NIHCATSIV Questions and Answers.pdf

NIHCATS IV Questions & Answers

Question Where in the Solicitation (header section and page number)

Solicitation Section (A-M)

Response

1 Would NIH please provide the anticipated number of IDIQ contracts that will be awarded as a result of this solicitation?

N/A A The anticipated number of awards is not known at this time.

2 How many total awards does the government anticipate making?

Article B.2 Prices/Costs, A The anticipated number of awards is not known at this time.

3 We have a question on this RFP... Is the total on this contract up to $100,000 for 5 years?

Price/cost page 3 B The shared contract maximum for NIHCATS IV is $100,000,000 for the five (5) year period of performance.

4 If there is sufficient data to suggest that the web development tasks are fulfilled primarily by a particular vendor on NIHCATS, will contractors who can competently fulfill that singular task area be considered?

Or is there a preference for a single vendor who can fulfill all of the tasks? It could be challenging to identify a single contractor to provide travel, admin and high quality web design and development for example.

Attachment J- SOW page 5 - C.2.5

C Section M states that "Offerors must show capability to handle all task areas mentioned in the Statement of work."

5 The SOW states "Provide prepaid tickets in advance of travel", would the government estimate the amount of funding available to support purchasing advance tickets.

Does the government expect the contractor to purchase prepaid tickets? If yes, what is the ODC amount for this portion of the contract?

Section C.2.1 Travel Support (Task Area 1)

C Yes, contractors will need to prepay. Details of the government requirements will be outlined at the task order level.

6 On average, how many conference participants will the vendor support with travel arrangements for each conference?

Section C.2.1 Travel Support (Task Area 1)

C Details of the government requirements will be outlined at the task order level.

7 The SOW states “The contractor shall pay all upfront charges (e.g., the contractor will be responsible for funding the reservation of conference space, and/or hotel accommodations after the required approvals have been obtained.” Would NIH please provide a list of preferred venues for conferences (CONUS and OCONUS) to provide vendors with an idea of cost related to this contract?

Section C.2.2 Meeting and Conference Support (Task Area 2)

C Details of the government requirements will be outlined at the task order level.

8 Does NIH anticipate multiple conferences occurring at the same time?

Section C.2.2 Meeting and Conference Support (Task Area 2)

C Due to the nature of the IDIQ contract type, the exact number is not known.

9 How many conferences per year does NIH anticipate executing?

Section C.2.2 Meeting and Conference Support (Task Area 2)

C Due to the nature of the IDIQ contract type, the exact number is not known.

10 Does NIH have a preferred platform for developing conference websites (Drupal, Wix, WordPress, etc.)?

Section C.2.5 Website Design, Development, and Maintenance Support/Internet Support (Task Area 5)

C Details of the government requirements will be outlined at the task order level.

11 How many new conference/informational websites does NIH anticipate executing annually?

Section C.2.5 Website Design, Development, and Maintenance Support/Internet Support (Task Area 5)

C Due to the nature of the IDIQ contract type, the exact number is not known.

12 Does the NIH require web hosting services for websites and other technology products associated with this contract?

Section C.2.5 Website Design, Development, and Maintenance Support/Internet Support (Task Area 5)

C Details of the government requirements will be outlined at the task order level.

13 "Offeror shall submit plans to demonstrate how the necessary interactions can be successfully accomplished."

Please confirm this is a requirement for post-award, and that it is not required to submit such plans as part of the proposal.

SOW, C.3.1, Pg 6 of 9 C This requirement must be submitted as part of the proposal. More may be required for task orders as details of the specific government requirements will be outlined at the task order level.

14 Are there or will there be any restrictions on the use of AI technologies?

SOW, C.1.1 Meeting and Conference Support (Task Area 2)

C Details of the government requirements will be outlined at the task order level.

15 What restrictions, if any, will there be on the use of third-party meeting website and registration solutions?

SOW, Section C.2.5 Website Design, Development, and Maintenance Support/Internet Support (Task Area 5). Page 5-6

C Details of the government requirements will be outlined at the task order level.

16 Will the meeting websites and associated registration site be hosted on a government server? If not, will they be expected to be hosted on the contractor’s server?

SOW, Section C.2.5 Website Design, Development, and Maintenance Support/Internet Support (Task Area 5). Pages 5-6.

C Details of the government requirements will be outlined at the task order level.

17 Article G.2 states that Key personnel at the Master Contract level (PM and DPM) are not billable. Please confirm that these key individuals may be bid in billable roles at the TORP level.

Article G.2 Key Personnel

G Effort expended by the PM and DPM at the master contract level is not billable. However, yes, the individuals may be bid in billable roles at the task order level.

18 On page 17 of the RFP, it states that this solicitation/contract involves no PII. However, on page 29 it states this acquisition requires that contractor to “Create and/or Manage an NIH Website that maintains and disseminates personal information”.

A. Please confirm that no PII will be collected during the execution of task orders associated with this contract.

B. Please clarify what information is anticipated to be collected from meeting attendees and how that information will be classified.

RFP - pages 17 Under Privacy Compliance and 29 Under Article H.13 Communications Materials and Services

H No PII information will be collected at the master contract level. Details of the government requirements regarding PII will be outlined at the task order level.

19 Please describe what type of confidential and/or sensitive information will the contractor be handling as part of this contract.

RFP - pages 21 Under Position Sensitivity Designations (Article H.10.1 Information Security and/or Physical Access Security

H Details of the government requirements regarding sensitive information will be outlined at the task order level.

20 The sample task order SOW states, "The Honorarium is to be paid by check on the day of the site visit."

Is the contractor allowed to pay the honorarium electronically after the meeting?

Sample Task Order SOW, 12.

General Information, page 1

H For the sample task order only, the contractor will be allowed to pay the honorarium electronically after the meeting.

21 Attachments 8 and 15 appear to be identical NDA documents. To ensure compliance with the proposal, is the government requiring each Key Personnel to sign both Attachment 8 and 15 or will the government remove one of the duplicated NDAs?

Solicitation, page 59, 4.3.1 and Section J, NDAs

J Each proposed Key Personnel is required to complete attachment 8 only.

22 Can the government confirm which Volume Attachment 10 should be included within? It appears to be relevant to Section L, 4.2.4 to ensure Key Personnel are not committing more than 100% of their time. We recommend signed Attachment 10 documents be included in Section 4.3.1 with the NDAs as to not impact the Technical Volume’s 25 page limitation. Please advise.

Section J, Attachment 10 J Attachment 10 is listed as a technical proposal attachment and must be included in the technical proposal within the 25 page limitation, no exceptions.

23 When is the proposal intent form (Attachment 1) due? Solicitation Attachments, J Proposal intent forms are due prior to the proposal due date.

24 What past performance information should be included in the Volume II Business Proposal as listed on the Mandatory Requirements Checklist since the Past Performance Questionnaire's will be submitted directly to the governmetn by the client?

Solicitation Attachments, J Include the points of contact that received a past performance questionnaire. Additionally, the offeror may include Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) reports. However, the CPARS reports are not a substitute for completed past performance questionnaires.

25 Please confirm that Attachment 10, Summary of Related Activities is to be included as an attachment/within an appendix to the technical volume, and that it is exempt from page count.

J, Pg 48 J Attachment 10 is listed as a technical proposal attachment and must be included in the technical proposal within the 25 page limitation, no exceptions.

26 Please confirm that Attachment 16: Roster of Employees Requiring Suitability Investigations is not submitted until an award has been made.

J, Pg 48 J Correct. Attachment 16 is not submitted until after a task order award is made.

27 Can the Government provide a list of foreign languages employed by contract interpreters during the current contract?

SOW C2.1.l Task Area 1 J This information is not available.

