CUI-SP-Procure_Final Questions and Responses_ Coaching Managers at all Levels.pdf

Vendor Questions

Coaching Managers at All Levels

The closing Deadline for Coaching Managers at all Levels is extended to July 30, 2024, by 1:00 pm EST.

Please see changes to the RFP and Attachment 1_Pricing Template in “Red Type”

Document Page Section Question Response

RFP 2 Task 1

The solicitation indicates that the training could be conducted in person and/or virtually. For pricing purposes, could you confirm if one session is in person and the other session in year one would be virtual?

The location of the sessions in the base year will be based on several factors such as the target audience, space availability, and travel funding.

FSA would like the flexibility to change the training modality if circumstances yield that one modality may be more convenient for the target audience. The first session will be delivered virtually.

Attachment 1 Pricing

Template All Key Personal

May the contractor add line items to the pricing sheet for different labor categories? For example, may the contractor add a line item for a training producer during a virtual session or a project manager?

FSA does not see the need to include additional contractor personnel.

RFP 6 Key Personal If the contractor has a single qualified resource for more than one labor category, may one individual be put forth to cover both roles?

The government feels that the two key personnel listed in the RFP are needed for this requirement and will be expected to possess and perform the skills as outlined.

General Question N/A

General Question Is there a budget for the project that can be disclosed?

No, budget information can be disclosed at this time however, the budget for this requirement is very limited.

5 General Question N/A

General Question

Has this program been delivered previously.

No, this program has not been delivered previously.

6 General Question N/A General

Question Is there an incumbent? There is no incumbent contractor.

7 Attachment 1 Pricing

Template All Task 2 What does WDD stand for on the pricing sheet?

FSA’s Workforce Development Division (WDD)

8 Attachment 1 Pricing

Template All Travel

Is the travel budget for the initial year only? Is the budget for travel renewed each year?

The pricing template specifies that travel is “not to exceed” $2,000.00 in the base year, $2,000 in option year one and $2,000 in option year two.

9 Attachment 1 Pricing

Template All General

Question

Where would the contractor identify other direct costs, such as printing and shipping costs associated with course materials for in-person sessions?

Line items for Printing and Other Direct cost have been added to the Amendment 0001_ Attachment 1- Pricing Template.

10 General Question N/A General

Question Do Cover Page and/or Cover Letter count against any of the page limits specified in the instruction?

The cover page will not be included in the page count.

General Question 5

First paragraph after deliverables chart

Are there other programs or trainings that FSA participants have access to that align with this requirement as the SOW states that this program should be collaborative with other cultural offerings within FSA?

Yes, there are other leadership development and supervisory trainings and programs that support the development of our supervisors/managers.

RFP N/A General Question

Does FSA have specific scheduling expectations for when the course would be delivered twice during each Fiscal Year?

FSA will work with the vendor to determine the delivery dates. Ideally, FSA would like to deliver the first session in late fall/winter and spring.

RFP 26

Instructions

General Question

Is it acceptable to include a conventional Cover Page and Cover Letter in addition to the pages identified in the Request?

1. A “cover page” is acceptable.

2. Vendors may include their company’s background/history in their technical proposal therefore, a “cover letter” is not necessary.

RFP 4

Deliverables chart items 3 and 4

"Setting Employees Up for Success Learning Series” is a specific reference made in the Deliverable 3 and 4 descriptions. Initial research did not provide any clear match. Is there more information - or a link - available about this learning series so that we can be sure of our ability to propose a solution that aligns with these FSA deliverable expectations?

FSA, deleted “Setting Employees Up for Success Learning Series” from the deliverables chart items 3 and 4 (See Amendment 0001_RFP).

RFP 2 Key objectives

Should vendors consider any specific Department of Education or other Federal learning model(s) to inform the set of management skills that are expected to be addressed through the application of Dr. Katz’ model (specifically Technical Skills)? Or is this at the discretion of each vendor’s technical solution?

This will be at the discretion of each vendor’s technical approach.

RFP 2 Key objectives

Several requirements are included for the contractor to demonstrate alignment between the course and the FSA’s strategic goals and objectives. The goals are not stated in the RFP and only “some key objectives” are identified. Will the Government provide those strategic goals and all key objectives now? Especially since they must be addressed at the kickoff meeting 5 days after award and in the instructional design worksheet 8 days after award.

