Governments Responses to Industry Questions.xlsx
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- Solicitation number
- 75N96020Q00008
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Q&A
| No. | Reference | Questions | Answers |
| 1 | General | Is this a single-source contractor IDIQ? | Yes, this is for a Single Award IDIQ Contract |
| 2 | FAR 16.504(c) Multiple-award preference [indefinite-quantity contracts] | Per FAR 16.504(c) Multiple-award preference [indefinite-quantity contracts], would the Government consider making this a multiple-awardee IDIQ, increasing the Government’s ability to encourage innovation and maintain competition among the awardees throughout the contracts period of performance? | In accordance with FAR 16.504(c)(ii)(C), consideration was given on use of a single award IDIQ vs a multiple award IDIQ. It was determine that multiple awards are not appropriate for this requirement. |
| 3 | RFQ Section A | Does the contract opportunity 75N96020Q00008 require the contractor to be a contract vehicle holder? | The set-aside for this requirement is total small business set-aside. |
| 4 | General | Will the XXX bid be deemed ineligible if the bid package does not here adhere to NIH’s TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS ? | Quoters are to read and adhere to the instructions in the RFQ, are to understand the basis of award included in the RFQ, and are to adhere to the other requirements of the RFQ |
| 5 | General | What NIH Contract Vehicle does this contract fall on to? | The resultant award will be a single award IDIQ contract |
| 6 | General | Will not having a formally signed Past Performances disqualify XXX’s bid? | The RFQ does not call for "signed" Past Performance |
| 7 | General | Will client require contractor staff to possess clearances to support this contract? | The normal onboarding process for NIH contractors and clearance to get on the NIH/NIEHS network will be required but a "secret clearance" is not required. |
| 8 | General | Is XXX considered ineligible if no prior experience supporting public health or environmental public health? | See amendment to the RFQ, specifically change to the Basis of Award, Factor I – Technical Capability, (d) Subfactor 4 – Basic Contract Technical Experience. |
| 9 | General | Does the client have any font requirements for the contractor’s bid submission? | See amendment to the RFQ, quotation must be typed in font 12-point Times New Roman font. |
| 10 | General | Does statement below require action if already registered in Sam.gov? Statement: IF YOU INTEND TO SUBMIT A QUOTE, YOU MUST: (1) Go to the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) and complete the Representations and Certifications. Offerors must access ORCA through the System for Award Management (SAM) at http:// www.sam.gov; and (2). Complete, and INCLUDE as part of your price quote. | Offerors must access ORCA through the System for Award Management (SAM) at http:// www.sam.gov; and (2). Complete, and INCLUDE as part of your price quote. |
| 11 | General | Does seed project 1 and seed project 2 represent the “task orders” for this contract? | RFQ states that, "Seed project 1 will be issued as the first task order and seed project 2 may be issued during fiscal year 20 as task order 2." |
| 12 | RFQ Section B | Where do we find labor categories rates that align to the contract opportunity? | This is a competitive process and innovative ideas and solutions are being sought: it is up to quoters to find and provide this information. |
| 13 | General | Where do we find labor categories descriptions that align to the contract opportunity? | This is a competitive process and innovative ideas and solutions are being sought: it is up to quoters to find and provide this information. |
| 14 | General | Does the client have a predefined required list of LCATs for this contract? | This is a competitive process and innovative ideas and solutions are being sought: it is up to quoters to find and provide this information. |
| 15 | General | What are the official NIH NIEHS wage labor determination rates? | There are no official NIH NIEHS wage labor determination rates |
| 16 | General | What are the “key” contractor labor categories for this contract? | The program manager is the key personnel for this requirement; howeer, resumes associated with each labor category (key and non-key personnel) should be submitted as requirement in the RFQ |
| 17 | General | Does the client have predetermined Indirect Rates for G&A, overhead, material handling, etc.? | This is a competitive process and innovative ideas and solutions are being sought: it is up to quoters to find and provide this information. |
| 18 | General | Who are the key “government” contract members that are responsible for the delivering the NIEHS GEH mission? | The NIEHS Bethesda office coordinates and provides leadership to the Institute’s activities on Global Environmental Health (GEH) and Climate Change and Human Health (CCHH). Dr. John Balbus, M.D., M.P.H. is the Senior Advisor for Public Health and serves as the current POC and IDIQ COR for the current contract. |
| 19 | General | What does Ordering Period: 07/08/2010 represent? | See amendment 000001: Date 07/08/2010 has been corrected to 07/08/2020 and represents the anticipated IDIQ contract start date. |
| 20 | General | Does the contract primarily require on site contractor support? | No |
| 21 | General | Does the require contract travel? If yes, where? | The contractor is not typically expected to travel, rather, logistic and administrative support is needed to help meeting attendees with travel. See IDIQ SOW 4.4.2. Advanced Logistics. Also see IDIQ SOW 4.5.4. The Contractor staff shall also represent the GEH program, through speaking opportunities or presentations, at specific GEH conferences, meetings, seminars and other events as requested by the Program Officer. |
| 22 | General | Is XXX required to use Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF) for monthly invoicing? | See Addendum to FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions for invoice submission instructions, specifically, "Electronic Invoicing Instructions for NIH Contractors/Vendors." |
| 23 | General | What kind of subject matter experts do we have access to for content creation during the contract? | The IDIQ COR and the specific NIEHS program official will be available to respond to questions or to provide clarifications but a task order SOW typically articulates the government's needs. However, the contractor is expected to provide the services needed. |
| 24 | RFQ Section C - Statement of Work | What platforms are used to manage the existing NIEHS gov websites and collaborative web content pages? | The NIEHS Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal [https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/cchhl/] is a global database of published scientific documents on the human health implications of climate change, coupled with an online user interface that allows searching and customized browsing of the database. Previsous searchs were conducted utilizing PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (for grey literature). |
The WHO Chemical Risk Assessment Network [http://www.who.int/ipcs/network/en/] consists of scientists, policy-makers, and public health officials from more than 70 public health organizations who represent more than 40 nations.
NOTE: Websites are managed by a separate contractor and not by this support contract. The role is to supply content only.
| 25 | SOW IDIQ | What types of data/information are we storing in this offeror’s database? | See response above and see task order SOWs for seed projects |
| 26 | SOW IDIQ | What does existing GEH Newsletter look like? | See https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/programs/geh/geh_newsletter/index.cfm . This information is publicly available. |
| 27 | SOW IDIQ | What existing Podcasts platforms are currently being utilized by the contract offeror? | The podcasts are posted on the NIEHS website in mp3 format with pdf transcripts. We are agnostic as to the specific means used to generate these products. |
| 28 | SOW IDIQ | What GEH tracking systems are being used today? | We presently have a GEH activity tracking database in MS Access. |
| 29 | SOW IDIQ | What existing social media accounts are active? | The GEH Program doe not have its own social media account. The NIEHS has a central account, @NIEHS on Twitter and on Facebook. |
| 30 | SOW IDIQ | Does the program have existing GEH tracking system tools? | Yes, the program maintains an Access database of GEH program activities. |
| 31 | SOW IDIQ | Does the client have an existing NIEHS Strategic Plan and GEH Program Logic Model? | While there is no public version of the GEH Program Logic Model, the NIEHS Strategic Plan is available online, and the GEH program webpages provide sufficient detail on the activities and goals of the program. |
| 32 | SOW IDIQ | Is there already some form of QA/QC in place from the previous contract? | Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) plans are task order specific. These will not be provided. |
| 33 | SOW IDIQ | Does the client have any existing vendor relationships that XXX will be required to work with | No |
| 34 | SOW IDIQ | What current vendors will XXX be required to partner with, if awarded this contract opportunity? | None |
| 35 | SOW IDIQ | Is the client open to using other vendors such as HP Quality Center? | For Partnerships and Representation, the contractor shall work with the NGO's specified by the Program. |
For other work it is up to the contractor to structure their own teaming arrangement 36 SOW IDIQ Does the client have any vendor restrictions? For Partnerships and Representation, the contractor shall work with the NGO's specified by the Program.
For other work it is up to the contractor to structure their own teaming arrangement
| 37 | SOW IDIQ | Does the client require the exportation of the results stemming from MS Access database queries to include tagging those results in a CSV for import back into the database? | Question is unclear. Literature Portal task requires exportation of updates from Access to CSV for upload into the online portal. |
| 38 | SOW IDIQ | Are there any vendor relationships we will need to consider working with for this project? | At times, the Program would expect the contractor to work in conjunction with various NGOs to ensure these efforts are accomplished. |
| 39 | SOW IDIQ | What types/formats of literature are to be searched? For example, Online articles, physical books/newspapers, etc. | Peer reviewed published scientific literature and gray literature from government entitites. |
| 40 | SOW IDIQ | What databases are we able to access that already contain the required NIEHS GEH program data? | There are no publicly available databases with GEH program data. |
| 41 | SOW IDIQ | Is the MS Access database currently the source of all of the literature? | No. Searches are done on PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar to obtain the literature. |
| 42 | SOW IDIQ | Is there parameters on what data sources are used to populate the required reports listed in the SOW? | No there aren't. Vendor will determine how to populate the required reports. |
| 43 | SOW IDIQ | Will the NIEHS GEH podcasts be produced on client site or remotely? | Podcasts have been recorded and produced remotely and then uploaded to NIEHS website. |
| 44 | SOW IDIQ | What is deemed “relevant activity” | A "relevant activity" is an activity (e.g., lecture, workshop, podcast, newsletter) performed through the GEH program that is relevant for inclusion in the tracking database. |
| 45 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 3.1, page 1) What are the current databases and systems in use today that provide program planning, monitoring and evaluation? | There is a GEH program tracking database in MS Access. |
| 46 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 3.1, page 2) What are the current communication platforms used to collaborate with other research institutions? | NO specific platforms. |
| 47 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 3.1, page 2) What kind of networks are currently being used? | This refers to institutional networks, such as our Children's Enviornmental Health WHOCC network. Please go to WHO CC webpage to learn more. |
| 48 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 3.1, page 2) What type of data will be shared in this collaboration with other research institutions? | To be determined on an ongoing basis. See our webpage to get insight into current information. |
| 49 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 4.3.2.1, Page 3) Is there already a network or a framework built out? | Please go to our webpage to learn about the current collaboration center networks. |
| 50 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 4.3.2.1, Page 3) How many other contractors from other organizations are the award winners of this opportunity collaborating with? | None |
| 51 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 4.3.2.1, Page 3) What kind of network? IP, Telephony? | This refers to institutional networks or consortia. |
| 52 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 4.3.2.1, Page 3) What type of data would traverse this network? Data? Voice? Video? | Please go to our webpage to learn about the current collaboration center networks. |
| 53 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 4.5.1. Page 4) What is the current size of the database? | The database currently has 11489 entries. Please go to portal webpage to learn more. |
| 54 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 4.5.1. Page 4) Are there any issues with the access or performance of the database? | There are no issues. |
| 55 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 4.5.1. Page 4) How often would you require new databases vs updates to existing databases? | We require only updates to the current database, currently being done twice per year. |
| 56 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 2.1.1 Page 13) What are the current search parameters? | The parameters are outlined in the guidance document located at (https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/cchhl/index.cfm?do=main.faq #4) https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/cchhl/assets/Climate_Change_and_Human_Health_Search_Strategy_for_NCA4_508.pdf |
| 57 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 2.1.3 Page 13) What is the current established process used to screen, prep and tag the publications? | The current process is described in Section 1.0 of the SOW. |
| 58 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 2.1.3 Page 13) What type of information is stored in the guidance document? | Information pertaining to the development of the literature portal. |
| 59 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 2.1.4 Page 13) What assets, processes, or functions are you looking to have this QA/QC system applied to? | The QA/QC system is applied to the screening, tagging and database creation process and results. |
| 60 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 2.1.5 Page 14) What NIEHS contractor currently maintains the online portal and database? | The incumbent contractor is MDB Incorporated |
| 61 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 2.1.5 Page 14) What version of Access is this database? | MS Access 2016. |
| 62 | IDIQ SOW | (Section 2.1.5 Page 14) How large is this database? | Curently the database holds 11489 entries. |
| 63 | General | Who is the incumbent and are they eligible to bid as a 100% small business? | The incumbent contractor is MDB Incorporated. This acquisition is a total small business set-aside. All quoters who respond to the RFQ must be small business concerns. |
| 64 | Combined Synopsis and Solicitation | Page 1, Description, (iv), states: “The anticipated contract type is a single award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with fixed priced task orders.” Page 1, 3.0. SCOPE states: “This Statement of Work (SOW) will be used to execute a broad range of technical, logistics, & administrative tasks under the resultant multiple award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.” Page 7 of the Additional Solicitation Clauses and Provisions states: “The Government contemplates award of a single award IDIQ contract.” Please clarify if the resultant contact will be single award or multiple award. | This is a single award IDIQ. See amendment 000001 correcting any reference of multiple award IDIQ to single award IDIQ |
| 65 | Combined Synopsis | Page 1, Description, (v): ordering period for Item No. 0001 and Item No. 0002 are both set to 07/08/2010 – 5 years from date of award with a do not change notice to the right of the table. Please advise if the ordering period dates should be 07/08/2020 – 5 years from date of award. | See amendment 000001: Date 07/08/2010 has been corrected to 07/08/2020 and represents the anticipated IDIQ contract start date. |
| 66 | Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors | Page 4, pricing tables for Seed Project 1 & 2: for Items 1 and 2 under the “Other” category there is only the column for the indirect rate percentage and the total column indicates “N/A”. Please confirm that for purposes of responding to this RFQ no pricing is requested for Travel or ODCs for Seed Project 1 &2. | See Section 5.0 in both task order SOWs for seed project 1 & 2, travel is not anticipated under this task order |
| 67 | Addendum to FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions | Page 1, (2). Key Personnel, HHSAR 352.237-75 (DECEMBER 2015) names Brenda Raczka as Project Manager under Key Personnel and essential to the work being performed under this contract. Was the name left in error or does the award of this contract rely on Brenda Raczka being proposed as the Project Manager? | See amendment 000001: This error had been corrected |
| 68 | General | Is there an incumbent? If so, who is the incumbent and what is the contract number? | The incumbent contractor is MDB Incorporated. The current contract number is HHSN273201600006I |
| 69 | General | The document states “only recent experience will be evaluated:, however I did not see where they define recent? Is recent considered within the past 5 years? | The instructions to quoters states, "A list of three (3) references with who like or similar services has been provided within the past three (3) years." Amendment 000001 had added the following under the basis of award, "Recent experience is experience performed during the past three (3) years from the date of issuance of the solicitation." |
| 70 | General | With the Government's plan to reduce support for the World Health Organization (WHO), does the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) expect to continue to be designated as a WHO Collaborating Center and assist the WHO as detailed in Section 1.1? | This has no relevance to the requirement at hand. |
| 71 | Section 4.4.3 | Does the Government expect that on-site coordination will be for events hosted at the contractor's site, on the NIH campus or off site? | On site or off site support is task order specific and can vary. Each task order SOW will provide details. |