28 Can the Government provide the number of foreign visitors or delegations requiring escort services during the current contract by year?

SOW C2.1.m Task Area 1 J This information is not available.

29 Attachment 11 lists a Scientific Writer labor category while Attachment 12 lists that labor category as Scientific Review. Which is correct?

Attachments 11 and 12 J Scientific Writer is the correct labor category.

30 With regard to the Labor Category Descriptions and education requirments, will the government allow additional years of experience and/or certifications in lieu of the degree requirements? For example - a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) in lieu of a BA/BS degree or 8 years experience in lieu of a 4 year degree.

Attachment 11 Labor Category Description, Page

J No substitutions will be considered.

31 Is the offeror required to submit their full reps and certs in the business proposal, or is acceptable to confirm that we have completed them in SAM?

K, Pg 50 K Offerors must submit their full reps and certs in the business proposal. The reps and certs may be pulled from SAM in lieu of completing attachment 7.

32 Will the government please confirm that work products submitted in response to this requirement can be submitted as separate attachments and are excluded from the technical volume page count?

4.2.3 Quality of Work

Products

L Section L states that the page limitation of the technical proposal is "25 pages (includes all elements of Technical Proposal no exceptions)."

33 Will the government plesae confirm that one Non-Key Technical/Administrative Lead resume is required and that this resume should be relevant to the sample task?

4.2.4 Personnel and

Management

L Section L states that "resumes for the technical/administrative leads will also be required."

These are considered Non-Key. The leads are qualified individuals that the offeror would propose at the task order level.

34 Will the government please confirm that Letters of Commitment are excluded from the page count of the technical volume?

4.2.4 Personnel and

Management

L Section L states that the page limitation of the technical proposal is "25 pages (includes all elements of Technical Proposal no exceptions)."

35 The Solicitation states: "Offeror shall provide documented evidence which demonstrates that they have successful experience in providing international travel and conference services to scientific and medical research customers in support of conferences held outside of the United States." Will the PWS/SOW for travel-related contracts cited as corporate experience indicating the requirement to support international travel suffice as this "documented evidence?"

4.2.2 Related Experience L Documented evidence would include a detailed explanation of the work performed for an international conference including what agency was supported, where it was performed, how many participants, whether it was in person or virtual, etc.

Supply sufficient details to provide evidence that international travel and conference services were performed for a scientific and medical customer.

36 The Solicitation states: "Offeror shall provide documented evidence which demonstrates that they have successful experience in providing international travel and conference services to scientific and medical research customers in support of conferences held outside of the United States." Will the government please confirm that experience and evidence for international travel support can be provided from the team as a whole (Prime and/or Subcontractors) to satisfy this requirement.

4.2.2 Related Experience L The experience and evidence for international travel support must be provided from the Prime to satisfy this requirement.

37 Some customers are relectant to complete PPQs for a contract where CPARS are available. Will the government accept CPARS in lieu of PPQs for contracts that have issued CPARS?

4.3.4 Past Performance L CPARS may be provided in addition to completed past performance questionnaires but not in place of completed questionnaires.

38 Section 3, Mandatory Submittal Requirements, states that the offeror must sign and return the SF1449. The solicitation document does not seem to contain the standard form SF1449. Will the government please provide the SF 1449 for this solicitation?

3. Mandatory Submittal Requirements

L Please find the SF1449 in the amendment.

39 Are resumes excluded from the 25 page limit of Volume I, Technical Proposal?

4.2.4 Personnel and

Management, page 57

L Section L states that the page limitation of the technical proposal is "25 pages (includes all elements of Technical Proposal no exceptions)."

40 Will the Government consider excluding resumes from the total Technical Proposal 25-page limit, minding the two-page limit per resume?

3. Mandatory Submittal Requirements, page 54

4.2.4 Personnel

Management, page 57

L Section L states that the page limitation of the technical proposal is "25 pages (includes all elements of Technical Proposal no exceptions)."

41 Will the Government consider ommitting the Cover Page be ommitted from the total 25-page limit for the Technical Proposal?

3. Mandatory Submittal Requirements, page 54

L Section L states that the page limitation of the technical proposal is "25 pages (includes all elements of Technical Proposal no exceptions)."

42 Will the Government consider ommitting the Transmittal Letter from the total 25-page limit for the Technical Proposal?

3. Mandatory Submittal Requirements, page 54

L Section L states that the page limitation of the technical proposal is "25 pages (includes all elements of Technical Proposal no exceptions)."

43 Will the Government consider ommitting the Table of Contents from the total 25-page limit for the Technical Proposal?

3. Mandatory Submittal Requirements, page 54

L Section L states that the page limitation of the technical proposal is "25 pages (includes all elements of Technical Proposal no exceptions)."

44 Should Offerors use the dates provided in the Sample Task Order, although they have since passed, or is the Government going to update these dates to more current dates?

4.2.5 Technical approach to

the Sample Task Order, L Use the dates provided in the Sample Task Order but shift them to 2024 dates.

45 This section states that resumes shall not exceed 2 pages each. Given that resumes are typically excluded from the page count, can the government confirm whether or not the resumes are included in the 25-page total for the Technical Volume?

Solicitation, page 57-58, section 4.2.4

L Resumes are included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal.

46 This section states that the offeror must provide a signed letter indicating they have "the necessary $2M line of credit, financial capacity, working capital, and other resources to perform the contract without assistance from any outside source." For offerors proposing as an unpopulated joint venture, can the government confirm that either JV Member may provide the necessary financial responsibility proof (i.e., Line of Credit, etc.)?

4.3.1, f. L Either JV Member may provide the necessary financial responsibility proof.

47 There is a discrepancy between the Key Personnel qualifications as defined under Section L of the RFP Solicitation, Attachment 6: Statement of Work, and Attachment 11: NIHCATS IV Labor Category Descriptions.

Please advise if high school diploma and ten (10) years of relevant experience (as stated in Attachment 6) is acceptable in lieu of the college degree for the Program Manager (PM). Please advise if high school diploma and eight (8) years of relevant experience (as stated in Attachment 6) is acceptable in lieu of the college degree for the Deputy Program Manager (DPM).

Section L: 4.2.4 Personnel and Management (pages 57- 58); Attachment 6: C.5 Key Personnel (page 8); and Attachment 11 (page 1)

L Reference the Key Personnel qualifications as defined under Section L of the RFP.

48 Mandatory Submittal Requirements indicates a maximum of 25 pages (includes all elements of Technical Proposal no exceptions). Please advise if examples of work products (as requested under 4.2.3) are considered part of the Technical Proposal maximum 25 pages or should be submitted as an attachment separate from the Technical.

Section L: 3. Mandatory Submittal Requirements, Volume 1 Technical Proposal (page 55) and Section L: 4.2.3 Quality of Work Products (page 57)

L Examples of work products are considered part of the technical proposal. Section L states that the page limitation of the technical proposal is "25 pages (includes all elements of Technical Proposal no exceptions)."

49 The RFP states: “In addition, resumes for the technical/administrative leads will also be required.”

Could NIH please provide clarification on whether offerors are required to identify and propose Non-Key Personnel defined as technical/administrative leads at this stage of the procurement process?

Section L.4.2.4 Personnel and Management, Non-Key Personnel: Page 58

L Yes, though support under NIHCATS IV will be performed under task orders, resumes for the technical/administrative leads will be required at this stage of the procurement process as evidence that the offeror posses the capable staff to perform the Government's needs.

50 The RFP states: “Offeror’s proposals shall consist of submissions as set forth in the below table…Volume II Business Proposals, 1. Forms, a. Signed SF 1449 and all amendments -SF30s.” Would NIH kindly provide the SF 1449 form for Offerors to sign and include with their submissions?

