QUESTIONS_AND_ANSWERS-_0001.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: Can the Government clarify, what does this mean? Is this Service-disabled Veteran Owned/Veteran Owned SB only? (Page 1), Set Aside (SDVOSB/VOSB):

A: As stated on Page 1 of the solicitation, this is a set-aside for Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB).

Q: Please clarify? Can Small Business *be* qualified to respond to RFQ? (Page 1), Set Aside for Small Disadvantaged Business Only:

A: A business is not barred from providing a response, but only Small Disadvantaged Businesses will be considered.

Q: Is the Government looking for 5 FTEs each 1900 hours? Please clarify. (Page 2), Service:

A: The requirement is asking for four (4) Mid-Senior Level at 1,900 hours and one (1) Business Analyst at 1,900 hours. The hours for the two (2) labor categories require 1,900 hours per category for what is stated. See table on Page 2.

Q: Can the Government clarify if the table of contents is counted within 13 pages.

A: The table of contents is counted as part of the page limit.

Q: Can the Government provide instructions for submission of Price Proposal? (Page 3), Quote Content and Submission Instructions:

A: A quote based on the information is being requested based on the requirement(s) stated within the solicitation. A vendor may provide their own feedback, if it is concise, easy to read, etc., use the table on Page 2, or use the worksheet that is found attached to the solicitation. The Government has reattached the worksheet to this amendment.

Q: Can the Government provide instructions for submission of Past Performance? (Page 3), Quote Content and Submission Instructions:

A: As stated on Page 5, CPARS will be used to evaluate past performances. A vendor may also provide information of previous requirements that are similar in complexity and dollar value. It is strongly recommended that the supporting documentation contain the contract number, dollar value, point-of-contact, agency, scope of work, etc.

Q: Can the Government specify how many resumes are needed for submission? Are resumes counted towards (13) pages? (Page 5), Evaluation Criteria:

A: There is no minimum or maximum number of resumes. Yes.

Q: Can the Government provide staff qualification and experience description for the requested resume(s)? (Page 5), Evaluation Criteria:

A: No, a vendor with the necessary expertise should be able to propose a mix of staff based on their understanding of the requirements and referring to Page 2.

Q: Can the Government clarify if the vendor can use PP (being a sub-contractor) on a Prime Contract? (Page 5), Evaluation Criteria:

A: Only the prime contractor’s past performance will be considered.

Q: Can the Prime Contractor utilize sub-contractor past performance or consultant experience? (Page 5), Evaluation Criteria:

A: Only the prime contractors past performance and consultant experience will be considered.

Q: Is there any incumbent for this contract? General:

A: This is a new requirement.

Q: Can the Government clarify the place of performance? In terms of hybrid, remote or partial? It is important to have clarity in terms of *the* staffing plan. General:

A: The place of performance will be remote, unless travel is required.

Q: Can the Government clarify the level of clearance required for this scope of services? General:

A: DPSAC determines the level of clearance and proposed staff should be able to pass the DPSAC security and background check.

Q: Is this project mentioned considered as a potential new requirement or is there an incumbent contract currently performing these services?:

Q: If there are incumbent vendor(s), please provide the contract details (such as: Vendor Name, Contract Number, Award and end dates, total contract value).:

Q: Is there an estimated value available for this potential requirement?:

A: This information is not provided.

Q: Is there a required minimum number of contractor FTEs? for this project.:

A: See table on Page 2.

Q: Can all of the personnel work remotely on this project? or is there a requirement to be on-site? :

A: Work can be completed remotely except for instances where travel may be required.

Q: When I am pricing this out, I notice on Page 17 of the SOW directly corresponds to the optional Task-Life Science Events/Sponsorships. Can you give me some idea of what I am pricing as the verbiage is unclear to me. Am I pricing a 3rd party to work on an event or is this an FTE? Do we know how many events. :

A: The number of events is unknown, but the not to exceed value for any travel is $20,000.00.

Q: Statement of Work (Page 11) We previously submitted a Sources Sought document addressing all of the items in the SOW attached to this solicitation. Should I assume that we use that same information for this and that the Sources Sought was not used for this purpose?:

A: Information that was submitted as a response to the Sources Sought Notification will not be held for a solicitation. A separate submission that follows the instructions and addresses other points must be submitted to be considered.

Q: The solicitation states no more than 13 pages. Does that include the resumes of the current EIRs on the project?:

A: Correct.

Q: Past Performance: Would this only be for the Wholly owned subsidiary that we are bidding this solicitation through or can we also use past performance from our parent?:

A: Past performance of the prime contractor will be the only entity considered. So, if a subsidiary is anticipates providing a quote, that vendor’s past performance will be the only one considered and not the ‘parent’ entity.

Q: For costing purposes, I have the EIRs broken out as there is more than one hourly rate based on experience and position... I am assuming I can break this out? Is that correct or are you looking for Average hourly rates for 4 FTEs?:

A: Correct.

Q: Can you tell me what the definition of a Junior Level EIR is compared to Mid-Senior, as all of our EIRs are seasoned in their field and we don’t currently have a junior level but will add a cost if we know what we are looking for.:

A: Vendor should use their experience/expertise and propose accordingly.

Q: We previously submitted a Sources Sought document addressing all of the items in the SOW attached to this solicitation. Should I assume that we use that same information for this and that the Sources Sought was not used for this purpose?:

A: Information that was submitted as a response to the Sources Sought Notification will not be held for a solicitation. A separate submission that follows the instructions and addresses other points must be submitted to be considered.

Q: The solicitation states no more than 13 pages. Does that include the resumes of the current EIRs on the project?:

A: That is correct.

Q: For costing purposes, if using your grids on Page 2 of the solicitation, it looks like you are looking for the same rates for 4 Mid-Senior Level EIRs. *REMOVED* has a few different hourly rates based on expertise and experience. The highest being the Lead EIR. Should I break them out or do you need an average of all in the Unit Price?:

A: A vendor must provide what they perceive as the best level of labor category would be the best fit to meet the requirement(s). As long as the combination does not exceed the number of hours or personnel found on Page 2.

Q: Can you tell me what the definition of a Junior Level EIR is compared to Mid-Senior, as all of our EIRs are seasoned in their field and we don’t currently have a junior level but will add a cost if we know what we are looking for.:

A: Vendor should use their experience/expertise and propose accordingly.

Q: …regarding costing, we currently have 2 FT EIRs at 1900 and 4 PT at 950 per EIR per year. The hours column doesn’t show the total amount of hours in your Mid-Senior Level but shows 1900. I am not sure if we just add columns for the actual amount of hours or that line is just stating it is 4 FTEs at 1900 per FTE.:

A: You may add a combination of labor categories that range from mid-level to senior level, as long the number personnel and hours found on Page 2.

Q: We would like to know if this is a brand new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services.: