Question_Responses_0001.docx

Questions for the Collection Maintenance and Reformatting Activities:

1. Will the Government please grant an extension until at least August 22, 2023, as this proposal is a significant effort in terms of recruiting, and there is a major religious holiday (Rosh Hashanah) this weekend?

The Government will extend this until 12:00 pm 09/19/2023. Due to recent changes at the SBA, the National Library of Medicine does not have the liberty of extending the requirement further.

2. Can the Government please clarify the number of resumes required for the Professional Librarian Key Personnel?

a. RFQ Section H.3(b) states that offerors are to provide "resumes for Key Personnel." In Attachment 1 Section III on page 8, the proposal lists the Key Personnel as the Project Manager and "Professional Librarian" listed in the singular.

b. Moreover, RFQ Section 8 states that the Library anticipates 3 to 5 FTE Professional Librarians under Activity 2.

c. Based on this, it is unclear how many resumes the Government wishes offerors to provide Professional Librarian is a labor category, this it is presented in Key Personnel as singular. We expect 3-5 Professional Librarians. A minimum of 3 resumes.

3. Our team is in the process of forming an 8(a) Joint Venture. We have obtained SBA approval for the Mentor-Protege Relationship and have obtained a Universal Entity ID. However, we are awaiting a final CAGE code assignment until we are able to activate our SAM Registration. Will the Government accept proof of SBA approval and the assigned UEID with the understanding that the SAM Registration will be finalized before the project begins?

According to SBA.gov to apply for the 8(a) program you must identify your primary NAICS codes, register your business in Sam and then apply for the 8(a) certification. SBA has 90 days to process the application. You cannot participate in this 8(a) program until you are certified by SBA and fully registered in SAM.gov.

4. In reference to the number of years for valid past performance as stated in Section H.2(iii) on page 12, will the Government please consider extending the time frame from 3 years to 5 years?

No, past experience is limited to contactor performance as prime or subcontractor within the past 3 years.

5. Can the Government clarify whether or not offerors are required to abide by the Service Contract Labor Act Wage Determination for non-exempt employees such as Library Technicians?

Yes, they are required to abide by the Service Contract Labor Act Wage Determination for the Library Technician. Library Technician can be found on the Service Contract Labor Act Wage Determination under #13058.

6. The Technical Volume page limit excludes: the Offeror’s response to the NIH Information and Physical Access Security requirements as noted in the SOW and any resumes. We could not find this in the SOW. Could the Government either delete this requirement or provide a reference to it in the SOW?

An attachment of the NIH Information and Physical Access Security Statements has been attached to the updated posting.

7. Offerors shall submit a detailed breakdown of estimated labor hours and fixed-per-item prices shall also be provided. Would the Government please confirm that estimated labor hours should tie to the hours as provided in the RFP? Would the Government please confirm fixed-per-item prices are not required?

The labor hours should be tied to the RFP. Fixed-per-item prices are not required.

8. The fully loaded blended Labor Rates shall not exceed the GSA Labor Rates on its Basic Contract. Would the Government please confirm if a GSA MAS contract and GSA MAS labor rates are applicable to this solicitation.

GSA MAS labor rates are not applicable to this solicitation. The sentence “The fully loaded blended Labor Rates shall not exceed the GSA Labor Rates on its Basic Contract” will be removed.

9. Each Monthly invoice shall consist of certified timesheets, description of all contract activities the preceding month to include all products, procedures, and outcomes achieved and a description of problems encountered and their resolution. Would the Government please confirm that certified timesheets are required with the monthly invoices?

We do not need certified timesheets, but the contractor that is awarded the contract should keep timesheets for each staff member.

10. Would the Government please confirm that formulas may be revised to adhere to the offeror’s current pricing practice?

Prices will be compared using the total labor hours per labor category multiplied by the quoted labor rate to make the total direct labor costs. How an offeror determines them is the duty of the offeror.

11. The Price Volume shall be submitted by completing and submitting Attachment 4, Price Evaluation Spreadsheet. Would the Government please confirm this is the only item that should be included as Volume II-Price with only the Tab provided by the Government?

Yes.

12. Would the Government please confirm the Library Technician Labor Category identified in Attachment 4 and throughout the SOW and RFQ is the SCA WD Wage Determination 2015‐4269 Rev 23, Position 13058 Library Technician as opposed to Position 13050 Library Clerk?

Yes, this contract only has three labor categories and does not include the Library Clerk category. The reference to the Library Aide/Clerk in the Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires is removed from the RFQ.

13. Is this a new requirement or is there a previous contract? If there is a previous contract, what is the contract number?

The previous contract was 75N97020D00005.

14. The technical response is limited to 10 pages; does that include resumes, and do you need resumes of all FTEs or just the PM and sample resumes for the other positions?

The Technical Volume page limit excludes: the Offeror’s response to the NIH Information and Physical Access Security requirements as noted in the SOW and any resumes. (noted on page 10).

In regards to resumes please refer to the answer in question 2.

15. How many incumbents are currently in place?

Please refer to the answer in question 13.