The course content should align to the key objectives listed in the RFP.

The FSA strategic goal that this course will align under is Goal 4:

Increase Workforce and Workplace Capabilities but the goal of the course is to “Provide a management development course that supports and enhances manager communication and performance”

RFP 26

Quotation Preparation and Submission Instructions

Instructions indicate that NDAs should be included with the technical submission. Is that correct? It would seem more appropriate to execute the NDAs post award.

All “requested documents” must be provided at the time of proposal.

RFP &

Attachment 1 Pricing template

Estimated Schedule of Deliverables/ Due Dates

Deliverable # 7 includes identifying and documenting areas for enhancing the training after the course has been delivered. Will the Government expect or desire changes to the course after the first delivery in a performance period and before the second delivery in the performance period? If so, there does not appear to be a task or deliverable to support this and the hours in the pricing template would not seem to support this.

Deliverable #7 will be discussed at the close-out meeting to debrief the trainings conducted in the performance period. Task 2 of the RFP also speaks to tailoring the course so if a major concern is observed/raised that impacts the target audiences learning by the government, vendor, or participant feedback it will need to be addressed to prevent further impact to the next delivery and negative feedback on the Level 1 evaluation.

19 Final RFP

Pricing Template

5 Other Requirements

The section states, “Training materials can be printed in black and white, but color printing is preferred for content or visuals that would be better enhanced in color print (e.g., key flow charts, diagrams, or pictures).” Is the expectation that the contractor will print the materials for the 25 participants? If so, there is no line for materials in the pricing template.

Yes, the contractor will print the materials. (Please see Amendment 0001_Pricing Template.

Pricing

Template 1 Task 1

Task 1 only reflects hours for actual face time with the classes for the Senior Instructor/Facilitator, no hours for preparation before delivery or wrap up after delivery. Can offerors modify hours in the table and provide an explanation in an accompanying narrative?

This will be a firm fixed price award;

therefore, it is the responsibility of the vendor to provide a proposed price that will cover all task to meet this requirement. Please note that funding for this requirement is limited.

RFP 6 Key Personal Would the government consider reducing 10-year experience requirement for the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) position?

FSA has reduced the Instructional Systems Designer (ISD) experience to a minimum 5 years. However, the ISD must mee the criteria specified (Please see Amendment 0001_RFP).

Pricing Template 1 Task 2

Task 2 does not include hours the Senior Instructor/Facilitator. We believe at least a small amount of their involvement should be included in the design and development processes, including the integration of FSA specific materials and content, in order to be as familiar as possible with the training they will deliver. Can offerors modify hours in the table and provide an explanation in an accompanying narrative?

This will be a firm fixed price award;

therefore, it is the responsibility of the vendor to provide a proposed price that will cover all task to meet this requirement. Please note that funding for this requirement is limited.

RFP 6 Key Personal Would the government consider a lead facilitator with a Coaching Certification in-lieu of 10-years of coaching experience.

The Senior Facilitator/Instructor requirement has been adjusted to a “minimum 10 years of coaching experience” versus “more than 10 years of experience.” However, the Sr. Facilitator/Instructor must meet the criteria outlined in the RFP.

Pricing Template 1 Task 2

The nature and content of the materials discussed throughout the work statement, including the FSA specific materials to be integrated in the course, suggest that graphic artist support will be needed.

Can offerors modify the template to add a graphic artist and provide an explanation in an accompanying narrative?

The government does not feel that extra key personnel are needed for this requirement.

RFP 6 Key Personal Would the government consider reducing the

Instructional Systems Design (ISD) position

FSA has reduced the Instructional Systems Designer (ISD) experience to a minimum 5 years only. However, requirements if we implement an off-the-shelf coaching curriculum?

the ISD must meet the criteria outlined in the RFP.

Pricing Template 1 Task 3

Task 3 seems to allocate an hour for each labor category for each meeting and an hour for each labor category for the final report. We believe a few more hours should be included for the prep time before each meeting and time needed after each meeting to write up proceedings and distribute as well as time to incorporate Government feedback into the draft report in order to deliver a final version. Can offerors modify hours in the table and provide an explanation in an accompanying narrative?

This contract will be a firm fixed price award therefore, it is the responsibility of the vendor to provide a proposed price that will cover all task to meet this requirement.