| 72 | SOW Section 4.2.2 | Will a programmer be required to make the updates to the website, or are they only looking for content? | Section 4.2.2 only calls for website content, and specifies cooperation with NIEHS web staff to perform the updates. |
| 73 | SOW Section 4.2.3 | Podcasts - Does NIH have an in house production team with studio to record / produce the podcasts or is this part of the requirements? | Podcasts have generally been recorded through telephone; no in-house studio is provided. |
| 74 | SOW Section 4.2.4 | Is there an in house production team that will produce the webinars or is this part of the requirements? | This is part of the requirements. |
| 75 | Combined Synopsis | Will the government extend the submission date for quotations? Additional time will allow for more collaboration among our team as we all deal with changed circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic. | See amendment 000001: This error had been corrected |
| 76 | Combined Synopsis | Page 2, item (iv) says that “The anticipated contract type is a single award….” However, Attachment I, the IDIQ SOW, at page 1, section 3.0 says “…under the resultant multiple award Indefinite…..” Can the Government clarify whether the anticipated IDIQ contract type is single- or multiple-award? | This is a single award IDIQ. See amendment 000001 correcting any reference of multiple award IDIQ to single award IDIQ |
| 77 | Combined Synopsis | Page 2 of 4, item (iv), the RFQ says “The anticipated contract type is a single award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with fixed [price] task orders.” However, Attachment I (IDIQ PWS) page 2 under 4.1 describes labor hour reports. Attachment III, IDIQ Pricing, page 8, shows a sample Labor Category table that is customary for Time and Materials (T&M) type contracts and task orders. Attachment IV, Seed Project 1 SOW, page 9 shows historical hours per labor category, and page 12 shows a sample labor category table. Attachment V, Seed Project 2 SOW, page 15 shows a sample labor category table. Various other language in the remainder of the RFQ appears to refer to T&M or other labor hour-based contract and task order types. Can the Government clarify whether anticipated task orders will be firm fixed price or time and materials, or some other basis? | The task orders will be firm fixed priced. The requested information on hours is only to understand the quoters/contractors pricing methodology. |
| 78 | Combined Synopsis | Page 3 of 4, item (x), the RFQ says “See FAR 52.212-3 “Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items.” This attachment was not found in the set of solicitation documents or attachments. Can the Government provide the file that offerors should complete, or should offerors use the cited form as posted on the government’s FAR web site? | The RFQ states, "See FAR 52.212-3 “Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items' and not see document titled "FAR 52.212-3 “Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items.” The RFQ states that "The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html". |
Offerors must access ORCA through the System for Award Management (SAM) at http:// www.sam.gov; and (2). Complete, and INCLUDE as part of your price quote.
| 79 | IDIQ SOW | Task Areas 4.2.6, 4.3.1; Can the government clarify the platform used by the GEH tracking database? | MS Access 2016. |
| 80 | IDIQ SOW | Task Area 4.3.2.1; Can the government clarify whether the network of institutions focused on CEH already exists or needs to be initiated? | It already exists. Please go to our WHO CC webpage for information. |
| 81 | IDIQ SOW | Task Area 4.3.2.3 Strategic Planning; Will participation in this activity (assisting in developing and updating a strategic plan for the operations of the GEH program) limit a contractor from any potential future work funded by the program? | In general, strategic planning does not involve discussion of contractor support, thus participation should not limit any potential future work. |
| 82 | IDIQ SOW | Task Area 4.5.4 – Can the government clarify whether “immediate disbursement” means advanced payment before services are delivered? | There is no advanced payment to the Contractor before services are rendered. |
| 83 | Seed Projects 1 and 2 | Can the government clarify if only indirect rates applicable to ODCs need to be provided or if the actual ODCs need to be provided in the pricing tables? | For the table in Attachment III, only the indirect rate is needed. For the tables in Attahcment IV and V, the government does not anticpate that travel or ODC will be required for seed project 1 or seed project 2. |
| 84 | Seed Project 1 | Task Area 2.3.2.2; states that the contractor shall “Assist with planning and conducting conference calls, including scheduling, facilitating when asked, note taking, and delivery of post-meeting summaries. Approximately one 1 hour call per month for all focus areas.” Can the government please clarify that this shall be one 1 hour call per month for EACH of the remaining three WHO Collaborating Center focus Areas (Health Consequences of Weather and Climate Extremes, Environmental Factors and Non-Communicable Diseases, Chemical Risk Assessment Network) for a total of three one hour calls a month, or if this means one 1 hour call per month that will cover the remaining three WHO focus areas collectively in a single call per month. | The contractor should assume one 1 hour call per month to cover all three remaining focus areas. This may or may not have content from all focus areas in any given month. |
| 85 | General | Who is the incumbent and the associated award number? | The incumbent contractor is MDB Incorporated. The current contract number is HHSN273201600006I |
| 86 | General | How many RFQ responses did Office of Acquisitions receive during the last award? | Two responses were received |
| 87 | General | What is the value of the incumbent award and option years? | The ceiling on the current single IDIQ award can be found at ATTACHMENT VI - HISTORICAL WORKLOAD DATA |
| 88 | General | Was the previous award a set-a side such as Small Business, 8a, etc. | The set-aside used on the current contract was total small business. |
| 89 | IDIQ SOW | Section 1.2 notes there are 6 focus areas - bulleted list below it only has 4 items. | See amendment 000001: This error had been corrected |
| 90 | IDIQ SOW | Section 4.5.4 references wire transfers to NGOs contractor will need to do on behalf of the government and the expectation that contractor will have funding available. Not clear if government will seed these funds (into a contractor managed account) or define a reimbursement standard operating procedure in the aftermath of a completed transfer? If the latter, what is the envisioned reimbursement cycle. | The government will not seed the funds into a contractor managed account. There will be no advanced payment for services not rendered. |
| 91 | Attachment V, Seed Project 2 | What technologies are these databases based on? | The databases use Microsoft Access. |
| 92 | Attachment V, Seed Project 2 | Do you envision or require upgrading these databases to newer technologies? | We are open to proposals from vendors on different technologies but we are not requiring that at this time. |
| 93 | General | Is there an incumbent contractor for the NIEHS NLASS requirement? If so, provide the name of the incumbent contractor and the contract number of the current of previous contract. | The incumbent contractor is MDB Incorporated. The current contract number is HHSN273201600006I |
| 94 | General | Will the Service Contract Act apply to any of the positions under the new contract? If so, which prevailing wage determination should be used? | Per DOL, no wage determination is being issued for this procurement. Therefore, in accordance with Title 29 C.F.R. Part 4, Section 4.6(d), the contractor is required to pay no less than the Federal minimum wage. |
| 95 | Addendum to FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions, Key Personnel, HHSAR 352.237-75 (DECEMBER 2015) age 1 of 6 | It states the Project Manager is Brenda Raczka, would the Government please confirm the key personnel? Is Brenda Raczka required as key personnel for the Project Manager position? | See amendment 000001: This error had been corrected |
| 96 | Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors, Section 4.c (b) Price Quote. Page 3 of 5 | Separate Pricing Tables for Seed Project 1 & 2 states, “Quoters shall provide a corresponding table that includes labor categories, hours, and hourly rate for each seed project. Pricing for each seed project shall include fully burdened labor rates, G&A, OH, fringe, and profit.” Will subcontractors have the ability to submit pricing direct to the Government? | No. The government contracts with the Prime and not the subcontrcactor. |
| 97 | Attachment IV Task Order Statement of Work Seed Project 1, Section 1.1 Page 9 of 17 | Based on the historical list of positions under Seed Project 1, we have identified several positions that could potentially meet Service Contract Act (SCA) requirements (e.g. Graphic Designer, Junior Writer/Editor, Admin Support Specialist, Administrative/Clerical, Junior Conference Planner). Do any of the positions under the current contract fall under Service Contract Act? Could the Government please provide an updated list of the SCA positions and the current contract prevailing wage determination used? | Per DOL, no wage determination is being issued for this procurement. Therefore, in accordance with Title 29 C.F.R. Part 4, Section 4.6(d), the contractor is required to pay no less than the Federal minimum wage. |
| 98 | Attachment IV Task Order Statement of Work Seed Project 1, Section 2.1 Page 9 of 17 | Section 2.1 of Seed Project 1 states, “The Contractor shall participate in monthly meetings with GEH staff, preferably in person.” Will the Government please confirm the meeting location? | In person meetings refer to our NIH Bethesda office, but this is not a requirement. |
| 99 | Addendum_to_FAR_52.212-4_Contract_Terms_and_Conditions.pdf”, | “Section 1 (2) Key Personnel” it lists the following: “Project Manager – Brenda Raczka.” |
| While it makes perfect sense that whomever fills the role of Project Manager be key on this work, our question is: Who is Brenda Raczka and is she specifically key to this work? Is the govt requiring a specific individual be key? | See amendment 000001: This error had been corrected | |||
| 100 | General | Can you please tell us the incumbent’s name and value of the current contract? | The incumbent contractor is MDB Incorporated | |
| 101 | IDIQ SOW | Can the Government please describe the details of the reimbursement for the wire transfers of funds discussed in Attachment I section 4.5.4? As the Government expects a line of credit to be maintained by the offeror to support these payments, will the Government be allowing interest to be charged on the amounts transferred? How will the Government be handling reimbursement to offerors of the transferred amounts (i.e., how will contractors bill the Government?) | See responses to questions 21, 22, 82, and 90. Reimbursement for travel shall be IAW FAR 31.205-46 Travel costs and shall be paid to the contractor only to the extent that it is necessary for performance of SOW requirements. All travel associated with the contract must be approved IAW the HHS policy on promoting efficient spending. | |
| 102 | General | The Government has indicated an expectation for offerors to have relationships with various non-governmental organizations. Can the Government please provide the names of the NGOs offerors are expected to work with, or the names of NGOs that have been partners in the past? | There is no expectation that the offeror will have pre-existing relationships with the relevant NGOs. Rather, establishing such relationships as relevant to specific task orders and activities is what this refers to. | |
