RFQ_75N98019Q00001_Questions_and_Answers_Final.docx

RFQ 75N98019Q00001

Questions and Answers Answers are in bold.

1. Is this a new requirement or a follow on? If it is a follow on, what is the prior contract number and who is the incumbent?

The similar requirement would be an expired BPA (June 2017) with LRP Publications HHSN263201600128B.

2. The table on page 1 shows option periods for maintenance, but does not show option periods for licenses/training. However, Section 2.0 on page 5 says "license agreement is for 1 year (12 months) with 2 options years (12 months each). Is the pricing for each option year to include both licenses and maintenance?

Pricing for each option year does include both licenses and maintenance.

3. Page 2, Section 1.1. What is the total number of users/trainees (employees, former employees, applicants, etc.) for the 27 institutions and centers?

The approximate number is 18,000.

4. In order to evaluate the quality and relevancy of a vendor's current COTS, will the Government review an example of each vendor's work that is to be tailored/customized?

Yes, per page 20 of the solicitation: “Technical capability shall also include access to vendor’s online and/or product that would serve the NIH in accordance with the solicitation.”

5. Page 7, first bullet. Please define the required "Continuum of knowledge and skills"?

The statement is referring to the idea that information within the training program is additive and that one can see, based on how they respond to challenge questions, how much information they know by the questions they can answer.

6. Who is responsible for customizing each individual learner experience? Does the Government desire that each user/trainee be able to customize their own learning experience, or will EDI work with the vendor to create a range of customized experiences?

NIH is not requesting customization of the training for each person at NIH. The training module consists of the COTS product with additional material relevant to the NIH to be incorporated. EDI will certainly work with the vendor to create this.

7. Page 19, last sentence of second paragraph under Evaluation Criteria says, "uses appropriate personnel." No where in the solicitation can we find a description of the "appropriate personnel" requirement. Please clarify.

This refers to the use of personnel who have the technical skills as well personnel who have content knowledge to work with the NIH staff to modify the COTS product in order to address the unique needs of the NIH.

8. Can the 3 completed past performance requirements include private sector customization clients of similar size and complexity, or do all 3 need to be public sector?

The three past experiences can be with the private sector and/or the public sector. Per the solicitation: “Vendors will be evaluated on the quoter’s experience in handling projects of this complexity and magnitude, and their demonstrated understanding of this requirement.”

9. Past performance information is solicited for "at least 3" completed requirements. Is there a preferred maximum number?

No more than five can be submitted.

10. Does the 15 page proposal limit include past performance information?

No it does not count.