Section L.3 Mandatory Submittal Requirements:

L Please find the SF1449 in the amendment.

51 Can CPARS be submitted in place of PPQs? Section 4.3.4 Past Performance, Page 60

L CPARS reports are not a substitute for completed past performance questionnaires. However, CPARS reports may be provided in addition to completed questionnaires.

52 While some of our services have international reach, the individuals performing those services were based CONUS and not OCONUS. Would the gov't clarify that this is acceptable or consider eliminating this paragraph:

"Offeror shall provide documented evidence which demonstrates that they have successful experience providing international travel and conference services to scientific and medical research customers in support of conferences held outside of the United States."

Technical Proposal, Page 57 L Where the individuals performing those services were based is not relevant. The paragraph will not be eliminated.

53 Can the Government itemize which labor categories require resumes?

Section 4.2.4 Personnel Management, Page 58

L The resumes required are outlined in Personnel and Management in Section L of the solicitation.

54 Would the Government consider extending past performance within 5 years rather than 3 years, considering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020-2022?

Section 4.2.2 Related experience, Page 60

L No.

55 Is there a particular format requested for resumes for key personnel?

Section 4.2.4 Personnel Management, Page 58

L No.

56 Can the Program Manager and/or Deputy Program Manager also serve as Project Manager and/or Assistant Project Manager as listed in the Labor Category Descriptions?

4.2.4 Personnel and

Management, Pages 57-58 and Attachment 11

L Yes.

57 Please confirm offerors should include the required authorized signature on the proposal cover and that the proposal cover will not count toward the 25 page limit on the technical volume.

L.2, Pg 54 L Yes, the proposal must be signed by an official authorized to bind your organization and must stipulate that it is predicated upon all the terms and conditions of this RFP. The cover page will count toward the 25-page limitation.

58 "The proposal must be signed by an official authorized to bind your organization and must stipulate that it is predicated upon all the terms and conditions of this RFP."

Please confirm this stipulation can be included in Volume II - Business Proposal.

L.2, Pg 54 L Yes, this stipulation can be included in Volume II - Business Proposal.

59 In the event of a government shutdown, is there a chance that the eCPS system might not be running or experience issues? Does the government have any further guidance on this matter or any others related to the implications of a potential government shutdown?

Section L.2, Pg 54 L eCPS is expected to be operational even during a potential government shutdown.

60 Please confirm that the required table of contents is not included in the 25 page limit.

L.4.2, Pg. 56 L The table of contents is included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal.

61 Will NIH consider exempting the Quality of Work Products section from the page count, and allowing work examples to be provided in an appendix?

L.4.2.3, Pg 57 L The Quality of Work Products section is included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal and cannot be included in an appendix.

62 Please confirm that resumes are exempt from page count and can be included in an appendix.

L.4.2.4, Pg 58 L Resumes are included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal and cannot be included in an appendix.

63 Regarding the 7-page sample task order response, can NIH please confirm that this is supposed to be its own document and is thus exempt from the 25-page limit?

L.4.2.5, Pg 59 L Response to sample task order is included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal.

64 Will NIH accept years of experience in lieu of a degree for our IT Lead role?

L.4.2.4, Pg 58 L No substitutions will be considered.

65 Please confirm the honorarium amount is only for the 3 days of the meeting and does not include the pre-meeting travel day.

Sample Task Order SOW, Task 1.5: Honorarium, page

L For this sample task order, the honorarium amount is only for the 3 days of the meeting.

66 Do resumes for Key and non-Key personnel count against the Technical Proposal page count?

4.2.4 Personnel and

Management, page 57

L Resumes are included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal.

67 Will the government accept a CPARS in place of a past performance questionnaire for evaluated contracts?

4.3.4 Past Performance, page 60; Past Performance Evaluation, page 64

L CPARS reports are not a substitute for completed past performance questionnaires. However, CPARS reports may be provided in addition to completed questionnaires.