| 103 | Past Performance | Will the Government’s evaluation of Corporate Experience or Past Performance include an evaluation of the NGOs offerors list as partners? That is, does the Government expect particular NGOs to be part of a successful offerors proposal? | Contractors are required to work with the NGOs listed in task orders. Working without these NGOs is not optional nor are they the subcontractors or teaming partners the government is expecting to be submitted with the quote. | |
| 104 | General | Will the government please provide a list of the labor categories the Government expects to be proposed, and their required qualifications? | This is a competitive process and innovative ideas and solutions are being sought: it is up to quoters to find and provide this information. | |
| 105 | Seed Project | Will the government please provide the appropriate SCA wage determinations for the seed projects? | Per DOL, no wage determination is being issued for this procurement. Therefore, in accordance with Title 29 C.F.R. Part 4, Section 4.6(d), the contractor is required to pay no less than the Federal minimum wage. | |
| 106 | General | The Government has included a name (Brenda Raczka) as the Program Manager and key personnel. This is a non-personal services contract, can the Government please clarify the need for Ms. Raczka? | See amendment 000001: This error had been corrected | |
| 107 | Seed Project | Can the Government please provide workload counts or staffing information for Seed Project 2? There is little information included in the SOW that would allow a responsible offeror to determine the level of effort required. | See amendment 000001: See document titled "CCHH Literature Portal Coding Guide_2020" | |
| 108 | General | The Government has expressed an expectation for offerors to have experience with IT support. Specifically, IT support of Public Health. Can the Government please provide examples of Public Health-specific IT capabilities that would be acceptable as past experience? | No but see amendment to the RFQ, specifically change to the Basis of Award, Factor I – Technical Capability, (d) Subfactor 4 – Basic Contract Technical Experience. | |
| 109 | Instructions to Quoters | In the instructions to offerors, Volume I, Tab 4, the Government requires resumes for all key labor categories. Could the Government: |
a. Provide a list of the required labor categories, and
b. Please state which labor categories are considered key? a. No
b. See update to IDIQ SOW 5.0. Key Personnel
| 110 | General | Will the government require health-specific IT capabilities such as capabilities for handling and storing PII or establishing Data Use Agreements with Government Agencies? | No we don't anticipate the need for health-specific IT capabilities. |
| 111 | General | Does the Government have a list of directed subcontractors (NGOs) offerors will be required to work with? | No. These will be determined in the future for specific activities and task orders. |
| 112 | Combined Synopsis | 1. | Number of Awards: |
The Combined Solicitation document states:
“A total small business set-aside is applicable to this procurement and the associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541611, with a small business size standard of $16.5M. The anticipated contract type is a single award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with fixed pried task orders.”
The IDIQ SOW (in Attachment I-VI) states the following:
“3.0. SCOPE: This Statement of Work (SOW) will be used to execute a broad range of technical, logistics, & administrative tasks under the resultant multiple award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.”
| Does NIEHS reserve the right to make multiple awards depending on the quality of offers received, if there is a deemed benefit to the Agency such as but not limited to mitigating vendor dependency risk and/or increasing contracting capacity in the future ? | This is for a single award IDIQ only. | ||
| 113 | 2. | Resumes and labor categories |
The Instructions to the Offerors (Tab 4 – Basic Contract Technical Experience) states the following:
“Resumes associated with each key labor category should be submitted to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, training, and education levels for this labor category considered necessary for each key labor category proposed (Simply claiming the proposed qualifications is not acceptable).”
| Question: Are resumes required for all labor categories proposed on the IDIQ or only for labor categories associated with the Key Personnel ? | Resumes are required for all labor categories proposed on the IDIQ | |||
| 114 | Instructions to Quoters | 3. | Resumes and task order response |
Question: Please confirm that resumes are required only at the IDIQ level and not for the two task orders (seed projects) included in the SOW.
| Resumes are required only at the IDIQ level and not for the two task orders (seed projects) included in the SOW. | ||||
| 115 | General | 4. | Task Orders: | |
| Question: Under the new contract, how many task orders per year does NIEHS envision issuing ? Will one or both the seed projects stated in the SOW be awarded along with the IDIQ ? | Due to the uncertainty with what is anticipated in the future, this information is unknown. Quoters can view the historical data and deduce what is anticipated knowing that the ceiling is double the current celing. | |||
| 116 | Instructions to Quoters | 5. | Pricing: |
The Instruction to Offeror states:
Pricing Methodology: The Quoter shall provide a breakdown of pricing and background information, other than the pricing data that is required, concerning its pricing methodology. This information might include details of the methodology applicable to your offer. The data would be used by the government to better understand their pricing. The breakdown shall be structured to include a separate worksheet for the base period of performance and each of the subsequent option periods.
