Attachment 17 - Questions and Answers.pdf

Solicitation No.: 75N95022R00030

Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is the page limit of the technical proposal? Attachment 1 has a blank where the page limit is.

Answer: The total page count of the technical proposal shall not exceed 25 pages inclusive of all charts, graphics, and tables and exclusive of Transmittal/Cover Letter/Table of Contents, Resumes, 508 HHS Checklist, HHS Security, Subcontracting Plan and Privacy Language for Information and IT Procurements, and Past Performance References.

Question 2: What percentage needs to go to the small business on the subcontracting plan?

Answer: Please refer to HHS’ subcontracting goals, located under SUBCONTRACT PLAN REQUIREMENTS on the bottom of page 1 of the HHS Subcontracting Plan Template (Attachment 8).

Question 3: Is the percentage that goes to the small business on the subcontracting plan computed based on the direct cost or indirect cost?

Answer: Please refer to SUBCONTRACT PLAN REQUIREMENTS on the bottom of page 1 of the HHS Subcontracting Plan Template. Page 5, paragraph k.

Question 4: Should the money allocated in the small business subcontracting plan have a line item in the budget?

Answer: Proposed costs for subcontracts have a separate line in Attachment 16 – Breakdown of Proposal Estimated Costs.

Question 5: Technical Proposal Cost Summary (page 39) - no was form provided. Can you provide a form?

Answer: Please refer to Attachment 16 – Breakdown of Proposal Estimated Costs.

Question 6: Past Performance (page 42, para 13) - which type contract does this refer to? E.g., a contract like the current solicitation or a research grant?

Answer: The offeror can reference a contract and or legal written agreement with the federal government, agencies of state and local governments and commercial and non-profit entities.

Question 7: Past Performance (page 42, para 13) - what scope does this refer to? E.g., just the PI, the radiology department, or all of MGH?

Answer: Offerors must submit with their proposal a list of the last 3 contracts completed during the past 2 years and/or contracts awarded currently in process that are similar in nature to tasks in the Statement of Work (SOW).

Question 8: Total compensation plan (page 52). What is specifically included in this?

What type of documentation do you accept? Can you give a sample?

Answer: A total compensation package may include bonuses, commissions, paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and holidays), profit-sharing distributions, insurance (medical, dental, disability and/or life), tuition assistance, childcare assistance, retirement plans, employee assistance programs that offer legal advice, counseling, gym memberships and other services. Offerors can provide payroll statements with their proposal. A sample of total compensation plan cannot be provided.

Question 9: How do we establish "reasonableness or cost realism" page 47? What kind of documentation is needed for, e.g., computers and labor?

Answer: The information in the offeror’s business proposal will assist the Government in determining price reasonableness or cost realism. Provide supporting documentation for equipment, material and supplies proposed. This can be in the form of recent invoices, vendor bids, purchase orders, and/or vendor quotes. If the estimate is based on prior acquisitions, provide documentation of costs incurred such as copies of accounting records.

Question 10: Does Attachment 1 go into the Technical or Business proposal or both?

Answer: No. Attachment 1 - Instructions to Offerors is instructions on how to submit your proposal and does not need to be submitted as part of your proposal.

Question 11: Does Attachment 2 go into the Technical or Business proposal or both?

Answer: The purpose of Attachment 2 – Proposal Intent Response Form is to provide notification to the Government of your intent to submit a proposal. The document should be submitted prior to the submission of the business and technical proposals. This document is not binding.

Question 12: Does Attachment 5 go into the Technical or Business proposal or both?

Answer: Attachment 5 – Summary of Related Activities Form will be included with the technical proposal.

Question 13: Does Attachment 6 go into the Technical or Business proposal or both?

Answer: Attachment 6 is informational only. Offerors will be required to describe their approach to meeting and complying with Section 508 requirements. Offerors will be evaluated on the proposed activities that will comply with Section 508 requirements. The awardee will be required to submit a Section 508 annual report within thirty (30) calendar days after contract award (See Article F.2. – Deliveries, paragraph (a)(7).

Question 14: Does Attachment 7 go into the Technical or Business proposal or both?

Answer: Attachment 7 – Proposal Summary and Data Record will be included with the business proposal.

Question 15: Does Attachment 9 go into the Technical or Business proposal or both?

Answer: Attachment 9 – Offeror Point of Contact will be included with the business proposal.

Question 16: Does Attachment 11 go into the Technical or Business proposal or both?

Answer: Attachment 11 – Disclosure of Lobbying Form will be included with the business proposal.

Question 17: Is this an "incrementally funded" contract? See page 52 para d.

Answer: The Government intends to award a cost reimbursable type contract. Funds will be obligated to cover all cost expected to be incurred during a twelve-month period of performance.

Question 18: Where should statements about the offeror not giving up rights to intellectual property go?

Answer: The statement should be referenced as an assumption in the technical proposal.

Question 19: Is it necessary to provide references (M.6 page 58)?

Answer: Yes. As stated on page 42 in the solicitation, offerors must submit with their proposal a list of the last 3 contracts completed during the past 2 years and/or contracts awarded currently in process that are similar in nature to tasks in the SOW.

Question 20: Personnel (page 45) - do programmers and research assistants go under Other Investigators or Additional Personnel?

Answer: The offeror can list programmers and research assistants under Additional Personnel.

Question 21: Resume (page 46) - for PI only?

Answer: A resume will be required for each proposed personnel.

Question 22: Page 48 - do computers go under materials, purchased parts, or special equipment?

Answer: Proposed computers can be listed under special equipment.

Question 23: Page 52 - is total compensation for the PI only?

Answer: A total compensation plan will be required for all proposed personnel.