68 Please confirm that in RFP Section L.3 "MANDATORY SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS" the Form titled "Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items" is actually referring to Section K ( Attachment 07 to Section J) titled "Representations, Certifications, and Other Statments of Offerors". If not, please provide a link to the attachment referenced in L.3

L.3, Mandatory Submittal Requirements, Business Proposal, 1.d

L Offerors must submit their full reps and certs in the business proposal. The reps and certs may be pulled from SAM in lieu of completing attachment 7.

69 Page 55 of the RFP states that technical proposals are limited to 25 pages (for all elements with no exceptions).

However, page 29 states that offerors must submit an HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template. The template will take up at least 16 pages of the page count.

Could the 508 Product Assessment Tempate be submitted as an appendix to the technical proposal or as a part of the business proposal?

Article H.12. (p. 29) and Mandatory Submittal Requirements (p. 55)

L The HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template will be completed at the task order level, if required.

70 Can the Work Products be included as an Appendix? 4.2.3 Quality of Work Products, page 57

L The Quality of Work Products section is included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal and cannot be included in an appendix.

71 Are the technical/administrative leads at the task level or IDIQ level?

4.2.4 Personnel and

Management, page 58

L Resumes of technical/administrative leads are required for the master contract proposal; however, they are individuals that would support work at the task order level.

72 Please indicate what would satisfy the Government's requirement for 'signed letter(s) indicating the Offeror has the necessary $2M line of credit, financial capacity, working capital, and other resources to perform the contract without assistance from any outside source.' If the financial statements submitted demonstrate the financial capacity and working capital, are signed letters required? If so, by whom should they be signed? Does the LOC have to be for $2M, or can a lower LOC be combined with other resources be used to demonstrate the financial capacity/access to $2M to required?

4.3 Volume II Business

Proposal, 4.3.1f. page 59

L Signed letters are required in addition to your financial statements. The letters must be signed by the financial institutions that extended you the line of credit or that can verify your financial capacity. The line of credit may be combined with our resources to satisfy the $2M Government requirement.

73 Are resumes and work products permitted in an appendix?

4.2.3 Quality of Work

Products

L The resumes and work products are included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal and cannot be included in an appendix.

74 Can the work products requested be attached to the Technical Proposal as an Appendix?

4.2.3 Quality of Work

Products

L The work products are included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal and cannot be included in an appendix.

75 Do all related experience examples also need a Past Performance for the Business Proposal?

4.3.4.Past Performance L Yes, past performance questionnaires must be completed for all related experience examples.

76 Can Past Performance be used without being part of the Related Experience section in the Technical?

4.3.4.Past Performance L No.

77 Can the Representations and Certifications be the SAM report?

Volume 4.3 L Yes.

78 Can CPARS be used for Past Performance? 4.3.4.Past Performance L CPARS reports are not a substitute for completed past performance questionnaires. However, CPARS reports may be provided in addition to completed questionnaires.

79 For international experience, is it a requirement that the firm managed a conference outside the US or can the experience be supporting international travel?

4.2.2. Related Experience L For international experience, it is required to demonstrate experience managing a conference outside the US.

80 Is there a date requirement for conferences held outside the US? I suspect that there were not many contractor-supported NIH conferences outside the US since COVID.

4.2.2. Related Experience L Yes, work must be completed during the past three

(3) years.

81 Will the government consider past performance from the last 5 years rather than 3 years. Due to the pandemic, there was a significaant decrease in similar contract work between 2020 and 2021.

Description of Submittals Pages 56 and 57

L No.

82 Please confirm Quality of Work Products can be included in the appendix, and will not count against the 25-page limit.

Description of Submittals.

L The work products are included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal and cannot be included in an appendix.

83 Please confirm resumes can be included in the appendix, and will not count against the 25-page limit.

Description of Submittals.