| Question: Please clarify if NIEHS is requesting information on labor rate build up for each proposed labor category for both base as well as the option years. | Fully loaded hourly maximum/CAP rates and indirect rates are required | |||
| 117 | General | 6. | Transition Period | |
| Will NIEHS provision a transition-in period if as a result of this acquisition there is a change of vendor on any of the current tasks that are under scope of this contract ? | A transition period is not required even with a change in vendor. | |||
| 118 | Seed Project | 7. | Seed Project 2 Historical Level of Effort: | |
| Will it be possible to provide the historical level of effort (labor categories and hours) associated with the Seed task 2 as has been provided for the Seed Task 1, which may be otherwise available only to the incumbent ? | No | |||
| 119 | Seed Project | 8. | Scope of Seed Project 1 : | |
| Is the scope of seed task1 consistent with the historical level of effort (Labor categories, Hours) information provided in the SOW ? | Yes | |||
| 120 | General | 9. | Anticipated Contract Start Date: | |
| For planning purposes, when is the anticipated start date of the new contract ? | 7/8/20 | |||
| 121 | General | 10. | IT Equipment: | |
| Will NIEHS provide IT equipment/laptops for staff working on the contract ? | No | |||
| 122 | Instructions to Quoters | Does the government require responses in BOTH MS Word AND Unprotected PDF, thus submitting two copies of the Technical and Past Performance Volumes? Or may the contractor select which format best suits their response? | ||
| 123 | Instructions to Quoters | Is the government requesting availability of all staff members who may work on the contract, or just those of ‘key’ staff members? | All staff members who will work under the IDIQ contract | |
| 124 | Instructions to Quoters | Which positions does the government require be ‘key’? | See update to IDIQ SOW 5.0. Key Personnel | |
| 125 | Instructions to Quoters | Given the 50 pages allowed for the Past Performances, will the government accept and review more than 3 past performances? | Given the 50 page limit, it is up to the Contractor whether they can adhere to the RFQ instructions and whether to submit more than 3 past performance references | |
| 126 | Basis for Award | The Evaluation criteria includes ‘exceeds’ specified performance or capability requirements, but it is unclear what requirements are being referred. Will the government please clarify? | See tasks in IDIQ SOW, task order SOW for seed project 1 & 2, document titled “Addendum to FAR 52.212-1“Instructions to Offerors” for requirements being referenced | |
| 127 | Instructions to Quoters | In the Instructions to Offers, contractors are asked to “Thoroughly describe your team structure (to include utilization of subcontractors), the work/work area allocated to each team member”. In this instance, is the government referring to team members as individual members of the contracting company, team members as the different companies/sub-contractors, or both? | ||
| If individuals and their work area are to be described, are all individuals described to be named key? Are descriptions only needed for those named key? Is a summary by labor category and their work area, sufficient? | Team Structure: Thoroughly describe your team structure (to include utilization of subcontractors), the work/work area allocated to each team member. Both. |
Resumes associated with each labor category (key and non-key personnel) should be submitted.
The instruction says thoroughly describe.
| 128 | Combined Synopsis | Please confirm that you want offerors to submit all 35 pages of Reps and Certs as part of their business proposal. Or should we follow the FAR 52.212-3 provisions regarding Reps and Certs on page 3 of the Combined Synopsis that indicate that “The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual reps and certs electronically in SAM?” | Offerors must access ORCA through the System for Award Management (SAM) at http:// www.sam.gov; and (2). Complete, and INCLUDE as part of your price quote. | |
| 129 | Attachments_I_to_VI_-_GEH_Program_Support Section # 4.3.2.2. Page # 3 | Bullet 1 says "…Approximately one 1-hour call per month for all focus areas." | ||
| Does this mean one 1-hour call per month, or one 1-hour call per month for EACH of the focus areas – net four calls per month? | One 1 hour call per month for all other focus areas on average, not for each one individually. | |||
| 130 | Basis for Award and Evaluation Section # a. Factor I - Technical Capability | (d) Subfactor 4 Page # 2 | Subfactor 4 lists "Experience working in the analytical and technical health care industry on IT requirements while staffing and managing qualified personnel located in geographically dispersed locations within the last three (3) years from the solicitation issuance date." The tasks listed in the SOW appear to only require limited technical support. Can the government further clarify the IT requirements? | The IT requirements have been sufficiently described in the IDIQ SOW | |
| 131 | Attachments_I_to_VI_-_GEH_Program_Support Section # Attachment IV | |||
| 1.1 Page # 9 | Seed Project 1 lists a historical number of hours for the task (see section 1.1.). Could the government provide a similar list of historical hours for Seed Project 2? | Because this is a firm fixed price contract, we do not have details on historical hours dedicated to this project. Each vendor may choose different approaches to completing the various tasks outlined, and therefore we do not believe it is helpful to specific hours or labor catgories. | ||
