali.

Question 41:

The “Summary of Equipment Costs” worksheet requests unit price, quantity, and subtotal by period. The SOW references procurement of “office equipment” and “laboratory equipment” but does not specify potential capital equipment thresholds or the timeframe for significant purchases (e.g., first year vs. subsequent years). For Offerors to propose realistic capital equipment purchases, can the Government estimate whether it expects significant upfront equipment purchases (e.g., for labs or vehicles) versus smaller recurring purchases, and if there is any threshold (e.g., >$5,000) for items classified as equipment rather than supplies?

Response to Question 41:

It is not anticipated to be significant upfront equipment purchases but will instead be smaller recurring purchases. However, the offeror may propose a lifecycle plan for MSC-related equipment. Replacement laboratory equipment is purchased through the Task Orders as other direct costs (ODCs).

Question 42:

The “Summary of Travel Costs” worksheet breaks down expenses by airfare, lodging, meals, incidentals, ground transport, etc., per trip. The SOW references approximately 50 international trips per year plus domestic/regional travel but does not detail how Offerors should price these trips (e.g., GSA or State Department per diem rates, actual cost).

Response to Question 42:

See Attachment 6 - Additional Business Proposal Instructions, TABLE 2- Other Direct Costs (Materials), for the cost assumptions provided. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) apply.

END of Amendment No. 3 - RFP No. 75N93025R00007