QandA_Reponses.pdf

Pre-Solicitation NIH, IRP Project, Program and Portfolio (P3) Support Services

Notice ID 75N98022R00003 Questions & Answers

The cutoff for all questions was 0800 EST on 25 March 2022

1. Is the enterprise level “end-to-end” automated program management software solution described a COTS system you would like the vendor to already have in place and paid for and used exclusively by the vendor? Or is it a system you would like to launch for wider use at the NIH and expense as an ODC?

[Response: The Government expects the offeror to have demonstrated capabilities and prior experience in enterprise-wide program management support of the scope specified in the P3 Statement of Work (SOW) within a Federal agency with a scientific mission. This includes the offeror having in place an established (pre-existing) automated program management system capable of performing all requirements specified in Task Area 1 of the P3 SOW. This is not a requirement to build an automated management system as an ODC expense under the contract.]

2. Is there an incumbent? If so, are you able to share who the incumbent is and your satisfaction level?

[Response: This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent.]

3. Is this opportunity a new requirement or a follow-on? If it's a follow-on, who is the incumbent?

[Response: This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent.]

4. Has the customer considered making this opportunity a HUBZone Set-Aside in order to help them meet their HUBZone goals?

[Response: The requirement has been approved as a WOSB set aside through the SBA program. The determination was made that it is in the best interests of the NIH to compete the P3 requirement as a total women-owned small business set-aside. WOSB is the only socio economic that will be accepted.]

5. Is the customer available to meet for industry capability presentations?

[Response: Organizations interested in providing capability presentations are encouraged to contact the following NIH Small Business Opportunities website: https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/get-involved-nih/small-business-opportunities On the website, an organization can also learn about conferences, https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/get-involved-nih/small-business-opportunities https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/get-involved-nih/small-business-opportunities workshops, seminars, and expos to assist small businesses seeking opportunities within the Department of Health and Human Services, including the NIH.]

6. How will the RFP come out, through invites/downselect or an via acquisition vehicle like

GSA?

[Response: A copy of the Request for Proposals (RFP) will be posted on SAM.gov under the Notice ID 75N98022R00003.]

7. The PM tool that is required on Task order 1, is there a preference for the tool that will be used or is it up to the vendor granted it meets the requirements on the SOW?

[Response: There is no preference. Note that the Government expects the offeror to have demonstrated capabilities and prior experience in enterprise-wide program management support of the scope specified in the P3 Statement of Work (SOW) within a Federal agency with a scientific mission. This includes the offeror having in place an established (pre-existing) automated program management system capable of performing all requirements specified in Task Area 1 of the P3 SOW. This is not a requirement to build an automated management system as an ODC expense under the contract.]

8. The current announcement is Pre-Solicitation. When is the final request for proposal going to come out?

[Response: A copy of the Request for Proposals (RFP) will also be posted under the Notice ID 75N98022R00003 at a later date not yet identified. There is no set date for the solicitation to be posted.]

9.The Level of Effort (hours) has minimum and Maximum, which one will the offeror use to prepare cost proposals? The Government will need to have every offeror bid on the same level of efforts.

[Response: The Request for Proposals (RFP) will provide instructions on how an offeror must prepare the business part of its proposal. Correct, all offerors will be required to propose on the same level of effort.]

10. What is the level of bioscience technical knowledge that would be required vs. PM skills vs.

other? This will help us ensure we provide the best fit for the job.

[Response: General qualifications for the labor categories, including the Program Manager and technical categories, that will be required to successfully perform P3 are specified in the Attachment, Labor Categories, of the SAM Notice ID 75N98022R00003. Specific labor categories and qualifications will be specified at the Task Order level.]

11. What % of the work is remote vs. onsite? Please provide any further details for onsite support.

[Response: It is expected that the majority of the work will be performed at the contractor’s (and any subcontractor’s) facility.]

12. Please advise if there is an incumbent for this opportunity.

[Response: This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent.]

13. Please provide the instructions in order to respond to this opportunity.

[Response: Section L & M will be provided with the solicitation when it is posted on SAM.gov]

14. Please advise that the response due date of April 1, 2022, listed in SAM is incorrect.

[Response: This is the pre-solicitation, that is due to close on April 1, 2022]

15. There are 4 task areas listed in the SOW that was released on December 6, 2021. However, there are only 3 task areas listed in the SOW released within the Presolicitation on March 18, 2022. Please confirm that there are only 3 task areas for this response.

[Response: The P3 SOW currently posted on SAM for Notice ID 75N98022R00003 specifies three Task Areas.]

16. Is the NIH program office currently utilizing program management software? If yes, what solution is being used?

[Response: This is a new requirement. There are examples of NIH acquisitions using software applications of various types that require program management and oversight.

However, there is no advanced enterprise level “end-to-end” automated program management software application that is currently being used in an acquisition comparable in size and complexity to the specialized project, program, and portfolio services specified in the P3 SOW.]

17. How many users does the NIH anticipate will use the solution?

[Response: The NIH anticipates that not more than 15 individuals will have access to and use the program management software.]

18. The Presolicitation SOW includes a reference to an attachment for the Accessibility Requirements Tool (ART). However, there is no attachment included. Please provide the Accessibility Requirements Tool (ART) attachment.

[Response: A copy of the Accessibility Requirements Tool (ART) will be provided when the RFP is posted on SAM.

15.0 Attachments

“This SOW includes the following attachments:

1. Labor Categories Descriptions [Response: This document was attached to the pre-solicitation.

2. Labor Hours by Labor Category Table [Response: This document was attached to the pre-solicitation.

3. Accessibility Requirements Tool (ART) [Response: This document will be posted with the solicitation.

4. Assignment of Contractor Employee Work Products” [Response: This document will be posted with the solicitation.

19. Will the NAICS code be changed?

[Response: The NAICS code will not be changed.]

20. Related to Statement of Work, NIH, Intramural Research Program, Project, Program and Portfolio Support Services, “The P3 Contract (02-28-2022), it is recommended that the NAICS code be changed from 541611 to 54151X based on the following…

541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, is related to establishments primarily engaged in providing operating advice and assistance to businesses and other organizations on administrative management issues, such as financial planning and budgeting, equity and asset management, records management, office planning, strategic and organizational planning, site selection, new business start-up, and business process improvement. This industry also includes establishments of general management consultants that provide a full range of administrative, human resource, marketing, process, physical distribution, logistics, or other management consulting services to clients.

Because this solution requires a complete and custom designed software-based portfolio management, CRM solution, or enterprise level “end-to-end” automated program management solution, in addition to strategic, technical and operations levels of support and technology transfer, it has been ascertained that the NAICS code that would be most representative of this acquisition is 54151X, Computer Systems Design and Related Services.

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing expertise in the field of information technologies through one or more of the following activities: (1) writing, modifying, testing, and supporting software to meet the needs of a particular customer; (2) planning and designing computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software, and communication technologies; (3) on-site management and operation of clients' computer systems and/or data processing facilities; and (4) other professional and technical computer related advice and services.

[Response: The NAICS code will not be changed as this is not an IT requirement. The requirement is Project, Program and Portfolio Support Services.