| 132 | Attachments_I_to_VI_-_GEH_Program_Support Section # 4.2.4 (Attachment I) & 2.2.4 (Attachment IV) Page # 3,9 | Seed Project 1 requests support for production of up to four GEH program webinars (Attachment IV, section 2.2.4, p.9). In Attachment I (section 4.2.4, p. 3), the requested support is for the production of up to SIX GEH program webinars. Can the government clarify the anticipated number GEH program webinars? | Attachment 1 is the broad scope of work for the overall IDIQ contract. The offeror should respond to the specific scope of work in Attachment IV, in other words, 4 webinars. | |
| 133 | Attachments_I_to_VI_-_GEH_Program_Support | Is there an IGCE or anticipated cost of services that the Government can share with respect to either Seed Project 1 or Seed Project 2? | Yes, there is an IGCE. No, the government cannot share the IGCE. | |
| 134 | ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-4 Section # 1. Contract Administration Data, (2). KEY PERSONNEL, HHSAR 352.237-75 (DECEMBER 2015) | Is the Project Manager the only Key Resume that the Government wants to review as part of the proposal? | The Project Manager the only Key Personnel listed in the SOW; however, resumes associated with each labor category (key and non-key personnel) should be submitted. | |
| 135 | General | Historically, travel has accounted for approximately 12% of the total cost of tasking. In the wake of COVID-19, does the CDC anticipate a similar need for domestic and international travel in the first year of execution or should offerors develop their own estimates and assumptions regarding travel and ODCs? | Quoters should not develop their own estimates or assumptions regarding travel and ODCs | |
| 136 | Attachments_I_to_VI_-_GEH_Program_Support | Background information for the Collaborating Centre indicates there are six focus areas; however, only four focus areas are listed. The Collaborating Centre website also lists four activity areas. Could NIEHS please clarify if there are four or six focus areas? | See amendment 000001: This error had been corrected | |
| 137 | N/A | Given the length and complexity of this proposal, will the government consider an extension to allow sufficient time to respond? | See amendment 000001: This error had been corrected | |
| 138 | General | Can the Government please provide Incumbent Name and Incumbent Contract value, if they're at liberty to provide? | The incumbent contractor is MDB Incorporated. The ceiling on the current single IDIQ award can be found at ATTACHMENT VI - HISTORICAL WORKLOAD DATA | |
| 139 | General | Can the Government please confirm if there are security clearance requirements for the labor categories listed in the SOW? | The normal onboarding process for NIH contractors and clearance to get on the NIH/NIEHS network will be required but a "secret clearance" is not required. | |
| 140 | Seed Project | Can the Government please provide number of Full time Equivalents (FTE’S) required to perform for Task-1 and Task-2 of this Contract? | No | |
| 141 | RFQ | Can the Government please specify if resumes are required at the proposal submission stage along with the proposal? if required can you specify for which positions, resume are required? | See document titled “Addendum to FAR 52.212-1“Instructions to Offerors”: |
Resumes associated with each labor category (key and non-key personnel) should be submitted to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, training, and education levels for this labor category considered necessary for each labor category (key and non-key personnel) proposed (Simply claiming the proposed qualifications is not acceptable).
| 142 | General | Can the Government please specify if we can use Historical Task order Positions (mentioned in Attachments I to VI - GEH Program Support.pdf page 9 of 17 paragraph 1.1) as current contract positions for task-1? | This is a competitive process and innovative ideas and solutions are being sought: it is up to quoters to find and provide this information. |
| 143 | General | Can the Government please specify if Letters of Commitment are required. If yes, can you confirm for which positions are signed LOC required to be submitted during the proposal submission stage? | No |
| 144 | General | Can the Government please provide the current total contract life cycle value? | See ATTACHMENT VI - HISTORICAL WORKLOAD DATA |
| 145 | General | Can the Government please confirm the estimated date of award for this project? | 7/1/20 |
| 146 | General | Can the Government please provide if this contract is subjected to Service Contract Act, if yes, is it applicable for sites that are in both CONUS and OCONUS regions? | Per DOL, no wage determination is being issued for this procurement. Therefore, in accordance with Title 29 C.F.R. Part 4, Section 4.6(d), the contractor is required to pay no less than the Federal minimum wage. |
The contractor is not expected to perform OCONUS.
147 General Can the Government please confirm if there is a page limitation for Resumes? If yes, can you confirm such page limitation for resumesusnumber? Document titled “Addendum to FAR 52.212-1“Instructions to Offerors” states:
Resumes, signed contractor teaming arrangements, labor category descriptions, charts, graphs, tabs, diagrams, tables, photographs, drawings, title page, table of contents, work samples, covers for volumes, glossary of terms/abbreviations and acronyms, indices, section dividers, and section dividers are excluded from the page limitation.
148 Past Performance Can the Government please confirm, if offerors are required to submit the Past Performance Questionnaire/Information to complete by our clients and confidentially email them to the Contracting officer as a part of this proposal submission? If yes, Can the Government please provide us such PPQ/PPI formats, please? The RFQ does not call for Past Performance Questionnaires.
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