L The resumes are included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal and cannot be included in an appendix.

84 Are Work Product examples considered to be part of the Technical Proposal, and if so do they count against the Technical Proposal page count limitation?

4.2.3 Quality of Work

Products, page 57, 62

L, M The work products are included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal and cannot be included in an appendix.

85 Are examples of recent work products required in Evaluation Criteria, Section 3.3 Quality of Work Products, excluded from the 25 page limit of Volume I, Technical Proposal?

Section 3.3 Quality of Work Products

M The work products are included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal.

86 Is the Approach to Sample Task Order to be submitted as a separate volume or included as an appendix to Volume I Technical Proposal?

3.5 Approach to Sample

Task Orders

M The approach to the sample task order is included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal and cannot be included in an appendix.

87 Is the cost/price for the Sample Task Order to be submitted as a separate volume or included as part of Volume II Business Proposal?

4.2 Sample Task Order

Cost/Price Evaluation

M Cost/price for the sample task order is to be submitted as part of Volume II Business Proposal.

88 Section 3.3 Quality of Work Products states that the number of work products will be at the offeror's discretion, but states nothing regarding the size of those work products. Are these work products expected to be full size or will smaller thumbnails be acceptable to account for proposal page limitations?

Section 3.3 M Size of the work products is at the discretion of the offeror but must allow for the evaluation based on technical quality, production quality, creativity, and clarity.

89 The RFP states: "In addition, resumes for the technical/administrative leads will also be evaluated...Serving as the overall lead on complex projects and the principal liaison between the contractor and the government at the task order level, the lead will be responsible for ensuring that all services associated with a task order are completed effectively, efficiently, and on time. The Task Order lead will also demonstrate experience in managing associated technical project issues and assuring quality control programs are in place and consistent on all work assigned." Could NIH confirm that non-Key Personnel resumes are only required at the Task Order level and not at the IDIQ level?

Section M.3.4 Personnel and Management: Page 62

M Resumes of technical/administrative leads are required for the master contract proposal; however, they are individuals that would support work at the task order level.

90 Would the Government consider extending the timeframe of quality/recent work products to five years rather than three years, considering the COVID -19 shutdown from 2020 - 2022?

Section 3.2 Quality of Work Products, page 62

M No.

91 Can NIH consider changing the recency requirement for related experience from 3 years to 5 years? Due to the pandemic, many firms have had less international meeting work to reference since 2020; allowing references from before 2020 would better enable firms to demonstrate capabilities in this area.

M, 4.2.2, Pg 66 M No.

92 Can CPARS be submitted for past performance in lieu of a questionnaire?

M, 4.3.4, Pg 62 M CPARS reports are not a substitute for completed past performance questionnaires. However, CPARS reports may be provided in addition to completed questionnaires.

93 M.3.4.h calls for a quality assurance/quality control plan.

Will NIH accept a full QA/QC plan as an appendix, as opposed to a succinct write-up within the 25-page limit?

M.3.4.h, Pg 63 M No.

94 Given the instructions to limit technical proposals to 25 pages and the expectation that work products will be provided for a complete evaluation of the offeror's capabilities, can offerors please provide work products as an appendix to the technical proposal?

Header: 3.3 Quality of Work Products (p.62)

M The work products are included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal and cannot be included in an appendix.

95 Given the instructions to limit technical proposals to 25 pages and the expectation that 2-page resumes for two key personnel and additional non-key task leads will be provided for a complete evaluation of the offeror's personnel and management, can offerors please provide resumes as an appendix to the technical proposal?

Header: 3.3 Personnel and Management (p.62, 63)

M The resumes are included in the 25-page limitation for the technical proposal and cannot be included in an appendix.

96 In Section M, Key Personnel are described as Program Manager and Deputy Program Manager and non-key personnel include Task Order Leads. In Attachment 11, the Labor Category Descriptions do not include Labor Categories for Program Manager, Deputy Program Manager, and Task Leads. Will the government please clarify if in Attachment 11 Project Manager should actually be Program Manager and if Assistant Project Manager should be Deputy Program Manager? Could the government please add a Task Lead Labor Category?

Header: 3.3 Personnel and Management (p.62, 63) and Attachment 11_NIHCATS IV_Labory_Category_Descri ptions (p.1)

M The Program Manager and Deputy Program Manager are for the master contract and descriptions can be found on page 58 of the solicitation. Description of the non-key technical/administrative leads can be found on page 58 as well.

97 Regarding the "documented evidence which demonstrates successful experience in providing international travel and conference services", To what extent will the Govt be evaluating the experience of the Proposed Key Personnel?

4. DESCRIPTION OF

SUBMITTALS, 4.2 Volume I Technical Proposal, 4.2.2 Related experience. Pg. no 57/66

L See evaluation criteria in Section M.

98 Can the Govt. please provide an Extention to the submission due date ?

2. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

INFORMATION

L No.

99 Can you share some examples of the conference and events websites developed through this contract?

No.

100 Can you share an example of a Task Order that involved design and development of a conference or event website?

No.

101 How will the Government ensure that payments are made within NET 30?

N/A Refer to the attachment concerning invoice instructions.

102 Will the Government pay interest on payments made outside of 30 days?

If yes, what is the interest rate the government will pay on late/unpaid invoices?

N/A Refer to the attachment concerning invoice instructions.

103 On delayed payments from the Government, how will the pay the monthly interest charges?

N/A Refer to the attachment concerning invoice instructions.

104 How many IDIQ contract awards will be made? Article B.1., page 3 The anticipated number of awards is not known at this time.

105 Since this is a multi-award IDIQ, what does the Government anticipate each contract award value?

Article B.1., page 3 The shared contract maximum for NIHCATS IV is $100,000,000 for the five (5) year period of performance.

106 If the contractor is responsible for developing the meeting websites, registration forms, and tools, what website, database, servers, and related technologies are available on the government network?

SOW, Section C.2.5 Website Design, Development, and Maintenance Support/Internet Support (Task Area 5). Pages 5-6.

Details of the government requirements will be outlined at the task order level.

107 On page 6, item f) it states “Convert images, audio, or video as requested for services that require databases.”

A. Please clarify the requirement for databases and how it relates to images, audio, or video.

B. Will the contractor be responsible for designing and developing the database(s)?

C. How are these databases intended to be used?

SOW, Section C.2.5 Website Design, Development, and Maintenance Support/Internet Support (Task Area 5). Page 6

Details of the government requirements will be outlined at the task order level.

108 On page 6, item g) it states “Provide technical support for site maintenance and tracking.”

A. Is there a government furnished technology that the contractor is required to use for tracking web metrics or is the contractor responsible for determining and/or providing the tracking solution?

B. If the government is furnishing the technology, what tracking technology will be used?

SOW, Section C.2.5 Website Design, Development, and Maintenance Support/Internet Support (Task Area 5). Page 6

Details of the government requirements will be outlined at the task order level.

109 On page 6, item h) it states “Develop mobile web application that may serve as a hub for presentations, registrations, meeting content, and any other relevant information.”

A. Is mobile web application referring to a mobile responsive website or a standalone mobile application?

B. If this refers to a standalone mobile application, what platform (e.g., iOS, Android) should it support?

C. If this refers to a standalone mobile application, what are the restrictions, if any, on using a third-party mobile application to meet this requirement?

SOW, Section C.2.5 Website Design, Development, and Maintenance Support/Internet Support (Task Area 5). Page 6

Details of the government requirements will be outlined at the task order level.

110 Will the contractor be given Government Furnished Equipment or access to a Virtual Desktop to perform the IT portion of this work?

N/A Any Government Furnished Equipment will be identified at the task order level.

NIHCATS IV Q&A